DUDE I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH HIRO AND JUDE WOULD GET ALONG JUST YESTERDAY AND NOE I CAN FINALLY WRITE IT OUT!!
For Hiro and Jude:
(Honestly, I don't think they will ever initiate a convo with eacb other so i think that they would just be friends through mutual friends like Tammy and Qiu) When they were kids, they’d probably spend a lot of time together in comfortable silence. Hiro doesn’t really show his emotions, and Jude’s too shy to talk much, so they’d just like.. exist near each other, and that would be enough. Jude might peek at Hiro sometimes, wanting to talk but not knowing how, and Hiro would just quietly accept his company, no pressure. They’d probably bond over just hanging out with Qiu and Tammy, letting them do most of the talking while they just listened
In step 2.. things could get a little complicated. Jude is trying to be more social, even if it’s forced, while Hiro is shutting himself away behind his mask. There might be a bit of distance between them, not out of conflict, but because they’re both dealing with their struggles in opposite ways, one trying to blend in more, while the other is trying to disappear. But I think Jude, being naturally kind, would still check in on Hiro, and Hiro, even if he doesn’t say much, would appreciate it deeply
By step 3, their friendship would settle into something really solid and comforting. Jude has accepted his quieter nature, and Hiro has had years to adjust to life behind the mask. They wouldn’t need to fill the silence with meaningless chatter; just being in each other’s presence would be enough. Jude’s expressions would be enough for Hiro to understand his mood, and Hiro doing his good 'ol gestures—like staying close or subtly adjusting his body language—would be how he shows he cares. They’d be the type of friends who could sit in comfortable silence for hours, understanding each other without needing to say much
(IM ONLY DOING JUDE AND HIRO FOR NOW BC I LITERALLY JUSG WOKE UP, I SWEAR I WILL WRITE FOR HIRO WITH FIO AND SYLVAN WITH JUDE AND FIO WHEN I FEEL MORE AWAKE!!)