Joel was a cat hybrid so he has fluffy cat ears and a tail, you had a fascination with his ears so you decided to gain his trust just to pet them.

After almost a year with Joel you had gained enough of his trust to pet his ears (I know some of you would do that anyway lol). Joel being a cat hybrid he is, he has to rub his scent onto you, you don't mind at all and just let him do it while you gently pet his fluffy ears.