Apart from telling, how can i hint to someone that i like him?

this guy is one who i perceive as impossible to get. he has been dropping hints but i'm not sure at all if he was just flirting or the hints were not strong enough for me to feel confident that he likes me. however, i like him so much and i wonder if there is any way to hint to him that i like him..? for example, some hints which keeps him thinking but does not give him certainty that i like him. this is because i dont want to salvage our friendship. pls help