Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]
Chapter 114: Waiting, and Wanting

Chapter 114: Waiting, and Wanting

The alarm buzzed softly before Noel reached over and shut it off. He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes as the pale morning light slipped through the curtain.

Luca groaned and pulled the blanket higher over his head. "It’s illegal to wake up this early..."

Noel chuckled, leaning over to ruffle Luca’s hair beneath the covers. "Go back to sleep. Your paper’s in the evening."

Luca peeked out, eyes squinting. "But I want to go with you."

"You sure?" Noel asked, grabbing his towel. "You could rest more."

"I’d rather sit and complain next to you at the exam hall."

Noel shook his head with a smile. "Your choice, drama king."

By the time they got ready, Luca looked more alive, stretching as they stepped out of the dorm.

Morning sunlight stretched gently across campus as sleepy students drifted toward their lecture halls.

They walked side by side, not saying much—just the quiet rhythm of shared steps and nerves held steady together.

As they neared the exam building, Luca nudged Noel’s arm. "You’ll be fine. You’ve read like a machine."

Noel smirked. "Hope the machine doesn’t overheat."

Luca stopped just before the door. "I’ll wait outside till you’re done. Go in and crush it, babe."

Noel paused. "You’re really staying?"

Luca nodded. "Not leaving without you."

Their fingers brushed briefly before Noel turned to head inside, and Luca slumped onto a nearby bench, headphones in, tapping his foot.

Waiting. Quietly rooting for him.

Luca sat on the bench, one leg stretched out, the other bouncing lazily.

The sun was brighter now, but a soft breeze kept it from getting annoying. He pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and saw Jordan’s message pop up first.

Jordan: Ugh. Still in bed. Too early for humans.

Luca smirked and typed back.

Luca: I’m outside an exam hall watching my boyfriend slowly die inside.

Jordan: RIP to him. Can we go clubbing after his resurrection?

Luca: Only if you pay for the drinks this time.

Jordan: Only if he passes. If not, we drink for sadness.

Luca rolled his eyes and grinned.

Luca: Focus on your hangover recovery.

Jordan : Already cured. Going clubbing again tonight. Come join

Luca: Finals, idiot.

Jordan : Booooo. Be boring then.

Luca smirked at the screen, shaking his head. Just then, a familiar shuffle came from his right.

As he went back to typing, he heard familiar footsteps.

"Look at this guy, just lounging like he owns the campus," George said, dropping onto the bench beside him.

Luca didn’t look up. "Because I do. What are you doing here this early? Don’t tell me you’ve turned into a study freak."

George laughed. "I thought my exam was this morning. Turns out I’m early... for tomorrow."

Luca scooted over, patting the space beside him. "Come stress with me."

George plopped down, sighing. "Why do exams feel like judgment day?"

Luca glanced at him. "Because they are."

They both chuckled.

George stretched. "It’s Saturday, and we’re still being tortured. What kind of cursed academic schedule is this?"

"Tragic," Luca replied flatly. "Where’s Emily?"

George shrugged. "Probably with Lina. You know them—stuck together like Wi-Fi and poor connection."

Luca snorted. "Romance in 2025."

George leaned back. "Anyway, we’re just early. Might grab snacks before heading in. You staying here the whole time?"

Luca nodded. "Told Noel I’d wait. I’m loyal."

George looked at him with mock admiration. "Wow. Look at love. I want to cry."

"Cry somewhere else," Luca said with a smile, nudging him with his foot.

George pulled out his phone. "Let me text Emily. If she doesn’t show in five, we’ll raid the vending machine."

Luca went back to chatting with Jordan, already typing:

Luca: Update: George is here. Still single. Still loud.

Jordan: Tell him I said "hang in there, King."

Luca laughed again, the wait suddenly not feeling so long.

George stood and stretched. "I’m starving already. Come on, let’s hit the vending machine before I start hallucinating answers."

Luca pocketed his phone with a sigh. "Fine. But if I don’t get what I want, I’m fighting the machine."

They headed down the short path, the vending corner just around the side of the building.

A small breeze danced around them, warm with the smell of concrete and a faint hint of someone’s cheap cologne.

George walked straight to the snack options, already eyeing a bag of cookies and plantain chips. "I need carbs and lies. That’s what my brain runs on."

Luca, however, was standing in front of the drinks section, eyes narrowed. "Hmmm..."

George peeked over. "You want the lemon soda again?"

"No," Luca mumbled. "I’m getting that for Noel. He likes it. Said it keeps his brain awake."

George raised an eyebrow. "You’re not even buying for yourself?"

Luca smirked and inserted the coins. "I can survive. He’s more fragile. Precious cargo."

The can dropped with a soft thunk.

George placed his snacks on the bench beside them. "You’ve really gone soft, huh?"

Luca turned with the drink in hand, shrugging. "I was always soft. I just hid it under sarcasm."

"Disgusting," George teased.

"Shut up," Luca replied, but he smiled.

With snacks in hand, they wandered back slowly, George munching, Luca clutching the soda like it meant more than it should.

The sunlight flickered through the trees, and students passed by in scattered clusters.

Luca checked the time. "He should be done soon."

George wiped his hands. "Good. I want to see his reaction when you hand him that drink like a loyal golden retriever."

Luca laughed. "Shut. Up."

But the way he tucked the drink into his side and looked toward the building entrance said everything.

They found an empty bench near the shrubs, the kind that creaked slightly when you sat but always caught the breeze just right.

George plopped down first, slouching dramatically. "Tell me again why we decided higher education was the way?"

Luca sat beside him, gently placing the soft drink between them on the bench. "Because our parents would kill us if we didn’t. And also... I’m trying to impress someone."

George snorted. "Impressing Noel with soda? That’s some elite game right there."

Luca smirked, stretching his legs out. "It’s not just soda. It’s his favorite. Details matter."

They sat in silence for a beat, watching students drift by — some laughing, some yawning, some rushing with papers in hand. The buzz of the campus was alive, but their little corner felt calm.

George crunched chips. "Nervous for your exam?"

Luca shrugged. "A bit. But I studied enough to fake confidence."

George nodded, then tilted his head. "He’s good for you, you know. Noel."

Luca looked over, caught off guard by the softness in George’s tone. "Yeah... I know."

He leaned back and closed his eyes for a second, feeling the warm sun touch his skin. "I used to think I’d never get someone like him."

"And now he’s yours," George said simply.

Luca didn’t reply, just smiled quietly, fingers brushing the rim of the drink can beside him.

George crunched another chip and glanced sideways. "You know, sometimes I still can’t believe you’re off the market."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I mean," George chuckled, "you used to flirt like it was your full-time job. One wink and half the department was flustered."

Luca let out a laugh, head tilting back slightly. "That was harmless."

"Harmless?" George leaned in. "Luca, you were everyone’s campus crush. Guys, girls, seniors, even that barista at BeanSpill who kept writing you love poems on your coffee cups."

Luca grinned. "Ah, bless her heart. She had good taste."

George rolled his eyes. "And now? One boyfriend and suddenly you’re buying soft drinks and studying econ like some reformed heartthrob."

Luca looked down at the can, the smile on his lips softening. "Noel..he pause it’s different. With him, I don’t need all that noise."

Just then, a familiar calm presence approached. Noel, dressed simply but always looking sharp, held a folder in one hand and his phone in the other. His eyes scanned the area and landed on Luca, softening as he approached.

Noel settled beside Luca quietly, his thumb brushing over Luca’s hand in that way that said everything. ’You okay?’ he asked, voice softer than usual.

Luca didn’t even hesitate. "I am now."

George looked between them, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. "Wow. That was smooth. Almost makes me want to fall in love."

Luca grinned and handed Noel the soft drink. "Brought this for you."

Noel blinked, pleasantly surprised. "You remembered."

"You always grab this one when you’re stressed," Luca said, shrugging like it was no big deal.

Noel twisted the cap open and took a sip. "Perfect temperature too."

The three of them sat there as the sunlight began to mellow, stretching into golden hour.

Campus noise quieted, replaced by the chirping of birds and the occasional laughter from far-off clusters of students.

George stretched his arms over his head. "You guys are disgustingly adorable."

Noel threw a chip at him. "Shut up."

Luca chuckled, leaning slightly against Noel. "Let him be. It’s rare to see George acknowledge feelings that aren’t hunger or sleep."

George smirked. "Touché."

The trio stayed a while longer, letting time pass without rush — books momentarily forgotten, hearts just a little lighter.