Search Results: keeping a friendship

I've been best friends with him for 8 years. The longest we have gone without speaking is 4 months during his initial start up in the Navy. During this time I have done whatever I could to please him. Reason being- I'm in love with him. He knows. I have told him; numerous times actually. The first time I said it, I slipped up. Every time after that though, he had asked me how I felt and I told him. Given the fact that he's my best friend, I have always respected boundaries and stayed at a safe distance so I don't overstep our friendships lines. However, recently we have been speaking in a lot more depth than normal. He's been confiding in me about everything- which is huge because he literally trusts no one. And then he came forward and told me he loves me. He tells me quite frequently actually. However, he is making little side comments on top of his confessions. Telling me he is a bad person and that I shouldn't care for him. Tells me that I will just leave like everyone else. I do reassure him when these moments arise. He does not want to date. He's made it clear and I respect that wholeheartedly. But now that we have gotten as close as we have, he's pushing me away and keeping me at a safe distance. I've seen this before with him and I'm afraid he may soon run from me and the love he's confessed. What do I do? Losing him would seriously destroy me.