Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 249: Comfort in His Arms

They stood there for a long moment, neither willing to let go first.

Noel’s arms stayed wrapped around Luca, hands pressed flat against his back, holding him like something precious.

Luca’s face was buried in the curve of Noel’s neck, breathing in the familiar scent—soap and something faintly floral, the cologne he always wore.

Home, Luca thought. This feels like home.

Finally, Noel pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him properly.

His hands moved to cup Luca’s face, thumbs brushing gently across his cheekbones.

"You look exhausted," Noel said softly, eyes searching his features. "When did you even leave? How long have you been traveling?"

"Left this morning," Luca admitted, leaning into the touch. "Flew straight here. Then I... I went to see my mom."

Noel’s eyes widened. "Your mom? Luca—"

"I know." Luca took a breath, the weight of the day suddenly pressing down on him. "My dad made it a condition. If I wanted his help getting here, I had to see her."

Noel’s expression softened with understanding. "How was it?"

Luca’s throat tightened. "Hard. Really hard. But... also not what I expected. She—" He paused, gathering his thoughts. "She had her reasons. Not excuses. Just... reasons. And I met them. My step-siblings. Aiko and Yuki."

"And?" Noel prompted gently, one hand sliding down to rest against Luca’s chest, over his heart.

"They’re good kids," Luca said quietly. "Really good. And I think... I think maybe I can try. With her. With them. One step at a time."

Noel smiled, proud and tender. "That’s brave, Luca. That’s really brave."

"I don’t feel brave," Luca admitted. "I feel tired."

"Then sit." Noel took his hand, guiding him toward the bed. "Sit. When’s the last time you ate?"

Luca had to think about it. "Snacks at my mom’s place. Around four, maybe?"

Noel shook his head, already pulling out his phone. "That’s not enough. I’m ordering food."

"Noel, you don’t have to—"

"I do," Noel said firmly, scrolling through what looked like a delivery app. "You flew across the world to see me. The least I can do is feed you." He glanced up, a small smile playing at his lips. "What do you want? Japanese? Korean? There’s a good ramen place nearby."

"Anything," Luca said, too tired to care. "Whatever you’re having."

Noel ordered quickly, fingers moving efficiently across the screen, then set the phone aside.

He kicked off his shoes and sat beside Luca on the bed, close enough that their shoulders touched.

"So," Noel said after a moment, voice carefully neutral. "You came all this way without telling me."

Luca winced. "I wanted to surprise you."

"You succeeded." Noel’s tone was dry, but there was warmth underneath. "I thought I was hallucinating when I turned around and saw you hiding behind that vending machine."

"I wasn’t hiding—"

"You were absolutely hiding," Noel said, laughing softly. "Badly, I might add. You dragged a suitcase, Luca. Not exactly subtle."

Luca groaned, covering his face with his hands. "I panicked, okay? I didn’t know what to say. I thought you’d be angry."

"Angry?" Noel pulled Luca’s hands away gently, holding them. "Why would I be angry?"

"Because I’m clingy? Possessive? Because I couldn’t trust you to spend a weekend without—" Luca cut himself off, looking away.

Understanding dawned on Noel’s face. "Without Max," he finished quietly.

Luca’s silence was answer enough.

Noel sighed, squeezing Luca’s hands. "Luca. Look at me."

Reluctantly, Luca met his eyes.

"Max is my mentor," Noel said clearly, firmly. "That’s all. Yes, we’re exploring the city this weekend. With the entire team. It’s a work trip, not—" He shook his head. "Not whatever you’re imagining."

"I know that," Luca said quickly. "I do. Logically, I know. But—"

"But you still got on a plane," Noel said, not accusingly, just stating fact.

"Yeah." Luca exhaled. "I couldn’t stand it. Sitting at home, wondering, imagining you two walking through Tokyo together, seeing things I wanted to see with you—" He stopped, frustrated with himself. "I sound ridiculous."

"You sound like someone who loves me," Noel said softly. "And who was scared. I get it."

"You’re not mad?"

"No." Noel leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Luca’s forehead. "I’m not mad. I’m touched. And maybe a little concerned that you spent that much money on impulse, but—" He smiled. "Mostly just happy you’re here."

Luca felt the tension drain out of him. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." Noel’s voice dropped lower, more intimate. "More than I thought I would. The hotel room felt empty. Work felt longer. Everything felt... off without you."

"Really?"

"Really." Noel’s thumb traced circles on the back of Luca’s hand. "I kept looking at my phone, wanting to call you, but the time difference made it hard. And I didn’t want to wake you up just because I was lonely."

"I would’ve answered," Luca said. "Any time. I was barely sleeping anyway."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, just being close, letting the reality of being together again sink in.

A knock at the door broke the quiet.

"Food," Noel said, standing. "Stay there."

He answered the door, exchanging quick words in Japanese with the delivery person, then returned carrying two bags that smelled incredible.

"Ramen," he announced, setting them on the small desk. "And gyoza. And—" He pulled out another container. "Some kind of dessert the place is known for. I figured we’d try it."

Luca’s stomach growled, reminding him just how hungry he actually was.

They ate sitting on the bed, containers spread between them, legs crossed, knees touching.

The food was hot, flavorful, exactly what Luca needed.

"This is really good," Luca said around a mouthful of noodles.

"Told you," Noel said, looking pleased. "This place is close to the office. I’ve been eating here way too much."

"How’s the work been?" Luca asked. "The project?"

"Intense," Noel admitted. "Max pushes hard, but I’m learning a lot. The German partners are difficult but fair. I think we’re close to finalizing the contract."

"That’s good."

"Yeah." Noel paused, then added quietly, "But I’ll be glad to come home. Back to you."

Luca’s chest warmed. "I’ll be there waiting."

They finished eating, clearing away the containers.

Noel stood, stretching. "I should probably head back to my hotel. Early morning tomorrow."

"Stay," Luca said suddenly.

Noel turned, eyebrow raised. "Stay?"

"Yeah." Luca stood too, closing the distance between them. "Please. I just got you back. I don’t want you to leave yet."

Noel’s expression softened. "Luca..."

"Just tonight," Luca said. "We don’t have to do anything. Just—stay. Sleep here. With me."

For a moment, Noel hesitated, clearly weighing responsibilities against want.

Then he smiled. "Okay. I’ll stay."

Relief flooded through Luca. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Noel pulled out his phone, typing quickly. "Let me just text Mr. Max that I’m not coming back to the hotel tonight. He’ll probably assume I’m exploring the city or something."

"Will he be okay with that?"

"He’s not my keeper," Noel said, hitting send. "And besides—" He looked up, eyes warm. "I’d rather be here with you than anywhere else."

Luca kissed him again—soft, grateful, full of affection.

When they broke apart, Noel laughed quietly. "Shower first, though. I’ve been in these clothes since morning."

"There’s a robe in the bathroom," Luca offered.

"Perfect."

While Noel showered, Luca changed into sleep clothes—loose shirt, comfortable pants—and checked his own phone.

A message from his father.

Dad: How’s Tokyo? Hope everything’s going well.

Luca smiled, typing back.

Luca: It’s good. Really good. Thank you. For everything.

Dad: Proud of you, son.

Luca set the phone down, throat tight with emotion.

The bathroom door opened.

Noel emerged in the hotel robe, hair damp, glasses slightly fogged.

"Better," he said, toweling his hair.

Luca watched him, heart full.

"Come here," he said softly.

Noel crossed the room, letting Luca pull him close again.

They stood there, wrapped in each other, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up.

"Bed?" Noel murmured.

"Bed," Luca agreed.

They climbed in together—Noel on one side, Luca on the other—the space between them disappearing as they gravitated toward each other.

Noel’s head rested on Luca’s chest, one arm draped across his waist.

Luca’s hand found Noel’s hair, fingers running through the damp strands gently.

"This is nice," Noel whispered.

"Yeah," Luca agreed, closing his eyes. "This is perfect."

Outside, Tokyo hummed with life—trains running, people walking, the city never truly sleeping.

But inside that small hotel room, everything was quiet.

Two hearts beating in sync.

Two people, finally together.

Home.

Luca let himself sink into the quiet, letting Noel’s warmth fill the spaces left empty for so long.

Outside, Tokyo pulsed with life, but inside, time had slowed, wrapping them in a fragile, perfect cocoon.

He traced the line of Noel’s jaw with his thumb, memorizing it, committing the moment to memory.

Sleep would come eventually, but he didn’t want to rush it—not tonight.

Here, in this small hotel room, with the city sprawling endlessly beyond the window, he realized: no matter the miles, no matter the past, he had finally found where he belonged.