How do you think the two of them would act when they're in loveeeeeee? <3
(Rielle & Mina i mean)
I rewatched lots of Ariel, Jasmine, Eric, and Aladdin clips to help me write this, since I think Rielle and Mina would have traits of both princesses and princes ^^ It made me really appreciate how much emotion the Disney animators were able to convey in just the characters’ faces.
Curiouser and Curiouser…
Rielle…
… is the type to fall fast and fall hard. In a perpetual state of limerence.
He's terrible at hiding it. His expressions always give him away--those longing gazes that linger like the smell of the sea on the beach, snuck glances even when he knows his crush is looking. Always looks at his crush like they’re the most valuable treasure in the entire world.
It’s not even limited to The Looks he gives. There’s so many other telltale signs: sighing and giggling randomly, daydreaming, wandering with no destination in mind, rambling about nothing in particular, spacing out mid-conversation, etc.
Big believer in "love at first sight" and gushes to his friends about it. Gets defensive when Minajael someone else tells him, "Slow down. You can't marry someone you just met. You barely even know them." (Rielle’s response: “You can if it’s true love!!”)
… He speaks to statues and busts as though they were his crush. Like he’ll flutter his lashes, lean on the statues/busts, and swoon 😭 “What? Run away with you… B-But it’s so… sudden!!” No one knows if this is meant to be practice for the real thing or if it’s just Rielle’s imagination getting away from him.
He picks flower petals and plays the “loves me”, “loves me not” game! Sometimes he doesn’t do the game at all, he just dances around and smells the flowers, or plucks them and tucks them behind his (very confused) classmates’ ears.
When Rielle talks to his crush, he tends to play with his hair or clothes. (He just can’t stop fidgeting! His nerves get the better of him.)
He’s the type of guy to share everything with the people he likes, crush included. Here, have a bite of his food! Check out this new trinket he found! How about a ride on a horse-drawn carriage (Rielle will guide the horses :) Does he have experience? No, but it’ll be fun riding together, right?)?
Has a tendency to trail after the object of his affections like how a loyal pup might follow its owner around. He also actively drags his crush into activities with him, similar to how a big, excitable dog might tug someone along by the leash. Rielle wants to spend as much time with them as possible!!
Whenever he hangs out with them, local businesses frequently mistake the two for a couple. Rielle gets all bashful about it and asks if they really do look like a couple. Acts very overtly happy if he is affirmed.
He's touchy. Hugging and hand grabs are the norm for him, partly because he wants to be close with his crush and partly because he just goes by what feels "right" to him, social expectations aside. Gives greeting kisses on the cheeks too, a greeting from back home.
He tries to impress his crush with knowledge on cutlery and random everyday human items. (Rielle does not realize this would only impress a merperson with zero background on the world above.) Fixates on the concept of indirect kisses—those shared when people press their lips to the same eating utensils or cups.
If his crush makes a remark commenting on his cuteness or immaturity, Rielle pouts and insists that he’s SUPER grown-up! (He worries that they don’t see him as being mature enough to be in a romantic relationship.)
He likes to sing for his crush! It’s a chance for Rielle to share a part of merfolk culture—and himself—with them. The lullaby from his mother to lullaby him to sleep, the mermaid princess’s love song to her human prince… There’s many important pieces to impart!
Rielle’s reckless when it comes to love. He dashes in headfirst, regardless of the danger. If you’re sinking in a storm, Rielle’s the lifesaver that’ll bring you to shore and breathe life back into you.
Calls his dad on the phone to tell him about his newfound love (to which his dad disapproves). You’re pretty sure you overheard their argument at some point. “Papa, I LOVE them!” / “Not when you’re living under MY sea, mister! You’ll obey MY rules.” / “Well, I’m living on land now, and I’m a grown guppy that can make his own decisions!”
Rielle came close to kissing them once. They’d taken a little rowboat out to a lagoon listening to the sounds of nature and watching the fish and fireflies. With such a romantic setting, the two almost leaned in for a kiss—only for the boat to capsize last minute, soaking them! Rielle thankfully took it in stride and helped his crush up, letting them rely on him to get them safely back to shore and dried off.
Minajael…
… is initially cautious and guarded, but lets his walls down up over time. In spite of how nonchalant he usually is, love is something Mina takes seriously!!
He's used to people chasing him for his hand and employing all kinds of crazy tactics to try and trick him into reciprocating their advances. The first time he catches feelings, he's suspicious and doubts its authenticity. What if it's another trap or trick? He has to make certain this is "real" before he seriously pursues it.
Unlike Rielle, Mina has restraint and takes time to adjust and step into his newfound crush. He pays close attention to the object of his affections from a distance, judging their morals and character—are they a good match with his? The last thing he’d want to do is rush into things and end up wasting everyone’s time.
Mina tests his crush in subtle ways. For example, asking a difficult question and seeing if they answer honestly (even if the answer isn’t glamorous) or tell a convenient lie. How do they react to his prodding and teasing? What about a slight brush of the hand? He wants to see how they react.
When he finally, finally lets his heart decide for him, it may as well be a freefall. It’s so liberating to fully embrace those feelings, to act on them. He feels like he’s soaring, toppling, and freewheeling through the sky. Completely disregards his father's disapproval; has committed to reassuring his crush that they can run away together and start a humble, non-royal life.
Is a little more absentminded. Like he’ll catch himself lazily running his hand through water, or just staring after his crush, hand on his cheek, from the balcony.
Loves nothing more than putting on his commoner’s cosplay a casual outfit and just… hanging out, doing whatever it is that regular folks do—having those authentic moments with his crush. Window shopping, gaming at the arcade, eating at this WcDonald’s place, whatever. If they’re ever hesitant to go with him? “Don’t be,” he coaxes them with a wink, his hand extended. “Do you trust me? Then come on, show me a whole new world.”
He’s a teaser and flirter. It’s a thrill to be the one pursuing (rather than the one pursued) for once, and Mina’s particularly dangerous because he’s entirely aware of how strong his face card is + knows how to use his charm to its fullest.
He becomes increasingly bold as he familiarizes himself with his feelings and his crush’s comfort limits. His head laid on their shoulder, an arm wrapped around their waist, lowering his mouth to their ear to propose an escape to get up to some trouble.
Shows his crush pictures of his tiger back home, in that same way that a guy might show his dog to score brownie points. Who doesn’t love a guy that’s good with animals?
Although Mina comes off as cool and collected, he gets embarrassed talking about his crush with his friends. They tend to be giggly and nosy about it (“What’re they like? Tell me, tell me!” Rille pleads), and Mina finds that it’s difficult for him to formulate words. For a genius like him, being tongue-tied is a strange sensation—but he doesn’t dislike it. In fact, he loves the challenge it presents, how he has to find a way to overcome it and say what is really on his mind.
Doesn’t try to wow his crush with money. He goes for simple little things, genuine tokens of his affection. For example, an apple or a flower picked fresh from the tree! Mina thinks there’s more heart to these kinds of things than extravagant displays of wealth.
He’s not usually stern, but he absolutely can be if he senses that his crush is in danger. In these rare moments, Mina stands his ground, adopts a fierce look, and doles out commands a firm voice usually reserved for a future ruler issuing serious commands. “Release them—by order of the crown prince of the Scalding Sands.”
Of course, he’s gone on a nighttime magic carpet ride with his crush. Mina came to them on his magic carpet (no biggie for him) and invited them. Then off they went, zooming all over Sage’s Island, skimming the surfaces of water, hugging clouds, and being among the moon and the stars.
The magic carpet ride ends with him returning them home. He lingers, as do they, gazing at each other—until the magic carpet takes the initiative and makes them kiss! Mina apologizes for it after the fact, but also bravely admits that he doesn’t regret taking that leap of faith.
