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~*~
Most people in the galaxy had to be afraid of Sith Emperor Obi-Wan Kenobi. Cody was not most people. He knew good and well he didn’t have to be afraid of returning home after the situation on Mandalore was handled, even though he knew Obi-Wan wasn’t pleased. That didn’t mean he was looking forward to Obi-Wan’s reaction. Obi-Wan was protective, sometimes overly so. Cody was a Mandalorian warrior, a commander among the supercommandos, trained since he could hold a weapon in his hand. He did not need to be coddled. He didn’t need to be protected.
Cody went into the showdown with Vizsla with backup and a plan. Hell, there had been multiple backup plans even. He’d done what he needed to do to keep his family and his people safe. He was not going to apologize for it, no matter what Obi-Wan thought about the subject. Hopefully his husband was wise enough to understand that.
The ship touched down on Coruscant and Cody gathered his bag and his helmet. He’d opted to wear his armor home, part of his attempt to make a point about who he is. Like every Mandalorian warrior, he’d earned his armor. Sometimes, he felt some people on Coruscant needed a reminder of that. Aayla met him at the ramp as the pilot opened it.
“Shall we?” Aayla asked, only somewhat sympathetic smile on her face.
Cody shrugged. “Can’t put it off any longer, I suppose.”
Obi-Wan, Rex, Bail, and Quinlan met them on the landing platform. Aayla offered a respectful bow to Obi-Wan before Quinlan swept her into a hug. Cody smiled fondly. He and Vos might often be at odds, but they did agree on one very important thing. Loyalty was key.
“Cody, darling,” Obi-Wan greeted.
Without a doubt, Cody knew his husband was looking him over visually and with the Force as much as the beskar of his armor allowed. And he didn’t need any kind of extra senses to know that Obi-Wan wanted him alone as soon as possible.
“I’m fine,” Cody assured. “You can…be sure of that in the privacy of our quarters.”
Obi-Wan grinned. “You know me far too well.”
That was an understatement but all either of them would say in front of an audience.
Rex pulled Cody into a none too gentle keldabe. Cody could feel the slight trembling in his brother’s form.
“Do not expect me to stay behind next time. No matter what is happening here,” Rex hissed.
The undercurrent of lingering fear in the words made Cody’s heart ache.
Cody shifted them into a hug. “I had plenty of backup, vod’ika. It’s ok.”
Cody didn’t regret asking Rex to stay here but he did regret that Rex was upset. He’d make a point of spending time with him tomorrow and they’d talk properly then. For now, he’d just offer his little brother what quiet comfort he’d accept.
Rex held on tight for several long moments.
“My point stands,” Rex grumbled as they parted.
Bail smiled politely at him. “Cody, good to have you back. I’ll send you the statement I’ve written up. You can approve it before it’s released empire wide.”
Cody groaned. Imperial bureaucracy was relentless, but thank the Ka’ra for Bail Organa’s efficiency.
~*~
All the way to their chambers, Cody could feel how tightly wound Obi-Wan was. Part of him felt guilty for wearing his armor on arrival, knowing how it blocked so much of the Force. But at his core, Cody was still a Mandalorian warrior and his armor showed that. In this case, that mattered. Still, Cody felt a little pang of guilt when Obi-Wan’s hands could only be described as frantic as he helped Cody out of his armor the moment they reached their bedroom.
“Need to properly feel all of you in the Force,” Obi-Wan insisted as they worked to strip the beskar off Cody one piece at a time.
Cody grabbed Obi-Wan’s hand when he pulled on a piece out of order.
“Cyare. I’m fine,” Cody soothed. “Let me do this.”
Frowning, Obi-Wan backed off, realizing he’d started to hinder the process rather than help it.
In a matter of a few moments, Cody had his armor off and neatly stacked on the armor rack in their bedroom. Obi-Wan’s gaze was so intense it felt like a physical touch the entire time.
Immediately upon putting the last piece of armor in the rack and stepping back, Cody found himself in Obi-Wan’s fierce embrace.
“Don’t you ever do that again,” Obi-Wan snarled. “Never take a chance like that if I’m not there to have your back. You could have been killed.”
Cody bristled. He didn’t appreciate the implied insult to his brothers and his men, warriors he had trained with from a young age, men he’d helped hone into supercommandos. He hadn’t gone in alone. He’d gone in with some of the best backup he could have ever asked for.
“Vizsla would have acted like an honorless hu’tuun with you there just as he did with my men,” Cody insisted. “That’s just who he was. Hells, if you’d been there he might have acted even worse! He may not have held to the true rules with his actions, but he did hold the spirit of it being just him and I. Had you been there, I don’t think he would have. He’d have just ordered his people to kill as many civilians as possible to make a statement. I did what needed to be done, Obi-Wan. I will not apologize for it. Nor will I let you question the skills of the men I had with me.” He knew how to derail this from devolving into further argument. Obi-Wan never denied him when he sought comfort. “I came home. And now I need you.”
Obi-Wan sighed and just hugged Cody tighter. Cody knew he was on the verge of success.
“I’m not asking you to apologize,” Obi-Wan assured. “And I’m not trying to insult them. I have no doubt of their skills. They are simply not me.”
Curling his fingers into the back of Obi-Wan’s tunic, Cody relished the heat of Obi-Wan’s body pressed close. He was so close to getting to properly enjoy it. Just a few more points to settle and he could turn Obi-Wan’s focus to far more pleasant things.
“No, they aren’t, but they trained with me for years,” Cody replied. “I could have asked for no better.”
Tightening his hold even further, Obi-Wan murmured, “At least tell me the problem is thoroughly resolved?”
Cody shook his head in fond exasperation and buried his face in Obi-Wan’s neck, just breathing in his husband’s comforting scent.
“It is. I took the Darksaber and made one hell of a statement about my father’s rule. Everything Bly and Aayla uncovered assured that this was Death Watch’s last stand. There may be a handful of stragglers, but my men will deal with it,” Cody assured.” Murmuring, he added, “I did miss you.”
Obi-Wan slid a hand into Cody’s hair, cradling the back of his head.
“And I you, darling. I must admit, the vid was very impressive,” Obi-Wan allowed. “You are a stunning warrior and I adore it when you remind people of that. Every holonews network in the Empire has the footage. It’s good PR for Mandalore and for my Empire. The Emperor’s husband being devastatingly handsome and immensely competent was one thing. But said Imperial husband being that skilled in battle? Another thing entirely.”
Cody smirked into Obi-Wan’s neck. Success at last. Argument averted. And he knew how to guide this into something far more predictable than an angry Obi-Wan and infinitely more enjoyable for them both.
“You’re just upset you weren’t able to ride my cock afterwards,” Cody teased.
Knowing how attractive his husband found his…prowess in battle meant he didn’t need the Force to tell him Obi-Wan was in the mood now that the anger and worry had eased away.
With a huff, Obi-Wan replied, “I was reliably informed that you were in the medic’s care afterwards. That’s slightly offputting. You know I don’t like an audience. I like having you all to myself.”
Slyly, Cody nuzzled at Obi-Wan’s neck.
“You have my all to yourself right now, cyare. And yet somehow, I’m still clothed,” Cody pointed out.
Obi-Wan hummed thoughtfully. “Quite right. We really should rectify that. After all, I must do a thorough inspection. Make sure you didn’t try to hide anything from the medics.”
Cody snorted.
“You’ve never met Bones. I couldn’t hide a hangnail from him,” Cody assured.
With another thoughtful sound, Obi-Wan said, “Perhaps I should offer to hire him.”
Pulling away, Cody shook his head.
“While very few of my men would say no to taking a position that brought them back under my command, I don’t think my father would take kindly to you stealing more of his warriors,” Cody replied. Grinning, he added, “Especially not given my other idea.”
Obi-Wan raised a brow. “What idea?”
Curiosity was writ large across Obi-Wan’s face.
Grin widening, Cody replied, “Let’s just say I think my father will have to accept having another Sith in-law.”
Obi-Wan’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Aayla?” Obi-Wan asked. “I did not see that coming.”
Cody chuckled. “She and my brother Bly hit it off instantly. And it gave me a great idea.”
Drawing Cody back into his arms, Obi-Wan said, “A deal, darling. I look you over first. Then you can tell me all about this idea of yours in the bath after.”
Smirking, Cody replied, “You drive a hard bargain, my Emperor, but I accept.”
Obi-Wan kissed him hard. “Pleasure doing business with you, Al’verde.”
Cody had to admit, it was good to be home.
~*~