He is not portrayed as a saintly figure nor a buffoon. He is human. He is grumpy in the mornings, he has aches and pains, and he is set in his ways. This realism is crucial. It grounds the romance in reality. When he begins to feel attraction, it isn't idealized; it is awkward and fumbling, making the character incredibly endearing to the audience.
He is not portrayed as a saintly figure nor a buffoon. He is human. He is grumpy in the mornings, he has aches and pains, and he is set in his ways. This realism is crucial. It grounds the romance in reality. When he begins to feel attraction, it isn't idealized; it is awkward and fumbling, making the character incredibly endearing to the audience.