i feel the same way and honestly elaborating their dynamic would’ve saved the writing. it’s a failed, lazy attempt at dark romance rather than exploring the theme or the characters. one person is a psycho, traumatized, violent mafia character. while the other is the kind, charismatic, and sassy protagonist. putting them together without any means to build a world or deep connection leads us to slop with hot sex scenes. it really doesn’t help leewon didn’t tell us what exactly he loves about caesar. so when he forgives and chooses to stay by his side- it seems incredibly forced and nonsensical seeing that he’s been in healthy relationships before and is supposed to be a rational, intelligent lawyer
there’s no true vulnerability between them, and even in the moments caesar seems torn emotionally- he never expresses anything and instead we see the unconditional love leewon has for him through the reassurance and forgiveness. im so disappointed with this after all the praise and excitement about this ship
don't get me wrong, i enjoy dark, toxic and psychological romance (when done well), but after 80+ chapters, i don't feel like caesar loves leewon at all. his 'love' is simply an obsession, a perverted attachment that correlates sex (read: affection) and violence as one. he literally cannot distinguish between these two things, which is why at no point does he seem truly pained or regretful for his actions. obviously yeah he's mentally ill, but what's been done so poorly is this forced farce of a romantic relationship. it's totally one-sided, on leewon's part. he might as well be rachel from michigan or klausi from hamburg, for caesar it's about the absolute ownership of a physical entity, especially one covetous or attractive (as shown in ch.1). leewon happened to fit the bill. honestly, i'd be surprised if caesar even knew leewon's favourite colour or could name three things he likes.