There’s an obvious connection between us and other people have noticed it. He knows a lot about my life and I know about his. I do have more “experience” than him and he never really had a girlfriend nor is experienced with kissing and sexual stuff. He did tell me the few experiences he had only happened because the girl took initiative, and that he was shy in that sense. We also been friends for a long time so idk if that was a hint or just something he wanted to share with me as a friend.

I do fear putting myself out there and being rejected by someone I care about a lot. And I’d rather being just friends over not being around him at all.