
But why? If he really loves him and wants to protect him by doing a loop every time to save him, why ‘reward’ him by raping him?

(Not to try and cover for him in anyway, just a possible explanation) I think seeing that the MC almost died while he was gone scared him really badly, and then that fear turned to anger and he started to choke him, reminding him that he’d rather the MC die by his hands (feral).
Idk how many times the guy has been through the loop, but I’m certain that it was only a matter of time till it degraded his sanity, especially in a zombie setting where you’re constantly killing monsters/humans. So the guy has no doubt become literally unhinged and when you’re that stir-crazy, your “love” has likely also become twisted. It more so resembles obsession (also bc the MC is no doubt the key to getting out of the loop, puts the MC on this weird godlike pedestal) lol healthy right?
Also pretty sure he just plain and simple wanted to fuck him *shrug*
:|