Spoilers I'm legit so sick of this childhood reveal are they taking inspiration fr...

The age gap was never a secret... Alex is 21 and Lay is 28. Lay doesn't remember(I believe this was hinted because of that snippet in ch5 where Alex seemed like he was looking for Lay for a long time but Lay treated it as their first meeting) Alex from when he was younger because he likely only knew him as Alex Albert and not Alex Arkwright(for all we know, Alex could be a stage name too).

With all Lay has been through, I don't think he'd remember some kid he encountered around 12 years ago. I understand where you might find it a little weird, but so far, there's nothing wrong with it. They started their "relationship" when they were both consenting adults, there was no "grooming" to have taken place because Lay was likely just a hired guardian for younger Alex, and has never seen each other since, hence, Alex being so adamant of finding him for whatever reason that I don't know yet.

I hope you reply so I can know your response on my perspective (●'◡'●)ﾉ. And to just get it out there, I'm unaware of any spoilers beyond chapter 6 so if I end up being wrong, I will gladly take back everything I said. This is just my analysis for chapters 1 to 6. :

RATIO-ED

Not reading all that, and no I don't care I just said I'm tired of it. It's a general statement.

Well damn, they were rude af.

I’ll say that I agree with your perspective currently. I think the story is flowing nicely and none of the reveals or anything seem ridiculous or more out there than any other story. I mean, damn, there’s a good chunk of yaoi that end up having the plot include them actually having known each other since childhood, not all that rare or unusual.

It seems like they are just getting tired because they don’t like waiting for chapters to come out, since sometimes you can get the entire book to come out in one sitting on here. They should’ve just waited until it was complete then.

My bad. That wasn't very kind of me. Your perspective is pretty solid. I definitely agree it's not grooming just a random meeting. The age gap makes sense for the story, but again my whole deal is with the whole meeting during childhood. It always seems unnecessary to me. It's such a fickle and needless connection sometimes. To me it kind of takes away(if it's emphasized to a degree) from their later meeting in life ie. The significance in connection as strangers, or friends, or just acquaintances. It establishes a kind of mystical/fated connection instead of just a genuine kinship found in natural meeting.

You did point out that the childhood meeting wkd to Alex seeking him out which makes this story a standout from the other childhood meeting stories which kind of upsets my entire argument even if it is a little strange to me. Just a different point of view. Again my bad for the rudeness. Bad day that day you were just graciously offering your commentary.

Girl i get you its giving grooming, there was really no need for it, it just ruined the story all together and maybe because i was getting a bit bored of the story itself so yeah and people here will absolutely try and find an excuse for gross relationships that authors write

Ahh i see!! Thank you so much for responding properly after the initial reply qwq. I assumed your issue with it was it suggests some sort of association with pedophilia, which is kind of a touchy subject on this site. Since disgustingly enough, some people here like it. But I also just don't like it when it's being associated with something when that's not the case (if that makes sense..). I'm sorry for assuming, I see your point. Personally, I'm a sucker for the typical connected by fate schtick or the red string theory. Any type of reconnection that happens in the from a small but significant event of the past always gets me going.

Considering everything you've said, I can totally see how it can sort of steers the significance of the growth of the relationship away by boiling it down to the childhood meeting trope. Thanks so much for the elaboration, have a nice day!!

To @blob and anyone else who shares the same sentiment, If you see this, I come in peace!

First of all, I want to say that you are welcome to feel uncomfortable, that is valid! But this is not grooming nor objectively "gross"!! It is up to you to respond and read but do I urge you to atleast read it. It's a 3 minute read, tops.

The person you replied to actually don't think that. I'm unsure if you're referring to me when you say "people finding an excuse etc." but kindly, do not lump me in with the people who get off on pedophilia on this website. I want to offer you my piece on what you've said. I assure you that I know enough about the actual concepts of grooming and sexual abuse of minors to conclude that what Alex and Lay have isn't grooming in any way SO FAR. The story doesn't show that Lay had any interest on Alex during their younger years as of now. Of course, I will gladly take back everything I said if that's otherwise proven to be the case.

If you really want me to point out grooming, it would be between Ashley and Alex. This is because grooming isn't always sexual or romantic, it can be for other purposes or simply, manipulation and control over someone's life. Which the author illustrates as something wrong and in no way advocates for it.

An age gap does not always equate to grooming. An established age gap couple that get together while they're adults is not grooming. Just because that couple just so happened to meet at a younger age when grooming might have been possible, does not mean it happened. Why? Grooming is defined by intention and actions, so far, the situation presented doesn't show Lay being interested by younger Alex. You cannot conclude anything YET. Labeling something as something it isn't is just plain ignorance and is a harmful fallacy to exist in your opinion and assertions. Please be careful with what you say! Have a good day and stay hydrated.