Theory blown.

[snarp]

Nepeta, Karkat, Tavros, and Mindfang all use the word "love" in a romantic sense, which is an interesting combination. None of the kids use it until after meeting the humans, though, so I guess one could call it a loanword, if so inclined. Karkat appears to have given up on his hate/pity model at some point in between the beginning of Hivebent and witnessing Eridan's murder spree; the first time he uses it he's shouting at Eridan, and the second he's explaining Troll Nalini Singh to Dave.

Jake is the word's heaviest user, followed by John and Jane. Jake and John use it mainly in dialog, and Jane in her internal monologue, as is fitting.