Chapter Text
He came; he actually came.
She really didn't think he'd accept her invitation, however anonymous it was.
Riyo averted her gaze at the very last moment, not wanting to stare—though, in all honesty, she already was.
Clad in his off-duty uniform, a dark gray ensemble that suited him so well it hurt, he was a vision as he stood near the main entrance.
The way he spoke, smiling here and there, laughing when his fellow commander said something amusing, entranced her far more than it should have.
She was in too deep; she was well aware.
Padmé had pointed it out enough times that it was completely undeniable as fact, eventually pushing her to invite him in the first place.
Riyo made a mental note to thank the Senator later.
"You're staring again, my dear," Senator Mothma loudly corrected from her side, and Force, Riyo had forgotten she was there.
After sufficiently jumping out of her skin, Riyo sent her an indignant glare—indeed, she had a problem, one that continued to be increasingly distracting for her, that couldn't be denied, but she did not need all in attendance to be made aware.
"Yes, I admit that I am a pitiful, lovesick schoolgirl, Mon," she sighed, still unashamedly ogling the Commander from across the room. "Though there is, admittedly, nothing I can do to rectify such a thing—trust me, I have tried. Repeatedly."
"There's no need for that," Mothma tsked. "Why don't you just speak to him? I'm sure you would both enjoy conversing."
Riyo felt her shoulders fall a little. "I... can't. He would never accept my advances; he's much too formal for such a thing."
A monumental sigh sounded at her side, and Riyo sent the senator a sideways glance.
"Maybe not. He seems sweet, though." With that, the Senator took her leave, her silver dress catching the venue light beautifully, leaving Riyo to simmer in her unrequited affections.
She couldn't just talk to him—that would end in catastrophe, especially if he had clocked her staring.
Besides, he probably barely knew she existed beyond professional capacities; he likely just saw her as another part of his job—just good old Senator Chuchi, the short, blue one.
...it wouldn't go well, not in any way she could imagine.
The commander in question bade his fellow clone adieu as the other led a dazzling planetary representative to the dance floor, apparently as bold as his bleached hair implied.
The representative actually seemed rather interested in his bright curls, if the way she kept eyeing his hair was any indication, eventually running her fingers through it after receiving permission.
Both parties were blushing.
Riyo smiled at the sight.
Since the end of the war—and how odd that still sounded—she had noticed a great change, not only in the general populace but in the clones as well.
Everyone just seemed... lighter... a burden lifted from the galaxy at large—fear replaced with acceptance, hate replaced with care—especially after the rooting out of corruption in the Senate itself.
Her smile broadened at the thought, watching the couple dance and chatter away.
It was then she noticed her new companion, and for the second time that evening, experienced her soul momentarily leave her body.
"By the Force, Thire," she gasped, glad she was already sitting. "What in galaxy's name did I do to deserve that?!"
He just grinned, that infuriating expression that said I know something you don't want me to as clearly as if he had a sign.
And of course, he knew.
Everyone knew at that point.
"Good evening, Senator Chuchi," he bowed with fake suavity. "My sincerest apologies"—though his smile contradicted that statement with grand disregard.
She rolled her eyes at his antics, which of course made him look even more smug.
"I couldn't help but notice, all the way across the venue," he began, and Riyo's blood ran cold—had she truly been that obvious?— "that a certain Marshal Commander had... how shall I say... caught your attention?"
Oh, she was going to end him.
"I have no clue as to what you are referring," she stated, smoothing her hands over her burgundy gown and pretending she wasn't actively searching for said Marshal Commander in the crowd.
He could see right through her, of course, but it was the principle of the thing.
"Sure..."
The glare Riyo sent him would have killed a lesser man. "Is there something I can assist you with, Commander? Or are you only here to torment me?"
"Torment, mostly," Thire teased, leaning against the wall behind her. "But I also have a proposal for you."
Now, that sounded intriguing.
"Oh? Do tell."
The man didn't answer immediately, reaching over her shoulder and stealing an hors d'oeuvre from her plate instead—because of course he did.
"Well," Thire began, chewing slowly, "if my brother is someone you're interested in—which, may I just say, gross—" he emphasized with a gagging motion before continuing, "I have a plan."
Well, now she was definitely interested.