if you really think joe and ian are in love and should end up together then you have not understood this story at all lmao. you are putting all the blame on tj as if tj is the one who controls ian's emotions and actions.
ian willingly chooses tj over joe every time even in the latest season which hasn't been translated yet. ian literally lies and hides the fact that he's still fucking tj from joe. ian is manipulative and is leading joe on even tho from his thoughts ian clearly thought that he does not want to pursue a serious relationship with joe. ian does not deserve joe bc he's a much better person than both ian and tj. ian does not feel indebted to tj at all that's not even implied. they're both in love with each other and very attached to the point it's not even healthy. but ian doesn't want to live the life tj does so he's trying to leave knowing it'll hurt both himself and tj.
I do agree on what you said about Ian, he definitely is wishy washy and can't seem to make a final decision and although Jo is better than both Ian and TJ I don't think Ian is as bad as TJ.
My purpose here was not to say that TJ holds all the blame, I wanted to highlight how he is in no way shape or form a great love interest for Ian, so I still don't know why the fans like him and trash Jo who is amazing imo.
I DO remember that Ian was a drug addict or tried to commit suicide and I believe TJ helped him survive that. So that's why I believe he's indebted to him, that and the fact that he has been a best friend and possibly family to Ian over the years. Tho Ian chose to do many things out of his own volition, I feel like for the most part he was just doing whatever TJ liked without trying to find himself (which he is currently doing). I think he cares about TJ but I don't think they're very compatible romantically, Jo on the other hand gives more leeway to Ian and gives him his space which is new to Ian and healthier for him as an individual.
Jo is following his heart and I hope Ian finally gets to end things for good with TJ. I don't think they're madly in love with each other, I think Ian loves TJ in more than one way and I think TJ is the one who wants him in a romantic way the most.
All in all, Jo for the win and if Ian keeps acting up then I hope he ends up with trashy TJ, cause Ian is a great guy.
i mean everyone has their own opinions a lot of people can argue about tj the same way you did for joe yk that's what the author wants literally loll. i think even if love wasn't involved tj and ian are very attached due to their trauma and many years together so i feel like they can't ever escape and ian's idea of disappearing for 3 years was the correct thing to do but yk shit happened and he stayed. but yeah idk if you've read the new season but ian is still continuing his ways sadly still on and off with tj. but this time it's actually tj who's disappeared now so maybe he's letting go for now we'll still have to see how it develops still.
Everything will work out if they talk and share their feelings. We are in chapter 45 and I still don't get the purpose of Jo being in the story. He's helping out Ian and whatnot but it doesn't benefit him. He's in an awkward position. The one thing that I wish is Ian to stop doing is giving Jo any hope. I don't think he's in love with Jo. He should've said that to him. Besides Ian might be going back to the gang.
Yeah Ian being with TJ even in S2 isn’t anything new. They’ve been with each other for 19 years and still haven’t achieved anything Jo has helped Ian feel a change. Also let’s not forget in ch. 15, it’s implied Ian doesn’t have the feelings for TJ anymore so TJ’s love is one sided. I don’t understand why delusional shippers think Ian still loves him. Their love is built from trauma and guilt, 19 years. That can do a lot to people, they’re human beings.
In ch. 26, TJ states that he’s using Ian’s guilt fo him to keep him by his side. So he is definitely making Ian feel guilty on purpose and using it to his advantage.
So most fans hate Jo but love TJ?
TJ is literally toxic and forceful. He only cares about getting what HE wants. Ian's mentally health has been going down the drain for the longest time and he's been suffering yet TJ wants to keep him in the same environment all because it makes it easier for him to reach him. He wants to control Ian so bad and manipulates him into staying all the time. Hell he won't even let him explore things in peace with Jo.
There's definitely a whole lot of manipulation and lack of consent between TJ and Ian. I feel like Ian loves TJ but not necessarily in a romantic way. He's been there with him since he was in the trenches and he cares for him sm he doesn't know how to tell him NO cause he feels indebted to him. Tho TJ keeps breaking his heart. They are just not compatible in any other way aside from sexually. I think they kinda just grew apart through time. Ian wanted change and TJ wants to keep it all the same.
Jo is cute, he's nice and smart. Ian is attracted to him but he's scared because TJ is a crazy mf who's obsessive and stalks Ian. Ian and Jo have a much healthier relationship and I hope they're end game, Ian has the right to want to live a healthier life and to choose a better partner for himself.
I don't like TJ at all, he's a stalker and gaslighter. Jo is definitely a green flag.