i think they're just as freaky, even more unabashed about it than sal and frank, and maybe that's why i consider them a happier couple? they definitely share a lot of the issues that sal, frank and estrella had, roleplaying is a core aspect of their life - they are an unhealthy pair to an extent. maybe they just deal with it better than their parents... the central theme of the story is repeating cycles, and i would like the future selves of these characters to showcase that, in a bittersweet way. val ended up like her father but probably loves her job more than he ever did