Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Cody Mereel-Fett’s grandfather had just died. Not of natural causes, and certainly not old age. No, Jaster Mereel was assassinated and the City State of Mandalore was now in disarray. Not that Cody cared about the political quagmire. He was too busy being heartbroken. 

Jaster had been his hero. Not just his childhood hero, but even fully grown, former Mandalore Armed Forces Marshal Commander Cody looked up to the man that Jaster Mereel had been. His death left a pit in his heart. Not just to him, but his entire family as well. Especially his buir Jango and oldest brother Boba. 

Neither of them were handling Jaster’s death well in any way. It was only days after the funeral, and they were practically desolate. On top of the heartbreak, Jango now had to deal with suddenly being the ruler of the whole City State. Something that many were uniting under Jaster’s former right hand in claiming he was incredibly unqualified for. Only because he had not once publicly cared about the politics of being Mand’alor, despite learning it all from his father. 

With all of the chaos his new position was bringing to him, Cody knew that he would be unable to complete one of the most important Mereel family traditions. Cleaning the Mereel Mansion, the Master Suite in particular, and getting it ready for the next generation to take over. 

Not only was Jango not mentally or physically able to do so, he was insisting that he didn’t want to. That he, and Boba, didn’t feel as if he was capable to even try and take over his father’s home. That it was too difficult, too painful, to even contemplate. 

They were Mandalorian, though, and Mandalorians were people of tradition. This was a tradition that Cody couldn’t bear to lose. With both his buir and oldest brother refusing, as well as second oldest Fox not anywhere near Mandalore yet, though he would be there soon, the responsibility temporarily fell to Cody. He knew he could wait, but they all wanted this done as soon as possible.

Which was why he was at least lucky in the sense that his younger brothers Bly and Rex were willing to help him. Something he was more than grateful for as it would have taken him ages to go through everything without their help. It would take ages even with their help. He hoped that when Fox and Wolffe, the middle Mereel-Fett son, returned to Sundari they would be able to assist as well. 

He was pretty certain that it would take all five of them. Jaster’s house was huge and full of years' worth of valuables that he had collected. It was a towering eight bedroom, five bath home that also included a library and study. There was also a fully furnished basement and sprawling attic that covered almost the whole home. And every single inch of its expanse had to be gone over. 

Their main goal was to sort through the countless items within the home and find room for them in the attic. Which would be done by going through the attic first and finding out what items already stored there were actually worth keeping still. It would be a long, arduous task and they weren’t really sure where to start. 

To the extent that while standing in the foyer with his younger brothers, Cody suddenly felt very overwhelmed. There was so much here. So much to do. It was a toss-up on exactly where they should start. And if they could do so without breaking down. 

“Maybe we just clear out all the storage areas first?” Rex suggested in a soft voice. “Clear out the things that ba’buir has stashed away that aren’t actually worth keeping for the future generations?”

“That could be a lot.” Bly whispered. “And I nominate Cody to deal with the attic.”

“Seconded!” Rex added quickly. 

“You two are the worst and I hope one of ba’buir’s overly stuffed bookshelves crushes you.”

“Rude.” Bly drawled. 

“Hopefully something in the attic eats you.” Rex remarked just as dryly. 

“There is nothing in the attic.” Cody reminded them. “Nothing other than years of family heirlooms and potentially a whole hell of a lot of crap.”

“Sure.”

“We all think that.”

Cody flipped them off as he slid the door to the attic sideways and then shut it on their stupid grinning faces. There was nothing in the attic. It was just a stupid superstition built up by years of over imaginative Mereel’s. And honestly, Cody would rather deal with long dead ancestors' things than the emotionally attached things that had belonged to his grandfather. So, his brothers could just eat their amusement. This was the better task to be stuck with. 

Better or not and superstitions aside, the attic was creepy . The stairwell was narrow and steep, barely allowing his broad-shouldered form to climb them. Each and every step his feet landed on creaked ominously. The landing at the top creaked even and groaned with every minute shift of his weight. When Cody did reach the top, he tried not to make any movements at all so that he could study the huge number of boxes stretched out before him without the floor screeching in protest. 

The attic truly was huge . It covered almost the entire house and was full of decades upon decades worth of collected junk. None of which was Jaster’s as the current Head of House Mereel's possessions weren’t added until after their death. So it was all much older than even Cody’s grandfather had been. Some of it was priceless. Some of it was worthless. Despite any worthlessness, everything was ancient and delicate. He would have to be incredibly careful as he went through it all to find what would be of value to the generations that would follow them. 

Like with the rest of the house, he had no idea where to start. It was even more overwhelming to be faced with the chaos up close. He really hoped he wouldn’t end up regretting letting his younger brothers force this task onto him. 

Eventually, he carefully stepped around the closest boxes to make his way to the far back left corner. He figured he would work back to front, left to right and try not to lose his mind before he was done. 

A large majority of the stuff he was finding seemed like nothing. At least not anything that would help to educate the future generations about their family. Old furniture, ugly figurines and cloudy glass ornaments wrapped in ancient papers were the things he was finding the most. Occasionally, he found something worth more than a bit of money. Incredibly well-preserved books or journals, a perfectly taken care of set of China dishes, even a beautiful violin that looked brand new but was likely well over a hundred years old. 

None of those though compared to the box he had just opened. Inside the plain cardboard was an intricately carved wooden box. A curved ancient version of Aurebesh script as well as another language he could not recognize curled along its surface. From what he could tell, the Aurebesh was a poem of hope and life. It was beautiful and alluring. Cody didn’t even try to resist opening it. 

Inside were five glass containers. They were perfectly spherical without any visible opening which befuddled him as they were also full of something . It was a sort of swirling, moving smoke that seemed almost alive. Each was a different color ranging from bright yellow, sky blue, deep blue, and vibrant orange all the way to one that looked like living gold. Each and every one of them was beautiful in its own way. 

The part that intrigued him most though was that the same curving Aurebesh script from the box labeled each of the spheres. Labeled each with what seemed to be names. 

The yellow was Quinlan. The sky-blue Obi-Wan. The deep blue Aayla. The orange Ahsoka. The gold Anakin. The more Cody stared at them, the more certain he was that they were all names. They were just names that Cody had never heard of before. 

The one he was most drawn to was the brilliant sky blue one. Saying he was drawn to it was putting it lightly. It was more like the thing sung to him, a song he had never heard but needed to know. It swirled enticingly, like it was whispering to him specifically. Like it was calling his name. Calling him in and promising change. Promising happiness. Cody didn’t understand, but he wasn’t strong enough to stop himself from picking it up. 

The allure of the sphere only increased tenfold as he held it. He had the strange feeling that this sphere was meant for him . That it was created for him to hold. To admire. To love.  It made no sense and caused the skeptic in him to frown. 

“What the hells are you?” he whispered to it, not at all expecting a response. Nor though was he expecting it to slightly warm up in his hand. 

The sudden warmth was so startling that he dropped the sphere. He cursed as it fell, knowing that he likely just broke something ancient and priceless. More importantly, he had just broken the most beautiful, wonderful thing he had ever seen. The curses quickly turned into choked gasps though as the smoke began to swirl and weave upward. It spung and twisted until it began to take a very solid form. 

Cody was sure that he was losing his mind. It was certainly the only explanation for what he was seeing. Before his eyes the smoke began to dissipate, and as it did so it left something impossible in its place. It left a man. 

He was slightly shorter than Cody with more slender shoulders and tapered waist. A waist he could see very clearly because the flowy, long sleeved soft cream top he wore stopped at the bottom of his ribs. At his hip bones there were three layers of fabric. White harem-esque pants flowed down his legs to cinch at his ankles and sandaled feet. Some sort of stiffer material the same color as his top hung from each side seemingly decoratively. A wrapped red sash belt held it all up, a triangular piece decorated with intricate white swirls hung almost distractingly over the center of his legs. Attached to the sash was some sort of cylindrical metal, well, something.

Cody had to force himself to tear his gaze away from the alluring expanse of where pale pink skin met warm red to meet the being’s eyes instead. The moment he did, he almost swallowed his tongue.

The being was beautiful . Strong jaw covered in a perfectly trimmed beard, high cheekbones and elegant brows. Beneath them were eyes Cody didn’t know were possible. They were wide and the same impossible blue the smoke had been. They were also currently staring at Cody with an unreadable expression. 

After a moment, the being lifted a hand to run through beautiful fiery hair. When he dropped it down, he stared at the limb almost in disbelief before letting out a shuddering breath. After another moment he lifted his head and gave Cody a smile that could only be considered pained before he spoke. 

“Hello there.”

Obi-Wan didn’t know what was happening. He didn’t know where he was. He certainly didn’t know who the person standing before him was, or how he ended up there with him. 

Whoever he was, he was assuredly a sight for sore eyes. A little taller than Obi-Wan himself with a very impressively broad physique, beautiful dark skin and even more beautiful dark honey eyes. Along his left temple was a curving almost elegant scar that seemed to have only recently reached the scar face. It did not in any way diminish his looks, in fact, it added to them. His expression was wide and shocked, which somehow also only managed to accentuate his beauty. 

Obi-Wan certainly enjoyed looking at him, but he was still confused as to how he was able to do so. The last thing he remembered was hugging Ahsoka and Anakin as Master Yoda began the process of preserving their lives. He shouldn’t be wherever this was. He certainly shouldn’t have a corporeal body at all. 

The memory was a jarring reminder, and he jerked his gaze back to the strange man. Looking past his beauty, Obi-Wan realized that strange didn’t even begin to cover it. He was wearing a deep blue stiff material everywhere . The jacket had an incredibly stiff collar and a series of buttons down it. The trousers seemed faded and worn down, especially along the thighs. Beneath the jacket was a plain black top that seemed more like an underlayer. While it all made the man look fantastic, they were things Obi-Wan found almost alien.

The room he found himself in wasn’t all that strange in itself. It was huge and cluttered though. There were too many things surrounding him for Obi-Wan to really decipher. For him to even focus on really. Though his attention was quickly pulled to the box at his side, and when it was, his heart ached.

Within the box were four Essence Spheres. Each thrummed with a painfully familiar Force presence. Obi-Wan desperately wanted to reach out and touch the ones containing his children. He wanted to hide them, protect them. Allow no one access to their Power. To their life. 

It was a desire that finally clued him into what had happened. His Sphere had been broken. Likely by the beautiful man standing before him. If he truly thought about it, he had felt a new presence suddenly appear. One that he felt safe with and had instinctively reached out to right before he had opened his eyes in this sprawling room.

With that realization, Obi-Wan once more looked over to observe him. This time though, he used the Force to do so. Whoever he was, he was not expecting Obi-Wan. He was not looking for power. For glory. For money. Breaking Obi-Wan’s Sphere had been an accident. Not only that, but the man was warm and welcoming. A pulsing sort of comfort, despite his shock.

It was that fact that prompted Obi-Wan to clear his throat and greet the man. 

“Hello there.”

“What the hells are you?” the man breathed out in a slightly altered Mandalorian accent than Obi-Wan was used to hearing.

“A Jai’hai.” Obi-Wan answered simply. 

“A what?”

He couldn't help but to blink owlishly. “You, you don’t know what a Jai’hai is?”

“No! I don’t! I don't know what any of this is! Is this all even happening?”

“I assure you, my dear, it is happening.” Obi-Wan replied simply. 

“Not a dream?”

“Not a dream.”

“You’re, you’re real?”

“I most certainly am.”

“ How ?”

Obi-Wan frowned. “I’m not really sure how to answer that question, I’m afraid.”

The man floundered for a moment before waving his hand around them. “All of this isn't possible!”

“It is happening, so I figure it is.” he assured him kindly. 

“You’re some sort of genie, right? Genies aren’t real.”

“Well, I’ve never heard of them.”

“But you are one!”

“No, I am a Jai’hai.”

“You look like a genie.”

“Well, maybe this Genie looks like me.”

“Do you grant wishes?”

“No. At least not according to my children.”

“What do you do then?”

“Many things. I’m here to, well, help you, I suppose you would say. It is certainly the best explanation that I know.”

“Help me?” the man’s brows furrowed, an action that drew Obi-Wan’s attention to the enticing scar curling along one temple once more. It was still slightly inflamed and looked painful. Whatever had caused it must have been traumatic. It spoke to the strength Obi-Wan was certain this man possessed. He was incredibly curious about what he had done to obtain it.

Realizing he was staring; he jerked his eyes over to meet the man’s honey ones as he shrugged. “Jai’hai are beings of the Force. We can access it in order to do, well, many things. When someone breaks the Essence Sphere, we become tied to them.”

“So, you’re tied to me?”

“Yes.”

“To, to help me?”

“Yes.”

“For how long?”

Obi-Wan wished he could tell him. Wished he could explain that it was, well, forever. That other than this man’s death, there was only one thing that would sever the bond. Something that Obi-Wan knew was so very far from likely to ever have happen, that it bore no sense to even think of it. As far as he knew, it was something that had never once happened before. It likely never would, either.

Likely or not, it didn’t change the fact that he wasn’t able to tell him anything. He wasn’t able to even allude to it. The magic that had saved his life, yet bound his lifeforce, forbade it. So, he gave a small, almost grim, smile and told him, “That, my dear, is up to you.”

Cody couldn't believe this was happening. How the hells had he just broken a genie thing out of its container? A genie thing that now claimed to be tied to Cody ? This had to be a dream. It had to, right? 

In a futile effort to prove it was, he pinched his thigh hard enough to cause himself to wince. Okay. No, not a dream. This was somehow real.

This being was just so, so otherworldly. His accent was the most clipped, sophisticated Coruscanti accent he had ever heard. Yet, there was something almost more to it. Like beneath the sharpness there was a soft, rolling lit. Despite the evident class he held, he was dry and witty. Sassy almost. It was an interesting combination. 

This beguiling being was now, what, at Cody’s beck and call? Is that what he had insinuated? That just didn't seem right. None of this seemed right. 

“What do you mean that it's up to me?”  he asked incredulously when he finally fully understood what the being had said. 

He gave a small raise of his shoulder. “Just that. Everything that happens now is up to you.” 

The sad, almost bitter look in the being’s eyes had a horrendous realization hitting him. A realization that caused him to swallow thickly and ask, “You can’t say no to me, can you?”

His mouth thinned and he nodded. It was the response that Cody had been expecting but hadn’t wanted to hear. In order to calm himself down from the panic edged fury, he grit his teeth, took a deep breath, and let it out in a harsh rush of air. 

“Okay. Okay, so you are telling me I basically own you as a slave for, well, ever? Or as long as I want?”

“In a way, both.”

“Okay. I don’t want you as a slave. So, does that mean you can go?”

The being, Jai’hai he said, gave a sad shake of his head. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.”

Cody made a frustrated noise. “So, what, you’re stuck tied to me?”

Another sad nod that had Cody dropping himself down onto the ground harshly, his hands lifting to cover his face in shame. It caused the whole attic to groan, a sound that hid the dismayed one Cody let out. 

“I’m sorry.” he spoke into his palms. “I didn’t mean to break that Sphere.”

“I know.”

Cody’s head jerked up so that his eyes met the Jai’hai’s bright blue ones. “How?”

“The Force. It, well, I suppose you could say it lets me read sincerity. The truth, to an extent. You radiate honesty.” Another sad smile graced his face. “And dismay.”

Well, that made sense in a twisted sort of way. In the same way that any of this ‘made sense’. Cody was lost and dismayed with the whole situation. He had no idea how this Jai’hai was remaining so calm. 

“What can I do?” he asked hoarsely. 

“In what way?”

“To, to, I don’t know, make this better for you?”

“You want to make it better?” the Jai’hai’s voice was suddenly soft, the hard Coruscanti accent smoothed and almost rolling away to reveal the hints of the softer accent Cody had heard earlier. 

Cody pushed himself to his feet and gave him an empathic nod. “Of course. It's my fault you are tied to me. My fault you’re forced to follow my direction. The absolute least I can do is make sure it's at the very least easier for you.”

The being stared at him for a long moment before admitting nervously, “There is one thing,”

“Name it.”

He gestured to the other spheres. “Anakin and Ahsoka, my, my children as well as Quin and Aayla, my brother and niece. Please don’t let them get broken too. That's all I ask.”

If possible, Cody’s heart broke even more for this kind, sad being before him. Tied to a stranger's whim, and all he cares about is his children and family. He could have asked Cody for anything, and he would have found a way to make it happen. This was an easy no brainer. 

“No one will touch them.” Cody said fervently. “I promise.”

“Thank you. Oh! I am sorry, I didn’t get your name.”

“Cody. It's Cody Mereel-Fett.”

“I’m Obi-Wan Kenobi, Cody Mereel-Fett, and I am grateful that you are the one to have broken my Essence Sphere.”

Cody felt his cheeks heat up at the truly sincere tone in Obi-Wan’s voice. “That's kind of you to say. I wish you hadn’t been forced to be tied to anyone, though.”

“It was bound to be broken sometime.” Obi-Wan replied with a blase shrug. “I’m glad it was a good-hearted person like you that did.”

Cody didn’t know what else to say to that, so he just nervously asked, “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Obi-Wan gave an almost sheepish grin, one side of his lips quirked up, before asking, “Well, if it wouldn’t be too much of an ordeal, I would actually love having somewhere to bathe?”

Obi-Wan’s question was met by an immediate, kind nod. Cody’s expression was still as soft and caring as it had been since his shock had dissipated. He was truly the best person possible to have broken Obi-Wan’s Essence Sphere. No other person would have been so reluctant to use Obi-Wan’s powers. So reluctant about using him at all really. As well as being so set on keeping his children safe. 

Nor would they want to make sure Obi-Wan himself was happy, as Cody seemed incredibly determined to do. Which is why when his words trailed off during his reply, Obi-Wan was instantly worried. 

“Yes, of course you can. There is a bathroom right downstairs in…” His eyes went wide as he stopped talking, which only made Obi-Wan’s worry increase. 

So, he turned his head and with a slightly lowered gaze asked, “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, of course! I just completely forgot my brothers were downstairs. I’m not really sure how to explain all of this to them.”

“Ah.” Obi-Wan tilted his head fully in curiosity-tinged understanding. “Would you like me to stay up here until you do?”

“No, no. I’ll get you into the bathroom near the entrance and find Rex and Bly. I don’t know how long you’ve been, uhm, blue smoke, but I can imagine it's been long enough that a shower would be like Manda . Sorry, uhm, like heaven.”

He grinned. “No need to be sorry. I speak Mando’a fluently. You also assume correctly, my dear. I’m not sure how long it's been either, but I’m guessing quite a few years.”

Cody recited the year and Obi-Wan felt his mouth fall open. Not just years, but centuries had passed. Was there anything in this new era that would be familiar? Had literally everything changed so drastically that he would end up floundering? Would he be able to find comfort in anything? Most importantly, what had happened to Sudaius D’airth? Had their last-minute desperate plan come to any sort of fruition?

None of those were questions Cody could answer though, nor were they problems that Obi-Wan would ever burden the kind Mandalorian with. So instead, he just cleared his throat and gave him a no doubt awkward smile.

“Yes, it has been very, very many years indeed.”

“Then let's not make you wait any longer to feel human. Uhm, clean?” his ears darkened and he shook his head. “Nevermind! Do you want a change of clothes?”

Obi-Wan didn’t hesitate to nod, the man’s uncertainty and nervousness oddly enduring. “That would be lovely, thank you, Cody.”

“Of course.” he said, ears still slightly red as he lifted his head to give a soft smile before he began to lead Obi-Wan from the creaky room. It exited to a narrow, steep staircase that he was surprised Cody could even maneuver through safely. The next door, however, opened to an airy open foyer with huge windows. They brought in so much light that the entrance almost seemed to be glowing. 

A large part of Obi-Wan wanted to study the wonderful Mandalorian architecture surrounding him, but Cody seemed to be on a mission and led him straight through the foyer and to a long hall. Though, they didn’t go far within the hall before he was stopping beside a rich deep brown door. 

“Here’s the closest bathroom. It's pretty nice, since it's the guest one. The shower is well stocked with products and there are some towels in the cupboards. I’m going to talk to my brothers and then bring you some clothes. You’ll be okay? Won't need any help with the controls or anything?”

“I’m sure I will be able to figure them out on my own, Cody, but thank you.”

Cody gave him an awkward smile and shuffled down the hall a few steps. Obi-Wan smiled back and pushed the door before him open. As it closed behind him, he saw Cody’s form disappearing deeper into the house. 

As soon as he was in the room and alone, any interest in the so far beautifully done manor disappeared completely. Instead, he moved himself towards the high walled tub and sank down onto its ledge. 

Now that he was alone, he could finally let the emotions bubbling up in his chest out. He knew he couldn’t attempt to work through them with Cody there, but now that he was alone maybe he could at the very least try. 

Try being the operative word. He had spent centuries within the Essence Sphere. He had no idea what had become of the entire world. What had become of Jarar Yoda, Mace and Plo, the last Jai’hai he knew for sure to have been alive. He had no clue what D’airth could have done to the whole planet with the stolen Power and lives of hundreds of Jai’hai. He didn’t know if he had any way of finding out either. 

D’airth could still even be alive. The Order had had countless members, and the morbid way that monster had taken their life forces could easily have allowed him to live for years, decades certainly. But centuries? Obi-Wan didn’t know. He didn’t know if he even wanted to know. A far too large part of him wanted to never, ever have to see or know anything about D’airth ever again.

On a more personal level, all of those lost Jai’hai had been his friends. His family. The only family that he had left were likely lost to him forever, as he had no idea if freeing them was even possible. His brother, niece and children may be living, but unless a miracle happened, he would never see them again. He couldn’t bear for them to be tied to someone the way he was. He knew that not everyone would be as kind as Cody was, as honest and truthful and good . He couldn’t chance someone vile gaining control of his family. He would sooner give his life and Power over freely before he let that happen. 

His only consolation was that Cody promised him that his family would be safe. He knew it was only because he had the Force, but he wholeheartedly trusted the man. Something in the Force told him Cody was safe. That he was meant to have broken Obi-Wan’s sphere. That it was Cody who would bring change, yet comfort and familiarity. If there was one thing Obi-Wan knew in this foreign era he had found himself in, it was that no matter his doubts he could always trust the Force.

Cody found his brothers in the back family room with the entire storage closet spread out on the caf table and floor before them. Boxes and boxes of books, binders and various notebooks stood out prominently amongst the chaos. Which wasn’t a surprise. Ba’buir had been a bit of a bibliophile.

The two youngest Merell-Fett boys were seated on the couch angled towards each other. In Bly’s lap was an opened photo album that they were both laughing uproariously at. Whatever they were laughing at, Cody just hoped it was at the expense of one of their other brothers. He had a feeling he’d want them to have as little ammunition against him as possible in the days that followed. 

Their enthusiastic laughter though did explain how neither had noticed anything happening above them. Neither Bly or Rex were unobservant, and most certainly were capable of noticing an extra set of footsteps moving across the attic. Not to mention Cody’s significant weight falling to the floor. At least, when they were not completely engrossed by ridiculous childhood pictures they were.

They did at least notice his entrance and Rex immediately gave him a teasing grin. “You can’t possibly be done with the whole attic, are you, Kote?”

Cody gave a fond roll of his eyes and dropped down between the two of them. “Oh, yes, because you two have gotten so far.” he remarked with a gesture around them. 

“We were very appropriately distracted by nostalgia.” Bly retorted as he lifted the album to show teen Boba and Fox sitting on a petulantly pouting preteen Cody. Great. They, of course, were laughing at his expense after all. 

“Mhhm.” he drawled as he pushed the album out of his face. He wanted to say something else, but his brain stopped thinking of words completely. Instead, he worried his bottom lip between the top one and his lower teeth. It was a nervous habit he was never able to fully grow out of. One both of his brothers picked up immediately. 

As soon as they noticed it, their expressions went from amused and teasing to worried in the blink of an eye. 

“What’s wrong?” Rex asked without hesitation. 

Cody still had no idea how to say any of what he needed to. It was all just so insane. Unfortunately, his continued silence had his brothers even more worried. To the point of Bly’s jaw clenching minutely as he set a hand on Cody’s knee. 

“Cody, did something happen? Are you okay?”

In a very uncharacteristic reaction, all Cody knew how to do was blurt out the first thing that popped into his head. Which, of course, happened to be completely unhelpful and seemingly far off topic. 

“Do either of you know what a Jai’hai is?”

Rex’s brow furrowed as he shook his head. “What? Cody, what does that even mean?”

Bly though, nodded immediately. Which made Cody turn his head sharply to meet his light brown eyes. 

“You do!?”

He nodded again. “Yeah, I do. I read a lot about them for my thesis. They were beings that are debated between being mythological, religious figures, or real historical people. Some claim they were more powerful than any sort of god with abilities beyond comprehension. Others say they were just a religious Order, cult even maybe. No one is certain where they came from or what they really were though, because seven centuries ago they and everything about them vanished. They had, reportedly, been hunted down and killed by a great enemy, or maybe even tyrannical king. Or so some of the stories say.”

Cody should have known he could count on his anthropologist brother to know something. He just wished it wasn’t so, well, scattered. Indecisive. Nearly unhelpful even. 

While Cody was a little disappointed, Rex was nothing but perplexed. Well, if the confused look he was staring Cody down with was anything to go by. 

“Why are you asking about some sort of obscure historical being? You have never cared about history for a single day of your life.” he basically demanded in a blunt tone.

“You used to make me help you with history assignments.” Bly added on frankly. 

He shot his brother an unimpressed look at his addition before giving a heavy, stress filled, sigh. “Well, the thing is, upstairs I found this box.”

“With an old historical text that mentioned Jai’hai!” Bly interrupted enthusiastically. “Cody, please tell me that's what you found! Do you have any idea how priceless that would be! Especially to an anthropologist!”

Cody sighed. “No, Bly, I didn’t find a historical book about a Jai’hai.”

Bly’s shoulders sagged. “Oh.”

“I found a Jai’hai.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Rex blurted out at the same time Bly’s eyes went comically wide. 

“Come again?” he gasped. 

Cody sighed. “The box was very old and carved with an incredibly outdated Aurebesh script and some other language I didn’t recognize. Inside were five glass spheres filled with some sort of colorful smoke. I picked one up and it fell, breaking and..-”

“You broke some sort of ancient artifact!” Bly interrupted with a horrified expression across his face. 

“What, no, well, yes, would you just let me tell my story!’

The skin beneath his swirling tattoos darkened and he nodded. “Sorry, go on.”

“So, the sphere fell and broke, but what happened next was, well, unbelievable.”

“What do you mean Kote?” Rex asked softly when Cody paused. 

He gave another heavy sigh. “Well, the smoke turned into a person. An actual whole ass person who, well, he said he was a Jai’hai. I had no idea what he was! He was dressed like a genie, so I could have sworn he was a genie! But, no. Not a genie. Some sort of ancient historical figure apparently. I was certain I was dreaming, but I’m not and this is real and now we have an ancient powerful being in the house.”

As soon as his long-winded explanation was done, they sat in a stunned silence. Rex was staring at him dumbfoundedly while Bly literally gapped. After a moment longer of silence, the former managed to bring himself to speak bluntly. 

“You’re kidding, right, vod ?”

“No.” he replied bluntly. “He’s in the front bathroom’s shower right now.”

“So, you’re telling me,” Bly began near breathlessly, “that there is a centuries old being in our shower right now?”

“Yes.”

“And he came out of a little glass sphere?”

“Yes.”

“From smoke?”

“Yes. Like I said, I thought he was a genie. It was all very, I don’t know, Desert Nights esque.”

Bly let out a shocked laugh. “Oh, this is so much better than a book!”

Rex though, stared at Cody in pure disbelief. After a long moment he cleared his throat to say bluntly, and maybe a little bit rudely, “If you were either Echo or Fives, I straight up wouldn’t believe you.”

Not that Cody blamed him for that. Their cousins were known for being tricksters. Which made him agree that it was a fair point. Coming from any other Mereel-Fett, except maybe Fox or Wolffe, this would not be a believable story in the least. Cody was relieved that Rex considered him to be one of the trustworthy members of their family. 

“Yes, well, I’m not the twins. I’m also not making this up. He is real. And well, he seems incredibly overwhelmed right now. Likely due to the fact that he’s now tied to me, and has to obey me now. Permanently, I think.”

“Wait, what!” Bly gasped. “ Tied to you!?”

“Yes! Also, like a genie, but without the wishes. Which makes it even worse because I think if it's within his power to do it, he has to. So basically, he’s now stuck being my slave. I haven’t gotten around to finding out exactly how, or why, yet. Was kinda busy being shocked and he really wanted a shower after apparently seven hundred years trapped as blue smoke in a sphere.”

Bly and Rex exchanged a look Cody couldn’t decipher and then the older of the two spoke up softly. 

“Cody, vod , what are you going to do?”

He gave a helpless shrug and fell back into the couch’s cushions. “Make a new friend, I guess? Try my hardest to not order him to do anything . Help him keep his kids and family safe.”

“His kids!” Rex exclaimed. 

“Yeah, two of the other spheres are his kids, the others his brother and niece. Remember how I said there were five?”

“So, there are four more Jai’hai in our attic?” Bly asked breathlessly. 

“There are. And we are not breaking them. Obi-Wan doesn’t want his kids, or any of his family but probably mostly his kids, forced to be tied to someone like he is. I promised. So they stay where they are.”

“Of course, vod .” Rex agreed without hesitation while Bly nodded. 

“Yes, what he said.” he agreed, then after a moment grinned and added, “So, he’s a centuries old being with kids huh? Are we going to have to somehow explain some sort of creepy grandpa following you around all the time?”

“What, no!” Cody gasped, affronted on Obi-Wan’s behalf at the mere idea that he looked like a creepy old man. He was by far the most beautiful person Cody had ever seen and nowhere near an ugly grandpa.

Seconds after his exclamation, a chuckle sounded from behind them, and all three Mereel-Fett boys twisted to see Obi-Wan hesitatingly standing in the family room’s doorway. An Obi-Wan who was dripping wet and dressed in only a towel with his clothes and the strange cylinder held neatly in one arm.

The Jai’hai gave a small uptick of his lips at their synchronized turn and raised his free hand in greeting. “Hello. May I add that I certainly hope I don’t look like a creepy old man. Flirting is part of my charm, after all.”

Oh yes, Cody could certainly see that. This man really was unfairly beautiful, especially now. With his hair plastered to his head, a situation that caused water to drip down his face and neck distractingly. With his curved smile and entrancing eyes, Cody found himself unsure where to look. As he wanted to stare at every bit of him. Including the perfectly formed muscles of his chest and upper arms. He didn’t dare look any lower, as he was already worried that he was drooling. 

Bly’s voice suddenly sounding through the stunned silence was enough to break him away from his highly inappropriate staring. Something he could have hugged his brother to death for. Well, until he registered what the younger man was saying. 

“Shit, you are real!”

Rex, of course, had to make it worse by adding on, “And naked!”

While Cody wanted to die from mortification, Obi-Wan just chuckled. “Yes, I am both of those. Cody’s brothers I assume?”

“Yep. I’m Bly, this is Rex.”

Cody finally gained enough control of his blanked-out mind to clear his throat and draw all three of their attention to him. Once Obi-Wan met his gaze, he gave him a sheepish apologetic look. 

“I’m sorry, Obi-Wan. I meant to have clothes ready for you before you were finished with the shower. I took longer talking to these idiots than I had expected to. Let’s go grab some now?”

“There’s no need to be sorry, my dear. I do not mind the wait, especially as I did bathe quite quickly.”

Rex made a choked off gasping noise and Cody shot him an unimpressed look. “We’ll be right back. Behave.”

They both gave him a mocking salute and he groaned quietly. Eager to be away from them and whatever chaos they were no doubt about to bring, he guided Obi-Wan to the back stairs and up to his room. 

As they went, he was very careful not to touch the Jai’hai’s tantalizing bare skin, despite his burning desire to do so. He was far too captivated by this entrancing being. Something he knew he could never act on. He had to ignore it entirely. A fact that made him certain that things were about to become very interesting for him. Interesting, and unfortunately, complicated.

The clothing items that Cody gave him were quite soft. A plush pair of trousers he had called sweatpants and another black short sleeved top like the one Cody wore. They felt nice against his skin in a way that Obi-Wan wasn’t used to. They were so soft, and the only issue he had with them is that the band was too flimsy to hold his saber. So, he reattached his sash and lightsaber before following Cody back downstairs.

He did love the shirt though, and as they went back down the plushly upholstered staircase in order to join Cody’s brothers, he couldn’t stop running the fabric between his fingers. It was, of course, entirely due to the fluffy material and not at all due to nerves. 

At least that is what he tried to tell himself. He knew though that it was purely a nervous tick he has tried to rid himself of for years. It shouldn’t be, but something about the brothers all together felt intimidating. 

It might just be because the three of them together in the Force were intense . Like Cody, they were almost overwhelmingly welcome and warm, but in entirely different ways. Cody felt like his favorite tea and a warm fire. He was security and light. The blonde brother felt sharp, yet somehow also a familiar comfort. Like a warm ocean breeze. Gentle, but promising danger. The other was much softer. Kinder. He reminded Obi-Wan painfully of the bread rolls Aayla used to always bake.

He was certain it was purely their Force presences together that made him uneasy. No, uneasy wasn’t quite the word. It was more of a bittersweet pain. Something he knew was good and oddly familiar, but still achingly wrong.

Had their presences not been so incredibly different, Obi-Wan likely would have been taken aback when he first got a good look at all three of them. At first sight, the brothers could have easily been mistaken for triplets. 

That was only at first sight though. When they had turned around and he truly got a look at them, he could tell where their differences lie. Still obviously siblings, but not immediately identical. 

The blonde was mildly stockier than Cody, yet with slightly sharper features. His eyes were more dark chocolate than honey and ever so slightly more slanted. He held himself more loosely as well. His posture wasn’t quite as perfect, which gave him the appearance of being a few inches shorter than his brother, though Obi-Wan doubted he was. 

The third was the most physically different of the group. He was significantly more slender, but more defined. His hair was longer than his brothers’ and starting to form curls at the nape of his neck and over his eyes. Eyes which were so light brown they were basically caramel. He also had another thing the other two didn’t; swirling yellow tattooed lines along his cheekbones. 

The thing all three had in common the most though was the easy way in which they smiled and the kindness in their eyes. Despite being shocked at his existence and lack of clothes, both young men had looked at with a gentle respect. Had smiled at him welcomingly. That, he figured, was what was important. Not the ache their Force presences left in his heart, but the kindness with which they treated him.

So, when he and Cody rejoined the others, he stopped his nervous fidgeting that he wouldn’t admit was nervous fidgeting, when they gave him yet another pair of those same welcoming smiles. He didn’t hesitate to give the two of them a wide, gracious smile in return. 

They had introduced themselves as Bly and Rex before Cody had guided him away for clothes. Obi-Wan couldn’t help but notice that the names all three had fit each so perfectly. Short, yet strong, and as far as he was concerned perfect for Mandalorian royalty. 

Not that he was sure Cody and his brothers were still considered royalty, no matter how much they fit the mantle. It had been seven hundred years, after all, and all he knew was that Tarre Vizsla had been Mand’alor when the Spheres were given to him. The then ruler had promised that the Spheres would be kept safe. That he would hand them down to his successor, a man Obi-Wan couldn’t for the life of him fully remember the name of. Mereel could very well have been it, as it was at the very least incredibly familiar. 

He was torn from his nonsensical ancestral musings by Bly gently clearing his throat. Obi-Wan turned his attention to him and received a cautious, but curious, smile. 

“So, Obi-Wan, yes?” at his nod the young man continued. “Obi-Wan, okay. So, how’d you end up trapped inside a glass ball?”

“Yeah, I’m curious about that too.” Rex agreed.

Obi-Wan glanced at Cody, who shrugged with a nervous smile. “You don’t have to tell them anything you don’t want to.”

“Thank you, my dear, but I don’t mind.” he assured him as he sat himself carefully in an armchair across from the brothers. 

“If you’re certain?”

“I am.” he assured. “The Essence Spheres are a last effort way the Jai’hai have of preserving their life force and Power. It isn’t something we really wish to ever resort to doing, as there are…. side effects. However, in dire times, it becomes a necessity. This was one of those times and the last leader of our Order preserved five of us in Essence Spheres. I fear, and assume, we are the last of our kind left.”

The three brothers looked varying degrees of saddened. Cody’s deep honey eyes seemed truly heartbroken.

“So,” he said hesitantly, “You can’t ever see your children again unless their Spheres are broken, right?”

Obi-Wan closed his eyes briefly for a pained moment at the reminder and then opened them to give a desolate nod. “Yes, I’m afraid so.” he gave a soft sad smile. “They are alive though. Living and free is all I can ask for them.”

Cody flushed darkly and Obi-Wan immediately shook his head. “No, no, no, dear one. That is not what I meant. The reason we were placed in the Spheres was to save us from being controlled, used or bled for our power by a truly vile man. You have done nothing wrong in breaking my Sphere.”

Cody gave him a little, hesitant smile. “Thank you for saying so, Obi-Wan, but it doesn’t change that I feel guilty.”

“There is nothing to feel guilty about.” Obi-Wan tried to reassure him, yet if the pained smile Cody sent his way was anything to go by, it didn’t work. 

So, he gave him as wide of a smile as he could and very bluntly changed the subject. “Enough of that for now my dear. There is no reason to focus on things that cannot be changed. Perhaps a different direction of conversation? Like what has brought the three of you here today? Unless, of course, this is your regular home?”

Cody gave a heavy sigh. “Well, that isn’t much more of a pleasant conversation.”

“Do you not want to have it?” Obi-Wan questioned sincerely. “It is most certainly okay if you don’t wish to, but if it's something I can help with I would be happy to do so.”

The three brothers exchanged looks and had a sort of silent conversation he couldn’t decipher even with the Force. After a moment Cody eventually nodded his head. 

“I think we do, yes. If you really want to hear about our family drama.”

Obi-Wan gave him a small smile. “I would love to. I am all ears, my dear.”

Cody was almost in disbelief at how wondrously selfless Obi-Wan was turning out to be. After admitting he will likely never see his family again, he was somehow so openly concerned with Cody and his family problems. It was hard for him to comprehend that someone that giving truly existed. 

Yet here Obi-Wan was giving him his whole undivided attention. He seemed truly sincere in wanting to hear what Cody had to say. He couldn’t believe it, but he wasn't going to question such rare honesty. That would just be rude, and that was the last thing Obi-Wan deserved. 

Instead, he began the story of his ba’buir’s death in a soft voice. “This is the Mereel Ancestral Manor. Up until a few days ago, it belonged to the Head of House Mereel, our grandfather, Jaster.”

“What happened?” Obi-Wan asked softly in concern when Cody couldn’t bring himself to say any more.

“ Ba’buir was killed.” Rex said before Cody could. “Assassinated by the orders of that hut’uun Montross.”

“Well, we don’t know it was him who hired the killer.” Bly interjected. 

“We may as well kriffing know!” Rex insisted with a huff. “He’s a self-centered arrogant coward who has been vying for the position for years.”

“Who is now questioning buir’s ability to take over.” Cody added. 

“What is your parent taking over?” Obi-Wan questioned with a curious tilt of his head. 

“Mandalore.” The three brothers chorused together.

“Ah. So, the Mereel Clan did take over the Mand’alor title?”

“We have since Tarre Vizsla.” Cody informed him. “Though there are many voices who have called out that someone would be more qualified. Especially as not a single one of our generation has gone into politics.”

“It is a much more political role now than it ever would have been before.” Bly explained to Obi-Wan’s confused look. “At the Jai’hai’s prime, buir would have been the perfect Mand’alor as a military general. Now though, many people are claiming that he is unqualified.”

He sighed and added, “Which is why we don’t know if it was Montross, even though he is the loudest of the bunch. Vizsla is just as likely. Or maybe even the Kryze woman.”

“No, she would never.” Cody retorted. “Pacifism is her ideal, and no matter how much she thinks ba’buir and now buir are unqualified, she would never resort to assassination.”

“Besides, I personally think Montross is working with Vizsla, so it could very well be them both.” Rex remarked with a shrug. 

“Just to be sure I’m correct, gentlemen,” Obi-Wan began with a serious expression, “your ba’buir was assassinated by an unknown hired hand. Who was hired by an unknown attempted usurper? One of the people you suspect is now claiming that your buir is not fit to lead Mandalore?”

“Yes. Though, we forgot to add that Montross was ba’buir’s right hand man and is claiming he should be the one leading Mandalore.” Cody added on, which caused Obi-Wan’s frown to deepen even more. 

“He’s claiming buir has no political knowledge and would only fail.” Rex said with a roll of his eyes. 

“Or lead us to ruin.” Bly input with a snort. 

“He certainly seems like a guilty party to me.” Obi-Wan remarked. “Have any authorities questioned him yet?”

Cody snorted. “No. Because he isn’t saying anything publicly. What he is saying only makes it seem like he’s worried about buir’s mental health. And the Mandalorian authorities have only done a cursory investigation. It is being handed over to the Coruscanti branch of the Republic Federal Investigation Service. Likely, because our brother Fox leads it.”

“Which is a fair point, the mental health thing.” Bly said sadly. “ Buir is having a hard time with ba’buir’s loss.”

“Which is why we are here going through the Mereel Manor. Buir and ba’buir were exceptionally close. He has far too much to do governing Mandalore, we don’t want him to have to try and do this too.” Rex explained, finally actually answering the question that Obi-Wan had originally asked. 

The Jai’hai gave an understanding nod before asking, “If they haven’t investigated this Montross, what have they done?”

“Jack shit.” Cody replied bluntly. “Like I said, our brother Fox is a Republic wide investigator stationed in Coruscant. He got permission to bring his partner to investigate, as long as he isn’t the one running point.”

“I would like to help him.” Obi-Wan stated bluntly. 

Cody blinked and exchanged surprised looks with his brothers. When he looked back over to the Jai’hai, it was to be met with a look that practically pulsed determination from the man’s beautiful blue eyes. 

Despite Obi-Wan seeming set on it, Cody couldn’t help but to ask in a stunned near whisper, “You want to help?”

“Of course, I do. Like I said earlier, one of the things the Force allows me to do is tell when others are lying. Investigating a betrayal like this is right up my skill set.”

“I couldn’t possibly ask that of you.” Cody insisted firmly. 

“You aren’t asking, my dear.” Obi-Wan stated simply. “I’m offering. In fact, I am insisting.”

Obi-Wan was almost confused by Cody’s reluctance to have him help find out who hired his grandfather’s assassin. He seemed to nearly think it was too much to ask of Obi-Wan. Something he just did not understand. The Jai’hai used to be viewed as all powerful. Most would assume reading the truth would be as easy as breathing for him. 

The Mandalorian truly was too kind for words. He was taking his promise to not use his Power to heart. While it was touching, Obi-Wan wasn’t going to let a murderer get away. Especially not one who had hurt this far too loving family. Using his abilities for investigation was no hardship at all. He just had to make sure that Cody could see that as well. 

Even after swearing that he truly wanted to help, the man was still staring at him with a nervous skeptical look. He didn’t know what else to do to make sure he understood, so he just promised yet again. 

“My dear, I swear to you, you are not using me.” he told him softly. “Helping you find who killed your ba’buir is in no way a hardship to me.”

“You are certain?”

“With everything that I am. The Mereel family has kept my family safe for centuries. I would love nothing more than to help keep yours safe now.”

“What does telling when people are lying entail?” Rex asked quietly while Cody continued to watch him with concerned honey eyes. 

“Merely speaking to them. The Force will let me know if they are lying or not. Truly, my dear,” he said the last part directly to Cody. “It would be no harder for me to do than having this conversation. I just need an opportunity to speak with this man, and I will know if he is hiding something about your ba’buir’s death.”

“You would just have to talk to them?” 

Obi-Wan gave him a soft smile. “I would only have to speak with them, yes.”

Cody’s shoulders sagged and he nodded. “Okay. Since you are offering.”

Obi-Wan’s smile widened, and he had to resist the urge to reach out and touch his hand in assurance. “I am very touched that you are determined to not use my Power, my dear. Not many would…-”

His words were cut off by a large, unexpected, yawn overtaking him to the point that his jaw popped. His arm shot up to cover his face immediately and he gave his hosts a sheepish look over its pale expanse. 

“Forgive me, gentlemen.” he said after lowering his arm. “It seems having a corporeal body is harder to keep energized than I remember it to be.”

“Should you rest?” Cody asked worriedly. “This has been a lot for you in such a short time.”

“Will we be staying here for the time being?”

“For the night at least, maybe a couple more? I live in the city and it's easier to just stay out here until we have what we need to do here done. You could use my room and I’ll use my brother Wolffe’s.” Cody suggested kindly.

“In that case, a small rest may be a good idea.” Obi-Wan gave him a thankful smile and then after a moment added, “Would it be alright if I went back to the attic for a quick moment first?”

Cody blinked and confusion wafted off of him, but he nodded, nonetheless. “Of course. You don’t have to ask me permission to do anything, Obi-Wan. If there is something you want to do, do so.”

“Appreciated, dear, but I ask as this is your home.”

Cody’s cheeks darkened. “Oh, well. Please, feel at home yourself, Obi-Wan. You’re welcome to anything you need. No asking needed. That includes food, if you need it ta..-” 

His eyes suddenly went wide, and he gasped. “Food! Kriff, Obi-Wan, I’m sorry. I forgot all about food. Are you hungry? Do you have any dietary restrictions?”

Obi-Wan chuckled and shook his head. He was touched by how much Cody seemed to worry about him, no matter how unnecessary it was. “No, dear. I am alright. Perhaps after a brief nap?”

“Yeah, I’ll find something for dinner while you rest.” Cody assured him. “When you’re done in the attic, my room is the one I got the clothes for you from. Make yourself at home, okay?”

“Thank you, Cody.” he smiled and gave a grateful bow of his head as he stood. “It is greatly appreciated.”

Cody just gave him an almost nervous smile in return before nodding his head at him as he passed. After leaving the brothers, Obi-Wan didn’t so much as hurry to the attic as walk as quickly as possible without making it seem like he was hurrying. Not because he wanted away from them, but because as soon as Obi-Wan began to realize he was tired he knew he couldn’t let himself rest without doing something he should have done long ago. 

Which was checking on his children. There was no way his brain could slow down without him knowing that they were okay.  He should have done it as soon as he was released from the Sphere, he knew. He just didn’t know how safe it had been to do so. Now that he knew Cody truly was the warm, pure soul Obi-Wan believed him to be, he felt secure enough to at least confirm that they were okay.

Once at the top of the creaky stairs, he beelined straight for the container holding the Essence Spheres. He stared down at the gold and orange ones for a moment before reaching out to very gently pick them both up. 

Ahsoka’s presence shifted slightly, but Anakin’s brilliantly luminous one immediately brushed against his. It very quickly exploded in shock and curiosity the moment it touched him, as if he was astonished that he could actually feel Obi-Wan’s presence. Seconds later Anakin’s very weak voice sounded in his head. 

“Kojrar?”

“Shh, Ani. Don’t exert yourself. I just wanted to let you know I am safe. I am safe and will try to get you and Ahsoka out. I promise.”

“E ruqa ai.” he replied softly, voice barely there as his strength began to fade.

“I love you too, my sunlight.” he whispered back before gently setting both the Sphere’s down. It was hard to fully let them both go, but he forced himself to with a painful exhale. 

Another thing Cody’s kindness has allowed him to do is hope . He didn’t know how, but he knew that he’d find a way to free his family from the Spheres without having to tie them to anyone. It had been something they had all sworn to do if they got the chance. Investigate and hunt down an alternative. Though knowing it was a long shot, they all promised if they were broken out, they would at least try. 

Despite having no idea where to start looking, it no longer seemed like an impossible task. He had assumed he would have to keep his research secret from whatever Dojar had broken him out. Now though, he was certain he wouldn’t have to hide anything. Infact, he knew that Cody wouldn’t only not hinder him, but actively help him in finding a way around the Spheres’ binding if he were to ask. Though, he wasn’t quite sure about asking. Not yet at least.

He had a significantly long amount of time to do so too, if his estimate of how young Cody is was correct. He was sure he’d have at least over half a lifetime. It had to be enough time to find an answer. It had to be enough time to give him a chance to get his family back. It had to be, because Obi-Wan didn’t think he could accept any other alternative. 

Cody waited until Obi-Wan was upstairs in his room before quietly speaking to his brothers. He wasn’t trying to keep things from the Jai’hai, he just didn’t want him to feel like he had to reassure Cody of anything. So he waited until he knew that Obi-Wan wouldn’t walk through and accidentally hear his insecurities. 

“Am I taking advantage of him?” he asked the other two so softly it may as well have been a whisper.

Bly and Rex glanced at each other before simultaneously shaking their heads.

“Not at all.” Bly assured him firmly. “You heard him. He wants to help.”

Cody gave an acquiescent shrug. “Well, yes, but do you think that Fox will let him help?” What he didn’t say outloud was would their ori’vod agree with Bly’s assessment or would he be appalled by Cody’s actions? 

He was unsure if Rex understood his silent question or not, but he still snorted, nonetheless. “You know how our ori’vod felt about ba’buir . As well as how much he hates Montross. He’ll take any help he can get to prove he was behind this. Obi-Wan seems like he’d be a huge help.”

“But I’m not forcing him to give that help, right?”

The youngest Mereel-Fett boy sighed. “No, Kote. you are not using or forcing Obi-Wan to do anything.”

“Okay.” he pushed himself to his feet. “That's all I needed to know.”

“Where are you going?” Bly asked with a confused tilt of his head.

“To make dinner and call Fox,” he replied over his shoulder. 

“Good plan!” Rex called after him. “Bly and I will finish up in here.”

“Oh, yeah. We were doing something. Forgot about that.” Bly remarked dryly. 

He barely caught Rex’s amused chortle and added, “Yeah, me too,” as he closed the door to the kitchen. Their exchange caused him to let out a small snort, but he didn’t really blame either of them. Honestly, he had almost forgotten too. 

Time just seemed to be incredibly skewed. It seemed like it had been ages since they had gotten there that morning. It felt like he had known Obi-Wan for days, not hours. He had no idea why, but assumed it was because he was just so drawn to the Jai’hai, it was impossible not to feel like he knew him better than he truly did. 

It was the same feeling he had had earlier. The one that had more or less urged him to pick up Obi-Wan’s sphere in the first place. Being around the intriguing man felt like warmth and security, yet also brought out the protectiveness he hadn’t felt since serving. Cody just felt right being around him.

He didn’t understand why though and did his best to ignore it. The Jai’hai was not only hurting and in a strange new time, but he was literally forcibly tied to Cody. He had no say in this, and Cody would do what he could to make sure Obi-Wan kept all the autonomy that he could. 

Which was what made him reluctant to accept Obi-Wan’s help finding their ba’buir’s killer. He knew that he would change their chances of finding out the truth drastically. Cody just didn’t feel right about it. 

He also knew that his brothers had a good point. Hells, Obi-Wan himself was the one insisting he help. Cody just couldn’t get the guilt out of his head.

So, calling his big brother as he cooked had two purposes. He knew that if anyone could make him feel better about all of this, it was Fox. 

His brother picked up by the third ring like always, his voice soft and welcoming though tired. Also, like always. “Hey Kot’ika. You doing okay at the Manor?”

“Uhm, well, yes?”

Fox heard his question and uncertainty immediately. “What’s wrong?”

Cody let out a harsh breath in an almost laugh. “Do you have a minute?”

“I’m currently just sitting very bored on a train. You have all of my time.”

“Okay. Okay, well, this is an insane story, but I promise it's real. So, trust me? Also, I need you to not say anything until I’m done, too. Okay?”

“Whatever you need Kot’ika.”

After a deep breath he explained the insanity his day had been. From the spheres, breaking Obi-Wan’s, Obi-Wan himself all the way to the Jai’hai’s desire to help out Fox’s investigation. He also was careful to make sure he explained how the man was bound to Cody and had to obey every single thing Cody said that could be seen as an order. He finished his whole explanation with his stomach-churning worry about using the wonderful being in any way. 

“I can’t let him feel like a slave, Fox. He’s just, he is so kind and selfless. He’s people are literally the victims of genocide, he may never see his children again, yet he’s more concerned about my problems! Even though he’s forced to listen to me, to obey me, he still wants to help me. At least he says he does. I don’t want to accidentally manipulate him and I’m worried that I am.”

“How do you mean?”

“Like how you, Bo and I used to trick Wollfe, Bly and Rex into doing things none of us wanted to do by telling them it was something they wouldn’t want to do and making them think that they really did want to do them.”

Fox gave a small snort before clearing his throat. “Cody, you are not in any way manipulating him. You insisted that he didn’t need to help us, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And he was the one that insisted that he wanted to?”

“Also, yes.”

“Okay. Then think of it this way, Kot’ika. This is what Obi-Wan wants to do. Telling him not to would be taking away his free will. I understand not wanting to use him, but you also have to make sure that you aren’t unintentionally controlling him in an attempt to protect him. You understand what I mean?”

“Yeah.” He breathed out. This was why he needed Fox. He knew that he would have completely forgotten this entirely and could have easily accidentally done just that. There was still one thing he was worried about so he added quietly, “How do I make sure that I dont cross either line?”

“You communicate with him. Make sure he knows your worries and check in with him to make sure that he is still doing something that he wants to be doing. Also, be very careful to avoid giving any sort of direction. Phrase as much as you can as a question instead of an order. Okay?”

Cody let out a heavy sigh and nodded his head despite his brother being unable to see it. “Okay. I really needed to hear all of that. Thank you, Fox.”

“Anything for you, Kot’ika. Just remember that you are a good man. You very clearly care for Obi-Wan and won’t do anything to hurt him. You haven’t done anything to cause him harm, and you won’t do anything at all to do so.”

“I’ll try.”

“And you’ll succeed, because you never fail at something you try.”

He gave a surprised laugh. “Well. I guess that’s true.”

“Of course, it is.” Fox remarked with a chuckle of his own before adding seriously, “I’ll see you in the morning?”

“Yeah, of course. Are you just coming straight to the Manor?”

“Probably. We can get the house done quickly. Besides, I’m looking forward to meeting this Jai’hai of yours.”

“Fox!” Cody hissed. “He’s not mine. ”

“You’re right. Insensitive choice of words. Forgive me?”

“Already forgotten. See you soon, ori’vod. ”

“Soon, Kot’ika.”

He hung the phone up and let out what felt like his thousandth sigh that day. He knew Fox would help, but he hadn’t realized to what extent. He should have though. Fox was always his go to whenever anything became tough. He was three years older than Cody and the perfect person for him to turn to whenever he needed to. This time was no different, as the advice he gave was, like always, exactly what he needed to hear.

It was also advice he would be sure to follow religiously. In fact, he got his first chance to do so not long after hanging up with his brother when a soft knock sounded on the doorway.

When he turned to face the sound, it was to find Obi-Wan standing at the door, his hands clasped before him and a cautious, curious smile on his face.

He looked delightfully sleep rumpled and Cody had to swallow the lump that came to his throat at the sight. Even more so when Obi-Wan’s eyes met his and his smile warmed significantly. 

“Your brothers said I could find you here. Did you need any help?”

He returned the smile with a soft one of his own. “Thank you, but I’m okay. Just finishing up dinner. Did you have a good rest?”

“I did, thank you, dear.” he tilted his head and studied Cody for a long moment before asking, “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, of course.” he replied immediately. After a very small hesitation he added, “Though, I did want to make sure you were still alright with helping us?”

Obi-Wan’s expression turned incredibly soft. “Of course, I am. Excited to get you all some answers, in fact. I promise, my dear.”

Cody studied him for a long moment. When he saw nothing but honesty his shoulders loosened but he still had to ask, “Promise you will let me know if that changes?”

He gave an immediate nod. “I promise.”

More relief than he knew possible flooded him and for the first time he felt truly optimistic about the Jai’hai helping his family. He finally felt no guilt as he said, “Okay, good. Thank you for doing this Obi-Wan. It is more appreciated than I can say.”

“Of course, dear. You don’t have to thank me. I am happy to help.” he gave him a questioning look. “In fact, I’m curious? When will we be starting?”

“Uhm, sometime after tomorrow?” he replied in a tone that was almost a question. “My brother Fox will be here in the morning. We’ll talk more with him then.”

“Sounds good to me” Obi-Wan gave him another painfully blinding smile that had his heart racing. Something only made worse by him sincerely stating, “I look forward to meeting him.”