I'm beginning to feel self-conscious about using it, but paramour sounds pompous, lover brings up erotic images, partner makes us sound like we have a professional relationship, SO is awkward sounding IMO, and what else is there?
Friend sounds too casual to me. He's much more than a friend. So much more. To me, calling him a friend sounds intentionally coy about our relationship to one another, like I'm trying to indicate to the other person that it's none of their business what we are to each other.
