Espresso in The Rain

The Roasted Heaven bustled with its usual morning energy—steaming coffee machines, the low hum of conversations, and the rhythmic clinking of cups against saucers. The scent of roasted beans and freshly baked pastries filled the air, a warmth that settled into Noah's bones.

Seated in his usual corner, he watched as Elias worked behind the counter, sleeves rolled up, hands moving effortlessly as he crafted drinks with the precision of a man who had long since mastered his craft.

Santa, still basking in the aftermath of his morning revelations, leaned over the table. "You keep looking at him like that, and people are going to know."

Noah blinked, tearing his gaze away. "Know what?"

Santa gave him a deadpan stare. "That you're gone for this man."

Noah's face heated, and he busied himself with stirring his coffee. "Shut up."

Santa smirked. "Oh, babe, you're blushing."

Noah groaned. "I hate you."

"You love me," Santa corrected.

Noah didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, he turned his focus to Elias, who had just finished taking an order and was making his way over. The sight of him—relaxed, confident, effortlessly attractive—made Noah's stomach flip in a way he wasn't ready to acknowledge.

Elias set a plate of pastries down in front of them. "You're staring."

Noah scowled. "I am not."

Elias smirked. "Sure."

Santa snickered. "Told you."

Noah turned his glare on him. "Why are you still here?"

Santa propped his chin up on his hand. "I came for breakfast, and now I'm staying for the entertainment."

Elias slid into the seat next to Noah, looking far too pleased with himself. "If it helps, I don't mind the staring."

Noah groaned and covered his face with his hands. "I hate all of you."

Perth, passing by with a tray, snorted. "Sounds like someone's in love."

Noah slammed his head down against the table.

Santa clapped a hand on his back. "There, there, babe. It happens to the best of us."

Elias chuckled before reaching for Noah's wrist, gently pulling his hand away from his face. His touch was warm, grounding. "You okay?"

Noah met his gaze, something quiet and understanding in Elias' dark eyes. He sighed. "Yeah."

Santa, ever the meddler, clapped his hands together. "Alright! So, since I've finally confirmed that my best friend is, in fact, head over heels, let's talk about something fun."

Noah narrowed his eyes. "Define fun."

Santa grinned. "Double date."

Noah blinked. "What?"

Santa gestured between himself and Perth, then at Noah and Elias. "The four of us. We should go out."

Perth, who had just returned to the counter, raised an eyebrow. "Why am I being dragged into this?"

Santa wiggled his fingers at him. "Come on, babe, don't fight it."

Perth scoffed. "Not your babe."

Santa smirked. "Yet."

Elias chuckled. "I'm not opposed to the idea."

Noah groaned. "Of course you aren't."

Santa clasped his hands together. "Perfect! It's a date, then."

Noah sighed. This was going to be a disaster.

—

The night air in Bangkok was thick with humidity, but the city was alive with neon lights and the energy of people moving through the streets.

They had chosen a rooftop bar for their so-called double date, a place with a panoramic view of the city and a soft ambiance that made everything feel just intimate enough to be dangerous.

Noah sat stiffly in his seat, sipping at his drink while Santa and Perth continued their endless back-and-forth of playful bickering.

Elias leaned in, voice low. "Relax."

Noah exhaled. "I am relaxed."

Elias tilted his head. "Liar."

Noah scowled but didn't argue. Instead, he watched the way Elias' fingers traced the rim of his glass, the subtle way his body angled toward Noah's like he was drawn in without thinking.

It was stupid how easy it was to fall into this—this warmth, this quiet, this thing between them that made Noah's heart stutter in his chest.

Santa nudged him under the table, grinning knowingly. "Told you," he mouthed.

Noah shot him a look.

Elias smirked. "I don't know what you're thinking right now, but it looks dangerous."

Noah rolled his eyes. "Everything with you is dangerous."

Elias leaned in, voice dropping to something intimate. "You like it."

Noah swallowed hard. "Shut up."

Elias chuckled.

And Noah knew, then and there, that he was so screwed.