Author's Note: This is another one-shot written for a friend. Just a small headcanon idea for Thrawn and Eli.
He wasn't on the bridge, and he wasn't in his office. Nobody seemed to know where Thrawn had disappeared, and Eli was growing increasingly annoyed. Too frequently these days did the Chiss slip off on his own, seemingly whenever Eli needed to talk with him. Was he avoiding him on purpose?
On a whim, he decided to check observation deck, which Thrawn had had designed specifically for the Chimaera. The door slid open with a quiet whoosh, and Eli stepped inside. The room was dark, the lights not merely at their naturally low setting but entirely off. He was about to turn away, assuming the room was empty, when out of the corner of his eye he caught the tall, silent shadow standing near one of the transparisteel viewports.
Tempted with the idea of sneaking up on Thrawn—it would serve him right for sneaking away—Eli cautiously picked his way around the room, stepping carefully, holding his breath. Thrawn did not move; he was intensely focused on the starfield outside. Eli grinned as he drew close, feeling that he might actually have a chance of success.
Then he froze, his eyes widening.
Thrawn was singing.
Not loudly, of course. It was almost as if he wasn't aware that he was singing. But the song was beautiful and sad...
...and familiar.
Eli stepped up beside him, fixing his gaze out on the stars as well.
And joined in harmony.
If Thrawn was surprised by Eli's sudden appearance, he did not show it. His eyes did brighten, however, as Eli joined him in song, and Eli gave him a lopsided smile. Thrawn sang in a language Eli had never heard while Eli sang in Basic, but that did not diminish the song in any way. In fact, the combination sent a shiver down Eli's spine.
The song finished, and they both stood in silence. Then Eli stirred, suddenly feeling guilty for interrupting Thrawn's moment of solitude.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, sir."
Thrawn's glowing eyes settled on Eli, and there was something there that he couldn't quite decipher. "You did not disturb me, Commander. In fact, I am glad you are here."
Eli gave him a tight smile and turned back to the stars.
"I did not know you were aware of that song," Thrawn murmured.
Eli shrugged. "I could say the same to you. My mother used to sing it to me when I was growing up." He turned back and met the crimson gaze. "Although I don't know what language you were using."
A smile touched Thrawn's lips. "That was the language of my people," he said quietly.
Eli's eyebrows rose, honored that he got to hear it, while at the same time... "It sounds a bit complicated."
Thrawn chuckled. "Yes, it is difficult for humans." He released a quiet sigh as he turned away, toward the stars. Eli did the same.
"This is a nice room," Eli commented. "Great view."
He almost didn't hear Thrawn's reply. "Yes."
Another moment passed silently.
"May I ask you something, sir?"
Thrawn's answer was to turn to him, bowing his head slightly.
"Is...is there anything bothering you?"
A blue-black eyebrow lifted curiously.
Eli squirmed a little. "It's just that you're here, alone, in the dark, staring wistfully out at the stars...singing to yourself..."
Thrawn smiled at Eli's description, but Eli could see the sadness behind it as Thrawn's gaze drifted to the stars yet again.
"I am all right, Commander," he said in a low, thoughtful voice. "Just remembering."
Eli nodded, a sudden pang in his heart as he stared at Thrawn's profile, illuminated by the silver glow of the stars. "Your home?" he asked softly.
Thrawn nodded but said nothing more.
Eli tried to follow his gaze, wondering if they were looking in the specific direction of Thrawn's home planet. He sighed, feeling his own twinge of homesickness. But it wasn't as strong as he thought it would be. Sure, sometimes he missed the warmth of his home and his family, but...strangely, he felt nearly as much at home right here.
In fact, there was no other place he wanted to be.