Why is my boyfriend dodging serious conversations?

[Anonymous]

My boyfriend and I have been dating for 6 months and the other day we were joking around and he was teasing me so I was kind of playing mad and he sent me these little heart bitmoji things (emojis that look like you) and a couple of them said i love you but we haven’t said that to each other and so I asked him about it and he kind of just dodged the question. I don’t know what that means and if he isn’t in love yet that’s okay but why won’t he say yes or no or at least acknowledge that I asked.
He also doesn’t like to talk about a lot of other serious things for example every time I talk about him leaving for college he turns it into a joke and says things like I’m not leaving I’m going to drop out.
I’ve tried to talk to him about this a few times both in person and then over text just to see if he would be more open not being face to face but it’s not working. I know he doesn’t like to talk about his feelings or other things like that a lot but there are times I want to talk about some things just to see if we’re on the same page.
I want to know how I can get him to open up more, our relationship is good and healthy I just want to talk about things more and it’s hard to do when he avoids it.
Thanks

[btbc92]

You can't get him to open up more. If he can't get his life together and take anything seriously, then why are you dating him? He will just drag you down with him.

[Izumiblu]

Well how do you feel about telling him you love him?

I mean why is it on him to go first?

[Asker]

I would tell him I love him first but it’s getting that conversation started I’m having trouble with because he changes the subject.

[Izumiblu]

Ok. So next time don’t put him on the spot in such a focused way. It almost comes across as a challenge or a test when you put it like the way you describe it.

Next time it comes up open yourself up a little. Give a little emotion maybe a little physical touch on the leg or arm. Give him a signal that he’s not out swinging in the wind. If he jokes a little at first tell him it’s important to you that you talk about it. It’s kind of a leap. It’s not the easiest moment in a relationship. Baby steps. He gives you a cue, go just a bit further

[Logorithim]

Sounds like he is avoiding the tough topics. Tell him you need to know where he stands on them because of their importance to the relationship.