Espresso in The Rain

Noah sat stiffly on the back of Elias' motorcycle, gripping the edges of the seat with both hands.

"I swear to god, if you drive like a maniac—"

Elias let out a soft chuckle, the deep rumble of his amusement sending an unwelcome shiver down Noah's spine. "Relax, sweetheart. I'll go easy on you."

Noah's face burned. "Don't call me that."

Elias ignored him, instead reaching back to grab Noah's hands and place them around his waist. "Hold on tight."

Noah sucked in a sharp breath at the unexpected contact, his fingers instinctively tightening around Elias' torso. He could feel the solid warmth beneath his palms, the subtle flex of muscle as Elias shifted.

This was a mistake.

A terrible, heart-racing, nerve-wracking mistake.

Elias revved the engine, and before Noah could protest, they were moving.

The city blurred past them in streaks of neon and streetlights, the cool night air whipping against Noah's skin. It was strangely exhilarating—terrifying, but exhilarating.

Noah kept his grip firm, pressing himself against Elias' back to avoid the wind resistance. He could feel the steady rhythm of Elias' breathing, the way his body moved with the bike.

It was intimate in a way Noah wasn't prepared for.

After what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, Elias finally slowed, pulling into a quiet roadside eatery. The scent of grilled meat and sizzling noodles filled the air, making Noah's stomach growl on cue.

Elias smirked as he cut the engine. "Hungry?"

Noah scowled. "Shut up."

They found a table near the edge of the small restaurant, surrounded by the chatter of late-night diners. The warm glow of hanging lanterns bathed the area in a soft, golden light.

Elias ordered for both of them without asking, and while Noah should've been annoyed, he couldn't deny that the food was exactly what he wanted.

He took a bite of the spicy stir-fried noodles, humming in approval. "Okay, fine. You get a point for this."

Elias leaned on his elbow, watching him with that unreadable gaze. "I get more than a point. You owe me for ignoring me all week."

Noah's chopsticks froze mid-air. "…I wasn't ignoring you."

Elias arched a brow. "Really? You didn't run out of The Roasted Heaven like your ass was on fire after Santa embarrassed you?"

Noah groaned, dropping his face into his hands. "Why do you always do this?"

Elias smirked. "Do what?"

"Push me."

Elias' expression shifted, the teasing glint in his eyes dimming slightly. He leaned forward, voice quieter this time. "Because you run the moment something feels real."

Noah's breath caught in his throat.

Elias wasn't joking anymore.

The realization sent a ripple of unease through him. He wasn't ready for this—whatever this was.

But before he could form a response, Elias sighed and leaned back. "Relax, Noah. I'm not asking for a confession."

Noah scowled, regaining his composure. "Good. Because there's nothing to confess."

Elias only smirked, but there was something softer in his gaze now, something patient.

Like he already knew the truth.

Like he was just waiting for Noah to admit it to himself.