#Isabella did NE such a solid by giving Ray such an easy name to make puns/do wordplay with

[fullscoreshenanigans]

We know Norman would be super flirty with Ray, but what would flirting be like for the rest of the trio?

Love the collective agreement about Norman unashamedly loving to push Ray's buttons on this lkdfjlk

(The Language of Cooking by banana_slug_army)

Really that whole aspect of the Norray dynamic of showing their prideful and competitive sides to only each other for so long, and in Norman's case being openly cold and disdainful. As they get older, the number of people who see this side of them grows, but there is an additional layer to it between them and Emma.

I also enjoy how a lot of people agree that Norman initially cannot handle what he dishes out at all when it comes to Emma. Instantly crumbles when her attention is turned on him, a flustered mess. The same can be said of Ray, though he's more likely to bluster to try and cover it up. Emma would be lying if she said she didn't delight in all this because she finds it adorably endearing.

But another thing all them appreciate and value in each other is their competency, so once the boys become more comfortable and confident in expressing themselves in these matters, there's a mutual rising to meet the challenge, with each of them finding new ways to surprise and have fun with their partners. (E.g., Ray initially not being receptive to their game of pretending to be strangers when they split up and regroup at events/doing errands and using cheesy pick-up lines on each other, but eventually coming around to it).

Little assortment of things that tie into this post and this post of my general headcanons for them:

The first time Emma calls Norman "Boss" he nearly combusts.

NE have a lot of fun escalating the nicknames/terms of endearment for Ray in a war of attrition to have him concede to the ones they actually want to use for him like Sunray (Norman will never tire of saying he loves being greeted by his Sunshine and Sunray first thing in the morning)

Emma is the one who starts saying she needs to "Ray-charge" when cuddling/hugging Ray. In typical fashion, Norman follows suit, and Ray pretends he doesn't enjoy it for some time before surprising them one day when he catches them in a hug and playfully tells them to give him a minute, he's Ray-charging. They knew they'd eventually win him over, as they always do.

Emma loves invoking girlfriend privileges to wear the boys' sweaters and hoodies in winter around their home or when running errands because it's like they're hugging her and keeping her warm as she's out and about. The boys also do this with each other but with less preamble even if it's for same the reasons.

When they share a booth in a restaurant and the two on the edges lock eyes to hatch the time-honored scheme of tag-teaming the one in the middle with surprise kisses. Also comes into play when they're out on a walk in the park and end up sitting on a bench together.

Emma's at the perfect height for surprise kisses at the back of the boys' necks, and she takes full advantage of it.

They love playing with each other's hair, in silly ways like poking at Emma's antenna or stray strand at the back of her neck, poking at Norman's cowlick that's curled so perfectly it must adhere to the golden ratio, or batting at Ray's puffball ponytail like cats (if he's grown his hair out), but also the boys gently running their fingers down Emma's braid or Emma or Norman brushing Ray's fringe from his face when they're talking.

I’m always going to advocate for Norman and Ray going antiquing or to junk shops for items they can fix up and potentially gift to each other, especially if they end up finding a duplicate of the music box Isabella gave Emma on her sixth birthday.

If we're sticking with canon, Norman and Ray sending each other flirty messages during particularly long, dull meetings or playing footsies under the table.

Sometimes Ray likes adding random sticky notes to Emma's and Norman's lunches.

He's also the one to kick off the trend of sneaking candids of his partners, printing them out on one of those little cell phone mini polaroid printers, writing a little love note on them, and adding those to their lunches or hiding them in places they'll find them later, like a coat pocket or purse. (Inspired by this bit of Candid by banana_slug_army)

[fullscoreshenanigans]

Do you have any REN cuddling head cannons?

Oh man I am such a big advocate for little spoon Norman ldkjfas

(From this ship chart post about my general headcanons for them)

Their default cuddling/sleeping arrangement is Norman in the middle because he freezes easily, so they keep him warm between them in the colder months, and Ray doesn't have to push Emma the furnace away in the hotter ones because he has Norman as a buffer.

However, they alternate frequently so everyone gets a spot in the middle, especially if one of them needs some extra TLC that day.

Emma 100% koala hugs the boys while they're doing stuff around the house and they'll just carry on with their business, like there isn't this little blob with a mop of orange hair attached to their backs.

They get back at her by using her as a headrest when they're watching stuff together. Their height difference isn't too extreme, so this isn't exactly the easiest thing to do, but they swear it's more comfortable and that they can see better this way.

Emma is also 100% the one who starts saying she needs to "Ray-charge" when cuddling/hugging Ray. In typical fashion, Norman follows suit, and Ray pretends he doesn't enjoy it for some time before surprising them one day when he catches them in a hug and playfully tells them to give him a minute, he's Ray-charging. They knew they'd eventually win him over, as they always do.

Ah yes. Me. My boyfriend. And our girlfriend with her 500$ giraffe. (via @vinokurinner; Also in fanfic form courtesy of banana_slug_army)