So much agreement on this, but it sort of mystifies me that it would be hard to find, because usually fandom is pretty on target about thinkig over *why* something is appealing and what the focal point ought to be. Even for things that seem subtle and non-intuitive outside of the culture. I mean. Hurt/comfort seems like a related trope, to be honest. This is old hurt/delayed comfort.
Re: You know what dumb thing bothers me about age reg fic?