Be straightforward??

I’ve been hanging out with/seeing this guy. I believe he got out of a serious relationship within the 12 months. We started talking, hanging out, made out a couple times in the beginning. He then told me about the pst relationship and that he’s not ready to move full throttle into anything. He said this maybe 4 or 5 months ago. We’ve slowed things down and still cry flirty and I completely respect that as I think we also have a fun friendship. We see each other maybe twice a month and text a couple times throughout the week. I THINK he knows I want something more serious eventually but I haven’t really voiced what I’m looking for. Should I be transparent and let him know ultimately what I’m looking for or respect that fact he said he needed time months ago?

Either way I want to keep this person around because they are such a dope person. A relationship would just be icing on the cake :)