Published: September 21st 2022, 8:27:31 am
Ben was straight up bawling now, and the inhabitants of this fluffy land were concerned.
"Oh my gosh, what's wrong? Said Cheery bear, rushing up to give Benji a hug. Huggabear was already hugging him from behind, and he was sinking back into the feeling, simulated so effectively by his haptic clothes. Now he was being hugged on two sides, and more were coming to join in.
Benjamin couldn't get the words out through all his sobs. It all came out in fits and starts between more bawling.
"No one has ever.... *sniffle* I can't believe... *blubber* you guysssssssss..."
"There, there, sweetheart," said Cheer.
"What?" said Sweet Heart.
"Not you, silly... him..."
Ben began to open up, telling about how he used to love everyone. He started every day with a smile and gave out so many hugs. But there were so many rules about who he could love and how. So many rules he didn't understand. One day he told everyone that he loved his best friend... he hugged his friend and said he loved him, and everyone got mad. So mad. Hysterical, even.
"My parents didn't want me anymore... and... and... I was all alone... it was terrible... I was... *sniffle* all alone..."
There wasn't a dry eye in the Love-A-Bunch kingdom that day. It only made the creatures of this special place feel stronger about making things better for Benjamin.
"You never have to be alone again, Benji. You have us, now."
"We'll never ever leave you, Benji."
Benjamin sunk into the soft fluffy fur of his oldest friends. It wasn't until he was smothered in their hugs that he realized he realized how much he needed them. Out there, Benjamin was a nobody. But here, he was everything. It had been a long time since he'd felt loved like this.
"You're very special to us," said Cheer, quietly.
"We love you," said Softheart into Ben's ear.
It had been a long time since Benjamin had heard those words from anyone. He opened his mouth to speak. The words felt strange on his tongue, because he knew they were forbidden.
"I... I... I... love you guys..." The bears smiled as they felt a warmth growing... and the pictures on their bellies began to glow. The bright light caught their attention and one by one all the creatures of Love-A-Bunch began to look down in surprise.
"Whoa!"
"Hey!"
"What's happening?"
"I don't know, but I feel great!"
The creatures of Love-A-Bunch hadn't felt love, real love, in so long, they had almost forgotten what it felt like. But this was it. This was love - and from their person. And when a person loves their toy, it's the greatest feeling in the world. And for the toy, it's unmistakable.
Even Benjamin forgot his tears as he saw the whole concourse light up. The lights began to pulse, like they were all connected. The pulsation reminded Benjamin of neurons firing. The brightness began to make his head hurt, and he grabbed his head.
"Oww!"
And just like that, the lights were gone.
"What was that?"
"I don't understand..."
"Owww, my head," moaned Benjamin.
"Give him space everyone," said Softheart.The parade was over, and the crowd began to dissipate.
"Oh... th-that was weird," said Ben, rubbing his temples.
"Yeah, I don't know what happened."
"Oh!" said Ben, feeling his butt. "I'm... uh... I'm wet!"
"I told him to wear his diapers," said Grumpy Bear, crossing his arms.
"Well, that's our parade!" said Softheart, chuckling and scratching the back of his head. "You liked it, right?"
"I loved it," said Ben. "Thank you. Uh, I think I should, um..."
"Put a diaper on?" asked Grumpy.
"N-no!" said Ben, blushing. "I think I should take off these wet clothes."
"Put on a pull-up at least!"
Ben rolled his eyes, as he turned around. "Uh, a little privacy, please!"
"Oh, right!" The bears made a folding cloud screen for Ben while he undressed. He didn't even have to take off his headset to do it, thanks to the convenient design of his overalls. He just undressed and reached for a pair of underwear he saw nearby. To his surprise, when he grabbed it, his hands felt it in the real world.
"Huh, must be my underwear," he said. But what he saw was a pull-up, just as his fluffy friend had suggested. It even had a signature complete with love-a-bunch heart on the front. He shrugged. "Better than going naked, I guess. Now where are some pants?" He looked around but didn't see them. He was just about to pull off his headset to look when his friends called his name.
"Benji! Are you done in there?"
"Yeah, but I just need some- EEP!"
Ben tried to cover himself up in vain as the screen disappeared, but he only had his t-shirt to do so.
"Aww! Now that's more like it!" said Cheery bear, cheering.
"Now you look more like the old Bennie," giggled Baby Bear. Even Grumpy Bear approved.
"Even me, he says." Grumpy bear threw up his hands and rolled his eyes.
"Why is Bennie so shy?" asked Baby Bear, behind his paw. "He used to be so comfortable running around in his undies..."
"He's used to playing grown-up remember?" answered Grumpy.
"Hey, forget about it," said Softheart, taking Bennie's hand. "You came here to play, remember?"
"Uh... y-yeah," said Bennie, feeling very exposed amidst the crowd of animals. "I guess that's true.
"We still have an adventure to get started! Now where is Smart Bear? He's supposed to tell us about the Witch of Apathy. Oh it's a frightful thing!"
Benjamin couldn't help but chuckle. As silly as he felt walking around in a Love-A-Bunch pullup, he had to admit he hadn't had so much fun in years.
And while he was playing, the system was further integrating with all his accounts and devices. His house was already being prepared for his arrival, and he was in for a real treat. As for Smart Bear, he had watched the readouts with amazement when Ben said the 'L' word out loud for the first time. The happiness meter was off the charts. And there was something even more amazing... the lights that glowed even on his chest as he watched the parade from afar... that was more than just lights... Smart Bear Gasped.
"It's a new power source... and... a conduit? A consciousness? I have to investigate further..."