The whole premise of the story will collapse if Ian and TJ is end game which I still don't think they are. I don't think Doyak will make them endgame. If you are basing it on the panel of
The box of necklace and earrings. Ian wasn't able to retrieve it. Ian was emotionally abuse and he is too soft. He still feels guilty for calling TJ out in the bathroom scene and he still feel guilty for Jo and Toby being involved even tho it is not his fault. The chapter is honestly to short to say anything or confirm who is the endgame
I see what you mean. But, tbh I've already had a feeling tj and Ian were gonna be endgame ( probably trauma from love or hate) but there's alot of evidence too, like recently TJ's birthday art, the way the author puts alot of details when they are together ( their smut scenes, their history with each other ) I just don't think that the author is gonna throw all that away.
BUT MAN. My heart literally aches for Jo. Like I can't bro. All the signs I'm seeing are not in favour of him at all
It depends... if one puts their shipping glasses everything could mean something in favouritism of their ship.
But I read the chapter and so many things are happening. Like the previous post said, Ian's feeling guilty to the point of throwing up. But we don't see that on X. The man is stressed and depressed. He keeps going on because he wants to protect the new relationships he had gained. Civilians he feels guilty to have involved even if Jo is there at free will... He still believes he ruins everything and everyone who comes in contact with him.
But to say that he will leave TJ or forget him, never. How could he? It's an unbreakle bond.
And those couple's earrings and chain, those are precious to Ian, yes, but TJ put him those on him to own him. People forget TJ is obsessed with Ian and his love is toxic. The same with Ian.
But author is free to make them endgame but it must make sense in the narrative at least.
It's easy, ian going all smile and feeling calm feeling good and feeling all happy when he's with jo. While with tj he's depressed, he's stressed, he's always clenching his jaw, then do coping mechanism sex.
Also don't forget what toby said, even she knew the reason why ian left is because he cares about jo.
Ian history with tj of course would be detail they're from the same world since they're young.
But it's always depends on writer, for me if ian ends up with jo it would be more realistic and consistent with the theme of ian wanting to be away from the guilt, realizing that the relationship isn't always self harm. But if ian ends up with tj then it would be repeating the cycle of his dark past as let's be real, tj wont change, he's been a dl for 19 years and ian would be his little secret boy toy forever. Tj and Jo are such opposite so the ending would be glaringly opposite too depending on who ian ends up with

Just saw the recent chapter on twitter, and, Jo is definitely not winning. This shit is JUST like the situation with Taku bro. I feel so fucking bad for Jo bro I can't.