I think it is more like, he feels like he is special for charcoal in those moments.
That guy has absolutely been loved enough. Maybe it is because charcoal wasn't on board from the get go and he had to work for the attention. Or maybe he is just jealous of Junwoo or how the other guy's name was.
I get thatbut I'm still struggling to make the jump from "I love your body" to "I love you." There isn't a clear distinction, especially since both guys are so stubborn to really admit anything, so there isn't much relationship progress. We're only JUST NOW getting development.
MC says he likes how ML treats him like someone special...but he's favored by his familythe restaurant is NAMED after himhe has a friend, and a bunch of lovers. I never really got anything in the story where I should understand this. It's not like he was lonely or overlooked; he was spoiled AF. It'd make more sense if he said he liked that ML DIDN'T treat him like he was special, and that's what made him feel like a person, or something.