Espresso in The Rain

Noah spent the rest of the day pretending nothing had changed.

He buried himself in lectures, took extra notes, and even stayed behind in the library longer than usual, hoping that drowning himself in equations and circuits would force his brain to shut up about Elias.

It didn't work.

By the time evening rolled around, he was restless. His hands itched for something to do, and his thoughts kept circling back to this morning. The way Elias had looked at him. The way he had seen right through him.

The worst part?

Noah had let him.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stepped out of the library. Bangkok was alive with its usual evening energy—streetlights glowing, the hum of conversation filling the air, and the scent of food wafting from the vendors lining the sidewalks.

His stomach grumbled.

Right. He hadn't eaten since this morning.

Without thinking, his feet carried him toward the one place that felt familiar.

The Roasted Heaven.

The café was quieter now, the evening crowd having already come and gone. A few students sat near the windows, books open, coffee cups half-empty. The warm scent of espresso lingered in the air.

And behind the counter, Elias was wiping down the espresso machine, his sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled.

Noah swallowed.

He should leave.

But then Elias looked up. Their eyes met, and instead of looking surprised, Elias just smirked.

Noah's stomach did something weird.

I need to get this under control.

Elias tossed the rag onto the counter. "Didn't expect to see you twice in one day."

Noah huffed, sliding into his usual seat. "I was in the area."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh."

"Don't start."

Elias chuckled, turning toward the coffee machine. "You want your usual?"

Noah hesitated. "Actually… do you have food?"

Elias blinked, then nodded toward the display case. "I can heat up a sandwich for you."

Noah nodded, pulling out his phone while Elias moved behind the counter. He scrolled through messages from Santa, who had sent an annoying number of texts.

Santa: Sooo… how was last night?

Santa: Don't ignore me, I KNOW you're awake

Santa: Tell me everything

Santa: Noah??

Santa: Noah Kim I swear—

Noah sighed.

Noah: Nothing happened.

Santa's response came instantly.

Santa: Yet.

Noah rolled his eyes. He's impossible.

A plate slid onto the counter in front of him. He looked up. Elias had set down a toasted sandwich along with a fresh cup of coffee.

"Eat," Elias said simply, leaning against the counter.

Noah narrowed his eyes. "Are you—are you taking care of me right now?"

Elias smirked. "Someone has to."

Noah scoffed but picked up the sandwich anyway. The first bite was warm and cheesy, and okay—maybe he had been starving.

Elias watched him, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Rough day?"

Noah swallowed, shrugging. "Just a lot on my mind."

Elias hummed. "Engineering?"

Noah hesitated. "Partly."

He didn't elaborate. He didn't need to. Elias just nodded like he understood.

And maybe he did.

They sat in silence as Noah ate, the quiet between them surprisingly comfortable.

Then, just as Noah was finishing his sandwich, Elias spoke.

"I meant what I said earlier."

Noah looked up. "About what?"

Elias's dark eyes held his. "About being here. If you ever need to talk."

Something in Noah's chest tightened.

This—whatever this was between them—it was dangerous. It was pulling him in too fast, too deep, and Noah didn't know if he was ready for that.

So he forced a smirk. "Careful, Elias. If I didn't know better, I'd say you actually care."

Elias didn't miss a beat. "And if I do?"

Noah's breath caught.

Elias didn't look away.

Didn't smirk.

Didn't tease.

For the first time, he looked serious.

And that terrified Noah more than anything.

Because if Elias was serious—if he did care—then Noah had something to lose.

And he wasn't sure he could afford that.