What does we can still be friends mean? honestly?

[Anonymous]

My ex and I broke up a month ago. I saw him for the first time last night, he held my hand and said we can only be friends. Then he came in to talk to me as I was packing my things, he made comments like I’m not saying never again. And said just because I apologize for things doesn’t mean we’re getting back together? But he’s the only one who brought up getting back together. He also said maybe but it won’t me tomorrow. But he held me while I cried and on way more than friend way. I out of instinct gave him a kiss on the cheek and he didn’t pull away or say anything about it. What should I even make of this? He’s telling his mom he needs to work on his mental health before he can focus on anything else, which I 100% get and support for him to do. But why not just tell me that? Because he very obviously still has feelings for me

[ProbablyClueless]

It means "I'm too fucked in the head to handle a relationship and this break up isn't your fault, but you shouldn't hold your breath in hopes that I'll be better any time soon."

Some people get so weird about communicating stuff like that to their partner. For whatever reason, they don't feel like they can just say things like that. I'm not sure why.

[melnc]

Both of you love drama. If I were you, I would avoid the headache.
Move on.

[Pterodon]

So I can drift in and out of your life using you when I can’t find someone else

[strateguy632]

It means frend zones