The whole “it’s brotherly love” “it’s platonic” argument that’s used to dismiss JJpope as a ship is flawed. And can easily be debunked by comparing JJ and Pope’s dynamic with the other Pogues outside of each other. For instance, JJ literally goes out of his way to be in close contact with Pope no matter what. Whether that be him sitting next to him, standing next to him, being faced to face, affectionate, etc. Now I know the argument can be made that JJ’s love language is physical touch and that of course he’d want to be close to people he considered his family; I mean he’s also close with John B. However, in any instance involving physical touch between JJ and Pope, JJ always leans more into Pope’s touch. And even lingers a bit.
For instance, when John B and Pope are BOTH praising JJ for planting the false key. We see John B AND Pope in close contact. However, the difference is that JJ and Pope are practically joined by the shoulder and are at some point JJ is holding Pope’s hand but he isn’t holding John B’s hand.
When he does the handshake with Pope during the bonfire scene in season 2, we see that they prolong the handshake. To the point where they’re just holding hands. And as they’re doing the handshake the two of them make direct eye contact with each other the entire time. Not once breaking eye contact. Whereas when JJ does the handshake with another person from the group, ie: Kiara the handshake is normal. Very quick, kinda swift and the entire time the both of them are more focused on the actual handshake then making eye contact with each other.
Throughout season 1 and a little bit of season 2 we see moments where Pope is either distressed or anxious. And in those scenes we usually see that JJ is the main one who calms him down or makes him less anxious through physical touch. In Season 1 Episode 4, when Pope hugs JJ and tells him that he’s going to turn himself in; almost as soon as JJ places his hands on Pope, he becomes less tense. And again, when Pope is worried about his future after walking out on his interview, JJ puts both of his hands on Pope’s shoulder. He relaxes a bit, although he’s still obviously worried, he’s able to calm down. It can also be noted that JJ talks to Pope in a soft tone and that when Kiara speaks to him, he raises his tone just a little bit. Which I think shows how different the dynamic is between JJ and Kiara in comparison to him and Pope. In season 2, this is somewhat reversed because we see Pope trying to approach/get JJ’s attention by speaking in a softer tone to him out of everyone else in the group.
Unlike the rest of the pogues, we see JJ constantly making intense eye contact with Pope, staring at his lips. In addition, making sexual innuendos and asking Kiara how Pope is in bed. I know a lot of people don’t count the last scene as a JJPope scene since it was improvised. But the scene where JJ makes a sexual innuendo, along with the other scene at the cemetery where Pope’s pants get ripped off and JJ’s like “Nice dude, it's like a small tootsie roll” most definitely count. Once again, comparing JJ’s relationship with John B (which is more of a bromance) to his relationship Pope. These are not the type of interactions you’d have with your brother and if so, that isn’t normal.
Side note: Aside from that one girl that JJ made out with in season 1 episode 1, Pope is the only other person that JJ’s canonically kissed throughout the show so far. Pope’s also the only person that JJ has said “I Love You” to as well (ignore the last sentence, I’m probably wrong).
Can’t believe I forgot this scene^
Notice how in this scene, as Pope presses his face into JJ’s neck that JJ leans towards Pope’s touch. Allowing them to get even closer. Someone on OBX twitter also pointed out that Pope has both his arms around JJ in this scene. There’s nothing platonic or ‘brotherly’ about this scene.
