Trust me when I say that I've been on the crappy end of relationships. I kept on giving in and in my delusional mind I thought that he was going to change.

Riiiight.

If you do care about him, there's nothing wrong with being friends. And if he truly cares about you then he'll accept it and be your friend too. If, in the long run, you're the ONLY one he wants to be with, it'll happen.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst...but expect NOTHING.