Honestly surprised people are so deep into option 2. Is it because they are married and like it, or because they hope they will find happiness in marriage?
I like option 1. It's wayyyy more honest and casual to me. When you're with a "life partner", how often do you have to fake things just so you can maintain this relationship that you desperately don't want to lose? Pretty much constantly. With a casual relationship, you can be totally true and independent and the other person can choose to come or go as they please. It just makes sense.
That being said, it's not a choice between option 1 and 2 for me right now. It's option 1 or nothing. And nothing is pretty tempting tbh.