Bonding Universe

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Fanfiction
Title: Bonding Universe
Author(s): Anne Higgins
Date(s): 21 July 1999 - 19 December 1999
Length:
Genre(s): slash fanfiction
Fandom(s): Star Wars TPM
Relationship(s): Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan
External Links: Bonding Universe (Anne Higgins' 'Bonding Universe')

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Bonding Universe is a Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan series by Anne Higgins.

Series

  • Bonding Through the Years - Qui-Gon delivers a baby and finds himself in a soul-bond. This story starts from Obi-Wan's birth to shortly after the events in 'TPM', where Obi-Wan is 25 years old.
  • Bed Rest is Boring - They've survived Phantom Menace, now they need to heal and tie up some lose ends.
  • The Care and Feeding of a Bondmate - During the trip from Dagobah to Coruscant, Qui-Gon reflects on Obi-Wan's protective nature.

For stories by other authors in this universe see Anne Higgins' 'Bonding Universe'.

Recs and Reviews

This is a true classic of the TPM fandom, one that is either loved or viewed a bit suspiciously in my experience. First of all, well, it's cute. Secondly, through much of this story, Obi-Wan is a child, but the relationship he and Qui-Gon have is nevertheless romantic in nature, even if sex is only a part of it once Obi-Wan is grown up.

Why do I like it, then? Well, for one, I like the cuteness. I like Anne Higgins' writing style. I like the idea of a romance removed from the physical, that is purely spiritual in nature, and yet absolute, like only a child can love. And thirdly, it deals with a theme very close to my heart (*cough*): Fate versus Choice.

In this story, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are destined to be together, they've got a fully formed soul bond from the very moment Obi-Wan is born, and there is nothing either of them can do about it. What fascinates me about the story is the contrast between Obi-Wan's easy acceptance of the bond (it's all he ever knew) and Qui-Gon's struggle to accept and embrace it. Anne Higgins could have done more to flesh this conflict out, but it's rudimentarily there, addressed in the question of whether if he'd had a choice, Qui-Gon would have chosen the bond. I would really like to see something written in this universe once (Anne Higgins has given it free to play with, as far as I know) that deals a bit more closely with that aspect. [1]

When Qui-Gon is forced to deliver a baby while on a mission, he finds himself in a soul-bond with the newborn and must learn to adapt to his new found mate, even if he, initially, doesn't want to.

After all the drama and angst I've been shilling out these past few recs, I really wanted to rec something that was not only happy but borderline pure fluff. Anne Higgins' Bonding Universe definitely fits the bill, even if there is the tiniest smidgen of angst. But then, there has to be a little bit, what with a fully adult and knighted Qui-Gon being bonded to a cute little squirming bundle of joy Obi-Wan from the moment he comes into the world.

Honestly, I don't want to spoil too much of the universe as a whole (despite the fact the summary really says it all), but if you want something cute to read or just need something to smile about, all the stories in this universe (both by Anne and other authors) definitely are what you should be reading.[2]

Bonding Universe -- Anne Higgins -- More bonds than you could shake a stick at.[3]

Alright, there's just nothing that you can say about this story. It defines the genre and is a staple of the fandom. It has spawned a number of AUs, including one by Anne herself. It's a 3-part series, AU post TPM and, well, SOUL BONDS. You have to love soul bonds. And young!Obi-Wan.[4]

References

  1. ^ raina_at in tpm_flashback. Bonding Universe by Anne Higgins, 25 February 2005. (Accessed 12 April 2015)
  2. ^ slyprentice in epic_recs. Bonding Universe by Anne Higgins (R), 05 April 2009. (Accessed 21 April 2015)
  3. ^ Past Tense. Recs by Merrin. (Accessed 27 November 2015)
  4. ^ isolabela in: homology_cubed. Happy Birthday, Homology!, 02 January 2006. (Accessed 28 December 2015)