Yes, you can go back if you respect each other's boundaries and there are NO romantic feelings on either side. More important, if you respect each other as people and really do feel a friendship. An example would be when one person decides to go monogamous with someone else.

There are a small number of people out there that can separate feelings from sex and are really good at it, most of us aren't and one of the two parties will move on before the other is ready. Drama ensues and it makes it difficult. I've had a couple, it just gets really complicated

It's difficult, because I don't really have a lot of friends. Certainly not female friends. And they are usually married, with kids... So my options are limited. But I'm not really sure I'd want a FWB relationship now, although a few years ago it was more appealing*. I'm trying to drastically simplify my life, and this is an unnecessary complication.

I went through a FWB phase after my marriage ended. Now I'm either looking for friends, or benefits... :-)

--P

*Interestingly, at the time, my FWB relationships (there were two) started as romantic/sexual relationships. But then we determined there was no hope long term. But we remained friends, and we still had sex occasionally. So instead of friends with benefits, it was more benefits with friends... :-)

It depends on if it was truly casual sex or a casual relationship. Most FWB situations horribly fall apart because of the latter (and some expectation for it to go into a regular relationship too...I'll avoid posting novellas on the subject...I have before...lol). If it was truly no emotion involved for both parties, it won't usually be awkward.

And, I'm too "traditional" when it comes to FWB. Can't bring myself to do it because I want a solid monogamous relationship before "benefits".