>>11
Tell him, see what unfolds and move on. It might be blunt, but that's how it works, otherwise nothing will probably ever happen, and you might even wind up hating him. If he says "yup I love you too let's make babies", hurray, happy end.

If he says "uhhh no sorry", you're gonna hurt, cry, try to hold on anyways, find it too hard, step back, cry some more, and after a moment, be it weeks, months or years, you'll find yourself able to handle being "just friends" again. You'll be over him. At that point, you'll either want to leave that in the past, or want to get in touch again. If he is the friend you say he is, and life hasn't torn you both apart, then you'll be back in this place you like. If not, you'll be strong enough to move on.

Good luck.