Bunkies
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Bunkies |
| Author(s): | L.A. Adolf |
| Date(s): | April 1979 |
| Length: | |
| Genre: | gen |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| External Links: | Bunkies (PDF) |
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Bunkies is a gen Star Wars story by L.A. Adolf. It was printed in Against the Sith #4 in April 1979.
In it, Luke and Han must share a bed for the night when no double accommodation is available.
It is reported to be the earliest example of the Bed Sharing trope, though notably is not romantic despite the fact that this trope is frequently deployed in a romantic (and/or sexual) context in fanworks. Instead, the situation is a humorous one as Luke constantly plies Han with questions while the other man tries desperately to get to sleep, only to then find to his dismay that Luke is a very difficult bed partner.
The fic was Adolf's first published fanwork. Readers at the time enjoyed the story's humour, although it was not a particularly popular or well-known story, as Adolf later reflected.[1]
Excerpt
Pulling off the second boot, Luke reached for the buckle on Han's belt, opened it, and unbuckling the leg strap of the blaster holster, pulled Han's weapon away from his hip. "Better men than you have died for less," Han commented darkly, not moving from the prostrate position in which he’d found himself.
Fan Comments
"Bunkies"—It's comforting to know that even super-heroes can be annoying in bed. Beferring to sleeping habits, that is.[2]
"Bunkies" is just the thing a very short story should be; short and to-the-point. Also Lisa seems to have a very firm grip on her characters.[2]
"Bunkies" was cute—poor Han![2]
Lisa Adolf's "Bunkies" left me in stitches! Funny, funny, funny![2]
"Bunkies" was cute, fun and otherwise I really enjoyed it.[2]
"Bunkies" was grand. I felt so sorry for Han, trying to get some sleep but being pestered so he couldn't— even after Luke went to sleep! Having lived in barracks and had the same problem, I can sympathize whole heartedly.[2]
Reflecting On the Story In 2021
In March 2021, Syfy Wire ran an article entitled, 'The 'One Bed' fanfiction trope finds popularity in predictability. But which fanfic pair shared a bed first?', which explored the origins of the Bed Sharing trope as part of its Origins of Fanfiction series. Adolf was interviewed about Bunkies as part of the article, and reflected on the fic's origin:
Han and Luke seemed likely to have different sleeping styles, so putting them into the situation also seemed a winner. [...] Anyone who has shared covers with someone has inevitably run into the cover/bed hog at some point, or ended up married to one, so I thought why not go for it?[1]
Adolf added that the popularity of the trope might be due in part to how relatable it is, as well as the opportunities for exploring contrasts in personality:
You can learn a lot about others by their sleeping behavior. You can explore how different personalities might express themselves in that situation.[1]
Adolf mentioned the humor slant:
The idea of sharing a bed platonically seemed to have some comedic potential. Back in the day, fanfiction tended to be fairly serious, and I tend to be an iconoclast at heart, so I thought to have some fun with it. [1]
References
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