Actions

Work Header

Rating:
Archive Warning:
Categories:
Fandoms:
Relationship:
Characters:
Additional Tags:
Language:
English
Series:
Part 4 of My Jango/Obi-Wan, because I'm starting to have quite a few of them
Stats:
Published:
2025-08-17
Completed:
2025-08-31
Words:
3,610
Chapters:
2/2
Comments:
49
Kudos:
353
Bookmarks:
76
Hits:
4,036

The compensatory marriage

Summary:

Jango was marrying a Jedi, the "reparation" ordered by the Senate for what had happened to him a few years earlier and to keep Mandalore and its Sector within the Republic. He expected a manipulative, emotionless person whom he could never love, because HE could never love someone who took him away from his life for political reasons. He expected to hate and reject him, and also expected everyone else to do the same.

Then came the young Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, a descendant of Master Dooku's Jedi lineage and closest in age to him. A young man with fiery hair that hinted at his passion and cold, thoughtful, pragmatic eyes that were not so hostile to Mandalorian values. A young man who arrived pregnant at his own wedding.

It was safe to say that neither he nor his clones had expected that.

Notes:

Maybe I'll continue this one day :)

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Jango had tried everything he could to refuse when he received the offer, but he was neither so naive nor so inexperienced in politics that he could not understand that the people in front of him had already agreed and that a refusal on his part would not be to his advantage.

He had sufficient military strength to crush them, but they were united, and he did not want to antagonise them. In the end, it was his fault. He had asked the Jedi Order and the Republic for reparations for the massacre of his people and his enslavement years earlier, and they were offering him exactly that.

Not as he wanted, not as the Jedi probably wanted either, but it was the deal they were offered to bury the hatchet and put the past behind them, take it or leave it.

"What would you want anyway?" A Senate representative had asked when he objected. "Money? Jedi to execute? Jedi to enslave?"

No, he did not want that. No amount of money would bring back those he had lost, he did not want the deaths of innocents, and no slave could ease his pain.

They had selected someone for him, someone connected to Dooku, so that his "descendants" would bear the consequences of his mistake, and until then Jango had agreed that the debt should be passed on in this way. He had agreed until the next message specified a word that meant everything to anyone who knew some things about the Jedi, which Jango did.

Padawan.

They were offering him a child in marriage. Perhaps not a literal child, but an apprentice, someone very young. Young, inexperienced, and impressionable. Someone who would not be his equal.

He had actually vomited. It would be no different from a slave except in the name, because unlike Jango, he probably would not even have the possibility to even try to protest and argue.

He managed to negotiate that the Padawan who was going to marry him, Obi-Wan Kenobi, would first finish his apprenticeship without rushing, and fortunately that had been accepted. He thought he had postponed the problem for several years. It only postponed it by six months.

It was better than nothing.

And today was the big day. He was going to welcome the Jedi and marry him. It was… strange. It was not even important. It was not a love match that he attached sentimental importance to, but it still meant something to him. He felt nervous.

Finally, a ship that did not appear to be Jedi descended to the landing platform and a solitary figure emerged, approaching him as soon as he saw him. His future husband was a redhead with blue eyes, rather handsome, and Jango felt briefly unsettled when he saw something unyielding in his eyes. He looked both barely twenty and almost thirty, which was strange.

At least he was not a teenager... was he?

"How old are you?"

The looks he received from his clones made him immediately realise his mistake. He had been so preoccupied that he had forgotten basic manners. He had not even greeted him.

It was offensive and terribly dehumanising, he had to make up for it immediately.

"I'm twenty-five," came the firm reply, spoken almost defiantly, but Jango nevertheless detected a hint of hesitation.

"I was afraid you were much younger than that," he explained so there would be no misunderstanding. "I'm relieved that my betrothed isn't a child. Welcome to your new home, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I know this must be frightening for you, but I will treat you fairly. Haat, ijaa, haa'it."

The last part was more for himself than for Obi-Wan, a pact made with himself, but the redhead smiled sincerely, albeit with some reserve, and shook his outstretched hand.

"Vor entye," the Jedi replied carefully.

His pronunciation was not perfect, but it was the best he had ever heard from a stranger. He at least respected his culture and traditions if he bothered to learn a few common words of Mando'a. Maybe this marriage would not be so terrible after all.

Unless he did it to please him because he was afraid of him, in which case it was less awesome.

He would deal with that later, though.

"Come on, let's go. They won't hurt you," he reassured him, seeing that the Jedi's attention was focused on his clones.

He did not consider them his children, but they were still his, and he hoped they would get along well or at least show a minimum of respect, even if their existence was unnatural to him.

"I know, I'm not worried about that."

"What are you worried about then?" He asked, sensing the tiny admission in his words.

The redhead stammered, looking unnerved, and tried to change the subject, but Jango could not let a bad relationship develop between him and them from the very beginning. They were around all the time, they were going to see each other every day, he could make an effort to accommodate things, but not if he did not know what to work on.

"Just say it. We don't like beating around the bush here."

"It's nothing, it's just... they're your clones."

"They are."

"So... they're all... kind of... you, aren't they?"

Jango did not understand what he was getting at. The answer seemed obvious to him.

No one around him seemed to understand what was making him uncomfortable. Silence spread, and the Jedi did not dare to look up from the ground, seeming to cower more and more in his large brown cape, which seemed to engulf him even though he did not move an inch. Until Cody, standing next to them, had the revelation they had apparently been missing.

"You don't have to worry, we all have much better temperaments than him."

His tone and smile slightly relaxed his fiancé, who glanced at him.

"I'm Cody."

"Obi-Wan."

"And to answer your question, because I imagine the Republic doesn't care about details, we are each considered separate legal entities from him. He is your only lawful husband, you will never have any marital duties to fulfil with any of us."

"That said, if you're interested, I'd be happy to…"

Whoever the clone was who made that joke - which may not have been a joke, because obviously a handsome young man was bound to attract attention - he was silenced and taken away, and Cody rolled his eyes, treating it as a joke and continuing to look only at the attentive Jedi.

"Don't listen to those idiots, they're full of bullshit. You'll never see the end of it if you pay attention to what they say. And if you have any doubts, your husband can tell you what is real and what is not."

When he turned back to him, Jango nodded, trying to force a smile onto his face.

"Yes, that's right, I didn't imagine it could be perceived that way, but you're only marrying me. What you do in your free time is entirely up to you, but as far as marital duties are concerned, it's only with me."

He could not believe he had managed to maintain such dignity when he had apparently expected to be married to Jango and all his clones. Dear Manda, he must have been terrified. He probably still was.

Damn.

"What exactly do these marital duties entail?" The Jedi asked, looking hesitant.

"Mandalorian partners are equal and loyal warriors, faithful to their clans, who raise the children they have together in the Mandalorian tradition. I don't think you'll have too much trouble fitting in with those aspects."

"Are children important to you?"

"Parenting and passing on the legacy are very important to us, but I already have twins and I doubt my legacy is not in good hands," he tried to lighten the mood by referring to the many other Fetts around. "So it's okay if we don't have children together, and adoption is common and highly valued if you ever want to."

"So... you don't want to have children with me?"

Jango tilted his head to one side, looking the young man up and down. What was he talking about? He was a symbolic husband, not someone he wanted to spend his life with, and anyway. Unless they adopted, he could not see how he could... oh, yes.

"If you get along well with Boba and Omega, I could consider letting you adopt them," he promised solemnly, ready to make the effort if it was kind and good for them. "You'll meet them soon. They're at the Academy, and I didn't want to disrupt their classes, so we'll see them in two days."

It was mainly because he wanted time to assess his character and behaviour before potentially trusting him with them.

"If you don't mind, we'll go back inside, the weather isn't very pleasant here."

The Jedi let out a discreet chuckle that caught his attention.

"Did I say something funny?"

"Let's just say that I'm particularly familiar with this kind of weather, that's all," the Jedi Knight replied mysteriously, living up to his order of mystics. "I was told that there would be no contract or wedding ceremony."

"That's correct. Out of respect for tradition, I will ask you to say a few words in front of witnesses, but there's no need for anything more than that. That's how we are."

"Yes, I understood that."

"I'd be curious to know what you make of it," he teased, not really expecting an answer.

"You are a culture of simple, efficient and pragmatic people."

Violence and warrior culture were not even mentioned in this description. He could have talked about armour or strength. He could have talked about so many things for which they were renowned and feared.

He had chosen to hit the nail on the head about what they were deep down, and Jango could not say he was wrong. They were simple, their culture did not value cunning and hidden manoeuvres, but courage, honour and strength. They valued order, hierarchy and competence. And yes, they were realistic and down to earth, because it was easier for warriors to aim for practicality rather than luxury.

"Pretty accurate."

"Completely accurate, I'd say," Cody chuckled to himselves on their left. "And if you had to describe the Jedi in three words?"

He thought about it a little more and Jango listened attentively: this was going to be interesting.

"Wise, level-headed, altruistic. Wisdom is a lifelong learning process," Obi-Wan added with a smile that was perceptible even without looking at them. "So for this one, I'm mainly referring to my elders."

Cody engaged the Jedi in a discussion about cultural differences until they arrived at the small welcome party, and Jango only realised that the Jedi had relaxed a little when he withdrawn again in front of him.

Yeah, that's hardly surprising if they forced his hand.

"Would now be a good time for the vows?

"I'll follow your lead."

So it would be now so they could relax and drink until they forgot their names.

Another reason why he did not want the kids to be there. Jango rarely ever drank, he would quickly become useless.

"Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde."

He was about to repeat it more slowly when the Jedi imitated him flawlessly, not even seeming to realise how much attention he was receiving for this feat. Mando'a was not a complicated language, far from it, but it was a language that no one other than its native speakers wanted to learn.

It was done, they were married.

"Here," he muttered, detaching one of the vambraces from his armour and handing it to him.

"I... thank you?"

"It is polite to offer a gift," he explained, before clarifying, because he did not want him to feel bad about it, "I don't expect you to give me anything."

"Oh..." The redhead seemed a little panicked, reaching for his lightsaber at his waist, and Jango worried that he was going to give it to him when the Jedi explained.

"I cannot give you my lightsaber, but I can give you my word that it will be used to protect you and your children."

"That is much appreciated, thank you."

They sat down, and the small crowd gathered around them resumed their discussions, pretending not to watch them closely through the cantina that had been vaguely rearranged into a social space.

"Are you going to be okay?"

The Jedi smiled and nodded, but his smile was extremely tense, and Jango did not know what to do to reassure him. Maybe tell him to invite some friends over so he would not feel too lonely, especially at the beginning? Reassure him that he would be free to come and go as he wished?

He was about to try something along those lines when a figure leaned over them both to hand them glasses.

"What is it?" His husband asked, accepting the drink with a curious look.

"Tihaar!" The guy replied, but the Jedi clearly did not know what it was.

"It's a strong clear spirit made from fruit," Jango explained.

"Ahhh... is there anything else?"

"Don't you drink alcohol?"

"Not these days."

"Go ahead, it's not that strong and it's not poisoned," Baccara teased him gently from across the relaxed group on the adjacent sofa.

Well. Gently for Baccara.

"It's a common celebratory drink," Jango clarified.

Obi-Wan looked at him, looking strangely torn for someone who was only being offered a drink, and seemed to weigh up the pros and cons. Finally, when he seemed to have made up his mind, he abruptly removed his cape and let it hang over the armrest, sitting up carefully in his seat before looking at the person who had brought their drinks, holding out his untouched glass.

"Is there anything without alcohol?" He asked simply, his attitude betraying none of the anxiety he must have been feeling after revealing something so unexpected.

The clone stared at his belly, his mind clearly blank until a comrade gave him a discreet kick.

"Um... yes, I'll bring you something right away."

"Thank you."

His hands rested on his thighs, at the edge of his rounded belly, and Jango knew that at the slightest loud noise or sudden movement, those hands would rise to protect it. The Jedi said nothing and looked at no one before finally giving him a sidelong glance, probably trying to read his state of mind at the highly unexpected revelation.

For the moment, Jango said nothing, just as stunned as the others. He still found it hard to believe, and yet it could not be anything else.

He was pregnant.

Chapter 2

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Immediately after accepting a random glass of soda and drinking it in one gulp, the Jedi excused himself, claiming to be tired from the journey, his gaze evasive.

With such a big baby in the womb, Jango had no doubt that fatigue was a real factor, but he also doubted that it was the only one. He must have been emotionally numb and mentally alert to the point of being overwhelmed. He would be better off alone for a while to collect his thoughts and reassure himself that he was safe.

"I guess that's a good reason not to drink alcohol," he finally offered hesitantly to lighten the mood, finding it lacking but not really knowing what to say to a poor guy whose life he had ruined in so many ways. "Bo-Katan will show you where I live."

The redhead bowed briefly but rather deeply and put on his cape as if to shelter himself and hide from their eyes, following his guide with long, nervous strides.

No one said anything for a moment. The revelation had just cast a massive chill over the room. He did not know what to say or how to react. The situation had just gotten a thousand times more complicated, had not it?

He was pregnant, and clearly had been for a while. Which probably meant he had a lover. And he had been forced to marry Jango.

Oh Manda...

"Do you think he has someone?" Someone asked, and for once he was not paying enough attention to guess the clone's identity just from the way he spoke.

"It's likely," another replied.

"Don't you think he..."

Jango turned to him. Ponds.

"Finish that sentence."

"Well... if he has someone and didn't want this marriage... he might take advantage of any opportunity to..."

"Let's all be perfectly clear, and you'd better spread the word: if this poor guy has a lover, I won't stop him from continuing to see him. I wouldn't deprive a buir of his ad just because we uttered a sentence before they were born."

"It's still adultery."

They did not understand, those romantic idealists.

"It's not. I'm the intruder."

Officially, it would be, but customary rules could vary, what was valid here was not everywhere, and context was important. Here, context was everything. And Jango was the home wrecker, not a cuckold.

"Hopefully."

Jango frowned, turning to Fox, who was staring thoughtfully at his glass.

"Care to explain that?"

"Nothing special, I just hope for him that it's a love baby he had with a loving lover, that's all."

Jango did not understand at first, but the gut punch was probably the most painful for him because it was up to him to be with the Jedi until the end of his life. One way or another.

There were not that many possibilities, and none of them were really good. Either he had a lover he had to leave behind because of him, and Jango had ruined everything for him, separating a man from his pregnant lover – and thus a pregnant, vulnerable, and emotionally fragile man from his partner – or the baby was the result of an accident outside of the relationship, which meant he was completely alone and accepting of it, not wanting Jango… or the baby was the result of a non-consensual event, in which case being in the presence of a husband he had been forced to marry must have been the trigger for all his trauma.

You knew the situation was terribly messed up when the lover left behind for a forced political marriage was the best option.

He tried to distract himself but went back inside when he realized he could not think about anything else and would not be able to think about anything else. It was his first Riduurok, and he was a pregnant Jedi, even though he hated Jedi and had never had a pregnant partner – thanks for that, Kamino. He had not stayed single all these years for nothing: he loved his lifestyle.

It was the kind of life where there was no room for a second person, and now Jango had to make room for a Jedi. Maybe two, if the baby was like him. Even though the Jedi had slaughtered his people before his eyes and abandoned him without investigation to a "trial" that sold him into slavery.

He did not know what to do, it was too much.

He expected a discussion full of apologies and explanations when he got home, but he was greeted only by silence and darkness. He understood when he turned on a light in the living room after checking his room and finding it empty. The Jedi had not taken the bed like a reasonable person and had curled up in an armchair, clutching a pillow in his arms, his sleep far from peaceful if his frown was anything to go by.

Of course, even in his dreams, the poor boy would have no rest or respite. How could he?

He considered for a second moving him and carrying him to bed, but quickly gave up on the idea. The last thing he wanted was for Jango to touch him, especially while he was asleep.

If he woke up in bed with Jango next to him, he would panic – and rightfully so. If he woke up while Jango was carrying him in his arms, he would panic – again, rightfully so. If he woke up the second Jango touched him, he would panic – oh surprise, still very rightfully so.

So he was not going to do it. The poor guy did not need that.

Taking pity on him after the fifth shiver he witnessed while running back and forth to the bathroom, Jango retrieved some blankets he never used and wrapped them very carefully around the exhausted, sleeping redhead, who stirred slightly but did not seem to wake up. Once the man was covered, Jango made sure to place spare pillows on the floor in case he fell asleep and fled to his room, closing the door with a sigh of relief.

It might have been terrible, but he expected anything from the Jedi who had been sent. He had anticipated someone who, out of ideology, personal desire, or an attempt at manipulation, might have wanted to share his bed. He was relieved not to have to refuse that kind of awkward interest.

With this one, at least, he would be spared that. Oh Manda, he felt terrible just thinking about it. He was pathetic.

He wanted to scream. Why had not they cancelled everything? They should have exchanged him for someone else, it was just so awful to do this. Jango did not even know if he could improve things in the slightest.

He should send him home... Yeah, he would do that. The Jedi Order and the Senate would understand, would not they?

Notes:

The mystery surrounding Obi-Wan's baby remains unsolved (and is even deepening)! 😆

I loved this premise, but I don't know yet if I'm going to continue with it, so I'm leaving it as a finished story with an open ending for now.