Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez continue to put on a united front — now holding hands in public again … but things still appear really tense in their relationship, at least at first glance.

Check it out … Ben and Jen were seen showing a little PDA Thursday while leaving Ben’s daughter Violet‘s high school graduation ceremony in L.A. However, the duo looks very uncomfortable … or at least they do in a few of these shots, which look uncomfortable.

As you can see … Jen was looking at Ben with a serious expression at one point — and, if a picture’s worth a thousand words, this one certainly seems to spell out an essay.

Of course, it’s possible Ben and Jen — who are still living apart, BTW — were just trying to keep things cool and calm … as they were joined by their respective kids for the outing. Ben’s mom Chris and ex-wife Jennifer Garner‘s mom, Pat, were also in attendance.

Despite the physical touch here, Bennifer left in separate vehicles … later returning to their current residences, separately. In other words, Ben slept at his own crib … and she went back to their L.A. home.

Remember, as we previously reported … Ben is currently residing in Brentwood … instead of the Beverly Hills pad he and Jen scooped up for $60 million last year.

Neither Ben nor Jen have publicly addressed the state of their marriage at this point … sending all sorts of mixed messages recently. Ben has ditched his wedding ring a couple of times amid the separation rumors … while Jen was seen house hunting earlier this month.

Still, the couple continues to step out with one another time and again … proving they can at least stand to be in one another’s presence. Now, we’re seeing them show a little affection.

Ben and Jen have had quite the rollercoaster romance … first linking up in 2002, after costarring in “Gigli” together. The stars got engaged shortly after … later breaking up in 2004.

Fast forward almost 20 years later, when the exes reunited … choosing to get engaged again in 2022. They had a Las Vegas wedding that same year … celebrating their nuptials in a more formal wedding at Ben’s Georgia house. It was a full-circle romance … until now.