The best thing to do with a person like this is to keep your distance right?? [I Will Vent]

So it's like this a particular guy keeps having hope that we'll be together some day. I don't want to be in a relationship right now said guy knows this (idk if or when I am going to want a relationship) said guy knows it couldn't be him because I don't do long distance relationships he once offered to move closer because of that I told him not to because if it didn't work it would've been a waste of time (this was when I wanted to be in a relationship).
We text as friends from time to time but ik he's still hoping for more and I'm not sure if he is pursuing other options I want him to but I don't think he is. When he brings up wanting to be in a relationship and I tell him I don't want to be in a relationship he usually doesn't take it well he's hurt but he already knew that would've been my answer so idk why he keeps asking...
There are times when I do stuff to push him away we'd not talk for a while maybe a few weeks or less but he keeps coming back and idk why or what to do about it . 🤷