Some people do not want to lose you, but they also do not want to take responsibility for building a relationship with you. They check in when they miss your attention, become jealous when you pull back and expect emotional access on their terms. Yet when you ask for consistency, clarity or a plan, they suddenly need space.
This creates a confusing dynamic because their interest may be genuine. The problem is not always a lack of feeling. It is the gap between what they enjoy receiving and what they are willing to contribute. Someone can care about you and still choose a setup that works mainly for them.
Look at when they appear. Do they reach out after a bad day, late at night or when another option falls through? Do they want closeness in private but avoid acknowledging the relationship in practical ways? Do they expect quick replies while leaving your questions unanswered? A repeated pattern matters more than an intense conversation.
The answer is not to become colder or play harder to get. It is to make access match responsibility. If someone wants regular emotional support, affection and exclusivity, it is reasonable to ask what they are building with you. A boundary is not a punishment. It simply stops relationship benefits from flowing into an arrangement that refuses relationship accountability.
Say what you need without turning it into a threat. You might explain that you enjoy the connection but cannot continue acting like a partner without mutual consistency. Then watch what happens. A person who is ready may not respond perfectly, but they will engage with the issue. A person who only wanted access will usually bargain for the old arrangement or disappear until they think the boundary has softened.
Libra energy often tries to understand every side, but fairness includes your side too. You do not need to prove that the other person is malicious before deciding the situation is unequal. If the connection can grow, clear standards will give it a real structure. If it cannot, those same standards will stop ambiguity from taking more of your time.