If someone else asks I guess I should play it off? I assume if they figured out through third party it would be weird

"Hey, I've been developing some feelings for you and was wondering if you felt the same way?" - normal, low expectation, allows rejection or acceptance without pressure

"I love you (and want a romantic relationship)" - intense and uncomfortable, high expectation, high pressure, may leave them wondering if you'll take no for an answer

When you're pining over a friend you're partly thinking of them in the romantic relationship track. This means professing love doesn't just come off as "I care deeply for you" or "I'm interested in romance", it comes off as "we're getting pretty serious in my head, you should get in on it."

In general mismatched feelings are deeply uncomfortable and the more mismatched they are the less comfortable.

Ultimately that's the thing, if it's probably a no, then you're more likely balancing a question of how much it needs to be said with how awkward you expect it to be, though likelihood of reciprocation is still a factor here, it's just that even at a definite no it may be worth it.

Most importantly though is about making it clear you'll respect however they feel. I wish I didn't have to say that, but unfortunately some people need it said.

I don't think anyone would hate you for asking them out on a date.

Even if this person likes you and enjoys your company, they won't appreciate it. It'll make them feel uncomfortable and wary of you. As others have said, love is way too big a word for someone you're not in a relationship with.

I know you mean well, but read about love bombing and why it's bad.

As an aside, be mindful of why you feel you love them. Have you been harboring those feelings for a long time without expressing them? Did you build a future with them in your head? Some of those things can come off as staker-ish if dumped on someone, making them feel you've included them in something without their input.

Hopefully they would appreciate that they have my love

I don't care if I get friend zoned or whatever. I'd be more worried about them hating me or thinking I was weird

In other words, what stage are you at in this relationship?

This sounds like a situation where you're currently friend-zoned, so I'll answer with that assumption.

You're going to get a lot of opinions on this kind of question, one way or another, and some of this will just depend on what part of the world you live in. In my opinion, the best way out of the friend-zone is to just be direct and ask them out on an official date. This lets them know that you really are interested in them without putting too much pressure on them. At that point, it's on them to figure out how to respond.

If they are interested, they'll respond positively. If they aren't, they'll either say no, come up with excuses, or back out last minute. If they cancel on you, do they really sound like they sincerely want to go on a date with you? If you're not sure, give them another chance, but if you find that they consistently cancel on you, then it's time to move on/just keep them as a friend.

Remember when I said that you have been thinking about this a lot more than they probably have? This is exactly what I mean.

If you actually love this person and you think they may not feel the same way, then what do you think will happen when you drop this bomb on them?

A lot of times the need to tell someone you love them is a selfish act while unconditionally loving someone is a selfless act.

Meditate on why you need to tell them.