You hadn't told anyone that today was your birthday. It would be really strange to waltz up to someone and say, 'by the way, it's my birthday today.' It would just be weird. So you went about your day as normal for the most part.
In the morning your family called you to sing you happy birthday and check in on you. You assured them that, yes, you were happy, yes, Thrawn was treating you kindly, no, you weren't lonely, don't worry, you were good friends with your maid.
Your little brother demanded that you tell him about all the space battles you had been in, and you had to admit that the Chimaera hadn't engaged in combat since you had been on board, a fact that your mother was very grateful for.
Your parents told you how proud they were, and how your planet was prospering under the control of the empire. Being a part of the empire was giving your planet quite a few trade opportunities, which you were grateful to hear. It was good to know that your marriage arrangement was benefiting everyone back at home as much as it was benefiting you.
After the good wishes and telling you to be watching for the presents that they had sent the Chimaera, your family logged off.
"It's your birthday today?" chirped a cheerful voice.
You whipped around to face Mira, who was looking as bright and peppy as always. "Eavesdropping isn't good maid behavior," you pointed out testily.
"Can't eavesdrop with no eaves," she replied smoothly. "Anyway, you could have told me, then we could have cake!"
"It would just be awkward," you said reluctantly.
Mira nodded in understanding. "I get that. I absolutely despise people singing happy birthday to me. I never quite know what to do. Like, am I supposed to just stand there and smile? Should I wave? Say thank you when they're done singing? Do I sing too? Happy Birthday to meeee! It just sounds downright narcissistic! People are never even in tune when they sing! It's like, just finish already so that I can eat my cake!"
You look at Mira for a second. She shifts from one foot to the other awkwardly.
"Maybe that's just me though," she mutters.
"I never knew you had such strong feelings about the happy birthday song," you remark with a giggle. "It's not the singing I don't like, I just don't know how to tell people that it's my birthday without making it super awkward."
"That makes sense too," said Mira as she moved to straighten the room. "Anyway, I still want cake."
You sigh in defeat. "Ok, we can have cake. And you don't even have to sing."
Thrawn had invited you over for one of your frequent shared dinners, so at 0600 you pressed your palm to the panel that granted you access to his chambers. Tonight you were wearing a forest green tunic black leggings underneath and gold jewelry for accents.
The door slid open, admitting you to Thrawn's rooms, which always seemed to be a few degrees colder than the rest of the ship for some reason.
Thrawn was there to meet you. He walked you to a table set with a delectable spread of exotic foods and politely pulled out your chair so you could sit, before walking to the other side of the table to take a seat himself.
After a few minutes of eating and pleasant small talk, Thrawn said, "why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?"
You looked up, confused. "How did you know?" then, with narrowed eyes, "did Mira tell you?"
Thrawn chuckled. "It was in your file. I simply remembered the date."
You sat back in your seat. "Oh. That makes a lot of sense."
"Quite so. The Chiss never give much notice to birthdays, but it is my understanding that on your planet, along with many others in the empire, it is customary to celebrate the anniversary of the day you were born by giving gifts."
"Oh, you don't have to give me anything," you assured Thrawn. Even though you did love getting presents.
"Nonsense," Thrawn said smoothly as he held out a small box to you.
You take the small box, turning it this way and that to inspect it. It was a jewelry box. The box itself was black. You open the lid slowly and gasp quietly when you see its contents.
Inside the box was the necklace that you had been studying months ago in the marketplace at Sosa. There was a silver crescent moon on a beautiful silver chain. There was a sun hanging freely inside the beautifully detailed moon. The sun was made out of gold-colored metal, contrasting beautifully with the silver of the rest of the piece.
You looked up at Thrawn. "I didn't even say anything. How did you know I wanted the necklace?"
The corners of Thrawn's mouth tilted up in a small smile. "I'm good at reading body language."
You laughed lightly. "Apparently you are."
You unclasped the necklace, then fumbled for a moment, trying to clasp it behind your neck.
"Let me," said Thrawn, rising smoothly from his place across the table from you. He carefully draped the necklace around your neck, then smoothly fastened the clasp. He brushed his long fingers down the sides of your neck before letting his hands rest lightly on your shoulders.
"Thank you," you whispered.
"My pleasure," he replied just as softly.
You turned to look at Thrawn standing above you, his red eyes seeming to soften somehow when they meet your own.
You rose from your seat and faced Thrawn, placing your hands lightly on his chest as you gazed up at him.
Thrawn put his hands on your waist, then leaned down slowly. You closed your eyes as his lips met yours. The kisses were just as sweet as the ones you had shared that night on Sosa under the stars. You felt his tongue brush the seam of your lips as if requesting entrance. You parted your lips, then felt his tongue lightly brush yours. His mouth was hot compared to yours, seeming to warm you from the inside.
You wrapped your arms around Thrawn's neck and arched your body into his. He gripped your hips tighter in response, pulling you more snuggly to him. He broke contact with your lips, then moved his mouth down to your neck, nuzzling gently. You moved one of your hands to the back of his head in response, tugging lightly at his dark blue hair. He nibbled gently at your neck, then moved his mouth to the sensitive spot behind your ear. You shivered in delight as he licked the sensitive skin there.
Thrawn pulled you back in for another true kiss, his mouth gentle on yours. Even in his kisses, Thrawn was still a perfect gentleman.
You sucked his tongue into your mouth, lightly flicking it with yours as you pulled on the hair at the back of Thrawn's head. He let out a sound almost like a growl in response, making you shiver with excitement.
Thrawn broke off the kiss gently.
"Careful," he whispered in your ear. "I'm afraid that we must save the more risque side of this art form when we are married."
You giggled in response. "Whatever you say, Grand Admiral."
This time Thrawn did growl, before leaning back down to capture your lips in his once again.
