Chapter Text
The Royal Naboo cruiser settles onto the landing platform with all the effortless grace characteristic of Naboo engineering, its polished hull catching the afternoon sunlight as though the entire vessel has been carved from liquid gold rather than durasteel.
Beyond the viewport, Theed unfolds beneath them in a cascade of white stone and green terraces. Sunlight glitters across the city’s famous waterfalls as they plunge from one level to the next, disappearing into ribbons of mist that drift above the river below. Elegant domes rise above flowering gardens, while impressive streets and squares spread out between them. It is, Obi-Wan reflects, one of the most beautiful cities in the Republic.
Under different circumstances, he would have admired the view. Instead, his attention is fixed on the man standing beside him.
To an outside observer, Anakin Skywalker probably looks perfectly composed. His posture is relaxed, his expression neutral, his hands clasped neatly behind his back as he gazes out through the viewport at the sprawling city beyond.
To Obi-Wan, who has spent nearly twenty years watching Anakin attempt – and fail – to conceal his emotions, he looks like he does after one of his more creative interpretations of a mission briefing, while awaiting the inevitable summons to the Council chambers.
Finally, Obi-Wan decides to intervene.
"Anakin."
"Hm?"
"Breathe."
Anakin immediately inhales, glaring fixedly ahead as though determined not to acknowledge the observation.
Obi-Wan helpfully adds, "You also haven't blinked in approximately thirty seconds."
This makes Anakin finally tear his gaze away from the viewport to shoot Obi-Wan a dark look.
"I am fine."
"Of course you are," Obi-Wan placates him.
Anakin narrows his eyes at him but has no time to voice his offense, as the hatch begins its slow descent.
Beside him, Anakin sucks in another breath so sharply that Obi-Wan briefly feels a pang of alarm. It is difficult to blame him, he supposes. This is the first time Anakin will see Padmé in person since the end of the war – the first time since the separation.
The first time since the remarkably unfortunate public incident in which Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo had a very visible falling out, fuelling gossip channels across the Republic for months afterwards. Thankfully, the fact that they had actually been married did not find its way into any of that speculation. As far as Obi-Wan knows, only he is privy to that particular piece of information, Anakin had let it slip during an exceptionally volatile confrontation afterwards.
The Jedi Order, meanwhile, had done the only sensible thing it could in a situation where its numbers were diminished after the losses of the Clone Wars and public support was still recovering from Chancellor Palpatine’s – Darth Sidious’ – machinations.
It had collectively agreed to pretend none of it had happened.
So Anakin remains in the Order, remains a knight – though his appointment to the rank of Master may have been slightly postponed – and life continues much as it always has.
Except, of course, for Anakin's tendency to make a beeline for Padmé's apartment whenever he found himself on Coruscant, instead slinking into the underbelly of the city after the separation, winning illegal podraces under some dubious stage name.
This, too, is something the Jedi Council so far has elected to overlook. The fact that the alias has developed something of a following in certain corners of the holonet is, Obi-Wan feels, a problem for another day.
The hatch touches down with a soft hiss and the doors slide open. And there she is, Padmé Amidala herself, awaiting the Jedi with a small escort at the edge of the platform. For a moment, Obi-Wan is struck by how little she has changed. Then he realises that something has, in fact, shifted.
Like most people in the Republic – certainly most politicians – she seems lighter than she did during the war. Happier. Whatever nervousness she might feel at seeing Anakin again, she gives no sign of it as she walks towards them. The smile that spreads across her face when she sees them is genuine enough that Obi-Wan feels some of the tension he had not realised he was carrying dissolve almost immediately.
"Master Kenobi. Anakin."
She crosses the platform to meet them.
Anakin manages to take exactly one step forward before she wraps him in a hug.
For the briefest instant, genuine surprise flashes across his face. Then he hugs her back, albeit with some restraint where they might not have been any before.
Obi-Wan marvels at what a beautiful pair they make – perhaps that is easier to acknowledge now that it is no longer an uncomfortable reality that he has to ignore.
"It is good to see you," Padmé says, eyes warm, as she steps back.
"You too."
The answer comes a fraction too quickly. Anakin clears his throat. "You look well."
Padmé's smile softens. "So do you."
The exchange lasts only a few seconds, but Obi-Wan can practically feel the tension of both of them navigating the delicate and deeply awkward terrain of former spouses attempting to behave like there is nothing difficult about this situation. At the very least it is considerably less dramatic than he had expected.
Padmé turns to him next, embracing him warmly.
"Thank you for coming."
"The invitation promised good food," Obi-Wan replies good-naturedly. "I am only human."
Her laugh is immediate and infectious. Even Anakin grins at his side. Everything is perfectly normal, no crisis to avert. Obi-Wan sends a silent thank you into the Force.
Naturally, this is the precise moment he finally pays proper attention to the man standing at Padmé's side. He had registered the man's presence earlier, of course, but only in the vague manner one notices aides, advisors and security personnel when accompanying a senator. Now, however, the man steps forward with the easy confidence of someone who clearly occupies a more significant role than that.
Obi-Wan experiences a sudden and entirely irrational sense of foreboding. Whether it originates in the Force or merely in long experience with Anakin Skywalker, he cannot quite say.
The man is perhaps a few years younger than Padmé, handsome and impeccably dressed. He has remained politely silent throughout the reunion, apparently content to allow old friends their moment.
"It is an honour to finally meet both of you."
His voice is pleasant and warm. Obi-Wan can detect neither deceit nor ill intent, which makes his growing suspicion that something has gone terribly wrong rather difficult to justify.
Obi-Wan offers a courteous nod. "The honour is ours."
"I've heard a great deal about you over the years," the man says with a smile. "Mostly stories involving impossibly daring rescues and an incredible amount of heroism during the war."
Obi-Wan glances at Anakin, who does not appear to recognise the young man either. So he is probably not one of Padmé’s more long-standing colleagues.
"You give us too much credit," he replies, falling back on the answer that has always come most naturally to him. Praise has never sat comfortably on his shoulders. "We are Jedi. We were only doing our duty."
Anakin rolls his eyes at that, but subtly enough that it appears for Obi-Wan’s benefit only.
The man extends a hand, with an unguarded smile.
"I am simply very grateful for everything you've done for Padmé."
Now that…is ominous. He clearly has a personal connection to Padmé, rather than a strictly professional one, if his focus here is anything to go by. Does Padmé have a brother? A cousin maybe? Obi-Wan rather hopes that he might be that.
The man continues, apparently oblivious to how still Anakin has gone beside him.
"It means a great deal to finally meet the men who have saved her life so many times."
Obi-Wan shakes his hand. Beside him, Anakin does the same, albeit slightly delayed.
Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Padmé looking unexpectedly nervous. Probably not a cousin, then. Obi-Wan really is getting a bad feeling about this.
Padmé has addressed hostile senatorial assemblies, negotiated ceasefires, stared down criminals, generals and Sith Lords. She is not a woman easily rattled, so…something is afoot. And neither she nor the stranger has introduced him yet.
He throws Padmé a meaningful look, his gaze moving pointedly from the young man to her and back again. Whatever this will turn out to be, it seems best to rip off the band-aid now.
Padmé glances at the man beside her before looking back at them, colour rising faintly in her cheeks. "Oh, right."
The man smiles, obviously not offended by her lapse in attention.
Padmé reaches for his hand.
Obi-Wan freezes and summons every ounce of Jedi discipline he possesses to avoid immediately looking at Anakin.
"Master Kenobi. Anakin." Padmé squeezes the man's hand, eyes flickering back and forth between him and them. "This is Ralen Davarin."
The man nods pleasantly.
"It is a pleasure," he says, beaming at them.
Padmé's smile grows brighter, though there is a nervous edge to it now.
"My fiancé."
For a moment, the entire platform seems to fall silent. Or perhaps that is simply Obi-Wan's survival instincts asserting themselves.
Obi-Wan risks a glance sideways and is almost proud to find that Anakin's polite smile remains firmly in place. Unfortunately, experience has taught him that Anakin's ability to appear calm and Anakin's actual state of mind are often only loosely connected.
Well. This visit is going to be a disaster.
Obi-Wan is honestly quite proud – and only mildly disconcerted – by how quickly Anakin recovers from the revelation. He remains entirely pleasant throughout the walk into the palace, engaging Ralen in easy conversation while displaying no outward signs that the ground has just shifted beneath his feet.
If anything, he appears genuinely interested. Obi-Wan is not entirely certain whether this is reassuring or deeply concerning.
Obi-Wan does his best to make conversation with Padmé while simultaneously listening to the discussion taking place a few paces ahead of them. It takes him only a moment to realise that Padmé is attempting precisely the same thing, which allows both of them to get away with exchanging a number of entirely meaningless pleasantries.
A table has been arranged on one of the palace's many terraces overlooking the gardens, laden with refreshments intended to ease the transition from travel to diplomacy and conversation (and eavesdropping) becomes even easier once they sit down.
Anakin, as far as Obi-Wan can tell, is on his absolute best behaviour, asking polite questions about Ralen's work (he is with the Advisory Council), where he grew up (on the far side of the planet) and how he and Padmé first met.
"The Queen's annual banquet," Ralen explains, still beaming. He appears to be a man who knows full well how lucky he is. "Six months ago."
Padmé rolls her eyes fondly. "He spent the entire evening arguing with me."
"Debating," Ralen protests.
"Arguing."
"You see, my role is not really a diplomatic one," Ralen explains, huffing a laugh. "My job requires me to be very direct about my observations, so I sometimes struggle with the subtleties of real politics."
"I believe most people will notice that about you immediately," Padmé says, tone much softer than her teasing words would imply.
They both laugh, exchanging looks of such warmth that Obi-Wan is once again tempted to assess Anakin's emotional state for any signs of imminent disaster. But to his continued surprise, Anakin appears entirely untroubled by the display.
Instead, he hums sympathetically, as though he has no personal stake whatsoever in the conversation and Padmé's impending marriage is merely an interesting topic of discussion. Obi-Wan is not certain whether to be proud or deeply concerned.
"I can imagine," Anakin says, resting his chin on one hand. "Is it difficult to keep the politics out of the private in that case?"
A potentially laden statement – Obi-Wan is not entirely convinced that question is as innocent as it sounds. Thankfully the young couple does not seem to take it the wrong way.
Ralen laughs. "Constantly."
"It's not that bad," Padmé protests, taking a sip from her glass.
"You brought briefing notes on our third date."
"That was one time," she says, but they are already exchanging a smile again.
Obi-Wan risks another glance towards Anakin. To his continued surprise, Anakin merely nods, as though this is an entirely reasonable conversation for him to be having.
"At least politics allows for personal lives," Ralen says with a laugh. "The Jedi seem to have far stricter rules." Then he flushes a bit, as though he has just realised how that comment might potentially be taken by the man whose relationship with his now-fiancé had self-destructed under those very rules.
Which begets the questions – does he know about the details of all that? Obi-Wan finds it hard to believe Padmé would not have told her fiancé about her romantic past, and there is certainly some semblance of unease, of nervousness, emanating from Ralen Davarin that would seem to suggest he is at least aware that there are greater implications for this conversation.
The atmosphere does indeed grow considerably more awkward. Yet once again, Obi-Wan finds himself surprised to discover that he, Ralen and Padmé all appear considerably more unsettled by the exchange than Anakin himself, who somehow remains the picture of serenity. Now this, Obi-Wan finds highly suspicious.
"The rules are there for a reason," Obi-Wan says, uncomfortably. It is not meant as an admonishment, merely a correction.
"Of course," Ralen agrees hastily, obviously eager to mend his misstep.
Beside him, Anakin hums into his wine.
Obi-Wan feels a sudden and overwhelming urge to kick him under the table. Entirely unjustified, as Anakin has not really put a foot wrong throughout this entire conversation, but he has known Anakin long enough to understand that apparent calm and actual calm are not necessarily the same thing. Whether his former Padawan is genuinely unbothered or merely delaying a crisis until a more inconvenient moment remains impossible to say, but Obi-Wan cannot shake a certain sense of...trepidation. As matters stand, he suspects the urge to kick Anakin may simply be his instincts trying to get ahead of whatever is about to happen.
"I've always wondered how the Jedi manage it," Ralen admits. "The lack of attachments, I mean."
"With varying degrees of success," Obi-Wan says dryly.
Padmé makes a strangled noise into her wine.
Anakin snorts.
Obi-Wan kicks his ankle after all, almost glad to have a reason at last.
"I find it very impressive," Ralen continues. “To dedicate oneself to a higher cause and forgo companionship entirely, that is no small sacrifice.”
He is obviously trying to compliment them but also clearly not realising that he is making things even more awkward by that observation given Anakin's complicated history with both the Code and the sacrifices it demanded.
Anakin, by the way, has gone rather suspiciously still beside him. The tension would likely be imperceptible to anyone unfamiliar with him. Then again, Anakin has never been particularly comfortable in diplomatic settings, so in itself, that is hardly cause for concern. Probably. Hopefully.
Beside him, Padmé laughs nervously.
"Yes, it is,” she says, with some finality, obviously eager to change the subject. Obi-Wan notices that she runs a thumb over Ralen’s hand, as though picking up on his embarrassment over the faux-pas and admits to himself that they really do seem well-suited. He rather hopes Anakin has not just made the same observation.
"The Code isn't quite as simple as most people think," Anakin says abruptly, and all three of them look at him with varying degrees of surprise.
Well, Ralen mostly looks interested.
"How so?"
Anakin shrugs.
"Attachments are dangerous when they come before everything else. That's not the same thing as saying personal relationships have no place in a Jedi's life."
Obi-Wan glances at Padmé almost without thinking and is unsurprised to find her already looking at him. They exchange a brief look of mutual apprehension. Neither of them appears entirely certain where Anakin is going with this, but both seem to agree that it bears watching.
Ralen opens his mouth, looking intrigued, but Padmé interrupts him, somewhat hastily.
"Perhaps it is time to show you the rooms that have been prepared for you – "
"One room will do," Anakin says.
Obi-Wan does his best not to appear startled. He and Anakin have shared a room on many occasions, true, but it is unlike his former Padawan to voluntarily surrender an opportunity for privacy. Under normal circumstances, Obi-Wan would still think nothing of it. Given…recent events, however, he finds himself watching Anakin rather more closely than is strictly polite.
The scrutiny appears unnecessary. Anakin looks perfectly at ease, exchanges a friendly look with Ralen, and admirably refrains from saying or doing anything remotely alarming.
Which is precisely why the pieces fail to fall into place until Anakin reaches across the table and takes hold of his hand.
Only decades of Jedi training keep Obi-Wan outwardly still, though unfortunately those same decades prove considerably less effective at preventing the resulting avalanche of questions, chief among them what Anakin is doing and, more importantly, what he thinks he is doing.
Before Obi-Wan can overcome his indecision paralysis – for causing a scene has never been his natural way of going about things – Padmé lets out a small squeak.
Both Jedi turn to look at her. Padmé has both hands clasped in front of her mouth. Obi-Wan experiences a sudden and terrible sense of understanding.
"Oh," Padmé exclaims, sounding positively delighted.
Beside him, Anakin remains infuriatingly calm, the very picture of serenity. Obi-Wan could strangle him but he does not want to make this situation any more awkward than it already is.
"Well," Padmé says brightly, "one room it is, then. I'll let them know."
Obi-Wan opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. His former Padawan has finally managed to render him speechless. Who knew that, of all the insane things he had watched Anakin do over the years, it would be something like this that achieved the dubious feat?
Almost by the door, presumably to alert the staff that their accommodation will have to be changed, Padmé turns around again and beams at them both, giving Anakin an additional, softer look.
"I’m very happy to see you doing so well,” she says, eyes crinkling with warmth. "You deserve to…share a room.”
With those words, she disappears through the doorway. Obi-Wan watches her go and comes to the unpleasant conclusion that the opportunity to correct this misunderstanding has very likely already passed.
Anakin obviously (and wisely) decides that a swift retreat is his best hope of avoiding a public confrontation. As soon as the necessary changes have been made to their accommodation, he all but drags Obi-Wan towards their newly shared room.
Obi-Wan keeps himself from demanding an explanation while still in the company of their remarkably pleasant hosts. The moment the door slides shut behind them, however, he rounds on Anakin and throws both hands into the air in exasperation.
"Have you completely lost your mind?"
Anakin at least has the decency to look sheepish.
"Listen – "
"No, you listen. What in the world possessed you to imply that we were in some sort of romantic relationship?" Obi-Wan exclaims.
"It was a spur of the moment thing," Anakin protests, not really helping his case at all, if Obi-Wan might say so.
He is lucky that Obi-Wan hadn’t got further than what were you thinking in his list of grievances, so he just has to bear the glare directed at him, head ducked a little, instead of the rest of Obi-Wan’s very valid complaints.
Perhaps smartly sensing that this is his opportunity to defend his ridiculous actions before Obi-Wan has time to mount his actual attack, he hastily continues, “It’s not that I’m jealous or anything – “
This rings true in the Force. Well, at least that is something.
" – but she shows up with her new fiancé, all happy and engaged and then they start talking about how I’m destined to be alone forever – "
Wait.
The pieces click into place.
"This is about your ego?" Obi-Wan asks, incredulously.
"It’s about not wanting to be pitied by my ex-wife and her handsome new husband-to-be," Anakin mutters, though he wisely chooses not to look at Obi-Wan while he says it.
So, in other words, yes. It is about that.
Obi-Wan gapes at Anakin, now mostly stunned by such immaturity from a fully-fledged Jedi Knight, and Anakin shifts his weight from one foot to the other, looking suddenly rather less certain of himself.
Anakin must also realise there is danger in Obi-Wan’s continued silence, because he continues to plead his case instead of growing mulish as he normally does when faced with criticism.
"Look, I panicked!"
"But why me?" Obi-Wan despairs. "You could have implied the existence of some unfortunate individual on Coruscant. Did you not always tell your peers about your “girlfriend who lives on Corellia”, when you were a Padawan?"
Anakin hesitates, ears turning red.
"Well, I, er."
Obi-Wan narrows his eyes.
"You did not think that far ahead."
"…Not in detail."
"Anakin."
"I was improvising!"
"Honestly, I – of all the things – " Obi-Wan sputters for a moment, at a complete loss for words. He is a Jedi Master, adept at handling any sort of disaster coming his way. It is only his own former Padawan who continuously manages to throw him for a loop. Truly, he is the most ridiculous man.
Anakin, in a display very unlike himself, remains wisely silent and eyes him nervously as he paces the room. The room, which contains exactly one bed. Albeit a very large one. Obi-Wan’s eye twitches. Anakin’s gaze follows his and he clearly decides to intervene before he is faced with another accusation.
"Come on, that thing is huge. We've definitely shared much smaller spaces."
Obi-Wan does not dignify that with a response.
"Please don't tell Padmé."
The plea, however, catches him off guard.
Obi-Wan stops, because he is, in all fairness, quite unused to being the recipient of such a tone from his former Padawan. And also because the thought of simply clearing up the intentional misunderstanding had not quite occurred to him. Again.
"Anakin," he says, more baffled than angry now. "You cannot possibly expect this ridiculous deception to survive for an entire visit."
"Why not?" Anakin asks, obviously with renewed hope now that Obi-Wan has calmed down somewhat. "Who will know the difference? It’s not like they’ll expect us to make out in the public gardens."
Obi-Wan knows his face must be resembling one of those juppa berries by now and he shoots Anakin another glare.
"So you seriously expect me to pretend we're in a relationship for the duration of our stay?"
Anakin shrugs, pointedly not meeting his eyes.
"What pretending? Like I said, they'll definitely expect us to be discreet."
Hm. Much to his annoyance, Anakin has a point. Even the hand-holding from before would be considered quite scandalous outside of the context of Anakin making his declaration, after all.
Anakin, smelling weakness, immediately strengthens his case.
"I’ll do your reports for a month, after we get home. Two months! Just don’t say anything."
He pauses, looking contemplative for a moment.
"Really, all you have to do is look vaguely pleased to see me every now and then,” Anakin says. "Just pretend I’m one of those ridiculously expensive teas you keep hidden away for special occasions."
Obi-Wan stares at him.
The request ought to be absurd. Instead, he finds himself confronted by the uncomfortable reality that looking at Anakin with affection has never required any particular effort. Though Obi-Wan has certainly never looked at him with romantic intention, exactly.
No, Anakin had been his Padawan, entirely off limits and not someone Obi-Wan would ever have considered pursuing, and then, once they had become equals, Anakin had already committed himself to Padmé, once again entirely off limits because Obi-Wan preferred his dalliances considerably less complicated and far less likely to end in disaster than that.
Certain possibilities had therefore been filed away under absolutely not and left there.
Even if Obi-Wan can, theoretically of course, understand the appeal, see what makes Anakin attractive to others – he is brave, powerful, possessed of a passion that frequently strains against the Code and yet draws people to him like moths to a flame. There is a spirit in him unlike any Obi-Wan has encountered before or since, save perhaps for Satine, once upon a time.
And then, of course, there are the blue eyes, the broad shoulders, the long legs…
"Yes," Anakin says.
Obi-Wan blinks.
"What?"
"Exactly like that,” says Anakin, entirely oblivious to Obi-Wan’s turmoil.
He grins at him hopefully and Obi-Wan tries to suppress the urge to first strangle him, then himself, and thereby avoid the entire situation altogether. On balance, however, the misunderstanding is probably preferable to the truth. At least his brief lapse in judgment has been misinterpreted in a much more benign context.
"Really, we won't need to do much else to sell this," Anakin says, oblivious to Obi-Wan's turmoil. "It's not as though they'll expect us to spend the entire visit making heart eyes at each other."
Obi-Wan has to call on all his considerable experience with concealing his emotions not to show any outward reaction to this. Aside from his face, which must still be entirely red.
"I think you may be overestimating our acting abilities," he says with considerable exasperation. "Or underestimating Padmé’s deduction skills."
Anakin winces, but adopts a stubborn expression.
"She believed it, didn’t she?"
"Which frankly astonishes me," Obi-Wan replies. "Surely, at some point, she must stop and question how plausible she actually finds the notion of us being involved."
Obi-Wan frowns.
Upon reflection, that really is the most perplexing aspect of this entire affair. Padmé has known both of them for well over a decade. She has observed them through war, peace, triumph and disaster. Surely she, of all people, ought to be the least likely person in the galaxy to conclude that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker have quietly embarked upon a romance, of all things.
Anakin blushes, looking a little uncomfortable, and he wrings his hands and drops his gaze to the floor.
"I, uh, might have accidentally laid some groundwork for this a few years back," he mumbles.
Anakin coughs and retreats towards the ornate desk in the corner of the room, where a large carafe of water and two glasses are displayed in a beautiful display of Nabooan artisanal craft.
"What does that mean?" Obi-Wan asks suspiciously.
Anakin still is not looking at him, which fills Obi-Wan with a renewed sense of dread. He had rather thought they were past unexpected revelations at this point. Between the business with Sidious, the secret marriage and the various other catastrophes Anakin had sprung on him over the years, surely there could not be much left to discover.
Apparently, that assumption had been premature.
"Don’t take this the wrong way," Anakin says, looking altogether too nervous for Obi-Wan’s comfort. "When Padmé and I were talking about our romantic histories, or lack thereof in my case, I might have brought up that I had…a bit of a crush on you for a while. As a Padawan."
He flushes red with embarrassment when he says it and fixes a spot just over Obi-Wan’s left shoulder.
Obi-Wan simply stares at him. Of all the things he had expected Anakin to say, this had been such a remote possibility that his mind had never even considered it. For perhaps the third time that day, he finds himself entirely at a loss for words.
"That’s just how I am," Anakin hastens to add. "You know me, I don’t trust easily. It takes me a while to let people in. Aside from Padmé, you were the only person I was truly close to for a long while."
He wrinkles his nose, a sour look passing over his face.
"Well, there was also the Chancellor. But he was, you know, old." He pauses. "Plus, evil. Not that I knew that at the time."
Anakin is rambling, Obi-Wan realises. Which speaks to the discomfort he must be experiencing in this moment. Obi-Wan can, frankly, relate.
"Well," he says, mostly for the sake of contributing to the conversation, not because he has any idea whatsoever how to react to this revelation.
Anakin finally meets his eyes, looking like a kicked loth-cat expecting a scolding. This, naturally, triggers Obi-Wan's instinct to reassure him. Obi-Wan recognises the feeling with some resignation. It is, apparently, impossible to remain annoyed with Anakin for longer than a few seconds once he starts looking genuinely miserable.
After all, it is the pattern they have fallen into over the years. When Anakin digs in his heels, Obi-Wan pushes back. When Anakin shows even the slightest hint of vulnerability, however, Obi-Wan immediately finds himself wanting to make it better, no matter how annoyed he is with his (now former) Padawan.
So that is what he does.
"Do not fret, Anakin," he says, attempting a weak smile that he hopes conveys how little significance he attaches to this revelation. "You are hardly the first adolescent to develop an ill-advised crush on an authority figure. I suppose I should be flattered that I inspired such devotion, even if it was mostly the result of youthful confusion and questionable judgement."
It is meant as a joke, an attempt to lighten the mood. Unfortunately, it appears to fall rather flat, though it does at least seem to remove some of the tension.
Anakin rolls his eyes, but at least he no longer looks as though he is awaiting execution.
"Questionable judgement," Anakin mutters, shaking his head. "Like you weren’t the most coveted Jedi Master in the Temple until Aayla was knighted."
"A distinction I shall treasure forever," Obi-Wan says dryly, relieved when that finally earns him a grin.
Anakin releases some of that tension and unceremoniously drops down on the bed.
"Does that mean you will play along?" he says, with just enough of an openly pleading note that Obi-Wan shoots him a suspicious look.
"I draw the line at lying to Padmé’s face," Obi-Wan warns him, fully aware that this is already a concession to Anakin’s absurd plan.
"You won’t have to!" Anakin says, now fully cheered up. He can obviously smell victory. "Just tell her Jedi are private about these things and you can’t confirm or deny anything."
He waves a hand vaguely in Obi-Wan's direction.
"We all know you can obfuscate the truth better than anybody."
Obi-Wan does not know whether to be flattered or offended but settles for heaving a weary sigh, already knowing he has lost this battle.
The truly unfortunate part is that playing along may well be the easiest way out of this particular dilemma. Under ordinary circumstances, Obi-Wan would simply correct the misunderstanding and suffer whatever embarrassment followed.
Alas, they can scarcely afford another rumour concerning Anakin's professional conduct as a Jedi. The Council is already engaged in the delicate task of pretending not to know about the last three scandals he was involved in. It hardly needs a fourth. Not while Anakin is still trying to settle into a life he never truly expected to keep, while he is still carrying scars left by both the war and Sidious himself.
Padmé, at least, can be trusted to be discreet. She is also kind enough that she would almost certainly find a way to overlook the fact that her ex-husband had apparently invented an entirely fictional relationship rather than admit to feeling slightly inadequate beside her handsome fiancé. Ralen Davarin, however, remains an unknown quantity. And there is no telling who else may already have heard.
For the time being, therefore, it appears they are committed to this particular pretence. Obi-Wan sighs again. One thing is certain – this stay is shaping up to be considerably more eventful than he had anticipated.