Amidst it all, the Eternal Father of the Kainate stalked through the quiet corridors. His steps were fleet, His movements as quiet as the emptiness that surrounded Him. Even in full armor, the Eternal Father made no sound which could alert others of His presence until His shadow had long since enveloped them. Fortunately, none would suffer such torment this night, and those that did steer close kept their distance from the towering behemoth.
The Royal Quarters were even quieter, enraptured by a serene stillness emanating from the Empire's dutiful sovereign. Security was even more rigid here, fewer living creatures could ever behold the grace and grandeur of the Empress' abode. Even so, the guards did nothing as He approached.
Approached and passed them.
To these silent guardians, His presence had become a fixture of both day and night. Whenever He found the time, He would always find Himself passing through the regally ornamented halls, moving entirely on instinct and memory until He at least reached His destination. He needn't even knock, the door opened at His approach and closed as soon as He crossed the threshold. Within, the room was as expected of a ruling Empress. Grand and imperious, richly decorated in vibrant colors and patterns that displayed every inch of wealth possessed.
None of that matter, it all paled in comparison. She was across the room, looking away from Him at something that only her eyes could comprehend. He could sense her ire, He'd sensed it even across the vast gulf of stars that oft lay between them. She could mask herself well from others, but never from Him. No matter the day, no matter the hour, through the bauble she wore near her breast could He feel her emotions, her state of mind. Like a radio transceiver, it was broadcast to Him, and He had come no matter the inconvenience it might have been otherwise.
He would always come.
Crossing the distance in the span of a heartbeat, His arms enveloping her as their fingers wove together into an unbreakable mesh. She was so much smaller than Him, His immensity completely engulfed her. With His strength, it would have been a trivial matter to crush her in His grip, to break her bones and leave her unrecognizable. There was nothing anyone could have done to stop Him either.
But nothing of the sort happened, nor would it ever happen. She leaned back into His embrace, and He accepted the contour of her body. Neither said a single word, they never needed to when they were alone. A single touch conveyed more than could be spoken in a dozen lifetimes. Their breathing synchronized, as did their heartbeats.
She'd be leaving on the morrow, to travel to Mandalore to meet with her nephew. His grandson. Not by blood, but by sworn oaths and old deeds. He would not be going with her, the Mandalorians were not a people He cared much to indulge in. He would remain in the Empire, seeing that all His work continued even in her brief absence. War again loomed, and they both looked towards the blood-soaked dawn with eagerness. They were warriors, of different worlds but of the same spirit.
This would be their indulgence, until time came for them to again separate into two people. Back to their assigned roles, back to obligation and duty. To forever stand tall amongst the Empire as the twin pillars which held it aloft. One behind the throne, and one seated upon it. Not master and apprentice, but the closest thing to friends that can be achieved in the ruthless lives they both lived.
Burnished iron and shimmering silver.
The Tyrant and the Dragon.
Her hand clutched His tightly, tiny digits caressing that which was so stained with the blood of countless innocents it might have glowed crimson. She held onto it without fear, without hesitation. She brought one large knuckle up to her lips and let both gently brush against one another. Her mouth move, a whisper so quiet it might as well have been inaudible.
But He heard it all the same.
"Thank you."
