Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 312: Home Is You

The car rolled to a smooth stop outside the apartment.

Luca cut the engine and leaned back, just for a moment, letting the quiet sink in.

The city buzzed faintly beyond the glass, but inside the car, it was calm. Warm. Waiting.

"After you," Luca said, opening the door with a small flourish.

Noel stepped out, graceful and effortless, and Luca followed.

Together they moved through the familiar lobby, up the elevator, and down the quiet hallway to their apartment.

As soon as the door swung open, the cat appeared—tail high, running straight toward Noel.

Noel bent down, laughing softly, fingers stroking the fur. "Did you miss me?"

The cat leapt into his arms, pressing paws lightly against Noel’s chest like it had been waiting all week for this exact moment.

Noel chuckled, holding him gently.

Luca crossed his arms, a playful frown tugging at his face. "Hey! I didn’t get a hug first. You’re trying to steal it, huh?"

Noel straightened, holding the cat in front of him, mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Luca... don’t tell me you’re still jealous of a cat."

"I am not jealous," Luca said, stepping closer. "But I do demand a hug." He opened his arms wide, stance firm, eyes teasing.

Noel laughed, setting the cat down carefully.

The feline’s tail flicked as he trotted away to inspect the room.

Then Noel stepped into Luca’s embrace, wrapping his arms around him tightly.

Luca pressed close, feeling the warmth, the familiar weight of him.

Noel leaned in, pressing soft, playful kisses—first on his temple, then along his hairline, brushing his cheek.

Luca pulled back slightly, laughing. "This isn’t a proper kiss, you know. It’s... cheek assault."

Noel tilted his head, grinning, eyes sparkling. "Then I’ll have to practice proper technique." He pressed another quick, soft kiss to Luca’s lips—just a whisper, just enough.

Luca chuckled, shaking his head, hands sliding up to Noel’s shoulders. "You’re impossible."

"No," Noel whispered, laughing softly, voice warm against his ear. "You’re just finally letting me be myself with you."

Luca pulled him back in before he could fully retract, his hands lingering at the small of Noel’s back.

He tucked his face into the crook of Noel’s neck, breathing in the scent of cologne that always clung to him after a flight.

It was the scent of arrival.

"I missed this," Luca murmured, his voice losing its teasing edge, turning thick with something more vulnerable. "The noise in my head doesn’t stop until I’m standing right here."

Noel softened instantly, melting against him, his fingers threading through the hair at the nape of Luca’s neck. "Then stay right here. I’m not going anywhere."

And in the quiet apartment, lights low, cat circling their feet, Luca felt it—the pull of home, of comfort, of playful intimacy.

The Executive Director, the perfectionist, the world outside—all gone.

Only them. Together. Teasing, laughing, and exactly as they were meant to be.

The city hummed beyond the windows, distant and muted, while inside everything felt smaller, warmer.

Noel slipped out of his shoes, stretching slightly. "I missed this place. It smells the same."

Luca watched him, arms folded loosely. "You mean the cat hair or the overworked air purifier?"

Noel laughed, bending to scoop the cat up again. "Both. It’s home."

The cat purred loudly, rubbing his face against Noel’s chin like he’d been waiting all day for this moment.

Luca shook his head, amused and mildly offended.

"I see how it is," he muttered. "Gone for months and he forgets who feeds him."

Noel looked over, eyes bright. "Jealous again?"

"Always," Luca replied easily, moving closer. "You get all the affection."

Noel’s smile softened. He set the cat down gently, then stepped closer, hands brushing Luca’s arms. "Then come here."

Luca didn’t hesitate. He let himself be pulled in, chest to chest, arms slipping around Noel’s waist.

The kind of hug that didn’t rush, didn’t squeeze too tight—just enough to say I’m here.

They stood like that for a moment. Breathing. Settling.

Noel rested his forehead against Luca’s. "You look tired."

Luca exhaled, shoulders finally dropping. "Long day."

"Long week," Noel murmured.

"Long everything," Luca replied, lips curving into a tired smile.

Noel brushed his thumb along Luca’s jaw, soft, familiar. "You don’t have to be anything here. No titles. No meetings."

Luca closed his eyes briefly, leaning into the touch. "Good. I left all that at the door."

The cat chose that moment to weave between their legs, tail flicking.

Noel laughed quietly, bending to scoop him up again. "He missed you too."

Luca watched them—Noel’s easy smile, the cat nestled comfortably—and something warm settled in his chest.

He stepped behind Noel, arms sliding around his waist, chin resting lightly on his shoulder.

"Dinner?" Noel asked, glancing sideways.

"Takeout," Luca replied. "I’m not moving again tonight."

Noel smiled, content. "Perfect."

They stayed like that for a moment longer—no rush, no need to speak.

Just the soft hum of the apartment, the weight of familiarity, and the quiet comfort of being exactly where they belonged.

The doorbell chimed softly.

Luca straightened. "That’ll be the food."

He moved easily, slipping on his slippers as he crossed the room.

Noel stayed where he was, leaning against the counter, arms loosely folded.

He watched Luca without realizing it at first—the way he moved, unhurried now, comfortable, like the weight of the day had finally loosened its grip.

Luca returned with the food bag, setting it on the table. "You’re staring," he said lightly, glancing up with a small smile.

Noel didn’t deny it. "I know." He smiled back, softer. "I just... missed you. Sometimes I still can’t believe it’s been five years and we’re still here."

Luca paused, the words settling in. He looked at Noel—really looked at him—and something quiet warmed behind his eyes.

"Yeah?" he asked gently. "You happy?"

Noel didn’t answer right away. He stepped closer, resting his hip against the counter, eyes steady. "I am. Tired. Busy. But... happy. With you."

Luca’s mouth curved into a small, sincere smile. "Good." He reached out, brushing his thumb along Noel’s wrist as he passed him a plate. "Because I don’t think I’d survive this job without knowing I get to come home to you."

They sat, knees brushing under the table, the clink of cutlery soft in the quiet apartment.

"So," Luca said between bites. "Singapore. How was it really?"

Noel leaned back, considering. "Busy. Demanding. Worth it, though." He smiled faintly. "Senior International Trade & Strategy Manager sounds impressive, but mostly it’s meetings, negotiations, and pretending you’re not exhausted."

Luca chuckled. "Sounds familiar."

"And you?" Noel asked. "Executive Director life treating you kindly?"

Luca exhaled through his nose, thoughtful. "It’s... a lot. Responsibility everywhere. Decisions that follow you home even when you don’t want them to." He met Noel’s gaze. "But it’s better when I know you’re on the other end of the day."

Noel reached out, fingers brushing Luca’s hand. "You don’t have to carry it all alone anymore."

Luca squeezed his hand gently. "I know."

They ate in comfortable silence for a moment—the kind filled with ease rather than emptiness.

The kind that only came from time, patience, and choosing each other again and again.

Outside, the city lights flickered. Inside, everything felt steady.

And for the first time in a long while, neither of them felt like they were running.

The dishes were done, the lights dimmed to a gentle glow.

The apartment felt quieter now, wrapped in that comfortable hush that only came when the day was finally over.

Luca moved first, setting the cups aside, then reached for Noel’s hand.

"Come on," he said softly. "Bed."

Noel smiled—that small, familiar smile meant only for him—and followed without a word.

The bedroom was calm, curtains half-drawn, city lights breathing faintly through the glass.

Luca slipped off his watch, placing it carefully on the nightstand, then loosened his shirt.

Noel watched him, leaning against the doorframe, eyes warm and unguarded.

"You look tired," Noel said gently.

"Mm." Luca stepped closer. "Good tired."

Noel reached up, smoothing Luca’s hair back, thumb brushing his temple. "You did well today."

Something in Luca softened at that. He leaned in, resting his forehead against Noel’s, breathing him in—familiar, grounding, safe.

They changed quietly, the room filled with soft sounds of fabric and movement.

When they finally settled under the covers, the space between them disappeared naturally, like it had always belonged that way.

Noel turned on his side, arm draped over Luca’s waist.

Luca tucked his face into Noel’s shoulder, one hand resting over his chest, feeling the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing.

"You’re warm," Luca murmured.

"Good," Noel whispered back. "You always steal the blankets."

A soft laugh escaped Luca, muffled against his collarbone. "Because you let me."

They stayed like that, bodies fitting easily, breaths syncing. No words needed. Just the quiet comfort of being close, of being home.

Outside, the city kept moving.

Inside, the world narrowed to soft sheets, steady breaths, and the quiet certainty that this—*this*—was where they belonged.

And slowly, gently, they drifted to sleep together.