Dont strike them down, Lift them up.

If somebody loves you, in a way you could never love them back, and they are important to you, do not avoid them, do not run away, Speak to them, tell them they are important to you, give them a hug, and tell them that you will always be their friend. Providing closure is necessary to maintain the same level of friendship, and you might even gain a deeper friendship, or what I would call, a Kinship.