Did I take everything the wrong way?

[Anonymous]

I have a guy friend that I've always liked. We always end up chatting/flirting when we're together. He's held my hand all night, always hugs me, gives me nicknames, etc. We went to a bar together and we're chatting and he smiled and told me "you and I are never going to be close friends. We just aren't. I have enough friends." He later told me he didn't mean to come off in a bad way and that he just didn't want to have the whole friend conversation. Then, he told me we were alone together, out on the town, and we should enjoy the moment/night together. He then asked me "what do you want?" I froze because I didn't know what he was asking. A little later when we were walking home he was teasing me and then he got quiet and said "I actually think you look cute." We both just stood there in silence for a bit. We texted all night long a few nights later and I said I enjoyed hanging out and that I heard him call me cute. Then I panicked and said I don't know why he said it and I told him I know he didn't mean it and it was probably a beer goggles comment. He replied with "I don't know where this is coming from and I don't even know what to say." Did I take it the wrong way? Was he actually showing interest and I just twisted it? I'm too scared to admit my own feelings and then this happens.

[Anonymous]

Tbh I’d say stop being scared, you two are adults and should be able to have a mature conversation about what you both want so you can figure out your next steps. That whole situation is just unnecessarily complicated, especially when he’s saying he has enough friends but isn’t suggesting a relationship either so what is it he’s wanting? The benefits of a girlfriend without committing or what? You should want to know.

[Asker]

I do want to know. He says he does want friendship, but also that we'll never be close friends. I'm scared to be honest with him because I don't want to get hurt or cause awkwardness.

[Opinion Owner]

What should scare you more is him never knowing how you feel, pursuing someone else and you being expected to watch from the sidelines because he believes you are only friends. I know getting hurt is scary, but you’ve already put yourself in the position to get hurt the minute your dynamic with him shifted from simply friends to something a little more. Who knows what the outcome of your confession would be, but unless you’re ready to be strictly platonic then a conversation needs to be had so that you can know how to behave and not feel confused.

[Guy13]

Yep, you blew that up. Talk less and kiss more. He might be done. Let him lead, control your tongue, and contain your emotion.

[Asker]

So, he was showing interest with all of that? I kept thinking he was trying to say he wasn't even interested in friendship, which confused me why he even wanted to hangout that night. He was the one that initiated that hangout, and then all of that happened. He also calls me sweet cheeks, which I've since said I don't especially like but he can call me something else and he said he'll work on a new nickname. He also always brings up the day we met and asks if I remember, along with other things I've told him in the past that I don't even remember telling him. And he always hugs me and tells me I'm so little. At 5', sometimes I wonder if he just sees me as a little sister.

[Guy13]

Stop doing the same thing over and over again. You will do what you know under pressure. This whole thing you wrote should have been 3 sentences. Guys stop caring after that IF it is read at all..,

[Asker]

That didn't answer my question. Also, context is needed for this, not sure how I'd lessen it. Why does he do all of this?