Hewwo! ☺️ I had a thought on the whole hollow instinct thing while reading through some of your writings (I've worked with a lot of rescue dogs, and they are surprisingly similar in a lot of ways!!)... how about the arrancars finally trusting their s/o enough that they (likely reluctantly at first) accept tummy rubs from them...?? UwU
Awwww, that's adorable! OwO And since you said "Arrancar" instead of "Espada", I'm using some non-Espada characters for this one~
. . .
Tesla
If that's what you want, he'll roll over and allow it— hands stiffly at his sides while tensed up like he's expecting a blow. Tesla's constant obedience doesn't mean he's blind to danger, and this... this feels like a situation that's bound to end in pain. A steadying hand on his belly will slowly, slowly coax him to relax, though not so much out of genuine comfort as out of instinctive submission to being handled and pinned without a fight. The vulnerability of it all is dizzying, as is the instinct-carved sense of being put in his place that Tesla has learned to crave. You're not strong enough to do it the normal way, but that part still feels right.
Luppi
Even if he agreed to this, Luppi is fidgety and tense, squirming uncomfortably long before you've touched him, and making every snappy, bratty verbal jab that comes to mind in the hopes it'll make him look even a little bit less pathetic. He jolts away on reflex when you first make contact, and has to force himself to stay still and take it— muscles tight and twitching under your palm when it finally rests on bare skin. Feeling so exposed makes him want to curl up and hide, beg you to let go, anything so he doesn't have to lie there and let you watch him fall apart. His panic is only dampened by the fact that your touch feels so good.
Di-Roy
He'll bluster and try to act tough, insisting that nothing a weak little human like you could do would be a threat to him... right up until he's on his back, soft underbelly exposed, and fighting not to break down into panicked pleading on the spot because it still feels wrong. Di-Roy is far too used to being on the receiving end of jaws and blades and pain, but if anything, that just makes your gentle, steady touch all the more unbearable. You have him pinned, but you're not hurting him. You're seeing how weak he is, and only cooing praise in response. He gives in quickly— too overwhelmed to manage anything more than melting into your touch.
Loly
At the same time that Loly despises the idea of being put on her back like that, any affection from you is terribly tempting. She agrees reluctantly, flushed up to her ears all the while, and sputtering complaints that come out more painfully embarrassed than angry. Feeling your hand on her belly makes her squeak, while her body reflexively tries to curl in on itself and hide. You're warm, and that quickly becomes the only thing she can focus on— thoughts going fuzzy and blank as the instinct to lie still, go limp, submit takes over. She's helpless, and yet, all you're doing is that same slow, gentle petting that Loly can't make herself hate.
Nelliel
She's half eager, half wary— torn between the all-too-necessary instinct to keep one's weak points guarded, and the blissful new curiosity for how humans so easily express their love. You'd never do anything to hurt her. Nelliel trusts you in that, so with your palm tracing warm, slow circles across her belly, she melts without a fight, humming contentedly and squirming like an over-eager puppy under the touch. Despite the reflexive, eat-or-be-eaten fear still lingering in the back of her mind, this doesn't feel like submission. She's not trapped, not helpless— just willingly swallowed up by affection and comfort under your hands.
Ggio
He's determined to endure this, to prove that he's brave and loyal and trusts you enough to comply with anything you ask of him. It's partially that obedience and partially sheer pride that makes Ggio lie back and let this happen— but he still flinches when your hand first makes contact with unguarded skin. Even though he rationally knows you couldn't hurt him, being "pinned" with his Hierro down and his belly exposed is a lot to handle. He squirms under the petting at first, teeth dug into his lower lip to hold back any pathetic sounds that threaten to escape, yet slowly, slowly coaxed into going limp and unresisting under your touch.
