Have you fallen for your bestfriend before?
Did they ever know?
Would you risk the friendship to tell them?

Yes I have but I did not want to risk losing a friend. Friends are friends, romance is romance, I am not saying this is right but its how I look at it.

No never have. I have wanted too but that's not how it works. If you have those kind of feelings ,Reaccess. And as I learned from being married a long stretch,he can become your best friend.

No, but do have a friend that we have been friends for more then 20 years. He has made comments I should go out with him. But I don't feel that way about him ....friends only and sometimes that is the best way things should stay at times....

Yes, I married her... It didn't work out..

Have you fallen for your bestfriend before?
No. I actively avoid female "friendships" though.

Did they ever know?
If I had a female friend and started falling for them I would end the relationship.

How is this any different than falling out of love with your s/o.

Your feelings changed, the relationship is no longer the same, you basically have to start over and redefine boundaries and relearn communication, all while having formed what amount to relationship stereotypes that are no longer true.

If I tried to pretend things were the same, that would simply be lying to the other person.

Would you risk the friendship to tell them?
If you don't tell them, then IMO you aren't really their friend.
You are actively hiding something from them that directly affects them and how they behave in the relationship.

If you keep silent, then you are manipulating their behavior for your benefit.

Not really.

A few years ago my best friend and I had a 'slip and fall' but I never 'fell' for him. We just continued on as normal after that.

I think it's only way to be sometimes. The bond is stronger when you're friends with someone anyway...but it depends, I think they're different but both exclusive and platonic relationships have the foundation of friendship, or rather, should.

been there, too. ok it was more like a stumbling stupor, than a slip, but we recovered and remain friends to this day.

yes and she fell for me too (not at the same time and we both knew)
we drifted apart over the years but I think of her often and fondly...