One thing I’ve discovered reading bl is that reader’s empathy is practically non existent towards victims of SA. This is guy in his 20’s, that spent his entire childhood being physically abused AND witnessing the abuse of his big brother and possibly his mom too, discriminated for being gay, PLUS being violently assaulted multiple times by his first “relationship”. You expect him to suddenly be a courageous man with respect for himself and beat up that tall abusive mf himself? Healing takes time and it takes patience, and support from the right person, in Eric’s case, the right person is Avery, so for me it was a good portrayal of a victim finding healing despite his lack of strength. I feel for the people irl that have been in Eric’s and the big brother’s place, every day it must be so hard for them.
One thing I’ve discovered reading bl is that reader’s empathy is practically non existent towards victims of SA. This is guy in his 20’s, that spent his entire childhood being physically abused AND witnessing the abuse of his big brother and possibly his mom too, discriminated for being gay, PLUS being violently assaulted multiple times by his first “relationship”. You expect him to suddenly be a courageous man with respect for himself and beat up that tall abusive mf himself? Healing takes time and it takes patience, and support from the right person, in Eric’s case, the right person is Avery, so for me it was a good portrayal of a victim finding healing despite his lack of strength. I feel for the people irl that have been in Eric’s and the big brother’s place, every day it must be so hard for them.