This guy isn't good enough to have even as a friend, let alone a lover.
I have lost a friend. It is almost like losing everything. Maybe he needs closure now, or maybe some form of dignified way to see you disappear from his life. The dynamics may be always different and mostly difficult to go from 8 year friend long distance to lover. If you see things you do not want, don't be so picky that you might live half your life alone like I. It gets lonely out there.