I am going insane trying to figure out this Pisces behavior

Hello, Pisces people. I'm a Leo, and I am going mad trying to crack this Pisces. We've known of each other for 5 years, and we've known each other for about 4. When we first met, I wasn't all that interested, but he pursued me relentlessly, and I eventually gave into him, and to my surprise, we hit it off quite well despite being complete opposites. (I have a rather flamboyant personality, and he's more muted or shy around others). In short, we went from 0 - 100 rather quickly, which is something I've never done with anyone, and for the first 9 months, it seemed rather perfect. I mean, we were crazy about each other UNTIL it started to get a little too serious. He then became very wishy washy, indecisive and distant (at the time, I didn't know this is how most Pisces are prone to act, so it really hurt my fragile Leo ego lol) and we parted ways not too long after that.

At first, he kept minimal contact with me. Telling me from time to time he still liked me and such, but he would disappear right after doing so. I tried my best to ignore any residual feelings, and I went about my life as it was before him, but I could not let it - the emotional bond - go. And, over the past few years, we've kept this going. We go in and out of each other's lives. Getting close to one another again, only for him to freak out and swim away for whatever reason.

Recently, we almost went about 8 months without contact before he finagled his way back in, completely apologizing for any and all behavior (something he has never done). Now, I was certainly not innocent over the years, but even though I've tried to point it out to him, he's taken all the blame and has owned up to why the relationship has been bumpy, for lack of a better word. And sure, you could definitely argue that I simply reacted to crap behavior, but at the end of the day, I still reacted bad at times, but he chooses not to see that.

We've just established contact once more. Just wanting to be friends, because we are great as friends. The second our emotions (or rather HIS emotions) get involved, it becomes a different story. But the other night, we had both had a few drinks, and he slipped up and exposed his looming interest again (for the first time in awhile) and since then (a few days), he's gotten a bit quiet. I've learned that he prefers to keep his true feelings and emotions to himself, and that unless he truly messes up, it's best not to call him out and incite a fight, and I KNOW Pisces definitely need their alone time, but I can't help but be filled with about 5 million questions now. Is he honestly still interested?, is he just going through a typical Pisces isolation phase?, are we too into the groove of the push-pull dynamic?, are we just fascinated with each other's differences?, am I overreacting?! Lol. Other Pisces, please give me some insight. I'm going wild with thoughts, and I'd like to know how I should approach this before jumping the gun and doing it the blunt Leo-way. For what it's worth, I do have a bit of earth in my chart, so maybe that may explain some things?

First off, YES he is still interested, however this is definitely part of the push-pull dynamic. Right now it seems like you're in the "push" stage. To me it seems like he is subconsciously (not his fault, ill explain) making reasons why it may not work, or that his individuality may disappear. Basically, He knows it will work, but it was too much too soon and so now that he can ACTUALLY have something he has wanted, he doesn't want it because (again subconsciously) it feels too good to be true in a twisted way. The best thing you did during the push pull dynamic was to be you and go out and not be "innocent". Be yourself, meet other people, but keep him as a priority. This shows that you don't need him, but want him. Pisces likes to be needed for assistance/service/emotional support/sex. If you get any of those elsewhere, depending on how deeply he has fallen for you/interested he is, will determine if he pursues you.

Explanation to subconscious:

I used to be like this and I never recognized it. There was a time where this girl and I would hang out and go do different things together. Literally attached to the hip, and made jokes, poked fun, etc. No sex or kissing but the thought was there. This continued until I was naturally supposed to make a decision at the rate at which things were going between us, and suddenly I felt my individuality threatened. "Does this mean I can't see other people? What if that's it? What about sex? What about emotions? Do I have to cater to this person? I dont feel like I'e had enough time to build emotional intimacy with them."

I build my intimacies with people through personal tragedies. Either there's or mine, but its a time where people are most vulnerable. I have no intentions on being sinister, and if I sense that the other person thinks I have an ulterior motive, I cut and leave because once they have that Idea, they won't change that. Kind of like a first impression.

I hope this helps. The whole subconscious thing (to me) feels like a choice that has to be made, but if he doesnt know what he wants with you, he'll lean 80% no, 20% yes. So right now, I think the best thing to do would be to acknowledge this ti him (at least the whole him not knowing what he wants), and give him about 2 weeks or so (dont tell him the timeframe) to make his mind up. See if you guys can hang out or talk or something, then bring it up! Hope this helps!

I think there's something in your behaviour that bothers him, but he can't share it with you because he sees that you're not gonna accept it.

similar to Urbane101 said. Us pisces seem to share some cancerous traits - as soon as something becomes to solidified we swim. Fish are slippery - and how easy is it to catch a fish - next to impossible.

I dont understand why it is taking so long, but if you want to look at it in a spiritual sense - perhaps there are somethings that have to be done before hand? the universe works in perfect timing

You need to ask him what it is that you do that makes him feel insecure, he obviously loves you to bits, but I don't know, as someone else said, there's something??

My advice would be to stay friends and leave it at that no matter what advances or suggestions he makes - it doesn't seem fair that he does that to you and of course you have left him do that - it seems like a big waste of time to me when you could be looking for Mr Right ... he seems like a total Mr. Wrong!