What should I tell my friend?

*slightly long*

So me and my friend have been friends for about 5 years now. We went to sixth form together and have been with each other through thick and thin. He's been there for me through break ups, shaky mental health etc and vice versa for him.

When I met him I had a crush on him, but didn't pursue due to dating someone so just stayed close friends. (We recently had a conversation about it and I did tell him I liked him then, and he said he knew but because I was in a relationship he didn't try anything)

I've been single for almost a year now and we're closer than ever. Talking about our hookups and the people we're been seeing and speaking to etc, normal conversation you'd have with your long term friends.

Things start to take a more of a fwb path with him, sharing slightly more. Talking about want to sleep together, showing each other more explicit photos etc. (I'm 21 don't worry).

I went to visit my parents and he had a free house, went over and things started to get steamy. Never got at far as being able to sleep together but definitely enjoyed. Didn't think anything of it because I'd been sleeping around a bit and it was normal for me not to get attached or expect the other person to mention it again.

He was talking to a girl for a little while so stopped being flirty will me, which is just life. He did also say he'd feel weird sleeping with me and I think because we're so close, so we just went back to the normal friendship again.

I went down to visit my parents recently and he messaged me saying he had a free house, and I went round not expecting sex due to previous conversations but we did end up sleeping together. It was definitely the best sex of my life, he was caring, he made sure I was okay through out, he focused on me in a way most men don't. It felt genuine. The little touches, tracing my back when we were cuddling. I just couldn't help but find it so wholesome.

As we were finishing up we were kissing and I felt this weird passion behind it, like a kiss you give someone you love which did freak me out a little.

I went home and explained it to my sister as I don't know what to do in this situation.

I'm getting feeling for him but I don't want to ruin our friendship by saying I really like you or end up pushing him away entirely.

Me and my sister were trying to find out if he like me by the way he acts with me, he does little things like cleans my glasses if he sees they're dirty, or getting me water after sex without asking, or waiting to see if I've eaten before he eats if we're meeting up. There's a lot of little things he does that just indicate to me he's really caring but I can't tell if it's a friend type of caring or a "I love you type" of caring.

I really want to tell him I like him but I'm worried about how it could go so I need some advice