Helly with her best friend Emery (any pronouns)
Emery is just. In the nicest way possible, a really sad loser. Having to deal with the weight of carrying on both the Svensson and ESP Cross family legacies, zir constantly expected to become someone greater than zir could ever be.
The main person who enforces this mindset is zir mother Carol who relentlessly trains them to become an elite even when zir extremely exhausted mentally physically and emotionally. She's constantly critiquing Emery's skills, appearance, and anything else that she deems unfit for her child. Emery feels like nothing will ever appease her.
On the other hand, Earrings is a lot more gentler with Emery. She's really doting and affectionate and has like a million photos of him. However, she also doesn't really stand up for Emery whenever she has to deal with Carol's disdain for their underwhelming character. She comforts Emery later, saying that Carol only does these things out of love, but shes done this so many times that Emery doesnt believe it anymore.
In general theyre a tired loner kid. Before Helly, he didnt have any real friends. He and his cousin Svenja's relationship is very strained. Svenja is concerned abt their wellbeing but she gets shut out by Emery. Both because Emery is jealous of her, and that he's scared that that jealousy will turn into something scary and he'll be awful to her. They have seen how Carol acts due to her resentment and jealousy towards others. They don't want to be like their mother.
Its actually a really good artist but they keep their work to themselves, thinking its not good enough for others. It tries to act all mean and edgy but no one really cares enough about that.
The only real friend he has is Helly Calvin, which is a bit unfortunate due to her brother being a government pilot but they make it work. They adore each other to no end and are each other's first best friend.
