#pair bonding

I know that the various pair-bonding tropes are mostly about either smut or wrestling with the idea of destiny but I think it would be fun to explore more of the world-building aspects of what society would look like if people had provable soulmates or fated partners or true mates or whatever you want to call it. For one thing while homophobia might not disappear entirely, it would likely look different. Inheritance would probably be different. Social standing would be different. Especially when you add in the likelihood of genuinely platonic non-sexual non-romantic bonds. If that’s a known and common thing, it could camouflage some relationships. The Rules of War would have to consider pair bonds. What if shooting that guy kills you too? International treaties would have to consider pair bonds. Do bonded pairs basically have automatic dual citizenship when they find their person? Do they have to prove it and register their bond? Is that akin to marriage or the same thing as marriage? How does tax law work? If you have a platonic bond and are married to a romantic partner, do you have to pick one for filing purposes? Does everybody just file individually to keep it simple? What legal protections are they entitled to, whether they’re married or not?

I think that's a good way to describe what Majima does, actually: pair bonding. Latching on to someone in his life, imprinting upon them, shaping himself around them and making them an intrinsic part of himself, taking on their emotional wellbeing as his own.

During the breeding season, male Hooded Warblers establish and defend territories, attracting mates with whom they usually form pair-bonds.