Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Cold. 

The jarring chill startled him. It was the first thing Obi-Wan registered. It was a drastic change from the warm water in his fresher. He blinked and when he opened his eyes he saw white all around him. 

Snow. 

He wrapped his arms around his chest in a pathetic attempt to stay warm, not that it would do much since he was naked and wet. 

He also wasn’t alone. So he likely wouldn’t be freezing to death. That was if the rather imperious looking man in front of him would be kind enough to offer him shelter. 

The imperious man, who wore a disdainful expression with one severe brow arched, looked at him and frowned. He had a lightsaber hilt in his hands, so at least Obi-Wan was with other Jedi. 

“Padawan?” The man said, voice as cold as the snow. 

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak but hands were grabbing him from behind and a thick warm cloth was wrapped around him. It covered him down to mid-thigh which was better than before but his legs were still bare and he was already wet from the fresher. 

“Sorry, kid,” A modulated voice said. 

The cold must already be getting to him, his mind was slow. He glanced up and nearly screamed in shock. A metal helmet was above him and there were dozens all around him. 

Mandalorians. 

His soulmate. 

Obi-Wan immediately perked up a little, clutching the cloth around himself tighter. He had known that it could happen, that he could appear at his soulmate’s side when their life was in danger but he had never quite expected it to happen like this. Also, how was he even supposed to help when he was naked? He had no lightsaber on him, nothing to defend himself or his soulmate. 

“Jango, come look at this,” The same modulated voice from earlier said.

Jango Fett, the leader of the True Mandalorians, was probably his soulmate. If he had the energy to spare, he could’ve crowed with excitement. He had dreaded the possibility that it might be Tor Vizsla, the leader of Death Watch. There was also the chance that it was another Mandalorian. It could be someone else in the crowd around him. 

Obi-Wan had done research once his soulmark appeared. It was a blue lightsaber, which he assumed was him, crossed over a distinctive black lightsaber, which he later figured out was the Darksaber, the symbol for the Mand’alor. As soon as he learned that particular fact, he had dived into Mandalorian politics to learn more about his future partner. It was a sign that someone out there wanted him when it felt like no one did since no master had wanted to choose him as their padawan. 

A tall figure in silver and blue armor emerged and the crowd of Mandalorians closed around them. 

“I’m showing Jango the soulmark, okay?” The other Mandalorian asked.

“What?”

Obi-Wan’s sluggish mind barely had a moment to register the words before he was spun around and the cloth was lifted, baring the soulmark above his right buttcheek.

It was really one of the more embarrassing locations. It had dismayed him when it first appeared. He couldn’t show it to anyone without worrying about flashing them. Of course, Quin thought the location was hilarious. Bruck had made the comment that that was how low his soulmate would think of him, wanting no one to know that he was their soulmate. 

“Oh, kriff,” A deep, honey-like voice said. The cold might be getting to him if he thought that a voice could sound that good. 

Obi-Wan watched with a dazed expression as the silver and blue armored Mandalorian, Jango Fett, took off his cloak and draped it over him. He pulled off his helmet and Obi-Wan blushed under the warm, golden gaze. 

“What are you doing with that padawan?” The older Jedi shouted. Obi-Wan heard the tell-tale crackle of a lightsaber igniting. 

That golden gaze hardened and Jango stood up. A gloved hand between his shoulders pressed him against Jango and Jango held a blaster up in his other hand, pointing towards the Jedi.

“This padawan is my soulmate,” Jango growled. 

Obi-Wan vaguely realized he wasn’t shivering anymore. 

“What do you mean?”

“Put your Jetii’kad down and I’ll show you.”

“Give me the padawan, and I’ll consider putting my lightsaber down,” The Jedi snarled. 

“What’s going on?” Obi-Wan asked, barely able to keep his eyes open at that point. 

“The Governor called in for Jedi help because a group of Mandalorians were terrorizing his people,” The Jedi said. 

The hand between his shoulder blades pressed in harder. Obi-Wan rested his forehead against Jango’s arm; his head was getting heavier each second. 

“That governor,” Jango snarled, “Called us in to help.”

“Do you see any other Mandalorians?”

Obi-Wan huffed to himself, huddling as close as possible to Jango as he could, trying to fight off a bone deep chill. Finding a group of Mandalorians and assuming that they were the only ones in the area was lazy. Also, True Mandalorians weren’t known for attacking without provocation. 

“Do you have the request the governor sent you?” Obi-Wan asked, closing his eyes. If they could show proof that the governor asked for them that would clear them. It was the simplest solution and also the only solution he could think of as the cold was creeping into his mind. 

Jango’s hand pulled away and without the support, Obi-Wan listed to the side. A hand on his shoulder caught him before he could fall. 

“Jango,” A slightly panicked voice said, “He’s not shivering anymore.”

There were several curses before he was picked up and cradled against a hard chest plate. 

“I’m not having my soulmate die of hypothermia— Myles, show him the governor’s message. Silas and Ja’rad, come with me. Master Jetii we can speak later, once my soulmate is well.”

There was some jostling and then an almost painful heat. Obi-Wan was laid down on something metal that radiated warmth. It seeped into his very bones, chasing away the chill. 

Obi-Wan groaned and opened his eyes. 

A Togrutan man was opening cabinets and humming to himself. The silver and blue armored Mandalorian was sitting in a chair next to him, reading over something on a pad. He was base human and he had dark, slightly curly hair. Several strands swept over his forehead. 

His soulmate. Jango Fett. 

As if aware of his thoughts, Jango glanced up and his face brightened. 

“You’re awake,” he said, grinning. 

“Hi,” Obi-Wan said, sitting up. The sheet covering him fell and he scrambled to grab it and cover himself. 

“Silas is going to grab you some clothes,” Jango said. 

“Thank you.”

Another Mandalorian walked into the room, the one who had given Obi-Wan his cloak earlier. 

“Jango, the Jetiise are in the common area, waiting for you.” He spared Obi-Wan a glance. “Glad to see you’re awake, kid.”

Obi-Wan bristled at that, he wasn’t a kid and he couldn’t let his soulmate think he was. 

“I’m not a kid, I’m Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Padawan,” He said, holding out his hand. 

“Myles Eldar,” He shook Obi-Wan’s hand and gestured to Jango with the other, “His second in command.”

They let go and Jango stepped forward and introduced himself. 

“Jango Fett, Leader of the True Mandalorians.” They shook hands. Jango’s hand was much larger than his. He had a good grip and a few calluses. 

“I’m glad it’s you,” Obi-Wan said after a moment.

Jango frowned, hand falling from Obi-Wan’s. 

“Instead of Tor, I can’t imagine being a soulmate to him,” Obi-Wan shuddered. 

“You know who he is?” 

“Once I figured out what the other lightsaber was, I did research,” Obi-Wan said, shrugging. He didn’t say it was also because he wanted to know if there actually could be someone in the galaxy who wanted him. 

During Bandomeer he had wished for his soulmate to appear and help him. He would’ve taken Tor as long as it meant he got off that planet and escaped Xanatos. When his soulmate never showed, it felt like another punch to the gut, just one more sign that another person didn’t want him. 

“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not,” Jango said, scratching the back of his head. 

“Is he awake?” A blond human male asked as he walked into the small room. It was quickly getting crowded. 

“Hi,” Obi-Wan said. 

The blond man stammered a hello and thrust a pile of clothes at him. Obi-Wan caught them before they fell. 

“Here, I couldn’t find anything smaller,” He said. 

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan said, trained to be polite from a young age. 

“Silas, can you see if the Jetiise need anything,” Jango said. Silas nodded and darted out of the room. Jango turned to Obi-Wan and his grin shifted into a grimace and he patted Obi-Wan on the head. “I’ll see you out there.” And left the room. 

Obi-Wan frowned, watching him leave. Maybe even his soulmate didn’t want him. Obi-Wan couldn’t think of another reason for the condescending head pats and quick departure. His mood fell further as he wondered if the reason why Silas couldn’t be around him was because he and Jango were together and Obi-Wan’s appearance ruined it. 

“Get changed, kid,” Myles said, leaning back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. 

Right. Wondering why even his soulmate didn’t want him wasn’t going to help. He had to keep moving forward. Perhaps they could have a platonic relationship. Silas could be Jango’s lover and Obi-Wan would be Jango’s confidante? Friend? Either way it wasn’t very comforting. 

The tunic was long sleeved and Obi-Wan had to roll them up to keep them from covering his hands. The underwear was also a little too big but there was nothing to do for that. The leggings had to be rolled up too and they had ties in the front so Obi-Wan was able to keep them from falling down his hips. The socks though were thick and cushioned and felt amazing, especially after being out in the cold.

Once he was dressed, Myles showed him to the common room. Jedi and Mandalorians filled it. In one corner, a few Mandalorians and Jedi were talking and laughing. The thick tension from earlier had disappeared. It didn’t feel like they bordered on bloodshed anymore. 

Jango was talking with the Jedi from earlier. The Jedi's black hair was streaked with white at the sides. He had a long face and a sharp nose and yet his expression softened when he saw Obi-Wan. 

“Ah, Padawan, are you feeling better?” He asked in a warm tone. 

“I am, Master,” Obi-Wan said, bowing his head. To his dismay, Jango turned and was talking with Myles. 

“Padawan, may I inquire as to what you were doing prior to appearing here?”

“I had finished lightsaber training and was in the fresher,” Obi-Wan said, cheeks warming.

“Ah, most unfortunate timing for you but perhaps perfect timing to avert a potential catastrophe.”

Jango snorted. 

“We had told you the truth from the start.”

“Yes, there was an oversight at some point and we will all speak with the governor and get to the bottom of this.”

It sounded as though this was something that Jango and the Jedi Master had been speaking about for awhile. 

“Now, padawan, who is your Master? Surely they must be worried over your sudden disappearance.”

“Master Jinn, Qui-Gon Jinn.”

The older Jedi blinked and then he shook his head, grinning. 

“I am quite familiar with him. I hadn’t been aware I was speaking with my grand-padawan. I am Master Yan Dooku,” He said, holding out his hand. 

“Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi,” He said, grinning. Once the man had lost the icy demeanor he was quite affable. They shook hands. 

“May I see your soulmark? I want to compare it to Master Fett’s and register it with the Council.”

Obi-Wan’s cheeks flamed bright red. 

“Master Dooku, it’s in a delicate area,” Obi-Wan said, pointing to the spot. 

“Ah, that is a rather precarious spot, would you feel more comfortable showing me somewhere more private? Someone else of your choosing can accompany us if you wish.”

Well, everyone here had already seen him naked. If Master Dooku didn’t mind then he was alright with it. 

“I can show you here, Master, I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Thank you for the consideration, my dear grand-padawan,” Master Dooku said, hitting him with a charming smile before turning to Jango with a more austere countenance. “If you will.”

Jango took off a vambrace, pulled up his sleeve, and held his bare arm over the table. 

It was the same but for once Obi-Wan could easily see it right side up. It was a blue blade, the color of a clear sky on a sunny day, crossed over a dark black blade with a distinct angular hilt. The sight of it on another person made Obi-Wan’s heart pound in his chest. 

“Can I touch it?” He asked, already reaching for it. 

“Yes,” Jango whispered. 

Obi-Wan’s fingers grazed over the sharp lines and it was like a spike of electricity shot through him. Jango’s arm twitched and Jango let out a hiss, drawing back from the touch. 

Master Dooku’s fingers curled around his, drawing his hand back. 

“Touching your soulmate’s mark can cause intense feelings, grand-padawan.”

“Oh, do you want to...” Obi-Wan turned to Jango.

“No,” Jango said sharply, shaking his head. 

Right, how could he forget, his soulmate didn’t even want him. 

“May I see yours?” Master Dooku asked. 

Obi-Wan nodded and turned around. He untied his pants and pulled them and the underwear down far enough to show the soulmark. 

Master Dooku glanced from one to the other and back several times before nodding his head and directing them to redress. 

“Congratulations on finding your soulmate, grand-padawan, and,” He turned to Jango, “If you will give me your comm code, the Council can pass on updates about your soulmate or answer any questions you might have.”

“Thank you, Master Jetii,” Jango said, nodding. 

“May I borrow your long range comms? I need to message the boy’s Master and inform him of his whereabouts and well-being.” 

“Myles can show you the comm room,” Jango said. 

“They're this way,” Myles said. 

Master Dooku followed after him, leaving Jango and Obi-Wan alone in the crowded room. 

Jango stared at him before sighing and leaning forward. 

“How old are you?”

“13,” Obi-Wan said. 

Jango groaned and shook his head. He mumbled under his breath what Obi-Wan suspected were curses in several languages. 

“What about you?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“22,” Jango said, sounding exceedingly resigned. 

With a nine year age difference, Obi-Wan wouldn’t be surprised if they had a more platonic relationship. He had thought that he would meet his soulmate when he was older, maybe on some mission to Mandalore. 

“Are you hungry?” Jango asked. 

Considering that the last time he ate was an hour before practice and it had been several hours since then and a trip across the galaxy, which he still didn’t know what planet he was on, that would be a yes. Obi-Wan nodded his head. 

“This way, let’s get you some grub,” Jango said. 

They went to a kitchen and Jango opened the fridge and looked inside. He paused and then glanced back at Obi-Wan.

“Do you like tiingilar?”

“I’ve never had tiingilar,” Obi-Wan said but he knew what it was. He had devoured everything he could on Mandalorian culture. He wanted to know his soulmate and be ready for them. “I’d like to try it though.”

“Hey, any of you want tiingilar?” Jango leaned over and yelled into the common area. Several people said yes, including one of the Jedi. 

Jango patted the counter away from the stove. “You can sit here while I heat it.”

Obi-Wan hopped onto the counter and his legs dangled off of it. What does one ask their soulmate, especially one that was almost ten years older? He didn’t think Jango would be interested in the varieties of Kyber crystal, Quin wasn’t interested in it but he still let Obi-Wan ramble about it the other day. 

“Here,” Jango shoved something sticky into Obi-Wan’s hands, “It’s uj cake, my buir’s recipe.”

Buir, Mandalorian for parent, Obi-Wan recalled from his extensive studying at the archives. He really wanted to impress his soulmate. He wanted them to be proud that he was their soulmate. 

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan said before taking a bite. 

“There you two are,” Myles said, leaning in the doorway and grinning at the pair. 

“Padawan Kenobi,” Master Dooku said, “I have informed your Master where you are and that you will return with us to Coruscant once our business on Galidraan is concluded.”

“Thank you, Master Dooku,” Obi-Wan said between bites of uj cake. 

“You’re welcome,” Master Dooku’s expression shifted into something more serious, “Perhaps you and Myles here could go into the common area while I discuss a few things with Master Fett.”

“Come on, kid,” Myles said. 

“I’ll bring you a bowl when it’s ready,” Jango said. 

Knowing a dismissal when he heard one, Obi-Wan jumped off the counter and followed Myles to the common area and away from the kitchen. He couldn’t even glimpse Jango and Master Dooku. 

“What are they talking about?” Obi-Wan asked once they sat down. 

“Adult stuff,” Myles shrugged. 

“Such as?”

“What Jango can expect with you as his soulmate, especially with you still being a padawan. He figured that since I was Jango’s second it’d be good if I knew too. You’ll probably get a similar talk at some point.”

Jango and Dooku eventually emerged from the kitchen, and Jango brought him a bowl of tiingilar which turned out to be even spicier than Obi-Wan had imagined it would be. Myles laughed and grabbed him a glass of blue milk. Jango just sat there shaking his head in amusement. They went to the governor’s mansion after that and found out about a big scandal and had to arrest the sniveling man. The Mandalorians got paid and when they said farewell, Jango patted Obi-Wan's head once more and Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. His soulmate was happy to see him go with the Jedi. On the ship, Dooku never mentioned anything about Obi-Wan's soulmate. He had Obi-Wan meditate with him and his padawan, Komari, and they sparred together. 

Back at the temple, Qui-Gon met the ship and gave Obi-Wan his lightsaber. He smiled and asked how the trip was. His Master didn’t have a soulmark, he had never experienced disappearing and reappearing half-way across the galaxy. No one at the temple said anything to him about his soulmate and what would happen. Quin asked what his soulmate was like though. Obi-Wan hadn’t gotten to spend much time with him but he hoped he would see him again in the future. They were soulmates after all, surely they’d have more time together.

Chapter Text

“We need to—”

There was a lurching feeling in the pit of his stomach and Jango blinked and his surroundings had changed. His men were gone. Instead, he was standing in a dismal corridor, his soulmate was sitting against a wall with his head back and eyes closed. His cheeks were sunken. 

Jango immediately pulled out his blaster and slipped his helmet on. He checked each of the rooms in the hall, blaster ready, and verified that they were empty. He then did a heat scan of the building and established that they were alone. 

The only reason he’d be transported across the galaxy was if his soulmate was in mortal danger. There was no firefight, so that was ruled out. 

Jango crouched down next to him and switched his scanner to check for wounds. There were no critical injuries but he looked gaunt and had dirt smudges on his face. 

He hadn’t heard from his soulmate since Galidraan. He had sent a few messages over the years, giving him updates on his life, inconsequential things. Dooku had warned him that contact could be sporadic, it all depended on the type of missions a jetii took. It had hurt that he hadn’t received anything but there was nothing he could do. He checked in with the Temple and kept tabs on his soulmate but everything had been fine, he didn’t expect to find this. 

Where was his master, Jango wondered, glancing around. They were alone in a massive warehouse. Surely Obi-Wan’s master would’ve noticed how thin the boy looked. Jango’s best guess as to why he'd appeared next to Obi-Wan was starvation, which meant Obi-Wan was going to die without intervention. He needed food. 

Well, Jango let out a heavy sigh, both glad to see his soulmate and dismayed, he wouldn’t have been transported if the situation wasn’t dire. 

Jango removed his helmet before he grabbed Obi-Wan’s shoulder and gently shook him awake. “Obi-Wan?”

Crystal blue eyes blinked open and it took a moment for them to focus on him and then Obi-Wan’s eyes narrowed. 

“Jango?” Obi-Wan asked, incredulous, brows furrowed in confusion. 

“Hey,” Jango grinned, at least he didn’t have to force feed his soulmate. 

“What are you doing here?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“Maybe you can answer that since I appeared here,” Jango said, brow arched. 

“I—” Obi-Wan glanced away, voice trailing off.  

“Obi-Wan, what happened? Where is your master?” Jango asked, sitting next to Obi-Wan against the wall. He fished a nutrient bar from one of his pouches. He usually kept some nutrient bars and water on hand. 

A shadow fell over Obi-Wan’s face and he brought his hand up to the side of his head and Jango realized that the boy’s padawan braid wasn’t there. 

“I don’t have a master anymore, Jango, I left the Order.”

Jango sucked in a sharp breath and stiffened next to Obi-Wan. If Obi-Wan was out of the Order then Jango would arrange for one his advisors to adopt the boy and train him. He was not going to abandon his soulmate. 

“Why’d you leave?” He asked, hoping it wasn’t something the boy’s master did. Master Jetii Dooku had assured him that the boy’s master would be able to train him. 

“I had to stay and help the Young,” Obi-Wan said, tone taking on a steely edge. 

Obi-Wan put his hands down and made to stand but Jango grabbed his shoulder and shoved him back down. It was surprisingly easy. The boy was much too light. 

“Sit down, we can talk while you eat,” Jango said, holding up the nutrient bar. 

Obi-Wan stared at the nutrient bar with wide eyes and concern welled up inside Jango. 

“Obi-Wan?”

The boy’s head jerked to the side and he looked at Jango. 

“The Young could use that. Some of them are starving.”

“So are you,” Jango said, pushing the bar into Obi-Wan’s hand. 

“I—”

“Eat, Obi-Wan,” Jango said, letting a little of his Mand’alor voice slip into his tone. It usually helped stop arguments and it seemed Obi-Wan wasn’t immune to it either. 

Obi-Wan took a bite and his eyes lit up. 

“What happened, Obi-Wan? Who are the Young?”

While he ate, Obi-Wan told him about the civil war between the Melida and the Daan that engulfed the planet and the new faction, the Young, who wanted to stop the generational conflict. Obi-Wan and his Master had arrived on Melida/Daan to rescue another Jetii and at one point the Young had entreated the young padawan to join them but Obi-Wan’s Master had been adamant in returning Master Tahl to the Temple for treatment. Obi-Wan ultimately chose to stay and Master Jinn took Obi-Wan’s choice as a decision to leave the Order. 

Jango fought to keep from letting out several choice curses for the Elders who had started the war and for Obi-Wan’s master who had left him on the planet without his lightsaber. Jango could clearly see the pain in Obi-Wan’s eyes when he spoke of the decision. If anything though, it only cemented how right Obi-Wan was as Jango’s soulmate, placing such a high value on ade and seeking to protect them. If he wasn’t Jango’s soulmate, Jango would attempt to adopt him for his mandokarla. 

There was a sudden pounding above them, like heavy rain hitting a corrugated metal roof. 

“Kriff,” Obi-Wan cursed. He pulled out an old comm. “Base, this is Ghost.”

“We read you Ghost,” A young voice answered. Jango’s brows pinched, he thought that the Young was just a name but that sounded like a child. 

“I’m caught in a storm, I’m going to hunker down until it passes,” Obi-Wan said, “Ghost out.” He put the comm back in his pocket. He stuffed the wrapper for the nutrient bar in his pocket too. 

“Obi-Wan, how old are the Young?” Jango asked, gritting his teeth in frustration.

“We need to get to the next floor, the storms here can cause flash flooding,” Obi-Wan said, ignoring Jango’s question and standing. 

“Obi-Wan, how old are the Young?” Jango repeated his question, grabbing Obi-Wan’s hand. 

Obi-Wan’s eyes closed and he let out a shaky breath. 

“I don’t know if you want to hear the answer, Jango.”

“I think I do,” Jango said, stepping in front of him and dropping his hand. 

“They’re children, some infants that older siblings took with them up to young teenagers who narrowly avoided being conscripted into the fighting.”

Jango’s heart sunk. 

“Where are their buire?” 

Obi-Wan grimaced. 

“Who do you think they’re fighting?”

A vice clenched around Jango’s heart and his blood ran cold. “They’re fighting against their ade?” 

Obi-Wan nodded. 

“We have to do something,” Jango said. 

Obi-Wan’s eyes widened and something bright shined in them. “You want to do something?” Obi-Wan asked, voice hesitant and soft. 

“Of course! Ade are in danger and their buire don’t care. We have to do something,” Jango snapped. 

Obi-Wan straightened, standing taller, and Jango realized the boy had gained a few inches since he had last seen him. “I’m working with the leaders of the Young. I went on a supply run. We need everything: food, medical supplies, and ammunition. We’ve been attacking their supplies and taking what we can.”

“Depending on how far we are from Pasher, you’ll have all you need in a few days,” Jango said, grinning. 

“Don’t you need a long range comm to let them know where you are?” Obi-Wan’s brows pinched adorably. 

Jango snorted. 

“I’m a Mandalorian. We already have plans in place for situations like this.” Jango pointed to his vambrace. “This has a long range locator in it. As soon as they realize I’m missing— which they will quickly because we were in a debrief, they will try to find the signal. If that doesn’t work we have the emergency number for the Temple and can get details for your mission location. They’ll set out within a few minutes to a few hours of my vanishing.”

Myles would have the location quick, he wouldn’t waste any time coming to their location. Jango had every confidence in him. His second was a good man. 

Normally, a Mandalorian would wait until after meeting their soulmate before installing a locator. Some soulmates weren’t likely to get caught in dangerous situations while others were. When Jango’s soulmark had appeared at 21 he had noticed the jetii’kad and had a locator inserted into his vambrace. He had a feeling that a jetii soulmate was likely to get into trouble. 

Of course their first encounter had been less than ideal. Jango had seen far more of his underage soulmate than he wanted. Once his soulmate had left, everyone had given him shit about his soulmate appearing naked in front of them. Jango rolled his eyes and accepted the teasing. It was going to be a few years before anything physical ever happened between them. 

Even now, looking at the slightly older boy, Jango could still see him wearing the too big clothes and staring wide-eyed at Jango. 

“Oh,” Obi-Wan said, cheeks flushing. 

There was a loud cracking noise and the thunder shook the building. 

“You said we needed to get to higher ground?” Jango asked. 

“Yes, this way,” Obi-Wan said, leading the way to a set of stairs down the hall. Outside the windows, the rain poured in thick sheets. Jango would only be able to see with his scanners. 

They walked along the upper level and found a common room. The two couches in the center had a few rips and one of the two tables in the room was flipped on its side. 

Jango sat on one of the couches and he set his helmet on the low table in front of him. 

“May I sit with you?” Obi-Wan asked, pointing at the spot next to him. 

“Of course,” Jango said. 

Obi-Wan sat down and wrapped his arms around himself, a near galactic sign that someone was cold. Jango had nearly seen Obi-Wan freeze to death on Galidraan, he wasn’t going to let his soulmate catch a chill on some backwater planet. 

Jango took off his cloak and draped it over Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan jumped at the first touch of the cloak but then he offered Jango a sheepish smile and let him cover him. 

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan said, cheeks pinking. 

They sat in relative silence for a few minutes, watching the rain outside one of the large windows. He laid his feet on the low table in front of them and a moment later Obi-Wan copied him. 

“How was training going?” Jango asked for a lack of anything to do. 

“It was going well,” Obi-Wan shrugged, voice tight. 

“I’ll ask one of my verde to adopt you.” He briefly considered who before realizing the obvious choice.  “Probably Kal... and maybe Master Jetii Dooku can fill in any gaps in your training.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. “I can find something.”

“Obi-Wan, you're my soulmate, I’ll help you however I can.”

A strained silence settled over them. 

“How is your stuff going?” Obi-Wan asked. 

Jango thought back to the messages, it would be easier to fill in everything that had happened since the last one. 

“We finished the mission on Pasher and Tracy’ika is growing fast.”

“Tracy’ika?” Obi-Wan asked, head tilted to the side. 

“Tracy’ika, the strill I told you about?” 

“What strill?” Obi-Wan frowned. 

“The one I told you about in the messages?” Jango said, brows pinching together. 

“I never received any messages,” Obi-Wan shook his head. 

“I sent them to you quarterly, like the Council said I could.” 

Obi-Wan’s expression fell and Jango pursed his lips. 

“Didn’t your Master talk with you about the rules?”

Obi-Wan shook his head. 

Jango’s heart fell. Maybe the reason he hadn’t received any messages was because Obi-Wan had never received his. The boy’s master had never told him what to expect and the rules they had to follow, like Jango could only send a certain number of messages and every single one of them went through the boy’s master and if Jango wanted to visit Obi-Wan on Coruscant, Obi-Wan’s master had to be present the entire time. The rules were quite reasonable. He had thought that Obi-Wan had been aware of them. 

Suddenly, Jango had a new reason to dislike the boy’s master. He was going to have a word with Master Jetii Dooku. If Jango ever met Master Jinn he was going to— he’d let Myles handle Jinn, there was too high of a chance that he’d punch him. 

Obi-Wan let out a big yawn and covered his mouth. 

It occurred to Jango that he probably had found Obi-Wan after the boy had passed out. 

“When was the last time you slept?” Jango asked. 

“I slept the other night,” Obi-Wan said, rolling his eyes. 

“How many hours?” Jango had played this game often enough with young verde. 

“Three hours,” Obi-Wan said, pouting. 

“Rest, I’ll watch over you,” Jango said.

“I’m fine,” Obi-Wan said with an indignant huff.

“And yet I appeared,” Jango said, looking at him with a pointed expression, “No one is going out in this weather. I’ll keep you safe.”

Obi-Wan opened his mouth, no doubt to argue, and Jango put his finger there. 

“Sleep,” Jango growled. 

“Fine,” Obi-Wan grumbled, as petulantly as a teenager could manage. 

Thankfully, after that it didn’t take long before Obi-Wan’s eyes were closed and he was breathing slowly and evenly. His head rested against Jango’s shoulder and Jango curled his fingers into Obi-Wan’s hair, petting him. 

Luckily, Jango's work hadn’t brought him to Coruscant yet or he would’ve stormed the Temple if he hadn’t heard from Obi-Wan by then. Surely his soulmate wouldn’t be that busy. But no, Obi-Wan wasn’t busy, he was unaware of Jango’s desire to build the foundation of a relationship. 

He had to send Myles to handle Jinn. While Jango had no input in Obi-Wan’s training, surely having his messages blocked counted as interference. Every single message was carefully curated to ensure that it was friendly yet distant, enough to keep Obi-Wan apprised without attempting to groom him in either direction. Myles was even there for each one of them and Jango had to endure the teasing that involved but his second understood the need for discretion. 

Hopefully his men weren’t far from them. The faster they arrived, the better. Ade were in trouble and no Mandalorian could sit around while that happened. They would either finish the war or at least take the ade from the planet. The former would be better, it’d give the ade a chance to return to their buire if they wished, which Jango didn’t think the buire deserved. The buire obviously didn’t care what happened to their ade . 

Obi-Wan shifted in his sleep and he pressed his face against Jango’s shoulder. His expression tensed and Jango petted his hair to soothe him. He wrapped an arm around him, holding him close. 

“I’m here, Ob’ika,” Jango said. 

If what he suspected was true, his soulmate would need a mind healer after this. He could see many of the ade having battlefield stress. They would do what they could for them. If none of them ever wanted to fight again, there was a place among the True Mandalorians that didn’t require them to be involved in combat. They could live on Concord Dawn and farm if they wanted. 

A few hours later, the rain finally let up and Obi-Wan stirred. He blinked blearily up at Jango, lips pursed together. Jango felt like a buir in that moment, watching over his ad and he wiped that thought from his mind. He wanted to eventually have a romantic relationship with his soulmate and thinking of him like that wasn’t going to help him at all. In fact, he hoped he could eventually think about Obi-Wan sexually and stop seeing the wide-eyed boy. 

“How long was I out?” Obi-Wan asked, rubbing at his eyes. 

“A few hours,” Jango said, shrugging, “You can sleep a little longer if you need to.”

Obi-Wan shook his head and sat up. Jango kept his arm around Obi-Wan, enjoying being able to hold him close for a little while longer. 

“I need to get the supplies to the Young, a few of them aren’t doing well.”

“Why did you go alone?” Jango asked. 

“Because, it’s easier for me to sneak around alone than it is with a larger group. Some of the children are less than subtle.”

“About as subtle as an ion torpedo?” Jango asked, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. 

“Worse,” Obi-Wan said, rolling his eyes. 

“Oof,” Jango said, holding a hand over his heart. He’s worked with others like that before and had learned who was good on stealth missions and who needed to stay behind. 

“How long until your men arrive?” Obi-Wan asked, gaze thoughtful. 

“It could be tomorrow or a few days, I won’t know until they send a message.”

Obi-Wan rubbed his chin for a moment.

“You need to warn them about the anti-air towers, they nearly took Master Jinn and I out.”

“Good to know,” Jango nodded, “They’ll send a message before they land so I can warn them to have shields up.”

“We'll need to grab as much supplies as we can so we can hold out until your men arrive. The Melida have a massive supply depot a few klicks west and they’re receiving a large shipment soon. I wanted to get in place and grab some of it, hopefully without them noticing,” Obi-Wan said. “Did you want to help or do you want to stay behind?”

Jango’s brow arched as if to ask if Obi-Wan was serious. There was no way he was letting his soulmate go on a mission alone, especially not on this skudball planet. 

“How armed are they?”

“A few men, but they get lax the closer they get to the warehouse so taking a few crates isn’t hard.”

“I’ll follow your lead,” Jango said and they left the deserted warehouse. 

A humid haze hung in the air and soon Obi-Wan was sweating next to him. Jango was wearing his helmet and the suit’s cooling system was keeping him comfortable. Once they were off the planet, he’d have Obi-Wan do his verd’goten and earn his armor and his soulmate wouldn’t walk around in basic clothes with nothing to protect him. 

They walked over cracked duracrete where thorny grass punched up from the dirt and bright yellow flowers claimed their spot. Off in the distance were crumbling buildings but the area they were in was a low sprawling city where none of the buildings were over five stories tall. Obi-Wan lifted a manhole cover and Jango groaned, dreading using the sewers. He had done it before but it was never pleasant and he’s had to throw out a few flight suits because he never got the noxious stench out. 

Jango slid down the ladder and Obi-Wan followed after him, covering the entrance once more. Jango turned on his shoulder light and Obi-Wan snorted. 

“How did you plan on seeing?” 

“I use the Force,” Obi-Wan said, rolling his eyes. 

His soulmate was currently a teenager, he had to expect a little sass from him. Jango hoped the boy would grow out of it someday. 

“This way,” Obi-Wan said. “We’re going to come out behind them and I can use the Force to grab a few of them and slide them off. We’ll have to carry them back to base.”

“Could we hot-wire a speeder and bring them back that way?”

Obi-Wan shook his head. 

“I can’t be seen driving it, they would fire on me.”

“Everyone in the Melida are adults, right?”

Obi-Wan nodded. 

“I can drive it,” Jango said, “We could grab more supplies that way and you can hide in the back.”

Obi-Wan rubbed his chin but eventually he nodded.

“That could work.”

They continued through the sewers, the quality of which Jango would rate as on the slightly better side than most. His flight suit was possibly salvageable. They took several corners before Obi-Wan stopped and climbed a ladder. He peered out first before emerging completely and then waving for Jango to follow. It warmed Jango that his soulmate gave him an all clear signal. It spoke well of Obi-Wan’s future as a squadmate. 

Jango found a speeder and hot-wired it and they waited for the shipment. The truck turned the corner and Obi-Wan quickly unlocked the back and floated several crates out. They set them in the small speeder and Obi-Wan hid in the backseat while Jango drove through town, following Obi-Wan’s whispered directions. 

Once they were a safe distance away, Obi-Wan scrambled into the front seat. 

“We make a good pair,” Jango said, grinning from the thrill of victory. They had plenty of supplies to help the Young. 

“One could say we’re almost soulmates,” Obi-Wan said, returning Jango’s infectious grin.

If everything went as smoothly as their operation had, Jango couldn’t wait to have Obi-Wan one day join his squad. Maybe the boy’s Master messing up was actually a boon, it meant Obi-Wan could join them sooner. Although Jango would still keep him at a distance, he had no desire to enter into any romantic relationship until Obi-Wan was past his majority. 

They flew for over an hour, during which Jango gave Obi-Wan another nutrient bar and had him sleep more. They made it to part of the city where the crumbling buildings were little more than jagged pillars reaching into the sky, suggesting they had been far taller than the smaller, squat buildings of the Melida. Obi-Wan insisted he drive and Jango laid down in the backseat. They parked next to a dilapidated stone building. The right side of it was a massive gaping hole. 

They lined the crates along the wall in the back, where the dark covered them. 

Obi-Wan pulled the cover off a manhole and Jango rolled his eyes. Thankfully his helmet sealed and he avoided having to breath in the smell. 

“Let me do the talking,” Obi-Wan said, leveling him with a firm stony look. 

Jango nodded, he could do that if Obi-Wan thought it best. 

The sewer was drier than most, of course the state of the city likely meant that it wasn’t seeing much use. Jango turned on his shoulder light again. They were walking for a few minutes when there was a soft scuffing noise ahead. Obi-Wan stopped before an intersection and he put his hand against Jango’s chest plate.

“He’s not an Elder, he’s my soulmate,” Obi-Wan called out. 

Jango switched to thermal vision and his heart stopped. A dozen ade were in front of them. They were pressed against the walls at the intersection and a few more were in the darkness beyond. They all had blasters.

“Prove it,” A female voice called. She sounded slightly older, maybe a few years younger than Obi-Wan.

“I’m not showing you my mark but Jango can show you his,” Obi-Wan said, voice calm. 

A girl with blonde hair stepped into the light. She was petite and thin, likely malnourished. She held out her hand. “Show me.”

Jango pulled a vambrace off and pulled his flight suit back, revealing his wrist. The girl peered at it and Obi-Wan pointed out the two sabers, telling the girl about them. 

The girl scoffed and turned to stare at Obi-Wan. “Where's yours?” 

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and he pointed at the spot. 

“There?” Her face scrunched up in disgust, “Ew.”

“I know, it’s not a great location,” Obi-Wan chuckled and nodded. 

It really wasn’t but if it hadn’t been there Myles never would’ve noticed it on Galidraan, Jango wouldn’t have known the boy was his soulmate. He wasn’t going to touch it though until the boy was past the age of majority. 

“Why is he wearing the helmet?” She asked, brow arched and mouth curled to the side, “Is he ugly?”

“Cerasi!” Obi-Wan cried, cheeks flushing.

Jango pulled off his helmet. Seeing a face helped ade trust him. The helmet was a great intimidation factor though. 

“Huh,” She cocked her head to the side, slowly scanning him, “How much older are you?”

“Cerasi, we have four crates on the surface that need to be emptied,” Obi-Wan said, catching her attention.

“Four? You never manage more than two,” She said, grinning. 

“Jango helped, we got a speeder and brought them here that way.”

Cerasi popped her fingers into her mouth and whistled and several more kids, a few years younger than her, came into the light. 

“Empty the crates,” She said, clearly used to authority. 

They saluted before running off, footsteps sure in the dark. 

“Nield isn’t going to like this,” Cerasi said, shaking her head. “Come on.”

Jango pulled his flight suit back down and put his vambrace on again. 

They followed Cerasi through the winding sewer tunnels and made it to a portion where a wall had been blown open and they entered a subway platform. Ade in ragged clothes stopped what they were doing and stared at him. Some of them ran to older ade and hid behind them. They peered around the older ade. Everyone was covered in a thin layer of dirt. Obi-Wan was the cleanest among them. Jango schooled his features and did his best to control his breathing even as his heart started beating faster and faster. He had a feeling that this wasn’t the worst. 

“Who is he?” A young boy, about the same age as Cerasi, asked, scowling and pointing at Jango. 

“Jango, he’s Obi-Wan’s soulmate,” Cerasi said. 

“He’s an Elder,” The boy said, nearly snarling. 

“He’s a Mandalorian,” Obi-Wan said, putting his hand on Jango’s shoulder. 

Jango held his hands up in a placating gesture. 

“He’s a stranger,” The boy said. 

“He helped me get supplies, we have four crates this time, enough for us to take some time to rest and regroup,” Obi-Wan said. 

At the mention of crates, a few of the older ade ran out of the subway station and into the sewer tunnels. 

“Why should we trust you, Elder?” The boy sneered, looking directly at Jango. 

“Because I will do anything to help children, I would never harm one, and Obi-Wan is my soulmate,” Jango said, using the basic word to get his point across.

“Fine,” The boy snarled, “But you’ll give us your blasters.”

“No, he’s a Mandalorian, they’re part of his religion,” Obi-Wan stepped forward, staring the boy down. 

“He’s an Elder, how are we supposed to trust that he isn’t going to fire at us once he gets his first chance?”

“Because I’m not from here,” Jango said, “And not harming children is also part of our code.”

The boy’s eyes narrowed and he huffed and turned around, disappearing into another tunnel. 

“That’s Nield,” Obi-Wan said, sighing. “He and Cerasi are the leaders of the Young. Nield’s soulmate betrayed him last year so he has no love for them.”

“What happened to the soulmate?” Jango asked. 

“Died in the ensuing shootout,” Obi-Wan answered solemnly.

Jango’s heart went out to the young boy. He couldn’t imagine losing one’s soulmate while still so young. 

“Come on,” Obi-Wan said, taking Jango to another opening. 

Inside, dozens of ade turned to look at him as he entered. Once again, some of the younger ones ran and hid behind older ade. Their faces were gaunt and sallow. They needed care. He didn’t have enough on him but hopefully the crates would help. 

Obi-Wan led him to the back and pulled back a sheet and Jango had to duck to enter another room. This one was covered in maps and had three cots in it. 

“That one’s mine,” Obi-Wan said, pointing at the cot against the far right wall, “Get some sleep. I’m going to check on the ones in the clinic and see if there’s anything I can do for them.”

Jango shook his head. “I’m not leaving your side.” He wasn’t going to take the chance while they were on a planet in the midst of a civil war. 

“Jango,” Obi-Wan sighed, “You’re not going to like the clinic.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Jango shrugged. 

The ade in the clinic stared at him with haunted expressions. The patients, all of which were ade, were in varying states of healing. One of the older ade was walking around with a pad and making notations. A clunky med droid was in the corner, cord hooked into the wall. 

A little boy’s forehead was dotted with sweat and his cheeks were feverish red. His breathing came out ragged. 

Obi-Wan stepped up behind him and put his fingers near the boy’s temples. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. 

The little boy’s cheeks slowly lightened to a dull pink and his breathing slowed. 

Obi-Wan repeated this two more times, getting more unsteady on his feet with each person he helped. Jango gritted his teeth, unable to do anything. These weren’t battlefield injuries, these ade needed a hospital. 

After the third child, Jango grabbed Obi-Wan and pulled him away. 

“Let me help,” Obi-Wan snarled, turning a sharp glare on Jango. 

“You’re of no help if you collapse,” Jango snapped, “Being a leader means knowing your limits.”

“They need help,” Obi-Wan said, sweeping his arm out and gesturing at every child in the room.

“And you can’t take care of them all,” Jango said, grabbing Obi-Wan’s hand and pulling away from the curious ears and back to the curtained off room. “My men are headed this way and my healers can take care of them.”

“We don’t know when they will get here, Jango, and some of them need help now,” Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. He sat down heavily on his cot.

“Then triage them, decide who needs care to last at least a few days,” Jango said. 

“Obi-Wan,” Cerasi burst into the room, wearing a wide grin, “There’s antibiotics in one of the crates. We’re going to turn on T1-H to help.” She flew back out of the room, the curtain flaring behind her. 

Most medical droids could run basic tests and could determine whether or not a specific drug would help fight off an infection. Ja’rad took care of most injuries but he had a medical droid onboard to help if there are too many for him to handle alone. 

Obi-Wan made to stand but Jango slapped another nutrient bar into his hand. 

“How many of these do you have?” He asked, brow raised and lips curled upwards. 

“Four when I came here, I’ve got one left,” Jango said. “Eat, you need the energy.”

“The Force can sustain me,” Obi-Wan said, holding the bar out. 

Jango shook his head. 

“Was the Force sustaining you earlier?”

“We were running low on supplies,” Obi-Wan huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Now you’re not, you have several crates. You can eat another nutrient bar.”

“You haven’t eaten either,” Obi-Wan said, pointing the nutrient bar at Jango. 

“You’re right, I haven’t. I can eat one with you,” Jango said, pulling out the last bar. 

“You’re not supposed to want to eat,” Obi-Wan sighed dramatically and rolled his eyes. 

Jango snorted and took a seat next to Obi-Wan on the cot. He peeled the wrapped back and took a bite, focusing on the conversation and not the bland taste. 

“Myles does the same thing to me,” Jango said. 

“He does?” Obi-Wan asked, perking up and looking at him with wide eyes. 

Jango nodded. 

“He’s my second and he’ll drag my ass to the kitchen if necessary.”

“Really?” 

“He did it a few weeks ago, we were getting ready for a high risk mission and he forced me to take a break and it helped. We found a new point of attack and completed the mission with only minor casualties.” 

Jango finished his nutrient bar and balled up the trash. Obi-Wan was almost finished with his. Jango remembered eating like a bantha at that age, being almost constantly hungry— and angry at the death of his buir.

They checked on the clinic again and found the medical droid hard at work administering medication. Cerasi was chatting with several of the older ade and Obi-Wan joined them. Jango hung back, letting them handle their needs. The clinic wasn’t his area of expertise. 

The Manda was on their side. The crates contained medicine, food, and water purification tablets. They could stay hidden, recovering, while they waited for Jango’s men to show up. The leaders weren’t enthused about the idea. Nield was the most adamant about taking action, constantly striving to end the foolish war. Cerasi wanted more supplies, insisting that they couldn’t rely on rescue and that they needed to provide for themselves. 

Jango reminded them that his men would be there in a few days, whether the leaders wanted it or not. Once the Mandalorians saw the condition the ade were living in there was no force in the galaxy that could stop them from helping.

In the mornings, Jango would grab six nutrient bars and he’d sit with Obi-Wan and eat his meals with him. The bars were bland but Obi-Wan needed food and Jango had long ago learned to tolerate them. The bars were enough to give him the energy he needed. Luckily, Obi-Wan wasn’t fussy about them either. He ate them with minimal complaint, rolling his eyes when Jango gave him another one and sat down to eat with him. He wasn’t subtle about his desire for Obi-Wan to eat but it was obvious that Obi-Wan was more concerned about the others than himself, a valiant trait but one that could do more harm than good sometimes. 

During the day, Obi-Wan and Jango did recon and they talked about what they had been up to in the years since they had last seen each other. They settled into a rhythm of Jango telling Obi-Wan about a mission and Obi-Wan would share one of his. They would sit quietly and listen while the other talked. Jango found Obi-Wan’s prim Coruscanti accent oddly soothing to listen to. 

The second day, Obi-Wan said something and it sounded oddly like Mando’a but an archaic form. Jango asked Obi-Wan to repeat himself and Obi-Wan blushed but did and then he confessed that he actually didn’t know the proper pronunciation of the word, he had only read about it in the archives at the Temple. It was an older Mando’a word. Obi-Wan had been trying to learn it. Jango grinned at that and offered to teach him and that's how they spent the second day, covering basic Mando’a. 

The first night, Obi-Wan offered Jango the cot and he shook his head. Obi-Wan tentatively suggested they share the bed and Jango nixed that idea immediately. He wasn’t going to sleep with his underage soulmate. The very thought of it turned his stomach and made him sick. He gave Obi-Wan his cloak and bristled with pride when Obi-Wan accepted it. Jango leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. He had mastered the ability to sleep anywhere and in just about any position. The next night, there was a fourth cot in the room and Jango accepted it. He slept a few feet from Obi-Wan. 

Until his men arrived, Jango was determined to keep Obi-Wan safe. 

Chapter Text

Early in the morning on the third day, Jango’s vambrace chimed and his heart jumped. He quickly turned it on. 

“Jango?” Myles asked, appearing in pale blue. 

“Myles,” Jango grinned. 

Obi-Wan stepped into range. 

“Hey kid,” Myles said, “Heard you got into some trouble.”

“Myles, you need to watch out for anti-air guns, this planet is in a civil war,” Jango said. 

“We heard,” Myles said, “We called the Jetiise and found out where former Padawan Kenobi is.” Myles stared pointedly at Obi-Wan. “Master Jetii Dooku wasn’t pleased upon hearing his Grand-Padawan was left in the middle of a civil war, and the Jetiise are a day behind us.”

“It gets worse,” Jango said. 

“How can it get worse? The planet is in a civil war.” Myles stared flatly at them, “Please tell me some disease didn’t break out.”

“It’s children,” Jango said. “Obi-Wan stayed behind to help a group called the Young and there are so many that they can’t count them all.”

Myles’ expression hardened and he nodded. 

“Orders alor?”

“Send out a call with my name, children are in danger.”

“Will do, alor, we’ll lock on to the locator signal and land near you.”

Jango shook his head. 

“I’ll give you a signal when we’ve reached the landing zone.”

“Yes, alor,” Myles nodded. 

They ended the call and Jango shared a joyful grin with Obi-Wan. 

“I told you they’d be here soon.”

“Let’s share the news,” Obi-Wan said. 

They found Cerasi and Nield and pulled them aside and Nield scowled upon hearing that the Mandalorians had arrived. Cerasi asked to join them and the three left. During the three days waiting, they had located a relatively large flat area near a subway entrance that they could use. Jango pointed out that it would be faster to extract the children in the clinic if they could use a speeder. They reached the large intersection and Jango sent the signal. 

A few minutes later, several large ships landed and then a couple smaller fighters joined them. The pilots in the fighters jumped out and high fived each other. Myles came down the ramp of the largest ship with his helmet in hand. Silas, Karrhi, and Kal were right behind him. Myles cast a curious glance around him and shook his head. Jango and he had seen enough civil wars to recognize the destruction they wrought. 

“Having fun without us?” Myles asked, all cheeriness. 

“No, it’s time for the real fun to begin,” Jango said, smirking. They were going to finish this fight. 

He clasped hands with his second before hugging him. It was good to have Myles at his back again. 

“Myles, this is Cerasi, one of the leaders of the Young,” Jango said, introducing the two. 

The pair stared at each other before shaking hands. He then introduced her to Ja’rad. The medic gave her one look before taking her aside. 

Silas offered him a shy smile, waiting patiently for his attention, and Jango grinned and pulled him into a hug. Out of the corner of his eye, Jango caught Obi-Wan tensing. Jango pulled back and grinned, feeling grateful to have his men with him once more. He had a better idea of how Obi-Wan felt when he had appeared on Galidraan, only Jango had been lucky to appear in his armor. 

“It’s good to see you, Silas,” Jango said, “You remember Obi-Wan, right?”

“Of course,” Silas stammered, holding out his hand. “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing well, you?” Obi-Wan asked, voice taking on a polite but distant tone. Jango attributed that to Silas being a relative stranger. 

“I’m good,” Silas said.

“Hey, kid,” Myles said, pulling Obi-Wan into a hug and shaking him. “It’s good to see you dressed this time.”

Obi-Wan’s cheeks immediately turned bright red and Jango buried his face in his hands and groaned. They had given him so much shit when that first happened. 

“Myles, give him a break,” Jango said. 

“Hey, don’t worry about the placement of your mark, I heard about this one Twi’lek whose mark was between her legs and every time her soulmate—” 

“Myles, he’s 15,” Jango growled, cutting Myles off. 

“What? He’s 15, he knows what sex is.”

“Yes, but I don’t want anyone thinking I’m corrupting him,” Jango said, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had taken even more shit for his soulmate’s age and the placement of Obi-Wan’s mark. “Where’s Kal? I need him to adopt Obi-Wan so he can punch you for being a little shit.”

“Why would Kal adopt Obi-Wan?” Myles asked. 

“Because he left the order? I’m not about to have my soulmate wandering the galaxy.”

“The Jetiise are going to take him back.”

“They are?” Obi-Wan asked, jumping up. 

“Of course,” Myles nodded.

Jango kept smiling. He had been making plans for Obi-Wan, thinking about the colors of Obi-Wan’s armor, blue and green, and how he’d look in the armor with his coppery hair flowing in the breeze with a little length. Jango had even thought about who Obi-Wan would work well with in a squad and how one day his soulmate would command a squad. But hearing that the Jetiise were going to take Obi-Wan back crushed those plans. He had faith that Obi-Wan would return to his side one day, they were soulmates after all but they could’ve been working together more. 

Ja’rad joined them and Cerasi led them down the tunnels and into the main base. He heard a collective gasp from the others in the group and several of them let out a curse. Ja’rad growled, a deep rumbling noise, and he stomped forward, immediately taking charge. He would see the children in the clinic first and then check on the other children. It was frightening to watch how quickly Ja’rad took control. 

The most serious medical cases were sent to the ship and Ja’rad went with them. The medical droid triaged the rest. 

Several of the commandos were carrying boxes of nutrient bars and when the children saw them handing them out, they swarmed them. They clamored for food. Cerasi had insisted that they ration the food from the crate, they didn’t know when the Mandalorians would arrive and feasting could hurt them in the long run. 

Cerasi and Nield did the best they could to help but after a while it was clear that the Mandalorians had experience in assisting those in need. Instead, Jango took them and his advisors to the map room in order to discuss how to end the conflict. Nield’s eyes lit up at this topic and suggested that the Mandalorians took out the power base for the Melida and the Daan. Cerasi calmly stated that they should offer peace terms. Obi-Wan sighed and was once again the middle ground between the two. 

The Mand’alor’s call had gone out far and wide and by nightfall, ships dotted intersections across the city. When the others had landed earlier, the fighters had taken out the anti-air guns. Soon they had an army and could easily launch a devastating assault on the Melida and the Daan. They had enough commandos that they could take on both at once. 

Nield argued for an immediate strike, like a warning shot, showing their strength. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous lust. It was a look that Jango would discourage in any verd. 

Karrhi, a Zabrak female and the new Commander of Shrike Squad, stared at him. 

“I thought you wanted to end the war?” She asked.

“I do!” Nield shouted, “I want this war to end. I want peace.”

“It sounds like you desire bloodshed, little one, not peace,” Karrhi snorted. 

“I’m not little, I’m a leader of the Young, I’ve fought in this war for years,” Nield yelled. 

“And bloodshed is not always the answer,” Jango said, stepping in before Karrhi could upset the boy. “You’ve fought for a long time, let us finish the fight for you.”

“You’re going to offer for peace?” Cerasi asked. 

“We will. Just because we can make an assault doesn’t mean we need to,” Jango said. 

“And then the Young look weak once more. They’ve never considered us an actual faction,” Nield scoffed. 

“And what do you think an assault would lead to?” Jango asked, genuinely curious.  

Nield took a deep breath and stared at the commandos around the room. 

“They’ll see we’re a real faction and then they will take us seriously when we offer a chance for peace.”

“You don’t think that they’ll want revenge?” Jango asked. 

“They’ll—” Nield paused and bit at his bottom lip before glancing down and running his foot over the dirty floor. “They’ll want revenge, won’t they?”

“They’re caught in a cycle of war,” Myles said. 

Nield sighed and seemed to accept that bit of wisdom. 

“How do we stop it?”

“By breaking the cycle and offering them a chance for peace,” Obi-Wan stated calmly. Jango reached over and squeezed Obi-Wan’s shoulder, proud of his soulmate. 

They went back to the original plan for sending two squads out, each offering a chance for peace talks. It was the best they had and Nield and Cerasi agreed to it. Jango had worked with child rulers before and they usually required a more delicate touch, especially when he wanted them to use his plan but they were being stubborn. 

In a way, Nield and Cerasi reminded Jango of himself when he had become Mand’alor at 14. His buir had died to the traitor Montross and Jango was thrust into a role that Jaster had been preparing him for. Thankfully, he had advisors who could help guide him. Leading a people was more work than leading a single squad. He would’ve been lost that first year without their help. Perhaps a few of his verd could stay behind and help the Young’s leaders. 

Finally, once the plans were ready for the morning and everyone knew their part, Jango took Obi-Wan to the ship. They used the fresher and Jango groaned at the chance to feel clean once more. Silas passed him while Obi-Wan was in the fresher and Jango asked if Obi-Wan could borrow some of his clothes and Silas agreed. Silas and Obi-Wan were about the same size, Silas was still a few inches taller but they were both slender. 

Jango put the clothes on the chair in his room and then knocked on the fresher door. “I’ve got fresh clothes on the chair for you, I’ll be in the common room,” He said, opening the door a crack and closing his eyes. 

“Thank you!” Obi-Wan shouted over the sound of running water. Water was a luxury aboard a ship but they were planetside and he also hadn’t had a chance to get clean, he took a shower and was letting Obi-Wan take one too. 

Jango closed the door behind him and joined Myles, Silas, and a few others in the common area for a drink. They told him everything that had happened after he vanished. Dooku was upset when he found out about Obi-Wan and Myles was looking forward to seeing an angry Jetii.

Obi-Wan came out looking clean and happy. Jango smiled at him and Obi-Wan brightened. Obi-Wan’s hair brushed against his ears and it gave the boy an adorable look. He sat next to him and Jango indulged and brushed Obi-Wan’s coppery hair back. 

“Your hair looks good,” Jango said. 

Obi-Wan’s cheeks pinked and his eyes brightened. 

“You like it?”

Jango nodded. 

“Long hair looks good on you, kid,” Myles said, winking at Obi-Wan. 

Obi-Wan’s cheeks reddened and Jango wrapped an arm around him and pressed him close. 

“Feels good to be clean, doesn’t it?” Jango asked. 

“It does, thank you for lending me some clothes,” Obi-Wan said, giving Jango a soft smile.

“You can thank Silas,” Jango said, gesturing to him. 

“Oh,” Obi-Wan deflated and his expression dimmed. “Thank you, Silas,” He mumbled and picked at the hem on the sleeve. 

Jango shared a confused look with Myles and Silas. Obi-Wan had been fine seconds before. 

“Is it okay?” Jango asked, brow raised. He’d do anything to see his soulmate happy. If there was something wrong with the clothes they could find something else for him. 

“It’s fine,” Obi-Wan said, waving off Jango’s concern.

Typical teenager, good to know that even Jetii weren’t immune. 

“Come here,” Jango said, tugging on Obi-Wan’s sleeve. 

His soulmate followed him to the kitchen and Jango positioned them so that they could still be seen from the common room. 

“What’s wrong?” He asked. They had spent three days together. They had a foundation for their relationship. 

“I thought it was yours,” Obi-Wan huffed. 

“Oh,” Jango’s cheeks warmed, “I don’t think my clothes will fit you well. I’m a bit bigger in the waist and broader in the shoulder. Silas is closer to your size.”

“I don’t want to wear your lover’s clothes,” Obi-Wan let out a heavy sigh and leaned against the cabinets. 

“Lover?” Jango asked, brows pinching together. He hadn’t had a lover in years, not since his soulmark appeared. “What do you mean lover?” 

“I don’t want to wear your lover’s clothes,” Obi-Wan scowled, “I won’t stop you from being in a relationship with someone else but don’t try to force me to be friends with your lover.”

Jango’s face scrunched in confusion and he mouthed Obi-Wan’s words, trying to get them to make sense. None of it added up though. 

“I don’t have a lover,” Jango ultimately said. 

“Then what’s Silas?” Obi-Wan asked, lips pressed into a thin line. 

“My friend? He’s like a little brother to me,” Jango said.

“He isn’t your lover then?” Obi-Wan asked, expression brightening, full of hope. 

“No,” Jango shook his head, “Where did this come from?”

Obi-Wan’s cheeks pinked again and he picked at his sleeve, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“Last time you couldn’t stand to be around me and neither could Silas, I thought that maybe you two were sleeping together.”

Oh kriff.

Jango rubbed his hands over his face. Another reason to hate Obi-Wan’s master. Obi-Wan would’ve known that Jango couldn’t be alone with him or at least understood why Jango would never be alone with him. They needed to have a conversation but the delicate topic made him uncomfortable to discuss it alone. 

“Myles, get in here,” Jango yelled. 

His second glanced at them, upon seeing Jango’s serious scowl, Myles hopped to his feet and came over, bringing his drink with him. 

“What’s up?” He asked, glancing from Jango to Obi-Wan and back. 

“Obi-Wan and I need to have a talk and we need another adult in here,” Jango said. 

“Got it,” Myles said, “I’ll go find one.” He started walking out.

Jango rolled his eyes and grabbed the back of Myles’ kute and tugged him back into the kitchen. 

Obi-Wan snorted at Myles’ antics. Jango would be amused too if it weren’t for the massive misunderstanding between them. 

“Obi-Wan,” Jango sighed, “Your Master was supposed to give you a talk.”

“You said that the other day.”

“Right, and there are rules we have to follow because I am your soulmate but am also almost a decade older than you. There is a legitimate fear of grooming so any messages I send you are screened. You and I aren’t supposed to be alone. There will also be no sex until you're an adult. And, for my sake, I will refrain from touching you until then.”

“But you touched my hair?”

“Moment of weakness,” Jango sighed, “Your hair looks good, I think some length suits you.”

“So you don’t have a lover right now?” Obi-Wan asked, shoulders relaxing. 

“I’ve had one night stands since my soulmark appeared and I will probably still have them until we have sex and enter into a relationship. You can have sex with other people if you want to, I won’t be upset.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“That’s your choice,” Jango said, “But you need to understand that absolutely nothing will happen until you are an adult and you and I are ready for it. So I’m not avoiding you when I refuse to be alone with you.”

Obi-Wan took a second before nodding in agreement. 

“Can we still sleep together tonight?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“Jango?” Myles asked, turning a sharp look on him, brow arched.

“Two separate cots with at least two feet of space between them and two other people were in the room. I also have those nights recorded on my helmet and you can review the footage if you want,” Jango said, shaking his head. His helmet had been recording everything. The Jetiise weren’t the only ones who took a critical eye to soulmates with large age gaps. 

“Obi-Wan?” Myles glanced at him. 

“Two different cots, same room though,” Obi-Wan said. 

Myles nodded and let the topic drop. 

“If we slept in the same room, Myles or another adult would sleep in there too. My room only has one bed but it could sleep two but we wouldn’t be able to fit another cot. Myles’ room fits two, and I usually sleep there and give any guests my room and I was going to do that tonight.”

“So I can’t sleep with you again?” Obi-Wan asked, lips curling down at the corners. 

Jango shook his head. 

“There’s no room. But you can sleep in my bed and if you want to sleep in some of my clothes, I won’t stop you.”

“Okay,” Obi-Wan said before yawning wide. 

“It’s been a busy day,” Jango said, “Let’s go to bed.”

Obi-Wan nodded and Jango ushered him out of the small kitchen. Silas was still sitting and he was watching them and frowning. 

“Myles, show him to my room please? I’ll be right there,” Jango waved them off and approached Silas. 

“What was wrong?” Silas asked once the two were gone. 

“There was a misunderstanding, I’ve taken care of it,” Jango said. 

Silas gave a tentative smile. 

“It wasn’t anything you did,” Jango said, patting Silas’ hand that was resting on the table. Silas had a penchant for getting anxious around new people and he could see the younger man worrying over Obi-Wan’s reaction. 

Jango said good night to him and the others still up. He found Myles showing Obi-Wan where Jango’s tunics were and Obi-Wan blushed as he pulled one out. His soulmate wanting to wear his clothes had him smirking and his gut twisting. It was like Obi-Wan wanted others to know that he was Jango’s. That would be good later but not when he was still underage. Jango grabbed his toiletry bag from the fresher and some extra clothes. 

“If you need anything, Myles and I are the door on the right.”

“Thank you, Jango,” Obi-Wan said. 

The door closed behind them and Jango and Myles went to the other room. He set his gear on the top bunk and sat on the bottom. He dragged his fingers through his hair and groaned. 

“Rough couple of days?” Myles asked, getting ready for bed. 

“You know how I never received a message from Obi-Wan?”

“Yeah, I noticed you had to give him the talk. Thought Dooku said his master would?”

“He didn’t. Obi-Wan had no idea that I had sent him any messages,” Jango scowled. “When the Jetiise arrive tomorrow, you’re dealing with his master, I’m likely to punch him.”

“I’ll handle the Jetiise,” Myles said. 

“Thank you,” Jango said. 

They both got ready for bed and Jango eventually laid down on the top bunk and stared at the ceiling. He thought about Obi-Wan lying in his bed and wearing his clothes and Jango’s heart warmed. Someday he would join his soulmate. 

The mission went off well the next morning, of course upon seeing a squad of Mandalorians the Melida and the Daan had nearly run. They had a filling breakfast and were talking with Cerasi and Nield when Jango received a comm alerting him to a ship entering the atmosphere. The Jetiise had arrived. 

Jango rubbed his eyes and let out a groan. As much as he wished he could send Myles to deal with the Jetiise, he needed to be there. He could refrain from hitting Master Jinn. 

“Silas, watch over Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan glanced at him, brows drawn. 

“What’s happening?” 

“I need to have a conversation with Master Jinn and Master Dooku,” Jango said. 

“Master Jinn is here?” Obi-Wan tensed. 

“You’re staying here with Silas until Myles and I have talked with them,” Jango said. He pulled Obi-Wan into a half hug and patted his shoulder. 

Myles followed him out of the ship. They had moved from the sewers and subway. A sleek ship landed a block away and two people walked out of it. Their cloaks billowed behind them. Master Dooku had a stormy expression and the other man next to him, tall, with long hair and a sharp nose and had a stony countenance. That had to be Master Jinn. 

“Mand’alor Fett,” Master Dooku said, bowing his head in respect. 

“Master Jetii Dooku and Master Jinn,” Jango said, giving them the same respect. Inside he was seething though. Jinn had interfered in the relationship, something Dooku had said wouldn’t be an issue. 

“Where is my Padawan?” Master Jinn asked, nearly growling. 

“From what I heard, he was no longer your Padawan when you left him here,” Jango said sharply. 

“So you’ve already sunk your claws into him?” Master Jinn glared at him. 

“I’ve done nothing of the sort. I followed every rule that Master Jetii Dooku gave, except he never received any messages. He didn’t even know that we could message each other.”

Master Dooku’s eyes widened in shock and he turned a startled look onto Master Jinn. 

“Padawan, is that true?” 

“He’s nine years older than my Padawan. They shouldn’t even be talking,” Master Jinn said, gesturing at Jango. 

“They are soulmates,” Master Dooku exclaimed. “Interfering is against Council rules. It is the will of the Force for them to be together or do you only follow the will of the Force when it suits you now, Padawan?” 

“Nine years, Master, Mand’alor Fett is nine years older than Obi-Wan.”

“Mine was eleven years older than me,” Master Dooku said. He pulled up his sleeve and flipped his hand over, showing off the bottom of his wrist where a pen crossed over a Jetii’kad but unlike Jango’s soulmark, the colors on Master Dooku’s mark were washed out and gray. His soulmate had passed away. Jango’s heart went out to Master Dooku. He had heard that losing your soulmate felt like part of you was gone as well. 

“You met him when you were a Knight,” Master Jinn said, shooting Master Dooku a scathing look. “Obi-Wan is a Padawan and is under the age of majority.”

“In some cultures, simply finding out that he is my soulmate would give me a right to claim him and take him with me,” Jango said. He’d use his power as Mand’alor if he had to. His people would back him. 

“If you want to speak with him, wait until he is a Knight,” Master Jinn snapped. “If you’re truly soulmates, you can wait until then.”

“If you will not allow Mand’alor Fett to communicate with his soulmate, I will,” Master Dooku said, shoulders straightening. He stared down his nose at his former Padawan. 

“Obi-Wan is my Padawan and his safety is my concern,” Master Jinn said. 

“Were you thinking about his safety when you left him on a planet in the middle of a civil war?” Myles asked.

Jango couldn’t help but smirk as Master Jinn sputtered before he shoved his hands into his sleeves. 

“He chose to stay here,” Master Jinn stated.

“And as his guardian you didn’t think to insist? As you put it, he is a minor and you have to make decisions based on his best interests,” Jango said, clenching his fists, trying to keep from punching the shabuir. 

“Leaving his Padawan here was a failure on Master Jinn’s part and we will discuss that at the Temple,” Master Dooku said, cutting off Master Jinn before he could respond. “I will also see to it that Padawan Kenobi receives any messages that Mand’alor Fett sends him.” 

“Thank you,” Jango said, glad that it seemed Master Dooku was on their side. 

“Will you show us to him?” Master Dooku asked, sounding perfectly pleasant, like they hadn’t been arguing a moment earlier. 

“He’s in talks with the Young,” Jango said, waving towards the ship. 

As they walked, he caught the two Jetiise up to speed on the recent events. Master Dooku seemed pleased at Obi-Wan’s success. Master Jinn kept glaring at him. Jango held his head high. He hadn’t done anything wrong. If Myles wasn’t between them, Jango might’ve been tempted to punch him. 

Obi-Wan immediately noticed them walking in and he excused himself. From what Jango had seen earlier, Obi-Wan was letting Cerasi and Nield make most of the decisions regarding the peace discussions. Obi-Wan strode over and he bowed before the Jetiise. 

“Master Jinn, Master Dooku.”

“Grandpadawan,” Master Dooku said, giving Obi-Wan an amiable smile. 

“Padawan?” Obi-Wan asked, lower lip trembling. Even though Myles had told them yesterday that the Jetiise intended on taking Obi-Wan back, the boy still couldn’t believe it. “I thought I left the Order?”

“You are welcome to join us again, Grandpadawan,” Master Dooku said. 

“I would be honored to have you as my Padawan,” Master Jinn said, tipping his head. 

“Yes! I’d,” Obi-Wan straightened and swallowed back his excitement. He bowed his head. “I would like that, Masters.”

“Perhaps we can finish your mission and help these Young,” Master Dooku said. 

With the Jetiise and the Mandalorians helping them, the Young managed well in the negotiations. A good number of the Young were adopted and Jango couldn’t help but smile at the happiness the buire radiated. Some of the children wanted help finding their buire on the planet and a few commandos volunteered to stay and help. 

The negotiations took a few days and during that time, Jango spent as much of it with Obi-Wan as he could. The Jetiise had brought a beaded string and it acted as the boy’s Padawan braid until his hair grew out. Jango nearly had free reign of the Jetiise’s ship, allowed to come and go as he pleased. Master Dooku informed him that there was a complaint process and Jango could exercise that at any time. 

Bureaucracy was sometimes as good a threat as a fist.

That didn’t mean there weren’t several tense moments where he nearly punched the other man. Master Jinn wanted Obi-Wan to meditate with him every day and sometimes it could go on for hours. Jango grumbled when that happened but he wasn’t going to interfere with Obi-Wan’s training. If Master Jinn thought that Jango was behaving inappropriately or being too demanding on Obi-Wan’s time, he could revoke Jango’s access. 

On the final day, they ate together one last time. They were at the end of one table and Myles and Dooku were sitting next to them, giving them the illusion of privacy. Obi-Wan promised he would respond to Jango’s messages. 

A couple months later, Jango’s comm dinged and he pulled up the message and grinned. 

“Hi, Jango,” Obi-Wan said, waving. 

Jango leaned back in the chair in his room and watched the message play, chest warming at seeing his young soulmate. Obi-Wan’s hair was a little longer too. He looked cute. Jango put a stop to those thoughts before they went any further. There would be time for those thoughts once Obi-Wan was of age. For now, just hearing from him was enough.

Chapter Text

“Quin, give that back!” Obi-Wan yelled. The sound carried through the walls and into the main room of Yan’s apartment in the Jedi Temple. He was watching Obi-Wan while Qui-Gon was on a solo mission and Obi-Wan had exams. They couldn’t put off the boy’s education for missions, no matter how many times the boy insisted that missions didn’t interfere with his studying. 

Yan knocked on the door and heard a quiet curse. 

“Padawans, it doesn’t sound like you’re studying in there.”

The door opened a moment later and Obi-Wan was standing there, panting, clutching his pad to his chest. 

“We’re fine, Master Dooku,” Obi-Wan said. He brushed his coppery hair away from his eyes. He refused to let them trim it to the traditional Padawan cut. Yan suspected that was because of Jango.

“Perhaps it would behoove you to keep the door open,” Yan said, eyeing Padawan Vos still sitting on the bed. His hands were tucked behind his back and he wore an innocent expression. 

“We don’t want to distract you, Master Dooku,” Obi-Wan said. 

Yan’s lips twitched at the implication that they would be distracting him. They were doing a better job of distracting each other. 

“Perhaps a break is in order,” Yan suggested, “Obi-Wan, will you prepare us some tea, please.”

“Of course, Master,” Obi-Wan said, bowing his head. 

“Padawan Vos,” The young Kiffar perked up as Yan’s attention turned to him, “Perhaps you can hand me whatever it is that is distracting you and I will hold onto it until you two are finished.”

“I don’t have anything.” Padawan Vos glanced surreptitiously at Obi-Wan and grimaced. 

“Padawan,” Yan held out his hand. He readied himself to use the Force to pull the offending object from behind the young man’s back.

“It’s my comm,” Obi-Wan said, arms crossed over his chest, “Quin was listening to messages from Jango.”

“It sounds like it is distracting the two of you,” Yan said. 

“Some more than others,” Obi-Wan shot Padawan Vos a hard glare. 

“Your soulmate is hot, I’m surprised you’re not listening to him every second,” Padawan Vos said, grinning unrepentantly. He winked. “Or maybe you listen to him when doing other things.”

“Quin!” Obi-Wan said, cheeks turning bright red. 

Yan rolled his eyes at the awful teasing. He held out his hand and used the Force to lift and drop it into his palm. 

“What Obi-Wan does when listening to the messages is of no interest to me and it is in poor taste to mention that in front of me,” Yan said, turning the comm off and pocketing it. 

“I’m not—” Obi-Wan covered his face and shook his head. The tips of his ears were bright red. 

“Padawan, would you prepare us tea, please?” Yan asked, reminding Obi-Wan and moving on from Padawan Vos’ crude implications. He found that it was best to not continue discussing such matters and let them fall. 

“Yes, Master,” Obi-Wan said, hurrying off to the small kitchen. 

Padawan Vos scowled at him and fell back on the bed. 

“How is studying going?” Yan asked.

“So, so,” Padawan Vos held his hand in the air and shook it. 

“Well, I have every confidence in Obi-Wan’s abilities,” Yan said. Padawan Kenobi had been nothing but dedicated ever since returning from MelidaDaan. 

Of course after hearing Obi-Wan’s tale of events and comparing them to Qui-Gon’s, the Council held a session and determined that it would be best if the pair went to the mind healers. Yan’s former Padawan opposed this vehemently but several of the Masters would not budge and ultimately Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were suspended from missions for several months.

During that time, Yan sought out his grand-padawan. One day he found him meditating under one of the Nubian willow trees in the Room of a Thousand Fountains and asked if he may join him. Obi-Wan accepted. 

Yan started meditating with his grand-padawan and that turned into meals. They talked about saber form work and Yan offered to help him. Qui-Gon was a capable teacher of Ataru but he was weaker with Makashi, a form Yan was quite familiar with. He began instructing the young man in it. Eventually he suggested that Obi-Wan study Soresu, a more defensive lightsaber form that was better suited to blaster combat. With the boy’s soulmate being the Mand’alor, he’d likely see more blaster fire than usual.

Over the months, he met many of Obi-Wan’s age mates and sometimes they would hang out at Yan’s apartment. Obi-Wan stayed with him whenever Qui-Gon was sent on a solo mission. One night he overheard them complaining about a Padawan Bruck Chun. Feeling Obi-Wan’s emotions immediately sour at the name, he dug into Padawan Chun’s files. 

What he found alarmed him. There was a disturbing history of abuse between the two. He brought the matter before the council and asked for an investigation. 

If the Order was going to change, it needed to start with the younglings. 

The investigation turned up several bullies in the crèche and showed how intense the competition was for an initiate to gain the attention of a Master. Obi-Wan had been under similar pressure. Something needed to change. The first step though was training the crèchemasters to spot bullying and how to prevent it. Padawan Chun was put on probation and sent to the mind healers. 

Xanatos, Qui-Gon’s former Padawan, resurfaced and was upset that Qui-Gon had taken another apprentice. The council then learned of the events on Bandomeer and Yan knew he needed to intervene before the situation worsened. It was obvious to Yan that his former Padawan, Qui-Gon, was emotionally compromised, even putting a young boy’s life in danger because he could not ignore Xanatos. Yan discouraged Qui-Gon from interacting with him and he personally dealt with Xanatos. Sadly, during the course of their interactions, the young man died in a tragic incident at a manufacturing plant. 

Obi-Wan was thriving under the attention of two Masters. He was excelling in his studies and his swordsmanship was greatly improving. The young man was smiling more often. Yan felt a hint of pride for the future of the Order.

Yan’s comm chimed and he left the padawans alone. Jango had sent a message asking Master Jinn to comm him. Yan called him back. 

“Master Dooku,” Jango said, eyes widening. 

“Mand’alor Fett,” Yan said, dipping his head, “How are you?”

“I’m good, thank you,” Jango said, brows furrowing. “I thought Master Jinn answered Obi-Wan’s messages?” He nearly spat the name. 

“My former padawan is on a mission and my grand-padawan has exams this week. We thought it best to prioritize his education, as such he’s under my care while his master is off world.”

“Oh, I’m going to be on Coruscant for a few days, I thought I might see Obi-Wan but that doesn’t sound possible,” Jango said, frowning. 

“Not necessarily,” Yan quickly said, “I will check with Obi-Wan, perhaps we can move his exams and you could see him in two nights. Would that work?” 

“Yes, that could work,” Jango said, grinning now.

“I will speak with him and he will call you back after.”

“Thank you, Master Dooku,” Jango said. 

The call ended and Yan went to find his grand-padawan. Obi-Wan and Padawan Vos were in the kitchen. They stopped speaking when Yan approached. He had no interest in what they had been discussing. It’d likely embarrass one of them if he had heard. 

“Grand-padawan,” Yan said.

Obi-Wan perked up. 

“Your soulmate commed. He will be on Coruscant for business and wanted to see if you’d like to go out together?” 

Obi-Wan’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open. 

“You’ll have to finish your exams prior to meeting with him and that means moving your Astro nav exam a day earlier.”

“But I could see Jango?” Obi-Wan asked, throat moving. 

“Yes, grand-padawan, you could see your soulmate,” Yan said, unable to keep his own joy hidden. 

“I’ll comm Knight T’adik right now,” Obi-Wan said. 

Yan handed over the young man’s comm and Obi-Wan quickly sent the message off. 

“You must do well on your exams, grand-padawan, or you will not see him,” Yan said, tucking his arms into his sleeves. 

“I will, Master,” Obi-Wan said, bowing his head. He was a polite young man, Yan found himself enjoying training him. 

Yan stood behind Obi-Wan while the pair spoke. He reminded them that he would accompany them while they were together. Obi-Wan’s anger flared slightly but not enough for concern. He understood the young man’s hope for privacy. The boy was still a teenager and was likely wanting more time alone so they could be physical but nothing more intimate than a hug would happen while Yan was there.

The two Padawans threw themselves into studying. Obi-Wan showed him his grades and Yan could not have felt more proud of his grand-padawan. He congratulated him for all his hard work and how it had paid off. 

Two nights later, after Obi-Wan had finished the last of his exams, Yan waited for the young man to emerge from the fresher. Padawan Vos had run in there several minutes before and Yan had no desire to know what they were doing. Occasionally he heard Obi-Wan snap at Padawan Vos but it was mostly quiet. 

“You have five more minutes,” Yan said, lips quirking upwards in amusement as Padawan Vos yelped. 

Sifo had been thrilled to learn about his soulmate and wouldn’t stop pestering him about it, Padawan Vos was likely behaving the same. He was going to accompany them to the entrance where they were meeting with Mand’alor Fett. 

Yan finished his cup of calming chamomile tea and washed the cup.

“Padawans,” Yan knocked on the door to the fresher, “We need to leave.”

“One moment, Master,” Obi-Wan called. 

The door opened a second later. Obi-Wan walked out looking clean. His tunics were in order and not a hair was out of place. The long strands in the front dangled and Obi-Wan tucked them behind his ears. 

“Are you ready, grand-padawan?” Yan asked. 

Obi-Wan tucked his hands into the wide sleeves of his robe. Nervousness fluttered over the training bond he had with Obi-Wan. It had developed after they had meditated together several times. 

“Yes, Master,” Obi-Wan said, face blank. 

One might think he was relaxed but Yan knew better. This was the first time the pair were seeing each other when it wasn’t a life or death situation. It changed things. There was a purpose to this meeting. 

Yan squeezed Obi-Wan’s shoulder, careful not to disturb Obi-Wan’s meticulous arranging of his hair or clothes. Padawans could be quite finicky about such matters. 

“You will do well, grand-padawan.”

“Could he go alone?” Padawan Vos asked, standing next to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan turned and scowled at him. 

“No, as long as he is under the age of majority, he needs a chaperone,” Yan stated. Typically, it had to be the padawan’s Master but the Council was allowing this exception. 

The rule protected both the underage Padawan and the soulmate. Padawans were still teenagers and they were not known for making the best decisions. They could be quite insistent. Having their Master accompany them served as a deterrent. 

“It’s just a few more months until he is though,” Padawan Vos said, ignoring Obi-Wan’s glare. 

“Quin,” Obi-Wan growled. 

Yan shook his head. 

“There are no exceptions to the rule. Once Padawan Kenobi is older, he can spend time alone with his soulmate if his Master allows it.”

Padawan Vos rolled his eyes. 

Yan would speak with Qui-Gon about that if necessary. 

The three of them met Jango at the entrance. The Mand’alor was standing next to an airspeeder and he was frowning but it quickly transformed into a smile once he saw Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan stopped a foot shy of Jango. 

“Hey,” Jango said, hugging Obi-Wan with one arm.

Yan glanced away, giving the pair some privacy. There wasn’t much he could give but he doubted that the pair would try anything in front of the Temple proper. 

When he looked back, Obi-Wan was introducing Jango to Padawan Vos. The latter was giving the other a scrutinizing once over. He whispered something to Obi-Wan that had him sputtering and Jango throwing his head back and laughing. Padawan Vos winked at Obi-Wan before leaving. 

Jango opened the back door to the airspeeder and Yan slid inside. Jango and Obi-Wan sat together in the front row, right behind the droid driver. 

“I found a Nubian place we could try,” Jango said, looking back at Yan and sounding pained. 

“I thought we were going to do Mandalorian food?” Obi-Wan asked, brows furrowed. 

“Well, he’s with us and I don’t know how he is with spicy food,” Jango said, turning his attention back to Obi-Wan. 

“Mand’alor Fett, I’m not the one you’re trying to impress,” Yan said, “If you’re more comfortable with Mandalorian cuisine that is perfectly fine.”

“Are you sure? It’s spicy,” Jango asked, glancing at Yan and then at Obi-Wan.

“I’m certain I can find something to eat,” Yan said, bowing his head. He was the chaperone, he was along for the ride. 

“I love spicy food,” Obi-Wan stated with an eager grin. 

“Obi-Wan, the tiingilar I gave you when you were 13 wasn’t spicy,” Jango said. 

“I want to eat spicy food tonight, mesh’la,” Obi-Wan said. 

“That was close,” Jango said, shaking his head, lips curled upwards in amusement. “But save that for when you’re older, Ob’ika.”

Obi-Wan’s shoulders hunched and he leaned back in the seat. 

“We can do Mandalorian food, there’s a cafe in little Manda’yaim that Myles and I go to all the time. It’s some of the best food on the planet.”

The airspeeder turned around and they headed for the other side of Coruscant.

Yan liked to consider himself a man of culture. He knew he had refined tastes but for his grand-padawan he would endure the rather interesting food choices. He scanned the menu once again, despairing at the lack of anything recognizable. He had insisted that Jango choose something for the two of them and not to take him into account. Perhaps he should’ve requested something not so entrenched in the Little Mandalore district of Coruscant. Surely a cafe on the outskirts would’ve had a more palatable selection. As such he was alone and trying to decide which plate might be appetizing. He could do this. 

He asked the server for assistance and trusted her recommendation. 

Jango and Obi-Wan were laughing. Yan’s chest warmed in delight at witnessing such an endearing scene. 

It had been years since he had shared such a carefree laugh. His soulmate Darrick Vars could make him laugh like no one else. Seeing the pair had him longing for his soulmate. He had lost him to a sudden heart attack. There had been nothing he could do. They had been at Darrick’s apartment when it happened and Yan had done what he could but even with all the best medicine on Coruscant his soulmate had passed. 

Yan sipped his shig and turned from the pair. Thinking about Darrick usually made his heart clench. 

A Pantoran with three thin gold stripes on his cheeks had his chin on his hand as he listened to his partner, a Zabrak, talk while moving his hands in sweeping gestures. The Pantoran’s eyes sparkled with a loving look. 

Another reminder of Darrick. Yan was certain he had worn the same starry-eyed expression while listening to Darrick speak about ancient cultures. He could listen to his soulmate speak for hours even on the driest topic. Darrick obviously cared deeply about them and made it all sound fascinating.

“I asked the cook to cool it with spices for yours,” The server said as she put the dish down. 

“Thank you, my dear,” Yan said, tipping his head in a gentle acknowledgment of her courtesy. 

The woman flashed him a soft smile before moving to the table with the Pantoran and the Zabrak. The Zabrak seemed to shrink when the server spoke to them. The Pantoran though lit up and chatted with her, talking with her like it was the easiest thing in the galaxy. Once the server left the table, the Zabrak sheepishly smiled at their partner and the Pantoran just shook their head and gestured for them to continue. 

Yan took a small bite and heat burst on his tongue. He reached for his shig and sipped. The cream helped settle the spice. If that was reduced spice he couldn’t even imagine how spicy it normally was. 

Jango howled with uproarious laughter while Obi-Wan was patting his chest. His face was red and he was sweating. Jango pushed the tall glass of blue milk closer to him. Obi-Wan coughed before taking a big swallow of milk.

The teenager stared indignantly at his soulmate, unamused. 

Jango took a bite and coughed too. Obi-Wan laughed in return. 

It was sweet to watch them. 

Yan ate his dish and drank more of his shig between bites. He observed the others around them in the small cafe, giving the pair a small amount of privacy. Obi-Wan was a smart young man. He wouldn’t try anything. 

The two had dessert and talked for a while. Yan pulled out his datapad and read over the most recent Council reports. Change was coming, albeit slowly. They had petitioned the Senate for changes and some senators refused to understand why the Order wanted more detail on the mission requests. Yan had urged the Council to break the Order from the Senate, separating them and being independent once more. 

“Master Dooku,” Obi-Wan said, pulling Yan from the report on his pad. “Jango offered to spar with me, can we?” 

Yan shot Jango a curious look, brow arched. It was a well known cliche that sparring was another form of flirting for Mandalorians. 

“Beskad or staff,” Jango said. 

There was a flare of silent disapproval along the bond but Yan ignored it. The boy was still a teenager. 

Yan nodded his approval. Neither of those required the pair to be in close personal contact. He would remain in the room of course but he’d rather not watch Jango flirt so overtly with Obi-Wan, especially not when his grand-padawan was still underage. 

They went to a nearby inn and Jango led them to the sparring rooms. Yan clasped his hands behind his back and stood near a corner, determined to observe. His grand-padawan was a great fighter and could easily handle himself with either weapon. 

They started their spar with the staff. Each time they hit it let out a terrible clacking noise. Jango attacked with an aggressive style that immediately had Obi-Wan on the defensive. Jango’s gaze took on the same glint as any instructor, evaluating Obi-Wan. After a while, he nodded, seemingly satisfied. 

They switched weapons. Jango asked Obi-Wan to use his lightsaber and Obi-Wan turned it to low-power. He fell into Soresu. The beskad clashed against the lightsaber. Jango adjusted his stance on the next attack, almost mimicking Obi-Wan’s positioning. The next swing had more strength behind it and Obi-Wan grunted under the weight of it but he pushed Jango back and managed to press him to the wall. Jango adjusted once more and he charged again. Obi-Wan held his own. 

Yan couldn’t help but smirk a little, feeling a hint of pride for Obi-Wan’s prowess. He had learned well over the years. 

“You attack,” Jango instructed. 

Obi-Wan shrugged and moved smoothly into the graceful Makashi form. 

Jango tried to hold back against Obi-Wan but it was obvious he wasn’t used to using a sword as his main defensive weapon. Obi-Wan managed to smack the blade out of Jango’s grip and it clattered to the floor. Jango dropped to his knees and put his hands above his head. 

This wasn’t flirtation. There were no casual smirks and gentle brushing against one another. Jango was all business. He had a reason for sparring against Obi-Wan. 

Eventually they stopped and Jango took them back to the Temple. Yan stepped off to the side, once more affording the pair a small amount of privacy. He couldn’t hear what they were saying but he could still watch. The two hugged for a moment, a full embrace, and they lingered there. Jango tightened his hold once more before letting go. Obi-Wan glanced at Yan before going back inside the Temple, presumably to speak with Padawan Vos.

“Did you two enjoy yourselves?” Yan asked, tone crisp yet cordial. 

“We did, although Obi-Wan thought we might get a moment of privacy,” Jango shook his head, lips curling upwards in slight amusement. “I told him that if we lost you that could hurt our privilege of communicating with each other.”

“He’s a teenager,” Yan gave a light chuckle.

“Don’t remind me,” Jango said, rolling his eyes. 

“May I ask about your next mission?”

Jango glanced towards the entrance to the Temple before taking a deep breath. He adjusted his grip on his helmet and shifted his stance. 

“It’s not a mercenary job, we’re going to end the civil war on Mandalore,” Jango took on a solemn tone, “I’m claiming the throne and the darksaber.”

Yan’s brows shot up in surprise. He was doing his best to stay apprised of the situation on Mandalore and it had seemed that Jango had no interest in the system although he commanded one of the parties interested in running it. 

“If something happens during that time, that’s where he’ll likely go,” Jango said. He tapped his fingers on his helmet. “I’ll keep him safe as best I can but Mandalore comes first.”

“Of course,” Yan said, nodding his head, “He is dedicated to his training and that should serve him well should anything happen.”

Jango nodded once. 

“Thank you for tonight, it was good to see him before we leave.”

Chapter Text

“I’m not sending him a nude holo,” Obi-Wan protested in a low whisper, glancing around surreptitiously, hoping no one in the hallway overheard. 

“A tasteful nude holo, Obes,” Quin said, acting as if that made all the difference. “You don’t just show him the goods, you…” Quin stared off, tapping at his chin before turning back and grinning, “Seduce him with them.”

“Quin—” Obi-Wan hissed. Master Windu rounded the corner. Obi-Wan cut himself off before the Master of the Order overheard them. Obi-Wan’s cheeks turned a brilliant red and he grabbed Quin’s forearm and dragged him into a nearby empty training salle, only letting him go then. 

“Come on, Obes, you want your mate to think of you as an adult right?” Quin asked. 

“I do…” Obi-Wan said, crossing his arms over his chest and scowling. 

“Well, now you can show him. And your Master no longer sees your messages, so stuffy old Quigs will never know that you sent Jango a little preview of the goods,” Quin said, chest puffing up. 

That was a positive, since Obi-Wan had reached the age of majority, the messages between he and Jango were no longer sent to his Master. They could finally communicate freely. Obi-Wan had been waiting for Jango’s birthday message. He had sent one for the past couple of years but Obi-Wan hadn’t received one yet this year. 

“Are you sure he would want one?” Obi-Wan asked, plucking at his tunic. 

Master Yoda preached that they were luminous beings and that their physical forms didn’t matter but he was over eight hundred years old. His form didn’t matter to him. Obi-Wan had a soulmate that he hoped would like his physical form. 

“Obes,” Quin grabbed Obi-Wan’s shoulders and met his gaze. “He’s your soulmate. I’m pretty sure he’s been waiting for the day he can kriff you.”

“Well…” Obi-Wan paused, brows furrowing. 

An anxious twisting sensation built in Obi-Wan’s gut. He had felt it years ago, right before he had met Jango the first time. He hadn’t known what it could mean. The twisted feeling sharpened. 

Jango was in danger.

“He’s on Mandalore,” Obi-Wan gasped. 

“What?” Quin asked. 

“Jango! Jango is on Mandalore! I’m—”

An explosion rang nearby. 

The Force cried out for him to raise his saber and Obi-Wan brought it up, deflecting a blaster shot. The Force called out to him again and Obi-Wan spun around and caught another. He let his instincts guide him as he frantically searched the battlefield for his soulmate. 

There was a low groan behind him and Obi-Wan spun around. A man in blue and silver armor was crouched behind him. The helmet was tilted up towards him. 

“Obi-Wan?” Jango asked, voice modulated through the helmet’s speakers. 

“Jango?” Obi-Wan gasped, rushing towards him, deactivating the lightsaber as he ran. 

The Force yelled in warning. Jango vanished in front of him. Obi-Wan’s heart seized. 

A heavy weight hit his back, knocking him to the ground and a blaster shot flew over his head. 

“Don’t turn your back on the people firing at you,” Jango snarled. 

“I was making sure you were okay,” Obi-Wan snapped, feeling defensive. He had made a stupid mistake and he knew better. He shouldn’t have let himself get distracted. 

“I’m alive,” Jango said. He rolled off of Obi-Wan and returned fire before pointing at a half destroyed squat structure. “Get behind that building.”

Obi-Wan darted behind the still remaining duracrete wall and put his hands on his knees. His heart was racing. “What’s happening?” he asked, trying to catch his breath. 

Jango joined him a moment later. He slid both his blasters into his holsters and leaned against the wall. “We’re in a battle,” he huffed. He shoved his hand into one of his pockets, fishing around for something. 

“Very helpful,” Obi-Wan said, rolling his eyes. 

“Put this on,” Jango said, holding out an in-ear comm link. 

“What?” Obi-Wan took it and slid it in. 

“Sit-Rep,” Jango said. 

It took Obi-Wan a moment to realize he heard Jango in the comm link and not through the helmet’s external speakers. 

“Almost clear for extraction,” Myles said. 

“Skirata?” Jango asked. 

“Airlift is enroute,” A rumbling, deep voice said. 

“Everyone retreat after extraction is complete,” Jango ordered. 

“We’re raising our princess extraction rates after this, right?” Myles quipped. 

“I don’t know if we can go any higher than the price we’re charging for this one,” Jango said, “Now keep the comms quiet except in an emergency.”

“Yes, alor,” Myles said.

Jango turned to Obi-Wan.

“Stick close, Obi-Wan, we’re on the assault team.”

“Yes, alor,” Obi-Wan said. There would be time for questions later, like why Jango was rescuing a princess if he was supposed to be on Mandalore. That was going to make it harder for his Master to find him once this was all over.

“We’re taking out Death Watch forces…” Jango sighed, “If you see someone with a lightsaber, a black one, do not fight them. Point them out to me and I’ll handle it.”

“The darksaber?” Obi-Wan asked. He knew exactly what that lightsaber looked like. He had had it memorized since it appeared on his soulmark. 

“Yes, the darksaber,” Jango said. 

If the darksaber was here, then they were still on Mandalore. But that didn’t make sense because the Mandalorians didn’t have a princess. 

“Ready?” Jango asked. 

Obi-Wan nodded once. He held his deactivated lightsaber in front of him. 

“Advance!” Jango said into the comm. 

They charged around the rubble and headed for the large two-story building. Men in black and blue armor streamed from it. Others were charging forward with them. A petite Mandalorian with pink lekku shot at several of the Death Watch members with a heavy repeating blaster. Obi-Wan deflected shots back, trying to direct them to nonlethal targets. This wasn’t really his fight, he was here because of his soulmate. 

Smoke filled the air and blasters shrieked with each shot. For a moment he was back on Melida/Daan. Obi-Wan shoved the memory away. He wasn’t there. He was with Jango, on some other system. 

“Ready for extraction,” Myles curtly said. 

“Clear the pick up zone,” Jango shouted. 

The dozen Mandalorians with them set up a loose circle in front of the building. Obi-Wan stuck to Jango’s side, unsure of where he should be. He kept his lightsaber in his hand, deactivated, ready to be used. 

The Force rumbled in low warning. 

“Fire in the hole,” Myles said. 

Jango wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan and turned them around so Jango’s back was to the building. 

There was a hard boom and then dust and duracrete rained over them.

“You need some kriffing beskar’gam,” Jango chuckled, barely audible over the chunks of duracrete hitting the Mandalorians’ armor. 

“I could’ve moved,” Obi-Wan grumbled. 

Jango let him go once the chunks stopped falling. He patted Obi-Wan on the shoulder. 

A ship’s repulsors hummed above them.

“Airlift is ready,” Skirata said. 

Obi-Wan glanced up and caught sight of several ships hovering over them. The side doors on the ships were open. 

Jetpacks roared and people flew from the building and into the awaiting ships. One of them was holding a woman with long blonde hair close. 

“Alor?” The petite Mandalorian with pink lekku put her hand on Jango’s shoulder. “We can handle it from here.”

“Right,” Jango sighed and nodded. He turned to Obi-Wan. “Ready?”

“For what?” Obi-Wan asked, eyes narrowing. 

Jango glanced up at the ship and then back at Obi-Wan. 

“I can make that,” Obi-Wan said, grimacing as he gauged the distance. 

“Come here,” Jango said, shaking his head. 

“Huh?” Obi-Wan asked. 

Jango slid an arm under Obi-Wan’s knees and his shoulders, scooping him up. Obi-Wan let out an indignant noise and wrapped his arms around Jango’s neck. This was the most they had ever touched, Obi-Wan did his best to keep his cheeks from warming at the proximity. His soulmate was certainly strong. Jango jumped and his jetpack came to life and they were flying to the hovering ships. 

They flew to the same one that the blonde woman went to and the side doors closed behind them. Jango set Obi-Wan down on his feet and Obi-Wan tugged at his tunics, in need of something to distract from his soulmate’s touch. 

“Kid!” An excited Myles exclaimed. He pulled him into a tight hug. 

“Myles,” Obi-Wan said, gasping for breath as the man seemed determined to squeeze him to death. 

“It’s good to see you kid,” Myles said, releasing him. 

“May I have an introduction, please?” A charming, perfectly level voice asked. It reminded Obi-Wan of bells. 

The blonde woman was standing next to Myles. Her hands were clasped in front of her. Her pink lips were drawn into a soft smile. Her blue eyes were like kyber crystal, almost seeming to glow with an inner light. Even after the battle, not a hair was out of place and her dress, which admittedly had a few tears, still looked regal. 

Obi-Wan’s heart hammered. 

It wasn’t his first time getting a crush on someone. He would never do anything about it though. He already had Jango, his soulmate. 

Her gaze flickered to his hand and her head tilted curiously. 

“I don’t remember a Jedi being among the True Mandalorians,” she said, her voice absolutely melodic. 

“Lady Satine Kryze this is Jetii Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, Soulmate to Mand’alor Jango Fett,” Myles said, gesturing at each person.

Satine frowned for a split second before her expression shifted into a placid one. 

“A pleasure to meet you, Padawan Kenobi,” she said, holding out her hand. 

“Likewise, Lady Kryze,” Obi-Wan said, doing his best to keep his voice steady. He clipped his lightsaber to his belt before shaking her hand. 

Jango came to stand beside them and he removed his helmet. His curly hair was plastered to his head and a light sheen of sweat covered his face. 

“Mand’alor Fett,” Satine bowed her head. “Thank you for the timely rescue.”

“You’re welcome, Lady Kryze,” Jango said, shaking her hand. “It’s time to get you back to your father.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Satine said. 

Obi-Wan had been around kidnapped and in distress politicians before but she was by far the most composed of them. She didn’t even seem bothered by it. She was acting like they had picked her up from a gala. 

“We don’t have much for accommodations but the ride won’t be long,” Jango said. “Do you need anything to eat? Drink? Any medical attention?” 

“I would welcome some water,” Satine said, sitting primly down on a foldaway chair and folding her hands in her lap. 

“Got it,” Myles said, going to a drawer and pulling out a bottle of water. 

“If you need anything, let us know,” Jango said. 

Satine nodded and took a sip of water. Every move she made was graceful. Obi-Wan’s heart pounded and he wiped his clammy hands on his pants. 

“What about you kid?” Myles asked, looking at him.

“What about me?” Obi-Wan asked, eyes widening. 

Jango crossed his arms over his broad chest and Obi-Wan’s cheeks warmed. He glanced away before he could be caught staring at the bulging muscles in his arms. 

“Do you need anything, Obi-Wan? Water, food, medical attention?” 

“No, nothing,” Obi-Wan said, hastily shaking his head. He hadn’t eaten since lunch at the Temple but he wasn’t terribly hungry, he could wait to eat with the others. He didn’t want to have Jango go through any trouble on his behalf. 

Jango nodded and he sat down in one of the foldaway chairs. Obi-Wan, feeling antsy with no Master around and absolutely no direction, sat next to him. 

“You can take out the comm,” Jango said, holding out his hand. 

Obi-Wan pulled out the in-ear comm and handed it to him. Jango pocketed it. 

It had only been a few months since he had seen Jango. His soulmate had bags under his eyes and a wary set to his shoulders. All the levity from their date in Coruscant was gone.

After a heavy sigh, Jango pulled out a pad. 

“I need to review information on the way to the Kryze compound,” Jango said in a soft whisper to Obi-Wan. “We can talk later.”

“Sure,” Obi-Wan said, leaning his head back against the hard metal. He’s slept in worse conditions.

“Excuse me,” Satine said, voice quite proper. It reminded Obi-Wan more of a planetary leader than Jango’s gruff voice. 

“Yes?” Obi-Wan asked, opening his eyes. 

“What’s it like?” Satine asked suddenly, leaning towards Obi-Wan.

“What?” Obi-Wan asked, brows furrowing in confusion. 

“As a soulmate? Were you on Coruscant and pulled here?” 

“I was,” Obi-Wan nodded. 

“I was studying there until Death Watch members kidnapped me and brought me here,” Satine said. 

Obi-Wan and Satine chatted the rest of the ride. Myles and Jango were quiet, tapping away on their pads. Obi-Wan found himself entertained though. He barely noticed the time passing. 

The ship set down and Jango finally looked up from his pad. He and Myles stood and Obi-Wan copied him. Normally he’d be following his Master but without Master Jinn around, Jango was his best option. They were likely going to be together one day so it made sense to stick close with him. 

A man wearing white armor with gray and green accent colors waited for them. He had strawberry blonde hair and keen eyes. He gave a warm smile when he saw Satine. The two embraced for a moment and then Satine stood at his side. 

“Duke Kryze,” Jango said, holding his helmet under his arm. 

Obi-Wan stood next to Myles, about a step behind Jango. 

“Mand’alor Fett,” the Duke said, bowing his head. “You have honored our deal and brought my daughter back to me. Clan Kryze will back your claim.”

“Thank you, Duke Kryze,” Jango said. 

“Would you like to join us for dinner? Tonight is the celebration of Satine’s safe return,” the Duke said. 

“I would be honored,” Jango said, words coming out stiff. 

“Welcome,” the Duke said, gesturing towards the large metal building behind them. 

“Father, this is Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Satine said. 

“A Jedi?” the Duke said in mild surprise, lips pursing. “I had put in a request for the Jedi to provide my daughter protection.”

“I am not here on a mission, Sir,” Obi-Wan said, maintaining his neutral expression. 

“You’re not?”

“No, sir. I—”

“He’s Mand’alor Fett’s soulmate,” Satine said.

That drew the Duke up short and he stopped and looked Obi-Wan over with a critical gaze. Jango stopped too, eyeing them, ready to intervene. 

“I was unaware that Mand’alor Fett had a soulmate,” the Duke said. 

“There’s a small age difference,” Jango said.

Right. Except Obi-Wan was of legal age now and they could spend time alone together without others watching over them. 

“If you’ve come from Coruscant, you must be hungry,” the Duke said, ushering them towards the large building. 

Dinner was in a grand great hall. Black curtains hung around a family portrait, one of the members was conspicuously missing, a blonde woman with high cheekbones and a commanding stare. A small girl with the same color hair as Duke came running to meet them. He scooped her up and twirled her around before introducing her as Bo Katan, his youngest daughter. 

Obi-Wan was seated with Jango at the head table. The meal was easy for Obi-Wan. He had had plenty of diplomatic dinners and he was prepared for the little pleasantries and the thinly veiled barbs. Thankfully he was seated near Jango and Satine so he spent most of his dinner speaking with them which didn’t involve him watching his words. They were both easy to chat with.

After dinner, the True Mandalorians retired to a swarm of ships parked around the Kryze compound. Obi-Wan recognized Jaster’s Legacy among them. The large ship was a welcome sight. It meant he’d soon be asleep. 

Suddenly afraid, Obi-Wan stopped and Jango stared back at him. 

A bed. He was an adult now. Jango could expect to sleep with him tonight. He might have his first time tonight.

“Obi-Wan?” Jango asked, waving for the others to continue. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. He didn’t want Jango to think he was scared of being intimate with him. He wasn’t scared. He could do it. He was ready for it. He had fantasized about what it would be like. 

“Come on,” Jango said, tugging at Obi-Wan’s hand. 

Obi-Wan’s cheeks warmed at the casual touch. Jango had been reluctant to touch him when they were on their date. It was exciting now. 

They boarded the ship and walked the familiar hall to the back. Nothing had changed on the ship since MelidaDaan, when Obi-Wan had been there last. 

Obi-Wan’s heart started to race as they neared Jango’s room. He was an adult, he reminded himself. He could do this. He was in shape and surely the Force wouldn’t say people were soulmates if they didn’t find each other attractive. 

Inside the room, Jango grabbed him and stared at him before his lips quirked up at the corners. 

“I think you can wear my clothes now,” he said, giving Obi-Wan a cheeky grin. “You’ve grown.”

Obi-Wan paused and stared. His eyes met Jango’s now. The last time they were together he couldn’t meet Jango’s eyes. 

“We’re the same height,” Obi-Wan observed.

“We are,” Jango agreed. He went to the drawer and pulled out two sets of clothes, handing one to Obi-Wan. “You can use the fresher here and the bed, I’ll go and join Myles.”

“You’re not going to sleep with me?” Obi-Wan asked, brows pinched together, unable to hide the hurt in his voice.

“Obi-Wan,” Jango sighed, shaking his head, “You know I won’t sleep with you until you’re an adult.”

“Jango,” Obi-Wan sat on the bed and stared at him in open confusion, “I am. I’m 18. I’m an adult under Republic law.”

“No, you’re not,” Jango said. He pulled out his pad. “Today’s date is…” His brows knit together and he groaned. “Oh kriff you are. I missed your birthday.”

“Would you like to sleep with me?” Obi-Wan asked, trying to sound neutral about it, not desperate or anxious. He was certain he failed at aloof. 

“Yeah, I can…” Jango hung his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “I can do that.”

A thrill ran through Obi-Wan and he dug his nails into his palm to keep from smiling too wide. 

“I can use the fresher first and then do you want to use it?” 

“That works,” Jango said. 

Obi-Wan held the change of clothes close to his chest and walked the few steps to the fresher. Jango grabbed his wrist before he entered. 

“Happy birthday, Obi-Wan. I meant to send you a holo for it. The Civil War has taken all of my attention,” Jango shook his head and gave him a sad smile, “I’m sorry.”

Obi-Wan blushed at the touch, noting how Jango’s fingers easily wrapped around his wrist. His hand was so warm too. 

“It’s alright,” Obi-Wan said, “I figured you were busy.”

“Hopefully I remember next year’s,” Jango said, squeezing Obi-Wan’s wrist once before letting him go. 

Obi-Wan hurried into the fresher and shut the door behind him, cheeks burning hot. He needed to get control of himself. They were going to sleep together. He could do this. He quickly cleaned off in the shower and prepared for bed, borrowing one of Jango’s toothpaste capsules. If they were going to kiss, he wanted his breath to smell good. 

Jango was sitting on the bed and working on his pad when Obi-Wan came out. 

“I’ll be out in a moment,” Jango said, “You can get comfortable in bed.”

Obi-Wan nodded and Jango closed the door to the fresher behind him. Obi-Wan dutifully folded his clothes and set them on top of the desk before turning to regard the small bed. 

One person could fit on it but two people would be pressed together with no space between them. They would be touching throughout the night. They’d have to find a way to be comfortable together. 

Excitement bubbled inside him. He had been looking forward to this moment for a while now. He had never imagined taking Jango to his bed but had had several fantasies of Jango curling around him in the tiny ship bed. 

Obi-Wan pulled the sheets back and laid down facing the fresher. He then wondered if that would look creepy if he was watching and turned around to face the wall. It would get easier. It was jitters since this was their first night together. 

Light poured in when the fresher door opened and Obi-Wan stiffened. The light turned off a moment later and there was the soft padding of feet. Obi-Wan held his breath, waiting for Jango to join him. The bed shifted and a warm hand settled on his shoulder. 

“You won’t be able to sleep if you’re not comfortable,” Jango said, “I can go sleep with Myles, he won’t mind.”

“No, it’s fine,” Obi-Wan said, turning around. He probably spoke a bit too hastily but there was no taking it back. “I want to sleep with you.”

“Can I sleep with the wall to my back?” Jango asked, sounding so patient. 

“Sure,” Obi-Wan said, shifting forward, nearly leaning off the small bed. 

Jango crawled over him and laid behind him. Obi-Wan released the breath he’d been holding and leaned back. His back hit a solid chest and Obi-Wan tensed. 

“Shhh, it’s okay. Can I touch you?” Jango asked. His hand hovered over Obi-Wan’s arm. 

“Yes?” Obi-Wan said. 

Jango’s hand rubbed up and down Obi-Wan’s arm in a soothing gesture. He reached up and brushed Obi-Wan’s hair back and Obi-Wan could feel a warm breath on the back of his neck. 

“Just moving your hair from my face,” Jango whispered. 

“Okay,” Obi-Wan said, relaxing under his touch. 

Jango’s hand slid under the pillow they were sharing. Obi-Wan brushed his fingers over Jango’s larger hand. 

“You’ve slept on a ship before, right?” Jango asked. 

Obi-Wan nodded. 

“I’ve slept in this same bed too.”

“Kriff, yeah I forgot,” Jango said, shaking his head. “When Jaster first adopted me I had never slept on a ship.”

“You hadn’t?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“No, I grew up on a farm on Concord Dawn. Death Watch killed my family. It was Jaster who found me and saved me. The first night I had nightmares and Jaster held me the whole night. The next morning he told me he would hold me whenever I needed it, even if I woke him in the middle of the night.”

“He sounds like a good buir,” Obi-Wan said, lacing his fingers with Jango’s. 

“He was,” Jango said, squeezing his hand. 

“You sound adorable too. I can see you running down the hall and burrowing in Jaster’s bed,” Obi-Wan said, looking over his shoulder at Jango and grinning. 

Jango rolled his eyes.

Obi-Wan rolled forward and took a deep breath, feeling the fatigue from the day sweep over him. 

Chapter Text

The next morning, Obi-Wan asked a still sleepy Jango where the long range comms were and he commed the Temple and informed them of his location. He found out from Master Dooku that Qui-Gon had already taken a ship to Mandalore. His Master should arrive within a few days. 

“Hey kid,” Myles called in the morning, waving at him from the small kitchen. 

“Myles,” Obi-Wan squeaked. Obi-Wan was still wearing Jango’s clothes. “You know I’m not a kid anymore, right?” 

“I’m assuming you’re of legal age since Jango didn’t sleep with me last night,” Myles said with a shrug. “Happy birthday, kid.” He ruffled Obi-Wan’s hair. 

Obi-Wan huffed and ducked from under his hand. 

“Morning,” Jango said, right before yawning. 

“Good morning. Did you have a good night’s sleep, Jan’ika?” Myles asked with a teasing wink. 

“Nothing happened,” Jango said, rolling his eyes. 

Obi-Wan wasn’t terribly upset that nothing had happened. It was easier sleeping with Jango when they were both still fully dressed. He had woken up with Jango wrapped around him, clinging to him, and it made Obi-Wan grateful he was dressed. He was half-hard from simply sharing a bed with his soulmate. He had managed to will it away after a few minutes.

“How do you like your eggs, Ob’ika?” Jango asked. 

“Not Ob’ika, Obi-Wan. And I like them scrambled.”

“Right,” Jango shook his head. “That’s going to take some getting used to.”

“Can I have some too?” Myles asked. 

“Sure,” Jango shrugged. He turned back to Obi-Wan. “The clothes sonic is behind that,” Jango pointed at a panel, “You can throw your clothes in there and they should be clean by the time we’re done eating.”

“Thank you, Jango,” Obi-Wan said. He fetched his clothes from the room and tossed them into the machine. 

They ate a fairly simple breakfast, nothing fancy, but it was something Jango made and that was enough to make it amazing. Jango and Myles told him that today was their first day of rest in weeks. Even so, the two were planning on spending it checking on everything and everyone. Their rest meant they didn’t have a mission planned or somewhere else to be. 

Obi-Wan didn’t have anything to do. He trailed after Jango and observed him. Everyone they met deferred to him, speaking to him with a tone of respect and awe. The Mandalorians who had met him on MelidaDaan greeted him with kindness and the others were more suspicious. Even knowing that Jango was his soulmate only garnered a little trust from them. 

They sparred together in the afternoon. Their ring drew quite the crowd as Jango fought him first with his blasters against Obi-Wan’s lightsaber and then unarmed combat. Jango kept his wrist covered so Obi-Wan didn’t touch the soulmark. The boisterous crowd cheered when Jango pinned Obi-Wan. His cheeks flamed bright red and he hoped other’s thought it was because he lost and not the precarious position. 

That night they returned to the bed and Obi-Wan slept in Jango’s clothes again. He could sleep in his leggings and inner tunic but he liked sleeping in Jango’s clothes and the other didn’t question it. It was easier to relax that night and it wasn’t long before they fell asleep with Jango holding him again. 

The mission the next day was to take out a nearby Death Watch base. Jango gave Obi-Wan a comm piece to wear again and he accompanied Jango as part of the main assault team. His instructions were fairly simple if mildly insulting, stay with Jango and don’t get injured. Obi-Wan didn’t get injured that often. He rarely had to see Master Che and that was only when he was too hurt to avoid her. 

The battle went fairly well. Obi-Wan and Jango were quite the team. At one point Jango had turned Obi-Wan’s comm to a private channel and they coordinated their attacks. Jango even commented upon how Obi-Wan seemed to know exactly where to move in relation to where Jango was shooting. Obi-Wan’s heart swelled at the compliment. He had been doing his best to follow the Force, letting it flow through him, and it showed. 

After they returned to the relative safety of the Kryze compound, Jango sent Obi-Wan off to clean up while he spoke with his squad leaders. Obi-Wan’s blood thrummed with the high of victory. He felt like he could kiss Jango. 

They hadn’t kissed yet, not even a little good night kiss, but surely this moment would be great for their first kiss. 

Riding off the post battle high, Obi-Wan waited until Jango was alone in the kitchen before approaching him. He knew the mechanics of kissing. He could do it. It was going to be their first kiss as a soulmate pair and his first kiss ever. 

“Hey, Obi— Obi-Wan,” Jango said. His brows furrowed at Obi-Wan’s approach. 

Obi-Wan cupped Jango’s cheeks and pulled him forward. He took a moment to admire the slight scruff of stubble on Jango’s face before sliding his lips over Jango’s and pressing close. 

Jango froze against him, going oddly unresponsive. 

Suspecting he had surprised his soulmate, Obi-Wan leaned closer. Their noses bumped and he ran his hand down Jango’s back. 

Jango blinked and shoved Obi-Wan away. 

“What was that?” Jango asked, wiping at his lips. 

“A kiss?” Obi-Wan asked, staring aghast at his soulmate. “We’re soulmates. We can kiss each other now.”

“We—” Jango groaned and dropped his head back. “Take a seat at the table.”

Obi-Wan’s heart clinched. This was not how he had imagined his first kiss going. It was supposed to be some passionate meeting and they’d maybe make their way to the bedroom and things would progress there. Jango hadn’t even responded to the kiss. He stood there like a statue. 

He sat at the table, trying to wrap his head around Jango’s reaction. It didn’t make sense. Jango had had sex, he had told Obi-Wan as much. They should’ve been going to the bedroom now. 

Jango sat to his left and rubbed his hands over his face. 

“Do you not like me?” Obi-Wan asked. “Do you not find me attractive?” He had to know the answer. 

Jango’s hard gaze snapped to him. 

“Obi-Wan, you’re—”

“I’m an adult, Jango,” Obi-Wan quickly said. 

“You’re an adult as of a few weeks ago,” Jango snarled. “But for the past five years I have never allowed myself to consider you as a sexual being.”

“Why not?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“I’m not attracted to children, Obi-Wan. And for the past five years, you were a child— and I still see that child sometimes.”

“Jango, I’m not a child,” Obi-Wan said in protest. He glared at Jango. “Would you like to see how much of an adult I am?”

He had no compunction about being naked in front of Jango, not now. Jango was his soulmate. He was going to see him naked sooner or later and if seeing him naked helped him understand that he wasn’t a child, Obi-Wan could do it. Obi-Wan’s fingers nimbly removed his belt and sash and they fell off him. 

“What?” Jango asked, staring. 

Obi-Wan peeled off his outer tunic when Jango shook himself. Obi-Wan was working off the inner tunic when Jango sprang up and pinned Obi-Wan’s arms above him.

“No,” Jango growled, eyes burning with an intensity that stirred heat inside Obi-Wan’s belly. He was leaning over Obi-Wan. 

“If you’re going to have sex, can you not do it where I sit?” Myles asked, tone teasing but with a durasteel edge to it. He was leaning against the entry from the hallway. 

“We’re not having sex,” Jango growled. 

“As if he wants me,” Obi-Wan snapped, angry at himself for thinking that Jango could want him. He was suddenly glad he hadn’t sent any holos to Jango. Jango probably would’ve immediately deleted them. “He thinks I’m a child.”

“I feel like I walked in on something,” Myles said, taking a step back. 

“No, you’re staying— a direct order from the Mand’alor,” Jango said, jabbing a finger at him. 

Myles’ brow shot up and he crossed his arms over this chest. 

“You’re going to get dressed,” Jango said, pointing at Obi-Wan. 

Tears stung at Obi-Wan’s eyes and he swallowed back the rush of embarrassment. They were soulmates, they were supposed to be attracted to each other. But all Jango saw was a child. 

When Jango finally let his hands go, Obi-Wan covered himself with his tunics and he didn’t even bother with putting the belt and sash back on. He grabbed them and held up his pants as he ran from the room, cheeks burning. Myles didn’t say anything as he passed but he heard their voices. 

Obi-Wan buried his face in Jango’s pillow and screamed in frustration. He was a kriffing Jedi. He should act better than this. But the pain of the rejection still stung. He had such hopes that they would get together one day. 

If anything it brought Nield’s words back. He had warned Obi-Wan about how soulmates would make decisions for the both of them and to watch out for Jango because he’d probably do it too. He had thought that Nield was wrong, that Jango would never do that. Except he had. He had made a decision and Obi-Wan had no say in it. 

Kriff and he had started stripping in front of Jango which turned out to be a horrifying decision. Jango had looked disgusted at the prospect of seeing Obi-Wan naked. Tonight was turning out to be a disaster. 

The door opened and Obi-Wan groaned. 

“Go away, Jango, I don’t want to talk,” Obi-Wan mumbled into the pillow. 

“Good thing I’m not Jango,” Myles said. He grabbed the chair and rolled it over to the bed. “Come on, let’s talk.”

“We don’t need to talk. I kriffed up. And Jango made it quite clear that he thinks I’m a child,” Obi-Wan grumbled, perfectly content to stay in bed and sulk.

“Yeah, there was a miscommunication there,” Myles said. 

“No, pretty sure there wasn’t. He couldn’t have been more clear. He thinks I’m a child even though I’m a kriffing adult,” Obi-Wan said, sitting up and rubbing his hands over his eyes before glaring at Myles. 

“Right now he does,” Myles said.

Obi-Wan glared harder. 

“But you’re equating that to being a permanent status,” Myles continued, ignoring Obi-Wan’s frustration. 

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and threw his balled up sash at him. Myles batted it away. 

“Obi-Wan, he’s spent five years thinking of you as a child. That doesn’t go away overnight.”

“It’s been a few weeks,” Obi-Wan huffed. He sat back against the wall. 

“Since your birthday, yes. But it was years that he thought of you like that. It can take a while for it to change.”

“It didn’t take me a while to think of him like that,” Obi-Wan said, crossing his arms over his chest and staring ahead. 

“Let me guess, you’ve been thinking of him sexually for a few years now? Maybe ever since MelidaDaan?” Myles asked. 

Obi-Wan’s cheeks flushed at that, as much a confession as anything else. He really had started to think of Jango as a sexual partner around that time. 

“It’s different for him as the older partner, he’s always had to maintain a certain distance. Suddenly, you’re here and you’re trying to kiss him.”

“I didn’t try. Our lips touched,” Obi-Wan said with a pout. 

“Alright, suddenly, you’re kissing him. This person that he’s always tried to keep at a bit of a distance has suddenly become an adult and now he’s trying to grapple with that. He’s having a bit of a crisis,” Myles sighed. “He’ll think of you sexually someday but that’s not today.”

“When?” Obi-Wan asked, hope blooming inside him. 

“I don’t know. You will have to talk with him about that,” Myles shrugged. 

“Okay,” Obi-Wan said, getting up. He could ask Jango about that. He wouldn’t be a kid to Jango forever. 

“Nope, sit back down,” Myles said, pushing on Obi-Wan’s chest and forcing him back down on the bed. “We’re also going to talk about consent, something I would’ve thought your Order would’ve covered.”

“They do,” Obi-Wan said, back straight.

“Then where was the consent with the kiss?” Myles asked, brow raised in question. 

“We’re soulmates?” Obi-Wan said weakly, immediately realizing how terrible of a defense that was. He hadn’t even asked Jango about kissing him, he had just gone for it. 

“And does that automatically give you permission to kiss him?”

Obi-Wan shook his head. 

“This is going to sound counterintuitive to all those trashy holos out there but asking to kiss someone before kissing them is sexy. It also gets consent. So next time, ask. This is your one warning on that. If you do that again, I will give you a black eye. I don’t care that you’re younger,” Myles ardently said, giving Obi-Wan perhaps the most serious look he had ever seen from him. 

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry,” Obi-Wan said, clutching at his elbows. “I will apologize to Jango too.”

“Good, thank you for the apology. You’re a good person and I know this will just be a small hiccup,” Myles said, reaching over and squeezing Obi-Wan’s knee. “Also, this is the only time I will get in the middle of you two. I will not mediate another argument. If you want to be thought of as an adult, you need to act like one. That means communicating if you need a moment to decompress. Can you do that?”

“I can,” Obi-Wan nodded, feeling admonished.

“Good, let’s go eat,” Myles said, standing up. He tossed Obi-Wan his sash. 

“I’ll join you in a moment, I need to redress,” Obi-Wan said, cheeks heating up. It’d also help him center himself. 

“Can I give you some advice?” Myles asked, standing in the doorway. 

“Yes?” 

“Showing him your body doesn’t help with proving you’re an adult. I suggest communicating with him and asking what might help, not trying to show how you’ve changed since you were thirteen.” Myles patted the wall before leaving Obi-Wan alone. 

Well, the night might not be a total loss. He needed to talk with Jango, that much was clear, and he needed to apologize. 

Obi-Wan put his clothes back on and set himself to rights. He took a deep breath and centered himself, releasing his anger and shame into the Force. 

“Hello Jango and Myles,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Hey,” Jango said, sending him a quick glance before going back to the stove. “Do you like stir fry?”

“Yes, Obi-Wan said, sitting down at the small table with Myles. 

“Great,” Jango said, wearing a strained smile. 

“I’m going to eat in my room,” Myles pointedly said, “I don’t think I’ll leave my room for a few hours.”

“Myles,” Jango called, “You’re as subtle as a duracrete slab.”

“Well I want everyone to know that I won’t be eating dinner here,” Myles said, once again using a teasing tone of voice. 

“As if anyone could mistake that,” Jango said, shaking his head. 

He served the meal on three plates and Myles immediately took his plate to his room, leaving Obi-Wan and Jango alone. Jango sat across from Obi-Wan and set Obi-Wan’s plate in front of him. 

“I tried to make it less spicy,” Jango said. 

“Thank you.”

Obi-Wan clasped his hands on the table and took a deep breath, preparing himself. 

“I’m sorry for kissing you, Jango. I did not seek your consent prior to initiating it.”

Jango set his fork down and sighed. 

“I’m sorry for yelling at you and calling you a child. I’m under a lot of stress because of the war.” Jango paused before continuing. “I wanted you to see a united Mandalore, not come in part way and see MelidaDaan again.”

“I don’t see MelidaDaan,” Obi-Wan quickly said. “This isn’t anything like the Young and the Elders.”

“Would’ve been better if you saw her whole and weren’t involved in the fighting,” Jango grumbled, poking at his food with his fork. 

“I figured I’d be fighting with you at some point. I even focused on a lightsaber form that specializes in blaster combat,” Obi-Wan said. 

“You have?” Jango asked, eyes lighting up. 

“Yes, my soulmate is the Mand’alor. Master Dooku and I thought it’d be advantageous,” Obi-Wan said. The hope inside him grew as they talked and ate dinner. 

After Jango finished, he pushed his plate away and set his arms on the table. 

“I do want to kiss you,” Jango said, “With stress from the war and my trouble with seeing you as an adult. It’s not easy. Right now I have little to no interest in sexual matters.”

Obi-Wan nodded, accepting it. Sometimes stress triggered his libido but he wasn’t going to tell Jango that. He had enough on his mind already. 

“We can try kissing again, if you’d like,” Jango said. 

That drew Obi-Wan up short. 

“You want to kiss me?” Obi-Wan asked, pointing at himself. 

“I think it might help with seeing you as an adult. There are boundaries though. Nothing sexual will happen. No clothes will be removed. No groping will be done. Hands will stay above the chest,” Jango said, stating each one firmly.

“That’s fine,” Obi-Wan said, feeling giddy. He hadn’t expected to be able to kiss Jango again so soon. This time it sounded like he would reciprocate. 

“I want to lead the first few times though,” Jango said. 

“That’s fine,” Obi-Wan repeated. It had been his first kiss and it was admittedly lackluster. Hopefully with Jango, who had more experience with kissing, leading the kiss, it would turn out better. 

Jango rubbed his chin for a moment before setting his hand on Obi-Wan’s and squeezed it. 

“How does a good night kiss sound?”

“That sounds good,” Obi-Wan said. He couldn’t help but smile. 

Of course the rest of the night couldn’t go fast enough. He helped Jango clean up after dinner and then they sparred some more. The kiss weighed on his mind throughout the night and by the time they were going to bed he couldn’t think of anything else. He was buzzing with excitement. 

He wanted a kiss, a real kiss.

Obi-Wan changed into his night clothes in the fresher, another set of Jango’s. He cleaned his teeth and took a deep breath before leaving. Jango had already changed in the bedroom and he used the fresher after Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan sat on the bed, clutching his elbows, and waited for Jango. He didn’t care that he was watching the fresher door this time. It didn’t matter. Jango knew what was going to happen. 

Jango turned off the light to the fresher and turned on the small bedside lamp. 

“Do you remember the rules?” Jango asked, standing over him. 

“Hands stay above the chest. Nothing sexual. Clothes stay on,” Obi-Wan stated. 

Jango nodded and sat down next to Obi-Wan. 

“Just one kiss,” He said, cupping Obi-Wan’s cheek. 

Obi-Wan sighed and leaned against Jango’s hand. His heart pounded in visceral anticipation. He mirrored Jango’s move and cupped his cheek. The stubble scratched against his palm. 

Jango’s eyes crinkled at the corners and he pressed the barest kiss to Obi-Wan’s wrist. 

Heat flared inside him. Obi-Wan sucked in a shuddering breath. 

Jango’s lips curled upwards in a smug little smile. 

“You waited for me, didn’t you?” Jango asked, voice husky and warm. 

“I wanted to have my firsts with you,” Obi-Wan whispered, feeling like speaking any louder would break the moment. 

“It might take a while before we move to anything more physical,” Jango said, thumb brushing under Obi-Wan’s eye. 

“That’s alright, I can wait,” Obi-Wan said.

“I can wait too,” Jango said.

“What do you mean?” Obi-Wan’s brows furrowed together. 

“The next time I have sex, it will be with you, Obi-Wan. I will wait with you.”

“You will?” Obi-Wan asked, trembling. 

Jango nodded and pressed another tender kiss to Obi-Wan’s inner wrist. 

Kissing was already so much better than Obi-Wan could’ve imagined. They hadn’t even done anything yet and he was excited for each second. 

Jango pressed his forehead against Obi-Wan’s. Their breaths mingled together. They were so close. Anticipation thrummed through his veins. 

“Would you like this to be our first kiss, instead of earlier?” 

“Very much so, my dear,” Obi-Wan said. 

Jango nodded. He slid his fingers through Obi-Wan’s hair. It was like little electric shocks ran through Obi-wan. Jango tilted his head ever so slightly to the side before leaning closer and closer. 

Obi-Wan waited with baited breath, muscles tensing. He hadn’t imagined this. He hadn’t imagined much really but to him a good night kiss was a peck on the lips, not this slow descent. 

Jango’s lips pressed firmly against his. 

Lightning ran through him. He would’ve collapsed if he wasn’t already sitting. He leaned into Jango’s touch. 

There was barely any movement to the kiss. Jango’s lips stayed there for several seconds before pulling back, leaving Obi-Wan trembling. He blinked and couldn’t remember when he had closed his eyes. 

Jango leaned his forehead against Obi-Wan’s. “Good?” he asked, only slightly out of breath. 

“Only one?” Obi-Wan asked pitifully. 

Jango sighed.

“Three, we can do three.” He glanced up at the ceiling and shook his head. “I’m already breaking my own kriffing rules.”

Obi-Wan cupped the back of Jango’s head and marveled at how soft his curls were. He dug his fingernails into his scalp and scratched and Jango’s eyes fluttered closed and he tipped his head back. He was like a tooka. Obi-Wan kept scratching him until Jango pulled back. 

“I could probably fall asleep to that,” Jango said. 

“So if you’re ever having trouble sleeping, I should scratch the back of your head?” Obi-Wan asked, all sweetly innocent. It was too bad it hadn’t inspired a different reaction. Not that Jango would’ve done anything about it if it had. He seemed adamant on nothing sexual happening. 

“We’ll see,” Jango said, amusement coloring his tone. “You wanted another kiss or did you want to go to sleep?”

“Another two, or three if you consider the one before to be practice,” Obi-Wan whispered. 

“Practice?” Jango asked, giving a soft chuckle. 

“Then this one is the first kiss and we have two more after,” Obi-Wan said, combing his fingers through Jango’s curls. Now that he could touch him, he didn’t want to stop. 

“You’re not going to be able to negotiate this every night,” Jango huffed. 

“I am a trained negotiator, Jango,” Obi-Wan grinned. 

“It will get annoying if you do it every night,” Jango said, immediately putting a stop to Obi-Wan’s attempts.

“Alright, three good night kisses and that’s it,” Obi-Wan said, unwilling to risk irritating his soulmate, especially when they were kissing. 

“And the other one was practice,” Jango winked. 

“So is the next kiss our real first kiss?” Obi-Wan asked, entirely too amused at Jango’s willingness for more, even if it was only another kiss. 

“It can be,” Jango said, rubbing his thumb over Obi-Wan’s cheek. 

Obi-Wan sat up and tucked his feet under him. 

“I would like that,” he said. 

Jango leaned forward and pressed his forehead to Obi-Wan’s once more. 

“Don’t expect this every night.”

“I understand, my dear,” Obi-Wan said, nodding. 

Jango tilted his head slightly and Obi-Wan leaned into the movement, letting Jango guide him. Their noses hadn’t brushed so Obi-Wan considered that a win. 

This time when Jango’s lips pressed against his. He shifted into the kiss, giving it a little bit of movement. Sparks lit down his spine and he leaned forward. 

Jango pulled back, panting slightly. 

He closed his eyes and covered Obi-Wan’s lips with his again. 

Obi-Wan felt the heat of the second kiss all the way to his toes. He curled his fingers behind Jango’s head and let out the faintest whimpering noise. 

“One more,” Jango whispered against his lips. 

“One more,” Obi-Wan repeated, eyes closed, completely in the moment. He dreaded the last kiss of the night, wishing it would last longer. 

Their lips met once more and Obi-Wan nearly groaned under the wave of pleasure that washed through him. He pressed closer. Jango’s grip on the back of his head tightened and pricks of pain shot down Obi-Wan’s spine. Jango’s lips swept over his. 

The third kiss lasted for three breaths before Jango pulled back. He brought Obi-Wan’s head to his shoulder and laid his head on Obi-Wan’s shoulder. He wrapped his other arm around him, holding him close. 

“I haven’t had a kiss like that before,” Jango said, voice low. 

Obi-Wan shuddered in his arms. Heat coursed through his veins. His mouth was oddly dry. His breathing was heavy. Kriff, he had never felt like this before. 

“Do you need to use the fresher?” Jango asked. 

“No?” Obi-Wan said. 

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” Jango chuckled, fingers brushing over his shoulders. 

“I’m not that easily excitable, Jango,” Obi-Wan said, rolling his eyes. 

“I was,” Jango said. “At your age I probably would’ve been pushing for a little more.”

“Well, I already did that this afternoon,” Obi-Wan muttered. 

“And I forgive you. If you ever want a kiss, all you have to do is ask. We could kiss goodnight every night if that's what you want. Just ask,” Jango said, squeezing him once. 

“What about good morning kisses?” Obi-Wan asked, having finally gotten his breathing under control. 

“Ask me in the morning,” Jango said. He pulled back and tipped Obi-Wan’s chin up. “Do you want one more goodnight kiss? A chaste one this time.”

“We already had the three?” Obi-Wan said in confusion. 

“Admittedly, they were a bit more than what I would consider a goodnight kiss,” Jango sheepishly said. “It took me a moment to get in the mood and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.”

“So you liked kissing me?” Obi-Wan asked. Hope welled up inside him that they might have a sexual relationship someday. He hadn’t kriffed it all up. 

“I did,” Jango nodded. “I won’t kiss you like that everytime you ask for a kiss and if you want a kiss like that you will have to tell me.”

“I can do that,” Obi-Wan said, grinning. 

It wasn’t everything he wanted but it was enough. It also felt good not having sex immediately. Jango wasn’t trying to jump him or push him into anything. Although the exact opposite was frustrating. 

“Good night, Obi-Wan,” Jango said, thumb rubbing over Obi-Wan’s chin. 

“May I have that goodnight kiss?” Obi-Wan asked. 

Jango briefly brushed his lips over Obi-Wan’s. It lacked the heat and intensity of the ones earlier but it still held a level of intimacy that had Obi-Wan’s heart fluttering with joy. 

“Good night, Jango,” Obi-Wan murmured. 

Jango reached across him and turned off the bedside lamp. He laid down and then Obi-Wan laid in front of him. He had his back to Jango’s front. 

“Is this okay?” Jango slid a hand over Obi-Wan’s chest and curled around him. 

“Yes,” Obi-Wan said before yawning. He laced his fingers with Jango’s and squeezed. “Thank you, darling.”

That night, Obi-Wan had one of his best sleeps ever. He didn’t wake up once. This wall around him and Jango had fallen. 

Obi-Wan woke up laying on his front, with one of Jango’s legs thrown over his and Jango pressed warm and solid against his back, holding him close. Their fingers were still laced together, as if Jango didn’t want to let go of him. Jango was practically radiating contentedness in the Force. Obi-Wan was pinned underneath him and yet he had never felt safer.

Curling his fingers with Jango’s, Obi-Wan squeezed them. Jango shifted on top of him, his head nuzzling Obi-Wan’s upper back. 

“Are you awake?” Jango asked, voice rough with sleep. 

“Mostly, I’m enjoying this though,” Obi-Wan said. 

“‘M not too heavy for you?” 

“No… I like it,” Obi-Wan said, glancing over his shoulder at Jango. 

“Five more minutes?”

“Only if I can have a good morning kiss,” Obi-Wan cheekily said. 

Jango laughed at that. 

“I’d give you one even without sleeping on top of you.”

“Good to know,” Obi-Wan said, settling in place. Jango was heavy but not uncomfortably so. 

Jango dozed on top for a few minutes and Obi-Wan lay content underneath him, basking in the feeling of safety.

The alarm on Jango’s comm went off a few minutes later and he grumbled in displeasure. 

“If I didn’t have to wake up, I’d stay like this for as long as we could,” he said. 

Jango cupped Obi-Wan’s cheek and turned his head to the side. His lips caressed Obi-Wan’s and Obi-Wan let out a sigh. 

“Good morning, Ob’ika.”

“Good morning, my dear,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Come on, it’s time to get up,” Jango said, getting out of bed. 

The rest of the day, whenever Obi-Wan looked at Jango, his mind flashbacked to their kiss. Although now he wondered if the more appropriate term would be making out. They didn’t do anything more than kissing but it felt like they did.

When Obi-Wan sparred against Jango he had enough sense to keep his focus in the moment. Jango showed him how to break various holds and how to counter Mando’a fighting styles. He was a patient teacher.

Finally though, it was night time again and they were getting ready for bed once more. Obi-Wan waited for Jango to emerge from the fresher before asking about a goodnight kiss. Jango cupped his cheek and pulled him into a long, lingering kiss. Obi-Wan’s eyes fluttered shut. 

“Good night, Ob’ika,” Jango said when he pulled away. 

“Good night, my dear,” Obi-Wan said. 

The night and the morning quickly became Obi-Wan’s favorite times of the day. The kisses in the morning were usually shorter and far more chaste. The night kisses sometimes verged on more but Jango pulled back before anything happened. 

A few days after they had started kissing, Obi-Wan found Jango sitting on the bed with his pad in hand and running his hand through his hair. Obi-Wan had been sparring against Jevon, a large Zabrak male, and was exhausted. 

“Can I lay against you?” Obi-Wan asked. It felt good asking, even for something as simple as resting his head against Jango’s shoulder. 

“Tired?” Jango asked, eyes narrowing. 

“Jevon wore me out,” Obi-Wan nodded. 

“Here,” Jango said, grabbing a pillow and laying it in his lap. He patted the top of it. 

Obi-Wan’s cheeks burned. If the pillow wasn’t there, the position would be far more intimate and significantly more charged. 

“Alright,” he said, taking a controlled breath. He was simply laying his head in Jango’s lap. 

“Does this make you uncomfortable?” Jango asked, a hint of concern in his voice. 

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and reminded himself that he could be open with Jango. He clutched his elbows, grateful for the wide sleeves of his tunics. 

“I thought I would lean against your shoulder.”

“Oh,” Jango said.

“It’s the inherent intimacy of the position. My mind went to what if the pillow wasn’t there,” Obi-Wan said, cheeks starting to burn. 

“Nothing sexual will happen,” Jango stated. “If you’re more comfortable with your head on my shoulder we can do that. I’m fine either way.”

“Nothing sexual,” Obi-wan repeated. “I can do it.”

“If you’re uncomfortable at any moment you can change position,” Jango said. 

“Thank you for the reassurance, my dear,” Obi-Wan said. 

He sat next to Jango and slowly lowered his head to Jango’s lap, facing outward. His head hit the pillow and he closed his eyes and sighed. 

Fingers hesitantly combed through his damp hair. 

“Is this alright?” Jango asked in a soft whisper. 

Obi-Wan nodded, leaning into the touch too. 

“Go to sleep, Ob’ika.”

“If you keep that up, I might, my dear,” Obi-Wan chuckled. 

“I’m not the only one susceptible to head scratches,” Jango said. 

Obi-Wan was too tired to reply. He burrowed his head in the pillow and let himself drift asleep. Jango was with him and there wasn’t a safer place on Mandalore than Jango’s side. He found it was easier to fall asleep around him. Jango was like a protective Loth Wolf. Nothing would happen when he was around. Obi-Wan could drop his guard and relax. 

Murmuring voices woke him. Obi-Wan stretched his legs. Fingers brushed over his cheek. 

“Go back to sleep, Ob’ika,” Jango whispered. 

The door swished closed. 

“Who was here?” Obi-Wan asked, turning and laying with his head facing up. 

“Myles, he had some questions,” Jango said, speaking softly. His fingers skimmed down the length of Obi-Wan’s padawan braid. 

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Less than an hour,” Jango said. “You can stay there if you want.”

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan said, “But I need to meditate. I haven’t done that since I arrived.” 

Jango nodded and Obi-Wan sat up. He knelt on the other side of the bed and took several deep breaths before falling into the Force. 

Life with Jango was at moments blissfully peaceful and other times, wildly dangerous. Obi-Wan’s mornings and nights were spent with Jango, content to lay together and share tender kisses. The days were a mess of battles, sparring, and training. Obi-Wan enjoyed himself immensely though. After the initial hiccup, things were more natural between them. Obi-Wan no longer wondered where his spot was in Jango’s life. It was next to him. 

Early one morning, a week after they started kissing, Jango’s comm went off with an incessant buzz. Obi-Wan and Jango were still waking up and Jango was wrapped around him, pinning him to the bed. 

“Will you grab that for me please, Ob’ika,” Jango grumbled. 

Obi-Wan held up his hand and pulled the comm to him. His Master wasn’t around to complain about him using the Force. 

Jango chuckled when Obi-Wan handed it to him. 

“That works.”

Obi-Wan rolled over and watched the message. 

“Mand’alor, Master Jetii Jinn is here and heading towards Jaster’s Legacy.”

Chapter Text

“Kriff,” Jango groaned. He slapped the comm unit on the bed. “We need to get dressed now.”

“Jango, I’m an adult, he can’t get mad because I slept in the same bed as you,” Obi-Wan huffed. 

“No, but he can claim I’m interfering with your training,” Jango grumbled. He crawled over Obi-Wan and started gathering his armor and under armor. “I don’t want to give him anything to complain about— now get dressed, Ob’ika.”

His Master wasn’t that bad but he wasn’t going to try and argue with Jango about it first thing in the morning. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes but he grabbed his tunics and pants and changed in the fresher. Jango was finished when he emerged. Jango knocked on Myles’ door as they passed it and he told him that Master Qui-Gon was on his way. Myles grumbled but got up. 

Jango’s vambrace dinged, alerting them to someone at the entryway. 

“Come on,” Jango said. 

He put a hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder and led him to the entry and dropped his hand once they were there. He opened the door, revealing a stern faced Master Qui-Gon. 

“Master,” Obi-Wan grinned, pleased to see him. 

“Padawan,” His Master said, patting his shoulder. 

“Master Jetii Jinn,” Jango said, voice strained. 

He needed to have a talk with Jango. His Master was perfectly reasonable. He wouldn’t claim that Jango was interfering with Obi-Wan’s training unless Jango was. 

“Master, are you hungry?” Obi-Wan asked. “Jango usually makes breakfast in the morning.” 

“Thank you for the invitation but we must be going, Padawan. We have a mission and we need to speak with Duke Kryze,” Master Qui-Gon said. 

“Can I grab a meal bar first?” Obi-Wan asked. He hadn’t realized he would be leaving immediately. 

Master Qui-Gon stared down at him, eyes narrowed, and Obi-Wan swallowed back a lump in his throat. 

“You may grab the bar and your robe.”

“Yes, Master,” Obi-Wan said, bowing his head before hurrying off. He had left his robe in Jango’s room. He hadn’t expected to need it. He ran into the kitchen next and grabbed two meal bars, one for his Master in case he was hungry. 

His Master wasn’t at the entryway when Obi-Wan returned. Jango was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and scowling. 

“Jango? What is it?”

“Nothing, Ob’ika,” Jango said, shaking his head. “Can I kiss you before you leave?” 

“Of course, my dear,” Obi-Wan said, stepping closer. 

Jango cupped his cheek and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips. 

“I’ll see you later, my dear,” Obi-Wan said, waving as he left Jaster’s Legacy. 

Jango watched him leave with a disheartening expression. Obi-Wan put the troubled look out of his mind and approached his Master out the ship. 

“We’re meeting with the Duke?” He asked. 

“Yes,” Master Qui-Gon grunted.

The meeting didn’t last long. The Duke had requested Jedi assistance in protecting his daughter from Death Watch and since Obi-Wan was already there, the Council agreed to honor the request. Master Qui-Gon was to oversee the protection of the Kryze family and Obi-Wan was to personally protect Satine Kryze. 

Obi-Wan no longer joined Jango on missions. He was stuck at the Kryze compound, listening in on the comm device Jango gave him and wondering if he’d suddenly vanish from Satine’s side, and slightly hoping he would. His days went from exciting and fun to dull with each hour dragging. He and Satine got along well. She was an impassioned speaker and she desired peace for Mandalore, suggesting that Mandalore should break from its traditions of violence as she described them, which Obi-Wan considered reductive. Mandalore had a rich, passionate culture and she seemed fixated on the warrior aspect. If anything, it only made him all the more glad that Jango was Mand’alor and not her. 

Thankfully Obi-Wan didn’t have to spend every minute of every day with her. He and Master Qui-Gon moved into a suite of rooms near to the Kryze family and Obi-Wan would sneak away most nights to see Jango. His soulmate even programmed him into the security system so the ship unlocked at his approach. They never had time to do anything more physical than kissing but Obi-Wan enjoyed it so much that he didn’t mind. Jango would hold him close and they’d talk briefly about their days. Master Qui-Gon liked meditating together before bed so Obi-Wan would have to rush back to the suite. 

They were on Mandalore for over half a year when one night Obi-Wan had a terrible vision. He was standing alone in the great hall at the Kryze compound when all of the sudden there were several loud explosions and the glass windows shattered. Blaster fire rained down on him but none of them struck him. There were screams in the distance. He nearly choked on the smell of ozone and the rising smoke. 

On the floor at the far end of the hall were fractured pieces of metal. An ash covered dark crystal lay among them. Obi-Wan bent over to touch it and when his fingers made contact, pain lanced through him and the crystal turned an ominous gray. 

Obi-Wan awoke with a start, bolting upright in bed. His heart was pounding. Sweat beaded on his chest. There was only one person on his mind. Jango. He needed to see Jango. 

He threw on a tunic, hopped into his pants, and jammed his feet into his boots before taking off through the compound and towards Jaster’s Legacy. He had to know Jango was safe. His Master had said to ignore visions and focus on the moment but he couldn’t forget the agony as it felt like part of his soul burned away. 

It was still early in the morning, well before any reasonable person would be awake. The ship unlocked for him and Obi-Wan ran to Jango’s room and barged inside. He didn’t need light to see where he was, he knew the layout. He gingerly sat down on top of the bed and brushed his knuckles down Jango’s cheek, heart calming when he felt Jango breathe. 

A large hand grabbed his wrist, thumb pressing hard on the inside. 

Obi-Wan let out a soft gasp. 

Jango’s brow furrowed before relaxing. 

“Obi-Wan?” he asked, voice thick with sleep. “What are you doing here?”

“I—” The words caught in his throat, remembering his Master chiding him for letting a vision guide him instead of living in the moment.

“What is it?” Jango asked, sitting up, voice full of concern. He turned on the low ambient lights. 

“I’m sorry for waking you,” Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. It was only a vision. He needed to be better and focus on the moment. “I’ll let you get back to sleep.” He made to stand but Jango tugged on his wrist, pulling him back to the bed. 

“I’m already awake, Ob’ika. What is it? Why did you wake me at…” Jango looked at the chrono and let out a low curse. 

“It’s nothing,” Obi-Wan said, cheeks warming. “You should go back to sleep.”

“That’s not going to happen anytime soon,” Jango said, brushing his fingers through Obi-Wan’s hair. The gentle, soothing motion had Obi-Wan closing his eyes and letting out a sigh. Jango continued brushing his fingers through Obi-Wan’s hair as he spoke. “Tell me why you came here, Ob’ika. I’m not mad. I doubt you woke me up simply because you wanted to sleep with me.”

“I didn’t,” Obi-Wan said, relaxing under Jango’s touch. 

“Then why?” Jango asked, “I won’t be mad, Ob’ika.”

Still, all Obi-Wan could think about was his Master scolding him for talking about a vision again. 

“May I see your wrist please?” Obi-Wan asked. 

Jango released Obi-Wan’s wrist and flipped his hand over, showing the soulmark. The colors were as vibrant as ever, warming Obi-Wan’s heart. He ran his fingers along the edges, careful to avoid touching the actual mark. 

“I had a vision,” Obi-Wan whispered, glancing at Jango to gauge his reaction. His soulmate only nodded and the words came easier. He told Jango of what he saw and heard: the great hall burning, the chilling screams, and finally the dark crystal bled of all color. He shuddered as he recounted the soul deep pain and focused on the bold lines of Jango’s soulmark, using it to center himself. 

“I died?” Jango asked, brows pinched together. 

“I don’t know for certain. It’s a vision, they’re a sign of a future that may come and may not,” Obi-Wan said. 

Jango snorted. 

“If it shook you this badly, I’m going to err on the side of it being possible. We’re supposed to attack another stronghold today but if you say the Kryze great hall was on fire, it’d probably be better if we stayed here.”

Jango’s quick acceptance caught Obi-Wan by surprise and he dropped Jango’s wrist. 

“You’re going to stay here?”

“Yes,” Jango yawned. 

“Because of a vision I had?” 

“Ob’ika, my buir taught me to listen to those who get visions. He said that if one of them tells me to bring a few more grenades on a mission then I should do it,” Jango grinned. “And besides Myles, there’s no one I trust more in the galaxy than you. If you say you had a vision, I’m going to listen to you.”

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan said, confused as to what he should say and that felt like the best choice. He had so often been discouraged for speaking about his visions that it was surprising for Jango to listen to him. 

“Do you want to stay for a few hours?” Jango asked, head tilting to the side. 

It was then that Obi-Wan realized Jango was shirtless and it was his first time seeing Jango’s bare chest. Jango’s chest rose and fell with each breath. Sparse dark hair covered his chest. He had a small belly but there was a hint of muscle underneath it. He looked almost like a man from a hoload although he lacked the definition. He was toned though, a fighter who used his body everyday. A thin white scar ran down along Jango’s ribs and Obi-Wan tentatively brushed his fingers over it. 

Jango sucked in a sharp breath and Obi-Wan yanked his hand back. They hadn’t talked about touching each other.

“It’s okay,” Jango whispered, taking Obi-Wan’s hand and placing it over the scar. 

Warmth seeped into Obi-Wan’s hand and he bit at his bottom lip. He rubbed his thumb over Jango’s heated skin and fought back a blush. 

“Come here, Ob’ika,” Jango said, tugging on Obi-Wan’s other hand, “Lay with me for a few hours. Nothing will happen.”

Jango laid down and he lifted the blanket. Obi-Wan laid down on his side next to Jango and, with Jango’s coaxing, Obi-Wan put his head over Jango’s heart. Jango turned off the lights and set an alarm for Obi-Wan so he could get back to the suite before Master Qui-Gon noticed he was missing. Soon, the gentle rhythm of Jango’s heart beat lulled him to sleep. 

When Obi-Wan woke up a few hours later to the shrill sound from Jango’s alarm, one of Jango’s hands was in his hair, cradling his head against Jango’s chest, and Jango’s other hand was on Obi-Wan’s lower back, mere inches from touching Obi-Wan’s soulmark. For a brief moment he wondered at what it would feel like to have Jango touch his mark but Obi-Wan shifted before anything could happen. Jango hadn’t wanted to touch it when Obi-Wan was younger and the precarious placement meant that any touch would be almost sexual. Jango groaned at the alarm and he swatted it with the hand that had been near Obi-Wan’s soulmark. 

“Good morning, Ob’ika,” Jango said, covering his mouth when he yawned. 

“Good morning, Jango,” Obi-Wan responded, sitting up. He grabbed his boots and slid them on. 

“I’ll walk you out,” Jango said, standing once Obi-Wan was ready. Jango didn’t bother putting a tunic on and Obi-Wan had to turn his gaze from Jango’s chest. 

He accompanied him to the ramp and they shared a brief kiss before Obi-Wan left. Master Qui-Gon was still asleep when Obi-Wan returned to the suite. Obi-Wan snuck into the fresher and took a sonic before getting ready for the day.

The day went like every other until midday when Jango entered the Kryze’s private dining room with a determined expression. He went immediately to Duke Kryze and the two spoke in hushed whispers. The Duke’s expression shifted from anger, fear, and then resignation. He nodded and Jango stepped back. 

“Family, we’re to follow Myles,” The Duke said, gesturing at him. Myles was standing unobtrusively off to the side, dressed in full beskar’gam. 

“Where are we going?” Bo Katan demanded. 

The Duke scooped her up and carried her against his hip. 

“We’re going to take a ride in the Mand’alor’s ship.”

“Obi-Wan,” Jango waved. 

Obi-Wan followed him out into the hall. 

“What is it?” Obi-Wan asked, brows drawn together in concern. Jango didn’t usually interrupt lunch. 

“May I have a kiss before you leave?” Jango asked, cupping Obi-Wan’s cheek, a hint of panic in his tone. 

“Yes?” Obi-Wan said, tipping his head up. 

Jango’s lips pressed firmly against his in a kiss far more aggressive than normal and Jango nearly shoved Obi-Wan against the wall. Obi-Wan gripped Jango’s biceps and gasped at the unexpected intensity. Jango jerked and broke the kiss. Obi-Wan panted, eyes wide. 

“Kriff, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kissed you like that. I don’t even know if you want that—”

Oh kriff that, he was not going to let his soulmate apologize for kissing him like that. Obi-Wan grabbed the front of Jango’s kute and yanked him close, slamming their lips together in an uncoordinated kiss. Jango fisted the back of his head, casually directing them. Obi-Wan groaned as Jango took the lead. 

“What’s happening?” Obi-Wan asked between kisses. 

Jango peppered kisses along his neck and desire curled down Obi-Wan’s spine. He found himself wanting more and yet knowing that nothing else would happen, not while they were out in the open. 

“We picked up a small squadron on the long range scanners,” Jango said between kisses, seemingly unable to get enough of kissing him. Obi-Wan tilted his head to the side, giving Jango more to work with. “Myles is going to take everyone to a safe location.”

“What do you need me to do?” Obi-Wan asked, fingers squeezing Jango’s pauldrons. 

“Go with him,” Jango said, leaning back, gaze hard as durasteel. 

Obi-Wan frowned, crushed. 

“You don’t want me to stay with you?”

Jango shook his head. 

“Your mission is to protect the Kryze family. You need to go with them.”

“But what about you?” Obi-Wan asked, looking imploringly at his soulmate. His Master could easily protect the Kryze family. He yearned to stay behind with Jango and to fight with him. He had a mission though.

“I’ll be fine, Ob’ika,” Jango said, leaning his forehead against Obi-Wan’s. There was a hint of hesitation to his words though. 

His eyes trailed over Obi-Wan’s face and he brushed the pad of his thumb over Obi-Wan’s lips. 

“If something did happen though, I wanted to have kissed you one last time.”

“You’ll survive,” Obi-Wan said, uncertain. He ran his fingers through Jango’s curls, trying to memorize every detail that he could. 

“If I do, can I have another kiss like that?” Jango asked, lips curling into a sly little smirk. 

“Of course,” Obi-Wan said, already looking forward to kissing Jango again.

He wrapped his fingers around the hilt of his saber. The darksaber had been in his vision and that could mean any number of things but if there was an attack on the compound, it was possible that Pre was going to show up. If Jango was determined that Obi-Wan stay with Myles and the Kryze family, then Obi-Wan would protect Jango in the only way he could, by lending him his saber. 

Obi-Wan unhooked the clip from his belt and held them out for Jango. His soulmate looked at the offering in confusion, brows pinched together. 

“What are you doing?” Jango asked, running his fingers reverently along the hilt. 

“I’m letting you borrow it,” Obi-Wan said. 

“No,” Jango said, shaking his head, “You need it more. You’ll be guarding the Kryze family.”

“I doubt I’ll need it as much as you,” Obi-Wan said, pressing it into Jango’s chest. “Take it. Let some small part of me stay here with you.”

“But if anything happens to you…”

“There are beskads on the Legacy,” Obi-Wan said. The Mandalorian beskar sword wasn’t the same as a lightsaber but Obi-Wan could adjust his style if necessary. That wasn’t the only weapon on Jango’s ship. “And I’m decent with a blaster.”

“I’ll take care of it until I see you again,” Jango said with a curt nod. He clipped the saber to his belt. 

Obi-Wan’s lightsaber hummed in approval. 

Jango’s lips pressed against his in one last passionate kiss before he stepped back. His knuckles were white where he was holding his helmet. 

“Stay safe, Ob’ika.”

“May the Force be with you, Jango,” Obi-Wan said, walking towards the door. 

“Obi-Wan,” Jango called. 

Obi-Wan paused and turned around. 

“If you appear while I’m fighting Pre, do not interfere,” Jango said, leveling a hard look at Obi-Wan. 

“Yes, alor,” Obi-Wan nodded. 

Jango’s lips curled up but then he shoved his helmet on and Obi-Wan watched him leave. Obi-Wan’s lightsaber tapped against Jango’s thigh plate. Obi-Wan waited until Jango turned the corner before he walked back inside to the private room. 

Myles led them to Jaster’s Legacy and Obi-Wan sat in the co-pilot’s seat, helping him with take off. Myles wouldn’t tell him their destination. They flew through hyperspace for several hours and exited near a verdant planet. As they approached a farm, a large door opened, revealing an underground hangar. Once the ship settled, the door closed above them and the hangar lit up. They went up a staircase and emerged in a farmhouse. They were to wait there for Jango’s signal, until then they were free to wander the farm. 

“Padawan, would you like to meditate together?”

“Maybe later, Master,” Obi-wan said, bowing his head. “I’d like to be alone for a moment.”

Master Qui-Gon nodded and he followed the family to the living room in the farmhouse. Obi-Wan walked outside and sat on the hood of an old speeder. 

It was dark outside and the stars shone above him. He stared at them, trying to pinpoint where Mandalore would be. He had no idea what was happening, only that Jango didn’t think it was safe for them to return. His soulmate was fighting and Obi-Wan was far away. He had done the only thing he could to help him, giving him his lightsaber. It was a Jedi’s life and if his life could protect Jango’s, he would gladly give it. Thankfully his Master didn’t ask about his lightsaber, maybe he hadn’t noticed that Obi-Wan didn’t have it.

“Hey,” Myles said, sitting next to him. 

“Hello Myles,” Obi-Wan said in a flat tone, wrapping his arms around his knees and praying to the Force for Jango’s safety. 

A silence sat heavy between them. Obi-Wan had no intention of breaking it. The waiting was the worst part. He had no way of knowing if Jango was okay. 

“Mandalore is that way,” Myles said, pointing to the east. 

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan said softly. 

“I know you wanted to be alone but I need to keep an eye on you, if something happens to Jango…”

“I’d be the first to know,” Obi-Wan said, putting his chin in his hand and staring at the planet in the far distance. From this distance it was a small orange speck.

“If you disappear—”

“I know, Jango told me not to interfere. That’s only if I can prevent the death. If his death isn’t preventable then I’ll find out when the mark burns gray,” Obi-Wan said morosely. It wasn’t like he’d be able to look at the mark easily, he didn’t have a conveniently placed mark like Jango. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts of Jango’s possible death. “How long will we be here?” 

“No idea,” Myles said with a shrug. “Could be hours or days. If it’s the second though, we have a plan in place for that.”

The brief conversation between them died and Obi-Wan turned back to staring at Mandalore, hoping for Jango’s survival. Myles sat with him, not saying a word, simply offering his company. Obi-Wan didn’t even have a way to monitor the battle from where they were. 

Time was passing impossibly slow. Each second lasted longer and longer. He knew that as a Jedi he should let go of everything, that it could all change. His Master reminded him to stay in the moment. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and attempted a light meditation, seeking the comfort of the Force. The gentle flows and eddies calming his pounding heart. He had done all he could to help Jango. 

“Let’s go eat,” Myles said, shaking his shoulder.

Back in the farmhouse, they heated several meals for the family. Obi-Wan picked at his food while he chatted with everyone, finding it hard to focus on the moment when he kept wondering about Jango. His soulmate was capable and Obi-Wan had every confidence in him. 

Myles’ comm trilled and Obi-Wan’s head snapped towards it. 

“Myles?” Obi-Wan asked, voice high pitched with concern. 

“I’ll be right back, Obi-Wan,” Myles said, waving for him to stay seated. He left the dining room and went upstairs and then Obi-Wan heard a door close. 

“Padawan?” His Master’s hand covered his. 

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and forced himself to focus on the moment at hand and not matters on Mandalore. Satine drew him into a conversation but he could not help the small part of him that was listening for the door to open upstairs.

When Myles emerged, Obi-Wan’s attention turned to him. He walked down the stairs slowly, lips curling up at the corners. Myles sat down and everyone at the table stopped talking. 

“Jango won the darksaber,” Myles grinned. “We can leave when we’re ready.”

“Any word on the casualty numbers?” The Duke asked. 

“We’re not certain. There was some damage to the buildings in the compound and they’re still searching for survivors.”

Obi-Wan pressed his hand to his heart. Jango survived. He had the darksaber. He was all but Mand’alor in name. 

They quickly left and Obi-Wan clutched his elbows, looking forward to seeing Jango. They couldn’t use comms while in hyperspace so Obi-Wan had to wait to speak with Jango until Mandalore. Once they landed he was standing behind Myles at the landing ramp, bouncing on the balls of his feet. 

Kal Skirata and several of Jango’s other advisors were waiting outside but Jango wasn’t anywhere. Obi-Wan frantically searched for his soulmate in the crowd. 

“Obi-Wan, I need you to come with me,” Ja’rad said. 

“Where’s Jango?” Obi-Wan asked, feeling like ice was running through his veins. 

“I’ll show you,” Ja’rad said, tone that of a patient but insistent medic. 

Obi-Wan tucked his fingers into his sleeves and nodded. The medic led him to a room deep inside the compound, one Obi-Wan hadn’t been to before. 

There was a row of bacta tanks along the wall and each one was occupied. Obi-Wan swallowed back his trepidation. There was only reason why Ja’rad would take him here, Jango had been injured in the battle. That meant that he was still alive though. 

At the very end of the room was another small, private room. The soft blue glow of a bacta tank lit the room and Jango floated inside it. He was naked except for a pair of briefs. The white scar along his side drew Obi-Wan’s gaze. There was a burn on Jango’s other side and several bruises scattered over his body. 

“Is he okay?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“He will be,” Ja’rad said, “He’ll be in there for a few days.”

“May I stay here and meditate?” Obi-Wan asked. His Master might get upset with him but his soulmate was in a bacta tank.

“Yes, there’s a chair you can use whenever you’re here,” Ja’rad waved toward the corner where there was a chair pushed against the wall. 

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan nodded. He put his hand against the lukewarm glass. 

“I assume this is yours?” Ja’rad asked, holding out Obi-Wan’s lightsaber, a hint of amusement coloring his tone. 

“Yes,” Obi-Wan whispered, taking the saber from him and clipping it to his belt. 

“It helped. He defeated Pre with that blade and one of his westar blasters.”

Obi-Wan brushed his fingers over the hilt and the crystal sang triumphantly. His soulmate was safe. 

“If I may ask, where is the darksaber?” 

“As the Verd’alor, Myles is expected to keep it safe until Jango is well,” Ja’rad said. He typed on the pad connected to the bacta tank and looked over the information. 

Obi-Wan pulled the chair closer to the tank and sat there and began to meditate. An hour passed before Master Qui-Gon arrived with Myles. 

“Padawan, come, it’s time to rest,” Master Qui-Gon said. 

Obi-Wan shook his head. 

“My soulmate is here. I’m going to stay with him.” 

He didn’t have anywhere else he needed to be. His duty to protect Satine was finished. Mandalore had a leader now. 

Master Qui-Gon crossed his arms over his chest and Obi-Wan sat up straight, shoulders back, he would not be intimidated. 

“If safety is your concern Master Jetii, I will be here,” Myles said. 

A familiar angular saber hilt dangled from Myles belt. 

“Tomorrow morning, we will meditate together,” Master Qui-Gon said. 

“Yes, Master,” Obi-Wan agreed, bowing his head in deference. 

“Verd’alor,” Master Qui-Gon nodded at Myles before leaving. 

Once the door was closed Obi-Wan turned to Myles. 

“You don’t have to stay here,” Obi-Wan said. 

“It doesn’t bother me, I’m going to be up anyway going over flimsiwork,” Myles said, grabbing a chair and setting it next to Obi-Wan’s in the small room. “I’ve got something to show you.” He held up his padd. 

It was a holo of Jango from the fight with Pre. Neither of them were wearing their helmets. Jango was down on one knee. He was wielding Obi-Wan’s lightsaber in one hand as Pre bore down on him with the darksaber. Sparks flared where the sabers met. In Jango’s other hand, he held one of his blasters, aiming for Pre’s head. Jango was the embodiment of a fierce Mandalorian warrior, proud and strong.

Heat stirred inside Obi-Wan at seeing his lightsaber in Jango’s hands. 

“Someone recorded the duel and I thought you’d like that moment,” Myles said, grinning. 

“I do,” Obi-Wan admitted shyly, gaze tracing the image. 

“I didn’t know you gave him your saber.”

“It was a last minute decision,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Everyone is wondering where he got the jetii’kad,” Myles chuckled. “Only the people that were at Galidraan knew but now it’s out: Jango has a Jetii soulmate.”

“Oh kriff, please tell me they’re not sharing the story of how Jango and I met?” Obi-Wan asked, cheeks warming. 

Myles' answering grin was enough and Obi-Wan buried his face in his hands. 

“People want to know how the two of you met,” Myles said, rubbing Obi-Wan’s shoulders. “They’re also sharing how he has given you freedom to grow into your own person and how you’re the reason that we know about Melida/Daan.”

“Myles, I was naked,” Obi-Wan groaned. 

“If it’s any consolation, most people are sympathetic towards you and are commending Jango for not running off with you and keeping you safe.”

“I was still naked, at 13, meeting my soulmate, who was 22,” Obi-Wan grumbled. 

“Would you rather be 18, naked, and meeting your 27 year old soulmate?”

“That sounds like a holonovel,” Obi-Wan snorted. 

“There’s probably one like that,” Myles said. “Can you suffer the embarrassment though? There’s no stopping the story from circulating now but neither of you are painted in a bad light.”

“Fine,” Obi-Wan said, accepting it. It wasn’t like there was anything he could do. It was how they met. 

“Good,” Myles took his pad back. “I’ve got to go over reports.”

Obi-Wan leaned back against the chair and soon fell asleep. He woke in the morning with a crick in his neck. Myles was sprawled asleep in his chair. He found Master Qui-Gon and they meditated together. Obi-Wan ate breakfast and checked on Satine. The Kryze residence had been spared but the great hall was crumbling and would need to be rebuilt. Some of the verd stared at him as he went about his day and he did his best to keep his face straight and ignore their curious looks. At least Myles had told him, so he could guess as to why they were interested. 

The Duke asked that they stay until Jango was sworn in as the Mand’alor and surprisingly, Master Qui-Gon agreed. Obi-Wan was glad for the chance to say goodbye to Jango. It would’ve been cruel if his Master wanted to leave beforehand.

Chapter Text

Two days later, Jango was removed from the bacta tank. Obi-Wan was allowed in the room as was Myles and they stayed to the side while the medics did their work. The medics helped Jango onto the biobed and he sat up, refusing to lay down. The medics huffed and draped a blanket over Jango’s shoulders. 

Jango squinted before grinning wide. “Ob’ika,” he waved for Obi-Wan to come over. 

“Jango,” Ja’rad said lowly. 

“Come on, it’s Ob’ika,” Jango said. 

Ja’rad rolled his eyes but he stepped aside and Obi-Wan stepped in front of Jango. Jango wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a warm embrace. 

“You survived,” Obi-Wan whispered, heart swelling to be in Jango’s arms again. 

“I did,” Jango grinned, squeezing him lightly, “Thank you for your saber. It helped.”

“I saw,” Obi-Wan said, pulling back and grinning proudly, “Mand’alor.”

“Not yet,” Jango shook his head. “Everyone needs to swear allegiance, then you can call me that.”

“We can do that tonight,” Myles smirked, “If you’re ready.”

“You’re on light duty but you can lead a swearing in,” Ja’rad said, tapping his pad. 

Jango grinned at that. 

“Where are my clothes? We’ve got to get ready for tonight.”

Myles tapped his foot on the armor crate in front of him. Obi-Wan and Myles waited outside the room while Jango changed and he talked with Ja’rad. When Jango came out, he was dressed in his beskar’gam and the darksaber hung from his belt. 

A few of the medics paused and stared at Jango before continuing their duties. Everywhere they walked, people stopped and stared. Some of them would salute or even nod in their direction. Obi-Wan couldn’t help but feel proud of Jango and all that he had accomplished. 

Jango met with Duke Kryze and thanked him for his hospitality and promised to help rebuild the Kryze compound. The rest of the morning was spent in the Legacy with Jango going over reports. Obi-Wan didn’t have to be there but he sat on the bed and meditated while Jango read at the desk. The other option was joining Master Qui-Gon and while he was expected to be there at his Master’s side, Jango was his soulmate. 

“Ob’ika,” Jango said, pulling Obi-Wan from his meditations. 

“Yes?” 

“I think I should learn how to fight with this,” Jango held up the darksaber, “Do you know anyone who could teach me?” He asked with a wink. 

“Would you accept the help of a lowly padawan?” Obi-Wan asked, unable to contain his smirk. 

“Of course,” Jango said, standing up and helping Obi-Wan to his feet.

Together they cleared a small area in the common room. Obi-Wan led Jango through basic positions before showing him the proper grip for a lightsaber. After that he showed Jango the different parts of the saber. He paused though. 

“The blade intensity adjustor is broken,” Obi-Wan said, frowning. 

“What does that mean?” Jango asked, peering at the hilt. 

“That you can’t change it to a low power level. It’s stuck on high power, increasing the risk of injury,” Obi-Wan said. Every saber he had practiced with had been at low power. They were taught to respect the power that they wielded. “You have to be careful anytime you use the darksaber, Jango. One wrong move and you could hurt someone.”

Jango nodded solemnly. He was a warrior who had used weapons most of his life, he understood the power that they held. Obi-Wan knew he could trust that Jango would be careful with the blade and that he wouldn’t treat it like a toy. 

“Could you fix it?”

“The darksaber itself is not broken. Only one part of it is,” Obi-Wan hastily explained. He didn’t want Jango to think he was insulting Mandalore’s ancestral weapon. 

“In my experience, a weapon that has a broken piece is more of a risk. I’d rather the darksaber not explode while in my hand,” Jango said, holding the hilt out for Obi-Wan. 

“I’ll take a look,” Obi-Wan said. 

He sat on the floor and focused on the darksaber and its individual components. For a moment the saber seemed to resist his attempts to dismantle it but Obi-Wan managed to deconstruct it to its individual components. He felt along each piece, noting the aged feeling to them and the fierce pride ingrained in them. The pieces were all functional except for the power adjustor. 

“The darksaber is functional,” Obi-Wan said, opening his eyes. 

Jango was sitting across from him, eyes tracing over the dismantled darksaber in open awe. Obi-Wan slowly reassembled it, keenly aware of Jango’s interest. Once it was whole, he floated it into Jango's hand. 

“It won’t explode in your hand,” Obi-Wan said.

“Thank you for checking it,” Jango nodded. 

Obi-Wan put his lightsaber on low power and demonstrated the basic katas that he had learned. Jango followed him slowly, watching him with the intensity of a student eager to learn and master the subject. Obi-Wan had to make a few corrections to Jango’s form but overall he did well. 

Afterwards they each took a turn in the fresher, Jango let Obi-Wan borrow some clothes while Obi-Wan’s tunics were in the washer. Jango sat at the table and cleaned his armor and Obi-Wan helped. While they worked, Jango helped Obi-Wan with his Mando’a. 

Jango set his rag on the table. 

“Can I declare you as my ven’riduur at the ceremony?”

“What would that entail?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“You would join me after the clan leaders and the people have sworn allegiance and then I would announce our intentions and then you would raise your weapon,” Jango shrugged. 

“I don’t have to say anything?” Obi-Wan asked, putting the clean pauldron on the table. 

“Not if you don’t want to,” Jango shrugged. 

“I can do that,” Obi-Wan said, smiling. 

“About that kiss for surviving,” Jango said, a hint of teasing in his tone. 

“Yes, my dear?” Obi-Wan asked, cheeks heating. 

“Perhaps after the party we could go to my room,” Jango grinned, “We could see where the night takes us.”

“Like sex?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“If you’re open to it,” Jango said. 

“Yes, that would be—” Obi-Wan swallowed back his lust, “That would be good.”

Jango cupped his chin. 

“We don’t have to do anything, Ob’ika. I’m happy to hold you if that’s what you’re comfortable with.”

Obi-Wan’s heart fluttered and he nodded. 

Of course after that conversation, that was the only thing Obi-Wan could think about for the rest of the day. Instead of being a nervous, anxious mess like the first day, he was anxious with excitement. They had been going slow for months, doing nothing more than kissing, he was looking forward to doing more with Jango. 

“Just one more year,” Obi-Wan said while Jango was putting on his armor. 

“One more year for?” Jango was sliding on his vambraces.

“Until my knighting ceremony,” Obi-Wan said. 

“And then you’ll be a Watchman?”

“I could be, although Master Dooku wants to accompany me for a year, he wants to check out—”

“So you won’t be coming to Mandalore after you’re knighted?” Jango asked, arms crossed over his chest.

“No, I will be. Master Dooku wants to look into an ancient Jedi Temple on Lothal and he wants to help me transition to being a Jedi Watchman. Most Knights don’t immediately become Jedi Watchman. A Watchman has a whole sector under them. And he asked if he could accompany me and help.”

“Oh,” Jango said, looking appropriately sheepish and scratching the back of his head. “So one more year as a Padawan and then you can join us?”

“If you want me,” Obi-Wan said. 

“I do. I’d ask for Master Jinn to be the Watchman if it meant you could stay,” Jango said, resuming donning his armor. He was almost done. 

“He wouldn’t accept,” Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. Although it would be wonderful if he could stay. 

“All the better,” Jango grumbled. 

Obi-Wan was no stranger to Jango’s dislike of his Master but he wasn’t going to try and fight that battle. His Master had his positives, Jango just didn’t see them. 

Jango clipped the darksaber to his belt and Obi-Wan couldn’t resist giving him a chaste kiss, making Jango grin. 

“I’d cancel the party if I could,” Jango said, wrapping his arms around Obi-Wan’s waist. 

Obi-Wan curled his arms around Jango’s shoulders and pressed his forehead to Jango’s. 

“Just a few hours, my dear, and then we can be alone.”

The swearing in took place on a hill outside the compound. Jango stood on top and the nine clan leaders were in front of him. Obi-Wan and Master Qui-Gon were off to the side with Myles and Jango’s other advisors. The gathered crowd was behind the leaders, silent and listening as each clan pledged themselves to Mand’alor Jango Fett. He looked somber in front of everyone, accepting each vow. 

Finally Myles stepped forward and he held up his blaster. The crowd copied him. Myles shouted each line of the oath and every gathered Mandalorian in the crowd repeated his words, swearing themselves to the Mand’alor. Myles stepped back once they were finished. Jango held up the darksaber and activated the blade. It hissed and the crowd chanted “Oya!” several times before Jango lowered it and turned it off. 

Jango glanced at him and Obi-Wan took a deep breath before standing with him. Obi-Wan’s heart was beating wildly and a shudder ran through him. Jango pressed his forehead against his and for a moment it was only the two of them. 

“Are you ready?” he asked.

Obi-Wan nodded. Everyone already knew they were together, this was only going to make it public. 

“Hold up your weapon,” he whispered. 

Obi-Wan held up his lightsaber, took a breath, and then turned it on. A moment later, the darksaber activated in Jango’s raised hand. Jango joined his empty hand with Obi-Wan’s and held them up as he loudly declared their intention to marry. 

The crowd cheered once more and Obi-Wan couldn’t help but laugh at the overwhelming joy he felt in the Force, nearly matching his. He had a soulmate and a place to call home. 

“Cross it,” Jango said, grinning, barely audible over the roaring crowd. 

“What?” Obi-Wan asked.

Jango glanced up at their sabers and then back at Obi-Wan. “Cross them, like our mark.” Jango was grinning so happily that Obi-Wan, no matter how cheesy it was, couldn’t resist his soulmate’s wishes. If anything, it made him giddy too. His soulmate was proud of them and wanted to show off their relationship. 

Obi-Wan tilted his blade and Jango did the same. The blades crackled where they met. Jango’s nose bumped against his and then his mouth was on Obi-Wan’s. The crowds cheered ever louder. 

The kiss was brief and yet had Obi-Wan floating. 

“Oya!” Jango shouted and the crowd repeated. 

He said it again. 

On the third time, Obi-Wan joined him, caught up in the celebration. Out of every coronation and ceremony he had been at, this had the most emotion in it. The people were shouting for Jango, proud and happy. He was their leader. 

Obi-Wan’s voice was nearly hoarse when they finished. 

The crowd dispersed and the real party began. The clans had brought a bunch of food and laid out tables in the compound. There was enough for every person to eat their fill. 

Obi-Wan had barely taken two steps from Jango’s side before one of the clan leaders, Beka Novarin, was passing him a glass of tihaar. Several of the leaders congratulated him, clapping him on the back. Obi-Wan defaulted to his diplomatic training, doing his best to not cause offense. He finally managed to rejoin Jango and his soulmate immediately took him to the tables for food. 

“You might need your energy tonight, cyare,” Jango whispered, grinning wickedly.

“Jango,” Obi-Wan gasped, cheeks darkening. They were surrounded, anyone could’ve heard that. 

Jango only laughed and Obi-Wan shook his head. They didn’t have to do anything. He knew Jango would stop if Obi-Wan told him no but he was looking forward to the chance for more. His stomach was twisting in his excitement.

“Are you sure you can handle it, old man?” Obi-Wan asked as they made their way through the buffet. 

Jango’s eyes glinted at the challenge. 

“I prefer the term experienced.”

Once they had their plates filled, they sat down and others joined them. Everyone wanted to talk with them, which was no surprise to Obi-Wan. Thankfully, with his extensive training in diplomacy, due in no small part to being a stubborn Jedi Master’s apprentice and learning to smooth over Master Qui-Gon’s transgressions, Obi-Wan was able to competently handle himself in talking with everyone. He did his best to commit every person’s name. 

After food there was dancing. Unfortunately for Obi-Wan, Jango loved to dance and was excellent at it. Obi-Wan stumbled along, sadly not because he didn’t know the dance.

“How can you not be good at dancing?” Jango asked, laughing, eyes lighting up in amusement. “It’s like—”

“If you say fighting I’m going to toss you over a table,” Obi-Wan threatened, trying to keep pace with Jango. He wasn’t really mad, more frustrated with his own lack of skill. 

“Well, cyare,” Obi-Wan grinned at the endearment, “If you teach me to fight with the darksaber, I’ll teach you how to dance.”

Obi-Wan laughed at the request. The Mand’alor, the leader of proud, fierce, renowned warriors was going to teach him to dance if he agreed to teach him how to fight. 

Jango’s brows pinched together. 

“I’ll teach you how to fight, Mand’alor,” Obi-Wan grinned. 

Jango huffed in mock indignation, eyes betraying him as they twinkled in delight. 

The song drew to a close and they ended up pressed together. One of Jango’s hands was on Obi-Wan’s lower back and Obi-Wan’s breath caught in his throat as he thought about how it would feel to have Jango’s hand against his soulmark. They shared another kiss and Obi-Wan closed his eyes, savoring the brief moment alone. 

The crowds gathered around them again. Everyone wanted to talk with them. It was a whirlwind of faces and names and conversations. Obi-Wan excused himself to grab a drink and on his way back Master Qui-Gon stopped him. 

“Master,” Obi-Wan said, bowing his head. 

“Padawan, are you having a good time?” Master Qui-Gon asked and then took a sip of his drink. 

“I am,” Obi-Wan said, sneaking a glance at Jango and grinning. The cheerful atmosphere was infectious. 

“I’m glad,” Master Qui-Gon said. 

The words caught Obi-Wan off guard and he stared at his Master dumbly. 

“Once the party is over, we’re going to head back to Coruscant. Our ship is ready and waiting for us,” Master Qui-Gon said, his congenial smile a stark contrast to Obi-Wan’s shock. 

“We’re leaving?” Obi-Wan asked numbly. 

“We are. We must return to Coruscant. We have been here for several months. When you’re ready, find me and we can depart.” Master Qui-Gon nodded to him before walking away.

Obi-Wan stood there, mind working over the revelation. They weren’t staying the night. He wasn’t going to be able to spend it with Jango, not even wrapped in Jango’s arms. It felt like his heart was crumbling. 

He downed his drink and joined Jango, trying to smile but feeling more and more like it was strained. He waited until Jango finished his current conversation before whispering into his ear. 

“I need to speak with you alone.”

“Alone?” Jango asked, grinning, but then his expression saddened when he saw the morose look on Obi-Wan’s face. “Okay,” he nodded. 

They managed to find an area away from the main party and Myles kept others from approaching them. 

“What is it? Do you not want to spend the night with me? It’s okay if you don’t, Ob’ika. We can do it at your pace.”

“It’s not that,” Obi-Wan shook his head. “I want to spend the night with you, dear, even if it’s you holding me,” Obi-Wan said, cupping Jango’s cheek. 

Jango’s eyes brightened and he turned his head and pressed a kiss to Obi-Wan’s palm.

“Master Qui-Gon told me that we’re leaving after the party,” Obi-Wan said, wishing he had better news. 

“Already? You’re not even staying until tomorrow?” Jango asked.

“No,” Obi-Wan shook his head, unable to hide his disappointment. 

Jango huffed and he glared over Obi-Wan’s shoulder. He then paused and looked back at him with a hopeful grin.

“What’s the name of the ship?” he asked.

“Why?” Obi-Wan asked, brow arching, suspicious. Jango looked entirely too hopeful.

“As Mand’alor I could ground all ships. Myles could see that there’s a convenient fuel leak. There are any number of reasons why a ship can’t leave tonight.”

“No,” Obi-Wan stated firmly. “We’re so close to my knighting and my Master would see it as far too convenient. We don’t want to risk angering him for a single night.”

“Yes, cyare,” Jango said, resting his forehead against Obi-Wan’s.

“It’s only one year that we will be apart,” Obi-Wan said, trying to cheer himself and Jango up. He had been looking forward to tonight. This was such a disappointment. 

“One year, cyare,” Jango said, taking a deep breath. 

“One year and then I’ll return with Master Dooku and I’ll be the Watchman.”

“And my riduur,” Jango grinned. 

“And your riduur,” Obi-Wan agreed. “Can I invite some of my creche mates for the ceremony?”

“Of course,” Jango said. “It could be just the two of us or it could be however many people we wanted with us.”

“I assumed that as the Mand’alor, the ceremony would be more public,” Obi-Wan said.

“No, it’s up to us.”

“Good to know.”

Obi-Wan sighed and closed his eyes, resting his forehead against Jango’s, savoring the quiet moment that they had together. 

Jango’s hands cupped his cheeks and then his lips pressed against Obi-Wan’s in a fervent kiss. He pressed closer to Jango’s body. One of Jango’s hands slid down his back and Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Jango’s shoulders, determined to fully enjoy what would be their last kiss for a year. 

They couldn’t do anything more though. They were still in public and outside. They had to keep it somewhat chaste. 

“I’m going to miss you,” Jango whispered, breaking from the kiss. 

“I’ll miss you too,” Obi-Wan said, panting, trying to catch his breath. 

“I’ll message you as often as I can,” Jango said, kissing Obi-Wan’s cheek. 

“I could send you something special,” Obi-Wan suggested, cheeks pinking. 

“Is it something naughty?” Jango asked, his lips brushing against Obi-Wan’s ear, sending a thrill down Obi-Wan’s spine. 

“Yes,” Obi-Wan said in a low voice, fighting back the lust building inside him. 

“Don’t,” Jango said, shaking his head, “The first time I see you, I want it to be in person.”

“Yes, my dear,” Obi-Wan said, smiling softly, heartened that Jango would rather wait. 

“Did your Master say when you would have to leave?”

“He told me to tell him when I was ready to leave. So I’m free to stay for as long as I like tonight,” Obi-Wan said, shrugging.

“Well, if we only have a few hours left, let’s enjoy them. Do you want to dance some more? Have some dessert?” 

“Jango, as cheesy as it sounds, as long as I’m with you, I’m happy,” Obi-Wan said. 

“Then let’s dance some more and enjoy ourselves. Maybe your Master will let me escort you to the ship and we can have a goodbye kiss,” Jango said, running his hand up and down Obi-Wan’s back. 

They shared another dance and Jango held Obi-Wan close, occasionally reminding him to relax and to follow him. The easier dances were the ones where Jango was able to hold him and direct him, guiding him through the steps. He felt far less awkward when Jango was leading him. Dancing was not his favorite activity but he could tell from Jango’s enthusiastic grin that he loved doing it and that was worth it for Obi-wan.

They ate some dessert together and a few hours after talking with Master Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan noticed him hovering in the distance, ready to leave. 

“Jango,” Obi-Wan said, nodding his head towards his Master. 

“He said until you were ready, cyare,” Jango grumbled, picking at his uj cake. 

“It has been a few hours, my dear,” Obi-Wan said, reluctant to leave. “We don’t want to anger him.”

“Alright, but I’m walking you there,” Jango said. 

“As if I’d have it any other way,” Obi-Wan chuckled, lacing his fingers with Jango’s. 

They walked towards Master Qui-Gon who greeted Jango as Mand’alor. 

“Are you ready to leave, Padawan?”

“I am, Master. Jango requested to escort me to the ship too,” Obi-Wan said. 

Master Qui-Gon nodded and he waved towards the end of the compound with the landing pads. There was a standard Jedi transport waiting on one. Jango walked with him onto the ship, never once letting his hand go. 

“I’ll ready the ship while you say your goodbyes,” Master Qui-Gon said. 

“Thank you, Master,” Obi-Wan said, trying to not let his sadness at leaving seep into his voice. 

Master Qui-Gon disappeared down the corridor towards the cockpit and Obi-Wan turned to Jango. 

Obi-Wan had no warning before his back was slammed against the wall and Jango’s lips were against his in a passionate, almost dominating kiss. He gasped as one of Jango’s hands buried in his hair, yanking lightly on the strands. A shiver shot through him and he groaned. 

“Quiet,” Jango growled, “Or he might come back.”

“Jango,” Obi-Wan whimpered. He bit at his bottom lip to keep from making too much noise. 

“Kriff, I was going to kiss you until you were whimpering, offer to help you take off your tunics and kiss down your chest. We could’ve been doing more,” Jango groaned in frustration. 

“One year, Jango,” Obi-Wan whispered, fingers clenching on Jango’s shoulders. 

Jango nipped at Obi-Wan’s neck. “One more year, cyare,” he said, kissing him again, just as passionately as before. 

Obi-Wan buried a hand in Jango’s hair and groaned. Of all his kisses with Jango, this was one he wished wouldn’t end. But it had to end eventually and much sooner than he liked. Obi-Wan kissed Jango before stepping away. 

“Goodbye, Jango.”

“Goodbye, Ob’ika,” Jango said, pressing his forehead to his before walking off the ship.

Chapter Text

Jaster’s Legacy

“Myles!” Jango shouted, startling him. 

Myles rolled out of bed and grabbed his blaster, ready to fight. He’d worry about his armor after everything. He stormed down the hall to Jango’s room and nearly slammed his shoulder into the door. 

“What is it?” Myles asked, rushing inside, holding his blaster up and checking for targets. Jango had brought a Twi’lek on the ship last night for a quickie but Myles didn’t see him in the room. He didn’t see any danger in the room. Myles lowered his blaster, brows furrowed together in confusion. 

Jango was sitting on his bunk, chest bare, staring in awe at his wrist. 

“What is it?” Myles asked again, this time creeping closer to the bed and peering at Jango’s wrist. 

“I’m going to be the Mand’alor,” Jango said, voice reverent. 

On Jango’s wrist, in vivid colors and standing out starkly against his skin, were two blades crossed over each other. One of them was the Darksaber, the symbol of the Mand’alor. It was said that those blessed with the Darksaber on their soulmark were blessed by the Manda and they would be the Mand’alor. The other blade though was bright blue, a jetii’kad. 

“Oh shit,” Myles whispered. 

Jango traced his finger along the edges of the soulmark. 

This was confirmation that Jango would be the Mand’alor. He was already the leader of the True Mandalorians since his buir had died when he was fourteen. 

Myles’ thoughts came to a sudden halt and he paled, staring at the soulmark.

“Jango,” he said. 

“What?” Jango asked, looking up at him, brows drawn together. 

“How old are you?” Myles asked, already knowing the answer. 

Jango’s perplexed expression deepened. 

“21, why?” 

“When do people normally get their soulmarks?” Myles asked, leading Jango along, not wanting to spell it out for him. 

“When you’re… Oh kriff,” Jango muttered, looking dejected at the mark.

“Maybe you won’t meet them until they’re in their late twenties?” Myles asked, giving Jango a pitying smile. 

“That means I won’t meet them for another ten years,” Jango grumbled. 

“Would you rather meet them a year or two from now, when they’re still underage?” Myles snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“Kriff, that would be the worst,” Jango said with a huff.

“At least they’ll probably be a good fighter as a jetii,” Myles said, sitting next to Jango on the bunk. “Still, you’re Manda blessed, Jan’ika.”

“I wish buir could be here,” Jango said, leaning back against the wall, “He’d be so happy for me.”

“He would,” Myles grinned. 

~ * ~ * ~

Jaster’s Legacy

“I’ll send you another comm in a few months, Ob’ika,” Jango said, giving a brief wave before signing off. 

He slumped in the chair next to Myles and grabbed the bottle of tihaar from him. 

“My soulmate hates me,” Jango grumbled, glaring at the wall as if it had personally offended him. 

Myles grabbed the bottle and poured some into two glasses. “I taught you better, you heathen,” Myles said, rolling his eyes. 

Jango rolled his eyes in response before taking his glass and downing the drink in one swallow. 

“He’s a teenager Jango, do you remember what you were like at that age?”

Jango let out a heavy sigh before shaking his head and setting the glass down on the table. 

“Angry at the galaxy for taking my buir.”

“And he’s probably embarrassed at having appeared naked before his much older soulmate,” Myles said, sipping at his tihaar.

“It’s been a year!”

“Naked!” Myles nearly shouted. “Kriff. It wasn’t just in front of you. It was in front of a company of Mandalorians and Jetiise. He isn’t going to forget it anytime soon. Give him some time.”

“Should I stop sending him comms?” Jango asked, resting his head on the table and staring morosely up at Myles. At least he wasn’t reaching for the tihaar. Myles had to help Jango stumble to his bunk on more than one occasion. Sometimes he would get lazy and take Jango to his room and they’d share his bunk. 

“No, keep sending him messages, let him know he’s in your thoughts. It’d probably be worse for the kid if he thought you hated him and didn’t want to talk to him.” Myles sipped his drink. 

Obi-Wan had seemed like such a sweet kid, so eager for Jango’s attention. Myles hadn’t thought that Obi-Wan would avoid responding to Jango’s messages but he could see why the kid did that. It was among the top embarrassing situations for a teenager. 

“I could tell him that him showing up naked wasn’t that big of a deal,” Jango said with a shrug, “Try to console him.”

“No, don’t talk about it. It’d only embarrass him again. He’s probably trying to forget that whole situation,” Myles said vehemently, gesturing at Jango with his glass. “There are some things you never bring up and that would be one of them. At least give him a few years before talking about it.”

“So your suggestion is that I keep acting like it never happened and keep sending him updates on my life?” Jango asked, brow arched incredulously. 

“Honestly, yeah,” Myles said, pouring more tihaar into their glasses. “He’ll eventually comm you back and he probably won’t even talk about the incident.”

“Fine,” Jango said, running his hand through his hair and shaking his head. “Kriff, why couldn’t I have met him ten years later?”

“Because the Manda has a sense of humor?” Myles chuckled. 

~ * ~ * ~

Jaster’s Legacy

“We need to—” Jango said before vanishing. 

Myles had known that it could happen. He hadn’t expected it to be so sudden. One moment Jango was standing there and they were debriefing and the next he wasn’t. He was simply gone. 

Now, Myles wasn’t a Second for nothing. Part of his job required him to be good with adapting to situations.

Myles pulled out his pad and pulled up the locator program. 

“Orders, alor?” Silas asked, turning to him, along with every Commander in the room. 

The status bar on the bottom flashed red, signaling that it couldn’t find the beacon in Jango’s vambrace. 

“Have all ships ready to leave within the hour. Wherever Jango is, his soulmate is in danger and he needs our help.”

Hopefully they could hold on until they arrived. 

~ * ~ * ~

Mandalore

“Any news?” Myles asked when Jango returned from the long distance comm room. 

Jango shook his head before slumping into his seat. 

“His Master insists that he needs more training before he becomes a Watchman,” he grumbled. 

“Maybe that’s a good thing?” Myles asked, grimacing. There really was no way to be optimistic towards this. 

It had been three years since Obi-Wan had left Mandalore. The first year passed relatively quickly with them focusing on rebuilding Mandalore. As the year drew to a close though, Jango started preparing for Obi-Wan’s arrival. He had a separate bedroom readied for him, giving him the choice to room with Jango or have a place for himself. He had another one set up for Master Dooku, resigned that Obi-Wan wouldn’t be there alone but willing to accept Master Dooku. 

About a month after the anniversary of Jango becoming Mand’alor, he received a comm from Obi-Wan that he wasn’t going to be a Knight yet, that his Master thought he needed more training. Jango had gone to the firing range and stayed there for several hours, taking out target after target. Myles wondered how many of those targets Jango imagined were Master Jinn. The obstinate Jetii Master seemed determined to keep the pair separated. 

Jango leveled a sharp glare on him and Myles winced. Optimism and levity had their moments but it wouldn’t be appreciated right now. He had been friends with Jango long enough to know that. 

Obi-Wan and Jango exchanged messages as often as they could. Sometimes they could even call and talk in real time. Jango usually came back happier after those occasions, as if all he needed was to see Obi-Wan and everything was better. He knew that Jango would sometimes ask Obi-Wan for advice on dealing with the clan leaders, hoping for a diplomatic solution and not the typical throw the ones having problems in an arena and let them fight it out. Although there was one occasion where Jango came back grinning because Obi-Wan had suggested exactly that, having gotten frustrated. 

“Did he have any idea when his Master would say he’s ready for his trials?” Myles asked. 

“At this rate, he has no idea,” Jango shook his head. 

~ * ~ * ~

Mandalore

“They returned from a mission today, they should be here for another week to recuperate before being sent out on another mission,” Master Dooku said. 

“Thank you,” Myles said, bowing his head. He always felt like he was speaking with the ruler of a planet and not just some Jetii Master whenever he spoke with Master Dooku. Of course that would make Obi-Wan the heir to the planet which made the thought even more humorous. 

"I apologize for not being able to do more. I have a pressing matter to attend to and am not able to fully devote my attention to my Grandpadawan," Master Dooku said. 

"I understand," Myles said, nodding. "We appreciate everything you've done."

Master Dooku bowed his head before saying goodbye. 

Myles signed off the call and pulled out his pad. 

Jango’s schedule was packed for the next week but his friend needed to see Obi-Wan. He could handle everything while Jango was gone. Myles started rearranging the meetings, pushing a few back and adding anything urgent to his schedule. He sent a few meetings to the other advisors. Jango didn’t have to be so heavily involved in Mandalore’s rebuilding but without Obi-Wan there, well Jango had thrown himself into everything. 

Hopefully a week would be enough. The journey to Coruscant would take about a day and a half and that would give Jango two days to spend with Obi-Wan before he had to return to Mandalore. Myles had a feeling that once Jango and Obi-Wan met up they wouldn’t be leaving the bedroom for anything, maybe not even to eat. They’d probably have everything delivered. 

Myles knocked on the door to Jango’s office and there was a grumbled enter. Myles rolled his eyes. Jango’s grumpiness had only increased over the past six years since Obi-Wan had left Mandalore. 

That was another reason for Myles’ call with Master Dooku. He had been checking in on Master Dooku’s progress with petitioning the Council to approve Obi-Wan for the Trials since Master Jinn was being a particularly stubborn bastard. The only reason Myles and Master Dooku could think of for Master Jinn’s continued refusal was spite. Master Jinn though asserted that if Obi-Wan was going to be a Watchman immediately after being Knighted then he would need additional training and several Councilors agreed with him.

Myles sat down in the chair opposite Jango’s desk and he grinned at his friend. 

Jango shot him a curious glance before shaking his head and turning back to his pad. 

“Is there a reason you’re so amused?”

“Waiting for you to check your schedule,” Myles said, laying back in the chair and pretending like he was getting ready to fall asleep. Sometimes Jango worked until an ungodly late hour. 

“What did you do?” Jango huffed. 

There were several hard taps and then Jango’s head hit the desk. He looked up and glared at Myles. 

“Not funny. Where is my schedule for next week?”

“You don’t have a schedule for next week,” Myles grinned unabashedly, “You’re going on vacation.”

Jango’s brow shot up impossibly high and then he stared up at the ceiling and shook his head. 

“I don’t have time to go on vacation,” he grumbled. 

“Now you do, and you’re going to leave tonight,” Myles said, triumphant. 

“And where am I going on vacation?” Jango asked, staring at him, unamused. 

“Coruscant.”

Jango perked up, sitting up straight. Myles had his full attention now. 

“I heard a certain padawan is going to be there for at least the next week.”

“You didn’t,” Jango said, leaning forward, but he was grinning now, as if this was the best news he had had in years. Which, Myles knew the news Jango received so it probably was. 

“I’ve moved your meetings around. You have a week to go visit him and return.”

“Myles, you’re the best Second ever,” Jango said, grinning wide. 

“Finish what you’ve been working on and then leave. I’ll take care of everything while you’re gone,” Myles said. 

“Kriff, what can I do to repay you,” Jango said, sitting back in his chair. 

“Give me a week off with my Riduur sometime,” Myles said. He didn’t have one right now but he could someday. 

“I’ll give you a week off whenever you want it, no Riduur necessary,” Jango said. 

He quickly finished his last message and updated Myles on the more urgent business. Jango was practically vibrating in his chair, ready to leave. 

“Go see your Ven’Riduur,” Myles said once they had finished. 

“I won’t forget this,” Jango said. 

“I’ll remind you the next time you get mad,” Myles said. 

He knew Jango would’ve never had set this up himself. He would’ve stayed wallowing in despair until he and Obi-Wan finally saw each other again. It had been six years since they had seen each other, about half the time that they had known each other. They were overdue for a visit. 

Jango stood and he tucked his helmet under his arm.

Suddenly, the door to the office opened and Kal entered with a stony expression. 

It felt like rocks filled Myles’ belly and he hastily stood as Kal’s expression unnerved him. 

“Mand’alor,” Kal said. 

“Jango, leave, I’ll take care of this,” Myles said, glaring at Kal. He was so close to getting Jango to leave. 

“No, it’s fine. This shouldn’t take long. What is it, Kal?” Jango asked. 

“There are reports of Death Watch on Concordia,” Kal said. 

Ten seconds. If Jango had left ten seconds earlier then Kal wouldn’t have stopped him. Myles grit his teeth. He had done so much to free up Jango’s schedule. This was the first chance they had had in years. 

Jango hung his head and when he looked back up he had that determined look, the one that Myles knew meant Jango wouldn’t go to Coruscant until the Death Watch threat was handled. 

They hadn’t heard from Death Watch for two years. They had thought they had taken out the last stronghold. Apparently, they had moved to another planet. 

“Jango, I’ll take care of this,” Myles said, trying to feebly for Jango to go on a much needed vacation. 

“It’s on Concordia, that’s on the way to Coruscant. We can take care of it tonight and I’ll leave from there,” Jango said, waving off Myles’ insistence. He left the office. 

Myles glared at Kal. “He was this close to going to Coruscant.” He pinched his fingers together. 

“Is that why his schedule was free?” Kal asked. 

“Yes,” Myles hissed, throwing his hands in the air and shaking his head. “If he misses seeing Obi-Wan, it’s your fault.”

They cleared the stronghold that night, Jango had the verd moving rapidly through the stronghold. Myles made it to the central command room and he groaned. There were five other bases scattered over Concordia. 

When he shared the news with Jango, his friend’s expression hardened. He knew how solemnly Jango took his duty. He tried insisting that he could handle it and that Jango should take the vacation. 

Myles’ comm pinged and he glanced at the screen and groaned. 

“What is it?” Jango asked. 

Myles showed him the screen and Jango cursed. 

It was a message from Master Dooku and it said that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had been requested for a mission and they were leaving Coruscant and heading to Naboo.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan stepped out of the fresher, having taken a sonic to clean off after sparring with his Master. He had his tunics over his shoulders. He sat on the bed and slid on his boots. 

“What’s that?” Anakin asked. 

“What’s what?” Obi-Wan asked, turning around. 

“That,” Anakin pointed to the area right above Obi-Wan’s ass. 

About half of the soulmark was sticking out above the waistband of his leggings. 

“That is my soulmark,” Obi-Wan said, slipping on his inner tunic. 

“Wizard,” Anakin said, eyes wide. He crawled to the other side of the bed and sat next to Obi-Wan. “Is your soulmate another Jedi?” Anakin’s brows pinched together. “Is it Master Qui-Gon?”

Obi-Wan blanched at Anakin’s question and suddenly felt sick to his stomach. 

“No, it’s not my Master.”

He had never heard of a Master and Padawan being soulmates and wondered how the Council would handle that. They were quite strict even with Jango’s and his communications. 

He took a deep breath, calming his churning stomach. 

“My soulmate is not a Jedi. He’s a Mandalorian.”

“But it looked like two lightsabers?” Anakin said, staring up at him quizzically. “Did he kill a Jedi for their lightsaber?”

“No, he didn’t kill anyone— well he did have to kill someone for it,” Obi-Wan said, quickly amending his statement. “It’s the Darksaber. He had to kill someone to earn it.”

“Oh,” Anakin said. 

Obi-Wan put his tunics and tabards on, trying not to think about Jango. He hadn’t seen him in years and his heart ached. The comms and the messages weren’t the same. A certain warmth was missing from them. 

“Have you ever been transported?”

Obi-Wan paused in putting on his belt and he gave a quiet chuckle. 

“I have, a couple of times.”

“Really? What was it like?” Anakin asked, moving closer, eyes shining. 

“The first time it was quite confusing,” Obi-Wan said, refusing to go into further detail, “The second time I recognized it happening. There was a twisting, lurching feeling, and then suddenly I was on a battlefield.”

“Woah,” Anakin said, eyes wide with awe. 

Obi-Wan reached for his lightsaber and as he did the Force practically sang at the touch. Obi-Wan stared at the saber before clipping it to his belt, an unknown weight lifting off his shoulders. 

“Do you think I’ll have a soulmate?” Anakin asked, tugging at his sleeves. 

Obi-Wan squeezed Anakin’s shoulder. He had a good idea who the boy was hoping would be his soulmate. The boy’s infatuation with Queen Amidala was quite apparent. 

“You might. I don’t know if you will or will not. I didn’t find out about mine until I was twelve.”

“There’s a chance?” Anakin asked, looking hopeful. 

Obi-Wan nodded. 

“Let’s go see Master Qui-Gon.”

He grabbed his robe and threw it on. Anakin hopped off the bed and ran towards the door, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Obi-Wan couldn’t find it in himself to be excited. He followed behind the young boy. 

There was a twisting feeling in his belly and Obi-Wan gasped at the familiar tugging sensation. 

“Anakin, tell Master—”

An explosion shook the ground. Well honed reflexes had him pulling out his lightsaber at the Force’s urging. He caught the blaster bolt and deflected it back towards the shooter. It wasn’t very Jedi of him, but being pulled across the galaxy had him grinning. This was much easier than dealing with his stubborn Master. 

After the disaster at Naboo and then Tatooine and his Master’s insistence on taking the young Anakin as his Padawan, essentially throwing Obi-Wan to the wayside, doing something as simple as deflecting blaster shots was a welcome reprieve. He sunk into the Force, spinning, dodging, and striking. When he had the chance, he slammed the attackers, knocking them out. He was glowing in the Force. As much as fighting was considered a last resort, he was exceptional at it. It helped that his soulmate was a Mandalorian and as a child he had wanted to impress him. 

Obi-Wan focused on the shots, deflecting them towards the shooters. He needed to deal with the threat at the moment and then he could find Jango. 

Another shot had him twisting and he caught sight of dust covered silver armor and he grinned. 

It had been so long since they had seen each other last. 

The battlefield noise died down and the dust settled. Obi-Wan turned off his lightsaber and clipped it to his belt. He turned to where he’d last seen his soulmate, heart pounding. Jango had sent him a message the other day about attacking Death Watch strongholds on Concordia. 

Jango slowly removed his helmet and his eyes dragged up and down Obi-Wan’s body, making Obi-wan’s cheeks warm and he clutched his elbows inside his robe. 

“Obi-Wan?” Jango asked

“Hello there,” Obi-Wan said, biting at his bottom lip. 

“Holy Manda,” Jango whispered. His gaze sharpened and Obi-Wan sucked in a breath, fighting the urge to step back. 

“How are—”

Obi-Wan didn’t get to finish the question as Jango’s lips crashed against his and arms as strong as beskar wrapped around him, pulling him close. Obi-Wan gasped at the sudden flare of desire that coursed through him. 

The kiss was passionate, borderline feverish as Jango attacked him, holding him close like Obi-Wan might disappear. A hand fisted in his hair, directing him, and Obi-Wan was helpless against it, submitting easily to Jango. Obi-Wan’s eyes fluttered closed and he grasped at Jango’s shoulders. 

A hand dragged down Obi-Wan’s back and his thighs and got caught in his robes. 

“Kriff, I want you naked right now,” Jango growled.

The low sound sent a thrill racing down Obi-Wan’s spine and heat settled in his belly. 

“Hi Obi-Wan,” Myles said, eyes glinting, full of mirth. 

“Hi Myles,” Obi-Wan squeaked, stepping back— or trying to but Jango didn’t budge. 

“Myles, you have command,” Jango snapped with barely a glance over his shoulder. 

“Yes, alor,” Myles said, nodding. 

Jango grabbed his helmet and slapped it on. 

“Hold on, Obi-Wan,” he said, stooping and picking up Obi-Wan, one arm under his shoulders and the other under his knees. 

A moment later Jango was shooting into the sky and Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Jango’s neck. 

“Jango,” he gasped. 

“Ob’ika, tell me now if you don’t want this. I plan to go all the way once we’re at the ship,” Jango growled, the sound was tantalizing even through the vocoder. 

“I want this,” Obi-Wan nearly had to shout to be heard as the wind whipped around them. 

“Thank the Manda,” Jango said, fingers digging into Obi-Wan’s sides. 

If anything they seemed to fly even faster. 

They made it to the ship and rushed through the halls in a mad, frantic blur. They lost their clothes in Jango’s quarters, barely parting for even a moment in their eagerness. Jango’s frenzied touch had white hot fire searing through Obi-Wan’s veins. 

~ * ~

Obi-Wan felt like he was floating as he laid with his head on Jango’s bare chest. Every muscle in his body was relaxed. His Master could barge into the room and he really wouldn’t care. He could hear Jango’s heart beating and he could easily fall asleep to the peaceful rhythm. 

“Everything you hoped for?” Jango asked, a hint of trepidation in his tone. 

“It was perfect,” Obi-Wan whispered, grinning up at him. 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t last longer,” Jango said, scratching the back of his head. “It’s been a few years and I was excited.”

“Jango,” Obi-Wan leaned up, cupped his cheeks, and kissed him, amazed that he could do that now. “It was perfect.”

Jango’s finger combed through his hair and Obi-Wan leaned into the touch, eyes fluttering closed. 

“It’ll be better next time.”

“Well, I still enjoyed this time,” Obi-Wan said, rolling his eyes. He certainly had enjoyed himself immensely. He couldn’t see how it could be better. Kriff, he had almost passed out from pleasure. Touching himself had certainly never felt that intense. 

He caught Jango’s lips in a slow, simmering kiss. Jango kissed a path down Obi-Wan’s neck that had him arching forward. 

Several loud knocks at the door had them pulling back and Jango sitting up and glaring at the door.

“Yes?” He called, nearly growling. 

The low sound had heat stirring inside Obi-Wan and he rolled off of Jango’s lap and grabbed his leggings and underwear off the floor, slipping them on. The last thing he wanted was someone else seeing him naked. The only person who had seen him naked as an adult was Jango and he would prefer to keep it that way.

Myles stepped into the cabin with his hand over his eyes and managed to close the door behind him. 

“Is it safe? Are you two decent?”

Obi-Wan stood against the wall and covered his grin. 

“Myles, what the kriffing hell do you want?” Jango asked, glare sharpening. 

Heat spread through Obi-Wan’s core. He had never considered anyone could look attractive when they were angry but it wasn’t the first surprise today. Jango grabbed his clothes and covered his lower half. Obi-Wan did his best to school his features. A half naked Jango was still quite distracting. 

“We are now,” Jango grumbled, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Myles peered through his fingers before pulling his hand off his face. 

“Didn’t want to see your soulmark again,” he said, winking at Obi-Wan. 

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. Hopefully Myles had a reason to show up and interrupt them. 

“Your Master keeps comm’ing us,” Myles said.

Obi-Wan’s face fell and he leaned his head back against the wall. He had been having a wonderful time not thinking about his Master. Sadly, he still had a mission to finish. 

Jango rubbed his hand over his face and he let out an irritated noise. 

“Where do we need to take you?”

“Naboo,” Obi-Wan groaned, shaking his head. “The Trade Federation is refusing to back down and now we’re—” Obi-Wan paused and glanced at the two. He was with the Mand’alor and the Verd’alor. He practically had an army at his fingertips. 

Jango and Myles were looking at him with similar expressions of confusion, brows drawn down. 

“I need an army,” Obi-Wan stated. 

Jango and Myles shared a glance and grinned. 

“The Trade Federation is blockading Naboo and we tried the Senate but they were useless—”

“I could’ve told you that,” Jango said, leaning back, muscles on display. 

Obi-Wan ripped his gaze from Jango’s chest before he could forget what they were talking about. 

“We were on our way back to Naboo to try and raise an army with the Gungans to break the blockade. Would the Mand’alor help? I’m certain the Queen of Naboo would pay handsomely.”

“Myles, go back to Mandalore with Domino, I’ll take the rest of the men to Naboo.”

“Yes, alor,” Myles said. 

“I’ll comm my Master,” Obi-Wan said. 

It was a busy hour, refueling and resupplying the ships before flying off to Naboo. Obi-Wan helped where he could, explaining the situation to Jango and the squad captains before they left, telling them about the strange man on Tatooine and Anakin, who had won the Boonta Eve Classic. Once they left, it only took one heated look from Jango before the pair returned to Jango’s quarters. 

~ * ~

Obi-Wan stared up at the ceiling after another mind-blowing session with Jango. The state of his mind could best be described as static from an old holo set. 

“Better?” Jango asked, sounding particularly smug as he kissed up Obi-Wan’s bare chest. 

“How did you—?” Obi-Wan asked, not entirely sure what he was trying to ask. His brain was still more or less restarting. “Yes?”

Jango gave a low amused chuckle that had Obi-Wan flushing. 

“Thank you for waiting, mesh’la,” he said, capturing Obi-Wan’s lips in a heady kiss that did little to clear the static in Obi-Wan’s mind. “You didn’t have to but I’m honored to share all these firsts with you.”

“You don’t mind that I’ve never…” Obi-Wan glanced down to emphasize his point. 

Jango shook his head and laid on his side next to Obi-Wan. He took Obi-Wan’s hand in his and laced their fingers together. The sweet gesture warmed Obi-Wan’s heart. 

“Thank you for waiting with me,” Obi-Wan said, cupping Jango’s cheek and kissing him, giddy at the chance to be able to freely kiss his soulmate. 

“I made a promise, Ob’ika,” Jango said. 

“I wouldn’t have blamed you though if you had sex with someone else,” Obi-Wan said, rolling onto his side and facing Jango. 

Jango slid a hand down Obi-Wan’s side to settle near his soulmark. A small spark flared inside Obi-Wan at the contact. Heat began to course through his veins and Obi-Wan tensed. He hadn’t forgotten the intense, near electric feeling that surged through him when Jango touched his soulmark. 

“Still recovering?” he asked. 

Obi-Wan gave a weak nod, highly tempted to shake his head and risk passing out from the pleasure. 

Jango nodded and dragged his hand up and pressed it between Obi-Wan’s shoulder blades, holding him close. Obi-Wan sighed in relief, sagging against Jango. He returned Jango’s embrace, sliding his hand over Jango’s back. 

They laid in bed, quiet and relaxed for several long minutes. Obi-Wan’s eyes kept closing until he finally fell asleep. When he woke up, his head was on Jango’s chest. The last time he had slept so soundly was when he had last seen Jango. 

“Good morning, Ob’ika,” Jango whispered, kissing his forehead. 

“How long have you been awake?” Obi-Wan asked. 

“Not long,” Jango said. “Are you hungry?”

“I could eat,” Obi-Wan replied. 

They dressed and went to the kitchen. Obi-Wan leaned against the counter, waiting for the electric kettle to warm. 

They would meet up with his Master on Naboo in a few hours. Obi-Wan began to mentally prepare himself for the encounter. His Master had declared he was ready but it didn’t sit well with Obi-Wan. His Master had only done it so that he could have a new padawan, throwing Obi-Wan to the side. 

“Ob’ika, what’s on your mind?” Jango asked. 

Obi-Wan let out a heavy breath. Jango had been frustrated with his Master’s reluctance to approve him for Knighthood. 

“My Master finally said I’m ready for the trials.”

Jango’s jaw dropped and then he swept Obi-Wan into a fierce hug. 

“As soon as we’re done with Naboo. I’m taking you to Coruscant,” Jango exclaimed. 

Obi-Wan laughed and patted Jango’s back, grateful for his soulmate’s enthusiasm. 

Jango put him back down and stepped back. 

“What’s wrong? You don’t look happy.”

Obi-Wan clutched his elbows and nodded. 

“The only reason my master said it was so he could have a new Padawan. It’s not that he believes I’m ready. He’d rather train someone else.”

Jango’s answering scowl had Obi-Wan shaking his head in amusement. At least his soulmate shared in his frustration. 

“He said you were ready, right?” Jango asked.

“He said I was ready and that there was nothing more he could teach me,” Obi-Wan repeated the words as best he could, easily recalling the sting of hurt at his Master’s eagerness to abandon him. 

“He said this in front of the Council?” 

Obi-Wan nodded. 

“He can’t take it back. Whether he means it or not is irrelevant. He said you’re ready and he can’t stop you from taking the trials.”

If only it was as simple as that. 

“Jango, I’ve been training under him for over a decade and he doesn’t even believe I’m ready,” Obi-Wan huffed, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at the wall, frustrated with himself and his emotions. He shouldn’t let them take control. 

“Obi-Wan,” Jango tipped his chin up, forcing him to meet his eyes, “You’re ready. He doesn’t want to let you go and that’s why he’s held onto you.”

“I don’t feel ready,” Obi-Wan said, looking at the floor. 

“People rarely do,” Jango said, leaning his forehead against Obi-Wan’s. “I believe you’re ready and so does Master Dooku.”

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and tried taking Jango’s words to heart. Even if his Master had said he was ready, he hadn’t truly managed to gain the ever elusive respect of his Master. His Master had only said it because of Anakin. 

They spent the rest of the time aboard the ship getting ready for the assault. Obi-Wan took time to meditate and center himself, finding a comfortable peacefulness from being near Jango. The man was a bulwark in the Force, offering an anchor. 

Jango tapped his shoulder as they neared the planet and Obi-Wan joined him in the cockpit. They were immediately hailed upon entering the planet’s atmosphere, doing their best to avoid the Trade Federation’s scanners. The Captain of the Guard scowled at Obi-Wan over the holo but he allowed them to land nearby. 

“Master,” Obi-Wan said, bowing his head. 

There was the faintest hint of irritation in the bond. 

“Obi-Wan!” Anakin exclaimed, running over and hugging his legs. 

“Hello Anakin,” Obi-Wan said, patting the young boy’s head. 

“Is he your soulmate?” Anakin asked, squinting up at Jango.

Jango was carrying his helmet under his arm and he crouched. 

“I’m his soulmate, Jango Fett,” he said, holding out his hand, “And you are?”

Anakin’s eyes widened and he stared in awe at Jango before introducing himself. 

“You won the Boonta Eve Classic, right?”

Anakin’s expression brightened and he bounced on his feet. 

“I did! It was wizard!”

“Once this is all over, you can tell me all about it,” Jango said.

Anakin brightened sharply in the Force.  

A woman dressed in handmaiden garb entered the clearing, Obi-Wan kept his smirk to himself. He recognized the Queen’s force signature. 

Jango stood up and immediately introduced him as the Mand’alor which had Obi-Wan beaming and the Queen introduced herself, no longer concealing herself among her handmaidens. Jango gestured at the men gathering behind him and offered to aid her, which the Queen paused for a brief moment before accepting. 

They were busy for a couple hours going over the plans before finalizing everything. 

Obi-Wan was with Jango and the Mandalorians, going over last minute details when Anakin stepped forward. The boy had been quiet at his side. 

“What do I do?” Anakin asked. 

Kriff. The last place Obi-Wan wanted to take Anakin was in an active warzone. He couldn’t very well leave him here though, no one would be here to watch him. 

“You’re going to stay with Ja’rad,” Jango said, gesturing at the medic. 

“I’m not going?” Anakin asked, looking from the Togrutan medic and back to Obi-Wan.

“No, it’s safer for you to stay here,” Obi-Wan said, immediately backing Jango, especially if it meant Anakin wouldn’t get hurt. 

“I want to help,” Anakin said. 

“You will be,” Obi-Wan got down on one knee, “We need you safe, Anakin.”

Anakin solemnly nodded and walked over to Ja’rad. The Togrutan medic patted Anakin on the back and together they walked to the ship. 

“We’re ready,” Captain Tanaka said.

Obi-Wan’s heart was pounding as they readied to begin the assault. He laced his fingers with Jango’s as the speeder flew towards the palace. Jango squeezed his hand and Obi-Wan accepted the quiet reassurance. They were as prepared as they could be. Jango and several of the men were carrying slug throwers in case the mysterious Sith showed up. 

The first part of the plan was going well. Several Mandalorians joined the Naboo pilots, jumping into the sleek starfighters, to help take out the Trade Federation’s control ship. The door in the hangar opened and a chill ran down Obi-Wan’s spine. 

The mysterious Sith was standing there, staring at them. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Obi-Wan saw Jango step forward and Obi-Wan shook his head. 

“Go with the others.”

“Obi-Wan,” Jango growled.

“This is my mission, yours is to help the queen,” Obi-Wan said. 

Jango gave an angry huff but didn’t protest. 

“Larik, Vonce, stay with the Jetiise.”

Obi-Wan glanced at his Master before shedding his robe and readying himself for the fight. 

Chapter Text

Jango stomped around the throne room. They had captured it easily. The Trade Federation’s droid forces were really no match for the combined forces of Mandalorian Commandos, the Naboo troops, and the handmaidens. The latter group had truly impressed him and several of his verde were commenting on the handmaidens fighting abilities. 

Now was the hard part though, the waiting. They had captured one objective. Now they needed to take care of the rest. Of course they couldn't do anything about the other objectives though. 

What was worse was that Obi-Wan was fighting against a Sith and Jango was stuck somewhere else. He had full confidence in Obi-Wan’s abilities. His soulmate was a capable fighter but that didn’t stop Jango from worrying about him. It didn’t help that it felt like he finally had Obi-Wan, like Obi-Wan was finally going to join him on Mandalore. 

There was an itch under Jango’s skin, insisting that he rejoin his soulmate. He huffed and demanded an update from his men. His comm buzzed with chatter as the men replied. Jango let out a sigh of relief upon hearing from Vonce, who was panting, but all was well with them. 

Still, the last place Jango wanted to be was away from Obi-Wan. He’d much rather be at his soulmate’s side. 

Jango stared out at the picturesque view. Naboo was certainly gorgeous, living up to its reputation. But it did little to distract him. His thoughts kept going back to his soulmate. His anxiety warred inside him. 

Once this was all over, he was taking Obi-Wan to Mandalore and never leaving his side. They were going to say the Riduurok and finally be riduure. They would never have to be parted again. 

There was a twisting feeling in his belly and then it was like he was being pulled backwards. His eyes widened at the familiar feeling— hating it and loving it just the same. 

Wind rushed around him. 

On instinct, Jango activated his jet pack, stopping his fall. 

A body smacked into him, startling him, and he jolted, seeing the cream tunic fluttering. 

Obi-Wan.

Jango gunned it, speeding down and catching his soulmate midair. He let out a sigh as he clutched Obi-Wan to his chest. His soulmate was still breathing at least but his eyes weren’t open. There was a massive gash across Obi-Wan’s forehead and blood smeared over his face. Obi-Wan’s tunic had a growing red spot. Jango’s heart lurched. He did a quick scan and his blood ran cold. Obi-Wan needed medical attention. 

They were in a tunnel, about a hundred meters down. Jango’s heart thudded in his chest. Obi-Wan wouldn’t have survived if Jango hadn’t transported. 

Jango gripped his slugthrower before he shot up, prepared to fight his way out if necessary. His heart started racing when he saw green and red lights above him and then heard the distinct crackle of lightsabers hitting each other. Obi-Wan’s Master was still alive and so was the Sith. 

Anger swelled inside Jango. The Sith had hurt Obi-Wan. He gritted his teeth. 

Master Jinn’s gaze stayed on the the Sith as Jango rose out of the tunnel, carrying Obi-Wan. The Sith’s eyes narrowed and he glared at the pair. Jango snarled at him and raised his slugthrower.

That was enough of a distraction for Master Jinn. He swept his lightsaber up and swung, slicing the man in half. 

The Sith’s eyes widened in shock and he collapsed to the floor. 

Jango landed on the round platform and he panted as he stared at the lifeless body. His lips twitched.

He saw red as he looked at the body and he fired his slugthrower several times, emptying a clip into him. The Sith had hurt Obi-Wan. He had dared to harm Jango’s soulmate. It was all Jango could think about. 

The slugthrower was thrown out of his hands. Jango jumped to the side, tightening his hold on Obi-Wan. His heart was pounding. 

“Get him to the healer,” Master Jinn growled, shoulders slumped, panting for breath. His hands shook as he pointed at broken kinetic barriers. The mechanisms were sending up sparks. They had been sliced through and shoved aside. 

Jango glanced at the Sith and grimaced. The man wasn’t getting up anytime soon. 

His medical sensor beeped in warning as Obi-Wan’s status became dire. 

Jango nodded to Master Jinn before racing down the hallway. He took to the air and flew towards the exit, already comming Mij, the combat medic, and alerting him, even sending the medical readings ahead. Hopefully Mij could do something, anything. 

Kriff, he had wasted precious time making sure that the Sith stayed down. 

“Head towards the palace’s medbay,” Mij said over the private comm. 

Jango did a quick search on the map that the Queen had given them and then turned towards the medbay. The royal medbay was deep inside the palace, closer to the throne room. He flew out the window and flew upward. When he landed, one of the handmaidens ran with him, guiding him. 

When he arrived, Mij was already setting up, seemingly familiar with the space. Jango supposed that most medbays were set up similarly. Mij pointed to the biobed and Jango gingerly set Obi-Wan down. His cyare hadn’t stirred at all while Jango had carried him. Jango’s fingers trembled and he brushed back blood-stained hair. He had just held Obi-Wan earlier. 

A firm grip wrapped around his wrist, pulling his hand back. 

“Alor, you need to leave,” Mij said, helmet off, gaze strong. 

Jango swallowed back the pang of worry and stepped out of the room. He had learned long ago that fighting a medic was pointless, particularly in their domain. There was nothing else he could do. He would only be a hindrance. Obi-Wan was in capable hands. 

He slumped onto a chair in a small waiting area outside the room, facing the door, and let out a heavy breath. He pulled off his gauntlet and stared at the brightly colored soulmark. Seeing it reassured him. His soulmate was still alive. He had heard that when a soulmate neared death, the soulmark would start to lose color. 

Mildly assuaged, Jango began to check on his men. As Mand’alor, he had access to his men’s bio stats during battles. Larik was gone but Vonce was still alive. A few of his pilots had passed away but they had ultimately destroyed the Trade Federation’s battleship. There were far fewer casualties than they had projected which was a relief. They would have a memorial service later for the men that they lost. 

He kept casting furtive glances towards the door, hoping to see Mij walking out. He would hear something eventually, until then, he had to wait. 

He took a breath before standing and returning to his duties. There was still much to do. The battle was over but that was simply an end to the physical action. He had more pressing matters to attend to. Mij would alert him if anything changed. 

Through the rest of the afternoon his thoughts kept returning to Obi-Wan. He did his best to focus on helping out and giving direction. The Queen was quite capable and was able to handle much of it on her own. 

After dinner, Jango returned to the medbay. Master Jinn was sitting outside it. He nodded his head when Jango entered. Jango returned the silent greeting, feeling nothing but contempt for Master Jinn. The man had kept Jango’s soulmate from him. Once this mission was finished, Obi-Wan was his and Jango would see to it that Master Jinn never set foot on Mandalore again. 

Ja’rad was there and he updated Jango and Master Jinn on Obi-Wan’s status: he would need to spend a few days in a bacta tank but the outlook was good. Jango let out a sigh of relief and Master Jinn nodded, lips curling up slightly at the corners. Then Ja’rad turned a grim look to Master Jinn. 

“Young Master Skywalker is recovering in the medical suite too.”

Jango’s brows pinched together in confusion. An’ika hadn’t been anywhere close to the battle. He shouldn’t have been injured at all. The boy had no combat experience or even any training.

“What happened?” he asked, concerned for the boy’s health. 

“Young Master Skywalker and I were chatting and he told me how the di’kut Master Jinn found him,” Ja’rad said, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes narrowed and he glared at Master Jinn.

“On Tatooine,” Master Jinn stated, “We rescued him from slavery.”

“But you didn’t bother to remove the karking slave chip!” Ja’rad cried out. 

“We didn’t have time while we were on Coruscant,” Master Jinn said with a huff, squaring his shoulders and standing somehow taller than before. 

“You make time,” Jango growled, “That is the first thing you do after freeing someone. You don’t just let them wander around with a slave chip, worried that they could displease someone and suddenly they die.”

“We had a mission to complete,” Master Jinn said with an indignant huff. 

“You knew you were going to war and you brought a child along with you?” Ja’rad asked, teeth bared. 

“I was training him,” Master Jinn said with great insistence. 

“Even we don’t take our ade to warzones for their first mission,” Jango said, chin held high. 

Kriff, it reminded him of finding Obi-Wan left alone in a warzone almost ten years prior. He could see Master Jinn trying to pull the same stunts, even though he had been to a mind healer. Jango wouldn’t subject An’ika to the same trauma that Obi-Wan unfortunately experienced. 

“Ja’rad, can you restrict access to An’ika?” 

The Togrutan medic turned a keen eye to Jango and grinned.

“I can, alor.”

“What does that mean?” Master Jinn asked. 

“Young Master Skywalker is under my protection while he is in my care,” Ja’rad said, sounding more smug than Jango had ever heard him sound before. 

Master Jinn’s expression turned stony and he stood taller but the medic didn’t back down. Ja’rad crossed his arms over his chest and he bared his teeth. 

“Until I hear that you are legally responsible for him, he is my ward,” Ja’rad stated.

“I will have the Order send over the documentation,” Master Jinn said, gritting his teeth. He stalked away. 

Jango chuckled, watching the Master leave. He finally got one over him. He would keep An’ika safe. 

“Jango, may I have a word? An’ika and I had been talking and I’m concerned,” Ja’rad said, gesturing him inside the medbay. 

They walked over to a private area in the back. One of the Naboo medics was checking over the other patients. Ja’rad closed the door behind him and then he let out a weary sigh. 

“An’ika isn’t part of the Order,” Ja’rad said, getting straight to business. 

“What do you mean?” Jango asked, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“The Council rejected him. Master Jinn here told them all to shove it and that he would train him,” Ja’rad said with a sneer. “We know how good of a trainer Master Jinn is.”

“Yes, we do,” Jango said, shaking his head. There was a simple solution. “I can adopt him, keep him from Master Jinn.”

“I wouldn’t suggest it,” Ja’rad said, shaking his head. “I ran the test. The boy’s blood count is off the charts. He needs to learn to control his Force osik.”

Jango let out a curse. He leaned against the single desk in the office. 

There had to be a solution. They couldn’t let Master Jinn train him. Ultimately though, it was out of their hands. As far as Jango was aware, if Obi-Wan became a Knight then Master Jinn was free to take the boy as his Padawan. 

“I doubt that the Jedi will have the documentation that Master Jinn needs. As for right now, technically, his mother is the only one capable of making decisions regarding his care.”

“Where is his mother?” Jango asked.

“Where do you think?” Ja’rad scowled.

Jango pinched the bridge of his nose. It was simply another reason for Jango to dislike Master Jinn. 

“Tatooine.”

Ja’rad nodded.

Jango sighed and shook his head. He leveled a somber gaze at Ja’rad. 

“Once this is done, we’re going to Tatooine and we’re freeing her.”

“I’ll tell the boy when he wakes up. I know he’ll be happy to hear that,” Ja’rad said, expression softening. 

“I’ll speak with Master Dooku,” Jango said, tapping on his vambrace, “Maybe he can help with An’ika.” 

That night Jango sent a message to Master Dooku asking for assistance with An’ika. He explained the situation in as much detail as he could, hoping that he would understand Jango’s concern. 

Over the next couple of days, the Mandalorians helped the Naboo recover from the invasion. Jango worked in the palace with the Queen. He took every chance he had to visit Obi-Wan, grateful that his soulmate was so near. 

They kept Anakin away from Master Jinn as best as they could. It was easy to keep the boy occupied. The boy was interested in ships and so they had him working with Odan-Odlam, one of their mechanics. 

Jango went to check on them and he stood back, watching the pair work. An’ika was quite intent upon listening to Odan-Odlam, almost gazing at him in open awe. Odan-Odlam had a preternatural gift for machinery.

“Good work,” Jango said, admiring the pair’s handiwork on repairing one of the ships. 

Odan-Odlam tipped his head in thanks. 

Anakin scurried over to him, wringing his hands in front of him. He stopped a foot from Jango and looked up at him with a curious expression.

“Are you really going to free my mother?” he asked. 

“We are,” he nodded. “After this is over, we’ll head to Tatooine and free her.”

Anakin’s eyes brimmed with tears. He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Jango’s middle. Jango embraced him and patted him on the back. Jango could only imagine the anxiety the boy was going through, worrying over his mother. 

On the third day they received shocking news from the core: the Chancellor was dead. 

Troubling details came out revealing that the Chancellor had been involved in the Invasion of Naboo and had committed tax fraud and money laundering on a massive scale. With each subsequent article covering the investigation, the news became more disturbing. 

The Queen and her advisors sequestered themselves for the day, which Jango didn’t blame them at all. He would be horrified at such betrayal. The man had committed high treason and conspiracy. He had been an active member in the invasion. 

Looking at the holo of the former Chancellor had Jango’s skin crawling. The man looked congenial enough with that standard politician’s smarmy smile. But the public evidence, and the information that Jango had seen after one of his men had sliced into the private files, was damning. The man had orchestrated an invasion for a political stunt. The Trade Federation was eager to roll over and share everything they had, wanting to absolve themselves. 

The greed in the galaxy never stopped. Both the Trade Federation and the former Chancellor had tried to take as much as they could, even betraying those around them. More would likely come out over the following weeks as new details came to light. 

That wasn’t his problem though. He had done what he could to help the Naboo. The people were saved. 

Now, he only had one reason to stay on Naboo: his soulmate. Jango wasn’t going to leave until Obi-Wan was well. He didn’t plan on leaving Obi-Wan’s side ever again if he could help it. 

Whenever Jango visited Obi-Wan, Master Jinn was usually there too. Master Jinn was often kneeling on the floor near Obi-Wan’s bacta tank, meditating. Jango usually sat in the chair. Sometimes Jango worked on a pad and other times he daydreamed about the future the two of them might share. He was increasingly excited for Obi-Wan’s knighthood, certain that his soulmate had finally earned it. 

As much as he disliked spending time around Master Jinn, he couldn’t block him from visiting Obi-Wan. Master Jinn was legally considered Obi-Wan’s closest living relative. So Jango did his best to ignore the Jedi Master whenever he was around him. Soon enough he would never have to deal with him again. 

On the fourth day, the medics pulled Obi-Wan out of the bacta tank and he woke up. Jango was there, holding Obi-Wan’s hand, as his soulmate’s eyes slowly fluttered open. Jango’s chest warmed upon seeing those sky blue eyes again. 

“Cyare,” Jango whispered, kissing Obi-Wan’s cheek. His cheek turned an adorable shade of pink. Jango’s heart warmed at the sight. He would kiss Obi-Wan’s cheeks just to see that soft, bashful blush. 

“Padawan,” Master Jinn said. 

“Master,” Obi-Wan said, bowing his head in respect. 

Jango still didn’t let go of Obi-Wan’s hand. 

“I take it we were victorious?” Obi-Wan asked, looking at Jango and then at Master Jinn.

Jango let out a chuckle and he nodded. 

“I’m glad,” Obi-Wan said, taking Jango’s hand and squeezing it. His eyes shone in the low light. He turned a somber gaze to Master Jinn. “What happened to the Sith?” 

Jango sucked in a sharp breath. Anger flooded him. 

Master Jinn’s face was impassive. 

“I killed him.”

His tone was neutral. 

“I see,” Obi-Wan said, eyes losing some of their luster. 

“Padawan,” Master Jinn said, catching Obi-Wan’s attention, “The Council is coming to Naboo.”

Jango jolted at that. That was news to him. He hadn’t heard back from Master Dooku yet but he had assumed the man was busy. 

“They wish to speak with us about the mission.”

After everything happening in the Core, Jango could easily see why this mission required more careful attention. More information was coming out everyday about the late Chancellor and his dealings. Apparently there was a rumor that he had killed his entire immediate family on Naboo. Jango had no idea how someone had managed to keep that under wraps. 

If the Council was coming to Naboo, maybe Obi-Wan didn’t have to return to Coruscant before becoming a Knight. They could make him a Knight on Naboo and then they could go to Tatooine and help An’ika’s mother and then it was off to Mandalore. 

Jango ate dinner with Obi-Wan that night, enjoying having his soulmate at his side once more. There was a new intimacy to their interactions. He didn’t want to stop touching him. He often had an arm around Obi-Wan’s waist, holding him close. Master Jinn wore a stony expression, never giving away his thoughts on the matter but Jango assumed it must rankle him to know that he couldn’t stop them from being together now. 

An’ika was excited to see Obi-Wan again. He hugged him as soon as he saw him. Obi-Wan was still weak from surgery and the bacta tank and he would’ve fallen if Jango hadn’t caught him. An’ika told Obi-Wan about how they were going to save his mother too. Obi-Wan’s face turned stormy when he heard that Anakin had been a slave and that they had left the boy’s mother behind. He quickly agreed with Jango that it was a good course of action, even kissing Jango’s cheek after. 

Jango would take his army and fight the Hutts if it meant he earned another kiss from Obi-Wan. He’d need a good battle plan, the Hutts could easily furnish a large army of mercenaries, but Jango would eventually come out on top. 

That night, Jango tugged Obi-Wan towards his bedroom. Obi-Wan was blushing but Master Jinn made no move to stop them. Obi-Wan was of legal age and at this point it wouldn’t interfere with his training. 

The Queen had been kind enough to give Jango a spacious guest suite in the Palace. It had a large comfortable bed with soft sheets in muted colors. There was a balcony that overlooked the sea. It was better than Jango had expected. Of course it was Naboo so it was quite lush.

“Jango, I’m quite tired,” Obi-Wan said, nervously glancing at the bed. 

“What if we cuddle, cyare? Nothing more,” Jango said, doing his best to comfort Obi-Wan. He had no intention of having sex that night anyway. 

“Okay,” Obi-Wan nodded. He stripped down to his inner tunic before laying in bed. 

Jango took off his armor and kute, leaving his underwear on, before joining him. He slid in behind Obi-Wan and wrapped his arms around his soulmate. Obi-Wan practically melted as Jango curled around him. A hint of pride warmed inside him at how comfortable Obi-Wan was with him. He pressed a kiss to the back of Obi-Wan’s neck. 

Not a minute later Obi-Wan was fast asleep. 

Jango lingered awake for several minutes, simply feeling Obi-Wan’s body rise and fall with each breath. He was still all too well aware of how close he had come to losing him. 

The Jedi Council arrived the next day. Jango was there, standing with Obi-Wan, as the Council Members disembarked. Among them was Master Dooku, he had a cane and he walked with a slight limp. 

“Grandpadawan, it is good so see you,” Master Dooku said, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around him. 

Obi-Wan returned the embrace. 

“It is good to see you, Master.”

“Yes, I’m sorry for the absence as of late. I had a rather delicate mission,” Master Dooku said, patting Obi-Wan’s back. He wore a soft smile. It vanished into a more somber one when he stepped back. 

“It’s alright, I understand,” Obi-Wan said, stepping back as well. He clasped his hands in front of himself. 

“Mand’alor Fett,” Master Dooku said, bowing his head. 

“Master Dooku,” Jango said. 

He didn’t have the same level of familiarity that Obi-Wan had with him. He appreciated the man’s efforts in having Obi-Wan knighted. 

“You must be Anakin Skywalker,” Master Dooku said, leaning down on his cane and peering at the boy. 

“Yes, Sir,” Anakin said, standing tall. 

Jango grinned and patted Anakin on the back. 

They had lunch in a dining room with the Queen and her handmaidens. It was a tense affair. The planet was still recovering from the Invasion and the shock that one of their own had orchestrated the event. The Jedi were pleasant company though.

After that, they asked to speak with Master Jinn and Obi-Wan. Jango stood to follow them and suggested that Anakin join Odan-Odlam but Master Dooku requested that Anakin perhaps join them. Anakin nodded and he was nearly vibrating in excitement as they followed the reverent Jedi through the halls, a handmaiden leading them to an empty conference room. 

It was another spacious room with tall windows. The bright sunlight bathed the room in a warm glow. Obi-Wan’s hand squeezed his before he stepped through the double doors. Jango stayed behind, choosing to wait outside. This wasn’t his place. He couldn’t interfere here. Obi-Wan was either going to become a knight or he wasn’t. 

“Master Skywalker, would you mind waiting with Mand’alor Fett until we call for you?” Master Dooku asked, glancing at Jango. 

Jango nodded. He would watch the boy. 

The double doors closed with a resounding click. 

Jango took a deep breath, reassuring himself that all would go well. He suddenly wished to have Myles with him. His second would bring levity to the situation. He would at least distract him. 

“What do you think they’re talking about?” An’ika asked, wringing his hands together and looking worriedly at the doors. 

Jango knelt down, eye level with An’ika. He put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. Anakin’s stormy blue eyes turned to him. 

“They’re talking about the mission. It has nothing to do with you.” Jango ushered An’ika towards a couch against the far wall. “Tell me about the ships you’ve worked on with Odan-Odlam.”

First one hour passed and then another. A palace servant stopped by and asked if they needed anything and brought them some water. The availability of water seemed to amaze An’ika, of course he came from Tatooine, Naboo must seem like a dream to him. After a while they ran out of things to talk about and Jango let An’ika play games on his pad. Jango sat there, hands clasped in front of him, watching the door. 

A third hour passed. 

An’ika perked up and Jango’s brows furrowed but then the double doors opened. Master Dooku appeared and he held out his hand. 

“Master Skywalker, will you please join us?”

An’ika hastily stood up and dusted himself off before running over. He walked slowly inside and the doors closed behind him. 

Jango huffed and stood up. He paced outside the doors. Obi-Wan was fine but still he felt antsy. This was supposed to be a simple meeting and yet it felt like everything rested on this moment. For all he knew they were only discussing the mission and Obi-Wan’s knighthood wasn’t on the agenda. Even if it was, the Council could decide that Obi-Wan still needed more training, even though Master Jinn had said Obi-Wan was ready. 

He leaned against the wall and stared wistfully at the birds soaring over the water. 

Kriff, maybe he should just kidnap Obi-Wan. But that could start an intergalactic incident. 

No matter how long it took, he had to wait for Obi-Wan’s knighthood. Once that was done, Obi-Wan would be assigned to Mandalore. 

Jango took a seat again and he answered messages on his pad.

Finally, the doors opened and Jango nearly jumped as the Jedi emerged, including Obi-Wan who was near the back, walking with Master Dooku. Jango ran towards Obi-Wan and he stopped right in front of him. 

“Hello there,” Obi-Wan said, eyes dragging up and down Jango’s body. There was a twinkle in his gaze. Obi-Wan’s lips curled up in the corners. 

“What happened?” Jango asked, heart beating frantically, hoping to hear Obi-Wan say he was a knight.

Obi-Wan’s grin turned smug and he tilted his head to the side. 

Jango’s gaze narrowed.

The braid was gone. 

He brushed his fingers through Obi-Wan’s hair, needing to confirm its absence. 

Joy sparkled in Obi-Wan’s eyes and he leaned into Jango’s hand. 

“Jedi Knight?” Jango asked, grinning. 

Obi-Wan nodded. 

Jango’s eyes widened and he grabbed Obi-Wan’s face and kissed him in full view of the Jedi Council. Someone chuckled and another person gave a snort. That didn’t matter. Obi-Wan was a Knight. 

Obi-Wan’s cheeks were bright red when they separated. 

“I already have my first mission.”

“Yes?” Jango asked. 

“I am to be named the Jedi Watchman for the Mandalore sector, if the Mand’alor will have me,” Obi-Wan said, eyes shining. 

“Yes, Mandalore will have you,” Jango said, brushing Obi-Wan’s hair back. He could freely touch Obi-Wan and he didn’t want to stop.

“Grandpadawan,” Master Dooku said.

Obi-Wan turned towards him. 

“May the Force be with you,” Master Dooku said, taking Obi-Wan’s hand and squeezing it.

“Are you not accompanying him?” Jango asked, confused. The plan had been that Master Dooku would join Obi-Wan for a few years. 

Master Dooku shook his head. 

“Knight Kenobi is ready,” he said, lips curling up in a fond smile. Then he looked at An’ika who was standing a little behind him. “Besides, I have my own Padawan to care for.”

“Master Dooku said he’d help rescue my mother,” An’ika said, hands tucked behind his back. “He promised to teach me to be a Jedi after.” He gave Jango a sheepish look. “Is that okay?”

“Of course, and you’re always welcome on Mandalore,” Jango said. He got down on one knee and patted An’ika on the shoulder, offering him a reassuring grin. As long as Master Jinn wasn’t the boy’s master, he was fine. 

Master Dooku and An’ika walked away, revealing Master Jinn standing behind them. His hands were in his sleeves. 

Anger simmered inside Jango. He wrapped an arm around Obi-Wan’s waist and stepped closer to him. Their shoulders rubbed together. 

“Mand’alor Fett,” Master Jinn bowed his head. 

Jango stood tall. 

Master Jinn’s attention turned to Obi-Wan and his expression shifted into one of fondness, gaze softening. It only heated the irritation curling in Jango’s gut. 

“Knight Kenobi,” the words came out full of pride.

The emotion only incensed Jango and he resisted the urge to punch Master Jinn’s face. They were incredibly close to leaving him behind forever. He could last a little longer in the man’s presence. 

“Congratulations to both of you,” he said, eyes twinkling. 

Master Jinn bowed before walking away, leaving the pair alone. 

Jango watched him leave, puzzled over the man’s words. He had never had a kind word to say to him. He doubted that it could simply be because of Obi-Wan’s knighting. He half expected Master Jinn to try to fight Obi-Wan’s assignment. 

“What is it?” Obi-Wan asked, brows furrowed. 

“He congratulated us,” Jango said. He couldn’t figure out Master Jinn’s game. 

“Is it so hard to believe that my Master is happy for us?” Obi-Wan asked, squeezing Jango’s hand. 

Jango let out a huff and he shook his head. He finally had Obi-Wan at his side. Master Jinn couldn’t interfere at all anymore. Maybe congratulations was meant to be his way of saying that Jango won. That was the only thing Jango could think of. 

He cupped Obi-Wan’s cheek and kissed him, gladdened that he could finally, freely kiss Obi-Wan. Nothing stood in their way now. 

“I love you,” Jango whispered. He slid a hand down Obi-Wan’s back and pressed it against Obi-Wan’s soulmark, clothing keeping Obi-Wan from feeling the intense emotions that came with contact. 

Obi-Wan shuddered against him, reacting despite the clothing. Obi-Wan’s eyes fluttered closed and he pressed their foreheads together. 

“I love you too.”

Jango let out a heavy sigh, lips curling up at the corners. 

It was hard to believe that over a decade ago he had met his soulmate in the freezing cold on Galidraan. They had seen each other throughout those years, never staying together long. Finally though, they would be together forever, soul bound. 

Hot breath brushed over his lips. Jango tilted his head slightly to the side and kissed Obi-Wan once more. 

Chapter Text

“Mhi solus tome.” Obi-Wan spoke the vows for the Riduurok, trying to keep his voice from cracking. He squeezed Jango’s hand, finding strength in his soulmate’s steady voice. Obi-Wan’s heart was floating with joy. They were finally binding themselves together. “Mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an.” The last part of the vow came to him and Obi-Wan’s cheeks pinked at the implications. “Mhi ba'juri verde.”

Jango’s warm palm cupped his cheek and Obi-Wan’s eyes fluttered. He leaned into the touch. 

“Cyare.”

“My dear,” Obi-Wan whispered. 

It was done. 

Obi-Wan couldn’t stop grinning. 

They were married. They had said the Riduurok. After everything that had happened, they were finally together. 

Obi-Wan almost couldn’t believe it. 

Then Jango’s lips were against his in a heated kiss and Obi-Wan melted. His every doubt slipped away. Jango was as warm as the sun on Mandalore. 

The crowd behind them cheered, the sound was nearly deafening. He could clearly hear Quin’s voice among everyone. Obi-Wan laughed at the pure joy that surrounded them in the Force, feeling lighter than the very air. He would float away if it weren’t for Jango holding him. 

They each took off a vambrace and then swapped them. Obi-Wan’s heart swelled at the sight of Jango’s green and gold vambrace on his wrist and his blue and green vambrace on Jango’s. After everything, they were one. 

They turned towards the gathered crowd. Everyone was smiling. His Grandmaster Dooku was leaning against his cane, Anakin was at his side. Bant, Siri, and Garen were there. Obi-Wan could barely think. 

A hand cupped his chin, turning his head. Lips caught his again in another soul searing kiss. Obi-Wan whimpered, hand clenching on Jango’s armor.

He swayed for a second when Jango pulled away. He could hardly breathe. 

“Kriff, I’m so happy, cyare,” Jango whispered, wrapping an arm around Obi-Wan’s waist. 

“I am too, my dear,” Obi-Wan said, leaning his head against Jango’s shoulder. 

They made their way down the steps and joined everyone. People came up to them and congratulated him.

His crechemates came as one group. They were all so happy for him. Bant’s eyes were tearing up. 

“Congratulations, Obi-Wan and Jango,” she said, bowing to them both. 

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan said, embracing her. 

His Grandmaster Dooku waited until the crowd dissipated before coming up. Obi-Wan was glad to see him doing well, particularly after the harrowing, years-long mission he had. He was lucky that he had only lost his leg. 

Anakin was looking better and he was wearing the signature Padawan cut that his lineage preferred. Obi-Wan had stopped wearing it when Jango had said he liked Obi-Wan with longer hair. Obi-Wan liked it too, particularly in the bedroom. 

Obi-Wan sighed after Master Dooku left and he leaned against Jango’s side. He wished his Master could be here but no matter how hard Obi-Wan had fought for him, Jango wouldn’t allow Master Jinn on Mandalore. Obi-Wan had held out hope that maybe Jango would change his mind. He never did— not even a few days before the ceremony. 

“What is it?” Jango asked, tipping Obi-Wan’s chin up.

“Nothing, my dear,” Obi-Wan said, shaking his head, ridding himself of his sadness. Today was a happy day. His Master would want him to be happy. 

They talked, ate, and danced the night away. 

Jango continued to laugh at Obi-Wan’s appalling dancing and Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. He wasn’t a good dancer and that was fine. He could still beat Jango in a spar and that’s where it mattered. Something he reminded Jango of when Jango teased him a second time. Jango’s gaze heated and he let out a low growl. His hold on Obi-Wan’s waist tightened. A shiver ran down Obi-Wan’s spine. 

The night was winding down when Obi-Wan went to get a drink. Quin approached him and Obi-Wan pulled his friend into a hug. When they stepped back, Quin was smirking. 

“What?” Obi-Wan asked, suspicious. Quin smiling like that was never a good sign. 

“Nothing,” Quin said, attempting to wave off Obi-Wan’s concern. 

“What is it, Quinlan?” Obi-Wan asked, crossing his arms over his chest and facing him. 

“Hmm,” Quin tapped his chin, eyes shining with mirth, “I hope you enjoy your honeymoon.”

Obi-Wan’s eyes widened. 

“What did you do?” he asked, voice hushed. He glanced furtively at the ship Jango and he were using later that evening. 

“Don’t worry about it,” Quin said. 

Obi-Wan stepped closer, aware of the others around them. 

“What did you do?” he asked again, voice low and threatening. 

“Don’t worry about it, Obes. Just…” he lips curved into a devious, smug grin, “Enjoy your honeymoon.”

An icy shiver ran down Obi-Wan’s spine. He trusted Quin not to get them in trouble but there was still something decidedly untrustworthy about his tone. Sadly, he probably wasn’t going to get any further information out of him. 

“You know I’m having dinner with the Queen of Naboo? You didn’t do anything to jeopardize that, right?” he asked. 

“Your dinner isn’t jeopardized,” Quin said. 

That did little to reassure him. 

Obi-Wan shook his head. He couldn’t do anything about it now. He’d have to find out what his friend did later, when he was on the ship. Hopefully it wasn’t too bad. 

He grabbed his drink and returned to his riduur’s side, noting how Myles was smirking and Jango was glaring at him. Myles was probably teasing Jango too, most likely something along the lines of their wedding night. 

Obi-Wan kissed Jango’s cheek. 

“What was that about?” 

“Nothing,” Jango said, shaking his head, “Myles was being silly.”

About an hour later they were standing at the entrance ramp to the ship, waving goodbye to their guests. Obi-Wan’s heart fluttered in his chest. They were going on their honeymoon. No one was going to interrupt them. They had no obligations. They could finally relax together. 

Jango pulled him into one more kiss before they walked up the ramp and closed the door behind them. They went to the cockpit and buckled up and Jango flew them to the hyperlane. He turned towards Obi-Wan and took his hands in his. 

“My riduur,” he said, grinning. 

“My riduur,” Obi-Wan repeated. He didn’t think he’d ever get tired of hearing that word.

They pressed their foreheads together and Obi-Wan gave a soft sigh. 

“I love you,” Jango whispered. 

“I love you too, my dear.”