Chapter Text
Obi-Wan slowly opened his grey-blue eyes, feeling warm, cozy and content. He slowly became aware of a warm weight draped across his chest and midsection. Giving a warm, fond smile, he looked down to the sleepy mess of black curls resting on his chest. Obi-Wan reached up to card his fingers through those soft curls, making the figure curled up against him writhe and mumble slightly as he slowly woke up.
The head on his head shifted, moving so tired amber eyes could blink sleepily up at him.
“Morning, dearest one,” Obi-Wan murmured. Cody smiled tiredly at him as he curled closer, nuzzling his face into Obi-Wan’s bare chest, feeling relaxed in the soft, warm blankets.
“Morning,” Cody mumbled back.
“Ready to get up?” questioned Obi-Wan as he gently ran his fingers down Cody’s bare back.
“Too early,” Cody groaned into Obi-Wan’s chest, gaining a chuckle from him.
“Still not a morning person, are you, dear husband?”
“Mornings are overrated,” Cody grunted in return. Obi-Wan chuckled again, running his fingers up and down Cody’s soft, bed-warmed skin, gently tracing the muscles he found there.
Cody chuckled as something heavy jumped on the end of the bed, meowing loudly. Obi-Wan sighed as Cody sat up, shifting away some of that glorious warmth. He sat up to watch Cody scoop up a purring loth cat, cuddling it close.
“What does Ghost want now?” Obi-Wan asked, laughing softly. Ghost was a loth cat they had adopted, finding it caged up in horrible conditions as they had travelled to a market that they had stopped at on some distant world.
They had just gone to drop Waxer and Boil off on Ryloth and had stopped on that small planet on their way home to Alderaan when they had found the market and little, terrified Ghost.
Ghost had been so terrified for a while, but Cody’s love and care had gotten through to him. Cody was his favourite person now and Ghost loved him.
“He wants his breakfast of course,” Cody cooed as Ghost nuzzled against Cody’s face. Obi-Wan chuckled, leaning forward to place his chin on Cody’s shoulder so he could look at Ghost. The white and brown spotted loth cat looked up at him, giving a soft mewl, before nuzzling against Obi-Wan’s beard.
“Breakfast it is then,” Obi-Wan agreed, reaching to scratch behind Ghost’s ear. Ghost chirruped happily before he darted from the bed and through the open bedroom door. Cody stretched his arms out, giving Obi-Wan a very nice view of his back muscles shifting and rippling with the movement.
Cody glanced over his shoulder, seeing that Obi-Wan’s eyes were focused on him and gave a small laugh, leaning down to press a kiss against Obi-Wan’s lips.
“Perv,” he murmured against Obi-Wan’s lips.
“You’re my husband, dear one, I was just admiring the view,” Obi-Wan replied with a cheeky grin as Cody pulled away.
“Does that I get to admire you while you get dressed?” Cody asked as he reclined on the bed with a sly grin on his face. “I do love watching my stunning husband.”
Obi-Wan laughed but climbed out of bed, wearing nothing as he and Cody had had a rather passionate night the night before – and they did not need to wear nightclothes in their own if they did not wish to…no fear of wayward Padawans bursting in unannounced. Obi-Wan bent down to pick up a pair of his pants, jumping slightly when the soft flesh on his rear was pinched. He turned to give Cody a sharp look, though it lack any heat.
Cody just gave a cheeky smile, amber eyes flashing playfully.
“I can’t help it when my husband’s gorgeously round rear end is right there, ripe for pinching,” teased Cody. Obi-Wan chuckled as he went into the closet to find a shirt. Cody stretched again before swinging his legs out of the bed.
Cody looked around his and Obi-Wan’s room, painted in warm colours with soft rugs on the sleek wooden floor. A soft ocean blue blanket lay upon the unmade bed, the soft white sheets wrinkled from their sleep. Soft, plump pillows lay at the head of the bed.
A walk in closet was to the left of the room and a white, bright ensuite bathroom was to the right of the room.
Large bright windows let the sun in throughout the day. Cody always loved the late mornings when they just curled up together, where he could see the bright green garden out the window.
Cody stood up, finding a pair of his pants thrown over the back of a nearby armchair. He headed to the dresser to find a pair of fresh briefs, pulling them on before putting on the dark pair of soft pants. Cody looked up as Obi-Wan came out of their walk in wardrobe, wearing a loose tunic like top.
Cody’s amber eyes turned to examine his husband as Obi-Wan bent down to pick up their discarded clothes, thrown across the room in their haste to get into bed last night in their passion.
Obi-Wan’s copper hair was still bright and shining, cut in its usual neat cut. His beard was well groomed, though now there was a strand or two of grey hair throughout his beard and at his temples.
He was looking a lot healthier now. His grey eyes were no longer tight with stress, his posture opened and relaxed, no longer burdened by all of the stress and guilt that the war brought. He was at a healthy weight now, his muscles lean yet soft in parts. A good supply of food, good sleep, not having to fight wars helped to put on that weight that the war and stress had taken from him.
Obi-Wan looked up, meeting Cody’s gaze and smiled warmly at him, grey eyes sparkling.
“Everything okay, my love?” Obi-Wan asked, tilting his head as he looked at Cody curiously. Cody nodded, giving a small smile as he walked towards the wardrobe to find his own shirt.
“Yes,” Cody assured him. “Just thinking about how good you look.”
“Oh?” Obi-Wan asked, turning to watch Cody walk into the wardrobe.
“Mm,” Cody hummed, glancing at Obi-Wan as his fingers ran over the collection of shirts. “You look healthy now. Vokara and Helix would actually be pleased to see you now.”
Obi-Wan chuckled at that, looking down at himself. He had definitely put that weight that Vokara kept badgering him about on. No longer would she confine him to the Halls to attach him to nutrient drips and to force him to eat protein and fat rich foods, just trying to get him to put some sort of weight on.
“That is true,” agreed Obi-Wan with another soft chuckle. Cody pulled on a pale blue shirt, turning to Obi-Wan. He moved the couple of steps closer so he could pull Obi-Wan into his arms. Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Cody’s waist as Cody held him, looking at his husband softly.
There was another loud meow and Cody sighed, looking over at Obi-Wan’s shoulder at the impatient loth cat standing behind them, trotting slightly in place.
“All right, Ghost, all right,” Cody sighed as Obi-Wan laughed softly, resting his head on Cody’s shoulder.
“Time to feed our insistent friend,” Obi-Wan chuckled as he pulled back. “We should also get breakfast ourselves.”
Cody nodded in agreement, following the pleased loth cat as he trotted from the room, with Obi-Wan by his side. They headed down the staircase and into the kitchen. Ghost pranced by the cupboard door, making Cody laugh softly. Obi-Wan headed to the cooling unit, pulling out the ingredients for their breakfast.
He glanced over at Cody, who was pouring some dry biscuits into Ghost’s food bowl. Obi-Wan smiled to himself as he placed the ingredients on the clean white bench, preparing himself to make breakfast.
Cody settled down at the table as Obi-Wan moved throughout the kitchen, cooking their breakfast. Cody looked around their warm kitchen with dark wooden cabinets and sleek white bench tops which were covered in bright, shiny silver appliances.
After their wedding, when Cody and Obi-Wan went through the gifts that they had been given at the wedding, they had come across the gift from Dooku.
It had been a credit chit, absolutely loaded with a crazy amount of credits. Obi-Wan had immediately called the older man. Dooku had brushed away all of their concerns and stammering, smiling at them both.
“Obi-Wan, I am the Count of Serenno,” he had said simply. “I have more wealth than I know what to do with it due to my inheritance and the investments I have made…and I am not getting any younger. You are the only family I have left now and with you leaving the Jedi, you have nothing. Cody was never given a wage for risking his life, the Jedi only give small allowances except for missions…and you’re leaving them. You’re starting a new life with nothing – and I have heard that Bail and Breha Organa have given you a house, but you have nothing for food, clothing and everything else you need.”
Obi-Wan and Cody had exchanged looks at that, unable to argue that point.
“Let me help you start your life comfortably. You’ll be able to buy all that you need and that that you don’t need. You are my heir, Obi-Wan. Though I won’t give you the title of Count of Serenno, I will make sure that you and your husband won’t need to stress about your future, so you can just be together and live your life the way you want it to be, not the way that the Jedi and GAR demand you live it.”
Obi-Wan had inclined his head, lost for words. Dooku had just smiled at them once more.
“Young Ahsoka will also be taken care of, I’ve already set her up an account which will give her a weekly allowance…and I may other plans in place as well,” Dooku said cryptically. “A way to apologize for all that I put you through…what I foolishly did.”
Obi-Wan smiled back at him at that. Dooku had become rather taken with Ahsoka as they had properly met on Naboo after Plo had introduced them. Dooku had even begun to instruct her in Makashi, even as Anakin glowered from the sidelines, at least until Padme had dragged him away.
Cody blinked, coming back to the present as his datapad beeped. He looked down at the messages, smiling at the ones that had come through.
“Waxer and Boil will be here,” Cody told Obi-Wan, looking up. “They’ll be leaving Ryloth tomorrow, so should be about three days, and they’re bringing Numa.”
“Lovely,” Obi-Wan replied, smiling warmly. Once everything had been sorted, Waxer and Boil had elected to move to Ryloth so they could be with Numa. Obi-Wan and Cody had dropped them on Ryloth on their way to Alderaan, though they had stayed for a day or two to make sure Waxer and Boil were accepted and settled in.
They hadn’t needed to worry though. Numa had come bolting at the two, yelling, “Nerra! Nerra!”
Cham Syndulla had welcomed them immediately after seeing that. It turned out that Numa’s uncle, the only living family she had had left, had been killed during another attack on Ryloth, leaving her in the care of Syndulla’s clan.
Waxer and Boil were very quick to offer to take Numa in to look after her. Cham had agreed to that, though only when Waxer and Boil settled in…and could prove that they could look after a child. Boil had just grinned, looking to Waxer.
“Well, I have kept this di’kut alive,” Boil had chuckled to Cham, who chuckled in agreement, knowing that feeling all too well.
Though, by the time that Obi-Wan and Cody had left, Boil and Waxer had very comfortably settled in with the Twi’leks.
Now they were coming to Alderaan to spend some time with them and Cody was very much looking forward to seeing his brothers again. A few dropped in every now and again.
Wolffe and Echo had visited a little while back, so they could say their vows in a small ceremony with their brothers around them.
Bly, Ponds, Mace, Aayla, Plo, Ahsoka, Anakin, Padme, Comet, Sinker, Boost, Hevy, Jesse, Kix, Hardcase, Tup, Jek, Jango and Boba were all at the wedding, along with Fives and Rex.
It had been a nice ceremony, very low key, but perfect for Wolffe and Echo.
“Are you going for a run with Rex tonight?” Obi-Wan asked, breaking Cody from his reminiscing. Cody looked up to see Obi-Wan placing their plates in front of them.
“Yes, when he comes home,” Cody answered as he dug into his breakfast.
Rex and Fives had quickly accepted Cody’s and Obi-Wan’s offer to move to Alderaan with them, to live in the small cottage on their property. Rex had been relieved, knowing that he and Cody wouldn’t be separated by the Galaxy and that he and Fives could begin to make their own lives together as well.
They had settled in as well, with Fives helping to train Bail’s security, giving them that ARC trooper edge. Rex had found work in a nearby bakery, the owners were very kind, allowing Rex to take time when he needed it if he was going through a bad patch with nightmares and anxiety.
Obi-Wan soon finished his breakfast and morning tea, standing up and stretching. He took his dish to the sink. He walked back over to press a kiss against Cody’s cheek.
“I’m going to work now, dear one,” Obi-Wan murmured. Bail had employed Obi-Wan in a part time role as an advisor, which was working well for Alderaan, having The Negotiator negotiating for Alderaan, and with many who knew and respected him.
“Taking your lightsaber?” Cody asked as he leaned back, grabbing his juice. Obi-Wan shook his head.
It had taken a little while to get used to not needing to wear the lightsaber every day, especially after a life time with having it on his hip, but Obi-Wan eventually was able to lock it in his bedside table, only taking it out for special events or for those hard negotiations.
“Not required today,” Obi-Wan said with a grin. “What are you going to do?”
“Do some gardening,” Cody replied with a smile. “The apples are ready to be picked, and I need to get Boil and Waxer’s room ready, along with Numa’s room. Oh, don’t forget you need to pick something up for Skywalker’s babies.”
“Ah, yes,” Obi-Wan chuckled. He remembered that holo call, with Anakin’s shell shocked face, which had worried Obi-Wan until Anakin had choked out that Padme was pregnant. Obi-Wan had had to bite back his howl of laughter at Anakin’s face, instead doing his best to reassure his young brother.
Padme still had a few more months until the babies were due…and that second shocking call when Anakin had called to choke out they were having twins was a memory that Obi-Wan would cherish forever.
“Yes, I will have a look on my way home,” Obi-Wan agreed. “I shouldn’t be too long and I’ll be back to help you in the garden.”
Cody nodded, smiling as Obi-Wan pressed another kiss against his cheek once again.
“Have a good day at work, dear,” Cody smirked, gaining a laugh from Obi-Wan.
“Have a good day, love,” Obi-Wan returned, winking at him before he left for work. Cody sighed, looking down at Ghost, who had finished his breakfast and had to come to sit on his feet.
“Ready to do some gardening, Ghost?” Cody asked him, getting a very happy chirp from him. Cody chuckled, giving a nod as he stood. “Let’s go then.”
Rex walked back home, a basket of goodies that the owners of the bakery he worked for had pressed on him. He really enjoyed working at the bakery. The owners were kind and they were very understanding when he had one of his bad days, though thankfully, they were becoming less and less.
He mostly worked very early mornings to bake or in the kitchen, not needing to deal with customers – though the people on Alderaan were very kind, there was the occasional one who sneered at seeing a clone.
Rex’s baking skills had quickly become popular with him adding new recipes to the bakery as the owners allowed him to experiment. The bakery was always filled with customers once they realised it had been Rex’s baking day or when it got around that Rex had been experimenting.
There was talk that Rex could soon open his own bakery – Dooku had even offered to buy him the space – but Rex was content where he was. He didn’t have to worry about staff or how to run a business. It was something he was learning and, yes, one day he wouldn’t mind opening his own bakery that would work around his and Fives’s life.
Fives was pretty happy with his new job too, getting to order about Bail Organa’s security force to make sure they were up to task to protect Bail and Breha, who came to visit them whenever they had the chance.
Fives was very fond of Breha, who was calm and kind…and had a surprising mischievous streak, which had definitely endeared her to Fives.
Rex smiled and nodded at someone who greeted him. He did like it on Alderaan, it was peaceful, the people were kind, and it was filled with greenery.
He and Fives loved to sit down by the creek at the back of Obi-Wan’s and Cody’s land, watching the sunset as they snacked on whatever Rex had baked that day. Cody and Obi-Wan joined them quite often.
Rex’s smile widened as he approached the land he shared with his beloved brother, Cody.
The land on which they lived was nice a quiet, a nice walk away from the small town that Rex worked in, down a dirt path surrounded by large, luscious green trees.
Cody’s and Obi-Wan’s house was a beautiful little manor, though it looked like an older cottage. It had five bedrooms, not including Obi-Wan’s and Cody’s own, for when the vode or Obi-Wan’s Jedi brethren dropped by for a visit.
It was surrounded by an abundance of flowers that Cody and Obi-Wan lovingly maintained.
Rex’s and Five’s cottage was near the back of the large property. It had three bedrooms, which was more than enough for the two of them, but it came in handy for when Echo came to stay.
It had gotten even better as well, with Tup and Jek finding a small house just down the road now, so Rex had his beloved vod’ika nearby, coming by for frequent visits. The very loved-up couple had decided to remain on Alderaan after Wolffe’s and Echo’s vow ceremony.
Tup had very quickly found his place on Alderaan, being taken under Breha’s wing and helping her out with her charities, especially those that are kid based. The younglings always loved Tup immediately, drawn to his kindness and innocence. Jek had taken a job in security for one of the old Alderaan families: the Antilles. The Antilles were one of the old families, one of the ones who came from royalty, the ones who were the Royal family.
The Antilles were Breha’s family. She had married Bail – who had been a Viceroy due to his family title - not only for love, but to help unite their families. Luckily, she absolutely adored the gentle man and he adored her just as much in return.
Breha was the Queen of Alderaan, while Bail was just the Prince, her beloved husband. It was what allowed him to still be Alderaan’s Senator.
Rex shook his head, chuckling at his errant thoughts. Such things he could wonder about these days, not needing to worry about battle plans and wars.
Rex sighed contently, breathing in the fresh, country air as he approached Cody’s and Obi-Wan’s home. He opened the door, peering in.
“Codes?” he called, voice echoing through the hallways.
“Down here, Rex!” Cody’s voice called back. Rex chuckled as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him and wiping his feet. He knew exactly what room Cody was in.
He headed down the hallway, stopping outside a certain room, where the door was wide open. The room that Rex stepped into was bright and airy, the sun shining through the floor to ceiling windows that faced out towards the woods and the creek at the back of the property. Tall, flowering bushes bracketed the windows, flecks of pink and blue breaking up the lush, deep green.
Rex turned his attention to Cody, who was standing in front of an easel, a streak of blue paint across his cheek, as though Cody had absently rubbed at his face, deep in thought.
This bright room was filled with easels, paint, sketchbooks and art supplies. It had been a gift to Cody from Obi-Wan, especially after Obi-Wan had discovered that Cody liked to draw after Tali, Maia, Lila, Rami and Arks had come to visit.
Cody had invited them to come and visit once he and Obi-Wan had settled down on Alderaan. He had felt slightly guilty that he hadn’t invited them to the wedding, just slipping his mind in the whirlwind of planning. Maia had easily waved off his apologies with an understanding smile.
“We probably wouldn’t have come,” Maia had admitted, reaching out to grasp Cody’s hand as Rex had watched on, Rami curled up in his lap, as Obi-Wan spoke to Lila. “That was your day, it was your new beginning. We wouldn’t want you to catch sight of us out of the corner of your eye and have your mind flash back to them.”
Tali had shyly given Cody his sketchbooks, which she had kept safe after she had found them in Tris’s and Tram’s estate after Rex had been rescued. Obi-Wan had been surprised to see the sketchbook and to see Cody’s artwork.
Shortly after - once Maia, Tali, Rami, Lila and Arks had gone back homes, unable to stay long in case some idiot decided to stage a coup – Obi-Wan had gone out, buying all of the art materials he could find, setting up an artist’s studio for Cody while Cody was out for the day with Rex.
Rex still remembered how wide Cody’s amber eyes had gotten once Obi-Wan had presented him the room, remembering how Cody had silently walked around the well-equipped room, fingers running softly over the easels, the canvases, the new paints, fresh sketchbooks and the table stacked with numerous other art materials.
It had quickly become one of Cody’s favourite rooms and he took to exploring the other art mediums with delight, learning new things and different forms of art.
Rex always enjoyed painting alongside Cody, or making weird sculptures with clay as they laughed and joked.
Rex placed the basket of baked goods down, moving to stand beside Cody as Cody cleaned his brush. Rex nodded as he examined Cody’s new artwork, golden-brown eyes taking in the greens, golds and blues, which popped out against the black background.
“Medea nebula?” Rex questioned, looking to Cody. He vaguely recognized it, remembering it was near Naboo and that the Nubians had a story behind it, but he wasn’t one hundred percent sure.
Cody nodded as he continued to clean the brush, giving Rex a grin. “Got it in one, Rex’ika.”
“Missing the stars?” Rex asked gently as he leaned against the table.
“No, surprisingly not,” Cody answered, placing the brush in a pot of water, moving to lean against Rex. “I’m really happy and content here. I think I’ve spent enough time in space, especially since we spent most of our time there, travelling from planet to planet or being in some battle.”
“True,” Rex murmured, nodding.
“This is for Padme,” Cody went on to explain, nodding to the painting before he turned to go digging in Rex’s basket of pastries, knowing there would be something delicious in there. “A gift for her for when the twins arrive.”
Rex snorted as he also turned to grab a pastry.
“Still can’t believe Skywalker is having twins,” snorted Rex. “Is it wrong that I’m glad I’m not longer his captain…and that I feel sorry for Ahsoka?”
“No, totally understandable,” Cody agreed with a laugh. “He’d be calling you in a panic all the time. Poor Ahsoka is going to cop it the most, being the Aunt on Coruscant, and Skywalker’s Padawan.”
“Not for much longer, I hear,” Rex informed him, gaining an arched eyebrow. "Apparently her trials are being discussed."
“Oh?”
“Yeah, Jesse told me,” Rex explained. “He gets all the Jedi Temple gossip these days.”
Cody gave a small nod. After Cody’s touch with the Force, which was amplified through the bond he shared with Obi-Wan, the Jedi went about to test the clones for Force sensitivity.
Kix had been one of the clones who was discovered to be Force sensitive, much to his and Jesse’s shock. Thinking back, Cody could see it explained a lot of things, especially how Kix had that sixth sense when it came wounded brothers, such as which brother was hurt worse, even if injuries didn’t always show how severe it was, or just knowing where a brother had fallen so Kix could rush out and retrieve them.
While Kix wasn’t a Padawan, Vokara Che had quickly taken Kix under her tutelage, fighting off Cin Drallig for him, who was rather curious with the rather feisty Kix. Kix was learning how to heal using the Force, while his proud riduur watched on – and though Jesse’s midichlorian levels didn’t quite qualify him as Jedi material, Cin Drallig was content with them enough to bring Jesse under his tutelage, just to see how it went. Jesse was shocked, but he always liked trying new things, so being taught how to properly use a lightsaber, especially since he was going to stay with the Jedi and go out with Skywalker on peace missions, it might come in handy to know how to use one.
“Rex, you here?” came the familiar call.
“In Cody’s retreat, Fives!” Rex called back, gaining a look from Cody.
“You know I hate that name,” he grumbled. Rex laughed as Fives came in, clapping Cody’s shoulder.
“Yes, but that’s what it is,” Rex teased before his smile softened. “It suits you, you know.”
Cody smiled back at him, smile fond and warm. “Thanks, Rex.”
Fives smiled as he watched the two of them before they turned their attention to him.
“Cody,” Fives greeted.
“Fives,” Cody returned. “How was work? Make anyone cry today?”
“That was once…” Fives started.
“Twice,” Rex coughed under his breath, gaining an amused look from Cody and a narrowed look from Fives.
“But, no, no one cried today…or threw up,” Fives added to chuckles from Cody and Rex. “It was a good day. One group is ready to graduate my training.”
“That’s good,” Cody praised, going back to pick up his paintbrushes. “You’ll have them up to scratch in no time.”
Fives laughed softly, giving an agreeing nod. He watched as Cody made a few more strokes on the canvas with the brush, blending in another shade of pale blue. Fives looked to Rex, who was watching Cody fondly.
“Shall we let him paint in peace?” Fives asked, startling Rex. “It’s lunch time, cyar’ika.”
“Yes, go eat,” Cody said absently, already getting lost in his painting.
“Have you eaten?” Rex asked him firmly, gaining an amused look flashed in his direction from Cody.
“Yes, an hour ago before I started painting,” Cody returned with a smirk. “Ghost and I had a wonderful lunch, sitting outside on the porch and watching the birds. I’m the sensible one,” he added defensively at Rex’s surprised look.
“Debatable,” Rex muttered under his breath, getting a scowl from Cody.
“Shoo,” Cody growled at them as Fives chuckled, waving his brush at the two of them and flicking paint in their direction. “You’re ruining my muse.”
“All right, all right, we’re going,” Rex laughed as he shepherded the squawking Fives towards the door. “I’ll leave the basket for you so you can snack…still up for our evening run?”
“Always,” Cody answered with a smile. Rex smiled back before he took Fives’s hand and they left the house, heading back to their own cottage.
“Should we make a lunch to eat by the creek?” Fives asked as they walked up the two steps to their own home. “It’s a nice day.”
“Sounds great,” Rex agreed, leaning against Fives for a moment, content. He and Fives worked in the quaint kitchen together, moving around each other and laughing as they made lunch and gathered snacks and drinks to take.
Soon, they were ready and headed off towards the back of the property towards the creek. Fives spread out their blanket over the lush green grass and they both settled down upon it, looking over the idyllic, crystal clear creek that bubbled over the rocks within the creek bed.
Rex dug out the sandwiches, handing some to Fives as they both settled back to relax and eat. Fives sighed, resting against Rex’s side, tired but content as they ate together.
Fives looked to Rex, seeing he was looking relaxed and peaceful. He loved seeing Rex so calm and happy. Moving to Alderaan had been the best choice for the both of them. They both had jobs they enjoyed that worked around their lives, so they could still spend their days and nights together, just being together.
Their relationship had slowly progressed as Rex became more comfortable in his own skin, as he became more comfortable and confident with intimacy. Last week they had taken that big step with Rex feeling confident enough to take it. Fives could still recall the lust and passion in Rex’s eyes as he moved above Fives, slowly thrusting into him and bringing Fives undone in passion.
It was a night Fives would remember, just remembering that lust and love in those beloved golden-brown eyes focused on him.
Lying beside Rex afterwards as they curled together, Fives’s heart felt full…and he knew that he would never be parted from Rex. Rex was part of his very being now, deeply embedded within his heart and soul.
He couldn’t imagine a life without Rex now.
Which was why he and Obi-Wan had been plotting for the last week, with Obi-Wan helping him plan and choose certain items.
“Hey, cyar’ika?” Fives said suddenly, sitting up.
“Mm?” Rex asked as he also straightened up, turning his attention to Fives, his golden-brown eyes intently focused on Fives’s face. Fives reached out to clasp Rex’s hands, squeezing them as he met Rex’s steady gaze.
“You know I love you more than anything, right?” Fives asked, getting an unsure nod from Rex. “Well, I do. You are everything to me. You are part of me, in my heart, my very soul, and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful cyare, to be loved by you just as deeply as I love you.”
Rex just blinked, not really sure where this was going.
Fives just grinned that cheeky grin at him as he reached back into his back pocket, pulling at a small box. Rex’s eyes immediately flicked down to that little innocent velvet black box before darting up to look at Fives’s grinning face, his golden brown eyes widening.
“No,” Rex breathed in disbelief. “Stop it…stop it…no…”
Fives gave a soft smile at Rex’s rambling, hearing the emotion thick in Rex’s voice as Rex’s eyes filled with tears. Fives gave a nod, opening the box and revealing a pure silver ring with 501st blue band right in the centre of the sleek silver.
“Yes, cyare,” Fives murmured. “I want to be with you for the rest of my days. I want you to be my husband, my riduur…so, Rex, will you marry me?”
Rex nodded, breathing out, “Yes!” and Fives beamed, taking the ring out so he could slide it on Rex’s finger. Rex stared down at it, speechless, before he looked up and threw himself into Fives’s arms, knocking Fives down onto his back, before kissing him soundly.
Rex was in shock, heart racing, even as he kissed Fives passionately, breathlessly. He couldn’t believe that Fives actually wanted to take that next step, to take that eternal vow with him.
Warmth blossomed in Rex’s chest as he pulled back slightly so they could both catch their breath. Fives’s golden eyes were staring up at him, filled with love and adoration, that soft smile fixed upon his soft lips. Rex reached up to stroke at Fives’s goatee before he went back to kissing him speechless.
Rex knew that everything would be okay now and that life was only going to continue to get better from here.
Cody stood on the back porch, smiling as he watched Rex tackle Fives down against the blanket they were on. He glanced back as a warm figure came to stand behind him, loosely wrapping their arms around Cody’s middle.
Cody leaned back in the embrace, tilting his head so he could meet Obi-Wan’s lips in a kiss, smiling against the soft wiry bristles of Obi-Wan’s moustache.
“One day I’m going to shave this,” Cody told him with a laugh as they broke the kiss, reaching up to cup Obi-Wan’s cheek in his hand. “If Quinlan Vos and Mace Windu are to be believed, you’re hiding some adorable dimples under this.”
Obi-Wan chuckled softly in Cody’s ear, shifting to nuzzle against Cody’s hand.
“One day,” Obi-Wan agreed, reaching up to rub at his beard thoughtfully. “I think I’m old enough now that I won’t be mistaken for a youngling without it.”
Cody laughed again, looking back out towards Rex and Fives.
“I’m guessing Fives asked Rex then?” Obi-Wan’s voice murmured. Cody nodded. He had known that Fives was planning on proposing to Rex, not able to keep it from Cody as he came to ask Obi-Wan for help. Cody had been so pleased for his brother and Fives, knowing that they were perfect for each other.
“Yes, I believe so,” Cody murmured back, resting against Obi-Wan’s chest with a sigh of contentment. Rex was engaged; he and Obi-Wan had their own house, no worries or fear about wars and fighting. Cody’s brothers were safe and happy.
Helix had left the GAR to join the Jedi led Peace Corp for the clones who wanted to help keep peace in the Galaxy and to help rebuild those affected by the war. Helix went out to offer his medical expertise, helping those who were injured.
Crys and Wooley had also decided to join the Peace Corp, enjoying helping others and the rebuilding process.
Hevy had also moved into the Temple, helping to tend to the many gardens in the large Temple. He was happy there since he was constantly surrounded by vode who had joined the Peace Corp and the many, many Jedi who called the Temple home.
Waxer and Boil had been the odd ones out, choosing to move to Ryloth instead to be with Numa, the young girl the first one who had truly treated them as people, as her big brothers, trusting them when she had been scared and alone.
Cody’s Torrent Company brothers were doing fine too. Kix was apprenticed to Vokara Che, while Jesse was being taught by Cin Drallig – though Cody was certain that Drallig just wanted to prove to some Jedi that clones could flourish using lightsabers and the different katas.
Hardcase, the crazy di’kut, hadn’t exactly joined the Peace Corp, but had tagged himself to work with Quinlan Vos of all Jedi when Vos wasn’t working undercover. It got even crazier when Ventress joined Quinlan on some missions, even to help rebuild, as Yoda had offered her the opportunity to come and study in the Temple where her original, beloved Master grew up and learned. She still got odd looks but Vos glared at anyone who dared give her looks and Bant had made it her mission to befriend the prickly Nightsister.
Echo was working in the Jedi Temple, assisting Jocasta Nu and Feemor in the Archives as Wolffe continued to assist Plo out in the field and in the Temple.
Tup was living near to Cody and Obi-Wan, which pleased Cody. He did adore the vod’ika.
Ponds was sticking by Mace, though he made sure to send Cody and Obi-Wan constant videos of the going in the Temple, even after the war had ended, everyone still loved the Light Side videos. Ponds made sure to send all of them to Cody, Rex, Obi-Wan and Five first though, and added in some extra of how Dinui was going.
Jango stopped by regularly, bringing Boba, so he could vent to Obi-Wan about how stubborn Satine could be. Obi-Wan just laughed, understanding completely and nodding along. However, Cody could tell that Jango liked her...mostly due to the fact that they were making headway together on Mandalore and that Boba kept shooting Cody knowing looks, rolling his eyes and smirking, when Jango spoke continuously about Satine.
“What are you thinking?” Obi-Wan’s low voice murmured in his ear.
“How happy I am,” Cody responded, looking to Obi-Wan, who smiled in return. “We have a home, a life together, all of my brothers are safe and happy and doing what they want to do…what more could I ask for?”
Obi-Wan pressed a kiss against Cody’s cheek.
“Happy anniversary, dearest husband,” Obi-Wan murmured against his skin, holding Cody closer.
Cody closed his eyes, relaxing into Obi-Wan’s embrace as his hair was swept through with the soft breeze which carried the scent of the flowers, trees and water.
It felt like peace.
“Happy anniversary, ner riduur,” Cody responded finally, softly, contently.
They had been married for a year. They had lived on Alderaan for a year together, building their lives as husbands together. Everything had been great, even despite the odd anxiety attack or the day where Cody didn’t want to get out of bed and just wanted to be held and reassured.
Cody knew now that everything would be okay. He had Rex living so close to him, who had Fives to look after him, and Cody had Obi-Wan by his side, to be there for him, to support him.
Cody smiled once again, turning his head so he could press a fond kiss against Obi-Wan’s cheek.
Yes, everything would be fine now. They had their future together and there was still so much more to come.