Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 320: The Grocery Date

Noel got home just before five.

The apartment greeted him with that familiar stillness—warm light on the floor, Luca Jr. already perched on the armrest like he owned the place.

Noel kicked off his shoes, set his keys down, and exhaled.

The day clung to him still—the bakery’s cinnamon sweetness, the walk home through crowded sidewalks, the way the afternoon had stretched long and quiet. He’d enjoyed it, the solitude.

But now, standing in the doorway of their space, he felt the shift. The stillness wasn’t lonely. It was just waiting.

"Alright," he murmured, mostly to himself. "Let’s see what we can do."

He wandered into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and stared.

A lonely carton of eggs.

Half a lemon.

Butter.

Three different sauces Luca had bought with ambition and never touched again.

Noel blinked.

Then he opened the freezer.

Ice. More ice.

He shut it slowly, like closing a disappointing book.

Luca Jr. padded in behind him, tail flicking.

Noel looked down. "Don’t judge me. I didn’t eat the groceries."

The cat meowed once, unimpressed.

Noel leaned his hip against the counter, thinking. He could run out quickly. Grab something simple. Pasta, maybe. Something that didn’t require actual skill.

He glanced at the clock. Just past five. Luca wouldn’t be home for at least another two hours—maybe three if meetings ran long.

Noel drummed his fingers on the counter, debating.

Then, almost without meaning to, he picked up his phone.

He tapped Luca’s name.

It rang twice.

"Hey," Luca answered, voice slightly breathless, like he’d stepped away from something.

Noel smiled automatically. "Hi."

There was a pause, softer. "Hi."

Noel’s smile deepened.

"I was going to cook," he said.

"That sounds dangerous."

"Rude. I can cook."

"You can cook two things the best."

"That’s still cooking."

Luca hummed, amused. "What happened?"

Noel turned, opening the fridge again like it might have magically restocked. "We have... eggs."

"Eggs are good."

"And lemon."

"Eggs with lemon?"

"No."

"And butter," Noel continued, ignoring him.

Luca’s voice warmed. "So we have nothing."

"We have vibes."

"You can’t sauté vibes, Noel."

Noel laughed, resting his forehead briefly against the fridge door.

"I was thinking of going shopping."

There was a beat.

Then Luca said, immediately, "Wait for me."

Noel blinked. "Luca—"

"No. Wait."

"You’re at work."

"I know."

"You have meetings."

"I’ll finish early."

Noel turned away from the fridge, leaning against the counter now, phone tucked between shoulder and ear. "You always say that."

"I mean it today."

"You don’t have to do that," Noel said quietly.

"I want to."

Noel’s voice softened. "You can’t just leave because I want tomatoes."

"It’s not about tomatoes."

Noel’s breath caught a little.

He stared at the tiled floor, at the way the late sun striped across it in warm bands.

"What is it about, then?"

Luca didn’t hesitate. "I want to go with you."

Noel swallowed.

Outside, a car passed. Somewhere in the building, someone’s music thumped faintly through the walls. Life kept moving, but here, in this moment, everything felt suspended.

Noel’s voice came out lighter than he felt. "You know we can go on the weekend."

"I don’t want weekend," Luca said. "I want tonight."

Noel’s lips parted.

He could picture Luca saying it—firm, like a decision already made.

Probably standing near the window in his office, tie already loosened, looking out at the city like he was planning his escape.

Noel’s heart did that stupid thing it always did.

"...Okay," he murmured.

Luca’s tone shifted instantly, pleased. "Okay?"

"Yes."

"I’ll pick up my boyfriend and take him grocery shopping like an adult."

Noel snorted. "That’s your idea of romance?"

"It’s domestic. It’s intimate. It’s basically marriage."

"Luca."

"I’m kidding."

"You’re not."

"I’m a little serious."

Noel laughed again, quieter this time. He ran his hand through his hair, feeling something warm and settled take root in his chest.

"Go finish your work," he said. "Director."

"Yes, sir."

Noel rolled his eyes. "Don’t call me sir."

"I’ll be home soon."

The words landed gently.

Home soon.

Noel’s voice softened. "Okay."

"Don’t go anywhere."

"I’ll just... sit here with my eggs."

"Good. Keep them company."

Noel smiled. "Bye."

"Bye," Luca said, then added, almost as an afterthought, "Miss you."

Noel froze.

Then, softly, "Miss you too."

The call ended.

Noel stared at the dark screen for a moment longer than necessary.

Then he set the phone down carefully, like it was something fragile.

The waiting felt strange.

Not lonely. Just... suspended.

Noel wandered back into the living room, restless in a way he couldn’t quite name.

He straightened the pillows on the couch.

Picked up a mug he’d left on the side table earlier.

Wiped a smudge off the coffee table with his sleeve.

Small things. Unnecessary things.

But it gave his hands something to do. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Luca Jr. followed like a shadow.

Noel dropped onto the couch, arms spread along the back.

The cat jumped up immediately, circling twice before settling directly on Noel’s stomach.

Noel sighed dramatically. "Oh, so now you like me."

Luca Jr. blinked slowly.

Noel scratched behind his ears, the purring immediate and loud. "You’re only here because Luca’s not."

The cat purred anyway, unbothered.

Noel grabbed one of Luca’s throw pillows and hugged it loosely.

It smelled faintly like Luca’s cologne—something clean and understated.

Noel buried his face in it for a second, then felt ridiculous and tossed it aside.

The apartment smelled faintly like soap and coffee and something that was just... them.

Noel stared at the ceiling, tracing the familiar cracks with his eyes.

Then down at the cat.

"You think he’ll actually come home early?"

Luca Jr. yawned.

"Yeah. Me too."

Noel’s fingers moved absently through soft fur. He let his eyes drift shut, just for a moment, listening to the quiet hum of the fridge, the distant sound of traffic below, the rhythmic purr against his chest.

Outside, evening began to settle—soft and golden and slow.

And Noel waited.

Not impatient. Not anxious.

Just held in the quiet comfort of knowing someone was on their way back to him.

The door clicked open earlier than expected.

Luca stepped in, coat slung over his shoulder, tie loosened, shoes left neatly by the mat.

Noel was still on the couch, Luca Jr. half-curled on his stomach, one hand idly scratching the cat behind the ears, the other tangled in a throw pillow.

He looked up, surprised. "You’re early."

"I told you," Luca said, dropping his bag by the door. "I promised." He stretched, rolling his shoulders like he’d been carrying the weight of the day. "And I keep promises."

Noel raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You keep promises... but you never keep your ties straight."

"I have bigger things to focus on," Luca countered, moving closer. He crouched slightly to press a soft kiss to Noel’s temple. "Like you."

Noel leaned into it, a small laugh escaping. "You really think groceries are important enough to leave work early for?"

"I think you are." Luca’s lips grazed his ear. "And maybe a few tomatoes too."

Noel shook his head, smiling. "You’re ridiculous."

"And yet, here I am."

Luca Jr. meowed, indignant at being displaced as Noel shifted upright.

They moved together toward the kitchen, Noel rising reluctantly, still clutching the pillow as if letting go of it meant letting go of comfort.

Luca slid his hand into Noel’s as they walked. Fingers laced naturally, elbows brushing.

Noel squeezed once, then twitched his hand playfully. "You’re going to hold my hand the whole time, aren’t you?"

"Only when it’s important," Luca said with mock gravity.

"Grocery shopping isn’t important."

"Not to you. To me? Essential."

Noel laughed. The sound was soft, a little breathless, and Luca’s heart did that stupid flip again.

They walked side by side, arms brushing, hands finally finding each other comfortably. Their grocery list—a small, half-written note—was tucked into Noel’s pocket.

The air was cooler now, carrying the faint smell of street food and car exhaust and something floral from a nearby shop.

Noel breathed it in, felt Luca’s thumb brush over his knuckles.

"This is nice," Noel said quietly.

"Yeah," Luca agreed. "It is."

At the store, it was quiet. Not many people. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, and the air smelled faintly of bread and detergent.

Noel grabbed a basket while Luca pushed a small cart.

They moved slowly between aisles, sharing small smiles, occasional teasing glances, and soft brushes of hands.

"Did you really need the big avocados?" Luca asked, picking one up and weighing it in his hand.

"They’re ripe," Noel replied, nudging Luca gently with his shoulder. "You know I like them ripe."

"You also like to steal my yogurt when I’m not looking."

"No," Noel said, mock offense. "I’m merely... borrowing it temporarily."

Luca chuckled, resting a hand on Noel’s lower back for a brief second longer than necessary as they passed the dairy section.

Noel felt the warmth of it even after Luca’s hand dropped away.

At the checkout, Noel placed his basket carefully on the conveyor.

Luca leaned over, whispering in his ear, "We’re going to have a very nice dinner tonight."

Noel’s cheeks warmed. "You mean the eggs and... two sauces?"

"Nope," Luca said, grinning. "I’ll cook."

"You?" Noel teased, incredulous.

"I said I’d cook," Luca said, voice firm but warm. "I’ll impress you tonight."

Noel smiled, quiet and soft, and reached for Luca’s hand again as they moved to bag the groceries.

Fingers intertwined, hearts quiet and full, the world outside the store fading behind their small, domestic bubble.

As they left, Luca swung the bags lightly, and Noel bumped their shoulders together, a quiet little laugh escaping.

"See?" Luca said. "Domestic bliss."

"No one else can do it like this," Noel whispered.

"And no one else will," Luca said, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of his head before sliding his arm around Noel’s shoulders as they walked home.

The sun dipped lower, casting gold across the streets, and the city felt like it had paused just for them.