Unrequited love that needs to die or pour my heart out next time I see him

TL;DR: I love him. Loved him for 10 years. How do I tell him without ruining our relationship?

My best friend (M 45) and myself (F 38) have known each other our whole lives but as adult friends for a little over 10 years. We have supported each other, been through highs and lowest of lows and even if time passes without seeing each other for whatever reason, when we catch up, we pick up right where we left off.

Lately, we’ve been spending a lot of time together as he’s going through a lot with his family and ex roommates, (to protect his privacy I won’t share details. Just know he is navigating roads that no one should ever have to drive down). Anyway…when we go out, we laugh, we cry, we get frustrated and just lay out all of our goods and not so goods because it’s a safe place. At least, I feel safe with him. I’m not going to put words in his mouth but, I’m sure he would say the same.

I have supported every relationship he has had over the last decade. We dated for a while but, he kept me at a distance. Part of him not letting me in is he doesn’t want to hurt me or disappoint me.
Out of EVERY relationship I’ve been in (not many but…enough to know what I want and don’t want), he checks almost all my boxes. He is a fierce protector, a gentle but truthful friend, a caring son and brother and I just - I love this man. Full stop.

We went out last weekend. He drove us and as he dropped me off back home, he always walks me to my door. I had been hyping myself up to say something and I almost chickened out, but I thought - SCREW IT. I told him how much he means to me, how I know his life right now is rough and busy and terrifying in some aspects but that he is one of the strongest men I know. I grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes and told him I loved him. I didn’t go to kiss him. I wanted him to know that I meant those three words. So I said them again. He looked into my eyes and quietly said “I love you too,” but then he broke free his hands and said, “Thanks for being my buddy for nights like this.” I chuckled, said you’re welcome, we said goodbye and then he left.

I stood inside my house, not moving, almost like I got punched in the gut. BUDDY?!
Automatic friend zone right? I was flabbergasted and felt like I got sucker punched.

I’ve never posted anything on Reddit but I thought I’d ask - should I just take the L, be content with being the friend and enjoy our friendship or, should I cut ties completely???

I love him. I think about him all the time and worry about him. His family is amazing and I love them too.

Am I being too much of a dreamer here that this could turn into something?
Is this a classic case of “if he wanted to, he would?” My bestie thinks it’s that and that I shouldn’t put my heart on the line.