Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The trash bag was heavier than Ahsoka remembered it being. She was basically diving to pull it from the depths of Mr. Plos trunk.
“Need help?”
Ahsoka rose from the depths of the trunks' abyss to see Mr.Plos hands neatly folded, a quizzical eyebrow raised. She blew hair out of her eyes and took a step back. “Knock yourself out!”
Mr. Plo reached down and began trying to dislodge the bag from its confines. He'd been her case worker longer than Ahsoka could remember. It was comforting to have him help whenever he offered.

She had one memory of him picking her up from school. (That was a rough day. She had been removed from a foster home with no warning and without saying goodbye.) The teacher had asked if he had been her dad. Ahsoka had said yes. Even though it was clear to anyone who looked, that the Older middle eastern man was not the parent of the black girl with vitiligo. Ahsoka hadn’t cared. He was family to her. Mr. Plo had to tell her that she couldn’t call him her dad. Even if he was the most consistent figure in her life. That conversation had stuck in her head for years. She knew it wasn’t his choice. It didn’t help anyway.

Ahsoka took the chance to survey the brownstone before her. It was quaint. A pride flag out front waved gently in the afternoon breeze . The bushes were neat. An improvement to the previous foster home Ahsoka had been staying in. She hoped the people inside matched the kind outside.

Mr. Plo tapped her lightly on the shoulder and handed the trash bag to her.
“You nervous?” He had that eerily calm tone that only made Ahsoka more anxious. It made him hard to read. She shook her head and stood up a little taller. Mr Plo studied her face before replying “Don’t be Soka, I actually know Mr. Kenobi and Mr. Fett quite well.”

The two climbed the steps and Ahsoka wasn’t comforted by Mr. Plos words. She wouldn’t call herself a problem. But she knew her attitude wasn’t something that was very desirable in a young girl looking to be adopted. So the words “I know them quite well.” To Ahsoka, meant this was a place where the problems went.

The doorbell let out a gentle ring and a voice could be heard calling something out before the lock clicked and the door opened. A tall man with curly hair and a scar around his eyes looked down at her. He smiled brightly, a rag thrown over his shoulder a clear indication he’d been busy with something before their arrival.

“Oh! I didn’t realize it was already one! I was making lunch, come in.” The door opened wider and Ahsoka crossed the threshold. The house was cozy. A hallway opened up into a small living room on her left Warmly lit by old looking lamps. Books lined every shelf and a record player was tucked in the living room's corner. From there she could see into the kitchen. There was a pot on the stove. And on her right there was an intricate staircase leading upstairs. It felt safe, and lived in. Ahsoka let out a small sigh of relief.

The tall man wiped his hands on his rag nervously and held out a hand in a handshake. “My names, Cody. You can call me Cody. Or Mr Fett if that works. I prefer Cody but whatever is best for you.”

Ahsoka shook his hand. “Nice to meet you Cody. I’m Ahsoka.”

Cody gave a half smile then seemed to realize something because he dropped her hand quickly and rushed towards the kitchen. “Shoot! The stove,” Ahsoka watched him wave over the pot and turn down over the heat before turning back to the awkward pair. “Let me get Obi-Wan for you as well. He will be disappointed he missed your arrival and i’ll never hear the end of it if I both burn lunch and don’t introduce you.” He gestured to the living room. “Please, set your stuff down! Anything I can get you both? Coffee? Tea? Coke?”

Mr. Plo sat down on the sofa and folded his hands neatly once more. “Tea would be lovely.” Ahsoka sat down next to Mr. Plo. Awkwardly placing her bag of belongings next to her staring at her converse. It would be best for her to avoid being any kind of annoying until she got a lay of the land. She also held respect for Mr. Plo to not embarrass him.

Ahsoka instead watched as Cody flicked on the kettle and called out from the kitchen. “Obi-Wan! Love! Our new friend is here!”

Ahsoka was surprised to see another man emerge. Not from upstairs but what seemed to be from nowhere. Suddenly he was standing in the kitchen.
He caught Ahsoka's gaze and smiled brightly. The man had reddish brown hair and beard. It was sprinkled with greys and he wore a collared shirt and sweater over it. It was an odd contrast to Cody who simply wore a T-Shirt. The man entered the living room and Ahsoka went to stand but he stopped her quickly

“oh please! Sit sit! I’m nowhere important enough for you to stand to shake my hand.” Ahsoka sat once more. The man sat in a large armchair across from her and crossed his legs. “My name is Kenobi, You can call me Obi-Wan or Kenobi or if you are feeling inspired to, Professor Kenobi.” Ahsoka fought back a snarky response. Surprisingly Kenobi seemed to notice.

“Please, it was a joke, Call me Obi-Wan.” Ahsoka smiled back. “Ahsoka. Are all your jokes that bad?”

Plo sighed. But Obi-wan laughed. “If you ask Anakin or my students. yes. If you ask my wonderful husband-“ Cody entered with two cups of tea and a coke. He gave the tea’s to Obi-wan and Mr. Plo then handed Ahsoka the coke. She took it, slightly surprised at the gesture but she wasn’t going to turn down a free soda.

Cody leaned down and kissed Obi-wan before finishing his sentence for him. “His jokes are terrible but you get used to them.” He teased. Then pointed to the coke in Ahsoka's hand. “Those are Anakin’s favorite so I figured you may like them as well.”

Ahsoka thanked him and cracked it open. She took a sip before asking her next question. “Who’s Anakin?”

Obi-Wan and Cody looked confused between each other then back at her. “Did Mr. Plo not tell you?” Obi-wan asked.

Mr. Plo shook his head. “After Anakin wasn’t under my watch I wasn’t sure where he ended up. I didn’t want to be premature with my assumptions.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “We actually adopted Anakin several years ago. I wasn’t aware you weren’t informed. I figured since you’d done so much for him you’d known.”

Ahsoka looked between all three men. “Wait, so I’m not the only child here?”

Obi-wan took another Sip of Tea. “By no means my dear girl. In fact. Why don’t we have Anakin show you your room while Mr. Plo finishes here with us?”

Ahsoka glanced to Mr. Plo who nodded.

Cody pointed to the stairs. ”His room is the first on the right at the top of the stairs. Just knock really loudly. He sometimes has headphones on.”

Ahsoka reluctantly grabbed her bag and climbed the stairs. The room was easy to find, the door was beat up pretty bad and an odd contrast to the rest of the neat and clean house.

She knocked.
No response.
She knocked again.
Still nothing.

It wasn’t until the middle of her third knock the door swung open. A boy with dark curly hair looked at her with a frown on his face. “Who the fuck are you?” Ahsoka Scoffed. He was ballsy and it may be his house but she didn’t take shit from anyone, especially not another teenager.

“I don’t know, who the fuck are you?” She shot back. Anakin seemed surprised at that. Good. He should be.

“This is my house, and you knocked on my door. Answer me first.” Ahsoka rolled her eyes and glanced at his shirt. It was a Vintage Sky Wars shirt. Of course this pretentious prick liked Sky wars.

“For your information, “Sky guy " I'm Ahsoka and your dads told me you could show me to my room if that’s not too difficult for you.”

She was pushing it but she genuinely couldn’t care.

“What did you just call me?” Anakin's bright blue eyes narrowed and he opened the door a bit more and crossed his arms which allowed for Ahsoka to see he only had one hand.

Ahsoka cleared her throat for dramatic effect. “I said show me to where my room is Skyguy. Or would you prefer dipshit?”

Anakin stepped forward and pointed at her and she considered for a moment biting him. Before remembering that Mr. Plo was still downstairs and she’d already been warned there weren't many chances left for her if she was going to continue that kind of behavior.

Anakin's eyes were fiery and he inhaled deeply. “Listen here, “snips.” This is MY house. My family. You leave me the fuck alone and we won’t have any problems but you keep this shit up you are gonna wish you were in a group home .”

Ahsoka wanted to hit him. The guy deserved it. But instead, she stuck out her tongue. That seemed to do enough of a job because Anakin threw up his hand and slammed the door so hard in her face it rattled the whole house.

The voices from downstairs quieted suddenly. Ahsoka listened trying to make out the soft murmurs but all she seemed to catch was an apology to Mr Plo.

light footsteps ascended the stairs and Cody rounded the corner. He had an apologetic look plastered to his face. “Im sorry about that-“ it was clear that this wasn’t the first time Anakin had done this. “why don’t I show you to your bedroom.”

Ahsoka followed him down the hall. Cody opened the door at the end. The room was plain. A window looked out over the street and she could see all the people walking home. Cody looked at her large trash bag.

“Is that all you brought?” Ahsoka felt a flame of anger in her chest but she did her best to stifle it. “Yeah, You don’t keep a lot on you when you move around.”

Cody still looked sympathetic. which only made Ahsokas flame angrier; she didn’t need this man’s sympathy. Or his Asshole son to like him or his husband's shitty jokes. She was fine.

Cody scratched his neck, his wedding ring catching the light. “Alright, well, take all the time you need. Maybe I can take you shopping this week and you and Anakin can be properly introduced when he comes down for dinner.-“ He paused as if he wanted to say something more but didn’t. “Until then! Lunch will be ready here in about 5 minutes. I can bring you some while you get settled.”
“Thanks.” Ahsoka Replied. “Of course.” Cody Nodded before shutting the door.

It wasn’t long before another knock followed suit. Mr. Plo.

“I need to leave but I wanted to say goodbye Soka.”

Ahsoka walked forward reluctantly and hugged him. Mr. Plo put his arms around her. “Please be good Soka. If not for them. For me.” Tears threatened her eyes but she fought back. “I’ll try.” She whispered. Mr. Plo let go.

“Let Mr. Fett and Kenobi know if you need anything from me like I said, they are good friends.”

“I will.” Aussured Ahsoka.

Ahsoka watched Mr. Plos car drive off into the NYC afternoon from her window. Letting out a deep anxious breath she had been holding in. Kicking off her shoes and throwing them into the farthest corner.

Ahsoka fell onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. She thought about Anakin again and his dumb attitude and judgmental finger “Sorry Mr. Plo.” she whispered. “But there’s a war, and I’m going to win it.”

Chapter Text

Anakin did not appear for dinner. Despite Obi-Wans best attempts to coax the angsty teen from his cave all he was met with was yelling and another slammed door.
Ahsoka didn’t mind. The less she saw of him the better.
Dinner was fine. Cody had cooked again and made a point to note that Obi-wan couldn’t cook to save his life. But when Ahsoka didn’t laugh he changed the subject quickly to more practical topics. Letting Obi-Wan take the wheel of the conversation.

“Cody told me a shopping trip may be in order.” Obi-Wan smiled. “I don’t have lectures on Saturdays. How about I take you and Anakin to shop for some new clothes and shoes for school?”

Ahsoka poked at her green beans. “only if you want to. I don’t want to intrude on your family life too much.”

Obi-wan shook his head. “No intrusion. You are as much family as anyone in this house. Plus! It will give you a chance to familiarize yourself with this part of the city.”

Ahsoka was about to say she could find her way around just fine. But, the promise of a shopping trip took precedent in her mind instead and the way to keep that was to play nice.

“Where do you teach?” Ahsoka blurted out instead.

Obi-Wans face lit up. “NYU. World religions. Although I also tutor at the local middle school and high schools so you may see me there.“

Ahsoka continued to let her food grow colder. “Are you religious?” Cody snorted at the comment and took Obi-wan's hand that was laid on the table in his.

The ginger man raised a playful brow. “No, my father was spiritual. Bit of a hippie if you ask me. I went to a private catholic school most of my life unsure why my father decided that was the move But I am no longer religious. Just a teacher of many religions” Obi-Wan squeezed Cody’s hand. ”The only religion I follow is the one of Cody fett” Cody smiled and planted a kiss on Obi-Wan's cheek.

Ahsoka had to admit she was intrigued now. “So was your father okay with you being gay if he sent you to catholic school?” Ahsoka knew the question was personal but Obi-wan seemed willing to offer the information.

“No. He couldn’t have cared less. I will say he took me being Bisexual much better than he did adopting a child.”

Ahsoka let half a grin slip. “I don’t blame him.”

Obi-Wan was about to continue when the sound of footsteps on the stair quieted him

Anakin appeared. Headphones on ignoring the trio sitting at the kitchen table. Unlike earlier, he had a prosthetic arm on. It looked incredibly intricate and fancier than most prosthetics Ahsoka had seen in her life.

It was almost fully autonomous. The wide range of motion was nearly unsettling and Ahsoka couldn’t stop her eyes from watching as Anakin moved about the kitchen. Grabbing a box of cereal and a bowl from the cabinets.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat and spoke up. “Anakin, there’s dinner here if you would like some.” The teen either didn’t hear him or ignored him.

Obi-wan spoke again, “Anakin,-“
a sharp edge bordered his words. Ahsoka kept her eyes on the table. Feet tucked under her chair. She’d seen explosive parents and the best move was to remain as unnoticeable as possible.

The teen turned yanking off his headphones.
“What!”

Obi-wan sighed and rubbed his temples. “I don’t ask much of you but please at least acknowledge
when I'm speaking to you. You haven’t eaten, you haven’t spoken to Ahsoka other than to slam your door in her face and now you are blatantly ignoring everyone.”

Ahsoka cringed at her name. “Don’t bring me into this.” was all her mind repeated.

Anakin threw the bowl and cereal down with a loud clatter on the counter.

“Really? Obi-Wan? You want to say I’m the one being rude? Talk to Snips over there. You think I wanted this? God it’s like you fucking hate me. Like she’s sent to be my personal hell. Don’t bother asking me what I want, just do whatever! It’s not like I lived here first or anything!”

Cody rose from his chair and stepping between the two. He looked oddly strong and commanding. A stark difference to his normal demeanor. “Alright Anakin, that’s enough. Stop it. Be mad at us all you want but leave Ahsoka out of this she-“

Ahsoka pushed her chair back so fast it fell over. But she only cared about one thing right now.
“No I get it, Mr. Perfect. You were adopted! Great home life, two loving parents. I get it skyguy. I’d hate me too. Here to tear up your stupid perfect life. Well, good news! I don’t want your fucking life. Especially if it means I end up like you!”

And before she could watch for the reaction on Anakin's face or feel the guilt leaking out from Cody and Obi-Wan. She stormed upstairs and slammed the door. Dropping to the ground as soon as she did and burying her face in her hands.

Palms pressing hard into her eyes. The sobs racked her body as she tried not to cry loudly. She was shaking and Ahsoka ran her hands through her hair to try and calm herself. Digging her nails into her scalp in some desperate attempt to stop the waves of pain crashing against her.

Eventually, they died down enough for her to compose herself. Ahsoka looked at herself in the full body mirror attached to her closet. The hoodie she’d been wearing was damp and covered in snot. Her hair was a mess and face was still wet with tears.

She pulled the hoodie over her head and tossed it to the corner where she’d discarded her shoes. Yanking down her favorite Stevie Nicks shirt and a pair of athletic shorts and throwing them on before climbing into bed.

She didn’t remember falling asleep but she must’ve because when Ahsoka opened her eyes the sun was casting shadows on the ceiling above her.

She sat up attempting to pull off her bonnet but remembered she’d forgotten it in her disheveled state last night. Ahsoka cursed herself silently.

hauling herself out of bed to head to the bathroom to brush her teeth and assess her hair. She stopped suddenly when she stepped on a slip of paper.

The paper was a soft cream color and it was clearly not just any sheet of printed paper it was small and neatly folded and her name was written in cursive across it.

She opened it up and read through it.

Ahsoka,
Sorry, I did not want to wake you but I had to leave early this morning to prepare my classes for next week. Cody is also out and I am unsure if Anakin will be there when you awake. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen and make yourself at home. I need to run to Trader Joe's later to pick up groceries. If you make a list I will pick up anything you need. Talk more when I return.

-Obi-Wan

She folded it once more and shoved it into her shorts. Ahsoka gathered her small bag of toiletries and headed for the bathroom located across the hall. She scoured the bathroom for anything other than old spice deodorant and head and shoulders but came up disappointingly empty.

it took her 15 minutes to fight her hair back into a sad poof. It would have to do for now. While brushing her teeth Ahsoka realized the bags under her eyes were heavy. She hoped that no one had heard her crying last night. They already probably hated her but she didn’t need to look weak on top of it.

the house somehow seemed even quieter than it had yesterday. Ahsoka didn’t know how she knew she just knew Anakin wasn’t home.

She padded downstairs and stood in the living room for a moment just taking it in. She walked along the wall covered in bookcases. Looking at books and pictures.

Pictures of Cody and Obi-Wan on vacation. Of their proposal, wedding.
photos of what Ahsoka had to assume was Cody’s family because they looked almost identical to him.

Then we’re the pictures of Anakin.

There was a picture of a man with a beard and sunglasses on the beach. Umbrella in one hand and a little pale blonde boy in the other. The only way Ahsoka could tell the blonde boy was Anakin was the countless pictures of him. That and, Anakin to this day was still whiter than a piece of printer paper in the snow.

There were pictures of him winning the science fair, Little League games. Karate classes and Christmas pictures of him all done up looking miserable.

The pictures made Ahsoka feel sick. All these happy memories and yet Anakin was still so Petulant. He didn’t even seem to care how good he had it.

“Selfish asshole.” She thought again.

That’s when something caught her attention. Anakin had both arms in all these pictures. Meaning he lost one of them at some point. Maybe that’s why he was so bitter. Ahsoka had just assumed he’d been born like that.

the professional snooper inside herself decided it was now her job to learn everything she could about Anakin.

If he was going to ruin her life, she would play the long game. She’d know everything there was to know about him. Starting with that arm.

Her stomach grumbled interrupting her scheming. The sudden regret of cold dinner she’d abandoned coming back to her.

She entered the kitchen on the hunt. The fridge was light but she managed to scrounge up an orange and some cheerios.

There must’ve been a scramble to get out the door because there was an array of dishes both in the sink and on the table. Cereal boxes remained open and stranded on the counter inevitably growing stale without Ahsoka here to save them.

She picked up quietly, throwing away a rouge tea bag and washing up the dishes using the chance to familiarize herself with the kitchen. She did leave the Vintage karate kid themed novelty bowl in the sink for Anakin to clean up. Petty? Maybe. But she didn’t care.

Next manner of business was the grocery list. Ahsoka was unsure what to add. Some houses she’d stayed in were organic only houses, some were a free for all, then there was that one house she stayed in where the other foster kid was severely allergic to almost everything you think of. But Obi-Wan hadn’t mentioned anything in his letter so Ahsoka just listed her favorites.

As she finished up. She heard the door knob jiggling.

“Hey hey!”

Ahsoka peaked her head around the piller blocking her view of the door. It was Cody, He gave a wave. He was wearing a black polo and black dress pants.

The look did not fit him in Ahsoka's opinion. He looked to formal almost like there were two versions of Cody that existed. One that was a loving husband and father, cook, and all around a soft observer. The other that looked much more stern and serious. Who could command a room. Ahsoka had already seen it in her little spat last night.

Ahsoka felt slightly uncomfortable. She didn’t want to open herself up to someone who hid who they were. Whether that was true for Cody, It would be answered in time.

“Hi.” Was all Ahsoka said back to Cody as the two awkwardly stood across from each other. He seemed to tell she was uncomfortable.

“Sleep well?” Cody asked.

Subtle as a brick.

“Yeah, did you know your son washes his hair with strictly head and shoulders.”

Cody looked back at her from placing his bag in one of the plush chairs in the living room. The room held tension that was clinging for air as the two strangers surveyed each other.

Cody’s eyes darted to the frizzy disaster befalling Ahsoka.

“I see.” And Ahsoka thought she caught a breath of a chuckle.

“Well, we should probably remedy that. Unless you are a head and shoulders fan.”

“Please” she said sarcastically. Taking in a half breath.

Cody reached back down for his bag swinging it over his shoulder.

“Well grab your shoes.”

Ahsoka raised an eyebrow. “Right… Now?”

Cody raised one back. “Yes?“

Ahsoka had a feeling he was reading her. She took off upstairs before he somehow read her mind.
Grabbing the converse from the corner she’d thrown them in. Pulling the laces as tight as possible. Mumbling to herself as she did.

“It’s fine. He can’t see your thoughts, he doesn’t know I hate his son-“ well, actually, He knew that. Ahsoka realized she had actually given herself away quite a bit in the under 24 hours she’d lived here.

well, this would be the perfect opportunity to redeem herself. Shut the fuck up and just play it cool. She’d answer questions politely. No one heard her crying. She was fine. Now was the time to keep cody from drilling holes in her brain.

A new confidence had overtaken her as Cody and her exited the home. A hard reset, she got this.

The almost autumn wind brushed her face and she was ready.

Cody cleared his throat.

“Oh, I came up to check on you last night and heard you crying. I wanted to make sure you were okay after Anakin's outburst. You seemed pretty upset.”

Ahsoka almost choked.
Fuck.