Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]
Chapter 115: Soft Places to Land

Chapter 115: Soft Places to Land

The sky had dipped into soft amber, the kind that made everything feel calmer than it really was.

Campus lights flickered on in steady rows, stretching shadows across the path.

Luca glanced at his phone. "It’s almost time..."

Just then, Emily rushed toward them, bag swinging against her side, slightly out of breath. "C’mon, guys! It’s time!"

George stood, slinging his bag lazily over one shoulder. "Look who finally decided to show."

Luca arched a brow. "Where’ve you been all day?"

Before Emily could open her mouth, George cut in with a teasing grin, "Probably tangled up with Lina somewhere."

Emily gave him a half-hearted glare. "You wish. I had stuff to deal with at home."

"Sure you did," George muttered under his breath, earning a soft laugh from Luca.

Noel stood up and lightly dusted off his pants. He turned to Luca, calm as ever. "Good luck. I’ll wait for you in the library."

Luca gave him a grateful look, their eyes holding for a moment. "I won’t take long."

Noel stepped closer, brushing his fingers gently against Luca’s wrist. "Focus. You’ll do fine."

Luca smiled, that familiar glint returning to his eyes. "Only because I’ve got you cheering me on."

Noel chuckled under his breath and turned, heading down the path toward the library. His silhouette slowly faded between the soft lamplight and deepening dusk.

George groaned, mock-stretching. "Alright, heartbreakers. Let’s go pass this exam or die trying."

Emily smacked his arm. "Can you not say that before we enter the hall?"

They walked off together, their footsteps light despite the nerves — dusk wrapping around them like a slow, steady breath.

The library doors parted with a quiet creak as Noel stepped inside. The soft hum of the air conditioner greeted him, a welcome shift from the heavy warmth of the evening.

He moved between rows of bookshelves until he reached his usual spot—by the far window overlooking the campus lawn.

The world outside was painted in deep blue now, the first stars starting to poke through the sky.

Noel set his bag down and pulled out a book, though his eyes lingered on the window more than the page. His mind wasn’t really in the story tonight.

He tapped his pen against his notebook absently.

Luca.

He smiled faintly to himself.

Earlier, the way Luca gave him the drink without saying much, the way he kept glancing Noel’s way even while joking with George—Luca had changed.

There was a softness to him now, like he finally let someone see past the charm and confidence.

Noel rested his chin on his palm, flipping the page without reading. "You better be focusing," he murmured to himself with a little grin.

A few students shuffled nearby, their whispers low and distant.

The room was comfortably quiet, only the occasional rustle of paper or scratch of a pen filling the air.

Noel let himself breathe.

Not for the grade. Not for the pressure. Just... a quiet moment of stillness. Waiting.

And somewhere down the corridor, behind walls and exam papers, was the boy he loved—probably frowning at the questions, tapping his pen dramatically like he always did.

Noel turned back to his book with a quiet smile, his heart calm.

He’d wait.

Noel barely turned the page. His eyes lingered on the words, but his mind had already drifted when he heard the quiet creak of the library doors open behind him.

Footsteps padded across the floor—familiar, unhurried.

He didn’t have to look up.

"You survived?" Noel asked softly, eyes still on the book.

Luca dropped into the seat across from him, dramatic as ever, slumping with a tired groan. "Barely. I think my soul left my body on question three."

Noel finally looked up, trying not to smile. "You didn’t even tell me how the first two went."

"They tricked me into thinking I had hope," Luca said, reaching into his bag and pulling out the half-empty soft drink he hadn’t finished earlier. "But hey, I got a few things right. Maybe enough to pass."

Noel reached across the table, brushing his thumb gently over Luca’s fingers as he took the drink. "That’s all that matters."

Luca watched him, soft-eyed. The usual playful glint was still there, but quieter now, like something inside him had slowed down. His fingers curled around Noel’s for a second longer.

"I thought of you halfway through," he murmured.

"Oh?" Noel tilted his head.

"I kept picturing this—your notes spread out, that old pen you never replace, and the way you frown when you’re focused," Luca said, his gaze drifting around the quiet library. "It made me want to finish strong. So I could see this exact look on your face."

Noel blinked. "What look?"

"This one," Luca said, grinning gently. "Like you’re trying not to smile, but you’re proud of me anyway."

Noel shook his head, laughing under his breath. "You’re impossible."

"But yours," Luca whispered, almost like it wasn’t meant to be said out loud.

A pause.

Noel let it sit there between them, warm and full. Then he reached over, resting his hand fully over Luca’s.

"I’m glad you came straight here," he said softly.

"There’s nowhere else I’d rather be."

Outside, the campus lights flickered on. Evening deepened. But here, in this quiet corner of the library, everything felt calm.

The minutes passed slowly, comfortably.

Noel flipped through a few more pages of his notes, the desk lamp casting a soft glow between them.

Luca didn’t bother pretending to read—his head leaned against his hand, eyes half-lidded, just watching Noel quietly.

The silence was gentle, broken only by the soft rustle of paper and the low hum of the air conditioner above.

After a while, Luca shifted in his seat and exhaled.

"I’m starving."

Noel glanced up. "That’s your own fault. You skipped lunch."

"I was nervous."

"You still managed to talk all the way to the exam hall," Noel said, lips twitching.

"Talking’s easier than thinking on an empty stomach."

Noel closed his book, the sound light but final. "Alright. Let’s go eat."

Luca straightened, stretching his arms above his head with a quiet sigh. "Anywhere but the cafeteria."

"Too crowded?" Noel asked, standing and gathering his things.

"Too loud," Luca replied, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I kind of want something quiet. Just us."

Noel gave him a small nod, the corner of his mouth lifting. "I know a place."

They didn’t rush. Just packed up slowly, side by side, their movements unhurried, familiar.

As they stepped out into the night again, Luca let their hands brush. Noel didn’t pull away.

Outside, the sky was deep blue, the last of the sunset fading behind the rooftops.

The campus was calmer now. A few students passed by in pairs or alone, footsteps echoing softly against the pavement.

"Thanks for waiting," Luca said as they walked.

"I always will," Noel replied, without looking over.

That made Luca smile quietly to himself.

They walked past the main campus gate, away from the chatter and echo of student voices, letting the cool air settle over their shoulders.

The streets outside were calmer now, dusk fading into a soft navy night. Streetlamps flickered on, casting long, golden pools across the road.

Luca stuffed his hands into his pockets, his steps a little slower than usual.

"So," he murmured, "where’s this quiet place you promised?"

Noel glanced at him with a small smile. "You’ll see."

They turned down a side road—a quieter lane tucked behind a row of flower shops and photocopy stalls.

A few meters ahead, a small eatery came into view. Dim lights hung low from the awning, and inside, only two other tables were occupied.

It wasn’t fancy, but it had warm wooden chairs, clean tile floors, and a soft hum of lo-fi music drifting through the speakers.

Luca tilted his head, impressed. "Since when do you hang out here?"

"I don’t," Noel said, pulling open the door. "But I pass it every time I come back from the library. Figured we’d try something different."

They stepped in, and the quiet welcomed them like a blanket.

A waitress greeted them with a polite nod, guiding them to a corner table by the window.

Noel sat across from Luca, setting his bag down beside him.

Luca scanned the menu, then looked up, brow raised.

"They have fried noodles," he said, "and dumplings. You read my mind."

Noel chuckled softly. "I didn’t, but I’ll pretend I did."

They placed their order—simple food, no fuss. When the waitress left, Luca leaned back and exhaled slowly.

"I needed this," he admitted.

"I know."

Luca’s gaze wandered to the window for a moment. Outside, a passing motorcycle zipped by, its tail light smearing red against the glass.

Then he looked back at Noel, a small, unguarded smile on his face.

"You really take care of me."

Noel didn’t answer right away. He just refilled Luca’s glass. "That’s kind of the point, isn’t it?"

Luca didn’t reply—he just nodded slowly, fingers lightly brushing the edge of his water glass. No teasing. No dramatics. Just a quiet, warm pause between them.

The food arrived a few minutes later, and they ate slowly, the kind of silence that didn’t need to be filled.

Luca stole one of Noel’s dumplings without asking. Noel narrowed his eyes but let it go.

When they finished, Luca leaned his elbows on the table and sighed again. "Okay. I officially forgive today."

Noel tilted his head. "You were holding a grudge?"

"Just a little one," Luca teased. "But food and you... that’s a good combination."

Noel rolled his eyes, but his expression stayed soft. "Come on. Let’s head back."

But Luca stayed still for a beat longer, his eyes not ready to leave the moment. "Can we walk a bit first?"

Noel met his gaze, then nodded. "Yeah. Let’s walk."

And as they walked, the streetlamps flickered above them, casting two long shadows that never strayed far from each other.