beta
Didn’t really like either couple, but the second one had better communication than the first even though it was Woojin making that happen really (kinda what needs to happen when someone goes after someone that is openly emotionally closed off and not wanting commitment).
First couple could have been great but the traumas weren’t really dealt with/explained well so it made those seem as quick little side things about them/made them not seem like big deals (even though they clearly were - shouldn’t have been so quick to resolve). Also, the facial expressions really needed some work (especially the seme during sex scenes - second couple did really well in this realm).
Second couple I would argue wasn’t toxic since Shin was up front about his take on everything from the beginning (even though he was forceful in the coercive way in the beginning - Woojin is an adult and still could’ve run away or shoved him off). If Woojin wants to be uber dedicated to Shin until he fully accepts his love (which seems to be the method that works), then that’s ok and I’m glad that Shin has been better since he isn’t pushing him away anymore from the 3 months later chapter.
Woojin IS a terrible friend tho since he just dropped his buddy and failed hardcore to communicate with him about his concerns for his emotional safety (which I only put importance on in friendships like theirs where it seemed like they were close enough to be on that level of acceptable friend caring - regardless of if his friend is in love with him as I suspected). And if they weren’t on that level of friendship where they could be worried about one another’s’ emotional safety, then Woojin should have communicated that so they were on the same page (saying ‘this doesn’t concern you’ isn’t communication - actually sit down with coffee or something and use words to say that you’re uncomfortable with that level of concern and think you need to set boundaries within your relationship - it’s a sucky convo but if you need it then just do it).