Espresso in The Rain

The morning should have been peaceful.

Noah should have been able to bask in the quiet warmth of Elias' presence, in the comfort of waking up beside someone who made him feel wanted.

But as they sat in the small kitchen of Elias' apartment above The Roasted Heaven, sipping coffee in comfortable silence, Noah couldn't shake the unease creeping into his chest.

This wasn't just a one-night thing anymore.

And that terrified him.

"You're quiet," Elias noted, setting his cup down. His black eyes studied Noah carefully, as if trying to pull the thoughts straight from his mind.

Noah forced a small smile. "Just tired."

Elias didn't look convinced.

"You regret it," he said. It wasn't a question.

Noah's fingers tightened around his cup. "I don't," he said, perhaps too quickly. "I just…" He sighed, staring into the dark liquid. "I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to be with someone like this."

Elias was silent for a moment. Then, he leaned back against his chair, his expression unreadable.

"You think too much," he murmured.

Noah scoffed. "And you don't think enough."

Elias smirked slightly but didn't argue. Instead, he pushed back his chair and stood, moving toward Noah's side of the table. He rested his hands on the edge of the wooden surface, leaning down until they were eye level.

"I like you, Noah." His voice was low but firm. "I don't know what this is yet, and maybe neither of us do. But I'm not letting you run away from this just because it scares you."

Noah swallowed hard, his heart pounding at the intensity in Elias' gaze.

"You're making it sound simple."

Elias tilted his head. "Maybe it is."

Noah wasn't sure whether he wanted to punch him or kiss him.

But when Elias closed the distance and pressed a slow, lingering kiss against his lips, Noah found himself melting into it despite himself.

Maybe Elias was right.

Maybe he was overthinking this.

But as much as he wanted to just let go and let himself fall—he knew that something this good never came without consequences.