What does it mean when a guy gets defensive when you tell him he's like a brother to you?

[Anonymous]

My guy friend and I have always had a complicated/flirty relationship. I told him he's like a brother to me. He told me he has enough friends and we'll never be close friends. Later that night he was teasing me and then got serious and quiet and said "I actually think you look cute." What does this mean and why is he so back and forth?

[Anonymous]

"I have enough friends and we'll never be close friends." He's telling you that he isn't interested in being friends and you're making it worse by flirting with him. He's an idiot for sticking around, hoping you'll change your mind, but you're naive if you genuinely believe that he isn't secretly hoping that every relationship you find yourself in fails. He'll never be your "friend"

[Asker]

How did I make it worse by flirting? He's the one that flirts.

[FilmGuy93]

He's not going back and forth, he's trying to tell you that he doesn't see you as a platonic friend and wants something more.

[Asker]

I told him it hurt my feelings and he said he doesn't mean to come off that way. He said we just can't be close friends and he doesn't know how else to put and asked if I knew what he meant. All of this, along with calling me cute, is him saying he likes me more than a friend?

[FilmGuy93]

I'm honestly confused about how you have any doubts about this.

[Asker]

I'm bad at this. And I genuinely thought he meant he didn't want to be friends and was just being nice. Calling me cute threw me off tho. He was so quiet and serious when he said it. He also always hugs me and stares, and one time he held my hand all night. I like him and always felt like it might be mutual, but I'm always scared of reading it wrong.

[FilmGuy93]

I get it, but this sign is written in like... size 72 neon orange print.

[Asker]

He also told me he thinks the way things have been between us is good. What does that mean?

[FilmGuy93]

Do you have any reason to believe that he wouldn't have just meant what he said?

[Asker]

I messaged him about it and tried to show I reciprocate and he ignored me. I felt stupid and told him if wants to go our separate I understand and to just tell me. What else am I supposed to do here? He said to just relax and that he doesn't need my stress at the moment. Definitely sees me platonic or less than..

[FilmGuy93]

All you can do is give him time to think things over

[Asker]

This is why I never get vulnerable with him. Everyone thinks he likes me, he flirts, he says he wants me around, then he says he has enough friends, then he acts like this. Just tell me what you want from me or leave. It really hurts.

[FilmGuy93]

I hate people like that. People need to say what they mean, mean what they say, and generally live up to their word.

[JC1981]

He fancy you and hopes your friendship will evolve one day. Brother zoning him would of give him a stomach pit of disappointment resulting in being defensive.

[Macy1991]

He likes you and doesn't want to be in the friendzone!

[chilldude33]

you bro-zoned a guy that has feelings for you 💀

[Asker]

I messaged him about it and he ignored me. So what's that supposed to mean? What else am I supposed to do?

[VikingWarLord]

Men and women can NOT be friends