Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]
Chapter 111: Dorm Room Promises

Chapter 111: Dorm Room Promises

Their plates were nearly empty now, crumbs and leftovers forgotten as conversation wandered toward the inevitable: tomorrow’s exam... and what came after.

George leaned back in his chair, balancing his cup between two fingers. "I can’t wait for this exam to be over, honestly."

Emily wiped her mouth with a napkin, then nodded. "At least we’re getting two weeks break after. We deserve it."

"Big facts." George’s voice warmed. "I’m heading back to my hometown. I already told my mom to cook everything I’ve been craving."

Emily smiled. "Home-cooked food hits different."

She glanced across the table. "What about you, Noel?"

The question came so casually. No edge, no pressure. But it sat in the air a beat too long.

Noel hesitated.

His fingers fiddled with the corner of his tray. His eyes didn’t meet anyone’s for a second. Then, with a small breath, he nodded. "Yeah. I’m going back home too."

A pause.

Nothing dramatic, nothing loud.

But Luca blinked.

It was so quick, barely a flicker—but it was there. His eyes shifted toward Noel, just a beat slower than before.

The playful curve in his lips faded slightly, replaced by something softer... almost unreadable.

He looked down at his drink.

Didn’t say anything.

Emily didn’t notice. She was already moving on, humming to herself. George muttered something about travel bags and laundry. The usual.

But between Noel and Luca, a quiet silence opened — not heavy, but real. Like something had changed. Not forever. Just... a small shift in gravity.

Noel glanced at him.

Luca gave a tight smile. Just enough.

And that was it.

Conversation drifted on. Plates scraped. A girl passed behind them humming Burna Boy. Everything was the same.

Except it wasn’t.

The sun had dipped lower by the time they left the cafeteria, casting long golden shadows across the campus paths.

The chatter between them had softened—still present, but quieter now.

They walked back quietly, the evening breeze brushing past. One by one, the group had gone their separate ways until only Noel and Luca were left.

Inside the dorm, Noel dropped his file on the desk and sat down with a soft sigh.

Luca lingered, then slowly sat on the edge of the bed.

For a moment, neither said anything.

Then Noel glanced over. "You okay?"

Luca blinked, like the question caught him off guard. "Y–Yeah... I mean..."

He looked away for a second, then back again. "I didn’t know you were going back home."

Noel’s gaze softened." Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner."

He gave a small smile. "It’s just two weeks, Luca. I’ll be back before you even start missing me."

Luca looked down. "I kinda thought we’d spend the break together. Go on dates or... something."

Noel’s chest tightened just a little.

He turned to face him fully. "You already made plans?"

"I was going to tell you after the exam," Luca said, voice quieter. "Now it feels silly."

"It’s not silly." Noel leaned in a bit. "I want that too."

Their eyes met again—and this time, the silence between them didn’t feel awkward. It just... sat there. Warm. Close.

"You know I want to stay," he said softly.I just haven’t seen my mom in a while," Noel added softly. "She’ll be mad if I don’t go."

Luca gave a tiny nod, then smiled—but it didn’t reach all the way up.

"I get it. Moms first," he said, trying to sound light.

"But when I’m back," Noel said, "you better have snacks ready."

Luca chuckled. "You’ll have a whole stash."

They both smiled. The room felt calm again.

Luca stood, then turned his back to Noel, climbing onto the bed with a sigh.

The fabric of the sheets rustled softly beneath his feet, and the ceiling fan hummed low above them.

For a while, neither of them spoke. Just the quiet ticking of the wall clock filled the room.

Noel stood slowly and sat beside him on the edge of the bed. Their knees touched slightly. He reached for Luca’s hand, holding it gently, thumb brushing over his knuckles.

"I’ve been thinking," Noel said softly. "After the break... I want to move out of the dorm."

Luca’s fingers twitched, but he didn’t pull away. He kept his gaze low.

"I mean, before internship starts," Noel added. "Maybe get an apartment close to the company. Still not too far from campus."

Luca’s breath caught, just barely. His body stiffened for a second, like his heart had paused mid-beat.

Noel turned his head and looked at him. "Do you..." he paused, "want to move in with me?"

Luca’s head snapped toward him, eyes wide — caught off guard. A beat passed, then his face broke into a grin so sudden, it softened everything about him.

"You’re serious?"

Noel gave a little nod. "Yeah. I want this... I want us, even outside this room."

Luca let out a breathy laugh, eyes glinting. He leaned into him without thinking, resting his forehead against Noel’s shoulder.

"You idiot," he murmured, smiling. "You scared me for a second."

Noel chuckled. "So?"

"I’m in," Luca whispered. "Of course I’m in."

Their hands stayed linked. And just for a moment, it felt like the little dorm room was too small to hold everything they were building together.

Noel stretched a little, then stood up and glanced at the desk.

"Alright," he said, clapping his hands lightly. "Study time."

Luca let out a dramatic groan and flopped backward on the bed, dragging Noel with him into a loose hug. "Let me rest for just a bit..."

"Nope," Noel said, trying to wriggle free, "we’ve got an exam tomorrow."

Luca tightened his arms, not letting go. "You’re so cruel," he mumbled. "At least bribe me."

Noel raised an eyebrow. "Bribe you?"

"Yeah," Luca smirked, eyes still closed. "Promise me a reward."

"I’ll reward you," Noel said, playfully, "if you pass all your exams."

Luca cracked one eye open. "Ugh. Harsh terms."

Noel laughed and tugged him up. "Now get up. We start with econ since it’s the first paper."

Luca groaned again but sat up anyway, rubbing his eyes. "Right... we’re both doing econ."

He leaned his head on Noel’s shoulder. "Fine. But if I pass, you better prepare something sweet. Like... really sweet."

Noel smiled and nudged him gently. "Deal. Now, open your notes before I change my mind."

"Slave driver," Luca muttered with a grin as he shuffled toward the desk.

The desk was cluttered with highlighters, notebooks, and an untouched packet of crackers they swore they’d get to.

Luca slouched in the chair, flipping through his econ notes with a sigh. "Why does it feel like none of this was ever taught in class?"

Noel glanced over. "Because you were probably daydreaming during half of it."

Luca smirked. "Maybe. I had a distraction sitting one row ahead."

Noel blinked. "What—"

"You," Luca replied, grinning. "You kept tapping your pen like you were composing a song."

Noel rolled his eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "Focus. What’s demand elasticity?"

Luca groaned again, dramatically. "Why does it sound like a superhero weakness?"

"Luca," Noel warned with a small laugh.

"Okay, okay," he muttered. "It’s... um... the degree to which quantity demanded changes when the price changes?"

Noel smiled. "Close enough. Better than last time."

"See? Your reward better come with extra sugar," Luca mumbled, scribbling something in his notebook.

A quiet moment passed. The fan hummed lazily in the corner, and the soft ticking of Noel’s pen filled the room.

Then Luca reached over and took Noel’s hand beneath the desk, holding it loosely while still flipping through a page.

"I’m really glad we’re doing this together," he said, voice soft, not looking up.

Noel gave his hand a small squeeze. "Me too."

The pages turned slower now.

Noel blinked hard at the same paragraph he’d read three times. His highlighter was uncapped but resting idle in his hand. Beside him, Luca had slumped forward, cheek pressed against his open textbook.

"Noel," he mumbled, eyes still shut, "if marginal utility was real, mine’s already used up."

Noel chuckled under his breath, stretching his legs. "You’re mixing economics with your sleep talk now?"

Luca opened one eye. "I’m retaining information through osmosis."

"Through your forehead?"

"Exactly." He grinned, barely lifting his head. "Why don’t we just fail together and start a bakery or something?"

Noel leaned back, rubbing his temples. "You’d eat all the profits."

"That’s a risk I’m willing to take."

A soft laugh slipped between them, followed by a long, peaceful silence. The lamp cast a golden glow across their notes, gentle and hazy. Outside the window, campus lights flickered faintly in the distance.

Luca shifted closer, tugging at Noel’s hoodie sleeve. "Come lie down. Just five minutes."

"You’ll fall asleep."

"Then wake me in six."

Noel hesitated... then gave in.

He climbed onto the bed beside Luca, letting his back rest against the wall. Luca immediately leaned into him, head on his shoulder, arms loose around his waist.

Their notes lay forgotten on the desk, a quiet mess of pens and paper and determination.

Noel glanced down at him. "We still have three Chapters left."

Luca murmured, eyes shut already, "Then dream of them for me."

Noel chuckled again, softer this time. He reached for the blanket, draping it over them both. Luca’s breathing evened out, calm and slow, warmth settling between them.

And Noel? He told himself he’d close his eyes for just a second...

The lamp hummed, the fan whispered, and forgotten notes fluttered gently — like dreams waiting to be remembered.

And soon, sleep took them both—curled up, close, and quietly safe.