well you don't have to go up to him and be like "lets go out and be boy friend and girl friend", just talk to him and if you start talking to him and he talks back and you have a lot to talk about and he sees that you like talking to him he will probable ask you out.
but if it is better for you to talk to him on AIM then do that, but just try to get him to see that you like him but don't push to hard, just make is easy on him.
Yeah, message him if you find that easier--it gives you a better chance of thinking about what you're saying before you say it And perhaps keep it casual? Find something like a film that you know he wants to see and then say none of your friends are interested so could he keep you company--that way, on the tiny weeny chance he does turn you down ("I'd love to, but I'm gay/have AIDS/actually married") iyou can just say "Well, I only asked you because no one else wanted to go". Actually I'm rambling, I know nothing, I met my boyfriend on the internet
but if it is better for you to talk to him on AIM then do that, but just try to get him to see that you like him but don't push to hard, just make is easy on him.