What would you do to portay a character as outwardly cold and distant but inwardly deeply loving based on just one drawing?

[JoshRaed]

I'm trying to figure that out myself, but I'm kind of lost about it. I tried looking it up but no version of this phrase turned up any useful results.I guess Kuudere works, but I'm not sure how to communicate the idea of Kuudere in one image.

Update: He’s holding the other persons hand and looking at him. Maybe that will communicate the concept. Maybe i’ll have him almost smiling but not really. I want to make his body language communicate this idea as well if possible.

[Katzalcoatl]

Draw a tough guy looking at a cat with anger filled in their eyes or something. And then draw their inner thoughts on the side showing how that person wants to hug/pet the cat. Basically just draw the inner thoughts.

[Hipiticus]

A character that has a scowl on their face but hearts floating around their head or maybe an angry looking character that's holding a kitten that seems happy in their hands

[allenT]

Put something soft, pretty or mellow (sparks, glows, flower pedals etc) as backdrop.

[river121693]

have them gazing down and looking pensive?

use background and shadows to add to the feels?

You could also just have their action demonstrate their feelings

[Legendofgenii]

I'd probably show this over a series of drawings (or episodes even).

I'd find it tricky to communicate in just one image. You'd need to be clever with the expressions and body language (of both characters).

Would depend on what's happening/happened in the scene, and what the characters are saying too.

[NickRowler]

Show them as angry and serious yet they are holding onto something innocent and sweet like a young child or a small animal.

From Lone Wolf and Cub

[JoshRaed]

The idea for the scene right now is that he's discreetly holding someones hand in a way so as to not be noticed for it, maybe under the pretense of walking him somewhere aggressively.