Yes. Being subtle does not work. You can try it, but realise that if he's not getting it, give up on being subtle.
For example, how I would ask Cassie out would probably amount to something like ''You're awesome, I'm awesome, wanna hook up before we nuke the world?'' and then kiss her.
How I would reject somebody would go along the lines of ''Sorry, nog go in that area. I'm just not interested in you in that way, even though you're a awesome person.''