The following evening Obi-Wan and Anakin stepped inside Dex's Diner and looked around the place. Garen and his girlfriend were yet to arrive, so the two men went in the back of the diner to talk with Dex.
The big Besalik had a passion for podracing and he had been ecstatic when Obi-Wan had introduced Anakin to him. They had bonded at once and could spend hours talking about pods, pilots and circuits.
"Do you want a table, Obi-Wan?" asked Dex after the greetings.
"Yes, Dex. A table for four. We are waiting for Garen and his fiancé to join us."
"Garen? Fiancé?" Dex all but boomed. "Do you mean that Council of yours has finally come to their sense and decided to allow you Jedi to love?"
Obi-Wan nodded, smiling.
"It was about time!" Dex threw one of his four arms across Obi-Wan's shoulders, one across Anakin's and squeezed gently. "I am so happy for you guys."
Obi-Wan turned to look at him, stunned. "You know?"
"Of course, my friend. I have seen a lot of people in this diner, of every race known to the galaxy, and I can spot two people in love with each other at first glance, even if one of them is a Jedi master and they never touch in public." Dex smiled, showing his pointed teeth. "It is so good to see you happy again, Obi-Wan. I thought you would never recover from the blow of losing both Siri and Qui-Gon." The Besalik turned to look at Anakin and continued, "And, of course, I am happy for you, kid, for you will never find a more thoughtful and faithful companion than him."
Anakin stretched his neck to look at Obi-Wan and answered with a smile, "I know Dex, I know."
The door of the diner slid open and Obi-Wan felt a familiar Force signature prickle against his shields. He freed himself from Dex's arm and walked into the main hall.
Garen spotted him and waved his arm in salute, before wrapping it around the waist of the comely, brown-haired woman at his side.
The Jedi knight was smiling, but his grin disappeared as his eyes scanned the diner and, evidently, did not find what or who he was looking for.
"Hello Obi-Wan," he said, stopping in front of his friend. "Did you come alone?"
"No, Anakin is with me," Obi-Wan answered, tilting his head to indicate the younger man, who was still talking with Dex.
"I thought you were supposed to come with your fiancé," Garen complained, obviously disappointed and not making the connection.
"I did, Garen," Obi-Wan let the words sink it, before adding softly. "I never said my companion was a woman."
Garen's eyes widened in realization. "You mean you and Skywalker are…?"
Obi-Wan smiled, "Yes. We have been together since my return from Tatooine."
"Oh. Well. I-" Garen fumbled a bit with words but regained his composure when Anakin joined them.
"Master Muln, milady," the younger man said, bowing to the newcomers.
"It is just Garen and Sadie tonight," the Jedi corrected him. "Anakin."
"Good," Anakin smiled and shook hands with Sadie as Obi-Wan bowed to her.
The little group then moved to one of the table and sat down, first for a drink, then for a whole dinner.
As the evening progressed, Obi-Wan found he was enjoying himself very much—and how could it have been differently?
Anakin was sitting at his side, at ease with himself and their company, his hand sneaking now and then under the table to caress Obi-Wan's thigh. Sadie proved to be a witty and charming lady, ready to have a good laugh when Obi-Wan and Garen told her and Anakin some of the pranks they had pulled as children.
Yes, Obi-Wan enjoyed himself very much, even if he was a bit unsettled by the way Garen sometimes looked at him and Anakin. But he paid little mind to it, for he knew his friend would soon tell him what was bothering him and he was sure they would resolve whatever it was.
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Obi-Wan's prediction proved right, although he had not expected Garen would come to visit him that very night.
He had just changed into his sleep clothes when he heard the buzzer. Obi-Wan went to open the door and Garen asked, "May I come in?"
"Of course."
The other Jedi stepped inside the room and ran a hand through his dark hair. "Uh, I am sorry for the late hour, but I had to take Sadie home," he began, a bit lamely. Obi-Wan nodded. He already knew it for Garen had expressed that intention when they had separated outside Dex's Diner.
"I wasn't sure I would found you here…I thought, maybe, you would stay with Skywalker."
The use of Anakin's surname instead of his name put Obi-Wan in full alert. He crossed his arms over his chest and said, "Listen Garen, I know you too well to think you are here for a midnight chat. Why don't you tell me what is bothering you?"
"You are right, Obi-Wan. Yes—the fact is I cannot stop thinking about you and Skywalker. I never thought you liked men."
"I don't know why you should be so concerned if I like men or not. However, for your information, I don't like men. I just love Anakin. He is special, in more ways than one. He is… the other half of my soul."
"Then you weren't serious with Siri? I thought you loved her!"
Garen's tone was slightly accusing and Obi-Wan had to prevent his mouth from opening in surprise.
"Is this the problem, Garen? That I have found happiness with someone who isn't Siri? Do you think I am betraying her? That I should have remained faithful to her memory?"
"What? No, no. It's just so strange to see you with a man."
"Why is the sex of the person I love so important for you, Garen? Why are you not happy for me and Anakin as I am for you and Sadie?" Obi-Wan asked gently.
"Because I cannot help but think there is something wrong here. You aren't gay, Obi-Wan. You aren't even bisexual, so something must have happened to send you into another man's arms. A man you found on Tatooine, a planet where you had retired just after enduring the two greatest tragedies of your life. I cannot help but think you believe to be in love with Skywalker just because he showed you kindness and friendship in a moment when you desperately needed someone. And maybe he did only because he hoped you would take him away from that dust-ball of a planet—as you did."
This time Obi-Wan could not stop his mouth from opening in surprise. He was more than shocked. He was stunned. How could his friend think that of Anakin?
"How can you say something so mean?" he finally managed to utter.
"Oh, come on, Obi-Wan, don't tell me it never crossed you mind! Skywalker was a whore, he certainly knows how to seduce a man and make him do what he wants!"
Obi-Wan paled. "How do you know about Anakin's past?" his voice was a mere whisper.
"It's listed on his medical files. I was down in Healers' Ward talking with Bant when she was inserting them in the database, just after his arrival."
Obi-Wan nodded, then said slowly, in a voice he barely recognized as his own, "I have always considered you – along with Bant – my best friend. But now I wonder if I have ever really known you. How can you dare to accuse Anakin of something so mean without knowing all the circumstances that brought us together? You have been near him during the dinner, you must have sensed how strong and bright his Force signature and aura are: he is more innocent and pure than you and me."
"Innocent and pure? Oh please, Obi-Wan, open your eyes, he was a whore!" Garen almost snorted.
"Yes, he was! Because he had a paralyzed mother to provide for, rent to pay and there were no other jobs for him! Did you know this Garen? That on Tatooine most jobs are done by slaves because they are cheaper than paid workers? Do you know what it means to be young, scared and hungry and having nothing of value but your body? No, you don't know, as I don't. Anakin does instead, all too well. Perhaps you should ask him how it is and watch the haunted look in his eyes. Then perhaps you would understand. Or maybe not. Maybe, you would believe he is faking it. After all he was a whore and he was used to fake…" Obi-Wan took a deep breath and tried to release his anger ad his sadness into the Force as Garen kept silent.
"Don't you have anything to say?"
"I have already said what I wanted to," Garen commented.
"Then it is time you leave here. I am tired, and I wish to sleep."
Garen shook his head and moved to the door. "I am still thinking you are committing a great mistake with Skywalker," he commented, quietly, before leaving the room.
"His name is Anakin," was Obi-Wan's only response as the metal door closed behind his friend's back.