TEDDY's Links
Teddy is almost infatuated by Tony. Being the more visibly affectionate one, Teddy gratefully takes Tony's odd physical expression of love, and returns it with a softened, corrected version of it. Strangely, despite the impression that Tony was the one who first confessed, it's Teddy who continually chases after him, to Tony's oblivion. Regardless of Tony's awkward quirks, Teddy finds him endearing, and grew to adore his unique love language.
Tony's unfamiliarity with intimacy and relationships often gives off a cold shoulder—but it's never on purpose. Tony's absent mother during his upbringing results Tony finding expressing love strange, and finds it easier by directly touching the other instead of through verbal/emotional reassurance, either via intimate contact or strange tactile behaviours, such as poking Teddy or stiffly patting his head. Truthfully, Tony's quite touch-starved—he'll often prolong a hug or hold Teddy's hand in inappropriate times, before pulling himself away in guilt. Tony finds it easier to talk to Teddy, though the difference is rather marginal. Though Tony's side of the relationship seems more push than pull, he loves his "Ted" dearly; he just can't express it well.