I have a friend that I've been in love with for about a year now, and I want to know if he's interested in guys as well. Some things he's done kinda hint at it, but it might just be that I'm being hopeful. For example, we were talking about a show, and he got kinda defensive/refused to answer when I asked him which character he'd date if he had to. In the past, he had also casually asked me about my sexuality, and since I'm not really stereotypical (people have been surprised when I came out to them) it really was kind of random. I regret it now, but I kind of backed out of the convo then (which might have given it away), but he's not really the smartest guy around so I think it mightve went past him. He doesn't seem very homophobic, but I didn't really want to push anything so I don't know. I'm scared to eve tell him I'm gay because I don't know how he'd react... and my subtle hints haven't seem to clicked in his head either.

I just want to know what would be the best way of getting around to figuring this out without hurting our friendship. If he's straight, then I'd still want to be friends with him, but I don't want to damage the relationship we have just to figure out the answer to my question. Does anyone have any advice for what I should do?