Cody learns to love

The one chapter where Obi-Wan comes for dinner again

  Obi-Wan spent the entire week he had before he came to Cody's house for dinner again overthinking said dinner. He wasn't proud of the fact but in his defense, Cody was a rather nice catch and worth it. He was nice, handsome, smart, good with children, had a decent job and a childhood trauma... He was exactly Obi-Wan's type.

  When the time came, Obi-Wan was ready. He had a food planned, and a little gift for everyone. A way to a mandalorian's heart was through their family. And while Obi-Wan never exactly imagined his ideal life as a stepfather figure to ten children - he hoped he counted that right - but he didn't mind all that much either. The children were sweet, especially Wooley. Obi-Wan only met him twice but he already had a soft spot for the boy. The pictures Wooley gave him were hanging on his fridge.

  He packed the meal into plastic containers. There was a lot of it, hopefully it was going to be enough. Ahsoka wasn't joining him this time. Obi-Wan was curious how was Rex going to behave without Ahsoka there. He liked the man so far. Not that it would matter if he didn't, it was Ahsoka's decision who she liked. He was just keeping an eye out for any red flags. Because no matter how responsible Ahsoka was, she was still his little sister.

  Obi-Wan spared one last glance to the pile of dishes he didn't have the time to wash before he started his way to Cody's house. 

  This time, it was Cody himself who opened the door. He was holding a screaming Boba and looked like he hasn't slept in three days. Somehow, Obi-Wan still found the sight aesthetically pleasing.

  "Come in. Sorry for the noise, Boba decided he was done being a sweetheart and is back to crying all the time."

  Obi-Wan leaned closer to Boba - closer to Cody - and pinched the baby's cheek gently. "Giving your buir a headache, Boba?"

  "I'm not their buir," Cody was quick to say. Did Obi-Wan really call him that? He knew Cody didn't see himself as the children's parent. No matter that he was their buir at everything but name.

  "Did I really call you that? Sorry, I don't know what I'm saying anymore, it's been a long day."

  "You didn't have to come."

  "I wanted to. Nothing beats a dinner in a good company."

  Cody chuckled. "The best of the best. A lonely man and a bunch of children. Seriously, Obi-Wan, you can do better."

  Cody was joking, it was apparent from his tone. But Obi-Wan couldn't shake off the feeling that Cody meant it. "I enjoy your company, Cody."

  Cody looked like he didn't know what to say. He didn't have to say anything. Both because it was his right to remain silent and because Wooley joined them in the hall. He waved at Obi-Wan shyly. Obi-Wan focused his attention at Wooley.

  "Hi, dear. It's nice to see you too. How have you been?"

  Wooley didn't answer but he smiled and that was enough for Obi-Wan. 

  "Do you have any new drawings?"

  Wooley nodded.

  "And would you like to show me? Wooley? Will you show me some of your drawings?"

  "Friends," Wooley stated. Apparently, that was an affirmative. Wooley gripped Obi-Wan's pants and dragged him to the living room where he had a paper with an unfinished drawing on the floor. Wooley dropped to the floor and started drawing something again. Obi-Wan sat down next to him and observed the boy at work.

  "You don't have to sit on the floor."

  "I know, Cody. It's alright. I think Wooley wanted me here."

  "I never asked you what you cooked for dinner today."

  "Well, then maybe you should ask."

  "So what did you prepare for dinner?" Cody asked. He sounded amused.

  "Lasagna. Kids like that, right?"

  "Yeah, most of them. I will just quickly cook something for Fox'ika."

  "You don't have to. I noticed how you split Fox's food the last time so I figured he probably wasn't going to like lasagna. I have an extra portion of pasta for him and also some meat without the sauce.

  Cody looked surprised. That was good, Obi-Wan wanted to surprise him. "I'm sure Fox is going to appreciate it," Cody said at last. Obi-Wan hoped so. He was good at reading people. If he wanted to appeal to Cody, he had to make it clear that he liked the children and that he was willing to take care of them.

  "When re we going to eat?"

  "Whenever you want. I will just call the kids once it's ready."

  "I've seen suspiciously little children today. What are they up to?"

  "Well, the twins and Emerie are playing with toy cars. Wolffe is playing video games with Jesse. Kix is... I honestly have no idea what he's doing but if something was wrong, he would scream. Fox is probably reading or studying." Cody shrugged.

  "And how have you been?"

  "Just the usual. What about you?"

  "Nothing much is happening right now." The only big thing that was happening in Obi-Wan's life was Cody and his family. If he was lucky, he was going to get to tell that to Cody later, in a different situation. Perhaps on a wedding. Their wedding. "I talked to Palpatine today."

  "Really?" That caught Cody's attention. "How is he?"

  "I don't really know what to think about him. We only talked for a few minutes. Palpatine seemed... polite. Kind, a little too kind if you ask me. He is probably fine, I just think he is trying too hard to look like a kind grandfather."

  "I just hope he is good at what he's doing. Fox sure does need a good mind healer. I wanted to go talk to him again, ask him what I can do to make everything easier for Fox'ika but I never found the time. Fox seems to be doing great now, though. Better than before, anyway."

  "Keep an eye on him," Obi-Wan suggested. "But don't let him know just how worried you are. Teenagers don't tend to take that well."

  "Yeah, I'm trying."

  "Cody!" Wooley shouted.

  Cody gave Obi-Wan an apologetic smile before he crouched down to Wooley. "Yes, darling? What do you need."

  Wooley handed Cody a picture with a huge grin.

  "That's a very nice picture. Good job, Wooley. I'm going to put it on the fridge." Obi-Wan observed Cody as he pinned the paper to the fridge. There were so many pictures there wasn't really a space for another one so the new picture was almost covering the picture underneath it. He wanted that. Cody. A fridge covered in children's drawings and scribbles. And maybe, if he didn't screw this up, he could have it.