In this case, you need to behave correctly and correctly. Of course, it's difficult to immediately orient yourself and decide what to do if a long-time friend confesses that he loves you.
Firstly, if a guy confessed to you in such feelings, he made a great feat. The fact is that such confessions can ruin your friendship, and he knew what risk he took. And it was not easy for him, because for some reason he was silent for so long. Therefore, what can not be done, if a friend confesses love, is to laugh at him. I think no one will be joking with a close person and you should not ask him something like: it's a joke, you're kidding, right? Such statements can be very offensive to a young person. In fact, it turns out that you laugh at the feelings in which he confessed. Remember that this is your old friend, who has helped you many times, so you should treat him with respect. Of course, at this moment you have a shock and you can behave inadequately. If this happens, immediately apologize and ask him for forgiveness. You should not make a world catastrophe out of his confession. But it's also not worth taking this lightly. It's important for you to keep your relationship. So, first ask him how long he loves you and how he understood that feelings are not friendly at all. I think he will gladly answer this question, because he wants to speak out. And you, in turn, will understand whether this is really love, or the fleeting love that has arisen for one reason or another. From what kind of feelings he has, you will start off, deciding what to do next.
If a young man just has a love that has arisen on the basis of some events related to you, then tell him that, most likely, he slightly confused feelings. Therefore, you propose to wait a little, so that you can understand whether this is really love, and then everything is decided. In the case when this is not a long-term love, the guy will quickly burn out, and you will be able to be friends, as before.
But if you see that he loves you with all his heart and loves for a long time, then you need to apply another tactic. First, you need to decide what feelings you feel yourself. After all, you can make friends with a person, simply thinking that there can not be other relationships, but you will like it. In this situation, you need not be afraid of anything. Even if you think that you can not be a couple, it's worth a try. Perhaps you are mistaken, because you could be friends for so many years. And friendship, it is, in fact, the same love, but without sexual overtones. So try not to cut from the shoulder and check your feelings. Even if nothing happens, you can again become friends, because such a strong relationship is unlikely to break anything. In any case, it is better to regret about done than about not done. This folk wisdom has been confirmed by far not one in love couple. Therefore, take this advice into account.
Well, what to do if you do not like your friend as a man, although you appreciate him, and you can not live without him, but, rather, as without a brother, rather than as a guy. In this case, immediately, clearly and clearly explain your position to him and do not give any hope to anything. If you say something vague, like: "time will tell", your friend will take it as a guide to action and will continue to insist on his love. So immediately explain to him that he is very dear to you as a brother and does not cause another feeling and will never cause. If he begs you to give a chance to prove that he is your destiny, give up. Otherwise, the young man will start to turn mountains, spend money and still not achieve the result. In the end, he will love to get angry with you, anybody will be disappointed in feelings. But you do not want a loved one to suffer. Therefore, make it so that he survived the pain once, and not tormented because of her for many years.
If you have a boyfriend and a friend starts to blacken him because of jealousy, calmly, but surely tell him that although you understand everything, but you will not allow me to say bad things about your beloved person. Therefore, if it does not stop, then you simply quarrel. Also, immediately decide how easy it is to survive this period. Perhaps you and your friend can not see each other for a while. If he thinks so, calmly accept his decision. Of course, it will be difficult for you without a loved one, and you will quickly start missing him. But if he decided so, then your presence now hurts him, and you want it least of all. So agree with him and just say that you will always wait for his call, because your friendship means too much to you.
If the guy says that he will still be around, and you will be friends, then get ready for the fact that for a while he will look with envy and jealousy at your boyfriend or men who will take care of you. Also, most likely, he will often be upset, frown and angry. Try to support him, but do not show pity and do not behave double-valued. A young man must clearly understand that you will never change a decision, no matter how dear to you it is. And over time, his feelings will gradually fade, because there is no eternal unrequited love. And then you can again make friends as before and even, perhaps, laugh at this situation. In the meantime, you just need to gain strength, wait and believe that true friendship can conquer such trials.