Chapter Text
Clone were raised to be soldiers. They weren’t raised by kind loving hands with warm hugs and compassionate words. They were raised through harsh reprimands, sharp objections, and endless pushing.
There wasn’t much comfort to be found in the sterile environment of Kamino, but even Kaminoans can’t remove baseline human instincts. The clones turned to themselves to find comfort, to their brothers and their batchmates. The nights after hard training days were spent huddled together in one of their bunks, wrapped around each other seeking comfort in their shared experiences.
When they got too big to all fit into one bunk they moved to the floor. They dragged their scratchy sheets and pillows to make a nest and curled up there. The trainers didn’t say anything about it and some of the older clones thought Prime had warned the long necks off reprimanding them too.
They all knew that once the war started they wouldn’t be continuing this tradition. Little did they know that certain habits die hard.
-
Plo Koon first witnessed the phenomena on Cato Neimodia. The war had been raging on for two months now and they’d been fighting on this planet for close to two weeks now. They’d finally caught a break from the fighting and had a few days of rest before they set out to offer support to Mace Windu’s troopers on the far side of the planet.
He’d made his way to the medical tent that had been erected for the injured. He steeled the Force around him before stepping into the tent. Inside most injured troopers were asleep so their pain was dulled but it was still present. He let his presence extend out and calm the minds of the men in the tent.
Plo silently made his way through the tent, occasionally stopping by one of his men’s bedside before continuing on again. There were two medic up and moving but he could sense the rest were asleep.
The two alert medics nodded to him as he passed to the back of the tent.
The Kel Dor stopped when he came across the other medics, amusement and fondness flicking through the Force. The six other medics were curled up on their mats, completely tangled around each other.
It was difficult to tell were one trooper ended and another began. Cadaver had his face buried in Bypass’s back while Kin had his legs flung over both of them. Cadaver made a small noise before unconsciously tugging his brother closer, eliciting a chain reaction of small movements through the group.
The Jedi settled down by the nearest bed and gently took the man’s hand before returning his gaze to the pile of medics.
He’d noticed that the clones had seemed a little less receptive to friendly touches from non-troopers. Even within their ranks they only occasionally hugged, almost like they were consciously refraining from it.
That was something many Jedi had noticed, but maybe it really was a conscious habit. From what little Plo had gathered from his troopers and the extensive rants Shaak Ti gave about Kamino, he knew that it had not been a kind place to be raised.
One of the medics was curled up a few inches away from the main group of medics. Plo watched as one trooper’s arm slowly snaked around the other and began to pull the sleeping trooper into the snare.
Perhaps there was still much they had to learn about the clone troopers.
—
It had been raining for the past three days. Sure clones were used to the rain from Kamino, but they hadn’t been living in it.
Cody trekked through the camp, feeling cold rain soak through his blacks and pool in his boots. The only ones out were those that had a task, and even they were trying to move as fast as possible without slipping in the mud to get out of the rain.
At least the droids were in the same predicament. They wouldn’t advance because the mud clogged their gear. Until the rain let up they were in a standstill.
The Marshall Commander ducked through the flap into the tent he was going to be sharing with his general for the next few days. Modesty and privacy were not something they had much of in an active war zone. Considering that he’d been serving alongside Kenobi for four months now and they had both seen each other in much worse shape, changing out of his armor in front of his general was not on his list of worries. Especially when they’d already shared a tent a few times prior to this.
His general was seated on his pad going through reports.
“There is no movement from the front General.” Cody reported. “Rain isn’t supposed to let up for a few days but I’ve implemented a rotating watch so that as soon as it lets up, we’ll be ready to move.”
“Good, thank you Cody.” Kenobi eyed his dripping form. “I suggest getting out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold.”
Cody huffed as he shook of his exterior.
“Clones don’t get colds sir.” He said as he began to shuck his armor off.
“Really?” Cody looked over to see Kenobi staring at him curiously.
“No sir. We were designed to withstand most common illnesses.” Cody explained as he reached for his dry blacks. “We have a higher body temperature then regular humans to kill off most infectious viruses.”
The Jedi rubbed his beard curiously.
“That is very interesting.” His Jedi mumbled.
“It has it’s uses.”
Kenobi nodded as he tugged his outer robe a little closer around himself.
“That certainly explains why you all never seem cold.” He mused.
“We get cold, but our blacks help regulate temperatures.” Cody sank down onto his pad a foot away from his general. “Are you cold sir?”
“Damp is the better word.” he waved his hand dismissively. “It’ll pass.”
Cody watched the Jedi for a moment before nodding. Everything seemed damp by now. After sending off a few more messages to his captains, he settled back on his sleeping pad. Next to him he could tell his general was doing much of the same.
Cody flipped so his back was facing his general.
The sound of raining reminded him of the sterile white halls of Kamino. During particularity violent storms him and his batchmates has always ended up in Fox’s bunk. Mostly because it annoyed their brother but also because it helped block out some of the thunderous noise.
He missed those nights.
-
Obi-Wan slowly rose back into consciousness. The sound of rain hitting the tent was still present and the Force was quiet around the camp. There was no immediate threat or reason to rise.
He wondered what had caused him to wake up, his dreams for once had been quite pleasant. He also noted that he was much warmer now than when he went to sleep.
Obi-Wan sucked in a deep and slow breath only to realize that something was wrapped around his middle. He blinked his eyes open just as whatever was wrapped around him tightened slightly and pulled him back against something warm.
He glanced down to see that it was two arms wrapped around his stomach.
The Jedi blinked a few times in shock before he carefully turned his head to see a head of black curly hair and the edge of a familiar face tucked into his shoulder.
Cody was spooning him?
His commander’s presence in the force was indeed right on top of his own and he could see that the man’s sleeping pad was vacated. Obi-Wan laid there in quiet contemplation for a few moments.
He had no idea exactly when Cody had moved across the tent, he certainly hadn’t woken up when he did. That would also explain why he’d slept so well.
In the Jedi creches, it was very common for younglings to end up in large piles on the floors of their communal sleeping quarters. Anakin had also had a habit of somehow always ending up in Obi-Wan’s bed, especially when he was still young. Though, occasionally it had happened when he was older. Obi-Wan wouldn’t mind of his old student hadn’t gotten large enough to take up most of the space in his bed.
Cody made a quiet noise into his shoulder and pressed himself closer.
The Jedi had seen his men curl up in piles in the barracks a few times, usually after a hard campaign. He was glad that they were able to find comfort in each other, that was something that Obi-Wan would readily admit to missing. Some Jedi preferred solitude, but most thrived in the close quarter contact of the temple.
Obi-Wan felt himself beginning to doze back off when he was alerted to a change in the Force signature currently cuddled into his back.
He felt Cody beginning to slowly wake up, his presence slowly brightening up and growing alert and solid.
Finally his commander let out a long sigh and his arms cinched a little tighter around Obi-Wan before he froze.
He had to suppress his amusement as Cody slowly removed his head from its spot in his shoulder and disbelief shot through him.
“Good morning Cody.” Obi-Wan finally spoke up.
“General!” With that Cody flew away from him, jarring Obi-Wan slightly in his haste. “I-I am- kriffing haran-”
“It’s alright Cody.” Obi-Wan said as he sat up, trying to quell the other man’s panic.
“That was extremely inappropriate of me sir, I am deeply sorry.” Cody continued, embarrassment permeating the Force. “I had no idea what I was doing that was-”
Obi-Wan reached out to grab Cody’s shoulders before her would work himself into a panic attack. He projected calm into the Force and let it settle over his commander.
“Cody, it’s alright. I truly don’t mind. If anything I should be thanking you, you were right about being warm.” He offered a gentle smile and the other man slowly began to clam down. “I have woken up in much worse positions than being spooned.”
Cody’s cheeks darkened multiple shades as Obi-Wan released him and turned to start up his portable water heater.
“Besides, you didn’t shove me out of my bed. Anakin, I’m afraid, is not a very calm sleeper.”
Cody let out a sigh of relief.
“Skywalker is a… cuddler, sir?”
Obi-Wan huffed.
“He tries to be.” He grabbed two cups and two bags of tea from his personal crate. “Here.” He handed the steeping mug to his commander and they fell silent.
“I really do need to apologize sir.” Cody finally said.
“If you insist.” Obi-Wan said. “You are forgiven.”
Cody watched him for a moment before looking away again.
“Please speak your mind commander.” Obi-Wan prompted.
Cody fidgeted with his mug for a moment.
“Excuse me for saying sir but, I didn’t expect Jedi to be big on cuddling.”
Obi-Wan chuckled at that as he removed his bag and took a sip of his tea.
“It’s a staple of being a youngling. Certain species are more open to it, but most will participate.” Obi-Wan explained. “It helped us keep calm and it helped us work on unconscionably building up shields against other Force wielders. It can be rather difficult to sleep with eight other peoples’ emotions pressing in on you.”
Cody tilted his head curiously at that before taking a sip of the tea he’d been given.
Obi-Wan could sense his curiosity and his relief. Good.
-
The next morning Cody once again woke up with a Jedi in his arms.
—
Rex had to reread Cody’s message a few times before it fully registered what his older brother had typed.
Heads up, Skywalker is a cuddler.
Why in the name of the Maker did Cody know that, actually how did he know that?
He asked his brother as much but Cody just responded with,
I have my ways.
Rex shook his head and shut off his data pad as he glanced across the camp where is general was helping set up the communication disk. All around him 501st troopers were bustling around the camp, organizing cargo, preparing ammunition, helping the medics set up, all the little jobs that went into extended ground assaults.
The planet they were on was just warm enough to make setting tents up a waste of energy so they’d all taken to laying out sleeping mats in designated areas around the camp.
Rex jumped back to work and didn’t think about Cody’s message until he was settling down for the night. He was in a group of the other 501st COs, including Skywalker, all of whom were bedding down. Despite all of their insistence, Skywalker chose to sleep on the outside of the group, claiming that if anything would come to attack them he would be the first to know. Rex’s pad was right next to his general’s.
Rex pondered Cody’s message as he laid back on his sleeping pad.
He’d probably heard about the cuddling from General Kenobi. Considering that the man had been Skywalker’s teacher it made sense that he would know that. He wondered if that just came with the realm of having a padawan.
The first time Rex had seen a padawan commander Skywalker had assured him that he would never take on a padawan so that was one less thing the 501st had to worry about. Rex would admit that he was a little relieved about that.
He certainly wouldn’t peg Skywalker as a cuddler. He wouldn’t peg any Jedi as cuddlers as a matter of fact.
Rex shook his head and rolled on his side, letting sleep wash over him.
-
“-m Re-?”
Rex ignored the voice ringing in his ear. It was probably just one of his lieutenants, probably nothing that important. He pressed closer to which ever brother was in front of him.
“-ex?” That voice did sound an awful lot like his general’s.
Why would his general be in the barracks? Especially during the sleep cycle?
“Rex.” The blond huffed without opening his eyes. “Hey Rex I uh kind of need to get up.”
That voice was very much like his general’s, the light Huttese accent and everything. It sounded like it was coming from right in front of him.
His brother shifted around in front of him and Rex realized he had his arms wrapped around his vod. They felt a lot skinner than the average clone trooper but oddly taller?
“Rex?”
The captain’s eyes blinked open at that. The sun was beginning to rise off of the horizon, just beginning to light up the camp.
Rex glanced down at who ever was in front of him and was surprised to see bright blue eyes staring back at him. None of the clone COs had blue eyes. His eyes went wide when he realized just who he was currently latched onto.
“Sir!” Rex released his general and quickly scrambled back. “I uhh…”
Skywalker slowly sat up and lazily stretched.
“Thanks Rex, you’ve got a strong grip even in sleep. Sorry I had to wake you up but you weren’t letting go.”
Rex continued to stare dumbfounded as his general slowly began to stand, talking as if he hadn’t woken up to his captain right on top of him.
“Sir I-I am incredibly sorry, th-that was extremely inappropriate.”
Skywalker chuckled.
“It’s ok Rex, I don’t mind. Just sorry I had to wake you up.” With that, his Jedi was gone.
Rex sat on his pad, which he realized he had vacated in order to crawl onto his general’s, and tried to process what had just happened.
I just cuddled my general.
—
Barriss winced as howling wind swept around them and she clutched the front of her headdress tight as it was almost ripped off.
Not far from her she could see her master similarly braced against the wind. Commander Gree and Captain Hyung didn’t look as bad but a glance at the Force told her that they were weary.
The four of them had been separated from their battalion when they’d been ambushed by a legion of droids. After sending the side of a mountain crashing down on them they’d set out to in the mountains to find another way back to their men.
The planet they were currently on had a rather temperate climate during the day but once the sun started to go down large wind storms picked up.
They’d hoped to make it back to their battalion before nightfall but they didn’t have such luck.
Now they were just looking for shelter to wait out the night.
A particularly harsh gust of wind made Barriss stumble back a step. A hand quickly found her shoulder to steady her. The padawan glanced back to see Hyung had caught her.
“Thank you captain.” She spoke over the wind.
“Of course Commander.”
When Barriss and her master had first met their men, she hadn’t known what to expect. All the clone troopers had been polite and professional since being placed under their command, readily following their orders even when things had looked rough.
Barriss was not above admitting that she’d been intimidated by Commander Gree. He had a lot more battle expertise than she did, yet they were ranked the same.
It had taken some time for her to work up the nerve to ask her fellow commander questions. She was pretty sure that he had been initially surprised that she was reaching out, they didn’t interact much outside of command, but she was grateful for his guidance. She held the lives of her men in her hands, she didn’t want to let them down.
“General,” Gree’s shout shook the padawan from her thoughts. “Scans are picking up and outcropping about twenty meters in front of us.”
“Good, we’ll stop there for tonight.” Her master responded.
Soon enough the four of them found themselves ducking into the alcove. It wasn’t a large space, just large enough to fit the four of them comfortably. There was a small tunnel in the back that looked like some sort of creature frequented in and out of.
To better secure it, Barriss and her master carefully lifted a large rock slab in front of the entrance, blocking it from view and shielding a good amount of the wind out.
“We’ll get moving tomorrow once the wind dies down.” Luminara told the group. “Until then let’s try to get some rest.”
With that the group settled down. Hyung took the spot closest to the animal cave and Gree took the spot closest to the alcove entrance, placing Barriss and Luminara in between them. At first it had been odd to the Jedi, this sort of protection behavior the clones exhibited but they’d long since learned that it was a nonnegotiable action to the clones.
They believed their job was to protect their Jedi and they weren’t going to take no for an answer.
Barriss laid down on the hard rock between her master and Commander Gree, slowly falling into meditation, her master was doing something similar next to her. The two clones soon fell asleep and the two Jedi followed shortly after.
-
Gree hadn’t known what to expect when he’d first been introduced to his Jedi. None of the clones had really known anything about the Jedi, just whatever stories the long necks had told them growing up. Prime didn’t like them but Gree didn’t think Prime really liked anybody.
Prior to meeting his general he’d received a short report on her.
Luminara Unduli
Jedi Master
Mirialan female
Apprentice: Barriss Offee
That had certainly not been expected.
Sure Gree had known that Jedi occasionally had students, he just hadn’t expected to be serving alongside one as a co-commander.
As far as first impressions went, both Jedi were very calm and collected, the perfect picture of what the clones expected their Jedi to be.
Offee had seemed a little more timid and stiff but what had shocked Gree the most was how young she looked.
She always followed closely behind her master, watching meetings and proceedings quietly. She only engaged with him or the other COs if she needed to and largely kept to herself.
That’s why he’d been so surprised when she’d come to him one late night asking for help on a report. She looked tired, more exhausted than any teenager should, and something had softened in Gree’s mind towards her. This was the first time that he’d really seen her as she was, a kid.
After the first night, many followed. It had become their routine to finish battle and mission reports in Gree’s office together, not talking much, just sitting quietly together.
Very slowly Gree had begun to see her open up, sharing small bits and pieces about herself, and he finally got her to laugh not too long ago. That had been the highlight of his day, proof that slowly but surely they were warming up to each other.
The same went for General Unduli. He spent more time around her simply because she was his general and as a result he’d gotten warmed up to her faster. She had a similar temperament to her student, but she was quicker to smile, she was more at ease than her student but Gree and his men assumed it came with experience.
In the months since Gree had met his Jedi they’d learned how to be more comfortable around each other, they weren’t close yet, but they were slowly but surely getting there.
Gree slowly blinked awake as he felt cool wind blow over his uncovered neck. He huffed and tried to curl up tighter against the cool only to find something blocking him.
More like someone.
Gree tilted his head down to see a familiar dark blue patterned hood. Gree blinked fully awake when he realized that in his sleep he’d rolled over and snagged a hold of his Jedi commander. She had her head buried in his chest and her fingers were gripping the front of his blacks in sleep. From what little he could see of her face, she wore a peaceful expression, her lip just barely tilted up into a small smile.
Someone shifted under his other arm and Gree leaned back slightly and almost had a second heart attack.
While his bottom arm was wrapped around Offee, his other arm was thrown across the padawan and hooked onto Unduli’s waist.
The elder Jedi was facing away from him, but in the gloomy light of the alcove Gree would see that Hyung was also hugging their general.
Another gust of wind whistled through the gaps in the boulder and Offee curled a little more into him.
He certainly couldn’t move unless he wanted to wake up both his Jedi. Gree pulled Offee just a little closer as he let himself relax again. This was going to be an issue for Future Gree.
—
The Best Clone Command Chat
Gree: Vod
Gree: I kriffed up
Wolffe: tell us something new
Fox: what did u do this time
Bly: again?
Gree: I kinda did something
Wolffe: context is kind of kriffing nice
Cody: If you blew something up you weren’t supposed to I’m not doing the paperwork
Gree: No I didn’t blow something up, I’m not Rex
Rex: hey that was one kriffing time and that was my general
Thorn: we are sitting here in suspense vod
Gree: I kinda sorta maybe accidentally cuddled both of my jetii
Multiple people typing…
Fox: what
Bly: YOU WHAT??
Monnk: Are we even allowed to do that?
Bly: UNDULI??
Ponds: How do you accidentally cuddle your jetii
Cody: …
Cody: Well funny story
Rex: thank the maker
Monnk: What do u mean ‘thank the maker’?
Fox: cody what do u mean ‘funny story’
Cody: …
Cody: I swear I didn’t know I just woke up and I was spooning Kenobi
Cody: My heart stopped beating for a moment
Rex: Yeah I kind of woke up in the same position
Rex: I went to sleep on my pad and woke up on Skywalker’s
Gree: That’s what happened to me! I woke up like that
Thorn: How the kriff have three of you done this?
Thire: That’s what I’m wondering
Cody: We all cuddled on Kamino, we never really shook the habit
Ponds: So you cuddled your jetii
Rex: key word is accidentally
Cody: Kenobi didn’t care. told me that he slept great
Bly: Really?
Rex: Yeah skywalker apologized for waking me up and didn’t seem to care at all either
Gree: Offee was a little freaked but that’s understandable. Unduli didn’t seem to mind all that much
Thorn: So Jedi cuddle?
Cody: According to Kenobi yes
Fox: bly do not get any ideas
Bly: why are you singleing me out?
Wolffe: you know why vod