McSheplets Challenge #295 - FILL

[tolieawake]

McSheplets Challenge #295: Promise

Summary: In Pegasus, Promises are sacred

Rating: PG

Length: drabble (273words)

In Pegasus, Promises are sacred.

 

It doesn’t take long for the earth-born members of the expedition to come to this understanding. In a galaxy where monsters rain from the sky in order to eat you, and every day could be your last – a promise is binding.

 

There are no written treaties, only promises – and while everyone will lie, no promise is ever broken.

 

Once they realise that, things become much easier. There are less mistakes made when trading offworld, and they have a far greater understanding of where their allies stand.

 

Because no-one makes promises unless they’re sure.

 

So when Rodney asks Sheppard if he’ll protect him, and Sheppard says, “I promise.” Well, Teyla understands, even before they do.

 

And when John asks Rodney if he’s sure, and Rodney says, “Yes.”

 

“Promise?”

 

“Promise.”

 

Well – Ronon understands the significance of that. Even if they haven’t yet quite realised what it is they’re saying to each other.

 

Because promises are sacred – and can never be broken. So no-one makes promises unless they really, really, mean them. And even the promises that are made are hedged – made between groups of people, rather than individuals.

 

It takes John and Rodney a little longer to realise just how much they’ve adapted to Pegasus Culture, but they get there. Eventually.

 

After all, they never make Promises to anyone else. Just each other.

 

Because Promises are sacred.

 

And you only promise when you’re sure. When you’d die to keep that promise.

 

By the time they say ‘I do’, it’s somewhat anti-climatic – everyone knows. Because no matter what happens, or what Pegasus throws at them, they never stop Promising each other.