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English
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Published:
2021-12-28
Words:
399
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1/1
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29
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Lost in Translation

Summary:

Thrawn discovers he still needs some occasional help with Basic.

Work Text:

“I love you.” Eli told him. His posture spoke of nervousness, his hands clasped before him in a manner that reminded Thrawn of their cadet years.

Thrawn smiled at the younger man and briefly squeezed his shoulder. “Thank you Eli, you are one of my dearest friends.” his comm chimed, it was Colonel Yularen. “I will see you tomorrow,” he said.

Eli looked odd as he turned to leave his office, but Thrawn was distracted, and eager to speak with Yularen.

...


...

A few hours later, after he and Yularen finished speaking, Eli's expression as they parted came back to Thrawn.

He'd looked- deflated posture, chin and eyes down, brow furrowed- upset, Thrawn realized. That was unexpected. Thrawn had confirmed the closeness of their relationship. It made sense that Eli had felt the need to confirm it. Eli was most uncertain in his social interactions.

He'd once complained to Thrawn that 'love doesn't have nearly enough math in it' after a failed relationship aboard the Blood Crow...

Wait.

That had been a failed romantic relationship.

Thrawn frowned, and turned to his datapad to check something.

 “Kriff.”

...


...

He requested entry into Eli's quarters. He had an override code, in case of emergencies, but this... wasn't really an emergency. Not in the traditional sense...

He was seriously considering using his code when Eli finally opened the door. He was red-eyed, though not actively weeping, and was in his shirtsleeves. Thrawn caught sight of an empty glass and a liquor bottle on his kitchen island.

“Yes?” Eli said. He sounded tired.

“I have a vocabulary question.”

Eli's eyebrows flicked up briefly. “Okay...”

“Basic does not have different words for...” he hesitated. “You would use the one word 'love' in reference to family, friends, or romantic interests?”

Eli's eyes widened. “Oh. Uh, yes.”

“That is not how Sy Bisti works.” Thrawn said. “...Or my native tongue.”

“I see.” Eli's posture had relaxed notably since he had answered the door.

“You told me something earlier today,” Thrawn said. “That I think I may have misunderstood.”

Should I say it again? In Sy Bisti?” Eli asked, in that same language.

“Please.”

Eli smiled, and took Thrawn's hand. “I love you.”

Thrawn squeezed Eli's hand. “Ch'ah ch'acah vah.”

Eli chuckled. “You wanna run that by me in something I speak?”

Thrawn tugged Eli closer into a tight embrace, and repeated himself in Sy Bisti. “I love you.”