#he’ll take condescending pets on the head over being beaten. And eventually he learns to look forward to it. Leans into the touch.

[wickjump]

What about Cross sleeping at the foot of the bed and not getting in under the covers so the others all sleep sideways on top of the bed so they can spoon him so he's not alone

YOUUUUU GET IT, ANON. and he feels guilty about it, they shouldn’t have to sleep like an animal just because he’s supposed to. but he keeps quiet, he always keeps quiet, because dogs don’t talk, and he’s not smart enough to question others anyway.

he also thinks knows this kindness wont last, and these gentle touches will be replaced with a hand raised to strike him any day now. he’s afraid of when that will happen, but it’s not his place to voice that fear. he lets others do what they want, because all he’s good for is his loyalty. and by god is he loyal.

the others just want him to know that they’re not going to hurt them, and all they want is for him to sleep under the covers again, with them or not. all they want is for cross to be cross again. it’s a task that proves much harder than it seems.

anon you don’t understand how obsessed i am, needlessly so, about animalistic conditioning. dear god i love asks like this more than i have any right to.