Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The thought came to Obi-Wan rather unexpectedly. Unbidden in the night. So sudden, he hardly had time to recognize it. 

Cody woke him up, much too early or too late, with a kiss to his brow. 

“What time is it?” Obi-Wan muttered, squinting in the darkness up at his beloved. “Am I late for a meeting?” It certainly didn’t feel like he was late for a meeting. And it was so dark outside, he couldn’t imagine what sort of meeting he’d be late for. 

“No, Gregor called. Thrawn’s been spotted,” Cody whispered, a hand stroking through Obi-Wan’s hair. 

“Oh,” he yawned and sat up, rubbing his eyes. 

“I wanted to let you know before I disappear.” Cody slipped off the bed. He began gathering his things. His armor was snapped on with practiced efficiency. He held his hand out, his lightsaber zipping through the air and meeting him with a gentle tap. 

“Where are you headed?” Obi-Wan asked, trying to stop himself from yawning once more. Cody was about to head off into the unknown to face a dangerous enemy. He should feel frightened by the prospect. Worried that his beloved would die, and this would be the last time he ever saw or spoke to him. He should be studying the curves of his face, memorizing the timber of his voice. 

He did none of that. Instead, he felt at peace with Cody’s departure. The golden threads wrap around his fingers, wanting to show him possible futures. He pushes them away, gently reproaching the Cosmic Force for attempting to sway his actions. Whatever happens will happen. Cody was a fantastic commander. A formidable opponent. He trusted that he would do everything in his power to return home safe. 

“Over by Tatooine, if you can believe it. I mean, I can. Intel says he’s been trying to cozy up to the Hutts to use their military. Turns out, when Palpatine fell, a lot of Thrawn’s lackeys scattered as well. We knew he’d make an appearance, eventually. Though Waxer was betting he’d team up with Black Sun. So, he’s going to be pissed when he learns about this.” Cody rambled as he finished gathering up his things. 

Obi-Wan sat on the bed, watching his face light up from passing speeders, bathing him in hues of blue. A small smile on his face. 

Force, I love this man . He thought to himself. 

Cody stopped his rambling and turned to Obi-Wan, grinning. “I love you, too.” 

Right, the bond. Tiredness pulled at Obi-Wan too insistently for him to properly shield his thoughts. Not that he needed to. Expressing one’s love was a pure and simple thing. 

Cody finished packing and leaned back over to give him a kiss. Lingering and sweet, Obi-Wan did take a moment to memorize the warmth of Cody’s hand on his cheek. The soft glow of sunlight followed him wherever he went. 

Cody pulled back. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.” 

“Do everything in your power to be safe, my love,” Obi-Wan responded, pressing on last kiss to Cody’s brow. 

“You too, cyare. ” One last peck and Cody slipped out the door. 

They had taken to saying that to each other. “Do everything in your power to be safe.” With their lines of work, true safety was never an option. Never a guarantee. To ask him to be safe was to ask for the impossible. 

All Obi-Wan could do was request that Cody do everything in his power to be safe, and Cody did the same. 

He lay back in bed. The regular anxiety that came with Cody’s departures came back. Gnawing at his gut. Making him feel rather restless as he wiggled his fingers and toes under the blanket. This was normal. Natural. Of course it was. Jedi were not unfeeling creatures who sent the people they cared about into danger without so much as a backward glance. He could recognize that Cody’s job put him in danger, and he also felt worried about that danger. He could wish that Cody would never have to set foot in a war zone again, while also recognizing that so long as there were people threatening peace, Cody would be on the front lines to defend that peace.  

And Cody felt the same way. He wished that Obi-Wan never had to step into danger, but knew that it was his job and he would never stop doing it.  

Merely one of the many reasons they were so perfect for one another. 

“I want to marry this man. ” His mind thought. 

His eyes flew open, and he sat bolt upright in bed. Where had that thought come from? 

He hadn’t thought about marriage since, well, since Satine. And even then, how much could a sixteen-year-old really conceive of a life-long commitment to another person? 

Throughout his many dalliances over the years, some more serious than others, he never once considered marriage with any of them. It was simply out of the question. 

But now, with Cody, he wanted it. 

He gnawed on his lower lip. But why? Why did he need to get married to Cody? They loved each other. They were committed to each other with the understanding that their duties came first. What did he need marriage for? It wasn’t like either of them needed the tax benefits. 

Obi-Wan didn’t pay taxes, while Cody had so much money with his promotion, he wanted to pay more taxes to get rid of it. It wasn’t like either of them needed health care or primary beneficiaries.

True , they loved each other, but they didn’t need marriage to prove that. They proved it every day in their actions and words. Not to mention, they knew they loved each other. They didn’t need anyone else to know. 

He settled into an uneasy sleep. His mind was determined to marry Cody, but also unable to think of any practical reason why what they had currently wasn’t enough.  

When his alarm finally rang as the first rays of Coruscant’s sun peeked through his window, he got up and collapsed onto his meditation mat. Perhaps the Force could provide some insight? 

It did not. It seemed very ambivalent to his future marriage or lack thereof. And when he tried to find golden threads that would show him what a potential future marriage would Cody would look like, the little buggers had, well, buggered off. Almost as if they were mad at his reproach last night and were now sulking in the corner. 

“Is everything okay, master?” Ahsoka asked as Obi-Wan finally gave up on meditation and went down to the refectory for breakfast. 

“Hmm? Oh, yes, my dear. Cody had to leave early this morning. It disrupted my sleep. Not to worry,” he said. 

Ahsoka yawned. “Yeah, I know a lot of the guys left this morning to deal with that. The barracks are like a ghost town right now.” 

“Indeed,” Obi-Wan hummed. 

He went about his day, half-distracted by thoughts of marriage and frustrated that he couldn’t make a decision one way or the other. Thank the Force there was no longer a war on; otherwise, his distractedness might cost someone their lives. 

No, instead, his schedule consisted almost entirely of council meetings to debate the future of the Jedi Order and various reforms they wanted to make.  

Endless. 

Debates. 

The older members of the Order seemed stuck in their ways. Convinced that Palpatine was only a bad apple and had he not existed, they’d be doing fine. 

Obi-Wan wanted to rip his hair out and point out that the only reason Palpatine got as much power as he did in the first place was because of the Order’s old ways. And maybe if they had reformed earlier, they would have caught him earlier and stopped the clone wars from happening entirely. Though the thought did make him sad that Cody would have never existed then. 

No use dwelling on the past. Learn from it, and move on. 

Though that did bring up one reason why he shouldn’t get married. The more conservative members of the council had been forced to turn a blind eye to his and Cody’s relationship after the war. After all, had it not been for Cody, there was a very good chance they all would have died. Slaughtered by Palpatine’s slave army. So, it was probably a good idea to not piss off the man who fought against a darksider and won after only a handful of lightsaber lessons. Furthermore, Obi-Wan had it on good authority that Cody had, in fact, threatened the entire Jedi council if they so much as thought about removing Obi-Wan from his position. And Cody did not threaten. He promised. 

However, a relationship was one thing. Most Jedi had romantic relationships throughout their lives. 

A marriage was something else entirely. 

Master Ki-Adi only had wives because of his planet’s population issues. There were a few other Jedi who were married, but not many. And most of those were the result of cultural stipulations. As far as Obi-Wan was aware , Stewjon had no such cultural stipulations or population issues that would require marriage. Not that he and Cody could solve the population issues even if they did.  

If he did get married to Cody, would they see this as him putting his love above his duties? 

He never would, of course. Cody came second to his duties as a Jedi, just as Obi-Wan came second to Cody’s duties as a general. They both knew this and understood this about each other. Yet another reason why he loved him so much. But the other councilors were not on his mind. They could not see that Obi-Wan would never put Cody’s life above his mission. They would have to trust. 

And, after the war, trust was in short supply. 

“I think that is all for the day,” Master Plo said. No doubt he sensed the conversation was going nowhere and would only get more and more heated as both sides dug their heels in. 

Obi-Wan may be known as the Negotiator, but with other Jedi , his power was much diminished. Truly a frustrating experience.  

“We should meditate tomorrow,” Depa suggested. “Instead of conversing. It has been a while since we’ve had the chance to sit together and simply be.” 

“Agreed,” Mace said. “Perhaps a meditation can provide more clarity. Both sides have let their positions be known. There is a path forward. We have to find it.” 

The other councilors agreed and shuffled out. Zombies after nearly six hours of debates about the order structure and padawans and their place in the Republic.  

Obi-Wan shuffled out after them. Or, he would have had Master Plo not call him back. 

“Obi-Wan, a word?” 

“Hmm?” He turned back to the master. “Of course. What would you like to speak with me about?” He folded his hands in his sleeves to hide his nervous, twitching fingers. No doubt he had sensed his distraction. 

He wouldn’t scold Obi-Wan for it. They all had their moments. But that didn’t mean Obi-Wan wanted to talk about this now. Not when his own head felt like it would explode from all the contradictions in the situation. 

The door slid closed, leaving the two of them in the cool, dark council room alone .  

“I sense you are distracted, young Kenobi,” Master Plo said. 

“Apologies, master. I have been thinking of my future and all the changes that have happened recently.” Was that vague enough to get Master Plo off his back? Probably not. Worth a shot anyway.

Master Plo stroked his mask. “I see. And what changes and future are you thinking about?” 

Yep. There it was. Obi-Wan didn’t know if he was ready to talk about this with Master Plo. Hell, he wasn’t sure he was ready to talk about this with anyone, including Cody. And this sort of did involve him! 

When he didn’t respond right away, Master Plo continued to speak. “I will not judge you for anything you say. As I did not judge Skywalker for his doubts about the Jedi order.” 

Obi-Wan sighed, his head dipped. “I know, master. Truthfully, I don’t know very much myself. I feel so many contradictory thoughts, it’s hard to tell where I even stand on the position.” 

“And what position is this?” 

Well, meditating hadn’t worked. Thinking about things himself hadn’t worked. Might as well talk to Plo about it. Besides, out of everyone on the council, he was truly the least likely to judge Obi-Wan for his choices. And , whatever Obi-Wan told him, it would remain between them until Obi-Wan was ready to discuss with the others. That’s what made him a good confidant.

“It’s about my relationship with Cody,” he stared. “I… well, last night, as he was leaving, I got the sudden urge to marry him.” 

There. All out in the open now. He could never take it back. 

“And this is distracting you because?” Master Plo pressed. Gently. Exploring and curious instead of accusatory and disappointed. 

“Well , for one , I’ve never thought that way about anyone . Except for Satine. And this time, the thought isn’t going away. I do want to marry Cody, I know that for certain. My issue is that I don’t know why. We don’t need the tax benefits or anything. We love each other. We don’t need a big declaration to prove it. And yet, even with all of this, I cannot find it within myself to dismiss the thought.” 

Master Plo stroked his mask once more. “Perhaps I am not the best person to talk this through. After all, I have never been married, nor do I have the desire to.” 

Obi-Wan’s shoulders slumped. “I know, Master. That very much is an issue I’m facing. Most people in the order don’t get married. Are you not worried about my attachment?” 

He shook his head. “No. Out of everyone in the Order, I have little fear that you will become too attached. And even if you do, I doubt your commander would let you.” 

He breathed a sigh of relief. Well, that was at least one less thing to worry about. Though that still didn’t solve his problem. 

“If I may,” Master Plo continued. 

“Please.” 

“While I may not be the best person to discuss issues of marriage with, your padawan might be.” 

“Ahsoka?” 

He laughed. “No, the other one.” 

Obi-Wan’s brows climbed up his forehead. “Anakin?” 

Master Plo nodded. 

“You want me to ask Anakin for relationship advice?” 

He nodded. 

“Anakin Skywalker.” 

“Unless you know another Anakin.” 

“Why?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“He’s married and seems quite happy to be.” Master Plo shrugged. 

“He also eloped when he was nineteen in secret . I hardly think he’s able to give good advice on whether or not I should be married.” 

“Perhaps. But he certainly has more experience than I do.” 

Obi-Wan thanked Master Plo and left to wander the halls while Ahsoka finished up her lessons. He supposed Master Plo did have a point. Out of everyone Obi-Wan knew, Anakin was the only person who seemed to marry for love and nothing else. And he had many of the same reasons for not needing to get married. No tax incentives. No healthcare costs. Just pure love. And perhaps some manipulation from Palpatine, though Obi-Wan would never dare voice this out loud. Anakin had enough anxieties trying to figure out who he was without Palpatine influencing his mind. If, in several years, he did discover that he indeed only married Padme because of Palpatine’s influence, then they would have to deal with that. But Plo was right. For now, he seemed happy and content as her husband, Palpatine’s manipulations or not. 

“Oh, I’m going to have to ask Anakin for advice,” he groaned, pinching his brow. Just the thought made his head spin. 

He did think, distantly, about talking to Cody about this first. However, he decided against it. He wanted to get his feelings on the matter sorted out before he spoke to Cody. 

He had been working on that. The habits of being Cody’s general were not easy to break. 

He had spent nearly a year never making the first move. Never voicing what he wanted to Cody, fearful that he might pressure Cody into doing something he didn’t want to do. Even after they got together and Cody became a General and Obi-Wan went back to his peacekeeping duties, he struggled to voice what he wanted. Still so fearful that even after all this time, Cody still felt pressured to do what he wanted. 

But he was getting better. And so, he wanted to make sure he knew without a doubt what he wanted. Marriage or not. Once he knew that, he would talk to Cody, regardless of his final decision, so that they could be on the same page. Besides, Cody was out chasing Thrawn around. Obi-Wan had a few weeks before he needed to come to a decision. 

****

Ahsoka’s dual lightsabers spun faster and faster. The white and green blended together until it was one blur. 

Sweat beaded on Obi-Wan’s brow. As it turns out, fighting a Sith Lord did wonders for leveling up one’s lightsaber skills. Though he already knew that, given his history with Maul. 

Still, Ahsoka with two blades had turned into a terror, one Obi-Wan wouldn’t want to meet on the battlefield. It was only thanks to his experience that he managed to keep up with her. He could see Anakin in her lightsaber form. Which was good news for him because he knew how to fight against Anakin. 

She let out a particularly harsh battle cry and lunged forward. A classic Anakin move. One that Obi-Wan knew well. The second lightsaber would be no matter. 

He blocked her blades and then kicked out, connecting his foot with her leg and sending her somersaulting across the room. Both sabers flew out of her hands. 

She hit the wall with an ‘oof!’ and sat up, rubbing the back of her head. “Hey, no fair! This was supposed to be a lightsaber sparing match.” 

Anakin laughed from the sidelines. “You’re lucky, snips. The first time I tried that move, he flicked his wrist and pinned me against the opposite wall like fifty feet up.” 

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and turned off his lightsaber. “You are being ridiculous, Anakin. I did no such thing.” 

“Master Quin has pictures.” 

“Ooh! I want to see!” Ahsoka bounced up to her feet and rushed over to Anakin. 

“Not on your life, snips. That was embarrassing enough as is. Master Quin laughed every time he saw me for like a month.” 

“All the more reason why I need to see those pictures.” She turned to Obi-Wan, her eyes wide and her lower lip wobbling. “Please tell me you have them still, master. Please! I need to see them. Please. I’ll just die if I don’t!”  

“Alright, you two, enough,” Obi-Wan said as he put back on his robes. “The drama of you two will kill us all.” 

“Where do you think I learned my dramatics from, Mr. I’m Going to Drop My Robe Dramatically and then Lose it and Make the Quartermaster Pissed?” Anakin crossed his arms and quirked a brow at him. 

Obi-Wan merely tilted his nose up. “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.” He turned to Ahsoka. “Now, my favorite padawan, that was excellent. However, you still aren’t using both sabers as a pair. You’re using them independently. They need to work together. One blocks, the other attacks. Understood? That is where I managed to outmaneuver you. You treat them as two. They should be treated as one.”

“Yes, master,” Ahsoka grumbled. 

He hugged her. “Good. Now go enjoy the rest of the day. I have a feeling Anakin will be tinkering with my leg, and I shall be incapacitated until he’s satisfied. Which he’ll never be. So I shall perish and he’ll still be working on it.” 

“And you say you’re not dramatic,” Anakin grumbled. 

“Thanks, Master. I’ll see you at dinner?” 

“If Anakin doesn’t decide to cut off more of my limbs to have more things to experiment with,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Dra. Ma. Tic.” Anakin said, pointing at him. 

“I haven’t the faintest clue what you’re referring to,” Obi-Wan said, blinking at his former padawan with all the innocence he could muster. 

Ahsoka laughed. “Are you coming too?” she asked Anakin, shifting from foot to foot. 

With everything that had happened, he wasn’t sure if Ahsoka would ever be willing to spend time with Anakin. He didn’t blame her. A lot had happened to color her view of him. But, slowly, she had started to let him back into her life. First, she messaged him updates about her training. Then calling him. Then he felt comfortable when he came to the Temple to watch Obi-Wan spar. And now here she was, inviting him to dinner. Things never would be the same, but that didn’t mean they had to be terrible. If anything, this could be better than before. Anakin himself seemed much more comfortable taking on this role of brother with Ahsoka as opposed to mentor and guardian.  

“Uh, yeah. If you want me to.” 

“I do,” she said softly. She rushed up to him and hugged him before running off. “Bye, Master!” 

“Goodbye, my dear. Be safe if you leave the temple, and let me know where you go.” 

“I will.” She waved to them one last time before darting out of the training halls. 

“Alright, old man, let me take a look at that leg,” Anakin said as he and Obi-Wan made their way back to his rooms. 

“Anakin Skywalker, I am not that old.” 

“You’re going grey. That’s old.” 

He couldn’t even sputter a response. He had been going grey. 

Cody loved it, kissing his temples and whispering how he thought he’d die before he got to see Obi-Wan going grey. That softened his stance and made him reconsider the hair dye. For now, at least. 

“Alright, you know the drill. Up on the bed. Let me take a look at the springs. It seems like it’s much closer to the flesh leg than it was last time,” Anakin said. 

“It is. I notice it’s moving more naturally. Though the twisting still seems to be where I’m getting stuck.” He shucked off his pants so Anakin could take a look at them. 

Anakin pulled on his magnifying glasses and opened his toolbox. “Too much range of motion or too little? You didn’t twist much today, so I can’t tell.” 

“The ankle feels like it’s too much, but the knee is too little,” Obi-Wan explained. 

“Gotcha. Let me run some tests. That should be an easy fix. And you haven’t had any issues with it locking up?”

“No. Everything seems to be doing well.” 

“No pain or anything? The weight’s good?” 

“Yes, yes. It feels fine. Sometimes, if I get too cold, the skin right around the metal hurts.” 

Anakin hummed. “I’ll see if I can improve the casing to give you more temperature regulation there. Frostbite in that area is a big concern. I’ll make a note with Bant and Che to not let you go on any missions to anywhere cold until I get this figured out.”  

“Thank you.” He smiled at Anakin as he began to tinker. “You are brilliant at this, Anakin. Truly. I’m so grateful and happy you have this. You’ll help a lot of people this way.” 

A blush colored Anakin’s cheeks, and he ducked his head. “Yeah, well. I’m good at it. And I like helping you. Especially after everything you’ve done for me.” 

Obi-Wan lay back on the bed. His heart sped up. It was now or never. Cody would be returning soon from his mission. Thrawn hadn’t managed to get the Hutts to help him out , thankfully . But he also hadn’t been caught by Cody, escaping into the night to fight another fight. 

Obi-Wan certainly hadn’t managed to figure out his feelings anymore since his discussion with Master Plo. No matter how much he meditated on it, he couldn’t break the contradiction that he didn’t need to marry Cody , but that he so desperately wanted to. Master Plo was right; Anakin was likely his only option. 

“Anakin, can I ask you something?” he said before his bravery could escape him. 

“Yeah, sure? That sounds serious. Is everything okay?” 

“Oh, everything’s fine. I just… I wanted to know why you and Padme got married.” There. He asked. It was out in the open, and he couldn’t take it back. 

Anakin stopped his work and looked up at him. “What? Where’s this coming from?” 

Obi-Wan sighed. “I… well, I’ve rather been thinking lately about Cody and me. And, well, I do love him. The idea of marrying him has been rather insistent. The only problem is that I see no reason to do so.” 

“You’re coming to me for advice?” Anakin asked, his voice in awe. 

“Yes, so don’t rub it in.” Force, this was embarrassing ! Asking his own padawan for relationship advice. He was the Master here! He was supposed to have all the answers. 

“No, I’m not,” Anakin hurried to say. “I just… You really trust me on this?” 

Obi-Wan hazarded a glance at his Padawan. He was smiling, but not in a gloating way. Instead, he seemed… touched. His eyes were glassy as if he were about to cry. 

“Of course I do. I may be your master, but I don’t know everything. You’re also one of the only people I know who is married. I figured it couldn’t hurt.” 

Anakin nodded and ducked his head again. 

“Oh, Anakin, did you not think I trust you?” He propped himself up on his elbows so he could reach out and touch Anakin’s arm. 

“No, I did. It’s just , with Palpatine and everything he did to my mind, sometimes it felt like you didn’t trust me with anything. You didn’t see me as a responsible person. And I know that’s not true, but it’s nice to have it shown. You know?” 

Obi-Wan smiled and squeezed his bicep. “I know.” 

“As for Cody and you, why do you need a reason?” 

“Pardon?” 

“You heard me. Why do you need a reason? You love him. He loves you. You two are perfect for each other; it’s honestly kind of disgusting. Just get married.” 

Obi-Wan groaned. “You make it sound so simple.” 

“You make it sound difficult.” 

“Why do I need to get married, though? Like you said, I love Cody. Cody loves me. We don’t need to get married to prove it to anyone.” Force, why did he keep going back and forth on this? Why couldn’t he just make a decision and stick with it?

Anakin sat back, his brow furrowed as he thought. “Padme and I didn’t prove it to anyone. We got married in secret.” 

“I know, and I shall never forgive you for not inviting me to your own wedding.” 

Anakin glared at him. “My point is, it’s not about proving it to anyone. Or even to yourselves. It’s like… It’s like when you go from Padawan to Jedi Knight, right? It’s not like I need to prove to the world that I am a Jedi Knight, or was, I guess. It’s more than that. It’s the symbolism of everything. It’s like when I buy flowers for Padme, or she picks me up a new tool just because. These things don’t prove to anyone that we love each other. And even if she didn’t pick up that tool, I’d know she still did. But it’s symbolic. It’s a sign that , ‘hey, I love you and I want to commit myself to you fully.’ Or, not fully in your case because I’m guessing you don’t want to leave the order.” 

“I do not.” 

“I thought so. Do you get what I’m saying? It’s not about the wedding or the marriage or anything. Whether you have a huge wedding, elope in secret with Cody the day he gets back, or just tell each other that you’re married and have that be the end of it, it doesn’t matter. What matters is you guys.” 

It did make sense. If he closed his eyes and allowed himself to simply be with his emotions regarding marriage, he found that he didn’t have any reason to marry Cody. Just like he didn’t have any reason to help with Cody’s skincare and hair care routine or to clean his armor when he was too tired at the end of the day to deal with it, or any of the other little and big things he did for Cody, simply because he loved him. 

The answer was so simple, he hated himself for complicating it this much. Anakin was right. If Cody stepped off that ship tomorrow and Obi-Wan went up to him and declared they were married, he’d be happy. Because it ultimately wasn’t about the marriage at all. It was about Cody and his place in Obi-Wan’s life. This was a way for him to show that he wanted him to have a permanent place. 

And, while he could not put Cody above his duties to the Jedi Order or even Ahsoka, that did not mean Cody was not important to him.  

Maybe he didn’t need the tax benefits or to prove to anyone that he loved Cody. But did that matter? No, it didn’t. 

“Thank you, Anakin,” he said. “I think I know what I want to do now.” He smiled. 

“Great! So, how are you going to propose to him?” 

Obi-Wan’s smile dropped. “Propose?” 

“Yeah, you do actually have to ask the guy to marry you.” 

“Shit.” He hadn’t actually gotten that far. “I’m going to do some research.” 

Anakin, the little shit, just laughed.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan’s research into proposals had yielded a new world of consumption and over-the-top declarations never before seen within the walls of the Jedi Temple. 

Millions of long stemmed red roses raining down from the sky (he hoped someone had the sense to remove the thorns before they stabbed the bride-to-be), fireworks, live music, sky writers. One particularly amorous couple had two white swans fly in and land in front of the bride-to-be with eight engagement rings tied around each of their necks so she could choose which one she liked best. 

Obi-Wan wondered how they managed to train swans of all things to A) not bite the bride when she started squealing, and B) not defecate everywhere as birds were wont to do. 

“Must I really do all of this?” he muttered to himself as he watched yet another over-the-top proposal, complete with a laser light show, a helicopter, and an abhorrent amount of squealing that made his ears bleed. 

Anakin and Master Plo were the only two people who knew of his plans at the moment. While Obi-Wan would have liked to discuss it more with his friends and see if perhaps they had ideas as to how best to propose to Cody, he also didn’t want everyone in the Temple to know about the proposal before Cody knew. 

He might say no, after all. And then all the people Obi-Wan told he’d have to tell again that Cody didn’t want him and said no.

“He’s not going to say no,” Anakin groaned as Obi-Wan called him in a panic one evening.

“He could.” 

“He’s not.” 

“Anakin, you don’t know Cody like I do.” 

“Yeah. But I also know you pretty well. I know you panic about things like this. You’re too close to the situation. Too emotionally invested. It’s clouding your mind.” His least favorite padawan had the gall to drop his voice an octave and take on a ridiculous and not at all accurate impression of Obi-Wan’s accent. 

“I don’t sound like that,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Yes you do.” Anakin smirked. “Seriously, just ask him. He’s Cody. If you try to ask him with fireworks and butterflies, he’ll probably say no. He’s like, the most practical guy I’ve ever known. And then he’ll say yes. And then you two will get married. And then you can stop calling me and panicking every night of the week.”

“I thought you wanted me to call more,” Obi-Wan pointed out. 

“Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d call because you’d be so worried that the guy who’s been hopelessly devoted to you for years now would say no.” 

“He hasn’t been hopelessly devoted to me.” Even to Obi-Wan’s ears, the argument sounded weak. “He’s been devoted to his duties.” 

“And his duties were to protect and serve the Jedi.”

“Well, when you put it like that, it makes it sound like he’s got no choice but to marry me or else fail his duty to the Republic.” Obi-Wan crossed his arms. He was most definitely not pouting.

While that had been said mostly in jest, there was still a part of him that worried that was exactly what was happening. Even though Cody insisted he was his own man and he made his own choices, did he? They had fallen into a relationship immediately after the war had ended, perhaps even before then if you wanted to technically consider their start the moment Cody kissed him. Either way, Cody hadn’t had time to explore the world and himself. He had left Kamino and immediately was assigned to Obi-Wan. He hadn’t gotten to sow his wild oats, as the phrase goes. 

Yes, he had sex before with other people, but one night stands were different from long-term relationships. What if Obi-Wan was holding him back from being the best man he truly could be? 

“Obi-Wan, stop worrying. I can feel your anxiety from here,” Anakin said. 

Obi-Wan winced, realizing he had been stroking his beard, almost tugging on it. An unfortunate habit he thought he had grown out of awhile ago. 

“You’re not holding him back. For Force’s sake, Cody was actively poisoning…” Anakin swallowed and shook his head, his nose wrinkled. “He was actively poisoning Palpatine without even asking you. He overthrew the government without asking you. If he didn’t want to be with you, he would have left by now. Or he would have killed you.” 

“So he says.” 

“Yes, he does say. Trust him. If he doesn’t want this, he’ll let you know. Besides, you two got that Force Bond now, it should be easier for you to tell if he’s hesitant. Right?” 

“Right.” He said, miserably. Since when had Anakin become the more insightful of the two of them? Maybe Obi-Wan needed to start taking weekly mind-healing sessions. 

“Good. So stop panicking and chuck a ring at his head.”

“I suppose that is what I must do.” He said his goodbyes to his padawan. Once the call ended, he sat in the room, staring out the window at Coruscant and the speeders rushing by. Fox was terrifyingly efficient, managing to rebuild most of Coruscant in the scant amount of time he had been Chancellor. Though a few shattered skeletons remained, looming over the horizon. Their burnt out, blackened bodies would forever remain a scar on the Coruscant skyline. A reminder to what happened when one man was given too much power. 

Anakin was right. Cody wasn’t likely to feel pressured to get married. And really, the only way Obi-Wan would know for certain is if he asked the man. 

The swans and the fireworks were out of the question. 

Cody was too practical for that. He’d spend the entire evening asking how Obi-Wan managed to train to swans not to bite or if he got all the proper permits for a firework display. 

Cody was a simple, practical man. He didn’t like much in the way of fuss. He liked his haircut simple and neat. He liked his clothes simple and practical. 

He would wrinkle his nose at ostentatious diamond rings and roll his eyes at displays of affection that cost more than some planets make in an entire year. 

And those were just a few of the things Obi-Wan loved about him. Besides, when he watched those ostentatious proposals, he couldn’t help but wonder if the couple were compensating for something. If they, perhaps, were not as in love as they wanted others to believe. 

Maybe he was being cynical. Or maybe he was too old. The thought of trying to put together such a proposal exhausted him. He wanted a quiet love. A simple love. Like an old quilt, made soft through age and wear. Comfortable and familiar. 

Home. 

That’s what he wanted. 

He wanted a love like home. And Cody gave him just that. 

And, he’d like to think, he gave the same to Cody. Whether it was him getting up early to make Cody his caf just how he liked it. Or Cody making him late meal so Obi-Wan had something warm and tasty when he and Ahsoka finished up trainings, lessons, and meetings for the day. There was a support there. One that was not born from outrageous displays of devotion, but a quiet understanding of each other’s lives and their responsibilities. 

So no, Obi-Wan would not be conducting any such proposals. He would not be renting swans or releasing butterflies. And he certainly would not be purchasing sixteen diamond rings for Cody to choose from. Instead, their proposal would be like their love: simple, but no less beautiful. 

Cody was heading back to Coruscant now. He’d be here in a few days. Just enough time for Obi-Wan to find a ring and steel his nerves for the next step.

He spent the next several days planning. He tried not to be distracted with his duties and Ahsoka’s training, but even with Anakin’s words he still worried. What if it wasn’t enough? What if it was too much? What if Cody wasn’t ready yet and felt like Obi-Wan was pressuring him? What if he said no? What if he said yes? 

What if?

What if? 

What if? 

Those two words plaguing his mind. Pestering him like biting flies. He couldn’t get rid of them no matter how much he meditated or tried to assure himself that Cody was an adult and could hold conversations such as these. If he couldn’t have an open and honest conversation about their future, then he wasn’t ready for a long-term relationship or a lifetime commitment. Either way, Obi-Wan would come out of this knowing more about the man he loved so dearly. 

Oh, but he still didn’t want anything to change. And that’s what worried him more than anything. 

No matter how many times he told himself that if things did change, it would be for the better regardless of Cody’s reaction, he couldn’t find it within himself to believe it. Was it really so bad to have this relationship in stasis? 

Yes. 

It was. 

Because the relationship, much like the world, wasn’t in stasis. It could never be. He wanted the security and stability of the relationship he had now. But if he never asked, he’d know that security would forever be an illusion. Which was why he had to ask. 

“Are you okay, master?” Ahsoka asked after they had finished up training for the day. 

“Hmm? Yes, my dear, I’m fine.” 

Ahsoka turned her head to stare at the wall. It was only after a beat that Obi-Wan realized she had only done so because he had been staring blankly at the wall for several minutes now.” 

“Are you sure?” she turned her head back to him. “You seem… Distracted. Does it have anything to do with what you and Skyguy were talking about a few weeks ago?” 

He sighed and stroked his beard, finally pulling his eyes away from the wall. “Yes, it does.” He decided to not hide anything from Ahsoka. He had learned from his failures with Anakin that padawans were perceptive. Trying to put on a brave face only made them feel like they couldn’t express their emotions. And while he did think Ahoska had a better chance of facing the world in an emotionally healthy way, mostly due to the fact that Palpatine wasn’t actively poisoning her mind and grooming her to be a Sith, he still knew better than anyone what damage an emotionally distant master could do. Especially now, in these early days of their partnerships. He needed her to see that having emotions and worries wasn’t a bad thing. It wasn’t un-Jedi like. They were sentient beings. And their emotions were a beautiful part of their experience in the living Force. 

In trying to be the calm, serene master he thought Anakin needed, he may have ended up doing more harm than good. He was determined to not repeat his mistakes. 

“Truthfully, my dear, I’m a bit preoccupied with something.” 

Ahsoka worried at her lower lip. He could see the cogs turning in her mind as she clambered for something to say. Some piece of advice or words of encouragement. 

He smiled and pulled her into a hug. “There’s no need to worry yourself, my dear.” 

“But you’re worried.” She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him tight. 

“Logically, I know there’s no reason to. However, sometimes the mind doesn’t want to listen to logic. That’s all. This preoccupation with my future is weighing on me and the Force has offered little comfort. Times like these happen.” 

“Is there anything I can do to help?” She pulled back to look up at him, but didn’t let go. 

“Well, finishing that essay Master Sidcut assigned to you would be a great help,” he smirked. 

She made a face and stuck out her tongue. “Anything else, I can do, master?” 

He patted her head and smiled down at her. “I’m afraid not, young one. For issues such as these, the only way out is through. I am alright, though. I promise.” 

“I know. I know.” She grumbled. 

“Thank you for checking in. Now off with you. I was being serious about that assignment.” 

She regretfully backed away from him, groaning and mumbling under her breath the entire time. One would think she’d be thrilled to do her assignments after the year she had. Then again, he was starting to get the sense that all padawans were the same. He remembered Aayla going through a very similar period where any requests for her to do written work was met with feet stamping and pouting, an attempt to guilt Quin into letting her off the hook just this once. 

His comm chimed. The jeweler finished the ring and he could pick it up today if he was free. 

He was. And he should. 

Cody would be back in a few days and he needed to get so much done before then. 

After checking to make sure Ahsoka was actually doing her work and not simply messaging with Fives in an attempt to appear busy, he headed off to the bustling streets of Coruscant to pick up his purchase. 

He may have agonized over the decision to ask Cody to marry him, but the ring bore no such thought. It was almost too easy to find what he wanted. He wondered if this was indicative to the amount of work he’d put into a relationship? 

He had read somewhere that engagement rings should cost three months salary. However, as he didn’t technically get a salary, he wondered if it needed to be three months of Cody’s salary. And if that were the case, then Cody’ wouldn’t be getting a wedding ring at all on account of Obi-Wan having nowhere near that amount of money stashed away. 

In the end, he decided not to do the three months salary. For one, there was a very good chance the ring would need to be cut off by Helix if Cody were ever to be injured on the battlefield. It seemed rather silly to throw away so much money on an item that only for it to be destroyed and lost on some backwater planet while Cody cleaned up Palpatine’s horde of loyal followers who had not yet come to terms with the fact that he lost. 

Besides, Cody was a practical man through and through. The more sparkle on his hands, the more he would hate it. Although… diamond was one of the hardest rocks in the galaxy. He could probably find a few emergency uses for it. 

Cody’s ability to find utility in everyday items aside, Obi-Wan just couldn’t see him sporting a giant rock that he would have to take off every time he wore his armor. And he couldn’t see him being very pleased to learn Obi-Wan dropped tens of thousands of credits on a tiny piece of jewelry that was more likely to get lost or destroyed in his line of work. 

In the end, he found something utterly perfect. 

A simple metal band. Not worth tens of thousands of credits. The designer marketed his creations towards those in rougher industries. Construction, farming, mining, the like. Anything where fancy, delicate designs were liable to be destroyed. 

Obi-Wan chose a simple black band with a thin strip of 212th gold stone inlaid on the band. He had the words “sunshine” inscribed on the inside. Perhaps a touch sentimental. And the orange-colored stone really was impractical. But when Obi-Wan saw the black and the orange together, it reminded him so much of Cody he had to have it. The band was supposed to lay flat against the finger so that it wouldn’t cause any unnecessary bunching of his gloves when he wore them to battle. And it was cheap enough so that if Helix sawed it off for emergency surgery, Obi-Wan wouldn’t be too heartbroken. Besides, this jeweler had a warranty policy that allowed him to replace the ring every three years for half-price should an accident befall on it due to Cody’s job. 

All in all, he thought it was a beautiful ring and he couldn’t wait to see it on Cody’s finger. 

*****

The day had come, both too soon and not soon enough, in Obi-Wan’s opinion. Each day seemed to drag its feet, refusing to turn the clock forward so he could get this over with. 

But, at the same time, he felt like he had blinked and Cody was back from his battle. 

Where had the time gone? 

Obi-Wan wasn’t ready. The ring felt like a lead weight in his pocket. His heart threatened to burst from his chest. He could hardly sit still for more than a few seconds before needing to get up and pace around his quarters at the Temple. 

“Obi-Wan,” Mace said as he entered his rooms without so much as a cursory knock. “Quit pacing. Your anxious energy is keeping the younglings awake and Stone still hasn’t fully grasped the concept of ‘naptime’ yet.” 

“I could have been getting dressed,” he glared at him. 

Mace rubbed his temples. “We are a communal organization. We have all seen each other naked at one point or another.” 

Obi-Wan winced. “Yes, though I think none more so than Kit and Quin.” 

“To be fair, you were the one who suggested the three of you go to amateur strip night.” Mace looked thoroughly unimpressed, which was different from his usual look. Which was mildly unimpressed. “What is going on? You’ve been a mess for weeks now. And don’t lie to me. I know you’ve already talked to Master Plo about it. The man’s been humming.” With the way he spat out that last word, one would think Master Plo had been walking around telling everyone Palpatine may have had a few good points. “Last time he ‘hummed’, he adopted all of his troops.” 

Obi-Wan tucked his hands into his sleeves. He had been stoutly ignoring the fact that he would, eventually, have to tell the council about his upcoming nuptials. He tried to convince he hadn’t told them yet because, if Cody said no then there was no reason to tell them. However, even in his head this excuse rang hollow.  

Whether or not Cody said no, Obi-Wan was already planning on devoting his life to the man. That alone needed to be discussed with the council. 

He pulled out the ring. “I’m asking Cody to marry me. Tonight.” 

Mace took it and held it up to the light; examining it. 

Obi-Wan didn’t dare breathe as he waited for a reprimand. A deep scowl. Accusations of him becoming too attached. Mace admitting that everyone knew Obi-Wan couldn’t possibly balance his duties as a jedi and being in a long term relationship. Him saying that it was a mistake for them to let him be on the council. That Master Qui-Gon was right. That everyone was right. Obi-Wan wasn’t good enough to be a Jedi. He was too emotional. Too volatile. He had managed to mask it for years but Cody had brought it all crumbling down. 

Hand over his lightsaber. Pack his things. It was time for him to leave the temple. 

Mace handed him back the ring. “That still doesn’t explain why you’re pacing and filling the temple with your anxiety. Whatever your new relationship to the Cosmic Force is has only amplified your abilities more. It’s giving me a headache.” 

“What?” Obi-Wan blinked at him. That could not be what Mace wanted to say. 

“You heard me. I don’t understand why you’re anxious about this. If you think it’s because Cody is going to say no, then perhaps you’re not ready for marriage as anyone with eyes could see he’d follow you anywhere.” 

“I… what?” 

Mace scowled and pinched his brow. “Has the Cosmic Force rendered you deaf?”

“No, I’m just confused.” 

“A wonderful addition to your current emotions. I would suggest meditation. Maybe that will help sort it out.” 

“Am I not to be kicked off the Council and out of the Order?” 

Mace finally stopped pinching his brow and looked up at him. “Why would you get kicked off the Council? Unless you’re telling me you too are secretly a Sith. Though I doubt it.” 

“Because I’m attached to Cody. I’m literally planning on devoting myself to him.” 

“Is he a priority? Or are your duties?” 

Obi-Wan didn’t even think about it. “My duties, of course. Just as his duties are a priority for him. I’d never ask him to choose between me or his job. And he would never ask that of me, either. He knows I am a Jedi first, above all else.” 

“Then there you go. Attachment is still debated amongst us, even after all these years. No one can agree on a definition. And everyone seems to have different interpretations of where the line is.” 

Obi-Wan frowned. “I suppose that’s true.” 

“I still don’t like the idea of all of our members running off and getting married,” Mace continued. “Most people lack your control. However, perhaps this can help showcase a version that’s healthy. And it helps that Cody already embodies much of the Jedi Code.” 

Obi-Wan nodded. “That is one of the reasons Satine and I would have never lasted. I don’t think either of us would have been comfortable with the other putting their duties above all else.” 

“That and you were both teenagers. And as your former padawan so eloquently proved, teenagers often make irrational decisions.” 

“You are the ones who decided to knight him,” Obi-Wan said. 

“I decided nothing. I said he wasn’t ready and I was overruled.” 

“Yes, well, it is in the past.” 

Mace sighed. “Obi-Wan, you are a good Jedi. And I trust that you won’t put Cody above your duties. I also trust Cody not to allow such a thing to happen. Everyone else trusts you. You need to trust yourself.” 

He nodded. “You’re right.” 

“Of course I am. Now, for the anxiety?” 

“Oh, yes. That’ll be solved tonight when I ask Cody.” 

“Good, it better be. May the Force be with you.” 

“May the Force be with you, my friend.” 

Obi-Wan bid him farewell and sat back down in his empty, quiet living area. 

He didn’t have to wait long for his next intruder. Although, this one was more adorable and expected than Mace had been. 

“Master!” Ahsoka barrelled into the room. “We gotta go! We’re going to be late.” 

He shook his head fondly and accepted her flying hug. “My dear, you know the men are going to take a bit of time to finish their debrief before they’re formally released from duty. And my goodness, where did this punctuality come from? It certainly isn’t from Anakin.” 

“Master,” Ahsoka groaned, hanging off of him like a barnacle. 

“Alright, alright, my dear. Let me fetch my robes and then we can go.” 

She beamed and hugged him tightly once more. 

The trip to the loading station was a relatively short one. But long enough for Obi-Wan to send Cody a warning. 

“Ahsoka and I are on our way.” 

“Oh? And who’s she hunting this time?” 

“Jesse.” 

“I’ll make sure to stay far away from him.” 

Obi-Wan chuckled. 

“You didn’t tell him who I was going after, did you?” Ahsoka pouted. 

Obi-Wan patted her head. “I did. But not to worry, Cody finds your antics amusing.” 

She stuck her tongue out at him. 

Now that Cody was back on Coruscant, the bond felt clearer. When he was chasing Thrawn to the edges of wild-space, everything had felt distant. Fuzzy. He could only catch glimpses and flashes of feeling. Probably for the best otherwise his anxiety and worry over the marriage would have tipped Cody off that something was wrong. But now that he was here and Obi-Wan could feel him more clearly, he felt settled. Cody’s strong support, his quiet and consistent love, all served to tether Obi-Wan to the ground. To make him feel stable in a galaxy where so much changed so rapidly. 

He sent a wave of lovesupportfondness to Cody. He received back a wave of amusmentlovedesire. 

The landing bay was bustling, as per usual. And Obi-Wan lost track of Ahsoka practically the moment they stepped off of the tram. Not to worry though, she was near by. Simply honing those togrutan hunting skills that had been awakened with her rats on The Resolute. According to Shaak, it was important for adolescents to engage in hunting behaviors regularly so as to keep their senses sharp and certain muscles from atrophying. And Obi-Wan appreciated this form of hunting a lot more than waking up to find bloody, deceased rats in his chambers. The first time it happened, he thought Ahsoka was trying to tell him something. 

He spotted his sunshine in the crowd, glowing like, well, like the sun and drawing everyone into his orbit. He had changed out of his armor and wasn’t wearing his bridge greys. Instead, he wore a pair of tight fitting black pants, a white shirt underneath, and a dark leather jacket over top. Force, and a thigh holster? He looked good enough to eat from hee. 

Cody spotted him as well. His face lit up. He dismissed the trooper he was talking to and walked over to him. Obi-Wan noticed Jesse, Tup, Fives, Hardcase, and Rex standing off to the side chatting. Rex caught Obi-Wan’s eye. He furrowed his brow, then subtly took a few steps away from the other men. 

“ Meshl’a,” Cody wrapped an arm around Obi-Wan’s shoulders and leaned in for a firm yet chaste kiss. 

“My love,” Obi-Wan responded. “Nice look. Did your armor get destroyed?” 

Cody shook his head and jerked it over to Rex. “Suggestion from the peanut gallery. Several of them are part of Gree’s Romance Bookclub. I think they have it in their heads that you’d swoon if I was dressed like a smuggler.” 

Obi-Wan hummed in agreement and wound his arms around Cody’s neck to pull him into a kiss. “You do cut quite the dashing figure, my darling. A rapscallion, if you will.” 

Cody grinned and pecked his lips again. “Glad it’s working. So, where is this big strong hunter you brought with you?” 

“Oh, lost in her in the crowd at the entrance. But given that she has a penchant for being up high–” 

He didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. 

He watched as a red blur plummeted from the ceiling and straight onto Jesse’s back. 

Fives let out a scream and leapt into Hardcase’s arm. Tup equally scrambled back to hide behind Rex, who was laughing his head off. 

Ahsoka felt pleased in the Force. Her mouth clamped on the back of Jesse’s neck. 

“She’s not actually biting him, is she?” Cody muttered in Obi-Wan’s ear. 

“Play hunting, dear. She won’t break the skin.” He turned to her. “Very good, Ahsoka dear. Now please let him up.” 

Ahsoka released Jesse’s neck, beaming. “Pinned ya!” 

“Force, warn a guy next time, kid,” Jesse griped. He stood up, knocking Ahsoka to the ground. 

“But then it’d be no fun. I gotta practice my hunting. Master Shaak says it’s very important to my development.” She said primly. 

“It’s also important to ruin Jesse’s pride!” Hardcase laughed, wiping tears from his eyes. 

“Yeah, Jess. If you let her win one more time, you’ll never be able to show your face on Coruscant again.” Fives, now with both feet on the ground, grinned and smacked Jesse on the back. 

“Oh, and who was it who screamed like a little girl then? Couldn’t have been ‘Soka considering she had my neck in her mouth!”

Obi-Wan chuckled and turned back to Cody, pulling him into another kiss. “Any luck on Thrawn?” 

Cody shook his head. “He slipped out of our grasp. But we did catch several of his upper-command. I’m sending them over to Thorn now for interrogation. Everything good here?” 

“Wonderful.” 

Cody’s smile dropped. “Are you sure? You seemed anxious and worried about something. I couldn’t get a clear feeling though.” 

Obi-Wan let out a breath. The last place he wanted to propose was in the landing bay of all places. Cody may be practical, but Obi-Wan didn’t want to put him on the spot in front of so many of his brothers. So, he would need to hold off for just a bit longer. “I do need to talk to you about something.” 

Cody’s smile dropped even further. Obi-Wan could feel his worry building at the back of his spine. 

“It’s nothing bad, I promise.” 

“But it is worrying you.” 

“Only because it’s me, my love. I promise. I think you’ll like it.” 

Cody didn’t seem so sure. He pressed his mouth into a thin line, his eyebrows drawing together. 

Obi-Wan reached up to press his thumb between the crease. “None of that now. Do you trust me?” 

“With my life.” 

“Good. Then relax.” 

“Alright. I’ll try.” And he did try. Though he didn’t get very far. Goodness, if this is how Obi-Wan felt in the Force for the past several weeks, no wonder Mace finally came to talk some sense into him. 

“Hey, master,” Ahsoka bounded up to them. “Can I go out with Rex and the guys tonight? And then spend the night at the barracks.” 

Obi-Wan hummed. “And what are Rex and the others getting up to tonight?” 

“Dex’s, showers, and then spending the night at the barracks, sir,” Rex said. Even after all these months, he still couldn’t get Rex to call him anything other than ‘sir’ or ‘Master Kenobi’. At least he finally stopped calling him General. 

“Seems like rather tame night for you.” While he knew Rex wasn’t one to party, he wasn’t so certain about the other men. He didn’t want them to feel like they had to entertain Ahsoka for the evening. Even if it would make his proposal plans a lot easier. 

“We missed the last five episodes of Romance on the Plains of Naboo, sir,” Jesse said. “It’s been hell trying to keep away from all the spoilers.” 

“I really need to see if Francesca’s husband and her evil twin have teamed up yet to frame her for the murder of that Jedi. But he didn’t really die because of the Force.” Hardcase said. 

“Goodness, a Jedi has entered the mix?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“He’s Francesca’s new love interest,” Cody grumbled. 

Obi-Wan grinned at him. “Grown an affinity for Naboo Holodramas while you were away, my dear?” 

“I wish,” Cody scoffed. “This lot won’t stop talking about it.” 

“And I haven’t seen any of the episodes yet because I knew they’d want to watch it when they got back,” Ahsoka said. “Please let me go. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. I’ll do my katas tomorrow morning without complaining and I’ll do creche-sitting duty next week and I–” 

“Alright, alright. We must work on your negotiation skills, my dear. That was rather a poor performance,” Obi-Wan said. “Yes, you can go.” 

“Yes! Thank you, master!” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

“Of course, my dear.” He turned to Rex. “Any trouble, call me. I don’t care what it is. Don’t hide anything from me because you don’t want to get caught. Alright.” 

“Of course, sir.” Rex shook his hand. “Enjoy your night.” 

Cody brought him into a hug and knocked their foreheads together. He did the same to Ahsoka, but much gentler. “Be safe.” 

“Always, ori’vod .” Rex said, waving at them. 

Obi-Wan linked his arm in Cody’s and lead them back outside. 

The ride back to the Temple wasn’t as nerve-wracking as Obi-Wan had anticipated. He had anticipated needing to throw up at least once during their trip back. Perhaps several times even. 

But, Cody’s calm presence both next to him and in the Force settled his nerves somewhat. He kept a hand on Obi-Wan’s thigh. His thumb swiping back and forth across the leggings. Occasionally, he’d look over and offer Obi-Wan a soft smile. A silent reassurance that everything was going to be okay. 

And Obi-Wan believed it would. 

If only he could get his mind to believe it. 

They nodded to the Temple Guards standing at the front doors. They stopped to chat with several members of the order and Troopers who had found their way to the Temple. Each step served as both distraction, and agonizing torture. A last, pathetic attempt to put off a conversation he knew would change both of their lives forever no matter the outcome. 

The peace he had felt on the tram ride back evaporated with each step. 

By the time they actually made it to the door of their apartment, Obi-Wan’s heart felt as though it were about to burst from his chest. 

Cody punched in the code and stepped inside. He stripped off his jacket and hung it on the hook. “So, now that we’re alone and my brothers and your padawan are going to be distracted for the next several hours with overly dramatic acting and storytelling, do you want to tell me what had you so worked up these past few weeks? Or do you want to get some dinner first?” 

Obi-Wan couldn’t take it any longer. All plans went out of his head. The speech he had prepared. The setting. The bottle of wine he had chilling and ready to be popped in celebration. 

All of it, gone. 

Replaced only with panic and instinct. 

Normally, his instinct was good. Something to be trusted and followed. Something that kept him alive. 

This was not one of those times. 

He dug into his pocket, pulled out the ring, and said, “Here, catch!” Throwing it straight at Cody. 

Cody turned to face him. 

Obi-Wan watched in horror as he failed to see the slim metal band sailing towards his head. 

He brought his hand to his mouth, letting out a half-strangled scream as Cody failed to lift his hands. 

He gasped as the band hit Cody squarely in the forehead. 

His hands clutched either side of his face as Cody let out a sharp, “Ow!” 

And the sound of the ring, tinkling on the floor, rolling until it found the one crack in the floorboard. The metal scraping against the side of ancient wood. 

Disappearing into the depths of his floorboards. 

Never to be seen again. 

“Oh no.” He gasped. 

“Did you throw something at me?” Cody asked, rubbing the spot on his forehead where the ring had hit him. 

“Oh, no, no, no. I don’t think that was covered in the insurance policy.” Obi-Wan scrambled to his knees, crawling over to the where the ring had slipped under the floorboards. 

“What are you doing?” 

“No, no, no, no, no. Oh no. I can’t see it. And it’s metal, not living, so I can’t sense it. Oh no. I knew I should have used kyber. It’s sacreligious, but I could have at least sensed it and pulled it back up oh no I can’t believe it went into the one crack in my floors!” 

“Woah, Obi-Wan.” Cody kneeled down next to him. “Can you stop panicking for a second and tell me what’s going on.” He put his hand on Obi-Wan’s, stilling his frantic movements. 

Obi-Wan groaned and pulled away so he could bury his face in his hands. This was not how he wanted to propose. And now, he didn’t even have a ring!

He lay down on his side and curled up into a ball. “Leave me, Cody. Let me die alone with only my shame as company in my final moments.” 

He could feel Cody’s disapproving look from here. 

“Oh, no you don’t.” He grabbed his wrist and forced him back upright. “No dying here. Not until you tell me what that was all about.” 

He knew Cody wouldn’t let this go. He should just tell him and get it over with. “It was a ring,” he said, miserably and still managing to hide at least part of his face behind the hand not still in Cody’s grasp. 

“You got me a ring?” Cody peered down into the floorboards. 

“Yes.” Could they finish this conversation yet? Obi-Wan would very much like to die now.

Cody stood up, letting go of his hand in the process. 

Oh good. He could die now. 

He slipped back down on the ground. 

“Relax, I’m not letting you die. I’m just getting a light so I could fish it out.” He came back and slipped his bucket on his head. It looked a bit comical without the rest of the armor. 

He flicked on the lights and looked between the cracks. “Ah, I see it. It glows under the light, you know.” 

“Yes. Something about the stone,” Obi-Wan said. 

Cody tugged it up with the Force. It slid between the small crack once more and back into his hand. Taking off his helmet, he held it up to the light. “It’s nice. Still doesn’t explain why you got it for me or why you seem so stressed about it.” He put his helmet to the side. “ Cyare, why did you get me this?” 

He let out a pathetic sigh. “I wanted to ask you to marry me. And, typically, one proposes with a ring. Well, it depends on the culture. If we were on Mandalore, I’d give you a vambrace. Stewjon you get a rock. The Tuskens of Tatooine have a particularly interesting tradition involving water–” 

“Ask me properly,” Cody said, thrusting the ring back out to him. 

“What?” Obi-Wan finally got the courage to look into his eyes. He didn’t see any sort of discomfort or even pity. Instead, his face seemed to glow softly with fondness. 

“You heard me. Ask me properly. Don’t just chuck it at my head and say “Here. Catch.”. You don’t ask for a lot. I want you to ask for this.” He thrust the ring towards him once more. 

Obi-Wan bit his lip to stop from smiling. That was all the answer he needed. But he would still indulge Cody. After all, he deserved it. He deserved it more than anyone. 

He took the ring. 

Cody stood up and looked down at him. His eyes softened in the dimming light. The sunset behind him made him look as though he were on fire. No, as though he were fire. The sun itself. 

Obi-Wan positioned himself so he was kneeling. “I chose a ring because it seemed to be the most common cultural practices. And because I figured it’d be easier to keep track of than a rock. But if you want something else–” 

“I want you to ask me. I can listen to the, I’m certain, fascinating cultural research later.” 

Obi-Wan chuckled. “Yes, yes. I suppose you’re right.” Now that they were back into the room, all the plans that had previously left his head came back. Trickling in one by one as if they had never truly left. 

“Cody,” he said, “I love you more than anything.” 

“Tea?” 

“Hush, darling. Don’t remind me or I might just change my mind.” 

“Fine.” 

“As I was saying, I love you more than anything. And while I can never promise that you’ll be a priority in my life, I know you know and understand that my being a Jedi will always come first. Just as I know you being a soldier will always come first. But just because we are not each other’s firsts, doesn’t mean we can’t still grow together. You have challenged me in ways I’ve never expected to be challenged. You have put an amount of trust in me that I’m not sure I deserve, but I’m honored to have had. You have made me a better man, and a better Jedi. So, I ask you, will you–mph!” 

Cody crashed into him, their lips slamming together as he tackled him to the floor. Cody’s hand curled around the back of his head, stopping him from smacking it against the ground.

Obi-Wan laughed. “Stop! Stop, you fiend!” He smacked Cody’s shoulder playfully. 

Cody seemed to be in no mood to stop and peppered kisses all over his face, neck, chest, anywhere he could reach really. 

“Stop. If you want me to ask properly, I expect a proper answer.” He pushed Cody back a little harder. 

Cody pressed one last lingering kiss and pulled back. He looked absolutely besotted. “Fine.” 

“Cody, will you marry me?” Obi-Wan asked. Once the entire sentence was out of his mouth, a weight lifted from his shoulders. All his silly worries about the future seemed to evaporate. He didn’t know why he had been so nervous in the first place. 

“Yes,” Cody dove back in for a kiss. This time, Obi-Wan didn’t push him back. 

In fact, he pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around his neck. Letting his hand crawl up the back of Cody’s head and tangle in his curls. He didn’t have time to cut his hair, it seemed, as Obi-Wan’s fingers sank into them, giving him leverage he wouldn’t otherwise have had. His left leg hooked up and over Cody’s hip to pull him closer and the two of them down on the ground. 

Cody’s soft, slightly chapped lips caught on his. His tongue swiped across the seam. A silent plea for entrance that Obi-wan happily obliged. 

He tilted his head a fraction, so that they could fit together better. More seamlessly. Pressing against each other as Cody’s wet, hot tongue entered his mouth. 

The bond in their head buzzed with pleasure. 

Obi-Wan felt Cody’s hand skimming up his side. It slipped beneath his back and lifted him up off the floor, pressing them together. 

Obi-Wan’s toes curled in his boots. And he wanted nothing more than to strip them both bare and celebrate in a more intimate way. He pushed the thought through the bond. 

Cody chuckled and then pulled back. “Why were you so nervous about asking me?” he said softly, looking down at him with a small, gentle smile on his lips. Obi-Wan took his hand and slipped the ring on his finger. 

“We’ve only been together a few short months. And we’ve never talked about it. I didn’t even know if you wanted to get married. Besides, it’s not like we need to. We’re not consolidating resources or aiding in strengthening political ties.” 

“Oh, I don’t know. A trooper-Jedi partnership might just be what this galaxy needs.” Cody shifted so that most of his weight was on his elbow; hovering over Obi-Wan but still letting his weight press down on him. His free hand skimmed up Obi-Wan’s side, making him shiver. “You know, I lived my entire life only ever doing what was needed. Only ever having what was needed. I was never allowed to want frivolous things. I never even dreamed of having them. Everything about my existence was designed to be practical. Everything had it’s use, multiple uses if you could manage it.” 

“Oh?” Obi-Wan let his fingers slip from Cody’s so he could stroke his cheek. 

“I like that this doesn’t have a use. This isn’t practical. I don’t need it. But I still have it.” 

“You’re allowed to have as much useless things as you’d like now, my dear.” 

Cody laughed. “I think I’ll start with this one.” He leaned down to kiss him once more. Soft and sweet this time, though still with a bit of heat simmering just under the surface. 

When he pulled back, he said softly, “ Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.” 

Obi-Wan smiled. “We are one together. We are one apart. We share all. We raise warriors.” 

“So we’re married now?” 

“I do believe it takes a bit more paperwork than that, my dear. But I guess so.” He laughed. Happy tears sprang to his eyes. “ Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar’tome, mhi me’dinui an, mhi ba’juri verde.”

“Sounds better when you say it,” Cody said. “And I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I think paperwork can wait. You’re very lucky everyone’s distracted for the evening because you, sweetheart, are not going to be leaving bed for a good long while.” 

Obi-Wan laughed as Cody tugged him off the floor and then tossed him over his shoulder. He learned very early on in their relationship that Cody often had a very detailed plan of how he wanted sex to go. It was pretty hot, the way he thought of everything from the position he wanted Obi-Wan to be in down to the length of time things would last. Of course, Obi-Wan could say no and they could deviate if need be. But often it was more fun to go along with Cody as he rearranged Obi-Wan’s limbs just how he wanted him. It left Obi-Wan free to do more fun things like try and distract Cody away from his plan. It had become something of a game. Cody would march in with all the presence of a general while Obi-Wan would try and break his will and get him to give in. 

Some nights he was more successful than others. 

But no matter the outcome, it always served to blow his mind just how good sex could be. 

Cody set him down on the bed. Gently, like always. 

“Do you find pleasure in tossing me around because it makes you feel strong?” Obi-Wan asked, letting his teasing tone slip from his lips. 

Cody stood above him, gazing at his body with a dark, heated look in his eyes. “I’m not body slamming droids into the ground anymore. Gotta prove I’m strong somehow.” 

“Hmm, I’m not complaining.” 

“But you are being lippy.” 

“Then find a way to shut me up.” 

Cody knelt between his legs, a grin splitting across his face. He took Obi-Wan’s hand in his and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to it. Obi-Wan sucked in a breath as the slightest bit of moisture from Cody’s mouth escaped. His lips sticking ever so slightly to the skin. 

He pulled back with a soft smacking sound, once more glancing up with a wicked gleam in his eye. “Find one? Baby, I already have.” 

He flipped Obi-Wan’s hand over and laid another kiss at his wrist. And then a bit further up on his forearm. And then another. And another. And another. His free hand grasped the billowing sleeve of his robes and pushed it up his arm to expose more and more skin. The palm and fingers ever so softly grazing his heated skin, only serving to leave fire in the wake of his soft touch. 

Once he had pushed the sleeve up to expose Obi-Wan’s shoulder, his hand skirted across his chest. Flittering down his stomach so he could begin to undo the knots of his outer robes. 

Cody’s head tilted up enough so he could kiss his neck. He alternated between soft, barely open mouthed kisses and something much more heated. His tongue darting out to trace the tendons right under Obi-Wan’s ear. Occasionally, he let his teeth scrape against his sensitive spots, leaving Obi-Wan’s chest heaving as he gasped and tried to corral his thoughts back into some semblance of order. 

He didn’t want to just sit here while Cody ravished him. He was supposed to be fighting back. Trying to get him to abandon his carefully laid plans. 

“You’ll never get me to break,” Cody whispered. His hot breath ghosted across Obi-Wan’s ear and made him shudder and keen. 

“That’s what you think, my dear.” He managed to huff out. 

Cody let out a chuckle. He finally dropped his hand so he could push the outer robes from his shoulders. Each touch hardly landing on his skin. The barest hint of pressure that felt more ticklish than anything. That alone made Obi-Wan’s gut clench as he felt himself growing harder with each butterfly touch skating across his still clothed skin. 

Only Cody could make him feel this exposed whilst he was still so covered up. 

Both hands now free, he pushed Cody back enough to grab onto his shirt and pull it up and over Cody’s head. 

Cody didn’t put up a fight, letting the garment go willingly. He wasn’t wearing his normal bridge greys. Just a well-fitted t-shirt Bail had helped him pick out when the complexities of clothes shopping overwhelmed him. 

In stripping him of his shirt, it left Cody bare chested in the room. The hard planes of his body exposed and begging Obi-Wan to explore them. 

Instead of looking put out by Obi-Wan’s undressing of him, Cody nearly sank back on his heels and smirked. 

“You look pleased with yourself,” Obi-Wan huffed. 

“Oh, I am. Because you, cyare , are wearing more clothes than I am. Strip me all you want. But we’re not having sex until you’re naked. And given how many layers you have on, you won’t be naked for a good long while.” 

“Wha–” Obi-Wan sputtered, unwilling to believe he had fallen so cleanly into Cody’s trap. “You… I will get you to break. I want you to throw me down on this bed and take me. Rip the robes from my body, you damn man. Let me feel the passion burning off of you. Let yourself become a supernova in the Force. Pull me into your orbit and never let me go!” 

Cody leaned forward and captured his lips in another chaste kiss. “What an impassioned speech.” He pulled back. “Maybe I will do that.” 

“Thank you.”
“Later.”
“Oh, you are too cruel.” 

“Love first.” He traced a finger from his sternum down to his stomach and the slid his hand to the side so he could undo the next set of knots. “Passion later.” 

“We can do both.” 

He stripped the layer off Obi-Wan. So gently, it was as if Obi-Wan were fragile. As if he would break if Cody used too much force or pressure. It made him feel so loved he felt like he could cry. 

“Do you not trust me? I did say you weren’t leaving this bed for awhile. And I’m going to make sure you have trouble walking tomorrow.” 

Obi-Wan felt his cheeks heat up. He was certain his face had become red. Not with embarrassment, but anticipation. It made him shiver. 

“You did.” He said primly. 

Cody undid the second to last layer. It left his arms bare in the cool night air. He felt his hairs stand at attention as the soft breeze from the aircon system carried through the room. He shivered. 

“And don’t I always keep my word?” Cody slipped down once more to his knees and took on of Obi-Wan’s feet in his hands. Ever so slowly, agonizingly slowly, he unzipped the boot before pulling it off his foot on millimeter at a time. 

“You do.” He groaned as Cody finally slipped the boot off his foot and then pressed his lips to the very top. His other hand repeated its work with the pant leg, pushing it up as it had for the sleeve so that Cody could leave more kisses on his exposed skin. 

Once he got to the knee, his eyes flickered up to meet Obi-Wan’s. “Then trust me. I need to warm you up before I take you the way you so eloquently described earlier.” 

Obi-Wan swallowed. He tracked Cody’s every move with his eyes as he continued with the other foot. 

“Very well. But note I am not currently a patient man.” 

He removed and tossed the other boot to the side. “I thought Jedi were all about patience.” He pressed kisses up Obi-Wan’s leg, lingering a little longer on the knee. 

Force, how could he still be wearing this many layers and still feel so exposed! 

“After all,” Cody made his way back to his feet. He kicked off his shoes and socks. “You spend hours a day meditating.” 

He undid his belt, slipping it through the loops and letting it loose with a snap. Obi-Wan swallowed. 

“You work so hard to let go of your frustrations.” His fingers flicked open the button of his pants. The sound of a zipper seemed to thunder in Obi-Wan’s ears. He watched as Cody slid it down, slowly but surely exposing the bulge that had grown during this teasing session. 

“You talk endlessly about keeping your head.” He didn’t remove his pants, though. The monster was toying with him. He knew Obi-Wan wanted nothing more than to get this show on the road and here he was only giving him the most miniscule teases the galaxy had ever known!

He stepped back up to the bed and leaned over. His hands slipped beneath the hem of Obi-Wan’s undershirt. His palms burned his sides. 

“Not rushing into things,” he whispered, his mouth centimeters from Obi-Wan’s. Close enough so he could feel his breath ghosting across his skin. The difference between the heat from his body and the coldness of the room drove his body wild. He felt so uncomfortable. The pressure in his belly so intense, he was certain the second Cody touched him he would come. 

And yet, Cody still wouldn’t touch him the way he wanted, no, the way he needed to be touched. 

“Cody,” he begged. 

Cody’s hands ran up his sides, catching the hem of his shirt so he could pull it up and over Obi-Wan’s head. He could feel the difference between the hot skin of his hands and cool engagement ring on his finger. The difference between the roughness of his palms and the smoothness of the metal. The difference between the organic and inorganic. 

“So impatient for such a well-respected member of the Jedi Order.” He whispered. 

“It’s hard to be patient when you have such a divine being standing in front of you,” he managed to pant. He was so close to getting what he wanted. 

Cody stood back up and shucked off his pants. 

So close. They were so close. All Cody had left were his briefs. Obi-Wan could speed this along. 

He used the Force to pull Cody closer to him. 

Cody laughed and stumbled forward. “Frivolous use of the force, sweetheart.” 

“Not frivolous in the slightest.” 

“Oh yeah?” 

“Utterly necessary.” 

Whatever witty retort Cody had no doubt thought up in his head was quickly replaced with a choked gasp as Obi-Wan mouthed at the bulge straining against the fabric of his undergarments. He had half a mind to pull Cody out completely and suck his first orgasm out of him. However, the part of his brain that still had some semblance of thought and control told him that would be letting Cody off too easily. He needed payback for all that teasing earlier. 

Let Cody’s briefs become slick with his saliva. 

Cody groaned and rocked against his mouth. His hand came to thread in Obi-Wan’s hair. 

“Fuck, baby. That feels great.” He reached down and pulled out his cock, now completely hard and throbbing in his hand. The poor man must have been aching during that strip tease from earlier. 

Obi-Wan decided he’d be nice and help take the edge off. Just a bit. And who wouldn’t want to with such glory staring at him in the face? 

He wrapped his lips around the tip and sucked. 

“Shit, yeah. Just like that.” Cody groaned. His hand had yet to leave Obi-Wan’s hair. He tightened his grip a fraction, and then loosened it. 

Oh, they couldn’t have that. 

Obi-Wan relaxed his throat and sank down as far as he could, making sure to press his tongue against the underside and suck with all his might. 

“Fuck!” Cody lurched forward and then let out a chuckle. “You trying to kill me?” 

I’m trying to get payback . Obi-Wan looked up at him through hooded eyes and began meticulously bobbing his head back and forth. Each iteration Cody got deeper and deeper into his throat. It did take a bit of effort and concentration on Obi-Wan’s part to get Cody completely in. The man was not small in any way, shape or form. He didn’t know if he’d manage it tonight.

“It’s okay,” Cody said, his grip breaking so he could stroke back Obi-Wan’s hair. “Just get it nice and wet. Yeah? Make it easier to go in.” 

Spit is not a suitable substitute for lube, my darling. 

“Still too coherent if you can think like that,” Cody chuckled. 

He rocked his hips back and forth, chasing Obi-Wan’s mouth as he pulled back. Chasing just a little more sensation. A little more heat. A little more pressure. 

Obi-Wan had to hand it to him, most men would have come the second the famed Negotiator got his lips around their cocks. 

“I’m not most men,” Cody slurred. The hand was back in his hair, gripping it tightly. 

That you are not, my dear. After all, you’re the only man I’ve ever thought of marrying. 

“I’ll take that as a compliment, then. Alright, alright. I’ve had my fun. Let’s get started on my ultimate goal of making sure you can’t walk tomorrow.” 

He tugged Obi-Wan off of his cock. Obi-Wan did not go easily, sucking hard down to the very last inch before finally pulling off. A thin trail of saliva still connecting them. He flickered his eyes up to Cody. 

“Maybe I wanted you to come.” 

“Should have worked harder then,” Cody said. 

Before Obi-Wan could let out another clever retort, Cody scooped him up by his thighs and tossed him further back on the bed. 

He laughed as Cody stripped off his underwear and pants. All the finesse and control from earlier gone as he scrambled to remove the last pieces of clothing separating the two of them. 

He settled back on top of Obi-Wan, finally (finally!) kissing him deeply. Letting his hands roam his body and pull him close as their legs tangled together. 

When they pulled back, Obi-Wan smiled. “I love you.” 

“Love you too. And I need to get you a matching one of these.” He tapped the ring on his finger. 

“In time.” Obi-Wan brought his hand up to his face so he could stroke his cheeks. “Tonight, let’s just celebrate.” 

“Good plan.” Cody leaned back down to kiss him softly. 

He made quick work of prepping Obi-Wan and spreading lube on his cock. All the patience from before now gone as they prepared to make love. 

Cody settled back against the headboard, his hands gripping Obi-Wan’s hips as he sank down onto that glorious cock. Both of them moaning as he finally bottomed out. 

He sat there for a second, getting used to the feeling. The stretch. The slight burn that made his toes curl and his stomach clench. The sensation of fullness. Splitting him open and seaming him back together so they were one body, one soul. 

Cody let out a shuddering breath. He leaned forward to kiss him, his hands releasing their vice-like grip of his hips and going to circle around his back. 

Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around his neck and leaned close so that their chests pressed together. 

The sounds of their lips working together filled the room. The heat from his skin seemed to evaporate the sweat beading in the various divots of his muscles and bones. 

Finally, after several seconds of simply kissing, it was time to move. 

He started slowly. Minute rocking back and forth with his hips. Cody’s hands brushing patterns on his skin. He could feel the ring tracing its path. Leaving a trail of cool fire everywhere it touched. As if it were branding him so all the world could see that he was Cody’s and Cody’s was his. 

Eventually, his rocking gave way to small bounces. Barely lifting his body off of Cody’s cock before dropping back down. Working up and down in a regular, slow rhythm. Each drop opened him up more. Got Cody deeper inside of him. So little space between the two of them, it was as if their atoms were mixing together. 

Cody pulled him close once more to leave more open-mouthed kisses at his throat. Lingering in place. Scrapping his teeth against the sensitive spots. Closing his mouth around his collar bone and sucking. The sharp nip of his teeth at the sensitive skin before soothing the sting with his tongue. 

“Oh!” Obi-Wan gasped. His hips stuttered. The golden threads came to wrap around both of them. Tethering their pasts, presents, and futures together. Tangling until they could no longer be untangled. They were connected now. The Force willed it so. 

Cody’s ministrations of his neck made his entire body feel as if it were about to float away. 

He was forced to remove his arms from around Cody’s neck and grip the headboard of his bed instead. A little more leverage. 

“Fuck, baby, you feel so good. Just like that,” Cody murmured into the skin of his abused throat. 

His words made Obi-Wan’s hips move faster. The muscles in his leg burning as he moved up and down. His prosthetic leg aided him greatly. He could put more weight on it and use the machinery to work his body up and down without relying solely on his muscles. 

And it worked. He could ride Cody a lot longer than he had ever been able to before with two flesh legs.

Each breath moving higher and dropping deeper. The skin of their bodies meeting over and over and over again with the steady sounds of slap, slap, slap mixing with the other sounds of the room. 

The sounds of their panting. 

Their breathing. 

The occasional curse slipping from their lips. 

The wet sounds of Cody kissing his neck. His chin. His chest. 

Obi-Wan’s high pitched keening when his lips and teeth found his nipple and nipped at them. 

The sounds of Cody moaning as Obi-Wan clenched around his cock. 

Strangled shouts and murmurs of “I love you”. 

And Obi-Wan, bouncing faster and faster in Cody’s lap. Riding and writhing as he chased the feeling of his hot cock throbbing in his body. Hitting that bundle of nerves at the base of his spine and sending lighting shooting up it until he felt Cody everywhere from the top of his head all the way down to his toes. 

The sweat beading and sliding down his body, making the entire experience even more slick. 

Cody sucked hard at his other nipple. 

“Ah!” Obi-Wan’s hands flew from the headboard and wrapped around Cody’s back, trapping him against his chest as his back arched and his entire body squeezed. 

Cody squeezed back. Pressing them so close together that Obi-Wan couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. 

Then, he was being tipped back. His body landing on the bed. His head towards the foot of it. 

Cody’s arms bracketing by his head, staring down at him panting with a wild look in his eyes. 

Obi-Wan knew that look and let his legs fall open so Cody could thrust as hard as he wanted. His body seemed to be possessed by some sort of animal as their hips met in a bruising pace. 

Obi-Wan reached up to grip Cody’s arm so he wouldn’t get fucked off the bed. With the strength and force of Cody’s thrusts, it could happen. 

Cody seemed to realize this, albeit somewhat distantly, and reached down with his freehand to grip Obi-Wan’s hip. He’d have bruises there tomorrow. And he relished the thought. 

Cody’s thrusts became more and more erratic with every passing second. Neither of them would last much longer like this. 

“Baby, touch yourself. I can’t…” He let out a strangled gasp as he slammed forward once more. 

Obi-Wan obliged the command and reached down to grip at the base of his neglected cock, still weeping and hard from everything he had experienced. A part of him wanted to put off his orgasm for as long as possible. But, Cody did say he wouldn’t be leaving the bed for awhile. And he trusted that this wasn’t going to be his only orgasm of the evening. 

So, he began to stroke. Twisting his hand just how he liked it. The combination of the scent of sex in the air, the sounds of Cody moaning and the slapping of their skin. The heat. The cold. It was all too much, and Obi-Wan tumbled over the edge. 

He threw his head back and let out a shout, his entire body going rigid. Freezing as his back arched and his hole clenched around Cody. Every muscle seemingly spasming at once until he completed his orgasm. 

He collapsed back down on the bed. 

Cody let out a few more frenzied, hard, deep thrusts before he too froze. His eyes squeezed shut. Every muscle went rigid. And then, he collapsed on top of Obi-Wan. 

Neither of them moved for a good long while. Instead, panting against each other as the sweat aided in cooling their bodies quickly. 

“Good?” Cody grunted into Obi-Wan’s neck.

He laughed and scratched at the nape of his neck. The move made Cody melt even more into him. Like putty in his hands. 

“It’s never been bad,” he responded. 

“Hmm. Gotta do better than that. Need to blow your mind.” he muttered. 

“Oh, I don’t think you can. You sound tuckered out already, my dear.” Obi-Wan knew what he was doing. He knew what it would lead to. And he happily dove head first into the consequences of his actions. 

Cody pushed himself onto his elbows and glared down at him. “Are you implying my stamina isn’t as good as I think it is?” 

“Well, you have been fighting quite a lot recently. No one would blame you if you were only to go one round. And it was good sex.” He quirked a brow at Cody. A smirk playing on his lips 

“Oh, I’ll show you good sex, ner jet’ii, ” Cody growled. 

Obi-Wan laughed as Cody rolled him over and got to work proving just how good his stamina was. 

And he was correct in his predictions. Obi-Wan had a hell of a time trying to walk the next day.

Chapter Text

They fell asleep after several rounds of equally passionate and vigorous lovemaking. Cody had never felt so content in his life. 

Obi-Wan was right. He hadn’t considered marriage all that deeply before. 

He supposed it was mostly because he had never considered much about the future at all. It was always one of those nebulous things that he couldn’t get too attached to. At any point, he or someone he loved might die. Whatever future he had imagined would die with them. 

Though as the war drew to a close and he started to see that maybe he and everyone else would survive, he did start planning a future. 

He let himself imagine what it would be like to finally confess his feelings to Obi-Wan. He pictured how their lives might go. How they’d balance Obi-Wan’s duties as a Jedi with their relationship. If such a thing could even be balanced. 

He thought about what jobs he might like to do when the title of Marshall Commander was no longer needed. He thought about places he wanted to go. Things he wanted to do. 

But he never thought about marriage. 

As he lay there, Obi-Wan asleep with his head on his chest, the dim morning Coruscant light peaking through the windows, he let himself think on marriage. Why didn’t he think about marriage before? 

He supposed he didn’t know it was even an option. It certainly wasn’t an option for him just a few months ago. Clones weren’t considered sentient. Therefore, they couldn’t get married. 

But even after the Clone Rights Bill passed, he still didn’t consider marriage to be an option. He supposed it was a logical conclusion. After all, most marriage vows called for the two (or more) participants to put each other above all else. 

Obi-Wan was a Jedi first. His code came before everything, even Cody. 

That’s why he loved him so much. He was one of the only people who could understand Cody’s own devotion to his brothers and to the Republic. There may not have been a formal code he had to follow or recite, but no one single person would ever come first. They couldn’t. Putting one person above all others could jeopardize the mission or get more brothers killed in the process. 

Obi-Wan understood that. He would never feel upset or angry if Cody had to jet off in the middle of the night for a mission. He wouldn’t feel neglected if Cody hadn’t called him for several weeks. Because he was the same way. 

So, no, he didn’t think marriage was an option because he didn’t want to commit to putting another person first. He couldn’t commit to putting another person first. 

He held up his hand to the light. The small band caught it just right. The orange stone seemed to glow around his finger. 

“What are you thinking about?” Obi-Wan muttered. He turned his head to press kisses along Cody’s chest. Tracing a trail up to his neck, where he promptly buried his head and squeezed his arms tighter around Cody’s torso. 

“I can’t put you first,” Cody said. 

“Nor can I, my dear.” Obi-Wan shifted again. 

He reached up to grab Cody’s outstretched hand. Wrapping it around his waist, he shifted so he was lying completely on top of Cody. Cody brought up his other hand to balance him. 

They stared at each other for a few seconds. 

Obi-Wan smiled and bent down to kiss his forehead. “Are you worried I might expect that of you?” 

“Not really. I wanted to make sure we were both on the same page.” 

“Commendable.” 

Obi-Wan bent down once more. 

Cody could tell what he was angling for and called over some breath freshener to his hand. “Not a chance, Kenobi.” 

He tilted his head back and laughed. “My dear, are you telling me my breath stinks?” 

“As perfect as you are, even you can’t escape morning breath.” 

Obi-Wan chuckled again. He obliged Cody’s request and spritzed some breath spray. 

Cody followed. The blast of cold mint woke him up considerably. 

“Can I kiss you now?” 

He hummed. 

The kiss itself was soft. Sweet. Slow. Languide. Luxuriously lazy in this early morning. The sounds of their lips, working and moving together. The kiss itself was quite chaste. Not even a tongue entered the equation. But something about how slow it was still made everything sensual. The heat of Obi-Wan’s body against his. The press of his waist. Cody’s arms were low around his hips. The way they slotted together, perfection. 

Obi-Wan pulled back. “Just so you know, I don’t mind your morning breath at all.” 

“Are you trying to prove you love me more?” 

“Is it working?” 

“You’ll fail.” 

“Will I?” His eyes sparkled; a silent dare. Goading Cody into turning this kiss into something more. 

Cody’s hands wandered a bit lower. “Sure you can take it? You couldn’t even stand after last night.” 

“Why, Commander, are you suggesting I’m unable to keep up with your enhanced stamina?” 

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Cody teased back. 

Obi-Wan’s hands drifted up to scratch through Cody’s hair. Damn man, he knew it was his weak point. Cody couldn’t help the groan that escaped his lips. Or the way his eyes slipped closed. 

“Then prove it,” Obi-Wan purred. “Prove that you love me more than I love you. Prove that your stamina is better than mine.” 

“Damn you,” Cody muttered. He wrapped his arms tight around Obi-Wan and rolled them over. 

Despite the teasing, he wasn’t in the mood to go hard. Headboard slamming was good and all. But he felt lazy this morning. He didn’t want to rush through sex to a climax. He wanted to luxuriate in it. The same way he luxuriated in the hot showers. The soft bed. The soft blankets. On Coruscant, he could afford to take some time and really enjoy the things he loved. 

“I didn’t take you for a hedonist,” Obi-Wan said as Cody rolled him onto his side. 

“Why shouldn’t I savor every moment of my life? I deserve it.” Cody lifted his leg up and draped it over his hip. He pressed a finger to Obi-Wan’s entrance, looking to see if he was still stretched out from last night. 

“Of course you do,” Obi-Wan said. He batted Cody’s hand away. “Just get inside me already. I’m prepped enough from last night.” 

“Don’t want to hurt you.” He did pull his hand away, however, and gave his rapidly hardening cock a few tugs to get it fully hard. 

“You won’t. I’ll tell you if it’s too much.” 

And he trusted that he would. 

Sliding into Obi-Wan always felt like he was coming home. The initial resistance, followed by the give in his muscles, allowed Cody to go deep. Hip to hip. Chest to back. No space between them. 

Especially with the bond swirling in their heads, it could be difficult to tell where one of them ended and the other began. 

He could feel Obi-Wan’s pleasure. All of it. The slight stretch was just shy of too painful. The heaviness in his body as Cody settled and adjusted behind him. The way his muscles quivered, clenched, begged for movement. For more. More stimulation. 

Cody liked to think that Obi-Wan could feel this all from him as well. 

“Oh, I can,” Obi-Wan muttered, almost slurring his words. “Never doubt that I can feel all of your pleasure.” 

Cody bent his head to press lazy kisses up his neck. He gave his hips a small roll. Barely enough movement, barely enough friction to feel anything. But that’s what he wanted. He wanted to drag this out for as long as possible. All of their love-making last night had been hurried. Passionate and desperate to feel each other over and over again. 

He wasn’t desperate anymore. He had gotten his emergency fill. Now he could sit back and enjoy it. 

He snaked his top arm up Obi-Wan’s chest, crossing it to grip his shoulder and hold him in place. The other hand skated up from his hip, his thumb brushing over his nipple. The nail caught ever so slightly. 

He felt a spark of pleasure zip up Obi-Wan’s spine. His head tilted back. He let out a soft “Ah!” 

Cody repeated the action. It yielded the same response. “Tell me about it,” he said, continuing to roll his hips just enough to feel something, but not so much as to reach a premature conclusion of their morning. 

“Wha- Ah! Oh, yes. Do that again,” Obi-Wan’s head fell against Cody’s shoulder, baring his throat. His back arched enough for cool air to rush between them. 

“You said you feel my pleasure. What are you feeling?” Cody asked. 

“You want me to speak while you– Fuck! Force!” Obi-Wan’s top leg clenched down on Cody’s thighs. 

“Yes. Use that silver tongue of yours to tell me how I feel.” 

“If you wanted me to use my tongue, you could have– Oh! Gods yes!-- I could have sucked you off.” 

“Later. In the shower. Use your words now, cyare. ” 

“Mm, oh–” Obi-Wan clenched for a moment before relaxing once more against Cody’s body. “The heat of my body. You like how it feels.” 

He did. The sweat made everything slippery, which added to the challenge of keeping all the limbs where he wanted them. Sometimes, when he had Obi-Wan’s legs up on his shoulders, it took so much strength to keep them there because of all the sweat. And the heat itself… He felt like he was touching a star every time he touched Obi-Wan. Kamino and space were so cold. But Obi-Wan was hot. Another reminder that he deserved nice things. Warm things. His life could be warm. 

“What else?” 

“And, fuck, fuck, fuck, my voice. You like–” Obi-Wan let out a keening sound from his throat as Cody finally hit his prostate dead on. “You like the feedback,” he managed to gasp. 

He did. Maybe it was a praise kink. Maybe it was something else. But knowing just how good he made Obi-Wan feel made him feel good. He was doing a good job. Everyone was enjoying this. 

Besides, it was also nice to see how long it took for Obi-Wan to completely lose the ability to speak. The grunts, moans, and wails only served to heighten Cody’s pleasure. 

There was something primal that burned in his gut when such a thing happened. Like they were no longer civilized humans, but animals. Doing something so instinctual and old, it predated civilization itself. 

Someone could probably psychoanalyze why Cody found this so attractive. He didn’t care about the why. He only cared that it was attractive. Neither of them had to hold onto their put-together personas. The ones they put on in front of politicians, padawans, and brothers. They were free to give in to their instincts. To let themselves go. To release all their inhibitions and just be alive for once in their lives. 

“Oh, Cody,” Obi-Wan moaned. He brought his fingers up to tangle in Cody’s, pressing himself back against his chest. Chasing his cock. Squeezing around him as if to keep him locked in place. 

“Love you,” Cody murmured into his hair. He knew he was rapidly approaching his climax. 

“Love you,” Obi-Wan gasped out. 

Cody could feel both of them, together. The heat of their skin mixing. The sounds of their breathing echoed in the silent room. The feeling of Obi-Wan’s hand clasped in his. The ring, slightly cool against his skin, rubbed and slid over Obi-Wan’s palm. 

Sometimes, if the light caught their bodies just right, he could see the golden threads. He could see them draped over Obi-Wan, like an elegant silk robe. And he could see them winding around him as well. Tying them together permanently. 

Between this and the wedding vow from last night, Cody knew they were married. There was nothing left to be done. And nothing else he really wanted to do. 

He’d marry Obi-Wan wearing nothing but a potato sack in front of a mud pit. He loved this man so much. 

The last of the threads wound their way around Cody’s body, tying them together permanently. And the second they did, both of them climaxed.

Cody wrapped his other arm tightly around Obi-Wan to crush him to his chest. He never wanted to let him go. 

They curled into each other, the wave of their orgasms feeding off one another through the Force Bond in their head. 

It could have gone on for hours, and Cody wouldn’t have known the difference. 

Finally, though, the feedback did stop, and he was able to release Obi-Wan from his iron grip. 

“I believe I won that one, my dear,” Obi-Wan slurred. 

Cody collapsed onto his back, panting and staring at the ceiling. “What?” 

“My stamina is just as good as yours.” 

He didn’t even have to look over to see the shit-eating grin plastered on Obi-Wan’s face. 

“You still didn’t prove that you love me more than I love you,” he shot back. 

Obi-Wan chuckled and dragged himself back over Cody’s chest. Cody threaded his fingers through his hair. They’d clean up in a bit. 

“I suppose I’ll have to keep trying then, won’t I?” 

“Yes, you will.” After a few minutes, Cody decided to bring up something that had been worming its way in the back of his mind. “Why didn’t you talk to me first? About the marriage? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad you talked to Koon or Skywalker, but why not me?” 

Obi-Wan sighed. “I suppose I wanted to get my feelings on the matter sorted first. I never planned for this. And I know you didn’t either. I… I wanted to make sure I knew what I was asking for and why I was asking for it. I’m trying to not hold back out of fear that you’ll feel pressured.” 

“I know.” And he had been doing a much better job as time went on. Cody didn’t know if there’d ever be a time when Obi-Wan didn’t fear, deep down, that he was only sticking around because he felt obligated as Obi-Wan’s former Marshall Commander. He hoped he would, but he also knew that Obi-Wan was working to trust that Cody would voice his opinions, even if they differed from what Obi-Wan wanted. 

By proposing instead of waiting for Cody to do it, he felt like that had been achieved. 

“While there is so much debate as to what attachment even means amongst Jedi, marriage itself is highly unusual. You’ve already figured it is because most vows require the participants to put each other first,” Obi-Wan continued. “And I’ve already said that there’s no logical reason to want this. All of that combined made it difficult for me to see the proper path forward. If I should even bring this up. To be fair, though, I wasn’t originally going to tell anyone.” 

“Hmm. I’m glad you did. I’m glad you asked,” Cody said. “I want this. And I don’t care that there isn’t a logical reason.” 

They smiled at each other. 

“Big or small?” Obi-Wan asked as he lay his head down on Cody’s chest. 

“Hmm?” 

“For our wedding. Big party or a small party.” 

“We’re not already married?” 

“We are. But I figure a little get-together with friends might be fun.” 

He supposed that could be the case. “Small. Microscopic. Just the people we’re close to.” 

“Agreed. No need to make a big deal out of this,” Obi-Wan muttered. “Extravagant or simple?” 

“Simple.” Cody wrinkled his nose. “I don’t see why we need to be extravagant about things.” 

“Agreed on that as well. The more extravagance, the more details we have to fuss over. Alright, cheap or expensive?” 

“Can you have an expensive, simple wedding?” 

Obi-Wan popped his head up to glare at him. “My dear, never underestimate the wedding industry. I’ve been doing research…” He shuddered. “The cost of some of these items. It’s like the word ‘wedding’ itself comes with a price tag.” 

“Alright, then. Cheap. I don’t want to spend a lot of money.” 

“Am I not worth it?” 

Cody glared at him. “Nope. Not at all. Besides, it’s one night. Why do we need to spend thousands of credits on, like, balloon arches or something?” 

“Oh, my darling,” Obi-Wan purred and captured his lips in another kiss. “Weddings, on average, don’t cost thousands of credits.” 

“They don’t?” 

“Tens of thousands,” he whispered in his ear. 

Cody’s eyes widened. “What? What are they spending tens of thousands of dollars on for one night?” 

“Well, the venue, the food, the music, the decorations, the cake, the outfits–” 

Cody pressed a hand to Obi-Wan’s mouth. Obi-Wan licked it. Cody did not remove it. For one, Obi-Wan licked him all over the place, so this wasn’t exactly gross. And, for another, he grew up with a million annoying little shits for brothers. Wolffe alone had done way worse things than licking his hand. 

“We’re going to get married in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. You’ll wear your nice Jedi Robes. The ones that aren’t covered in blood and ash. I’ll wear my dress whites. Dinner will be in the refectory afterwards. Maybe we’ll pay Dex to make a cake. And we’re only inviting ten people.” 

Obi-Wan laughed. “That sounds absolutely perfect.” 

They pulled each other into the shower afterwards. Obi-Wan made good on his promise to use his silver tongue for something other than talking. On his knees, under the warm stream of the shower, he coaxed Cody to his second orgasm of the morning. This one left his legs like jelly. He sank to the ground from sheer force of it all. Obi-Wan laughed as he cleaned them both up and got them ready for the day. 

“I’m meeting up with Rex and some of the others,” Cody said as he pulled on his exercise clothes. He slipped off the band and placed it securely in a little lock box under the kitchen sink. 

“Not letting them know yet?” 

Cody shook his head. “I want to enjoy this with you for a few days. You know as soon as they find out, they’re going to be insufferable.” 

“Quite right. I should let Anakin know that you’ve accepted. But I won’t tell anyone else until you’re ready. Though Mace and Plo will probably figure it out.” 

“You think Skywalker can keep a secret?” Cody said. 

“He did keep his marriage a secret from me for nearly two years.” 

“Not very well.” He grumbled, lacing up his shoes. 

“My dear, even if he was terrible at keeping his relationship a secret, he still never actually told anyone about it.” 

Cody decided not to comment. While it was technically true that Skywalker had never told anyone he was married, he didn’t trust him to keep this a secret for very long. Especially once Obi-Wan told him that Cody said yes. 

“Ahsoka and I are having lunch with Padme, Anakin, Breha, and Bail,” Obi-Wan said. He kissed Cody’s cheek. “Enjoy your time with your brothers. I’ll see you for dinner?” 

“Yeah. I might stop by Dex’s and pick something up on the way back. Love you.” 

“Love you too.” 

Cody slipped out the door and started his run towards the meeting point with his brothers. It was still early enough out that not many people had woken up. The cool morning air invigorated him. Each lungful woke him up, and he found himself practically springing down the walkway. Maybe it was the sex, or the proposal, or just being back on Coruscant, or all three. It didn’t matter. Today was going to be an excellent day. He could feel it. 

He rounded the final corner as the park came into view. Wolffe, Bly, Rex, Fox, and Gree were already there, along with a few smatterings of other troopers. They must have gotten quite a lot of people interested in this game. 

There appeared to be some sort of party happening as well. He could spot a table laden with food in the distance, along with some balloons. Maybe a children’s birthday party? He’d have to make sure they didn’t get too rowdy and disturb the family.

“See, he’s running. Even now, he’s trying to go above and beyond,” Bly said, gesturing to Cody, glaring at him. 

“You’d think having sex with Kenobi for ten hours straight would tire him out,” Fox added. 

“I’m trying to stay in shape,” He said, coming to a stop.  “And it wasn’t ten hours.” 

Bly grumbled. He continued to glare at Cody. 

“What’s your problem?” Seriously, Bly was never this mad at him for running. 

“He’s mad because you got engaged before he did,” Fox said, not pulling his eyes up from his datapad. 

Everything froze. 

Rex buried his face in his hands. 

Cody stood there, blinking at all his brothers. “What?” 

“Where’s the ring?” Gree asked. “I thought he was getting you a ring? Or did you exchange vambraces instead? Very Mandalorian of you.” 

Wolffe looked up from his datapad. “Wait, giving someone vambraces is a marriage proposal?” 

“Um, yeah?” Gree said. 

“Fuck, I gotta contact some people.” 

“Woo! The commander is getting married!” Waxer said, jumping on Cody’s back. 

That’s when he realized just how many of the 212th and 501st were in this park. 

This wasn’t a meet-up with brothers to kick a ball around for a few hours and catch up. 

This was an engagement party. 

Everyone rushed up to congratulate him. A lot of people were asking about the wedding. Cody sat there, dumbfounded. 

“When’s the wedding?” Fives asked. 

“Is it going to be here or somewhere else?” Wooley said. 

“How many Jedi get married? Do they have special vows or something?” Boil asked. 

“Wait, how did you find out? This just happened last night? We haven’t told anyone!” 

It was then that he noticed Rex, trying and failing to slink away. 

“Stop!”

Rex froze. 

“Back here.” 

Rex cringed and slid back in front of him. 

“You knew?” 

Rex scratched the back of his neck. “Well, Skywalker called to see if it was even something you’d be interested in….” 

That motherfucker! He knew he couldn’t keep a secret. 

“And you told everyone else?”

“It wasn’t my fault! Fives and Jesse overheard me. And then Fives told Echo, who told Tech, who told Omega. Who told Caleb. Who told Hera. Who told Howzer. Who told Waxer. Waxer told Boil. Boil told Crescent. Crescent told Thorn. Thorn told Fox. I think somewhere in the mix, Ahsoka found out, and she told Barriss, who told Gree. Oh, and Omega told Secura, who told Bly. How’d you find out, Wolffe?” 

“Dorme told me,” Wolffe said. 

“How many people know Obi-Wan was going to propose to me?” Cody asked, dawning horror twisting his gut. 

Rex winced. “Maybe… like… fifty percent of the GAR?” 

“FIFTY!” 

“Are you sure fifty?” Hardcase asked. “That seems kind of low.” 

“I… everyone knows?” Realization dawned on him. “Hang on, is that why you had Ahsoka stay with you last night?” 

Rex turned bright red. “Well, I mean… yeah? I didn’t want her to interrupt you when you two were… You know….” 

“Blowing each other’s backs out for ten hours straight,” Wolffe said. 

“Oh, Force, please tell me you actually said yes?” Fox said, finally pulling his eyes up from his datapad. “I told these idiots to wait until you told us.” 

“Why wouldn’t he say yes? They’re so in love it’s honestly kind of disgusting,” Monnk said. 

They had a table set up. 

A table full of food set up. 

And a banner across it that said "Congratulations!" 

And balloons. 

Oh gods, they had a balloon arch. 

“So…” Wolffe said as Cody collapsed into the fetal position on the ground. “When’s the wedding?” 

“We’re just going to have a small ceremony in the Room of a Thousand Fountains,” Cody groaned. It’d probably have to be sooner rather than later, considering every brother now knew he was engaged. 

Waxer gasped. “No! You can’t do that.” 

“What? Why not?” 

“The Room of a Thousand Fountains can’t fit all of us.” 

“All of us? It was just going to be like ten people–” 

“You’re the first clone getting legally married,” Crys said. “We have to make a big deal out of it.” 

“I don’t think either of us really want–” 

“It needs to be a party!” Fives said.

“And it should follow as many traditions as possible,” Tech added. “These traditions are important for a reason. At least, I suspect they are.” 

“I would love to go to a bachelor party,” Waxer cheered. 

“And it would show that the galaxy is healing after Palpa-dick’s death,” Gree suggested. 

Several of the other brothers had just taken to chanting “Party! Party! Party!” Over and over again. 

“Sorry, vod, ” Rex squeaked as he shoved a mini-sausage roll into Cody’s hands. “I didn’t think it’d get this out of hand.” 

“Is this why you and the rest of the crew spent an hour getting me dressed yesterday?” 

“We didn’t know when he was going to do it,” Trapper said. “We wanted to make sure you actually looked good if he popped the question in the hangar.” 

“Yeah, imagine how ridiculous you’d have looked wearing your armor in all the photos.” 

Cody let out another groan and collapsed back down on the ground. 

“So… about that wedding.” Gregor tried to say as casually as possible. “We’re all invited, right?” 

So much for their microscopic, cheap, simple wedding. 

“I need to call Obi-Wan.” 

****

“Obi-Wan,” Kit smacked him on the back, causing Obi-Wan to stumble. “What’s going on with your life?” 

Obi-Wan straightened himself up and turned to his fellow council member. “Um, nothing much. Why?” There was something strange in the way he was smiling at him. It was almost like he was expecting Obi-Wan to say something. 

“Oh, you know. Just wondering if there were any changes in your life recently.” He grinned broadly at him, leaning forward. Obi-Wan could feel the buzz of excitement in the Force around him. 

“No changes as far as I’m aware,” he said, confused. It seemed as though he were missing part of the context needed for this conversation. “Why? Should something have changed?” 

Kit gave him another pat on the back before releasing him. “No. Just wondering. Hey, when you do have news, let me know! I want to be the first to know.” He winked at Obi-Wan. “And don’t let Mundi give you a hard time. I’ll help you kick his ass.” He darted off before Obi-Wan could respond. 

“Right. Well, that was weird.” Thinking that perhaps Kit had meditated a bit too deeply that morning, he decided to not press the issue. Who knows what was going on in his head? 

But, as Obi-Wan walked towards the front of the Temple, he couldn’t help but feel as though he were being… watched. 

Whenever he turned, though, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But the eyes… People were watching him. 

But why? 

Did he have something stuck to the back of his robes? Was he wearing two different colored shoes? 

Looking down confirmed that his boots were the same color. Passing by a mirror confirmed that nothing had been stuck to the back of his robes. 

“Strange.” He glanced towards a gaggle of junior padawans who weren’t nearly as discreet in their staring. 

They busied themselves in an attempt to seem like they weren’t watching him intently. 

“Very strange.” 

He stepped out to the street and decided to put whatever was happening at the Temple on hold for now. It didn’t feel dangerous. More excited than anything. Mace did say the Cosmic Force was amplifying his anxiety the night before. Perhaps it was also amplifying his joy now? He’d have to ask later if that was the case. And if it was, he’d have to figure out a better way to shield. He didn’t want to impact anyone’s emotions, even accidentally. 

He got to Padme’s apartments in the Senate District. 

The door wooshed open before he had a chance to knock. 

“Master, you’re here!” Ahsoka beamed. She leapt out the door and wrapped her arms around his waist. 

“Oh, hello there. I didn’t know you were coming as well.” He patted her head. He would have thought she’d stay with Rex for most of the day. Then again, if Rex was hanging out with Cody, maybe she came here to give them some privacy. 

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She grabbed his hand and practically dragged him inside. “He’s here, everyone!” 

“Everyone?” 

Thankfully, ‘everyone’ involved Breha, Bail, Anakin, and Padme. He breathed a sigh of relief. Who knows why people were acting weird? Something must just be in the air. 

“Master! Glad you could make it,” Anakin said as he hugged Obi-Wan. 

“Why wouldn’t I have made it? You’re the one who invited me.” 

Anakin turned red. “Well, it’s just… You know. You and Cody…” 

“Did he say yes?” Ahsoka asked, shoving Anakin out of the way. 

“What?”

“Ahsoka!” Anakin scolded. 

“What? I want to know. Did he say yes? Was it romantic? Did you have swans? Oh, please tell me you had swans. Did you take pictures? Did you get down on one knee? Did he get down on one knee? Did you both get down on one knee? Was there a speech? All the holodramas always have speeches. Oh, please tell me you had a speech, master!” 

Dread grew in Obi-Wan’s gut. 

It was quickly replaced with anger. 

He whipped around to Anakin. “You told her?” 

“No! I didn’t tell her,” Anakin said, holding his hands up and taking a step back. 

Obi-Wan glared at him. 

“I didn’t!” 

“He didn’t,” Ahsoka confirmed. 

Obi-Wan was distinctly aware that Bail, Breha, and Padme were all trying and failing not to laugh into their hands. 

“Then how–” 

“He told Rex.” 

“Ahsoka!” 

“Anakin!” Obi-Wan cried. “Why would you tell Rex?” 

“I wanted to see if he could feel out Cody, you know.” 

Obi-Wan crossed his arms and shot his former padawan the most unimpressed look he could manage. “You wanted to see if he could 'feel out Cody'? What does that even mean?” 

“You know, maybe see if Cody was into the whole marriage thing. If he wasn’t, then I’d tell you to hang back for a bit. I was looking out for you.” 

“And then Rex told Ahsoka?” Obi-Wan clarified. 

“No. Fives told me.” 

“Fives knows?” 

“I didn’t tell Fives,” Anakin defended. 

“Force, I did not want anyone knowing just yet.” He groaned and dragged a hand down his face. 

“Oh. Oops,” Ahsoka winced. 

He peeked through his fingers. “What is that supposed to mean, my dear padawan, who is quickly becoming my least favorite padawan.” 

“I may have told Barriss,” Ahsoka winced. 

“That’s not my fault,” Anakin was quick to jump in. 

“And she may have told Master Luminara.” 

“Oh, good. Why not just tell the whole council while we’re at it!” Obi-Wan threw his hands in the air. 

Anakin and Ahsoka exchanged glances. 

He crossed his arms. “The whole council knows, don’t they?”

“I didn’t tell all of them!” Anakin said. 

“All of them? Just some of them?” 

“Technically, I didn’t tell any of them.” 

“Well, that’s good, I guess. Rex was a mistake, but at least you didn’t tell anyone else–” 

“I did tell Aayla,” Anakin winced. 

Obi-Wan face-palmed. “What would possess you to tell Aayla?”

“I thought it might help her out. You know, because she’s with Bly? She’s worried about becoming attached, so I told her that you and Cody were getting married.” 

“Alright, enough.” He took a second to take a deep breath and reorient himself. He could still fix this. Not everyone knew. But he could do damage control for the ones who did. “Who exactly knows about my proposal to Cody?” 

“Do you want just the Jedi, or the troopers as well?” Ahsoka asked. 

“Maker help me!” 

“Look, not that many Jedi know,” Anakin rushed to say. 

“Who?” 

“Well, Luminara, and Aayla, obviously. And also Quinlan–” 

“Oh Gods.” 

“Master Fisto, Master Plo, but you already knew about that one, Master Billaba, Feemor–” 

“Feemor! You told Feemor!” 

“Ahsoka said because he’s part of the lineage, he needs to be a part of big life moments.” 

“Hey, don’t throw me under the speeder, Skyguy!” 

“Oh, right, the lineage. Why don’t we just tell Rael while we’re at it!” 

Ahsoka and Anakin cringed once more. 

“Oh, I cannot believe you two!” 

“To be fair, we didn’t tell everyone,” Ahsoka said. 

“That makes me feel better,” he grumbled. 

“Yeah. We only told a few people. It’s not our fault they told everyone else.” 

“I was being sarcastic in that last comment.” 

Breha seemed to take pity on them and finally interjected. She stood, putting a hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder to guide him to a table laden with food. “What’s done is done. Let’s just enjoy our meal and deal with the fallout later.” 

He aggressively shoved a tiny sandwich into his mouth. “This is an engagement party, isn’t it?” 

“It’s tradition!” Ahsoka chirped. 

“Traditionally, both parties getting married are here, not just one.” 

“Well, the troopers wanted to throw their own party. We figured we could have another party later.” 

So much for their microscopic wedding. 

There was a knock at the door. 

“I’ll get it!” Ahsoka leapt up and bounded to the door. 

It was Feemor. And a whole gaggle of other Jedi. Including Kit. 

“Oh, no,” Obi-Wan groaned as he tried his best to give himself to the Force. 

The Force rejected him. 

“There’s my brother. Now engaged!” Feemor wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan’s shoulders and shook him. “Do I need to have a talk with Cody?” he whispered in his ear. 

“Do it and you’re dead,” Obi-Wan spat, shoving another little sandwich in his mouth. 

“This will be way more fun than Mundi’s wedding!” Kit said. 

“Yeah! We will let the alcohol flow and really party it up!” Quinlan added. “Hey, I need to add Cody to my clan registry now, too.” 

“Force, please, just put me out of my misery.” He began banging his head on the table. 

“Congratulations,” Depa pulled him away from the table just long enough to hug him. Then she let him go so he could continue banging his head on the table. 

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this morning,” Kit said. “I was trying to get you to admit it before today.” 

“Or you could have told me what was going on instead of dropping hints!” He wondered how many more sandwiches he could shove into his mouth before he choked on them. 

“I thought you were being discreet.” 

“Is this discreet?” There were now forty people crammed into Padme’s apartments. Forty people. And not a single trooper. To think they’d ever get away with less than ten was laughable now.

Kit looked around and shrugged. He didn’t even have the decency to answer him. 

“Happy, am I for you,” Master Yoda said. “Bright, the Force is. A blessing of this union, it has given.” And then he proceeded to demolish the pot of bog stew Padme had so graciously prepared. Only Anakin didn’t look disgusted by the contents. 

Then again, Anakin once ate live worms, so the bar wasn’t high. 

“In Skywalker’s defense,” Mace said. 

“You’re defending me?” 

“In Ahsoka’s defense,” he amended, “You weren’t very discreet in your turmoil.” 

Obi-Wan glared at him. 

“So, what are we thinking for the wedding?” Padme asked. “Spring? Summer? Winter’s coming up, so it’d be a stretch, but I think we could get it done.” 

“Autumn?” Bail suggested. 

“No, too soon,” Padme replied. 

“Cody and I were thinking of having a small ceremony in the Room of a Thousand Fountains.” 

Padme audibly gasped. “What? No! That can’t be it.” 

“What do you mean that can’t be it?” Obi-Wan asked. 

She took his hands in hers. “Obi-Wan, you have to do a proper ceremony. Please, I didn’t get to do anything fancy with my own wedding.”

“And whose fault was that?” 

“I have the wedding planner picked out and everything!” Padme said. 

He sighed. “Padme, I’m grateful, but Cody and I just don’t want to spend the money–” 

“I’ll pay for it,” Breha said. 

Seriously, he couldn’t catch a break. 

“Isn’t that a bit of a conflict of interest?” he asked. 

Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes. 

“Not if it comes from my private accounts,” Breha shrugged. “Oh, you must have a proper ceremony, Obi-Wan. You and Cody deserve it. Besides, I never got a big ceremony either.” She leaned in close to Bail, the two of them staring into each other’s eyes. “It was romantic, though. You pulling up outside of my window with a beat-up speeder.” 

Bail grinned back. “The courthouse.” 

“Your leather jacket.” 

“That ridiculous disguise you had on.” 

She put a hand on his cheek. “We almost got away with it, too.” 

“How were we supposed to know your father’s advisor was having an affair across the street?” 

“Still too late for them to separate us.” 

“Till death do us part.” Bail went in for a kiss. 

“Yeah. See, Obi. You need something romantic.” Quin said. “Something big.” 

“Agree, I do,” Master Yoda had stopped eating live frogs long enough to speak. “A celebration of more than marriage, this is. Of life. Of victory. Of peace in the Force. Light, prevailing over darkness.” He gave a solemn nod of his head. 

“Yeah…” Feemor looked around. “Also, I want to get hammered.” 

“Drinks for everyone!” Rael said. 

Obi-Wan groaned and buried his head in his hands. So much for emotionless, serene Jedi. Even Shaak looked excited by the prospect of drinking Coruscant dry. 

He managed to pull himself away from the festivities to call Cody. He needed to apologize immediately for having everyone know before Cody himself. Truly, he never meant for so many people to find out. He couldn’t be too angry at Anakin, though. 

He was trying to help. He was trying to protect Obi-Wan’s heart from further heartbreak. He should have suspected that anyone outside of Master Plo would immediately start gossiping with everyone else. That’s how the Temple Rumor Mill worked. Still, Cody didn’t deserve this. He deserved more discretion. He deserved the chance to decide when and who to tell. 

He likely already knew that everyone else knew, but still. Obi-Wan wanted to apologize as soon as possible. 

Luckily, he picked up the call. 

“I am so sorry, but everyone knows!” They said at the same time. 

For a second, they stared at each other in silence, in shock. 

And then, laughter. 

“Everyone knows!” Cody said through peals of laughter. 

“Everyone! I’m surprised it’s not already in the paper!” 

“Force, you should have heard Rex sitting there listing how everyone found out. Apparently, Omega told Secura?” Cody said. 

“Strange. I have that Anakin told Secura himself to help her with Bly.” 

Cody shook his head. “I guess she found out twice. I suppose I can’t be too surprised. Everyone tells everyone everything.” 

“I’m surprised. Your troops managed to keep your ongoing attempted murder of Palpatine a secret, along with your de-chipping efforts. But they couldn’t keep this a secret?” 

Cody shrugged. “Different levels of precariousness, I suppose.” 

Obi-Wan’s eyes softened. “I am sorry, my dear. I truly did not mean for everyone to find out before you. I know you wanted to keep it a secret for a little while longer.” 

“Eh, probably better this way. The longer we kept it a secret, the angrier everyone was going to be when they found out. At least this way it’s all out in the open.” 

“That’s a nice way of thinking about it.” He sighed. “I should also tell you that Padme and Breha have strong-armed me into using a wedding planner. And it sounds like the entire Jedi temple would like to join in on the celebrations.” 

“I don’t know if we can afford that,” Cody said, his brow furrowing. Obi-Wan wished he were there to kiss it. 

“Breha has also generously offered to pay for the whole thing.” 

“Is that allowed?” 

“I’m letting her and Bail be the ones who decide that. So much for our microscopic, cheap, simple wedding.” 

Cody winced. “We could still have that. I mean, it is our wedding. Okay, maybe not the microscopic one. But cheap and simple, we could do that.” 

“My dear. My darling. My love.” Obi-Wan deadpanned. “Have you seen the way Padme Amidala dresses? Her pajamas are extravagant. I’m pretty sure her toilet paper has some intricate design details like purple flowers printed on it. And it likely smells like roses.” 

“Yeah, you’re right on that.” 

“We have a current queen and a former queen involved. I’m sorry to say, my dearest, this won’t be cheap or simple.” Worry wormed its way into his gut. “Is that okay?” 

Cody smiled at him. “Obi-Wan, I would marry you standing knee-deep in mud. I don’t see why that should be any different with an actual budget.” 

“Oh, you brilliant man. Have I told you I love you?” 

“Not nearly enough.” 

“Well I do.” 

“I love you, too.” Cody’s smile was warm. “Besides, we technically already had our cheap, simple, microscopic wedding. The riduurok in our rooms, with just the two of us? I don’t know how much simpler, cheaper, or smaller it could have gotten.” 

“You said the riduurok!” A voice shouted to Cody’s left. 

Cody paled. “Shit, I've got to go. Bly’s going to kill me.” 

Obi-Wan laughed as he watched Bly pounce on Cody. The screen went static. 

Alright. So they were going to have a massive ceremony. And there may even be swans involved. But it was alright. Obi-Wan would marry Cody under any circumstances. Why should this be any different?

Chapter Text

Cody awoke to a flurry of activity in the apartment. He suppressed the urge to sigh. He knew what that sort of flurry meant. 

The panicked grumblings and mutterings of his cyare as he sorted out his thoughts before he left for whatever Jedi business had called upon him. 

While Cody did know that this was part of Obi-Wan’s duties as a Jedi, that didn’t mean he had to like it. He had grown used to lazy mornings in bed; waking up as the sun rose instead of when the screech of an alarm jerked him from his slumber. Shuffling out of the room on too little sleep and too much caf. 

Besides, Obi-Wan stressed out when stuff like this popped up. And Cody didn’t like it when he stretched. 

“Master, are you almost ready?” Ahsoka hissed into the room. She was trying to sound quiet, but instead her voice carried loudly. 

“Almost, my dear. Do you have your lightsaber and robes?” Obi-Wan whispered back, this time at a much lower volume. Though he no doubt knew Cody was awake. 

“Yes.” 

“Good. Wait outside for me. I’ll be out in a minute. I need to tell Cody I won’t be available today.” 

Damn. All day? It must be something serious if Obi-Wan was going to be gone for that long. 

“Okay,” Ahsoka grumbled. 

He heard the door slide closed. 

“Cody love?” Obi-Wan said. He ran a hand through his hair, his voice still soft as if he didn’t want to pull Cody too far out of his sleep. 

“You have to attend a meeting?” Cody muttered, not bothering to open his eyes. Instead, he let himself fully appreciate the feeling of Obi-Wan running a hand through his hair. His warm, calloused palm grounded him. Soothed him. 

“I am so sorry. There’s been a diplomatic crisis. We’re trying to ease tensions before it escalates into an all-out war. Two factions. One planet. Given my past with Melidaan–”

“You’re the best person for the job. I know. I know.” He let out a sigh and turned over onto his back so he could stare at Obi-Wan properly. He opened his eyes to see Obi-Wan backlit by the soft morning light. 

Reaching up, he twisted a lock of hair in his fingers before dropping it down to stroke his cheek; his thumb brushing over his cheekbone. “Going off planet?” 

Obi-Wan shook his head. “Not today. I’m meeting with the two leaders over holo-call with Bail and a few other crisis negotiators to see if we can’t de-escalate the situation. I might have to leave, though.” 

Cody tugged him down into a kiss. “Go. Stop a war. I’ll be waiting.” 

“Oh, but we need to meet with the wedding planner today.” Obi-Wan fretted. 

“I think I can handle it.” 

“It’s not about whether or not you can handle it. This is my wedding too. I want to plan this with you. I want to plan our lives together.” 

He tugged him down so his head was tucked under his chin. Rather an awkward position, given that Obi-Wan’s feet were still firmly planted on the ground, twisting him up to fit the position, but still nice to feel the warmth and weight on him. 

“We have the rest of our lives to plan. Besides, this is just the first meeting. I’m sure nothing too crazy will happen.” 

Obi-Wan sighed and sank into him. “I know, I know. I’ve asked Quinlan to join you today.” 

“I don’t need a chaperone, Obi,” Cody snorted. 

“He’s not a chaperone. He’s wanted to get to know you better anyway. Besides, Padme and Breha will also be there. You need someone to back you up so we don’t end up with a fireworks display that costs roughly the yearly GDP of some planets.” 

“Fair point.” 

Obi-Wan kissed him one last time. “Take lots of notes.” 

“I will.” 

“And don’t let them force you into anything you don’t want.” 

“I won’t.” 

“And let Quinlan help if you need to.” 

“Go to your meeting before Ahsoka thinks we’re having sex.” 

Obi-Wan wrinkled his nose at the thought. “I suppose you’re right. Enjoy your day, my love.” 

“Don’t get shot.” Cody countered. 

Obi-Wan no doubt wanted to point out that he would be in the Temple and therefore was unlikely to get shot, but then thought better of it. His and Ahsoka’s track record would suggest that no place was truly safe for them. 

He waved to Cody before slipping out the door. 

Tucking an arm under his head, Cody took the time to stare up at the ceiling and get his thoughts in order. 

He honestly didn’t know what to expect from the wedding planner. He had done some cursory research into what all went on when planning a wedding. However, there seemed to be a lot of moving pieces, and he quickly got overwhelmed. 

Maybe it was a good thing for Vos to join him. He’d offer a bit of sanity to the whole process. Not to mention that Cody didn’t really know what he wanted from a wedding. He never really considered it before. 

He closed his eyes to get a few more minutes of rest. 

He supposed he’d find out what the wedding planner did when he met her. 

*****

“Cody, my man!” Quinlan Vos shouted from across the busy street, waving wildly as if Cody wouldn’t recognize the sleeveless, boisterous Jedi. 

At least Obi-Wan never went into battle without sleeves. He wrinkled his nose at the thought. At least he and Wolffe also managed to force Ahsoka into something more battle-ready than a tube top and leggings. 

“Vos.” Cody nodded. He looked up at the restaurant where they were to be meeting the wedding planner, Queen Breha, and Padme. He felt very out of place even just standing in this area. The street outside seemed oddly clean for a Coruscant street; the first sign that this place was not for the masses. 

The building itself was beautiful. A work of architectural mastery. An off white color with decals that twisted up into spires. They were veins, he realized, as his eyes narrowed in on the tiny details. Vines with tiny leaves and flowers. It must have taken years to carve each of those individually. Even with droids, the level of detail was insane. It made the building itself almost look like a pure, white forest, standing out against the stark greys and neons that filled most of Coruscant. 

“I think I’m underdressed,” Cody said. He felt sick to his stomach and very much out of his element. 

“Don’t worry,” Vos slapped him on his back. “You look fine.” 

Compared to the sleeveless Jedi, he did look fine, opting to wear his greys for afternoon tea instead of his armor. But looking at the opulent guests walking in, with headdresses that likely cost more than his yearly salary, with all the back pay and bonuses, made him feel like dirt on the bottom of their shoes. 

“This was a bad idea,” he said, backing up. “We should just let Amidala and Organa plan the wedding. They’ll probably be better at it.” 

“Nonsense. You planned a war! This should be no problem for you.” 

“A war is easier than this.” 

“I highly doubt it. Oh, look, there they are now!” Vos waved enthusiastically once more towards the street. 

Cody took a deep breath to steady himself and then turned to greet Amidala and Organa. Both women were dressed just as opulently as the other guests, with Amidala wearing some sort of gold halo circle thing on her head and a gold-trimmed dress. They were flanked by three handmaidens and several of Queen Breha’s personal guards. There were two other people Cody didn’t recognize. A young human woman with blond hair, and a rhodian dressed in a smart, crisp white pantsuit, marching ahead with a clipboard in her hands. 

“Magedla,” Padme said, “this is Cody. Cody, this is your wedding planner.” 

“So this is the happy couple,” the wedding planner looked Cody up and down. 

Suddenly, he was back on Kamino, getting scrutinized by Seventeen from head to toe. He snapped to attention, chin lifted and back ram-rod straight. Shit, was his shirt wrinkled? Did he have all his medals on correctly? His hair wasn’t regulation. Obi-Wan liked it a bit longer. Was that going to be a problem? Was he going to have to cut it?

“Ooh, he’s handsome,” the blond lady said. 

“This is my assistant, Kara,” Magedla said, gesturing to the woman behind her. “And is this Obi-Wan?” She turned her attention to Vos. 

Vos burst out laughing. “Nah, I’m a friend of his. He couldn’t make it today, so I’m filling in.” 

Magedla’s eyes narrowed just a bit. “What could be more important than planning a wedding? Planning a wedding is like planning a future. To miss this…” 

This snapped Cody out of his desperate need for approval. He was not going to tolerate anyone insinuating that Obi-Wan wasn’t into this relationship because he couldn’t take off in the middle of the day to have tea and talk about towels or whatever was needed for a wedding. 

“He’s trying to stop a war,” Cody said sharply. He hoped that his voice made it clear that insulting Obi-Wan, or making it seem like he loved Cody less simply because he had other duties, would not be tolerated. 

Luckily, it seemed Magedla recognized this. She took a step back. “Oh. Well, then. I do suppose that’s important.” 

What was that supposed to mean? Was she trying to say that even that was barely a good enough excuse?

Cody’s eye twitched. Vos put a hand on his shoulder and pushed feelings of calm through the Force. 

Cody shredded those feelings and spat them back out, causing Vos to laugh. 

The non-Force sensitives looked at him like he was crazy. 

“Don’t worry, we will discuss everything before any decisions are made,” Cody said. “We should get started. We have a reservation in five minutes, and I don’t like to be late.” 

Magedla clicked her pen and scribbled something down in her notebook. “Punctual, I like that. Shall we?” 

The inside of the tea room was just as opulent as the outside. So much so that it made Cody’s eyes hurt. He had never seen so much gold leaf in his life. 

Come to think of it, he wasn’t sure he had seen any gold leaf in his life. 

Was that gold leaf? 

The gold leaf (or lack thereof) was honestly the least of his worries. 

Currently, his biggest worry was what all the different forks and spoons were for. And why were some of them so tiny? 

They also didn’t order anything, which was weird. He was expecting a menu or something. Instead, they were seated at a table that was already laden with food and tea. The food looked less like food and more like works of art. Or maybe fancy decorative soaps. 

How was he supposed to eat these? Did each fork and spoon correspond to a different soap-looking food? Why couldn’t he pick them up and eat them with his hands? They were small enough. 

The only thing that didn’t cause him stress was the selection of tea. 

“Thank you, Obi-Wan,” he muttered as he picked a red rooibos tea and poured it into his cup. As for the food, he waited until the women started eating to figure out how to eat and what to eat. 

They seemed to be using certain spoons and forks for certain things, though he could not discern the pattern. Perhaps Seventeen’s concern that his tactical and observational skills would soften was a valid one. 

Only Vos didn’t seem to worry much about this stuff and just ate what he wanted to eat. 

“Right, Cody, let’s get down to business,” Magedla said, flipping open her notebook and clicking her pen. “Now, I’m sure you’ve already got some ideas for what you’d like based on previous weddings you’ve attended–” 

“I’ve never been to a wedding,” Cody said as he bit into a flaky pastry. It had some sort of jam on the inside. It tasted good. Though he still wasn’t sure why he needed to use a special fork to eat it. 

Magedla startled. “What? You’ve never been to a wedding before? But Queen Breha here was telling me you come from a large family.”

Vos choked on a tiny sandwich, laughing. 

“I do.” 

“And none of them got married before?” 

“We weren’t allowed to get married up until recently,” Cody explained slowly. Did this woman not know what a clone was? Did she not know there was a whole karking war happening? 

Even Amidala and Organa looked shocked by her apparent lack of knowledge.

“Cody will be the first in his family to get officially married,” Amidala quickly smoothed over. 

Forget the wedding, they needed to get this woman into a civics class, stat, so she could learn about clone rights. 

“Ah, well, that should be a fun experience for you!” She scribbled something down in her notebook. “I will be there for you every step of the way. This is my job. To make you and your fiancé as happy as possible. Whatever you need, whatever you want, I will do my best to make it happen.” 

“Er, thanks. But what about your other clients?” Cody asked. Surely this woman couldn’t be there for him all the time. 

“Oh, I have no other clients,” Magedla said. “I only ever take on one at a time so that I can ensure my full attention is on my client’s needs. Don’t worry, General Cody, I am at your beck and call. And I will be until the second your wedding ends. No need to worry about me getting distracted with anything else.” 

That either meant she was very good at her job, or very bad at it if she couldn’t manage to focus on more than one wedding at a time. Even Cody could plan multiple campaigns at once. 

Oh well. It wasn’t like he was going to force her to take on more work. 

“Now then, Queen Breha and Senator Amidala have alerted me that there is no budget. Which is fantastic because that means the sky’s the limit for whatever you want.” 

“Obi-Wan and I don’t really want an expensive wedding, though,” Cody said, shrinking back in his chair. This was what he was afraid of. This was what he didn’t want to deal with. He was going to feel pressured to plan the best wedding ever just so that no one felt like their time was being wasted. And he wasn’t sure he wanted that. 

“Of course. That’s what they all say,” Magedla said, scribbling more things in her notebook. 

Kara was also scribbling a lot of things down. 

What were these women writing? They hadn’t talked about anything yet!

“Since this is your first wedding, I’ll give you a rundown of everything we’re going to be tackling. Venue, food, drinks, music, guest list, ceremony, reception, cocktail hour– Do you want signature cocktails?” 

“Um–” 

“Open or closed bar. For the ceremony, is there something religious you’d like?”

“I’m not religious. But I don’t know about Obi-Wan.” He looked to Vos, who shrugged unhelpfully. 

“Photographer, videographer–” 

“Why do we need both?”

“The rings, of course. Theming, decor. Are we going to do a sit-down dinner or a buffet?”

“We have to feed people?”

“Invitations. Wedding party, the number of guests, accommodations for anyone traveling from outside of Courscant–” 

“Wait, I have to be in charge of figuring out where people sleep? They can sleep in the barracks. Done.” 

Magedla plowed onward, adding to an ever-growing list of things Cody needed to consider and think about. 

He needed a spreadsheet. 

And a Gantt chart. 

And an assistant. 

“And that should be all. Any questions?” 

He completely blacked out on the last ten things that woman just said. 

“Uh…” 

“Well, Obi-Wan’s not here right now, so we won’t get a lot done today,” Queen Breha jumped to Cody’s rescue. “But perhaps we could start with some preliminary information.” 

“Great idea!” Magedla turned to him. “Let’s start with an easy one. Do you have a theme in mind?” 

“A theme?” Cody was feeling dumber by the second. Wasn’t the theme ‘wedding’? What was she talking about, a theme? 

“Themes are a great way to guide the process,” Padme jumped in to explain, as if she read Cody’s confused mind. “They can determine the date, hour, food choices, and decor. It’s a lot easier to plan a party if you know what you’re going for.” 

“Wedding?” he asked, hating how dumb he sounded. 

The women laughed. 

“Yes, but what sort of wedding?” Queen Breha clarified. 

“The romantic kind?” 

“Why don’t we start with a color?” Amidala suggested. 

“A color?” 

She nodded and smiled enthusiastically. “Colors can be easier to think of than themes like ‘beach wedding’ or ‘rustic chic’.” What even were these words? 

“You want me to think of a color that I want for my wedding?” Cody clarified. 

“Oh, great idea,” Organa said. She turned to Cody. “Surely, there must be a color that you love. Something meaningful to both you and Obi-Wan?” 

Oh great. This really was like Seventeen’s training all over again. Except for little, fancy sandwiches, he didn’t know how to eat. 

Still, he knew he wasn’t going to get out of this without thinking of a color. He sat back and sighed. There weren’t really a lot of colors he particularly enjoyed or needed in his life. But there was one. 

“Blue, I guess,” he said. 

The women all exchanged glances. Magedla and Kara both scribbled his answer down in their notebooks. 

“Any particular reason you like blue?” 

He did not want to admit this to a crowd full of people he barely knew. But he also wanted this torture to end. Besides, if Magedla was going to help him plan his wedding, she’d likely find out a lot more about him than why he liked the color blue. 

“It reminds me of Obi-Wan,” he admitted, rather sheepishly. He could only hope Quinlan Vos wouldn’t be a little shit and tease Obi-Wan about this from now until the end of time. Because if he teased Obi-Wan about this, then Cody’s brothers were likely to find out as well. And then they’d tease him about it. 

“Oh?” All four women leaned in as if Cody were telling the most interesting story. 

“Growing up, I didn’t associate blue with anything pleasant,” he admitted. “It seemed so cold and sterile to me. But then Obi-Wan shows up on Kamino. He’s dripping wet, clearly confused, and looks like a mess. And he looked down at me. And I remember he’s got the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re warm. They’re comfortable.” He rubbed the back of his neck, aware of how hot his face felt. “I think I fell in love with him there. His lightsaber is blue too. I just… I associate the color blue with him. And it’s everywhere, you know? When we’re apart, but there’s this blue sky, it’s like he’s with me. So, yeah. Blue. I like blue.” 

All four women seemed to melt at his explanation. He was pretty sure he saw Kara wipe a tear from her eye. 

“We’ll make sure blue is incorporated into your wedding somehow,” Magedla assured him, resetting her hand on his arm. 

Oh. That wasn’t so bad. And it was kind of nice to know that something so important to him would be included. He wouldn’t have even thought about incorporating the color blue into his wedding. 

Maybe this wouldn’t be such a stressful chore. 

“Do you have another color?” Amidala asked. 

“Another one?” His brow furrowed.

“Yes. We can, of course, go for a monochromatic look,” Magedla explained. “However, sometimes, having a pop of color helped balance things out. It helps deepen the theme and not make it look so boring.” 

He understood all of those words individually. 

“Um, well…” He scratched his head. “I guess, the 212th gold is another color I really enjoy.” 

Padme Amidala burst into tears. 

“What? Woah? Why?” 

“You can’t use that shade of orange in your wedding!” She cried. 

“Why not?” No, seriously, why not? They did not have this reaction to his choice of blue. 

“Because Obi-Wan is a redhead!” 

“He is?” 

“It’ll clash with his coloring!”

“I wouldn’t consider him a redhead at all.” 

“It will make him look orange!” 

“He’s more of a brunette with like, reddish accents? I guess?” 

“Plus blue and orange don’t go together regardless,” Kara added. 

“I mean, is that all it takes to be considered a redhead these days?” 

“I think we should get going,” Vos said. “Magedla, Kara, lovely to meet you both. You have Cody’s contact info, so you can start scheduling some meetings?” 

The women nodded while Padme continued to wail that if Cody chose that shade of orange for his wedding, it would be ruined. 

Vos shoved some tiny sandwiches into his pockets, grabbed Cody’s arm, and tugged him out of the tea room. 

“What was that?” Cody asked once they were outside. 

“Someone who is very into fashion learning that not everyone knows what a color season is,” Vos said. 

“I thought this was my wedding? I thought I could ask for whatever I wanted. And now, asking for an orange and blue color scheme is too much?” 

“To be fair, it wouldn’t look that good.” Vos pulled out a sandwich and offered it to Cody. 

Cody shoved it in his mouth, glad he no longer had to worry about dumb forks. 

“This is too much. Honestly, it’s too much. We’re just going to elope. Again. We’re going to go to the courthouse and sign a paper and then get married. Done. Dusted. No worrying about color schemes or fucking tiny forks or whatever.” 

“If that’s what you want to do,” Vos shrugged. 

Cody frowned and turned to him. “Aren’t you supposed to be telling me to go through with this wedding? To plan it all and make it extravagant?" 

He shook his head. “I’m here to make sure you and Obi-Wan get what you want. If you two don’t want a wedding, you don’t have to do it. Amidala and Organa can kick rocks. Or plan some other Jedi/Tropper party.” 

Cody paused. He wasn’t expecting that. He thought this whole wedding thing was going to happen regardless. Everyone else seemed to want it. 

“Come on,” Vos linked their arms together and dragged them into a park. “Let’s actually talk about your wedding and what you want. No wedding planner. No expectations. What do you and Obi-Wan want?” 

The park was a breath of fresh air compared to the tea room. No stuffy, gold-leafed tablecloths. No people wearing enough jewels to fund the war effort ten times over. Just people, outside, enjoying the nice day. A few kids were running around. No war. No suffering. Peace. 

“Microscopic, cheap, and simple,” Cody recited. Though he had long since given up on any of that being a possibility. 

Vos wrinkled his nose. “Microscopic? Really?” 

“I thought you said no expectations.” 

“Right, right. I’m sorry. So, who was going to come to this microscopic wedding of yours?” 

“Well, on my side, Rex, of course. Wolffe, Fox, Gree, Ponds, Waxer, Boil, Threepwood, Longshot, Gregor, Monnk, Hunter, Fives, Echo, Tech, Wrecker, Crosshair, Wooley.” Horror dawned on him as he kept listing brother after brother whom he wanted to be at his wedding with him. To support him. To celebrate him. To celebrate the end of the war. 

This wasn’t just a wedding. It was a way to show everything they had accomplished. Everything they had fought for. Even his side alone was going to be hundreds of brothers. And that wasn’t counting everyone Obi-Wan would have wanted to invite. 

Vos chuckled. “I’m guessing you now realize it was never going to be microscopic?” 

Cody groaned. “One thing is already a failure.” 

“It’s not a failure. You and Obi-Wan just love a lot of people. And a lot of people love you two. That’s a good thing, Cody. You have support.” 

He supposed that was true. 

“Alright, so we’ve established that this was never going to be microscopic. But you do want a wedding. You want people there.” 

“I don’t need people there, though. They’re not the ones getting married. Why should they care if Obi-Wan and I do?” 

“They care because they love you and want to see you happy.” Vos led them to a tree and sat them down in the shade. “And you don’t need a wedding. You don’t need a marriage either.” He tapped Cody’s engagement ring. 

He held it up to the light. The orange stone seemed to shift like lava. “No, I don’t need a marriage.” 

“So, why’d you say yes? Why isn’t the ring enough? Why are you still wanting to go to the courthouse and get married legally?” 

“I want something that doesn’t need a reason,” he said, echoing what he had told Obi-Wan the night they got engaged. “All my life, everything needed a reason. But this doesn’t. This is mine because I want it to be. I fought for this. Obi-Wan fought for this. All of this. We don’t need it, but we want this.” 

Vos squeezed Cody’s bicep. “Exactly. You want your brothers there to celebrate with you. You want a marriage simply because. So, let’s plan this wedding the way you want it to be planned.” 

Cody groaned and slumped back in the grass. “How am I going to do that? I suggested two things today, and one of them ended up killing Amidala.” 

“She’ll get over it,” Vos assured her. “As for how you’re going to do this, man, you were a marshall commander. You are a general. You’re whole job is making people do things they don’t want to do.” 

“This is different,” Cody groaned. 

“Is it?” 

He thought so. 

“It’s not. Cody, you planned a war. You overthrew a government. You can plan a wedding. But you need to take charge. Magedla and Kara work for you, not the other way around. In fact, it might be easier than planning a war. Your brothers would grumble and complain. Magedla’s got too much professionalism to do that on the outside.” Vos clapped him on the shoulder and stood. “Take charge. This is your wedding. If you want orange and blue, make it happen, brother. But you can only make that happen if you play to your strengths. I’ll see you back at the Temple, okay?” 

Cody hummed his acknowledgement. He closed his eyes and thought through Vos’s words. He did want a wedding with Obi-Wan. Even if their initial plan was microscopic, cheap, and simple. 

But, theoretically, he could still do that. He just had to beat Magedla at her own game. 

She was used to planning these extravagant, complex weddings. It’d be a challenge for her to pull back. And she wouldn’t pull back unless Cody forced her to pull back. 

And he couldn’t force her to pull back unless he knew what was happening. 

Half the things she mentioned at tea today, he didn’t even know were a part of the wedding process. 

The first step in planning any battle was gathering intel. 

Cody opened his eyes and pulled out his datapad. It was time to do some research. 

Step One: Figure out the minimum and maximum number of things that were needed to go into planning a wedding. 

Step Two: Figure out what he wanted and what he didn’t want. 

Step Three: Make this wedding exactly what he wanted. 

And maybe get Obi-Wan to help out somewhere along the way. 

Chapter Text

“Ugh, I feel like my brain is melting out of my ears,” Ahsoka groaned, dramatically dragging her feet and slumping over in what had to be a very uncomfortable position as they walked through the halls of the Jedi Temple. 

Obi-Wan shook his head fondly. “Come now, my dear. It wasn’t that bad.” 

“How was it harder than fighting?” Ahsoka continued. “All I did was stand there. I barely even said a word. And yet, I feel like I’m about to pass out.” 

Ah, the dramatics of youth. Obi-Wan missed those days. Though he was glad to see Ahsoka acting more like a teenager and less like a battle-hardened adult. 

The war and Palpatine had made their permanent marks on her. She would never again be a carefree child. But at least she could be a child. For that, he would indulge these dramatics instead of scolding her and requiring her to act like a proper Jedi. 

“Politics isn’t easy. Neither is negotiation nor mediation,” he consoled her. 

“I don’t know if I’m very good at it,” Ahsoka admitted. 

“Quite possibly. You did better than I would have thought, considering it was more or less your first time.” 

Ahsoka perked up. “Really? I barely said a word. You did most of the talking.” 

“Never underestimate how much you can accomplish with a few words, my padawan.” 

“Anakin never shuts up.” 

“And he precisely proves my point.” 

Ahsoka bit back a giggle. Then, her smile dropped. 

“What is it?” Obi-Wan slowed their pace. Cody requested a meeting with him as soon as he was done for the day. He did say it wasn’t urgent. He would understand if Obi-Wan took a little more time to help Ahsoka. They both understood that, as Obi-Wan’s padawan, she was a part of the responsibilities that came first. Besides, if it truly were an emergency, Cody could find others to help him. 

“It’s nothing,” Ahsoka was quick to say. 

Obi-Wan’s mouth pulled into a frown. “None of that, young lady. Part of the reason we’re in this mess in the first place was that Anakin hid things from me. I won’t force you to talk to me, but at least promise me you’ll talk to someone.” 

Ahsoka winced. “Well, it’s just… I meant it when I said I don’t know if I’m good at all this negotiation and politics. And I… I don’t know if I really want to specialize in it.” She winced again, refusing to look at Obi-Wan. 

He breathed a sigh of relief. Oh good. She hadn’t secretly eloped with anyone. Honestly, if she had, Obi-Wan would have left the Order to become a hermit. Clearly, he wasn’t cut out for the Jedi life if two of his padawans had secret marriages. Though he realized now why she might be hesitant to share her thoughts with him. 

He pulled them into a quiet corner and bent down so he could look her in the eyes. “Ahsoka, my dear, I will not be disappointed if you don’t want to follow in my footsteps.” 

“You wouldn’t?” She glanced up at him, big blue eyes watering with hope. 

He pulled her into a hug. Something else he was trying to do differently from Anakin’s padawanship. He should have been more open with his physical and emotional affections. Maybe then Palpatine would have had a harder time convincing him that Jedi were all emotionless robots who didn’t know what love was. 

“Of course not. Diplomacy isn’t for everyone. Force knows Anakin was never cut out for it.” 

“But that’s just it. Anakin didn’t go into it. So I thought that you would be disappointed if two padawans in a row decided to do something else.” 

He pulled back so they could continue their walk. “I am not, and will never be, disappointed in you following your own path. Even if it’s different from mine. Anakin didn’t specialize in diplomacy because, well, he’s Anakin. And, truth be told, I wish I had pushed harder for him to explore the other options of the Jedi Order. He might have done wonderfully in the Exploracorps. Or even as a creche master. There is no one right way to be a Jedi. How about you take some time researching all the different avenues available to you, and we can see about specializing.” 

“Okay! I do like combat, though. Even now, sparring with you or Cody is the most fun I have all week.” 

He stroked his beard. “Master Cin has been looking for a replacement battlemaster. He might be willing to look into it.” 

Ahsoka seemed to literally glow at the thought. “Really? You think I could be battlemaster of the entire order?” 

“You did fight a Sith lord. And win. With only a year’s worth of Padawan training under your belt. It is possible.” 

Ahsoka let out a high-pitched squeal that likely damaged the eardrums of the more sensitive hearing members of the order. 

Obi-Wan smiled. “I guess you don’t need to research other options, then?” 

“No! I will. I want to see what else is out there.” Ahsoka was quick to say. “But thank you, Master!” She threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. 

“Always, my dear.” He patted her head. “Now come along. We’re going to be late. Cody is a bit of a stickler for time.” 

“A bit of a stickler?” Ahsoka snorted. “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable,” she repeated, dropping her voice a few octaves to try to sound like Cody. She didn’t get the accent quite right. 

“Yes, right. As much as I am loath to admit this, it is probably a good thing he and Anakin didn’t spend much time together. They would have killed each other before the six-month mark.” 

“Cody would have won.” 

“Of course he would have.” 

Ahsoka skipped along the halls towards their destination. “What is this meeting for anyway? It seems kind of formal for a quick catch-up at the end of the day?” 

“I’m not sure,” Obi-Wan mused. “Perhaps he wants some help drafting plans to defeat Thrawn?” 

Ahsoka made a face. “You’re not a general anymore. Why would he want your help?” 

“We did work together rather well during the war. Besides, sometimes it’s nice to have another opinion. One that isn’t dictated by the curriculum on Kamino.” 

“I guess,” she shrugged. 

They found their way to the small meeting room. It did occur to Obi-Wan as Ahsoka went to open the door that this might be Cody’s way of organizing a private rendezvous. 

Panicked, he practically screamed through the bond. You weren’t planning for us to have sex now, right?

Cody’s response came back just as the door slid open. What? No. 

“Hi Cody!” Ahsoka stepped through the room. “Whoa.”

He could see shock on her face. 

Well, at least Obi-Wan confirmed that his betrothed wasn’t sitting on the chair naked. 

He peered into the dark room to see what had surprised Ahsoka. 

Dozens of boards with various photocollages littered the room. 

One of them had pictures of just Obi-Wan. It looked as though they were all taken from different days, lighting conditions, and states of exhaustion. 

“You know, if you two weren’t already literally living together, I’d think he was stalking you,” Ahsoka whispered to him before skipping into the room and taking a seat at the round table. 

Cody looked at him from across the room, one brow quirked, and his arms crossed. Sex? Really?

You would be surprised by the number of places people have had sex in this Temple. 

You?

Obi-Wan scoffed. Never. 

I’ll ask Vos then for the truth. 

“Don’t you dare!” he said out loud. 

Ahsoka looked between them, then laughed. “You guys are so weird.” 

Cody’s face hardened. He looked very much like the Marshall Commander from the war. All business. No humor. Strict. Professional. To the point. 

Oh, that thought did things to Obi-Wan. Things he was unaware of until this very moment. 

“Thank you for coming. You’re late.” 

Five minutes early, Ahsoka mouthed to him. 

Cody ignored her and handed them both datapads with an agenda. He very much acted like this was some important discussion about a battle. However, given that one of the boards was filled with pictures of wedding cakes, Obi-Wan very much doubted that. 

“Now, I had the first meeting with the wedding planner today. I have also done research into the general traditions. You can find that in section 23b. 

“There are twenty-three sections?” Obi-Wan asked, a sinking feeling in his gut. 

“No. There are two hundred and seventy-eight sections, plus eighty-four appendices. Number subject to change.” 

Obi-Wan was starting to regret asking Cody to marry him. He should have known his lovely husband would take to wedding planning with the single-minded determination that also won him the war. 

“The first thing we need to do is decide on a theme,” Cody continued, pulling up several mood boards filled with aesthetically pleasing images and a few color swatches. 

“Theme?” Obi-Wan asked. He thought “wedding” was the theme. 

“Theme will determine venue, food choices, color palette, and even time of year. Now, this is where we have run into a bit of a problem.” Cody barrelled forward. 

“A problem? Already? On the theme?” Obi-Wan asked.

Ahsoka looked to be barely containing her glee at his discomfort. 

“Yes,” Cody pulled out swatches of material, holding them up to Obi-Wan’s face. He cursed and threw them to the side. “Damn them, they were right.” 

“They were?” Obi-Wan asked. And who were ‘they’? 

“We’re completely different color seasons. Any color that looks good on one of us will clash with the other.” Cody stepped back and examined Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan didn’t speak. Instead, he squirmed in his seat and tried not to feel like a bug under a microscope. 

“We’re going to need to get a stand-in for you,” Cody finally said, nodding his head as if it were a done deal. 

“Yes!” Ahsoka cackled at the same time Obi-Wan said, “No!” 

He glared at his darling padawan. Was it too late to replace her? She grinned at him, feral and loving this. He turned back to Cody. “You are not replacing me in my own wedding.” 

“It’s the only way to make this look good,” Cody said. “Ahsoka, get me a list of people that match my color season.” 

“On it!” Ahsoka typed furiously on her datapad, still grinning like a madwoman. 

“No! Ahsoka, no. Quit typing.” 

“How do you feel about Master Quinlan?” 

He couldn’t believe it, but Cody seemed to actually be seriously considering using Quin as a stand-in for Obi-Wan. 

“Cody,” he said. “Can we be serious for a minute, please?” 

“Oh, I am deadly serious. This wedding will be perfect if it is the last thing I do.” 

“Yes, but would it really be perfect if I’m not there? This isn’t about looking good. This is about having fun with our friends and family. I don’t want to be replaced with Quinlan Vos of all people because he fits your color palette better.” 

Cody looked at him, then groaned. “Fine. I can make this work. I haven’t done a lot of research into the color palettes yet, but I think I can figure out some overlap so we’re not completely clashing.” 

“Thank you.” Goodness, he didn’t realize he’d need to use his negotiation skills to convince his own fiancée to let him participate in their wedding. 

“Now then, I think I do have a theme picked out.” 

“Wait, already.” 

Cody ignored him completely and slid a very thick binder towards Obi-Wan while pulling up yet another board of aesthetic images. 

“A cool, jewel-toned tea room at sunset in autumn,” he said. 

Ahsoka and Obi-Wan exchanged glances. 

He leaned over to her. “Do weddings typically have such specific themes?” 

Ahsoka shrugged. “I just watch wedding reality holo-shows. I don’t participate in the culture.” 

“Fat lot of help you are,” he grumbled before turning back to Cody. 

“You don’t like the theme?” Cody said. He seemed to actually be hurt that Obi-Wan didn’t like it. Though given the amount of work he had clearly put into designing the boards, he could see why. 

“It’s not that. It’s just… It’s so specific. Why a jewel-toned tea room in autumn?” 

“You forgot sunset and cool color palette,” Ashoka whispered to him. 

“Cool-toned colors will work best with your color season. Blues remind me of you specifically, so I want to incorporate that as much as I can. I think jewel-tones with pops of lighter colors should match well with both my and your skin tone. You like tea. Sunset makes you look golden. And dying leaves in autumn remind me of the color of your hair.” 

Obi-Wan went to touch his hair. “I don’t think anyone has ever described my hair as the color of dying leaves.” 

“It’s not red,” Cody added. 

“What? My hair?” 

He nodded. 

“I never said it was.” He looked to Ahsoka, who just shrugged once more. 

“Well, I suppose that is a lovely idea.” Indeed, the tea rooms Cody had pulled for inspiration did look peaceful. And he had done a good job at finding simple displays, but still held some amount of design details. A good way for them to have a simple wedding that didn't feel boring.

Actually, it warmed his heart quite a lot to see how much thought Cody had put into this ceremony. And how much he wanted to be reminded of Obi-Wan during their wedding. It seemed like every aspect of the theme related back to Obi-Wan in some way. 

As much as the thought flattered him, this was a ceremony meant to celebrate the joining of two people. Not just one. 

“I love it. But, Cody love, everything seems to be about me,” he said softly, flipping through the magazine clippings and holo-net printouts in the binder. “What about you?” 

“Me?” Cody asked, blinking. He felt genuinely confused.

“Yes, you,” he smiled. “What part of this wedding is representative of you?” 

Cody reached out and took his hand in his . “It represents me because,” he glanced down at the photos, a soft smile on his face. “It represents me because," The grin turned feral. "I found a way to make blue and orange look good together! Woo! Fuck yeah!” He jumped up, kissed Obi-Wan hard on the mouth, and then pumped a fist in the air. “I am the fucking greatest! Blue and orange can’t go together. I made them go together, and it looks like a fucking dream!” He let out a few more whoops and cheers while Obi-Wan sat there, stunned. 

“That did not go how I expected it to go,” Ahsoka said. “It does look pretty, though. Look, this almost looks like the 212th gold.” She slid over a photo of a wooden table that indeed looked like the 212th's color, especially in the brilliant orange light of the setting sun. 

Cody calmed himself, his face straightening back out into his "Marshall Commander Mode” as Waxer liked to call it. “Any more questions about the theme?” 

“Well, I am a bit worried about the timeline. Autumn might be too soon to plan a wedding. Padme and Breha seem to think so at least.” Not that he wanted to rain on Cody’s carefully crafted parade. But also, they did have to be realistic. 

Cody leaned in close, putting his hands on either side of Obi-Wan until they were practically touching noses. Obi-Wan swallowed and again tried to ignore how such a display made him feel. 

He’d have to make sure Ahsoka stayed the night in her own rooms this evening. 

“If I can win a war in three months,” Cody said, his voice low, gravelly, and certainly made Obi-Wan shiver. “Then she can plan a wedding in three months. If she can’t, then she’s not a very good planner and not worth the shit-ton of credits Breha and Padme are paying her.” He stood up, going to pull more boards front and center. 

Obi-Wan swallowed and willed away his lustful thoughts until they could be dealt with properly. Preferably with Cody using that same tone of voice. “Yes, but darling, she does have other clients–” 

“No, she doesn’t.” Cody pulled out a datapad and slid it to Obi-Wan. “We’re her only clients. She claims it’s to allow full attention on us. I think she’s just bad at multitasking. I planned dozens of campaigns across the entire Force-damned galaxy and kept it all straight. Then again, some people are just better at this sort of thing than others.” 

“Cody, please don’t insult our wedding planner.” 

“If she lives up to my expectations, she won’t be insulted.” 

Ahsoka cackled. “You sound like Seventeen.” 

Cody glared at her. “You are correct that the schedule is tight. Because of this, we need to ensure that no meetings are missed. I need you to designate two back-ups you trust to come in your place should you need to skip, like today.” 

“Oh. I guess that makes sense.” Obi-Wan looked down at the datapad to see an entire emergency contact form staring him in the face. Cody really did think of everything. He started to type. 

“Not Vos.” 

“What? Why not?” Obi-Wan looked up from his datapad. 

“I don’t trust him to take this seriously.” 

“He went with you today, though. And you wanted to replace me with him for the ceremony.” Obi-Wan pointed out. 

“I was thinking about replacing you with him. I never said I wanted to do it,” Cody shot back. He leaned over Obi-Wan once more. “ Cyare, look me in the eyes and tell me that you think Quinlan Vos would have your best interests at heart when it comes to this wedding?” 

Obi-Wan wanted to say yes just to spite Cody. However, while he loved and trusted Quinlan with his life, his best friend could be a bit… excitable. With Quinlan Vos on the planning committee, they were more likely to be doing keg stands than anything. 

“Would Feemor work?” 

“Who’s your second choice?” 

“Bant.”

Cody thought for a bit, then nodded. “I approve of both of those.” 

“So glad you approve of my friends and family,” Obi-Wan drawled as he punched in Feemor and Bant’s contact info. He’d have to send them a message later, warning them of what was to come should Cody need their services. 

“Who are you having as your backups?” Ahsoka asked. 

“Gree and Crosshair.” 

“Gree?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Crosshair?” Ahsoka almost sounded more surprised by that one than Gree. Obi-Wan honestly didn’t know Crosshair well enough to make any judgments. 

“What’s wrong with them?” Cody asked. 

“It’s just… why not Wolffe, Fox, or Rex?” Obi-Wan replied. Even though he could literally read Cody’s mind, sometimes the choices he made were baffling to say the least. Though they were never without reason, even if Obi-Wan didn’t see those reasons at first. 

“Wolffe, I don’t trust not to fuck this up. He loves to mess with me,” Cody said. “Fox is too busy. And even if he weren’t, he doesn’t care enough about this to take it seriously. He’ll say yes to anything if it means you’ll quit bothering him about things he finds pointless.” 

“And Rex?” Ahsoka asked. 

Cody turned to face the window, his hands clasped behind his back. “Rex, I’m sorry to say, doesn’t have the temperament for this kind of work.” 

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka exchanged glances. 

“The temperament?” Obi-Wan tried to gently nudge his love to clarify. 

“The wedding industry is a cut-throat business, Obi-Wan. You have to be on your guard. Everyone is trying to upsell you. And then once they do, they try to scam you out of what you paid for with poorly worded contracts they rush you to sign. I fear Rex may fall victim to their pressuring. Yes, he would. That’s why I need Gree and Crosshair as my second and third. They’re not afraid to say no.” 

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka exchanged glances once more. 

“It’s a wedding,” Obi-Wan said. Seriously, it wasn’t like they were planning a war. Scammers? Upselling services? This was more adversarial than he thought it would be. Though looking through the binder, they might as well be. 

Did Thrawn know just how seriously Cody took stuff like this? Honestly, Obi-Wan wouldn’t be surprised if Cody had won the war in an afternoon had he not had to worry about Palpatine activating the chips. 

Cody turned from the window. “And it will be the best wedding anyone has ever been to.” 

“We’re Jedi and troopers,” Ahsoka pointed out. “I don’t think any of us have ever been to a wedding before.” 

Cody seemed unfazed by her comments. “Now then, there is one more thing we need to discuss before we get to the meat of our meeting today.” 

“Wait, there’s more?” Obi-Wan groaned. He should have escaped while he had the chance. 

“Please flip to section 189 of your planning manual.” 

They did so. 

“Customs?” Ahsoka read out. 

“Yes. There are many customs from around the galaxy as to what counts as a ‘wedding ceremony’. I thought it might be a good idea to discuss what we want represented.” Cody sat down at the table. “Now, I do want to exchange vambraces. I know we already said the riduurok, but I want to complete the ritual.” 

Obi-Wan nodded. While the troopers had maintained that they were not, and would never be Mandalorians, they still kept up with many of the customs. It had been quite the topic of conversation on Mandalore, whether or not people should be offended. Obi-Wan felt like that was rather missing the point. Though he did understand, he did not come from this culture. What he did know was that as time went on, the troopers would create a more distinctive identity for themselves. But cultures took time to develop. 

“For the Stewjoni rituals–” Cody continued. 

“Wait, you looked into Stewjoni marriage customs?” Obi-Wan asked. 

Cody looked at him as though he were offended that Obi-Wan would think such a thing. As if it were obvious he’d look into these customs. 

“Of course I did. I know you don’t consider yourself Stewjoni, but they are still your people.” Pink colored his cheeks, and he looked away. “We don’t have to if you don’t want to. But I thought it’d be nice. We said the riduurok and are going to exchange vambraces. I figured we could also say the bòidean pòsaidh . Maybe do a few of the other rituals. I even found a Stewjoni sagart on Coruscant who could do the ceremony.” 

Once more, emotions swelled in Obi-Wan’s chest. He pressed a hand to his mouth, his eyes suspiciously wet. 

“Oh, what’s wrong?” Cody panicked. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep. We can forget about the Stewjoni stuff.” 

“No, no,” Obi-Wan was quick to say before Cody spiralled further. “I’m not upset. I’m just, I’m really happy .” He reached over to take Cody’s hand. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a kind, loving, and thoughtful man.” 

Cody squeezed his hand back. “I could say the same for myself.” He leaned over to kiss Obi-Wan, gentle and slow. 

Ashoka let out a gagging noise. “You guys are gross.” 

Obi-Wan chuckled as they pulled back. “I’ll be sure to make the appropriate gagging noises when you and your romantic partner engage in affectionate displays.” 

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. 

Cody cleared his throat. “We are behind schedule, so let’s keep going. We have twelve weeks to plan this wedding. And it will be the best wedding you’ve ever seen in your life.” 

Obi-Wan shook his head fondly and turned back to Cody’s agenda. While he couldn’t say he cared much about getting the wedding done by this autumn, he did have to admit that the sooner they could get this done, the sooner Cody could stop stressing about it. 

Although he could think of some other ways to destress Cody. He made his own schedule in his head. One they were going to follow tonight.

Chapter Text

The door barely slid shut before Cody was shoved against it by a very eager Obi-Wan. He peppered kisses all over his face, jaw, and neck. 

“Hello there,” Cody laughed as Obi-Wan seemed desperate to climb him like a tree. 

“General Kenobi,” Obi-Wan replied. 

Cody wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan’s waist to steady him and then sat back to let the man work. “I take it you approve of my wedding planning?” 

“Oh, I approve of a lot more than that.” He slipped his hands against Cody’s ribs, undoing the clasps of his armor and letting them drop to the floor. 

“Careful. If Seventeen catches you treating the armor like that, he’ll have you doing laps until your new leg falls off.” Cody wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan’s shoulders.

“Darling, my dearest husband, don’t talk about Seventeen while I’m trying to get into your pants.” Obi-Wan slid to his knees, taking Cody’s pants with him. 

“I, ah, yeah, just like that. You, oh Force, liked my plan?” He asked. 

Obi-Wan pulled his head back just enough to release his cock. “I love it when you take charge.” He kept his hands loose as he stroked up his length. “Your voice drops an octave. You get this look in your eye. This furrow in your brow.” 

Cody gasped, letting his head fall back against the door. The dull, metal thunk reverberated through the apartment. 

Obi-Wan pressed a kiss to his hip crease. “You could order me to do anything when you’re like that, and I’d do it without question.” 

“Without question, eh?” He carded his hand through Obi-Wan’s hair. Frowning when he didn’t feel the soft strands against his fingers, he recentered himself just enough to remember he was still wearing his gloves. He pulled his hand up, bit the tip, and slid it off his hand.

Obi-Wan watched him, like a predator watching its prey. 

“It’s a miracle you ever planned a battle then, if my giving orders makes you this hot and bothered.” 

“I was compartmentalizing.” 

Cody hummed. As much as he enjoyed this teasing, he was hard, aching, and desperate for some relief. Hand now freed from the confines of his glove, he slipped it back into Obi-Wan’s hair and tugged his face back where he needed it. 

“Quit compartmentalizing, and put that sliver tongue of yours to use, sir.” 

Obi-Wan let out a gasp and dove back down, swallowing Cody easily. 

Cody held on for dear life as he was sucked and licked within an inch of his life. The things Obi-Wan could do with his mouth… 

When he came, his orgasm rocked him so thoroughly that he couldn’t hold himself up. It was only thanks to Obi-Wan that he didn’t collapse on top of the other man. 

“I take it my silver tongue was up to your exacting standards, commander.” He laughed as he lowered Cody to the ground. 

“We’re never going to get this wedding planned if you keep jumping my bones every time we have a meeting.” 

“I don’t jump your bones every time we have a meeting.” 

Cody gathered enough strength to lift his head and cock an eyebrow at Obi-Wan, keeping his expression flat.

“I jump your bones after the meeting. There’s a difference.” Obi-Wan said primly.

Cody kept his expression flat. 

“Very well then. I’ll get you cleaned up, and then we can go over your Day 1 Plan. Agreed?” 

“Agreed.” 

Obi-Wan scooped him up off the floor and deposited him on the warm couch. Tucking him back into his blacks, he pulled off the rest of the armor. This time, he stacked it neatly in the corner to be cleaned later. 

He then pulled a fuzzy, cream-colored sweater over Cody’s head, grabbed their datapads, and sat down on the couch. 

Pulling Cody’s feet onto his lap, they began to discuss the wedding. 

“Let’s see here. Magedla gave us a list of questions to think through. Things to consider,” Obi-Wan said. He kept the datapad floating in the air, freeing up his hands to massage Cody’s feet. 

Cody let out another groan, tipping his head back as he melted into the couch. “Kenobi, are you trying to keep me from getting any work done?” 

“Sorry, dear. You’re just so tense. I know those boots do a number on your feet. Let me get at least some of the knots out.” 

“The wedding?” Cody asked. He was having trouble keeping his eyes open. His feet and calves really did ache. And Obi-Wan’s tongue wasn’t the only thing he had that was talented. 

“I’ll ask you the questions. Alright? You need to rest your eyes. It’s not good to look at a datapad all day.” 

Hard to argue with that logic. 

“Do we want children at the wedding?” 

“Of course,” Cody replied. “Wouldn’t be much of a wedding without kids.” 

“I rather think it depends on the child. There are some true terrors out there, my dearest.” 

“Pull back the pant leg on the left,” Cody commanded. He lifted his head enough to see Obi-Wan’s questioning look. “Just do it.” 

Obi-Wan did as he was told. 

“See that scar there, right below my knee?” 

“Yes?” 

“Fox bit me there when we were three.” 

“Oh my.” 

“Exactly. I’m used to child terrors. And your own children are terrors in their own right.” 

“Ahsoka is a perfectly respectable young lady.” Obi-Wan sniffed. 

Cody grinned at him, wolfish. “A perfectly respectable young lady who attempted to rip the former chancellor’s throat out with her teeth.” 

“I never said which culture she was perfectly respectable in. For Togrutas, that is appropriate behavior for an adolescent on a hunt.” 

Cody snorted and tipped his head back as Obi-Wan continued massaging his other leg. 

“I must say, dear, you might need more than my hands can give.” 

“I think you’re doing just fine,” he said. 

“Yes, but a professional might be better. A nice deep tissue massage to get out all the knots you’ve had since childhood. I can ask around and see if anyone has any suggestions. There must be loads of massage parlours on Coruscant.” 

Cody’s brow furrowed. “You mean the places Thire raids every other week?” 

Obi-Wan patted his calf. “Actual massage parlours, not fronts for human trafficking, my dear.” 

“After the wedding. And after I get Thrawn. I’ll look into it.” 

Obi-Wan sighed. He put down Cody’s feet and crawled up his body so they were cuddled together on the couch. He kissed his brow and settled on top of him, his ear pressing against his chest where he could hear his heart. 

“Cody, you need to enjoy your life now. There will always be Thrawns to find and weddings to plan, even if they are more metaphorical. Don’t wait until things are calm to relax. Promise me?” Obi-Wan’s soft voice surrounded him. 

“It’s hard,” he said, his thumb stroking against Obi-Wan’s shoulder. “I’ve never been allowed to relax before. Never been allowed to want. I… I don’t know if I could really do it. If I go get a massage, even for an hour, it’ll feel like I’m neglecting my duties. Like I’m abandoning my men to die.” 

“I know,” Obi-Wan said, barely above a whisper. “It’s hard. But I can help.” 

He hummed his agreement. “Anything else we need to discuss?” He asked instead of continuing on this conversation thread. He knew he needed to relax. He knew he needed a break. It was just so hard to accept that. 

“Hmm,” Obi-Wan shifted to hold up the datapad. “Magedla is concerned about the venue. She seems to think she can pull together caterers and whatnot in the few months we have, but venues are different. They’re often booked out months in advance. You can’t just make more space. If you want this to happen in Autumn, we have to make sure we can find a venue that’s open and capable of fitting us all.” 

Damn. Magedla was right. They couldn’t just create space out of thin air. Even if they went off planet, they’d have a hard time finding someone capable of hosting them all on such short notice. He might have to postpone after all. And here he thought that if he just planned well enough, they could get this all done in three months.

“How do you feel,” Obi-Wan started, haltingly, like he was concerned about how Cody would react, “about having the wedding here at the Temple?” 

Cody raised his head. Obi-Wan refused to look him in the eyes. He could sense the nervousness coming off of him. “The Jedi Temple?” 

He nodded.

He hadn’t considered the Jedi Temple as a potential venue. “Is that allowed? It’s not like sacrilegious or anything, right?” 

Obi-Wan scoffed and looked up at him. “No, it’s not sacrilegious. We’re a fairly secular group of people, you know.” 

He thought about it for a moment. The Jedi Temple reminded him so much of Obi-Wan. All the secret corridors. The knowledge. The life. 

But more than that, it was the closest thing to a true home Cody had ever had. It was the first place he and his brothers had been accepted as people, not products. It was the first place they were treated as equals. The first place they had been allowed to be more than just soldiers, to pursue interests outside of war and fighting. 

The Jedi were among the first to send Gree and his men yarn to knit once they learned about his hobby. Madam Nu was the first person to start up a Trooper Book Club when she heard the men wanted to read more, but were overwhelmed by the selections. They accepted Stone as a Crechemaster even though he was not a Jedi. They let the men sleep here after the war as they struggled to figure out what to do. The Jedi supported the Troopers. And the Troopers supported the Jedi. Things weren’t perfect, obviously. There were still Jedi who were distrustful of the troopers. But Cody vividly remembered one of his first trips to the Temple, getting so lost on the way to Obi-Wan’s apartments. 

He had stumbled upon a class of baby Jedi cadets, older than Stone’s crock of terrors, but younger than Ahsoka. 

Instead of regarding him with fear and distrust, he found himself being led through the Temple by a group of over-excited cadets. They pointed out the best napping spots. They told him the days when the Mess Hall had freshly-baked cookies. They shared their favorite and least favorite classes. 

They had a warmth about them that Cody had never felt before. 

Kamino and the ships he lived on, the barracks he slept in, they had been cold. Grey. Impersonal since he could die and be replaced at any time. 

The Jedi Temple, in all its flaws, was warm. Breathing. Living. It begged to be settled in. It begged for memories to be made in its halls. It begged for you to stay and make your mark there. To become a part of the story, instead of a passing stranger. 

“I would love to have our wedding here,” he whispered into the quiet night. 

The way Obi-Wan beamed, the way Cody felt an overwhelming sense of warmth, love, and happiness, he’d have said yes if Obi-Wan asked him to get married in a mud pit. 

Obi-Wan leaned up to give him another kiss. “I have a few ideas that might work. But let me ask Mace first. I’ll get something secured for you by the end of the week.” 

Cody held him close and kissed him once more. “Sounds like a plan.” 

****

Obi-Wan did better than the end of the week. By mid-meal the next day, he had messaged Cody stating he had the perfect location for their wedding and asked if he and Magedla could come by after his physical therapy to check it out. 

Magedla, of course, having no other clients, was very ready to drop everything and look at this mysterious venue Obi-Wan had pulled out of nowhere. 

Which was how Cody found himself greeting her and her assistant on the steps of the Temple right as Obi-Wan’s physical therapy was set to end. 

Kara’s mouth was agape, staring up at the imposing structure, her eyes flitting to the Temple Guards standing like statues on either side of the door. 

“I’ve never been here before. It’s so much bigger in person,” she said. 

“It needs to be to house all the Jedi,” Cody said. “Magedla, I trust you received my message with the timeline and response to your questions.” 

For this meeting, Magedla was still wearing a crisp pantsuit that looked so stiff, it had to be made out of Beskar (it wasn’t. It just looked that way). Only, today it was a rich, royal blue instead of a crisp white. 

Magedla nodded. “I did. Thank you for the summary at the beginning of the report and the shared calendar. I appreciate a man who knows how important it is to keep on top of all the various aspects of the wedding. I'm having Kara review your Spinterest Boards now for design inspiration.” 

Cody preened at the compliment. Damn right his scheduling and spreadsheets were impeccable. 

“Thank you, ma’am. Come. We’re meeting Obi-Wan by the Council Meeting room.” He gestured for them to step through the doors of the Temple. 

Kara eyed the guards as if she thought they would spring to life and stab her for stepping over the threshold. 

They did not. 

Obviously. 

“We decided we’ll exchange vambraces at the ceremony. And, while Obi-Wan doesn’t want a full Stewjoni ceremony, he does want the handfasting portion of it.” Cody explained. 

Magedla nodded and typed his words. “I’ll see if I can find a Stewjoni Religious Leader to conduct the ceremony. They have both priests and priestesses. Do you have a preference?” 

Cody shook his head. “No preference. We also decided to do a cocktail hour. However, we’d like to do the first look photoshoot you described in your package.” 

“Good choice. Those are always such wonderful keepsakes.” Magedla said. “Now, for the music? Traditional or more contemporary?” 

“Contemporary. We’ve decided we don’t want this to be a stuffy affair. It’ll be a party. Not only to celebrate our union, but also the end of the war, those who survived, and those who didn’t. No need for somber instrumentals.” 

“Perfect. Would you like your guests to suggest music for the playlist, or will you be responsible for curating it all yourselves?” 

Cody paused. On one hand, curating hours worth of music seemed to be a lot of work he didn’t need to do. On the other hand, he had heard Archer’s preferred “music” of whatever that screaming music was from Dathomir and would rather not have his wedding music swing wildly from death metal to country.

“We’ll think about it,” he answered. Maybe they could ask for suggestions, and then have the DJ remove anything too… intense. Or anything too country. 

Magedla nodded. “We do have time. But it is important to start thinking of these things.” 

“Understood, ma’am.” 

They made their way through the Temple and to the Council Chambers, where Obi-Wan was waiting. 

“Cody love,” he said, brightening when he realized they drew near. He stepped up to give Cody a quick kiss on the lips before turning to Magedla and Kara. 

Cody could see him slipping into his “negotiator” mode, as the men liked to call it. The charming smile, the slight flirtiness of his words. 

He stepped forward to kiss Kara and Magedla on the cheek. “I take it you are our illustrious planner. Thank you so much for helping us plan this. I don’t know if it’s clear or not, but Cody and I are a bit over our heads with this whole wedding ordeal. If left to our own devices, we’d have the wedding on a random weekday at a diner with next to no forewarning to our friends and family.” 

“It’s no problem,” Magedla said. “I heard you were stopping a war.” 

“For now, at least. Come, come. It’s a bit of a walk to the rooms I have in mind, but I think they’ll be perfect.” He turned to Cody and gave him a blinding smile. “I also wanted to do this at sunset so you could see how it’d look with the lighting and everything.” 

Cody smiled and took Obi-Wan’s hand in his. “Lead the way, cyare.” Glancing back, he noticed Kara had a faint flush of pink on her cheeks. 

Flirting in front of your fiancé? Scandalous. He sent through the bond. 

I’m sorry, darling. You know it’s hard for me to turn off. Especially around strangers.

Cody laughed and kissed Obi-Wan’s temple. 

“Well, now that I have both of you here, I did have a few questions about you as a couple,” Magedla said, straight to the point as always. 

“Of course, go right ahead,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Obi-Wan, what do you like about Cody? What made you fall in love with him?” 

Obi-Wan’s mouth pulled into a frown. 

Cody felt his heart jump to his throat. He knew that Obi-Wan loved him. But he had never had the man spell it out so plainly. He didn’t know they were supposed to. He worried about what he might say. Would he say anything at all? Or would he give a more noncommittal answer, such as “everything”? Cody didn’t know if he wanted a noncommittal answer or something specific. 

At least none of his brothers were around to tease him endlessly, regardless of the answer. 

Obi-Wan’s eyes softened, and he looked at Cody. “Oh, he has so many good qualities that I love, it’s hard to pick just one.” 

Noncommittal it was. 

Only, it wasn’t because Obi-Wan kept going. 

“He’s so kind. And patient. I have never met a man more patient than him. And smart too. Not just booksmart, but streetsmart as well. Confident. Strong, dedicated to his work. But if I had to choose the one thing that made me realize how much I wanted him in my life forever, it was the way he challenged me. Physically, mentally, emotionally. He sees all the little details I miss. And he has no issue bringing them to my attention. Not to mention how he treats his brothers.” He turned to Magedla. “Family is very important to me. So to see him treat all of his brothers with such care and compassion… It matches so well with how I was raised. I couldn’t be with someone who didn’t love their family so much and be so dedicated to making this galaxy a better place for them.” 

Cody could practically feel Kara melting into the floor from the sappiness. He, however, felt so hot that he thought he might combust. 

Obi-Wan put a hand to his cheek. “And he’s handsome too. Isn’t he? I’m so glad he’s growing out his hair. I’m trying to convince him not to shave. I know a full beard is out of the question. But I think he’d look dashing with a controlled five o’clock shadow. Don’t you agree?” 

“Yes,” Kara sighed dreamily. 

“Not gonna happen, sweetheart,” Cody said. “I don’t want to look like a smuggler.” 

Obi-Wan merely grinned at him. Because that was exactly what he wanted Cody to look like. 

Maybe as a Life Day present, he’d grow out his hair a little bit more. 

Magedla seemed pleased by Obi-Wan’s answer and turned to Cody. “And you, General?” 

Shit. He hadn’t thought about all the ways he loved Obi-Wan. Was it bad if he just said ‘He’s got a nice ass’? Probably. 

He thought about it for a minute.

There were a lot of things he loved about Obi-Wan. More than he could count. More than he could list. But he didn’t want to list them all to near strangers. It felt… intimate. Like he was bearing a part of his soul to the world that was meant only for Obi-Wan. 

But there was something he could say. 

“When I first saw him, I could tell right away he had no clue what was going on,” he started. “The long-necks were leading him on this tour, and he looked so confused and lost. I almost felt bad for him.” 

Obi-Wan’s cheeks flushed. 

“But then I watched as he bullshitted his way through the interaction. Damn near got out of there without a fight. Then again, it was Prime he was dealing with. Even if he did know what was going on, it probably still would have ended in a fight. That’s what I love about him,” Cody said. 

“That he can fight?” Kara asked. 

He shook his head. “That he rolls with the punches. He adapts. It doesn’t matter what situation he gets himself in; he thinks on his feet, and he thinks quick. He keeps up with me and keeps me on my toes. Not to mention how he treats my brothers. He was one of the first people to treat them as humans and not as products. He’s a good man. I’m glad he’s in my life.” 

Obi-Wan beamed at him, lifting their joined hands to kiss his knuckles. 

“Right,” Cody said, not wanting to reveal anything else right now. “Tell us about this perfect venue you have.” 

“Oh, you’re going to love it. It’s a traditional Kotakare tea room. You see, the Kotakare people are very traditional and have very strict rules about just about everything in their society. Tying your shoes wrong can be considered a great insult to them. The Jedi built an exact replica of a Kotakare tea room to allow the diplomats a place to practice so that when we went on missions, we wouldn’t accidentally offend. However, the Kotakore people review their traditions every thousand years and make changes as deemed appropriate. The last review was about ten years ago. The population unanimously agreed to get rid of the tea rooms and instead host diplomatic functions at bathhouses. So, the room has been sitting empty since then. I figured this would be the perfect place to host.” 

They stopped in front of two huge, wooden doors. It certainly didn’t look like anything found on Coruscant. It barely looked like it fit in the Temple. 

Obi-Wan stepped to the side, grinning broadly. “Ladies, Cody, may I present to you a cool-toned, jewel-toned, tea room, at sunset.” He swept his hand to the side, the doors pushing inwards to reveal the venue.

Kara gasped. Even Magedla’s mouth fell open in awe. 

And Cody… 

Cody couldn’t help but stare as Obi-Wan became bathed in warm golden light from the setting sun. He looked like an angel, smiling at Cody as he stepped into the room. 

“Beautiful,” Cody murmured, though he didn’t know if he was talking about the tea room or Obi-Wan. 

Both. 

Both were good. 

“This is the main hall,” Obi-Wan said, stepping into the room. “There are two antechambers that I believe could be of great use to us.” 

The room itself was fairly plain. But the warm wood accents and painted walls made it sing. 

It wasn’t plain, Cody realized. 

It was simple. 

Simple colors. Simple textures. Simple patterns. 

Exactly what he wanted. A simple wedding. 

“This is beautiful,” Kara said. “Do you mind if I take pictures? I need to start creating mock-ups of the space.” 

“Go right ahead, my dear,” Obi-Wan said with a sweeping bow. 

Kara scurried into the room and began snapping photo after photo of the space. 

“You said there were two antechambers you wanted to use. What for?” Magedla asked. 

“Well, we will have children at this event. If this party is anything like a typical Jedi party, it will last well into the early hours of the morning. The little ones will be so tired. The rooms are all soundproof. I thought we could use one as a bedroom for anyone with children who wishes to stay.” Obi-Wan explained. 

“And the other one?” Cody asked. 

Obi-Wan turned to him, his face deadly serious. “Given how many reports from Fox I had to sign during the war about men ending up in his drunk tank, I thought it’d be prudent to have a second room for the guests to sleep off whatever hangovers they may have.” 

“Didn’t your padawan drunk text the Jedi council about giving Secura a padawan and then insinuated you were a virgin?” Cody asked, a smile splitting across his face.

“I believe that was after he left you a very loving voice memo about how wonderful a person you are. I believe Waxer still has that. Shall I play it?” He pulled out his datapad. 

Cody snatched it from his hands. “Good thinking on the drunk room.” 

“I do so like to be ahead of the game for these sorts of things,” Obi-Wan smirked. 

Cody shook his head fondly. Yet another thing he loved about him. 

“I think that’s a good idea,” Magedla said. “This is a rather large space. We should talk numbers. How many people are you planning to invite?” 

“Goodness,” Obi-Wan stroked his beard. “We want to keep it close. Just friends and family.” 

“Wonderful.” She smiled. “Do you have an estimate as to what that number will be?” 

“Well, Anakin and Ahsoka, of course. And if Anakin comes, Padme has to come.” 

“I want my batchmates here. Fox, Wolffe, Gree, and Bly,” Cody said. “Rex too. If we invite Rex, we’ll need to invite Jesse, Fives, Echo, Hardcase, Tup, and Kix.” 

“Oh, no,” Magedla said. “You don’t have to invite all of them. Simply give them a plus one on the invite and let them choose who they want.” 

“Wolffe will want to invite Sinker, Boost, and Dorme,” Obi-Wan said. “And Plo, of course. But I can invite Plo separately.” 

“Again,” Magedla tried, “You don’t have to invite everyone your guests want to come. Simple.” 

Cody barely heard her. “Bly’s going to want Secura to come.” 

“I’ll invite Aayla and Quin as well. The question is, who will bring Omega? Will it be the Bad Batch, or Aayla?” 

“Depends on who has custody that day.” 

“Very true. We’ll also need to invite Bail and Breha. Oh, Satine and Korkie as well.” 

“Ghost Company will need to come,” Cody said. “And Waxer’s going to bring Numa. If I’m inviting Rex, I might as well invite the rest of Torrent.” 

“Ashoka will be crushed if they don’t get to come,” Obi-Wan agreed.

“Do you even know all these people?” Magedla tried to ask. 

“Fox is going to want to bring Stone, Thire, and Thorn.”

“Stone’s will want to bring all his initiates.” 

“Archer and Sol will want to come as well.” 

“Robin too.” 

“You’re going to invite the council and their padawans?” 

“Obviously.” 

“That means Caleb will likely want Hera to come.” 

“I hear her and Omega are close, so that shouldn’t be a problem.” 

“Again, this is your wedding; you can invite and not invite whoever you want,” Magedla tried once more. 

“Dex obviously has to come. Bant, Garen, and Siri as well. And Feemor and Rael.” 

“Those were all givens. What about Hondo Ohnaka?” Cody asked. 

Obi-Wan wrinkled his nose. “I’d rather not invite him. However, something tells me he’ll show up anyway.” He turned to Magedla. “We’ll put him on the list, but we won’t invite him.” 

“You’re planning on having people crash the party?” 

Obi-Wan and Cody continued their discussion without answering. 

“I’m assuming Fox is going to bring Senator Chuchi?” 

“Obviously,” Cody said. “Archer and Jesse are both dating someone, aren’t they?” 

“Oh, yes. Archer is dating one of Wolffe’s old contacts. Miko. A lovely girl. I can’t say I’ve met Jesse’s boyfriend, however.” Obi-Wan replied. “We should invite the alphas as well.” 

Cody groaned. “Seventeen will spend the entire night making everyone do pushups.” 

“Oh, hush. Fordo will be there to keep him in check. Besides, he’s gotten a lot better since starting therapy. And he loves Ahsoka and Omega so much.” 

“Excuse me,” Magedla said, finally pulling their attention back to her. 

“Oh, yes. Sorry, didn’t mean to ramble like that,” Obi-Wan said. 

She cleared her throat and smoothed out her already perfectly pressed suit jacket. “That’s perfectly fine. I do need a hard number, though. How many people are we talking about?” 

Cody and Obi-Wan looked at each other. 

“Well, with Torrent, Command, and Ghost,” Cody started. 

“The Jedi Masters and all their padawans.” 

“Plus a few extra friends–”

Some quick math in his head ended up being...

“About a thousand people, let’s plan for,” Obi-Wan said. 

Kara stopped taking pictures. 

Magedla stood there, eyes wide, not saying anything for several seconds. 

Cody winced. He had never been to a wedding before. He wasn’t sure how big they were supposed to get. “Is that… is that too many people?” 

Magedla shook herself out of her shock and straightened up. Typing furiously on her datapad and then looking them straight in the eye, she said, “Princess Mudalania had a team of fifteen wedding planners for her wedding.” 

“Seems like they weren’t good planners if they needed that many of them,” Cody grumbled. 

Magedla continued, not reacting to Cody’s comment. “I was the leader of all of them. I planned a six-day wedding event across eight different planets--"

"Sounds exhausting," Obi-Wan blanched. "Are we required to have all that?"

"With thirty-seven dress changes-"

"I don't even own thirty-seven items of clothing," Cody said.

"A bridal party of thirty high-born women--"

"Do we need a bridal party?" Obi-Wan asked.

"And a guest list of over five thousand people, each member only attending certain events that I had to keep track of. If you want a thousand people in this room, Master Jedi, General Kenobi, you will have it.” She nodded as if that was the end of the discussion. “Kara, come. We have a tasting menu to plan.” 

“Yes, Magedla.” She stopped by Cody and Obi-Wan. “Let us know if you need anything. We’re here to help.” 

“Of course, my dear,” Obi-Wan said as she scurried out. 

Once the two women left, Cody turned back to Obi-Wan. 

“Do you like it?” Obi-Wan asked. 

Cody pulled him into his arms and kissed him slowly and softly. “It’s perfect.”

Chapter Text

Cody didn’t regret much in life. Truly, he didn’t. Mainly because he always made his choices with the best available data he had at the time. 

Did that mean he didn’t make mistakes? 

Of course not. 

Did that mean that he never wanted to go back in time and make a different decision? 

Not at all. 

But, he made what he thought was the best decision at the time with all the intel available. As time moved on and he gathered more intel, he did consider different possibilities and how he could have done better. But he never regretted his decisions. What was the point in regretting them? 

At least, that was how he viewed his decision making process up until about three hours ago. 

You see, Stewjoni handfasting rituals had a little quirk that was different from other hand fasting rituals floating around the galaxy. 

At the time, Cody thought that the Stewjoni handfasting ritual would be similar to all the others out there. They’d get a rope. They’d tie it around their hands. The priest/priestess might say a few words. 

Boom!

Married. 

But of course an isolationist nation had to be different. 

And they had to be different in the worst ways possible. 

They didn’t just handfast with a random rope. 

Oh no. 

Instead, the two couples had to not only make their own ropes to handfast in a color that symbolized the other person, but they also had to tie a pattern of three to five intricate knots along the entire length. Knots that also symbolized the other person. 

There were over two hundred different knots he could tie. 

Cody couldn’t even figure out how to knit a scarf. He had to have Gregor knit the code scarves for him. 

The reason for his regret should be clear at this time. 

“Fuck!” He tossed the knotted rope down on the ground and slumped back against the couch, groaning. “I should have never suggested to Obi-Wan that we do the Stewjoni rituals.” 

Had he known that the ritual would involve fiber crafts, he would have kept any suggestions of involving Obi-Wan’s heritage far from his thoughts. But no. He wanted to honor all parts of Obi-Wan. He wanted to give him the opportunity to do something special. And now here he was, with a knotted piece of blue rope tangled around his feet. 

It wasn’t even knotted correctly!

“Why is this so hard?” He picked up the rope and glared at it. As if it were a shiny he could put the fear of himself into just by staring at it hard enough. 

It was not a shiny. 

It wasn’t even sentient. 

He was glaring at a force-damn rope for no reason. 

“Ugh!” He threw it back on the ground and collapsed onto the floor. 

Gree had offered to tie the knots for him. He was actually good at fiber crafts and had taken up crochet on top of his rapidly growing knitting empire. 

Seriously. Offee helped set up a holonet site to sell Gree’s knitted scarves, hats, gloves, and sweaters. Apparently, Gree’s fashions were massive hits on colder planets. 

Cody almost said yes. He almost broke down and let his brother knot his handfasting rope for him. 

But, at the last second, his good sense returned and he turned Gree down. 

This was his wedding to the man he loved. He won a war in under a day. He unraveled a conspiracy so well hidden, even he didn’t suspect anything for the longest time. He beat Krell. He learned how to use the Force. He was the first person on record to talk to a Force ghost. 

He could tie a Force damn rope!

Besides, traditional Stewjoni handfasting dictated that he had to be the one to knot the rope. Anyone else and it wouldn’t be legitimate. It’d be a symbol that he wasn’t taking the marriage seriously. He was slacking off. He didn’t truly love or care about Obi-Wan. 

And he’d be damned before he did anything that so much as hinted that he didn’t love or care about Obi-Wan. 

“Alright, you damn piece of string,” he growled, rolling back up to a sitting position and grabbing the rope once more. “You are going to knot yourself the way I want you to be knotted and you’re not going fight me. Is that clear?” 

Once again, the rope wasn’t sentient. Cody was threatening an inanimate object. 

But he had to. It was the only way he felt any control over the situation. 

Of course, he had no control over the situation and the rope just got more tangled the more he tried to get it to cooperate. 

“Why do you hate me?” he moaned, collapsing once more on the ground thoroughly entangled in the rope. He wasn’t marrying himself for crying out loud!

The door slid open. “Oh my,” Obi-Wan said as the warm light from the hallway spilled into their living quarters. He heard him sigh and then soft footsteps over to where Cody lay in a heap on the ground. 

“I was afraid this would happen. My dear, you are practically perfect in every way. Sadly, your ability to command any string or rope is perhaps your only weakness.” 

“Leave me, Obi-Wan,” Cody moaned. “Find someone who can actually knot a rope. You deserve better.” 

Obi-Wan chuckled and began detangling Cody from the rope. Cody didn’t move to help him. He had a distinct feeling that if he tried, the rope would tangle even more. 

“Come now, my dear. Quit being so dramatic. I do love the color you picked for me. It’s similar to my lightsaber color.” 

“And your eyes,” Cody grumbled as bit by bit, Obi-Wan freed him from his prison of string. 

Obi-Wan brightened in the Force, and blushed. Cody could feel the heat coming from his cheeks. 

“You’re not supposed to see it before the wedding,” Cody reminded him, miserable. 

“We’re already married so it doesn’t matter much,” Obi-Wan reminded him. 

“It matters to me.” He grumbled. Finally, the last piece of rope was detangled from his body, the rest of it rolled into a neat ball. He sat up to face Obi-Wan properly. “I’m sorry, Obi. I don’t know if I can knot the damn rope. I’ve been trying for the past week and haven’t gotten anywhere. And if I can’t knot the rope, that means I don’t care about the marriage.” 

Obi-Wan shook his head. “Come now, my dear. Don’t be so dramatic. Of course you care about the marriage. You sent me over the one-year, five-year, ten-year, fifteen-year, and twenty-year plan for our relationship.” 

“Remember to give me you comments and questions by the end of the week.” 

“It’s in the calender, my love.” Obi-Wan put his hand on Cody’s and gave it a squeeze. “This is just a silly tradition. Truthfully, I’m about as Stewjoni as I am Mandalorian. I may have been born there, but I don’t have particularly deep ties to the culture. We can always not do the handfasting if you feel that stressed by it.” 

Cody’s head whipped up. “No! You want to do it. I can feel it in the Force how much you want to do it. I just… I can’t figure out this damn knotting system.” 

Obi-Wan’s eyes gleamed the way they did when he got an idea. “Come here.” He patted the ground between his legs. 

Cody furrowed a brow. 

“Do you trust me?” 

“Of course.” 

“Then come here. I have an idea.” 

Cody hesitated once more. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Obi-Wan. It was that the man liked to tease and play tricks. But, a search of his Force signature revealed that whatever he was doing, he was sincere about it. 

So, Cody turned and settled himself against Obi-Wan’s chest and between his legs. 

Obi-Wan undid a small section of the rope. “Here, hold the end and about three inches down.”

Cody did so. 

Obi-Wan’s hands came up to cup his. “Which knot did you want to start with?” 

“Warrior?” Cody asked, still confused as to where this was going. 

He found out quickly enough as Obi-Wan began maneuvering his hands along the rope to knot it. In a few brief moments, there was the knot of the warrior sitting at the end of the rope. It was, by far, the sloppiest knot Cody had ever seen. But it was unmistakable. 

“Alright. What was the next one?” Obi-Wan asked, moving his hands down to hold the next section of rope. 

“Hang on, is this allowed? We’re not supposed to do this together.” 

Obi-Wan laughed. “My dear, I find that I very much do not care what traditions we are or are not adhering too. We are our own people. We make our own traditions. I’d rather marry you untraditionally than not marry you because we couldn’t figure out how to make the traditions work for us. Now then, next knot?” 

Cody’s pattern went like this: warrior, monk, teacher, keeper of the peace, and water. All things he associated with Obi-Wan. 

“How interesting,” Obi-Wan said as they got to the final water knot. 

“What?” 

“We have very similar knots on ours. Do you want to know what yours is?” 

Technically, the answer should have been no. He wasn’t supposed to figure it out until the wedding day. But, Obi-Wan already knew what his knots were. Might as well make it fair. 

“Warrior, keeper of the peace, defender, leader, and sunlight,” Obi-Wan said. 

Cody’s cheeks flushed at the list. “High praise from you.” 

“I could say the same thing.” Obi-Wan sounded amused. 

Cody shook his head fondly before standing up, taking Obi-Wan with him. He tucked him against his body, arms looping loosely around his waist. The knotted cord wrapped around them. If he tilted his head just right, he could see it intertwining with the threads of gold that covered Obi-Wan. 

Obi-Wan smiled at him and tugged him into a soft, slow kiss. But one that had a hint of heat behind it. His interest clearly announced through their bond. 

“Should probably loop up the rope before I take your clothes off,” Cody mumbled against his lips. 

“Oh, I don’t know. We could use it for… interesting and new activities.” 

He pulled back to see Obi-Wan smirking. “Master Kenobi,” he feigned outrage. “Are you suggesting we defile our handfasting rope?” 

Obi-Wan’s grin broadened. “We wouldn’t be the first, my dear. There’s a reason this rope is softer than more traditional forms.” 

Cody’s cheeks flushed at the thought. He never considered what bondage would be like in the bedroom. Truthfully, he felt that he was a wholly un-kinky man whose tastes were so vanilla, it probably wasn’t even considered sex to a lot of people. He found that he didn’t, however, mind the image of Obi-Wan bound in soft blue ropes. It might even be fun. 

There was just one problem. “If I tie you up, you know the rope’s going to get so tangled we’ll have to call someone to help you untangle it,” he said with a very serious face. 

Already he could see the plan falling apart. Him, trying to be sexy as he bound Obi-Wan’s arms and legs. Only for the knots to get tangled. And then even more tangled as he tried desperately to untangle them. Eventually culminating in him desperately trying to find a brother who A) wouldn’t make fun of him until the day he died and B) he didn’t care about losing their respect until the day he died. 

Obi-Wan grimaced as well. “Yes, you’re probably right. As much as I trust Quinlan, I know he’d never let me live it down. And Bant would give us both a talk on safe, sane, consensual sex that would kill the mood for the next year.” 

He groaned and buried his head in Cody’s neck. “Would handcuffs work?” 

They would. But, Cody didn’t like the idea of using the same cuffs on Obi-Wan that he used on criminals. 

“Probably for the best,” Obi-Wan continued, sensing his thoughts. “True handcuffs used for sex have a special release latch. We should probably use those instead.” 

“Good thinking.” Something nagged at him. “Where do we find sex handcuffs?” 

Obi-Wan pecked him on the lips. “I’ll pick some up tomorrow.” 

Cody kissed him back. “Thank you.” 

“Good. Now that that’s all sorted out,” he shimmied the rope off their shoulders and smiled at Cody with such a sappy look on his face. “Want to move this too the bedroom?” 

“Always.” He kissed him again. Once he pulled back, he took Obi-Wan’s hand in his and tugged him towards the bedroom. 

Softly, slowly, the removed each other’s clothing. Piece by agonizing piece. Though, Cody wasn’t feeling much agony as he stopped after each removal to kiss Obi-Wan. Gentle, but passionate. Chasing his heat. His taste. His body. His warmth. All of it was Cody’s, from now until the end of time. 

He lay Obi-Wan on the bed, stretched out and open for him. All for him. 

Cody let his hands skim down Obi-Wan’s sides, followed closely by his lips, teeth, and tongue. Drawing out soft gasps and sharp moans. 

When he entered him, after a lifetime of basking only in the surface level of his love, it was like coming home. The warmth. The pliant nature of his body. Nothing hurried. Everything savored. 

They could take their time now. 

They could spend as much time as they needed making love in the soft light of the Coruscant night. 

Obi-Wan was here, beneath his body. Present. Alive. Legs wrapped around Cody’s waist. Hands tangled in his hair as he urged him to go faster and harder. His voice a breathy whisper against his ear. 

Cody complied, of course. He couldn’t tell Obi-Wan no. Not when he asked so nicely and his moans were so sweet. 

If he died now, he’d die a happy man. 

“You can’t die now,” Obi-Wan chuckled. “You have that twenty year plan of yours to carry out.” 

Very true. 

Very good point. 

He had so much to look forward too. 

Not just good sex or a meaningful wedding. But life. So much of it he had to experience as a free man. So many planets he had to go to. So many foods he had to try. So many little pieces of life he had missed out on growing up on Kamino and then becoming a soldier. 

He wanted to experience all of it. 

He was getting close to his peak. Tonight he wouldn’t draw it out. Tonight, he’d let himself come when his body was ready to come. 

Sinking his teeth into the fleshy part of Obi-Wan’s shoulder, he reached his peak. Obi-Wan tumbled over his not long after. 

Both sweaty and satisfied. 

“Don’t know how handcuffs are going to make this much better,” Cody grumbled from where his face was smushed into Obi-Wan’s chest. He was pressed right up against the tattooed sunflower. It was almost too symbolic. 

Obi-Wan’s iron grip on his hair relaxed. He stroked his fingers through the curls. Occasionally, his nails would catch on Cody’s scalp, scratching ever so slightly. 

Cody’s eyes slipped closed as his body relaxed. 

“How long did you wait before getting this?” he asked, nudging the sunflower. 

Obi-Wan let out an embarrassed chuckle. “A truly shameful amount of time.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cody pushed himself up to face him. He actually didn’t know when he had gotten it. Mostly because he hadn’t made it a habit to see Obi-Wan naked. 

“It means that I got it very soon after meeting you. It was actually the fastest I had ever added to the bouquet,” he admitted, hands still stroking through Cody’s hair. His cheeks flamed just a bit. 

“How long?” 

“Oh, maybe about a month or so.” 

“A month! You knew you loved me after only a month?” 

Seriously, what had he done in a month that made Obi-Wan tattoo a giant sunflower right over his heart? 

Obi-Wan’s cheeks darkened further. “Well, er, not really?” 

He pressed a finger to the sunflower. “What do you mean ‘not really’? It’s literally over your heart.” 

“At the time I told myself it was because sunflowers are tall so naturally it had to be taller than the rest.” Obi-Wan buried his face in his hands. “Look, you’re a very attractive man and exactly my type and it seemed like a good idea at the time.” 

Cody shook his head fondly and tugged Obi-Wan back to him so they could cuddle properly. “A month. Really? I was that important to you after only a month?” 

He nodded. “I’ve told you, you’re a sun. But more than that, you’re an anchor. I knew I could count on you as soon as I saw you. I knew you’d be important to me. Maybe not then, but eventually. I was right, wasn’t it?” 

“Yeah, you were right.” He laughed, “So the others, though, those took longer?” 

“Yes. Well, other than Ahsoka’s. I did get her flower pretty soon after meeting her.” 

“What was the first one?” 

Obi-Wan buried his head in his hands again. “Satine.” he mumbled. 

“Satine?” He huffed out a laugh. 

“Don’t laugh. I was a very dramatic sixteen year old who just had my heart broken. I thought that this way we could be together without… you know, being together.” 

“You got it when you were sixteen?” Something about the image of a moody, teenage Obi-Wan sneaking out of the temple to get a flower of all things tattooed on his ribs was hilarious. He started laughing harder. 

“I didn’t say I made great decisions as a teenager!” 

“What’d your master say?” 

“He never found out. But if he had, I would have simply told him the “I was following the will of the Force.” 

On one hand, that excuse might actually work with Qui-Gon based on Cody’s brief interaction with him. On the other hand, even Qui-Gon had to have known that was a load of crap. 

“And you added the others later?” 

Obi-Wan nodded, settling back down as Cody quieted his laughs. 

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I love very easily.” 

“You’re very easy to love,” he said. 

“Yes, well. I love easily, but as a Jedi, should the people I love die, I need to let them go. That’s always been something I struggled with. Of course, attachment is hotly debated. And grief can come regardless of level of attachment.” He sighed. “I suppose I did this as a way to carry the people I love with me. So that if they died, I could keep some part of them around even as I let the rest of them go. Qui-Gon’s was the next I had done. And then while I was there, I decided to add Cerasi into the mix. Then it seemed silly not to include Quin, Siri, Bant, and Garen. Feemor was added a bit later. Along with Anakin. And, well, it just became tradition after that. Anyone I loved, no matter in what context, they got added.” 

Cody’s thumb stroked over the tattoo. “I think it’s beautiful.” 

“Even if I did tattoo a symbol of my love for you right across my heart after only a month?” 

He snorted. “Honestly, I’m surprised at your belief that no one else would ever occupy that spot.” 

“As if anyone could compete with you,” Obi-Wan mumbled, his body relaxing into Cody’s as sleep carried him off. 

Sleep did not come immediately for Cody, though.
He thought about that tattoo. And all the traditional ways they were getting married. 

They were handfasting. 

They were exchanging vambraces. 

They were exchanging rings. 

But they didn’t have anything that was well and truly theirs. No tradition that was just for them. That represented them. 

The thought of getting a tattoo that also represented Obi-Wan popped into his mind. 

And once it was there, it wouldn’t leave.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan sat at the table. Back straight and stiff. His heart fluttered in his chest as anxiety and nerves refused to let his stomach settle. 

In front of him were choices. 

Many, many, many choices. 

The wrong one could mean his doom. His death. A failure he’d never recover from. 

Sitting across from him was his interrogator. 

Face shrouded in shadow. 

Dark and looming. 

Hands clasped and resting on the table. 

Completely silent. 

Waiting for him to make his selection. 

Waiting for him to spell his doom. 

To seal his fate.

To destroy everything he had worked for. 

But Obi-Wan couldn’t stall. He couldn’t sit here and stare at his choices for another minute. 

Already, his interrogator was getting restless. Ansty. Irritated. The longer he took, the more irritated he would become. And then that would create a whole new problem Obi-Wan would have to deal with. 

Yes, better to choose now and choose wrong than to drag it out and have even worse consequences as a result. 

He reached out. His muscles tensing. His hand shook slightly. His hand hovered over the choice. His eyes flicked up, hoping his interrogator would give something away in his eyes. 

He didn’t. 

Staying as stoic and neutral as ever. 

Obi-Wan pulled his hand back. No. No. That one was all wrong. He needed another choice. A better choice. 

He took a deep breath and reached out once more. His hand hovered. His mind second-guessed everything that had come before. 

What if this was the wrong choice? 

What if there were no right choices? What if this was all just a test, and no matter what he picked, he’d fail miserably?

Well, the only way to know was to make a choice and stick with it. 

He swallowed and let his hand drop. “This one, I believe, is my preference.” 

Cody’s brow furrowed. 

Oh no. He made the wrong choice. 

“Snowdrop, Obi-Wan? Really? Why would you pick snowdrop of all colors?” 

Yep. Wrong choice. 

He groaned and leaned back in the chair, tipping his head back so he could stare at the ceiling instead of the two hundred different samples of white he had been looking at for the past hour. 

“Cody, these are for the napkins. I don’t care what color they are. If you don’t like snowbell–” 

“Snowdrop.” 

“Then pick which one you like best. I can’t tell the difference between all these whites.” 

Cody’s chair scraped as he stood up. 

Oh dear. Obi-Wan felt irritation flaring up through their bond. 

“What do you mean you don’t care? It’s your wedding too. I don’t want to plan this whole thing by myself.” 

“I care about the wedding.” Obi-Wan tilted his head back up to look at Cody. Cody, who was now pacing their rooms, looking more and more irritated by the second. “However, I feel like spending this much time on napkin colors of all things is ridiculous. No one cares about the color of our napkins. They’re going to use it to wipe their mouths and their children’s runny noses. It’s fine if it's snowdrop instead of eggshell.” 

“I’m sorry for trying to make the tables look nice. We can just scrap the whole thing then.” Cody ran his hands through his hair. His shoulders pinched up by his ears. 

“No, I’m not saying we should scrap the table decorations or tablecloths. I’m just saying that as far as our wedding goes, the napkins are the least important part. I don’t care what color we choose. It’s important to you, so go with what color you want.” 

“You think it’s ridiculous for me to care, though.” 

“I do not.” 

“Yes, you do. I can sense it through the bond.” Cody waved his arms in the air, gesturing with his hands. “You think it’s ridiculous that I care this much about strips of cloth used to wipe up spills. If you think it’s ridiculous, then just say it’s ridiculous.” 

Obi-Wan flinched. He didn’t want the argument to spiral further, and it was clear they were both emotional at the moment. 

So, he did what he was taught. He sat up straight and took a deep breath. 

“Oh, don’t do that,” Cody snapped. 

“Do what? What am I doing?” Obi-Wan snapped back. So much for trying to control his emotions. 

“That deep breathing thing you do when you think I’m acting like a child. I am not your child, Obi-Wan.” 

“I never said you were, and I’m not breathing this way because I’m frustrated with you.” 

“You could have fooled me,” Cody said. 

And maybe this was why relationships were discouraged in the order. Adding another person’s emotions into the mix made all of life so much more complicated. 

The thought alone made Obi-Wan sick, though. He didn’t care if Cody made his life more complicated. He didn’t care if he had his emotions mixed with his. He loved Cody, and he wanted him in his life. 

This wedding business was stressful. All the blogs said it would be. There were so many choices, opinions, and people to deal with. 

At first, Obi-Wan had scoffed at the idea. Surely these people just didn’t know how to handle stress. Surely these people didn’t have a wonderful, amazing, meticulous man as their partner to aid in the planning. 

No. The people were right. Obi-Wan was wrong. 

There were so many choices. 

There were a lot of opinions. 

There were a lot of people to deal with. 

And Cody, while lovely and meticulous, was also a perfectionist. He wanted Obi-Wan to agree to his high standards for this event. Standards Obi-Wan simply didn’t care about. And, truth be told, he didn’t think Cody really cared about them either. 

But Cody was Cody. 

Whenever he did something, he did it perfectly. Minus any fiber crafts. 

It didn’t matter if Cody actually cared about napkin colors or not. If they needed to choose a specific shade of white, it had to be the exact, most perfect shade of white there ever was. 

Sometimes, Obi-Wan wondered if a lot of Cody’s stress surrounding the wedding would be mitigated if Magedla had simply shown up with a napkin color and told them that was what they were going with. 

But no. 

They had to choose the napkins. 

And the tablecloths. 

And the tablecloth that went under the tablecloth. And the table runners. And the plates, forks, knives, spoons, wine glasses, beer glasses, various alcohol and cocktail glasses, dessert plates, soup bowls, chairs, and on and on and on and on. Millions of little things that Obi-Wan never even thought about in his daily life. 

No wonder people got stressed planning a wedding. All of these choices. And what if they chose wrong? 

No wonder Cody was so stressed with planning this wedding. 

Obi-Wan looked at his partner, now standing still in the middle of the room. Arms crossed. Seething quietly. 

Well, that wouldn’t do. 

He stood and walked over to him. He wrapped his arms around Cody’s waist and lay his head on his shoulder. 

Cody’s posture loosened just a bit. One of his hands unclenched from his own forearms to rest on Obi-Wan’s. 

“I’m sorry I made you feel like a child. I swear, that breath wasn’t directed at you. I was trying to control my own emotions before things spiraled even further.” 

Cody relaxed even further. The frustration bled away, leaving only shame at his actions. 

“I’m sorry I got worked up and shouted at you. You’re right. They’re just napkins. No one will notice if they’re cool-toned instead of warm-toned.” 

“Truth be told, I never even knew white came in so many shades. I swear, they all look the same to me. I know they’re not. But I could not tell you the difference under threat of death.” 

Cody hummed in agreement. “Love you.” 

“Love you too.” Obi-Wan tilted his face for a kiss, one Cody gladly gave him. 

“Do you care about the napkins, Cody? Truly? If so, maybe you can show me your favorites, and I can choose from there. I’d hate to make you do so much work, but that might help.” 

“I don’t. I really don’t. I just…” He let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s gotta be perfect.” 

“No, it doesn’t.” 

“See, that’s the thing. Logically, I know it doesn’t have to be. But I can’t stop myself from the stress of it all. It has to be perfect. I have to be perfect.” 

“Ah. I understand.” Obi-Wan said. Because he did understand. This wasn’t about the wedding. Not truly. 

This was about Cody. And how he was raised. Anything less than perfection meant decommissioning. And as a commander, Cody had to be more perfect than all his brothers combined. 

Even after Kamino, on the battlefield, anything less than perfection could be the difference between life and death. Victory and defeat. 

To Obi-Wan, this wedding was something fun to do. Something that didn’t need the sort of meticulous, methodical approach he used for missions. But Obi-Wan had the benefit of a decent childhood and experience failing without repercussion. 

Cody had no such privilege. Even if, logically, he knew that choosing the wrong napkin color wouldn’t lead to his decommissioning of the deaths of his brothers, emotionally, he hadn’t quite made that connection yet. Even with all the mind healing sessions, he might never be able to make that connection. 

Obi-Wan used the Force to start up the song he had chosen for their first dance. A task he volunteered for. 

Cody looked at him, his brows furrowed. 

“I want your opinion on our first dance,” Obi-Wan said, guiding Cody’s hands to his body. “I’m sorry, I’m not as coordinated as you, so those fancy ballroom dances you know will be out of the question. But I think this can be just as sweet.” 

Cody held him close. “It’s fine,” he said, burying his head in Obi-Wan’s neck. 

“None of that now, my love. You can be honest. Music is one thing I actually do know a thing or two about.” 

They spun and swayed in lazy, slow circles. The soft, gentle music floated through the apartment. 

“No. I like it. I do,” Cody said. He winced when Obi-Wan stepped on his toes. 

“Sorry. See. I told you, I’m a bad dancer.” 

Cody laughed and squeezed him tighter. “It’s not going to be perfect.” 

“Nothing’s perfect. Even you. Still can’t knit to save your life.” 

“You’re not perfect either,” Cody grumbled. 

“I am as close to perfect as a person can get.” 

“Not even close, Kenobi.” 

“You wound me. What happened to all that lovely poetry you recited to me?” 

“You can get lovely poetry without being perfect,” Cody said. His smile dropped. “I’m sorry for getting so worked up over the stupid napkins. And then taking it out on you.” 

“You’ve already apologized.” Obi-Wan put a hand to his cheek. “I’m sorry for not recognizing how stressed you were sooner. All the blogs warned me about the stress that came with planning a wedding. But I figured, you ran a war, this should be easier. I shouldn’t have assumed. And we should have had this conversation much earlier. Cody, this isn’t going to be perfect. It’s impossible. And it’s not worth your mental health to stress so much over a detail you don’t care about. The napkins are meaningless. Even this song is meaningless. You’re the only thing I need to make the wedding perfect.” 

Cody nodded, his eyes suspiciously wet. “I know. I know. But… I can’t… I can’t turn it off. I know it’s not going to be perfect. And it doesn’t need to be perfect. And I don’t care if it is perfect or not. But…” 

“I know, sunshine.” Obi-Wan pulled him back into a hug. Their swaying slowly came to a stop as they stood there in each other’s arms. “Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, please talk to me. No matter how trivial it seems. There has to be a way we can ease the burden on you. Even if it’s just letting Magedla pick out an option with no input from us whatsoever.” 

Cody laughed in his neck. “That would make the whole thing much easier.” 

“And Breha is paying her a hefty sum.” 

“Let’s come up with a list of things we don’t care about and have her just choose things.” 

“Like the napkins?” Obi-Wan smiled as the last of Cody’s stress melted away. 

“And the silverware. I mean, Force, why do we need to pick out so many tiny fucking forks and spoons? Who even needs that many cutlery?” 

“Rich people.” Obi-Wan laughed. 

“I think that’s a sign that they don’t have enough to do if they’re stressing over which fork to eat salad with.” Cody huffed. 

“Hmm, I’ll pass along your thoughts to the one percent.” He pulled back to look Cody in the eyes. “Feeling better?” 

He nodded and kissed Obi-Wan once more. “Love you, sunflower.” 

“Love you too.” He pulled Cody back to him. 

They continued to dance long after the song ended.

Chapter Text

The sounds of kissing filled the room. Lazy and slow. 

Obi-Wan sighed as Cody removed his lips from his to travel down to his collarbone. He pressed open-mouthed kisses and the occasional nip of teeth from one shoulder to the other. Tracing the bones. Marking the skin. Not enough to hurt. Just enough for a sting. 

And, of course, just hard enough to leave a trail of light marks and bruising. Though never high enough to peak from the folds of his robes. 

Obi-Wan was certain that most people knew he and Cody were having sex regularly. Practically every night, if he were being honest with himself. And oh, how those nights helped his stress levels tremendously. Still, it felt a bit indecent to blatantly show off the marks to the rest of the world. Besides, he liked it being a little secretive. Something just for them. 

“You’re thinking very loudly, cyare,” Cody muttered as he dragged his lips and tongue up the column of Obi-Wan’s throat, then back into his mouth. 

Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Cody’s shoulders and pulled him close. The simmering heat between their bodies was almost unbearable. 

They had been at this for hours. Just kissing. Nothing more. Though occasionally, Cody would slip his hands between their bodies to check and make sure Obi-Wan was still nice and open. If, and when, they finally got to having sex. 

Though he wasn’t in a hurry. 

It felt nice to have a long make-out session with the man he loved. There was something sweet, almost innocent, about simply lying in bed and kissing each other for hours. Plus, with how much stress their work and the wedding were putting on them, taking things slow and really luxuriating in each other’s bodies was just what they needed. 

Cody pulled away from Obi-Wan’s mouth, their lips sticking together for just a second before he dove back in to give Obi-Wan’s earlobe some love. 

“Just–ah!- just thinking about how much better the war would have been had I had sex more often.” 

Cody’s mouth traced back down his throat and back to his chest, taking one of his nipples in his mouth to give it a hard suck, complete with the stinging of teeth. 

“Ah!” Obi-Wan’s arms tightened around Cody’s shoulders, and his back arched off the bed, pressing their bodies even closer. The move put a bit more pressure on his poor cock. It had been rather neglected for the past hour or so. Desperate for release. But Cody knew how to place his body like a fiddle. He knew when to back off and when to push forward. All so that Obi-Wan wouldn’t come. 

He pulled off Obi-Wan’s chest with one last swirl of his tongue. “Are you saying even with all the work I did as Marshall Commander, it still wasn’t enough?” he teased. 

“Hardly,” Obi-Wan pulled him back down into a slow kiss, making sure to map Cody’s mouth thoroughly with his tongue. They pulled back. “In fact, I daresay your exquisite leadership was practically the only thing holding me together.” 

“Glad I was so…” Cody leaned down, their lips just a hair’s breadth away. “Exquisite,” he whispered into Obi-Wan’s mouth before diving back in. 

Obi-Wan’s eyes practically rolled to the back of his head with that kiss. And the way Cody said “exquisite”. He really should make a list of words he wanted Cody to say in bed. 

Really? Just a list of words? Cody thought through their bond. 

You should hear the way you say certain things. It drives me crazy. Obi-Wan responded. 

Like what?

Exquisite.

Obviously, given your reaction. 

Sweetheart. Especially when you let your voice get a little gravelly. He felt his body heat up. His hips bucking up into Cody’s heat, desperate for some more relief. 

Cody held firm, though. Just far enough away for him to be left hanging. Desperate. Wanting. Needing. 

Cody pulled back, placing his lips right by Obi-Wan’s ear. “Sweetheart,” he said, letting his voice get just a little gravelly. 

“Oh, just like that,” Obi-Wan breathed, his back arching once more. “Honestly, anything you say could get me going.” 

“Want me to recite the Reg Manual? We could put that theory to the test.” 

“Maybe some other time,” Obi-Wan responded. Though he knew without a shadow of a doubt that if Cody recited the reg manual in just the right way, it would have him hot and bothered in an instant. He wasn’t sure if he was willing to give up his dignity following that reveal quite yet, though.

Instead, he decided to be a bit bold. To take a bit of a risk. While Cody was distracted once more with his throat, Obi-Wan slung a leg over his hip and used his weight to flip their positions. 

Cody let out an adorable little “oomph” as his back hit the mattress, his mouth detaching from Obi-Wan’s skin. 

Obi-Wan’s thighs parted, and he settled his weight onto Cody’s hips. A sudden burst of trepidation washed through his body. 

“Is this okay?” he asked. 

Cody’s hands went to his hips, fingers flexing and digging into the skin. 

All of their sexual encounters up until this point had had Cody taking the lead. Cody in charge. Cody being the more dominant one. This was partly because Cody’s lack of experience relative to Obi-Wan made him less sure about what he liked in the bedroom, and therefore, the one who needed to be more upfront about what he liked and didn’t like. 

But they also typically let him lead because of the past. Up until very recently, Cody was Obi-Wan’s subordinate. Technically, he was a slave all but in name. While they both took great pains to even the playing field as much as possible, and they did not engage in any sexual relationship until after the war, it still hung over both of their heads. 

Obi-Wan, afraid that somewhere deep down, Cody’s years of programming to please the Jedi were still running. Still pushing his own wants and desires to the back, forcing himself into this relationship because it's what Obi-Wan wanted. Not what he wanted. 

And Cody, still reeling from not having any say in his life until recently. Trying and testing the boundaries of his new freedom. Getting used to asking for what he wanted without repercussions. Without fear. Without doing mental backflips to figure out what those around him wanted. 

They had talked about this at length and often. They checked in with each other, discussed their thoughts and feelings, and pushed each other out of their comfort zones millimeter by millimeter. 

But this was the first time Obi-Wan had so brazenly attempted to take charge. Sure, he had ridden Cody before. But only after he was placed there by Cody’s hands. Nudged there by his mind. Clearly told that was how Cody envisioned the night going. But, if they ever wanted this relationship to truly be equal, then Obi-Wan was going to have to ask for what he wanted too. He was going to have to trust Cody to tell him no if he was uncomfortable. He was going to have to believe Cody when he said he was comfortable. 

He watched Cody’s expression carefully. Watching his throat bob. His tongue darts out to swipe across kiss-swollen lips. His gaze was on where Obi-Wan’s thighs parted over his hips, before dragging up his torso to meet his eyes. 

“It’s okay if you’re not,” Obi-Wan reached out to stroke his cheek. “I want to take care of you, though. You do so much work. Relax and let me do the work for once, my love.” 

Cody swallowed. His hands flexed once more on Obi-Wan’s hips, leaving half-moon indents from his nails. 

“Are you okay? Do you want to continue?” Obi-Wan asked. 

He knew how hard it was for Cody to give up control. To let someone else take charge. To let someone else lead. Especially now that he got a taste for what it was like when he was the sole person in charge. When he didn’t have to answer to anyone else. When his word was law. 

Finally, he relaxed his hands. “Yeah. I’m okay. I want this.” He took a deep breath and settled into the pillows, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. 

Obi-Wan reached out in the Force just to make sure Cody wasn’t forcing himself to do something he didn’t want to do. 

He did feel a bit of anxiety. But mostly, he found excitement. He found Cody thinking about how hot it was for Obi-Wan to flip him so easily. How much he liked to feel his weight on his hips. How nice it was to sit back and relax. How it’d be similar to when Obi-Wan massaged lotion into his hands and oil into his curls. 

He untangled himself from Cody’s thoughts and trusted him to say something should he become uncomfortable. 

He had asked. He had assured Cody they could stop at any time. Cody confirmed verbally and emotionally that he was fine with continuing. He trusted that was the case. 

“You’ve been working so hard.” He reached back to grab Cody’s cock and guide it into his body. A rather unflattering affair. 

Then again, he couldn’t think of a single instance in which guiding a cock into a hole, any hole in any position, was flattering. It was probably the least sexy part of sex. Though definitely a rather important and necessary part if penetration was on the table. 

Cody let out a low groan, his head tipping back and his hands gripping onto Obi-Wan’s hips as he sank down inch by inch onto that glorious, thick length until he settled once more on Cody’s hips. 

“So hard,” he breathed. “Cleaning up Palpatine’s mess. Making our wedding beautiful and perfect. Picking out those damn ribbons to tie around the silverware.” 

“I was about to kill Magedla when she told me we still had to pick out damn ribbons to tie around the napkins that would be around the silverware,” Cody grunted. 

His eyes squeezed shut, and his brow furrowed. 

Obi-Wan reached up to smooth it with his fingers. “Relax for me, sunshine. I’m doing all the work here. You have nothing to do but sit back and enjoy.” 

“Don’t want to blow too soon,” Cody said. 

“Don’t worry about it. I can get myself off easily enough. And we could always use your mouth,” he replied. 

Cody let out another moan. Obi-Wan could feel his thighs tensing up. The quads were thickening just enough to lift Obi-Wan’s hips forward slightly. 

No use torturing the man. He did want this to be enjoyable after all. 

He started slow. Rolling his hips in a soft, gentle motion. Barely a movement at all. Just enough for them both to get used to the position and for him to get used to the delicious stretch. 

“How’s your leg?” Cody asked, panting as he fought to keep control over himself. 

“Just fine, love. Don’t worry about me. In fact, don’t worry about anything. Just sit back and feel all the pleasure I can offer you tonight. You did such a wonderful job opening me up. Did you feel me slide right on?” To emphasize his point, he lifted his hips an inch and dropped back down. 

“Yes!” Cody gasped. 

“And you’re doing such a good job sitting still for me. I know how much you want to plant your feet and buck up into me. Maybe later. Right now, I’m doing all the work.” 

“Force, yes!” Cody gasped as Obi-Wan bounced a little higher on his cock. “Fuck, baby. You’re going to kill me.” 

“It’s a wonderful way to go. Between my thighs. Your lovely cock inside me. Pulsing. Hot. Desperate for friction.” He lifted himself up onto his knees. Instead of dropping back down, he lowered down slowly, making sure Cody could feel every inch of him sinking back into his body. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Cody gripped Obi-Wan’s hips tight enough to leave bruises. But he still let Obi-Wan keep the pace. 

He repeated the action. Raising up on his knees until just the tip remained, and then slowly lowering back down until Cody sat snugly in his body. 

“It’s such a perfect fit,” he said, breathless. “You feel so big inside me. Splitting me open like this. I love the stretch. I love the burn. I love how slow you go when you want to love me properly.” 

Cody wasn’t even saying words at this point. Just a series of guttural growls and moans. His back arched off the bed as he tried to chase Obi-Wan’s heat. Obi-Wan planted his hands on Cody’s chest to keep his balance. The last thing they needed was for him to tip over and twist Cody’s dick. That would be a mortifying trip to the Halls of Healing. Even if he was certain Master Che had seen much worse. 

A bunch of horny, force-sensitive adolescents all in one building led to some very interesting positions and experiments.

“Want to fill me in on these experiments?” Cody panted, his eyes still squeezed shut. 

“Maybe later. Right now, I want you to relax.” 

“Impossible to do that, mesh’la, when you seem committed to killing me. Going as slow as you are.” 

Obi-Wan slid up and down Cody’s cock a few more times, letting his eyes roll into the back of his head as it brushed the bundle of nerves that sent lightning zipping up his spine. 

“I suppose it is cruel to keep you wound up like this. Though it’s only fair after you spent so long winding me up earlier.  You wouldn’t even let me grind against you.” 

“You are an evil, vindictive man,” Cody ground out. “Isn’t this supposed to be for me? It feels like this is all about you.” 

Obi-Wan chuckled. Yes, he should get this show on the road. They did have to get up tomorrow and do stuff. He highly doubted Master Windu would be amused to find out Obi-Wan missed a council meeting because he stayed up late the previous night having sex. 

“Alright, alright. Let me take care of you. Lay back, my love. This will feel good.” 

Cody breathed through his nose and lay his head back. Trying to relax, though clearly too wound up to do anything more than that. 

Obi-Wan leaned forward slightly to plant his hands on either side of Cody to give him a bit more leverage. 

Wiggling his hips and earning another choked groan from Cody, he found the perfect position. This time, when he lifted off Cody’s hips, he let himself drop down, bouncing a little as he hit Cody’s skin. 

Cody groaned, grinding his teeth together. 

Obi-Wan kept with this rhythm for a bit. Not too fast. Not too slow. But he was still a man. A very wound-up man who was feeling good the more and more he bounced on his lover’s glorious cock. 

And what a cock it was. Thick. Throbbing. Hot in his body. Stretching him to the breaking point. Filling him up so perfectly, it was like they were made for each other. 

Below him, Cody was making the most wonderful sounds. Typically, he wasn’t very vocal in bed. Perhaps that was because he enjoyed latching his teeth onto Obi-Wan’s skin and muffling his cries. 

But like this, lying back on the bed, no skin anywhere near his mouth, he had no other option but to let his cries free. They sounded almost as good as when he was speaking actual words. And to know Obi-Wan had caused this wonderfully brilliant man to devolve into guttural cries, groans, and grunts made the heat in his gut flare up all the stronger. 

He found himself bouncing faster, harder on Cody’s cock. Somehow getting it deeper and deeper with every thrust. 

Cody’s control snapped, as Obi-Wan knew it would eventually. He was honestly surprised he held out this long. His hands gripped Obi-Wan’s hips. His feet planted on the bed. And then he thrusted, hard and rough, up into Obi-Wan’s body. 

“Oh, yes!” Obi-Wan cried, throwing his head back in ecstasy as he chased Cody back down. 

The two of them moved in tandem. Cody thrusting upwards while Obi-Wan dropped himself down. Over and over and over again. The bed beneath their bodies squeaked. The frame rattled against the wall. 

Both of them cried out, panting, wailing as the pleasure built to a pressure neither could ignore. 

Obi-Wan came first. His entire body went taut for a second before the muscles relaxed like a puppet whose strings had been cut. 

But he wasn’t finished yet. Cody still needed to be taken care of.

Mustering up what little strength he had left, he planted his hands on Cody’s chest, pinning him to the mattress, and riding him as fast and as hard as his legs would allow, squeezing his muscles on the way down to make everything even tighter. 

It didn’t take long like this. 

As he dropped down for the last time, Cody’s body arched off the bed, and he came inside him. 

The force of the action drove Obi-Wan forward, so he fell on Cody’s chest. 

As they came down from their orgasms, their breathing still heavy, Obi-Wan peeled an eye open to look at his lovely husband. 

“How was that?” He seemed to enjoy it. But he wanted to make sure everything was still good.

“You killed me,” Cody groaned. “The damn war didn’t kill me, but you did.” Despite his complaining, he nudged at Obi-Wan’s head with his nose. 

Obi-Wan chuckled and dutifully lifted it so Cody could kiss his forehead. 

“You’re rather amorous for a corpse, sunshine.” 

“Shut up and cuddle me.” 

“Yes, dear.” 

****

Cody had thought over his tattoo idea for a while now. He hadn’t told anyone because he didn’t want anyone to make a big deal out of it until he was sure. And, given the fact that everyone knew about his marriage before he did, he wasn’t confident that if he went to one brother to discuss the possibility of getting a tattoo, it wouldn’t be all over the GAR and Jedi networks by the end of the day. 

Cody had never gotten a tattoo before. They were against the rules, and he needed to be a good example for everyone. 

At least, that’s what he told himself. 

In reality, he couldn’t figure out what he’d want on his body for the rest of his life. What if he liked the design now, but regretted it in a few years? What if he got something he was ashamed of? Or wouldn’t represent him one day? 

He was a control freak, through and through. And the idea that one day he might have something permanently etched onto his body that he chose but no longer liked gave him nightmares. 

But the thought of getting a tattoo that represented Obi-Wan just wouldn’t leave.

The only problem. What should he get? 

He did some research. After all, gathering intel was the first step in planning a campaign. 

That’s where he ran into his first issue. 

Everyone seemed to agree that unless the person was dead, you shouldn’t get a tattoo of their name. It was practically a guarantee of breaking up in the future. Several tattoo artists flocked to the holonet to tell tales of people who got their girlfriend’s and boyfriend’s names tattooed on their bodies, only to break up and need to spend more money to either cover it up or get it removed. 

So, there went the simple idea of getting Obi-Wan’s name or initials somewhere on his body. 

Not that that was ever a serious contender. It did feel a bit too much like ownership to Cody. Like Obi-Wan owned him and was putting his name on Cody to let other people know. 

But Obi-Wan did have a tattoo that already represented Cody. A sunflower. Right over his heart. So, it might work to do more of a representation than a literal name. 

The only problem? 

Cody wasn’t creative. Especially when it came to symbolism. 

He thought metaphors and most similes were literal until it was finally explained to him that, no, the author wasn’t literally saying the person was as tall as a tree. Just that they were tall, like a tree. 

It still confused him. 

He managed poetry well enough, eventually. After a lot of practice and reading Fives’s weird love poems to learn what not to do. 

Even then, it didn’t seem to make much sense to him why comparing Obi-Wan to a supernova seemed more romantic than comparing him to a raging rancor. 

Obi-Wan seemed to like it, though. He listened to Cody’s attempts at poetry with a soppy expression on his face every time. And he wasn’t just pretending to like it either. Cody could tell in the Force that he genuinely found his fumbling attempts at metaphors to be charming and romantic and not fumbling at all. 

But while he got the poetry down, trying to distill Obi-Wan into one image seemed to push his creative skills to the limit. 

But, finally, he figured out something he thought would represent Obi-Wan perfectly. 

Which meant now he needed to talk to his brothers. 

“You want a tattoo!” Wolffe shouted. Thankfully, Cody had the foresight to do this in a private meeting room and not around a bunch of people.

“Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” Rex said. 

“It’s not that big of a deal. Obi-Wan’s got a tattoo that represents me. I thought it might be romantic to get one that represents him. But this has to stay between us.” He turned to look Rex right in the eyes. “If I find out Fives knows about this, at all, I will kill you. And they will never find your body.” 

“I promise, I will not tell Fives about this.” 

“Or Skywalker.” 

“Or Skywalker.” 

“Or Ahsoka.” 

“Or Ashoka.” 

“Or–” 

“We got it, vod,” Bly said. “No one will know.” 

“Even if we did tell them, I doubt they’d believe us. I think you’re the only brother in the GAR who still doesn’t have a tattoo.” Gree said. 

Cody looked to Fox, who hadn’t looked up from his datapad. “When’d you get a tattoo?” 

“After Palpatine died a horrible death. It’s a picture of me punching him in the dick.” Fox answered. 

“Classy.” 

Fox flipped him off. 

“So, what are you going to get?” Bly said. “He was the resident tattooist of their batch. Cody trusted him to take this seriously. 

He cleared his throat, his heart pounding in his chest. For some reason, he was nervous to share this detail. It was such an intimate thing. A piece of himself exposed to the world. 

This wasn’t just marrying Obi-Wan; this was marking his body permanently. No matter what happened, he’d always carry Obi-Wan with him. They could dissolve a marriage. Or, at least move very far away from each other. 

But with a tattoo, Obi-Wan would always be a part of him. It was practically declaring that they’d be together and happy forever. That thought exhilarated and frightened Cody in equal measure. 

He opened his mouth to tell them his brilliant idea. 

“If it’s the symbol of the Jedi order with a sun behind it, I’m going to punch you,” Wolffe growled. 

“What’s wrong with that as a tattoo?” Cody whirled around to his brother. Was he really that predictable? 

“You’re not marrying the Jedi Order. You’re marrying one Jedi in the order.” He argued back. 

“So? It’s not a bad idea. Is it, Rex?” He turned to his favorite brother. 

Rex rubbed the back of his neck and refused to look him in the eyes. 

Scratch that. Rex was his least favorite brother. Where was Echo? 

“You cannot get the Jedi Order symbol tattooed on your body,” Bly groaned. 

“Why not? He’s a Jedi. He’s the best Jedi there is.” 

“Debatable,” Gree said. 

“Cody, think about it.” Fox finally put down the datapad. “This is something that’s supposed to represent him. But he’s not just a Jedi. He’s so much more than that. Just like you’re not just a clone. Or just a general. Or just a pain in my ass who's wasting my time when I could be figuring out why Palpa-dick’s robe budget was higher than the GDP of some small planets.” 

“Is that really what you’re working on?” Bly tried to look over Fox’s shoulder and onto the datapad. 

“Yes,” he hissed. 

“Fox is right,” Wolffe said. “The Jedi Order symbol is… It’s not him. It’s a part of him, but it’s too simplistic. And it’s not really romantic.” 

“He has the Jedi Order symbol tattooed on his body,” Cody mumbled. 

“Well, he’s an actual Jedi. It makes sense.” Gree said. “Come on, vod, you can do better than that. What else does he like?” 

Cody flipped through his extensive list of Obi-Wan’s likes and dislikes. “He likes tea.” 

An idea popped into his head. 

He opened his mouth.

“Do not tattoo a fucking teacup onto your body. Are you fucking stupid?” Fox said. 

“He likes tea, though.” 

“Don’t do it,” Gree growled. 

“What if the Jedi Symbol was on the teacup?”

“I refuse to put that on your body,” Bly said. 

“Ori’vod,” Rex said, pulling Cody’s attention back to him. “I think you’re being too literal about this. Yes, he likes tea and is a Jedi. But you don’t want to represent parts of him. You want to represent all of him.” 

Cody groaned and sank back in his chair. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I spent weeks trying to figure this out, and I don’t have any other ideas.” 

“Well, what does he have that represents you?” Bly asked. 

“What?” 

“You said he has a tattoo that represents you. What is it?” 

“Oh,” Cody blushed. “A, um, sunflower. He’s got this bouquet of flowers that represents important people in his life. I’m the sunflower.” 

“Why don’t you do something like that, then?” Bly said. “I’m sure you could find all sorts of books on different things in nature and what they symbolize. Like you could look at animals or flowers, or even the weather if you’d like.” 

“You think he’d like that?” 

Bly nodded. “Jedi have a pretty intense connection with the world, including plants and animals. So you’d be representing that part of him. And then you could pick and choose different symbols based on how you see him.” 

“It’s a hell of a lot better than a damn teacup,” Fox grumbled. 

“Says the guy who has a picture of himself kicking Palpatine in the dick permanently tattooed on his body.” 

“It’s a Force-damn masterpiece, and you know it.” 

“Look,” Bly stepped in before the argument could escalate. “Look around the Archives, see if anything pops out at you. Remember, this isn’t literally Master Kenobi. It’s how you see him. I think that’s a lot more romantic than a random teacup.” 

“What if it’s his favorite teacup?” 

“Get out.”

Chapter Text

It’s a sunny, bright day in Coruscant. The head of Spienfeld’s, Gruta, has gathered the consultants to discuss brides and grooms who don’t come from a wedding-heavy culture.

Gruta stared at her various consultants, organized in a semi-circle around her. Each and every one of them was dressed stylishly, but simply. A sort of minimal elegance that told the brides and grooms that they knew fashion, but they also weren’t going to upstage them with gaudy, bright outfits. Most were wearing black, with tailored, sharp blazers and neatly pressed skirts and trousers. A few of them had pops of color to elevate their outfits. Perhaps a pocket square folded impeccably and placed into a breast pocket. Or a silk tie with a pattern. Maybe the hint of a red sole on a stiletto. 

Enough for fashion. But not enough to be the center of attention. 

Even their jewelry was kept plain, minimal, but with a hint of luxury. A simple diamond tennis bracelet here. A pair of dangly, teardrop-shaped pearl earrings there. Everything was organized and tailored just so. 

“Alright, consultants,” Gruta said as she read through her notes for the day. A pair of thick, black-rimmed glasses rested on her nose. She personally liked to remind brides and grooms of their mothers. A sort of figure whom they could trust to give them her honest opinion, but still wanted the best for them. 

“Today, we’re going to discuss brides and grooms who come from cultures where weddings either don’t exist, or exist in a very minimal scope.” 

The consultants nodded and scribbled notes onto their notepads. 

“When working with these clients, we need to be mindful that they don’t have anything to base their wants on. They haven’t been to many weddings. They haven’t dreamed like most brides and grooms. They often don’t know all the terminology. Some may not even know what they want and have done very little research into their options. They’ll get easily overwhelmed. Some may even say yes to anything, not wanting to cause a stir.” 

The consultants scribbled more notes on their notepads. 

“It is your job to communicate with them. Make sure to get them to be as specific as possible. Have them vocalize what they like and don’t like about each garment they try on. Spend some time getting to know them and their preferences outside of wedding attire. And give them plenty of breaks to decompress and think through their options. Okay?” 

“Yes, ma’am,” the consultants said in chorus.

“Great. Now, let’s get out there and make some dreams come true!” 

The first groom of the day is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who, not only comes from a culture that has very few weddings, but also is getting married in just two short months.

“Hello, my name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. And I am… Do I really have to say my age?” Obi-Wan asked as he turned to look off camera. “Really? Why do they need to know?” 

He sighed and turned back to the camera. “I am thirty-six years old, and I am getting married to Cody.” 

A montage of images began to play, showing Obi-Wan and Cody together. Though in most of them it was difficult to tell they were a couple. More than a few of them had the two standing several feet apart as they looked down at a map, brows furrowed. Obi-Wan was stroking his beard while Cody had his hands clasped behind his back. 

“Cody is the most wonderful man I have ever met. He’s strong, smart, and driven. He’s so wonderful with children and very dedicated to his family and his people. He really does push me to be better. I hope I do the same for him. And every day I wonder what I did to deserve such a wonderful person to want to spend the rest of his life with me,” Obi-Wan said with a soft, almost sad smile on his face. 

Someone off-camera said something. 

“Oh, you want to know how we met?” Obi-Wan’s brow furrowed. “Force, that’s not a very romantic story. Um, well, I was his Jedi General during the war.” A look of horror crossed over Obi-Wan’s face. 

“But we did not get together until after the war! No HR violations here. Well, technically, it wasn’t after the war. Our first kiss was after he took me as a Prisoner of War and then decapitated a fallen Jedi who was trying to kill us both. He kissed me first. But I did accidentally bond our souls together in the Force before that. Granted, it wasn’t that much of an accident. I was trying to stop him from getting himself killed. But it was a much more intense bond than I had anticipated. The lines as to who had more power than whom at the time were very blurry,” Obi-Wan rambled before burying his head in his hands. “See. I told you. Not very romantic.” 

The door to Speinfeld’s opened, and Obi-Wan stepped in with his entourage. 

A young, torgurtan girl let out a very high-pitched squeal and rushed into the store. “These dresses are so pretty, Master! Look at this one!” She pulled a particularly sparkly number from the rack to show Obi-Wan. 

He made a face. “I don’t think I have the cleavage to pull that off, my dear Ahsoka.” He checked the tag on the inside and wrinkled his nose. “Or the waistline. Is anyone actually thin enough to fit into any of these dresses? Do brides and grooms not eat?” 

A Kiffar, who was not wearing sleeves, wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Don’t worry, Obi-Wan. I’m sure we’ll find the perfect outfit for you. What about this one?” 

“I’m sure that’d be perfect if I wanted to look like a cupcake. Force, you could fit a whole army under that skirt. I suppose it is perfect for a bride who doesn’t wish to touch her fiancé,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Oh, my entourage?” Obi-Wan asked. “Yes, I brought my former padawan, Anakin. My current padawan, Ahsoka. My friends, Bant, Garen, Siri, and Quin. My padawan-brother, Feemor. And Master Plo. I read online that it was nice to have a parental figure at these sorts of things. Given that the closest thing I had to a father died in my arms about ten years ago, he’s sort of out of the question.”

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes and looked around. “Though he has gotten better at manifesting himself outside of dreams, as of late. So, he might show up. Who knows.” 

He shrugged. “Truthfully, everyone at the Temple wanted to come. And more than a few of Cody’s brothers. But Mace said they couldn’t, and I had to choose. I thought there was going to be a blood bath with the Council as to who was going to accompany me.” 

He looked a little unsure of himself. “Is… is that too many people? All this wedding stuff seems to vary wildly about just how many people you’re supposed to bring.” 

Kasandi, the Speinfeld’s consultant, stepped into the room as Obi-Wan sat on the circular, white, plush bench, chatting with his entourage. 

She smiled brightly and stuck her hand out. “Hi, I’m Kasandi. And who’s the one getting married?” 

“Oh, that would be me,” Obi-Wan replied, leaning forward to shake her hand. “Pleasure to meet you, my dear. I’m Obi-Wan.” 

“Aren’t you a charmer?” Kasandi said, blushing slightly. She shook everyone else’s hands and got their names and their relationship to Obi-Wan. 

“Big entourages are often a red flag,” Kasandi said to the camera. “A lot of opinions are flying around, and it can confuse the bride and groom. But, in this case, I think it could actually be a benefit since Obi-Wan comes from a culture where weddings aren’t a big deal. I’m hoping these people can help me really pinpoint what Obi-Wan would feel the most comfortable in.” 

“Why don’t we come back to the dressing rooms and you can tell me a bit about what you’re looking for?” Kasandi said. 

“Good luck with that,” Ahsoka snorted. “I couldn’t even get him to make a Spinterest Board of ideas.” 

“My dear padawan, I don’t know what a 'Spinterest' is. It sounds like a venereal disease.” 

Ahsoka rolled her eyes and handed Obi-Wan a mini-datapad. “I offered to teach you how to make one. See. I made my own dream wedding dress board.” 

Obi-Wan took the mini-pad and held it out at arm’s length, putting on a pair of readers and looking down at it. “Force, these are very ornate dresses. And very large. How many people are you planning on getting married to, young lady?” 

“Maybe just one. But I’ll wear multiple different dresses. Some people have a ceremony dress, a reception dress, and then an after-party dress.” 

Obi-Wan handed the mini-pad back to her. “Three dresses for one event? Seems extravagant.” 

“So, tell me about the wedding,” Kasandi said as she and Obi-Wan sat down in the dressing room. 

“It’s at the Jedi Temple.” 

“Oh, that sounds so lovely to include your culture like that.” 

Obi-Wan beamed. “It is. And the theme is a cool-toned, jewel-toned tea room in autumn at sunset. Or some combination thereof.” 

Kasandi laughed. “Very specific.” 

“Cody is a very specific man. That’s one of the reasons I love him so much.” His smile turned sappy. 

“Aw.” Kasandi practically melted in her chair. “So, in terms of clothing, what are we thinking?” 

Obi-Wan blinked. “Truthfully, I have no idea.” 

“That’s not a problem. That is why I am here to help. Let’s start simple. Are we thinking more masculine or feminine styles?” 

“Masculine, if you please, my dear.” 

She nodded. “I can do that. And you have this very specific theme. But what does that look like? Dark and moody? Simple and elegant? Relaxed? Over the top?” 

“Ah, very good questions.” Obi-Wan thought about it for a moment. “Simple, is a good word to describe it. Perhaps not elegant, though. More… natural, I suppose. Like an old-growth tree. Warm. Comfortable. Inviting.” 

“All good things that I can certainly make happen. And what’s the budget?” 

“Considering I have a current queen and a former queen bankrolling my wedding, unlimited.” 

Kasandi’s grin widened. “Unlimited is my favorite word. Alright, I’ll go pull some items, and we can go from there. I’ll be right back.” 

“Thank you, my dear,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m sure whatever you choose will be wonderful.” 

“Obi-Wan seems like he’s going to be a difficult client,” Kasandi told the cameras as video of her rushing through the bridal shop played. “He seems like he’s willing to go with anything. But that can sometimes be more trouble than the clients who know exactly what they want. I’m really going to have to make sure he’s not saying yes to something he doesn’t truly love simply because he doesn’t want to cause a fuss. This is his wedding. And he has every right to wear something that represents himself and his relationship with Cody.” 

A video of Kasandi pulling a suit off a hangar played. 

“Thankfully, he has given me something to work with. Masculine. Simple. Not too fussy. I don’t know if this will be a winner, but I think it’ll get his mind in ‘wedding clothes’ mode and lead him to be more picky about what he wants.” 

For Obi-Wan’s first look, Kasandi has chosen this simple but elegant Spazarro suit for twenty thousand credits. 

“Oh my,” Obi-Wan said as Kasandi stepped back into the dressing room. 

“I have presents,” she said in a sing-song voice. “I chose this one because it’s pretty simple and classic. But there’s still some elegance with the deep black that I think will go well with your jewel-tones. And then we have this crushed velvet for the lapels to give it a bit of movement and texture.” 

Obi-Wan smiled at her. “Let’s get it on.” 

As he pulled on the suit, his mouth twisted. 

“Talk to me, Obi-Wan. What don’t you like about it?” Kasandi asked as she put the finishing touches on the bowtie.

“It’s fine,” he replied. 

“We’re not going for fine. We’re going for something that will forever represent one of the happiest days of your life.” 

Obi-Wan looked down at her. “And I’m telling you, this is fine.” 

She knew that this wasn’t the final outfit. But, she wasn’t going to get a lot out of Obi-Wan. Perhaps showing his friends and family would help him vocalize what he didn’t like about it. 

They stepped out of the room. The entourage gasped on cue. A few even put their hands to their mouths with the appropriate level of happiness painting their features. 

“What do you think?” Obi-Wan asked as he stepped onto the platform. 

“Well, it makes you…” Quin looked over to Ahsoka, “Assets look great.” 

“Nice save,” Siri whispered. 

“I’m trying my best,” Quin hissed back. 

“Exactly,” Obi-Wan said. “It’s a good suit.” He turned to face the entourage. 

Kasandi stepped forward. “Anakin, I see you making a face. What are you thinking?” 

“I just… It doesn’t look like you.” 

“Well, my dear padawan, you’ve never really seen me outside of my Jedi robes,” Obi-Wan said, fiddling with the cuffs.

“It’s not that, though. It’s like… this is the kind of thing you wear because you have to. Not because you want to.” 

“I agree,” Bant said. “You look like you’ve been forced to attend a Gala with a bunch of senators. Sure, you’re doing your best to look nice. But everyone can tell you’d rather not be there.” 

“Tough crowd,” Obi-Wan muttered as he turned back to the mirror. He studied himself for a bit and then continued. “But, perhaps you’re right. The suit is a bit too formal, I think. Lovely though.” 

“Perhaps something with a bit more movement would be nice,” Master Plo suggested. 

The entourage muttered in agreement. 

Kasandi nodded. Now, she was getting somewhere. “Alright. Let’s get you out of this. I’ll see what else I can find.”

“I want to see him in something very sparkly,” Ahsoka said. “Like, covered in diamonds.” 

“You know he’s never going to wear that,” Anakin asked. “He’s boring. All his clothes are boring. We’re lucky he agreed to wear something other than Jedi robes at all.” 

“Yeah, but it would still be fun for him to put it on,” Ahsoka replied. 

“I still can’t believe you convinced him to go on this show.” Anakin shook his head. 

“Hell yeah, I did. So, pay up!” Ahsoka held out her hand so Anakin could put a fistful of credits in her palm. She giggled. “This is going to give me so much movie money.” 

“Ten credits says he’ll just end up wearing his Jedi robes anyway,” Anakin said. 

“You’re on.” Ahsoka shook his hand. 

“I want in on that!” Quin shouted, jumping into the frame. 

“Oh, me too!” Bant said. 

“I’ll bet that it’s not Jedi robes he wears, but something very similar,” Feemor said. “Jedi Robes, but elevated.” 

“Those don’t exist, and you’re going to lose,” Ahsoka cackled. 

For Obi-Wan’s next look, Kasandi has chosen this simple satin tux from Spera Wang, costing fifteen thousand credits. 

“Obi-Wan’s main complaints about the last suit were that it was too formal,” Kasandi said. “So, I’m trying this white tux from Spera Wang that’s a little more organic. You’ve got some looser lines and a much lighter material. But, I don’t know how he’s going to feel about the white.” 

“Oh no,” Obi-Wan said as soon as she stepped in the door. 

Kasandi laughed. “I take it you don’t like the white?” 

“Cody has banned snowdrop from our wedding entirely. There was an argument about napkins being that color and everything.” 

“This does come in a couple of different shades of white.” Kasandi pulled out her datapad to show Obi-Wan more options. “I do think this white is too white. It'll be too stark against the jewel tones. But something more like champagne to bring in a little warmth and naturalness to the suit might be perfect for you.” 

“Yes, but isn’t white supposed to be because the bride is virginal? I’m hardly a virgin." 

“Don’t worry, most of our brides aren’t. But white is a very simple, classic color. The suit itself is a lot less formal. A lot more fluid.” 

Obi-Wan still didn’t seem convinced. “I’m envisioning stains on it already.” 

“Let’s try it on and see if there’s anything you like about it. Then we can go from there.” 

“I’m putting my wedding day look in your hands.” He bowed to her and then got dressed. As he did, his frown only deepened. 

“Talk to me, Obi-Wan. What’s going on?” 

“I really just do not like the white,” he said. “Perhaps it would look better in a less… stark color. But right now, I rather feel like I’m about to be sacrificed in a cult ritual. And I do not like the shine.” 

“No problem. Some grooms try on a dozen or more suits before they find the right one. So, two isn’t bad. Do you want to show your friends and family?” 

Obi-Wan shook his head. “I already know this one is a no. No sense wasting their time.” 

“Alright. I’ll go back on the floor and see what I can find for you.” 

“I really am stuck,” Kasandi sighed. “I just know that there’s something in this store that is a perfect match for Obi-Wan. But, at the same time, nothing really feels like it is him. I’m going to have to bring in the big guns if I want him to say Yes to the Space Dress.” 

Facing a dead end, Kasandi decides it's time to consult Randy and see if he has any ideas for a simple, natural look for Obi-Wan. 

Kasandi found Randy in the back of the store, running inventory on dresses. There was white everywhere, with thousands of outfits stacked to the ceiling. 

“Hi, Randy,” Kasandi said. 

“Hi, Kasandi.” Randy put down his datapad. “What can I do for you?” 

“I have a groom, Obi-Wan. He’s a Jedi, and they don’t really do weddings. And he’s getting married to a clone trooper, so they haven’t had the opportunity to do a lot of weddings either. He’s flying blind as to what he actually wants.” 

“Oh no!” Randy said. 

“I showed him this Spazarro and this Spera Wang.” She turned her datapad around to show him. 

“Now to both?” 

“The Spazarro was too formal and dark. And he hated the Spera Wang because it was white and shiny. I need something simple, natural, and masculine. I’m thinking maybe we could go outside the color box and get something in like a jewel tone. But the cut is going to be another problem.” 

“I see,” Randy said. He pulled off his glasses, an idea coming to him. “Spnina Tornai had a collection about a year ago that was very reminiscent of the Jedi Robes.” He pulled the images from the collection and showed them to Kasandi. “What about something like this?” 

“Oh, I think that would be perfect. It’s very similar to what he wears now, but elevated.” 

“Exactly. The only problem is that this was a limited collection from a year ago. I don’t know if we have anything on the floor still. And, if you want it in another color, because all of these came in blushes and champagnes, it’s going to have to be special order.” 

“It’ll probably be a special order anyway because time is so limited.” 

“Look in the southwest corner of the store. I think we still have one of the outfits from the collection on the mannequin. 

“Thank you, Randy,” Kasandi said as she went off to find her treasures. 

She reached the southwest corner of the store, but didn’t see the mannequin Randy was talking about. 

“No! Where’d it go?” 

“What are you looking for?” Tlestrion asked. 

“There was a mannequin wearing that Natural Wonders collection from Spnina Tornai. But it’s disappeared.” Kasandi explained. 

“Oh, we’re changing out the mannequins for the Diamonds and Pearls collection from Spera Wang. Gruta would probably know where it is,” Tlestrion said. 

“Thank you.” Kasandi raced off to find Gruta. Thankfully, she was in the front office. “That Natural Wonders collection from Spnina Tornai, do you know where you put it?” she asked. 

“Yes, it’s actually in the box right here,” she said. “You’re lucky. I was about to send this off to auction.” 

“Thank you, Gruta,” Kasandi said. The outfit itself was a blush color, which she knew Obi-Wan wouldn’t like. But, as she pulled it out of the box, she knew it was perfect. 

She raced back to Obi-Wan’s dressing room and knocked on the door. 

“Now, don’t freak out about the color.” She stepped into the room. 

Obi-Wan laughed when he saw it. “My dear, what in the Galaxy do you take me for? My teenage padawan?” 

“It’s pink. I know it’s pink. But we can get this in several different colors. I think it’ll look great in a jewel tone. Something dark, but not black. That way it’s a bit more natural and less severe.” She showed him the embroidery detail. “And these threads we can also use a different color since I think the white would stand out a bit too much against the dark color of the outfit.” 

Obi-Wan ran his fingers over it. “Could we perhaps do a golden orange color?” 

“Of course. But before we make those decisions, let’s try it on.” 

Obi-Wan slipped into the outfit and gasped once he put it on. It was very similar to his Jedi robes, but just a bit nicer. The fabric was softer, with a higher thread count that caused it to drape over his body, instead of sitting stiff on his form. The sleeves billowed out quite a bit more as well. In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if the sleeves were just as wide as the torso, draping down at the wrists with a high-low cut so he could still use his hands, but had the drama of a bell-sleeve. 

Instead of the outer robe hitting him at his upper thighs, this outfit went down to his knees. The belt had a pin that held it in place. And on that pin were several wooden and sea-glass beads attached to delicate silver chains that cascaded down like a waterfall. The embroidery along the hemlines was beautiful, painting a motif of vines and simple flowers in swirling, playful pictures. 

“You’ve outdone yourself on this one, my dear,” Obi-Wan said. 

“That’s my job.” Kasandi beamed. “Ready to show your friends and family?” 

“Yes.” 

They stepped out onto the platform, Obi-Wan’s back carefully turned so he couldn’t see himself in the mirror. Everyone gasped. A few even had tears in their eyes. 

“What do you think?” Kasandi asked. 

“I love it, Master!” Ahsoka squealed. 

“That really is perfect for you,” Bant said. 

“You look comfortable in it,” Feemor added. “Like you actually want to be wearing it instead of it being something forced upon you.” 

“Truly marvelous,” Master Plo said. 

“Now, keep in mind, the color will be darker. And not pink,” Kasandi said. She turned to Obi-Wan. “Are you ready to see yourself?” 

Obi-Wan nodded and turned around. He didn’t immediately cry or scream like many of the people Kasandi helped. But there was a small smile on his face. “Oh, it really is wonderful. Granted, I hate the color. But I love the way it looks.” 

“Excellent.” Kasandi clapped her hands. “Now, this collection has been discontinued. So, we’re going to need to special order it from Spnina. Let me get her now so you can get it perfect.” 

Obi-Wan chatted with his entourage about how perfect the outfit looked while Kasandi went to find Spnina. 

“I hear you want to buy my Natural Wonders?” Spnina asked as she came up to the group. 

“Yes, I do. Truly, you’ve done lovely work with this one.” 

She nodded and pulled out a small booklet of swatches.

“Force, more swatches,” Obi-Wan muttered. “Please, skip past all the whites. I can’t handle looking at fifty different shades of white.” 

She flipped through the booklet. “You were going with jewel-toned, correct?” 

“That’s correct, madam.” 

“I have this emerald I think would look ravishing on you.”

Obi-Wan frowned. “No, I think something blue. It is Cody’s favorite color.” 

“Sap,” Quin coughed. Siri elbowed him. 

She nodded and flipped to the blue section of the book. “Anything you see here that you like?” 

“Oh, this one would be perfect,” Obi-Wan said, pointing to a lighter shade of navy blue. 

“Excellent. And here are your choices for the thread.” 

“This one.” Obi-Wan pointed, not even needing to see the rest of the book.

“Oh, yeah,” Ahsoka said, peaking over his shoulder. “That one does seem to match the 212th gold perfectly, Master Obi-Wan.” 

Spnina flipped the booklet closed. “Excellent. I will get this one started.” 

“Oh, and one more thing, if it isn’t too much trouble?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“Yes?” 

“Instead of these flowers here, do you think you could make them suns?” 

Pnina smiled at him. “Of course. It is very easy to do.” 

“Thank you so much.” 

Kasandi stepped forward and directed Obi-Wan to look at himself in the mirror. “Obi-Wan?” 

“Yes?” 

“I have a very important question to ask you.” 

“I believe I have a very important answer to give." 

“Are you saying Yes to the Space Dress?” 

He laughed. “I am saying Yes to the Space Dress.”  

The entourage cheered. Obi-Wan stepped down to hug them all. 

Obi-Wan chose this Spnina Tornai custom outfit for thirty thousand credits in navy blue with orange-gold embroidery. 

“Force,” Obi-Wan muttered. “I will need to wear this outfit for every formal event until I die to get my money’s worth.” 

In another confessional, Ahsoka and Anakin looked miserable as they passed over their credits to Feemor. 

“How did you know he was going to choose that one?” Ahsoka moaned. “Jedi Robes, but elevated is such a specific niche. I didn’t even know it existed!” 

“Unlike you people, I did my research,” Feemor said as he gleefully counted the credits. “I looked up the designers most often featured at this store, researched their past collections. And when I saw this one, I knew it was perfect. I even called to see if they still had it.” 

“I feel like that’s cheating,” Quinlan muttered. 

“I feel like it’s not,” Feemor replied. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a nice lunch I need to buy.” 

*****

Cody stepped into the tailor’s shop. 

“Yes, sir, what can I help you with?” the tailor asked. 

Cody handed him a thick binder. “I need a suit for a wedding in two months. My wedding. I’ve included reference images of what I want, a body scan, and my measurements, all taken this morning, three times for accuracy. I’ve also included fifteen different color swatches, ranked from my number one choice to my last choice. I’ll be back in two weeks for the mock-up fitting. Here is fifty percent down, my number in case you have questions, and the dates and times I’m available for measurements and fitting appointments. I've also included my wedding planner's contact information should you need further information. Thank you.” 

He spun around and was out the door before the tailor even had a chance to comprehend what he had said. 

“Um, no problem, sir. I’ll get started on that.” He flipped through the binder, relieved to see it was a relatively simple pattern. “Right. Let me get started on that.” 

Chapter Text

Cody sat in a small armchair in the dim light of their shared apartments. A small frown pulled at the corner of his lips while he watched Obi-Wan rush about the room. Muttering to himself as he threw in some items of clothing into a small duffel bag. His mind raced a mile a minute as he mentally checked off everything he needed to do before, during, and after. So long in thought, he didn’t even seem to realize how loudly he was projecting in the Force. Loud enough for Cody to hear most of his thoughts clearly. 

No wonder Obi-Wan always made it a priority to teach the shinies some basic shielding techniques. Cody couldn’t imagine hearing the thoughts and emotions of thousands of sentients at any one point in time. 

The lack of shielding alone was alarming, but it was the emotion buzzing around Obi-Wan’s head that had Cody more concerned. 

Anxiety. 

Clear as day. 

An annoying little fly that never seemed to stray too far from Obi-Wan’s thoughts. But, as he pressed gently into Obi-Wan’s mind to try and determine the source, he was surprised to find that it wasn’t the mission itself that was causing Obi-Wan to rush back and forth. 

In fact, based on Cody’s, albeit clumsy, attempts to use the Force, Obi-Wan was hardly thinking of the mission at all. It seemed to be the furthest thing from his mind. Though Cody, for the life of him, couldn’t figure out what the issue was. 

He sighed and decided to ask his beloved outright. Before he received his Force diagnosis from a dead Qui-Gon Jinn who needed to be punched in the face, the Force had seemed like this all-powerful, ancient power with unlimited potential. 

It was ancient. 

And there was quite a lot of potential to use it. 

But now that he was actually using it, he was starting to realize just how limited it was. Of course, Obi-Wan always told him as much. But some part of Cody didn’t believe him. He thought there was some secret that Obi-Wan was holding back or something. 

Nope. 

Obi-Wan was telling the truth. He couldn’t exactly read minds. But he could read emotions. It was only through a bond that he could share his thoughts. But that wasn’t a guarantee either. Which meant Cody would have to ask him what was wrong. 

Probably for the best, anyway. Communication was the key to a healthy relationship. Cody had been reading all of the latest data to ensure that his and Obi-Wan’s relationship was as strong as it could possibly be. 

He didn’t understand why people were so bad at maintaining relationships. The whole thing seemed pretty straightforward to him. 

Just communicate regularly and listen. 

“Why are you worried?” he asked. 

Obi-Wan didn’t look at him as he hurried to the kitchen to throw some instant caf and tea packets into the suitcase. 

“I’m not worried.” The words came out in a rush. Distracted. Almost like Obi-Wan himself didn’t realize he had answered. 

“Yes, you are. I can sense it in the Force. Is it the mission?” He knew it wasn’t the mission. But it was better to start with the obvious answer and work his way to the less obvious ones than vice versa. 

“No, it’s not the mission.” This time, the words were more measured. He was thinking about what he was saying before he said it. 

Cody frowned and racked his brains for what else it could be. 

While Obi-Wan had managed to stave off a war approximately two months ago, the groups in question had shown signs that tensions were escalating. If a new agreement wasn’t reached soon, they would go to war. 

Which Cody thought was ridiculous. Why would anyone want to go to war? Why would anyone want their citizens to die? 

“Sometimes their wants for other things outweigh all common sense,” Obi-Wan explained.

“But, they agreed to the cease-fire terms. Why break it now?” Ahsoka asked while Cody sat in the background, listening in. Interested in what Obi-Wan had to say. 

“Who knows. Perhaps the core issue wasn’t resolved. Or perhaps new information has come to light. Maybe one side has gained new backers and thinks they can win a battle they would have lost two months ago. It could be any number of things. We need to determine the why so we can negotiate properly.” 

He and Ahsoka did try to negotiate virtually between the two groups, like last time. 

It hadn’t worked. Neither seemed willing to budge, and Cody had a front row seat to the colorful language the famed Negotiator used when politicians weren’t in the room. 

He asked, once Obi-Wan had calmed down with the help of a passionfruit mascarpone cupcake Cody whipped up in the kitchen, if that meant the negotiations had failed. 

Obi-Wan merely sighed and looked him in the eyes with an apologetic expression on his face. 

“Not yet, my dear. It simply means we must go in person to try and stop this bloodshed.” 

Cody frowned while he cleaned up the cupcake ingredients. “In person? You think that’ll help?” 

“People are more likely to pay attention when the person talking is actually in front of them,” Obi-Wan explained. “And they’re less likely to throw insults. Over a screen, you don’t have to worry about immediately getting punched for your words. But, when the object of your vitriol is seated across the table from you, there’s a very real chance that stating the wrong thing could result in an immediate attack.” 

Cody could see the logic in that and assured Obi-Wan that he’d keep up with the wedding planning and include Obi-Wan as much as possible. After all, they’d still be able to communicate when Obi-Wan wasn’t at the negotiating table. 

Maybe it wasn’t the mission itself, but something adjacent to it? 

“Are you worried the peace talks will be pointless and they’ll go to war anyway while you’re there?” He hated even putting something like that out into the world. But that was a very real possibility. 

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka had just survived one war. They weren’t eager to be on the front lines of another. 

“I know you don’t want Ahsoka anywhere near war for a long time–” 

“Try for the rest of her life,” Obi-Wan said. 

“But she is a tough kid. I think she can handle it while you two get out of there.” 

Obi-Wan’s hands stilled over the worn, warm robes folded neatly in the bag. Equal parts utilitarian and comforting. A way to tell the galaxy that he wasn’t after riches or glory. He was after peace. Simple as that. 

“I’m not worried about that, no,” Obi-Wan said. “These two groups, while frustrating, I do think there’s a path forward. I’ll know what it is once I get there and have a chance to talk to both of them.” He didn’t restart packing. 

Cody realized what he was doing. He wasn’t going to give what he was worried about willingly. Perhaps there was a shame that went with the anxiety. Or, perhaps he feared speaking it out loud would bring it into existence. But he also did want to talk about it. 

Cody could sense it in Obi-Wan’s mind. 

Please. Please ask. Please help. Please press. Please don’t let me go without talking about it. 

Well, if Obi-Wan wanted him to press, then he would press. 

“Then what is it?” he asked, making sure to keep his voice soft and warm, instead of frustrated and accusatory. Whatever it was was clearly weighing on Obi-Wan’s mind and causing him a significant amount of stress. “You’re an excellent negotiator. And, if you don’t manage to negotiate peace, that’s not a failing on your part. You told me once before that negotiations only work if both sides are open to them. You can’t make them open to it, Obi.” 

Obi-Wan sighed. “I know. It’s not about the negotiations. It’s not even about the mission. Not really.” 

“Oh?” 

He didn’t answer. 

“Cyare, I can’t read your mind. I’ve run through all the most obvious issues. But I don’t know where to go from here. I know you want to talk about it. So talk about it. I promise you, I want to work with you on whatever it is you’re worried about.” 

“Yes. You’re right. I’m sorry for not being forthcoming. I suppose I just don’t want to plant an idea in your head. Though that is also a cowardly way of looking at it. You’re your own person. I cannot influence you anymore than I can influence Ahsoka to not stay up late watching holo-dramas with Echo and Fives.” 

“That you cannot,” Cody said. 

“It’s about… the wedding.” The sentence sounded like it physically pained Obi-Wan to say. Like he had to rip each word from his mind, all accompanied by a grimace. 

“The wedding?” Cody asked. “I already told you, I can handle the wedding planning for a few weeks. We have most of the kinks worked out. We really just need to handle the food and a few last-minute details. I’ll be fine.” 

“It’s not about that either,” Obi-Wan mumbled. This time, thankfully, Cody didn’t have to wait for him to speak or try to drag it out of him. “I… Cody, I don’t know how long this is going to take. I could be back in a few days. Or a few months. And, if it’s the latter, that means I’ll miss the wedding.” The words rushed out of him in one breath. Like he had been holding it in for weeks now and was finally letting all of it go. 

“Oh.” Cody supposed he hadn’t considered that. Obi-Wan did have a point, though. They had about four weeks before the wedding. If the negotiations took any longer than a week, he’d probably miss it, just with travel and everything. He made a mental note to look into alternatives. 

The Jedi Temple as a venue wouldn’t need to be rebooked. And they had bought, not rented, their outfits, so they didn’t need to worry about those. The photographers were going to be several Jedi who had the talent. Really, the only thing he’d have to worry about is the food. And maybe the flowers. 

He could kick the wedding back a week or two if they needed to. 

“That’s fine,” he said. “It’s not like we’re spending our money. And the Jedi Temple isn’t going anywhere.” 

Obi-Wan shook his head. The anxiety still buzzed around his head. They still hadn’t gotten to the root of the issue. 

“This is my life, Cody. This is what I was sworn to do. I chose this. I could have stayed away after Melidaan. I could have left with Satine. But I always come back. And I always stay. I am a Jedi.” 

“I know.” He furrowed his brow. Where was this going? It wasn’t like he didn’t know Obi-Wan was a Jedi from the day they met. He was very used to him leaving at a moment’s notice with little indication as to when he’d be back. 

Hell, during the war, he acted as a High General more than he didn’t. All because Palpatine kept sending Obi-Wan on useless side quests. Likely in an attempt to get him killed. Sometimes, Obi-Wan didn’t even tell Cody he was leaving. Cody would simply wake up with a message on his datapad and no indication as to when he’d be back. 

“Do you, though?” Obi-Wan finally turned to face him. “I’m worried that right now, you’re willing to put up with me coming and going without warning because we’re still in this honeymoon phase. But that will end. And then what? Will you still be willing to postpone events while I’m off in the galaxy?” 

“I leave too,” Cody said. Though he felt like that was a rather weak defense. Yes, he did leave, but not nearly as much as during the war. As the leader of the entire GAR, he was stationed pretty consistently on Coruscant so he could coordinate with soldiers across the galaxy. This was his mission control. A place where he had quick access to both Fox and his military, so he could make decisions on a whim. He couldn’t remember the last time he actually had to leave the planet to do his job. 

“But one day you won’t.” Obi-Wan began pacing again, running his hands through his hair. “Cody, you won’t die a soldier. You’ll retire one day. But even now, you don’t leave as much as I do. It’s been less than three months since we started planning this wedding. And I’ve already had to skip multiple meetings with the wedding planner. Including the first one. I just… what if one day you’ll get sick and tired of me always putting the Jedi Order first? There’s a reason we don’t typically enter into long-term relationships. Yes, it’s because of attachment. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. We don’t get married or form relationships with those outside of the Order because it’s very difficult for people to accept that they’ll always come second. That one day you’ll wake up, and I won’t be next to you in bed because I’ll have been called off on an assignment in the middle of the night. And then you won’t see me for months. Never knowing if I'm alive or dead. And then I’ll turn up one day. But you won’t know if I’ll stay for a day, a year, a month, ten years. And that will be your life. Every day until one of us dies. You’ll get promoted. You’ll get sick. People you love will die. And I won’t be there to support you. And by the time I get back, it might already be old news to you. Something not even worth mentioning to me.”

The words tumbled out of his mouth. One right after the other. The normally composed Jedi master who always took the time to choose his words with care now let them all rush out, almost slurring together. By the end of his speech, he was panting, his face flushed, and his eyes wild. 

Cody made sure to listen to each word and hear, not only what he was saying, but also what he wasn’t saying. He wondered how long such a thing had bothered Obi-Wan. Because, clearly, this had been building for some time. 

Maybe it had always sat in the back of his mind as a possibility. But this was the first time he had to physically leave Coruscant and Cody for an indeterminate amount of time to do his job. 

Those other times that he spoke of had all been here on Coruscant. So, even if he had to skip a meeting or work late, he could at least slip into bed next to Cody, grumbling about annoying politicians and the like. But this time, he was actually physically leaving. And he didn’t know when he’d be back. 

Now the reality of his life was setting in. They were in the final few weeks before the wedding. It was all hands on deck. All of the details needed to be finalized. If there was ever a time for Obi-Wan to stay, it’d be now. 

But he was a Jedi first and a husband second. 

If he needed to go, then he needed to go. 

Obi-Wan likely had thought of all of this before pursuing a relationship with Cody. He probably meditated on it endlessly during the war. Back when they were nothing more than friends, because neither wanted to jeopardize the mission. Nor would Obi-Wan ever want to abuse his position of power over Cody. 

But he might not have considered how much Cody had thought about his lifestyle. In all his endless meditations, he may have forgotten to discuss all of this with Cody. Or else he assumed Cody had done equally as much mental work as he had. 

And now they were facing down the barrel of reality. Obi-Wan had to leave. He had to put the Jedi Order first. And that might cause him to miss his own wedding. This was the hypothetical future he had assumed they both signed up for, but only now was he starting to realize that may not be the case. 

No plan survives first contact with the enemy. Those were the words Cody lived by. 

Obi-Wan was right to think that Cody also thought through the logistics of this lifestyle. But theory and practice were two different beasts. 

They were beasts Cody was willing to tackle.

“Come here.” He held out his hand to Obi-Wan. 

Obi-Wan eyed it warily. “Did you not hear what I said?” 

“I did. But you won’t listen to me, up and pacing like that. So, come here. I need to trap you.” 

Obi-Wan stepped closer and put his hand in Cody’s. Before he could think too much more, Cody tugged Obi-Wan down so he was sitting on his lap. 

“Cody! I’ll crush you!” He scrambled at Cody’s shoulder and adjusted his grip so he was much more secure. 

“Nah, you won’t.” 

“Yes, I will. I’m a grown man. With a metal leg that weighs, well, as much as one would expect a metal leg to weigh.” 

Cody snorted and settled his arms around Obi-Wan’s waist, clasping his hands to “trap” him there, just as he said he would. Granted, it wasn’t trapping Obi-Wan anywhere. He wouldn’t even have to try to break the hold. It was more symbolic than anything. 

“Today, Wolffe and Rex came to visit my office. Wolfe then shouted, “Catch this, bitch!” and leapt onto my back, pinning me to the ground. And do you want to know what my darling, hand-picked little brother did? The one I saved from decommissioning when he was a sweet cadet?” 

“Jumped on your back too?” 

“In his full kit.” Cody shook his head. “And then, Fox dropped by. Instead of helping the man who’s keeping his Republic safe, he came over and sat down on me as well. So no, Obi-Wan. You and your metal leg are not going to crush me.” 

“Is that how you threw your back out? I noticed you were walking kind of funny earlier.” Obi-Wan had a small smile on his face. Cody could feel him start to relax, both on his lap and in the Force. He could practically see the anxiety melting off him. 

“What did you think I did?” 

“Well, last night, when you decided to have me up against the wall. I did warn you it might be a little more, ah, acrobatic than you were used to.” 

Cody snorted and kissed Obi-Wan. Just a light peck. He wanted to keep this conversation on track while being mindful of Obi-Wan’s impending departure. “It’s going to take more than you up against a wall to throw my back out.” 

“Clearly,” Obi-Wan said. 

They settled into silence. Cody let Obi-Wan relax a bit more into him and used this quiet time to gather his thoughts. He didn’t want to outright dismiss Obi-Wan’s worries about the future. He couldn’t see into the future, so he didn’t want to say Obi-Wan had nothing to worry about. 

He was also right. One day, this coming and going without warning might just annoy him enough for him to leave the relationship. But, at the same time, that didn’t mean he wanted to give up all of this on the off-chance that one day he might want his spouse to stay on the same planet year-round. 

“I can’t say that I’ll never get tired of you being a Jedi.” He turned his face to press his mouth to Obi-Wan’s shoulder. He needed to be truthful. Lying and pretty words wouldn’t do anything. Obi-Wan would sniff them out and only feel more anxious since he didn’t hear Cody’s real thoughts. 

Obi-Wan tensed but didn’t respond. 

“What I can say is, right now, I don’t hate you for leaving. I don’t hate you for being a Jedi. I don’t hate you for doing your job. In fact, that’s one of the reasons I love you so much. Because I know that if tomorrow I need to leave and go to a battle on the other side of the galaxy for three months, you’d let me go.”

“But what about the wedding?” 

“What about it?” 

“I might not be there.” 

“So? We’re still married. This is just a party. And if we need to postpone the party, then we need to postpone it.” 

“But it’s not just going to be one wedding, Cody. It’ll be anniversaries, funerals, other weddings, promotions. You can’t postpone life every time I leave.” 

“I won’t.” He assured him. “I’ll postpone what I can and take the rest as it comes. And if it ever gets to be too much, then we’ll deal with it. But I’m not going to plan out for a hypothetical future that may never happen. Besides, you’re not the only person in my life. I have a million brothers. And all of the Jedi. Hell, maybe me and Duchess Kryze can get together and complain about you when you’re not here.” 

“Don’t you dare!” Obi-Wan shifted in his lap, a little more relaxed, but still worrying about the future. 

“I bet you she has stories for days about you. I can uncover all of your dirty little secrets. And we complain about how you snore.” 

“I do not snore!” 

“Oh, but you do. You really do.” He looked up at him, his thumbs rubbing on Obi-Wan’s hip. “I can’t promise you that I’ll never want to leave you. Just like you can’t promise me that you’ll always come back alive. But what I can promise you is this. If I ever do start to get tired of your life as a Jedi, I’ll talk to you about it. And then we can go from there. We might decide to separate. Or you might decide to finally leave the Order for good. Or you might take a different position that has you staying more permanently on a single planet. But we will figure out our future together, okay?” 

Obi-Wan gave him a soft, sad smile. “I don’t want you to regret wasting your life waiting for me.” 

“I’m not wasting my life waiting for you. I might be your sunrise, but you’re my sun. Whenever you’re gone, I miss you. When you’re here, you make everything so much brighter and warmer. You make life worth living. This isn’t a waste anymore than the night is a waste. This is how I want to live for now.” 

Obi-Wan knocked their foreheads together. “You have a way with words, my dear. Thank you for talking to me about my fears.” 

“Thank you for trusting me with them.” Cody gave him one last squeeze and then released his arms. “Go. Get going before Ahsoka gets bored and comes to find us.” 

Obi-Wan slipped off his lap to give him one last lingering kiss. “Goodbye, my love. Give me as much information as you can. I’ll see if I can attend some of the meetings virtually.” 

“And, if you can’t make it, then I guess I get two weddings.” 

“Stop it.” Obi-Wan swatted his shoulder and heaved his duffel bag up. 

“Stay safe,” Cody whispered to him as he left the room. 

“I’ll do my best,” Obi-Wan replied. Because he couldn’t guarantee that he’d come back safe and sound. But he could guarantee that he’d do everything in his power to do so. 

Just like Cody could guarantee that if this life ever became too much for him, he’d talk to Obi-Wan about it.

Chapter Text

“How are the last-minute adjustments going?” Obi-Wan asked, his image staticky due to the long distance. 

It was night now in Coruscant. Cody had the lights off in the apartment so that only the neon signs outside lit up the room. He liked to do this sometimes. To sit in the dark, with only the outside lights illuminating his nights. It reminded him of those long weeks in hyperspace, flying from battle to battle. 

He never thought he would miss what was arguably the most boring part of the war. But he did miss it. There was something comforting about being in hyperspace. The soft hum of the ship’s engines. The knowledge that, at least for now, everyone was safe on the ship. Quiet nights sitting on the bridge with Obi-Wan, going over their plans for the next battle. 

Neither of them ever made a move to be more than General and Commander. Still, both recognized what those little looks and brushes of fingertips meant. Cody sometimes would bring tea and caf for them. Or maybe Obi-Wan would bring it. It didn’t matter. 

What mattered was that they were together, planning their future. 

What he was doing now was a poor imitation of it, but it brought him comfort nonetheless. If he closed his eyes and let the lights of Coruscant wash over him, he could bring himself back to that place of quiet comfort. 

With him and Obi-Wan, sitting together but never truly touching, planning their future, and letting their looks and messages hidden between the words do all the talking. 

“Good,” Cody replied, resting his cheek on his pillow and opening his eyes so he could look at Obi-Wan’s flickering form. 

He reached out through the bond. It was weak; with how much distance there was between them, he could barely feel Obi-Wan. 

But he could feel him. 

And he saw the moment Obi-Wan felt him reaching. The way his eyes lit up and crinkled at the corners. Cody felt him reach back. It almost felt like when they laced their fingers together while sitting at the table, eating breakfast. It would never be as good as having Obi-Wan here with him, but it was enough for now. 

“And how are you feeling? This is the first time you’ve been so far away from Coruscant since you and the Cosmic Force…” he trailed off. He still didn’t know exactly what had happened with Obi-Wan. “Are you feeling okay? You’re staying present.” 

He nodded. “Yes, I promise you, I am. And Ahsoka knows what to do in case I slip.” 

“Yeah, Cody! Don’t worry. I’m making sure he doesn’t become one with the Force just yet,” Ahsoka said from somewhere off-screen. 

“Thanks, vod’ika. I have a meeting later this week,” Cody continued. “We need to finalize the menu. And I’ve narrowed down the cake to two flavors, so you won’t be overwhelmed when you get back. As soon as you taste them, I’ll let the bakers know which one to prepare.” 

Obi-Wan’s smile dropped. Through the bond, he could feel his nerves growing once more. “Cody–” 

Cody held up his hand and squeezed the bond in his head in a way he hoped was reassuring. “I know you’re worried about missing this. But, if you miss it, I don’t want a bunch of cake I have to eat by myself.” 

“I highly doubt you’ll be responsible for eating it by yourself. I’m sure your brothers would love a slice.” 

“They don’t get my cake,” Cody said. 

“Fair enough.” 

He continued. “So, either you miss it, and I don’t have to try and eat a thousand servings of wedding cake before it all goes bad. Or you don’t miss it, and you get to help me decide.” 

“Yes, but you are forgetting a third option.” Obi-Wan stroked his beard, still looking worried. 

“I am?” How could he have missed a third option? He went over every option with Magedla several times. There was even a decision tree of events that needed to occur based on each option. It was foolproof!

Obi-Wan shook his head and smiled sadly at him. “I get in at the last minute. Maybe even right before the wedding starts, with seconds to spare. If that happens, the baker won’t have enough time to bake a thousand servings of cake.” 

Damn. He had overlooked that one. He was going to have to contact Magedla and let her know he was updating the “Obi-Wan Is Out of Town” spreadsheet. 

He pulled it up on his datapad and created a new sheet. “Alright, I’ll make a new decision tree based on if you get here in time for the wedding, but not if you get here in enough time for them to bake the cake.” 

He tapped the stylus on his chin. “I got it.” 

“You do? That was a quick solution,” Obi-Wan said. 

“You should know, mesh’la, I’m very quick on my feet.” 

“Ew! You guys, I’m right here,” Ahsoka called. 

“Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll make sure to make all the appropriate gagging noises when you start flirting,” Obi-Wan called back. He turned his attention back to Cody. “What is your plan, my dear?” 

“I have them bake the cake topper in each flavor so they’re ready to go. But, for the rest of the guests, I’ll have the caterers prepare a dessert regardless of whether or not we have a wedding cake. That way, we get to cut a cake, and the guests get to eat something sweet.” 

“I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to give Hardcase and Wrecker so much sugar.” 

Cody could feel Obi-Wan’s relief through the bond. Once more, Cody had proved that he could work with Obi-Wan’s life, not against it. 

“That isn’t my problem. That is Rex and Hunter’s problem.” He finished up the rough draft of his decision tree and then sent a quick message to Magedla explaining the situation and his solution. “Obi-Wan, this isn’t life or death. It’s just cake. And we’ll get married whether we have it or not. Okay? Don’t be so stressed.” 

“I know, Cody. But it’s also not just about the cake. It’s about what the cake represents. I don’t want you having to make all the plans around my life. I need to get better at coming up with solutions myself. I suppose I’m just not as practiced as you are.” 

“Then I guess it’s time to start practicing,” Cody replied. 

“I guess it is. Can I at least know what the flavors are so I can start thinking about it, my love? Maybe I can tell you what I’m leaning towards just in case.” 

“Fine,” Cody said. “Flavor profile one is a dark chocolate amaretto cake with cherries in between the layers and a dark chocolate ganache covering it.” 

“I want that one!” Ahsoka called. 

“It does sound lovely,” Obi-Wan said. “But what will the children be having?” 

“Wedding cake! We’ll be having the wedding cake!” Ahsoka said. 

Cody laughed. “They can make a chocolate cherry cake without the alcohol. But, ‘Soka, I should let you know that the alcohol does burn off in the cooking process. You can’t get drunk off of it.” 

“Ah, man.” 

Obi-Wan shook his head fondly. “Good man, Cody. And the other?” 

“A yuzu chiffon layer cake with vanilla yuzu custard in between the layers and topped with Naboo buttercream.” 

“Force, you’re going to kill me with these options. And I don’t even like sweets. These cakes are purely for you, my dear.” 

“If I have to get anointed with seawater by some old man for you, you can let me feed you a slice of cake.” He sent Obi-Wan the decor concepts for both cakes. “I did decide that we weren’t going to have a bunch of decorations, so they’re fairly plain. But I can change it if you’d like.” 

Obi-Wan held up a datapad and swiped through the pictures. “No, I agree with your analysis. There is nothing worse than biting into a beautiful cake only to realize it’s mostly fondant. I have been to enough fancy parties where half the cake was filled with inedible flowers and decorations that I outright refuse to eat desserts at these functions unless truly necessary. I shan’t be having that for our wedding.” 

“Agreed.” Cody chuckled. 

It was nice that he and Obi-Wan were aligned on so many different things. He would have added some fondant flowers if Obi-Wan really wanted. But he was glad that even on the little things, they were in sync. 

Obi-Wan swiped through more of the cake pictures and frowned. 

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Cody asked. 

“Darling, is that my caf mug in the background?” 

“Um, yes?” Cody zoomed in on one of the photos. “Why?” 

“What is my caf mug doing at the bakery?” 

Now he was even more confused. “It’s not. That’s our kitchen.” 

Obi-Wan set the datapad down to give him a look. 

“What?” 

“My love, did you bake our wedding cakes yourself?” 

“Yes. How else was I supposed to make sure the flavor profiles were exactly what I wanted? I know you don’t like things too sweet.” 

“I get that. But if you were the one baking the cakes, what was the bakery for?” 

“To bake the other one thousand servings of whatever cake we choose. I don’t think our oven can handle that, and I don’t have time to bake, frost, transport, and serve a thousand slices of cake. Besides, this way, they don’t have to test recipes. I already found the perfect ones.” 

Obi-Wan laughed. “You do realize, my love, that most people let the bakers choose the flavor combinations. They don’t show up with a cake already made.” 

“Then most people are leaving such an important part of the wedding ceremony to chance. What if they used too much sugar in the cherry layers? Or what if they used Pantoran Buttercream instead of Naboo Buttercream? They can’t use Pantoran buttercream with a yuzu chiffon cake! It’s too rich and dense. It’ll overpower the rest of the flavor profiles.” 

“They are bakers, my dear. I’m sure they know that.” 

“I wanted it to be perfect,” Cody grumbled. 

“I know, my darling. And I’m sure it will be wonderful. Now, please, promise me that you aren’t staying up all night perfecting our dinner menu before you go to the caterers tomorrow?” 

Cody shook his head. “No. I am letting them handle that.” 

“Good.” 

“Besides, enough is going on between all the courses, dietary restrictions, and the differences between the less formal cocktail hour and the more formal sit-down dinner that I don’t feel I have the skills necessary to develop a full menu.” 

“Oh, so if we were only having dinner and a few courses, then you’d feel comfortable developing the menu?” Obi-Wan asked with a twinkle in his eye, his hands tucked into his sleeves. 

“Obviously.” Cody sniffed. 

“Obviously.” Obi-Wan mimicked. “Alright, my love, it is getting late, and Ahsoka and I need to get up early tomorrow for the second round of talks. Don’t give Magedla or the caterers too hard a time.” 

“Too hard a time? I think she wants to offer me a job after all this is said and done. She complimented my color-coordinated spreadsheets the other day and asked if I could make her a blank template for her to use with her other clients.” 

Obi-Wan beamed. “You would make a great wedding planner.” 

Cody’s chest puffed up with the compliment. He didn’t know if he ever wanted to be a wedding planner, but there was always this fear that all he would ever be good for was war. All he could ever be was a soldier. But to know that he had other options, even if he never took them, made him feel like more of a person. 

While the rest of his brothers were slowly leaving the service and finding their place in the galaxy, Cody feared that one day, he’d be left behind. An old relic of a past everyone would rather forget. But if he were a wedding planner or something similar, then he could move on to it if he ever wanted to. 

It was nice to hear it confirmed by Obi-Wan. 

“I’ll try to call after the meeting tomorrow. It should end after you finish with the caterers,” Obi-Wan let out a yawn. “Goodnight, my love. I love you.” 

“Love you too.” Cody ended the call and flopped back on the bed. 

Rest did not come easily that night. He kept thinking of new things to add to the spreadsheet and had to pull it open several times. 

The lighting needed to be finalized. 

As did the music set list. 

Someone needed to go pick up the chairs and tables. 

The event space needed to be decorated. 

They needed to go over the wine and tea list. Apparently, it was customary in Stewjoni wedding ceremonies for there to be a tea ceremony during the actual vows portion, where the couple and all the attendees would drink tea together to symbolize their union or something. 

And he needed to finalize the napkins. They had chosen a color; now he needed to choose a textile. 

The seating chart also needed to be finalized. 

As did the design for the ceremony space. Did they want the bar at the back of the room or the front? And where did the cake table go? 

It felt like all the big details had been taken care of, but now he was moving onto the smaller details. And man, there were a lot of small details. 

Not for the first time since Obi-Wan left, did Cody wish he were here. Yes, he was doing his best. He had sent Cody the Tea House he wanted him to pick up the teas from, and a list. He had managed to choose all of the important songs they were going to dance to. He had gotten Anakin to update the protocol droids so they could serve dinner. 

But still, Cody felt like he was drowning. And it seemed like the more things he did for this wedding, the more things that were added to his list. 

Finally, his alarm rang. It was time for him to start his day. 

He got up and ate a simple breakfast. He then went to the gym to get his workout in. It didn’t calm him like he was hoping it would. Instead, the movement seemed to shake loose even more things he needed to get done. 

He had to keep slowing down to add them to the list and re-arrange the schedule to make sure everything would fit in. 

“Maybe Obi-Wan was right. Three months isn’t enough time to plan a whole wedding,” he said. 

In fact, the more he added to the list, the more he wondered if he ever had a chance to succeed. Even if Obi-Wan were here right now, this was just too much for two people to do. Well, four technically with Magedla and Kara. Planning a wedding seemed to be a full-time job in and of itself. Which was kind of a problem considering both Cody and Obi-Wan had jobs that required more hours than most full-time jobs. 

But he had committed to the timeline. He had gotten the big stuff done. He could handle the small stuff. 

After the gym, he tried to meditate, settling himself down on the mat in hopes that maybe he could still his racing thoughts. 

He could not. And the whole session left him more irritated than before. 

In fact, the rest of the workday irritated him. It felt like everyone was messaging him. He was on a call with Wolffe, only to have his comms constantly pinging with messages from Magedla and all the vendors. And when he went to answer those, while still on with Wolffe, mind you, his inbox received approximately forty messages in one second. All of them were marked urgent. 

And then he forgot he had changed his datapad password, leading him to be locked out after one too many failed login attempts. So, he had to go to Python and get the damn thing unlocked. And in the ten minutes it took him to do that, he had hundreds of missed calls, emails, and instant messages to reply to. 

He had started with one hundred and three things on his to-do list. As the hours ticked by, that list did not get shorter, no matter how much he multitasked. By the time it was two hours before he was technically supposed to be off, the number was now two hundred and thirteen things to do. 

At one point, he just sat at his desk and watched the number of unread messages across all his devices increase. 

And then he heard it. 

Shouting. 

Coming from down the hallway. 

He sat there, listening to his brothers getting increasingly angry with one another. 

He should probably step in and be a good ori’vod. He should probably step in and scold them. Remind them that they were brothers and needed to act like it. 

He should probably be in every picture of the calm, clear, cool-headed commander who led legions during one of the bloodiest wars in the Republic’s history. 

Another fifteen messages came in. 

Gree and Neyo were calling him at the same time. 

The shouting wouldn’t stop. 

“What is going on?” He roared, slamming his hands on the desk and storming out. 

He followed that source of the noise like a bloodhound follows a scent. Rounding the corner, he saw who the culprits were. And knowing who they were only served to make him angrier. 

Standing in the hallway were Rex, Fives, Echo, Jesse, Tup, Hardcase, Waxer, Boil, Longshot, Crys, and Gregor. All the brothers who he thought knew better than this. 

All brothers who had been through hell together. 

All brothers who had seen the worst of the war and the galaxy. 

All brothers he used as an example of who he considered to be the best of the best. 

All brothers who were currently covered in some neon-green covered fucking slime, arguing with each other about who was at fault. 

“What is happening?” Cody shouted to get them to quit arguing. 

It did work. 

Everyone stopped arguing and stared at him. 

For a moment, no one said anything. 

“Well?” he prompted. 

This was the wrong thing to do. 

Instead of getting a calm explanation, what he got was finger-pointing. The shouting increased tenfold as a headache built behind his eyes. Everyone was pointing fingers, blaming everyone else for the slime. 

His comm was buzzing again. 

People wouldn’t stop messaging him. 

He had a million things to do and only a few days left to do it all. 

He. 

Was. 

Done. 

“Enough!” he roared. This got them to stop arguing once again. “I do not care whose fault it was. All of you will clean this mess up.” 

“But, Cody–” Rex started. 

“No! I am not going to hear any excuses, explanations, or arguments. Clean it up. Clean it up now.” Cleaning it up wouldn’t be enough of a punishment. He needed something more. “I’m sending all of you an address. Meet me there tomorrow at 0700 on the dot. If you miss it, so help me I will make Alpha-Seventeen look like the nicest fucking man you’ve ever met.” 

He turned on his heels and stomped back to his office. “Clean it up, boys. Don’t fucking test me.” 

****

“What do you think the punishment is going to be?” Fives asked, nervously wringing his hands together as they walked down the sunny streets of Coruscant. 

Cody hadn’t sent them anything else. He didn’t tell them what to wear. He didn’t say if they needed their full kit or to come in workout gear. He didn’t say if Seventeen was going to be there. He didn’t say what they were going to be doing. He said nothing. 

He didn’t even add anything to the message with the address. Just a location on Coruscant’s mid-levels. When Rex typed it in, all that came up was a warehouse with several different businesses attached to it. 

“I don’t know, but it’s probably really bad,” Waxer said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen the General lose his temper like that. Not even when he was fighting Krell. And Krell was straight up going to cut off one of Kenobi’s hands.” 

“Can you blame him, you guys?” Echo said. “Kenobi’s gone for Force knows how long. The General’s been trying to plan a whole wedding. Thrawn keeps slipping through our hands. I’d be frustrated too.” 

“Yeah,” Rex agreed. He felt shame creeping up his neck. He had forgotten just how much pressure and stress Cody was under. 

As his older brother, Rex, through Cody, was unflappable. Nothing ever seemed to faze him. He never seemed anxious or worried. Everything was always under control. And, if it wasn’t under control, then he’d get it back under control faster than anyone would have thought possible. 

Waxer was right, Cody didn’t get angry like that. Rex had watched the video of the fight between Cody and Krell. Even when Cody arguably had a good reason to lose his cool and get angry, he didn’t. Even after he thought Rex had fucking died on that moon because of Palpatine, Wolffe and Fox both said how he still stayed in control of his own emotions. 

It was that sort of control that Rex took for granted. 

He understood that now. 

Everyone had their limits. And, maybe Cody was finally reaching his. After the war, the rebellion, finding out he had Force powers, Obi-Wan nearly dying because the Cosmic Force decided he needed more of it, Ahsoka nearly dying because Palpatine was a dick, Fox nearly dying because Tarkin was a dick, and everything that came after, he wasn’t actually sure Cody ever had a chance to take a step back and breathe. 

Sure, it seemed ridiculous for him to get angry now. But maybe that was because now was the time everything that had been building up finally got to be too much. 

Cody needed a break. 

And Rex should have been doing more to give him one. 

“Whatever it is,” he said, “Whatever our punishment is, we will do it without complaint.” 

“Why did you look at me when you said that?” Fives cried. 

“Because you’re the one who’s most likely to complain,” Rex said. “Cody’s been through a lot, guys. We shouldn’t be making it harder on him. So, we’ll take his punishment without complaint and then do better to not add stress to his life.” 

“Good point, commander,” Boil said. “The General is always so collected. I guess I forgot that he’s a person too.” 

At least everyone seemed to be in agreement. 

“Maybe after we’re done with this,” Wooley said, “we can ask him if he needs help with the wedding planning. We really should have been doing more from the beginning.” 

“Yeah, but it is his wedding,” Waxer said. “I don’t think we’re supposed to plan it. At least, what I’ve read seems to suggest the couple is in charge of planning it.” 

“Yes, but,” Gregor said, “We’re not like the rest of the natborns. We have our own culture. A communal one. Wooley’s right. We should do more to help him out. Just because it’s not traditional doesn’t mean we can’t do it. We make our own rules.” 

Everyone nodded in agreement. 

Rex felt the shame in his chest loosen up just a bit. Gregor and Wooley were right. They could help Cody with the wedding, even if it wasn’t typical. Nothing about them was typical. And he was willing to help Cody pick out napkins or something if it meant helping his brother out. 

“Is that Master Feemor?” Echo asked, squinting at a tall man standing by the entrance to the warehouse. 

Rex hadn’t had many interactions with Master Feemor. It was almost always through Ahsoka that they spoke, being a member of their lineage and everything. 

Apparently, he was Master Qui-Gon’s first padawan. Except, something happened, so he was no longer part of the lineage. But after Master Qui-Gon died, he began meeting up with Master Kenobi or something? Rex wasn’t really sure about the details. 

What he did know was that Master Feemor was pleasant and polite enough. Ahsoka seemed to absolutely love him, and his interactions with Master Kenobi reminded Rex of the way he and Cody would interact. 

“I think it is. What’s he doing here?” Rex asked. 

Master Feemor looked up at them and smiled. “So, you’re the unlucky help Cody’s promised today? Good to see you, boys.” 

“Help?” Jesse asked. 

Echo elbowed him in the stomach. 

“I’m not sure, sir,” Rex said, ignoring his brothers and hoping that the little conversation they had about not making Cody’s life harder hadn’t already been forgotten. “We’re here as punishment. I don’t know if it’s related to what you’re doing.” 

“Punishment?” Feemor chuckled. Rex did not like the sound of that. “I suppose that’s one way to look at it. Though that doesn’t bode well for the tasting menu. I only hope Cody doesn’t make the caterers cry like he did the florist.” 

“Hold up, are we here to help him plan his wedding?” Boil asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet and looking giddy at the prospect. 

“We might not be,” Rex hissed. “Maybe he wants us running laps while he plans the wedding or something. Don’t get your hopes up, vod.” 

“Oh, they’re up alright. And here we were thinking we’d be nice by volunteering,” Fives grinned. 

Rex had to admit, his hopes were also up. He’d rather pick out some fancy napkins than do another round of Fives. Maybe Cody was so stressed out by wedding planning that it fried his brain, and he couldn’t come up with anything else to do. 

It also made Rex feel even worse. Even his attempts to help his brother out came too little too late. He should have offered to help Cody before they got to this point. Oh well. If Cody needed help picking out tables or something, Rex was going to give it and thank the Force that he wasn’t doing another round of Fives. 

“Good, you’re all here.” Cody walked up to them with two women trailing him. A large datapad was tucked under his arm, and he held a steaming cup of caf in his other hand. 

“Sir.” The men all snapped to attention. 

Cody nodded to them and handed the caf to Master Feemor. He pulled out the datapad and paced in front of them like he was about to give them a mission debrief.

“Your mission today will be to finalize the menu for the wedding.” 

Holy shit, Cody really was giving them a mission debrief! And they really were going to help him plan as a punishment. 

Thank the Force. It really did listen to Rex’s pleas. 

“Fives, Jesse, Echo, Rex, Tup, and Hardcase.” 

They all stepped forward. 

“You will be responsible for the hor d’herves presented during cocktail hour.” 

“What’s an hor d’herve?” Hardcase whispered. 

“Little finger foods.” Fives whispered back. 

“Waxer, Boil, Woolley, Longshot, Crys, and Gregor, you will be responsible for the five-course formal sit-down dinner to follow.” 

“I’m glad I’m not getting that one. It sounds hard,” Jesse said.

Rex shushed him. Though he did agree with him. Picking a five-course sit-down formal dinner sounded like a lot more was at stake than picking some little finger foods. 

Cody continued. “Magedla and Kara have your mission details. Any questions?” 

The two women stepped forward to hand out small info packets as to what the day would entail. 

Rex flipped through his packet. “I’m responsible for the Torgurtan, Pantoran, Zabrak… and Twi’lek menu?” 

“Looks like I have… Yoda. It just says Yoda.” Jesse said. 

“Grogu also falls under that category. He’s eating solids now,” Feemor said. 

“Yes. You each have your special assignments to ensure no one or no species is forgotten,” Cody explained. “Familiarize yourself with the dietary parameters set forth by your mission packets. I’ll let the caterers know we’re ready.” He slipped inside, leaving them all to read through the very well put-together mission details. 

“We’re here to eat food and say what we like best?” Fives asked, failing to keep the excitement out of his voice. “This will be the best punishment ever!” 

As Rex flipped through his packet, the excitement and relief he had felt earlier began to drip away. “I don’t know about that. This seems kind of… intense.” 

“It’s food, Rex. How intense could it be?” Fives asked. 

“Don’t get too excited,” Feemor chuckled. “Remember, he made the florist cry.” He patted Fives on the shoulder and stepped through the door. 

“That was a civilian,” Fives said. “They didn’t grow up with Seventeen or the trainers. I’m sure anything Cody throws at us, we can handle.” 

They could not handle what Cody threw at them. 

“Three different tomato dishes, Fives? Really?” Cody asked as he looked in disdain at the tray Fives presented to him to represent the “human and human adjacent” portion of the menu. 

Because there were so many species invited to the wedding, Cody decided the best thing to do would be to make specialized menus for each of them; to make sure everyone could eat at least three different things during cocktail hour, and had an appropriate soup, salad, starter, main course, and dessert course for the formal sit-down dinner. And no, the dessert course was not going to be the wedding cake. 

Tup made the mistake of asking. 

Tup refrained from asking any more questions for the rest of the day. 

Going back to the menu, that meant that each man was responsible for tasting hundreds of different dishes and trying to narrow things down. And they had the added challenge of making each menu cohesive, but not so similar as to be boring. 

Hence, his issue with Fives choosing three different tomato-forward dishes. 

“I… they all taste good!” Fives wailed. 

They were on hour six of this tasting. Rex had all but given up. His face was buried in his hands. He only managed to pick one dish for the zabracks and two for the Twi’leks. Thankfully, because he knew Ahsoka so well, he managed to pick the Togrutan fairly quickly. 

But his job was not over yet. 

Oh no. 

He still had three dishes to choose from. And so many different dishes to taste. 

Someone, please! Give him a ration! He couldn’t take this much variety!

“Of course it all tastes good,” Cody scoffed. “It better based on how much each of these costs.” 

Feemore did not seem terrified of Cody. He seemed more amused than anything. He paced up and down the tables and tasted foods offered to him, giving light suggestions and telling them they were doing a good job. 

His words of encouragement sounded more like gleeful acknowledgements of their suffering. 

“Let’s get rid of the feta-stuffed tomatoes since we’re having feta salad for one of the courses,” Feemor suggested. 

Cody nodded. “You’re right. Good idea. Fives, pick one. Caprese skewers or bruschetta.” 

Fives looked like he was about to cry. “Would it kill you to have both?” 

“Yes. Now pick.” 

Fives looked to the others for help. They avoided his eye contact like the plague and continued working on their own menus. 

Boil, who was given bread duty, had been completely broken. He was just sitting there, a blank look in his eyes, mashing the bread together into one massive, mega-bread; muttering to himself about the differences between sourdough and focaccia. 

Wooley was in a sugar coma, having tried several hundred desserts in one sitting. 

And Jesse… Poor Jesse. He was still looking a little green from the bog-on-a-stick-thing that had been presented to him and was currently clutching a waste basket and trying not to puke. 

Gregor was just staring at a bowl of soup. He hadn’t moved in thirty minutes. 

“I… guess bruschetta?” Fives said. 

Cody scoffed. “That’s what you’re going with?” 

“Why? What’s wrong with that?” 

“People will be standing up and eating these, Fives. The chopped tomatoes are going to go all over the floor. And someone, probably Grogu, is going to wander around and eat them after they’ve been stepped all over and mashed into the carpet. We’ll go with the caprese skewers.” 

“Fine by me,” Fives groaned. “I chose my menu. Can I go now?” 

Cody looked insulted. “No! You can help Boil with the bread. Boil!” 

Boil managed to rally himself enough to look at Cody. "Yes, sir?” He sounded like such a broken man.

“Fives will help you. Debrief him.” 

“Thank fuck.” Boil shoved the mega-bread off to the side. “Here’s the list. I’ve eliminated a hundred and fifty.” 

Fives breathed a sigh of relief. “How many do we have left to go through?” 

“Three-hundred. You take the flatbreads. I’ll take the rest of the yeast breads.” 

Fives actually did start crying. 

“Is he… always like this?” Rex asked as Feemor came by his station. 

“Oh yeah,” Feemor laughed. “I did try to warn you by talking about the florist.” 

Rex looked back down at his pile of food. “I’d rather do Fives again.” 

“Funny, the florist said the same thing.” Feemor grinned. 

****

Cody wished he could have a squad with him every time he needed to do something for the wedding. It was a lot faster than him trying to do everything with just Magedla, Kara, and either Bant or Feemor, whoever was available. 

He got more done in those ten hours with Rex and the others than he thought possible. Three days' worth of work, done in only a day. 

He smiled as he crossed off several things on his to-do list. 

Sadly, though, he could not, in good conscience, remove brothers from the roster for an entire day. He only got away with it this time because his brothers were idiots who needed to be punished. But, alas, while they had sped up the process of picking the menu exponentially, he couldn’t rely on that sort of help every day for the next few weeks. 

He was on his own. And he had to be okay with that. 

There was a knock at the door. 

Cody looked up to see Monnk stepping in. “Hey, vod, what can I do for you?” 

“I heard you had Rex and a few of the others help you out with the wedding planning,” Monnk said. Almost too casually. 

Cody’s eyes narrowed. What was he up to? “Yes, I did. What about it?” 

Monnk slammed down a pile of files. “I don’t know what else to do with these guys. No punishments seem to work! They’re immune to all the normal stuff, and they’ve started completing Fives with ease, Cody. Ease! Do you have anything else you need to get done for the wedding?” 

Cody furrowed his brow. “You want me… to punish your men… by having them help me plan my wedding?” 

“Gregor said it was worse than Fives.” 

“Gregor is weak.” 

“Please, vod?” 

It probably didn’t set the best precedent that his wedding was being used as punishment. He wanted this to be a celebration, not a source of anguish. 

On the other hand… 

Magedla had just messaged him with twenty more things that needed to get done. 

“Tomorrow I’m going to a tea tasting. Have them meet me at the tea house.” 

“Thank you! You’re the best!” Monnk leapt over the desk to hug him. 

Cody patted his back. “Anytime, brother.” 

When he finally left, Cody had several more messages on his comm. Not all of them were from Magedla. 

Wolffe: I need you to make some of my men cry. Do you still need help with the florist? 

Thorn: Please. Help. Latrine duty doesn’t work on them anymore. 

Gree: Do you have another outing planned? I have ten brothers who need to be put in their place. 

“I really shouldn’t,” Cody said as he opened up his color-coordinated, multi-tab spreadsheet. 

“This is my wedding. I should be the one who takes on the responsibility.” 

He clicked over to his to-do list. 

“It’s not my fault my brothers can’t control their men.” 

He scrolled down to his appointments for the next week. 

“And really, can I trust them to produce the wedding I want?” 

He read through his options, then grinned. 

To Wolffe: They’ll help me with lighting choices. 

To Thorn: I’m meeting with the DJ, band, and string quartet three days from now. 

To Gree: We need to meet with the Stewjoni priest-thing and determine the various trinkets that’ll go on each of the tables. Have them read this paper on Stewjoni symbolism by Taungsday. 

Gree: That’s not a paper, that’s a two-thousand-page book. 

Cody: The Stewjoni have a lot of symbols. Obi-Wan has already picked out what he wants. I’ve picked out what I want. But we need fifty-three more. 

Gree: Perfect. This will definitely make them think twice before disobeying orders. 

Cody’s comms dinged one more time. 

Obi-Wan: Cody love, are you using our wedding to punish the troopers? 

Cody: Alpha-Seventeen has his preferred method of torture. I have mine. 

Obi-Wan: Very well, my dear. When you get a chance, can you send me the finalized tea list and all the flavor notes so I can approve it? And have Magedla and Feemor call me. I have something I need to do for you.

Cody: What is it? I don’t have anything on the spreadsheet. 

Obi-Wan: It’s a surprise, my love. Relax. It will not impact your meticulous schedule. I promise. 

Cody: Alright. I’m trusting you. Besides, I have a surprise for you as well.

Obi-Wan: I cannot wait to see it.

Cody rubbed a hand over his heart and messaged Needlepoint to see if they were still on a week from now. 

Yes, the final few weeks before the wedding would go smoothly indeed. After all, Cody had all the help he could ever want to make things perfect.

Chapter Text

Cody grinned as the ramp descended from Obi-Wan’s ship. Relief flooded his veins. Finally, his beloved was back home. 

Cody meant it when he told Obi-Wan that he expected there would be times when his duties came before their relationship. And that he would never hold it against Obi-Wan if he had to dash off at the last minute. He stuck by that, wholeheartedly. But even he couldn’t pretend like he wasn’t happier when Obi-Wan was here. 

And, to make things better, he was here in time for the wedding. He hadn’t missed it. Just as Cody knew he would be. 

“Cody love.” Obi-Wan sighed when his eyes landed on Cody. His face broke into a wide smile. 

Cody could practically see the stress melting off him once he emerged from the ship. All the stress, all the anxiety, was gone. They were in the here and now. They were together once again. 

He walked up to Cody and hugged him tightly, looping his arms around Cody’s neck and burying his face in the crook. Squeezing him like he feared Cody would disappear if he didn’t. 

“I missed you,” he said. There was so much more he could say. There was probably a lot more he wanted to say. There was also no reason to. 

Cody understood everything through that hug alone. 

They were back together. They were both alive. All was right with the world. 

Cody kissed his temple and squeezed him back. “I missed you, too.” He was warm and soft. He was here and safe. 

He was perfect. 

Of course, the moment couldn’t last forever. Cody’s annoying brothers had to ruin it like they always did. 

“General! We’re so happy you’re back!” Waxer rushed up to meet him. 

“Yeah, general! We’re glad to see you!” Robin added. 

Their shouts of delight alerted everyone else to what was happening in the hangar. Before Cody knew it, they were surrounded by brothers. Most of whom had never even met Obi-Wan or served with him during the war. 

Obi-Wan pulled back from the hug. 

Damn then all! Cody wanted to enjoy that hug some more!

“I suppose this welcome has less to do with my sparkling presence and more to do with the hope that I help mitigate some of Cody’s more… intense tendencies?” He laughed. 

The men didn’t even bother hiding their agreement. 

“Three hours to decide what ring would go around the napkins!” a brother cried. 

“I never want to see Chicken Satay skewers again in my life,” Hardcase sobbed. 

“How can daisies come in so many colors? They’re daisies! And we didn’t even end up going with them.” One of Neyo’s men wailed. 

“Alright. Alright. Clear out, you lot,” he barked. 

The men scattered away quickly. While he had finalized most everything for the wedding, he could still find one or two things for them to do if he really needed to punish them. And they likely knew it. Hence why they weren’t itching to stick around and find out if his annoyance was real or playful. 

“You really shouldn’t be so mean, dearest. We want them to enjoy the wedding, after all.” Obi-Wan tugged Cody in for a proper kiss. 

“If they don’t enjoy it, that’s on them,” Cody grumbled, pulling Obi-Wan back in for another one. “It’s the perfect wedding. I made sure of it.” 

“Don’t I know it. I can’t wait to experience it outside of a spreadsheet and three dozen different Spinterest boards. Really, Cody, did each section need its own dedicated board?” 

“Yes.” 

Obi-Wan laughed. 

As great as this reunion was, something was missing. He looked around the hangar, now thankfully devoid of brothers. “Didn’t you have a padawan with you when you left?” 

As if on cue, Ahsoka stumbled out of the ship, dragging her feet on the ground before flopping next to them. 

“I’m dead,” she moaned. “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. Leave me, Cody. I… can’t… go… on… Too many… meeting…” 

She let out a “blegh” and tilted her head to the side, sticking her tongue out. 

Cody snorted. “She gets her dramatics from you, you know?” 

Obi-Wan gasped and put a hand to his chest. “Blasphemy! Lies! She gets them from Anakin!” 

“And where did Skywalker get them from?” Cody raised an eyebrow. \

“Well, I don’t know. But it wasn’t from me.” Obi-Wan sniffed. 

He chuckled and shook his head. “Come on, kid. Let’s get you two home. The torture is over for now.” 

Ahsoka let out a whine. 

He scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder. 

“I’m dead, Cody. Negotiations killed me. We stopped a war, but at what cost? I’ve perished.” 

“I guess that’s too bad. I made the two wedding cakes for us to taste tonight and decide which one we want.” 

This got Ahsoka to perk up.”Really? I get to help you pick the cake? I was hoping to help with the food, but, well, we were busy.” 

Crys was walking by as she said that and burst into tears. 

Cody just rolled his eyes. “Come on. Let’s get home before you start rotting away, Ahsoka.” 

Later that night, after debating the various aspects of the cakes for hours, Obi-Wan and Cody fell into bed, exhausted. 

Obi-Wan crawled his way up so he could lay his head on Cody’s chest, pressing his right ear over his heart. 

“I know you said it was fine if I missed it,” he started, “but I am glad I made it.” 

Cody’s arms circled around Obi-Wan’s waist as he held him close. “Even if you didn’t, we would have figured it out. We always do.” 

*****

Rex let out a jaw-cracking yawn. 

“Come on, Commander, you can’t fall asleep yet!” Fives punched him in the arm. It did little to wake Rex up. “It’s the General’s bachelor party! We are going to have so much fun tonight. There will be booze, strippers…” Fives paused and thought a bit more about what a bachelor party was supposed to entail. Apparently, he came up with nothing unique as he tacked on, “More booze” in a rather unconvincing tone. 

Rex grimaced. Of all the places he wanted to be tonight, hanging out in some dingy strip club was not on the list. He’d rather be working out with Seventeen. Actually, he’d like to go to bed. Work had been crushing him lately, and he wasn’t getting much sleep. 

But no. Apparently, it was “tradition” to throw a “bachelor party” before the wedding. So, instead of passing out face-first in his bed, he was standing on the street with Fives, Echo, Hardcase, Jesse, Tup, and Kix, waiting for the rest of their party to arrive so Rex could spend an hour awkwardly complimenting some stripper as she grinded against him in front of his friends and family. 

Sounded like a wonderful time. 

He couldn’t wait to go. 

Sarcasm fully intended. 

“What are we even doing tonight?” he asked. 

“I told you, strippers and drinking,” Fives said. 

“Yeah, but where? There’s got to be a hundred strip clubs on Coruscant.” 

“Oh, Commander, you are very much low-balling that number,” Hardcase said. “But he’s right. Where are we going? Is it one that has a buffet? I’m starving.” 

Rex wrinkled his nose. Strip clubs offered food? He didn’t know if he trusted that. He supposed the strippers weren’t preparing it. And, even if they were, he hoped they would at least be wearing the proper safety gear. 

But, more to the point, he wasn’t sure if Cody would like this. He was not the kind of guy to enjoy a strip club. He only ever had eyes for one guy and one guy only. And he didn’t like to get drunk. This whole thing was shaping up to be a disaster before it even started. Maybe Rex could convince Cody to slip out the back once everyone else was having fun. 

Though he’d probably have to extend the offer to Gree. 

And probably Fox. 

And Bly. 

Okay, quick question. What was the percentage of people who actually wanted to go to a strip club tonight, and did anyone take that into account when they planned this thing? 

“Why a strip club anyway?” Rex asked. 

“That’s what they do in movies and shows,” Jesse answered. 

“Yeah, but I don’t think Cody would like that. Did anyone ask him what he wanted to do?” 

“Dunno,” Fives said. “I didn’t plan this.” 

“If you didn’t plan it, then who did?” Because Rex certainly didn’t plan it, again, he was drowning in so much work that it felt like he blinked and it was already time for the bachelor party. That made him feel like a bad brother. 

He should have planned something for Cody. At least then they could do something he actually liked. Like… a baking class or something. 

“Maybe Waxer and Boil?” Hardcase shrugged. “Oh, look. Here they are now. Over here, guys!” He waved over a relaxed-looking Boil and a very nervous-looking Waxer who kept looking down at his mini-pad. 

“What’s wrong?” Rex asked them. He wasn’t sure what this whole “bachelor party” thing entailed. But he was pretty sure people weren’t supposed to look worried or anxious. 

“It’s the first time I’ve left Numa alone with the sitter,” Waxer said. “I’m worried.” 

“Yeah, but she goes to school. She’s alone then,” Rex said. 

“That’s different! That’s during the day! This is at night. What if she chokes on a grape while I’m gone? Or the apartment catches on fire? Or droids attack again? Or traffickers break into the apartment and kidnap her. But she manages to call me right before they do. And then I have to hunt them down all over the galaxy to get her back before she’s lost forever?” Waxer wailed. 

“I think that last one is a bit far-fetched,” Kix said. “Actually, all of them are pretty far-fetched.” 

Boil rolled his eyes. “I told him to relax. His next-door neighbor raised six kids. I think she can look after one six-year-old for a few hours.” 

“But what if she can’t?” Waxer continued to wail. “Maybe I should call her again, just to make sure she knows what the emergency numbers are. And the common household poisonous and what to do in case Numa ingests any of them.” 

“For the love of the Force, she is six! She is not going to drink bleach, and Mrs. Kradinski knows not to give it to her.” 

“It doesn’t hurt to double check, though!” 

“Give me that!” Boil wrestled Waxer to the ground, trying to pull the mini-pad out of Waxer’s hands. 

Waxer let out a hiss and bit Boil, but it was no use. Boil was triumphant. 

He turned it off and stuffed it in his pocket. 

“So, what are we doing tonight, guys?” Fives asked once things calmed down. “I hear there’s an awesome club near here. Is that where we’re heading first?” 

“Why are you asking us? We didn’t plan it,” Boil said. 

Echo’s brow furrowed. “We didn’t either. Did someone else?” 

“I don’t know. Maybe Gregor? Hey, speak of the Sith.” Boil waved to Gregor, who was coming up with Trapper, Wooley, Longshot, Crys, and Oddball. “Did you guys plan the bachelor party?” 

“Absolutely not,” Crys snapped. “You saw how insane the General was with the food. I am not getting involved with any of his planning ever again.” 

“Maybe his batch planned something?” Wooley suggested. 

“That would make sense since, other than the Commander, they’re the closest to them,” Tup replied. 

“Nope. We didn’t plan anything,” Wolffe said as he and the rest of Cody’s batch came up behind them. Wollfe looked over to Fox. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, put the datapad away! We’re here to have fun. Not to work.” 

“Never!” 

“Oh, you’re going to put it away.” 

“Make me!” 

“Gree, grab his arms. Bly, his feet. I’m going for the throat.” 

Rex heard Fox cry out, and then the sounds of bodies hitting the floor. He didn’t bother to watch the fight. He had much bigger issues to worry about. 

“Please, someone, please tell me that someone planned Cody’s bachelor party?” 

No one answered. Everyone just stood around sheepishly scuffing their toes on the pavement. 

He groaned. “Seriously, guys?” 

“You didn’t plan it either– Ow! Fox, quit biting me, you little shit,” Gree snapped. 

“I can’t believe this.” Rex’s heart pounded in his chest. How could they fuck up something so important? 

No, it was fine. They still had time to fix this. Strippers and booze. How hard could that be? Fives even mentioned a club nearby? 

He dug out his datapad. “Right, well, let’s get one planned.” 

“Now?” Oddball said. 

“I don’t want to plan one when he’s here,” Rex snapped. “I don’t think Cody would like strippers. And he probably wouldn’t like a club. Maybe like a… like a pub crawl or something?” 

“Microbreweries, we can do that.” Echo pulled out his own datapad. “They usually have food too, so we can sample the beer, grab some nachos or something, and then head to the next one.” 

That was a good idea. 

“How far out should we go? Two miles?” 

“Guys, you’re forgetting, this is a bachelor party!” Hardcase said. “Strippers are imperative for a bachelor party.” 

Rex squinted and studied him. “Where did you learn the word 'imperative'?” 

Hardcase stuck his tongue out. “Fives and I have been researching. All the best bachelor parties have a lot of alcohol and a lot of strippers.” 

“Yeah, but why would he need a stripper?” Wooley asked, wrinkling his nose. 

“One last night of freedom, I think?” Fives said. 

“One last night of freedom? He and Kenobi have been together for months now. If he wanted one last night of freedom, he should have gotten it done before he snogged him after killing Krell,” Echo said. 

“Shit, a lot of the breweries around here are closed,” Jesse said, frantically scrolling through the list. “Do you think it would be suspicious if we got a taxi to another part of town?” 

“The strip clubs aren’t closed yet,” Boil pointed out. 

“Guys,” Rex groaned. Luckily, Wolffe did seem to have gotten the datapad away from Fox. “We have to stop talking about this and get something planned. We don’t want Cody to get here and have nothing to do. An escape room would be preferable at this point–” 

“No!” Everyone shouted. 

“Absolutely not. We are in no way putting Cody in an escape room,” Wolffe snarled. 

Yeah, they were probably right. Cody was a very intense person, even when it came to games. There was a reason he was banned from playing most board games during the war. 

“I know that. You weren’t there when he flipped the table because I put a ship on Coruscant. It was the only property I had at that point, and it still pissed him off!” 

He continued to scan through the options. Damn, Jesse was right. There weren’t a lot of non-strip club options around here. 

Some of them did have good reviews of the food, though. 

“Damn. Maybe a restaurant crawl or something? Where’s Archer’s food blog? He should have something.” 

“Well, whatever you’re planning on doing, do it fast, commander,” Kix said. “Because the general is coming now.” 

“What?” Rex’s head popped up to see Cody strutting towards them in comfortable civilian clothes. Kix was right. He wasn’t alone. 

“I didn’t know Seventeen was coming,” Fives said nervously, inching behind Echo as if that could save him from Seventeen’s wrath. 

“Ahsoka’s not… staying. Is she?” Echo asked. “We can’t take her on a bar crawl!” 

“Rex!” Ahsoka beamed when she laid eyes on them and ran up to give Rex a hug. 

“Hey… kid,” Rex laughed nervously and patted her on the back. “What are you doing here? Are you dropping Cody and Seventeen off?” She could technically drive. Though he did not see a speeder anywhere. 

“No, silly. I’m coming with you guys. Wolffe!” She let out a shriek of joy and pounced on Wolffe. 

“Good. Go for the jugular. Make sure to rip. Don’t just bite. It’ll be more painful that way,” Seventeen said, nodding approvingly as Ahsoka gnawed on a very tired-looking Wolffe’s neck. 

“You’re… coming with us?” Rex asked. 

“Yep.” She let go of Wolffe to beam at him. 

“On Cody’s bachelor party?” 

She nodded. “Cody said I could. And Master Obi-Wan said I couldn’t go to his.” She frowned. “I hope that’s okay.” 

“More than okay,” Cody said. “I want to have you here.” 

At least this meant they couldn’t go to a strip club. 

“Right. Um… Cody?” 

“Come on. We’re going to be late for our appointment.” Cody cut Rex off before he could ask him if he was really planning on bringing a fifteen-year-old girl to a bachelor party. 

“Appointment?” Bly frowned. “What appointment?” 

“For my bachelor party,” Cody stated in a matter-of-fact manner. “Come on. It’s just up here.” 

“Who scheduled this ‘appointment’?” Wolffe asked. 

“I did.” Cody scoffed. “After I got the RSVPs from everyone. I needed an accurate headcount.” 

“You… planned your own bachelor party?” Fives asked. 

“Yes. Why? Is there a problem, soldier?” 

Fives’s eyes darted between Cody and Seventeen. He clearly decided he wanted to live another day as he stated, “Not at all, sir.” 

Cody nodded and then turned to walk down the street. 

“Is he allowed to do that?” Fives whispered to Rex. 

“Do I look like I know?” Rex hissed back. 

“We were supposed to plan it, right? That’s how this is supposed to go?” 

“If you thought that, then why didn’t you plan anything?” 

Before Fives could respond, a strong hand scruffed both him and Rex. 

“Walk. Before I make you run,” Seventeen growled. 

“Right, sir. Sorry, sir.” Fives said. 

They trotted after Cody to where he had stopped in front of a brightly lit building. There were giant floor-to-ceiling windows with gauzy sage green and powder blue drapes artfully hanging in the window. The only reason Rex knew those colors was that he had to deal with Cody’s tablecloth color-picking extravaganza. 

“This does not look like a strip club,” Boil said. 

“Or a bar,” Crys added. 

“Serenity Spa Experience?” Wooley tilted his head up to read the sign. “We’re going to a spa?” 

“What else are we going to do?” Cody scoffed. “Wedding planning has been stressful. I want a massage.” 

“Shouldn’t we have strippers of something? That’s what all the movies have,” Jesse said. 

Thankfully, Ahsoka was deep in conversation with Seventeen. Seventeen, who was sitting there complimenting her because Seventeen apparently was incapable of being mean to her, Omega, Numa, or Hera. He complimented Hera’s flying! He never complimented anyone’s flying! He did, however, rip Howzer a new one for how poorly he was doing teaching Hera. But that was another story. 

“Why would I want strippers?” Cody asked. “I have Obi-Wan at home.” 

“And that’s more about your sex life than I ever wanted to know,” Gree said. “Let’s get in there. If you want a boring bachelor party where you sip cucumber water for a few hours while some lady gently massages your shoulders, that’s what you’re going to get.” He smacked Cody on the back and stepped inside. 

“Welcome. Welcome!” A chipper young woman at the front desk chirped. “I assume this is Cody’s party?” 

Inside the Spa was a mix of bright white lights and serenity. There was a tiny waterfall in the corner. On the front desk was a deity Rex vaguely recognized, but couldn’t name. The walls were painted a soothing green color. The couches were a plush beige. Over the speakers, some sort of flute music played. And on a tiny little table next to the couches, a pitcher of cucumber and lemons in water. 

Bly let out a pleased sound and poured himself a glass. 

“That’s correct. Thank you for hosting this at night and after hours. I assumed this would be better to accommodate the large group. I assume all the staff who were needed made it?” Cody asked. 

“Of course they did. We are so excited to have you all here. Have any of you been to a spa before?” 

They all shook their heads. 

“That’s okay. I’ll give you a quick rundown on how the night is going to go. You booked the deluxe package. This includes a massage with our classically trained masseuses, a facial, manicure and pedicure, seaweed wraps, and a mud bath.” 

“I am going to be so covered in goop after this, aren’t I?” Fives sighed. 

“Maybe all this work will finally make you attractive to the opposite sex,” Echo snickered. 

Fives punched him in the arm. 

Seventeen growled. 

They both snapped to attention. 

The woman continued on as if nothing had happened. “Now, because your group is so large, you’ll have to go to each station in smaller groups.” 

“Very well,” Cody nodded. “I’ll start with the facial, then the manicure and pedicure. Then the mud bath. The seaweed wrap. And I’ll finish with the massage last.” Cody said. 

“I want to stay with Cody!” Ahsoka, the traitor, said. 

“Rex, how about you and Torrent go get your massages first?” Cody suggested. 

Fives’s eyes narrowed. “Why would we go first?” 

“Because I said so. Now, run along before I find something else for me to help you with. They still need help setting up the venue, you know?” 

“Massages it is! Come on, guys!” Fives grabbed Rex’s hand and dragged him into the waiting area that the woman indicated. 

Another woman was waiting to greet them. “Welcome, gentlebeings.” Her voice was less chipper and more dreamy. “I have been told none of you have had massages before?” 

Rex shook his head. “No, ma’am.” 

“Then you’re in for a treat. Katarina is the best of the best. She hails from a classical massage style and is excellent at melting away even the toughest of knots. Please, undress and lie face down on the tables. Katarina and her assistants will be out shortly to begin your massage.” She bowed to them and left them to undress. 

“Katarina, eh? That’s a pretty name,” Hardcase said. 

“Don’t even think of it,” Rex groaned as he began to strip down with hesitation. 

He wasn’t shy about his body for the most part. He couldn’t be when he grew up with a bunch of brothers and a communal shower. But, there was a difference between getting undressed in front of vode and neverde. Thankfully, he’d be face down in the bad, so he didn’t have to worry about Katarina seeing too much. 

Besides, she was a professional. She had probably seen hundreds of naked bodies in all shapes and sizes just in the last day. 

“What kind of massage do you think we’re going to get?” Tup asked as he flopped down on his table. “She said Katarina was classically trained, but that could mean a lot of things.” 

“There are different types?” Echo asked. 

“Oh, yeah. There’s hot stone, Alderaan, Naboo, deep tissue.” Tup ticked them off on his fingers. 

“Since when did you learn so much about massages?” Fives grumbled. 

“I’m thinking about the future, vod. Maybe I want to be a masseuse one day.” 

“You can’t be a masseuse. That’s the feminine version of the word,” Jesse said. 

“Well, then, what’s the masculine version of it?” Tup asked. 

Jesse did not answer. 

“Can we please not argue for ten minutes?” Rex groaned. 

Something about Tup’s list stuck in his head. He poked his head up just as a company of white-clad men and women entered the room. Their hair was pulled back into tight, slicked-back buns. 

“Wait a minute. What’s a Deep Tissue massage?” 

*****

Cody grinned as the sounds of Rex screaming could be heard throughout the spa. 

Ahsoka didn’t seem to notice as she and Seventeen debated what colors to get their toenails painted. 

“Um… general?” Boil asked as more of Torrent’s screams could be heard through the building. “Are they alright?” 

“Perfectly fine, Boil. They’re just getting a massage.” Cody answered. He had specifically booked a deep tissue massage for all of them except for Ahsoka. 

He needed his muscles to be wrestled into submission. For the others, he just enjoyed the thought of torturing them. All siblings did. As for Ahsoka, apparently growing bodies needed a gentler approach, so that was what she was getting. 

“Oh, they have Katarina for their masseuse, don’t they?” a man said as he wrapped Crys tightly in seaweed. 

Crys looked mildly grossed out by the feeling. 

“They do,” Cody said. “I heard she’s the best. I have a lot of tension in my shoulders. I’m hoping she can beat the knots out.” 

“Don’t worry, she makes most people cry,” the man assured Crys as he finished wrapping him in seaweed and then laid him on the table. 

The woman doing Cody’s face mask finished up slathering some cool, floral-smelling goop on his face, complete with two cucumbers under the eyes. Cody smiled as he enjoyed the serene sounds of waterfalls, windchimes, and Fives begging for god. 

Waxer was over in the mud baths. “It’s just, this is her first time alone! Well, she’s not alone. Ms. Kradinski raised six kids. But still! What if she thinks I abandoned her or something? She’s six. Is that old enough to know I’m coming back?” 

“Oh, honey, don’t I know it,” Waxer assigned spa minder said as she poured some herb into his mud bath. “The first time I had to leave my son alone, I was a mess for the entire day! I thought I was a bad mother.” 

“Right? Am I a bad father for being here instead of there? Should I call her?” 

She shook her head. “No, you shouldn’t. It’s good for her to have some time away from you that isn’t school. It starts building up her independence.” 

“Right. Right. You’re right. Maybe just a quick text, though.” 

Gregor and Wolffe also had face masks on. But no cucumbers, as they kept eating them. They had a mini-pad out and were scrolling on it. 

“Man, Kenobi’s bachelor party looks way more fun than ours!” Wolffe said. 

“They actually made it to a strip club,” Gregor grumbled. “Aw, man. They’re doing body shots off of hot people! How come the Jedi get to have a rowdy night while we get the boring spa day? These two events should be flipped. They’re Jedi. They’re the ones who should be sitting here listening to gongs and shit.” 

“Is that Mystique?” Wolffe tilted his head to the side. “Ah, shit. I should call her and ask about that lead I’ve been chasing. She probably knows a thing or two about it.” 

“They’re eating pizza with sparklers coming out of it?” Gregor groaned and flopped back in his chair. “Why do they get pizza and beer, and we get cucumber water and apple slices?” 

Fox, meanwhile, had been wrestled into the seaweed with a great deal of anger. However, once they had tightly wrapped him up and laid him on the table, he promptly passed out. 

Bly looked at him. “Should we–” 

“Already let his medics and Chuchi know,” Gree said as he slathered mud onto his body. “This is actually kind of fun.” 

“Aw, man! They have hookahs!” Gregor wailed. 

“You know,” Seventeen said as the manicurist started on his nails. “I knew it was a bad idea to put you and Kenobi together.” 

“Really? Then why’d you do it?” Cody asked, still relaxing as someone started buffing out his feet. 

“Because it was a bad idea.” 

“I’m not following.” 

“Of course you’re not,” Seventeen scoffed. “Kenobi is a danger to himself and others. You are a danger to yourself and others. I figured you’d either cancel each other out or bring out each other’s worst traits.” 

“And? What did we end up doing?” He thought he already knew the answer. 

“What do you think, dipshit? Your idiot brother ended up as the chancellor. Your other idiot brother unionized a bunch of sex workers, used them as spies, and is now dating a handmaiden. You got force powers from a ghost–” 

“Not how that works.” 

Seventeen continued onwards. “Bly ended up a step-father to a force-sensitive female clone who is currently at the center of a custody battle between her Jedi Master and 99’s band of rejects. And Gree has taken up knitting. Knitting! He’s got a damn Spetsy store and everything!” 

Cody smirked. “So, we brought out each other’s worst traits?” 

“Damn straight you did.” Seventeen sighed. “Honestly, probably all the better for it. I knew what I was getting myself into when I flagged you for my replacement. You two are good for each other, in the worst way possible. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you are not my greatest disappointment.” 

“Why, Seventeen, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” 

“Yeah, well, don’t get your hopes up. I’m not making a speech during the wedding.” 

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” 

*****

“And this is Cody when he’s first woken up, but hasn’t brushed his hair yet. And this is Cody when he’s woken up and has brushed his hair. And this is him when he’s baking. And this is him when he’s got a bit of flour on his cheek. Isn’t he just the cutest?” Obi-Wan slurred as he showed a truly ludicrous number of photos of Cody to a woman who was supposed to be dancing topless on a table. 

“Oh my god! You two are so cute together. You make me believe in love again!” 

“Believe in it, my dear. For there is no greater force in the world. Except for Fox, when he doesn't want to sleep.” Obi-Wan hiccuped. 

“I should totally give my number to that cute barista next time I go for coffee.” 

“You should! Everyone deserves a love like Cody’s.” He swiped to the next photo. 

He did not say anything at first. 

Then, his face darkened. 

“What’s wrong?” she asked. 

“Quinlan Vos, did you put a photo of Echo in my Cody Appreciation Photo Album?” 

Quinlan did not respond. Instead, he simply turned to Kit and snickered. “See, I told you he’d notice.” 

“Of course I noticed! That is my husband! Now, hold still. I must throw you out the window for this.” 

Quinlan let out a shriek and sprinted around the table as Obi-Wan tried to catch him and punish him for trying to trick him with a photo that was decidedly not Cody. 

How successful he was depended on who you asked.