Dear Roommate Please Stop Being Hot [BL]
Chapter 76: Love & Friendship

Chapter 76: Love & Friendship

The sun wasn’t too harsh yet.

It peeked through the budding trees that lined the stone bench near the old lecture hall, scattering light like little golden flecks across the open pages of Noel’s book.

The air was crisp, the kind that still held onto last night’s chill, but softened by the promise of a warm day ahead.

Noel sat with one leg tucked under him, elbow propped lazily on the table, a novel in one hand, and his other resting over his closed notebook.

His eyes moved steadily across the page, but he wasn’t rushing—just letting the words settle like they had all the time in the world.

Beside him, Lina stretched her arms above her head with a quiet groan, then dropped them dramatically.

"I swear," she said, eyeing the digital sketchpad balanced on her knee, "if I have to revise this perspective grid one more time, I’m going to scream—gently, but still scream."

Noel didn’t look up, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "You always say that before you create something beautiful."

She sighed. "Flattery will not make me suffer less."

"You’re the one who said art is pain."

"Yeah, but I was hoping someone would disagree for once."

Noel finally glanced up, folding a corner of the page before shutting his book. "Well, I do think this pain comes with decent aesthetics."

Lina gave him a slow, dramatic clap. "Wow. Truly the poetry of our time."

They both chuckled quietly, the kind of laugh that felt natural in the early light—unforced and familiar.

A moment passed before Lina looked sideways at him, her voice dipping just a touch.

"You look lighter today."

Noel blinked. "Do I?"

"Mhm," she said, brushing a wisp of hair from her face. "Like something good happened but you don’t want to talk about it yet."

He didn’t answer right away.

Then, softly, "Maybe something did."

She didn’t press, only smiled knowingly and returned to her tablet, her stylus scratching lightly against the screen.

Just then, footsteps crunched on the gravel path leading up to them.

"Morning, nerds."

They turned to see Alex walking up, a coffee tray balanced in one hand and a smug expression worn like a badge.

He stopped in front of the bench and handed Lina a cup.

"Triple-shot hazelnut latte. No foam. I remembered."

Lina lit up. "You absolute legend."

Then he passed the second one to Noel. "And for you—iced, with a shot of espresso. You’re welcome."

Noel looked down at the cup, then back up at him, eyebrows raised. "You memorized my order?"

Alex smirked, sliding onto the edge of the bench beside Lina. "Well, it’s easier when you’re interesting."

Lina shot him a side-glance, amused. "Smooth."

Noel chuckled under his breath but didn’t say anything.

He took a slow sip instead, eyes drifting over the quad ahead—watching as students filed into morning classes, backpacks slung low, headphones in, half-asleep.

"Luca already in class?" Lina asked casually.

"Mhm," Noel hummed. "He has back-to-backs today."

"Bet he’s not paying attention."

Noel smiled softly. "He’s probably texting Jordan about how bored he is."

Alex leaned back, watching Noel for a moment too long before glancing away.

The wind tugged lightly at the edges of their pages and sleeves.

Somewhere in the distance, someone’s bike bell rang twice.

"I could sit here all morning," Lina murmured, stretching her arms wide. "This light is perfect."

"And the company’s not bad either," Alex added.

Noel didn’t speak—but something in the quiet curve of his mouth said he agreed.

Lina leaned over her tablet again, her brow furrowed in focus as her stylus glided over the screen.

Little by little, lines turned into form—arching windows, tiled rooftops, soft shadows stretching out like it was just after rain.

Alex watched her work with a quiet sort of awe, chin in his hand. "You know, you make that look way too easy."

She didn’t look up. "That’s because I’ve erased the same line five times."

He grinned. "Still. You could draw a rock and make it look like art."

Lina tilted her head. "Did you just compare me to a geologist?"

"No, I compared your talent to magic."

She glanced sideways at him, half-smiling. "Better."

Noel, seated a little apart, flipped through a few notes idly, though his attention kept drifting back to them—at how easily they bounced off one another. Comfortable. Natural.

He was about to take another sip of his coffee when his phone buzzed softly against the tabletop.

He glanced at the screen.

Luca:

This lecture is officially 8 hours long. Send help. Or memes. Or you.

Noel tried not to smile too much—but failed.

He tapped a quick reply.

Noel:

Told you to focus. Be strong. I believe in you.

Luca:

I’d rather believe in your face.

Noel’s fingers hovered, as if debating a comeback. Before he could type one, Lina leaned over, squinting at the screen.

"Ohhh," she said in that drawn-out, knowing tone. "Is that Luca?"

Noel nudged his phone away instinctively. "Mind your business."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Wow. Is that a blush?"

"It is a blush," Lina said smugly, sitting back with crossed arms. "A full-on, unbothered, soft-in-love kind of blush. Noel, you softie."

Noel cleared his throat, setting the phone face-down. "I’m not blushing."

"You are "

"You both need new hobbies," Noel muttered, hiding behind his coffee cup.

Lina laughed, returning to her drawing. "No, no—this is the hobby. Watching our friend spiral into romance. It’s better than any drama club."

Alex added with mock-seriousness, "We should charge admission. Candlelight. Popcorn. A playlist."

Noel shook his head but didn’t argue. The teasing buzzed in the background, but beneath it, something stirred in his chest—warmth, maybe. Or the start of something he was finally ready to let in.

And maybe that was okay.

Because as ridiculous as Luca’s messages were—and as shameless as his flirting could be—there was something honest in the way it reached him.Like a hand extended, not demanding anything, just... waiting to be held.

The breeze shifted again. Lina’s tablet screen caught the light just right, casting soft reflections over her face.

Alex leaned in to say something else—probably clever, probably annoying—but Noel’s phone buzzed again before he could catch it.

This time:

Luca:

Meet me after? If you’re free? Just want to see you.

Noel stared at the message longer than necessary, the words nudging something warm in his chest.

Then typed back, quietly:

Noel:

Yeah. I’d like that.

Lina stretched her legs out, crossing her ankles as she held the tablet closer, sketching finer details into a rooftop.

"You know," she said without looking up, "if you’d told me a month ago that Noel would be giving someone heart eyes in the middle of campus, I’d have laughed."

"I’m not giving anyone heart eyes," Noel replied flatly.

Alex leaned forward with a smirk. "You didn’t deny the rest of it, though."

Noel glanced between them, unimpressed. "Do either of you have a mute button?"

"I’m an artist," Lina said, eyes twinkling. "I only capture what’s real. And right now, you’re sitting here glowing like someone just wrote a love poem about your face."

Alex added, "And let’s be honest, if someone did, it would probably be Luca."

Noel groaned. "Why do I sit with you people?"

"Because we’re your emotional support extroverts," Lina said sweetly. "You love us."

Noel gave her a side-eye. "Debatable."

Alex pointed to Noel’s coffee. "You know, the exact flavor you like, with the extra shot of caramel you never admit to liking?"

Noel paused mid-sip. "...Shut up."

"Mm-hmm. That’s what I thought."

Lina leaned back and stretched her arms overhead. "Anyway. What’s the plan with Mr. Flirt Emoji today? He sent like three winky faces earlier—I counted."

Noel didn’t answer at first. He nudged his phone screen, watching the message again.Just want to see you. Four simple words, but they still made his stomach twist in a weird, fluttery way.

"We might hang out after his class," he finally said.

Alex nodded, half-teasing. "Look at you. Saying that like it’s a casual thing and not the highlight of your week."

Noel gave a one-shoulder shrug. "It’s not that serious."

But his voice was softer now. Less defensive.

Lina caught the change too. She smiled, not mocking this time—just kind. "It’s okay if it is. You’re allowed to want things, you know?"

Noel didn’t meet her eyes, but he nodded faintly.

Alex softened as well. "Besides," he added, "Luca might be a lot of things, but when he looks at you... he’s real. That’s rare."

Silence lapsed between them again, but it wasn’t awkward—it was full, meaningful.

Then Lina held up her tablet and angled it toward them. "Hey, look."

It was the three of them—loosely sketched, but recognizable. Noel hunched over his coffee, Alex leaning in with that crooked grin, and herself mid-laugh, stylus still in hand.

Noel blinked. "When did you—"

"Right now," Lina said smugly. "I sketch fast when I care."

Alex stared at it, then gave a mock sniffle. "I look good."

Noel looked too. It was rough, unfinished—but somehow already perfect.

The way Lina captured them—present, messy, alive—felt grounding in a way he couldn’t explain.

"Thanks," he said quietly.

She nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Maybe one day I’ll draw you and Luca. You know. Mid-heart-eyes."

Noel didn’t take the bait this time. He just smiled—small, reluctant, but real.

His phone buzzed again.

Luca:

Can’t wait to see your face.

Noel let out a breath that was almost a laugh.

"I should go," he murmured, standing and slipping his phone into his pocket.

"Have fun," Lina called. "Be safe. Don’t fall too hard."

Noel took two steps before Alex muttered behind him—just loud enough to hear:

"Too late."

Noel walked off, their laughter still echoing behind him—but ahead, something new was waiting. And for once, he wasn’t afraid to meet it.

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