Ben & Callum - Toxic love or True love

Which is it? Love is optimistic. Pessimism is something other than love.

Callum will punch you in the face if you've earned it. But he will stop there. Explosive passions live inside him. He's able to subdue them, direct them into productive pursuits. He comes out to his father & brother.

Callum's self-control gives him optimism, which is love.

But Ben is pessimistic. He & his father are grifters. Ben doesn't love himself. Callum deserves better. Ben isn't worth it. Ben is damaged goods.

Callum's optimism is so powerful that Ben feels the love sporadically. They get married. Still Ben is afraid his bad habits will reappear. Self-fulfilling prophecy.

Callum makes one big mistake. He becomes a policeman. Only if Ben is okay with it. Callum will quit his job if Ben says the word. So Callum is away from home for long hours. Ben has loneliness & worry.

Ben hooks up on Grindr. Catches an STD. Withholds sex from his husband.

You can tolerate your partner having outside sex as long as he has sex with you too. But if your partner is HUMPING everybody EXCEPT you, he will be kicked out before the sun sets. No romance should ever tolerate this.

Callum breaks up with Ben finally.

In the interview room, Ben won't let Callum touch him. All this Callum does for Ben's touch. Callum is optimistic Ben will heal & be normal again. But he won't.

So I will call this romance TOXIC LOVE. Though Callum's love is true. There will be long bouts of trouble peppered with moments of intense joy. Callum needs intensity. Ben is overwhelmed. The relationship can't last.