Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 248: Family and Love Reclaimed

The garden was smaller than Luca expected but carefully tended—rows of vegetables, flowers blooming in corner beds, a modest lawn where a tire swing hung from an old tree.

Yuki had already claimed the swing, pumping his legs to go higher, his laughter ringing out clear and bright.

"He loves that thing," Aiko said, walking beside Luca, hands clasped behind her back. "Dad put it up last summer."

Luca watched him, something warm and unfamiliar settling in his chest. "He seems happy."

"He is." Aiko paused, then added quietly, "We both are. But Mom... she’s been different since she knew you were coming. Lighter, I think."

Luca glanced at her, surprised by the observation.

She shrugged, a wisdom beyond her ten years in the gesture. "She talks about you sometimes. When she thinks we’re not listening. She misses you."

Before Luca could respond, their mother appeared from the house, carrying a tray with cut fruit and small pastries.

"Snack time," she called out.

Yuki jumped off the swing mid-flight, landing with a stumble, then running over. "Is there melon?"

"Of course there’s melon," she said, setting the tray on a small outdoor table.

They gathered around—Luca hesitantly at first, then more naturally as Yuki pulled him down to sit beside him on the bench.

"Try this one," Yuki said, shoving a pastry toward him. "Mom makes them. They’re really good."

Luca took a bite. Sweet, flaky, still warm. "It is good."

Their mother smiled, something like relief crossing her face. "I’m glad you like it."

They ate together in the fading afternoon light—small talk about school, about soccer, about Aiko’s upcoming art exhibition. Normal things. Family things.

And slowly, bit by bit, Luca felt the tension in his shoulders ease.

This—*this*—wasn’t so bad.

"Luca," Yuki said suddenly, mouth half full. "Do you play any sports?"

"Not really," Luca admitted. "I used to swim when I was younger."

"That’s cool! Can you teach me?"

"Yuki, Luca isn’t staying long enough for swimming lessons," their mother said gently.

Yuki’s face fell. "Oh. Right."

Luca looked at the disappointment in the kid’s eyes and felt something twist in his chest. "Maybe... maybe next time."

Yuki’s face lit up immediately. "Really? You’ll come back?"

Luca glanced at his mother, saw the hope flickering there, fragile and careful.

"Yeah," he said softly. "Maybe I will."

The smile on her face was worth the promise.

The afternoon bled into evening, the sky turning soft shades of pink and orange.

Luca checked his phone—6:47 PM.

I should go.

He stood, brushing crumbs from his jeans. "I need to head out. Hotel check-in and... other plans."

Understanding crossed his mother’s face. "Of course."

"Yeah."

Aiko and Yuki looked up, disappointment clear.

"Do you have to go?" Yuki asked, voice small.

"I do," Luca said gently. "But I’ll see you again before I leave. Okay?"

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Yuki seemed satisfied with that, nodding seriously.

Their mother walked him to the door, Aiko and Yuki trailing behind.

At the threshold, she paused, hands twisting together nervously. "Luca... would you—could I see you one more time? Before you leave Japan? Maybe... maybe see you off at the airport?"

Luca hesitated, the request sitting heavy between them.

Then he nodded. "Yeah. I’d like that."

Relief washed over her face. "Thank you."

Aiko stepped forward suddenly, wrapping her arms around Luca’s waist in a quick, tight hug before pulling back, cheeks flushed.

Yuki followed suit, clinging longer. "Come back soon, okay?"

"I will," Luca said, throat tight.

His mother opened the door, stepping out with him into the cool evening air.

For a moment, they stood there, the weight of everything unspoken hanging between them.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "For giving me this. For giving us a chance."

"One step at a time," Luca repeated.

She smiled—sad but hopeful—and reached out, squeezing his hand briefly. "One step at a time."

Luca turned, pulling his suitcase down the path, glancing back once to see them all standing there—waving, watching him go.

He waved back.

And then he was moving, heading toward the street, toward the city, toward—

Noel.

The company building was exactly where Uncle Jeff had written it—sleek, modern, glass reflecting the deepening twilight.

Luca stood across the street, suitcase beside him, heart hammering.

What do I say?

How do I approach him?

He pulled out his phone, staring at the blank message screen.

Should I text him? Tell him I’m here?

But the words wouldn’t come.

What if he’s angry? What if he thinks I’m clingy, overbearing, don’t trust him?

Should I say I missed him so much I couldn’t stand it? That I couldn’t bear the thought of him exploring Tokyo with Max—

No. He’ll think I don’t trust him.

Luca’s mind spun, thoughts tangling over each other.

The evening deepened around him. Office lights began turning off floor by floor.

People streamed out—staff heading home, chatting, laughing, absorbed in their own worlds.

Luca watched, frozen, still thinking, still plotting.

Just go up. Ring the bell. Ask for him.

But his feet wouldn’t move.

What if—

The door opened again.

And there—

Noel.

Luca’s breath caught.

He looked the same—button-down slightly wrinkled from the day, messenger bag slung over his shoulder, glasses catching the light.

But there was something tired in his posture, a weight Luca recognized.

Noel started walking, heading down the street.

Luca’s body moved before his mind caught up.

Follow him. Just for a moment. Figure out what to say.

He grabbed his suitcase handle, staying back, keeping distance.

Noel walked steadily, hands in his pockets, lost in thought.

Luca trailed behind, heart pounding, mind racing.

I’ll just follow quietly. Just until I figure out—

Noel kept walking. Turned a corner.

Luca followed, dragging his suitcase, the wheels clicking softly against the pavement.

Then Noel paused.

Looked back.

Luca froze, quickly stepping behind a vending machine.

Shit almost get caught.

He held his breath.

Footsteps resumed. Fading.

Luca peeked out.

Noel was gone.

What—where did he—

"Looking for someone?"

Luca spun around.

Noel stood right behind him, arms crossed, eyebrow raised, the faintest hint of amusement playing at his lips.

Luca’s mouth opened. Closed. "I was just—"

"Sneaking," Noel finished, voice dry but not angry. "Following me. Badly, I might add."

Luca felt heat flood his cheeks. He smiled shyly, like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I... I just..."

"Where did you drop your luggage?" Noel asked, cutting through his stammering, eyes flicking to the suitcase beside him. "Hotel?"

"At the hotel. Nearby." Luca pointed vaguely behind him, gesturing back the way he’d come. "Just... just checked in."

Noel’s expression softened.

He stepped closer, reaching out, and took Luca’s hand—warm, firm, grounding.

"Let’s go," he said simply.

"Wait, Noel..." Luca’s fingers tightened around his. "Let’s talk. Here. I need to explain—"

"Not here," Noel said, voice gentle but firm. He started walking, tugging Luca along.

Luca followed, mind spinning.

Shit. Is he angry? Is he upset that I came unannounced? He’s going to scold me for being impatient, for not trusting him—

Oh god, I should have told him I was coming. But he wouldn’t have let me if I’d asked—

They walked in silence, Noel leading, Luca trailing slightly behind, thoughts spiraling.

What if he thinks I’m possessive? Jealous? What if—

The hotel came into view—modest, clean, the kind of place business travelers stayed.

Noel didn’t pause, just walked straight to the entrance.

They stepped into the lobby—soft lighting, quiet, the receptionist barely glancing up.

The elevator ride was silent.

Luca kept stealing glances at Noel, trying to read his expression, but Noel’s face was unreadable—calm, focused, giving nothing away.

The elevator dinged.

They stepped out into the hallway.

Luca led the way to his room, fumbling slightly with the key card, hyper-aware of Noel’s presence behind him.

He hesitated at the door, hand on the handle, turning to look at Noel.

Noel met his gaze, steady. "Just open it, Luca."

The words were firm, leaving no room for argument.

Luca swallowed, turned the handle, and pushed the door open.

They stepped inside—small room, neat, the bed made, curtains drawn against the night.

Luca set his suitcase down, turned—

Noel was right there.

He leaned one arm against the doorframe, effectively blocking Luca’s exit, eyes locked on his face.

Luca’s breath caught.

Noel looked at him for a long moment—searching, reading, seeing everything Luca was trying to hide.

"Noel... I—" Luca started, words tumbling out nervously. "I can explain—"

But Noel moved.

He stepped forward, closing the distance between them in one smooth motion, and pulled Luca into his arms.

The hug was tight—fierce, almost desperate—arms wrapping around Luca’s back, pulling him close, closer, holding him like he might disappear.

Luca gasped, breathless, overwhelmed by the suddenness, by the intensity. "Noel—"

Noel’s grip tightened, his face buried against Luca’s shoulder, breathing him in.

"I’m glad," Noel whispered, voice thick, muffled against fabric. "I’m so glad you came. I’m glad you’re here."

Luca felt something in his chest crack open, relief flooding through him like a dam breaking.

"I thought you’d be—" he managed, voice shaky.

"I miss you," Noel cut him off, pulling back just enough to look at him, eyes bright, intense, raw with emotion. "I missed you so damn much. I didn’t know if I could endure the rest of the days without you. But you came. You came at exactly the right time. When I needed you most." His voice broke slightly. "I’m so happy, Luca. So happy you’re here."

Luca stared at him, words failing, heart hammering.

Then he surged forward, closing the gap, and kissed him.

Noel made a sound—surprise, relief—and kissed back, hands coming up to cup Luca’s face, thumbs brushing against his cheeks.

The kiss was everything—desperate, tender, full of days apart and words unsaid and the simple, overwhelming fact of being together again.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, foreheads pressed together, Noel laughed—soft, watery, disbelieving.

"You flew across the ocean," he whispered.

"I couldn’t stay away," Luca admitted, voice rough. "I tried. I really tried. But I missed you too much."

"Good," Noel said, kissing him again—softer this time, slower. "Don’t stay away. Don’t ever stay away again."

"I won’t," Luca promised against his lips. "Not if I can help it."

They stood there, wrapped in each other, the hotel room fading away until it was just them—just this moment, this reunion, this feeling of coming home.

"I love you," Luca whispered.

Noel smiled, eyes shining. "I love you too. So much."

And in that small hotel room in Tokyo, with the city humming beyond the windows, they held each other close—

Two hearts, finally together again.