I was talking to a gay/BL friend of mine not long ago. He is in his 50s and he has never loved anyone, not in a romantic way outside of family. He says he is ok with that, love only brings suffering.

I'll admit that most romantic relationships I have been involved with have resulted in pain at the end. Still it was worth it. I still adhere to the saying "It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved" I will remember fondly my yfs I have loved. Loving and suffering are an intrinsic part of the human condition, it makes life worth living. The extreme ends of life. I will love again and maybe someday I will find someone I can love for the rest of my life and I will suffer again, life goes on.