Stroking the blond curls slowly, Rex wondered if he had ever felt happier than in this very moment, a sleeping Anakin with his head in Rex lap, still on the couch of the 501st’s break house with everyone having skedaddled… somewhere.
Rex wasn’t sure where.
He just knew that they had promised to look after the twins, enthusiastically telling Anakin that the twins deserved some ‘uncle and auntie’ time before disappearing with the baby bags of items for the kids, leaving Rex and Anakin.
Initially nervous, clearly a tad overwhelmed despite leaving the twins with others before, Anakin had stared at the door they had disappeared at for a while before Rex had gently drawn the other into a conversation about speeders.
Easiest way to distract Anakin Skywalker?
Talk about tech.
Seeing as at the current moment they were having a minor issue of there not being enough speeders, it had been the right choice as Anakin was enthusiastically telling Rex all about the speeders and motors he was currently fixing.
The Jedi council had managed to find the other a job he would like, mechanic, as Anakin didn’t have an interest in rejoining the Jedi order seemingly, Ahsoka certainly did not, she spent her time generally helping out. But maybe Anakin had already joined?
Just not as a Jedi Knight?
Rex wasn’t sure and he hadn’t had time to ask before Anakin had winded down, becoming tired. Noticing, Rex had guided the other to his lap and told him to rest with a quiet voice despite Anakin apologizing.
Babies were demanding, being a single parent, even with so many people willing to babysit and help, was exhausting and Anakin deserved the rest.
Stars, he had missed his General and sitting here, playing with the man’s hair as he slept was soothing.
Seeing him safe, seemingly content and here, with them.
Though it hurt to consider just how lonely the other must have been on Coruscant. But there was nothing Rex could have done about that or about his General.
Honestly, he was rather sure that back then, had they approached Anakin, he would have blown the plan wide open and informed the Senate in a fit of thoughtlessness. He adored his General, loved him but… Anakin could sometimes be too impulsive.
It could be a boon on the battlefield, against droids that adapted to tactics and battles, it kept them from realizing what was going on and giving the GAR the upperhand. But in normal life… well, sometimes not so good.
Now they didn’t have to think of that, now Anakin was here and… single.
Rex flushed at the thought, looking away as he swallowed thickly.
Kark, just because the other was single didn’t mean he had any interest in males and certainly didn’t mean any interest in Rex.
‘Its enough to just be his friend, enough to be there for him, to hear his voice, to know he’s here… I won’t ask for more. I don’t want to loose what we have.’ Rex thought shakily. He could love the other without that kind of relationship.
As long as Anakin and his kids were happy… that was all Rex needed, to see the other blond smile.
The thought had his lips twitching, a slightly wry smile coming to life. ‘When did I get that sappy?’ He couldn’t help but wonder as he looked back down at Anakin, stroking a fingertip gently along the other’s jaw. ‘How are you able to make me turn so sappy?’ Rex thought was exasperated and yet… also fond.
Settling in, Rex simply watched Anakin sleep, content in the moment with what he had and the life he was trying to build.
Regardless how everyone around him is acting, its unfortunately not the first time someone has drugged him and then undressed him for nefarious purposes. Obi-Wan is unfortunately used to such treatment he must sadly profess to.
Though, thankfully, Anakin has never asked about anyone actually getting too far nor did Cody ask this time.
At least this time they didn’t succeed in actually doing anything to Obi-Wan beyond some bruising and the drugs.
Admittedly, that doesn’t mean he’s fine with what happened but it could always have been worse and once the bruises heals and he’s meditated enough, the memories will fade too. Especially in the wake of the protective feelings rising around him.
Having the men look out for his well being and Anakin Force aura curled into his is doing wonderful for the shivers that occasionally travels down Obi-Wan’s spine.
Still, being stuck in the medbay is the last thing Obi-Wan wants and he would have escaped ages ago if it wasn’t for one thing and only one thing…
Or rather one person.
Anakin is currently holding tightly onto him, Obi-Wan stuck on the others chest with their legs tangled quite heavily and there is no way Obi-Wan can untangle himself from the legs and arms without waking the younger Jedi.
Sulking a tad into the others warm neck, Obi-Wan let out a small sigh and decided to just endure it for now. Eventually Anakin would wake up and Obi-Wan could hopefully make his escape from the medbay before Helix, Potion, Bandaid or any of the other medics managed to shanghai him and keephim in medbay.
Its not that he hates the people in it of course, its just… medbays always linger with the feeling of pain and discomfort and Obi-Wan himself has never been quite good at filtering that out. Even the Halls are bit difficult for him and he never rests well when he’s in any medical facility, not even a Jedi run one.
He can only blame the drugs and Anakin as the reason for why he has actually slept well this time.
Its one of the reasons Anakin impresses him, Anakin, with all his power, is able to filter out the sensation of lingering pain, unease, sickness and the general miasma a medical facility has and Obi-Wan can’t help but wonder if its due to Anakin having gotten used to staying at Obi-Wan’s side when injured.
Its a plausible explanation, Anakin building his shields and resistance as he sat at an injured master’s bedside, doing his homework with Obi-Wan’s help or quietly playing with his latest project as he waited for Obi-Wan to wake from yet another drug induced coma.
Feeling eyes on him, Obi-Wan raised his head enough to find Cody in the bed across from them, the commander watching with intent eyes.
When Obi-Wan meet the amber eyes, Cody quickly scanned him before smiling and relaxing into his bed, clearly relieved to see the other in a sober state.
Quietly, Obi-Wan finger spelled a greeting, smiling in return as he got a finger spelled greeting back. It was clear that no one else was awake in the medbay however and therefore they restrained themselves from talking.
Obi-Wan could however feel the others eyes on him still, Cody’s emotions having gone almost soft and warm in the Force, directed at him and Obi-Wan couldn’t help but hide in Anakin’s shoulder at the feelings, unable to distinguish them with Cody’s shields and yet still feeling warm at them.
The care his men and Anakin had for him ever since discovering the truth of his heritage and what it could mean for him… well, Obi-Wan couldn’t help but feel awed and honored at the protection and concern extended to him.
He wasn’t sure what he had done to deserve it all… but he would forever be grateful.
Feeling himself flush as the entire council stood and bowed to him, Cody cleared his throat a tad nervously and lifted his hands. “Please, you don’t have to…” He trailed of, uncertain how to word himself only to relax when the Jedi exchanged quick looks and sat down in their chairs.
“Thank you for agreeing to see us, Vod’alor Kote, we understand your time must be… limited and that you were injured in the coup and therefore recovering.” Master Windu started, watching Cody with clear, brown eyes.
He looked rested.
They all did, slightly concerned but actually rested, the dark circles around the eyes many of them had sported easing with General Koon looking so relaxed in his holo from the ship above Coruscant. If Cody was to take a guess, Wolffe and the boys were taking good care of their buir.
Not that Cody was surprised really, Wolffe had practically been foaming around the mouth for a month now, after finding out how Plo had been hurt by Senators and Cody was willing to bet there were injuries and incidents the other wasn’t aware of… yet.
They would try to dig, so they knew how to help.
“Of course, Obi-Wan said that there were…concerns among the Jedi. I was more than willing to lay those to rest if I can,” Cody raised a hand to his chest, bowing slightly. “And I am in debt to the order for sending a healer my way, my CMO was quite insistent in drilling in that if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be seeing or hearing so well.” He smiled reassuringly.
He got a small, pleased smile from a few of them and Cody had to tell his heart to still at the sight of Obi-Wan’s soft smile at him.
“Right you are, concerned some of our members are,” Yoda finally croaked, sitting up a bit in his chair. Stars, the old man looked his age and yet somehow like the burdens of several lifetimes had been taken of his shoulders today and Cody felt his heart go out to him. “Hoping to lay them to rest we are, with your answers.” He continued, unaware of Cody’s thoughts.
It can’t have been easy for the old man, being unable to protect generation after generation of Jedi, to see his own padawans walk into the Senate, to know the younglings he was teaching might one day be in the Senate at the mercy of a Senator.
If he could lay the fears of the Order to rest, then by the Prime’s bones, Cody would. “Please, ask me anything that concerns you and the Order. I will answer.” He promised quietly, hoping his sincerity reached them despite the shields he knew to keep in place.
Wouldn’t do for Obi-Wan to realize his feelings after all.
Several council members traded glances but Cody kept his eyes on Yoda and Windu, focusing on the latter when he leaned forward.
He was honestly a bit grateful the master of the Order would stand for the talking. Yoda’s way of speaking was sometimes confusing and always headache inducing for Cody. “There has been questions raised about our… service to the Senate, now that you and the vode are in charge.” The man slowly stated and Cody had to fight not to curse or clench his hands. This was the council yes but the last thing he wanted was to scare these people, especially when he took note of Billaba’s robe being pressed in even if he couldn’t spot anything that should be doing it.
He imagined her young padawan, her son, was pressed to her side and listening, being edited out of the holo, likely by her own men.
Cody didn’t want to scare the youngling at all and he could understand that the order was leery and confused.
“Discontinued, any Senator that tries to request any of you are to be denied and reported to either a liason of the vode or directly to me.” He answered swiftly and grimly.
Instantly, several council members eased up, looking at Cody with undisguised hope. “Reported?” Windu continued, his hands clenched between his knees. He looked like a man that didn’t want to dare hope.
“The Senators have been told, in no uncertain terms, that any requests for…” Cody had to clench his teeth together for a moment, his fists gripping so hard they could all hear the plastoid creak before he managed to calm himself. “Personal meetings with any Jedi are to be preformed with at least two vode in the room and any found to be requesting… service, will find themselves put on a closed trial.” He stated darkly.
Actually, most of that was true, except for the closed trial part. Cody had made it clear to anyone with a history of requesting Jedi, that he would have them executed for rape, coercion and for the worst of them, torture.
That’s what Cody saw some of these karking kinks as, torture.
If you had consensual agreed to it, then sure, that was up to you and your lover but the Jedi had never consented to any of this. So yeah, Cody had made that clear.
Several Jedi slumped, Cody pretended not to see Ti desperately wipe at her face or how Fisto’s tentacles were quivering quite obviously as he stared at his own hands in his lap.
He did take the chance to glance at Obi-Wan, finding him smiling at Cody with wet eyes, full of gratitude and relief.
Moreover, looking at Yoda, the man slumped into his chair with his clawed hands pressed to his chest… well, Cody could only imagine the relief the Jedi council were feeling.
So he took a step forward, standing in the middle of the room, making sure he had their attention as he spoke again. “They will never again touch any of you, no one on Coruscant will. The vode won’t allow, I won’t allow it. You will never be subservient to the Senate in such a manner, ever again.” He promised fervently.
Never again, so Cody swore on his own life and the lives of his brothers.
Never.
Vod’alor = Brother’s captain (Siblings captain doesn’t roll quite as nicely. That’s the only reason its brothers)
Kote = Glory (many think this is suppose to be Cody’s name, felt appropriate to use here, as a ruler lol)
Admittedly, when he had tracked down the bounty hunter to Kamino, this was the last Obi-Wan had expected to happen.
Of course, the Force had been odd and distracting, almost buzzing in a way, ever since he landed but even then Obi-Wan couldn’t have expected… this.
Time travel.
Three little souls, though admittedly two of them had been adults when they were pulled back.
Had.
Because it was clear, to both Fett and Obi-Wan, that the both young Boba and young Din had been effected by their travel through time in more than just physical, their mentalities had clearly shifted with their bodies, the one being least effected being Grogu.
Oh, of course they still had their memories, some likely horrible, traumatizing and some good ones but clearly their mindsets had been shifted about them, leaving them as precocious children to anyone that did not know better.
They would clearly need a special hand, special protection with what they had gone through, maybe even therapy.
Especially Din, Children of the Watch were… well, if Obi-Wan was to call them anything, it would be a cult. With their religious adherence to the code they had, it turned more towards cult than anything, though it didn’t quite fit at the same time. It was just the closest Obi-Wan came, especially with the adherence that left them as dar’manda if they broke the code.
It was clear that Din had left, either due to having his helmet removed or removing it himself and Boba, as an adult, had been helping the other cope, but now…
Well, as Fett had said, a lifetime of habits didn’t change overnight and a lifetime of being told that you had to keep your helmet on or you were no longer part of the people that raised you, that you were an outcast…
It had clearly left an impact on Din, as he bent his head so the hood slid further into his face as he continued eating, nibbling on the soft bread he had used to mop up some of the sauce of the meal.
Still Obi-Wan wondered how he had managed to get into a situation like this, sitting at the dining table with two time traveling adults become children while the other real adult was of changing diapers.
Because Fett had feed the baby tiingilar.
Even Boba had stared at his father as if he was an idiot, the man having admitted it once Grogu had suddenly farted so hard it seemed his little body had vibrated and then an awful smell had come. The look on the man’s face when Boba had very loudly declared that Jango was in charge of changing the diaper… oh, Obi-Wan wished he could have taken a holo of that.
The look of resigned dread from someone that had changed diapers before and knew what he would potentially find, despite Grogu being a totally different race. This was a man knew that ninety percent of raising a baby was fluids of different types and he had made this diaper worse by giving said baby something his stomach could not handle.
Giving a baby the mandalorian spiced food, bad idea, very bad idea and from the cursing Obi-Wan could pickup and the sound of ample water usage, he would hazard a guess that little Grogu diaper had been more than a little bit liquid.
‘Such is spice to a tiny stomach, this is why you give them tiny amounts of spice, salt and generally stick to neutral flavoring until their stomach’s develop properly.’ Obi-Wan thought with some amusement. At least, despite having liquid poop, Grogu had seemed happy, clapping his hands together while giggling at them all.
Pushing the memory away, Obi-Wan continues eating as he thinks about what the hell to do next.
He’s honestly not sure what to do with the information the two time travelers, Boba more than Din, has given him and Fett.
Does he contact the council?
Would they even listen?
Obi-Wan memory flashes back ten years and an ugly sensation settles in his chest as he remembers how insistent the council had been that they would have felt the Sith if they had returned.
No, he has a feeling they wouldn’t listen. Not even to him, the supposed Sith ‘slayer’, though apparently from what Boba says, Maul isn’t as dead as everyone thinks.
It… disturbs him, the idea of him surviving, of the man that murdered Obi-Wan’s master still alive.
Oh, he and Qui-Gon had issues and there were a chasm those last days but… he had still been Obi-Wan’s master and he had cared about the man, loved his mentor. So the idea of his murderer still surviving somewhere out hi the wide galaxy twisted his heart unpleasantly.
Then there was the clone army, the army that apparently wiped out the Jedi order.
Boba had been confused about that one himself, from what he knew, the clones loved the Jedi and Fett’s face when Boba had said that had been amusing, the way his face had scrunched up in disgusted disbelief.
So it hadn’t made sense to Boba that they’d turn on them. The boy had said, while staring at Obi-Wan, that his men had loved him, that someone named Commander Cody, had been trusted with Obi-Wan’s lightsaber so much he had a hook on his belt for it.
It had implications that Obi-Wan hardly dared to think about.
That Obi-Wan had trusted this commander Cody quite deeply in return.
So if what Boba had said was true, if the troopers had loved their Jedi Generals so much, why had they turned on them?
Furthermore there was still that issue that went a bit over Obi-Wan’s head, Jedi Generals.
The Jedi order wasn’t suppose to be Generals, to lead and army, it was all in the Ruusan Reformation pacts the order had signed with the Senate. If they were mandated to take up arms by the Senate, then yes, it was possible but it still broke the tenants of the pacts and it confused Obi-Wan very much.
There were those that hated or distrusted the Jedi in the Senate, that they would hand an army to the Jedi… it just didn’t make sense. Had Palpatine steamrolled anyone that protested or silenced them in some manner?
‘And there’s that last one that hurts my head.’ Obi-Wan thought wryly.
Palpatine.
The Sith Lord himself, Emperor of the Empire…
It just… he believed Boba, of course, but he was still so incredulous.
Moreover, he was scared.
Anakin, due to the man’s manipulations and practically forcing the order’s hands, had been left alone in that man’s care. Had been alone with a Sith lord and Obi-Wan…
His mind flashed to some of Anakin’s arrogance, his misconceptions at times of the Order or people… and his anger, always so much heavier after visit to the Rotunda.
Now it made sense and that terrified him, what plans the Chancellor had for Anakin… and if Obi-Wan could save his padawan.
Force, he was so scared and he had no idea what to do, sitting at the table with two time travelers, eating mandalorian food. He wished there was an easy answer, but none came.
SWpromptsandask 