Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 316: The Slow Song

Luca woke to sunlight and the sound of hangers sliding across the closet rod.

He blinked, squinting toward the source.

Noel was already up, moving through their wardrobe with unusual focus, pulling out a crisp white shirt, then a dark suit jacket.

"What time is it?" Luca mumbled, voice rough with sleep.

"Eight thirty," Noel replied without looking over. "We need to leave by ten."

Luca pushed himself up on his elbows, watching Noel move with purpose. "Right."

"Shower," Noel said, glancing back with a small smile. "We don’t have time for your usual routine."

"My routine is efficient."

"Your routine is twenty minutes of staring at your phone in bed."

"That’s research."

"That’s procrastination." Noel tossed a towel at him. "Go."

Luca caught it, still foggy but moving now.

He dragged himself to the bathroom, the shower waking him properly with sharp, hot water.

When he emerged, towel around his waist, hair dripping, Noel had already laid out clothes on the bed—suit, crisp shirt, tie, even cufflinks.

"Very organized," Luca observed, moving closer.

"Someone has to be." Noel was buttoning his own shirt now, fingers quick and practiced.

Luca watched him for a moment, then started dressing.

The shirt was smooth against his skin, perfectly pressed.

He fumbled slightly with the cufflinks.

Noel noticed immediately. "Here."

He stepped in front of Luca, taking his wrist gently, threading the cufflink through with steady hands. His touch was warm, familiar, grounding.

"You’re good at this," Luca murmured.

"I’ve had practice." Noel finished the second one, then reached for Luca’s tie.

Luca stood still, letting him work.

Noel looped the fabric around his neck, fingers brushing his collar as he tied it with practiced ease.

Their faces were close—close enough that Luca could see the concentration in Noel’s eyes, the small furrow between his brows.

"There," Noel said softly, adjusting the knot once more. "Perfect."

"You look good too," Luca said, eyes tracing the lines of Noel’s suit. Dark, tailored, fitting him perfectly. "Really good."

Noel’s lips curved slightly. "Flattery won’t make us less late."

"Worth a try."

They finished getting ready in comfortable silence—shoes, watches, a final check in the mirror.

Noel smoothed his hair one more time, adjusted something small on his lapel, then turned to Luca.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

The cat appeared at their feet, weaving between them with a soft meow.

"We’ll be back later," Noel told him, bending to scratch behind his ears once.

Luca grabbed the keys, checked his pocket for his phone, then held the door open. "After you."

They stepped out together, the apartment door clicking shut behind them.

The car ride was quiet at first.

Luca drove, hands steady on the wheel, eyes on the road.

The city moved around them—weekend traffic lighter than usual, sun warming the streets, people walking dogs and carrying coffee.

Noel sat beside him, adjusting his cufflink absently, gaze drifting to the buildings passing by.

"You look good in that suit," Luca said after a while, voice casual.

"You mentioned that already."

"Worth repeating."

Noel smiled faintly, glancing over. "You clean up well yourself."

"I try."

"You succeed."

They drove through familiar streets, then unfamiliar ones, the city shifting from residential to something more open—parks, wider roads, trees lining the avenue.

"Turn left up here," Noel said quietly, checking his phone.

Luca did, the car easing around the corner.

The road stretched ahead, lined with old trees whose branches arched overhead, dappling the pavement with light and shadow.

"It’s pretty out here," Luca observed.

"Mm." Noel’s gaze was soft, thoughtful. "It is."

Another few minutes passed in comfortable silence.

Luca’s thumb tapped lightly against the steering wheel, following some rhythm only he could hear.

Noel watched him, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"What?" Luca asked, noticing.

"Nothing. Just... you."

Luca’s expression warmed. "Good ’just me’ or bad ’just me’?"

"Always good."

They turned onto a gravel drive, stones crunching softly under the tires.

Ahead, an elegant building came into view—stone facade, tall windows, flower arrangements flanking the entrance.

Other cars were already parked.

People in formal wear moved toward the doors, women in elegant dresses, men in sharp suits.

Luca pulled into a spot, cut the engine.

For a moment, they both sat there.

Then Noel unbuckled his seatbelt. "Let’s go."

They stepped out into warm afternoon air.

The venue was beautiful—ivy climbing the walls, white chairs visible through open doors, the faint sound of music drifting out.

Near the entrance, a man in a dark grey suit was adjusting something on his jacket, looking slightly frazzled.

Another man beside him—slightly shorter, calmer—was speaking to him quietly.

Luca spotted them first. "There."

Noel followed his gaze, and his expression shifted into recognition and warmth.

Alex looked up, caught sight of them, and relief flooded his face. "Noel! Thank god."

They approached. Alex looked polished but tense, his boutonnière slightly crooked, hair perfectly styled but his hands restless.

"Breathe," the man beside him said gently— dressed as a groomsman.

"I am breathing," Alex muttered.

"Debatable," Noel said, stepping in smoothly. He reached out, straightening Alex’s boutonnière with practiced ease. "Better. You look good."

"I look terrified."

"Also good." Noel’s tone was calm, steady. "But you’ve got this."

Alex exhaled, nodding. "Right. Yeah. I’ve got this."

"Where’s Lina?" Luca asked.

"Inside. Getting ready. I’m not supposed to see her yet." Alex glanced toward the doors, then back. "You’re both here. Good. That’s good."

"We’re here," Noel confirmed. "And you’re going to be fine."

Alex managed a smile, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Thanks."

A woman appeared in the doorway—coordinator, by the looks of her clipboard and purposeful expression. "Groomsmen, we’re lining up in five minutes."

Noel nodded. "I’ll be right there." He glanced at Luca. "I’ll find you after?"

"I’ll save you a seat," Luca replied, voice soft.

Noel’s hand brushed his briefly—too quick for anyone else to notice, but enough.

Then he followed Alex inside, leaving Luca standing in the gentle afternoon sun, surrounded by flowers and the quiet hum of a wedding about to begin.

Luca smiled to himself, straightened his jacket, and walked in.

The ceremony space was beautiful.

Rows of white chairs, an aisle lined with flowers, tall windows letting in golden light.

People were already seated, voices low and warm, the air filled with anticipation.

Luca found a seat on the side, settled in, and waited.

Music began—soft, elegant, building.

The groomsmen walked in first, Alex at the front, Noel beside him.

They moved with quiet confidence, taking their places at the altar.

Luca’s eyes found Noel immediately. He looked composed, grounded, hands clasped in front of him.

Handsome in a way that made Luca’s chest tighten.

Then the music shifted.

Everyone stood.

Lina appeared at the end of the aisle—elegant, radiant, smiling so brightly it was impossible not to feel the joy radiating from her.

She walked forward, eyes locked on Alex, whose expression transformed—nerves melting into pure, unguarded love.

Luca watched them, something warm and bittersweet settling in his chest.

The officiant spoke. Vows were exchanged—personal, heartfelt, making people laugh and tear up in equal measure.

"I promise to always support you, even when you’re stressed about deadlines," Lina said, voice steady but full of emotion.

"I promise to love you even when you reorganize my studio at 2 AM," Alex replied, and she laughed through tears.

"I do."

"I do."

The kiss. Applause. Joy.

Luca’s gaze drifted to Noel, who was smiling, genuinely happy for his friend.

And something in Luca shifted. Quiet. Certain.

The reception was alive with warmth.

Dinner, toasts, laughter. Alex and Lina moved through the room like sunlight, greeting everyone, glowing with happiness.

Luca sat at a table, watching the celebration unfold.

Noel had been pulled in different directions all evening—photos, groomsmen toasts, congratulations.

Finally, as the music shifted to something slower, Noel appeared at Luca’s side, dropping into the chair beside him with a quiet exhale.

"Tired?" Luca asked.

"Exhausted," Noel admitted, loosening his tie slightly. "Being a groomsman is more work than I remembered."

"You were excellent."

"I stood in a line and smiled."

"Excellently."

Noel huffed a quiet laugh, leaning back, eyes closing briefly.

Luca watched him for a moment. Then stood, offering his hand.

Noel opened his eyes. "What?"

"Dance with me."

"Luca, I just sat down—"

"One dance."

Noel looked at him—at the open hand, the soft expression, the quiet insistence.

Then he sighed, but he was smiling. "One dance."

Luca pulled him up gently, leading him toward the dance floor where other couples swayed together.

The music was slow, romantic. Luca’s hand found Noel’s waist, the other holding his hand, and they moved together naturally.

"This is nice," Noel murmured after a moment, resting his head slightly against Luca’s shoulder.

"Told you."

"You’re very smug when you’re right."

"I’m right a lot."

"Debatable."

They moved in easy rhythm, the world softening around them.

Luca’s thumb brushed gentle circles against Noel’s side, grounding, affectionate.

"Thank you," Noel said quietly.

"For what?"

"For being here, with me." Noel lifted his head slightly, meeting Luca’s eyes.

Luca’s expression softened completely. "Always."

They swayed together, the music wrapping around them, the celebration continuing but feeling distant, secondary.

Here, in this moment, it was just them.

"I love you," Luca said, voice low, meant only for Noel.

Noel’s eyes warmed. "I love you too."

The song continued. They stayed close, unhurried, letting the moment stretch.

And in the back of Luca’s mind, something settled—a certainty, quiet but absolute.

Soon.

But not tonight.

Tonight was for celebrating Alex and Lina, for dancing with Noel, for holding him close and feeling grateful for everything they’d built together.

The rest could wait.

For now, this was more than enough.