Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]-Chapter 241: Seven Days Without You

Luca leaned against the doorway, arms crossed loosely, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched Noel move around the apartment. "What more remains? We already packed everything, didn’t we?"

Noel tilted his head, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. "Hmm... maybe just a few little things." He paused dramatically, brushing a strand of hair from his face with exaggerated flair. "My books."

Luca laughed softly, the sound warm and rich in the quiet apartment. "Of course... you’d never leave your books behind. Always the little genius."

Noel’s grin widened, a little proud, a little mischievous. "Exactly. How could I go anywhere without them? They’re my... company, my thinking time." He pulled a worn copy of something philosophical from the shelf. "Besides, someone has to maintain intellectual standards while traveling."

Luca shook his head, chuckling, but his eyes softened as he watched Noel carefully selecting favorites, stacking them neatly like precious artifacts. "You really think of everything, huh? Even when it comes to packing."

Noel looked up at him, eyes bright with that familiar spark. "I can’t help it. Some habits are too important to forget... kind of like certain people."

Luca’s chest tightened at the words, warmth spreading through him like sunrise.

He moved closer, brushing a hand lightly over Noel’s shoulder. "Then I guess I’m just glad you didn’t forget me either."

Noel’s cheeks colored slightly, and he tucked a book under his arm. "Never," he said softly, sincerely. "Not for a second."

Then Noel paused, setting the book down, and turned to face Luca fully.

His expression shifted—teasing but tender. "You know," he said, voice dropping to something more intimate, "you’ve changed."

Luca blinked, caught off guard. "Changed? How?"

Noel stepped closer, studying him with those observant eyes. "You’re more mature now. Back then, when I first travel..." He smiled at the memory. "You looked so pale, like you were about to cry any second. Like a lost puppy."

Luca’s face flushed. "I was nervous! You were this... mysterious genius who barely talked."

"And you were this adorable mess," Noel countered, reaching up to gently tap Luca’s nose. "But now? Look at you. Standing here, all composed, ready to let me go for a week without falling apart."

Luca caught Noel’s hand, holding it against his chest. "Who says I’m not falling apart?" he admitted quietly. "I’m just better at hiding it now."

Noel’s teasing expression softened into something achingly tender. "See? That’s what I mean. You’ve grown up, Luca. You’re... stronger. More confident." He squeezed Luca’s hand. "I’m proud of you."

Luca’s throat tightened with emotion. "Stop," he said, voice thick. "You’re going to make me cry, and then all your observations about maturity will be pointless."

Noel laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "There’s the Luca I know." He leaned in, pressing his forehead briefly to Luca’s. "Don’t change too much while I’m gone, okay? I like this version of you."

"Only if you promise to come back exactly as you are," Luca whispered.

"Deal."

They shared a quiet smile, the apartment feeling impossibly small yet full of everything that mattered.

And in that moment, even the simple act of packing books became a small, intimate dance—a reminder of how well they knew each other, and how much they cared.

Noel carefully placed the last book into his bag, zipping it up slowly as if savoring the final moments.

He turned to Luca, hands lingering on the strap for a heartbeat too long. "All set," he said softly, though his voice carried a weight beyond the words.

Luca watched him, heart tight with unspoken emotions.

He wanted to say so many things, but he knew tonight wasn’t the time for everything.

He stepped closer, brushing a stray strand of hair from Noel’s face, his touch light, almost reverent. "Looks like you’re ready," he murmured.

Noel’s eyes flicked up to his, a quiet question lingering there—*are you okay with this?*

Luca gave a small nod, but didn’t let go immediately, holding the moment like something precious. "Yeah... ready. But..." He paused, letting the hesitation hang between them. "...we’ll make the most of tonight, right?"

Noel’s lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "Right." His hand brushed against Luca’s as he shifted the bag, and for a heartbeat, the world narrowed to just the two of them in the soft apartment light.

The air hummed with unspoken words—farewalls, feelings, and promises tucked quietly into glances.

Luca finally released his hand, giving Noel a soft, teasing nudge. "Don’t let the books boss you around too much while you’re in Japan," he said, though his eyes betrayed how much he’d miss him.

Noel chuckled, shaking his head. "I’ll manage... mostly. But I’ll think of you every time I open one." He paused, then added more softly, "Actually, I’ll probably think of you constantly. Fair warning."

Luca’s smile widened, genuine and warm. "Good. And I’ll be here... waiting for you to come back. Probably checking my phone every five minutes."

"Every five minutes?" Noel teased. "I was expecting every thirty seconds, knowing you."

"Don’t tempt me," Luca laughed, pulling Noel into a brief, tight hug. "I might actually do it."

For a moment, they simply stood together in the quiet apartment, the lingering tension from yesterday melting into a gentle closeness, a pause before the reality of tomorrow.

And even with the journey ahead, the small acts—the books, the shared smiles, the lingering touches—felt like a promise that they’d navigate it together, somehow.

The apartment had settled into a soft, almost reverent quiet.

The hum of the city outside felt distant, a gentle murmur behind the walls.

Noel slipped under the covers first, tucking himself in with a careful, deliberate calm, the bag now neatly set aside near the door.

Luca followed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight.

For a moment, they lay side by side, neither speaking, just letting the silence carry them.

The tension of the day, the unspoken words, the nervous excitement about tomorrow—it all hung between them like a soft, warm blanket.

Noel shifted slightly, letting his shoulder brush Luca’s.

It was accidental, yet deliberate in its comfort.

Luca exhaled quietly, the sound almost a whisper. "You okay?" he murmured.

Noel turned his head to meet his eyes, faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah... just thinking about tomorrow."

His voice was low, steady, but there was a flicker in his eyes—a mixture of anticipation and the smallest trace of unease.

Luca reached out, brushing a hand over Noel’s, tracing the familiar line of his wrist. "You don’t have to worry about me," he said softly. "Go, do this. Enjoy it. I’ll be fine."

Noel’s hand lingered over Luca’s for a heartbeat, then rested lightly on top, their fingers almost intertwining. "I’ll miss you," he admitted, barely above a whisper.

"And I’ll miss you too," Luca replied, voice steady, warm. He rolled slightly to face him, letting their shoulders press together in a gentle embrace. "But you’ll come back, right? That’s what matters."

Noel nodded, laying his head lightly against Luca’s chest, listening to his heartbeat. "I’ll come back... I promise. One week. Just one week."

"Seven days," Luca confirmed, running his fingers through Noel’s hair. "I’ll count every single one."

Noel smiled against his chest. "That’s so dramatic."

"You love my drama," Luca countered softly.

"I do," Noel admitted. "I really do."

The soft rhythm of their breathing filled the room, the quiet punctuated by the faint sigh of relief and comfort.

For the first time that evening, the tension of farewells eased, replaced by a closeness that didn’t need words—just presence.

Luca’s arm wrapped lightly around Noel, pulling him just a bit closer. "Sleep well," he whispered, voice tender, intimate.

Noel pressed a soft kiss to Luca’s chest, a quiet, almost ceremonial seal on the night. "You too," he murmured. "Dream of me."

"Always do," Luca whispered back.

And there, in the gentle darkness of their apartment, they let the night carry them—their hearts aligned in quiet understanding, intimate and unspoken, a pause before the adventure that tomorrow would bring.

Noel stirred first, the early morning light slipping through the curtains like soft whispers.

He rubbed his eyes, then swung his legs over the side of the bed carefully, trying not to wake Luca.

Today was the day—the day he had been preparing for without really thinking how fast it had come.

He moved quietly to the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the otherwise silent apartment.

Splashing his face, he tried to steady his thoughts, feeling the weight of excitement and a subtle tug of guilt for leaving Luca behind for a week.

By the time he returned, Luca had woken, hair adorably tousled, eyes still heavy with sleep.

He watched Noel with a soft intensity, wanting to say everything and nothing at all.

Their eyes met, and a quiet smile passed between them. No words were needed.

"I’ll walk with you," Luca said softly, finally breaking the silence, his voice holding a gentle firmness, as if anchoring them both.

Noel nodded, relief evident. "Thanks... I’d feel better with you there," he admitted.

"You ready?" Luca asked, voice still husky from sleep.

Noel gave a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah. Just... let’s go."

Luca nodded, hurriedly brushing his teeth, then pulling on his coat over his shirt without caring how he looked.

Outside, the air was crisp, the quiet hum of the city just beginning to stir.

Birds were starting their morning songs.

Noel slung his bag over his shoulder, and together they stepped out, side by side, hands brushing occasionally as they walked.

It took only ten minutes to reach the company, but every step felt measured, as if time had slowed to let them savor the moment.

When they arrived, the car waiting to take the group to the airport gleamed under the morning light, looking almost too official, too final.

Mr. Max stood beside it, clipboard in hand, ready and efficient, nodding at the arriving team members.

Noel stopped a step short, glancing at Luca. His heart twinged. "I... I’ll text you as soon as I land," he said softly, trying to sound casual but failing.

Luca stepped closer, brushing his hand against Noel’s arm, lingering a moment longer than necessary. "You better," he said with a teasing edge, though his eyes betrayed how much he meant it. "Don’t forget I’m waiting for your endless reports when you come back. With detailed commentary."

Noel chuckled lightly, tension easing slightly. "I’ll hold you to it," he whispered, leaning just enough to press a quick kiss to Luca’s cheek, not caring who might see.

Luca’s hand slid over Noel’s shoulder, gripping briefly, memorizing the feel. "Take care," he murmured. "And... come back safely. Come back to me."

The car door opened, and Noel hesitated, looking back at Luca one last time.

Luca smiled, a quiet, grounding smile, and nodded. "I’ll be here," he said simply. "Waiting. Always waiting."

Noel climbed in, heart pounding, and as the car pulled away, Luca watched until it disappeared from view, hand raised in a small wave.

The city hummed around him, but his mind was still with Noel, already counting the days until his return.

Saturday had started like any other, but for both of them, it was etched with the quiet gravity of farewells, small moments, and unspoken promises.

Luca turned, shoulders squared, and walked back home.

Each step echoed the same thought: *He’ll come back. Seven days. I can do seven days.*

But already, the apartment would feel too empty.