So the MC is very close with their parents, has a close comfortable relationship with their best friend, and was married to someone from a similarly warm family. How do M, W and N respond to an MC who is very physically affectionate and free with the affirmations? Hugs and “love you”s are as natural as breathing to them, and will be peppered throughout the day, assuming it doesn’t cross the RO’s personal boundaries.
The Steele Family isn’t an overly affectionate bunch— shocking, I know— as the closest you get to ‘I love you’ with Rowan is ‘You did good’. Hugs and family bonding, like game night, aren’t a common occurrence; there are family trips— like to their ski lodge or to a beach house— but you’re usually left to your own devices. Regina was a bit better with the physical affection— cheek kisses, running her hand through their hair, etc— but it wasn’t an overwhelming thing. M would definitely have to be warmed up to the idea as they’d grow fairly uncomfortable if it happened right out of the gate. They get a lot better with physical affection and terms of endearment the more they get used to it (as you’ve seen from their snippets).
However, don’t take the lack of actually saying it as an apparent fact that Rowan doesn’t love/care for his children or family. If he found out that anyone, and I do mean anyone, fucked with his family he’d have no issue dealing with them. No one messes with his children or his wife or the people he cares for.
They’re not the closest with their family but they do have some fond memories with them. They know that their family are good people but that doesn’t mean that they agree with some of things that is expected of them. W has never been the happiest with over-the-top affection— something that Heather commonly tease them over (gently)— but they’d get a bit more used to it with you. However, they would make it abundantly clear if they needed their space or were growing uncomfortable. They’re not the type to keep people they care for guessing.
Their parents died when they were fairly young; Aunt Cassandra took them in without any other thought and showered them with affection. However, the knowledge that it would never be their parents again stuck with them (even now). N isn’t used to people paying attention to them— besides M, animals, or the people that work for them— so they’re not super used to people wanting to interact with them in that regard. You’ll need to grow closer to them for them to feel comfortable enough. However, once you cross that line of friendship?
They’ll adore the nicknames and hugs and whatever else you have in store.
