Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 203: What Peace Feels Like

The clock hit six.

One by one, screens dimmed across the floor, chairs scraped, and laughter floated faintly as people gathered their bags, eager for the weekend.

Noel shut down his system last, stacking his files with neat precision that only came from habit.

The others were already gone—Ren’s chatter fading down the hall, Jace muttering something about meeting friends.

The office emptied, leaving behind the echo of humming lights and faint perfume of paper and coffee.

He stood there for a moment, fingers still on the edge of the desk, steadying himself.

Then his phone buzzed.

**Luca:** Lobby.

No punctuation. Just that—simple, certain. It made him smile, a small curve he didn’t even fight.

He grabbed his jacket, heading for the elevator.

When the doors opened, Luca was there—leaning against the glass wall, hands tucked in his pockets again, hair a little mussed, tie loose like he’d had enough of pretending.

"You’re late," Luca said, but his voice didn’t hold any edge.

It sounded more like relief than reproach.

"Mr. Max kept me," Noel replied.

"Should I be jealous?"

Noel’s eyes flicked up. "Should you?"

That faint spark—the same one that always started something between them—lit in Luca’s grin. "Maybe."

The doors slid open again, spilling them into the quiet night outside.

Cool air swept past, carrying the hum of distant traffic and the soft thrum of city life settling.

They walked side by side, closer now than they could ever risk at work.

No words. Just the rhythm of steps, the tension uncoiling inch by inch.

By the time they reached the apartment, the silence had turned warm.

Inside, Noel slipped off his jacket, setting it neatly on the chair.

Luca tossed his somewhere that wasn’t remotely neat.

Then, as Noel turned, Luca caught his wrist—not tight, just enough to stop him.

"You didn’t forget," he said quietly. "You said after work."

"I didn’t forget."

Noel’s tone was calm, but there was something different in it—tired, tender, threaded with the day’s restraint finally breaking down.

Luca stepped closer, until the space between them was thin enough to feel breath. "So, what’s my make-up?"

Noel tilted his head, that patient composure still clinging to him even now. "What do you want it to be?"

Luca’s grin softened, eyes low. "You."

The reply wasn’t reckless. It wasn’t a plea. It was just true—simple, steady, like he’d waited all day to say it.

Noel exhaled, almost a sigh, before he leaned in—his lips brushing Luca’s cheek, lingering there, not quite a kiss, but enough to quiet everything else.

"Then eat first," he whispered, lips close enough to stir Luca’s breath. "And maybe I’ll let you cash that in after."

Luca groaned, a half-laugh escaping. "You’re cruel."

"Discipline," Noel corrected. "You need it."

"Not from you," Luca teased, voice lower now.

But he followed—because he always did—trailing after Noel toward the kitchen, the sound of their footsteps soft against the wooden floor.

The night stretched open—quiet, full of all the words they didn’t need to say.

The city hummed softly below, but up here, the world felt slower.

The balcony lights glowed a tender gold, brushing over the small table where two plates of spaghetti steamed between half-drunk glasses of wine.

Luca twirled his fork lazily, eyes half-lidded from the long week. "You know," he said, tone teasing, "normal people eat lunch before three p.m."

Noel gave a quiet laugh, pushing his hair back. "Normal people don’t have three back-to-back client calls and a presentation in the same hour."

"That’s not an excuse," Luca murmured, leaning an elbow on the table. "You said you’d take better care of yourself."

"I am," Noel replied, smiling faintly. "Look—having dinner on time. With someone bossy enough to make sure I do."

Luca’s mouth twitched. "You’re lucky I like bossing you around."

"Oh, I’m very aware," Noel said, voice dropping softer, eyes flicking up to meet his.

The air settled, warmer now—not from the city lights or the pasta, but from the way Noel looked at him.

There was exhaustion in his face, yes, but also something quieter—contentment.

The kind that comes after chaos, like calm rain after thunder.

He reached across the table, brushing his thumb over Luca’s wrist. "Thanks for waiting," he said, gentle, honest.

Luca shrugged, trying to sound casual but his voice came out softer than intended. "You always make me wait."

"And you always do."

Noel smiled then, the kind of smile that looked like a secret.

He leaned forward, his knee brushing Luca’s under the table.

They ate in small silences, the good kind—spoon against porcelain, the rustle of wind through the balcony plants.

When the plates were empty, Noel stood and leaned against the balcony rail, the skyline reflecting in his eyes. "I missed this," he said.

"What, me feeding you carbs?" Luca teased.

Noel turned his head slightly, lips curving. "No. You, here. This quiet. Just... breathing next to you."

Luca’s chest softened at that.

He walked up behind him, arms slipping around his waist, chin resting on Noel’s shoulder.

The night breeze tangled their hair together. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"You don’t have to make it up to me," Luca murmured. "Just... don’t burn yourself out, okay?"

Noel tilted his head slightly, brushing their cheeks. "I’ll try. If you keep reminding me like this."

Luca smiled against his skin. "Deal."

The city below carried on—lights shifting, horns echoing somewhere far away.

But for them, time slowed.

The plates sat forgotten, the wine half-finished.

It was just warmth, soft breathing, and the quiet promise that even on the busiest days, they’d find their way back here—to the balcony, to each other.

Noel didn’t move at first.

He just stood there in Luca’s arms, watching the skyline shimmer and blur in the faint breeze.

The air smelled faintly of rain and tomato sauce, the kind of homely mix that only came from nights like this—when the world felt smaller, safer.

Luca’s hands stayed around him, steady. "You’re quiet," he murmured against his shoulder.

"I’m tired," Noel admitted, voice low. "But not the bad kind. Just... finally at peace, I guess."

Luca smiled against his neck. "Then come inside. You’ll catch a cold standing here."

Noel turned slightly, their faces brushing—close enough to feel each other’s breath. "You sound like my mother."

Luca smirked. "And you still don’t listen."

That earned him a soft laugh, quiet but real.

He guided Noel inside, sliding the balcony door shut.

The apartment was dim, the lights low, their shadows stretching across the floor.

The leftover dishes waited on the table, but neither of them moved to clean up.

The world could wait a little longer.

Noel sat on the couch, loosening the collar of his shirt.

Luca followed, sinking down beside him, their knees brushing.

For a moment, there was no conversation—just the steady sound of breathing and the distant hum of traffic below.

Then Noel leaned back, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sometimes I forget how much I need this."

Luca turned to him. "This?"

"The quiet. The space to just... exist without being ’Noel-from-work’ or ’Noel-who’s-always-busy.’" He exhaled. "You make it easy to breathe again."

Something in Luca’s chest tightened. "You should have more of that. Not just when I’m around."

"I know," Noel said. "But it’s easier with you."

Luca looked at him, really looked—at the faint tiredness in his eyes, the small shadow of sleepless nights under them, the softness that work never saw.

He reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from Noel’s forehead, his fingers lingering a second too long. "You don’t have to prove anything, you know," he murmured. "You’re already enough."

Noel closed his eyes, leaning just slightly into the touch. "Say that again."

Luca’s voice dropped to a whisper. "You’re enough, Noel. You always were."

The room went still. No grand gestures, no confessions—just two people sitting close enough to hear the other’s heartbeat.

Noel opened his eyes, meeting Luca’s gaze with something tender, something almost vulnerable. "I don’t think you realize how much that means to me."

Luca smiled faintly. "Then I’ll keep saying it until you do."

Noel chuckled under his breath, shaking his head, and before Luca could say another word, Noel leaned forward and pressed his forehead against his.

It wasn’t a kiss—not yet. Just quiet closeness. Their breaths tangled, their warmth shared.

"Stay like this," Noel murmured.

"I was planning to," Luca whispered back.

They sat there—no music, no noise, just the rhythm of breathing and the slow ticking of the clock.

Outside, the city lights blinked, but neither of them looked away from each other.

For the first time that week, it felt like everything had stopped spinning.

And maybe that was enough—just them, the soft air between their lips, and the unspoken promise that tomorrow could wait.

Noel leaned back, his head resting against Luca’s shoulder.

He didn’t say a word, and he didn’t need to.

His body had already started to relax, that subtle heaviness that comes before sleep—like the day finally decided to let him go.

Luca sat quietly, one arm wrapped loosely around him, fingers tracing idle circles on Noel’s arm.

He could feel the rhythm of his breathing change, slower now, more even.

The kind that told him Noel was slipping, gently, into rest.

"Long week, huh?" Luca whispered, voice almost drowned out by the quiet.

Noel hummed faintly in reply, half-asleep. "Mm... survived it."

Luca smiled softly. "You did more than that."

A small pause. Then Noel mumbled, eyes still closed, "You always talk like you’re proud of me."

"I am," Luca said simply. "Every damn day."

Noel’s lips curved into a sleepy smile, barely there.

He shifted, finding a more comfortable spot against Luca’s chest.

The faint scent of shampoo and the lingering warmth from dinner wrapped around them.

Luca rested his chin on top of Noel’s head, whispering into his hair. "Sleep, love. I’ll wake you when the stars fall."

Noel didn’t answer this time. Just a quiet breath, a slow exhale—and then stillness.

Luca stayed like that, motionless, eyes fixed on the faint reflections of light crawling across the ceiling.

His hand rested over Noel’s heart, feeling the soft, steady beat beneath his palm.

For a moment, he let himself forget the office, the pretense, the hiding.

Out here, in this tiny slice of night, he could touch freely. He could love freely.

He brushed a stray lock of hair from Noel’s face, tucking it behind his ear with gentle precision. "You deserve peace," he murmured. "Even if the world doesn’t give it to you."

Noel stirred faintly but didn’t wake.

His hand found Luca’s shirt in his sleep, fingers curling into the fabric like he was afraid Luca might disappear if he let go.

Luca’s throat tightened. "I’m not going anywhere," he said under his breath. "Not tonight. Not ever."

Outside, a faint wind stirred the curtains, carrying the smell of rain.

The city sighed, the night deepened, and the world held still.