Ennis is "from around Sage," as it says in the first non-italicized paragraph in the short story...you guys forgetting how to read? Probably still had relatives or friends there...no home.
ANYWAY, someone already said that...so shut up. Julie.
Jack sees right away that Ennis is good to look at, and imediately begins "peeling" him. (There's a famouns line in a play about someone "peeling their onion,"--carefully taking off layers of themselves for everyoine to see). He likes everythbing he uncovers. He's good to work with, and they work well together, and opens up really pretty readily to Jack's "peeling." Ennis shows a surprising willingness to do things Jack doesn't want to do, or can't do well (shoot, herd and sleep in a pup tent that smells like cat piss). They are interested in eachother from the first days...Jack looks down at Ennis's fire; Ennis looks up at Jack with the sheep...
But there's no getting around the fact that in the movie, and only in the movie, Jack, with no undue haste, is after Ennis, from the moment he lays eyes on him. I don't know if there's love at first sight, but there sure is "I want that one" at first sight...
And, as someone has already pointed out, Ennis knows nothing of sex, and little of love--both probably know little of love (maybe Jack, from his mom...)
Photo is of Jake and Heath in costume, but not acting--dress is from first summer, but whisley bottle is the more copious one from the last night (for some reason).