If I were you I would text him a few weeks later. I'm not sure of how close you two were but you could say something like, "I know you said to delete your number, but I just want to assure you that no matter what I'll always be there for you. I really care about you."
I was in a similar situation and that's what I said. Hope that helps:).
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.