Search Results: sex bringing a couple together

So recently I womaned up and asked my crush out. He said No.

I'd kind of prepared for the possibility due to mixed signals, so was going to leave, but he seemed to want to talk, we talked for over an hour.

He said that he didn't want things to get weird or awkward between us, I said that they won't, but I will need to distance myself from him a bit, as I need some space to get over him. I made it clear I'm not going to be rude or ignore him, and will still say hello etc. and we are still friends.

He got upset and said he didn't want things to change. (We talk a lot and tend to end up hanging out together for most of the night when we're out with friends.) I said we can't carry on like that, as I want to get over him and move on.

He said he thought that 'this would bring us closer together than ever'. I thought that was a really weird thing to say, I can't imagine how he thought that would be the case. Any thoughts on this? (It really confused me.)

I feel bad that he is upset, but I really wasn't expecting it. We've only known each other a couple of months, and it's not like we're best friends or anything.

Please comment below if you have any insight, I feel like maybe I'm missing something! None of the options I've listed seem likely to me, so I keep thinking there must be something else. Thanks.

If it helps, he seems to be a gentleman and nice guy, and doesn't do casual sex.