Oh, the pain of this scene and the reality behind it, the difference between boyfriend and husband, between sharing a life together and being able to legally bind yourselves together. The agony of knowing that you are literally everything he has and that it is not enough to let you help him.
This is why we need legalized marriage for everyone, this is why the legalities matter, this is why we fight for what we can because it matters in the end, it matters so, so much.
Piseang can do nothing because there is nothing legally tying them together and there is nothing to do. He cannot fight this. He cannot love Kawi enough to overcome this.
Love is not enough. Love does not give him the rights he does not have, does not cut through red tape, does not open doors. Love may light his life and love may be beautiful and love may move mountains but love cannot make the choices he needs to make.
Love cannot make a medical decision or give him permission to stay with Kawi. Love cannot open the doors or let him sign the paperwork. Love cannot do anything. Love is not enough. The freedom to love is not enough.
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I . . . *concentrating on breathing deeply and slowly so I don't hyperventilate*
I just . . . *breathing getting quicker even though I'm trying to calm down*
I . . . I . . . *heart is racing at an alarming speed*
I LOVE THIS SHOW SO FUCKING MUCH!
The previews haven't lied to us once! The previews told us Pisaeng was going to show up at Kawi's in his wedding tux and kiss him, and he did. The previews showed us Pisaeng was going to confess to Kawi on the rooftop, and he did! Then the previews said Kawi would kiss Pisaeng, AND HE DID!
Kawi told Pear he liked her and she kindly rejected him. Pisaeng told Pear he has no feelings for her beyond friendship. Pisaeng told Kawi he liked him, and Kawi kindly told Pisaeng the feelings were not reciprocated.
AND NOW THIS!
And this!
Kawi intended to tell Pisaeng he is from the future, and even though Pisaeng probably thought Kawi was drunk rambling, it matters that Kawi wants to tell Pisaeng. And for Pisaeng to have felt he was gay for YEARS, and finally have the confidence to tell his mom that he doesn't need her approval or shielding from reality was amazing.
This show isn't lying to us! I can trust it! Because when Pisaeng asked Max if he felt isolated after realizing he was gay, Max answered honestly.
This has been a big discussion this week for Step by Step, so seeing the boundaries between Max and Pisaeng although Max is slightly crossing it, shows there is hesitation on both sides, but they are growing closer. Unlike these clear boundaries.
Kawi had a double boundary with Pear after he realized Pisaeng told her his issue, but with Pisaeng, Kawi was boxed in the boundary.
It started at the dinner, with Pisaeng's window being opened but Kawi boxed in.
And it continued throughout the night until Kawi crossed the line multiple times (IN THE PINK!).
And after that, they were boxed in, together.
It's great that Pisaeng's mom stated that Pisaeng never brings anyone over because she said it due to Pisaeng bringing a drunk Kawi home, but we learned Kawi was there earlier, and very sober, to get a shirt from Pisaeng, and they were boxed in together then as well. So will Pisaeng's place serve as their safe space?
Even more interesting is, much like Step by Step and the rich boys' closets, Pisaeng's closet has mirrors (reflective) and glass.
After Pisaeng's conversation with his mom, we realize that Pisaeng, much like Step by Step's Jeng, isn't closeted but can't be OUT out. Pisaeng has known he was different and has been sad and isolated since with his ironic Cheers Queers Beer.
I mentioned it last week, but this show is really harping on the honesty aspect for all its characters. Kawi, who never drank before, is trying to drown all his conflicted feelings in alcohol instead of being honest with himself. Pear's dad encouraged MORE drinking, while Pisaeng refused to drink what his mother offers him. Kawi is running but Pisaeng is done trying to bury his emotions.
But when Kawi woke up the next day after kissing Pisaeng, he immediately asked Pisaeng if it was a dream at breakfast, then he attempted to ask Pisaeng about it again.
And right before he crossed the line with Pisaeng AGAIN and leaned his head on Pisaeng's shoulder, he admitted that he hates himself for "sucking so much" that he needs constant help from everyone else.
Because the first time Kawi crossed the line was to stop Pisaeng from leaving, which caused him to apologize to Pisaeng for being a jerk, and we'll see him ask Pisaeng to stay AGAIN next week in the hospital. Kawi is literally and figuratively starting to reach out for comfort.
This show really is telling us that being ourselves is good enough, but we have to be honest with ourselves so we can figure out who we really are.
I HATE that Not cannot stop putting his own foot in his mouth every two seconds, but Pear pushing back against what he believes is a "straight man" is the type of reflection the show is commanding of its characters and us as the audience.
Max questioned Kawi about what is wrong with him and why he keeps pushing Pisaeng away. Kawi questioned Pisaeng about why he continues to be so nice to him. And Pear questioned Not about his ideas on masculinity and sexuality. All the questions require some level of self-reflection, which Kawi is having to do in leaps and bounds sandwiched between an abundance of knowledge.
Pear also encouraged Kawi to be honest with her.
Because the answers we seek aren't at the bottom of a bottle, but deep within ourselves.
A show that hasn't lied to us yet is leading by example - We must be honest.
Sidenotes:
Pisaeng having to basically tell Kawi to shut up and eat because Kawi is too honest about everything else except his emotions was hilarious.
Kawi jumps into the future next week and sees he's a famous musician, but I think he stays there for a bit and this is where we will get the future issues from the trailer.
Because Kawi didn't look sad when he moved the globe, so I'm hoping his dad does well in surgery which prompts Kawi to see how his life is now that his dad is alive.
But I'm worried this line will come back to haunt us.
I loved that we were shown Pisaeng changing Kawi without any sexual connotation. It's important to see this without it being implied that the gay man can't control himself. This scene was merely a man trying to help his friend.
And Pisaeng stopping the second he realized Kawi was asleep and sleeping on the chair rather than the bed were more excellent choices.
Finally, the nod to performative allyship where the mom is fine with her employees being gay but has strategically tried to keep her child in the closet is the sweet subtle commentary I live for. This is also why Pisaeng did not tell Max, a Tired Gay, that she was his mother. It would be rough to hear that she isn't as cool as presented.
Max, the best character and a Tired Gay, is gonna have to kill his idol.
(My colors theory is sticking. Pear was in a light purple, but Pisaeng was in Kawi's brown. He changed into black after kissing Kawi. Is Max blue though?)
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Drunken Kisses & Mixed Feelings
Kawi has now kissed Pisaeng twice and each of those times he's been drunk.
We know that Pisaeng was okay the first time it happened (eyes open; face relaxed),
but something is different this time around. He's confused and conflicted (eyes closed; brows furrowed).
Going back to the trailer, we see that they get into an argument after the second kiss. My guess is that Kawi getting drunk and kissing Pisaeng has happened more than a couple of times in this timeline (this might be especially true now that we know Kawi is an alcoholic who is very unhappy in his personal life).
Pisaeng has been fine hanging out on the sidelines as Kawi’s friend and "comfort zone" but it’s really difficult to do that when Kawi keeps crossing the line. Pisaeng has had enough and it will all come to a head in the next episode and I am looking forward to seeing it.
As a reprieve from the angst, it looks like we might also be getting a drunken kiss attempt from Pisaeng after Kawi has asked to date him.
Such a great callback to our runaway groom's first drunken kiss—the one that started it all.
Is it next Friday yet?!
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Okay, okay, now we have my attention. Are we going to discuss asexuality or other sexualities where sex isn't a focus in the romance? Is this actually going to be about not wanting to have sex but wanting romance regardless?
I am very interested in where this is going. Because, it is true, nothing Kawi has done has shown any interest in sex. The issue here being how normalized and normalized that lack of sexual desire is in this type of BL relationship and how common it is for one character to just never be interested... the fact that this is an actual discussion makes it much more interesting.
And we might not be.
No, looks like we're having a conversation about allowing yourself freedom in expereince sexual desire instead. Which, while interesting and important in these shows, is different than where I thought we might be heading.
Note: this does not have to be true for everyone regardless of your relationships status or lack thereof. I love Max to death but this is very allosexual of him.
Again, I get it, I see where the show is coming from and the messaging the show is giving here but... it doesn't have to be like that.
Okay, so we went back to 'maybe yes we are talking about asexuality and a lack of sexual desire'. Which is fine by me and absolutely enjoyable. @absolutebl This feels like the answer to BMF and SOTUS at the same time.
And back to the need for open and honest communication between, well, everyone. Especially important in the struggle of sexuality and the inherent need to have these discussions with the person you love even when they're hard.
Kawi has gone from convinced he was a straight man to facing down the idea of being gay and ace, of being romantically attracted to Piseang but with no urge to actually have sex and what that means.
He loves Piseang, we know he does, but how does he balance that love with a lack of sexual desire if he's worried about losing Piseang? How does he speak openly about something he never imagined?
When you don't think about sex, sometimes it doesn't occur to you that other people do and when you realize you have to suddenly think about that as well even if you're not interested... it's scary. And it's big. And it's something else that makes you different and something that makes even more different than you were already starting to accept about yourself.
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So . . .
I'm fucked.
Pisaeng is now my baby boy, and I'm fully invested in his well-being. He took so many hits this episode, and I'm taking it personally.
Let's recap exactly how this episode hurt Piseang's and my feelings because I need to make sure I deliver the maximum damage to myself:
Kawi telling Piseang that he is intentionally creating distance between them because Pisaeng makes him feel uncomfortable and unsafe in front of the pink neon light and sign that reads "Extending our friendship, connection, and happiness to you all" was the cherry on top of this shitty pain sandwich.
Kawi chasing Pisaeng to the parking lot just to shove money into his face, so he won't owe Pisaeng anything.
DJ Squirtle! Pisaeng was so excited to give Kawi this, only to throw it at him from the car after such a horrible day.
Pisaeng turned down Pear's invite, but lit up when Kawi invited him out for drinks, only to be ambushed by a group that included Knot.
Pisaeng mentioned not being comfortable around him. Knot is misogynistic and Kawi KNOWS he is an asshole in the future, yet Knot keeps making comments about Pisaeng's sex life and the fact that they went to an all-boys school. Knot also mentioned believing Kawi was with Max (aka GAY), so is Knot homophobic and this is another reason Pisaeng does not want this dumpster in his life?
On the topic of Max, my other baby boy - Is this the reason for their dispute? Max could be gay and Kawi didn't like the implication that they might be in a relationship? Also, he was supposed to meet Max later. Did he? Or did he go out with Knot and the guys instead? He check-marked Max off his list, but this won't be as simple as he is making it if he continues to be friendly with Knot if his issues with Max really do stem from queerness.
Back to my other baby boy - Pear does like Pisaeng, but more importantly, IS MY BABY BOY DEPRESSED?! He is lonely. His old friends suck. His new friend said he makes him uncomfortable. He doesn't want to feel the pressure from Pear's dad. What is his relationship with his own parents? WHO IS THERE FOR MY BOY?!
He looked like he was going to cry in that classroom when Kawi told him he was annoying. He was trying to keep his shit together but was *this* close to having a breakdown when he was scrambling to gather his stuff so he could haul ass out of there. He didn't even turn in the quiz.
LOOK AT HIM!
I'm glad Kawi chased after him, but Pisaeng is really begging for someone to care about it, yet Kawi refuses.
He is quick to forgive and share his food with Kawi, so when Kawi told him that he is bothered by Pisaeng's behavior (thinking it's funny when Kawi is upset), Pisaeng clearly looked pained to know he unintentionally hurt Kawi. He wanted to fix it, but Kawi left immediately when Knot showed up.
Kawi turning down every offer Pisaeng extended to hang out upset him, and he even mentioned it later in the classroom. He tried to joke it off in the class, but he was hurt when it happened.
He went from being happy seeing Kawi and Pear together, to being somber since the realization of what he set in motion hit him.
Because he likes Kawi, a guy he can't have.
And he has liked him the entire time. TEN YEARS!
The worst part of all of this is Kawi isn't bad. He is trying to fix this, yet is delivering the most blows to my guy. He doesn't want Pear to be hurt in the future, so he must keep his distance from Pisaeng. He doesn't want to owe Pisaeng, so he pays him back. He doesn't want Pisaeng to be lonely, so he tries to mend his friendships. He wants his life to be better, which includes befriending Max again, saving his dad's life, and being with Pear, but he is missing what is right in front of him. He needs Pisaeng for his life to be better.
And then next week?!
Yeah, so like I wrote.
I'm fucked.
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