Espresso in The Rain

The evening air was thick with the scent of rain as Noah stood outside The Roasted Heaven, staring at the glow of the café's lights. His heart thumped a little harder than usual. It had been hours since he last saw Elias, but the lingering effect of the man was still heavy in his mind, his body.

And now, after a long day of pretending that nothing had changed, he was back.

He pushed open the door, the bell jingling softly. The café was quieter at this hour, a few students tucked away in corners, buried in their books. The usual warmth of the place wrapped around him, but tonight, it felt different. Intimate.

Elias stood behind the counter, sleeves rolled up, muscles flexing slightly as he cleaned a glass. The moment he saw Noah, a slow, knowing smile spread across his lips.

"You came."

Noah swallowed. "You told me to."

Elias chuckled, setting the glass down. "You don't always do what you're told."

Noah's breath caught. The way Elias looked at him—dark eyes holding an unspoken promise—made his pulse race.

Before he could overthink it, Elias rounded the counter, stopping in front of him. The café was still open, but that didn't stop Elias from stepping closer, from letting his fingers graze Noah's wrist.

"Upstairs," Elias murmured. "Now."

Heat shot through Noah's body. He didn't hesitate.

—

The second the apartment door closed behind them, Elias had him pinned against it.

Noah barely had time to breathe before Elias' lips were on his—hungry, demanding, taking everything he had to give. Noah gasped into the kiss, hands gripping Elias' shirt as he was pressed harder against the door.

"Missed you," Elias murmured against his lips, voice rough with need.

Noah shuddered. "You saw me this morning."

Elias smirked. "Not enough."

He trailed kisses down Noah's jaw, to his neck, sucking lightly at the skin. Noah tilted his head back, breath hitching as pleasure shot through him.

"Elias," he whispered.

Elias groaned, gripping Noah's waist, fingers sliding under the fabric of his shirt. "Tell me you want this."

Noah's body was already burning for him, but the words left his lips without hesitation.

"I do."

That was all Elias needed.

With a firm grip, he lifted Noah, carrying him towards the bedroom, lips never leaving his skin. Clothes were lost along the way—shirts tossed aside, pants unbuttoned with desperate hands.

By the time they reached the bed, Noah was breathless, skin flushed, body aching for Elias.

And when Elias finally took him, there was no hesitation, no holding back.

Only raw, burning desire.

Only them.

—

Noah lay tangled in the sheets, his body exhausted but satisfied. Elias lay beside him, fingers lazily tracing circles on his bare shoulder. The room was dim, only the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminating them.

Noah knew he should get up. Should leave before this became something he couldn't walk away from.

But he didn't move.

Instead, he turned to Elias, meeting his gaze in the low light.

"What are we doing?" Noah asked quietly.

Elias exhaled, his fingers stilling.

"I don't know," he admitted. "But I don't want to stop."

Noah's heart clenched. He didn't either.

And that terrified him.