Archive of Our Own ^beta

Cody held the little holo tablet, like it personally offended him. The words weren't making any sense to him. As he tried to read, he got more and more scared. Words as "transfer" and "promotion" were swimming around his eyes. The name " General Y/n Y/l " made him feel mentally and physically sick at the same time. Of course he prepared himself for this moment. Obi-wan and him had this conversation over and over again. And they always finished it with a "We will talk about it later". But now, it is in front of him. It's real, and it's hurt.

He put down the tablet and took a big breath. He needed to finish his work before the meeting but he just can't. He felt betrayed. Why Obi-wan didn't tell him about this? He knows the relationship between Cody and Y/n. He knows the padawan is Cody's ad'ika at this point. He knows fucking well that Cody would die for the kid, and the others too. They were like a family, so why would Obi-wan do this to them? He was now angry, so angry he wanted to break everything around him.

As a clone, he's used to have nothing. No personal items or relationships. But as the time went he understood he was wrong. He can have these things. And he will not let them go.

It was time to go. He put on his armor then grabbed his helmet. But before he could left his quarter, he saw his reflection on the mirror. His eyes were red, and the bags under were worse than a few tendays ago. He needed some sleep but there was no time. In war there were never enough time.

As the door closed behind him, he met with familiar blue armor.

- You look like shit - said Rex with a smile. - Maybe you should wear that helmet before Kenobi and the kid sedate you.

- It's good to see you too Rex. I didn't know you were this good with words. I'm flattered. - he got next to the Captain and started to walk to the meeting room. - Are you aware of the meeting or we are both in misery?

- I have no idea. Skywalker was the one who organized it. But the meaning of it? Not a clue.

Cody felt nervous. He had no problem with Skywalker. They have some time together while Anakin was just a padawan. He liked him of course, but his strategies and decisions were questionable. Their next mission was in a different location from the 501st, so the meeting wasn't about the strategy or battle plan. Maybe Skywalker know about the message Cody get about Y/n, and he will address Obi-wan about this crazy idea.

As they walked Cody got lost in his thoughts. It was easy to imagine Y/n as a General. Maybe they were still young, but their heart and mind were in the right places. They have brilliant battalion plans, their priority were always the men. He knows the battalion that get Y/n as their general literally hit the jackpot. Every clone would be thankful for a superior officer like his kid. But he was selfish. He wanted to keep the kid. And after the meeting, he will speak with Obi-wan about this ridiculousness. Maybe the message was a mistake too. Everything's going to be alright.

When the two men arrived to the meeting room, the others already were in a heated argument. Skywalker and Kenobi were arguing like never before. Y/n stood next a clone Cody had never seen before. The man armor was covered with some material, he had longer hair than regulations and a very nice beard. When their eyes met, the clone lowered his immediately. He seemed nervous and even guilty maybe? Cody was lost until he looked at his ad'ika. Y/n looked angry too or some kind of discomfort was on their always happy face. They were really close to the clone, one hand on the man shoulder the other grabbing his hand and whispering something that Cody couldn't hear. Before he can get a step closer to the padawan Skywalker voice hit his ear. And then, destroyed his hope.

- Obi-wan, the Council made their choice already. Y/n will leave the battalion about five tendays. You can't do anything about it. - Cody just now noticed how Skywalker was between the padawan and Obi-wan. - The Republic needs new Generals. Generals who can see the worth of the men. Do you want people like Pong Krell or Tarkin to take lead?

Cody took a look to Obi-wan. He had never seen him this upset. His hair was a mess, like he just woke up a few minutes ago, his body was tense and his knuckles were white from how hard he was holding the table. He had a death stare. A real one. Both Cody and Rex were confused for a second then Obi-wan started to speak.

- First of all, Y/n is my padawan. I know how their training is progressing, how ready are they to take lead on a battalion or how good or bad their strategy plans. You Anakin don't have the right to make decisions about MY padawan without MY knowledge. - he was shouting at the end. But Anakin was still as a rock. His confident was just oil to the fire. - Just because your padawan left us, that doesn't mean you can take mine. Would you do this to Ahsoka too? Let her lead a full battalion without you knowledge? - Cody know the words hurt Anakin by the look. He was shocked, everyone in the room were. Even Obi-wan was surprised by his outrage.

A heavy silence had captured the room. No one dare to speak a word. Cody was ready to ask the question that was running in his head, but Rex beated him.

- Excuse me Sirs, but what the kriff is happening? - five pair of eyes looked at Rex. Seems like, he was the only one who couldn't catch the reason of this meeting. At the end Skywalker was the one who answered.

- Y/n had asked me about the situation on the outer ring worlds. There are battalions which lost their generals in the fights. So we went to the Council and addressed our concern. And because the Jedi don't have enough leaders Y/n offered their work as one. - Anakin looked at Obi-wan - This was not a quick decision Obi-wan, we have talked about this over 4 rotations. This was a decision made by them. - Anakin had a calm expression on his face than he turned to Cody and Rex. - Come on Rex. This is not our problem anymore. Y/n! - the padawan stepped next to him and Skywalker smiled. - Congratulations General. And if you survived this conversation have a good flight. - and then he left the room with Rex behind him with a confused face.

After the door closed Obi-wan turned to Y/n.

- What were you thinking, Y/n? Why didn't you tell me? Why did I need to know that my padawan made a decision like this from Anakin? What if he didn't tell me? You just be gone one day?! - Obi-wan anger wasn't helping the situation. But at least Cody now know that Obi-wan too wasn't aware of Y/n promotion.

- If I told you anything about this, you would disagree with me. I wanted to tell you today, but you was too busy telling Anakin off to even consider that I'm in the same room. - Y/n was calm, they definitely planed their speech. Cody didn't know he should be proud or annoyed. - And of course you must got the holo message from the Council. Everything is written down. I don't understand why are you so upset then? - now they raised their voice a little.

The message. Oh no. It was for Obi-wan. Maybe they switched some holo tablets while working. But that means the message is real.

Maybe Obi-wan had the same idea because he looked at Cody. Defeated. They can't do anything to prevent what their little ad'ika wants to do. Cody finally got himself together.

- We understand you. We just don't understand why did you reach for help from Skywalker? We could talk about it than consider the opportunities. - he wanted to sound reasonable. Deep inside, he would never let Y/n be a general. Over his dead body maybe.

And the look on their face made Cody understand they know that. They can read him so easy sometimes it embarrassed him. Y/n was ready to say something else, but they changed their mind. Instead of speaking, they got back to the mysterious clone.

- This is Commander Mayday. He is stationed on Hoth with his battalion without a general. They tried to reach the Republic about their situation but they never got a proper answer. Then they tried to reach a nearby general or superior officer. And this is how he got to me and Master Skywalker. - they were so formal, Cody was so proud. He just wished this was some other kind of conversation.

Commander Mayday was standing like a proper soldier. Sometimes he looked at Y/n with a half smile but when he met Cody and Obi-wan's eyes his smile faded wholly. Cody was sure he was a honorable man, but now he hated him. He is going to take away his ad'ika. That's an unforgettable mistake. But he needed to be strong. If he starts to argue, Y/n would never speak to him again. He needed to support the kid, even if his heart shatters to a thousand pieces.

The meeting ended here. Obi-wan stormed out the room, leaving no time to say anything. Cody and Y/n showed the barracks to Mayday, then left to Cody's quarters. He know Y/n chose him first to the "conversation". Obi-wan needed some time to calm down and think about the situation. When they entered to the room Cody sat down and stayed quiet. Y/n did the same. They stayed like that for while then the kid started to speak.

- I know what you think, and how you feel. - they looked at Cody. Cody for that let out a humorless laugh.

- You have no idea how I feel right now kid. - he couldn't look at them. Maybe he will start to cry.

- You feel betrayed. - said Y/n. - You feel like I wanted to leave you. You are angry that I didn't say anything. You sad because you thing you will never see me again. - they stopped here. But just for a second. - And you hate Mayday and accusing he is the problem here. Am I correct? - Cody hated how well they know each other. He don't wanted to give the satisfaction for Y/n right now.

- I do not hate Commander Mayday. - he tried. Y/n just smiled sadly.

- You full of banthashit Commander. I saw that look. Poor man thought you're gonna kill him for a second. - they sounded sad, but there was a little happiness there too.

- And you are too Commander. - he said. But then realized his mistake. - or General if I want to be correct. - Y/n took his hand gently.

- I will always be your ad'ika Cody. That's never going to change. - there were tears in their eyes.

- I know. - he said. He kissed the hand that was offered. Then looked at Y/n. - I just thought we have more... Time. - he never had enough time for anything. Never enough time to sleep, to work, to train or to have some time with the love of his life and their beautiful, amazing, wonderful kid. It was not fair.

Y/n hugged Cody like it was their last one. The ad'ika's little body fit in Cody's arms so well. It hurts more and more. When their tears started to fall neither of them said a word. Hugging each other, feeling their hearts beating the same time was enough. After several minutes Y/n pulled away. Cody felt so cold. But before he can say anything, Y/n gave him a kiss on his cheek, then the other, then his head and in the end they grabbed his face in their little hands.

- I swear to you that after the war, I come back. I come back and we go away. Go so far that no one can find us. Just the three of us. Okay? - their voice were trembling and Cody would trust anything they said. He smiled at them, then hugged them again. But they needed to part. Y/n has a more brutal conversation with Obi-wan, then Cody would take care of his Jedi after their little padawan left.

Before Y/n left the ship, they smiled at Cody, hugged him and Obi-wan goodbye then left with Mayday. Cody was hopeful. He know one day they meet again. Maybe still in the war, or after, but this wasn't the final goodbye.

But Cody's hope shattered the day when Palpatine gave him order 66. He shot the love of his life to death. Then shot the ship that included the padawan who was coming to help his battalion. When the padawan got out from the debris, they looked at him. They were traitors, he know. But how should he shot them? One shot for the shoulder should be enough, he thought. And when the kid didn't move anymore he left that bloody planet and never came back.

And after several years he realized, one shot would never be enough for his stubborn kid.