Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 250: A Day for Us

Morning arrived softly—light filtering through the curtains in pale gold streaks, the city already awake beyond the windows.

Luca stirred first, awareness returning slowly.

He was warm, comfortable, wrapped around something solid and familiar.

Noel.

His eyes opened. Noel was still asleep, face peaceful, breathing steady and deep.

His glasses sat folded on the nightstand, hair mussed from sleep, one hand resting on Luca’s arm.

Luca didn’t move. Didn’t want to break this moment.

He’s here. He’s really here.

Yesterday—the flight, seeing his mother, the emotional weight of it all, then finding Noel—felt like a lifetime compressed into hours. But this, right now, was simple. Perfect.

Noel shifted slightly, a small sound escaping his throat.

His eyes fluttered open.

"Morning," Luca whispered.

Noel blinked, recognition dawning, then smiled—sleepy, genuine, beautiful. "Morning," he murmured back, voice rough with sleep. "You’re still here."

"Where else would I be?"

"I don’t know. Part of me thought I’d wake up and you’d be a dream." Noel’s hand found Luca’s face, fingers tracing his jaw gently, as if confirming he was real. "But you’re here."

"I’m here," Luca confirmed, catching Noel’s hand and pressing a kiss to his palm. "Not going anywhere."

Noel’s smile widened. "What time is it?"

Luca glanced at his phone. "Nine-fifteen."

"Mm." Noel stretched, arching his back slightly, then settled back against Luca with a contented sigh. "Saturday. No work. No meetings. Nothing."

"Nothing?" Luca’s heart lifted.

"Nothing," Noel confirmed, tilting his head to look up at him. "The whole day is ours. The team’s exploring later this afternoon, but I already texted Mr. Max last night. Told him I’m spending the weekend with you."

"What did he say?"

"He said ’have fun’ and added about five smiling emojis." Noel rolled his eyes fondly. "He’s surprisingly supportive of my personal life."

"Good." Luca tightened his arms around Noel. "Because I’m not sharing you today."

"Deal." Noel propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at Luca with that soft expression that made Luca’s chest warm. "So... what do you want to do? Tokyo’s ours. We can go anywhere."

"Anywhere?"

"Anywhere," Noel confirmed. "There’s Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa—it’s beautiful, really traditional. Or we could go to Shibuya, see the famous crossing. Harajuku for the fashion and crepes. Or just wander and see where we end up."

Luca considered, then smiled. "Show me your favorite place. Wherever you’ve been this week that made you think of me."

Noel’s expression melted into something tender. "There’s a garden. Shinjuku Gyoen. I walked through it one evening after work, and all I could think was how much you’d love it. How much I wished you were there with me."

"Then let’s go there."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Luca brushed his thumb across Noel’s cheek. "Show me everything you wanted to share with me."

Noel leaned down, kissing him softly. "Okay. But first—breakfast. There’s this place nearby that makes the best tamagoyaki. Japanese rolled omelet. You’ll love it."

"You and food," Luca teased.

"I’m a growing boy," Noel said with mock seriousness. "And you need to experience proper Japanese breakfast."

They reluctantly untangled themselves from each other, the warmth of the bed giving way to the cool morning air.

Noel stretched again, this time standing, rolling his shoulders. "I need to go back to my hotel. Get fresh clothes. My stuff’s all there."

"How far is it?"

"About fifteen minutes by train. Want to come with me? We can grab breakfast on the way."

"Sure." Luca climbed out of bed, running a hand through his hair. "Give me five minutes."

"Take ten," Noel said, already pulling on his pants from yesterday. "I’ll text the team, let them know I’m officially taking the weekend off."

Luca showered quickly, dressed in comfortable clothes—jeans, a soft sweater, sneakers good for walking.

When he emerged, Noel was sitting on the edge of the bed, phone in hand, smiling at something on the screen.

"What’s that smile for?"

"Your friend texted. Bella," Noel said, showing him. "Asking if you made it safely. She’s been keeping tabs on you, apparently."

Luca read the message: *Tell Luca he’s ridiculous and romantic and I want details when you both get back.*

He laughed. "She’s not wrong."

"About which part?"

"All of it," Luca admitted, grabbing his jacket. "Ready?"

"Ready."

They stepped out into Tokyo’s Saturday morning—the city alive with weekend energy.

Families heading to parks, couples walking hand in hand, the smell of street food already wafting from vendors setting up.

The train station was bustling but organized, everyone moving with practiced efficiency.

Noel guided them through, buying tickets from a machine with ease, navigating the platform like he’d lived here for years instead of days.

"You’re very comfortable here," Luca observed as they waited for the train.

"It’s a good city," Noel said. "Orderly. Respectful. I like it. But—" He glanced at Luca. "It would’ve been better with you from the start."

The train arrived, doors sliding open with a soft chime.

They boarded, found seats near the window, the city blurring past as they moved through tunnels and into daylight.

Noel’s hand found Luca’s, fingers intertwining naturally.

"Tell me about yesterday," Noel said quietly. "With your mom. If you want to."

Luca took a breath, gathering his thoughts. "It was... hard. But good. I met Aiko and Yuki—my step-siblings. They’re kids, you know? Just kids who were excited to meet me. And my mom..." He paused. "She had reasons. Not excuses. But reasons. She thought she was protecting me by leaving. She was struggling, falling apart, and she didn’t want me to see that."

"That must’ve been hard to hear."

"It was. Still is." Luca stared out the window. "But I think I understand now. And I told her I’d try. One step at a time."

Noel squeezed his hand. "I’m proud of you."

"For what?"

"For being brave enough to face it. To listen. To give her a chance." Noel’s voice was soft, sincere. "That takes courage."

"Or stupidity," Luca said with a small smile.

"Courage," Noel insisted. "Definitely courage."

The train pulled into their stop.

They exited, climbed stairs into daylight, and emerged into a different neighborhood—quieter, more residential, tree-lined streets.

"My hotel’s just around here," Noel said, leading the way.

It was a modest place—clean, modern, the kind business travelers used.

They took the elevator to the fourth floor, Noel fumbling with his key card before the door clicked open.

The room was neat—bed made, Noel’s laptop on the desk, suitcase open on the luggage rack, clothes folded with typical Noel precision.

"Make yourself comfortable," Noel said, already pulling fresh clothes from his suitcase. "I’ll just be a few minutes."

Luca sat on the edge of the bed, looking around.

It was strange seeing Noel’s temporary space—his toiletries in the bathroom, a book on the nightstand, notes scattered on the desk.

Evidence of the week they’d spent apart.

Noel disappeared into the bathroom.

The sound of running water, the spray of the shower, filled the quiet.

Luca picked up the book—something about international contract law. Very Noel.

His phone buzzed.

Dad:How’s everything going?

Luca: Good. Really good. With Noel now.

Dad: Good. Don’t forget—your mother wants to see you before you leave.

Luca: I remember. I’ll text her.

Dad: Proud of you, son.

Luca smiled, setting the phone down.

The bathroom door opened.

Noel emerged in fresh clothes—casual today, jeans and a soft gray sweater that made his eyes look warmer, hair still damp.

"Better," he said, running a towel through his hair once more. "Much better."

"You look good," Luca said.

"Thanks." Noel tossed the towel aside, grabbed his messenger bag, checked for his wallet and phone. "Okay. Breakfast, then the garden?"

"Perfect."

Breakfast was at a small place tucked between buildings—the kind of spot only locals knew about.

They sat at the counter, watching the chef prepare their food with practiced precision.

Tamagoyaki arrived—golden, perfectly rolled, sweet and savory at once. Miso soup. Rice. Grilled fish.

"This is amazing," Luca said around a mouthful.

"Told you," Noel said, looking pleased.

They ate slowly, savoring, talking quietly about nothing important—just enjoying being together.

When they finished, Noel paid, and they stepped back out into the warming day.

"Garden now?" Luca asked.

"Garden now," Noel confirmed.

They took another train, this one less crowded, and emerged near Shinjuku Gyoen.

The entrance was marked by traditional gates, people filtering in—couples, families, elderly people with cameras.

They paid the small entrance fee and stepped inside.

And Luca understood immediately why Noel had thought of him.

The garden was stunning—vast, carefully maintained, a blend of traditional Japanese, English, and French landscape styles.

Paths wound through manicured lawns, past ponds where koi swam lazily, under trees that would be breathtaking in cherry blossom season but were beautiful even now in their bare winter elegance.

"Noel," Luca breathed. "This is—"

"I know," Noel said softly, watching Luca’s face. "I walked through here Thursday evening. And all I could think was how much you’d love it. The space. How peaceful it felt."

They walked slowly, side by side, hands brushing occasionally.

"I wanted to call you," Noel admitted. "Right then. Just to hear your voice. But it was so late for you, and I didn’t want to wake you."

"I wouldn’t have minded," Luca said.

"I know. But still." Noel paused near a pond, watching the water ripple. "I missed you. More than I thought I would. It’s only been a week, but it felt longer."

"For me too," Luca admitted. "The apartment felt empty. Work felt pointless. I kept checking my phone, hoping you’d texted."

"I did text," Noel pointed out, smiling.

"Not enough," Luca said, then laughed at himself. "Listen to me. I sound clingy."

"You sound like someone in love," Noel corrected, turning to face him. "And for the record? I like it. I like that you missed me. That you got on a plane because you couldn’t stand being apart."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Noel stepped closer, close enough that Luca could see the flecks of gold in his eyes behind his glasses. "It makes me feel... wanted. Important."

"You are important," Luca said seriously. "You’re everything."

Noel’s breath caught. "Luca..."

"I mean it." Luca reached up, cupping Noel’s face gently. "You’re everything to me."

For a moment, they just stood there, the garden quiet around them, the world narrowing to just this.

Then Noel smiled—soft, genuine, full of love. "Come on. There’s a greenhouse I want to show you."

They walked on, deeper into the garden, and Luca felt lighter than he had in days.

Because Noel was here.

Because they had all day.

Because this—this moment, this connection—was worth every impulsive decision, every mile traveled, every fear faced.

Worth everything.