Rafael Barba dating headcanons
Barba is bisexual, just down-low about it. He wouldn't deny it if asked, but he's unlikely to volunteer it.
He's never had a boyfriend, but he's been on a few dates with men.
He doesn’t rush into relationships or fall fast. Barba is a controlled person; he takes his time getting to know someone. He’s observant, and he notices the small things.
He's the type to show he cares. He's reserved about outright telling someone how he feels. He's great at being outspoken in his professional life, but not so much in his personal life.
His love language is acts of service and quality time. He'd be more than happy to sit on the couch with his partner, doing their own separate things.
Examples of his acts of service include making sure his partner has eaten, quietly taking care of small errands, and remembering the details: how they take their coffee, their go-to order, the little things that matter.
Rafael holds a lot of weight in his mother's opinion of his partner. They don't need to be best friends, but he wants his mother to approve.
He's not a big PDA guy. He might brush his hand along his partner's arm, touch their back, or give a small peck. Later in the relationship, he may hold hands while they're walking. While working, it'd be next to impossible to tell he's dating someone; he's a private person.
Once in a committed relationship, he'll use Spanish pet names -- mi vida, corazón, cariño, mi amor...
His ideal date would be seeing a play, and grabbing food either before or after at a small local spot.
While he enjoys spoiling his partner when he can, he also likes down-to-earth dates. Going for a walk, grabbing food from a food truck, hanging out at home, and watching a movie... they're all what he would usually prefer.
He doesn't have an "ideal type" in terms of appearance or career, but he needs an equal. Especially needs someone he can banter with and can push back at his teasing. Emotional intelligence, being able to handle pressure, and patience are requirements. Speaking Spanish would be a bonus, but not a requirement. They don't need to be in an intellectual field, as we know he puts a lot of respect into the arts.
He's not a jealous person. He trusts his partner, or he wouldn't be with them. He'll keep an eye on situations and will step in if needed, and only if needed.
Rafael argues for a living, and it shows. He’s not explosive, and he rarely raises his voice, but he’s precise and persistent. He knows how to make a point—and how to win. Apologizing doesn’t come easily, but when he does, it’s genuine.
Sometimes he can be closed off. He's used to wearing a mask and has built up a carefully crafted wall over the decades, both because of where he grew up and his job. It takes a lot of trust to open up.
He's very much a teasing person. His humor is dry and leans subtly smug. If he teases someone, it's clear he likes them (not necessarily romantically.)
(I'll include NSFW ones in a different post)
stormborns
pixelskylines
yousharknotpass
andulkaphoto
gummygunk
