That is still a long time to be with someone and have them around for you, only to have them stolen from you so suddenly. Vernal sparring seems to be his type of thing. Almost as if it were foreplay. Though I can see how it can be turned on someone in far less nice ways.
Most certainly being a BAMF. Pictures of Lucille's latest victims? His favorite home-made recipe for marinara sauce?
Eugene sees potential. He's smart to get certain people on his side. Rosita is shiesty and that she snuck around to get the bullet and still had the balls to shoot at him? There's raw talent there he can use. He's soft in all the right places.