#and very publicly and obviously and consistently puts wwx first

[llycaons]

like wwx IS compassionate, but I don't think his extreme self-denial comes naturally or is healthy, and having him never talk about himself or his needs in such a long work where he processes a lot just reinforces the pervasive in-universe social expectation on him to never prioritize or talk about or attend to his own feelings, to the benefit of the gentry he was raised and educated with. because he's lesser, right? why should his feelings matter?

it's just frustrating - it feels like naturalizing the extremely unfair classist social expectation he struggled with throughout the story, found respite from only in a select few people and in a very few specific ways, and ultimately escaped, having entered into a relationship with an extremely high-ranked and well-regarded member of the nobility who would do anything for him, prioritizes him and his wants and desires and feelings, and loves him absolutely selflessly. like the fact that lwj is so highborn is actually really important innit. or am I just talking nonsense since it's 3 am