a/n: You can't expect them to fall in love right away. It takes a little build up. )

The rest of the summer until Harry's birthday was seemingly uneventful. Though Ron had still not disclosed the name of his new found love, it had not hurt their friendship in any way. On the contrary, they had gotten much closer with frequent little touches here are there. More than just play-fighting, some of the touches sent tingles down Harry's spine, but Harry knew that couldn't have been what they were intended to do.

Harry had begun to understand his feelings for Ron more and more each day, and as he did so, he began to yearn for those soft little touches Ron unknowingly gave him and that he too gave Ron on occasion. Something as simple as helping Ron up off the grass just to feel the soft skin of his hand was all Harry needed to make these uneventful days into great days.

Today, however, needed no excuse to be great. Today was Harry's birthday and he was just glad he didn't have to spend it at the Dursley's. And to make the day even better, he was now old enough to use his license to apparate. It didn't seem like the day could get any better.

As he sat up in bed he heard Ron still snoring soundly in the bed next to him. If only he knew, thought Harry, and we could be together in the same bed. It was a useless daydream though, for Ron would surely never feel the same way about him. Harry could only find solace in the daydreams where he and Ron were snogging until falling asleep in each others arms. Harry pushed his lost reveries out of his head once more and leapt over onto Ron's bed.

"What the – Harry? What are you – "

Once Ron realized who had woken him so abruptly, he was pleased. Harry is in my bed – but his thoughts were interrupted.

"Ron you prat, did you forget it was my birthday?" Harry said with joking anger.

When he saw the disappointed look on Ron's face he thought he had his answer. "You did? You forgot," he said with less enthusiasm as his smile began to droop.

Noticing Harry's lost smile Ron knew his expressions were misunderstood. "No mate, no I didn't forget. I'm sorry, you just threw me off guard waking me like that," and then he added with a big smile and grand tone, "Happy Birthday Harry!"

Harry smiled finally, his dearest friend, and day dream lover, had not forgotten after all. "Well then let's get dressed and go see how much your Mum has overdone for me this year."

With that they both got up. As Harry walked over to his bed he couldn't help but watch as Ron tried taking his shirt off. As his head was tangled inside the shirt, Harry used it as a well-timed moment to ponder over the newly forming abs and other defined muscles of this beautiful man. What a great birthday morning! Harry thought as he smiled to himself.

As Ron finally made progress with his shirt and pulled it over his head, he saw Harry quickly turn away. He thought nothing of it and finished getting ready, only stopping once as he watched Harry change his own shirt. He longed to touch the smooth skin of Harry's back. He wanted to run over and wrap his arms around Harry's waist and feel the rippling abs in his arms and the warmth of his skin. He couldn't, he couldn't do that and let Harry find out in an unruly way what he had been yearning for. He diverted his eyes and quickly threw on the last of his clothes.

Once they were both dressed, they ran down the stairs, their noses following the magnificent smells coming from the kitchen. Just as they had thought, breakfast was more than the usual eggs and bacon. The table was filled with a little of everything, just like a breakfast feast at Hogwart's. Yes, today was Harry's day and he would likely not forget it.

Ron and Ginny, the only Weasley children still at home, had been called upon to keep Harry busy while Mrs. Weasley finished the party preparations for the night. They were told not to let him out of site for the remainder of the day. Though it was a strict request, Ginny felt helplessly out of place with the two boys and opted to spend the rest of her day locked in her room. Though he felt slightly troubled at Ginny's obvious loneliness, he couldn't help but be elated at the fact he was spending the day alone with Ron.

The day was that of any group of typical male teenage wizards, Quidditch in the orchard, dueling in the garden, and overall rough housing. Harry used every moment as an opportunity to get another glance at the man he was beginning to see as more than a friend. In Quidditch he threw easy saves just to watch Ron's muscles flex with every catch, in dueling he watched Ron's every move supposedly concentrating on blocking advancing spells, and rough housing was just an excuse to innocently touch his new object of affection.

Ron had been a little terrified at the thought of how the day might turn out, but it had been better than expected. He showed off some great saves in their Quidditch match, dueling was an excellent justification to stare into Harry's deep green eyes, and he could have never imagined how rough housing would become a dream come true. Just then, Harry charged at Ron hitting him hard in the side and they both went tumbling to the ground. Ron grabbed his attacker's arms rolling him off his chest and pinning him to the ground.

Harry hoped to have stayed in control, but luck seemed to be on his side in a different way. As he lay pinned under Ron his mind couldn't help but drift to another daydream of passionate snogging. He tensed as Ron adjusted himself, his knee sliding closer to Harry's groin.

Ron felt Harry tense at his movement and couldn't help but think that Harry must feel uncomfortable in this position, any man would. He didn't dwell on the thought long as he got lost in the emerald gems hidden beneath the simple round spectacles. All sense left his body and he couldn't hold back anymore, he leaned forward and kissed Harry.

As Ron's pants tightened, he realized what he had done and quickly sprang up, face blaring red, and muttering apologetically. He turned to leave in his embarrassment, but was abruptly stopped as a hand grabbed his forearm and whipped him around.

"I wish you had told me sooner," Harry whispered, embracing Ron and kissing him softly on those tender lips, "but I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift."

Ron smiled. He couldn't believe that this day had become even better. He couldn't believe his best friend felt the same way, but there was no time for that now. It's was time for Harry's party and everyone was already gathered inside.

a/n: I'm sure everyone is screaming, "It's about time!" Well it was about time. And so much more to come. I hope everyone is still enjoying it. )