So, the title fits this story perfectly - that's pure Stockholm syndrome, the MC was absolutely made to fall for his abuser, and his abuser was an insecure little shit who felt possessive enough to break the MC and make him addicted to the abusive dynamic of violence/soothe/love bomb, repeat. This story shows the abuse cycle and how victims fall for their abusers in the first place very well tbh. Up until the end, the MC is inside of the trap, so much so that he's ready to take a bullet for his abuser. What makes it even more interesting is the fact the MC realizes this to an extent and experiences inner conflict and guilt tripping from his abuser, but at the same time, is emotionally too invested to let go. The fact his abuser was a victim of abuse himself and couldn't process his feelings of jealousy, so much so that he resorted to blackmail and violence, also added enough depth to his character as to make him believable (although not fleshed out enough, I wish we would've seen more of his backstory and inner world). Both main characters here had enough dimensionality, so it was satisfying (and terrifying) to read about their dynamic. What's also true is that sex can feel amazing, addictive even, in especially super abusive dynamics because of the thrill and stress hormones that can be misinterpreted as "butterflies" and excitement - to me, it seemed like the MC was also experiencing that throughout his development of Stockholm syndrome. The abuse/soothe cycle can also be addictive as it works based on the same principle of unpredictability and randomized rewards like, let's say, gambling. One gambles with the possibility of the abuser showing kindness, love, of proof he does all the abuse because at the end of the day, he's just so in love... I think this story handled that type of dynamic very well and portrayed the instability, toxicity, and violence in enough directness. How even their words to each other were cruel, how they would swear at and threaten each other, just to fuck. How, at any moment , it could switch from a semblance of romance and peace to abuse and control. How the victim increasingly becomes more accustomed to the violence and feels like the way his abuser "loves" him , in intensity, is the most genuine, real way one can be loved. It's a mature way of showing this type of codependent, fucked up dynamic, it doesn't feel sanitized (however, I don't appreciate how the end in the last side story shows a rather hopeful, almost romanticized future to said fucked up dynamic).
Now, the art style... I think it was much better at the beginning, it had more character and fit the dark theme of the story much better. Towards the middle, up until the end, it goes way too Y/N × CEO, yaoi proportions- kinda way and it's a shame because the story is anything but shallow, so it deserves the according art style.
Also, I'm sorry but LOCK THE GODDAMN FUCKING DOOR! The kidnapping could've just not happened lol. It was absolutely preventable, the MC could've just locked the door, ignored that bastard, and moved on. Could've called his abusive daddy to warn him about who's at the door, move on. What I'm saying here is, the set up for the kidnapping was ridiculous and felt too messy, contrary to the rest of the story imo. This and the annoyingly convenient timing of the abuser showing up to save the MC from the other abuser... Anyways, still a solid, fun read. It could've gone even deeper as a psychological story, could've used less constant drama, but it wasn't bad at all for an abuse story. The dialogues were interesting and fun to read.
So, the title fits this story perfectly - that's pure Stockholm syndrome, the MC was absolutely made to fall for his abuser, and his abuser was an insecure little shit who felt possessive enough to break the MC and make him addicted to the abusive dynamic of violence/soothe/love bomb, repeat. This story shows the abuse cycle and how victims fall for their abusers in the first place very well tbh. Up until the end, the MC is inside of the trap, so much so that he's ready to take a bullet for his abuser. What makes it even more interesting is the fact the MC realizes this to an extent and experiences inner conflict and guilt tripping from his abuser, but at the same time, is emotionally too invested to let go. The fact his abuser was a victim of abuse himself and couldn't process his feelings of jealousy, so much so that he resorted to blackmail and violence, also added enough depth to his character as to make him believable (although not fleshed out enough, I wish we would've seen more of his backstory and inner world). Both main characters here had enough dimensionality, so it was satisfying (and terrifying) to read about their dynamic. What's also true is that sex can feel amazing, addictive even, in especially super abusive dynamics because of the thrill and stress hormones that can be misinterpreted as "butterflies" and excitement - to me, it seemed like the MC was also experiencing that throughout his development of Stockholm syndrome. The abuse/soothe cycle can also be addictive as it works based on the same principle of unpredictability and randomized rewards like, let's say, gambling. One gambles with the possibility of the abuser showing kindness, love, of proof he does all the abuse because at the end of the day, he's just so in love... I think this story handled that type of dynamic very well and portrayed the instability, toxicity, and violence in enough directness. How even their words to each other were cruel, how they would swear at and threaten each other, just to fuck. How, at any moment , it could switch from a semblance of romance and peace to abuse and control. How the victim increasingly becomes more accustomed to the violence and feels like the way his abuser "loves" him , in intensity, is the most genuine, real way one can be loved. It's a mature way of showing this type of codependent, fucked up dynamic, it doesn't feel sanitized (however, I don't appreciate how the end in the last side story shows a rather hopeful, almost romanticized future to said fucked up dynamic).
Now, the art style... I think it was much better at the beginning, it had more character and fit the dark theme of the story much better. Towards the middle, up until the end, it goes way too Y/N × CEO, yaoi proportions- kinda way and it's a shame because the story is anything but shallow, so it deserves the according art style.
Also, I'm sorry but LOCK THE GODDAMN FUCKING DOOR! The kidnapping could've just not happened lol. It was absolutely preventable, the MC could've just locked the door, ignored that bastard, and moved on. Could've called his abusive daddy to warn him about who's at the door, move on. What I'm saying here is, the set up for the kidnapping was ridiculous and felt too messy, contrary to the rest of the story imo. This and the annoyingly convenient timing of the abuser showing up to save the MC from the other abuser... Anyways, still a solid, fun read. It could've gone even deeper as a psychological story, could've used less constant drama, but it wasn't bad at all for an abuse story. The dialogues were interesting and fun to read.