Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 185: Morning Mischief

The first spill of light crept through the curtains, pale gold brushing over the room.

Noel still slept, one arm tangled in the blanket, his breath steady.

Luca watched him for a moment before slipping quietly from the bed.

He pulled on yesterday’s shirt, the fabric cool against his skin, and padded out onto the veranda.

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth.

A small group was gathered by the path, their voices low and excited.

"Perfect morning for it."

"Best views you’ll ever get."

"Nothing beats hiking up there—it’s like the world opens up just for you."

Luca leaned against a post, listening.

The word date caught his ear. He smiled faintly. That sounds like something he’d never agree to. Which means I have to try.

The guesthouse owner stepped out, balancing a tray of steaming cups. "Good morning."

"Morning," Luca said.

"You slept well, I hope?"

"Better than I thought." His eyes flicked back to the hikers.

"Ah, they’re going up to the ridge," she said, following his gaze. "It’s popular with couples—beautiful view, very quiet. You’d like it."

Luca arched a brow. "Would I?"

She chuckled. "You look like someone who wants to make a memory. Breakfast is inside if you prefer."

Luca gave a small nod, but his mind was already made up.

He could picture Noel’s frown, the flat refusal... and the way it would bend if Luca pushed just enough.

He glanced back toward their room. "Yeah," he murmured, a grin tugging at his mouth. "I’ll see what I can do."

The door clicked softly as Luca returned. The room was warm with the scent of sleep.

Noel hadn’t moved, one arm thrown over his eyes.

Luca’s shirt from yesterday was tangled near his waist.

Luca leaned down, brushing his lips against the curve of Noel’s jaw. "Wake up, sleepyhead."

A low sound rumbled from Noel’s throat. His eyes stayed shut.

Luca kissed him again, softer. "C’mon. Morning’s too pretty to waste."

One eye cracked open, heavy-lidded. "You’re loud."

"I’m charming," Luca corrected, perching on the edge of the mattress. His hand slid over Noel’s chest. "Guess what I heard outside?"

Noel groaned. "That breakfast is ready? Good. Go get it."

Luca snorted. "Tempting. But no. They were talking about hiking. A ridge with a view that’s supposed to be amazing—perfect for couples." He let the word hang in the air.

Noel’s brow furrowed. "Hiking?"

"Yeah." Luca leaned closer, lips brushing Noel’s ear. "Let’s go."

That got both of Noel’s eyes open, sharp and suspicious. "Absolutely not."

"Why not?"

"Because it’s morning. Because it’s a hike. And because you’ll complain halfway through."

Luca scoffed. "I won’t. I’ll keep up."

"You trip on flat ground," Noel muttered, rolling onto his side.

Undeterred, Luca curled close against his back. "Then you’ll catch me. Isn’t that what boyfriends are for?"

Noel exhaled, long and put-upon, but the tips of his ears turned pink.

"Please," Luca coaxed, his voice dropping to a soft plea. He brushed his lips against Noel’s shoulder. "Don’t make me beg."

Noel turned his head slightly. "You already are."

"Not properly." Luca’s arms tightened around him. "C’mon. Just this once. Let’s make it a date."

Noel was silent for a long moment, studying him. Then he sighed, the sound heavy and resigned. "You’re impossible."

"That’s not a no."

Noel pinched the bridge of his nose. "...Fine. But if you slow us down, I’m leaving you behind."

"You wouldn’t dare," Luca teased, grinning wide as he planted a kiss on Noel’s cheek.

Noel’s mouth twitched. "This is exactly why I didn’t want to spend the night here. You’re always plotting something."

Luca laughed, triumphant, burying his face against Noel’s chest. "And you like it... you always give in."

Noel’s voice was gravelly with sleep but sharp. "We didn’t bring boots. Or water. How are we supposed to go hiking?"

Luca propped his chin on Noel’s chest, utterly unfazed. "Details. That’s what shops are for."

"We’re not in the city, Luca. You think there’s an outlet hidden behind the guesthouse?"

Luca bit back a laugh. "Don’t need one. Flip-flops will do."

Noel stared at him—flat, unimpressed. "Flip-flops. For a hike."

"What?" Luca spread his hands dramatically. "It’s a date, not an expedition. We’ll take it slow. Hold hands. Doesn’t that sound nice?"

Noel pressed his palm over his face. "Sounds like you want me to carry you."

Luca gasped in mock offense. "Would you?"

"No."

"Yes, you would," Luca shot back immediately, grinning when Noel’s silence gave him away. He wriggled closer. "See? You’re already planning it."

Noel’s mouth twitched. "You’re unbearable."

"And yet," Luca murmured, kissing the spot under his jaw, "you still love me."

"Unfortunately," Noel said dryly, but the warmth in his voice betrayed him.

Luca pushed up, sitting cross-legged on the bed. "Okay. We grab breakfast, then ask about sturdier shoes. Water bottles. Whatever hikers use."

"And when there’s not?" Noel countered.

"Then we improvise." Luca’s grin softened into something earnest. "C’mon. It’ll be fun."

Noel looked at him a long moment, his hand reaching up almost unconsciously to brush Luca’s hair back from his face.

"You’re going to be the death of me," he muttered.

"Then at least you’ll die with a great view," Luca quipped, triumphant once more.

Noel let out another sigh—the sound of a man who knew resistance was pointless. "Fine. Breakfast first."

Luca lit up, flopping back down to hug him tightly. "Knew you’d say yes."

Noel murmured against his hair, "This is why I don’t let you plan things."

The guesthouse dining area was simple, with wooden tables set near open windows.

The morning light spilled in, golden and fresh.

Luca practically bounced on his heels as they walked in, tugging Noel’s hand. "Sit here." He chose the table closest to the window and peered out at the mist clinging to the distant hills. "Breakfast with scenery. Ten out of ten."

Noel pulled out the opposite chair with deliberate slowness. "You sound like a travel blogger."

"Don’t tempt me." Luca grinned, stealing Noel’s napkin to fiddle with. "I’d be amazing at it. Luca’s Guide to Romantic Getaways."

"Step one: forget to pack properly," Noel muttered, unfolding his own napkin.

"Step two," Luca continued without missing a beat, "convince your stubborn boyfriend to climb a mountain in borrowed shoes."

Noel’s lips twitched. "You’re assuming we’ll find shoes."

"We will." Luca leaned forward, eyes bright. "The universe wants us to go."

The guesthouse owner arrived with coffee, rolls, eggs, and fruit. "Eat up—you’ll need energy if you’re hiking today."

Luca shot Noel a triumphant look. "See? Even she knows."

Noel sipped his coffee slowly. "...You bribed her, didn’t you?"

"I didn’t! But that’s a great idea for next time." Luca tore into a roll and offered half to Noel. "Peace offering." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Noel took it without comment, though the corner of his mouth softened.

A comfortable silence settled, filled with the sounds of cutlery and quiet chatter.

Luca kicked him gently under the table. "You’re quiet."

"I’m eating," Noel said.

"Or..." Luca tilted his head, studying him, "...you’re pretending you don’t like this."

"Like what?"

"This." Luca gestured around them—the sunlit table, the food, the waiting mountains. "Us. Out here. A date that isn’t just you dragging me to the grocery store."

Noel’s fork paused midair. His gaze lingered on Luca. Quietly, he admitted, "It’s not bad."

Luca’s grin spread wide. "Careful, that almost sounded like a compliment."

"It wasn’t," Noel replied flatly, though the faint curve of his lips betrayed him.

Luca licked jam from his thumb, then caught Noel watching. "What?"

"You eat like a child," Noel said, tearing his roll neatly in half.

"And yet," Luca drawled, "you keep kissing me anyway."

Noel’s ears colored. "Regrettably."

"Liar," Luca grinned, leaning across to bump their cups together. "To not-bad mornings, then."

Noel didn’t toast back, but he sipped his coffee right after, which Luca counted as victory.

As they finished, the owner returned. "If you’re still thinking about the ridge, we rent boots and packs for guests. Water bottles too. No excuses."

"See?" Luca beamed. "The universe is serving us shoes on a platter."

Noel arched a brow. "Convenient."

Fifteen minutes later, they stood in a small gear shed.

Luca hopped on one foot, trying to tighten laces on boots a size too big.

Noel crouched and tugged the knot tight with one sharp pull.

"Ow! Careful," Luca whined.

"Stop squirming." Noel gave the lace a final tug. "You’d twist your ankle in five minutes."

"That’s why I keep you around," Luca said sweetly, leaning down to press a kiss to Noel’s hair.

Noel swatted at him, ears pink. "Get up."

They stepped outside. Stalls were opening along the roadside.

Luca slowed, eyes locking on a rack of T-shirts.

"Oh," he whispered, grabbing Noel’s arm. "Couple shirts."

"No," Noel said immediately.

"Yes." Luca darted forward, touching one with a cartoon sun. Next to it hung a moon version. "It’s fate. Look—it’s literally us."

Noel stayed planted, arms crossed. "We’re not walking up a mountain dressed like a comic strip."

"Correction," Luca said, holding the sun shirt to his chest. "You’re the broody moon. I’m the sunshine. Perfect balance."

The vendor smiled, already bagging them.

Noel pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do I let you drag me into these things?"

"Because you secretly love it," Luca replied, triumphant, thrusting the moon shirt into Noel’s hands.

Noel didn’t answer. But when Luca bounded ahead, tugging his new shirt into place, Noel’s gaze lingered, a ghost of a smile betraying him before he caught himself.