Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]
Chapter 116: The Softest Part

Chapter 116: The Softest Part

They left the small eatery with full stomachs and lighter hearts. The air had cooled, the sky washed in deep midnight blue, scattered with soft stars.

Campus lights flickered behind them, but they took the long way back, letting the quiet stretch.

Luca walked a step behind at first, watching Noel under the soft glow of streetlamps.

He didn’t speak right away—just listened to the hum of the city night, the rustle of leaves brushing against each other.

"You walk like you think too much," Luca said eventually, voice low and amused.

Noel glanced at him over his shoulder. "That’s rich coming from you."

Luca caught up, brushing shoulders with him. "Touché."

They walked in sync for a while. Their hands didn’t touch, but their steps shared a rhythm. A passing car now and then cast long shadows, stretching their forms along the pavement.

"Didn’t think I’d end up like this, you know," Luca murmured.

"Like what?"

He exhaled. "Chasing quiet nights. Skipping parties. Saving dumplings for someone else."

Noel’s lips curved. "You didn’t save them. You stole mine."

Luca grinned. "Details."

Another silence, this one easier. Then Luca added, more softly, "I just... didn’t think I’d ever want something steady."

"You didn’t," Noel said gently. "Until you did."

Luca looked at him. "And you’re not scared of that?"

Noel didn’t stop walking. "Of what? You, or what comes with you?"

"Both."

Noel finally paused, turning to face him. "Luca... I’d be more scared pretending I don’t care. So no, I’m not afraid of you."

Luca stood still, as if weighing those words. Then he gave a small nod, eyes slightly lowered.

They reached a small bridge before the shortcut to their dorms. The water below shimmered faintly, reflecting pale building lights.

Luca leaned over the railing, resting his forearms. "We’re still figuring it out, huh?"

"Yeah," Noel said, standing beside him, close enough for their arms to touch. "But we’re not doing it alone."

Luca looked sideways at him, and for a second, his grin faded into something more honest. "That’s the best part."

Noel offered him a small smile in return. "C’mon. You’ve had your moment."

Luca laughed quietly and pushed off the railing. "Alright, alright. Before I get soft again."

They turned back toward the path, slower this time. The kind of walk where time didn’t matter.

As they neared the dorms, Luca reached out—just barely brushing Noel’s pinky with his own.

Not a grab. Not meant to be seen.

Just a quiet touch. A silent promise.

Their dorm floor was calm when they stepped in—doors closed, lights dimmed.

The faint hum of a fan and quiet creak of pipes filled the space. Luca toed off his shoes, tossed his phone on the desk, and stretched, shirt riding up slightly.

"Finally," he muttered, his shirt riding up slightly.

Noel locked the door, then leaned back against it for a second, watching Luca with a mix of fondness and quiet exhaustion.

"You look like you ran a marathon," Luca teased, turning around.

Noel shrugged "You talk a lot when you’re full."

"And you love it."

"I do," Noel said without blinking.

That made Luca pause—smile faltering slightly. Then he stepped forward and tugged Noel’s hand gently.

"C’mere."

Noel let himself be pulled close. Luca leaned their foreheads together, voice soft.

"You sure you’re not sick of me yet?"

Noel reached up and brushed his fingers lightly through Luca’s hair. "I’ll let you know after we shower."

Luca groaned and pulled back. "I was gonna skip that part and just pass out on you."

"Not with that greasy dumpling smell on your collar."

Luca glanced at his shirt and laughed. "Okay, okay. You win."

He headed toward the bathroom, peeling off his shirt along the way—skin still warm from the walk. Noel followed, grabbing two clean towels and tossing one at him.

In the bathroom, steam curled against the mirror. Water ran. Between soft nudges and quiet laughter, they washed away the day.

Later, they lay in bed. The lights off, just the low hum of the fan circling air.

Noel rested with his back against the wall.

Luca curled beside him, one arm across Noel’s chest, fingers splayed like he needed to be sure this was real.

"I like this," Luca murmured, eyes half-closed. "This version of the day. Ending here."

Noel turned slightly, brushing a kiss to his temple. "Then let’s make sure tomorrow ends the same way."

Luca smiled against him. "Deal."

And just like that, the day folded into the quiet hum of sleep—two heartbeats at peace, side by side.

The morning light poured in slow and golden, casting soft shadows across the walls.

Curtains swayed from the breeze through the half-open window, carrying the sound of birds and rustling leaves.

Noel stirred first.

He blinked against the light, squinting at the clock—just past 9 a.m. The room was still. The kind of quiet that made everything feel more personal.

Luca lay beside him, one arm flopped across the bed, tangled in the sheets.

His breathing soft and even, lips slightly parted in sleep.

Noel lingered a moment, watching him.

There was something in the way Luca slept—like the world didn’t weigh as much on him in those hours.

Noel eased out of bed, careful not to wake him.

He padded across the room, into the bathroom. Brushed his teeth. Washed his face. Ran a towel through his hair—simple, quiet movements that grounded him.

Back in the room, he slipped on a light hoodie and settled at his desk.

The laptop screen glowed blue. A few tabs open, notes scattered across a doc. He leaned forward, reading slowly.

Behind him, Luca shifted deeper into the pillow.

Noel didn’t turn—just smiled faintly. The silence between them wasn’t empty. It was familiar. Shared. The kind of quiet where nothing needed to be said to feel understood.

The hum of the laptop filled the room as morning stretched on. No rush. It was Sunday. They didn’t need to move yet.

And in that still hour, Noel typed gently—keys tapping, screen glowing, and Luca’s breath rising and falling behind him like a rhythm only they knew.

Noel’s phone buzzed on the nightstand. He reached over, careful not to jostle the bed, and picked it up.

Mom.

He answered softly, voice hushed by the calm. "Hi, Mom... yeah, I’m up."

Luca shifted under the covers but didn’t wake.

Noel moved back to the desk, phone to his ear, other hand gently scrolling.

"Mhm... Exams are fine. I’ll text you the date later."

He paused, smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah... I’ll come home after that. It’s been a while."

The call ended with a soft, "Okay, love you too."

Behind him, the sheets rustled.

Luca sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes, hair tousled and wild. He blinked against the light.

Noel turned slightly. "Did I wake you?"

Luca yawned, stretching. "No. Just woke up."

He rubbed his face. "Who was that?"

"My mom."

"Oh." Luca’s voice was thick with sleep. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. She asked about exams... and if I’m still coming home for break."

Luca was quiet for a beat. "Are you?"

Noel hesitated. "Yeah. I want to. It’s been a while."

Luca nodded slowly, gaze drifting—not upset. Just thoughtful.

Noel turned back to his screen, eyes lingering on Luca a second longer.

Luca slid out of bed, stretching as bones cracked softly. Still half-asleep, he padded barefoot to the bathroom.

Noel watched the door close behind him, then returned to the screen.

Water ran. Then silence.

Luca came back, towel-drying his face, hair damp. He crossed the room, checked his phone, and frowned.

"It’s already ten-thirty?" he mumbled.

Noel hummed in reply, eyes still on the document.

Luca dropped onto the edge of the bed, brushing a strand of hair back.

"You eaten anything?"

Noel shook his head, not looking away. "Not yet. Just want to finish this bit first."

Luca stood back up, already moving toward the door.

"I’ll go grab us something."

"It’s fine," Noel said without glancing up. "I’ll eat later."

Luca turned, giving him a look — patient but unconvinced.

"You’ll starve if you keep skipping meals for research."

Noel sighed lightly. "I’m not skipping, just... pushing it a bit."

Luca smirked. "Exactly. So keep pushing through, and I’ll get you something. Easy."

Noel looked up, brow raised. "Don’t take forever."

Luca leaned down slightly, lips twitching as he hovered just close enough to tease.

"Why? You’ll miss me?"

Noel huffed, the corner of his mouth tugging up despite himself.

"Maybe a little."

That earned him a full smile — the kind Luca rarely gave anyone else. It wasn’t smug, not this time. It was soft. Quietly pleased.

"I’ll be quick then," Luca murmured, reaching for his hoodie. "Hold the fort."

Noel nodded, eyes following him as he moved.

And with that, Luca slipped out, the door closing behind him with a hush — like even the night didn’t want to interrupt whatever was blooming between them.