#this turned into rainsworth trio rant

[schleckermaul]

𝙥𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨! ಸヮಸ + ╰(*´︶`*)╯ — by @panwati

do they appreciate hugs? would they prefer to give hugs or receive hugs? what kind of hugs do they like to receive and/or give?

generally speaking, break hates phyical affection, hugs inclusive. there's exceptions, of course, sharon being the most notable. while he doesn't give or receive hugs often, there's less of a barrier between the two of them, touch more casual and expected. with break being her personal servant, they spend a lot of time together and kind of revolve around each other, physically?

(not to swing too far, but break also learns to rely on sharon more throughout the manga, so he starts seeking out touch more just for the sake of it, by himself. like here. and in more dangerous situations, they also start sticking to each other more! like here and here. it's a more genuine form of affection that break is still learning.)

he also hugs reim sometimes, but that's only because he knows it'll piss reim off in certain situations. (like here.) that being said, the barrier i mentioned also isn't as present between the two of them, only that they don't take advantage of it as much as break does with sharon. they're just ... next to each other a lot. which seems like a very quintessential way of describing their relationship, at each other's side. when they're genuinely affectionate, it's kind of begrudgingly.

and if we're talking about isola, he definitely has an easier time with his ladies. ismael is allowed to hug him, and he's learning to return that love without tension. nicolette is also a big one, where he's started seeking out touch just ... to know she's here. considering he was fully blind since entering isola, hugs are also a way to reassure himself and the other person of each other's presence without the influence of mad hatter helping him out. he's hugged oz upon their reunion, and he sticks to zhilan like a gummy.

still, most of the time, hugs aren't exactly wanted, and break prefers being the initiating party just so he's prepared and actually open to any affection. and when he hugs, he fits himself against the other person, arms wrapped around a waist, or an arm, or shoulders. it makes it easier to retreat, should he want to. (a stark contrast to the last hug we see from him in canon, which was all clinging desperation.)