<human>: Can you summarize the given text in a few sentences?

About half a year ago I met a friend through a DnD campaign. He's super funny and really chill most of the time, and I really want to get to know him a bit better.

My problems arise from me being either too paranoid to ask him, or the age gap we have (which I might also be paranoid about but idk). I'm not worried he'll reject me, but that it'll screw up our friendship if he turns me down. I'm also kinda worried that he'll be irked by the age gap. I've had some of my friends say a 4 year age difference isn't a problem as long as everyone's 18+, but I'm still not so sure it'd be appropriate or if he'd be comfortable with it.

I'm also not entirely sure how this is going to work, if we do end up dating. I don't want to make the same mistakes I did earlier in life where I just jumped into a serious relationship right off the bat. I want to play it safe. But the problem is, we're 6 hours away from each other. Will it be okay if I do go on a date with him, but try to go out every month or so? Are there alternatives?

I know I sound like an idiot writing half of this stuff, so I'm really sorry in advance. I've never really dated people before and I've certainly never made the first move so I'm kinda terrified and paranoid about every little thing I do. I think I just need advice; should I go for it or look for someone closer/older? If I go for it and we want to keep dating after the first time, how should I handle the 6 hour drive, or just dating in general? Or even asking him in the first place?
<bot>: I'm clueless about dating, I'm 6 hours away from a guy I'd like to ask out on a date and worried about the age gap and possibly making things awkward if I'm turned down. Any advice would be appreciated.