Responses
I think perhaps it is also a type of romantic love, but he has just become so jaded that he doesn't want to expect too much subconsciously and just settles for a companion for now? Like as you get older, one-night-stands are less important than a life long companion cause finding someone to accept you gets harder thus the longevity of the relationship is more important than the passion?
I wonder what is Makimura's (is that his name?) feeling toward Eleven? He doesn't want to have sex with her but he wants to always stay by her side. Maybe this is another type of love. I have never been in love so I cannot know. And TV or manga usually show the have sex and passionate type of love.