beta
I think subconsciously, he actually does feel lonely. By no means is it love, but he wants someone's company because he's always trapped. He previously seemed like the type to always rely on others for company as well. Of course he's also doing it to get out, but he's subconsciously actually feeling like he's going to be abandoned, he's just telling himself that it's for the sake of getting out.
If that made any sense at all.