Aqua man with Cap influence

Here's how his chart reads-

Ascendant: Scorpio
Sun: Aqua
Moon: Aqua
Mercury: Aqua
Venus: Cap
Mars: Cap

We're a part of a group of friends. He's always debating things with me, but we have both let each other know that it's in good spirits. Initially, our friends used to tease us for arguing like a 'married couple', and he used to go out of his way to emphasize on how he doesn't actually like me, even though he used to be teased with other girls too, and he would just brush that off. But about a year or so later, he told a close friend of his that I am probably one of the few people he can actually have a conversation with.
He wants to know what my plans are for my future. He's curious, and asks plenty of questions, and most times volunteers information about his uni work or career/future plans without me asking.
He has noticed stuff about me, like how I really like the beach. Described me as the 'silent, brooding type'. He 'knows' the sort of music I'll like off his playlist. Sometimes, while browsing through his playlist, he'll recommend I skip certain tracks cause' I won't like it.
Once asked to highlight my good traits, looked straight into my eye and introduced me to the group as 'being extremely friendly and extremely helpful, having taste in music and movies similar to his and therefore, good taste(we had never discussed movies or music we like at this point), and that I was great at organizing and planning things'. He thinks I'm calm and logical too, and sometimes makes sexual innuendos directed at me. :/ He has said that he 'respects' me.
Lastly, I have noticed, he cannot casually use my name, or do normal physical things that friends do- like say give me a hug, or pose for a photograph. He seems to be able to do that with the other girls in the group, but not me.
I suggested going on a date, and he said he's not attracted to me, but the date sounds like fun and a 'good idea' and that he'll take me up on it the next time we're in the same city. Since then, I have told him to do feel obligated to do so, because he's going through a rough patch, and I have told him that I care about him.
I need to figure this out. I think he does like me, and feels VERY attracted to me physically as well. I feel it's probable that he has never experienced such strong feelings for someone from the get-go and doesn't know what to make of them and how to act on them. What do you think?

Same guy as this post- https://www.dxpnet.com/opinion/astrology/ya-reckon-this-aquarian-guy-likes-me-3282176/
My placements-

Ascendant: Gemini
Sun: Pisces
Moon: Aquarius
Mercury: Pisces
Venus: Aquarius
Mars: Aquarius

I'm pretty sure he fancies you..

I think he likes you too. The cap venus is cautious and sooooooo slow. Just let it unfold at its own pace.. You will need patience!

He likes you. I have a lot of cap placements in my chart and this is how I used to act around my gemini gf

Thanks all, I thought so too. And the charts are pretty sync too, I believe.
It's just that, like I said, he's going through a rough patch, and my Aquarian energy is quite prone to not caring enough, so I am making deliberate efforts to show that I still got his back- like, by texting every once in a fortnight or more, maybe. They say that Venus in Aquarius is not capable of being faithful unless it's hopelessly in love, and I think I might be getting there, in say, about a year more? Feeling so much concern for a person and understanding them and accepting them so unconditionally, when they are a potential suitor, is SO unlike me, so I know that this could become something important to both of us. I was just wondering, do I keep up the deliberate efforts to just text him once in a few weeks, or do I just get on with my things (and I have got plenty going, in terms of work and education)and wait for him to initiate. Right now, he never initiates, but I just gotta say hi and he'll keep the conversation going. But I don't want him to feel abandoned, especially after he's opened up quite a bit to me about his childhood and family and things.

And you're right about the patience bit truecap. I think it's something both of us need to exercise. I need to be patient with him about making a sort of commitment- which I'm really in no hurry for, seeing how my previous post was close to two years ago, and he needs patience with me when it comes to 'falling for him' and opening up. 😉

He said it exactly as I wrote it- "I'm not attracted to you, but I think a date would be a good idea and sounds fun". I'm all for the 'not that into you' advice; used it on myself, and found him hurling himself back into my life. Did not contact him for about a year, only to find him back in conversation, and unintentionally telling me that he had had a bad couple of years. I won't go into his problems, but I think he has physically AND emotionally been through quite a bit. Knew about the physical bit when I met him in 2012, and he played it down as is characteristic of him. Those wounds are healing, but in the time that we weren't in proper touch, he has faced quite a bit of emotional toil too- this includes death, family issues, and as is for any person in their late teens-early twenties, making a career. Now that I know of all these issues, I think he has handled it all with an admirable grace and maturity. Although the debate and repartee was good fun, it's the honesty and handsomeness of his soul that I'm truly besotted by. He has said it himself that, honestly, these are issues that he needs to sort out by himself. I respect that. I have never prodded for information as I am a very private person myself. I am just confused about how do I let him know that I got his back in a way that is consistent. The need to show consistency is something that I am, perhaps for the first time in my life, willing to do. He has expressed doubt about that before, although in a friendly way.

Btw, the not contacting him for a year bit wasn't intentional at all- it's just how I am. I let things be in relationships- give people space, if you will.

Thanks mindofaquarius for your comments. 🙂 I see what you mean, and I'll be certain to keep them in mind.

I especially liked the points you made in your first comment. That's pretty much what I intended when I gave him that space of one year before he came and spoke to me again. But then again you say that letting him be for a year doesn't show consistency. That's precisely my dilemma. :/