Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 268: New Year, Still Us

Thursday morning felt like waking up in a different world—not because anything had fundamentally changed, but because the calendar said it had.

2026.

A new year. The first day of it.

Luca opened his eyes to find pale winter sunlight streaming through the curtains and Noel already awake beside him, scrolling through his phone.

"Morning," Luca mumbled. "Happy New Year. Again."

"Happy New Year. Again." Noel set his phone down. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired. We stayed up too late."

"We stayed up until one-thirty."

"Exactly. Too late."

"You’re the one who wanted to watch the countdown."

"Worth it though." Luca shifted closer, pressing a kiss to Noel’s shoulder. "Good way to start the year."

"Yeah. It was."

They lay there for a moment longer, both reluctant to leave the warmth of bed, before reality asserted itself.

Work. Even on New Year’s Day.

But only until three. Then freedom.

They got up, moved through their routine—shower, coffee, breakfast, the familiar choreography made slightly more bearable by the knowledge that today was short, that tonight they’d celebrate properly.

"You excited about tonight?" Luca asked as they walked to work, breath visible in the cold morning air.

"Excited is a strong word."

"What word would you use?"

"Resigned to socializing?"

"You like our friends."

"I do. In small doses. This is going to be a large dose."

"It’ll be fun. Bella’s been planning conversation topics."

"That’s terrifying."

"That’s Bella."

The office was noticeably emptier than usual—many people had taken the day off entirely, leaving only essential staff and the interns who’d been told they needed to show up.

The third floor felt almost peaceful in its emptiness.

"Feels weird," Bella said when Luca arrived. She was already at her desk, but dressed more casually than usual—jeans and a nice sweater rather than business casual. "Like we’re the only ones here."

"Where is everyone?"

"Wei Chen and Camila called in sick. Very convenient timing."

"Smart."

"Right? Meanwhile we’re here like suckers."

Liam arrived twenty minutes late, looking even more tired than usual. "Why are we working today?"

"Because capitalism doesn’t care about holidays," Bella said cheerfully.

"That’s depressing."

"That’s reality."

Georgia emerged from her office—also dressed casually, coffee in hand, looking like she’d rather be anywhere else.

"Alright, team. Let’s make this quick." She pulled up a list on her tablet. "Final checks on all projects, make sure everything’s ready for handoff tomorrow when internship officially ends. We’re leaving at three sharp, so pace yourselves."

The morning passed in that strange suspended way time did when you were watching the clock—simultaneously fast and slow, looking up to find it was suddenly eleven, then noon.

Luca worked through his checklist methodically, tying up loose ends, organizing files, making sure everything was documented properly for whoever took over after they left.

His phone buzzed around twelve-thirty.

Noel: cafeteria?

Luca: yeah. leaving now

The cafeteria was almost empty—just a handful of people scattered across tables, the staff looking bored behind counters.

They grabbed sandwiches and found a table near the window.

"Your morning?" Luca asked.

"Quiet. Most of the floor is empty. Just me, Ren, and Jace finishing documentation."

"Same on our floor. Just me, Bella, and Liam. Wei Chen and Camila mysteriously called in sick."

"Convenient."

"That’s what Bella said."

They ate in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the sparse crowd.

"You nervous about tonight?" Noel asked.

"Why would I be nervous?"

"That’s a lot of people."

"Not really. It’s just our teams."

"That’s eight people."

"That’s medium-sized."

"If you say so."

"Are you nervous?"

Noel considered. "A little. I’m not used to socializing with coworkers outside of work."

"They’re friends now. Not just coworkers."

"I guess they are." Noel took a sip of his drink. "When did that happen?"

"Gradually. Without you noticing because you were too busy being professional."

"Someone had to be professional."

"And now you can be unprofessional. Tonight. With friends."

"I don’t know how to be unprofessional."

"I’ll teach you."

"That’s what I’m afraid of."

After lunch, the afternoon crawled by even slower than the morning everyone watching the clock, productivity dropping to near zero as three o’clock approached.

At 2:45, Georgia emerged from her office.

"That’s it. We’re done. Go home, get ready, enjoy your celebration." She looked at each of them. "It’s been a good internship. You’ve all done well. I’ll see you tomorrow for final paperwork, then you’re free."

"Thanks, Georgia," Bella said, already packing up. "For everything. You’ve been a great supervisor."

"I know even when you always complain.?"

"Especially then."

Georgia smiled—genuine, warm. "Good luck with your final semester. All of you."

They said their goodbyes, packed up, and headed out together.

"I’m so excited!" Bella bounced slightly as they waited for the elevator. "This is going to be so fun!"

"It’s just going to a bar," Liam said.

"It’s a significant social event."

"That’s what Ren keeps saying."

"Because it’s true!"

In the lobby, Luca spotted Noel waiting with Ren and Jace, all three of them looking ready to leave.

"Hey," Luca said, joining them. "You guys just get out?"

"Yeah," Ren said. "Max basically kicked us out at two-thirty. Said we were useless anyway."

"Harsh but accurate," Jace added.

They all stood there for a moment, the group naturally forming—Luca’s team and Noel’s team, together for the first time outside of brief lunch encounters.

"So," Bella said, taking charge. "What time are we meeting tonight?"

"Bar opens at six," Ren said. "But we should probably get there around seven? Give people time to get ready?"

"Seven works," Wei Chen said—apparently no longer sick, magically recovered just in time for the celebration.

"Wei!" Bella exclaimed. "You’re feeling better?"

"Miraculous recovery," he said with zero shame.

Camila smiled beside him. "We both had the same twenty-four-hour bug. Very convenient timing."

Everyone laughed.

"Seven it is," Luca confirmed. "Everyone know where we’re going?"

They coordinated addresses, made sure everyone had the details, then started dispersing—people heading home to prepare, the group energy already building toward tonight.

Luca and Noel walked home together, the afternoon sun already starting its descent, the city still in that post-holiday lull.

"So," Luca said. "What are you wearing tonight?"

"Clothes."

"Very specific."

"Jeans. Nice shirt. The jacket you said makes me look good."

"The black one?"

"Yeah."

"Good choice." Luca bumped their shoulders together. "You’re going to look very handsome."

"You’re required to say that."

"Doesn’t make it less true."

Back at the apartment, they had a few hours to kill before meeting everyone.

Luca showered first, taking his time, actually putting effort into his appearance.

Dark jeans, a deep blue shirt.

When he emerged from the bathroom, Noel was laying out his own clothes on the bed—the black jacket, dark jeans, a charcoal gray shirt.

"Very monochrome," Luca observed.

"It’s classic."

"It’s very you."

Noel disappeared into the bathroom, and Luca heard the shower start.

He fed Luca Jr., who seemed suspicious about them leaving again so soon after yesterday’s disruption to routine.

"We’ll be back late," Luca told him. "Try not to destroy anything."

The cat meowed, which definitely sounded like a threat.

By the time Noel emerged, dressed and actually styled rather than just functional, it was nearly six-thirty.

"Ready?" Noel asked, checking his appearance in the mirror one more time.

"You look great."

"You have to say that."

"I already told you, that doesn’t make it less true." Luca stood, grabbing his jacket. "Come on. Let’s go celebrate."

The bar was in the downtown area—a casual place that managed to feel upscale without being pretentious, exposed brick and warm lighting, the kind of place that worked equally well for dates or group hangouts.

They arrived just before seven to find it already moderately crowded—people celebrating the new year in that post-holiday way, relaxed and happy.

Bella waved from a large table near the back. "Over here!"

The group was already gathering—Bella had claimed a huge table, Wei Chen and Camila were already seated, Liam was investigating the drinks menu with intense focus.

Ren and Jace arrived moments after Luca and Noel, both dressed up more than usual, clearly taking the "significant social event" thing seriously.

"Okay!" Bella announced once everyone was settled. "What’s everyone drinking?"

Orders were taken—a mix of beer, cocktails, wine, one complicated mocktail that Liam spent five minutes explaining to the server.

"So," Ren said once drinks arrived. "To what are we toasting? New Year? End of internship? Back to school?"

"All of it," Bella said, raising her glass. "To surviving internship, to starting our final semester, to new years and new beginnings."

"That’s very poetic," Jace observed.

"I’m a poetic person."

"Since when?"

"Since right now."

Everyone laughed, glasses clinking together, the sound bright and cheerful.

"I can’t believe internship is over," Camila said. "It went so fast."

"Speak for yourself," Liam muttered. "Some of those days were endless."

"But we made it," Wei Chen said, arm around Camila’s shoulders. "And now we’re almost done with school."

"Don’t remind me about finals," Ren groaned. "I have three major exams and a capstone project."

"Same," Noel said. "International Business capstone is going to be brutal."

"At least you’re good at that stuff," Jace said. "I have to present a full portfolio. My entire artistic output for the semester, judged by professionals."

"That’s terrifying," Bella agreed. "I have to do a business plan presentation. In front of actual executives."

"We’re all going to die," Liam said cheerfully.

"Not die," Luca corrected. "Just be very stressed."

"Same thing."

The conversation flowed easily after that bouncing between topics, everyone gradually relaxing, the initial awkwardness of coworkers-becoming-friends dissolving into genuine comfort.

Someone ordered appetizers. Then another round of drinks. The table got messier, louder, the energy building.

"Okay, okay," Bella said around nine, clearly a few drinks in, eyes bright with mischief. "Let’s play a game."

"What kind of game?" Wei Chen asked suspiciously.

"Questions game. Everyone answers honestly."

"That’s a terrible idea," Noel said immediately.

"That’s the best idea," Bella countered. "Come on, we’re celebrating. Live a little."

"I live a regular amount."

"Boring!"

"I’ll start," Ren volunteered. "Most embarrassing moment from internship?"

"Oh no," Camila said, but she was smiling.

"I’ll go," Jace said. "I fell asleep in a meeting with Mr. Park. Like, actually fell asleep. Woke up to everyone staring at me."

Everyone burst out laughing.

"How did you not get fired?" Liam asked.

"Mr. Park said he’d done the same thing in his first internship. So I got a pass."

"Mine was emailing the wrong person," Wei Chen said. "Sent a very casual message meant for Camila to Mr. Smith instead."

"What did it say?" Bella asked, leaning forward.

"Let’s just say it included the phrase ’can’t wait to get out of here’ followed by several complaints about the coffee machine."

"Oh no."

"Yeah. Mr. Smith responded with ’I’ll look into the coffee machine situation.’"

More laughter.

"My turn," Bella said. "What’s one thing you learned from internship? Serious answers only."

The table quieted slightly, people actually considering.

"I learned I’m better at teamwork than I thought," Camila said. "I always preferred working alone, but this internship showed me collaboration can be really valuable."

"I learned I need to speak up more," Ren added. "Stop waiting for permission to share ideas."

"I learned that I actually enjoy detailed work," Noel said. "All those classifications and regulations I thought would be boring? They’re kind of fascinating."

"Nerd," Luca said affectionately.

"What about you?" Bella asked him. "What did you learn?"

Luca thought about it. "I learned I’m more capable than I thought. Georgia pushed me, and I kept up. That felt good."

"Deep," Jace said. "I learned the art world is cutthroat and I’m probably going to starve after graduation."

"Cheerful."

"Realistic."

The night continued like that—games and stories and laughter, the group becoming more comfortable with each round, barriers dissolving.

At some point, someone suggested karaoke. The bar didn’t have it, but that didn’t stop Bella from trying to convince the staff to improvise.

"We could just sing without music," she suggested.

"Absolutely not," Liam said.

Around eleven, people started showing signs of tiredness—the adrenaline of celebration wearing off, the reality of having worked today catching up.

"I should probably head out soon," Camila said, leaning against Wei Chen. "We have to finish packing this weekend."

"Packing for what?" Luca asked.

"Moving to a new apartment. Closer to campus for final semester."

"That’s exciting."

"Exciting and exhausting."

Gradually, the group started dispersing—people calling rides, heading to subways, making plans to meet up again soon.

"This was really fun," Ren said as he stood to leave. "We should do it again. Before graduation."

"Definitely," Bella agreed, pulling him into a hug. "I’ll text everyone."

By midnight, it was just Luca, Noel, Bella, and Liam left at the table.

"You guys heading out?" Bella asked.

"Yeah," Luca said. "We should get home."

"This was perfect," she said, suddenly emotional. "Like, really perfect. I’m so glad I got to know all of you."

"We’re glad too," Noel said, and he actually meant it.

They paid their tab, bundled up against the cold, and stepped outside.

The city was quieter now, the post-New Year’s energy finally settling, people heading home after their celebrations.

Bella and Liam headed toward the subway while Luca and Noel walked in the opposite direction toward their apartment.

"That was nice," Noel said after a few blocks.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Really nice. I’m glad we went."

"Told you socializing wouldn’t kill you."

"It came close a few times."

"But you survived."

"With your help."

Luca smiled, linking their fingers together despite the cold. "That’s what I’m here for."

They walked home through the quiet streets, the first day of the new year nearly over, everything feeling settled and right.

Back at the apartment, cat greeted them with indignation—how dare they leave him alone for so long, on a holiday no less.

"Sorry, buddy," Luca said, giving him treats as apology. "We’re home now."

They got ready for bed, exhausted but happy, the celebration still warm in their minds.

In bed, wrapped around each other, Noel said quietly, "One more day of internship tomorrow."

"Yeah..then finals."

"Then graduation."

"Then the rest of our lives."

"That’s a long time."

"Good thing we’re doing it together."

Noel pulled him closer. "Yeah. Good thing."

Outside, the city slept. Inside, they drifted off, the new year barely begun, the future stretching out ahead of them like an unwritten story.

Ready to be lived.Together.