I don't know how to start this but I (F) met someone (M) online around 7 months ago, we met through "work" and I don't want to emphasize on this further since he's active here and might come across this post. We have started as friends, where we just tend to have a conversation comfortably with each other once or twice a month. I learned that we shared a lot of interests together, thus us having a lot more things to talk about other than work. But there was one time where we had a conversation that got a little bit sensitive (talking about mental health) that led us to constant and daily conversations.

As each day progresses, I learn more about him and so does he about me. I made a mistake of telling him that I have a crush on him early on with how he manages to greet me good morning and good night, as someone coming from an unhealthy long term relationship, this kind of gesture is very new to me and I understood it as maybe he wants my attention. But we had a talk about it on how our friendship is more important that he don't want to risk it and he doesn't want me to get hurt in the future. After being clear on those things and establishing great communication with each other, I suppressed those feelings for the sake that I like to be around him. He also stated that he also has someone else that has this kind of relationship in his life, might be someone locally, but I didn't have the guts to ask. I was okay with it and comfortable since I'm also not ready to pursue a relationship with someone. He just gives off a different kind of comfort that it's really hard to find in anyone else I've met in my life. I have never met such a kind and warming soul.

Recently, our friendship escalated to sharing sensitive photos of each other and casually sending selfies. We clarified that despite sharing those sensitive photos, our boundaries will always be there and we have kept our word. But it got a bit of confusing when I sent him more and more selfies of mine and the compliments towards me started to pour, and in some miniscule details he gave his opinion in the choices that I do daily. He got more and more affectionate to me, being the one to message me first, taking his time to reply to my messages no matter how busy he was, making schedules of when we get to do activities together like playing together and watching some movies.

I tried to detach away from him as I don't want to come off as clingy since he's busy with a lot of work by not messaging him from time to time as a respect to his time but he pulled me back and explained that I shouldn't think that way and he enjoys talking to me. He was very understanding and welcoming that I didn't experience with my long term partner, that's why this is new to me. I don't want to think it as a "big gesture" if it's really just the bare minimum. He told me a fair share of his past and his good and bad experiences, so I don't know if that is a usual conversation with someone who you treat as a friend. For me, it's like being an open book. I'm surprised that there are men like this who are willing to bring down their walls and be open to vulnerability.

I don't want to hope that eventually he'll start catching feelings for me that's why I often set boundaries and let him know that I'm uncomfortable with him sending affectionate messages/videos to me that come off as sweet. He's the one who has set those boundaries between us but I feel like he's the one overstepping it in my point of view. He said that he's okay with it and he's not overstepping anything. Does sending a smooching video considered normal between friends?

As an emotional woman, I'm gullible and have a weak spot for those. But the effort of him making time to talk to me, spend time with me, understand me and be there for me, despite the 12 hour time difference. He never failed once during those 7 months of being really good friends. I just would like an advice on how I will tread this friendship and not me taking advantage of him, not me falling for him, not me overthinking about it too much.