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Endrali's resolution to tone down on tracking people through the Force was being severely tested after she checked the third of the usual places with no sign of Arcann. She restrained herself because it wasn't like this was an emergency, it was just weird. Arcann tended to stick to certain areas of the base and she knew them all and--
There. Even with her awareness curtailed close, she could pick up the pulse of his presence in the Force. The next hallway over, one of the smaller observation decks.
What's he doing there....? She shook her head. No point wondering, she could just ask him.
He was alone, standing at the far edge of the deck, leaning against the rail to look over the canopy of trees stretching near-unbroken to the horizons below. "There you are," he said without turning around.
"Me?" Endrali laughed, crossing the deck to hug him. "I've been looking for you."
A rumbling chuckle chased Arcann's shiver at the warmth of her pressed to his back. "And it only took slightly longer than expected for you to find me."
"How long have you been out here?" She could feel the morning chill seeped into his shirt, and it made her grip around his waist tighten, pressing herself closer. "And why?"
"A couple hours." Arcann moved his hand from the rail to cover hers. The skin was so chill Endrali immediately folded his hand between hers to warm it, prompting another chuckle as he answered the second part. "I thought to have a change of scene for meditating."
She gave a faux-offended gasp. "Without me?"
"You were sleeping." He paused. "Or so I assumed. Chances for that are rare; I did not wish to disturb you."
It had been nice to sleep in, even a little bit. She couldn't remember the last time she had the opportunity. "I was, and thank you." She kissed the center off his back, grinned at the shiver that had nothing to do with their contrasting body temperatures. "And this seems to have worked well for you."
There was a sense of peace to him that, while becoming more frequent, was still too often absent in her opinion. She was glad he'd managed to find it today.
"Mm," Arcann hummed. His hand flexed in her grasp as if to curl around the one under it.
"What made you pick here?" Endrali asked idly. "Why the change from our regular spot?"
"Not many come here, it seemed a good choice for solitude. And..." he hesitated, releasing the rail and turning to face her. "I tried the clearing, but it felt... odd without you."
She cocked her head. "Honestly, I'd probably say the same." She giggled. "Funny how fast we adjust to new routines, isn't it? To people being there."
He nodded, studying her face. "Endrali, I..." A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Even with some time, it's still hard to believe it isn't a dream that you... care for me."
"That I love you, you mean?" Endrali grinned at the flush that crept up his neck. She moved her hands to rest on his chest. "It's only been a week, Arcann. Give it more time, it'll sink in." Her fingers curled in his shirt and arched a brow playfully. "And I'm always happy to reassure you, if you need it."
A wry smile curved his lips. "I've no doubt you are," he murmured. He raised his hand to cup her cheek, fingers now warm as he traced her scar. "You are better than I deserve..."
"We'll have to agree to disagree on that," she said softly, and used her grip on his shirt for balance as she pushed up on her toes to kiss him. At least until I talk you around...
Arcann leaned into it, letting her settle back flat-footed. His left hand pressed the small of her back, cool metal sinking through her shirt as they parted with matching gasps.
"Did you have need of me?" he asked, a tremor in the quiet words as they whisked warm across her skin. There was a pulse of satisfaction from him when she didn't find her voice immediately. "You said you were looking for me. Was that for a purpose beyond saying good morning?"
"Oh. Right. Yes." Endrali cleared her throat. You sure don't kiss like someone who thinks he doesn't deserve me. "There's something I need to look into. Should be able to handle it diplomatically, but just in case I can't, I wanted you along for backup."
"Of course," Arcann nodded. He disengaged from their close proximity with plain reluctance. "Allow me to get my things and I shall join you. Is this...?"
"It doesn't seem connected with the other unrest, no." Endrali shook her head. "But you never know."
He inclined his head, catching her hand to kiss the palm before departing.
She let herself follow the sense of him longer than she normally would, enjoying the feel of him... content, if not happy.
She looked forward to the day that wasn't unusual.