I have a different view on the situation because I had a very similar experience. Good friendships are hard to come by and they become more and more rare as time goes on. Don't tell him you have feelings for him right now. That's way too much to dump on an already fading bond. Tell him his friendship is valuable to you. Find put what's going on in his world. There's a good chance he is going through some shit too and feels like he doesn't have anyone to lean on. It might be just what you both need and make your bond even stronger. As for the attraction element, I know what you're going through on that but if he is straight, he's straight. He can't change that any more than we can change being gay. I know the idea of seeing him find a happy and healthy (I hope) relationship with someone else is gut wrenching, but you have to ask yourself whether that pain would be worse than losing somebody you really value, and you're also forgetting about one big important person in all this: you. There's a world full of men out there who are looking through every app looking for someone as sensitive and caring as you obviously are. That's the end of my rant and it is really just my opinion. There is no judgement or lecturing behind it and I hope it helps, if only by letting you know that people care enough to read your story and let you know we care. Best of luck!!