Work Text:
“Ah, Master Kenobi! We welcome you to our planet!” the Chief Diplomat said with a welcoming smile, waving Obi-Wan and Cody forward off of their small passenger ship.
Cody, despite his favoritism towards a good spin kick to a droid's head, was truly fond of diplomacy missions. For starters, he didn’t have to watch any of his brothers die in diplomacy missions. Obi-Wan got almost-kidnapped more often than not during diplomacy missions, but honestly? He often got a decent meal and got to be what was essentially a fancy tourist. Plus, he got to be close with his Jedi without the whole impending doom of an upcoming battle thing looming over him. Cody just stood politely like the ideal bodyguard and tried to keep Obi-Wan from being hit on by too many keen politicians and magnates. Or maybe it was the other way around.
“Ignatius! It’s a delight to see you, although I’m terribly sorry it’s under these circumstances,” Kenobi said kindly, as if he and the diplomat had been friends for centuries. At this point, Cody wouldn’t be surprised if some old mission had led to Obi-Wan saving the man and his entire planet from certain death. It was just the kind of person he was, kind and somewhat self-sacrificing. Cody couldn’t imagine him any other way, didn’t want to. His Jedi was perfect with every flaw and strength he had.
Cody stood back as the diplomat clapped his Jedi on the shoulder and led him towards the mouth of a gigantic building. Obi-Wan hung back to nudge Cody with his elbow, and Cody could practically feel the amusement bubbling from him as he grinned. “Not too difficult this time, hm?”
Cody rolled his eyes, unable to keep a playful smile off his face. “Don’t count on it, sir.”
The building they were heading towards was a glittering tower molded of different shades of pastel colored-glass and crested into a gorgeous spire at the top. Cody had seen an awful lot of planets, but he so rarely got to see beautiful architecture. Mainly because he was usually fighting for his goddamn life.
Diplomacy. What a wonderful thing.
They were guided into the meeting hall, which from the inside appeared to be a cozy feast hall. The plates were laden high with food, and cushions surrounded the low tables to eat at. The cushions themselves were filled with various members of the community. Cody recognized a few of them from his briefing, important members of the council and whatnot.
His briefing had been simple in terms of what was required from him. The people of Ser-9 were being courted for a position in the Senate, due to their planet’s prime positioning for a base for troops to refuel and rest in between missions. Ser-9 was a meadowy planet filled with sentients that were rather calm in nature. Sending Obi-Wan to do the negotiations wasn’t just because he was good at it, but rather because the Sertians had a deep and ancient respect for Force users, dating back to before the Temple was even founded.
Despite Obi-Wan’s obvious uncertainty about the special treatment Jedi were granted here, he had spent the last few days lost in researching what the Sertians knew about the Force and their interpretations of it. The interest was endearing, although Cody had to force him to take breaks to eat and sleep at some points. If his Jedi wasn’t a High General in the galactic war that had brought them together, Cody could imagine him in the Jedi Archives, losing sleep over disorganized sections and contradictory stories.
The whole thing made Cody’s job fairly simple. Look menacing, make sure no one tries to kill Obi-Wan, and keep said Jedi from offending anyone with his terrible flirtations. Plain and simple.
“Ah, Kenobi, introduce us to your friend!” The diplomat said cheerfully. Cody uncrossed his arms with a sigh no one but him could hear. What a shame nothing could stay uncomplicated. At a welcoming gesture from Obi-Wan, Cody stepped forward from his six feet behind rule and stood at a level spot beside Obi-Wan’s shoulder.
Even with his armor and Obi-Wan’s robes between them, Cody could feel a certain energy and warmth from his Jedi. He so rarely got to stand next to him for missions like this. But on the occasions he did, Cody couldn’t help but feel some of the calm and quiet happiness his Jedi exuded. It was almost addictive, drawing Cody in like a magnet. And who was he to resist such a pull?
“Esteemed colleagues, this is my bodyguard and friend, Commander Cody,” Obi-Wan, and his voice was some warm Cody could feel some of the pressure of having all of the eyes in the room on him lift. “We’re both incredibly honored to have been invited here.”
“Just Cody is fine,” Cody said, pulling his helmet off to look at the Serians. If he was going to be a guest at this dinner party rather than just a particularly menacing decoration, Cody wasn’t going to do it in a helmet. He clipped it to his belt and smiled. “My general has been looking forward to getting to see your beautiful planet.”
The chief diplomat boomed with laughter. “Well! Having a Jedi here is an honor to us. I trust you’d like to see our libraries at some point? Ser-9 has some beautiful texts on the early Jedi Order.”
Obi-Wan lit up so distinctly Cody could feel it in his own chest. Cody had met countless other Jedi, especially on leave when Obi-Wan invited him into the Temple. But only Obi-Wan Kenobi glowed in this way, the kind that infected Cody, leaking into his very bones and making even a war seem less daunting. Cody was braver with Obi-Wan, kinder and smarter. To have such a general that could bring out the best in him, and his troops, was incredible luck.
Cody was ushered into a seat next to Obi-Wan, and both of them were passed trays of food in a whirlwind. It was easy to tune out everyone but Obi-Wan as Cody ladled food onto his own plate. After months of ration bars and stim packs, real food was a goddamned miracle. Obi-Wan occasionally interjected his talks of joining the Senate with comments towards Cody.
“Can you pass the–?”
“Yep. Oh, do you want my–?”
“Definitely.” Obi-Wan took the proffered food from Cody and turned back to his own plate, now filled with the things from the spread that they both knew he enjoyed. The Sertians were eying them curiously, but Cody ignored it in favor of viciously stabbing at the pile of pinkish root vegetables in the corner of his plate. They melted in his mouth, swimming in spices and butter to make his mouth water. Cody was half inclined to argue to these people on his own behalf to join the Republic, just so maybe this cuisine makes its way into their bases.
During a lull in the conversation, Cody catches Obi-Wan watching him eat and looks up. “Whuh?”
“Do you want mine?” Obi-Wan asks, gesturing to the magical pink veggies on his own plate. Cody moved without thinking too hard, scooping the food off of Obi-Wan’s plate like they were still in the mess hall or the war room on the Negotiator. Ponds would have a heart attack if he saw the two of them, always the politest of Cody’s batch. Cody took another rather menacing bite at the thought.
“Oh yeah, they definitely poisoned all of yours,” Cody said mock-seriously. “I’m gonna need to confiscate it.”
Obi-Wan snorted and pushed his plate further towards Cody for ease of access. “Well, thank the Force I have such a loyal commander to keep me safe.”
Cody glanced at the remainder of the dinner party, and realized they were sneaking looks at him and Obi-Wan and chattering earnestly at each other in their native language. Cody felt his own hackles rise before a wave of forced calm washed through him, not enough to drive away the concern but enough to draw him away from it. He turned to look at Obi-Wan, who was already inquiring with Chief Diplomat Ignatius about the subject of their excitement.
He beamed proudly, gesturing to the two of them. “Ah, they are just excited to see a Force bond between two sentients. It’s been quite a few centuries since we last saw such a powerful connection in the Force.”
Obi-Wan and Cody exchanged a loaded look before Obi-wan turned back to the group. Of course the one mission Cody was looking forward to had to get bizarre on him. He shovelled another large bite of food into his mouth before something happened to make him push the plate away. “I– I’m sorry, I’m not sure I’ve heard of a Force bond in any of my readings before.”
“Perhaps it’s called something different in the Temples nowadays,” Ignatius offered, brow furrowed. “It’s… how to say it? A soul bond, of sorts. You and your Cody are tied to each other in the Force, your emotions, your physical forms, are connected so completely. Like two parts of a good meal. Wonderful on their own, but so much more beautiful together.”
Cody choked on the bite of food in his mouth. He ignored the burning of his face and the way Obi-Wan was eying him to swallow and stare at the diplomat. “So what, we’re like extra special friends?”
“Much more than that!” Ignatius said, beaming. Cody glued his eyes to his food rather than looking anyone at the table in the eye. Shit.
“Force bonds are incredibly rare, and powerful. Have you noticed being more than the usual amount attuned to the others feelings, and even their thoughts? Or craving closeness like magnets? I imagine it must be useful on a battlefield. There are some wonderful readings in our libraries you two could borrow.”
Double shit.
“My lightsaber does seem to end up in your hands an awful lot,” Obi-Wan said gently. Cody pushed his cushion away from the table, bile rising in the back of his throat. He muttered something about using the bathroom and tried not to run from the dining hall.
The Jedi Code did not allow for specific bonds like this. It was one of the things gone over in training, how a Jedi showed equal compassion for all living beings, and attachments and biases could lead to poor decision making and liabilities on a battlefield. Cody is a tool for helping his men and his general survive, someone who could stand six feet behind and give occasional support. His little crush on this wonderfully devoted, charming, intelligent man he spent the majority of his time with was never supposed to get in the way like this. Cody buried his face in his hands.
“I’m creating liabilities,” Cody said to himself, alone in this little alcove in the hall.
“I’d hardly call it a liability,” a voice said in front of him, and Cody lifted his head to see Obi-Wan, leaning on the wall opposite him with an amused smile on his face. “Quite honestly it could prove to be a major tactical advantage if we learn to use it.”
Cody sighed and scuffed his boot into the floor like a sullen cadet. Obi-Wan laughed gently and crossed the floor to stand shoulder to shoulder with Cody, and he couldn’t help the way he melted a little at the soft weight, Obi-Wan’s very presence instilling in him a little more confidence.
“I should transfer,” Cody said, finally putting the correct course of action out in front of them, trying not to let the words get stuck in his throat. Obi-Wan straightened up a little, throwing Cody an alarmed look.
“What?”
“This Force bond could cause major issues,” Cody rationalized. “I– I could get hurt and you might feel it through the bond! Or you might pick me over a valuable mission. Obviously I compelled this bond with my own feelings for you–”
“What? ”
“And the proper solution is for me to request a transfer to a new battalion. I can offer a few recommendations of exemplary commanders that would do a fine job?”
“Cody!” Cody was startled to feel Obi-Wan put his hands on his armored shoulders, a smile bright on his face. “Stop catastrophizing for a moment and think. Does it really make sense for you, a Force null, to have miraculously created some kind of soul bond between us?”
Cody blinked. “Oh.”
“Obviously it was my feelings for you that caused such a bond to come to exist. I’m terribly sorry my dear, I would never think to force you into such a position, especially with a superior officer.” Obi-Wan said, and all Cody could do was stare at him, jaw slightly agape. Obi-Wan just continued to stand in his space, hands dropped down to his sides to play with the hem of his tabard. Finally, Cody regained the ability to speak and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Sir, you’re an idiot.”
Obi-Wan snorted, raising an eyebrow at Cody. “That’s no way to speak to a superior officer.”
“You granted me infinite permission to speak freely the last time we got wasted together. You’re attracted to me?” Cody asked, to which Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.
“Have you looked in a mirror recently?” he asked, gesturing with one hand to all of Cody. “What isn’t there to be attracted to? And you like me?”
“I’d have to, to have put up with missions like these for so long.” Cody grinned, unable to help the humor bubbling in his chest like the fancy alcohol they have at parties on Coruscant sometimes. Here they were, dancing around each other, evidently completely in tune with each other and yet so perfectly oblivious to how they both felt about each other. Of course I like you, and I’d do a whole lot more than like you if it wasn’t against military protocol.”
Obi-Wan smiled brightly, and stars above if Cody didn’t want to take that expression and freeze it in time, to have his Jedi be happy until Tatooine froze over. “As High General, I feel like I can certainly tweak the rules. Having a Force bond seems like an immense tactical advantage against the Separatists, no?”
Cody smiled and elbowed Obi-Wan. “Tactical advantage?”
“Well, it seems wise to keep around loyal, compassionate, witty people such as yourself, Cody,” Obi-Wan offered. “But really, we should be getting back to dinner. They’ll be worried, and I have further inquiries about the nature of this bond.”
“Of course you do.”
Obi-Wan was quiet as they settled into a slow walk back to the dining hall. Cody could feel the swirling of his thoughts, but all he could do was wait for Obi-Wan to untangle them and speak. Finally, he turned to look at Cody with a hand on his pauldron. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Making me part of a better whole.”
Cody hummed in response and laced his hand with Obi-Wan’s, reveling in the feeling of a slightly colder hand in his. And for a moment, they both felt the same current of joy run through them, finally together in understanding and joy.