Imo it doesn't work if Hayden expect Brett to become a whole new person for him while he stays the same, he also need to compromise on his values and expectations (though it's probably not what the author is going for).
Yeah I really enjoy the nuance of the characters! I think people find it hard to reconcile characters that have conflicting characteristics.
Brett is both a relatively upfront and sincere person - but is also very calculating. He's been raised to believe he must manipulate others to get what he wants, even if what he wants is just a legitimate relationship. But he knows who he is and he's aware of his desires. He doesn't try change or alter himself.
This is juxtaposed to Hayden, who presents as outwardly kind and earnest but tends to base his actions on how he thinks he should act or want. Ironically when pushed, this persona slips and he becomes forceful and domineering. But this brings him an internal shame.
I guess their relationships help challenge these ideas, where Brett lets Hayden take up space as who he truly is. While Hayden allows Brett to push around someone who wont fall down immediately.
Idk why people act like Brett treated Hayden like trash and deserves “payback”. Sure, he’s not perfect, but from what we actually see, he does put effort into their relationship. He’s usually the one initiating and planning their dates, stays exclusive, shows genuine interest in Hayden, and even risks his life to avenge him (even if that wasn’t wanted). He’s also honest from the start about what he wants in a relationship.
He’s more logical and inhibited than most, but some people are just like that. It doesn’t make him heartless, and it’s not something that needs to be erased. Yes, he needs to learn about vulnerability and emotional intimacy, and we did see glimpses of that, but since he has no experience with it (not even from his parents), it’s not going to come naturally or quickly.
When he [SPOIL]
broke up, I feel like he partially gave up because Hayden wasn’t going to accept his true self. Like when he gave that “weird” gift to his bro as his own way of showing affection, only for it to be misunderstood and rejected.