Espresso in The Rain

Noah wasn't sure how long they stayed like that—lips tangled, bodies pressed together in the quiet warmth of The Roasted Heaven. The café was closed now, the sign flipped to Closed, but neither of them made a move to leave.

Elias' fingers traced slow patterns down Noah's spine, grounding him.

"So," Elias murmured against his lips. "What now?"

Noah exhaled, resting his forehead against Elias'. "Now… I stop running."

Elias pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. "From what?"

Noah hesitated, then admitted, "From the idea of settling down."

A flicker of surprise crossed Elias' face, followed by something warmer, deeper. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Noah's lips curled. "I'm saying… I don't just want to be with you when it's convenient. I want this—for real. I want us."

Elias went completely still.

For a moment, Noah worried he had said too much, too soon. But then Elias' hands tightened on his waist, his dark eyes filled with something dangerously close to love.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear that," Elias admitted.

Noah's heart stuttered.

Elias cupped his cheek, thumb brushing over his lower lip. "Stay the night."

Noah's breath hitched.

"Here?" he asked, glancing around the café.

Elias chuckled. "No, idiot. At my place."

Heat pooled low in Noah's stomach.

Elias' place. His bed. His hands, his mouth, his everything.

The weight of the day melted away, leaving only this moment, only them.

Noah smirked. "You don't have to ask me twice."

Elias' smirk mirrored his. "Then let's go."

And just like that, Noah realized—he wasn't just spending the night.

He was stepping into something permanent.

Something that felt a lot like home.