Even more novel was the sensation of having his son in his lap, his good arm wrapped around Anakin as the kid quietly read his homework. Occasionally, he’d stop and ask for Obi-Wan’s help for either words he didn’t understand or concepts that went a bit above his head.
The task of ones master really.
Yet, by the fond, soft look Qui-Gon was sporting as he watched the two interact as the man himself was tending to his plants, Qui-Gon didn’t mind that Anakin had gone to Obi-Wan for the help.
It was enough to make Obi-Wan smile shyly back at the man, watching Qui-Gon carefully clip his Kashyyyk climbing flowering vine into a manageable lengths, to prevent it from spreading out of its pot.
On the floor, Qui-Gon’s bright pink watering can, the flower nutrients pellets and a bin for the plant waste was stationed, in easy reach for the tall man to use on his hobby.
It was domestic and Obi-Wan couldn’t say he didn’t like it.
When Qui-Gon had told him, Obi-Wan hadn’t been sure what to feel.
A tad panicked, the sensation of fear and hope building so fast it made Obi-Wan dizzy.
The fact that Anakin had known for so long and yet not said anything did put some of Obi-Wan’s fear to the side though, the worry that someone would learn that Anakin knew and would inform the council, that Anakin would be reassigned by the council of reassignment.
Their son himself had put the other worries to rest.
Obi-Wan had worried Anakin would think they had abandoned him, had thought the boy might resent them a tad.
He hadn’t.
He still curled into Obi-Wan with eagerness, pressing his nose to Obi-Wan’s tunic, hugging him as tightly as he dared with Obi-Wan injured from his mission. No, Anakin loved them with all his heart.
Still, some fears remained.
He wanted Anakin to become a good knight, well, as long as that was what Anakin wanted. If their son wanted to join one of the corps or even leave, then Obi-Wan would support him. But those options were easier, Anakin had the skills to become quite the pilot, mechanic or any number of things.
But to become a Jedi knight, a certain… demeanor was required.
Obi-Wan worried the wouldn’t be able to teach Anakin that, that the love they had for their boy would lead to attachment.
Would lead to Anakin developing his own attachment.
Jedi were to love, to be compassionate… but love and attachment were different things.
To love with all their heart and yet to be able to let go, grieve but don’t let death or loss destroy you or your rage control you due to said love.
There were the healthy kind of love and the unhealthy kind and overwhelming emotions were not good for a Jedi. It could lead to a darker path, to the dark side whispering in your ear.
It could lead you to taking the wrong choice.
‘But we have to do our best, don’t we? We love our boy… and… and I don’t know if I’m strong enough now to walk away. I don’t think I’m strong enough to let him go either…’ Obi-Wan mulled over that.
He was worried, Obi-Wan didn’t want his love to turn selfish and problematic.
The only thing he wanted was for Anakin to become the best person he could be, to be happy with who he was, regardless what path he chose.
Pressing a soft kiss to the crown of Anakin’s head, he smiled a tad shakily as their boy made a happy noise and burrowed into Obi-Wan, ignoring Qui-Gon’s now slightly worried glance at him.
All Obi-Wan could do, was to be as good as possible, to make the decisions that seemed right and believe in the Force.
Weeks of careful planning is a must, weeks of gathering intel, of resources poured into one missions, calling in favors, getting a ship that can bypass the Empire’s security, getting a basic trooper outfit, unpainted, getting falsified papers…
But they’re ready.
They’re going to do this for Obi-Wan’s sake.
To set Obi-Wan’s mind at peace, because Obi-Wan’s wide eyes is something the troopers are all too used to seeing when Vader marches in on a place that has rumored to have held Obi-Wan with Cody at his sake.
For him, they are getting Cody out.
Its not that they don’t want to, of course not, if they could, the would get all their brothers out of the hell that is the chips…
But they don’t have the resources for all of them, they can’t bring them all out, as much as they desperately wants to. To save every last one of their brothers from the Empire and the snake at the top, leading everything.
However, they can’t.
They don’t have the resources for it, they don’t have the space and they don’t have the manpower to do it.
They do bring some vod out of it, when they can, a squad they come over, knocking them out and taking them to the medbay of their ships, getting them dechipped and rescued. But not as many as they wished they could.
Cody however is bait and they all know it, he’s bait for Obi-Wan.
They had all known that from the moment they had seen the blank eyed Commander, their vod, marching beside Vader, as if he didn’t have morals anymore.
Cody had always had strong morals, had them from the moment he was decanted on Kamino and under General Kenobi, they had only been fortified as he learned and saw more of the world and of the Jedi behavior.
Cody was a man of honor, morals and justice.
The blank eyed man was not Cody.
Couldn’t be Cody.
But he would be Cody again.
That was why Rex was on Coruscant, dressed in the white of a shiny from salvaged armor, following the commander silently.
Around him, others from Homebase were following equally silent, all of them grim but determined.
The plan was simple.
Follow Cody until he was alone, hypo him, keep him in place until he was out, deprive him of armor in case of trackers and bring him to the ship they had bartered from a smuggler with the falsified papers.
Then they ran.
Cody was making it hard though, most of the day he had been with Vader, making it impossible to approach him and Rex honestly worried that if he got too close, Vader would feel that it was him.
It was one of those things, when Vader had been General Skywalker, had always been nice, that the man always knew who his troopers were and called them by name.
Now it was a nuisance.
Dangerous.
So they had to use distance.
Only Lamb could approach without worry as Lamb was not part of the 212th or the 501st, he had been a shiny from 612th and therefore Vader had never meet him. So he had been set on trail duty for most of the day, keeping the other appraised through their private and protected comms.
They did have one scare, when one of Tarkin’s lackeys had tried to send them of to the other side of Coruscant but had managed to get out of it. By sending another team of troopers unfortunately, they didn’t like taking advantage of their own, mindwashed brothers but they didn’t have much choice.
They had to get Cody and they had to get him soon.
‘Hold on Obi-Wan… soon Cody will be home with us… just don’t do anything stupid.’ Rex bit his lips, eyes on the back of his black armored brother, wondering how many Jedi the other had murdered in his state.
Under Vader’s orders.
‘Force, I don’t ask for much, but please let it be zero.’ Rex swallowed.
Breathing out a sigh of contentment as he stared up into the blue sky, Cody couldn’t think of any place he’d want to be at that moment.
Laying shirtless on the grass in the sun, his arms tucked beneath his head as the warmth of the climate washed over him. It was the 212th week off from work, to rest and decompress from building and rotating another battalion over onto their work.
Around him, others had taken the same opportunity for some sunbathing, most troopers enjoying sprawling in the sun due to the lack of it on Kamino.
Kamino was generally always wet and cold, the sun only occasionally peeking out from the stormy sky and to be able to enjoy it on Vercopa.
Well, at least on the southern hemisphere, where the temple and their capital city was built.
The northern part was colder and so was the eastern, while west apparently had desert climate.
Cody had only been to the east and south, so he could only rely on the reports from the other towns about how it was there.
To be honest, Cody preferred staying in the south, near the Jedi temple.
Near Obi-Wan.
Talking about Obi-Wan…
Cody lifted his head a tad, looking around, relaxing when he found the Jedi sitting under in the shade of a tree with Helix, reading a novel.
They had, gently, bullied their Jedi to put on sunscreen and join them in their little trip out of the city to a grassy area, though it hadn’t really taken much coaxing to convince Obi-Wan to join them for the break. And Helix enjoyed keeping an eye on their Jedi, especially after the Coruscant visit, since Obi-Wan contracted some lung strain due to his weakened immune system.
All in all, it was a very nice sight.
“Fox is pissy.” A warm voice came from his left, Cody dropping his head back into his head to look, smirking at Rex as the man came over to sit down.
Apparently it was the 501st week break too, if Rex was here instead of working on the vegetable patches they had been assigned this month. “Oh?” Cody raised a brow, quietly wondering what the 501st month task would be.
He knew the 212th were going to be working on the hot spring that was going to be set up near the Jedi temple.
Actually, maybe the 501st would be working on the other hot spring in the city?
He knew there were plants for two.
Humming, fiddling with some grass, Rex nodded. “He’s so done dealing with the Senate. The longnecks apparently tried to get us back as ‘products’,” Rex snorted. “Until Organa pointed out that the vode were put under the purview of the Jedi by the Senate and therefore they had the right to remove us from Kamino.” He smirked at Cody.
Cody grimaced a tad, grateful for Organa’s intervention but the reminder that to many, they were simply ‘products’… well, it was never a comforting sensation.
“I think he’s jealous that he can’t just leave Coruscant.” He laughed.
Snorting, Cody could understand that, having to deal with all the Senate assholes and those that were against clones.
The Jedi had sent in a warning that the troopers would be leaving Coruscant to the Senate though, they had two months to find replacements for the guards. After all, the clones were under the Order’s purview, given to the Order by the very Senate.
It was delightful how that decision had come back to bite not only the Senate but also the longnecks in the arse.
Fair to Fox, having to stay there with those fatcats would be annoying, particularly the arrogant would be difficult, so Fox’s mood was understandable. “Can’t say I don’t get it, I’d be pissy too if it was me,” He smirked at the man, watching Rex lay down beside him on the grass. “…Where is Skywalker?” Cody couldn’t help but ask.
Ever since he had joined them, Rex rarely let Anakin out of his sight.
“Wanted to spend some quality time with Ahsoka and the twins,” Rex shrugged. “…Jesse is keeping an eye with them.” He admitted, smirking slightly at Cody’s raised brow.
Snorting, Cody nodded with understanding.
No trooper liked leaving their Jedi fully alone, there was always someone from the old GAR battalion with them, be it the commanders, a medic or one of the higher ranking troopers.
Always someone keeping an eye on them.
Especially the younglings or the ones that found trouble the most.
Anakin, and by extension his kids, were counted in the latter.
Turning his face back up to the sun, Cody let out a small hum as Rex settled to enjoy the sun with him, a soft breeze sweeping over them. ‘…I could never have imagined this in my training days as a cadet… and now I’m here… laying in the warm sun, my vode all around me and my Jedi comfortably reading under a tree…’ He couldn’t help but smile.
Honestly, he’d have to be nose blind to not smell Paz interest in him, curled up in Paz den and cuddled into him as he often is. Not even the filters of his helmet would have been able to remove all the scent when their out of their kute and armor and only in sleep clothes and helmets.
He just…
Well, he hadn’t had the energy to deal with it, the loss in his soul for his pup making him ache and feel listless in ways he couldn’t explain.
But the days passed, with Boba, Paz and Fennec hovering around him, providing each their own comfort and care. Sometimes, Cobb called from Mos Pelgo, having a friendly chat and promising to visit when he could. Cara had done the same with Greef voice echoing in the back but it was further away for them than for Cobb.
Apparently, after the deal with the tuskens were struck, the town was much safer as the tuskens and town’s people now worked together instead of working against each other. They had even initiated trade.
Cobb had quietly, with a sly smile, informed Din that they had managed to get a steady supply of black melons and the village had managed to filter the awful taste out of it.
Which was nice to hear, on a planet like this, any kind of fluid to hydrate was good, making it easier to swallow was a good idea though. Children might not swallow it if it tasted like it was in the source.
Shifting slightly, Din returned his mind back to Paz, feeling the others arms around his waist. They had been sharing the same bed since they arrived on Tatooine, unless Din stayed with Boba, his vode often comforting him.
Boba often made him feel small in those moments.
Not in a bad way though.
Small but protected, the same way his dad had done before in the village and his buir later on in the covert when they held him tight to their chest and stroked his back.
But most days, he stayed with Paz in his den.
Shifting slowly, Din turned around to look at the other’s helmet, flickering his eyes up and down, running his hand hesitantly up and down Paz dark brown upper arm. Then he ran his hand up to the others exposed neck, finding the others scent gland and bonding patch, fingertips a light touch. He was grateful the other had worn a low v necked shirt to bed last night.
Paz would be a good alpha.
Caring and warm, always there for their mate, be they beta, omega or even another alpha.
‘He wants me… do I want him?’ Din licked his lips then flushed as his mind opted that moment to remind him of all the times he thought of Paz after Nevarro. Okay, so that was a stupid question, even from an emotionally unstable and anxious man like Din was right now.
Could he be the kind of omega Paz wanted though…
Mandalorian omegas weren’t the same as core omeg-dank farrik.
Din wrinkled his nose, why was he even thinking about core omegas and standards?
His lips pulled into a snarl in silent disgust, both at the thought of core standards and at the idea that Paz would want anything to do with that. Paz admired warriors, mandalorian alphas wanted warriors, not pushovers that simply stayed barefoot and at home, always pregnant.
They wanted mates that fought at their side, wanted fierce mates that carried a child and protected both themselves and their child as ferociously as any alpha would. ‘That’s what Paz would want too… but I’m not that kind of omega, am I?’ Din slumped a tad.
He had given up his child so easily, despite being tasked with returning Grogu to his own kind, that still made him a bad omega.
Paz couldn’t possib- “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but stop it.” Paz sleep growling voice rolled through his vocoder, Din jerking his hand away guiltily as the arms tightened around his waist.
“I-” Din stammered a tad, squirming in the grip of the others arms.
“You smell miserable Din’ika,” Paz continued, gently tapping their heads together in a Keldable kiss. “I can make a guess what you’re thinking but believe me when I say that you’re a good omega. A good buir… I certainly think you’re good.” Paz voice eased with softness.
Swallowing thickly, Din struggled to open his mouth, find something to say.
Then he simply swallowed and sat up, Paz letting him go so he could, visor tilted to keep track of Din.
He went ramrod stiff when Din reached for his helmet, slowly pulling his helmet off. “Din…” He rasped, large hand settling on the bounty hunter’s thigh, voice conflicted and yet seemingly incapable of turning his head away.
Settling his helmet down in his lap, Din nervously looked to the alpha, stroking his helmet flattened hair out of his face, feeling the curl of it due to the length.
For a long minute, the two simply stared at each other, Din clinging to his helmet, visibly feeling Paz eyes flicker over his face despite the visor in the way.
Finally though, Paz sat up too, still staring. Then he slowly reached out and cupped Din’s cheek with a large, warm hand. “Mesh’la…” Paz whispered reverently, huffing out air when Din turned his head to kiss the others palm.
Watching nervously, Din held his breath as Paz reached up for his own helmet with his free hand, tucking those large, long fingers under the chin and pulling up.
Warm brown eyes looked back at him for the first time without a barrier, and Din knew that this, this was a moment he’d remember forever as Paz smiled at him, his face framed by tight curls along with the a goatee not unlike Cobb in the same black as Paz hair.
His nose was broad and slightly flat and his lips were large and dark to match his brown skin tone.
It suited him.
Paz was beautiful and Din let out a low noise, practically a quiet whine. “P-Paz.” He stammered again, unsure what he was asking for.
Paz however seemed to know, his eyes softening even more somehow before the alpha leaned in and pressed their foreheads together. “Mesh’la.” He simply repeated, warm thumb stroking delicately under Din’s eye.
‘…I was right. He is a good alpha.’ Din let himself fall apart, slumping against Paz as the other held him, their helmets resting in their laps as for the first time since he gave up Grogu, Din finally started to feel warmth in his soul once more.
SWpromptsandask 