They had only been dating for one month when Jake casually laughed out, "this is exactly why I love you."

The second the words left his lips his eyes went wide with panic. They hadn’t even decided if they were boyfriends yet,_ he couldn’t love him yet, could he? _Jake was known for blurting out the most random honest confessions after he'd had a couple beers, his last confession had been about peeling in the shower, not something any of his friends needed to know. But confessions of love? This, this was new to him, and he couldn’t even blame it on being drunk.

After a few moments of being completely absorbed in his own spiralling thoughts, beer held awkwardly midway between the table and his mouth, he realized the conversation around him had moved on. The bar erupted into cheers at whatever sports game was playing on the TV above his head. But when he looked up, the on,y thing he noticed was Ryan looking right at him.

Jake took a sip of beer as casually as possible, trying not to let his hand shake as he analyzed Ryans expression. He didn’t look shocked. He looked playful, like he was waiting with curiosity to see what would came out of Jake's mouth next. His fluffy blonde hair fell over one eye and he batted it away absentmindedly without breaking eye contact, then raised an eyebrow as if asking a question.

A blush rose into Jake's cheeks, but he was thankful that his darker complexion hid it some as Marcus, the friend sitting beside him, leaned over, put his arm around Jake's shoulders and asked, "did you see that? That goal was epic."

Of course Jake had no idea what he was talking about, he never payed attention to the game during these nights out, it was just a good excuse to get out with the boys mid week. He missed boys nights now that some of them were starting to get married and have kids. But before he had a chance to make up an answer, Marcus was pulled back to the excitement on the TV.

When Jake turned back toward Ryan, he slid his hands across the table but still didn't say a word. His heart beat in his throat as he reached out and laced their fingers together. Suddenly, he realized this is the first guy who had came out to game night without needing to be convinced, and he wasn't afraid to show affection in front of the boys.

_This one is a keeper,_ he thought as his lifted his eyes from Ryans soft hands to meet his eyes again. A wide grin spread across his face as he stared at the beautiful boy who looked so at home sitting in this dive bar among his oldest and rowdiest friends.

As the crowd erupted in cheers again Ryan squeezed his hand and mouthed,_ I love you too._