Consider; Bell getting positively conditioned to Adler's presence during the brainwashig.
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 after 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.
And well, Adler would never admit it, but it wasn't like he hated having all that power.
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