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Obi-Wan didn't know what he did wrong. Both he and Cody were working at the theater for a few years, Obi-Wan started a bit earlier but their work experience was almost the same. He didn't remember doing anything that could make their relationship so hostile but he wasn't going to press and ask Cody about it. It started very early after they started working together and there weren't many things that Obi-Wan could do to bury their relationship before it could even form. So they existed next to one another, not talking, almost ignoring each other.
It hurt, Obi-Wan wasn't going to hide it, because he didn't like this kind of unclear situation. And because Cody was quite handsome (even with the scar on his face he sometimes tried to hide) so under other circumstances Obi-Wan would ask him on a date. He didn't, of course, keeping his distance and just let Cody dictate the temperature of their relationship.
And that day wasn't going to be different. Obi-Wan arrived at the theater in the morning, noticed that Cody was already there, and nodded at him in greeting. Cody nodded back which meant he had a particularly good day. Obi-Wan changed into some sporting clothes and decided to stretch before rehearsal. He didn't manage to start before Cal ran into the room, all happy, almost vibrating from excitement.
"They took it!" he exclaimed. "My play is going on stage! Here!"
“That’s great, Cal!” he came closer to pat him on the back. “So when is the casting?” Obi-Wan grinned at him.
“I… Actually…” He looked at Cody who came closer to him with a gentle smile. “Iwasgoingtoaskyoutwotoplay?” he ended quickly and Cody chuckled.
“I need you to go slower, kid, if you want us to understand.”
Cal took a deep breath.
“I wanted to ask you two to join the cast,” he repeated much slower, not looking at any of them, expecting an immediate refusal. "I mean... I know you two... Are not exactly..." he hesitated again, probably hoping one of them would understand and take over the conversation. Obi-Wan stayed silent. He didn't have anything against working on Cal's play and with Cody, but he didn't want to make Cody feel pressed to agree.
"Show me the climax," Cody said, all sign of smile gone from his face.
"What?" Cal croaked looking at him wide-eyed.
"The climax of the story. You have the storyboard with you, right?" he patted Cal's bag and Cal nodded, hurrying to pull out a thick file folder full of sheets filled with both text and sketches. He found the right part (Obi-Wan noticed he had markers throughout the folder so it was easier to find particular parts) and presented it to Cody.
"May I see it as well?" Obi-Wan asked and when they both nodded wordlessly he positioned himself behind Cody looking over his shoulder.
It seemed complicated, the whole scene. Of course, it was just a scheme, not moving and not really reflecting reality but it looked like something Obi-Wan wanted to be part of.
The last part was simple: two turns in a pair, parting, coming together, and dipping the smaller partner as they raised their leg high. The one doing the dipping had to carry most of the other's weight. It required a great deal of trust, but Obi-Wan, surprisingly, wasn't discouraged by doing the routine with Cody, with whom he didn't have any deep relationship.
"I'm in," Cody said suddenly and Cal's hand twitched. If it hadn't been for Cody's reflex when he managed to grab the sheets before they fell on the ground in chaos, Cal would have had a tough job putting the sheets back in order again.
"What?" Cal asked.
"One would think you would be happy to hear that." Cody chuckled. "And your other actor didn't say yes yet."
"Oh, I'm in." Obi-Wan grinned. "See, Cal, you shouldn't assume the worst."
"I can't blame him, though." Cody shrugged. "I'll be back in a moment."
"You're not running away, are you?" Cal asked worriedly and Cody chuckled.
"Yes, I'm leaving the city so I didn't have to play," he joked. "I'll be back in a few, I promise.”
Cody disappeared as Obi-Wan focused on Cal’s sketches and his words. He wandered to the bureaus located on the higher floor and knocked on the door marked with the name Rex Fett.
“It’s too early for visitors!” he heard from the inside and he laughed as he came through the door.
“Cody!” Rex exclaimed as he saw him. “My favorite cousin! What are you doing here?”
“I came to ask how big your influence was in choosing Cal’s play,” Cody answered sitting on the other side of Rex’s desk.
“Did you even see it? It’s great!”
“I know, I mean I didn’t see all of it but yeah, I agree. I’m just curious.”
“Almost non-existent. I mean I made my opinion clear but it wasn’t the only overwhelmingly positive. So.” Rex cleared his throat. “I just hope you at least let him down gently when you refused to take part. I know he was planning to ask you.”
“I didn’t. I mean I didn’t refuse.”
“You agreed?” Rex stood up from his chair. “And Obi-Wan?”
“Of course, he agreed. He treats Cal as his own.”
Rex clapped.
“You’re finally overcoming these childish animosities! What was it even about?”’
“Not your business,” Cody barked which made Rex laugh.
“Well whatever it is, I’m glad it’s in the past at least.”
“Me too,” Cody answered instinctively as if it wasn’t he who was antagonizing Obi-Wan because of childish reasons. “All right, I need to come back to them, I want to go through Cal’s script and make some training plan.”
“Go, make me proud,” Rex joked and Cody snorted before leaving the room.
***
When he came back to the training hall, Obi-Wan and Cal were talking about something excitedly, and Cal grinned when he noticed Cody entering the room.
“You’re back!”
“Just like I promised, kid.”
“I’m not a kid!” Cal pouted, an obvious show of adult behavior.
“You’re eighteen. I’m thirty-two. You’re a kid and I’m old. That’s how it is.”
“Am I ancient in this scenario with me being thirty-five?” Obi-Wan grinned.
“Where are your bandages, mummy?” Cody answered and they both laughed.
“All right, grandpas. Can we possibly get to the script?” Cal asked, his eyes shining with amusement.
“So how do you want to do this? Try some things while reading or go over everything first and get into technicalities after?” Cody asked, professional once again. He wasn’t going to admit how at ease he felt joking so freely with Obi-Wan, who could have easily hated him considering Cody’s cold attitude.
“Script first so you can understand what I’m trying to show in which part, technicalities later. Some things repeat or reflect each other so it’s easier to see the patterns if you see them all together.”
“Whatever you say,” Cody answered and he meant it. So the three of them sat down on the floor on both sides of Cal and listened to him explaining as they went through the whole script together.
“When is the premiere planned?” Obi-Wan asked as Cal finished.
“September? That’s what I heard, no specific date. You think we can do it or should I negotiate?”
Obi-Wan looked at Cody expectantly and Cody shrugged.
“I’m positive we can do this. How hard can it be?”
Hard. Very hard as they learned soon.
***
Two months into trying the choreography Cody was no longer positive that six more would be enough. Their tries were mostly about falling which might have been funny at the beginning but the time was running out so it was more irritating now.
“I must say, kid, you did a great job with making a plan that could kill old people,” Cody said after taking a nasty fall. “I’m starting to think it’s not the best idea.”
“I second that,” Obi-Wan added breathing heavily. “Are you sure you don’t want someone younger?”
“But you’re the best!” Cal argued. “And you get it. What I’m trying to convey. But if you want to leave…”
“Let’s try again.” Cody stood up from the ground. “I think I know what I’m doing wrong.” He outstretched his hand towards Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan took it, letting himself be pulled into the needed position.
And when they started again Cal smiled.
***
The third month of them working so closely together ended in an honest conversation between them that probably wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the power outage trapping them in the theatre building for the night.
They stayed after everyone else had left to try again one of the parts. Obi-Wan claimed he knew what to do to make their performance flawless.
And that was when the light went out, leaving them in darkness.
"Cody?"
"I didn't do anything."
Obi-Wan snorted somewhere on Cody's right.
"I know. I'm going to try to reach the door so sorry in advance if I barge into you."
Obi-Wan moved slowly in the darkness of the room and confirmed what he had thought. The door looked itself when the power outage happened.
"We're trapped," he announced grimly.
"I found a flashlight," Cody answered and a moment later part of the room was flooded with light. "Come here, it's better to keep close in this darkness."
"You think there is someone we can call?"
"Police if we're feeling in danger. Or you know, an emergency number in general if there is something wrong. But I guess we can just wait until the power is back."
"I say we wait. I think we can manage although I must say I'm getting a bit hungry. Is it an emergency?" Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Unless you're dying, no. But I have some chocolate in my bag if you're interested."
"I'm interested if you're willing to share," Obi-Wan answered.
"Here." Cody put a few pieces of chocolate in Obi-Wan's hand.
"Thank you, Cody."
They sat in silence for a bit, munching chocolate, before Obi-Wan spoke again.
"Why didn't you like me?" he finally asked the question he was gathering the courage to ask for a while now. "And what changed?"
"I really wanted to work on this play." Cody shrugged. "And for the first question... It's stupid and honestly, I should have apologized long ago. I... You remember The Count of Monte Cristo?"
"Yes? It was... Early when you started working here. Why?"
"Did you know that my father played the main role once? Almost thirty years ago, he was around my age. And I wanted to play it as well so much, to honor him that way. When you took the role I decided you suck and I hated you. Very serious accusation and very adult behavior, I know." Cody rolled his eyes. "That was at first. Later it just became something I did. Treat you this cold. It's stupid, I know. And I'm sorry. I acted like a child. But at some point, I couldn't even... You know, back down and suddenly act like you were my best friend so I remained sour."
Obi-Wan didn't answer at first and Cody was worried that he just destroyed this shaky relationship they had been building for the last three months.
"You should have told me." Obi-Wan finally looked at him.
"Yeah, because you would let me have it." Cody snorted.
"Exactly. If you had told me, I would have let you play it. Really. I wasn't particularly... Attached to that role. Not like you were. We could have switched."
Cody watched him for a moment.
"You really would," he said slowly.
Obi-Wan huffed a laugh.
"Yes, that's what I have just said."
"No, I heard you." Cody grimaced. "But you really would do it. You know I think most of the people if not everyone after hearing such a dramatic story like I've just told you would say that they would definitely let me have the role if they knew. But if you knew, you would step down for real.
"Well, yes."
"You're too honorable."
"I've heard that before."
They were both silent again, praying quietly that the power would come back but it didn't. There was still that darkness dispelled only with the light of the flashlight.
“Obi-Wan?”
“Hmm?”
“Weren’t you worried about playing in that play with me?”
“You mean the absolute lack of trust between us?”
“I mean… we’re both men.”
“Didn’t you listen to Cal? We’re not men, we’re ethereal beings in the midst of the world's end.” Obi-Wan chuckled. “I’m not making fun of that explanation, don’t get me wrong. I just remembered how enthusiastic he was, it’s adorable.”
“You really treat him like your child, don’t you?”
“Me? No, never.” Obi-Wan laughed. “But back to your question. I’m not worried, I’ve already been labeled as an old gay eccentric, nothing may hurt me more than assuming I’m old.”
Cody laughed and he realized how at ease he felt with Obi-Wan now and how strange it was after years of treating him like an enemy.
"Aren't you worried?" Obi-Wan asked him as he calmed down. "You know, about labels?"
"Not really. People will think what they want to think and people that matter ask. And if someone doesn't ask then they are not important enough."
"That's a very wise way to see things," Obi-Wan answered.
"Does that mean I am wise?"
"Perish the thought, my dear!"
They talked for some time about nothing important before Obi-Wan started yawning.
"I think we should get some sleep," Cody said. "I'm sure there are some blankets in the backrooms so we can make ourselves as comfortable as it is possible. Unless you want to call the emergency number to tell them we're trapped here?"
"I think I just want to sleep, honestly."
They brought a few blankets from the backrooms (and ate in half the pack of biscuits they found there) and they settled on the ground in the main room. They both decided it was for the best to stay close to the door just in case.
"Goodnight, Cody."
"Goodnight, Obi-Wan."
They were awoken at four A.M. when the power got back and the lights came on. Obi-Wan groggily registered Cody's arm on his back but decided to ignore it due to his tiredness.
When Cal woke them up three hours later as he came to work, Cody explained how they were trapped there because of the lack of electricity and announced that he and Obi-Wan were going to get some breakfast and would be ready for reversal in an hour.
***
The fourth month of their training together ended in a fight.
Obi-Wan was late, really late, and even Cal was getting restless. Finally, he called Cody.
"I'm sorry," he started but Cody didn't let him continue.
"You're sorry? We're waiting like idiots for you to appear and you just call and say you're sorry?"
"I won't come today, that's what I wanted to say," Obi-Wan answered.
"And what is your excuse?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you!"
"Fine! Why did you even agree to play if you're not going to show up? You'll miss the premiere as well?!"
Obi-Wan disconnected and Cody barely refrained from throwing his phone on the ground.
"He won't come," he said instead looking at Cal.
"Yeah, I figured," Cal answered. "Don't you think you were a little too harsh?" he added shyly.
"You aren't mad he didn't show up and just called sometime later?"
"Did he tell you why he is not here?"
"He said he didn't have to explain himself to me."
"Which is true, honestly. And... Maybe it's important. And he just didn't want to tell you what happened.
Cody looked at him so enlightened as if he saw Cal for the first time in his life.
"Fuck," he said and Cal let out a surprised giggle at that. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."
"I know, but he won't even pick up if I call him right now." he tried, of course, but Obi-Wan rejected the call. It wasn't surprising at all but now Cody had to find a way to contact him and apologize.
The opportunity presented itself the next day when Obi-Wan appeared in the theatre at his normal time and Cody approached him when he was stretching.
"Obi-Wan?" he started and when Obi-Wan looked at him he hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I'm sorry for yesterday. I'll be honest with you, I don't know why I got so mad and I'm sorry for that too."
Obi-Wan was looking at him in silence, probably checking if he was going to say anything more. When he realized Cody wasn't going to speak again he shook his head with a sigh.
"I really should be more mad at you for making a scene like this," Obi-Wan informed him. "But I'm tired and I just want to do the rehearsal and sleep for a week. So you're forgiven I guess."
"Are you... Alright?" Cody asked usurely. "I mean... Did something happen? Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really. I mean talking."
"Yeah, I know I fucked up yesterday and I don't want to be forgiven because you're tired. Let me make it up to you."
Obi-Wan sighed.
"I'll think about it. Let's get to work, shall we?"
There was a ghost of smile on Obi-Wan's lips and it brought hope to Cody's heart.
An hour later, after three mistakes in a row, Obi-Wan moved back shaking his head.
"I'm-I'm done. It's early enough, you will find someone to replace me, someone who won't be botching every try."
"Obi-Wan!" Cal shouted after as Obi-Wan left in a hurry but Obi-Wan didn't even turn around.
"Let me handle this," Cody said quickly and followed his partner to the locker room. Obi-Wan was frantically putting his things into the bag, and Cody could see his hands were shaking.
"Obi-Wan?" he asked quietly and Obi-Wan looked at him startled. "What's going on?"
"You'll find someone to replace me," Obi-Wan answered almost automatically not looking at Cody.
"If you leave then I'm leaving as well. And you don't want to leave, but there is something wrong and you'd run away rather than resolve the issue." Cody tried to keep calm but there were thousands of emotions running through his head.
"My brother is in a hospital. In an intensive care unit. He... He already lost one hand, and the doctors are trying to save the other one. They say he was involved in an accident because of the illegal street racing but... He has always been a bit reckless and I'm worried he was taking part in the race. "Obi-Wan was speaking quickly as if any moment of hesitation could result in breaking.
"That's why you didn't come yesterday."
"Yes." Obi-Wan nodded. "I called you and I wanted to tell you but then I thought you didn't care about my brother so I just apologized but you got mad and I should have probably told you then but..."
"I'm sorry," Cody interrupted. "I feel like a bitch." that made Obi-Wan bark a laugh. "No, seriously. Just... Take a few days off? I'll work with Cal on what we can improve before you're back. Just... Don't leave? Please?"
Obi-Wan blinked a few times before he threw his arms around Cody, hiding his face in Cody's neck. After a moment Cody returned the hug, giving Obi-Wan the comfort he needed.
"I'm sure your brother will be fine," he whispered and Obi-Wan tightened his arms around Cody.
When he moved back he started wiping remnants of tears from his face and Cody tactfully looked away giving him an illusion of privacy.
"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan said finally. "You're right, I don't want to leave I just... It was an instinct to run and hide so I didn't have to explain what happened. I - I promise I'll be back next week? By that time Anakin should be out of the ICU and I'll have something off my mind."
"Sure." Cody nodded. "Just... Take care, will you?"
"I'll try," Obi-Wan answered with a chuckle. "I'll... I'll be going now. Can you tell Cal I'm not really leaving?"
"Of course."
Obi-Wan packed his things in less of a hurry than before and left the theatre.
***
“So I was thinking,” Cal started when the next week Obi-Wan appeared to join the rehearsal. “What would you say if we organize a fundraising event to help you and Anakin?”
“What?” Obi-Wan frowned slightly.
“I just… thought it would be nice? You said that Anakin needed the prosthetic arm and I know it’s not cheap. My uncle Greez had to get it and it wasn’t easy. So I thought we could… make a pre-premiere? And use it as a fundraising opportunity. Not really my idea, I mean it was Cody’s idea to help buy mine to combine it with pre-premiere.”
“Cody?” Obi-Wan looked at him and Cody, ashamed, looked away.
“I didn’t… I just wanted to help.”
“You didn’t mention it when you were bringing me food to the hospital.” It was true. After Obi-Wan left the theatre Cody kept thinking how could he help his partner, and the only thing he could think of was bringing him something warm to eat to the hospital while he was keeping watch at his still unconscious’ brother’s bed. So after the rehearsals with Cal, he was getting food and visiting Obi-Wan at the hospital.
“It wasn’t a clear idea. And I needed to ask Cal if he had anything to add to that.”
“I… Thank you, both of you. I… It would be a great help for us.”
“So we’re doing this.” Cal nodded solemnly. “I’m going to talk to the boss you agreed and we need to plan something. And you two can… Talk.”
Cal disappeared leaving the two of them alone and Cody still wasn’t meeting Obi-Wan’s eyes.
“Can you look at me, Cody?” Obi-Wan asked and Cody did, convinced by this calm voice. “I’m not… mad. I don’t know why would you think I can be mad at you for proposing something like this. It’s so… thoughtful.”
“I just needed to help.”
Obi-Wan embraced him and this time Cody returned it almost immediately.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“I will mention it, actually. I need to tell Anakin that he has like four months to leave the hospital because he will sit through the pre-premier whether he likes it or not!”
They both laughed at that and suddenly Cody couldn’t even remember how could he be so mad at Obi-Wan for all these years.
***
Three months before the premiere it was time for the final costumes fitting and Cody absolutely hated it. The only thing that sweetened the deal was the opportunity to see Obi-Wan in the costume that was complimenting his body in ways Cody would never presume.
“So? What do you think, Cal? Do we look ethereal enough?” Obi-Wan grinned at Cal who just entered the room.
“I’m wondering…” Cal frowned slightly and bit his lip. “Can we do more of these tulle parts without making it difficult for you two to move in?”
“I guess?” Obi-Wan looked at Cody. “What do you think?”
“Not too much, though. It would make me look fat.” He snorted and Obi-Wan laughed.
“You’re fit enough, a little tulle won’t make it go away, don’t worry my dear.”
“If you’re sure.” Cody grinned. “Yeah, we can do more tulle, Cal. But it needs to be done until the next week, we need to get used to everything while dancing.”
“Sure thing, yeah, of course. It will be done. But you two look great already, I… I’ve never thought I would see it outside the paper. I was working on it for so long and…” Cal’s voice broke slightly and Cody circled his shoulders with his arm.
“But you did it, kid. And we’re proud of you. And, I’m sure I’m speaking for both of us, we’re honored to take part in it.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Obi-Wan added patting Cal’s shoulder.
***
The pre-premiere day came quicker than both of them thought. Last month was filled with full choreography rehearsals with the rest of the dancers team and even if they felt like they were ready, the ping of anxiety was always in the back of their minds.
Half an hour before the start of the show Obi-Wan and Cody were sitting together in the backroom, performing breathing exercises to calm their nerves. Cody took Obi-Wan’s hand seeking comfort and Obi-Wan didn’t take it so they sat like this just breathing.
They became closer through these eight months, working together, and spending more time with each other than their own families. It was Cody who comforted Obi-Wan when his brother was back in ICU because of some illness that labored his breathing. And it was Obi-Wan's house Cody came to when he got into a huge argument with his older brother who called Cody’s work a childish fantasy and told him he would never be as good as their father. So here they were, turned from enemies to colleagues to friends to… whatever they were.
“Will you go on a date with me?” Cody blurted out suddenly and Obi-Wan looked so surprised Cody was ready to withdraw the question.
“Yes,” Obi-Wan answered. “I would love to. Not right now, though. We’re needed after all.”
That startled a laugh out of Cody and Obi-Wan only squeezed his hand.
***
They were flawless, this time and Cody was almost shocked by this realization as they approached the final part. They were alone on the stage now, gentle green light illuminating them as they started the last sequence.
Two turns as he kept Obi-Wan close to his chest, feeling his breathing on his cheek. Parting, but still holding their hands together.
And the dip.
He made sure he supported Obi-Wan strongly enough before he helped him lean back. Obi-Wan slipped slightly and Cody barely kept them upright but it resulted in their faces being much closer than they usually were while doing this part. Cody looked Obi-Wan in the eyes looking for his consent and when Obi-Wan nodded slightly, Cody leaned lower to kiss him. It was electric, the short touch of their lips. They couldn’t kiss much longer because of the uncomfortable position so they were grateful that the curtain finally went down. So Cody could break the kiss and bring Obi-Wan up to kiss him again.
“It was perfect!” Cal yelled as he came to them and they broke the second kiss. “And you kissed!”
“Yeah, sorry for not sticking to the plan,” Cody answered breathlessly and Obi-Wan snorted as he hid his face in Cody’s neck.
“It was in the plan, honestly,” Cal said. “When I had the idea, it was supposed to end with a kiss.”
“If the kiss was in the script, I wouldn’t agree.” Cody looked at him. “So I’m glad you removed it from the script.”
“So the lack of kiss brought you two to kiss,” Cal said thoughtfully. “Come on, it’s time for the applause!”
And then the kiss was back to the script after the pre-premiere.