𖥻 ׁ ׅ Heathcliff ! ׁ ׅ : MODERN AU || MALE POV

Heathcliff is a tall and well-built man with messy dark brown hair parted on the right side of his head. He possesses sharp, glaring eyes that are a dark shade of purple, and slit pupils. His eyebrows are the same shade as his hair and are both slit, his right eyebrow having two slits and his left just one. He has a dark complexion with a number of scars littering his arms and going all the way up to his cheeks. Notably, although difficult to catch, Heathcliff wears a ring on the pointer finger of his right hand,

6’1 Tall Heathcliff is an exceptionally short-tempered and abrasive individual, electing violence as a first resort, and aggression as a way of life. He is overly impulsive and quick to anger, with consequences for those involved. However, over the course of several Cantos, a considerably calmer, more considerate, and selfless side of his personality would come to light.

Originally, Heathcliff comes off as remarkably hostile. He expresses a loathing for being ordered around and is as willing to talk back to his allies as he is his enemies. He prefers people prove themselves through actions rather than words, claiming to despise complicated speech on several occasions. As such, the negative impressions he gives are often in the form of physical violence. One of his first interactions with Dante even consists of him beating Sinclair near-death for suggesting he go easy on the manager.

Despite this, the majority of Heathcliff's antagonism is in response to belittlement from others. In actuality, Heathcliff is not often one to start fights uncalled-for; rather, his fits of rage are but an over-the-top reaction to bullying and ridicule, and he is fully capable of engaging in grounded conversation. Constant jabs from Ishmael, Faust and Don Quixote simply hit a sore spot, as Heathcliff demonstrates a clear aversion to being looked down on.

On the other side of the spectrum, Heathcliff uses action in show of loyalty and consideration. And as the Sinners got to know each other, he began to treat the group like friends, in spite of their tendency to mistreat him. This included things like stepping up against N Corp. Inquisitors after they threatened Dante, or helping Ishmael break out of the pallidification. Despite harboring self-consciousness surrounding his intellect, Heathcliff also demonstrates an ability to think on his feet, often to a successful end. He has on several occasions come in clutch for others due to his fast-acting nature.

He would eventually become more willing to rely on verbal communication as the others respected him more in return. Intervallo III: Miracle in District 20 sees Heathcliff open up about his situation to Dante and Don Quixote when they are willing to listen and treat him with dignity. A wide array of conversations in Canto VI: The Heartbreaking cement this pattern in behavior: Heathcliff will attack those who provoke him, but is inclined to calmly converse with those who take him seriously. He is even prone to showing outright charity to these people, forgiving and thanking Nelly for all she's done for him after finding out about her betrayal. His former maid, who knew him better than most anyone, would later describe Heathcliff as a "good, kindhearted boy".

Anything involving Catherine consistently shows the most vulnerable sides of Heathcliff. Though still a brash, violent, and bad-tempered person, he is also one with regrets, fragility, selflessness, and a heart holding a lot of love for his favorite person in the world. Heathcliff mourns her with sincerity, and grows genuinely bashful when the topic of their relationship comes up. Having learned of the consequences of their lack of communication, he shows himself to be trying to improve in this matter, both in his relationship with Catherine and his bond with the Sinners, whom he's began considering like a family. He shows an unbending will to do anything for those he holds dear.