dear mal reynolds, “‘Tis better to have loved and lost, / Than never to have loved at all.” I used to think that this phrase was reserved for those fortunate enough to experience eros, a sexual or passionate love, the type that makes up most modern-day romance. In Greek mythology, it is a form of madness brought about by one of Cupid’s arrows. The arrow breaches us and we ‘fall’ in love, as did Romeo with Juliet, Marc Antony with Cleopatra, Dante with Beatrice. I’ve come to realize that isn’t the case. The hallmark of philia, or friendship, is a shared belief of doing good. One person can bear goodwill to another for one of three reasons: that he is useful; that he is pleasant; and, above all, that he is good, rational, and virtuous. Any relationship that is founded on these characterizations are associated not only with mutual benefit, but also with companionship, dependability, and trust. And Mal, my darling Mal, despite your acts of thievery and bouts of shamelessness, you are a good man. Aristotle himself said so. You have given everything—blood, sweat, and tears included—and expected nothing in return. I know you felt you were never deserving of it, but I am here to tell you that you are entitled to love. To be loved, to feel loved. Every ounce of philia love that your crew have given, was theirs, and theirs alone to give. They are good people, Mal; they do not give what isn’t warranted. They have fought by your side, and stuck with you through celebration and despair. Trust me when I say they would not have done so if you were a tyrant and a bully. Sure, you may have put on a mask every now and again, pulled up that armor, and done your best to push people away, but we saw right through it. You don’t agree with me, and that’s okay. Like Jayne and Kaylee, River and Simon, Sheppard and Inara, Wash and Zoë, I am not going anywhere. You are my Captain, and I swear, by my pretty floral bonnet, I will love you from this 'verse to the next.
Love, A Fellow Browncoat
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