I would disagree - the panel where they first met kind of gave the feeling that Rupard was already interested in Noah and he did state that it was love at first sight, though I do see how sudden his love felt since he did a complete 180 from ch2-3. Cliche and fast-paced, the story is still sweet
and their situation with their mothers did get tied into each other, and they were able to offer love and consolation. idk how else to word it but they loved their mothers, and in turn they felt some relation and understanding when Rupard explained his trauma, and the chapter with the post office. With that, their love was well-expressed to me
especially rupard… like he was so against having noah look after him and he has psychological trauma so how did he have the resolve to be with noah??? it doesn’t link properly