#skywrites

Your twenties are for spending hours and hours pretending We have plans and we have places we should visit But everybody knows your twenties are for wasting time

Life day has always held a special place in your heart, even more so after meeting Commander Cody. The Clone Commander had nearly run you over in the halls of the Courascant base nearly four years prior, long before the war had ended with the death of Emporer Sheev Palpatine. 

The two of you had become fast friends, bonding over early caf runs, mountains of datapads, and even physical paperwork as the networks became flooded with activity at the back end, and the official ceasefire of the war, and the overbearingly stressful atmosphere as your individual bosses make pit stops, Kenobi insisting daily check-ins to ensure Cody’s workload did not become hellish, and Senator Padme Amidala stopping by for nothing more than a friendly smile and a fresh caf, to which she began bringing two, one for you and one for your clone friend, as the Commander was shifted to the back closet-like offices of the senate building post-war. 

'Cause you could be with anyone you wanted, you could Take that job they offered and move down by the ocean But I love the way your hand feels when it's under mine

The Senate building is desolate, life day celebrations in full swing outside, the music and laughter echoing in through your open office window as you shuffle from desk to window to cabinet and back, eyes glued to the datapad that Padme had sent you days ago regarding post-war rehabilitation efforts that she wants to bring up in the next senate meeting as a speaking point. 

Months ago, you had planned to invite Cody on your Life Day escapades, gunning to spend some time with the clone you had inevitably fallen for. Instead, he was deployed last minute to Naboo along with the rest of the 212th and General Kenobi to act as extra hands for the Nabooian Guard on the celebratory day. 

With Padme on leave with her husband, Anakin Skywalker, and their twins Luke and Leia, you are left to your devices, and the thoughts tumbling about your head speaking a certain Commander’s name like a mantra. And as the morning light shifts to afternoon, and afternoon to evening, the colors of the light show outside dance across your dimly lit office, waltzing across the walls in a mocking manner. 

And with your focus so deeply rooted in the datapad, you barely notice your comm flashing frantically beside you, and when you do catch it in your peripheral, you mindlessly tap it.

“Please tell me you aren’t working.”

“Padme! How are you?” You ask, avoiding her accusation statement.

“Put the datapad down, you have a guest. Happy Life Day,” she sing-songs, and then the comm goes dead. And as it does, there’s a knock on the door. 

You blink confusion flooding your veins as you shuffle toward the door, your sock feet sliding easily, carrying you and all your comfortable pajama glory to the door as it slides open. 

“Happy Life Day, cyar'ika.”

The flowers clutched in Cody’s hands are nearly crushed as you leap forward, pulling him toward you into a tight hug. “I thought you were on Naboo?”

Your words are nearly drowned by the celebration outside pouring in from the open window, Cody’s free hand easily switching your office light office and dragging you with him. “Senator Amidala sent a few of us back, told us there was no need.”

You snort, knowing exactly what had actually happened. Padme had caught you not so sneakily staring at the Commander months ago, making it her personal mission to push you two together at any given moment. “Oh…Cody, I’m not wearing shoes.”

He slows, walking in front of you and lowering himself slightly, “Hop on.”

His normal plastoid has been replaced at some point before arriving with more comfortable civii clothes. Without a second thought, you hop onto his back, his free hand wrapping around one of your legs, hooked under your knee. 

I don't wanna take the world for granted While I'm still trying to understand it The more I live, I am convinced Everyone just wants to be in love This world makes me dizzy, how'd we get so busy? No one tries to take the time it takes to turn your Love into a love or friends into a family

The trek to your apartment is one Cody knows incredibly well, mapped out and tattooed into his brain like something of a lifeline. And when you arrive, his hand gently releases you off of his back and to the ground, typing in your door code with ease. 

On the other side of the door, your apartment is lit with a lamp in the corner, the smell of freshly baked something wafting toward you, drawing you through the threshold. Cody stands proudly just on the inside of your door as you take in the holofilm prepared, the cookies sitting still hot on a plate, and your favorite blankets folded neatly on the couch. Only after you walk further into your home do you see the neat pile of plastoid armor, yellow and white and dented with years of war, resting beside the couch. You turn, watching Cody as he carefully places each flower meticulously into a vase on your counter. The vibrant orange, yellow, and red flowers a soft contrast to the otherwise warmly lit interior, a symbolic reflection of the light and warmth Cody seems to bring into your life in nearly every passing moment. 

“You’re staring.” 

“Am not.” Though the lie is less convincing with each passing second as the two of you hold oddly comforting eye contact. “This is wonderful, Cody, thank you.”

The holofilm he chose is one of your favorites, a romantic comedy, heavy on the comedy; a tale of friends to lovers with nothing but the obscene obliviousness keeping them from one another. A full cushion apart from each other, yet drifting closer as the end of the holofilm nears, the celebrations dying down outside your apartment. 

“This is my favorite holofilm,” You mutter, cozying further into your couch. 

Cody’s eyes find the side of your face as you watch the holofilm intently, blindly reaching for the plate of cookies mostly eaten. “I know.” 

Well, I don't want any false religion, I will Practice loving you with no conditions, and I'll Give up what I have to just so I can have you

Only then do you find yourself looking at him, catching his eyes on your face. Yet, he doesn’t look away. Your eyes turn back to the screen. “I’ve always wanted what they have. I mean, can you imagine falling in love with your best friend? Already knowing each other, knowing how they think and feel and all of it only being heightened. I think it’d be fun, and easy. But the kind of easy that makes love worth it, like when you just know someone’s favorite holofilm, or their comm frequency by memory. That sort of easy. I don’t think I want the endless pining though-”

At some point during your rant, Cody had moved to your side, his hand finding your face, gently pulling your eyes to him, and your lips to his, stopping your words short. The shock freezes your body, your movements stunted as he pulls away, eyes searching yours. “Like this?”

Everybody's chasing something But they don't know they're chasing someone The more I live, I am convinced Everyone just wants to be in love Lots of little life we take for granted when we Finish our Decembers empty-handed, but I'm Never empty-handed when I'm holding your hand

Instead of answering, you kiss him again, finding your hands releasing the woven blanket in your lap and bringing your hands to either side of his face, a hand latching onto your wrist. When you pull away, your faces mere centimeters apart, noses brushing against each other, you mumble, “Exactly like this,” as the credits of the holofilm roll, your favorite song on the soundtrack playing softly; a song about loving despite it all.

The loud explosions from fireworks outside thump through your bones, drawing your eyes toward your window. Cody’s lips press against your cheek before tugging you into him, pulling your blanket back over you. “Happy Life Day, cyar'ika.”

You smile, wiggling back into his arms. “You never told me what that means.”