Espresso in The Rain

The air inside The Roasted Heaven carried the rich aroma of espresso and cinnamon, a familiar comfort that should have settled Noah's nerves. But it didn't. Not when Elias was watching him with that damn smirk from behind the counter.

Noah tried to ignore it as he sank into his usual corner, setting up his laptop and notes. He was here to study, not to engage in whatever ridiculous back-and-forth Elias thrived on.

But ignoring Elias was easier said than done.

"You know, staring at your screen like it personally offended you isn't going to help," Elias' voice carried over from the counter.

Noah exhaled sharply, fingers tightening around his pen. "I'm studying."

"Really?" Elias leaned against the bar. "Because you look like you're plotting murder."

Noah rolled his eyes, refusing to look up. "Don't tempt me."

Elias laughed, a warm, low sound that did things to Noah's stomach that he refused to acknowledge.

Noah tried to focus on his equations, but his mind was a mess. It didn't help that Santa's words from earlier were still echoing in his head.

Did you stare at his muscles while he walked you home?

Did something happen?

Noah shook his head, trying to clear it. He wasn't here for Elias. He wasn't.

But then Elias decided to make things worse.

A shadow fell over his table, and before Noah could react, Elias slid into the seat across from him, setting down a cup of coffee.

Noah blinked. "What are you doing?"

Elias propped his elbow on the table, resting his chin in his hand. "Keeping you company."

Noah scowled. "I don't need company."

Elias smirked. "Then why aren't you telling me to leave?"

Noah opened his mouth—then closed it.

Damn it.

Elias chuckled. "Exactly."

Noah exhaled through his nose, pressing his fingers to his temple. "You're insufferable."

"And yet, you're still here."

Noah shot him a glare. "I was here first."

Elias shrugged, completely unfazed. "Doesn't change the fact that you let me stay."

Noah groaned. He had never met someone so aggravating.

Or so damn distracting.

Because now, instead of focusing on his studies, all he could think about was Elias' presence—his scent, his lazy smirk, the way his fingers tapped idly against the table.

"Stop looking at me like that," Elias murmured.

Noah stiffened. "Like what?"

Elias leaned forward slightly, voice dropping an octave. "Like you're trying really hard not to think about something."

Noah's breath caught.

He hated how easily Elias read him.

And he hated even more that Elias was right.

An hour passed, and Elias didn't move from his spot.

Somehow, they had found a rhythm—Noah focusing on his work, Elias sipping his coffee, making the occasional comment that never failed to irritate Noah in just the right way.

It was strangely comfortable.

But then Perth decided to ruin everything.

The café was quiet, only a few students lingering at their tables when Perth walked by and smirked at them.

"Wow," Perth said, crossing his arms. "You two look like you're on a date."

Noah choked on his coffee.

Elias, the absolute menace that he was, merely raised an eyebrow. "What gave it away?"

Noah turned to Elias, scandalized. "You're not supposed to agree with him!"

Elias smirked. "Why not?"

Noah gaped at him, at a complete loss.

Perth snorted. "God, you two are hopeless."

Before Noah could argue, Perth was already walking away, muttering something under his breath about "just get a room already."

Noah groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I hate everyone in this café."

Elias chuckled, taking another sip of his coffee. "You say that, but you keep coming back."

Noah sighed.

He really needed to start going to another café.

…Or maybe he just needed to accept the fact that The Roasted Heaven—and Elias—were becoming a problem he wasn't ready to deal with.