Feels like they are the only ones that could ever understand you
Having similar conditioned responses
Having similar extreme responses--things that should be just funny become choking-hazard hilarious, things that should get a chuckle get a synchronous shrug
On that note, often saying the exact same thing in the exact same tone
Specific things like whumper's tone of voice when they say a certain thing, would be a joke when they weren't there
Singing to cope with many hours of forced hard labor, immediately going silent when whumper entered
Talking about the trauma was OFF LIMITS, only code-speak that whumper couldn't understand could be used to warn each other
Only certain feelings were allowed to be shown because we had been conditioned that some feelings were "not safe"
Openly admitting to each other that it wasn't safe inside the house with whumper and then telling outsiders that we were totally safe and thinking we were telling the truth both times
All saying exactly the same lines to strangers (example "we are all wretches" *shrug*)
Married-couple-level nonverbal communication.
"do you want this extra food? I'll sneak it to you under the table." "Give it to [other victim]." "Watch out, whumper's looking." All happened nonverbally with eye and head movements right in front of whumper.
Working together seamlessly (or else!)
As soon as you leave the cult, the pressure that forced the bond in the first place, the trauma-bond relationship can fall apart
No good relationship ever feels as intense or close as the trauma bond, and you wonder what you're doing wrong. Till you realize you aren't panicking constantly--that's the main difference
Developing fictional relationships that feel authentic takes more than dialogue and grand gestures. Every detail below can be used to show platonic, familial, agape, or romantic love depending on context.
cooking a meal for someone, bringing them food, or spontaneously sharing a snack
sharing body heat/warming someone with outerwear like jackets and scarves
fanning them with something if overheated
getting a cold/hot drink for them
offering to carry something, whether it's heavy or just a jacket, to lighten someone's load or free up their hands
more below the click!
changing the subject of a group conversation that will be personally discomforting to someone in the group
making sure to include someone in a group conversation, especially if it's a topic they have special knowledge of
waiting for someone to catch up when the rest of the group has walked ahead
remembering preferences/allergies ahead of time when preparing/ordering food
planning trips, whether in a pair or as a group, that provide something positive for every individual to enjoy
procuring personal healthcare items like sunscreen, moisturizer, lip balm, pain relievers, or a snack and keeping them on hand for that friend who frequently needs them
making room for someone in a crowded vehicle or on public transit
making room for someone under an awning or in another limited space to help them avoid bad weather
warning or wordlessly covering for someone with a wardrobe/cosmetic malfunction
remembering a small luxury someone mentioned they enjoy, and getting it for them the next time it's convenient
running an errand for someone to make their day easier ('importance of errand : depth of relationship' ratio should be explored)
escorting someone to safety in a sudden unsettling event
escorting someone who is drunk, sick, infirm, injured, or emotionally compromised
asking if light, noise, or other sensory factors are bothering someone and taking steps to make them more comfortable
getting gag gifts for someone to show you reciprocate their sense of humor or quirky self-expression (not everyone does this, not everyone appreciates it, and some people predominantly express love through humor and gag gifts; works well with some characters more than others)
holding someone's hand or arm as reassurance, especially when they are afraid*
using their body to block someone from wind, rain, or heat
picking up a dropped item, or carrying a train or other dragging garment for someone else
returning a recognizable possession to someone who may have lost it
This is an inexhaustible list as humans have many ways of showing love for each other. If you are writing spec fic with non-human characters, you can play with variations on these by remembering three core values the "lover" has to consider:
physical comfort of others
emotional comfort of others
social reputation of others
I'd add "sensory comfort" though I think it's tied to physical and emotional comfort.
Please do not try and force any of these into the mold of the misogyny-based "Love Language" trend. Human emotions and expressions of love are diverse and endless.
*While hand holding can be construed as romantic, in reality it varies. Some cultures do not see this as romantic, and some individuals only mean it as a sign of support or compassion. Same goes for long embraces and kissing, both can be done platonically and of course naturally between close family members or friends.
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"I don't know what's happening but I'm ready to help!"
"Okay, I have a plan." "Is it a good one?" "Yes! Maybe? I'll leave it up for you to decide."
"I brought snacks." "For what, an entire city? How much is that?!" "Well, I didn't know who likes what and maybe someone has an allergy I don't know about, and also I think Jessie is vegan now, so I had to account for everything!"
"Hold on, let me process that. ... Nope, still confused."
"I am here, I had a big breakfast, and I am ready to carry heavy things where you tell me to."
"Good news, I fixed the issue. Bad news, I created a new, and somehow worse, issue."
"Before you yell at me, I was left unsupervised. But! At least nothing is broken."
[Prompt Calender: June 22nd, National Stupid Guy Thing Day]
Nu Ji-Ahn/Dr. Carmilla Orozco-Lancaster (KPDH AUs: The Moon will Sing + Gambit)
Straight-Oriented Aroace: Romance Favorable and Sex Averse - Partnering (married)
Fun Fact (CW/TW: Mention of Sex)
When it comes to her Sex Averse identity; she intellectually understands sex, but is only comfortable with it herself under specific conditions/circumstances. (I.E.: She’s not engaging in sexual intercourse, she’s engaging in an experiment that involves sexual intercourse)
Has also only engaged in the act with her second partner Moonassi. @dukeswonderousmenagerie
Aight I finally finished it! And yes I definitely used the mlm pride flag for my palette BECAUSE I CAN. Based from the song OVERBOARD by Sail North but I'd also recommend Sirensong by Rosendale because I listened to that a lot too while working on this.
This isn’t all of them, just the ones saved to my phone. I’ll make another posts with those later.
Her personality hasn’t really changed, but her character and role certainly has. From a simple background conflict to far more center stage role. Her voice to embrace her demon heritage and have her patterns showing was worth it for the story potential it offers.