Frat x Heated Rivalry?

Hello everyone,

Happy Valentine’s Day to all who celebrate. I (M, 20) seem to have a crush on my fraternity brother (M, 21) after he came out to me a few weeks ago… or am just confused about the situation as a whole. A mix of both, probably.

Now before you all go after me, let me explain myself a bit. I have been single since the summer going into my sophomore year of college, coming out of a toxic relationship, and just haven’t found a great person that checks all of the boxes for me. I’ve been hooking up here and there but nothing too serious. My fraternity brother, however, has dated girls since I met him our freshman year. He just got out of a pretty toxic relationship about a month or so ago, and his toxic ex started a bunch of rumors about him that eventually lead him coming out to me as bi.

A few weeks ago, we were sitting in the cafeteria together, and some girls were selling flowers and really wanted me to buy some. Long story short, I kept saying that I had nobody to give flowers to and he hit me with the, “well, you could always get me flowers. Since you know a little more about me now.”

Here’s where I need advice. Deep down, I really just want to be a good friend to him, and someone he can lean on when he needs to. But I keep finding him subtly flirting with me, or staring at me at parties and fraternity functions, and I feel like maybe he wants something a bit more. I’m so confused, so I’ve turned to you guys. Can someone help point me in the right direction?