Espresso in The Rain

The morning was quiet, the kind of peaceful stillness that came after a storm.

Noah stretched, the warmth of Elias' body beside him grounding him in the present. Sunlight filtered through the curtains of their shared apartment above The Roasted Heaven, casting soft golden streaks across the bed.

He turned to face Elias, who was still half-asleep, one arm draped over Noah's waist. Noah smiled, running a hand through Elias' dark hair, letting his fingers trace the lines of his face.

Elias let out a soft hum before blinking his eyes open. "Good morning," he murmured, voice husky with sleep.

Noah smirked. "It is now."

Elias chuckled, pulling Noah closer. "You're being sappy."

"And you love it."

Elias hummed in agreement, pressing a kiss to Noah's forehead. "That I do."

They lay there for a while, wrapped in warmth and quiet affection, before the sound of a message notification broke the moment.

Elias sighed, reaching for his phone. As he read the message, his expression shifted—something between hesitation and quiet disbelief.

Noah propped himself up on one elbow. "What is it?"

Elias exhaled. "My mother messaged me."

Noah blinked. "Your mother?"

Elias nodded, still staring at the screen. "She… wants to see me."

---

Facing the Past

Elias hadn't seen his parents in years. Not since he'd walked away from the corporate world, leaving behind the carefully constructed life they had mapped out for him.

He had expected them to cut ties completely. And for a long time, it had seemed like they had.

But now, here he was, standing outside an upscale restaurant, his hands clenched at his sides.

Noah squeezed his hand. "You don't have to do this alone, you know."

Elias glanced at him, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "I know."

Still, it didn't make walking inside any easier.

His parents were already seated, looking as composed as ever. His mother's sharp gaze softened slightly when she saw him, and his father gave him a small nod.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then his mother broke the silence. "You look well."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect that to be the first thing you'd say."

She sighed, setting down her glass. "Elias, we made mistakes. We pushed you too hard, expected you to follow a path that… wasn't yours."

His father cleared his throat. "We thought success meant one thing. But we see now that success is… different for everyone."

Elias studied them carefully. He had spent years resenting them, believing they would never understand.

But here they were, trying.

It wasn't an instant fix. It wouldn't erase the years of distance.

But it was a start.

Elias took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm happy with my life now. I just want you to understand that."

His mother offered a small, hesitant smile. "That's all we ever wanted for you."

And just like that, the weight he had been carrying for so long began to lift.

---

A New Chapter

The café was bustling that evening, laughter and conversation filling the air.

Santa leaned against the counter, smirking at Noah and Elias. "So, Elias, how does it feel to have parents who finally acknowledge you exist?"

Elias shot her a dry look. "Funny."

Perth chuckled. "I think what she meant to say was—it's good to see things working out."

Elias smiled slightly. "Yeah. It is."

Santa clapped her hands. "Alright, enough sentimental stuff. We're celebrating tonight."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Celebrating what exactly?"

Santa grinned. "Your disgustingly domestic relationship, obviously."

Perth shook his head. "And the fact that somehow, against all odds, you two didn't screw this up."

Elias smirked, slipping an arm around Noah's waist. "We had some rough moments."

Noah nudged him playfully. "You had some rough moments. I was perfect."

Elias laughed, kissing the side of his head. "Of course you were."

Santa groaned. "You guys are the worst."

But there was no real bite to her words—only warmth, only happiness.

---

The Ending, or Maybe Just the Beginning

Later that night, as the café lights dimmed and the city hummed in the background, Noah and Elias stood on the rooftop, looking out over Bangkok.

Noah exhaled softly. "We made it."

Elias turned to him, eyes filled with something deeper than love—something steady, something unshakable.

"We did," he said, pulling Noah close.

And as they kissed under the city lights, with laughter echoing from below and the promise of forever ahead of them, one thing was certain—

This was only the beginning.

---

THE END.