"Nev… I'm sorry to interrupt…"

Umu was a mousy young woman, still finishing up her schooling. She was a decent artist in Nev's opinion, and a fantastic art historian for her age. Nev was happy to hire her to help out around the museum, particularly for times like these when she needed to dedicate herself to back room work like financing.

She looked up to the girl from her paperwork, grateful for the distraction. "Not a problem, I could use an interruption. What's going on?"

She stepped in quickly, closing the door behind her. She looked… confused? Nervous? It was an odd expression, Nev couldn't quite place it.

"There's a guest here, he's requested to speak with you regarding the large piece of yours…"

She tried not to roll her eyes. She dealt with these requests so frequently she was considering putting a sign up near the painting saying it wasn't for sale.

"He requested you by name, I think he may be familiar with your work, but… well, I suppose it's just unusual considering he's a foreigner."

"Oh? Really?"

"Yes, he's… I don't know how else to say this, he's blue."

Nev cracked a smile and got to her feet. "Thank you Umu. I think I know who it is."

She went to the painting, where the blue-skinned man stood waiting. It'd been some time since their first encounter. She honestly hadn't expected to see him again. He stepped to the side with a slight bow when he saw her. "Miss Sebai, it's lovely to see you again."

"Call me Nev, please. My assistant told me there was a foreigner inquiring about this piece; I was a little surprised when she mentioned he was blue."

"I happened to be in the area with some spare time and thought I might pay your museum visit, at the very least to thank you."

She raised an eyebrow, "Oh? For what?"

He cleared his throat, turning his attention back to the large piece. "For the second piece you snuck in with the cityscape you gifted to me… the portrait. Unfortunately it was not quite suitable to hang in my office, but it has made a nice addition to my private collection."

She couldn't hide her smirk, "I'm glad you're getting some use of it. Like I mentioned, I wanted to give you something to remember me by."

"I hope that I'm not being presumptuous in visiting you again?"

She wanted to laugh at the suggestion. "Where do you keep the second painting?"

"In my personal quarters."

"How often do you look at it?"

He scratched his nose. "As often as I need to."

She sat on the edge of her mattress, a blanket wound around her to help keep her bare body warm, watching the snow storm outside. He lay behind her, watching the storm from around her hips, with his hand tucked up under the blanket so he could run his fingers over her bare skin.

"This storm won't let up for a few days."

"I have a few days."

She looked down at him; his expression didn't indicate any reaction. "You have a few days? Were you planning on staying here for a few days?"

"Yes. I'm rather fond of this moon. I wasn't expecting you to host me the entire time."

She turned back to the window, watching the blinding white. The city lights could barely be seen through it. "This storm is very bad."

"I'm quite used to storms like this; my home world regularly has much worse storms."

"I don't quite know if it's safe for you to go outside." She grabbed her wine glass from the floor by her feet and took a quick drink. "You may need to stay with me until it lets up."

His cool fingertips paused momentarily against her skin. "If that is what you want, I would be happy to stay with you. I don't want you to feel obligated."

She ran her fingers into his hair. He kept it so well groomed, but she liked it better this way – messy, and with her fingers in it. "I would like it if you stayed."

His eyes drifted closed a little when she messed with his hair, and he hummed a little. "Very well."

"Will you tell me about your home world?"

His red eyes opened again, glancing up to her.

"I'm just curious." She shrugged. "I don't do a great deal of traveling."

"Mm. It isn't so different from Nivo. It's a planet called Csilla. The climate is very similar to Nivo, maybe a little colder on average, and our storms are worse. The terrain is more glacial, whereas yours seems to be largely mountainous from what I've seen. My people are much like yours, politically and culturally. Physically, the Chiss are a very homogeneous people, much like the humans of this planet."

"Oh? You're all blue? Red eyes as well?"

He pushed the edge of the blanket up her thigh and nodded, pressing his lips against her exposed skin. "Yes. Dark hair, blue skin, red eyes."

She ran her finger over the red mark under his eye. "These as well?"

"Mm. Yes. Though they vary slightly depending on genetics."

"They don't interact much with outsiders as well?"

"Not at all. They have all the capabilities to, and a very strong military, but they prefer to keep to themselves. They have no interest in expanding their control."

"Do you have family there?"

"I used to, but I don't anymore."

She was curious about his response, but it was only their second night together. She decided not to press.

As if to further enforce that he was not interested in discussing his family, he asked her, "I assume you have family here?"

"I do. My mother and father are both involved in politics. I come from a long line of politicians. My mother has been the most prominent representatives in the senate for most of her life – she's considering running for the highest office here in the next election. My father is a judge in the high court. Both my brothers are elected officials as well, one in the senate with my mother and the other works primarily on policies concerning border security."

"And you chose to pursue art?"

"Mm. I'm not terribly close to them; they don't see my work at the museum as terribly… worthy. It seems odd to me that they see little value in preserving the history of our home, and that they see even less value in nurturing young artists and innovators. But, I suppose that is their prerogative. It will hurt them, in the long run."

"I tend to agree. I take it you're not entirely fond of the tight borders of your home?"

"I'm conflicted. On one hand, I love Nivo the way it is. But at the same time… the sharing of ideas is always a good thing, in my opinion. I think a little more interaction with outsiders would serve us well."

"It is difficult to find a good balance."

His eyes were closed again. She ran her fingers through his hair again and laid down next to him. He was cool, just like last time. It must be something different with his biology. She liked it; there was something comforting about burying themselves under a pile of heavy blankets and clinging to his cool body for relief.

She traced his collar bone with her fingers, kissing up his neck to his ear and nibbling at it gently.

This must be a thing for him; he grunted, his fingers tightening around her waist. Surprised by the reaction, she pulled back and looked at him. The muscle under his eye was twitching, his eyes still closed.

"You like that?" She was glad his eyes were closed so he couldn't see her smirk.

His hands moved down, hooking around her tights and pulling her completely onto him, "Why did you stop?"

He stayed for three days. There was no reason for them to leave her studio; it was storming outside anyway, and most of the city was closed. They easily kept preoccupied with each other.

They spent a great deal of time talking about art and he spent some time watching her work. He told her more about his home and his people. He told her that Thrawn wasn't his full name, but something akin to a first name; his full name is Mitth'raw'nuruodo. He smiled at her when she repeated it and politely asked her to just call him Thrawn. Apparently his native language, including names, was near impossible for humans to properly pronounce.

When the storm finally let up, he said he had to return. She insisted on walking with him back to his ship. It was being kept in the only hangar in the city, which was intended for use by city-to-city travelers. The man at the front desk wasn't happy with Thrawn's presence – if she didn't know any better, she'd have thought Thrawn didn't even notice the man's rude reaction. But he must have noticed, he just didn't react.

His ship was small, intended for a single traveler to comfortably fit in. It was impeccably clean and well kept. He pulled her inside so they could say their goodbyes in privacy.

He did that thing again, hovering just a little away from her lips but not quite touching her.

"Thank you for being a generous host, once more."

And once more, she closed that small distance. He reacted the same way every time – a quick inhale, almost like he was surprised, before he relaxed, melting closer to her.

"I hope that I am not being presumptuous by telling you that you're welcome to come see me anytime." She paused, and kissed him again. "I think I would like it very much if you did."

He hummed lightly. "I will come visit you again, though I can't be sure when."

She stroked his cheekbone. Why did she feel sad about him leaving? This was only their second time meeting.

A few months later, he turned up at her museum again. It was evening, just before close; he wandered the museum while she shut everything down, and they took to the streets to return to her studio.

Along the way, he asked a question that struck her as utterly bazaar: "This isn't… problematic for you, is it?"

She looked at him, trying to figure out what he meant.

He motioned to a few of the people walking the streets. "I mean, being seen with me."

It wasn't something she had really even considered. There weren't many people out and about at the moment; it was well into the evening and the few people who were out were just nightlife seekers. "I hadn't really thought about it, to be honest." She paused. "I don't see it as an issue. There are those on Nivo who would take issue with me being seen with a foreigner," my family being chief among them, "but I pay no mind to those people. Their opinions don't really matter anyway."

He nodded, but didn't respond.

From across the street, there was a sharp whistle. "Nev!"

She paused in her tracks. It was Rua, a close friend of hers. She was standing outside a bar, their regular bar, with a cigarette pinched between her fingers. She waved, "Nev! Come over! Let's have a drink! Oyd and Zed are here!"

She looked back at Thrawn, smiling a little, "Would you like to meet my friends?" She paused. "They are… a little off-color from what you will usually find on this planet. I think they will like you."

He nodded, "Yes."

They crossed the street; she caught Rua's eyebrows raise when Thrawn came into view.

"Are you singing tonight?" She hugged her friend. "Rua, this is my friend, Thrawn."

Rua was absolutely awful at hiding her expressions. "Oh… your friend?" She stuck the cigarette between her lips and shook his hand, "It's good to meet you. I'm Rua." She nodded at Nev, "Yeah, I'm performing tonight. Would you two care to watch?"

"That sounds like an enjoyable finish to the evening. I would be interested in watching your performance." Thrawn said.

She smiled, clearly slightly confused and flattered by his well-mannered disposition. "Right on. Follow me."

She led them down a dimly lit set of stairs to a smoke-filled, underground bar. Over time, this location had become something of a haven for artists and intellectuals in the evenings. There was always music, and smoking, and far-reaching conversations. These were the rejects of Nivo, the people who lived on the fringe of their society. Her people, truly.

Rua lead them to their usual corner table, where Oyd and Zed, two brothers they were close friends with, were already seated. Oyd was the older of the two, with a more lanky build and somewhat sad looking eyes. She had reasoned, over the past year or so, that his eyes always looked sad because he was privately pining over Rua, who seemed entirely oblivious to his affection. Zed was more broadly built, and wore a constant smirk, like he thought most everything was a joke. They both looked about as surprised as Rua when Thrawn sat at their table with Nev.

"Oyd, Zed, it's good to see you both. This is my friend, Thrawn."

Zed looked amused. He always looked amused.

Oyd took a long draw on his cigarette and reached across the table to shake Thrawn's hand, "It's good to meet you."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

Zed shook his hand, "I take it you're from off-planet?"

"Yes, I'm here for a brief visit."

"Thrawn happens to have an interest in art, he came to visit my museum and found he's rather fond of Nivo." Nev paused.

"Oh? You're an art guy? I wouldn't have pinned you as the type. You strike me as a more… structured type." Zed said.

"I do work in defense, however I've always had a side interest in art."

"Oh. You're military?" Rua asked. "I should have guessed that from your posture."

Nev waved over a waiter and ordered them both drinks.

"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you?" Rua asked, her eyes narrowed as she leaned on the table, looking him over closely.

"Rua…" Oyd rubbed his face, embarrassed by her question.

"I am a Chiss. Based on what I've seen of this planet's population and border customs, I am willing to bet you very rarely see non-humans around here. Further, my kind is extremely rare outside of my home world. I don't think that was an unreasonable question."

Rua nodded, "A Chiss. Interesting."

"Three years ago," Oyd tapped the table, "I remember this foreigner visiting. I saw him on the streets. He was human, at least I think he was, but he had this sort of… yellowish, light colored hair. You'd notice him from a block away." He nodded shortly. "If he stuck out, you're like a…"

"A very tall, blue beacon." Rua finished with a laugh. "You're a little different looking from the people around here." She leaned forward further, across the table, "I've only seen a few foreigners in my life, and you're by far the most unique looking one. No offense."

He welcomed the drink from the waiter, nodding at Rua. "I can assure you, you look just as strange to me."

Her face cracked a smile and she sunk back to her seat. "I like this guy."

"You don't spend much time around humans?" Oyd asked.

"On the contrary, I've spent a great deal of time around humans. I have gotten more used to your appearance over the past few years, but there are still aspects I can't quite get used to."

"Like what?" The three were intrigued.

"Primarily, your eyes. Your pupils are quite prominent, there's something very odd about always being able to tell where everyone is looking."

When Nev first saw him, she'd almost thought he didn't have pupils. They were black, just like a human's, but were difficult to see at times, particularly when the lighting was just right.

"Huh. I can see where that would be really odd to you."

"So you like Nivo?" Zed asked.

"I do, it reminds me very much of my home planet."

They talked for some time, before Rua left to take the stage.

Thrawn turned to her quietly, "Is she the one you have the painting of in your studio?"

She nodded, "Yes, Rua and I have been friends since childhood. I painted that piece nearly three years ago and it still hasn't found a home." She smirked a little, nodding to Oyd. "Lately I've been thinking I should give it to Oyd."

He was watching Rua perform, a dreamy look on his face. Next to him, Zed was laughing. He jabbed his brother's side, jerking his attention back to the table.

"You ought to just ask the poor woman out, Oyd."

Oyd frowned at his brother. "I can't do that, you know."

"Yeah, yeah, you don't want to risk losing her friendship. That's sweet and all, but she's going to figure it out eventually. I know you." He waved a finger, "This one is different. It's not going to go away."

"If that's the case, better sooner than later." Nev said.

"Right. I say just get it over with." He motioned to Thrawn. "What do you think?"

Thrawn paused, but not in a way that made her think he was hesitating. It was more like he was taking a moment to very seriously assess the situation. "I'm afraid I don't know enough about the matter to be able to make an informed suggestion."

"They've been friends for seven years, right?" Zed motioned to the table, like he was trying to map their entire relationship. "Just friends, for all that time. And just in the past year, my brother here seems to have developed this big bad thing for her… watch his face when she comes around." He laughed, "The man is completely crazy for her, I've never seen him like this before."

Oyd was clearly less than happy with his brother's story.

Thrawn quirked his head to the side. "What changed?"

"Hm?"

"You've known her for seven years but only recently found yourself interested in her in another manner?"

Oyd hesitated. "I lost someone very important to me."

Nev had been present for the entire tragedy. Oyd and Zed had a younger sister - she'd gotten terribly ill and passed away over a year ago. It had been devastating to both of them, but particularly to Oyd who had been very close to her. His attraction to Rua hadn't been sudden by any means. Nev had seen it develop slowly, over the course of nearly half a year, when she and Rua spent a great deal of time helping he and Zed rebuild after the loss.

"Hm. That does make one's perspective change."

"So? What's your verdict?" Zed pressed.

"I think that if she helped you heal from that loss in some fashion, you owe her a very deep level of respect. How you choose to show that is entirely up to you; I don't know that it is something any outsider can properly assess."

Oyd looked at him for a long moment. "Thank you."

Zed threw his hands up, "You're not helping me out here, Thrawn."

She'd spent nights thinking about his hands, about the way his cool fingers felt running down her sides, over her hips, gripping her thighs. She'd missed his hands. And his mouth, the way he always kept it just far enough away to make her feel desperate. And his voice, soft and humming, soothing to listen to.

Everything, really. She'd missed everything. She was happy he chose to return sooner rather than later.

She gasped against his lips when he pushed into her, her back arching. This time was different. She'd always been the one in control, playing a more domineering role in their sessions. But this time he took control, pinning her down onto the mattress and wrapping her legs around his waist, holding her face so she was looking up at him. Their breathing was in sync, like they were sharing breaths. It was a welcome change; something so terribly close and intimate and a little romantic.

"How long do I get you this time?" She whispered against his lips.

"How long do you want me here?" His eyes were locked on her, watching every little reaction she gave with an almost studious sense of curiosity.

"Don't ask me that now, I'll say something stupid."

"What," his voice faltered a little and he hummed, "What do you think a stupid answer would be?"

She hesitated, not wanting to think about it. She wanted to focus on this. She wanted to focus on remembering every detail. She didn't get him often. She had to make it last when she could.

"That I spend ev… every night thinking about this when you're gone, and I want this as much as I can have it…"

He was hunched over her, his whole body shuttering aganst hers, with his mouth next to her ear. He muttered something she assumed was either nonsense or his native language. She wondered what he meant to say, but never found out.

He visited every couple of months, sometimes just for a night, sometimes for as much as a week.

On his fourth visit, she gave him the passcode to her studio.

On his seventh, he left a few spare changes of clothing in her studio.

Before his eighth visit, her brother made a snide comment about how she'd been seen around town frequently with a strange blue man.

On the second evening of his eighth stay, her parents came to visit her at the museum, just before close. She hadn't spoken with them in months. She saw Thrawn more frequently than she saw them.

"Nev, dear, your mother and I were hoping to speak with you."

"It has been some time," her mother added. "Too long. How have you been?"

"I'm good, very good." It was completely true. She never lied to them. They had never been shy of hiding their disappointment in her choices, so she made no effort to cover them up.

"Everything has been going well here?" Her father asked.

"Yes. We're starting an in-residence program soon with some newly acquired funding. I'm looking forward to it. I expect good things."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that."

There was an awkward but expected pause.

"Your mother and I have been… concerned about you lately."

"Lately?" She didn't mean to sound as dry as she did.

"Well yes… lately. It's been brought to our attention that…"

"Ah, you've heard the rumors as well. I've been spotted with a foreigner."

"Well… yes. Your mother and I do hope that you realize…"

"That I'm sullying your family name?"

"That how you choose to present yourself to the public has an effect on us all." Her mother said shortly.

"Yes, you've drilled that into my head for ages now."

"Nev, you've been spotted flitting around town with some blue…"

It was as if he knew someone was talking about him: The front door to the museum opened with a gust of cold air, and Thrawn stepped into the museum.

Both her parents did a double take; it was like they almost didn't believe the rumors were true. Nev couldn't have been more pleased with his timing. She waved him over, "Thrawn, will you come here please? I would like to introduce you to my parents."

He didn't hesitate, striding over to her side.

"Mother, father, this is Thrawn. Thrawn, my parents, Representative Jas Sebai and Judge Lon Sebai."

She'd always appreciated his reserved, well mannered nature, but in the current situation she thought it was maybe the best thing in the universe.

He held his hand out politely, first to her mother, "Representative, it's an honor to meet you."

Her mother looked like she'd forgotten what to do for a moment. She shook his hand quickly, looking even more surprised when he bowed his head to her.

And then to her father: "Judge, it is an honor to meet you as well." They shook hands shortly. "Nev mentioned that a good portion of the items in this museum come from your personal collection. I always enjoy meeting others who have an appreciation for art."

"Yes… well… Nev has gone above and beyond with it…" Her mother said.

"As she should, preserving these items is a means to preserving culture. There is great value in that."

"Are you an artist yourself… Thrawn?" Her father hesitated at his name. It was an odd name, compared the simplistic style of Nivitian names.

"Not at all, I am just an enthusiast. I work in defense, actually."

Another awkward silence.

"Well," her mother said, "It is late, I'm afraid your father and I must be off." She nodded to Nev, "Please reach out to us when you're ready to talk."

Nev didn't move, watching them exit her museum.

"They're concerned about you?" Thrawn asked.

Nev shook her head, "They are. They have no reason to be, but they are." She looked up at him. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being yourself." She threw her jacket over her shoulders and started shutting down the lights. "You act like you don't notice their reactions."

"Reacting serves no beneficial purpose, I've found."

She paused as she passed by him, popping up on her toes and kissing him. "You are a good man."

"To be fair, my reaction was likely quite similar the first time I saw a human."

"Hm." She ran her fingers through the hair tucked behind his ear. "I suppose we are all more similar than we like to think."

"Your parents disapprove, I take it?"

"Of you?" She went to finish closing up. "It's quite irrelevant to me, but yes, they're not fond of me being seen with a foreigner. But to be fair, they would find something to disapprove of even if you were Nivitian." He joined her side as they walked out into the cold evening air, locking the door behind. "Their approval means next to nothing to me. I'm a bit fond of you… that is the only thing that matters."

"A bit?"

"Mm. I am. I'm curious, what do you think your family would think of me?"

"Hm. My brother would likely have a reaction similar to your parents."

"You have a brother?"

She swore he hesitated for the slightest moment. "I do."

"I didn't know that. You never really talk about your family. Older or younger?"

"Older."

"Is he back on your homeworld?"

"No."

She didn't press further; something about his hesitation told her he didn't want to speak about it.

Later that night he told her about his brother going missing over a decade prior, how he'd spent years in denial thinking his brother may still be alive somewhere out there. It was over a decade later, on the anniversary of his brother disappearing from contact, that it finally sunk in: His brother was gone, forever.

She told him she was sorry he had to suffer through the realization his loss alone.

"I didn't." He said. "That was when I met you."