Personally, I think for Ian, t's either he moves on and start a new life as a new person somewhere out there or he needs to choose between Tj and Joseph—considering they're the two leads in his life. If I get to choose, I genuinely think Joseph would be better for him. What he and Tj has is toxic codependency—basically they're entire trope is "you're all I have" and "I'm the only one who understands you"—which by the way, has been pretty much shown and proven!
Though I don't doubt what they feel and have for each other, a toxic codependent relationship becomes emotionally or mentally damaging to both parties, yet they feel unable to separate (which is pretty much shown if you've read Ian and TJ's internal and external monologues); and taking into account how Tj is reluctant—or at least—pretty much unwilling of letting Ian go. And to add, I like to think he views Joseph as "competition" or along those lines. To mention, Tj was very confident at first, since he knows Ian would come back to him each and everytime. I forgot what chapter it was, but, Tj was thinking how Joseph was very different from them—basically saying sometime soon he'll leave Ian too and just like everytime—Tj will be the only one to stay. Well, this was crushed, seeing how Joseph is quite persistent and considering Ian's making moves to seperate.
And I'm not sure I'm the only who first thought of codependency when I first saw Ian and TJ's dynamic. They have a long history with each other, and they've been supporting each other since before. The love they have becomes entangled with dependency, guilt, fear, and identity, making it hard to distinguish affection from need. They feel like they’re incomplete without the other; individual identities start to dissolve. When one hurts, the other suffers disproportionately—but instead of healthy empathy, it turns into mutual suffocation.
Of course, whatever happens to the story and characters is ultimately up to the author. Therefore, I could be horribly wrong with my statements and opinions. And considering I haven't caught up, as I'm only 32 chapters in, things could very much change. Which, if it does, I'll point and laugh at myself like the clown that I am for being wrong.
If Ian ends up choosing Tj, I hope they heal each other and be the happiest this time
Personally, I think for Ian, t's either he moves on and start a new life as a new person somewhere out there or he needs to choose between Tj and Joseph—considering they're the two leads in his life. If I get to choose, I genuinely think Joseph would be better for him. What he and Tj has is toxic codependency—basically they're entire trope is "you're all I have" and "I'm the only one who understands you"—which by the way, has been pretty much shown and proven!
Though I don't doubt what they feel and have for each other, a toxic codependent relationship becomes emotionally or mentally damaging to both parties, yet they feel unable to separate (which is pretty much shown if you've read Ian and TJ's internal and external monologues); and taking into account how Tj is reluctant—or at least—pretty much unwilling of letting Ian go. And to add, I like to think he views Joseph as "competition" or along those lines. To mention, Tj was very confident at first, since he knows Ian would come back to him each and everytime. I forgot what chapter it was, but, Tj was thinking how Joseph was very different from them—basically saying sometime soon he'll leave Ian too and just like everytime—Tj will be the only one to stay. Well, this was crushed, seeing how Joseph is quite persistent and considering Ian's making moves to seperate.
And I'm not sure I'm the only who first thought of codependency when I first saw Ian and TJ's dynamic. They have a long history with each other, and they've been supporting each other since before. The love they have becomes entangled with dependency, guilt, fear, and identity, making it hard to distinguish affection from need. They feel like they’re incomplete without the other; individual identities start to dissolve. When one hurts, the other suffers disproportionately—but instead of healthy empathy, it turns into mutual suffocation.
Of course, whatever happens to the story and characters is ultimately up to the author. Therefore, I could be horribly wrong with my statements and opinions. And considering I haven't caught up, as I'm only 32 chapters in, things could very much change. Which, if it does, I'll point and laugh at myself like the clown that I am for being wrong.
If Ian ends up choosing Tj, I hope they heal each other and be the happiest this time
Also this shit is peak. Read it.