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“Will you marry me, Eli?”
Eli sat up sharply, almost head butting Thrawn on the chin. He had been laying on Thrawn’s lap, mindlessly looking at data on his questis. Music was playing as quietly in the background as Thrawn had been stroking Eli’s hair.
“What?” Eli whispered, wide eyed.
“I think it is time, do you not?” Thrawn grasped his hand tightly. “We have been together for many years. The Grysk threat is finished, or as finished as it ever will be. It is the optimal time to begin spending our life together. Well?”
Eli thought about spending his life together with Thrawn. Sharing quarters, perhaps a house for shore leave. He pictured growing old together. Eli thought about the wedding. He pictured Thrawn walking down the aisle, he imagined holding his hand, kissing him, he imagined “-Sex”
“...Pardon?”
Eli immediately unfroze.“No, wait-” His eyes widened as Thrawn looked at him bemused. What had he just said?!
He didn’t mean to, it had just slipped out. His mind had wandered, he couldn’t help it, not after being so stir-crazy for so long. Eli didn’t mind, Thrawn was worth it, but fuck.
Chiss didn’t do pre-marital sex. Like, at all. Apparently there was some sort of bonding, pheromone thing that meant it just didn’t happen. Thrawn didn’t have any interest in sex and wouldn’t until his bonding night. Which was fine for Eli, Thrawn was the love of his life. He would embrace eternal celibacy if it meant being with Thrawn.
But it had been seven years of nothing. And Thrawn had been around him naked like, a LOT. In Eli’s quarters, in the shower, once even when sparring. For Thrawn it wasn’t anything sexual. For Eli…. those memories had kept him warm many a time as he slept in a different bed from Thrawn. Seven years of being alone, but now…
Eli suddenly realized Thrawn was still waiting for an answer. “I meant…yes. Yes! Of course I want to marry you”
Thrawn’s face broke into a wide, relieved grin. Eli leaned forward and they kissed enthusiastically. Thrawn’s hand grasped Eli’s hair tightly, bringing Eli closer to him. They could feel each other’s smile against their lips. Eli couldn’t stop grinning. Marriage to Thrawn, living with Thrawn, being with Thrawn….
Thrawn broke off the kiss. His eyebrow was raised. “You are erect, Eli”
Eli looked down, and his face went hot. “I’m sorry” Eli’s head fell into his hands. “I am so sorry, this is supposed to be a romantic moment, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable-”
“My Eli” Thrawn caressed his cheek, forcing Eli to look in his eyes. Eli was relieved to see that Thrawn was smiling. “I do not mind. It is flattering, truly”
“Flattering” Eli groaned, his head resting on Thrawn;s shoulder. “That’s-”
“I must confess, I am looking forward to our wedding night”
Eli paused. “You are?”
Thrawn’s eyes were gleaming. “Indeed. I am looking forward to you penetrating me for the first time, Eli”
Eli licked his lips. “Really?” Thrawn’s sex talk was pretty clinical, but that could be fixed with time.
“Hmm. It will be immensely pleasurable to finally have you inside of me”
“....Yeah?” Eli whispered into his neck,
“You will impress me” Thrawn said simply.
“Well, that is a lot of pressure-”
“No, I know you will impress me” Thrawn’s hands ran up and down Eli’s back. Eli shivered. “I know you will be able to read my body and know exactly what I want”
Eli leaned in, breathing in Thrawn’s cool scent. He pressed a soft kiss to the curve of Thrawn’s neck. “Thrawn…”
“...are you going to take care of that in the refresher now, Eli?” Thrawn’s voice was calm.
Eli opened his eyes. Thrawn’s face was plain as he looked at Eli curiously. He looked about as unaroused as a person could. Eli groaned loudly.
“Oh fucking-”
“Be patient, my Eli” Thrawn chided. “It will happen eventually”
“You are a cruel man, Mitth’raw’nuruodo”
“Indeed. Now if you would please remove your erection from my face, I need to call others and tell them the good news” Thrawn lightly kicked Eli’s legs.
Eli gritted his teeth and stood up to go to the refresher, trying pathetically to cover the tent in his trousers with his hand. “I hate you”
“I love you too”