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The cafe is crowded, not overtly so, but Cody still recalls his Arcanine to his ball before he ducks inside. The decoration is typical of most of the other’s in this area, a few posters plastered over a noticeboard dominating one wall that catches Cody’s eye before any of the other kitsch items can, and he’s already ducking his head and turning away before he can fully register what he’s seeing. There are only so many times that he can stand seeing his own face depicted in glorious technicolour, the scar that runs over his temple only included at his insistence, before he’ll flee back to his apartment and refuse to leave it for another week. He had only wanted to complete his badges and make sure his Pokemon were happy, everything else is extra .
Cody tugs his cap down further over his face and turns towards one of the tables tucked away to the side. He catches Dex’s eye as he goes, the owner peering over the glass top of the counter, his Machamp looming over his side and, for a moment, Dex’s shadow possesses four arms settled on his hips. Dex waves one broad hand in greeting, his Machamp already beginning to make up a couple of dishes, and Cody returns the motion with a small salute before he returns his attention towards the table. He slides onto the seat facing away from the window, the imagined itch of eyes branded into the back of his neck already. Once he is situated, Cody thumbs the button of his Pokeball, careful to keep the ball down by his side before returning it to his bag. His Arcanine yawns, his tongue lolling out of his mouth before he settles back on his haunches, expectantly. Cody reaches across to scratch behind his partner’s ears, the Pokemon’s tail knocking against the floor with low rhythmic thumps, before he leans against Cody’s hand and settles back down onto the floor.
“Cody!” Dex crows as he bustles out from behind the counter, a stretch of plates splayed across one arm and a heavy mug clutched in his other hand. Steam billows from the mug and Cody’s attention sticks to it, the distant memory of his morning cup already burning a hole in his stomach as it had been accompanied by very little else. He hadn’t realised how hungry he was until this moment.
“Dex,” Cody answers, standing up to greet the other man properly once the plates had been distributed over the table. Dex’s hugs were legendary like sinking into a warm bath with your belly full and a fire burning merrily in the fireplace. “How’ve you been?”
“Better now that my favourite sponsor is here!” Dex keeps his voice low but even that is loud enough for Cody to flinch, throwing his gaze towards the still-closed door.
He leans into Dex’s hold, sneaking out one hand to fumble at one of the chips poking out of the basket. “I’m your only sponsor.” Cody bites into the chip and near-enough moans. It’s perfection, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and flavoured exactly how Cody likes them.
“That you are,” Dex chuckles, ruffling Cody’s hair and finally releasing him. Cody’s cheeks are flushed, embarrassment quick on the heels of any of his actions recently, but he still reaches for another chip, tucking himself back into his seat. Dex has also brought a bowl for his Arcanine, now sitting upright, his attention focused on that single spot, and he glances up at Cody, his paws clicking against the wood floor. Cody nods and at his signal, his Arcanine surges forwards, shoving his face into the bowl. His tail begins wagging again, impacting against the side of Cody’s leg like a blow. He weathers it as best as he can, picking amongst the plates and setting a handful to one side. They weren’t intended for him, after all.
Cody is about to reach for his phone, the phantom buzzing sensation now crawling over the back of his skull, when the door rings behind him, swinging open with a gust of frigid air that is only barely mitigated by the fire Pokemon at his side. He turns to inspect the person, initially a glance over his shoulder but he turns fully when he takes in the man pushing the door closed, his collar drawn up over his face. The Absol at his side shakes itself free of the lingering rain and pads over to Cody’s table immediately, taking the most direct route by ducking beneath the tables and scrambling over one chair that had been left askew. Obi-Wan draws his scarf free, peeling the damp fabric away from his skin with a grimace and folds it on itself, draping it over his shoulder. His hair is dark with the rain, the colour diluted from auburn to a deep rich brown, and a small puddle forms at his feet, settling into the void of his shoes. He swipes a hand over his eyes, his gaze skimming over the handful of occupied tables before he settles onto Cody. Obi-Wan raises a hand in greeting, his grin immediate, and the gathered grey clouds and the ever-present gaze of the world didn’t matter anymore.
Obi-Wan reaches him in a matter of moments, following the same pathway that his Absol did, and he leans down to hug Cody in the same moment. Cody’s cap shifts to the side, exposing the scar wrapped across his temple, and Obi-Wan presses a kiss to it before Cody can begin to tense up. The ghost of his lips burns into Cody’s skin as Obi-Wan adjusts his cap, pulling it back into place before he slides into his seat across from Cody. “Hello, love. Long time, no see.”
“Hi,” Cody manages. His heart feels restricted, somehow too full and wrung empty at the same time. He doesn’t brush his fingers across the aching spot on his temple, the space he somehow hopes bruises so he’ll have some physical to tie this memory to. “I’ve missed you.”
Obi-Wan’s smile shifts into something soft and sweet. He reaches out through the network of plates to twine his fingers through Cody’s, his thumb working over the calluses on his palm. “I’ve missed you too. Let’s not part again.”