I really hate how Taeui suddenly fell for Ilay with almost no development at all. It feels rushed and unconvincing. Xinlu would’ve been a much better partner for him. Taeui just seems trapped in a kind of Stockholm syndrome, and it honestly makes me feel sorry for him.
i don’t think Taeui’s feelings are rushed, and i agree they come from toxicity and abuse, but he liked Xinlu just because he thought he was cute and went from that to being “head over heels” for him in like 3 days their relationship is the one that lacks a lot of depth for me and also Xinlu would’ve r*ped him even before Ilay if Taeui didn’t knock him out that one time
No xinlu and ilay are both messed up people, ilay is better choice since xinlu was ready to kill tay and take his coprse with him instead of keeping tay alive is worst ilay never want tay to be dead be with him since xinlu don't have guts to fight against his father's order for not hurting "ilay" he let sniper aim gun at tay that's what made ilay mad too and tay realised how messed up xinlu is , tay always choose survival over dying even though tay stay with ilay he is surrounded by people but xinlu is obsessed and always compite with ilay for tay cuz not getting tay is like "his ego hurt" more than anything, xinlu would keep tay captive just like his father did to his mother. And tay would become mentally ill staying by xinlu side , yuri is very cute and mature guy that's why he understands xinlu and stayed with him matter the how he treated him.
i don’t think Taeui’s feelings are rushed, and i agree they come from toxicity and abuse, but he liked Xinlu just because he thought he was cute and went from that to being “head over heels” for him in ... bubbido
What I meant by “rushed” is that Ilay never really had proper character development before Taeui’s feelings were validated or justified. That’s on me.. I should’ve phrased that better. If Ilay had been written with more development first, Taeui’s feelings would’ve made a lot more sense narratively.
As for Taeui’s feelings toward Xinlu, I don’t think those were unrealistic. Some people really do develop crushes just because they find someone attractive at first, and feelings can grow from something shallow into something stronger. So that part doesn’t bother me as much.
What does bother me is Ilay being treated like a romantic option at all. He’s clearly a black-flag character. he raped Taeui and emotionally abused him, and yet Taeui still ends up falling in love with him. it’s disturbing. And honestly, I’m also angry at Taeui himself. He was able to go against Xinlu (yes, I know the size difference plays a role), but he still ended up trapped in this cycle. It just feels like his feelings deserved better writing and better justification than what we got.
And honestly, a lot of the conflict between Taeui and Xinlu feels like a huge misunderstanding. They never properly communicated about their boundaries or their roles in bed or anything like that. if they had just talked it out, things might not have escalated the way they did.
So yeah, my issue isn’t that Taeui’s feelings exist, it’s who they’re directed at and how the story tries to justify them without giving Ilay enough development or accountability first.
No xinlu and ilay are both messed up people, ilay is better choice since xinlu was ready to kill tay and take his coprse with him instead of keeping tay alive is worst ilay never want tay to be dead be with hi... RARE INSIGHTS
I agree that both Xinlu and Ilay are deeply messed up characters. Xinlu being more vocal about his intentions doesn’t make what he said acceptable, especially the threats toward Tay. None of that is justified. However, from my perspective, within the story itself, Xinlu still hasn’t done anything as extreme to Tay as what Ilay actually did.
I think where we differ is that I’m judging them by impact. So when I say Xinlu might’ve been “better,” I don’t mean good — just less destructive in comparison, and mind you, Ilay crossed lines that are far more severe and irreversible — at least from how I interpreted the story. Ilay didn’t just manipulate or threaten Tay; he violated him and caused emotional damage. So even if Xinlu is obsessive and dangerous in his own way, Ilay’s actions felt much worse to me.
At the end of the day, Tay choosing survival makes sense, but survival doesn’t always equal healing. Staying with Ilay keeps him alive, yes, but emotionally trapped.
I agree that both Xinlu and Ilay are deeply messed up characters. Xinlu being more vocal about his intentions doesn’t make what he said acceptable, especially the threats toward Tay. None of that is justified... Toph
I know but he would have been more trapped if he stay with xinlu , ilay don't stop tay to talk with others even though in further chapters , tay stay in ilay house cuz outside world of dangerous for these twins tay is also like underrated protection but surrounded by people tay feel comfortable with ilay isn't that good with emotions but he later on try to understand and tay is type of guy who let of things (for me ilay isn't that bad if we compare to other bls black flag like zehniya and Cesar) for me ilay is little better vut yah not that good tay as the end himself love ilay and xinlu he doesn't like cuz in the beginning xinlu choose to get close to tay cuz of his luck his family told him that's why and tay doesn't like people who get close to him for thay ilay is plenty lucky himself and he told tay "i m more info knowing someone with talent (his brother) than tay with luck" tay doesn't hate that people like his brother he was certain from the beginning ilay wasn't close with me for the intention of knowing the luck he has. Xinlu on the other hand is greedy if he cannot oppose his father's words to protect tay what he can do ilay become world wanted for tay even though he could have hold most powerfull position in military.... So I m not sure tay likes ilay in his own way even if it's fault.
I know but he would have been more trapped if he stay with xinlu , ilay don't stop tay to talk with others even though in further chapters , tay stay in ilay house cuz outside world of dangerous for these twins... RARE INSIGHTS
I get what you’re saying, and that’s totally fair. For me, though, Tay–Xinlu just didn’t have enough development for their relationship to really work, and honestly Tay deserves better than both of them. My opinion is only based on the manhwa since I haven’t read the novel yet. I’m also not a fan of tropes where characters fall in love with their abusers—it’s something I struggle to enjoy. I just stayed because the art is good.
I really hate how Taeui suddenly fell for Ilay with almost no development at all. It feels rushed and unconvincing. Xinlu would’ve been a much better partner for him. Taeui just seems trapped in a kind of Stockholm syndrome, and it honestly makes me feel sorry for him.
i don’t think Taeui’s feelings are rushed, and i agree they come from toxicity and abuse, but he liked Xinlu just because he thought he was cute and went from that to being “head over heels” for him in like 3 days their relationship is the one that lacks a lot of depth for me and also Xinlu would’ve r*ped him even before Ilay if Taeui didn’t knock him out that one time
No xinlu and ilay are both messed up people, ilay is better choice since xinlu was ready to kill tay and take his coprse with him instead of keeping tay alive is worst ilay never want tay to be dead be with him since xinlu don't have guts to fight against his father's order for not hurting "ilay" he let sniper aim gun at tay that's what made ilay mad too and tay realised how messed up xinlu is , tay always choose survival over dying even though tay stay with ilay he is surrounded by people but xinlu is obsessed and always compite with ilay for tay cuz not getting tay is like "his ego hurt" more than anything, xinlu would keep tay captive just like his father did to his mother. And tay would become mentally ill staying by xinlu side , yuri is very cute and mature guy that's why he understands xinlu and stayed with him matter the how he treated him.
What I meant by “rushed” is that Ilay never really had proper character development before Taeui’s feelings were validated or justified. That’s on me.. I should’ve phrased that better. If Ilay had been written with more development first, Taeui’s feelings would’ve made a lot more sense narratively.
As for Taeui’s feelings toward Xinlu, I don’t think those were unrealistic. Some people really do develop crushes just because they find someone attractive at first, and feelings can grow from something shallow into something stronger. So that part doesn’t bother me as much.
What does bother me is Ilay being treated like a romantic option at all. He’s clearly a black-flag character. he raped Taeui and emotionally abused him, and yet Taeui still ends up falling in love with him. it’s disturbing. And honestly, I’m also angry at Taeui himself. He was able to go against Xinlu (yes, I know the size difference plays a role), but he still ended up trapped in this cycle. It just feels like his feelings deserved better writing and better justification than what we got.
And honestly, a lot of the conflict between Taeui and Xinlu feels like a huge misunderstanding. They never properly communicated about their boundaries or their roles in bed or anything like that. if they had just talked it out, things might not have escalated the way they did.
So yeah, my issue isn’t that Taeui’s feelings exist, it’s who they’re directed at and how the story tries to justify them without giving Ilay enough development or accountability first.
I agree that both Xinlu and Ilay are deeply messed up characters. Xinlu being more vocal about his intentions doesn’t make what he said acceptable, especially the threats toward Tay. None of that is justified. However, from my perspective, within the story itself, Xinlu still hasn’t done anything as extreme to Tay as what Ilay actually did.
I think where we differ is that I’m judging them by impact. So when I say Xinlu might’ve been “better,” I don’t mean good — just less destructive in comparison, and mind you, Ilay crossed lines that are far more severe and irreversible — at least from how I interpreted the story. Ilay didn’t just manipulate or threaten Tay; he violated him and caused emotional damage. So even if Xinlu is obsessive and dangerous in his own way, Ilay’s actions felt much worse to me.
At the end of the day, Tay choosing survival makes sense, but survival doesn’t always equal healing. Staying with Ilay keeps him alive, yes, but emotionally trapped.
I know but he would have been more trapped if he stay with xinlu , ilay don't stop tay to talk with others even though in further chapters , tay stay in ilay house cuz outside world of dangerous for these twins tay is also like underrated protection but surrounded by people tay feel comfortable with ilay isn't that good with emotions but he later on try to understand and tay is type of guy who let of things (for me ilay isn't that bad if we compare to other bls black flag like zehniya and Cesar) for me ilay is little better vut yah not that good tay as the end himself love ilay and xinlu he doesn't like cuz in the beginning xinlu choose to get close to tay cuz of his luck his family told him that's why and tay doesn't like people who get close to him for thay ilay is plenty lucky himself and he told tay "i m more info knowing someone with talent (his brother) than tay with luck" tay doesn't hate that people like his brother he was certain from the beginning ilay wasn't close with me for the intention of knowing the luck he has. Xinlu on the other hand is greedy if he cannot oppose his father's words to protect tay what he can do ilay become world wanted for tay even though he could have hold most powerfull position in military.... So I m not sure tay likes ilay in his own way even if it's fault.
I get what you’re saying, and that’s totally fair. For me, though, Tay–Xinlu just didn’t have enough development for their relationship to really work, and honestly Tay deserves better than both of them. My opinion is only based on the manhwa since I haven’t read the novel yet. I’m also not a fan of tropes where characters fall in love with their abusers—it’s something I struggle to enjoy. I just stayed because the art is good.