New Fic: Bear, Borrowed
It’s weird how some customs are so universal.
I guess it’s evolutionary biology, in a way. How the young of nearly every species gravitate toward tiny versions of themselves - or harmless versions of scary predators - as toys.
It’s nurturing behavior practiced by those too young for the real thing - and the rendering of fears into something far more palatable. It helps train the next generation to be caregivers, which helps ensure survival of the species, and it helps them feel safe, which is important for everyone.
So it’s completely understandable.
Still, it’s weird.
Especially when your partner’s sort of adopted parents who are also your sort of adoptive parents (even more so, if you think about it, because they literally made your body - which is very weird) still engage in childish behavior involving one of said watered-down predators.
And when they insist on sending the bear to Trill with you, because you might get lonely, it’s just nuts.
Still, it’s nice.
Ricky is a good companion.
For one thing, he gets Hugh and Paul to tell stories over comms that might never have come out otherwise, and that’s a wonderful way to know them more.
For another, he’s awfully soft.
I guess it’s evolutionary biology, in a way. How the young of nearly every species gravitate toward tiny versions of themselves - or harmless versions of scary predators - as toys.
It’s nurturing behavior practiced by those too young for the real thing - and the rendering of fears into something far more palatable. It helps train the next generation to be caregivers, which helps ensure survival of the species, and it helps them feel safe, which is important for everyone.
So it’s completely understandable.
Still, it’s weird.
Especially when your partner’s sort of adopted parents who are also your sort of adoptive parents (even more so, if you think about it, because they literally made your body - which is very weird) still engage in childish behavior involving one of said watered-down predators.
And when they insist on sending the bear to Trill with you, because you might get lonely, it’s just nuts.
Still, it’s nice.
Ricky is a good companion.
For one thing, he gets Hugh and Paul to tell stories over comms that might never have come out otherwise, and that’s a wonderful way to know them more.
For another, he’s awfully soft.