#or what orochimaru can do to bring them closer again he'll just... shut down )

[vipraes-a]

Does Orochimaru start to get clingy if they and a lover are starting to show signs of separating? Or do they also let them go to save themselves the trouble?

This is difficult because Orochimaru is very clingy, very selfish and very possessive when it comes to romantic relationships ━━━━━━ he needs and wants attention and love and his lover to be possessive of him, to want him and be selfish about having him. So, in this case, I would say that if he isn't ready for the relationship to end, he is going to be extra clingy, and demanding and selfish. He gives himself fully to a relationship, so the idea that his partner would drift away from him is horrid for him to even consider. However, this switch is very easily turned ; and he can go from loving you fully to not feeling anything at all for you in a matter of days or seconds.

Orochimaru will always prioritize his 'survival', his instinct is to protect himself and so if the relationship is dying, and their partner is pulling away and not communicating what is wrong, what Orochimaru can do to 'save' the relationship ━━ basically showing that Orochimaru is the only one that cares at that point, Orochimaru will back off completely and it will be like you've never been together.