Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 220: Worth the Wait

The office floor had grown quiet, most lights dimmed except for a few that still burned softly above Noel’s desk.

The faint whir of the air vents mixed with the rhythmic tapping of his keyboard.

His focus was razor-sharp—click, drag, type, save.

He wanted to finish before Luca called again.

A notification popped up.Task completed. Noel exhaled, leaning back for the first time in hours. His shoulders ached. The clock on his screen blinked 8:47 p.m.

He started gathering his things—neatly stacking folders, shutting down his laptop, slipping it into his bag.

"Done already?"

Noel turned. Mr. Max was leaning against the doorframe, jacket slung over his arm, a half-smile softening his face.

"Yeah," Noel said lightly. "Just wrapping up."

Max stepped closer, stopping by the desk. "You’ve been working hard all day. I was thinking—let me treat you tonight. A meal. Consider it a welcome gesture, since we didn’t properly celebrate you joining the team."

"Oh—no, you don’t have to," Noel said, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Really. You’ve already done enough."

"It’s just dinner, Noel," Max said with an easy grin. "Don’t make me eat alone."

Noel hesitated, glancing at the time again, then back at Max. "I’d like to, sir, but... I’ve got something I need to take care of at home."

Max studied him for a second—long enough for Noel to feel the weight of it—but then he sighed and nodded. "Alright. I’ll take a rain check then."

"Next time," Noel promised with a polite smile.

Max’s eyes softened. "Next time it is."

Noel dipped his head in gratitude, murmured a soft goodnight, and turned toward the door.

The moment he stepped into the hallway, he exhaled sharply, loosening the breath he’d been holding.

He quickened his pace toward the elevator, the echo of his steps bouncing through the empty corridor.

The air smelled faintly of coffee and printer ink—the scent of long hours and lingering effort.

By the time the elevator dinged open, Noel’s reflection in the steel doors showed a faint, tired smile.

"Sorry, Luca," he whispered to himself, stepping in. "I’m coming."

The elevator hummed softly as it descended, floor by floor.

Noel rubbed his neck, exhaustion tugging at his body, but beneath it was that quiet anticipation—the thought of Luca waiting downstairs.

When the doors finally slid open, the lobby came into view—half-empty now, the evening light spilling gold through the glass panels.

Noel’s steps quickened.

Then he saw him.

Luca, sitting on the edge of one of the lobby couches, elbows resting on his knees, phone in hand but not looking at it. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He was staring toward the elevators, eyes faintly tired but steady—as if he’d been doing exactly that for the last half hour.

When he noticed Noel, he stood immediately. "Finally." His voice carried a touch of mock annoyance, but the relief in his eyes betrayed him.

"I told you to go ahead," Noel said, walking closer, a small smile tugging his lips. "You didn’t have to wait this long."

Luca brushed his hair back with a tired hand. "Yeah, well, I didn’t feel like it."

"You waited this long?"

"I said I would, didn’t I?" His tone was light, teasing, but the faint crease between his brows betrayed the worry he’d been carrying.

Noel slowed, the irritation melting from his face. "You’re impossible."

"Maybe," Luca said, stepping closer. "But you’re worth it."

The words hung there, soft but sure.

Noel tried to hide the smile that tugged at his lips, but failed. "You should’ve gone home, Luca."

"And miss my favorite part of the day?" Luca tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "Walking out of here with you?"

Noel sighed—half exasperation, half affection—and brushed his fingers along Luca’s sleeve. "You’re ridiculous."

"Maybe," Luca said, voice low now. "But I’m starving. Please tell me you finished everything so I can take you to dinner before I collapse."

Noel laughed under his breath. "Fine. You win."

They started toward the doors, their steps syncing naturally.

Outside, the city lights shimmered against the glass, painting streaks of gold across the pavement.

As they stepped into the cool night air, Luca nudged Noel’s shoulder. "So... we’re officially the last two to leave today."

"Seems like it," Noel murmured.

Luca smiled, hands tucked in his pockets. "Good. Because this one’s my favorite."

Noel looked at him—really looked—and shook his head softly, warmth rising in his chest. "Let’s go home, Luca."

Luca’s grin widened. "Best words I’ve heard all day."

And as they walked toward,side by side beneath the fading hum of the city, the exhaustion of the day slipped quietly away.

The door clicked shut behind them with that soft, familiar sound that always felt like relief.

Luca barely made it past the living room before collapsing onto the couch.

His blazer ended up half on the armrest, half on the floor.

The cat—ever the opportunist—climbed onto his stomach, curled up, and started purring.

For once, Luca didn’t push it away.

He just rested a hand on its back, staring at the ceiling like he’d been waiting all week for this exact moment.

Noel loosened his tie with a sigh, heading straight for the kitchen.

The sound of running water broke the quiet.

He came back with two glasses, handed one to Luca.

"Thanks," Luca mumbled, sitting up just enough to take it.

Noel dropped beside him, his posture relaxed but his expression thoughtful. "So," he started, tracing a finger around the rim of his glass. "They changed things today."

Luca turned his head. "Changed what?"

"The teams," Noel said. "Ren and Jace got reassigned. They’ll be working under other senior staff."

Luca blinked slowly, waiting. "And you?"

Noel hesitated for half a beat, then said it plainly. "I’ll be under Mr. Max. Just him and me, for now."

Luca’s hand stilled mid-sip. "Just the two of you?"

"Yeah."

A pause stretched between them—not uncomfortable, but heavy enough to be felt.

The cat shifted, pressing its paw against Luca’s chest as if trying to cut the tension.

Finally, Luca exhaled, leaning back. "Huh. Guess that means longer hours for you."

"Probably."

"And he’s the one who..." Luca trailed off, his brow lifting just slightly.

"Yeah," Noel said quietly, understanding what he meant. "But he’s still my manager. He’s been respectful. Professional."

Luca nodded slowly, his jaw working, eyes fixed somewhere past Noel’s shoulder. "Right. Professional."

Noel studied him, then nudged his knee lightly against Luca’s. "Hey."

Luca’s eyes flicked back to him.

"You’re overthinking again," Noel said, voice soft but steady. "It’s just work."

Luca didn’t answer right away.

He looked down at the cat, absently stroking its fur. "I know. Just... don’t like the idea of you pulling late nights with someone who keeps giving you that look."

Noel’s lips curved faintly. "You noticed?"

"I’d have to be blind not to."

That earned a quiet laugh from Noel. "He’s harmless, Luca. And I’m yours. Don’t waste your energy worrying about something that isn’t even a thing."

Luca sighed, finally meeting his gaze. "Yeah. I know." His voice softened, the sharp edge fading. "I just like having you close, that’s all."

"Then keep liking it," Noel said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just don’t turn it into a full-time hobby."

Luca grinned despite himself, eyes glinting. "No promises."

Noel leaned back, brushing his hand lightly against Luca’s arm before standing. "Come on, shower time. You smell like ten hours of corporate despair."

"Romantic," Luca murmured, smirking.

Noel chuckled, walking off toward the bathroom. "You love it."

Luca watched him go, the corners of his mouth softening. "Yeah," he said quietly, almost to himself. "I really do."

The night had fallen quietly—one of those soft, heavy nights where the world outside seemed to hush itself.

The rain hadn’t come, but the air carried that scent of it—damp, sweet, waiting.

Noel lay on his side, half turned toward Luca, who was sprawled lazily on his back, one arm thrown behind his head.

The lamp by the bedside spilled a thin halo of light across his face—catching on the curve of his jaw, the slow rise and fall of his chest.

For a while, neither spoke.

Only the faint hum of the city outside filled the silence, blending with the rhythm of their breathing.

Noel shifted closer, his fingers brushing against Luca’s wrist. "You’re quiet tonight," he murmured.

Luca’s lips curved slightly, eyes still on the ceiling. "Just thinking."

"About?"

A pause. Then, "You. And Max."

Noel sighed softly but didn’t pull away. "I knew you’d still be thinking about that."

Luca turned his head finally, meeting his gaze. "You’re working late, just the two of you. It’s not that I don’t trust you—it’s that I know how people look at you."

Noel’s expression softened. "And how’s that?"

"Like they forget how to breathe for a second."

That earned him a small, reluctant laugh. "You’re being dramatic."

"Maybe. But I’ve seen it." Luca’s voice was quiet, honest. "And I don’t like watching someone else want what’s mine."

Noel rolled onto his back, eyes tracing the ceiling before he spoke. "You don’t own me, Luca."

"I know," he said immediately. "I don’t mean it like that." He shifted closer, resting his hand on Noel’s chest, just above his heartbeat. "I just mean... you make it really hard not to care too much."

Noel turned his head, looking at him, and the air between them thinned. "You’re ridiculous," he said quietly, though the warmth in his voice betrayed him.

Luca smiled. "I’ve been called worse."

For a while, silence settled again.

Noel reached out, tracing his thumb along Luca’s knuckles. "It’s just work," he said again, softer this time. "And you should probably get used to me doing this. The late nights, the projects, the new team setups. That’s how it is."

Luca nodded, his eyes heavy but thoughtful. "I know. I just—sometimes I wish the world could pause. Just long enough for us to breathe."

Noel looked at him for a long moment, then smiled faintly. "You know what I like about you?"

Luca arched a brow. "My stunning charm?"

"No," Noel said, laughing quietly. "You feel things deeply. Even when you try to hide it."

Luca’s expression softened completely. "Only with you."

The lamp’s light flickered once, dimming slightly as if the room itself exhaled.

Noel reached over, turned it off.

Darkness wrapped around them, warm and unhurried.

In the quiet, Luca whispered, "You’re still thinking."

"Maybe," Noel murmured back.

"About tomorrow?"

"About you," Noel said simply.

Luca chuckled low, shifting closer until their foreheads touched. "Then I’ll stop talking, so you can think in peace."

"Too late," Noel said, smiling against his lips.

And the night folded in around them—steady breaths, slow heartbeats, the small familiar comfort of being exactly where they belonged.