It sounds kind of like they aren’t an item anymore if they haven’t talked for a long time, in which case you should not hesitate to show your feelings. A couple things to keep in mind:
- If a guy is showing you “emotional intimacy”, chances are pretty good that he has stronger feelings for you than friends. It takes effort for a guy to show that and guys don’t normally expend added effort for no good reason.
- Don’t expect him to pick up on hints. A common mistake is for girls to expect a guy to be a mind reader and we are not. You don’t have to be blunt or emotionless about it, but don’t be shy about telling him what you want. If he’s feels it back he will appreciate you not playing games.
Let me know how it goes, or if you want any more insight, and thanks for reading!