Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 224: How to End a Long Day

The hallway smelled faintly of detergent and rain.

By the time they reached their apartment, the city had quieted to a low hum outside.

As soon as the door unlocked, a small gray blur darted out from the corner.

"Look who’s here," Luca said, crouching down as the cat wound between his legs, tail flicking. "Your loyal guard, waiting at the door again."

Noel set his bag down, kneeling to unclip his shoes. "He always does that."

"Yeah," Luca said, pretending to sigh." He got commitment issues too. Keeps coming back."

The cat meowed, sharp and accusing.

"See?" Luca laughed. "He even argues like you."

Noel raised a brow, amused. "He just wants food."

"Don’t we all," Luca muttered, trudging toward the couch and dropping his bag with a heavy thud. "God, I’m starving. I might eat your cat."

"You’ll starve before he lets you," Noel said, already walking to the kitchen. "Dinner’s in the fridge. I made enough last night."

"Of course you did," Luca said, following him. "You think ahead like an adult. I panic like a college freshman."

Noel opened the fridge, light spilling against his tired face. "That’s why we balance each other."

"Yeah, yeah," Luca mumbled, taking out the bowls. "I’m chaos. You’re calm. Together, we make edible decisions."

He stuck the food in the microwave, tapping the counter impatiently as it hummed. "So... you’re not gonna ask?"

"Ask what?" Noel said, rinsing two glasses.

"The... presentation." Luca spread his arms dramatically. "My triumph. My magnum opus. The event of the year."

Noel turned, the faintest smile pulling at his lips. "You mean your sales pitch for a bottle?"

Luca gasped, clutching his chest. "A lifestyle bottle, Noel. Please respect the art."

The microwave beeped. Noel took the bowls out, handing one to him. "So how did it go?"

"Oh, it went great," Luca said through a mouthful, ignoring how hot the food still was. "Georgia said I didn’t sound like I was giving a TED Talk this time. Bella didn’t laugh in the middle of my speech. Liam remembered to smile instead of looking like he was being forced to attend a wedding. Total success."

Noel leaned on the counter, watching him talk—the way his hands moved, the brightness in his eyes. Luca’s energy filled the small kitchen like sunlight.

"That’s good," Noel said quietly.

"Good?" Luca blinked. "That’s all I get? Not even a ’wow, Luca, you’re the future of marketing’?"

Noel shook his head, setting his bowl down and stepping closer. "You did well. I’m proud of you."

For a beat, Luca just stared—grin faltering into something softer, quieter. Then he cleared his throat. "Well... I did have the best audience in mind."

Noel arched a brow. "Your reflection?"

"No," Luca said with a crooked smile. "Someone taller. Colder. Smarter."

Noel rolled his eyes but reached up to gently tap Luca’s forehead with his fingers. "Eat before it gets cold."

Luca caught his wrist, holding it just a second longer than needed—a silent thank you he couldn’t quite say out loud—then let go.

The cat meowed again, hopping onto a chair and watching them both.

Luca pointed at it. "You see this? He’s judging me."

Noel chuckled softly. "He likes you."

"That’s what you said the last time he bit my finger."

"You deserved it."

Luca laughed, the sound bright and warm against the quiet hum of the apartment.

The night moved gently around them—two bowls, one table, and the kind of peace that only comes after long days and honest work.

When Noel looked up, Luca was still talking—hands gesturing midair, eyes alive.

Noel didn’t interrupt. He just listened, that faint smile never leaving his face.

After dinner, the plates sat in the sink.

Luca sprawled back on the couch, one leg draped over the armrest like he’d been through war instead of a presentation.

The cat jumped up beside him, circling twice before curling neatly against his hip.

"See?" Luca muttered, scratching behind its ear. "He knows greatness when he sees it."

"You mean exhaustion," Noel said, walking back from the kitchen with two mugs. He handed one over, steam curling between them.

Luca took it with a small smile, his head tipping back against the couch cushion. "God, I forgot what sitting feels like. My spine is filing for retirement."

"You’ve been talking nonstop since we got home," Noel said, settling beside him.

"I’m decompressing. That’s what professionals call it."

"Professionals also sleep," Noel replied.

"Not after a victory like that," Luca said dramatically, lifting his mug in salute. "To me, the man who sold water to a client who already owns a bottled-water company."

Noel huffed a soft laugh, shaking his head. "You’re impossible."

"Charming," Luca corrected. "Be honest—you’re impressed."

Noel didn’t answer. He just smiled faintly, studying Luca’s tired face—the smudged shadows under his eyes, the fading adrenaline giving way to quiet fatigue.

"You’re tired," Noel said finally.

Luca cracked one eye open. "You noticed?"

"You hide it terribly."

He chuckled. "Guess I should’ve stayed humble."

Noel turned slightly, facing him more fully now, his tone shifting—softer, but serious. "Luca."

"Mm?"

"About today... you don’t have to wait every time. I know you want to, but you shouldn’t feel like you have to."

Luca sat up a little, brow furrowing. "Wait, what do you mean?"

"You waited again," Noel said quietly. "I told you I’d be late. You should’ve gone home."

"I didn’t want to," Luca said simply. "It’s not like I had somewhere else to be."

"That’s not the point," Noel replied, voice gentle but steady. "You come straight from your own work, and you just sit there waiting for me. You’re tired, Luca. You don’t have to keep doing that."

Luca’s grin faded into something smaller, uncertain. "I just... like being there when you come down. Makes the day feel finished, I guess."

Noel looked at him, warmth in his gaze. "It’s sweet. But I don’t want you to burn yourself out waiting for me."

"I’m fine," Luca said quickly, then hesitated, lowering his voice. "I just hate leaving you there. With that guy."

"Mr. Max?" Noel asked.

Luca nodded. "Yeah. I know he’s your boss, but still. He keeps you late almost every night."

Noel exhaled softly. "He’s just... detailed. I’m still learning his system."

"Mm." Luca leaned back again, eyes flicking toward the ceiling. "Still doesn’t sit right with me."

"Luca." Noel’s tone softened further. "It’s just work."

"I know," Luca said. "I just—" He broke off, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I worry too much."

"You care too much."

"Same thing," Luca said with a lopsided smile.

Noel smiled faintly too, then reached out, fingers brushing lightly against Luca’s wrist. "Next time... go home. I’ll meet you here."

Luca looked down at the touch, then back at him. "And what if I just happen to be in the lobby again?"

"Then I’ll pretend not to see you."

Luca laughed quietly, shaking his head. "You’re cruel."

"Practical," Noel corrected.

"Cruelly practical."

Noel’s lips curved. "Drink your coffee before it gets cold."

Luca obeyed, though his eyes stayed on him over the rim of the mug. "You know, sometimes you sound like you’re telling me to take care of myself just so you don’t have to worry."

"Maybe," Noel said. "Does it work?"

"Not at all."

Their silence afterward wasn’t heavy—it hummed softly between them, like the faint purr from the cat or the city breathing outside.

Noel leaned back, their shoulders just brushing. Luca let out a small sigh, his body finally surrendering to the couch.

"Next time," Noel said quietly, "just come home."

"Next time," Luca echoed, voice already fading into drowsy warmth.

The cat stirred, curling between them.

And in the quiet glow of the apartment, two tired hearts found their rhythm again—steady, unspoken, understood.

The night stretched around them like a soft blanket—dim lamplight, the hum of the fridge in the kitchen, the steady pulse of the city beyond their window.

Luca’s laughter had slowed to small breaths now, the kind that melt into silence when words start feeling too loud.

He leaned against the couch cushion, eyes half-lidded, hair falling across his forehead.

Noel reached up without thinking, brushing it back gently.

Luca blinked, a faint smile curving. "Careful, I might get used to that."

"You already have," Noel murmured, not pulling his hand away right away.

Luca tilted his head into the touch, not pushing, just... staying. His voice softened. "You’re being nice again. Should I be worried?"

Noel’s lips twitched. "Depends. Does it make you uncomfortable?"

"Only in a good way."

Their laughter met in the middle, quiet and unhurried.

The cat purred between them, shifting closer until its tail brushed Luca’s arm.

Noel let his hand fall, fingers brushing against Luca’s sleeve. "You really don’t hate him anymore."

"Hmm?"

"The cat."

Luca exhaled slowly. "Yeah, well. He grew on me. Like someone else I know."

Noel’s brow lifted. "You’re not comparing me to a cat."

"Relax," Luca said, smirking faintly. "He’s less moody."

Noel rolled his eyes, but the soft curve of his mouth gave him away. "You’re impossible."

"Yet here you are," Luca murmured.

The quiet after that felt alive—full of unsaid things. Luca’s shoulder brushed his. Noel didn’t move away.

After a moment, Noel spoke, barely above a whisper. "You really did great today."

Luca turned his head. "You think so?"

"I know so," Noel said, meeting his gaze. "You’ve changed a lot, Luca. You take things seriously now. You’re learning how to build something real."

Something flickered in Luca’s eyes—pride, but also something deeper. "You make it sound like I was a disaster before."

"You were," Noel said simply, teasing, a small smile ghosting across his face. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Luca chuckled. "Wow. Romantic."

Noel’s voice softened. "But you’ve grown."

The air between them tightened—not tense, but warm.

Luca looked at him for a moment too long, the curve of his grin fading into something quieter.

"I’m trying," he said finally.

"I know."

Their voices fell to a whisper, as though anything louder would break the spell.

The lamp hummed faintly.

The cat stirred.

And there they were—two people caught somewhere between exhaustion and comfort, the noise of the world shut out completely.

Luca rested his head against Noel’s shoulder, slow and cautious at first.

Noel didn’t move.

He just let him.

His hand came up—almost unconsciously—resting over Luca’s arm, fingers tracing small, absent lines against the fabric.

Neither spoke again for a while.

The city outside went on—cars, wind, the endless pulse of life—but here, everything slowed.

Luca’s breathing evened out, quiet and close. Noel turned slightly, his eyes soft, his voice barely a breath.

"Goodnight, Luca."

Luca hummed, half-asleep already. "Night, Noel."

And the night held them there—not lovers, not strangers, just two hearts learning how to rest beside each other.