Ofcourse I would want him to flirt back, and I would definitely let it go further if there was a chance for that. BUT I really really don't think he would flirt back, which is why I haven't flirted with him, and why I don't think I will either. The dreamer part of me might be seeing signs and hints, but the realist in me is dominant and this part hasn't seen any window of opportunity or encouragement even for the slightest "easy-to-laugh-off-as-a-joke" flirt. And just today when I saw him I felt like that's intentional.

And yeah, I hate that he shows me any kind of attention if he doesn't mean anything by it. It's much less painful to crave something from a distance than to have it in reach and not being able to do anything about it.