#couples meme

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HAL language variant:

Original by ReddsMess (template link) NOTE: The artist has marked 16-18+ in their bio, so browse at your own risk!

you have activated my trap card TIME TO YAP ABOUT EMMRICH AND JOVUS

1) What, specifically, was the catalyst for their physical attraction (if applicable) to the other character? In other words, what in particular had them like “Oh, they’re...hot...”

For Jovus, it was very early on that he found Emmrich attractive. For him, it's not a huge surprise -- he finds most people attractive (dear gods, he really is a bard isn't he lmao).

When Emmrich's voice darkened when he said "as for the rest of [the Venatori], their corpses will be put to work" -- Jovus found that surprising, and hilarious, and that was the moment he decided "Yes, I simply must annoy this man."

For Emmrich's part, knowing Jovus is a werewolf, he initially treated Jovus the same way he does Lucanis and Spite: like a field study. He's also, unsurprisingly, pretty guarded, and doesn't want yet another heartbreak in his life "at his age," so if he feels anything he elects to ignore it. Or at least to try and ignore it. Jovus is very, very hard to ignore.

Jovus tries to subtly read up on the Fade and other topics Emmrich is/might be interested in, and eventually he takes notice (along with practically everyone else), and he finds it endearing that he's going to all that effort just to talk to him.

2) Does this change over time? What things do they find “hot” about their partner after they’ve been together for some time, and have had more time to, well, notice and appreciate?

Not so much change as "evolve" -- Jovus definitely still finds Emmrich's ruthless petty bitch side incredibly hot lmao (the charm seller, anyone? lmao)

He's intelligent, is as theatrical and dramatic as Jovus is, and can absolutely run rings around the younger members of the team. All things he learned to appreciate. He's also kind, compassionate, and completely lacking in judgement, which Jovus is convinced he's utterly undeserving of (not that he'll ever admit that).

Also, his hands. Jovus was very surprised to learn that Emmrich doesn't play any instruments. Those pianist fingers are wasted.

Emmrich's take definitely changes over time: he tries so hard to ignore feelings, but he is utterly incapable of doing that lmao. He finds Jovus captivating, charming, and talented, and even before his voraciously reading up on stuff to talk about, he was surprised at just how much he enjoyed talking to him.

They spent a lot of time frequenting each others' rooms just to talk (and tease each other lmao). And over time, it started to feel familiar and comfortable.

3) By contrast, what was the moment that first made their ~heart~ Soft for the other person? Not necessarily a conscious realization of “I love this person,” but a moment that had them like “Oh...I adore them...”

For Jovus, that's simple: the first time he made Emmrich laugh. A stupid, flippant, sarcastic comment, that Emmrich found amusing enough to laugh at. He was riding that high for a while.

For Emmrich, I don't think it's one specific thing, but a combination of Jovus just Remembering things he says, or likes, and will occasionally do/give/say something he knows he'll like, and he's pleasantly surprised every time.

4) Does this change over time? What will always reliably make them melt with how much they adore the other character?

It... doesn't really change, no. They're pretty consistent, but Jovus does tend to go overboard sometimes. His determined showmanship is legendary lmao

Jovus really enjoys hearing Emmrich's voice. And his laugh. He'd happily let him just Talk At Him forever. He also doesn't sleep much, and is often awake even before Emmrich the Early Riser is, so will sometimes smooth his hair or draw circles on his skin with a finger while he sleeps.

Emmrich has learned to appreciate werewolf cuddles, and will often absently pet his fur while they relax together. He will sometimes find Jovus curled up at his feet while he's in his chair, reading. Or napping.

They both have a weird fascination with watching each other sleep lmao

5) How do they consciously realize that they like the other character? Does it take them a while?

I'm not really sure how to answer this as far as "like" goes lmao, but, uh...

Emmrich figures it out earlier than Jovus does. Emmrich falls fast, Jovus falls hard, apparently.

To be fair, he goes on a Thought Journey like "Why am I putting this much effort in? Surely there's nothing to think about too hard here." Jovus has never really liked to think too hard about Big Things -- he prefers to focus on small things that he can control. Affection for someone definitely counts as a Big Thing.

Eventually he figures out he Capital L Loves (Likes?) Emmrich, but he takes a while to get to that point, and often actively denies it to himself.

Emmrich denies it purely as a defense mechanism, especially before Tearstone (you will claw my fixation with The Fight from my cold dead hands, I guess). He tries to let him go gently, gracefully, but it doesn't go to plan (Jovus is not blameless here; he's very aware he could've handled it better than he did). And then Fool's Gold happens and then angst.

When all is said and done, they're practically inseparable. (Co-dependent relationships, whee.)