Ian could never truly be with Joe. He carries too much of his past with TJ, memories that still have weight, still define him. It’s not as simple as “moving on,” because what he had with TJ wasn’t one sided. It was real. They loved each other, and that kind of bond doesn’t just disappear. People like to believe a new love can replace the past, but that’s not how it works. The past holds power because it gave meaning to who you are. Unless something breaks that bond completely, it stays with you. Joe is kind, gentle. He is someone who could offer Ian peace, even healing. But healing isn’t just about comfort. Ian’s wounds are tied to experiences Joe never shared, moments Joe can’t fully understand or witness. And that matters. Because of that, Ian would keep drifting back into those unresolved parts of himself. That’s why Ian could only truly heal next to TJ, not Joe. Not because Joe wasn’t enough, but because some wounds can only be held by the person who saw them happen. So it’s not about who is better. It’s about who Ian can truly exist beside and that is TJ
Ian could never truly be with Joe. He carries too much of his past with TJ, memories that still have weight, still define him. It’s not as simple as “moving on,” because what he had with TJ wasn’t one sided. It was real. They loved each other, and that kind of bond doesn’t just disappear.
People like to believe a new love can replace the past, but that’s not how it works. The past holds power because it gave meaning to who you are. Unless something breaks that bond completely, it stays with you.
Joe is kind, gentle. He is someone who could offer Ian peace, even healing. But healing isn’t just about comfort. Ian’s wounds are tied to experiences Joe never shared, moments Joe can’t fully understand or witness. And that matters. Because of that, Ian would keep drifting back into those unresolved parts of himself.
That’s why Ian could only truly heal next to TJ, not Joe. Not because Joe wasn’t enough, but because some wounds can only be held by the person who saw them happen.
So it’s not about who is better. It’s about who Ian can truly exist beside and that is TJ