I know that almost every single one of my Reanimator headcannons include Herbert West being a terrible person, BUT if there was an AU where Dan shrunk to the size of half a cheese stick… I KNOW that Herbert would take such good care of him.
The initial shock would be there when Herbert walks in to find Dan super tiny (with his arms raised and waving to get his attention), but Herbert wouldn’t freak out. He’d notice him right away because he’s analytical like that.
Evil!Herbert would pin him up like a bug and inspect him but Real!Herbert would stare from a distance to inspect him like he’s a creature they just reanimated. He wouldn’t even pick Dan up unless he wants to move him somewhere Dan refuses to go, and even then it would be very gentle.
Herbert is not happy that Dan isn’t able to pick up bodies or inject the reagent into them, but Herbert also can’t be too upset about it because tiny Dan is so darn cute.
I can see Herbert making a tiny home with a comfy bed for Dan, his perfectionist side coming out as he works on the little details. I can see him making little clothes for Dan because Dan was NOT happy to be naked when he had shrunk down.
I can see Herbert working to figure out what Dan can eat, and how small the meals should be. I can see him cutting different types of food into very small portions so that they can fit in Dan’s little stomach.
I can even see Dan giving Herbert water through a syringe.
I can see Herbert frantically stuffing Dan into his pocket when someone comes by which hurts Dan (physically) like a bitch.
I can see Herbert carefully picking up Dan when he falls asleep on his tiny couch because he doesn’t have enough energy to manage his own small size. I can see Herbert tucking him into the little bed he made him, maybe even with tweezers to adjust his arms and legs.