Before cuddle, this initially gets heavy (4)
I believe the answer is:
thug
'heavy' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'before cuddle this initially' is the wordplay.
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'cuddle' becomes 'hug' (I've seen this in another clue).
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'this' is 't'.
'hug' put after 't' is 'THUG'.
'gets' is the link.
(Other definitions for thug that I've seen before include "A vicious or brutal ruffian" , "Gorilla" , "Bully" , "Gangster" , "Brutal criminal" .)