while courting rituals among dokkalfar are of course unique from individual to individual, there are some general traits to keep in mind with them and vali specifically. one is, sexuality and romance is considered a big part of dark elf life, many dark elves are polyamorous or at least are comfortable having many different types of relationships, yet even so, its a big thing to go into courting with a dark elf. gift giving is a common first step in the courting process, often either giving valuable items or luxury items that are rare to them (anything shiny really is a good choice). food is another common courting element particularly sharing food is considered very intimate as dark elves dont often like sharing/giving meals with strangers, especially a stranger that might have potential to become a meal themselves, so sharing in the intimacy of food is something that will stand out to vali even if it seems normal to jensen. personal to vali, he really appreciates acknowledgements, compliments, the like. also there will be likely a power struggle of some sort where one or the other decides who is the ‘dominant’ one and who is the ‘submissive’ one, this even might go back and forth, but these sort of fluid power dynamics are common in dokkalfar relationships, its rarely if ever an actual power struggle that involves any sort of violence, its more playful, a sort of way to decide who will be the receiving partner and who will be the giving partner (as dark elves dont really have a sexual binary to ‘decide’ that for them which is honestly a stupid way of putting it but idk how else to explain it), and i dont just mean that in a sexual way, it can effect many areas of a relationship and this is why its often fluid and subject to change depending on how partners are feeling in a relationship and what works. consent is very important to vali too, of course he will be flirty and maybe even a little bit overbearing sometimes but he wont directly pursue someone romantically or sexually unless hes gotten a direct signal that its okay and mutually desired. vali appreciates anyone and will often grow to really like anyone who either tolerates his shenanigens enough to join him on misadventures, or takes vali on their own misadventures, which im sure they will have lots of.
well vali has shown great interest in humans and simply learning their ways, one of the ways vali would show his interest is by very subtle mimicking, not copying, but rather picking up on certain mannerisms, traits or interests that jensen displays. he does this entirely unaware and unintentionally when hes interested in someone. once vali gets comfortable, he will talk, *a lot*, more than usual, hes an absolute chatter box when hes allowed to be, he has so much to say okay???? also he will show affection by taking care of jensen’s horse because hes actually really good with animals, as many fae are, having a much more sensitive connection to their feelings than a typical person would without having years and years of experience with a certain type of animal. annnnd vali would probs take jensen’s hat, and his jacket. sorry, mine now. i sleep in them now.
