Secretive Scorpio hates losing control, so he might suddenly get sullen or disappear after acting awkward in front of you. Try not to worry if this happens! It takes time for a Scorpio to get comfortable and reveal his feelings. Just keep engaging with him when he’s in the mood, and play it cool when he backs off. Your patience will pay off when it comes to understanding this guy.

He may even avoid eye contact altogether, especially if he’s on the shy side. Scorpio is a water sign, which means he’s very in touch with his emotions. He doesn’t want to get caught wearing his emotions on his sleeve, though—that goes against his intensely private nature.

Drop off lunch from your favorite restaurant when you’re having a busy day. Send a text to make sure you got home if you had to drive in a storm. Openly support you and laugh at your jokes in group settings.

Scorpios can also be major flirts, so don’t be surprised if you get that vibe from him while he’s chatting you up—but once he realizes he’s doing it, he’ll reign it in quickly. He might even end the conversation abruptly, since he’ll feel like he lost control of himself in front of you (which a Scorpio hates).

Seeking out your opinion is an even bigger deal because this makes him vulnerable (which isn’t at all typical of a Scorpio).

He’ll probably do or say something that makes it clear he’s been obsessively watching your tweets and snaps. Reassuring him that you aren’t interested in anyone else will help him get closer to opening up.

He may even disappear for a while so he can regain control of himself. The next time you see him, be flirty and do what you can to reassure him that you only have eyes for him. Avoid playing the jealousy card on purpose to get a rise out of Scorpio; he won’t react well to this.

If you’re crushing on him, do your best to roll with his mood swings. Before he reveals his feelings to you, he wants to see that you can handle his broody nature. Extreme moodiness is one big reason why Scorpios get a lot of judgement from others.

If you try to turn the tables and ask him personal questions, he’ll probably change the subject or find some other way to evade them for now. He won’t reveal anything personal until he’s comfortable with you.

When a Scorpio gets like this, it’s best not to push him. Take his behavior as a sign that he’s simply not ready yet. He’ll get there eventually—just try to be patient with him in the meantime.

Scorpio is a fixed sign, which means your guy is set in his ways. Even if he really likes you, it will take him a while to open up. If you’re getting impatient, just remind yourself to stay the course. Once a Scorpio opens up, he’ll open up completely, which makes for a deep and satisfying relationship. He’s worth the wait!