Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]
Chapter 117: Shared space

Chapter 117: Shared space

The streets were calm, Sunday-slow. A few scattered clouds softened the sunlight, casting light shadows across the sidewalks.

Luca tucked his hands into his hoodie pockets, crossing the road at an easy pace. His steps weren’t rushed—just steady, casual. Like he’d walked this route a hundred times before.

At the corner, the small restaurant waited, modest and familiar. Its glass door stood slightly ajar to let in the breeze. A soft chime rang as he stepped inside.

"Morning," the woman behind the counter greeted, drying her hands on a towel.

Luca offered a half-smile. "Morning."

He stepped closer, eyes skimming the menu on the wall—same options, but he hesitated, brows furrowing slightly.

"Something light," he murmured to himself.

The woman waited patiently. Behind her, the faint clatter of pans mixed with the low hum of a radio coming from the kitchen.

"Can I get the egg sandwich," he said finally, "with the fresh wheat bread. Not toasted."

She nodded, scribbling it down. "One or two?"

"Two," Luca replied. Then after a pause, "And do you still have that lemon soft drink? The bottled one?"

She turned toward the cooler, checked, then nodded. "Yeah. Last two."

"Perfect." Luca reached for his wallet. "I’ll take both."

She rang it up. "You’re up early for food runs today," she said with a smile.

"You’re alone today," she added curiously.

He chuckled softly. "My boyfriend’s glued to his laptop again."

"The quiet one that always comes in with you?" she asked, handing him the change.

Luca nodded. "That’s him. Skips meals unless someone steps in."

"Sweet of you," she said, smiling wider. "You’re not even hiding it."

She moved toward the kitchen window and passed the order through. "Give me a few."

Luca stepped to the side, leaning against the counter. He pulled out his phone, scrolling lazily through unread messages from Jordan—mostly memes, a voice note, and a blurry selfie from some noisy bar last night.

Still alive? You ghosted me again

Luca smirked, thumbs tapping a reply: Chill morning. Will call later.

The woman returned with a small brown paper bag, the two bottled drinks tucked carefully inside.

"All set."

Luca took the bag with a nod. "Thanks. Tell Daniel I said hi."

"I will."

The door chimed again as he stepped out.

The breeze had warmed. Adjusting the bag in one hand, drinks cool against his palm, Luca headed back down the quiet street—his pace just a little quicker now.

Luca walked the same route back, the quiet rhythm of the street matching his pace.

A dog barked faintly in the distance, but otherwise, the neighborhood was still.

Just a few people out—someone watering plants, another unlocking their shop gate.

The kind of morning where time didn’t feel rushed.

The drinks clinked gently with each step as he crossed back toward their block.

When he reached the front door, he shifted the bag to one hand and nudged it open quietly.

Inside, the dorm was still. The soft hum of Noel’s laptop filled the silence. Luca kicked off his sneakers near the entrance and walked in.

Noel hadn’t moved much. He was still seated at his desk, focused, one hand supporting his chin as he scrolled with the other. His coffee mug sat untouched beside him.

Luca placed the bag and drinks on the small table near the window.

"Noel," he said gently.

Noel turned, blinking. "You’re back."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "That surprised?"

Noel gave a faint smile. "Didn’t feel like ten minutes."

"I told you I wouldn’t be long." Luca walked over, unscrewed one of the drink caps, and set it next to Noel’s laptop. "Here. You need something in your system."

Noel took the bottle with a quiet "thanks," his eyes dropping to the bag on the table.

"What did you get?"

"Egg sandwiches. The soft bread kind. One’s yours." Luca pulled out his and sat across from him at the table. "She remembered you. Asked if you’re still skipping meals."

Noel scoffed softly. "I don’t skip meals."

"You do," Luca said, unwrapping his sandwich. "But you don’t notice because you’re too busy typing."

Noel joined him at the table, pulling his chair in. "You talk too much in the morning."

Luca grinned, mouth full. "You’re welcome."

They ate quietly for a moment. The light from the window shifted slightly, warmer now as the sun rose higher.

It filtered across the table, catching the rim of their cups and the edges of Luca’s hoodie sleeve.

After a while, Noel leaned back. "I’ll rest a bit after this. My eyes need a break."

Luca nodded. "Good. I was thinking we could walk later, maybe get some fruit for the week."

"Yeah. Sounds nice."

Neither said much after that. There wasn’t a need to.

Just the soft rustle of wrappers, the distant sound of a radio from another apartment, and the kind of silence that didn’t feel empty at all.

Luca adjusted the pillow across his lap and gave it a soft pat. "Come here," he said, voice low.

Noel turned from the desk, a small sigh slipping out as he stood. He crossed the short distance and settled down, resting his head on the pillow. His body eased into the comfort, his eyes already heavy.

"Wake me in thirty, okay?" he mumbled. "I need to finish it today."

"I got you," Luca replied, eyes still on his phone.

Noel’s breathing settled into a slow rhythm within seconds. One hand rested by his side, the other curled near his chest. His lashes were soft against his skin, his expression completely unguarded now.

Luca didn’t move much. He scrolled lazily—thumb brushing over videos, short clips, a few memes that made him snort under his breath. He adjusted the volume so it wouldn’t disturb Noel.

Once in a while, he glanced down—just to check.

Noel shifted a little, his cheek now pressed more firmly against the pillow. Luca let him. He didn’t need to say anything.

The minutes passed slowly, quietly.

That warmth wasn’t from sunlight or blankets—but from the hush they shared so naturally, so often now it felt like home.

It reminded Luca of something he never thought he’d have: peace.

Easy. Familiar.

At some point, Luca stopped scrolling and just sat there, phone resting idle in his hand. His gaze lingered on Noel, calm and quiet. He didn’t rush the time.

He wouldn’t wake him early either.

Not just yet.

After a while, Luca shifted the pillow gently, sliding one arm beneath it so Noel’s head wouldn’t tilt awkwardly.

Noel murmured something—soft, slurred. It almost sounded like Luca’s name. He didn’t wake, but he leaned closer, chasing warmth.

Luca smiled faintly.

Careful not to wake him, he stretched his legs out along the bed and turned to lie down too, facing Noel.

His arm curled loosely under his own head now, eyes watching the slow rise and fall of Noel’s shoulders.

The room was still. Somewhere outside, a car rolled past, a faint birdcall floated in the distance.

But inside, it was just them. Noel breathed steadily. Luca’s eyes began to grow heavier.

He blinked once. Then again, slower this time.

Eventually, his gaze softened completely. One last glance at Noel—peaceful and close—and Luca let go of the morning.

And slowly, without meaning to, he dozed off too.

A few minutes later, Noel stirred.

His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the soft daylight slipping through the curtains.

His head still rested where Luca had propped the pillow beneath him.

It took him a second to realize the gentle rhythm beside him wasn’t just his own breath.

Luca had fallen asleep too.

Noel blinked, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. He turned slightly, just enough to see Luca’s face up close—his lashes resting quietly, chest rising and falling with the ease of someone utterly at peace.

"I told you to wake me," Noel whispered with a sleepy grin, voice low so as not to disturb the moment. "Not fall asleep too."

He brushed a stray strand of Luca’s hair back, then leaned in—close enough for his breath to warm Luca’s cheek.

A soft kiss. Just there. Gentle, slow, grateful.

Then, careful not to wake him, Noel slid off the bed. His feet touched the floor without a sound, and he stretched lightly before turning toward his desk.

Time to finish what he started.

Somewhere else on campus, the quiet hum of a fan filled a sunlit dorm room.

Light spilled across the bed and desk, warming the soft clutter of books, tangled chargers, and a mug half-filled with yesterday’s tea.

Lina sat cross-legged near the window, tablet in hand, stylus moving steadily across the screen.

Her brows furrowed just slightly as she zoomed in to shade a corner of the character’s coat, then paused—tilting her head to assess it with a practiced eye.

A soft buzz.

She glanced at her phone lying beside her sketchpad. The screen lit up.

3:49 PM Emily: "Be there in five."

Lina leaned back against the wall with a small sigh, fingers tapping the edge of the tablet before saving her progress.

Her room was quiet, still carrying that Sunday calm. She stretched one arm behind her head and yawned—more out of habit than tiredness.

Emily was early.

She tapped her phone once, typing back a quick reply.

Lina: "Door’s open."

"Her chest eased, like something unspoken was already understood."

Then she set her tablet aside, brushing a few graphite smudges off her fingers with a tissue.

The room felt a little less quiet now, the soft anticipation of company hanging gently in the air.