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Ar’alani looked over the assembled: a sea of black uniforms, golden honor chains glinting in the light. Seven stood at crisp attention apart from the others, lined up in front of her; the reason each one of them were still standing and breathing with their feet on the ground and not floating, dead, in the void of space many times over.
She walked slowly down the line, thanking the men and women for their service, attaching the various awards of recognition they had earned with their bravery and blood and sacrifices in the last campaign to chains resting on chests puffed with pride that they would never express on their own; they were Chiss of the Ascendency, and they served for the betterment of all, not for personal glory. And none was a better example of that then the last in that line: Junior Captain Eli’van’to.
Ar'alani stopped before him, attaching the medals he had earned to a chain that was far lighter than he deserved, and thanked him for his service. Eli stared forward, no less proud than the rest, no less humble; not a Chiss, but a Human of the Ascendency, and he also served for the betterment of all.
A few words to the assembled and the ceremony was concluded; applause met the seven as they turned and made their way to their friends and family. Eli remained where he stood; Thrawn had already approached him, a look of intent and purpose in his eyes. To the shock of the human Thrawn drew him into a tight embrace and kissed him openly, long and languid and impassioned. When they parted, Eli blinked in mild shock, turning to glance nervously at the Admiral who was looking at the two with amusement.
“Senior Captain Thrawn,” she chided. “Did you not tell him?”
Thrawn pressed himself against Eli’s back, draping his arms over the shorter man’s shoulders and slowly running a finger along the medals hanging off his chains.
“If I had, he would have put himself in unnecessary danger and there would be doubt if he had taken the actions he did selflessly or selfishly. Now there is no question.” He nuzzled Eli’s hair briefly.
Eli’s anxiety turned to confusion.
“Ma’am?”
Ar’alani shook her head, amusement still clear in her eyes.
“Relationships in the CEDF are not permitted, Eli’van’to, until both parties have proven that they can prioritize the Ascendency over each other.” She gestured to his honor chain. “You and Thrawn have both achieved the necessary levels of recognition, so you no longer need to poorly hide your feelings for each other.” Her amusement faded, replaced with daggers and ice. “But if I find you engaged in carnal activities on my ship outside of quarters, I will ensure that you both are no longer physically capable of engaging in carnal activities anywhere. Am I understood?”
Eli, to his credit, did not blush.
“Understood, Ma’am.”
Ar’alani folded her arms, the tone of her response dry.
“I wasn’t talking to you, Ivant.”
Thrawn pressed his lips to Eli’s head, and smiled, and said nothing.