Espresso in The Rain

Noah had barely settled into his usual corner of The Roasted Heaven when Elias appeared beside him, a freshly brewed latte in hand. Without a word, he set it down in front of Noah and slid into the chair opposite him.

Noah stared at the cup, then at Elias. "I didn't order this."

Elias smirked. "I know."

Noah sighed but didn't argue. He wrapped his hands around the warm ceramic, letting the heat seep into his fingers. It was a simple gesture, but after last night—after the way he'd run out that morning—it felt heavier, filled with something unspoken.

Elias didn't say anything right away. He just watched him, his dark eyes steady, unreadable.

Noah shifted uncomfortably. "What?"

Elias leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. "Are you avoiding me?"

Noah's grip tightened around the cup. "No."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "You left in a hurry this morning."

"I had class."

"That's not why you left."

Noah looked away. He hated how easily Elias could see through him. "Elias—"

"You freaked out."

Noah inhaled sharply. He opened his mouth to deny it, but the words caught in his throat.

Elias didn't sound angry. If anything, his voice was calm, patient, like he already knew the answer but wanted Noah to say it out loud.

Noah sighed, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup. "I just… I wasn't expecting that to happen."

Elias smirked slightly. "You weren't expecting sex to happen?"

Noah glared at him. "You know what I mean."

Elias leaned back, crossing his arms. "Then tell me what you mean."

Noah hesitated. He wasn't good at this—at talking about feelings, at admitting things that made him feel vulnerable. But Elias was staring at him like he wasn't going to let this go.

So Noah exhaled slowly and forced himself to speak.

"I like being with you," he admitted. "But I don't know what this means. And I don't know what you want it to mean."

Elias' expression softened. "I want you, Noah. I thought I made that clear last night."

Noah's breath hitched. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

Elias watched him carefully. "Unless… you don't want this?"

Noah swallowed. That was the problem—he did want this. He wanted Elias more than he wanted to admit. But wanting something and knowing what to do with it were two very different things.

"I just…" Noah ran a hand through his hair. "It's complicated."

Elias tilted his head. "Is it?"

Noah looked at him. "My mom. My future. Everything I'm supposed to be doing with my life—it doesn't exactly leave room for…" He gestured vaguely between them. "This."

Elias' jaw tightened slightly. "You think being with me will ruin your future?"

Noah shook his head. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what do you mean?"

Noah hesitated. He didn't know how to explain it. His mother had spent years shaping his life, pushing him toward a path that she believed was best for him. She expected him to graduate, take over the family business, marry someone suitable.

She didn't expect this.

She definitely didn't expect Elias.

And deep down, Noah was terrified of what would happen if she found out.

"I just… need time," Noah said finally.

Elias studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Okay."

Noah blinked. "Okay?"

Elias smirked. "I'm not going anywhere, Noah. You can take all the time you need."

Something in Noah's chest loosened. He hadn't realized how much he'd been holding his breath until that moment.

Elias reached across the table and brushed his fingers against Noah's. It was a small gesture, but it sent a wave of warmth through him.

"Just don't run next time," Elias murmured.

Noah swallowed hard and nodded.

Before either of them could say anything else, a tray suddenly slammed onto the table between them.

Santa plopped down next to Noah, grinning. "Well, well, well. Look at you two, whispering sweet nothings over coffee."

Noah groaned. "Santa, please."

Perth slid into the seat beside Elias, smirking. "It's cute, honestly."

Noah shot him a glare. "You're supposed to be on my side."

Perth shrugged. "I am on your side. I'm just also enjoying this."

Elias chuckled. "They're never going to let you live this down."

Santa leaned in dramatically. "So, tell me, Noah. How was it?"

Noah nearly choked on his coffee. "Santa!"

Santa laughed. "Oh, come on. I just want details."

Noah turned to Perth in desperation. "Can you please shut him up?"

Perth smirked. "Nope. I'd like to hear the details too."

Noah dropped his head onto the table with a groan.

Elias, the traitor, just laughed.