Help! What do I say to a sex-friend who confessed he’s in love with me?

[Guest b80b5...129]

I realized at the beginning of this year that I am aro.  A few months ago, I started a friends-with-benefits relationship with a guy who has been a friend for about 10 years.  We have a friendly/antagonizing relationship, but it seems to work for us, or I thought it did.  When we embarked on this change in our friendship, I told him that I did not want a romantic relationship, and straight out told him that I do not feel romantic love, and never have.  I made sure to tell him that I was only ok with it after he agreed that he was not expecting or wanting anything more than our usual friendship and some feel-good-fun-time.   The only problem is, I stopped dating 5 years ago, due to never feeling romantic feelings for my partners, and after a lot of research and self-reflection, I think I might also be asexual.  I have never experienced sexual attraction for anyone I have ever met and do not enjoy sexual contact with other people, but did participate because I felt like it was expected in relationships.  I have been gearing up to tell him, but then he went and confessed that he is in love with me. At this point, I think the asexual news is irrelevant, as what he wants most, is something I cannot give.  I already told him straight out that I did not want a relationship, what else can I do or say to gently tell him its never gonna happen.  I don't want to hurt him, as he is a dear friend, but he seems to refuse to acknowledge what I have told him.  I need advice on how to gently let him down while also getting the point across for good. 

Anonymous poster hash: b80b5...129

[The Angel of Eternity]

I would tell him, again, that you don't feel that stuff for him and then maybe spend some time away from him so that he isn't reminded of you. That may help him get over you.