Cheskaox, I suggest you initiate a conversation with him where you calmly discuss what is on your mind and how much a friendship with him means to you, and that you respect his decision to not get involved in a relationship with you and will not push for anything beyond a comfortable friendship level. By telling him this, if he is willing to let go of whatever happened in the past and move forward with the friendship - that's great - if not, then both of you should just go your separate ways and move on with your lives.