Bonding Universe by Anne Higgins Original poster: raina_at
Title: Bonding Universe
Author: Anne Higgins
Rating: Anne Higgins calls it 'sex', I'd give it R
Pairing: Q/O
Warnings: there's no chan, but it gnaws on the edges.
Author's e-mail, web site and/or LJ id: annehiggins@mindspring.com;
Her homepage, as far as I know, she doesn't have a lj.
Link to story: Bonding through the Years, Bonding Universe Part 1
Bedrest is Boring, Bonding Universe Part 2
Care and Feeding of a Bondmate, Bonding Universe Part 3
Reasons for recommending: 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.
Quote from story: ( Quote from Bonding through the Years )