He confesses

I felt tears forming in my eyes, "Harry, where is this coming from?"

"I just want you to know how I feel. Your friendship means the world to me."

I looked down, "There's something I haven't told you."

"What is it?"

I felt goosebumps form throughout my body, and I was incredibly nervous to tell him about my sexuality.

"I'm, uh, actually gay. I like men."

He looked uncomfortable, "Oh, I see."

As a gay man, I always have the impending fear of being rejected or hated. I know more are accepting nowadays, but I was still scared of the ones who weren't.

"I hope you don't see me any differently. The world is still unaccepting, and I have to be careful who I come out to."

He held my hands and sat me on his bed, "I would never negatively judge you. But, I do see you differently."

He looked away, "I haven't been honest either. I feel really confused. I don't know who I am, and I can't figure out these feelings I'm having."

"What are you feeling?"

He whispered, "My attraction for you."

This revelation passed through me, and I felt substantially astonished.

I asked him, "Wait, you're attracted to me?"

He nodded his head with a "Yes, I am. Very much."

I pulled him so he faced me.

I scooted closer, so our legs touched, "Well, what's wrong with that?"

"It's just I'm not gay. I've never liked men in my life. Why am I having these very confusing feelings?" He started getting overtly flustered, so I rubbed his back. He said, "I don't think I'm gay, but this feels right."

I said with caution, "You know, it doesn't matter. Things don't have to be labeled as gay or bisexual. It's just how you feel about the person."

He looked at me, "I like you."

"And I like you too. Your vulnerability is very attractive, and you've taught me to be more open."

"I'm sorry if I'm not manly enough. I've always been insecure about being more emotional than most men."

"Your vulnerability is beautiful, and I would never do anything to jeopardize it. Being more emotional doesn't make you less manly. It makes me more pulled into your honest, captivating masculinity."

"OK. I'm happy because that's more than my ex-wife ever felt about me."

"What about your ex? I thought she passed away or something."

"No, not at all. I don't like revisiting the past, but she..."

He was practically shaking, on the verge of a breakdown. I held him close. I just wanted to protect his innocent spirit.

"She physically and emotionally abused me."

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Who in their right mind would ever lay a finger on this man? How could anyone hurt anyone is the real question?

I didn’t know how to react to this tragic news.

AllI could muster was, "Oh no, I'm really sorry."

"All the time, she controlled, degraded, and humiliated me. After we had our daughter, I thought I was stuck with her. I thought I needed to stay with her for our daughter. But one day, she got angry with Gracie and slapped her. That was the end, and so the next day, I filed for a divorce. I was worried the court system would side with her, but luckily, I was granted full custody. They tried to paint me as an abuser, but my daughter told the truth, and that was enough. But it’s so hard. Sometimes, I feel like I took Gracie's mom away from her. But I couldn't have that woman raise her. Was I selfish?"

"You did not. You had to protect yourself and, most importantly, your daughter. Most people are too afraid to leave, but you did it. And to openly admit a woman abused you with how male survivors are horribly disregarded. I'm proud of you."

"You shouldn't be proud of that. I wish it never happened."

I hugged him lovingly, "I know. Are you OK?"

"Honestly, this sounds horrible, but that day, it felt like my life started over again, and I could finally be free. But, I never knew being a single dad with all this buried trauma would be so difficult."

"I'm really sorry. Thank you for telling me everything."

"Well, thank you for giving me the space to."

I asked him, "What do you want to do?"

"I don't want you to go. I want to explore these feelings."

"OK, Harry, let's do it. Do you want to cuddle?"

He hesitantly said, "Umm, sure."

I stripped down to my underwear, and Harry looked awkwardly down at my crotch."

I noticed, "You don't have to strip down. This just makes me more comfortable."

"No, I want to."

I climbed into bed and watched him take off his clothes. He stood there half-naked, and I pulled the covers up for him. He walked to his stereo and played soft piano music. He entered and plopped his precious head on my slightly hairy chest.

"So, I'm curious: what do you find attractive about me?"

"Oh, many things. You have a beautiful chubby body and crystal blue eyes, and you are a very good-looking man. And let's not forget your gift for creating."

I was surprised at how honest he was about how I looked. I didn't think I was handsome by anyone's standards.

"Thank you. What about me?"

"Everything. Your face, body, and you have a gift for storytelling. You are mesmerizing."

Harry kept twisting and turning until I held him firmly, "Just relax. There are no expectations here."