Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]
Chapter 55: Notes Left Unread

Chapter 55: Notes Left Unread

Morning filtered in gently, slipping through the curtains in streaks of gold, warming the shared dorm room inch by inch.

Noel stirred first.

A soft breath escaped his lips as his eyes fluttered open. For a second, he forgot where he was. Then he saw him.

Luca.

Still asleep, still leaned back in the chair, his blanket slightly slipping off one shoulder.

Noel didn’t move. Didn’t blink.

He just stared — this time without guilt, without the frantic scribbling of torn paper notes to hide behind.

Just him and the quiet wonder of watching someone you’re slowly falling for... still not making it easy.

His lips curved into a sleepy smile. He rubbed his eyes, then looked at Luca again, softer this time.

There was something peaceful about him in sleep. Untouchable. Unfiltered.

Noel barely noticed his own head tipping slightly.

Until—

"...You’re staring."

Luca’s voice, low and rough from sleep, cut through the quiet like a slow-moving wave.

Noel blinked, startled.

Then—mortified.

He immediately sat up straight. "What? No—uh—I was just—checking if you were breathing."

Luca raised a brow. "That long?"

Noel cleared his throat and grabbed the closest thing on the desk, pretending to shuffle papers like they were suddenly urgent government documents.

Luca smirked.

Noel shot back, half-panicked, "You’re drooling, by the way."

Luca blinked. "What?"

"You were drooling." Noel pointed, making a vague circular motion around his own chin.

Luca wiped at his mouth instinctively, eyes narrowing as he realized there was no trace. "You’re lying."

"Am I?"

"You so are."

But Noel was already on his feet, brushing past him toward the bathroom.

"I’m gonna wash up," he said, trying to keep his voice level, but he was definitely walking faster than usual — like his blush might catch fire and burn down the entire dorm.

Luca watched him go, smiling to himself as he slumped back in the chair.

"Good morning to you too," he muttered, the edge of his grin lazy and warm.

The bathroom door clicked shut behind him.

Noel leaned against the sink, exhaling slowly. The mirror greeted him with tousled hair and flushed cheeks.

He stared at himself, trying to will the color down from his face, but his skin betrayed him — still pink across the bridge of his nose and ears.

"Get it together," he muttered under his breath.

He turned on the tap, letting the cold water rush out. As he splashed his face, he hoped the chill would numb more than just sleepiness.

But the second he closed his eyes, Luca’s face floated right back behind his lids—messy hair, that sleepy smirk, the way his voice had dipped when he said you’re staring.

Noel dried his face aggressively.

"What even was that?" he whispered, glaring at the mirror now, like it owed him answers. "He was just being Luca. Teasing. It’s what he does."

Still, there was something about this morning — something different in the way Luca had looked at him. Like he knew. Like he’d seen every thought Noel had tried to bury under dry sarcasm and half-smiles.

Noel stared at the mirror, then shook his head.

"You’re losing it," he muttered, stepping into the shower, hoping the water could rinse away more than sleep.

As the warm spray poured over him, his thoughts drifted again — to late-night study sessions, Luca falling asleep beside him, and the sound of his laugh echoing through the room.

He caught himself smiling again.

"Stop being cute," he muttered under the water.

Noel stepped out of the bathroom, towel slung around his neck, steam curling at his heels.

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains — and there, in the middle of their small room, Luca crouched down, reaching toward the floor.

His fingers had just brushed against one of the crumpled notes.

Noel’s heart stopped.

Luca’s eyes flicked up just as Noel’s voice rushed out—

"Wait—! I’ll clean that."

Startled, Luca straightened slowly, the paper still between his fingers.

Noel was already moving toward him, dripping water from his hair, one socked foot sliding slightly on the wooden floor. He looked flustered, a rare sight on someone usually so collected.

"I-it’s nothing. Just scrap paper," Noel said quickly, snatching it from Luca’s hand before he could uncrumple it.

Luca blinked at him, brows lifted in a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "You okay? You look like I almost caught you with contraband or something."

Noel gave a nervous huff of a laugh. "I’m fine. Just didn’t want you stepping on paper and slipping. You’re clumsy."

Luca grinned, stretching lazily. "Right. Very concerned about my safety, huh?"

Noel mumbled something under his breath and walked to his desk, stuffing the note into a drawer, out of sight.

But he didn’t notice the small second scrap — the one that had drifted just beneath the table leg, barely visible.

Luca lingered for a moment, watching him. He tilted his head, lips parting like he might ask—but something in Noel’s flustered posture stopped him.

He smirked instead. "You’re acting weird."

"I’m always weird," Noel muttered without turning.

Luca chuckled and padded toward his closet. "You said it, not me."

And just like that, the air eased. But the paper remained under the table, silent and forgotten... for now.

Noel adjusted the collar of his shirt as he walked back toward his desk, freshly dressed and trying to seem composed.

Luca, now sprawled on his bed with his hair still messy and eyes half-lidded, watched him with that same casual ease.

"So... since we both don’t have class till later," Luca said, stretching his arms above his head, "why don’t we do something?"

Noel turned, raising an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Luca didn’t hesitate. "Like shopping."

"Shopping?" Noel echoed, sounding suspicious, folding his arms. "As in groceries?"

Luca nodded solemnly. "Groceries, snacks, maybe something sweet... and maybe new shampoo because I’m pretty sure someone’s been using mine without asking."

"That’s because you buy the good stuff," Noel mumbled.

"Exactly," Luca smirked. "So let’s go refill the fridge. You barely have time during the week — always rushing to lectures, carrying that serious face."

"I was going to the library," Noel said, moving toward his bag like it was already decided.

Luca rolled onto his side, propping his head up with his hand. "You’re always going to the library. Even the librarians probably think you live there."

"I like the quiet."

"You’ll have quiet when we get back with food," Luca countered smoothly. "Come on. It’s been forever since we did something normal.

And we seriously have nothing left in the fridge unless you want ketchup and expired milk for lunch."

Noel glanced toward the tiny kitchen area, as if to fact-check him. His silence spoke enough.

Luca smiled wider. "Thought so. Let’s go. I’ll even carry the bags."

"You’ll complain the whole time."

"Probably. But I’ll carry them."

Noel hesitated, caught in that space between resisting and giving in. Then, with a long sigh and the barest twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth, he said, "Fine. Just groceries. Then I’m going to the library."

"Deal," Luca said, already hopping off the bed, victorious.

The automatic doors slid open with a hiss, letting in the crisp hum of the store’s cold air.

Noel stepped in first, already scanning the aisles like he had a mental list in mind.

Luca trailed behind with their shopping basket in hand, swinging it lazily like it was just another walk in the park.

"You look like someone’s dad trying to shop for the first time," Noel muttered without looking back.

"I’m offended," Luca said. "I’m clearly the fun dad. The one who buys snacks instead of kale."

Noel didn’t respond, but the twitch at the corner of his mouth gave him away.

They made it halfway through the vegetable section before Noel paused, inspecting a row of bell peppers like they might reveal the secrets of the universe. Luca, meanwhile, picked up a giant zucchini and held it like a sword.

"Put that down," Noel said, not even looking up.

"Why? I think it suits me," Luca said with a wink.

Noel grabbed a couple of tomatoes, tossing them into a bag. "You’re going to break something."

"You mean your icy librarian composure?"

"Luca."

"Okay, okay," Luca chuckled, dropping the zucchini with exaggerated care. "So, do we need pasta?"

"I was thinking rice this week. Something simple."

"Rice. Got it. Also—" Luca disappeared down the next aisle and returned moments later with a ridiculous armful of ramen packets.

Noel looked at him flatly. "Seriously?"

"I get hungry at night."

"You eat like a college freshman on his third breakdown."

"And yet... I look amazing doing it."

Noel rolled his eyes and took a packet. "This one’s chicken. You don’t eat chicken."

"Oops," Luca said, but didn’t take it back. "You remembered."

They moved slowly through the aisles, Noel trying to be efficient while Luca tossed in whatever caught his eye — a jar of peanut butter, cinnamon biscuits, even a neon blue drink that made Noel cringe.

Halfway through the cereal aisle, Luca stopped. "Okay. Serious question. Frosted Flakes or Cornflakes?"

"Cornflakes."

"Wrong answer."

Noel tilted his head. "You’re the one who said it was a question."

Dropping the Frosted Flakes into the cart, Luca flashed a grin. "I’m trying to make your mornings more exciting."

"You’re failing."

"You’re blushing."

"I’m annoyed."

"You’re adorable."

Noel turned, flustered, muttering something under his breath as he moved to the next aisle. Luca followed with an unbothered smile.

They finally stood in the checkout line, cart full of chaos — balanced between sensible vegetables and irresponsible snacks. Luca leaned on the cart handle lazily.

"That wasn’t so bad, was it?" he said.

"I’ll regret this when you complain about carrying the bags."

"I’m just trying to make memories," Luca said with mock sweetness. "Two college roommates bonding over food."

"You’re unbearable."

"And you’re stuck with me."

Noel didn’t argue. He just let a tiny smile slip as he picked up the bags.

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