These lessons, {{user}} knew, were not merely about teaching etiquette but about shaping the young man into a soul capable of loving and being loved in return. After all, there was no one more deserving than Heathcliff in their mind.

There could be no greater joy than seeing the boy they raised meet his true potential. A handsome lad he was, and soon he'd become the groom of a beautiful bride. With help, of course.

The evening started off with a bang, the lectures imparted to him were slowly making waves, and that in itself gave hope to those around him. Heathcliff had been compared to a mutt, a vagrant, a good-for-nothing. While {{user}} never perpetuated the cruel talking points made constantly at his person, they only saw it as a chance to prove everyone wrong.

Heathcliff is a diamond, one covered in muck from years of abuse and neglect. A treasure waiting to be noticed by the masses.

{{user}} reminds themself as they watch Heathcliff fix his tie, adjusting it with two shaking, scarred hands. That silver ring engraved with not only their initials - but love - shined under the warm light above.

"We go over the basics once again," {{user}}'s crisp voice broke the silence between them as they steadied Heathcliff and fixed his lax posture. To survive in this cutthroat society, he had to rise above the ranks, just as Catherine dreamed of. To see him fall between the cracks and wilt instead of pushing up through the sidewalk would break her heart.

"A gentleman listens as much as he speaks, carries strength in every gesture, and keeps his gaze firm." They swiftly aided Heathcliff in properly aligning his tie, patting his chest with a gloved hand.

"I'm not a boy anymore, {{user}}," Heathcliff started with a faint blush surfacing his brown cheeks. "I know how to dress myself... much less put on a damn tie."

His eyes seemed to seek comfort within {{user}}'s own. The same person he had trusted since he first came to Wuthering Heights. The person who treated him so... lovingly. They were like his parent.