Ask if he sees a future with you or is just passing time

You're interpreting silence as a sign he cares, or you're reading small gestures as commitment. The problem is you're building a future in your head while he might be building nothing at all. He could actually like spending time with you and have zero intention of exclusivity or moving forward. He could also be avoiding the question because he knows his answer will disappoint you. The longer you don't ask, the more you invest emotionally, and the harder it gets to walk away if his answer is 'I don't know' or 'I like things as they are.' You need information before resentment becomes the main thing between you.

First, it has to ask the actual question without softening it so much that he can dodge it. 'Do you see this going somewhere?' works better than 'Are you happy with how things are?' The second one lets him say yes without committing to anything. Second, your message should name what you want to know about specifically. Do you mean exclusivity? A label? Moving in together? Be clear enough that 'yes' and 'no' mean the same thing to both of you. Third, it has to show you're asking because you respect your own time, not because you're trying to trap him or test his loyalty. Mention that you like him and that's exactly why you need to know where his head is at.

Send this in person during a calm moment, not when you're frustrated or he's tired. Give him space to actually think and respond instead of putting him on the spot. If he gives you a clear answer right away, you have your information and can decide what to do. If he says he needs time to think, set a reasonable deadline in your head, maybe a week. After that, his inability to answer is itself an answer. If he avoids the question, changes the subject, or gives a vague non-answer more than once, stop asking. Repeated evasion means he's either not interested in a future with you or not interested in being honest about it. Either way, you have what you need to make your next move.