Chapter Text
Obi-Wan had been fortunate to have several days with his little family before the 212th and 501st shipped out. Cody finally could make a visible presence in Obi-Wan's quarters at the temple without fear.
If the Council knew the couple had married, no one said a word. You better believe Cody put his clothes beside Obi-Wan's, left a spare pair of boots, and things behind. He would be apart of Kenobi's life until death, and Cody was quite adamant about it.
The Council decided Ahsoka would remain planeside while she began studying for her trials. Anakin and Kit would be returning to the war front. It would be nice for the two to spend time as Grandmaster and grand Padawan for a change.
Standing on the tarmac, Obi-Wan wrapped in a blanket stood beside Master Yoda as they watched the ground crews prepare the Resolute and Negotiator.
Cody and Obi-Wan of course had their goodbyes earlier in their private quarters. It was hard for Cody to resist the urge to kiss that stupid frown on Obi-Wan's face. He knew it had to be difficult for his husband to watch someone else lead the 212th, to know he couldn't keep his men or his Commander safe.
Their eyes met, Cody swallowed as he tried to convey with his eyes how he felt without drawing Master Yoda's attention. He pulled across their bond, not Force-sensitive enough to be a Jedi, of course. But Cody was certainty more sensitive than most beings.
"Be well, cyar.”, Cody pleaded. He felt a warmth and love envelope him.
It wasn't until Cody boarded the Negotiator he realized that steady, warm, presence of love that often surrounded him was Obi-Wan. He didn't care what Anakin thought. Obi-Wan cold, distant, heartless? No. His affection was subtle, quiet, and stead, but nevertheless there.
Oh, Cody would miss Obi-Wan constant, steady, and grounding self guiding them through this hellish war. And Cody lamented that he would be at Obi-Wan's side in the days ahead as he fought for his own life.
Obi-Wan had neglected to inform Cody that he was beginning a new treatment plan: immunotherapy and targeted radiation-chemo sessions. Obi-Wan simply did not want Cody to worry about him.
Kenobi knew he was going to be fine and well cared for. These days he would stay in the assisted living facility for Jedi who needed more long term and acute care than what the Halls of Healing could provide. Cody and Obi-Wan had tried to make it as homey as possible.
Best of all, Bant oversaw most of Obi-Wan's daily care. She had him up and moving walking in the halls. Obi-Wan did receive round the clock medical care: pain medication, physical therapy, and sessions with the mind healers.
There almost always someone to accompany him to the hospital, often times it was Master Yoda himself. Master Yoda had become to be one of Obi-Wan's closest friends when he had become ill earlier in his life.
When he was feeling well, Obi-Wan taught classes, gave guest lectures, and oversaw a group of Knights working in their senior Capstones. You could find him mediating with a group of younglings or tending to the eldest Jedi as he listened to their stories. Finally, Obi-Wan Kenobi got to be the Jedi he so badly wished to be.
He poured himself into teaching, mentoring, and imparting wisdom. These days the Council looked especially to him for wisdom regarding the war front.
It was nice to not have to fight a damned war. No, these days Obi-Wan enjoyed soaking up the sunshine like a sleepy loth cat. He meditated more than ever, trying to learn the secrets of communing with the Force.
Obi-Wan immersed himself in the library researching, finding whatever willing senior Padawan or Knight he could to read to him when his eyes grew tired.
Padawans, Knights, and younglings all were more than willing to help Master Kenobi. Even if it was as simple as a hug or to point out his lost glasses were resting on the top of his head.
Of course, it was not surprise to Master Yoda to find Obi-Wan unable to sleep and wondering the halls of the temple. Both of the Jedi Masters had taken to roaming the Temple in the wee hours of the morning.
During the day, the temple always was teaming with life, a hub of activity. At night, it was peaceful and quiet.
Yoda thought it was nice to see him breathing easier without oxygen support and walking with a cane. A sign, he was overcoming the linger weakness of his most recent illness.
Obi-Wan leaned his bald head against the pillar, falling into the easy, four part breath prayer all Jedi were taught in the creche.
"Still an insomniac, I see, young Kenobi."
"Well, I don't know about being young, Master. When I had hair, it was going grey.", Obi-Wan's chuckled.
"Get to be 900 years old, young everyone is to you."
"I suppose so."
"Credit for your thoughts?"
"Do you ever think about death, Grandmaster?"
"More often than not these days, many Jedi we have lost."
"You wanted me to be able to commune with Master."
"Much work you have to do still, even if your body disagrees."
"I am so tired, grandmaster."
"Rest you shall have, but the Force cannot have you yet."
"I admit, I have yet to have any success contacting Master Qui-Gon."
"Think too much you do, no wonder you cannot quiet your mind.". Master Yoda hits Obi-Wan in the shins gently with his gimmer stick.
"It's Anakin, Master. I do not know if he will be able to let me go when the time comes."
"Hmm, meditate more on this I will."
"Yes. Master."
"Come with me.", Master Yoda commands. Obi-Wan does not fight him as they walk back to Master Yoda's quarters for a cup of tea and chocolate covered biscuits.
"Thank you, Master."
"Hear you thinking loudly from here."
"You will probably outlive me.", Obi-Wan said quietly.
"Outlive many friends, students and colleagues I have."
"Does it get easier?"
"My dear heart, wound grief is that time does not heal. But belong to us, people do not. To the Force they do. Look closer into the Force we should, the answers we seek are there."
Obi-Wan gave a soft sad smile, "Perhaps you are right."
"Drink up, Padawan-mine, Meditate we will."
Obi-wan nodded, and did as his grandmaster asked. They basked in the quiet, steady feeling of the Force that pooled between them. When the tea was gone, the ancient one wand Obi-Wan went to the Room of A Thousand Fountains.
They mediated together as they often did on sleepless nights. Secure and well loved, Obi-wan could reach out to feel Master Yoda in the Force as they sought the answers they looked for together.