Espresso in The Rain

Noah had never been the kind of person who stayed.

Growing up, he had learned that attachments were fleeting, that people drifted away as easily as they came. His mother had always been the exception—her presence constant, even when her expectations weighed heavy on his shoulders.

But this—waking up in Elias' bed, wrapped in the warmth of another person, the scent of coffee and something unmistakably home filling the air—felt terrifyingly permanent.

And yet, he didn't want to leave.

Elias was still in bed beside him, scrolling through his phone with one hand while his other lazily traced circles on Noah's bare back. The intimacy of it made something tighten in Noah's chest.

"Why are you staring?" Elias asked, not looking up.

Noah blinked. "I wasn't."

Elias glanced at him with an amused smirk. "You were."

Noah rolled onto his stomach, burying his face in the pillow. "Shut up."

Elias chuckled, setting his phone aside before shifting closer, pressing a kiss to Noah's shoulder. "Are you hungry?"

Noah hummed against the pillow. "Depends. Are you making breakfast?"

"I was planning on it." Elias ran his fingers through Noah's messy hair, his voice dipping lower. "Unless you have other ideas."

Noah's breath caught. The heat between them hadn't cooled overnight—it lingered, simmering just beneath the surface, waiting for one of them to ignite it.

He turned his head, meeting Elias' dark, knowing gaze. "Breakfast can wait."

Elias' smirk deepened. "I was hoping you'd say that."

And then he was kissing him—slow at first, teasing, before it deepened into something raw and desperate.

Noah gasped as Elias rolled him onto his back, pinning him down with his weight. Their bodies fit together effortlessly, as if they had been made for this.

Made for each other.

The morning melted into a blur of heat and tangled limbs, of whispered names and soft groans. It was different from last night—unhurried, intimate in a way that made Noah's heart stutter.

By the time they finally emerged from the sheets, both of them were thoroughly exhausted.

Noah lay sprawled on Elias' chest, catching his breath as Elias lazily traced circles on his lower back.

"If we keep this up, I'm never leaving," Noah muttered.

Elias' fingers paused. "Would that be such a bad thing?"

Noah lifted his head, surprised at the softness in Elias' voice. "You mean that?"

Elias nodded, his dark eyes steady. "I like having you here."

Noah's heart did something stupid in his chest. He propped himself up on one elbow, searching Elias' expression for any trace of uncertainty. He found none.

"I like being here," Noah admitted quietly.

Elias' hand slid up to cup his cheek. "Then stay."

Noah exhaled. "Elias…"

"I'm not saying you have to move in," Elias interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. "But don't overthink it, Noah. You don't always have to run."

Noah swallowed past the lump in his throat.

For so long, he had been afraid of letting himself belong to something—to someone. But with Elias, it didn't feel like a trap. It felt like home.

And for once, the idea of staying didn't scare him.

It felt right.

Noah smiled, leaning down to kiss Elias again, slow and sweet.

"Okay," he murmured against his lips. "I'll stay."

And just like that, something in him settled.

Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of forever.