officious seeing eye bitch

the way tender, genuine love just fucking radiates out of ruben in episode 1 in the way he caretakes for niall... raping him with mona, giving him his first ever half of a joint, gifting him nice boxing gloves, being honest and straightforward about their moms and soothing him about it, tucking little niall under his wing and letting his starpower reflect off of him for the first time when they walk to school together... and it all comes after niall finishes his exam for him but even before that!! the way choking niall out in bed becomes ruben shakily crying into the back of his neck in terror and spooning him close as they fall asleep... just an angry, shut down, insecure attachment shelter dog that got there after being beaten within an inch of its life and can't offer anything else to the pup it picks up in its new home

SORRY, THE FUCKING PROMO SHOT FOR HALF MAN IS RUBEN HUGGING NIALL AND AN ARROW GOING THROUGH THEM BOTH... RICHARD GADD'S TUMLBRINA MENTALITY CANNOT BE BEAT

mr. jenkins while discussing romeo + juliet in front of the class and saying "...and in the heart of this eternal conflict lies a love story..." just as ruben walks into the door and makes eye contact with niall