play ghost trick and project moon games

OKAY, SO! Quick preface that I do like and am open to basically any Hohenheim ship (with one exception that we shall not name). Even if I don't think about it much/ship it myself I still appreciate and like it. Now:

I do see the LCE trio as platonic myself but I like the romantic interpretation too!! Either way there is absolutely so much angst potential here as well as so much fluff potential, with Hohenheim basically taking them in from the Backstreets and helping them realize their potential as assistants... the assistants taking care of their chief and also each other when the workload gets high... going out for smoke breaks together... fun workplace shenanigans... the obvious events of Canto IX and the mourning, the wrath, the connection tested... AAAGGGHHH!!!

I really REALLY love their relationship actually, whether it's platonic or romantic. They also look super cute together. I still can't believe they killed Marton but not Alyssa.

Now, this one i DO ship romantically! It's not my OT3 or OTP but it IS one I really like!!

I think the biggest thing that I love about their relationship is emphasized in the Distorted Hohenheim observation log. How he is genuinely open, listening, and accepting to Heathcliff, how he doesn't treat him as 'stupid' for his more spontaneous and out-there ideas or suggestions or alternative way of thinking. I think Heathcliff really needs that, especially after the Sinners' judgements of him after the canto due to the effect of erasing Catherine making C6 look... well, kind of odd to them. Even/especially outside of the Sinners it's how he's been treated his whole life. It's why Heathenheim IS my favorite Heathcliff ship. Heathcliff was genuinely so happy in this intervallo with Hohenheim respecting and understanding him and giving him the fun opportunity to be his assistant, it was great.

Also, Hohenheim continuing to call Heathcliff his Assistant and placing him in higher esteem than other Sinners is really cute, I love his attachment to Heathcliff so much.

Speaking of his attachment, now I do think that it is crucial to view Heathenheim (and most Hohenheim ships, really) from a lens of past Joheim. That is, Hohenheim's feelings towards Heathcliff are of course influenced by his feelings for Johann. Hohenheim being reminded of Johann and the lessons Johann taught him are after all why he picked Heathcliff as an assistant. I don't doubt Hohenheim loves Heathcliff as his own person as well, but there is definitely some coping mechanisms in here as well. I've seen some interpretations that some of Hohenheim's traits could remind Heathcliff of Cathy as well. (Hence them making each other worse.)

The Dusk of Amber walpipi had really cute moments too. "Oi, you ain't half bad, specs… You're goin' up in my list." I was absolutely like Fuck Yeah Heathenheim Crumbs

Oh, also. Heathcliff quit your job join the LCE we love you here you can be happy with us!! And all that.