Command me to be well

Despite passionate, Elliott is a struggling artist, very unsure about the future and the value of his creations:

“Sometimes I wonder if I might have a self inflated image and no real skills.”

“I write in hopes of connecting with others through time and space. *sigh*...times are changing, though. People don't read anymore.”

At the same time, he’s a lonely person, more than he really lets on at first. Leah and Willy seem to be the only people that are close to him, and he seemingly struggles to make connections, as much as he yearns for them:

“It's a little lonely out here on the beach... so I apologize if I was ever a little too forward with you when we first met. I was just eager to have a friend. It feels good to have a close friend like you.”

“Sorry, I'm feeling morose today. I wish there was more certainty about the future. I don't want to grow old as a lonely hermit on this beach...”

He has quite a few lines being grateful/ somewhat shocked that farmer goes out of their way just to seek him out, make conversation, is interested im what he has to say, etc. He desperately wants someone to see him as he is, and actually decide that they like what they see, want him close for all he is, even if some people deem him to be a little weird. In a way, he just moved into pelican town, with no idea if his life would work out just based on his effort and love for his profession. Think about it, he’s an artist, going through a big change, with no one to support him. It matters a lot that there’s someone that actually seems to like him enough to keep visiting and caring for him, even when himself doesn’t see the exact reason:

“I know that I am kind of an 'oddball'. I hope you don't mind.”

“You've come to visit me in the cold? I could do with a respite from my lonely labors.”

“Visit my cabin whenever you like. I could use the company.”

“A gentle little sunbeam woke me up this morning. I've never felt so refreshed. I'm sorry if that isn't very interesting to you.”

Also, it’s important to him to have at least one person out there that believes in his art, which, to an artist, is something so special and inspiring in moments you have little faith in your own creations:

“[Player], I know you have faith in my abilities as a writer. That means a lot to me.”

He’s sensitive, and not afraid to be meticulous about his appearance, which also may seem odd to other people, but then there’s farmer who’s willing to appreciate that:

“I have to brush my hair daily, or else it'll clump up into messy knots. It's a lot of work. I'm surprised I haven't just shaved it off in a fit of passion. I suppose I am too vain.”

I personally find it beautiful that he finds inspiration within the farmer. Some people claim he only sees you as that: a solution to his problems, but I disagree! It’s one of the most beautiful things to become an artist’s muse. Farmer isn’t just a means to an end, they’re one of the few people that reach out to him and are interested in building this connection that he yearns for, and therefore, someone Elliott loves gets inspiration from, wants to create when around them. Farmer lifts him up, so it’s most fair if he does the same. Grateful from being given such a gift, he always makes sure farmer is as appreciated as he is, too:

“I've been keeping a journal ever since we moved in together. Now that I actually have a life, I have lots to write about. I want to make sure I always remember these years.”

“[Player], when you're around... I feel unusually creative. I know... strange, but it's true.”

“My dear, I require nothing at all on this day... you are already the greatest gift a man could hope for.

As much as his own job matters to him, he’s interested in learning about farmer’s job and lifestyle too, love makes you want to know that person and everything that makes them, them. He is also always aware of their wellbeing making sure they’re not pushing too hard.

“I never had much success growing plants in my old beach house. Hopefully I can pick up a thing or two by watching you. In this respect, you are the master and I only a humble apprentice.”

“Come here, let me massage your back. You look tense.”

Also, his reaction to farmer giving him the bouquet is so cute:

“I only wish I had given you a bouquet first!”

He always talks about how he feels so much better after marriage. He’s finally certain about something in life, that he loves someone, that he has found a soul out there that resonates with his, and knows him completely, that his art matters, that his life is working out:

“I came to the valley to find the ivory tower from which my talents could reign supreme. But what I really found was a dungeon of loneliness. You saved me from that.”

And at last, a little detail that i don’t think most people really think anything of it but I find adorable is that he changes his poems and the way he compliments the player depending on their gender presentation, but the sentiment stays the same, making each feel appreciated in their own special way. It feels thoughtful to me:

“From the brightest winter star, to a fragrant fairy rose... nothing can compare with your captivating beauty.” / “From the brightest winter star, to the shimmer of an iridium vein... nothing can compare to my wonderful man.”

“Wow, you look really handsome today! Did you shave? Your jawline is perfect.” / “Your feminine allure is irresistible today. I can't keep my eyes off you.”

Some notes is that I see a lot of complaints about the boat scene. I personally never understood why people hate it so passionately? I get that it might feel uncomfortable for some people, but you only get the ten heart event if you two are already dating (you can also deny to get on the boat if uncomfortable), and from the situation it’s easy to assume he planned a little romantic outing. He kisses the player a bit impulsively, sure, but considering you two ARE DATING and the moment called for it, I think it’s a bit of an exaggeration to claim he’s forcing the player, we see a lot of impulsive kisses in romantic scenes in media and I don’t really see people complain about it, anyways. Again, you can disagree on this but to my interpretation player just “trembles” from being a bit shocked in a good way (could also be an animation choice to show excitement, its pixels guys). I take the losing friendship with him if you say you’re uncomfortable thing not as him being obnoxious, just ashamed he read the room wrong and made a decision that made you uncomfortable. As he should, he apologizes for it.

He’s just a guy!!! A deeply lonely artist that is a hopeless romantic at heart, searching for someone who truly understands. He dedicates his book to you. He has a secret book of poems about you. He greets you with the softest of words, always, aware of everything you do and making sure you rest. He might be peculiar, but it’s just the way he is, a little awkward, but when he finds someone that he loves and loves him back, he does everything in his power to make them feel appreciated.