Sometimes they don't want you, they want the benefits of being associated with you. They want the attention you bring, not the responsibility that comes with loving you. They enjoy the respect they think they earn just by standing next to you. Commitment feels heavy, but public approval feels light and shiny. They want the title, not the work, the aesthetic, not the effort. Love requires showing up, accountability, and consistency, all their weak spots. So they hover, half-present, collecting validation like it's a loyalty card. You're not a partner to them, you're a social upgrade. They don't want a relationship, they want an audience reaction. And the moment love asks for depth, they suddenly "need space."