#pre-meeting obiwan anakin would never have thought that at all

[tennessoui]

so two more of my dnd friends announced that they were dating each other recently and i had the thought,,, dnd could fix him(anakin) so like. imagine he has a huttese only game that he dms going on throughout his teenage years (maybe with childhood friend kitster) and then that friendship group implodes thanks to teenage drama. so then he gets into a group playing in basic (whether or not they meet due to dnd or this is canon au and so obi wan spends anakin’s teen years pretending he’s not jealous of the attention anakin gives to his dnd game is variable) and boom! this game has obi wan in it. and dnd has a lot of improv and acting so if their characters fall in love it doesn’t mean anakin and obi wan are in love, even though anakin having a fake sibling relationship with kitster or someone does mean that the two of them think of each other as kind of siblings. but obviously the only person allowed to be in love with anakin’s character is obi wans character. if anakin’s the dm then that means no one but obi wan is allowed an npc flirt so obi wans character has to be the Biggest Slut, but if anakin’s another player than that means anakin’s character is absolutely Not Allowed to Be A Slut and neither is Obi-Wan’s because the only one for him by now is anakin. (bonus points if it’s a dnd podcast like critical role so obi-wan sees shipping fanart of characters) for once anakin is not the crazy jealous one because he’s played dnd long enough that he knows any flirting is just practice for obikin. anakin is more worried about his friendship with vos than obi wan being an in game slut.

(publishing follow up ask for dnd context)

sorry, dnd anon here, forgot to let u know the basics of the game. basically, one person gets really into it and world builds a whole world with npcs and politics and a villain (bbeg) and becomes the dungeon master (dm) for either a single session (one shot) or a whole multi session story arc (called a campaign) while everyone else plays one single character and rolls the dice that the dm tells them to to see if they succeed or fail. sometimes the players come up with really wacky shit that the dm just has to like. deal with, and other times someone says something like “life needs things to live” and everyone lovingly mocks them for it. podcasts of people playing exist, and some of them have huge fandoms with while shipping cultures, and if u want to watch one to get familiarized with the game, i would recommend dungeons and drag queens by dimension 20 (2/2)

i need to preface this by saying i really don't know anything about dnd and the explanation you sent is really great but i still don't think i know anything about dnd. also i feel like a little part of anakin has to always have a crazy jealous inclination because (gestures to mustafar anakin rots scenes) that was formative to me when i watched it

maybe obi-wan's letting all of his jealousy flow into his character so he's being sorta unhinged in the game while anakin is being unhinged in real life. compromise!

this isn't dnd necessarily, but your ask did remind me of this fic by @intermundia where they play world of warcraft

and i absolutely remember reading a fic where they play dnd in a modern au and that's their whole basis for a relationship but i really cannot remember it for the life of me. or find it.

[gffa]

STAR WARS is really good for time travel fic, the urge to give the characters a chance to fix things, now that they have an idea of what went wrong or what to look out for, while still having to relive so many painful things, that balance of suffering and yet it’s worth it for the hope it offers, it’s exactly what the best fic is made of. I LOVE TIME TRAVEL FIC SO MUCH, so I’ve collected together a bunch of my favorites! (Last Updated: 2017.04.19) ✦ Shadows of the Future by stormqueen873, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast, 129.3k    ObiWan lost the duel on Mustafar, but instead of dying, he finds himself on a ship leaving Tatooine, with his old Master and a familiar young boy. As events begin to unfold, can he stop the future he knows from occuring? ✦ Lost Reflections by esama, obi-wan & ben, 30.k wip    Obi-Wan didn’t become Qui-Gon Jinn’s apprentice, and Ben didn’t exile himself to Tatooine. On Bandomeer the two meet. ✦ Threads of the Past by Magier74, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & xanatos, 37.8k    Obi-Wan and Anakin make an unexpected detour returning home from a mission. ✦ time to change the road you’re on by wreckageofstars, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & cast, 24.3k wip    The end of the Clone War is near - the fall of the Republic even nearer. Anakin Skywalker, caught up in the events that lead to the rise of the Empire and the loss of everything he holds dear, finds himself sent nearly two decades into the future. ✦ these are the good old days by QueenWithABeeThrone, han & obi-wan & anakin, 2.3k    Han Solo, after being killed by his own son, wakes up as an eight-year-old on Corellia, then runs away from home. just his luck (or the Force) that his ride crashes on a world being squabbled over by the Republic and the Separatists. just his luck (or the Force) that he runs into Anakin Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi, too. ✦ set this dance alight by QueenWithABeeThrone, obi-wan & ahsoka & han & cast, 3k wip    “And don’t call me squirt.” “You’re shorter than I am,” Tano shoots back, “I get to call you anything I like.” or: Han Solo finds the Millennium Falcon a decade or so earlier than scheduled, and Obi-wan Kenobi finds himself adjusting to his new padawan while on the job. ✦ White Rabbits by Butterfly, obi-wan/anakin & background anakin/padme & luke & leia & han & cast, NSFW, time travel, 102.5k wip    Through the Force, everything is connected. Anakin and Obi-Wan find this out first-hand. ✦ Futurus (-a -um) by cadesama, anakin/padme + obi-wan/anakin/padme + luke & leia & mon mathma & ahsoka, mildly nsfw, 53.2k wip    Cracked hyperdrive? No problem. Just hold it together with the Force. Time travel? Well. That could be a bigger problem. ✦ One Day More by CalaisKenobi, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & cast, 31.2k    Obi-Wan is given the opportunity to make some changes in his past. With the help of some old friends, and the hindrance of some old enemies, the Galaxy will be forever changed. ✦ Wake the Storm by bedlamsbard, obi-wan & anakin (pre-slash) & cast, 75.4k    Considering that he had picked up what was probably a Sith artifact, promptly passed out in the middle of a war zone, and apparently woken up twenty years in the future with Obi-Wan having taken up residence in his head, Anakin thought he was entitled to have a few questions. ✦ Old Man Luke by scarletjedi, obi-wan & anakin & luke & cast, 10.4k wip    Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. “Who are you?” He asked, hoping a direct question would yield answers. The old man seemed adept at side-stepping information when asked a bit more deftly. “I’ve never heard of a Master with your level of talent.” ✦ Hello From the Other Side by DarthNickels, anakin & luke & han/leia & kylo ren & piett, body swap, time travel, 16.7k wip    Kylo Ren is destined to take up the mantle of Vader. The Force can be incredibly literal. ✦ I Found You by KeeperofSeeds, obi-wan & shmi, ~1k    A pregnant Shmi makes it to the Jedi Temple and immediate seeks out and finds the boy who was (will be?) her son’s Master/brother/teacher/friend. The boy who became the man to sacrifice himself for her grandchildren. The One who shared her Visions. ✦ went back and put up a fight by springsoldier (ladydaredevil), obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka, 2k    She probably shouldn’t trust the wish-granting Sith artefact. (In which Ahsoka makes a brave attempt at hugging the Dark Side out of Anakin) ✦ Tumblr Ramblings (Obi-Wan Time Travel/AU-jump) by gaealynn, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast,    At the end of RotJ, Obi-Wan reaches out a hand to help Anakin cross over and instead – wakes up on Naboo. ✦ Hollow by JennMel, qui-gon & obi-wan & anakin & others, 5.6k    Obi-Wan has always had a secret. And Qui-Gon could not, must not, ever know. If he did, then they would never even make it to Tatooine, let alone deal with the rest to come. One perfect possible future, that’s all Obi-Wan needed to achieve…that’s all. ✦ Conversations at the Intersections of Time by Sentimental Star, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon, 5.2k wip    What happens when a thirteen-year-old Anakin Skywalker and his twenty-nine-year-old Master get snatched back in time, only to come face to face with a fifteen-year-old Obi-Wan…and a very much alive Qui-Gon Jinn? ✦ Tumbling Star Wars by esama, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & padme, 4.9k    Various Star Wars snippets. Some crossovers. ✦ The Dark Path Lit by Sun and Stars by delicatefury, obi-wan & luke & leia & han & cast, time travel, ~4k    Obi-Wan wakes up in the middle of a space battle. Or rather he doesn’t. Regardless, a dogfight is no place for an existential crisis. ✦ TDPL Snippet - Leia and Obi-Wan by delicatefury, obi-wan & leia, 1.9k    In honor of Carrie Fisher, here’s the first Leia POV scene I wrote for The Dark Path Lit by Sun and Stars. ✦ TDPL snippet - The Padawan Discussion, round 2. by delicatefury, obi-wan & luke, 2.4k    “I know… I know I made a big deal about being a Jedi like my Father,” Luke beings. “And I’m not taking it back,” he hastens to add. “I wanted to be a Jedi at first because he was. I guess I just wanted to know him in someway. But I didn’t wanna be a Jedi like my Father, y’know?” ✦ There’s Still Time to Change the Road You’re On by victoria_p (musesfool), anakin & luke & leia, 3.6k    “Time travel? Are you kriffing kidding me?” ✦ I’ll Be There For You by SinkingLikeASunset, obi-wan/anakin/padme (eventual) & qui-gon & clones & cast, 40.7k wip    Just days after his fateful encounter with Anakin on Mustafar , Obi-Wan has resigned himself to a lonely existence on Tatooine. However, he has been granted a chance to go back and fix things. Obi-Wan must alter events and make changes as he struggles with memories of a dreadful future and deals with new developments this time around. ✦ untitled by cadesama part 1 / 2 / 3, obi-wan & anakin & leia & rey & padme & finn & poe & cast, 2.7k wip    A decade ago, Leia would have considered this a headache. Perhaps a nightmare. Now, she was mostly bemused. ✦ of deserts and droids by songstress, rey & anakin, 3.9k    Rey accidentally time-travels, and realizes that Jedi are even more weird than she had ever imagined. ✦ Tumbling Star Wars by esama, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & padme, 4.9k    Various Star Wars snippets. Some crossovers. ✦ One Day More by CalaisKenobi, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & cast, 31.2k    Obi-Wan is given the opportunity to make some changes in his past. With the help of some old friends, and the hindrance of some old enemies, the Galaxy will be forever changed. ✦ Conversations at the Intersections of Time by Sentimental Star, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon, 5.2k wip    What happens when a thirteen-year-old Anakin Skywalker and his twenty-nine-year-old Master get snatched back in time, only to come face to face with a fifteen-year-old Obi-Wan…and a very much alive Qui-Gon Jinn? ✦ Tumbling Star Wars by esama, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon, 11.2k    Various Star Wars snippets. Some crossovers. ✦ The Dark Path Lit by Sun and Stars by A_Delicate_Fury, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & luke & leia & cody & cast, time travel, 4.3k wip    After a disaster on the cosmic scale that Obi-Wan is still trying to wrap his mind around, he finds himself back in the early days of the Clone Wars, Commander Cody loyally at his side, Anakin at his back, and Sidious plotting against the Jedi at every turn. He’s been given an unasked for chance to do everything over again. And with the Force as his ally, he intends to set the galaxy on a brighter path than its current trajectory. ✦ The Reality of Change by midnight_vision, obi-wan/anakin/padme & ahsoka & cast, time travel, 66k wip    Padmé dies on Mustafar and wakes up in the past, about a year before everything falls apart. She’s determined to make sure none of it happens again, and with some help, she tries to expose Palpatine for what he really is. But even if Anakin and the Republic can be saved, that doesn’t mean the outcome will be something any of them want. ✦ From a Certain Point of View pt 1 / pt 2 / pt 3 / pt 4, obi-wan & anakin & padme & ahsoka & sidious & cast, 7.5k ✦ Tumblr Ramblings (Obi-Wan Time Travel/AU-jump) by gaealynn, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast,    At the end of RotJ, Obi-Wan reaches out a hand to help Anakin cross over and instead – wakes up on Naboo. ✦ The Fires by Driverpicksthemooseic (Ratkinzluver33), obi-wan/anakin & hinted obi-wan/anakin/padme, 4.2k    He wakes quickly and without thought, breaking through the barrier of unconsciousness to find himself face down on the floor of a starfighter. (OR, Groundhog Day. ROTS, Battle of Mustafar, Full-On Groundhog Day. Yes, I am a masochist, thank you for asking.) ✦ Where Have We Come? by soaring_heart, obi-wan & anakin, 1.9k    The first time was one of the hardest and the easiest. Obi-Wan loses at Mustafar, but instead of dying he wakes up at the dawn of the last day of the republic, doomed to repeat the worst day of his life, over and over again. ✦ All Over Again by tricksterity, obi-wan/anakin & qui-gon & shmi & cast, time travel, 27.7k wip    Obi-Wan Kenobi is sixteen years old when he collapses in the training salle to the shock of his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. When he wakes up two days later after multiple seizures and flatlining once, he remembers the Clone Wars, remembers Mustafar, remembers being cut in half by the man he loved more than anything in the universe, and he remembers Luke and Leia. ✦ Soldier, Poet, King by Glare, obi-wan/anakin & qui-gon & mace & dooku & palpatine & cast, sith!obi-wan, NSFW, 95.4k wip    Second chances are very rarely given, but the Force smiles upon two of its favorite children and returns them to a time before their actions have met their consequences. Anakin Skywalker, also known as Darth Vader, seeks redemption while Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi, disillusioned with the Jedi Order and its Code, falls to the Darkness. full details + recs under the cut!

✦ Shadows of the Future by stormqueen873, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast, 129.3k    ObiWan lost the duel on Mustafar, but instead of dying, he finds himself on a ship leaving Tatooine, with his old Master and a familiar young boy. As events begin to unfold, can he stop the future he knows from occuring?    I AM SO SAD THIS FIC IS OVER. I admit, the beginning is super fluffy and it takes awhile to get into the real tension of the piece, but when the fic delivers on the revelations, when Qui-Gon finally finds out what Obi-Wan knows, when Obi-Wan finally has to really let loose in a fight, when Anakin realizes what happened in Obi-Wan’s future, all of it is so goddamned worth the wait. I do actually enjoy the fluff of this fic, I don’t mean to indicate otherwise, because it’s adorable and necessary, where Obi-Wan just loves kidlet Anakin so much and has the experience to be more open about it this time, the maturity to better handle everything, has Qui-Gon still alive to let up on his own grief, it’s wonderful to read and soothed my heart and paved the way for the relationships being even stronger than they were.    But it’s really in the second half where this fic becomes absolutely magical, where shit finally hits the fan and revelations have to happen and the plot cannot remain the same because Obi-Wan’s not going to let things fall apart again. I absolutely could not put the fic down by that point, I was utterly engrossed and read practically the whole second half in one sitting because I kept needing to turn the page, just one more time, just one more time! The tension of how things unfold, Sidious and Maul’s plots, the Jedi Council trying to figure out what’s going on, Qui-Gon trying to figure out what the hell is up with Obi-Wan, Anakin bonding so fiercely to Obi-Wan, all of it ties together and culminates in a fine as hell epic fight scene that left me so damned satisfied.    The fic is absolutely focused on making things better, in fixing everything, but it never forgets that Obi-Wan is not who he was in the original timeline, because he’s grown, he’s healing here, but he’s still a Jedi Master who has Seen A Lot Of Shit, that the second time around is necessary to be built on top of the previous one, which is how time travel fics work best for me. Plus, this has one of my new favorites of the duel on Mustafar, when Anakin won that duel and how he won it, how you realize it shapes so much of what happens between them. And the ending! MY HEART FEELS SO MUCH BETTER AFTER THIS FIC. ✦ Lost Reflections by esama, obi-wan & ben, 30.k wip    Obi-Wan didn’t become Qui-Gon Jinn’s apprentice, and Ben didn’t exile himself to Tatooine. On Bandomeer the two meet.    Holy shit, I got sucked into this fic hard, despite that I really did not expect to. I was wary because my heart hurt at the idea of Obi-Wan never becoming a Jedi Knight, that Qui-Gon passed him over and never changed his mind, and the lack of other characters around them. But I’ve always enjoyed this author’s work whenever they write something and the fic quickly engrossed me and eventually I realized why it’s perfectly set up–it’s not about the big, epic events of the greater storyline, but it’s about Obi-Wan Kenobi. It’s set from the younger one’s POV, as a strange possible Jedi named Ben Kenobi shows up on the farming world he’s been assigned to, so you can guess at so much of what Ben’s been through, but you don’t know the specifics and it works so well for that, especially because you can feel that bone deep weariness of soul and heart, even as he still has such care in him. It’s perfectly set up because it’s interesting, the ways that they use the Force in the AgriCorps that’s different from how a Jedi Knight uses it, it’s genuinely impressive what they do and it strengths their abilities in different ways.    This isn’t a time travel fic about fixing the timeline, it’s about Ben Kenobi finding healing because he needs to find himself. It’s about slice of life moments, it’s about nothing being hurried or frantic, but about Ben doing something wholly good again and lessening the hurt of those he’s lost (especially Anakin’s fall). And, oh, it’s a fic with gorgeous characterization, I love how different these two characters are, yet they are both Obi-Wan Kenobi, that deep well of caring and strength of personality and rightness of heart, even as there are absolutely feelings of anger and bitterness that young Obi-Wan works through. And Ben is perfect, even as the fic slowly reveals the wounded parts of his character, he still the absolute epitome of a perfect Jedi, he’s always composed and refined and graceful. He’s such an incredible teacher (of course, it helps that he knows exactly what he needs), always patient and yet not without humor and finding amusement in frustrating his apprentice at times, that he is so good for younger Obi-Wan, who grows so much with this guidance. It’s not about big reveals, it’s not about greater plot machinations, but instead about the slice of life moments that build (or fix) the foundations of both of the characters. It’s a WIP, but it doesn’t really matter because everything you’re getting out of this fic is present in the chapters that have already been posted and, honestly, while I would read 100k more of this (or at least like to know the ultimate ending), it’s also entirely satisfying the way it is. I got sucked into this and read it all in one sitting just about because it’s exactly the balm my soul needed, too. ✦ Threads of the Past by Magier74, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & xanatos, 37.8k    Obi-Wan and Anakin make an unexpected detour returning home from a mission.    Another fic that I found myself getting sucked into before I knew it! It’s Obi-Wan and Anakin traveling back to just before Obi-Wan became Qui-Gon’s Padawan and of course things do not go smoothly, but in a way that ultimately winds up being really satisfying to read. I do wish there had been a bit more filling in of details (the revelation scene was sadly missed) but ultimately I don’t mind because it still gave me so many things I was here for: Anakin getting a better understanding of Obi-Wan for having seen him as a less controlled child, being kind of freaked out because if Obi-Wan dies then he won’t be there for Anakin, the getting to actually see Qui-Gon instead of placing him on an idealized pedestal, as well as Obi-Wan seeing Qui-Gon again and learning how to really work through that grief. But also beyond that the timeline changes and that means plot changes happen! Xanatos becomes more important to the grand scheme, it means Obi-Wan and Anakin are closer when Anakin’s life goes to hell, it means the events of the galaxy shift into a better gear bit by bit. It’s not a terribly long fic, but it was suitably epic in scope and utterly satisfying by the end, it balanced the bigger plot stuff with the smaller human moments (Obi-Wan helping Anakin through his mother’s death is a scene that really stuck with me) in a way that really made me happy. Another example of why I read time travel fic, god bless. ✦ time to change the road you’re on by wreckageofstars, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & cast, 24.3k wip    The end of the Clone War is near - the fall of the Republic even nearer. Anakin Skywalker, caught up in the events that lead to the rise of the Empire and the loss of everything he holds dear, finds himself sent nearly two decades into the future.    Oh, I’m terribly hooked on this fic. The first couple of chapters were just this utter struggle, like an absolute slog to get through, in exactly the way it should be, because there’s so much history and weight on these characters, that throwing Anakin forward in time to Ahsoka, before she meets Vader face to face again, but after she knows who he is, and then she sees Anakin again, practically dumped in her lap, but on the verge of falling, already so far gone that it feels next to impossible to fix all of this, even when they have the chance. It’s exhausting, but so good, especially because it’s such a difficult situation and Ahsoka handles it as best she can!    One of the things I especially loved about it is, when she finds herself in that position, she doesn’t tell the whole truth, and you can see why, that she can be upset and hurt that someone else didn’t tell her the whole truth (though, I’m not sure why she’s angry with Obi-Wan when she finds out about him, how would he even have told her?) and yet still you understand, because she’s been there herself just now, that it’s not always so easy to just tell the whole truth. And that’s one of the things about Star Wars–it’s understandable to be upset when someone doesn’t tell you these horrible things you wanted to know, but there are understandable reasons why that person didn’t. It’s not directly paralleled, but I felt like it helped further show why Obi-Wan made some of the choices he did in canon, because sometimes there are just only bad choices and you have to pick one.    But the heart of the story is about Ahsoka trying to deal with all of this, trying to reach Anakin, who really is just a mess, it’s a story about a lot of things coming out because they have the chance to fix things. It’s a story about reconnecting everyone to each other, giving them a chance they thought lost, and, oh, when they get to Obi-Wan, when he sees Anakin again for the first time, my fannish heart broke in exactly the way it was supposed to. I was practically wriggling in my seat in the build-up and it really didn’t disappoint me at all, there was just so much there, even in just a page or two. So much love and loss. So much love and loss with Ahsoka as well, so much aching sadness whenever moppet Leia is on the screen or when they talk to Bail, so much sadness and suffering in this Star Wars universe, even though there’s hope to maybe fix it. This is a bit of an exhausting fic, but that only makes me respect it more, because this is supposed to be exhausting. And I cannot wait for more of this one.    Chapter 5: This is an update rec and will focus on this chapter, rather than the fic as a whole. Oh, I read this entire chapter with a heavy feeling in my chest, in exactly the way the fic was supposed to give me, that it lived up to the potential of it in all the ways I was hoping it would. Ahsoka and Anakin have found Obi-Wan on Tatooine and the entire chapter is about trying to piece together what happened, along with just how much it weighed on Obi-Wan, just how much of him died back on Mustafar. The little touches, the way Anakin is so on edge here, but then flings himself at Obi-Wan to cry on him, the way Obi-Wan brushes Anakin’s hair out of his face when he’s sleeping, the way every word about what he knows feels like it’s a heavy stone being dragged up a mountain, all of it made me feel that sheer weight of feeling, how much love and care there was there and how much it hurt when things all went bad. It’s lovely writing and does so much justice to these characters and events and the Ahsoka pov is used so well to show how worn down this version of the man she used to know is, how different Ben Kenobi is from Obi-Wan Kenobi. There’s so much hurt and anger and exhaustion here, in all the right places and it’s so good. ✦ these are the good old days by QueenWithABeeThrone, han & obi-wan & anakin, 2.3k    Han Solo, after being killed by his own son, wakes up as an eight-year-old on Corellia, then runs away from home. just his luck (or the Force) that his ride crashes on a world being squabbled over by the Republic and the Separatists. just his luck (or the Force) that he runs into Anakin Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi, too.    Oh, my god, this was such a joyful ride, I could have read it for another 100k and eaten it up like it was nothing but delicious candy, even as it’s just the right length for what it wants to achieve. It’s such a great Han voice, the right amount of “wtf” blended with “well, whatever, this is my life now, I guess” feeling, the fic does a glorious job of those reveal moments that you know are coming, when he realizes just who he’s run into, the hilarious shock of, oh, shit, it’s kriffing Vader and oh, fuck, that’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, but also they’re not really what Han was expecting, either. The whole fic is an absolute scream, I never knew how badly I needed Han Solo to be the worst time traveler ever, to interact with Anakin and Obi-Wan in hilarious ways, to have his life just entirely fucked up by these Force users. But this was super great and everyone should read it, my face hurts from grinning just remembering reading it! ✦ set this dance alight by QueenWithABeeThrone, obi-wan & ahsoka & han & cast, 3k wip    “And don’t call me squirt.” “You’re shorter than I am,” Tano shoots back, “I get to call you anything I like.” or: Han Solo finds the Millennium Falcon a decade or so earlier than scheduled, and Obi-wan Kenobi finds himself adjusting to his new padawan while on the job.    You’ll probably need to have read these are the good old days before this fic to understand it. I used to really dislike the idea of Force Sensitive Han, because not everyone has to be Force Sensitive, but he’s so cranky about things here, the idea that he’d hate so much all the things he’s good at are because of the Force, that actually seeing time traveling Han Solo be de-aged and sort of stumble into becoming Obi-Wan’s new Jedi Padawan Learner? AMAZING. This fic is just pure joy to read, as bb!Han sneaks out and gets sort of caught by Ahsoka and he’s just like three feet of pure grumpiness and old man cranky and smuggler to the core. Every time he thinks about baby Vader (aka Anakin) or has a scene with Obi-Wan or gets along with Ahsoka or misses his friends, I’m just entirely :D :D :D about it. ✦ White Rabbits by Butterfly, obi-wan/anakin & background anakin/padme & luke & leia & han & cast, NSFW, time travel, 102.5k wip    Through the Force, everything is connected. Anakin and Obi-Wan find this out first-hand.    I do have a couple of caveats about the fic–it hasn’t been updated in close to a year (but it’s also been in progress for over 10 years, so the author does keep coming back) and the beginning of the fic (probably about the first third at least?) is very much the plot moving the characters rather than the characters moving the plot, that they don’t really react to things in a way that feels organic to their own motivations, but rather where the scene wants them to go. And I do have some trouble wrapping my mind around the idea that Anakin wouldn’t be all over his kids, even as the fic gently nudges him away from them because of jealousy and then fear for Padme’s life. I mention these things because I want to encourage readers beyond them (as I always do with recs) because it’s a story that I read over the course of a couple of days and the writing is really smooth and just so nicely sailed along and it very much has a plot and does a really lovely job of balancing the five rotating character povs (Obi-Wan, Anakin, Luke, Leia, and Han), of throwing this tangle of characters together and keeping up with group scenes. The fic’s plot is absolutely intriguing and the author is taking their time with it without feeling like it was dragged out, it’s almost sort of hard to believe that it’s a fic that’s over 100k because it was just so easy to keep reading and never felt bogged down or padded out just to up the word count.    And once the fic settles into the story, as Obi-Wan and Anakin discover more and more about this future, as they’re thrown into a situation where Anakin has to face what he’s capable of (once he hears about Vader) and how the fic sort of… balances between trying to reconcile that/fix it and also just sort of avoiding it by going I WON’T DO THAT I WILL AVOID IT, which is actually a pretty perfectly Anakin Skywalker reaction. The author also knows how to write UST while still giving some resolution, that Obi-Wan and Anakin are very attracted to each other and it’s being thrown into this mind-boggling situation where Anakin desperately needs someone to help and support him, he desperately needs someone to cling onto, that seeing this future where the Jedi are gone and this horribleness is possible, that finally breaks that last hurdle and jams them together. I love that Padme may not be here, but Anakin’s love for her never is dialed down a notch, that so much of why he wants to go back is to save her, that he still loves her just as furiously and obsessively as ever, even as he loves Obi-Wan as well. And the sex scenes were lovely, the way Anakin is desperate to grind himself against Obi-Wan is lovely, as well as the brief moments where Obi-Wan’s hands slide lower down his back, not quite ghosting over the prize there, but the implication of the future, that one day he may open Anakin up and push into him is there, and just the right amount of promise of it.    But also! The later chapters are starting to get into just what all is in this world, what’s left that they might still remember, that they’re still working to uncover just what happened, both to them and to this world that may be their future. And I do love that it’s Leia who pushes for them not to change things, because they worked damn hard for this future, because they fought and bled for it, because she won’t give up this hope or gamble it away on something that might be better or might be worse, that who she is, everything that’s made her Leia Organa, could disappear, it makes perfect sense that she would try to convince them to stay, and it allows the fic the time and room to explore these characters from the past in this future. It’s a fic that’s definitely a WIP and may take a long time to update again, but I greatly enjoyed what was here and it was just so very easy to sink into and I appreciated having that over the past week! Plus several Obikin kissing scenes yes thank you! ✦ Futurus (-a -um) by cadesama, anakin/padme + obi-wan/anakin/padme + luke & leia & mon mathma & ahsoka, mildly nsfw, 53.2k wip    Cracked hyperdrive? No problem. Just hold it together with the Force. Time travel? Well. That could be a bigger problem.    I have two caveats about this fic before I begin: It’s a WIP that hasn’t been updated in about a year, so I’m not sure if it will be. But it gets enough satisfying stuff in so even though it ends on a cliffhanger, I found it absolutely worth reading! And that it’s very fast in the beginning, there’s not much time to build up suspense before the reveals are already happening. This isn’t a fic I wound up reading for the suspense or reveals by the time I got into the thick of it, this is a fic that’s about the building relationship between Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padme. Previous to this fic, I’d never shipped anything but Anakin/Padme, so their relationship being strong here, being absolutely important to Anakin’s pov, while the shifting nature of his relationship with Obi-Wan is slowly changing, works for me, it eased me in at just the right pacing and made me actually really, really want it.    What the fic does the most beautifully for me, though, is how Anakin is so beloved and so special and so brilliant, but he’s also an obnoxious pain in the ass, the way Padme and Obi-Wan both love him dearly, but he’s also a dumbass, oh, that worked for me because that’s exactly it, that’s how they relate to him. The plot part of the story was interesting as well, I definitely want to know where things are going, how this will affect history, and I love love love that the PT characters were the ones thrown forward into the OT’s time, that’s where my heart really is, and this fic just completely and totally charmed the hell out of me! I especially appreciate that it gently eased me into shipping this OT3 in a way that worked for me and got me to be able to actually see it. ✦ One Day More by CalaisKenobi, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & cast, 31.2k    Obi-Wan is given the opportunity to make some changes in his past. With the help of some old friends, and the hindrance of some old enemies, the Galaxy will be forever changed.    I am an absolute sucker for time travel fic and it’s nice to see one that’s finished and kept fairly short! Obi-Wan is so beloved by the Force (always a way to get me to click on a fic, lbr) that he gets three chances to change different days in his life and the fic isn’t really about the lengthy details of the changed timelines, but instead more about using one or two moments in those changed times to highlight how things could have done differently. It’s really a fic about how selfless a character Obi-Wan Kenobi is, how he would never sacrifice someone else for his own gain or happiness, that’s just not who he is at all, that he will always put himself in danger before anyone else. It’s a fic about how dearly he loves the people he cares about, Qui-Gon and then Anakin later (though, the first section is lighter on Obi-Wan’s love for Anakin than I would have thought) and the ways he comes up with to save them.    It’s a fic that blends a lot of elements, the time travel/chance to redo things that I love, the explanations Obi-Wan eventually gives because suddenly you have a Jedi Master in a Padawan’s body, the emotional charge of losing those he loves again (because you know it’s not going to go right until the third time around, so the second time around with Anakin was just all the feelings place ouchies for me), and the fic floating the idea that I rather largely agree with, that Anakin does bring balance to the Force, that the Jedi Order had become stagnant and the Force wanted change, however that came about. But, ultimately, it’s a fic about giving Obi-Wan a chance at happiness without sacrificing the things Obi-Wan will always do, that saving the galaxy doesn’t have to be about those rare bigger moments, but instead it’s about the everyday joy and love for life that pulls the galaxy towards something better. And all of that was just exactly right for me, centered around Obi-Wan’s character as it was, it’s everything I want from this fandom. ✦ Wake the Storm by bedlamsbard, obi-wan & anakin (pre-slash) & cast, 75.4k    Considering that he had picked up what was probably a Sith artifact, promptly passed out in the middle of a war zone, and apparently woken up twenty years in the future with Obi-Wan having taken up residence in his head, Anakin thought he was entitled to have a few questions.    So, I pretty much sunk into this fic and didn’t come out again until I’d read the whole thing, I just absolutely couldn’t put it down! My only caveat is that, while the build-ups and suspense are stellar, you just kind of have to roll with that the fic is not as strong at reveals. The way the fic is structured, there’s a lot of “omg when will Character A find out about Character b????” that don’t necessarily happen or happen late in the fic or aren’t pieced together when they should be or aren’t dwelled on for long. I don’t think this is a huge detriment, so long as you know what you’re getting ahead of time, though, because what the fic is about (Anakin skipping around the timeline and other universes, dragging Obi-Wan along with him) is absolutely fantastic. The writing is incredibly engaging, it’s the kind where I find this far more readable than a lot of professionally published books, that the plot structure and pacing of the scenes is all rock solid for me. (Tbh, probably the only reason any caveats occur to me at all is because the fic as a whole is so well written.)    The characterization is lovely and gets at the heart of what I wanted–where Anakin experiences the destruction and tragedy that happens, his horror at it solidified by the time he finds out his connection to it, as well as his interaction with Obi-Wan is strengthened up because of what Obi-Wan has been through and how he’s seeing Anakin again and how much time he’s had to think over the events of Anakin’s future. The plot is interesting and the fic spends time with each world but doesn’t linger and there has clearly been thought given to setting all of it up, but it blends into the story perfectly, like… you know those fics you can pick up and just read and read and read because they’re so engaging and written with such good pacing that you don’t want to put it down, that even when it shifts gears, you find yourself rolling right along with it because you want to know what happens next? That’s what this fic did for me, I was so curious about where it was going next and how this was all going to affect them.    While this story itself is gen, you can tell that the story is heading towards Obi-Wan/Anakin/Padme, so it spends time building Obi-Wan/Anakin back up and shifting it to romantic instead of platonic, that it doesn’t happen here at all, but you can feel how desperately Anakin loves Obi-Wan and how Obi-Wan has been given the time to really reflect on feelings and attachment and on Anakin in general, so that I believe it. Plus, I’m a sucker for all the little touches, like Anakin sleeping on Obi-Wan or the way he touches Anakin after he goes through a tough time, it got me right in the feelings place, to go along with the intriguing greater story. I am now going to proceed to dive right into the monster sequel fic and probably roll around in my feelings some more. ✦ Old Man Luke by scarletjedi, obi-wan & anakin & luke & cast, 10.4k wip    Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. “Who are you?” He asked, hoping a direct question would yield answers. The old man seemed adept at side-stepping information when asked a bit more deftly. “I’ve never heard of a Master with your level of talent.”    Ahhhh, I’m sorry that there’s only four chapters so far, but I totally do not regret reading this! I love time travel fics and having Luke be the one to travel back? To have him at a point where he’s so strong in the Force and then gets to see Obi-Wan and Anakin at the height of the PT Jedi’s presence? In the middle of the Clone War? It’s so intriguing and so much fun and I just tore through all of this super quickly because I couldn’t put it down. I really like this Luke characterization, he’s so thoroughly moral and good, so calm and centered, but without being a non-entity. He still has presence and reactions and feelings! But also Obi-Wan and Anakin! The bits of their friendship that are in the fic are also delightful and I’m practically champing at the bit for them to get to the big reveal about Luke, because the set-up is really good and the writing is really smooth and the characters/plot feel really solid, and I absolutely want more! I love all time travel fics, but I love them especially when they can give me something new and interesting and follow through on that potential like this one is doing. ✦ Hello From the Other Side by DarthNickels, anakin & luke & han/leia & kylo ren & piett, body swap, time travel, 16.7k wip    Kylo Ren is destined to take up the mantle of Vader. The Force can be incredibly literal.    Holy shit, this fic sucked me in hard and grabbed hold of me and I tore through all of what was available in one sitting because it was just so damn interesting. Vader and Kylo Ren swap places and times, Vader in the future, Kylo Ren in the past, and both are absolutely fascinating for all that could happen! Kylo Ren in the past, being able to “fix” Vader’s mistake at the end, the momentary weakness he had, being able to change things towards the dark side in this timeline, so interesting! But also. Oh, man, Vader in the future, finding Luke again and then seeing Leia and Han, while in the body of their son, the amount of delicate work to write that scene so exquisitely well, to keep all of them in character, especially Vader’s cold distance and Leia’s vulnerability for Ben and her fury at Vader, then the doubly difficult path of writing Vader discovering who Leia is, oh, it’s so good. It’s so painful and terrible and absolutely perfect, this Vader is spot on, this Leia is spot on, and the whole group being there and trying to figure out what the hell to do next, it’s just everything I could have possibly asked for. ✦ I Found You by KeeperofSeeds, obi-wan & shmi, ~1k    A pregnant Shmi makes it to the Jedi Temple and immediate seeks out and finds the boy who was (will be?) her son’s Master/brother/teacher/friend. The boy who became the man to sacrifice himself for her grandchildren. The One who shared her Visions.    It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this fic, because I love love love the set-up of it and how it was done and how eager I am to know more about this universe. I love time travel fics, I love when there’s more than one person who lived the original timeline, I love the chance to do things over, I love that this fic cares how much Anakin meant to Obi-Wan, BUT ALSO SHMI SKYWALKER, who has visions of everything that was Anakin’s life. There is SO MUCH POTENTIAL here that I’m just ridiculously excited about where it could go and what it could do! ✦ went back and put up a fight by springsoldier (ladydaredevil), obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka, 2k    She probably shouldn’t trust the wish-granting Sith artefact. (In which Ahsoka makes a brave attempt at hugging the Dark Side out of Anakin)    Ahsoka time travel fic! This wasn’t long, but it was enough to get to the good stuff–Ahsoka being dumped back into the past and pretty much the first thing she does is go hug Anakin because, oh, he’s still there and I just really had a lot of feelings right along with her. I loved how hopeful and good this fic was, I love how much I believed in Ahsoka to change things, to help fix things. I loved this as a time travel fic and as a “Fuck yeah Ahsoka Tano!” fic, both were super delightful aspects. ✦ Tumblr Ramblings (Obi-Wan Time Travel/AU-jump) by gaealynn, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast,    At the end of RotJ, Obi-Wan reaches out a hand to help Anakin cross over and instead – wakes up on Naboo.    I am always willing to pick up a time travel fic, especially if it’s Obi-Wan time travelling, so I enjoyed this half-fic, half-scenario piece just for those things! And I love that this is an Obi-Wan who has suffered through so many terrible losses, the weight of that isn’t gone, but he’s still that guy who keeps getting up again, who doesn’t know how to surrender when something like this is put in front of him. And, oh, there’s a scene in the second chapter where he meets bb!Anakin again, where he knows there will be hope now, and there’s cuddling and, oh, it’s Anakin and just. I had feelings all over the place during that scene alone! ✦ Hollow by JennMel, qui-gon & obi-wan & anakin & others, 5.6k    Obi-Wan has always had a secret. And Qui-Gon could not, must not, ever know. If he did, then they would never even make it to Tatooine, let alone deal with the rest to come. One perfect possible future, that’s all Obi-Wan needed to achieve…that’s all.    I greatly enjoyed this piece, one that didn’t need to be long to do some fixing of the timeline and having an interesting concept that it pulled off nicely. I love how it changes things, offers so much hope, but without making it easy or without a lot of pain and sacrifice, which makes the potential for something better all the more well earned. ✦ Conversations at the Intersections of Time by Sentimental Star, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon, 5.2k wip    What happens when a thirteen-year-old Anakin Skywalker and his twenty-nine-year-old Master get snatched back in time, only to come face to face with a fifteen-year-old Obi-Wan…and a very much alive Qui-Gon Jinn?    I am entirely a sucker for time travel fics, especially ones that are about both Obi-Wan getting to see Qui-Gon again and about Anakin seeing a young Padawan Obi-Wan. The fic does drop you into the middle of things (which I’m fine with, all the sooner to get to the good stuff!) and has an epithet problem, but it has young Obi-Wan and young Anakin bonding together and talking about the adults and even if this is just two chapters (so it’s more like a snippet out of a larger story, if you want to view it that way) I had fun with it and am very glad I read it. I will always read adorable Padawans trying to figure stuff out, especially when Anakin starts to understand Obi-Wan better because of it. ✦ Tumbling Star Wars by esama, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & padme, 4.9k    Various Star Wars snippets. Some crossovers.    These are two separate fics and I loved both of them dearly and would have read 100k for each of them, even as they stand well enough as snippets on their own! The first one is a time travel fic that, oh, just absolutely punched me in the feelings over Obi-Wan’s life and how much he loses post-ROTS, but also the chance he has for things to be different when he wakes up again! It’s one of those that I really would have loved more of it, but am happy with what there is, the little moments that were worked in, how much he cares deeply about Luke and Leia already, the moments he spends with Anakin and you can feel all the undercurrents there, even as they’re simple moments, the way his younger self looks at him and the determination he has that his younger self won’t have the same future as him. It might have been short, but it was a great piece for Obi-Wan! The second is an AU of ROTS, where Anakin doesn’t turn in quite the same way and so instead sneaks off at the end and the Republic is left cleaning up the mess, and this one is much more of a moment of what would be a fascinating larger AU but ahhhh it captured my imagination so well that I loved it dearly. Both are such great concepts with really neat execution that I heartily enjoyed them both. ✦ The Dark Path Lit by Sun and Stars by delicatefury, obi-wan & luke & leia & han & cast, time travel, ~4k    Obi-Wan wakes up in the middle of a space battle. Or rather he doesn’t. Regardless, a dogfight is no place for an existential crisis.    This is a collection of snippets from a longer fic (which you can find on the author’s tag for it as well) but I fell so utterly in love with it that I can’t wait for it to be written into a proper fic to be posted, because I’m a sucker for time travel fics, but also because it’s already hitting all my buttons like you wouldn’t believe. I started with this snippet, where de-aged OT trio meet a strange Jedi in a strange place and just, WHAM, like that I was totally in love, especially with the ending moments and how much they touched my heart. The writing is lovely and the scenario is intriguing as all get out and even just told in snippets as I’ve been reading, I’m already invested in all the little moments, with Luke seeing Obi-Wan again, with getting to see the Jedi temple at its height, or the quieter moments where Obi-Wan especially can finally rest for awhile during all the fighting. It’s a really lovely, delightful set of reading and I am eagerly looking forward to more of it! ✦ TDPL Snippet - Leia and Obi-Wan by delicatefury, obi-wan & leia, 1.9k    In honor of Carrie Fisher, here’s the first Leia POV scene I wrote for The Dark Path Lit by Sun and Stars.    Oh, this was such a lovely scene. I love the idea of Obi-Wan & Leia interaction, there’s only been a handful of fics that really even touch on it much at all, which is understandable, but I still love the idea of it (especially when she’s so very much Anakin’s daughter) and I absolutely adored her vulnerability here, because one of the best things about Leia’s character is that she doesn’t always have to be commanding and in charge, that she can be unsure and scared and sad. I love this moment between her and Obi-Wan, because it is easy to see how his relationship with Luke can overshadow everything else, but that this moment is entirely theirs, that context of Anakin and Padme and Luke are never forgotten, they’re still there, but this moment is wholly about Leia’s character and her relationship with him. And, oh, it was lovely to read. ✦ TDPL snippet - The Padawan Discussion, round 2. by delicatefury, obi-wan & luke, 2.4k    “I know… I know I made a big deal about being a Jedi like my Father,” Luke beings. “And I’m not taking it back,” he hastens to add. “I wanted to be a Jedi at first because he was. I guess I just wanted to know him in someway. But I didn’t wanna be a Jedi like my Father, y’know?”    I was initially wary going into this one, because I love Anakin dearly and bashing of his character usually makes me run the other way, but… this wasn’t bashing at all, it was a very gentle look at the effect his decisions and actions had on other characters, the weight that he left on Obi-Wan’s shoulders and the damage he did. I loved Anakin no less for every moment of this fic, that Luke doesn’t want to be a Jedi like Anakin was a Jedi, not in that way, that it takes nothing away from how much Luke believed in and loved his father, but that their paths are not meant to be the same. This is a Luke characterization that brought up all my Luke feelings, that I love this character so very much, how bright and shining and good he is, without losing the warmth and humanity that invests me in the character. And, oh, Obi-Wan is fantastic here as well, he is so calm and serene, but he still feels things, he still carries such a heavy weight, and it’s one he bears up under, he can handle it, but when some of that weight is taken off, when Luke connects with him, oh, my heart. This had me kind of maybe misting up a little because it was so lovely and perfect and meaningful and good. ✦ There’s Still Time to Change the Road You’re On by victoria_p (musesfool), anakin & luke & leia, 3.6k    “Time travel? Are you kriffing kidding me?”    This was totally adorable and fun, having Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker accidentally vaulted forward in time, running into Luke and Leia in the future, and it goes better than expected. I love that it’s from Anakin’s point of view, but you can still feel Luke’s incredibly excited, eager reaction and Leia’s angry, burning reaction to being face to face with this person. The first half is just really cute, fun action where they’re running away at high speed together, but then shit hits the fan because of course Anakin recognizes his own kids in this situation, in the most delightful moment of OH SHIT YOU’RE MY KIDS :D reaction and I love that they spend all of five minutes trying to protect the timeline before mistakes start happening, before little things slip through. I loved the little mentions, that Luke tells him Obi-Wan can never say it but he does love Anakin, the way Leia looks like Padme and it makes Anakin want to do whatever she says, just. This started out as such a fun thing and then became such a hopeful thing and that made it a great read. ✦ I’ll Be There For You by SinkingLikeASunset, obi-wan/anakin/padme (eventual) & qui-gon & clones & cast, 40.7k wip    Just days after his fateful encounter with Anakin on Mustafar , Obi-Wan has resigned himself to a lonely existence on Tatooine. However, he has been granted a chance to go back and fix things. Obi-Wan must alter events and make changes as he struggles with memories of a dreadful future and deals with new developments this time around.    I think I read this whole fic in just about one sitting, it was one of those that just quietly sucked me in and I found myself turning the page a little too easily and suddenly I was all caught up. It’s a bit more of a quiet sort of read than others in the genre (Obi-Wan wakes up in the past, starts changing everything), it’s a bit more low-key and a bit more slice-of-life-esque, but that contributed to how it was this solidly satisfying read for me. And it’s not that things are easy, there’s definitely a lot of pain and suffering, this is still Star Wars and it’s not like Obi-Wan can just go telling everyone what’s going to happen, so there’s struggling through trying to figure out how to change things, how to figure out what went wrong in the first place and what to do better, as well as deal with the weight of all that tragedy, as well as just how much he loves Anakin, how determined he is to save Anakin this time around, and how it’s a long road to walk, one that seems so very heavy for him, but he keeps doing it. It’s one of those fics that hits so many of the tropes of this particular fic genre and embraces them so fully that it’s just this really quietly satisfying fic to read and I’m so glad to have found it.    Chapter 1-8: I believe I’ve recommended this fic before, but it’s updated since then and I continue to enjoy it! The beginning takes a bit to get underway, but once Obi-Wan is in the past and has settled a bit, the fic shifts into gear and really engaged me. I like that it’s a fic where things aren’t really in a rush, even as they’re often tense and there’s a looming sense of things on the horizon. There’s room to breathe here, as well as some really good scenes between Obi-Wan and various people, especially Anakin, who gets frustrated that Obi-Wan won’t tell him what’s wrong, but Obi-Wan is slowly getting him to learn to trust that he’ll tell Anakin when the time is right. Not that Obi-Wan knows precisely what to do, he stumbles and is at a loss at times, but he’s still making his way carefully and is still determined to make things better this time.    But what I’m really here for is the slow development of Obi-Wan/Anakin/Padme as a threesome and how Obi-Wan/Anakin is getting so much of their communication finally worked out. Chapter seven has a nicely id-satisfying scene where much of the building confrontations finally happen, where Obi-Wan and Anakin finally really talk to each other, how Obi-Wan finally says directly what he now realizes Anakin needs to hear, how Anakin warms under that praise and affection. The fic is at its best when it’s focused on them (and Padme), when it lets me just happily roll around in the tropes that it embraces and just makes me feel all warm-hearted and content!    Chapter 9: This is an update rec and will focus on this chapter, rater than the fic as a whole. This fic starts a bit rough in the beginning, but once the timeline starts changing and the fic settles into the more daily life stuff, it becomes really cute and charming and chapter 9 really exemplifies that for me, it was just so adorable to watch Anakin verbally flailing and tripping over himself because Obi-Wan knew about his marriage to Padme, like I would have read five chapters in a row of that, because that’s where the fic is at its best and it’s just fluffy and pure iddy fix-it and cuteness! And I’m enjoying the slow roll towards Obianidala as a pairing, that it’s been 40k of fic now and they’re just sort of getting around to it and Obi-Wan’s affection for them is very nice and both Anakin and Padme are really cute, especially when Obi-Wan is so calm and serene, because that’s how he is, while they trip over themselves trying to pretend they’re not in a relationship. But also I will apparently eat up with a spoon any time Anakin has a panic attack and Obi-Wan’s presence and guidance helps bring him back, yesss, give me that always, that’s what I’m here for! ✦ untitled by cadesama part 1 / 2 / 3, obi-wan & anakin & leia & rey & padme & finn & poe & cast, 2.7k wip    A decade ago, Leia would have considered this a headache. Perhaps a nightmare. Now, she was mostly bemused.    Oh, I am so charmed by this whole collection of ficlets, finally there is time travel fuckery that includes the TFA characters! And I am so here for Clone Wars era Anakin and Ahsoka plus TPM era Obi-Wan and Anakin and Padme ending up in the future, I’m so here for the hints of Anakin having to interact with Kylo Ren, I’m so here for there being two Future Darth Vaders lounging around their base and everyone Not Knowing What To Say about this, I’m so here for Rey’s utter “wtf” reaction to all of this bullshit, I am so here for Leia just rolling with it because she always lands on her feet no matter how weird something is, and I’m just so here for the banter and the fun of all this collection of people from different eras and what a joyful, joyful clusterfuck this is. :D ✦ of deserts and droids by songstress, rey & anakin, 3.9k    Rey accidentally time-travels, and realizes that Jedi are even more weird than she had ever imagined.    Oh, I love the tone this fic takes, it definitely is crack treated seriously, but it does it so well, it embraces and just totally rolls with the concept of Padawan Learners accidentally time traveling via the Force through meditation and is absolutely precious to see a young Anakin interacting with Rey, the way he’s so chatty and charming and adorable and complains about his life constantly but Rey can absolutely read between the lines of what he says, he’s just such a ball of energy and you instantly feel for Obi-Wan having to deal with that, but also you absolutely love the little shit because he’s got such a charisma to him, but also this is a great piece about Rey and her early days of learning to be a Jedi. And then the ending hits and, wham, I had an attack of the feelings exactly as I should and it was just. A really easy read that I immediately got pulled into, had a joyful time reading, and then was quietly devastated all over again. Just what Star Wars fic should be. ✦ Tumbling Star Wars by esama, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & padme, 4.9k    Various Star Wars snippets. Some crossovers.    These are two separate fics and I loved both of them dearly and would have read 100k for each of them, even as they stand well enough as snippets on their own! The first one is a time travel fic that, oh, just absolutely punched me in the feelings over Obi-Wan’s life and how much he loses post-ROTS, but also the chance he has for things to be different when he wakes up again! It’s one of those that I really would have loved more of it, but am happy with what there is, the little moments that were worked in, how much he cares deeply about Luke and Leia already, the moments he spends with Anakin and you can feel all the undercurrents there, even as they’re simple moments, the way his younger self looks at him and the determination he has that his younger self won’t have the same future as him. It might have been short, but it was a great piece for Obi-Wan! The second is an AU of ROTS, where Anakin doesn’t turn in quite the same way and so instead sneaks off at the end and the Republic is left cleaning up the mess, and this one is much more of a moment of what would be a fascinating larger AU but ahhhh it captured my imagination so well that I loved it dearly. Both are such great concepts with really neat execution that I heartily enjoyed them both. ✦ One Day More by CalaisKenobi, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & cast, 31.2k    Obi-Wan is given the opportunity to make some changes in his past. With the help of some old friends, and the hindrance of some old enemies, the Galaxy will be forever changed.    I am an absolute sucker for time travel fic and it’s nice to see one that’s finished and kept fairly short! Obi-Wan is so beloved by the Force (always a way to get me to click on a fic, lbr) that he gets three chances to change different days in his life and the fic isn’t really about the lengthy details of the changed timelines, but instead more about using one or two moments in those changed times to highlight how things could have done differently. It’s really a fic about how selfless a character Obi-Wan Kenobi is, how he would never sacrifice someone else for his own gain or happiness, that’s just not who he is at all, that he will always put himself in danger before anyone else. It’s a fic about how dearly he loves the people he cares about, Qui-Gon and then Anakin later (though, the first section is lighter on Obi-Wan’s love for Anakin than I would have thought) and the ways he comes up with to save them.    It’s a fic that blends a lot of elements, the time travel/chance to redo things that I love, the explanations Obi-Wan eventually gives because suddenly you have a Jedi Master in a Padawan’s body, the emotional charge of losing those he loves again (because you know it’s not going to go right until the third time around, so the second time around with Anakin was just all the feelings place ouchies for me), and the fic floating the idea that I rather largely agree with, that Anakin does bring balance to the Force, that the Jedi Order had become stagnant and the Force wanted change, however that came about. But, ultimately, it’s a fic about giving Obi-Wan a chance at happiness without sacrificing the things Obi-Wan will always do, that saving the galaxy doesn’t have to be about those rare bigger moments, but instead it’s about the everyday joy and love for life that pulls the galaxy towards something better. And all of that was just exactly right for me, centered around Obi-Wan’s character as it was, it’s everything I want from this fandom. ✦ Conversations at the Intersections of Time by Sentimental Star, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon, 5.2k wip    What happens when a thirteen-year-old Anakin Skywalker and his twenty-nine-year-old Master get snatched back in time, only to come face to face with a fifteen-year-old Obi-Wan…and a very much alive Qui-Gon Jinn?    I am entirely a sucker for time travel fics, especially ones that are about both Obi-Wan getting to see Qui-Gon again and about Anakin seeing a young Padawan Obi-Wan. The fic does drop you into the middle of things (which I’m fine with, all the sooner to get to the good stuff!) and has an epithet problem, but it has young Obi-Wan and young Anakin bonding together and talking about the adults and even if this is just two chapters (so it’s more like a snippet out of a larger story, if you want to view it that way) I had fun with it and am very glad I read it. I will always read adorable Padawans trying to figure stuff out, especially when Anakin starts to understand Obi-Wan better because of it. ✦ Tumbling Star Wars by esama, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon, 11.2k    Various Star Wars snippets. Some crossovers.    I believe I’ve recommended these fics before, but on the author’s tumblr, rather than AO3, so here, have a fresh rec now that they’re up here as well, because, oh my god, these were so great. The first one is a time travel AU that I loved, the second one is a divergent timeline that I also loved, both totally worth reading! But, oh. Chapter 3 is Basilisk!Obi-Wan, where he is a giant snake instead of a Human and it’s amazing. It’s told in snippets across the span of his life, from how he first came to the Jedi Temple to his time as an Initiate to his time as a Padawan and to his time as Anakin’s Master and during the Clone Wars. There are so many incredible little moments, so many hilarious moments, so many geneuinely touching moments, so many moments of struggle and overcoming them, so many moments of just Obi-Wan being awesome, all of it is something I never knew I needed as badly as I did. I honestly just have the biggest grin on my face every time I reread even little snippets of this one, it’s so delightful. ✦ The Dark Path Lit by Sun and Stars by A_Delicate_Fury, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & luke & leia & cody & cast, time travel, 4.3k wip    After a disaster on the cosmic scale that Obi-Wan is still trying to wrap his mind around, he finds himself back in the early days of the Clone Wars, Commander Cody loyally at his side, Anakin at his back, and Sidious plotting against the Jedi at every turn. He’s been given an unasked for chance to do everything over again. And with the Force as his ally, he intends to set the galaxy on a brighter path than its current trajectory.    Chapter 1: I’ve been reading the snippets the author has been posting on tumblr and enjoying those greatly, but it’s lovely to have the first proper chapter here! And, oh, it’s one of my favorite tropes and centered around one of my favorite characters and I’m so looking forward to where this goes and how things play out, because I greatly enjoyed the way Obi-Wan found himself back in the days of the Clone Wars, that he’s both Old Ben and General Kenobi at the same time, that there’s this messy, complicated, knotted up feeling to the character in a way that’s fascinating to read about. That the Force is screaming at him to go do something, but nothing is really quite clear yet, there’s so much history and weight that’s happened, that Obi-Wan has to process gaining back everything that he’d lost without letting on that he’d lost it all, that those years of exile still were there with him, oh, I felt so much for the character in those moments. At the same time, though, OH MAN I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE, especially to see Anakin show up because that is going to come with a whole lot of thorny feelings that will be delicious. But also Luke and Leia again!!!! I am excite!    Chapter 2: This is an update rec that will focus on the current chapter, rather than the fic as a whole. This chapter is a little slower than the previous one, it’s all about Luke, Leia, and Han trying to figure out how to get along when they’re stranded on Jakku in their younger bodies, but will read very well when the fic gets longer, as it does a lot of set-up and little bits of details about what’s going on with all of them. It’s almost sort of domestic, as Luke works on machines, Han scrounges for whatever work he can, and Leia is feeling sick and trying to struggle through it. There’s definitely a sense of Imending Things swaying above all their heads, as well as Luke definitely feels the Force tugging on him, and I spent a lot of the chapter just itching for things to happen, the exact reaction I was supposed to have, but also there’s some really cute stuff along the way! Luke and Leia being adorable sunburnt moppets! Han being the galaxy’s oldest teenager! Some really adorable trio interaction, with protective!Han and cranky!Leia and Luke trying his best but the pressure gets to him, too! A lovely chapter and I’m eagerly awaiting more. ✦ The Reality of Change by midnight_vision, obi-wan/anakin/padme & ahsoka & cast, time travel, 66k wip    Padmé dies on Mustafar and wakes up in the past, about a year before everything falls apart. She’s determined to make sure none of it happens again, and with some help, she tries to expose Palpatine for what he really is. But even if Anakin and the Republic can be saved, that doesn’t mean the outcome will be something any of them want.    I could have sworn I’d done a rec for this fic before, but I cannot find it anywhere in my files, so I’m going to assume I haven’t actually and do one fresh. I am always here for Obianidala fic and I’m always here for time travel fic, so I picked this one up and tore through pretty much all of it over the course of a few days! I do have a couple of caveats about it, the biggest being that the Jedi are used as antagonists, even against established canon (like, they’ve specifically said they don’t keep people against their will, that they wouldn’t force Anakin to stay), which can be jarring sometimes, so you gotta roll with the premise of them being villains, but when the fic is all about the domestic trio learning to figure out their relationship, the fic is at its strongest and it’s just really heart-warming and delightful. It’s a long fic, so it’s a bit of a slow burn, not in that there’s lack of resolution, but in that there’s no hurry to get there before everyone is ready, instead it’s a much more natural pace that I really enjoyed.    I love that it’s a Padme time travel fic as well, because I very rarely see one about her, especially because she doesn’t know everything that happened and it gives her a chance to work through what happened between her and Anakin on Mustafar, that she has to work through all that fear and mistrust, because this Anakin hasn’t done those things, but she has to process that they did happen, that it could have happened, and that’s something that takes quite awhile to get over. There’s also some lovely Padme & Ahsoka friendship scenes, there’s a whole lot of Padme telling people what she knows, there’s a lot of Anakin having to deal with feeling kept out of the loop, that he’s still got anger issues and isn’t emotionally stable, but Obi-Wan and Padme have better tools this time around, there’s a good amount of Obi-Wan/Anakin relationship building, and there’s a lot of satisfying fixing of the timeline, including killing Palpatine plot!    The fic is at its best when it’s about the breathing room the Obi-Wan/Anakin/Padme trio has or when they’re interacting with Ahsoka, when the story is going towards fixing things, that’s when my heart is happiest and I just really had a lot of fun reading this, especially since it was lengthy and I loved being able to tear into it and read read read for so many pages! ✦ From a Certain Point of View pt 1 / pt 2 / pt 3 / pt 4, obi-wan & anakin & padme & ahsoka & sidious & cast, 7.5k    Or, how Ben Kenobi’s boldfaced lie prevarication saved the Galaxy (but not in the way he thought it would).    This is a series of headcanon/bullet points plot elements series of posts about an AU where Luke time travels and only manages to convey half a message to his father, which winds up saving the galaxy, but not it the way you’d expect. And while I would have enjoyed a full fic of it, I found that I greatly enjoyed it as it was, it conveys the story really well and it lets the pace stay fun and upbeat, it gets to put in a lot of humor and cover what would be a long, complicated storyline. It’s very much about Everything Going Just Right (or going Just Right in a way that may not appear Just Right to the characters but ultimately is), it’s all about moving everything towards the better and fixing things, so nothing really goes wrong, and it’s satisfying for that, because sometimes I just really want all the grim heartbreak tossed out the window and for everyone to be happy and live good lives! This was a delight to read and there’s still an epilogue to go, but it was fairly lengthy for an outline and was just charming as all get out! (Also, it’s hilarious when Anakin gets all paranoid and follows Obi-Wan around like a hyper vigilant cat ready to pounce on anything that so much as twitches wrong. MY PRECIOUS DUMPSTER FIRE TURNED TOWARDS THE GOOD. ♥) ✦ Tumblr Ramblings (Obi-Wan Time Travel/AU-jump) by gaealynn, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & cast,    At the end of RotJ, Obi-Wan reaches out a hand to help Anakin cross over and instead – wakes up on Naboo.    I am always willing to pick up a time travel fic, especially if it’s Obi-Wan time travelling, so I enjoyed this half-fic, half-scenario piece just for those things! And I love that this is an Obi-Wan who has suffered through so many terrible losses, the weight of that isn’t gone, but he’s still that guy who keeps getting up again, who doesn’t know how to surrender when something like this is put in front of him. And, oh, there’s a scene in the second chapter where he meets bb!Anakin again, where he knows there will be hope now, and there’s cuddling and, oh, it’s Anakin and just. I had feelings all over the place during that scene alone! ✦ The Fires by Driverpicksthemooseic (Ratkinzluver33), obi-wan/anakin & hinted obi-wan/anakin/padme, 4.2k    He wakes quickly and without thought, breaking through the barrier of unconsciousness to find himself face down on the floor of a starfighter. (OR, Groundhog Day. ROTS, Battle of Mustafar, Full-On Groundhog Day. Yes, I am a masochist, thank you for asking.)    I’m a sucker for time loop fics, so of course I was going to read this one and I love the concept of it, I love the idea of Obi-Wan living that day on Mustafar over and over, trying to figure out what he needs to do to actually change things. The fic really hits its stride for me in the second half, when Obi-Wan asks quieter questions, when things are a bit more understated, where Obi-Wan has more of that ‘still waters run deep’ feeling to him. It’s a fic that shows just how badly things have been wounded between them, that hope for them is still so small and difficult to find, but it is still there. And the use of the Mortis Arc and the ending of this, I just had a lot of feelings about them! I love time shenanigans fics and this one was a nicely satisfying one to add to the collection. ♥ ✦ Where Have We Come? by soaring_heart, obi-wan & anakin, 1.9k    The first time was one of the hardest and the easiest. Obi-Wan loses at Mustafar, but instead of dying he wakes up at the dawn of the last day of the republic, doomed to repeat the worst day of his life, over and over again.    I’ll warn ahead of time that this fic isn’t about resolution, but instead about the repetition of Obi-Wan caught in a time loop, trying to figure out how to stop it, how to solve things, and how to save Anakin. It’s a fic that really is about those two at the heart of it, that Obi-Wan has to live this day over and over, that he tries so many things to save Anakin, to understand him, to help him, to just steal him away, to die with him, to be caught up with him. It’s a bittersweet, ouchy fic, it never stops hurting, how deeply Obi-Wan loves him and how many tragic turns their lives take in these moments, how many different ways things can go wrong or just not quite right. And that’s what really works for me here, even if it’s not really solved, the foundation is there, the love between them is there, the sheer amount of how important Anakin is in Obi-Wan’s life and vice versa is there. ✦ All Over Again by tricksterity, obi-wan/anakin & qui-gon & shmi & cast, time travel, 27.7k wip    Obi-Wan Kenobi is sixteen years old when he collapses in the training salle to the shock of his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. When he wakes up two days later after multiple seizures and flatlining once, he remembers the Clone Wars, remembers Mustafar, remembers being cut in half by the man he loved more than anything in the universe, and he remembers Luke and Leia.    Oh, this is another fic that I am already just completely g o n e on, where I don’t really know if Obi-Wan traveled back in time or if he really just lived through something that’s not quite a vision of the future, but it doesn’t really matter because he’s got a second chance at this and the fic is doing a really lovely job of showing the weight of what he’s been through, just how much of a toll it’s taken on him and that the cost of it isn’t light at all, but that there’s hope for the future, that things are getting better again, that it’s an uphill battle but one that’s worth climbing again. While it’s painful for me to only have two chapters (at the time of this rec), I already appreciate the pacing, I love that there’s already some great stuff here, despite that Anakin hasn’t even made an appearance yet. Obi-Wan is dealing with the sheer shock of being back here again, the almost father-like relationship he has with Qui-Gon is meaningful, especially when you realize that so much of their time together hasn’t happened yet, Obi-Wan is only sixteen here, but there’s a trust and affection already there. And that Qui-Gon’s going to miss out on those years is actually really sad, especially when this Obi-Wan is so damaged in his soul, but there’s also something just… really hopeful about where all of this is going, what can be saved, that I am ALL FOR.    The fic is pleasing on an iddy level (Jedi Master level Obi-Wan in a 16 year old’s body again! time travel fic is my favorite!) but also genuinely well written, the pacing is great in that it doesn’t skip over the reactions that need room to breathe before the full plot kicks in, it’s interesting to watch Obi-Wan walk through the Temple again, to watch him talk to Qui-Gon about what’s happened to him, to watch him talk to the Council about what he can/can’t say and the fic makes sure to put those down, making it stronger in the end. Despite that I just want him to hop on a starship and fly out to Tatooine and pick up that little brat already! But the mentions of Anakin, how he’s never too far from Obi-Wan’s thoughts, the way he’s such a central point in all of this even before he’s appeared, it’s all really, really well-written and so very good for me already.    Chapter 3: I tried to wait before doing another rec, but I’m already invested and I don’t think I could wait a week until the next one. This chapter is more of Obi-Wan settling back into his life, while everyone around him adjusts to how much he’s changed, how he’s a Jedi Master in his sixteen year old body, that he was a High Council member, and that he’s going to go pick up a Force-sensitive child in the Outer Rim and he’s definitely not asking. It’s just so exciting and satisfying, especially because it’s building up to the reunion between Obi-Wan and Anakin, I love it because I briefly felt saddened for Qui-Gon, who is going to lose out on those years with Obi-Wan, but then he’s just quietly happy about the new defiance in the face of the Council that Obi-Wan has, and I love Obi-Wan thinking about Anakin, what he can do this time around, and there’s so much hope for the future and it just makes me all the happier to read this fic, it’s already given me a lot of satisfying things and it hasn’t even gotten to the reunion proper yet!    Chapter 4: I am still so hooked on this fic, you don’t even know. It’s so many of the tropes I love–Obi-Wan time travel tropes, especially!–done in ways that are both genuinely delightful and sparkling, but also entirely satisfying to my id. It’s one of those fics where I was a little wary about the build-up to the Obi-Wan/Anakin reunion, because it’s such a central part of the story, but once I got there it’s probably been the most satisfying one I’ve read yet, all the more so for how I had this moment of absolute joy at how much it echoed my own thoughts/feelings/wants about how such a reunion would go! It’s one of those that I respect on a technical level and how I just absolutely reveled in Obi-Wan hugging the crap out of this person he so loves, the way they were so wrapped up in each other in that reunion, the way the rest of the world practically fell away, the way I could feel how these two meant everything to each other in those moments. The way that there is such emotion there and it’s so openly displayed in a way that worked for me, even with Obi-Wan, because of how it took awhile to build up to this, how it was a reunion that had such depth of feeling that I could feel on both sides, from both of them, and because of how Obi-Wan has a chance to fix all of it, of course he’s going to go full-tilt, because this is Anakin. It was so goddamned good for me and I was practically floating away after reading that chapter and I am super, super excited about the rest of the fic. Because I enjoyed the build-up to the reunion, with Obi-Wan as a Jedi Master in his sixteen year old self, enjoyed the sense of how he was going to fix everything he could, how his relationship with Qui-Gon was so meaningful and healing, but, oh, man, that reunion was where it was at for me, because, oh, for Obi-Wan it’s always Anakin.    Chapter 5: This is an update rec and will focus on this chapter, rather than the fic as a whole. The previous chapter to this one was all about the reunion of Obi-Wan and Anakin, so the pitfall to avoid was feeling like a drop in the excitement after that, but this fic avoided that trap neatly by having Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon meet Shmi and having Anakin practically clinging to Obi-Wan like a limpet in a way that was absolutely perfect, the little touches, the way they can have a conversation about what all of this means, the way the words are largely calm and considered, but there’s this undercurrent of just how intensely these two love each other, the way Anakin has no restraint on wanting to physically touch the person who means so much to him, the way Obi-Wan returns those touches in a more understated but just as deeply true way, all of it is so satisfying and exactly why I keep reading time travel AU fic.    Not that it’s all sweetness and light, there are still heavier things in the undercurrents, because what they went through meant something, there are still lingering effects and even moments where they come roaring back for awhile. The overall tone is one that’s going towards mending these things, but it’s all the more satisfying that they’re still there, that the story has weight, that it gives further context to the times where Anakin throws his arms around Obi-Wan’s neck or firmly situates himself in Obi-Wan’s lap and refuses to move or when Obi-Wan kisses the crown of Anakin’s head or stays by his bedside when Anakin needs him. I practically just wrapped myself up in this chapter and let out a satisfied sigh when I finished reading it, it’s everything these tropes/genre of fic should be.    Chapter 6: This is an update rec, so it will focus on the current chapter, rather than the fic as a whole. This was another chapter that was just good for my soul, where the group gets back to Coruscant and Anakin sees the Jedi Temple again for the first time, where it’s all about the connection between him and Obi-Wan, where it’s so much stronger this time around after everything they’ve been through and this chance at a fresh start, to do everything better this time. So there’s lots of little touches, lots of little kisses to the tops of heads or hugs or gentle brushes of a hand on the back of Anakin’s neck, little things that aren’t about anything more than comfort and intimacy. While all the bad stuff that happened isn’t forgotten, it’s still there under the surface and pops up in nightmares and lingering thoughts, this is a chapter that’s all about introducing Anakin to the Jedi in happier, more reassured circumstances, so his anger and fear are so much lessened, that he’s a much happier person this time around.    There’s also so much adorable here, with Anakin’s half-memories, that sometimes they’re just impressions, enough that he vaguely remembers them without the same baggage that came before, and that further contributes to the sense of warm and hope here. Yet again, this is one of those fics where I’m practically champing at the bit to get the next chapter and read it as soon as it’s posted, because I am just so delighted by and warmed by all of it, that it doesn’t have to be 100% fluffy to make me feel good and hopeful about their futures again. ✦ Soldier, Poet, King by Glare, obi-wan/anakin & qui-gon & mace & dooku & palpatine & cast, sith!obi-wan, NSFW, 95.4k wip    Second chances are very rarely given, but the Force smiles upon two of its favorite children and returns them to a time before their actions have met their consequences. Anakin Skywalker, also known as Darth Vader, seeks redemption while Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi, disillusioned with the Jedi Order and its Code, falls to the Darkness.    Rec #1: I very badly just want to vomit my feelings up everywhever for this fic because I love it more and more with every chapter that’s put out, it’s just so interesting and is doing so many things I love! Time travel fuckery with Obi-Wan and Anakin! Sith!Anakin traveling back to the past, his motives not entirely clear just yet, but he’s got something in mind and he’s adorable and charming and sort of clear-headed again, sort of not, but his interaction with Padawan!Obi-Wan is delightful! And then Sith!Ben hiding in the shadows and watching over all of this, you know he’s going to start some shit eventually and when he does, it’s not long (not so far, not with only 4 chapters as of the time of this rec) but it’s so satisfying, even just seeing Anakin’s reaction from Padawan!Obi-Wan’s eyes! Who is totally confused about what the hell is going on here. And it’s just. It’s this glorious tangle of various versions of these characters all in the same timeline and both the building up towards reveals and the beginnings of the reveals starting to happen and my satisfaction at yet another Sith!Obi-Wan fic that works for me and finally a time traveling Anakin fic that works for me and just–! I’m having a little trouble writing a coherent rec for this one.    Because I delight in just what this author is doing, the way Sith!Ben is dangerous and powerful and has unleashed himself, the way Anakin feels a bit more settled but still is a little out of his mind, the way I love everyone here and the writing is so charming and the plot has absolutely caught my attention, I want to know what’s going on with the Sith holocron, I want to know what’s going to happen with Anakin, I want to know what Sith!Ben’s plans are, I loved the scene where he (sort of) showed himself and proceeded to knock Anakin on his ass (physically and emotionally! my favorite thing!! I love when smug Anakin gets knocked back down, so good for me, especially when it’s done with such care, in its own way), I love how well he knows certain things about Anakin, I love the mentions of the bond being back in place between them, and just. So many things. I am completely useless at writing a rec here because I’m just having way too much fun with it.    Rec #2: I cannot tell you how in love with this fic I am, how much I love what it’s doing on both a plot level and an id-pleasing level. The fic first got me with these little moments of Ben (older Sith!Obi-Wan) and the way he would crowd into Anakin’s space, the way he would touch Anakin, the way he would run a hand down Anakin’s back or shove him up against the wall when he was getting out of control, there was this quiet but powerful intimacy between them, both dangerous and something very genuine there. It’s so incredibly good, the way Anakin curls up against Ben’s side or wriggles onto his lap, the way he so very much wants affection from his once-again-Master, the way Ben knows this after all they’ve been through together and the lives they’ve lived and this second chance, the way he absolutely is manipulative and much more iron-handed than he was before, but some part of Anakin feeds on that. It’s so well written and there’s such charm and sparkle to the writing, it’s that sweet spot between just exactly what my id wants and the more rational part of me that is impressed with the world-building and plotting and character motivations, that I legitimately respect the fic. It’s such a great example of what Obi-Wan would be like if freed from the restraints he puts on himself as a Jedi–he has power, sure, but it’s also such intelligence and insight, such lethality and being predatory in all the right moments, the way you really, really understand how Obi-Wan is dangerous when he puts all of his skills to less noble purposes.    And the plot is good, it’s a great cast of different versions of the characters, the older versions having been dumped back in time and are running around to fix things in their own way, including a time out to go free the slaves on Tatooine and, of course, have more run-ins with the Jedi. I love that there are light saber battles, I love that they’re not just idling around, they’re doing stuff, moving the pieces around from the shadows, in addition to their complicated relationship developing further. I am H O O K E D on this fic and it’s honestly one of the most satisfying I’ve read in the fandom yet, it’s one of those that I pretty much drop everything else to go read when there’s a new chapter, it’s one that I’m torn between tripping over myself to read everything as fast as I can because I want more and forcing myself to go slower becaus I want to savor it, it’s one of those that I never want to end, but also I want all of it to be able to read everything right now. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read from this author but, oh, this one is special.    Chapter –>21: I’ve written a couple of recs for this fic as a whole before, but I forget which chapter I left off on, so this rec will focus on the later chapters (up to 21, which is the most recent at the time of this rec). This fic continues to be one of my absolute favorites in the fandom, it’s combining two of my favorite tropes–time travel! Sith!Obi-Wan!–and writing something really long and satisfying out of it. I admit, I wish I had all of the fic at my fingertips to read, it’s one where I think it benefits from having a bunch to read at once (which is why it’s a good time to jump in now, because there’s been a really good amount of events happening + lots of the fun stuff has happened/there’s been at least some resolution on the Obi-Wan/Anakin front), but at the same time I absolutely am enjoying the regular updates and being able to read each chapter as it comes out, it makes for a very satisfying, lengthy experience with the fic! Especially when there’s plot stuff I’m so curious to see how it’s going while the character stuff isn’t totally settled (not by a long shot!) but has enough resolution that I’m not frustrated. That can be a difficult balance to achieve, to keep a reader invested without feeling like nothing’s going anywhere–but this fic finds that line for me, that Obi-Wan and Anakin do finally cross over the line they’ve been edging towards, they do finally bang and step over into having an actual relationship, but all the shenanigans with Padawan!Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and the timeline that they’re fucking around with are still up in the air.    There was a chapter where Qui-Gon met Ben through the Force in their mindscape, where the fic does this delicious job of getting teasingly close to the “current” day characters figuring out just who these two Sith Lords are, while at the same time, Anakin is just a total clingy mess that shows up in the form of a goddamned huge dragon and I was just. Oh, man, that was kind of amazing for me, because it’s the perfect thing for Anakin–all this tremendous power and presence and, at the same time, like he’s metaphorically tugging on Obi-Wan’s robe and curling up against his side because he’s a needy brat. And then! Masquerade ball! Which is such a lovely metaphor for the characters’ way of hiding–that it’s obvious who they are, if you really look. The reader can feel how close Qui-Gon and Padawan!Obi-Wan are to putting two and two together (or, really, being willing to put two and two together because it’s a hard thing to accept), while still understanding how they could keep from seeing the truth at this point.    I’m just really invested in this fic and it’s so pleasing to my iddy wants while also being genuinely well-written and has great writing/pacing and I just really want to shove it at everyone to make them read it and revel in how satisfying the whole thing is!    Chapters 22-23: This is an update rec and will focus on these chapters rather than the fic as a whole. I should probably try to wait until there’s at least three or four chapters to the fic when I write an update rec, but I’m weak and I love this fic so much. Especially when shit is really starting to hit the fan now, when things are coming to something of a head, where the identities of these two new Sith Lords will be revealed and, in fact, more than one person has put it together already. The scenes where we finally get to see some reactions are worth the wait, even as my heart quailed a bit because, no, I just want everyone to be happy! But I really loved the use of Dooku in chapter 22 and I loved the entire masquerade on Alderaan and I really love how eager I am for every new chapter, that I’m just as invested in the plot shenanigans as I am with the Obikin shenanigans. The author really has mastered the sense of how these characters can be so interesting and charming when unmoored from their morals for various reasons, how these can be darker versions of the characters, but so charismatic and charming, even with all their sharp edges.    And, oh, chapter 23 was so good for me, I love how much anger there is in Ben and how there’s a really great line: “No,” Ben says with a bitter chuckle. “Obi-Wan Kenobi died with his padawan twenty years ago. I’m… what remained, I suppose.” and how it hurts just as much as Owen’s line about how Obi-Wan Kenobi died around the same time Luke’s father did, without feeling like being a retread. And Mace Windu was fantastic in this chapter, I love that he felt very much like a Jedi here, I recognized this character from the canon, and I love that he’s not necessarily on Ben’s side, but that he’s calmly trying to understand what’s going on here. All of this is just sucking me in and it’s so alluring and promising and every chapter makes me want the next one (is Anakin okay?? Ben’s absolute refusal to even consider the idea that he’d be dead got me in the feelings place! and the reveal was so satisfying! but now I want the Ben/Anakin reunion–!!) in exactly the way a good fic should.    Chapters 24-25: This is an update rec, so it will focus on these chapters, rather than the fic as a whole. There will also likely be some spoilers for the fic by this point. I’m definitely still really in love with this fic and I think what really got me with these two chapters is that I was just so thrilled to see a Mace Windu that I recognized! He doesn’t have to be perfect, but he’s trying, he genuinely wants to understand, and that may not let him trust Ben any more than anyone else, but he’s a Jedi and he’s genuinely trying to do what’s best and is trying to look out for young Obi-Wan Kenobi. Qui-Gon provides more of the emotional drama here, reacting very badly (so that Master Tholme can read him the riot act about it) and I can’t say I mind too much because, yeah, sometimes I’m kind of grumpy about Qui-Gon’s actions. Ultimately, I think he’s still meant to be a good person, just that he gets blinded by his emotions and that tends to fuck over the people around him, so I can’t say I minded him getting yelled at for awhile.    Though, honestly, chapter 25 was my favorite of the two, because I love love love the imagery of Ben/Anakin’s shared mental space, the overlap between the two of them and what it says about what haunts each of them, as well as the super satisfying sense of, yes, reveal time! Mace getting a bit more context, actually seeing what made Ben and Anakin into the people they are, being metaphorically knocked on his ass from it, yesss, that’s what I read Secret Identities fic for! And I love that it was with Mace, I love that I felt for him, even as my heart was with the other two assholes who are entirely wrapped up in each other, like, yes, this is catnip for me, bless.    Chapter 26-28: This is an update rec and so will focus on these chapters rather than the fic as a whole. This also means there will be spoilers by this point–more generalized recs can be found on previous rec lists! These three chapters are largely about the time that Ben and Anakin spend apart after events force them to separate, where Ben has been dealing with being caught by the Jedi, and Anakin is… well, Anakin about his missing Master and how badly he needs him to come back. It’s satisfying on a plotful level, because things continue to move and happen, events occur and so I enjoy this on a respecting-the-writing kind of level, but also. Oh, man, Anakin being a disaster without his Master, that there’s still the lingering threat of that he would do terrible things to keep from losing anyone (and why wouldn’t he? it’s not like that much has really changed on an emotional level for him since the end of his life last time), that it’s not just a vague and distant threat, but a very present and real one, while also Anakin is just a disaster, he’s a walking bottomless pit of need because Obi-Wan Kenobi isn’t there to sit him back down and keep him together. It’s so good for my id!    But it’s also that there’s a flashback scene and a moment of reveal, where Anakin’s memories are used to have a dramatic confrontation about just who he and Ben really are and I ate it up because, look, if you’re going to have identity porn in your fic, you need to have satisfying reveal scenes and I thoroughly enjoyed the method of how this one came about! I get adorable flashbacks and satisfying reveals! BUT ALSO. Oh, man, Ben has his own reveal-slash-confrontation to handle, that simmering anger under the surface that makes perfect sense with this person he’s dealing with, what this person did to Anakin, the one he loves more than anything, yet also the utter trust and assurance Ben has when it comes to knowing Anakin is his. The Soft Sith dynamic is like goddamned catnip to me, especially when so well written and with such charm and that certain quality that keeps me engaged in every chapter like you wouldn’t believe. Chapter 28 was really, really good for me and I loved it because it was so great at showing (instead of telling!) that Ben was choosing to be confrontational and crude in a deliberate way, because Obi-Wan would, he knows how to direct interactions like that and everything that it said about him was great. It’s just. So goddamned good, satisfying, and charming, I cannot even convey it with words.    Chapter 29: This is an update rec and will focus on this chapter, rather than the fic as a whole. This is a chapter that has a lot of satisfying things happening in it and why I’m okay with reading it as a wip, because not everything is resolved, but things happen and there’s some resolution for some of the things, just enough to keep the right pace for the story. By which I mean, Ben and Anakin finally meet again and it’s super fun, as well as we get more aftermath of a big reveal (big reveals are fun, but they’re at their most satisfying when you get to spend some time with the reactions and aftermath of them, as we do with Ben and the people who know about him now!), as well as… there’s a line that Ben says in this chapter that really stuck out for me:“The last time Anakin was given the liberty of choice, he walked himself into Sidious’ arms and razed the Jedi Temple to the ground. He understands that it is in everyone’s best interest that look to me for guidance.”    I love this line because it’s such a good bit of context for Ben and Anakin’s relationship, the way it’s both unhealthy and the best choice for them, that they’re co-dependent in a way that makes Anakin especially more stable and it’s what Ben wants, they fit together like this, and it’s just really, really id-pleasing. These characters, especially these versions, are better off when they’re in this dynamic, when Anakin turns to Obi-Wan for guidance (as Anakin has always wanted an ultimate leader to follow), but also just: yes, thank you, that pleases me. *__* This chapter also has some deeply satisfying reunion moments, especially right in front of the Jedi High Council, like it’s fun and used to show exactly where these characters are at in their lives, what they do/don’t care about and, of course, a bomb dropped at the end that makes me practically champ at the bit for the next chapter, exactly as it should.    Chapter 30: This is an update rec and will focus on this chapter rather than the fic as a whole. Should I have waited until there was another chapter for an update rec? Ehh, probably. But I also don’t care. Because it’s a bit of a breather chapter after the previous one, it’s dealing with the aftermath of events that happened recently and it’s really satisfying–for both versions of the characters. Stepping carefully around spoilers, what happens with Padawan!Obi-Wan left me all excited and bouncing because I’d wondered and I loved the conversation with Plo Koon and how this chapter left off with this Obi-Wan, what it could mean for his future, because oh man yes do want! But also the future version of Ben and the downtime he has with Anakin, how it’s nice to have a chapter where they spend time together without any other pressing concerns in the very immediate future, as well as some really lovely, delicious shower sex.    Where it’s just the two of them and Anakin whining for more so Ben opens him slowly and carefully before sliding into Anakin, who needs this, you feel how much he needs that connection again, rather than the fic telling you about it. That Ben has a moment of actually allowing himself something nice, to be pressed inside this person he loves so much, to have Anakin back after everything they’ve both been through, how it leads up to telling Anakin he loves him, because it’s one thing for us all to know it, but to read the words is so satisfying, right along with the lovely sex, that Anakin is safe in his arms again, trusts him again, listens to him again, wants more of him again. That they’ve found this balance, right exactly like this, and it just really made me happy in my soul for all the characters.

[phosphorescent-naidheachd]

Obidala Fic Recs

Or, a Relatively Comprehensive List of Obi-Wan/Padme Fanfiction Worth Reading™ [1].

I’ve been meaning to update this list for ages, especially since I recently went to my older version of this post and discovered that the hyperlinks aren’t showing up, presumably because it has too many of them. So I’ve eliminated the bonus Obianidala fic recs from this list (and will probably create a separate post for them at some future date); hopefully this will do the trick!

Remember to check out the different authors’ profile pages, as I generally haven’t included all of their fics on this list.

Fics with asterisks by them are especially recommended.[2]

[1] Disclaimer: YMMV. Also: if I’ve missed any fics that you think belong on here (which I’m sure I have), feel free to add them to your reblog of this!

[2] This is determined largely by my personal tastes. Once again, YMMV.

See below the cut for the list, because this is about to get long:

Recommended:

Canon Compliant / Doesn’t Directly Contradict Canon:

The action not taken by QuiGon Jenn: “A scene cut from ROTS, the meeting between Obi Wan and Padme on the third day after their return to Coruscant.” Rated PG-13. Word Count: 1,715. Status: Complete.

Aliases by VooDoo Lily: “Set during TPM. Padme and Obi Wan have a conversation about the power of names…” Rating: G. Word Count: 1,182. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

all I am are darken lines by KeeperofSeeds: “Padmé visits Obi-Wan on Tatooine as a Force-Ghost.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 3,722. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

Antiseptic Stings, Doesn’t It? by Almyra: “A look at how ObiWan and Padme began their friendship. Set just following Episode II.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 3,082. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

*Don’t You Ever Wonder? by Nilhenwen: “Obi-Wan and Padme walk the fields of Naboo and discuss the intricacies of Jedi Life. Meta-fic with a bit of pre-romance.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 2,055. Status: Complete.

Dust in the Wind by PoliticalPadmé (magnetgirl): “during his time on Tatooine, Obi-Wan is haunted by a memory of Padmé”. Rating: PG. Word Count: 811. Status: Complete.

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide by ArianaKristine: “In the aftermath of the Naboo crisis, a seed of friendship is born. Obidala, pre-ship.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 3,998. Status: Complete.

Hustle at the Starlight Lounge by blarfkey: “‘And don’t forget, she’s a politician, and they’re not to be trusted.�� When the Drunken Bantha burns down, Obi-Wan decides to take his favorite method of stress relief to a more classier establishment and spends a surprising evening with a person he never thought he’d see again. AKA how Obi-Wan and Padmé become secret drinking buddies.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 3,389. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

Just One Moment by Terreis: “It’s been ten years since Qui-Gon’s death. On Naboo, Padme finds a grieving Obi-Wan and endeavors to comfort him. Through her actions, she comes to a realization about herself and her feelings towards a Jedi she had only ever thought of as a friend.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 3,376. Status: Complete.

*Like Lemon On The Tongue by Aj (aj2245): “In the end, it’s all about regret.” Rating: G. Word Count: 218. Status: Complete.

out on the (coco) town by panharmonium: “Obi-Wan and Padme go to Dex’s.” Rating: G. Word Count: 2,067. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but no romance.

Stages by mlekopijca: Growth is difficult. Rating: G. Word Count: 229. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

Tiny Moments by Christie: “Obi-Wan and Padme find distraction.” Rating: G. Word Count: 1,382. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

Unshadowed by Usaki Daikatana: “Obi-Wan visits Padme as she struggles with a gift from Mon Mothma, and the Jedi Knight and the Senator speak about Anakin, sunlight, and shadows.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 3,284. Status: Complete.

when first they meet by morethanacandle: “She is certain this is retaliation!” Rating: G. Word Count: 414. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

The Wrong Man by Imadra Blue: “Padmé sometimes wonders if she married the wrong man. Unrequited het.” Rating: G. Word Count: 791. Status: Complete.

You’re With Him by VooDoo Lily: “On the journey from Mustafar to Polis Massa, Padmé thinks about the meaning of those three words… This is not a very proAnakin story. Oneshot.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 673. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

Canon Divergence AUs -- TPM - Pre-AotC:

**Another Story by vagabondher: “AU Prequel, Obidala. How does QuiGon and ObiWan arriving on Naboo two days before the blockade change the course of the story?” Rating: PG. Word Count: 50,329. Status: Incomplete as of 4 Oct 2008.

Beyond Obligation by Swanon: “It was supposed to be a simple mission. But Obi-Wan finds the line between duty and desire blurring.” Rating: R. Word Count: 37,740. Status: Complete.

Oasis Begins in Dawn’s Azure Light Aisle by Daniella Harwood: “Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master, was dying.’ The debilitating condition of his Master causes Obi-Wan Kenobi to take a more active role in the Naboo Blockade Crisis, ensuring the beginning of a friendship with Queen Padmé Amidala. Four stories, one saga.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 154,852. Status: Complete.

Shimmer Through The Woods by Daniella Harwood: “Captain Panaka refuses to let Padmé explore Mos Espa with Master Jinn, Artoo and Jar Jar. Whilst Eirtaé takes her place in the expedition, Padmé finds distraction and friendship on board the Nubian ship, in the form of Padawan Kenobi. This change will have a profound effect on the fate of the Republic. An Obidala story, eventually, covering Episodes I-VI.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 86,776. Status: Incomplete as of 12 Dec 2016.

stretch out with your feelings by helplesslynerdy: “Obi-Wan is having trouble reining in his feelings.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 3,122. Status: Incomplete as of 31 Jan 2016.

Canon Divergence AUs -- AotC/TCW era:

The Banishing of Ignorance by morethanacandle: “‘This is an opportunity I’d not thought to have.’” Rating: PG. Word Count: 1,039.

Cold and Tired by Jena Bartley (jenab): “Padme was cold and tired.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 213. Status: Complete.

goodbye by morethanacandle: “Silence shouldn’t lie between them.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 116. Status: Complete.

Intimacy Without Intricacy by Daniella Harwood: “After Geonosis, Count Dooku asks for a Peace conference to take place between the New Republic and the Jedi, bringing Senators and Masters together in more ways than one. Meanwhile Palpatine aims to unleash a scandal which could break the Republic forever. With references to the film Deception, and Karen Miller’s Wild Space, this is a Obidala Clone Wars AU.” Rating: R. Word Count: 188,013. Status: Complete. Warnings: Some Anakin character bashing, infidelity.

Man Of My Heart by pronker: “Friendship means saying the tough words.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 2,504. Status: Complete.

Murders, Mysteries, and Mayhem by dreamiflame: “Padmé rejects the idea that she needs to hide for her own safety, and goes along on Obi-Wan's investigation.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 3,911. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship, but no romance.

No Angel by calmer_sky: “Which is the greater sin? To tell a lie, and take advantage of a man’s vulnerability in order to convince him to do something he otherwise would not? Or to tell yourself a lie, and close your eyes, pretending the boy who is in love with you is the man you cannot have?” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 3,592. Status: Incomplete as of 21 June 2008.

Peace of Heart by Mu-san: “In the end, do you choose for unstable passion, or for peace of heart?” Rating: PG. Word Count: 84,178. Status: Incomplete as of 10 Sep 2006.

Sea Change by sevenofspade: “Padmé Amidala is accompanied by Obi-Wan Kenobi to Naboo and Anakin Skywalker is the galaxy’s worst detective.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 3,993. Status: Complete.

Ten Years Later by NoobianRose: “‘I’ve come to protect you, Padmé. I can’t become… distracted. Your safety – your life – hangs in the balance.’” Rating: PG. Word Count: 3,032. Status: Complete. Warnings: Some mild Anakin character bashing.

an unspoken apology by morethanacandle: “She knows to look between.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 233. Status: Complete.

Waiting For Absolution by The Musical Jedi: “AU Obidala. ObiWan struggles with the conflicting roles of Jedi, lover, Master, and general as the Galaxy falls apart around him.” Rating: R. Word Count: 21,636. Status: Incomplete as of Sep 13, 2007.

Your Beating Heart Tonight by magnetgirl: “Padmé develops feelings for her other Jedi protector.” Rated PG. Word Count: 3,121. Status: Complete.

Canon Divergence AUs -- RotS and Post-RotS:

*All I can do to keep you safe (is hold you close) by SecondStarOnTheLeft: “Padmé wants to bring the twins home to Naboo, and Obi-Wan is powerless to refuse her. The reasons for this become apparent some time later.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 1,276. Status: Complete.

And You Finally Understand by TheMacUnleashed: “After the deaths of Anakin and their unborn children, Padmé falls in her own way.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 3,285. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but no romance.

*Another Way by SimplexityJane: “Padmé survives. Very little changes, surprisingly. Or maybe everything does.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 12,384. Status: Each individual story is complete, but the series is ongoing as of 19 Jun 2016. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship and implied one-sided Obi-Wan/Padme romantic feelings.

Betrayal of the Finest Sort by cadesama: “Ten years after the fall of the Republic, Padme Amidala and Obi-Wan Kenobi hatch a plan to eliminate the Emperor's right hand man -- and save Anakin Skywalker.” Rating: R. Word Count: 38,829. Status: Incomplete. Warnings: Unhealthy relationships, body horror, consent issues, medical trauma, non-consensual body modification.

*Burn Our Horizons by SecondStarOnTheLeft: “Padmé survives Polis Massa, but loses everything except what little remains of her husband. The galaxy changes shape around her, and no one is surprised. The twins didn’t get it all from the Skywalkers, after all.” Rating: R. Word Count: 6,571. Status: Each individual story is complete, but the series is not as of 18 Oct 2016. Warnings: Violence, suicidal thoughts.

The Cell by obaona: “Obidala. Obi-Wan and Padme are left alone in a cell, after being captured by Palpatine. But something goes wrong … They’re left there.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 18,470. Status: Complete. Warnings: Torture via isolation/sensory deprivation.

*Circles by ambiguously: “Padmé and Obi-Wan raise the twins together while hiding from the Empire.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 4,242. Status: Complete. Warnings: character death.

Cliche AU Where Padme Lives by starsandstarwars: “This is how the future changes: Not with a bang, but with a whimper.” Rating: PG/PG-13. Word Count: 1,749. Status: Incomplete as of 9 Jan 2016. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

*Coexistence by Andi1978: “Padme lives. After waking up from a 3 year coma, she finds her life utterly changed without her consent. On Tattooine, little Luke and Obi-Wan's lives are also forever changed, forcing all 3 into an unusual situation.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 64,303. Status: Incomplete as of 18 Dec 2016. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but no romance.

*counterpoise by spookykingdomstarlight: “Guilt stabs into Padmé’s chest, a rhythmic pain that keeps time with her pulse. Leia knows her father was a Jedi, that he loved her—would have loved her—and that he died fighting the Emperor before there was ever really such a thing as the Rebellion. It’s the truth. From a certain point of view. But that doesn’t stop doubt from coursing, ragged, through her veins.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 6,116. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but no romance.

Falling by vegemite: “It’s Obidala, of course, of course! Takes place one year before ‘The Second Wedding,’ details how Padmé and ObiWan first became involved as more than friends.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 8,279. Status: Incomplete as of 14 July 2007.

***the family amidala by dirgewithoutmusic: “Padme lives. She runs.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 6,829. Status: Complete. Note: This is an expansion of the “If Padme Had Lived ” tumblr post which is also on this list. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

A Flicker of Hope by TangledMusings: “A new ending for ROTS and a new beginning for Padme and ObiWan.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 18,916. Status: Incomplete as of 14 May 2006.

For Your Ears Only by VooDoo Lily: “ObiWan has a habit of being there as others die and having to hear their last words be about Anakin. I wanted to change that.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 735. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

*Hope’s Sanctuary by Jedi Keladry: “Obi-Wan Kenobi appears on Naboo, bearing news of Anakin’s apparent death. He discovers that Padmé is pregnant, and is assigned by the Jedi Council to protect her for the time being.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 72,844. Status: Complete. Warnings: Childbirth, major character death.

If I Be Married, My Grave is Like to Be My Wedding Bed by 1f_this_be_madness: “Padme Amidala was aware that she had caught a hold of one thread of her fate after meeting 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine. What she wasn’t aware of: the importance of Anakin’s soon-to-be Jedi master.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 7,805. Status: Complete. Warnings: Major character death.

*If Padme Had Lived headcanon post by inksplotch: “When Padme had been sitting in her high senatorial apartment on Corsucant, holding Anakin’s sweaty hand, she had never imagined she’d be murmuring desperately soothing noises to her fussy daughter while she shot around a corner at stormtroopers, while R2D2 meddles with a ship’s blast doors behind her.” Rating: PG-13. Status: Complete, now with a completed sequel post. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

In Turn by Christie: “To know the truth does not always mean to believe it.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 5,955. Status: Complete. Warnings: Infidelity.

irresistible force by Emmar: “In which Obi-Wan knows the twins are going to be Force-sensitive, at least, because of course they are, but fails to anticipate just how much.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 745. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

***Keep Breathing by Yesac: “Padme doesn’t die at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Instead, she decides to take the twins and join Obi-Wan in exile.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 45,871. Status: Complete. Warnings: Torture, major character death.

The Kenobi Family Band series by Peapods: “Maybe no one writes songs about the ones that come easy, but sometimes there is a future after lives are ruined and blood is shed. Padme and Obi-Wan learn to live after Anakin.” Rating: PG/PG-13. Word Count: 4,621. Status: Each story is individually complete, but the series is not as of 6 Feb 2016.

Letting the Dead Rest by MissIzzy: “Padmé finds a happy ending.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 1,026. Status: Complete.

Lightsaber Lessons by thebiscuiteternal: “He tries to teach them as wide a variety of styles as possible, tries not to be too recognizable in case they have to fight Imperials, but Form III shines through all the same.” Rating: G. Word Count: 164. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not romance.

Losing (There You Are) by lambicpentametre: “She was fourteen years old when she was elected to the throne of Naboo. More importantly, she was fourteen years old when she was first introduced to Sabé.” Rating: PG/PG-13. Word Count: 5,535. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Padme/Sabe is endgame and there’s plenty of Anakin/Padme. That said, the Obi-Wan/Padme is lovely and bittersweet, and the other pairings don’t take away from it (nor does it take away from them).

Mama Bear series by TheFreakWithTheWings: “An alternate universe where Padmé sometimes turns into a bear. Diverges from canon at Mustafar.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 7,363. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but no romance. Vaderkin/Padme is endgame, but there’s still lots of nice Obi-Wan/Padme interaction, and you can always skip the last story in the series (where Vaderkin/Padme reconcile) if you so desire.

Never be like you by julie-yard (teh_jules): “The universe takes care of itself.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 695. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship, but not necessarily romance.

A New Promise by the_rennwood_dreamer: “"She is a mother and she loves her children dearly," Obi-Wan murmured. "It would kill her to lose one of them. I think if we choose a system far enough away from the Core, they will have a measure of safety. I plan to stay with them, to protect them and to train the children." ...Alternate ending to RotS, retelling of A New Hope. AU.” Rated PG-13. Word Count: 6,855. Status: Incomplete as of 11 Jan 2017.

*Oceans Rise by blackhorseandthecherrytree: “Padme lives.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 7,001. Status: Incomplete as of 27 Sept 2016. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship, but not necessarily romance.

Padmé Lives to Tell the Tale by ninemoons42: “One: Padmé lives. Two: she survives the birth of the twins. Three: she does not let anyone take the twins away from her. Four: she rallies her friends and allies together once again.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 32,536. Status: The series is still ongoing as of 21 Dec 2016, but most of the stories within it are complete. Warnings: Violence. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but no romance.

Raising Up Hope by dreamiflame: “Family is what you make of it. Padmé, Obi-Wan and the twins are trying to make it work.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 1,564. Complete.

recovery by dadcastellanos: “Padmé survives the loss of Anakin and goes into hiding with Obi-Wan. Slowly, slowly, they make something of their new lives together.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 1,892. Status: Complete.

*Respite by sevenofspade: “Sometimes the war slows down, just a little.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 954. Rating: PG. Status: Complete.

*Resurrection by Lefaym: “It’s hard to adapt to life as a dead woman. But not everyone sees her that way. Not quite.” Word Count: 1193. Status: Complete.

Rise Up, Rebels series by Merfilly: “In which Padmé lived, and Obi-Wan stole her and the twins away. Living together, they begin to craft the Rebellion in earnest.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 15,143. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but no romance; there is some active Anakin/Padme close to the end of the series.

*rolling in the deep series by cosmicocean: “Padmé survives childbirth, dies as far as the rest of the galaxy is concerned, takes her children with Obi-Wan, and runs. Pay me back in kind and reap just what you sow.” Rated: PG-13. Word Count: 28,748. Status: Both individual stories within the series are complete, but the series itself is not as of 7 Nov 2016. Warnings: major character death.

*Rumours of my Demise by cupiscent: “Padme Amidala cannot live in a galaxy where he has come to be what he is. Obi-Wan Kenobi spends most of his time talking with ghosts.” Rating: M. Word Count: 4,012. Status: Complete. Warnings: Major character death (offscreen).

*Sand by Alcalina: “‘What doesn’t kill you, makes you wish you were dead.’ After ROTS, Obi-Wan and Padme are stranded on Tatooine, crumbled and falling apart. With two newborns. Au where everything is the same, except that there is some implied Obikin and Padme survives.” Rating: NC-17. Word Count: 13,540. Status: Incomplete as of 23 Nov 2016. Warnings: Brief actions on Padme’s part that could be viewed as suicidal (refusal of food).

Sand Under Our Feet, Stars in Our Eyes by ALC_Punk: “No one talks about the old hermit and his wife. Alternate universe, branching off from the prequel trilogy.” Rating: R. Word Count: 3,085. Status: Complete. Warnings: Major character death (offscreen).

Soon by elletromil: “This little family of four though, Han knows they are different, knows they are not like all the other refugees. He sees it in the way the couple nods in gratitude when his captain shakes his head to refuse payment, but sets to help them in any task before they are even asked. Not that they would have been, the captain and crew would never do such a thing, it is already bad that people are uprooting themselves with no hopes of finding a true home again.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 987. Status: Complete.

*Storm Clouds May Gather by Terreis: “A.U. Obidala. Padme survives the birth of the twins, but her family still has to be separated for their own protection. Third chapter up! What will the survival of two other Jedi mean for Padme and her twins?” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 17,371. Status: Incomplete as of 12 Mar 2008.

*There Is Thunder by anr: “He won’t forget.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 909. Status: Complete.

*This is What It Is To Be Padme by peradii: “This is what it is to be Padme: you are trapped. You don’t want to be trapped. You tell yourself you are not. You are a Senator, a Queen, swelling with child. You are in love.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 288. Status: Complete. Warnings: this piece is narratively critical of Anakin; while I consider its criticisms of him fair and valid, YMMV.

To Find I'm Not Alone series by MorganEilish: “Padme survived Anakin's betrayal, faked her death, and fled to the distant corners of the galaxy with Obi Wan to raise her children.” Rated PG. Word Count: 6,032. Status: Each individual fic is complete, but the series is still ongoing as of 16 Jan 2017.

Torn by zempasuchil: “You love him, don’t you.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 743. Status: Complete.

*We Push Away the Unimaginable by KeeperofSeeds: “RotS AU: Padme survives. Weak from her injuries on Mustafar and healing after giving birth, she and the twins are taken into hiding by Obi Wan. Now they are on the run from the Empire and dealing with each other’s trauma, as they try to figure out what to do after your world falls apart.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 2,198. Status: Incomplete as of 3 May 2016. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

Words Left Unsaid by Alydia Rackham: “This is a missing chapter from Episode III, taking place aboard Padme’s ship as ObiWan struggles to save her life.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 13,871. Status: Complete. Warnings: Major character death.

Would you like a drink? by vagabondher: “AU. Palpatine is defeated, but the Republic is left in disarray. Many have to go in hiding…A/P mentioned, Obi-Wan/Padmé but currently only as friends.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 1,864. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: Obi-Wan/Padme friendship but not necessarily romance.

Canon Divergence AUs -- Time Travel:

*Bid Time Return by Daniella Harwood: “After she dies giving birth to the twins, Padmé is given the chance to go back in time and rewrite the history of the Republic. It is an opportunity to save her love, - even if it means saving him from herself, - the lives of many and the Republic from Palpatine. But as she strives to do so, many changes arise, from which comes a future she never looked for.” Rating: M. Word Count: 67,809. Status: Complete.

*The Path of a Jedi by mokakenobi: “Obi-Wan finds himself back in time and has to decide which path to take.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 243,832. Status: Complete.

General AUs:

Chaste Desires on Heavenly Beauty Bound by akathecentimetre: “A collection of Obidala oneshots which will include platonic and romantic relationships, as well as a few AUs.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 10,735. Status: Incomplete as of 8 Jan 2016.

Fake Relationship Obidala AU by elfpen: ““We need to blend in,” Padme said, and glanced frantically at Obi-Wan’s ‘I-am-the-most-Jedi-y-Jedi-to-ever-Jedi-please-shoot-me’ robes. “You couldn’t have worn normal clothes, could you?”” Rating: PG. Word Count: 2,283. Status: Complete.

The Mercy Seat by Chasing Liquor: “In a galaxy where the Sith Empire, led by Sidious and Dooku, are at war with the Jedi and the Republic, the fate of countless worlds will rest in the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his companions. Obidala.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 50,591. Status: Incomplete as of 28 Feb 2016.

*****Queen's Gambit by bedlamsbard: “Civil war threatens the galaxy. Hundreds of star systems have declared their intentions to leave the Republic and form a Confederacy of Independent Systems. In the hopes of securing a quick peace, the Jedi Council has dispatched two Jedi to capture or kill the leaders of the separatist movement, Queen Amidala of Naboo and her lover, the former Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi. Into this period of conflict have come four refugees from another universe, fleeing a devastating massacre triggered by the death of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, secretly the Sith lord Darth Sidious, at the hands of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker…” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 354,134. Status: Complete. Disclaimer: This fic is Obianidala more than it is Obidala, but there’s still a lot of very good Obidala in it. Also, this fic will make a lot more sense if you read its predecessor, Wake the Storm, first. I highly recommend that one as well, but haven’t included it on this list because Padme and Obi-Wan only interact in 3 out of a total of 10 chapters. …Honestly, just go read the whole Ouroboros series. You won’t regret it. Warnings: psychic mental assault, suicidal thoughts

Therefore Must the Soul Deceive by Mithrigil: “Some falls from grace take time.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 6,900. Status: Complete. 

Recommended with reservations:

Type #1 Reservations: Fairly major Anakin character bashing, Obi-Wan (and Padme to a lesser degree) can do no wrong & is unrealistically universally beloved, the fic’s writing could use some serious polishing, occasional anachronistic word choices, Padme often feels more like a prop than a fully-realized character of her own, the Obidala romance moves faster than feels realistic to me, and/or the fic’s ending seems a bit too tidy. (To be fair, these are all issues that crop up in many of the fics recced above too -- just not as blatantly or as frequently as in the ones below. As long as you’re OK with the reservations I mentioned, they’re worth a read.)

The Crossing Over by amber75: “Much to Anakin's dismay, Padme decides to stay at the Temple with ObiWan to help him with a project of compassion. During this time, she learns much about the Jedi and herself. Takes place between AOTC and ROTS.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 69,938. Status: Complete with an R-rated incomplete sequel, A New Life, which clocks in at 67,798 words and was last updated in 2009. Warnings: Major Anakin character bashing, Saint!Obi-Wan. A lot of time is spent dwelling on Obi-Wan’s Amazing Qualities (and Amazing Appearance). A fun guilty pleasure read if you can get past its gross flanderization of the characters and general lack of nuance.

Dark Destiny Part 1, Dark Destiny Part 2, and Dark Destiny Part 3 by amber75: “Obi-Wan & Padme are taken to the Emperor. The Emperor & Vader try to turn Obi to the dark side & destroy Padme emotionally. Things don't quite go as the Emperor planned.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 67,500. Status: Complete. Warnings: Torture, major Anakin character bashing + one-note Villain!Anakin, Saint!Obi-Wan, melodrama, somewhat abrupt ending, major character death(s).

A Family in Exile by Alexis_Wingstar: “Padme survives after the birth of Luke and Leia. She and Obi-Wan pose as a married couple and raise Luke on Tatooine.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: Unclear. Incomplete as of 8 Oct 2012. Warnings: The writing improves considerably as it goes on, but the first two sections of the fic in particular could use some polishing and expansion.

Here with me by Nida Yubari: “An AU-ending of RotS. - Obi-Wan agrees to take Padmé with him to his hiding place on Tatooine to see to her well-being. But taking care of a mourning and stubborn woman is more difficult than he expected...” Rated: PG-13. Word Count: 13,753. Status: Complete. Warnings: There’s a lot of good stuff going on in this fic, but its choppy writing and continued passive voice can detract from that.

Padme's New Hope by cilepe: “Padme does not die after giving birth. Obidala. Some anti-Anakin sentiment, be warned. Fluff, I suppose.” Rating: PG. Word Count: 5,820. Status: Complete. Warnings: Mild Anakin character bashing.

Prophecy Lost by Chasing Liquor: “- set between Episodes 1 & 2 - Obi-Wan, Anakin, and two other Jedi are sent to Naboo in the wake of attempts on Padme's life, but much more is at stake and the future of the Jedi is left in question... Obidala.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 136,064. Status: Complete. Warnings: Anakin character bashing, Saint!Obi-Wan, major character death(s).

Tangled Fate by Tatey Binks: “Obi Wan gets his hands full when Padmé decides to go with him to Kamino.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 21,980. Status: Complete. Warnings: Some mild Anakin character bashing, depending on how you interpret Anakin. The author unironically uses a handful of rather clichéd words and phrases (ex: ‘orbs’ is used in reference to a character’s eyes, someone is described as having a ‘womanly form’, and so on); YMMV as to whether this is a deal-breaker or not. Also, the fic’s ending feels very sudden.

Type #2 Reservations: Dubious Consent (of the Dooku Made Them Do It variety) + Forced Exhibitionism.

The Geonosian Menagerie (Part One & Part Two) by NoobianRose: “The Count spread his hands before him in a gesture resembling helplessness. ‘The Geonosians,’ he said, ‘whose gracious hospitality we are all currently enjoying, fancy themselves quite the patrons of the combat arts. Now, normally, they would place you in the arena and let you be torn to pieces by their pets. But I have negotiated a better deal for you both.’” Rating: M/NC-17. Word Count: 13,556. Status: Complete. Other warnings: explicit sex, (forced) infidelity.

An Indecent Proposal by sassy-satine: “It’s almost a year into the clone wars. Anakin, Padme and Obi-Wan have been captured by Count Dooku. An indecent proposal is their only hope of freedom. Obidala.” Rating: R. Word Count: 50,416. Status: Incomplete as of 23 April 2012. Other warnings: explicit sex, (forced) infidelity, Anakin character bashing, occasional anachronistic (for lack of a better term) word choices.

Not my personal cup of tea, but you may enjoy:

(I’ve given warnings as best I can, but I never actually finished reading most of these fics, so...)

Anything written by Ticklesivory  (who, IIRC, also happens to be one of the founders of the Obidala Always proboards). I’d be more specific, but this author is rather prolific when it comes to writing Obidala fics.

Ben by Lincoln Six Echo: “OBIDALA. Padmé’s tale of her changing relationship with a boy her father brought home after a mission on Gala. An AU where ObiWan never completed the Jedi training for he was mindwiped and believed dead after Jedi Apprentice 3.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 17,520. Status: Complete. 

Between Darkness and Light There Is, Human, Between Darkness and Light There Is, Life, and Between Darkness and Light There Is, Us by RaeAnne: “A rearranging of a love story that spans from an AU Episode I to beyond an AU RotS.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 28,789; 34,618; and 53,535, respectively. Complete. 

Cultural Sensitivity by dreamiflame: “Five times Obi-Wan and Padmé ended up having sex in public to help the Rebellion.” Rated: NC-17. Word Count: 9,304. Status: Complete. Warnings: Explicit sex in public -- anal, vaginal, pegging, and oral. Consent is explicitly given, but there’s also sex pollen in the mix, so YMMV as to how consensual it is.

Delicious Agony by MyBellaLove16: “It was agony. Sweet, hot agony. Being this close. Being this far.” Rating: NC-17. Word Count: 5,285. Status: Complete. Warnings: Explicit sex.

Fire Dance by eowynangel: “Obidala. AU. PreAotC. The Jedi Master ObiWan Kenobi and the Senator of the Galactic Republic Padmé Naberrie are sent to the planet Damona. They are to attend a ritual ceremony during their stay and things take an unexpected turn…” Rating: R. Word Count: 2,353. Status: Complete.

A Moment Longer by Likesummerrain (AverageBunny): “But when the force opens up around them, swallowing them both in the energy between them, they will hold on for a moment longer.” Rating: NC-17. Word Count: 339. Status: Complete. Warnings: Explicit(ish) sex.

One Path by Lionchilde: “The story begins during TPM with an unexpected but welcome friendship. When friendship turns to something more, an entire galaxy will be changed, for better and for worse. Obidala.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 581,480. Status: Complete. (Related fics: One Path: Faith and Where It Leads You, One Path: Coloring The Journey, Force Heritage: A Prelude To the Kenobi Way.)  

The Queen And The Sith by Lincoln Six Echo: “In an universe where Jedi and Sith coexist as rival orders, a queen falls in love with her Sith Knight rescuer. But this is not a fairy tale, and the happy end will arrive only at the end of a long, and sad road. OBIDALA endgame, but also has some PadméXAnakin.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 30,308. Status: Complete.

Sith Apprentice: Darth Venge series by Mengde: “What if Qui-Gon Jinn had been there to accept Maul from his mother on Dathomir? What if, then, Sidious had taken on a young man named Kenobi as his Sith apprentice?” Rated: R. Word Count: 135,588. Status: Parts #1-13 are complete, but #14 is not as of 19 Jan 2017. Warnings: graphic violence.

SithObi-Wan series by irallie: “Obi-Wan never became Qui-Gon's apprentice. Instead he followed a very different path which changes everything.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 31,081. Status: Incomplete as of 15 Dec 2016.

Star Wars: Land and Sky Episode I Happy Endings by Lionchilde: “This fic explores the possibility that Qui-Gon Jinn was injured on Naboo while attempting to rescue Queen Amidala from the Trade Federation. As such, Qui-Gon is forced to remain on the ship while Obi-Wan accompanies Padme and friends to Mos Espa. Obidala.” Rating: PG-13. Word Count: 57,731. Status: Complete. (Related fics: Star Wars: Land and Sky: Enchanted, Places Brothers Go.)

To Ignite the Stars by padme_kenobi: “AU, taking place from Attack of the Clones on. Padmé and Obi-Wan have been good friends for a long time but have now discovered that their romantic feelings are mutual. As their love for one another grows, it will change the galaxy in profound ways … some for the better, and some for the worse.” Rating: NC-17. Word Count: approx. 255,000. Status: Incomplete as of 23 Sep 2009. Warnings: Torture, explicit sex.

Weakness And Strength by Lincoln Six Echo: “OBIDALA. This is a story about love and the discovery of what it really means for a Jedi who has never broken the code before. Will his love lead to his downfall or will make him stronger? ObiWan, Padmé and blue ghost QuiGon.” Rating: R. Word Count: 8,453. Status: Complete.