"You know... I've known you for two- almost three- years, and I never knew your full name until now."

"You still don't."

"What do you mean?"

Brent and Manny were seated at a booth in Flappy's, and the latter poked his eggs with his fork before popping them in his mouth, "When I moved to the states, I changed everything about me. My full name now is Manuel Angelo Castillo Estavez. Feel free to call me 'Mace' as a nickname."

Brent snickered, and took a sip of his coffee, "Mace? You're not spicy, Manny. You're a cinnamon roll."

"... Stop..."

"A doll."

"I'm warning you, Brent."

"An absolute sweetheart."

Manny stuffed a beignet into Brent's mouth, "Warned ya," and it was his turn to laugh to himself as the blond munched on the deep-fried pastry.

"Sorry... Did I push it too far with the endearing nicknames?"

"Nah. I was mostly playing around with you. It's just that nicknames like that make me slightly uncomfortable since they're feminine... In my personal opinion anyway. If you feel the need to call me an endearing nickname, try Tater Tot, Maverick, He-man, or Firecracker."

"I can get the first three, but why the last one? I've never seen you lose your temper..."

"And trust me when I say that you don't want to. That little display of mine yesterday- saying that I hated my parents- was nothing."

Brent thought for a moment before carefully asking, "When was the last time you lost yourself, Manny?"

"... I honestly can't remember off the top of my head... It would've had to have been when I was in my teens or young adulthood. So sixteen to twenty-two."

"And you're now... Thirty-one? Thirty-two?"

Manny scoffed, "You say that we've known each other for nearly three years, and you can't even remember how old I am?"

"Uh..."

"I'm yanking your tail. When you first met me, yes- I was actually just twenty-nine. I'm going to be turning thirty-two on-"

"September Thirteenth."

"You remembered... And you didn't even have to look at your calendar."

"..."

"Brent... Any particular reason you pay more attention to me, my birthday, and my emotions over those of our friends and Señor Lockwood?"

"... I don't know how to word it without upsetting you, or making you feel uncomfortable... But, to paraphrase, it's like Flint with Sam. Earl with Regina. Barb with Steve. Tim with Fran..."

Manny sighed, "I think I get what you're trying to say, and it doesn't upset me or make me feel uncomfortable. I've... actually been feeling the same way about you. Hence why I invited you to watch a movie with me last night, allowed yourself to sleep in my bed, wanted to get breakfast with just you, and gave you permission to use pet names for me. But, at the same time, my orientations are conflicting with these feelings... The thought of being in a relationship has always been enticing to me but, the moment someone would court me in the past, I'd lose interest. The best way I can explain it is that it's like me, and physical contact. I'd tell or show you when and if I'm interested in it."

It took Brent a minute to fully process what he just heard when he went, "O- OH!," and awkwardly took a sip of his coffee while Manny pulled the bill of his cap down even further to hide his shame while mentally cursing himself in Spanish.

'Maldita idiota... Lugar equivocado, momento equivocado!'

"... Should I add 'cute' to the list of adjectives I shouldn't use to describe you?"

"Huh?"

"I- erm- personally think you're cute, but I don't know if you're comfortable with me calling you that..."

"Um... Yeah. I'm fine with 'cute'. Just don't call me 'adorable' or 'sweet', and we'll be good."

"Cool cool..."

There was another awkward moment of silence when Brent asked, "Would this be considered our first date?"

"... We can certainly turn it into one. I don't think having breakfast at a bistro cuts it, though."

"So what would you like to do now?"

"M- me? I already chose to come here, Brent..."

"Today is about you. Whatever you'd like to do, I'm behind you."

"But why...?"

"Because your mental health matters, Manny. Me, Sam, Flint, Earl, Tim, Barb, and Steve? We're all your family now. You don't need to bottle up your emotions around us. We want you to be happy, and be able to express that. We also want you to express your sadness, anger, and fear. So please... Give me the pleasure of treating you today."

"... If you insist..."

As Brent payed the bill and thanked the waitress for her service, Manny couldn't help but to stare at him, 'Maybe he is the right one... Only time will tell, though.'