Is he just being really nice and feeling sorry for me or does he like me?

[lovelyzinfinite]

I have a guy friend who I hang out with 24/7 and we live in the same university house. He knows I like him and I'm getting mixed signals. He has also said several times that he thinks relationships are an effort (he's never been in one, we're both inexperienced). We watch movies together, cook, go out on walks, eat out and sometimes cuddle on his bed (I initiate it though). Sometimes he buys me food and refuses to leave me alone when he knows I'm upset. He thinks it's weird whenever I don't hang out in his room and I get the feeling that he dislikes it. He also teases me constantly and calls me "man" and "silly" a lot. He never initiates messaging me because he's so used to me starting the conversation but he also doesn't initiate conversations with anyone in general. We video call nearly every evening because we're so used to it. When I don't text him, he messages/calls me asking if I'm okay. Due to COVID, I've been alone and haven't seen my family for 9 months now; I'm worried he's just doing these things because he feels sorry for me/is being really nice. Sometimes he asks me if I've moved on and we tend to joke about my feelings so that we don't make the whole thing awkward. I've liked him for a year now and it's very difficult for me to move on because I keep getting these mixed signals. I'm also scared because I like him so so much but I don't think he realises how much I like him. I'm too scared to ask him if he likes me because he's made it clear he thinks relationships are a faff. Please please help me!!!

[Smurphanie]

Sounds to me like you have been in a relationship all along. I think you should sit him down tell him you would lime to have a serious conversation and would like nothing but complete honesty ask him to allow you to say everything you have to say first and then put all the cards on the table... tell him exactly how you feel and explain how you believe that your interactions together are just like a relationship he already puts in the effort just by doing everything you said he already does... and you would like to know how he feels and if he might feel the same hiw he would feel about making it exclusive and official to be a couple. Best case scenario you end up togwthwr as a coue and worst case scenario he doesn't feel thw same way and now you know so you can move on and forward with your own life. Just my opinion.

[lovelyzinfinite]

Thank you for your advice! I will definitely have to pluck up the courage to have this discussion with him at some point

[Hunnybee1]

Oh my god, y'all cuddled in bed? And he teases you? From and outsider's perspective, i think he totally likes you

Orrr he's that kind of friend.
But the signs are allll there

[spartan55]

How does he know you like him? Did you tell him that?

[lovelyzinfinite]

Yes I told him a few months ago but we sort of didn't talk about it for a while.

[spartan55]

Why do you video call if you live in the same house? You on break?

[lovelyzinfinite]

He's gone back home for Christmas