Chris Brown and Rihanna are clearly infatuated with one another, but also seem to be toxic when they're actually together. It's a vicious cycle.

Clearly, emotion isn’t enough to keep them together. In fact, it may be the reason why these on-off lovers cannot seem to make a romance work.

“They went through a lifetime together and they’re only in their 20s,” a source close to the pair says. “They’ve had lots of ups and then a HUGE down."
 
"Sometimes Chris can’t even look at her because it reminds him of the $h!t he did years ago. Even though she forgave him, the world hasn’t."
 
"That’s the $h!t that’s f*%ked up. It still distracts him from his music and his life. It’s always in his face and it’s something he just can’t shake.”
 
Both Chris Brown and Rihanna faced the adversity and criticism head on this year when they publicly reconciled ... only to split after just a few months.
 
It's unclear if a specific catalyst led to the breakup - trust issues are rumored, and she's posted more than a few cryptic messages - or if it just can't work.
 
“You know, they tried it once and it was great,” the source says.
 
“They tried it again and it didn’t work. He loves her, but he knows they just can’t work. They can only exist as friends. The relationship $h!t just can’t happen."
 
"They can’t handle that. It’s too much.”
 
Yesterday, Chris sent out a very emotional tweet to express his feelings, hinting at his retirement from music and lamenting the reason for his "fame."
 
“Being famous is amazing when it’s for ur music and talent. I’m tired of being famous for a mistake I made when i was 18. I’m cool & over it!” he tweeted.
 
We feel for Chris, honestly, because we have no doubt that he truly does love Rihanna, deeply regrets his actions and is haunted by them every day.
 
However, he's got to live with and rise above it, plain and simple, and that means not giving the "haters" ammunition or being surprised by the criticism.
 
It's a vicious cycle of its own, and in some ways it's not fair. But he can't expect people to move on if he's fixated on the event or people's perception of him.
 
Do you agree, THGers? Sound off in the comments below.