My interpretation about "love" between man and boys in ancient Greek text refers to teaching and a (spiritual) teacher - student relationship. With the difference that people had much closer and open friendships back than, such as they had no problem sleeping together (not sex), or being naked even in front of strangers, they also had public toilets and bathrooms where they shat and shower with each other even with strangers (although most people knew each other in cities).
With that, a spiritual teacher had deep relationship with their initiates, they had the most holy thing in common which is walking the path of the Gods.