I like people exploring the idea of Gaku being overwhelmed (in a good way) by the attention he receives from Yugamu; it's cute and in character imo, and I agree that it may be a big part of why Gaku would begin to have interest in Yugamu in return, but I also like the idea of Yugamu being a little overwhelmed by the attention received from Gaku, which it seems you have explored a bit!
I think Gaku's caring nature (as the ultimate older brother lol) would cause him to accidentally (and eventually purposely) dote on Yugamu quite a bit! Yugamu wouldn't be used to it, and I think he may come to like tender interactions just as much as mutually violent ones! After all, the latter is all he knows so far, but he can really begin to explore a whole different aspect of love with someone like Gaku.
I like that this pairing would force them both to not only confront a lot of things, but open the door for a lot of characters exploration. I think most Yugaku fans lean towards the ways that the pairing would cause Gaku to look within because most Yugaku fans seem to be Gaku fans that desperately want him to be loved and have his character carefully explored LOL but we need some Yugamu enthusiasts to explore his character a lot more too!
I think you do a pretty good job of translating both of their personalities beyond just the surface into your art :)
Sorry for taking awhile to reply anon!
YES YOU GET IT!!! A huge part of my love for Yugaku is precisely that the both of them are able to provide experiences that the other lacks. Even their official MBTIs actually lean very heavily into this type of dynamic!
What with Gaku and, his comphet and lack of experience with questioning his sexuality overall, being forced to confront all that with Yugamu, who is very much extremely comfortable with his sexuality. As well as just his lack of experience in the area in general.
And with Yugamu, it's very much his inexperience with other types of love that goes outside his sadomasochism and also his warped ideals that are a result of the abuse he has received from his family. The idea of him experiencing true, genuine care at the hands of someone who is so used to giving it without question is very dear to me.
I think you'd be surprised to know that this type of dynamic is much more common within the Yugaku fandom actually! Many yugakulings do explore a lot of it from Yugamu's side as well and how all the different ways Gaku's warmth does affect his outlook on things. Though, a lot of that is buried in discord conversations and AU threads within the yugaku server and doesn't really make itself known to the public eye. But it does exist in great abundance!
And also thank you! Part of it is also admittedly, a selfish desire to see Gaku's expression of care and nurture finally be rewarded with proper gratitude. And also for Yugamu to to find solace in someone he probably never expected. Those kinds of dynamics really tickle me and I'm glad I'm able to express that in my work :')))
This is probably not the best place to advertise this but I will be showing a preview of a 140 page doujin that I'm working on that, hopefully, has more of this dynamic that you're looking for during a Yugaku only web event happening on May 10th! I should be making a proper post in a few days but yeah!