Chapter Text
After the end of the war, Bail Organa had experienced a great many revelations. He had come to realize that for the longest time, the Republic had been led by not just a power-hungry politician, but by an evil Sith Lord, and he had realized that it was due to a corrupt senate that said primordial being had been given such power.
He had also come to realize that while most Republic citizens were not okay with the enslavement of an entire race of people, they had all still been reluctantly complicit with it. Most importantly, though, Bail had come to realize that he, his family, and his friends had all been fighting for peace for longer than any of them had ever expected too, and that since he was now the properly democratically elected Chancellor, he was in a unique position to change all that, to make good on all they had fought for.
It never failed to weigh on Bail that while they all had risked so much, himself included, to the cause of peace and democracy, there had been a great many others that had given their all and that much more, brave individuals who had put their very well-being and livelihoods at risk. No one could argue that near the top of that list would be Bail’s own close personal friend, one Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
That wasn’t to say that no other Jedi came out unscathed, because surely the Jedi had lost to many of the Order due to bloodshed, but after the revelation of just who Darth Sidious had been grooming to be his apprentice had come to light it all had made exact sense as to why it seemed Obi-Wan always ended up with the most difficult missions.
Bail had worried over Obi-Wan extensively throughout the war as he had watched the bags gather under his friend’s eyes as his friend’s soul had turned weary and saddened. It was no secret to anyone just how much of the responsibility had been placed on the Jedi’s shoulders, as he had basically one-manned the entire Third Systems army and had kept one disarrayed and forthright padawan from falling to the Darkside.
So, when the most personal of all Bail’s revelations had fallen upon him, he couldn’t help to not be only deeply pleased, but also deeply invested.
Because Kriff it, Obi-Wan deserved something good to happen, for once.
Bail couldn’t be entirely sure of course, as he hadn’t heard it straight from the man’s mouth, but Obi-Wan’s actions had always been clearer than his words, particularly if one considered his friend’s perspective on the truth.
It would seem, from the few scattered interactions that Bail had witnessed during this last passing year of Reconstruction, that one very dignified Jedi Master might just be harboring secret feelings for one equally estimable Marshall Commander. Furthermore, Bail had come to notice, with no small amount of glee, that those feelings just might be returned.
Bail had first seen Obi-Wan’s interest when the issue of the Clone Rights bill had first been brought to attention. An issue that Bail had considered a top priority after the war, and so apparently, had Obi-Wan. The jedi had made the clone rights passing relatively easy for Bail, because, as it turned out, both Obi-Wan and Padme had been working secretly throughout the war to draft up the necessary paperwork and evidence for Bail to put into action as soon as the moment arrived. In hindsight, Bail could now see that perhaps Obi-Wan may have had a deeper investment than Bail had originally accounted for, but now that the dust was settling it becoming increasingly more evident as to why.
Due to the few rare light night conversations Bail had with Obi-Wan during the war, Bail had always known that his friend held the commander in high regard, but it wasn’t until seeing the two together at a party just after the passing of the bill, with military rankings dropped, that he saw that their regard for each other went beyond standard regulation.
During the party, the commander had not strayed too far from his now former Jedi General, which at first Bail had written off as a high-ranking military clone’s nervousness around politicians or perhaps that the man himself was not very sociable. However, as the night had progressed and the amount of drinks increased Bail had caught the commander glancing toward the jedi far too often, especially when Obi-Wan wasn’t looking.
After that evening, Bail learned that the man was indeed as competent as Obi-Wan had praised him to be, and even more so thoughtful then his mildly constructed persona would imply. Because, of course, Obi-Wan would need an arm to help keep him upright after his injury from the terrible Sith which still plagued him after so many months. Of course, said jedi, would no doubt need that arm when he almost drunkenly fell over after arguing with some slimy politician on how, “Yes, a party of this size really is necessary to show support of the bill.”
Of course, we wouldn’t want the severely injured hero of the republic to worsen his condition or embarrass himself by hitting the cold tile floor afterwards either.
Bail noted that those said duties just happened to be attached to the very clever Marshall Commander, who appeared to be doing nothing more than what his former job had entailed.
Even Bail had to admit he had never been as smooth, even when courting Breha his moves had almost always been too obvious. Like Obi-wan had mentioned, it seemed the commander was indeed a man of action, but the commander was also very deliberate as to what those actions were and how they would appear. To outsiders it was nothing more than a clone’s loyalty to their former General, but to anyone who knew Obi-Wan, the man’s actions were enlightening to say the least.
Especially when, after making excuses, Bail went to check on Obi-Wan after the commander had escorted him out of the party, and the man had chosen to stop Bail from entering the fresher were Obi-Wan was no doubt pulling himself together.
“It’s occupied,” the commander had gruffed out then, “Better find the next.”
“Ah,” Bail had responded, “Even for the newly elected Chancellor who just passed the bill of a lifetime?”
The commander had looked a bit sheepish then, the tips of his ears starting to turn red, and had glanced between the door and Bail a few times before the clone had then nodded his head respectfully.
“On behalf all the Vod’e I thank you for your hard work and consideration, Sir. You have no idea how much this bill this means to all my brothers moving forward, and to myself personally.”
How, diplomatic, of an answer, Bail had thought at the time.
Then there was the distinct sounds of a flush and a sink turning on as Obi-Wan finished up.
“But really,” said the man, “It is occupied.”
Bail had suddenly wondered what exactly it would have taken to get the Commander to move aside, and if it would have been smaller or larger than the recently disbanded Separatist army.
“Of course, I see,” Bail had responded and then raised his voice to be heard through the door, “Hopefully, whoever is occupying this fresher is on his way back to the jedi temple to rest and recover.”
“Bail, politely kriff off,” returned a voice from the inside. Bail watched with pleasure as an instant of disbelief came over the commander, perhaps the first real emotion the clone had displayed all evening.
“Oh, Yes, Commander,” said Bail, “I am well acquainted with the slippery ways of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
The commander had given a huff then, “So you do know him then.”
Bail had known instantly that if what he was beginning to suspect was true then he and the Commander were going to get along quite well. Bail had lowered his voice then as he slipped a bit of flimsi over to the clone.
“If you ever need any help.”
“Sir-,” the clone had started, but Bail raised a hand to silence him.
“Anything,” said Bail, then feeling mischievous, “Even if it’s just to get some pointers.”
The clone’s ears turned fully red then, the only confirmation to Bail that things might not be as they appeared to be between Obi-Wan and his commander.
“I’m not sure I know what you mean, Sir” the commander responded flatly.
“Oh, I’m sure you don’t,” said Bail, who then left them both to carry out their evening in peace.
Bail was able to finally confirm his suspicions about the commander, during another party about a year later. Padme had arranged the get-together just for friends in celebration of the one-year anniversary of their new-found peace and had firmly announced that everyone on the guest list needed to attend, and that, “no, no one would be getting out of it this time.”
The commander arrived just behind Bail, right on time at 07:00, with a polite but formal, “Good evening, Mam’s,” to Padme and Ahsoka and a “You as well, Sir’s” to Anakin and Bail. The commander had been wearing his officer uniform, which some might consider a bit overdone for a casual occasion, but Bail also believed that one could never be too overdressed. Overtime, Bail had come to believe, with a sinking desperation, that the officer uniform may perhaps be the only clothes the commander owned, as Bail had yet to the man in any other attire. However, when the equally well-known Captain Rex arrived, with what seemed to be the relief of the commander, garbed in something more casual, Bail began to wonder if that was really the case.
The captain rocked up to the commander enthusiastically, hitting the man good naturedly on the shoulder, and whistling, “Looking Sharp, Vod. You didn’t tell me you were bring out the old dress-grey’s.” Bail had noted then that the commander’s shoulders had tensed up again at the mention of his attire. So, yes, Bail was having his suspicions about the commander’s wardrobe choices for the evening, and just who they might be for.
Anakin shortly announced that for the first time in his life, Obi-Wan was running late, caught up in a meeting that had run long and that Obi-Wan had insisted they start the pre-dinner festivities without him. Since then, the get-together had been going well, with everyone mingling pleasantly. Bail had been contently listening to Padme, Anakin and Ahsoka debate over the best flavor of Uj’alayi cake when he noticed the commander tucked away on the corner of the couch frowning down at a data pad. Bail was just moving away from them to inquire to the commander about how well he was finding the occasion, when a voice from behind him stopped him.
“I wouldn’t, if I were you,” warned the captain, “Trust me. He’s in a mood.”
Bail didn’t know Captain Rex any better than he did the commander, perhaps even less so, but the man had always seemed a bit more personable and open to casual conversation.
“Oh,” responded Bail, and just because he had to know for sure, “One might speculate it’s something more.” The man stared at him for a second, before mentally calculating that Bail could be trusted.
“Oh, really,” the captain said. Then after taking a sip of his drink said, “So, you see it too?”
Bail nodded, “It’s getting increasingly hard not to.
“It sure kriffin’ is.” The captain confirmed. “He thinks he’s good at keeping secrets, staying all formal and perfect, but that just makes it all the more obvious.”
“Yes, it’s quite obvious,” Bail confirmed, “from either side.”
“Oh, really,” the captain’s eyebrows rose then, “That’s good to know, Sir.”
Bail nodded, causing the captain’s face to break out into a frightening grin. Bail realized this must be new information to the captain, and then he remembered how close the two men had always seemed. Bail gave his own smile and concluded that the Marshall Commander was in for quite the teasing session later.
In spite of his talks with Padme, Bail didn’t consider himself that much of a gossip. Even if he was, he had so little time for it now anyways, but for this he could make an exception. It was nice to think that they all had time to worry about happier things instead of wondering how to keep up a war effort and secure the fate of democracy. So, Bail was just about to recount all the moments of obviousness he had seen from Obi-Wan to the captain, because maybe Rex could fill in some of the blanks for Bail in return, when then the other half of their conversation finally arrived for the evening.
“Finally, you’re here. We can eat now,” called Anakin, as Obi-Wan shuffled his way through the apartment. The statement wasn’t very polite, but the younger jedi went to help his former master all the same. Bail watched, with mild frustration, as Obi-Wan shook him off.
Oh never would a proud jedi master ever think of accepting help.
“Anakin!” Padme scolded.
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, “Yes, it is nice to see you too, Anakin.”
“What he means to say,” Ahsoka interrupted, “Is that you are looking better than ever, Master Kenobi.”
“As are you, Ahsoka,” Obi-Wan smiled. “Bail. Captain,” he further greeted with an incline to his head.
“Good evening, Sir,” the captain responded politely.
“We’ve been waiting,” Bail added.
“Obviously,” Obi-Wan stated, shooting back just as flatly. Bail grinned back at him, encouraged to see that his friend appeared to be in rather good spirits.
“You’re looking well, too, Commander,” Obi-Wan said, eyes roving up and down the dress greys in an instant.
“Yes, thank you, Sir.” The commander seemed to freeze before looking down at Obi-Wan’s weaker leg, before saying very succinctly, “As it seems are you.”
Obi-Wan turned cold then too, sensing the unspoken challenge. One thing Bail had learned over the short time of getting to know the commander is that while completely loyal, the man, like Bail himself, had a very low tolerance for Obi-Wan’s bantha-kark.
Which makes him perfect for the stubborn Jedi, thought Bail.
As Padme announced that, “Yes, Anakin, we can start dinner now,” Rex shot Bail a long-suffering look that read as, are you kidding me. Bail returned the knowing look in kind.
--
Rex knew, well, a lot. Rex especially knew a lot about one brother, and he was not, after putting up with said brother for so long, letting him get away with it.
Rex knew that Cody had been harboring a secret attraction towards his general for a while, which, honestly, Rex couldn’t be more pleased about. It finally, finally gave him some good material to hold over Cody’s head, after all the kark Cody had on Rex.
If Rex was a good brother, he would just help Cody out and that would be the end of it. But Rex wasn’t just a good brother, he was the best brother, which meant he had to give Cody a hard time about it first, then he could help his brother unravel his feelings, which he had been choosing to ignore for quite some time.
That’s why, when Rex had learned from the Chancellor of the Republic himself, that Cody’s general really did feel the same Rex had decided to rev up the teasing in earnest throughout the dinner.
“You know,” he said to Cody as his brother buttered a roll next to him, “It’s usually expected for a guest to talk to everybody when invited to a party, not just the same vod you see every day.”
“I’ve been mingling.” Cody grunted.
Rex decided not to remind Cody that they had both been at the party for practically the same amount of time, which let Rex know that his brother was in fact lying. Rex knew that despite the persona he put on Cody often felt uncomfortable when dealing with social situations, especially if it turned towards a more personal matter.
Rex could never really understand it, his brother could run straight through an army of droids, help run countless schedules and organize thousands of men for the entirety of the GAR but give Cody a sliver of interaction outside military procedures and he would immediately call for a retreat. Rex even had stopped him from leaving just a little while ago when it had been announced Obi-Wan would be late. Cody had been trying to make the argument that maybe the invitation hadn’t specifically been for him, and that he might be intruding.
Padme had interrupted their argument with, “No one is allowed to leave until I say so, Commander.”
Rex recognized that these kinds of situations were as new to Cody as they were to any other brother, so he was trying so hard to be supportive, but Cody was making it too easy for him.
“Look,” Rex smirked. “There’s an open seat next to your general. Why don’t you go join him?”
“Stop,” Cody ordered.
“I’m not doing-,” Rex began
“Yes, you are, and you know it.”
After that Rex decided maybe tonight wasn’t the best night to bother his brother. If he pushed it too much, Cody really would leave, consequences be damned, and Rex would have accomplished nothing. So, he decided to let it rest, for now.
That’s why Rex found himself equally overjoyed and frustrated when, later in the night, General Kenobi excused himself to go briefly visit the fresher and stumbled slightly, almost knocking his drink over and scattering his plate before catching them with the force.
There was a brief lapse in the conversations before everyone picked back up again. It had become unspoken amongst everyone that Obi-Wan’s newly diminished state was not to be mentioned in his presence. Rex didn’t understand it, to him there should be absolutely no shame in dealing with an injury that had been taken while protecting another in combat. For a vod, such an injury would be seen as a badge of honor, and Rex had made that completely clear to his own general when he had learned of the man’s own prosthetic. Rex wasn’t sure why Anakin hadn’t been able to pass the same viewpoint onto Kenobi though. However, Rex had come to learn overtime that Anakin did indeed share his perspective, even now he could see the fingers of his general’s mechanical hand tightening as Obi-Wan slowly made his way over to the refreshers.
Rex knew the only person who might be more frustrated with the situation was Cody, who, unlike Anakin, had not had one complaint about anything to do with Obi-Wan’s situation. Rex knew that could only mean that Cody was concerned. Rex had seen his brother like this before on occasion and knew that his brother’s silence on the matter spoke more to the depths of his feelings than any words could. Rex knew that concern went deeper than just Obi-Wan refusing help though, but knowing his brother, Rex knew that fact was not going to be unpacked for a long, long time.
So, it was with some relief that Rex heard his brother mutter under his voice, “Kriff it all,” before he suddenly stood up as well. So much so that the chair his brother had been sitting on tipped back to the floor, breaking through the nearby conversations. The silence that fell over the table then was palpable, and every pair of eyes seemed to fall either onto his brother or Kenobi.
“Thank you, Commander. I am quite alright,” Kenobi soothed, as if he hadn’t been suffering every step since he had arrived. “Please,” said the Jedi, “return to your seat.”
Rex caught the twisted look of longing and ire that was passed between the two men. Rex had heard rumors that some citizens of the republic believed that both clones and Jedi alike were emotionless. Rex wondered if any of those people had been in a room with either party for even a moment, otherwise they would have known that statement to be entirely false.
Earlier Rex had been sure he wanted to know what was really going on between his brother and the jedi, but if the look between the two of them was anything to go by, Rex now knew he had to know, especially if he wanted to keep his brother’s sanity intact.
“What,” Rex choked out as Cody picked up his chair and returned to his seat, “Was that?”
Cody was staring straight ahead at a wall, his eyes far away. Rex could see that his ears were crimson.
“I should’ve left when I had the chance,” Cody gritted out.
And while Rex was happy to have even more blackmail on his brother, he also didn’t want him hurting to much either.
“No, I’m entirely on your side. You’ve done nothing wrong, just-,”
“It’s supposed to be polite, right?”
“Standing?” Rex asked, confused.
“If someone leaves the table. Standing is, polite, right?” Cody explained.
Which from what Rex could recall from any negotiations he had been a part of it was considered polite, but he knew that didn’t necessarily apply to dinner with friends, especially if one took in the response from the others at the table. But also, Rex knew that was not the reason why his brother had stood up at that moment, and that it was simply the excuse Cody had come up with to explain his actions to others, and thought Rex, with some worry, to his own self.
Kriffin’ command class, and their over-complicated brains, thought Rex and then suddenly, no kriffin’ Kaminoans for giving punishments out for showing basic human emotions.
“It is polite.” Rex tried to comfort.
“Yes, it is,” said his brother, but Rex could tell even that his brother wasn’t buying it either.
Rex sighed, “Just finish your dinner.”
-
Bail could only sigh internally, as he had watched Captain Rex’s eyes widening as he whispered lowly to the commander after the awkward moment had interrupted dinner. He hoped, for the commander’s sake, that the captain wasn’t giving him too hard of a time. The moment had been kind in its own way, and truthfully the commander had done nothing wrong. The man had only done what everyone else at the table had wanted to do.
Truly, Bail hadn’t meant to stare, but it had just been so unexpected, especially from someone as even keeled as the commander. It had become so routine to not draw attention to what Obi-Wan had dubbed, “his affliction.” However, it seemed as if the commander did not agree with that at all. Bail could understand the man’s displeasure.
Obi-Wan’s reaction been interesting too, as the jedi hadn’t seemed shocked at all, but had accepted the action as a matter of fact and instead had returned the commander’s action with his own version of righteous jedi indignation and had used the commander’s own social embarrassment against him.
A seemingly well-practiced and desperate maneuver.
Once the dinner concluded, and everyone had begun to say their goodbyes Bail had checked back in with the captain, eager to find out more about what had just transpired.
“I’m not sure,” the captain gasped, “if that’s the sort of progress we’re looking for, Sir.”
Bail knew that both the Obi-Wan and the commander would certainty agree that it wasn’t.
“Cody didn’t do anything that anybody else wasn’t already thinking.” The captain shrugged, “At least I don’t think so, Sir”
“Oh, I agree, captain. It’s getting ridiculous even for Obi-Wan,” Bail said, “As much as he advises seeking help, very rarely does he allow it for himself.”
Rex groaned as he crossed his arms and leaned fully back against the wall. Raising his chin as he thought deeply.
“This has got to stop. I don’t know how much longer they can go on, or-,” Rex paused, “How much more they can take.”
Bail nodded, he was becoming impatient too. Obi-Wan and the Commander had fought at the center of a war together, it wasn’t too surprising that they would develop a comradery and a strong bond with one another, who could blame them if those feelings had blossomed into something more? A lot of other clones and jedi had expressed similar affections, and with the passing of the clone rights bill and the jedi order reconsidering their laws on attachment, a relationship between the two would no longer be as forbidden as it used to be.
Somehow, despite all those assurances, Obi-Wan had still found a way to deny his quite obvious feelings though.
However, Bail had not heard an open confession from the man himself. So, Bail could only highly suspect what Obi-Wan’s feelings were, and it was not fair on his friend to assume what those feelings might be. But if he were to hear what was really on Obi-Wan’s mind he may just be able to maneuver at least one of the two men into seeing the light, but Bail knew that if Obi-Wan didn’t want something revealed, almost nothing could make him do so.
“If any actions were to be made, on Obi-Wan’s behalf” Bail began, “It would take someone with greater powers than me.”
“Yeah, Cody’s pretty stubborn too,” Rex conceded.
“I assure you,” Bail responded, “Not more stubborn than the well-equipped negotiator known as Master Kenobi.”
Captain Rex sighed then, “I could possibly get Cody to spill If I get him drunk enough,” the captain’s eyes turned pained then, “but I’ll regret it.”
Bail raised a knowing eyebrow then, “I’m sure a few drinks is a sacrifice you are more than willing to make.
“Yeah, no” Rex groaned, “It takes a lot more than a few, Sir.”
“And we would still have to him to confess to Obi-Wan,” Bail pointed out.
“Yeah,” Rex admitted. He couldn’t see how they would work that out, yet. His brother had always been reserved, and Obi-Wan, while known for flirting with just about anything, surprisingly also seemed to be playing close to the chest as well.
“I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Rex sighed, “Just getting Cody to talk about it will be a hard enough operation, hard enough on the head too, no doubt.”
At that, Bail put a hand on the captain’s shoulder in solidarity and answered, “Your continued service to the cause is commendable, captain.”
Rex found that he was indeed willing to make the sacrifice of a good night’s rest and easy morning for the security of the greater good. Over the time he had known his brother Rex had seen only a handful of times when his brother had been upset and had born witness to the even rarer moments when he had truly allowed it to show.
Since the end of the war, Rex would not say that Cody was depressed, but he had seen bouts of aimlessness from his brother, which Rex hadn’t ever seen before. From what Rex knew, Cody didn’t need a job as he was offered housing at the temple, and his brother had no real hobbies to speak of, other than training or sparring. Rex was glad that Cody was finally getting the chance he deserved to rest, but he also knew from his own experience as a soldier that too much rest could be a curse too.
Rex didn’t think it was entirely healthy to have nothing to unwind with, especially for someone like his brothers, for someone as paranoid as Cody. Rex knew that for Cody success as a soldier came from his ability to over plan and overanalyze. It made Cody a damn good officer, the best of the best, but when it came to normal civilian activities it was causing more problems than solutions for his brother.
For a lot of the other higher-ranking officers too, thought Rex suddenly.
Rex wondered if habits of social isolation and rumination were a natural characteristic of all vod’e in the command class or if the Kaminoans had programmed them that way, all Rex knew was that it was somehow inherent for Cody. So, after the incident at the party, Rex knew he should probably go visit his brother sooner, rather than later.
Rex knocked on the door to Cody’s room in the jedi temple the next evening, despite knowing his brother was sure to be in a foul mood. When the door finally opened, Cody stood there without even attempting to mimic surprise. Rex supposed he could be a bit predictable when it came to his brother’s wellbeing.
“Happy to see me?” Rex greeted.
“Nope,” responded Cody.
“Good. Get dressed, were getting plastered.” Rex ordered with some glee, it was always nice to get the chance to push his brother around, even more so now that there were no official ranks to speak of. His brother murmured something unintelligible before starting to pull a shirt over his head.
When they finally made it to 79’s and settled in, Rex watched as Cody picked apart the menu options with his eyes.
“Just chose something, Codes,” Rex pleaded. For more than one reason Rex was ready to order. First off, he was starving. Second, it gave Rex a prickly feeling to see his usually single-minded brother so indecisive. On the way over in the transport, Rex had picked up on the malaise he had suspected his brother had fallen back into as Cody had stared out the window blankly. This time it seemed that it was mixed with a despondency that Rex couldn’t quite place, which worried him.
Eventually Rex took over for the both of them, ignoring Cody’s disgruntled what if I didn’t want that, and put in two identical orders in with the waitress. Then Rex prepared himself for the long and drawn-out battle that was getting Cody to discuss his feelings.
Plan A, Rex thought, talking about last night. Rex waited until his brother had at least one full glass of fine Corellian whiskey in his system before starting his bombardment plans.
“Been sleeping well?” Rex inquired, which he thought was an entirely innocent question to ask.
“I’m not going to talk about it,” Cody answered.
“I was just-,” started Rex.
“No, you weren’t.”
Rex sighed. Ok this was going to be less of a battle, he resigned to himself, more like an excruciating long campaign. Rex switched tactics then, like his brother often said, no plan survives first contact.
Plan B then, wear him down.