The morning sun was a warm hand on Elias’s back as he hummed, pulling open the curtains. He stretched, a deep, satisfying yawn escaping him. Today was the day! Their anniversary. He'd been planning the picnic for weeks. He grabbed his phone to check the weather, and a message from Mateo popped up, "Looking forward to later! I have a surprise." A grin spread across Elias’s face. He knew Mateo loved surprises, always had.
He skipped into the kitchen, already planning the menu. The smell of freshly brewed coffee, strong and dark, filled the air. He grabbed the beans and the grinder, ready to make a fresh batch to bring along. He felt a surge of energy, bouncing in his shoes.
Later, as he set up the picnic blanket in the park, Mateo arrived, a shy smile on his face. “Happy anniversary, mi amor.” Mateo reached into his bag, pulling out… a small notebook. "I've been working on something."
“What’s this?” Elias felt a flush rise in his cheeks.
Mateo cleared his throat. “Well, I wanted to… surprise you. I… I’ve been learning Catalan.” He opened the notebook. “Com et dius? What is your name?”
Elias was stunned. The air around him crackled with a new and exciting energy. He’d never heard Mateo speak even a word of it before.