i wanted to add my comment as well. i may repeat with what the others already said cuz i couldn’t agree more with all these comments, but here is my piece of thought:
at this point, my biggest issue isn't even the conflict itself, it's the fact that the emotional labor keeps falling on jae. in so many bl stories, the top is the one who has to fix everything, chase after the other person and prove himself over and over again, but that doesn't automatically work when the one causing most of the problems is the bottom (even if he has traumas from the past!). right now, jae is the one communicating, listening, trying to understand and constantly making space for garam's feelings, while garam still seems stuck in the same cycle of self-pity and avoidance. i don't need some huge dramatic gesture from him, but i do need actual accountability and effort. that's why this doesn't feel satisfying to me. it feels like we're supposed to be happy just because garam finally showed up, but that's literally the bare minimum. meanwhile, jae has been carrying this relationship for chapters. for once, i'd like to see garam do the chasing. i'd like to see him reflect on his actions, acknowledge how much hurt he's caused and actively work to earn jae's trust back instead of everything being resolved because jae is patient enough to wait. character development only works when both characters are allowed to grow. right now, it feels completely one-sided.
