How do i tell him or should i keep it to myself ?

Hello everyone I wrote this post anonymously because I still am having a hard time accepting that this is how i really feel about someone. This guy i met in 2015 he was everything I wanted. It took me and him a minute to click and get alone for the simple fact we act just alike. We like the same things, same things make us laugh, he knows what to do just to make me mad, laugh, all that , and i can do the same for him. Ever since meeting him and all the times we have hung out made me like him more and more. Not because he was a asshole sometimes just like me but his personality made me draw close to him. Everyone else sees how much of a asshole he only is, but deep down I see much more in him. How great of a person he is and his dedication to be more in life just excites me. This story may seem like he has the greatest person crushing on him, but the sad thing is im afraid to tell him. Well he knows that i like him but he doesnt know how deep it is. Im so afraid to tell him I dont want it to ruin our friendship, him look at me any different. He may seem like at times he is not ready for another relationship but deep down I can see he just doesnt want to feel that love again and for it to die down. I want to tell him but im so scared of rejection. Scared that it may not turn out how I want it to. Scared that all this time I was looking for something he wasnt.Am I doing the right thing by just keeping how i feel to myself and building that friendship or should i tell him and hope it doesnt affect our friendship.