Search Results: would you ever forgive an ex

I have been seeing/hanging out with an old friend/ex. He told me if I ever started to develop feelings to tell him we needed to take a break. He says he's not ready for a relationship till he gets some things right with his baggage from an ex. Plus he told me he is not so concerned about his feelings as he is with hurting me.
Honestly I was good until I realized no matter how tough he acts he really cares about me. I mean sure he doesn't talk to me every day, but he does take care of me when I am sick. He supports me no matter what. And for my gift for the holidays he took time off from work (and worked doubles to make it happen) to clean my house since I never have time and he knows it bugs me. He also is not big on holding hands, but will since he knows I like it.
He also used to be a pretty big asshole and is intent on making it up to me for how he treated me in the past. I even told him it's going to take a while to trust him (he wishes I would) since I can forgive the past, but not forget it. He understands and is ok with me taking however long I need.
I should also mention that he spends most weekends at my house. Other than the loads of time we spend in bed, he likes the safe haven of my house from his annoying roommates and chill environment. Though sometimes I feel he thinks he needs to "pay" me back for staying the weekend.
When I asked about this earlier I was told he was manipulating me. I mean he could be, but it could also be other things as well. Anyone care to guess at what it could be?

As teens we'd both been through rough stuff & by no means were up to dating. I was looking for a Mr (or Ms) RightNow as was he, I didn't care we were bff's.
For 7 years we've been friends, quietly close. We would talk all night, text constantly & all day, argue like lovers. I had no idea that it even seemed like a relationship - in my head we were friends because I felt as though if he was a man he would have sought me out more diligently.
He & I dated others, talked more than with anyone else but we sort of hid the others existence, something I realize seemed more like an affair than anything-perhaps emotional I suppose.
He would offer to get me clothes, get my hair done, buy me movie tickets - all things I vehemently rejected because I am all about covering myself w/friends. He even bitched at me for rejecting a game Monday!
Later as adults he said that I should have come on to him & demanded him, I realized that being more experienced I could have but I have a firm belief men should be the initiators.
Both dated others srsly, I thought moved on & kept contact after he moved - he even said..."You are the closest thing to a true significant other I've ever had."
Whoa right?
He told me all the things he wants me to piece together, something I loathe that he openly said he thinks I should just figure out due to his puzzling insecure b. s.
Ex: He told me how he was going to see a therapist to learn to understand himself better (I had suggested such for years), also his wage-very impressive, his insurance, all things I had always mentioned I NEED in a hubby (I know he told me these things to subtly say IM MARRIAGE MATERIAL).
I've been blind but he's been so mean sometimes, friends forgive so easily though.
He's moving back, calling more, texting more, says he wants to take me away etc. Everything I refused to accept but I still talk to him.
Friendship means everything.
We've also talked about breeding... I don't know what to think, or how he truly feels.