Mateo carefully opened the box to reveal a brand new phone inside. It wasn’t like any of the other Everhart phones he'd seen.

“It’s uh- I- I made it…” Emilio explained upon seeing Mateo's confused look. Great, he hates it! He thinks it’s ugly and stupid and dumb and I’m an idiot.

Mateo looked back down at the phone then up again at Emilio, confusion letting through wonder and awe.

“Um, well," Emilio said, fidgeting in his seat, "you talked about how much you liked your old phone so I, uh, made a phone that integrated both old phones and new ones. I-it’s okay if you hate it, you don't have to use it.” Emilio tried to go for a nonchalant-I’m not at all holding my breath to see what you think-tone. He wasn’t sure if he succeeded.

Mateo continued gaping at him. “Emilio," he said slowly, "we were on the phone yesterday till around 10 am. Are you- are you saying that you designed and built this in less than a day?” 

“Well,” Emilio shrugged like it was nothing, "yeah."

Mateo's mouth dropped as he carefully picked up the phone from the box, it was a lot lighter than he thought it would be.

“I mean," Emilio said, "I got the idea Friday and by the next morning I already had most of the schematics and general programming done-mainly in my head-but, um yeah. I mean, it wasn’t that hard considering I own a tech company and can get any parts I want, whenever I want. It’s-” he shrugged again, dismissively.

“Emilio that’s amazing!" Mateo grinned, truly in awe, “but, I mean, of course, if anyone could do it, it would be you.” 

Emilio couldn't hold back the grin that appeared on his face. 

Mateo looked back down at the phone in his hand.

It was a perfect fit in his palm, not too big, like some of the new phones, but not as small as his old flip phone. It was so beautifully designed that words couldn't do it justice, a perfect blend of old and new.

“Um...here, I’ll show you how-” Emilio said, standing up and sliding into the booth, next to Mateo.

Carefully, he began explaining how the phone worked, what all of the buttons and knobs were, how to open and close apps, and how to work all of the other exclusive features Emilio had worked into the phone.

Mateo glanced at Emilio as he leaned across him to point out something on the phone.

He’s adorable, Mateo couldn't keep himself from thinking, especially when he’s all wrapped up explaining something he loves. 

In college, during a drinking game, Mateo had declared Emilio as his celebrity crush. He’d quickly shut his mouth but most people around just nodded, even some of the guys. 

So Mateo was left thinking he was a good straight ally who could appreciate hot celebrities for who they were. 

And besides, he later told people, what he’d really meant was that Emilio was one of his celebrity role models. He just really admired the guy. Just like he really admired their hot young male math professor who he sometimes thought about at night. He didn’t share that last part with anyone else though. 

He smells like morning. Mateo thought, thinking it was a very nice change from when Emilio had smelled like booze. 

Like coffee and rain. Mateo thought, thinking of his morning runs, when the sun was barely rising and the dew on the grass and ground smelled clean and fresh. 

“Okay,” Emilio said, turning to face Mateo so suddenly that it startled him out of his thoughts and sent Mateo into a coughing fit.

"You okay?" Emilio asked.

"Yeah," Mateo said, clearing his throat, wondering how red his face was. 

He looked at the glasses of water on the table and thanked the stars for them. 

He took a long sip of water, mostly so he'd have an excuse to not look at Emilio.

“Okay," Emilio said, eyeing Mateo before returning his attention to the phone. "Well, now that you have the basics down let’s plug in your old phone to transfer everything.” 

Mateo nodded, still keeping the glass of water at his lips as he handed Emilio his phone.

“Wow, eight missed calls…” Emilio said when the new phone came to life, buzzing with the information of the old one.

Emilio's grin faltered as he read the screen. 

8 missed calls - My Pain <3===;D

Of course, Mateo has a boyfriend already. Emilio realized, his face crestfallen. I mean look at him! 

He glanced at Mateo, still drinking his water. 

Wow... Emilio thought, blinking, he must have a steel bladder.