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Obi-Wan sighed, one hand raised to pinch the bridge of his nose. This was his ship. The Negotiator was supposed to be his safe place. His oasis of sanity.
And yet.
“I trusted you!” Anakin's betrayed wail cut through the metal wall separating Obi-Wan from the training room.
“Never trust anyone, Skyguy!” Ahsoka crowed back, victory echoing from her in the Force. “Rex is on my side!”
“Commander Tano doesn't throw me off exploding things,” Rex agreed, sounding a little apologetic. Though Force knew that wouldn't save him from Anakin's dramatics.
“You said you had my back!” Anakin cried. “I trusted you!”
His former Padawan, his brother, had his own ship. His own training room. Why was it Obi-Wan always having to deal with his shenanigans?
For a blissful moment, Obi-Wan imagined it. He could walk away. Pretend not to have been anywhere near here. Return to his quarters and have a nice, relaxing cup of tea. He was a busy General, there were many things demanding his attention. There wasn't always time for mediating family disputes.
Especially not ones Anakin brought on himself.
Captain Rex was a fine man. But Anakin was an idiot if he truly thought Rex would have his side in a sparring match when Ahsoka was involved.
Then again, Obi-Wan would feel the same way. Cody always had his back. In battle or otherwise. Obi-Wan could not imagine fighting this war without his constant presence by his side.
As if thinking of him summoned him (not the way the Force worked regardless of what Anakin said on the matter), Cody appeared before him. Glowing like the sunburst on his chest.
Hello, my dear.
Cody took a final step forward, standing just too close to be professional. “Our brothers being di'kut's, General?”
“I'm afraid so, Cody,” Obi-Wan agreed mournfully. “Anakin underestimated Rex's attachment to Ahsoka. And Rex-”
Cody's lips curled in a quicksilver grin. “Agreed to spar with General Skywalker.”
Obi-Wan laughed, “Exactly, my dear.”
Cody's eyes twinkled. “So are we leaving them to their stupidity and getting back to work, sir? Or are we going in there before General Skywalker-”
“Throws a tantrum?” Obi-Wan finished, picking up the thought Cody was too professional to finish. “It's probably too late for that, Cody.”
“Obi-Wan!”
Obi-Wan sighed, giving Cody a resigned smile. See?
Cody opened the door, barely an inch from Obi-Wan's side as he walked in.
“Yes, Anakin?” Obi-Wan invited, taking in the tableau before him.
Anakin stood on one side of the training area, arms crossed and pouting like a youngling told they couldn't have any more dessert. Across from him, Ahsoka grinned, vibrating with victory and youthful energy while Rex saw them and did his best imitation of Cody's stoic demeanour.
Anakin turned hopefully to Obi-Wan. “Rex changed sides mid-spar. I trusted him and he betrayed me!”
“You were clearly not being mindful of your surroundings.” Obi-Wan crossed his arms, favouring his former padawan with a disapproving look. “The Force should be what you rely on to have your back. If you had trusted it, Rex's decision would have been obvious.”
Anakin pouted harder, glowering, “You trust Cody to have your back.”
“We are not talking about Cody and I, Anakin,” Obi-Wan replied levelly. “But my trust in Cody is not to the detriment of my senses.”
“Ha!” Ahsoka bounced in place. “Told you, Skyguy.”
Obi-Wan turned his disapproving look on her. “Ahsoka, you should not need to rely on Captain Rex to win a sparring match against Anakin.”
Ahsoka looked a little chagrined. “Yes, Master.”
Beside him, Cody didn't need to say a word. Rex looked down, chastened too. “Sorry, Cody.”
Cody nodded and fell back into place a hair from Obi-Wan.
Ahsoka looked from Rex to Cody and grinned wickedly. “Ooh, did we interrupt your date, Obi-Wan?”
Obi-Wan sighed, “No, young one. Though we had planned on filling out some paperwork together.”
“Paperwork dates,” Anakin rolled his eyes, pout apparently forgotten. “You sure know how to woo them, Obi.”
“Forgive me if I am unequal to poetry about the coarseness of sand, Anakin,” Obi-Wan replied, dry as a Tattooine desert. “Though I admit I've had no complaints from Cody.” He turned to his right, inviting, “My dear?”
Cody smiled easily. “No complaints at all, cyare.”
Anakin rolled his eyes. “You two are nauseating.”
“A high compliment coming from you, General Skywalker,” Cody replied, tone carefully nonjudgmental. It didn't need to be to remind them all of the times they'd come across Anakin and Padmé - the poster couple for nauseating behaviour.
Ahsoka snickered but wisely stayed silent.
Anakin's eyes narrowed, then a grin broke out on his face. “You have time to spar before your date, Obi-Wan?” he asked hopefully. “You and Cody versus Snips, Rex and I?”
Obi-Wan considered the reports waiting for him in his quarters. Then glanced at Cody.
His dear Commander raised an eyebrow in a why not?
“Very well,” Obi-Wan conceded, falling into a ready position with Cody mirrored beside him. “Just don't pout when we beat you.”