How is Ethereum decentralized if there are fees? [Serious]

Please don’t downvote, I am trying to better understand my investment. How is Ethereum decentralized if fees are paid to the Ethereum network per transaction? Doesn’t that mean Ethereum is the intermediary? Also, what incentive do dApp builders have to create applications if the apps are not centralized? An ELI5 would be wonderful. Thank you all in advance