Work Text:
Obi-Wan will forever remember the first time Cody found his lightsaber. He was dueling against Ventress who, at one point, Force-pushed him off the cliff they were fighting on, making him let go of his weapon to grab onto an overhang to keep himself from falling down.
Even unarmed he overpowered Dooku's apprentice pretty easily, for she still had much to learn, and forced her to retreat. He was getting down from where he was standing and back to his men when he felt it. A shiver running down his spine and a peculiar hum in the Force. It was not unpleasant, quite the opposite actually, it was just-- unexpected. He suddenly felt happier, safe, a feeling of belonging washing over him.
He knew where did these sensations come from, he could recognize the feelings that came through his Force-bond with his lightsaber, his kyber crystal; Obi-Wan just didn't understand what could have caused them.
Until he met with Cody where the 212 th had just won the battle and the commander handed him back his lightsaber, the kyber almost crying in the Force when Cody's fingers left the weapon.
The Jedi thanked him and looked at him and his lightsaber in confusion for a second, before he shook the strange sensation away and ignored the longing sensation the kyber sent him through the Force, thinking of them as a one-time thing.
Except it wasn't.
Apparently his kyber crystal had decided that he had been really comfortable in Cody's care, because it found any way to get to him during the most unfitting times.
One time it even ended up falling and hitting the poor commander's head! Obi-Wan felt so ashamed when Cody gave him back the saber wearing a bacta patch on his head that he thought he could die of embarrassment as he apologized and thanked him for taking care of it for him ( ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶f̶o̶u̶r̶t̶h̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶w̶e̶e̶k̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶o̶n̶l̶y̶ ̶w̶e̶d̶n̶e̶s̶d̶a̶y̶).
The worst part was that the Jedi didn't even feel too sorry for losing his lightsaber so often, he couldn't deny (to himself at least) that every time Cody took it he felt better, all the sensations he felt through his Force-bond making him feel overwhelmed by love and care, things he hadn't felt for most of his life. And he was mostly sure that when the commander gave him back the saber, their fingers brushing in a barely-there touch, the odd feeling he felt in his stomach that felt as if butterflies were flying inside of him didn't come from his kyber, but solely from himself.
It was not the only strange sensation he felt. One day, after he (of course) lost his lightsaber again through his Force-bond he felt an incredible amount of joy and cheerfulness from his crystal.
He wondered what, exactly, could have caused the increase of contentment from the kyber and at first, when he first spotted Cody in their camp he did not understand because he didn't see his lightsaber in his hands as he usually did and he started to worry about where it could possibly be, his own scolding to Anakin about losing the lightsaber replaying in his head until--
Until Cody turned around and Obi-Wan saw it. Cody had added a new clip on his belt for his lightsaber. That's when he felt it, a strange sensation right in his chest, where his heart was, he could feel it beating so fast he actually worried he could be sick.
As Cody (as usual) handed his saber back to him joking about the fact that “he should be more careful with his life even if he would always do his best to take care of it for him” he only felt his heartbeat increase and his cheeks flush even more, only managing a muttered a “Thank you, Cody” (Where had his silver tongue went? Such a great Negotiator he was) before heading towards his tent with the first excuse that came into his mind.
When he retired into his tent later that day, he sat on the floor with his legs crossed, closed his eyes and evened his breath, falling into meditation hoping to find some answers to his and the kyber crystal' strange behavior.
After hours of meditation (hours he should have passed sleeping, but that's what caf is for) he finally managed to understand two things: the first one was that his lightsaber liked Cody. And the second one was that it wasn't the only one.
But, of course, the Jedi could not form any kind of attachment, so he pushed back his feelings and decided to be much more careful with his lightsaber hoping that with time things would just solve by themselves.
#
His feelings however did not diminish with the passing of time, quite the opposite: his commander's competence, caring and ability on the battlefield never failed to make Obi-Wan fall in love with Cody every day a little more.
And even though he wanted to keep his feelings under control, he couldn't help but selfishly bask in the sensation of happiness he felt every time he meditated next to the man while he was doing his paperwork, Cody's Force signature so bright in the Force that the Jedi wondered how was it possible that his commander still hadn't chased away all the darkness from the world with his bright light.
They were exactly like this, the Jedi meditating with his eyes closed and his disassembled lightsaber floating right in front of him, the kyber crystal lighting up the room with a blue light; and the commander sitting at his desk doing paperwork when Obi-Wan felt curiosity coming from Cody in waves and his gaze on the general.
“If there is anything you want to ask you know you can, don't you?” the Jedi immediately felt a wave of embarrassment from his commander, probably because Obi-Wan had caught him staring.
“I didn't-- I don't—I just--” he stuttered at first and the general felt his own lips curl up in a smile and found himself wondering how unfair it was that Cody was always so Force-damned cute.
The commander tried to recover with a ̶c̶l̶e̶a̶r̶l̶y̶ ̶f̶a̶k̶e̶ cough and then said “I was just wondering what that kind of bright blue rock was, I didn't mean to interrupt you, sorry,sir.”
At that Obi-Wan opened his eyes looking at him. He was so beautiful, he always was, but there was just something about seeing him there, next to him, relaxing after an hard day on the battlefield and questioning him about his kyber crystal with his cheeks flushed. The Jedi had to actively focus to shake the thought away and think about an answer that wouldn't have taken their whole night.
“First thing first, dear, you know you don't have to address to me as your superior here and second this is no rock. It is a kyber crystal.” Cody looked at him, genuinely interested to what he was saying.
“A kyber crystal, si-- Obi-Wan?”
“Exactly”
“And is it necessary for the lightsaber functioning?” Obi-Wan smiled at that, remembering Master Yoda's teachings and lessons about the crystals and suddenly his mind provided him with the image of Yoda's face if the old Master had heard his dear commander calling the precious kyber a rock and he fought the urge to laugh out loud, answering instead “Yes, yes it is. It is the lightsaber's heart. You see it's not just a crystal, it is alive and Force-attuned. Every youngling finds his own crystal in the Crystal Cave during their training. From the moment you step in the Cave the Jedi and the crystal create a Force-bond, one that lasts for their entire life. It is what makes this lightsaber my lightsaber. ” And apparently, even when in the weapon, it is strongly sensible to your touch.
Obi-Wan really didn't want to think about what sensations the kyber could make him feel if Cody touched it directly, with nothing separating them, no glove and no metal, considering the feelings it passed when they were separated by layers of materials, so he focused his attention on the commander instead.
Cody hadn't moved his eyes from Obi-Wan, a thoughtful expression on his face, until it changed in an amused one as he asked “So you're telling me that you and your lightsaber can talk?”
“Well” he started “I guess that in a way-- you could say that, yes.”
Cody's smile only brightened as he said “Maybe I should try to talk with it about your problem to keep it with you, maybe it could help.” They looked at each other for a good minute and then they both burst into an heartfelt laugh.
And really Obi-Wan blamed his momentarily distraction for what he said next.
“I don't think it would help that much, my dear, considering it is the crystal that always makes me drop the lightsaber in order to get to you.”
He realized what he had said just a bit too late, in the room had fallen a terrible silence that Obi-Wan perceived as dooming. How could he have said such thing to him!
It was Cody that broke the silence first “What do you mean 'in order to get to me'?”
Oh no what am I going to tell him now!??!! Yes it wants to get to you because it likes you exactly as I like you? Yeah, absolutely not.
“Ah nothing, I'm-- uh -- afraid Bones might be right after all, I am tired. Yes, that's it I'm really tired and I should really go to bed.”
The commander looked at him raising an eyebrow in his I'm not buying it glare, but bid him a goodnight and then left the room leaving Obi-Wan alone with his love issues.
#
Thanks the Force, Cody never mentioned what he had told him that night. Not even when they were in the same situation: Obi-Wan meditating and Cody doing paperwork. Or better yet reading something as he had done for the last three nights they had passed the evening in each other's company.
That night however he finally decided to give into his curiosity, his kyber suggesting him to ask, just talk to him, hear his voice--
“What are you reading if I may ask?”
Cody didn't even look up and just smirked “Aren't you supposed to meditate?”
Obi-Wan felt his cheeks flush a little, it was true, he should be meditating, but apparently he wasn't very good at it while Cody was around.
“It's just a little something I found about kyber crystals. Wanted to know more about them, since I'm the one to always handle yours.”
It was Obi-Wan who smirked this time “Ah. Actually commander I have reason to believe you've never even touched the kyber.”
What?! Oh Force please tell me I didn't really say it. I start to believe that Bones is right, three days with a number of hours of sleep that is terribly close to zero really isn't good for my health.
Apparently the Force had decided to be merciful because Cody simply answered “Well, I guess you got a point there.”
“Would you like to?” Shit. If I survive I' m definitely going to sleep. If someone asks, I'll blame it on the karking kyber.
“To touch it? Why not.” He stood up and sat next to Obi-wan who was currently trying his best to not show the panic in his head.
How would the kyber react? Sometimes even those who are not Force-sensitive can feel or see something if they touched directly a kyber. Would Cody too? Would he feel what Obi-Wan felt for him? ̶W̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶h̶e̶ ̶d̶i̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶d̶i̶d̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶r̶e̶t̶u̶r̶n̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶f̶e̶e̶l̶i̶n̶g̶s̶?̶
He swallowed. Well there was no turning back now. Everything seemed to move in slow-motion as he passed the kyber to Cody and--
And then he felt absolutely overwhelmed.
Happiness.
Care.
Love.
Can Cody feel it all too?
He hoped so because he felt better than he had ever felt in his whole life. Safe, loved, protected; all things he felt with Cody and for Cody and that he had never truly felt or understood before.
He looked at the commander who was currently smiling, his eyes closed. He opened them a moment later “Obi-Wan this is--” then his expression morphed and worry appeared in his eyes “Are you ok? Did I do something wrong? Did I-- did I hurt you?”
The Jedi did not understand at first. Hurt him? How could he had hurt him if he just felt so-- so happy. And then he noticed that there were wet stripes on his cheeks and that his eyes were watery.
“No” he answered “None of that, it's just-- I felt-- very happy” He could not tell him. Not without knowing if he wanted it too, after all he was his general and Obi-Wan absolutely didn't want him to feel obliged to return his feelings. He and his brothers could already choose so little in their life, he would not impose anything Cody didn't want.
But he didn't have to wait too long to know what Cody wanted.
“I feel it too.” Cody was looking at him as if he held the whole world, as if he was his whole world and he found himself ( one of the first times in his life really ) at a loss of words.
“Oh” was all he managed as Cody took his hand in his own, their hands closing around the lightsaber's crystal, leaning closer to one another, closing the distance between their lips until--
Until they kissed.
And suddenly there was no war, no battles, no general or commander; just-- just Cody and Obi-Wan kissing in the dim light of the room, united by their lips and by the kyber crystal.
Anything else could wait. Their next mission could wait. They were together now and that was what mattered.
Yes
Obi-Wan thought
Utapau can wait until tomorrow.