Exactly. I get that this is supposed to be a morally gray romance, but the Professor's "affection" towards Garam isn't romantic. Its desperate. He wants to see how much he can push and how much he can get. I hope we see chapters where he realises that what he wants from Garam isn't just some validation that someone would stay with him, but genuine love. Maybe some moments of jealousy over romantic interactions with other people? We see how worked up Garam gets. It'd be nice for us to see how bad the Professor wants Garam in particular- not the old Manager, not just someone who's willing yo stay with him through his man-child tantrums.
^^ THIS. Exactly this ^. Seconded.
I think we will see that side of Jae when he stops seeing himself as someone that can only hurt others and starts to open up to Garam because he already said he's not letting him go and I believed him. He's obsessed with his mission, with Garam's sound and the person himself. But for now, he's gonna be like that. Hurting him. Testing him. Sizing him and then feeling relief when Garam's response is one of calm and understanding but when Garam surprise him, he doesn't know how to react and most of the time he burst in anger or lust.
There's nothing worst than being tested without one knowledge or consent. Especially in the matters of the heart. Garam can't believe how much his relationship with the professor changed in the course of a year and will keep on changing. He's such a resilient person and wants to connect so much with him. Garam thinks he understands him but he hasn't seen what really is on that mind when the professor is conflicted about him.
It scares me to think that the professor is actually waiting for the right moment to really test Garam's endurance/feelings. Yes, he's rough during intimacy but Garam's is getting used to that sadly as a way to be with him. Waiting for the night to get closer, apologizing because he dare to touch him before it's dark, walking on eggshells from time to time in front of the knife itself... But still getting comfortable to say what's on his mind, stand by what he believes and be forward when it needed. That's something Garam really shines. Communication and affectionate king.
Also, that couch will need a cleaning lol