I say just give it time. The feigned indifference is a good starting point. Not all bunny bonds are full out fights or love at first sight, you can get this sort of middle ground indifference as well, but from what I've read, and certainly from my bunnies when they first bonded, we noticed that the bond grew and changed over many months. Ours bonded pretty easily - in fact instantly really but they weren't especially close, often choosing to spend much of the middle part of the day apart whilst free range - interestingly they still do now, but they are also inseparable at the same time if that makes sense? But we really noticed their relationship develop over time and have watched them grow closer. Two years on they are a very different couple to the couple we introduced to each other. They have taken on a bit of each other's personalities - like a human couple - bad habits and all! :lol:
We had Nino first for a year and like you and Eric and Judy, and Thumper, he and I were very close and communicated a lot with each other. This did change to some extent when we introduced Poppy, and I would say now he is more of a bunny bunny than a people bunny, which is only natural and I can't begrudge him that, but he shares himself between us
They have grown so close to the point that if she has not come upstairs he will go back and get her, same thing for going in the garden or bedtime, I can say 'Where's Poppy? Go and find Poppy' and he does and brings her with him
, it's very sweet, and yet when together they will often do their own thing.
If it's any consolation - Nino is a 'stress alone' stasis bunny and used to have many episodes - esp related to separation anxiety when we went away for a night/wknd. Since Poppy arrived he rarely has these separation stasis episodes now if at all, she's there when we are not. Yes he did have an episode following the stress of bonding I must admit this, and it was a risk we were aware of, but the risk has paid off and Poppy has in her own way saved his life by reducing this anxiety he experiences
So I would say hang in there and give it time, all relationships need time to grow and you might find that she helps him in the long run, even though I appreciate in the short term there are risks, we found they paid off. I hope that helps a bit