I’m so over them solving all their problems with sex. It’s not cute that Minato feels ...

Aw hang in there!
Idk if I can offer a differing persepctive that will be satisfactory but I'll take a shot.
Minato is not as blase about things as a lot of men are (I mean a lot of BL isn't very realistic and male characters being intuitive and displaying a high EQ is tantamount to proof of how unrealistic it is) he's sensitive, a tsundere and reads too much into things, but doesn't always express himself as much as he should WHEN he should.
Shizuma on the other hand, takes things at face value. (Personally I think it's refreshing to see a character that's straightforward as can be) Also, it's hardly a sin not having the ability to read people like books, but you're right, he should ASK.
He asked this time, in fact he always asks, but Minato has only ever given him answers whenever he's felt up to it. It's a recurring pattern in their story. Shizuma is also a traumatized soul, he doesn't always have to be so patient, understanding and accepting, but he is. He accomodates Minato's selfishness. Minato himself realizes it, he's also admitted he loves that Shizuma is so darn kind yet at the same time he may complain about Shizuma being too nice with others, but being a little irrational in love is perfectly normal?

Again, this is BL, having make up sex is pretty much a given. They didn't solve anything with sex this time though... Minato spoke up, Shizuma listened, they were both apologetic, admitted they're both screw ups, Shizuma reassured Minato and insisted he tell him exactly what's on his mind.
That's a pretty decent conclusion to this arc imho.

Why cant I like this comment a hundred times??.. I've been frustrated how I can't explain how both of them are at fault amd that they actually resolved it properly this time.. Commenters just picked a side and been done with it.

Def appreciate this but I have to disagree about them talking things out this time ): to me, Minato exploded, Shizuma thought it was cute and then really only talked about HIS worries, and instead of really hashing things out, Minato just kept hitting him with a pillow and telling him to not act cute. Just like last time in the bath house when he was like, you fucked up so why do I love you more?! I think a main problem is that WE see Shizuma’s internal monologue so WE know that’s not how he really feels. But imagine completely from Minato’s perspective with a puppy boyfriend who is affectionate towards everyone and never fully talks about things? I personally think Minato’s personality type is super annoying and I couldn’t deal with it lol but in the context of this story I really sympathize with him! Which is just, kudos to our author!!!!

I don’t agree with Minato lol he needs therapy but in this context, I think Shizuma is acting like a giant fucking idiot

You’re very right though that Minato says that he’s fine but Shizuma clearly knows that he’s not, especially this time, he just doesn’t have the self awareness to get why

the world of yaoi likes to ignore healthy communication or emotional stability, because sex is the remedy right!! but to answer your question

i agree with shabushabu. these two fit perfectly, wanted to add though that both have issues because of their attachment styles. minato is highly insecure-avoidant and childish at times which makes him lash out at shizuma. but shizuma can’t fully understand minato’s concerns because he’s more emotionally intelligent and remedies things by talking rather than ignoring. their communication styles are heavily influenced by their family, so while minato immediately rushes to fight or flight- shizuma is VERY dense about toxic people and others’ insecurities because he’s had healthy relationships growing up. i can see being the older sibling raised him as a leading protector instead of an overthinker/worrier.

this isn’t bashing minato as a character, but he needs to heal and work more on his emotional regulation compared to his partner. shizuma has to meet him halfway too, but itll be hard to bridge the gap if minato shuts him out constantly/shizuma stays clueless

Omg no actually this comment helped me a lot!!! I feel like I just realized that Shizuma has oldest child syndrome while Minato has youngest child syndrome PLUS the differences in how they grew up! Still doesn’t change the fact that I think Minato needs therapy and Shizuma needs to stop being such an accommodating asshole, but I think I can see it a bit differently now! Also I really try to keep in mind that even though I’ve been reading this for years, their relationship canonically is still less than a year

no problem and it’s the exact dynamic they have!!! while i agree minato needs therapy, i can’t agree i think shizuma is an asshole

this is just my opinion, not trying to change your mind!! accommodating yes, but i think it’s a bit redundant to shame someone for having a “giving” nature. that’s a issue minato has to bring to his attention and shizuma would fix those faults in a heartbeat imo. i wish they could link brains so shizuma understood him better and minato realizes how fucking whipped and obsessed shizuma is for him LOL

I also don’t really think Shizuma is an asshole hahaha, oblivious, for sure. But he’s the greenest of flags

And I so agree!!!!! We know Shizu’s internal monologue and how whipped he is, I wish Minato could just really know and accept it!!!

so true, like he’s so slow because of having healthy relationships growing up it makes me sick!!! he does not know the hardships of heavily traumatized people that’s why i find it hard to get really angry at him because things are so simple and clear in his eyes

and this!! minato doesn’t know how loved he is, it’s awful. he’s probably drown in shizumas ever-consuming love HAHA

100% this^
Well said!!