Sometimes, and this really is sometimes, there are characters that I just can’t help but like, possibly even love, though the term is a little extreme when talking about some of these characters. I will state, before you see one or two of the names listed, that it’s more the potential of these characters and the not who they are but who they could become with the right influences. Others are fine the way they are.

Books:

Thomas Cresswell – Stalking Jack the Ripper

Thomas is a simple boy with that puppy love energy to him, though he is more of a black cat than a puppy. There’s that air of mystery to him in Stalking Jack the Ripper that had me intrigued and once his personality and thoughts were made clear he had that loyal, devoted feel to him. He is, however, a pretty bland character, so this was more of a crush that quickly faded as the books progressed. He would make a decent boyfriend but there’s something to be desired about his character (we progress from devoted to ‘i know nothing but my love for this woman’ and idk how I feel about him losing who he is outside of a relationship).

Ivan Lukov – From Lukov With Love

Ivan, unlike Thomas, has his own life outside of a relationship. He’s hard-working, dedicated to his passions, he’s attentive and supportive, and he isn’t going to let self-directed negativity linger in a relationship. He doesn’t make everything suddenly about his partner now that there is a relationship, but he is on board with meeting family and forming strong friendships/relationships with them. He’s also adopts and rescues animals. He’s got at least five beloved pets. And that includes a pig. How was I meant to not love this man?

Remus Lupin – Harry Potter Universe but strong focus on Marauder’s Era

This one dabbles in fanfiction (and thank you Tumblr for housing some of the best Marauder’s fanfiction I’ve read) but even from the books and the movies, it’s not hard to believe that this man is easy to like. Younger Remus, specifically Hogwarts era Remus when he’s trying to cope with his transformations but his dumb friends are doing illegal stuff to help him too, just radiates pure and sweet energy. Andrew Garfield’s being fancasted as young Remus makes that image so clear (all the Marauders’ fancasts are so good and it really is difficult to imagine them in their younger years with Aaron Taylor Johnson as young James and Ben Barnes as young young Sirius). Seeing how patient and kind and supportive he is as a teacher and the loyalty he has to his friends – his found family (which includes Harry given Sirius’s godfather title) – and the causes that he’s still backing. I mean really, how can you not love this man? He’s so sweet.

Jem Carstairs – The Infernal Devices Trilogy

You knew it would likely be one or the other. Jem has a place in my heart for many reasons. One, he’s Jem. He’s soft, loyal, selfless Jem. He doesn’t think he’s owed anything in life and he takes every bit of love and service shown to him and returns it tenfold. He is so devoted to his role of parabati to Will and he has such a profound love for him that reading the trilogy honestly hurt, especially Clockwork Princess. He has a love of music, of culture, Jem is an angel and he is deserving of everything and anything he wants in all worlds. I love him and he will always be a favourite.

Will Herondale – The Infernal Devices Trilogy

I am Tessa. I cannot and will not choose between these two. Will has his own demons that had me wishing his pain could be magically taken away and felt by someone else just so that he could finally rest for once. He’s witty, he’s headstrong and will fight for family, he’s got a literary side and he’s prone to some bouts of poetry and song when the opportune moment arises (Demon Pox is a banger). He’s also fiercely devoted to his parabati, Jem, and will do anything for him, even if Jem doesn’t want him too. They are two different being but so intimately familiar with each other that you cannot help but love them both for their love of each other. There is such a strong bond between them and to tear them apart feels wrong, hence why I cannot pick.

Yin Nezha – The Poppy War Trilogy

Possibly a little strange of a pick for some, but I’m a big fan of redemption arcs/the privileged and prejudiced learning about other people’s realities and slowly not being assholes. Yin Nezha has his own battles with who he is, who his father is and where he’s meant to stand in the battle that’s tearing the nation apart. He starts off as a bully, but once he’s schooled in that fight he’s quick to change his perspective. He’s smart and strategic and doesn’t always make decisions that will aid his friends but he tries to stick with them, tries to get them to join his side for their safety, until the end. His character arch is quite tragic when you think about it. Outside of this fantasy world, I could see him being a decent guy once the privilege wears away. Put him in a university AU or some kind of current day AU and you’ll see the potential.

Screen Adaptations

I cannot make this dicussison post without including some people from the screen, whether they be from TV shows or movies. Some of these guys are from book adaptations and there are distinctions to be made in a particular case, while others are simply showcased best in their screen adaptation in my opinion.

Aragorn – Lord of the Rings Film Trilogy

He’s the definition of healthy masculinity; his ability to not only lead various people from a number of backgrounds and races, but to do so without any displays of power and superiority over them is incredible. His ability to listen and understand, to include everyone, and to vouch for the weakest and sickest shows how cut-out for kingship he is. He sings at his coronation without care for ridicule and he is diplomatic, hard-working, and devoted to the cause. Viggo Mortensen did a fantastic job of portraying Aragorn on screen and I cannot see Aragorn as anyone but him.

Draco Malfoy (I know) – Harry Potter Movies

This one is specifically the movies. Draco Malfoy as a book character is absolute purist, white supremacist filth. Draco Malfoy as a movie character, with Tom Felton’s portrayal in the latter movies leaning towards a character reluctant to commit such atrocities as is being ordered of him, and the redemption arc that is brought up as a result of that portrayal is what I want to talk about here. As many people who grew up watching Harry Potter, I had a crush on Tom Felton’s Draco Malfoy, but only on surface level. My pre-teen brain was not taking into consideration the blatant bullying and supremacist beliefs associated with his circles. What also wins him some points is that the film adaptation shows Draco as a kid whose parent’s moulded into being a certain way and with that actually going against them, Narcissa’s maternal instincts start to pierce through. I think that where this redemption arc is really pushing forward here because it’s not just Draco’s depiction that’s changing, but Narcissa’s too, and together they show this broken facade of the Malfoy family and the instinctual need for survival coming up as trying to distance themselves from this monster they’ve been supporting. I am happy to note this was a passing fancy and I can very clearly see Draco Malfoy is a toxic, nasty character with no spine.

Geralt of Rivia (thank you Henry Cavill) – The Witcher TV series

I’ve read The Last Wish and I love how the source material was directly taken as episode content. A goal of mine in 2024 is to read the whole series (I don’t plan to watch any more of The Witcher – I watched season one and never got around to season two, but I would much rather just read the books at this point anyway). Geralt is another Tumblr celebrity whose fanfiction and fan edits, pushed heavily by Henry Cavill’s depiction of Geralt, is very popular. It’s difficult to miss why, given the almost perfect visual that’s given of a tall, muscly man with platinum blond hair, yellow eyes, and sword fighting skills beyond belief, not to mention his tsundere ways. I am pretty sure his image as Geralt was also fancasted as one of Sarah J Maas’s Throne of Glass characters (I haven’t read the series, but it’s a character that appears roughly in the middle of the series and he’s a pretty important character from what I’ve heard but no spoilers incase you’re currently reading the series and aren’t up to that book yet). I will be content reading all the gore and visceral horror of the series knowing Henry Cavill’s Geralt is leading the charge.

Tadashi Hamada – Big Hero 6 Movie

He doesn’t even have that much screen time but it was enough to know that Tadashi Hamada is the pinnacle of university crushes. Smart, fit, family-orientated, extremely supportive of his friends, hardworking, good looking, and, last but not least, a great career path ahead of him. Who wouldn’t want a guy with looks, brains, and money? I will never forgive the writers for what they did, not only in the movie but for how they made me think that there would be such a guy in university that would just walk by and make my life a whole lot easier.

If there are any fictional crushes or loves that you need to gush about, feel free to comment and share them with me – I’d love to know how other people are coping, especially if said character got the Tadashi treatment.