Work Text:
Cody smiled slightly at Vokara Che as he passed her desk. She nodded in response, as he made his way to the room at the back. The Halls of Healing were currently occupied by troopers from the Coruscant Guard.
Five days ago, the war had ended upon the reveal that Palpatine was a Sith Lord. Cody and his batchmates had gone to visit Fox in the CG HQ and had stumbled into a living nightmare. He could never have imagined the conditions that the Guard were living in. They were walking wounded.
Wolffe had commed General Buir immediately and gotten the Jedi and medics to start evacuating. Cody would never forget the inhale of breath and look of horror in Obi-Wan’s eyes as he looked around the building. Apparently, the building was breaching many safety rules in structure, and was close to collapse. The quality of air was poor, leaving it difficult for any troopers to recover properly.
Cody shuddered to think of all the troopers injured on the front lines that he’d sent here. He’d sent them to a fate worse than death.
They’d found Fox last of all, delirious in his office There were stacks of datapads everywhere, along with stims and cups of caf on every available surface. The sound of Fox’s breathing haunted his nightmares.
Now, as Cody sat down in the chair beside Fox’s bed, the rattling in his chest was a lot better. Still present, as it may always be, but the fresh air and actual medical treatment had made a difference. Stim had ranted about the state of the medbay, and what he’d like to do to certain Senators. He couldn’t understand how the Corries had been left like this.
There was a crotched blanket on the foot of Fox’s bed. Bly must have finally finished his project. Their batch had been rotating shifts, to make sure Fox was never alone. Thorn, Thire and Stone had protested at their presence at first, but since they were all bedridden as well, they had to relent.
Cody pulled out his datapad, pulling up the draft for the Clones Rights Bills. Bail Organa had sent it over this morning. From first glance, it didn’t appear that much changes would be needed. The biggest step was getting it put through the Senate.
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An hour later, Cody was drinking caf with his legs crossed, when a hitched breath jolted him from his work. He looked over at Fox. Fox’s chest was rising and falling rapidly, and when he strained his ears, he could hear whimpering. His eyebrows were furrowed and he was flushed, sweat beading on his forehead.
Fox was having a nightmare. He hadn’t been conscious enough yet to have dreams.
Cody didn’t know what to do. Would Fox wake up? He put down his caf and datapad, then stood up, leaning over the bed.
“Fox,” Cody whispered, gently.
No reaction. Tears were now leaking down Fox’s cheeks. He put his hand gently on Fox’s shoulder. Fox flinched back, his body right on the edge of the bed. His eyes opened, but they were glazed over.
“No, no please,” Fox whimpered, “Please I can’t take it anymore. No more. Chancellor. Stop. Please. I’ll do whatever you want. Just stop.”
Cody shucked off his boots and clambered into the bed, wrapping his arms around Fox’s frail form and pulling him in close. He could feel every one of his ribs.
“It’s ok Fox, you’re safe. It’s just me. It’s Cody. Fox you’re alright,” Cody said.
Fox kept crying, his whole frame shaking with the sobs. He could only imagine this wasn’t good for Fox’s wounds, but it was more important now to keep Fox close and safe.
“You’re safe Fox. I’ll never abandon you again. I promise Fox. Everything is going to be alright,” Cody repeated.
Fox looked up at him through watery eyes, his lip quivering.
“The shines,” Fox rasped, “Are my shinies safe?”
Cody smiled with relief.
“Yeah vod, your kids are safe. You did a great job Fox. You kept them safe. I’m so proud of you vod’ika,” Cody said, feeling tears welling up in his own eyes.
Fox’s eyes shuttered with relief, and he bowed his head into Cody’s chest. Cody put his hand on the back of his head, holding him close. Fox’s breathing slowed to match his own.
Vokara came into the room and examined what she could without disturbing Fox. He was still awake, but not alert. She took his vitals, and then with a nod to Cody, left them alone. He could only hope that was a good thing.
“Where are Thorn, Thire and Stone?” Fox mumbled against his chest.
Cody squeezed him lightly. “They’re in the rooms next door. They woke up yesterday. Thorn has been begging to see you. I think she’s planning to break out of her room tomorrow.”
“Di’kut,” Fox said hoarsely, “If you know already, then she’s not doing a very good job of planning, is she?”
Cody shrugged. “You trained them.”
Fox spluttered. “Hey, don’t blame me for their lack of skills.”
He broke off into a coughing fit. Cody grabbed the bowl on the locker and handed it to him, rubbing his back gently. When Fox had finished, he passed him a small cup of water, and helped him sit up in the bed to drink it.
Fox’s eyes were starting to droop once more. Cody eased him back down under the covers, pulling the knitted blanket over them as well.
“Bly?” Fox scoffed.
Cody nodded, smirking internally at the small smile on Fox’s face as he felt the blanket. Bly would be pleased.
Fox rolled onto his side, his back against Cody’s chest. Cody wrapped his arm around him and held on, taking comfort in the knowledge that somehow, his vod was safe. He was here. Fox would have a long road ahead of him, but for now, he had his brothers with him, and that’s all that mattered.
Fox drifted off, the beeping of the oxygen tank the only noise accompanying Cody on his night watch. He closed his own eyes and nestled in close to Fox. He wouldn’t sleep, not with the caf running through his veins, but he’d make sure Fox got some rest. There’d be no more nightmares if he had anything to say about it.
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