Same!! So many people hate Lance, but the point of the story seems like it's to feel a degree of sympathy for him--that he's lived such a messed up life that he has no idea what he wants, and that he regrets pretty much everything he's ever done.
The developing relationship between Aaron and Cyrus is important for Cyr's character, but ultimately the story is about Cyrus and Lance (not romantically)--seeing what kind of person Lance really is underneath the persona he's been hiding behind his entire life, Lance coming to terms with what he's done and who he actually wants to be, and perhaps someday Cyr even forgiving him.
I think it's an absolutely beautiful story.
