and like I said, You teach people how to treat you. Therefore: why would you want to start out putting yourself in the buddy position? You can learn to be friends while keeping yourself within the ultimate position that you would like to be which i assume must be romantic partner? Correct me if I'm wrong there.

Do as you feel is what is right for you. If it doesn't work out for you then try considering keeping yourself out of the buddy zone and into the romantic partner zone of that of which mature adults partake in.

Good luck. Don't let this budding, buddy-hood turn into F-buddies which what often happens when a guy has to put in zero effort.