*disclaimer: Keep in mind this is only my personal perception/view of life as I see it, and I know I may be way off in my analysis... *

Sometimes we fall for or get attached to people that have certain aspects that our fantasy-oriented mind seems to want. What I mean is we, or at least a lot of people anyway, have this dream guy/dream girl fantasy in our minds that have certain things about them that we tend to be drawn to. Unfortunately those things usually are based on overly romantic ideal pictures. There is nothing wrong with having those things but I believe this part of our mind is detached from logic. What am I getting at? When we don't make conscious choices in who we allow ourselves to become attached to, we are typically driven by the fantasy attractions, the emotional side of things and romantic ideals of what we think we want in another person.

Where this goes wrong is that many, far too many, of those people that seem to have those traits lack the most fundamental traits we actually need in another person for lasting relationships. What I see in this guy you fell for is someone that clearly has some traits that magnetized you to him but they were not based on your personalities and behaviors being compatible. I see a difference in values for him and for you in so many ways but the way that you remain very enmeshed in the idea of making this work even if only on a friendship level as an attachment that goes beyond logic here. This is why I believe it may be something more akin to the "idea" of him than who he really is.

He does not communicate well when you need that the most. He is not as forthcoming with feelings as you need him to be. He withdraws at times when for you, it would be best to remain engaged and talk through things. Opposites in so many ways. I am sure that on a certain level you both appreciate and respect one another but having gone beyond the close friend level trying to get back to that with all of the remaining pain and disappointment experienced, it's going to be tough.

I honestly think that a good breather from him is the best idea here. Regardless of what the outcome is down the road a ways I don't think that continuing to try and figure out the issue and work things out even as friends is going to be as productive as you'd like or that It needs to be. After all, at this point I wouldn't suggest trying to have romantic connections with him anymore so really does it need to be worked on so hard?

I think that you two can be good friends in time, but really really think that a break, a complete break, not in anger, not in retaliation, revenge or anything negative but for the both of your peace of mind, is the best thing.