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They lay in the afterglow. After their third , lazier round of worshiping each other, Eli got them both a cup of water and Thrawn gathered up their scattered clothing articles. Now, they lay—Thrawn flat on his back, Eli curled up on his side, head resting in the crevice between Thrawn’s collar and shoulder bone—while Thrawn draws lazy arches on Eli’s shoulder with his thumb. A faint drizzle has picked up outside, the steady rhythm of rain drops lulling them further into a peaceful nap.
That is, until the front door bangs open followed by an explosion of giggles.
Eli looks up, just to make sure they closed their bedroom door, and nestles back into Thrawn’s shoulder. “Kids are home.”
Thrawn only hums and pulls Eli closer.
More giggles dance down the hall and Thunhe attempts to whisper, though she has very clearly had a few, " Shh , they're probably sleeping."
"Oh, right, right," comes Wuluko's similarly slurred voice.
Eli bites back a smile and buries his face in Thrawn’s shoulder. Thrawn, similarly buries his nose in Eli's hair, likely to hide his own upturned lips.
There is nothing better than a house full of noises of happy children and while theirs are grown—their giggling is infectious. He can practically see them ‘sneaking’ around the kitchen, each of them trying desperately to keep from busting out in full laughter.
Someone drops something in the kitchen and is met by a chorus of shushes from the other two.
Thrawn huffs a laugh and Eli twists to face him. "Was there ever a time where you were like that?"
He knows Thrawn won't take offense to the question—they had two, completely different upbringings. Thrawn's was one of solitude and sadness; Eli's was one of boisterous cousins and running across the endless expanse of his family's land.
"Ar'alani once invited me to the Irizi homestead to make solstice bread."
"And?"
"There is a reason why we were in the military academy and not culinary school."
Eli laughs outright and hugs his partner closer, slotting their legs together. Absently, he cherishes the way they fit together so perfectly.
"What about you?" Thrawn murmurs, lips brushing across his temple.
"My entire life was like that," he waves, generally, towards the door. "I had fifteen cousins."
"You never talk about them."
Eli shrugs. "There isn't much to say. It was a different life."
"I'm sorry."
Eli pulls away so he can catch Thrawn’s gaze. "I know, but don't apologize for giving me a life I love. I have a daughter and a partner and I'm doing something worthwhile. Don't ever think I would want to be anywhere else."
Thrawn nods, but the meaning of his words seem to still be seeping in.
Eli touches his cheek, brings their foreheads together. "I love you and the life we have created," he states simply. No doubt, no variables. Just the truth.
The tension in Thrawn's shoulders melts away and he nods.
Outside, the pitter-patter of socked feet race up and down the hall, giggles actively being suppressed. "Want to go check on the kids?"
"I doubt we will be returning to sleep with all of the commotion."
Eli shakes his head. He doubts either of them would want to.
They rise and dress and when they step out into the living room, all three children freeze. They are curled up on the couch, under a mound of blankets, bowls of yapels and other snacks in hand.
"Did we wake you, sirs?" Wuluko asks, eyes widening.
Eli shakes his head. "No titles in the house."
His eyes grow impossibly wider. "Right, sir, sorry. I mean, sorry." He clearly opens his mouth to say 'sir' once again and snaps his jaw shut.
"Care to join us?" Yokima asks.
"We're watching Pride of the Syndicure ."
Eli hesitates. "Isn't that the one movie where two syndics fall in love?"
Yokima squeals. "You know it?"
Thrawn looks at Eli, also confused as to how he knows it.
Nevermind the fact that he and Thalias watched it on repeat when it first came out. She even dragged him to the theater. "Thalias mentioned it once."
"It's her favorite movie," Thunhe clarifies for him.
"I thought you guys were watching United Front , about the alien invasion?"
"Please," Thunhe scoffs. "There is only so much suspension of disbelief I’m capable of. The Ascendancy coming together? Packbulls would fly before that happened.."
Thrawn snorts at that. "Is the idea of two syndics falling in love not just as unbelievable?"
Thunhe shrugs. "You joining or not?"
Thrawn and Eli share a look before Thrawn nods and they turn back to the room. "One movie," Eli clarifies.
Yokima squeals with delight and Thunhe charges off the couch and into her room to get more pillows and blankets.
When she returns, she sets up a fort of sorts for her friends and relinquishes the couch to the "old men". The movie starts up and everyone falls silent. It's just as Eli remembers, cute, funny, and a little over dramatic at times. But by the time it ends and the credits roll, the three kids are asleep on the floor, Thunhe sandwiched between her two best friends.
Thrawn looks over at Eli and he catches his gaze.
He doesn't have to say anything, Eli already knows exactly what he is thinking.
I love you and the life we have created.