[Den]

NGL, there's aesthetics and such that make me go "Ooo, they're pretty". be it male, female, nonbinary, or any combination of the above. but that's just aesthetics, and what I find visually pleasing to me. like, Angelina Jolie? she's got very distinctive and somewhat strong facial features. She's pretty, but when she is in her Maleficent look? Hot Damn. Really draws my attention that way. for guys.. Brendan Fraiser comes to mind, but less of a "Hot Damn" reaction and more of a "I want to give him a hug and hang out with him as a friend" reaction. >.> that's kinda my reaction to most guys who I know are "safe" to be around.

On occasion, that overlaps with a "Hot Damn" reaction, but it takes a very specific set of facial features. Very expressive eyes and eyebrows, kind of a roughed-up look to the guy's face, like he's been through some shit, a distinctive nose, pretty full lips, a full beard... doesn't necessarily have to have a strong jaw, and actually, the less 'strong' the jaw, the better, imo. an example, even though he's not a real, flesh-and-blood person? Caleb Widowgast from Critical Role, or Fjord from the same show. both of them have very expressive faces, though Fjord's got a stronger jawline than Caleb. Mollymauk Tealeaf would also be a good example.

A good example of "I want to hug him and hang out with him"? Caduceus Clay from Critical Role. though a lot of that reaction to him is due to his personality, enough of it is related to his appearance that I feel it fits.

It's a similar reaction I get with Jester Lavorre, also from Critical Role, because she just comes across as someone who would be nice to hug. Beauregard Lionett (despite the name, Beau is female) and Yasha both fall more into the "Hot Damn" categories, because they both have strong, distinctive features. Yasha also falls into the "hug" category. it's harder for me to find IRL examples of the "hug" category for ladies, tbph.