Espresso in The Rain

Noah wasn't sure how long they had been dancing.

The world around them had blurred into a distant hum, the dim lights and soft music creating a cocoon where only he and Elias existed.

Elias moved with an effortless confidence, his grip firm but never demanding. His hand on Noah's waist was warm, his breath fanning against Noah's temple as they swayed together.

Noah's pulse was erratic, his fingers digging slightly into Elias's shoulders as he tried to steady himself—though he wasn't sure if it was the alcohol, the music, or the fact that this was happening.

He wasn't used to this. The intimacy of it. The unspoken tension crackling between them, thick enough to steal the air from his lungs.

Elias shifted, just enough so that their faces were close—so close Noah could see the hints of gold in his dark eyes beneath the club's ambient glow.

"Still regretting coming?" Elias murmured, his voice barely audible over the music.

Noah's lips parted, but no words came out.

Was he?

His mind screamed at him to pull away, to find some excuse to walk back to his seat and pretend this had never happened.

But his body?

His body was traitorous, drawn to Elias in a way that defied logic.

Elias's fingers brushed the exposed skin at Noah's lower back, and a shiver ran up his spine.

"I—" Noah started, but Elias's gaze dropped to his lips, and suddenly, Noah wasn't sure what he had been about to say.

The air between them was charged, anticipation curling in his stomach like a coiled spring.

Elias leaned in slightly, testing, waiting.

Noah didn't move away.

Didn't stop him.

Didn't want to stop him.

And then—

A voice shattered the moment.

"There you are!"

Noah jerked back, heart hammering, as Perth appeared beside them, grinning like he hadn't just interrupted something dangerous.

Elias exhaled through his nose, stepping back, his expression unreadable.

Noah took a shaky breath, dragging a hand through his hair, trying to suppress the disappointment curling in his chest.

"Hope I wasn't interrupting too much," Perth said, his smirk way too knowing.

Noah shot him a glare. "What do you want?"

Perth clapped him on the shoulder. "We're doing shots. You're coming."

Noah hesitated, glancing at Elias.

Elias was watching him, his head slightly tilted, like he was waiting to see what Noah would do.

Noah swallowed.

He could stay. Could see what would've happened if Perth hadn't interrupted.

Or he could go.

Put space between them. Pretend this never happened.

His throat was dry. "I should—"

Elias nodded, stepping back fully. "Go."

Something flickered in his eyes, something unreadable, but his voice was neutral.

Noah ignored the way his chest tightened as he turned away, following Perth toward the bar.

But even as he downed his shot, even as he let Perth pull him into conversation, he could still feel Elias's touch.

And he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to forget it.