J.C. An unlikely love story (Thrawnxf!reader)

Echoes of deceit

You tap your finger on the table as a sign of anticipation and tension.

In front of you Thrawn is sipping his drink, hidden under a hood and eyes behind green glasses. He really does look like a Pantoran like that.

"Remain calm, you are going to bring attention to yourself" he advises.

You sigh.

"Easier said than done" you stop tapping your finger and pull your hood farther over your head, looking around the outside cafe bubbling with agitation.

All around you people attend to their business, walking around, negotiating prices with the Sapara merchants, trying products or stopping by to drink a good cup of caff despite the temperatures. You scrutinize everyone with the eyes of an eagle trying to see if you recognize someone or notice something strange. You slide your hand under your cloak to feel the gun hidden in the interior pocket, it calms you down a bit.

"I just want it to be already over."

His hand takes yours and squeezes it gently.

"We are going to put an end to this, and everything will be behind us. Do you remember the plan?"

You nod. Your thumbs caresses the side of his warm hand gently. Those little touches set fire to your soul and make your heart sing, but you must remain focused. Away you hear some voices rising like a dispute just started. Something about a cheater and a game. Shouting burst and the barista had to intervene. Thrawn makes his drinks swirl in his glass.

"Behind you on your right, a group of men are leaving the area. They got the tattoo on their hand" he murmurs just loud enough for you to hear.

You nod and stand up, leaving the credits for the drinks with a mind absently gesture and head towards the men with Thrawn by your side. They're five. Three Humans, an Azumel and a Heptooinians. They are walking close but not side by side, an outsider would not recognize them as a group but as single individuals in a crowd. You both remain at a good distance, feigning to be interested in the stalls beside you when one of them looked over his shoulder. Your gaze slides down to the revolver they're hiding under their clothes, not totally invisible to the trained eyes, then to their hands. They do have the tattoo mentioned in the file left by your dead cousin. Those are the pirates you hunted down for so long. They will surely guide you to their hideout in the region or meet their superior at one point, and then, with Thrawn's plan and good timing you'll arrest them. You feel tension in your muscles, you can't wait, a hunt of several years is about to end today. You're only noticing you started to speed up when Thrawn's hand comes to grasp yours to slow you down. You intertwine your fingers and resume walking in a more discreet manner. At first you were apprehensive of the cloak method, too visible if you were the only one wearing it, but the sun hits hard on this planet and the inhabitants hide under hooded fabric all year long, so it was a good idea in insight. Suddenly the Azumel stops and retraces his steps. Blast! Did he noticed you?

"What do you think of this dress?" Thrawn pulls you to the side, and hands you a mint dress. You pretend to take interest in the clothes as the alien walks in your direction. You feel your heart pounding.

"The rest of the group pursues its route. What do we do?" Thrawn asks you.

You look at him with round eyes.

"It's me who should ask that. You're a Grand Admiral, you call the shot."

He shakes his head.

"It is your hunt and your vengeance. I am at your service to help."

You side eyes the alien, holding your breath. He continues his strides until he walks past you. You breathe. He didn't saw you.

" We continue following the group" you agree.