Is he a sociopath?

[alldownhillfromhere]

Been seeing someone for 4 months, we met online. He has introduced me to his friends, calls me his other half, talks about potentially being lifelong partners etc and yet he will only see me once a week, overnight, in a time slot that fits with his needs. He has a 17 year old son and prioritises spending time with him, which I totally respect, but I am firmly compartmentalized. I spoke to him this weekend about how I feel like nothing more than his FWB and wanted to see him more, and he reassured me saying that I mean much more to him, but he won't budge. He says his son comes first, and we both work during the week and live an hour from each other. He tells me and texts me that he loves me, can see us being together always etc. I know that he's a loner and his friends are not close friends. I may be imagining it but I wonder if he mirrors back to me what he thinks I want to hear. Have I managed to fall for a sociopath or do I just need to give it time? It's early days. We have a very good physical relationship and I'm very fond of him but I'd like a partner.

You've only known him four months but already you're his other half and he talks of being life-long partners. In your place I'd be glad I'm only seeing him once a week.

Sociopath? Possibly not but he's coming on a bit strong for comfort from where I'm standing.

Sociopath? You've been reading MN too much

Actually he brought the word up, in relation to himself. I thought he was joking but when I looked into it I began to wonder.

Being a loner doesn't mean he is a sociopath. In his case, he may not have had room in his busy schedule for a social life with family and work commitments. In fact the reason he may just see you once a week may be due to his lifestyle. When people are single for a long time then they value some down time from the world, and like to stay home particularly if they are introverts. It doesn't necessarily mean your relationship isn't going to progress, but it will probably happen slowly. Lots of loner types rely on internet dating as they don't have the social networks to meet people locally, and they may be too busy to go out dating in the community.

Signs of a sociopath are callousness, lying, lack of remorse, taking, violence/ abuse, lack of empathy and such like. If he shows those signs, run like the wind.

Thank you @scoobydoo1971 that's such a reassuring response.

Actually he brought the word up, in relation to himself. I thought he was joking but when I looked into it I began to wonder that sounds very odd and I'd be out of there like a shot. If he's a sociopath then I'd run and if he's not I'd run anyway as that's the story of thing a knob would say!

That's weird he used the word on himself. I wonder if he meant it literally or he is just trying to tell you he is weird.

I know someone, a women, who is dating a man and she's the one who only slots the man in 1x a week (if that) at a very precise time and location and she controls the situation completely. I know her well and I know what she's hiding from him. She has OCD, anxiety, is a pill popper and a commercial grade hoarder. She's tightly controlling the development of the relationship to hide these things from the man. He's never been to her house, for instance. They've been dating a year. To me, it would seem like he would break it off because it's not a normal relationship, but he just floats along and takes what he gets and gets nothing more. She keeps him at arm's length, but wants the regular sex. My friend uses her teen son as an excuse to keep her distance as well, but it's just an excuse. So, maybe your man is hiding something.

Bubblingup thank you - maybe he is. I'm confused and not sure how much to invest in this. I really do like him, but I feel like he's not going to let me in. Such mixed messages. Perhaps it's trust issues, perhaps it's introversion....goodness knows.

Not entirely sure that this guy is emotionally available OP. He seems to want total control of your relationship that's for sure.
It's up to you whether you want to be permanently on the back foot with him never knowing where you stand.