Do I just hope for the love to go away and preserve the friendship, or take the plunge and risk someone deeply valuable to me?

It's a hard choice.

do you know how much this person values you?

Yes, very much. I'm one of their best friends as well.

They have told me so themself.

what is there to fuck up so bad that they would not be your friend anymore?

I just feel like it would become awkward. One-sided love is deeply awkward, even though I wouldn't be a 'nice guy' about it.

yes, I can get this. How long have you been friends?

Over three years. Maybe five by now?

have either of you told the other that you love each other? how is the love one sided?

If it's one-sided, I should say, it would be awkward.

Yeah, I've told them, every night when they go to bed, in fact. They tell it to me too, sometimes, but... I mean, platonic friends say it

so you dont know if the other one loves you.

too, when they're close enough.

Exactly, I don't know either way.

That's what scares me.

i take it you two have not said that you love each other..

Not like that, no, but in a ostensibly platonic sense, yes.

it something you've been thinking about telling them? or are you waiting on them to tell you first?

that is you aren't sure you can have a romantic relationship with them and remain friends if it doesn't work out don't both.

bother*

an important friendship is better than the chance of a romantic relationship that has the decent probability of failing.

maybe do a casual "what if" scenario? like "What if I really liked you..that way. Would we still be friends or would you vomit on my shoes?"

that phrasing Juls

that phrasing too.