Also I don't get how ppl think ash is a bad guy? Like???????????? He's pretty good at regulating his emotions and does most of the talking wth
I think you miss the point of this trait in his character.
Ash gives me healed, and Karlyle gives me healing. I think its romantic that he continues to subdue his desires in order for Karlyle to feel completely comfortable with him because he was someone who always seen physical touch as a obligation. Karlyle finally gets the chance to be intimate and he choose to be intimate with Ash. Ash is willing because he loves him so much and he understands how sensitive his partner is. However, Ash is slowly unfolding in these side stores and I'm eating it up becuase i personally get it.
omg you put into words what I've been trying to explain to so many people here especially after reading the novel. You ca see how well thought their relationship is by the author especially if these readers who are taking ash the wrong way would actually open their minds and simply think on how both of them are instead of one sidedly forcing the idea of Ash being weird or lyle being naive. You're very right!
I do get it, that's why I don't understand why some readers paint him as a bad guy/red flag and also said that he is not doing 100% what he likes and wants, because he not only respects his partner but loves him dearly. It makes me sad nonetheless... Maybe cause I do relate to that subduing and once I tried to show part of my true colours I was called "too much" and broken up.
Not being able to be yourself 100% is what saddens me, cause if when you try to be you're not welcomed that means you'll have to settle for not be that 100% forever in order to be with that specific partner or break up and find someone who reciprocates.
don't worry, lyle fully accepts ash as he is and Ash fully desires to be with lyle the way he can be, he isn't holding back but simply is "able" to do more than he's doing right now in that sense yk, also yes, some readers just lack perception and clear thinking of the whole story to paint Ash as a red flag. He's one of the greenest flags out there lol
its all a very simple concept of "healthy green flag relationship + nasty steamy consensual sex". Lyle is an adult and very clearly likes ash the way he is in bed, ash very very clearly understands lyle and his boundaries but still tries to understand him more due to lyle being closed off, add good sex to it, Idt it gets any better than that
I don't know why but it makes me a bit sad that Ash seems to always subdue what he really wants, specially in bed. I get that he enjoys what they already have and do and is waiting for Lyle to be less shy but... His real self is how he was in his rut, somehow it feels like he can't truly be himself with his partner and that is sad ngl