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With Anakin on board for a few days, he and Obi-Wan focused on furthering their training. Obi-Wan may not have been Anakin’s master anymore, but he was still young and had things to learn.
Cody had been told three hours ago, when Obi-Wan was leaving the office after they had done some reports, that he and Anakin were going to practice some meditation techniques.
Cody found the meditations interesting, sure, a good way to relax, but he could never appreciate the method as much as the Jedi with their Force.
He had no real idea how long such training would take, but after those three hours, he went out to check if Obi-Wan, and perhaps Anakin too, would like to join him for dinner in the mess. Not for the food, it was more about the company. Even Anakin could be pleasant when he tried. In small doses. Cody was glad not to be his commander, after every horror story he had heard from Rex and Obi-Wan both.
They were in the training room, a corner dedicated just to the two of them. Ahsoka was nowhere in sight. A couple of clones were going at it on the sparring mat. Cody went around them with a quick greeting and then leaned on the wall, arms crossed, as he watched Obi-Wan and Anakin.
Within a minute, Cody was grinning under his helmet. It took a lot out of him not to outright laugh.
Obi-Wan was standing, his hands in front of him, one leg up and locked at his other knee. His eyes were closed. Anakin was attempting the same pose, but unlike Obi-Wan, he was far from still and calm.
Cody was already close enough to see that Obi-Wan was actually asleep instead of meditating. He could tell by the subtle signs.
He had had plenty of opportunities to see Obi-Wan up close when he slept. They ended up sharing each other’s beds more nights than not. How could he not see it? Even when Obi-Wan meditated, his face never got this relaxed—unless he was asleep.
Anakin was clearly losing his shit trying to stay calm. He must have checked on Obi-Wan too, and thought that Obi-Wan was mastering the new technique while he had failed so far. Maybe Obi-Wan was trying to teach him patience?
It wouldn’t take long before Anakin grew tired of it and pestered Obi-Wan to do something else. But Cody knew something he didn’t—Obi-Wan hadn’t slept in two days. Always saying the Force would give him energy. Cody thought it was bull.
He kicked off from the wall and approached them. “You can go, General. I need to talk to Obi-Wan,” he told Anakin, keeping his voice lowered.
Anakin didn’t even pretend to slowly gain awareness out of his meditation. He opened his eyes, frowned, immediately losing the meditation pose. “We’re busy.”
“It’s been hours, there’s a ship to run,” Cody deadpanned.
“But—”
“You can go now, sir,” Cody said again. He didn’t really care about what Anakin had to say right now. Obi-Wan needed all the rest he could get. And the stubborn man sure wasn’t getting enough on a good day.
Anakin glanced at Obi-Wan, unsure.
“I’ll tell him General Tano needed you.”
With that covered, the worry eased out of his expression and Anakin shrugged. He left then. Obi-Wan waited until he was out of the training room before getting to Obi-Wan.
The man didn’t stir at his approach. Cody put his hand against his back and reached down to scoop him up by grabbing under his knees, but the touch woke him up. Cody straightened back up, keeping his arm around Obi-Wan.
“Hmm, Cody… what time is it?” he asked, blinking. “Where’s Anakin?”
“I sent him off. The training didn’t work.”
Obi-Wan sighed. “Meditation’s never been his strong suit.”
“Meditation, my ass.”
Obi-Wan mock glared at him. Cody bent down and scooped him up into his arms. Obi-Wan let out a startled gasp.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
Obi-Wan had put an arm around Cody to keep himself from falling. Not that Cody would ever allow that. “You can put me back down.”
Cody’s brow raised, but it was hidden by the helmet. Obi-Wan could still somehow tell as he huffed a laugh. “I’m perfectly fine, thank you, my dear.”
“You should head to bed early. It’s been a tiring few days.”
“I won’t argue the second part.”
Cody let him down as he wished. “But the first one?”
“I need to keep my eye on Anakin.”
“He’s old enough. You need to rest more and it’s an evening already.”
“No, Cody, I cannot.”
Well, if he was going to play it like that… Cody had to use a trick up his sleeve that always worked. He nodded, pretending to be dejected about it. He pulled off his helmet and placed it under his arm. He sighed, tired. “Walk me back?”
Obi-Wan smiled at him and did so without a question.
Cody wasn’t done yet. As they neared a lift, he had to do it. He yawned, stretching his mouth, really playing the part of an exhausted trooper. Obi-Wan immediately yawned too, hiding the fact behind his wide sleeve.
“How was your day, Cody?”
He shrugged. They hadn’t seen each other for the past few hours. As far as Obi-Wan knew, Cody could have found something tiring to do, why not. “As I said, been a few rough days.”
Obi-Wan patted his forearm.
“I was hoping we could go rest together. Anakin can deal with whatever happens.”
“He is a skilled knight, yes. And Rex’s been teaching him some things.”
“A good influence, mhm.”
“I suppose we could retire for the night, as early as it is.”
“Would be great. I’m really tired.”
And just like that, his little trick had worked. Obi-Wan would push himself and would keep doing so if he was the only one who could be at harm, but if somebody else wanted something from him? The man would fold instantly and do anything and everything in his power to help.
Was it fair? Exploiting Obi-Wan’s kindness like this? His greatest strength and weakness too?
Cody didn’t feel too guilty about it. It was a useful tool. A rather efficient way of getting Obi-Wan the sleep he needed.
Once they were in the bed, Obi-Wan’s this time, all cuddled up under their blanket, Obi-Wan reached out, his hand in Cody’s hair. He pulled him closer and put a light kiss on his jaw. “I know what you did.”
Cody turned his head slightly and gave Obi-Wan a short peck on the lips. “I don’t care.”
Obi-Wan shook his head slightly, a smile on his lips. Cody squeezed him in his arms, pulling them even closer. He got exactly what he wanted. A good night’s rest and Obi-Wan in his arms.