They are both in a difficult situation right now, but I feel worse for the dominant, whose trust in reciprocal honesty regarding hard limits was betrayed. It must feel awful to find out you were the only one taking satisfaction in the play, while your partner quietly suffered along with you even though it's not your fault because YOU SIMPLY DIDN'T KNOW BECAUSE HE NEVER FUCKING TOLD YOU.
They deaf have some issues, and the sub needs to learn his limits and speak up about his needs but 1. They have a contract that both parties agreed to without being pressured 2. Have a safe word 3. The Dom exercises aftercare 4. They both respect the boundaries the other person raised.
Their relationship isn't perfect, and it's not a 100% accurate depiction of BDSM, but I would say it's a consensual relationship nonetheless.
The quote saying that the light gets in trough our wounds, is really similar to a one of my favourite quotes from Ernest Hemingway: "We're all broken and that's how the light gets in." Saying that we become better people trough our sufferings and breakdowns is one of the most real and profound things I ever read of while reading yaoi.
Okay. This had more plot holes then actual plot and WHERE THE HELL WAS THE ALMIGHTY GOD OF MOTHERFUCKING LOGIC WHEN THIS WAS MADE???!! Wtf, was the plan of grey-haired-dude when he decided to kidnap his best friend? Stuff him in between the flower pots in his apartment and watch him vegetate as he slowly loses his mind thanks to being constantly blindfolded? Is that how you persuade someone to love you? Nice try dumbass .
Although the ex-boyfriend was abusive and manipulative, his character development hit me the most. I'm not saying that his actions should be excused in face of the fact that he was dealing with rejection. That's not how it works. But he was able to let go in the end, while many other abusive characters try to justify their behaviour by putting the blame on someone else or never even realise that what they do is wrong.
"I couldn't be your ocean" expresses, that the ex-boyfriend couldn't bestow the feeling of freedom and belonging upon the MC and shows acceptance for the MC's feelings and that hit me like a truck.
OMG THIS WAS SO GOOD I'M CRYING Y'ALL