Bear Necessities

Category: Culmets. Fluff.
Time Frame: Early, Pre-Series, Open.
Spoilers: General Series Knowledge Only.
Summary: Paul is packing for a trip and has to make choices about what to take. Hugh helps.
Disclaimer: Why bicker about who owns what? Can't we all just live long and prosper?
Note: A second Ricky story, because I just can't help myself. Sequel to "Bearing Witness."

Paul tossed another shirt on the growing pile on the bed, then held up a jacket, looking at it thoughtfully.

"What's the weather supposed to be like? Do you know?"

Hugh sighed from the other side of the room.

"Paul, you can replicate something if you forget it. You don't need to take your whole wardrobe."

"Yeah, but I like this jacket," said Paul, giving Hugh a look. "Replicated clothes aren't the same."

"I know," said Hugh in a placating voice while walking over to Paul. He placed his hands on either side of Paul's head and brought him in for a kiss on the forehead. "I know how you feel about that. But seriously, babe, don't you think you have enough?"

Paul looked at the pile of clothes and shrugged as Hugh slid his hands down to his shoulders.

"I dunno…" Paul mumbled, pushing Hugh back slightly to look at the jacket again.

Hugh chuckled, then stepped away from Paul. "I know you'll make the right choice," he said, smiling sardonically. He was experienced enough with pre-travel Paul to know when to just leave him be, and now was one of those times, so he intended to do just that.

"I'll be out here if you need me," he said, indicating the living room by hooking a thumb over his shoulder.

A moment later, he was gone, and Paul was alone, still holding up the jacket and puzzling over it, as if it would give him the answer he wanted.

But when the coat offered no help, Paul scowled at it. He knew Hugh was probably right. His pile was getting pretty big, and he really didn't want to take the bigger travel case if he could help it.

Still, it might rain. And he'd be there a month. And if there was one thing Paul hated, it was not being prepared. So eventually, he tossed the jacket on the bed with the other clothes. He'd intended to move on to another task in his packing afterward, but just as the jacket landed on the bed, something else landed on it. A very colorful projectile had just zipped through the room from the direction of the door and flopped onto the bed.

Paul blinked at it, not sure what it was at first. Then he stepped over to the bed and picked it up. As he did, he grinned and looked up at the doorway. It was empty, but he only had to wait a second before Hugh's head popped into view from the side of the doorframe.

"What are you doing?" Paul asked.

Hugh smiled at Paul as he walked into the room.

"He wants to go," said Hugh, playfully indicating the teddy bear in Paul's hands.

"But… he's yours." Paul said, looking a little confused.

"Yeah, and so are you," said Hugh, suddenly very serious. "And you'll be gone a month, Paul. I thought, maybe…" Hugh shrugged and ran one hand over the back of his neck, looking down at his feet. "Maybe you could take a piece of me with you."

The last came out in one rushed jumble, and Hugh was actually blushing.

But he had no need to feel embarrassed, because when he looked up from under his lashes, Paul was beaming at him. Then Paul closed what distance was left between them, lifted Hugh's head so that their eyes met, and spoke a single word that had Hugh beaming back.

"Always," said Paul.

Then he tossed the bear onto the bed and kissed Hugh soundly.

When he was finished, the jacket went back in the closet.

Ricky stayed put.