Let me count the ways

 I have a habit of falling in love with fictional characters. And of using the phrase "falling in love" to excess, even though I acknowledge it sounds all kinds of weird. Don't like weird, don't read my blog.

But when I use that expression, I mean I've found a character who reminds me of me, and who I want to take care of and protect from the world forever. The latest of these (although he hasn't supplanted Simon the chipmunk, who seems destined to be my number one crush forever) is Gus from The Owl House.

Here he is declaring his dream to become an ambassador to the Human Realm and re-establish contact with the giraffes (which of course were banished from the Demon Realm and exiled to Earth long ago, for just being too freaky).

In an attempt to pin down exactly what the magic formula is for this kind of obsession (and fit it into the right number of characters on social media), I compiled a list:

Why I love Gus:

He's a sidekick, and he embraces that role in life

He's little, but he gets to play with the big kids because he's clever

He always cheers people up with a friendly word of support whenever they need it

He loves his dad

He needs more hugs! People don't hug him enough when he's upset!

Also:

He's really really cute!

He's actually a super powerful witch!

He gets really geeky about the things he's interested in!

He's totally me. Exactly the kind of character I identify with.

... Which I think about sums it up. Yes, I do see myself as a perpetual sidekick to other, cooler people. I'm well aware that some, even most, of the people I associate with don't see me like that at all, but I assure you it's true. And Gus is the always-cheerful sidekick to the main characters and their myriad adventures and problems in this series!

But the one episode that really makes me want to hug Gus is "Thanks To Them", the first double-length special of the third and final season. Luz the Human and a small group of Demon Realm friends have become trapped on Earth, leaving behind everyone else to an unknown fate. Luz is hiding the fact she sort of caused the whole thing, introducing evil Emperor Belos to the all-powerful Collector. Hunter is concealing his discovery that he's an artificially-created Grimwalker clone. The others, like Gus, are just dealing with losing all their family and friends...

Luz's mother is impressively accepting of the existence of the magical Demon Realm, the universe-threatening danger and also her daughter's bisexuality, but she's clearly a bit old-fashioned when it comes to sleeping arrangements. So Luz and Amity (involved in a romantic relationship) get to share a bedroom with Willow and Vee (the latter of whom is a shape-changing basilisk in the form of a teenage girl), while the two boys, Gus and Hunter, are sent to bunk down in the basement. And this gives them a heart-to-heart conversation at bedtime...

Hunter is showing off the shirt he's sewn pictures of wolves (mystical beasts from the Human Realm!) to. He cut his finger on the sewing machine, but he's very happy with the result. Gus admires his handiwork.

That looks great! You know, you've been smiling a lot more since we've been here.

Hunter hides the shirt behind his back, and waves his hand in denial.

It-It's not like I don't want to return! I just, uh, need a way to pass the time. That's all.

He folds up the shirt neatly and puts it down by his mattress, getting into bed. Gus settles down into his bed on the couch.

No! It's good to see you happy! One of us might as well be. 

Awkward pause. Hunter looks at Gus, whose usual cheerful mood has dissipated. Hunter is completely unequipped to deal with other people's feelings, and can only wait for Gus to continue.

What was it like to be in the Emperor's Coven for so long?

Hunter thinks about it, lying in bed.

I... trained a lot. I studied a lot. I wasn't really allowed to be around the other scouts. But weekends were nice! I got to leave the castle for missions!

Do you miss it?

I miss... knowing who I'm supposed to be.

Gus rolls onto his back and looks up at the ceiling. Hunter does the same.

I miss my dad.

Gus tugs the blanket up closer around himself. Another awkward pause. Hunter's got a reply this time.

We'll find a way back. We have to.

Gus leaps back out of bed, beaming again and grabs a book!

Oh my Titan! That's a line from this book I found! Cosmic Frontier! It's a story that takes place in... the stars!

And so the two of them get excited about bad science fiction and cheer up again! I really love this scene. It tugs on my heartstrings so much, and it's a shining example of what's so brilliant about The Owl House!

(Although to be fair, I feel the same towards Simon when a girl's going to find out he wrote a love poem about her. I think the secret ingredient to win my heart is just nerds needing hugs.)