Is it worth risking a friendship for a relationship?

happilyforeveralone
I have a friend who I love dearly. He's literally my favorite person and the thought of talking to him genuinely excites me. I feel 100% comfortable around him and he's one of the only people I can spend an unlimited amount of time with without getting sick of. I can talk to him about things I can't with anyone else we just understand each other. I miss him when he's away.

When I first met him I did initially have a crush on him but at the time he was sort of seeing another girl so I let it go and we grew into having a super strong friendship. Now the thought of being with him in a sexual way makes me sort of cringe but I don't know if that's just because I worked so hard to repress those feelings.

I know I want him in my life forever and I think a part of me plans on ending up with him when the time is right. However recent changes in his behaviour are making me think that he's starting to want more than a friendship. If this crops up I don't know what to do. I don't want to risk losing him but that could happen no matter what I choose. Honestly there's no one I'd rather spend time with but when I think of the prospect of a relationship with him I don't get butterflies. I do however feel sort of peaceful. I'm afraid that getting with him now would be settling and due to familiarity I'd miss out on all the exciting aspects of a new relationship. What would you do?
Is it worth risking a friendship for a relationship?
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