#so many...

Bell feeling a rush of warmth whenever Adler touches them. Not that nervous tingling that people with crushes get, not a flash of hot or shivers down their spine. Just warmth. Safe, comforting, okay.

(Adler's hand on their back always predicted the end of pain by exactly three seconds.)

Bell finding comfort in Adler's scent. It feels like home. They can't explain why, it just does.

(Whenever Bell was finally allowed to sleep, it was on a cot with sheets that Adler had in his bed the night before.)

Bell following Adler around like a puppy around the safehouse. Especially if hungry or tired or with other unmet needs. No concious thought behind it, just trotting along. Adler usually noticed and told them to have a coffee or something. That only reinforced it.

(It was Adler that always was the one to bring food or lead them to the shower or shut the lights off. It was Adler that gave them painkillers. And even if that was only cause Park told him too? Well, Bell never was there to hear that conversation.)

Bell following Adler's orders always. That good after being the best reward possible.

(They had started with simple things - 'pick up that mug' 'do a push up'. And then a marker and reward. Operant conditioning works on everyone.)

Bell not being nearly afraid enough when Adler shoved that needle into their eye, not fighting against the restraints almost at all - only at the beginning. Rationally knowing that they should be freaking out, only managing to say you people are sick. No screaming, no panic.

(Countless hours were spent with Adler restraining Bell and letting them go almost immediately whenwver they stopped struggling, injecting them with only saline, letting them have a longer break right after, desensitizing, habituating, counter conditioning - nothing ever hurt, not like after Park's injections.)

It was no wonder, really, that Bell came crawling back, even after everything. To the only thing, the only person in the word, that flooded his brain with oxytocin on sight. That their brain had been permanently altered to be loyal to.

i opened! and i saw :3

lowk i opened my vgen and was basically

but its okay because i love drawing yalls ocs

just-

I think it'd be hilarious for Gale and Astarion (who are still dancing around even the idea of feelings) to meet their happier, older, obviously in a relationship and *disgustingly* domestic about it, selves

I'll say it, I think older astarion would absolutely bully his younger (and single? HAH) self. He'd constantly drape himself over his husband, touch older gales (very nice) soft belly. All the while giving younger Astarion the most "no bitches?" shit eating grin.

When older astarion starts flirting with younger gale (oh look how young you are! How sweet... You probably don't even know you like to be tied up! ) , that's when the daggers come out and it's 8 strength vampire vs 8 strength vampire.

I have a lot more thoughts for this but I just think older astarion would have a field day with tormenting his younger self ...

Until older gale takes pity and softly tells younger astarion that the orb no longer corrupts his blood and that he should feed on him (he knows his husband had gone hungry during their adventure, this is his way of rectifying that.)

And fine,, if older gales smirks at his increasingly furious , jealous, husband as he holds younger Astarion so tenderly and gently guides the vampire to his bare neck well....