Chapter 175: Never Letting Go
Noel reached for the bathroom door, his fingers brushing the cool metal handle—only for a wave of warmth to suddenly press against his back.
The faint hiss of the shower waiting beyond the door, steam still clinging to the air, made the sudden weight all the sharper.
Strong arms slid around his waist, holding him still, and a familiar weight settled on his shoulder. Luca’s chin, lazy yet heavy with intention.
Noel froze, his breath catching in his throat. The air between them seemed to shrink, charged with a quiet electricity.
"You move fast," Noel muttered, though his voice came out quieter, softer than he intended.
Luca’s breath ghosted against his ear, low and deliberate. "I hate waiting." His lips curved against the shell of Noel’s ear as he whispered, "Let me join you."
The words sent a palpable ripple through Noel, stiffening every muscle. "You’re insane," he managed, trying to pry Luca’s hands from his waist.
"Insane?" Luca chuckled, the sound rumbling pleasantly against his back. "No. Just curious. New apartment, new bathroom—I should test the water pressure too, don’t you think?"
Noel twisted his head just enough to catch the smirk hovering far too close. His pulse kicked hard against his ribs, but he forced a scowl. "You’re not funny."
"I’m not joking." Luca’s grip loosened just a fraction, enough to tease freedom but not grant it. His voice dropped again, softer this time. "You keep running away like I’m going to bite."
"Maybe you will," Noel shot back, though the heat in his ears betrayed his cool tone.
Luca’s grin widened. "Depends... would you stop me?"
Noel shoved his elbow lightly into Luca’s side, just enough to break the hold. "I’m taking that shower alone," he said firmly, slipping inside and closing the door with a little more force than necessary.
From the other side, Luca’s laugh carried through the wood—low, unbothered, and maddeningly pleased.
"I’ll wait," Luca called, his voice muffled but dripping with tease. "Don’t keep me lonely too long."
Noel pressed his forehead against the cool wood of the door, exhaling a long, shaky breath, willing his heartbeat to calm.
What have I gotten myself into?
Luca padded back to the bed, flopping down against the pillows with a deeply satisfied sigh. "I’ll wait for you," he muttered to himself, a grin tugging irresistibly at his lips.
The faint, promising sound of water running from behind the door only fed his anticipation, like a secret melody played just for him.
By the time Noel stepped out, his hair damp and dark, steam curling off his warm skin, Luca was propped on one elbow—his eyes immediately locking onto him, tracing his form in the dim light.
"Took you long enough," Luca drawled, though his smile was soft, lazy with affection. "Come here."
Noel shot him a look, tugging the towel tighter around his shoulders. "You could’ve used the other bathroom, you know. You’d be done by now."
"And miss this?" Luca pushed up, crossing the room in three swift, silent strides.
Before Noel could muster a real argument, the towel was whisked gently from his grip, and Luca began rubbing at his hair with exaggerated, tender care. "Hold still."
"Luca—" Noel’s protest faltered as strong, sure fingers threaded through his damp strands, gentle yet firm, the soft towel warm and comforting against his scalp.
Luca leaned in close, his chin brushing Noel’s temple as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You’re terrible at drying your hair," Luca murmured, his voice a low hum. "You’ll catch a cold."
"I can manage on my own," Noel said, though he made no real effort to pull away. His lashes lowered, a mix of feigned annoyance and unconcealed comfort.
"Mm. But I like doing it." Luca’s breath feathered near his cheek, and the sheer closeness sent a slow, warm heat blooming in Noel’s chest.
Noel huffed, trying again for firmness. "Go wash up. You’re still in the same clothes."
"In a minute," Luca said easily, still toweling his hair as if it were the most important task in the world. "Right now, this is better."
"You’re impossible." Noel shook his head, droplets scattering, and Luca laughed softly, catching them with the edge of the towel before they could run down his neck.
For a suspended moment, the air stilled. Noel could feel the steady rhythm of Luca’s breath, the radiating warmth of his body so close, the quiet tenderness in the way his hands finally slowed against his hair.
"See?" Luca said at last, his voice low, almost smug but softened by something far deeper. "This way, you don’t look like you’re carrying the whole world on your head."
Noel glanced up at him, his lips twitching despite his best efforts. "...You’re ridiculous."
"Ridiculously in love with you," Luca returned, his eyes locking onto Noel’s, not a shred of hesitation in the words.
The words landed heavier than he expected, tightening something deep in Noel’s chest.
He wanted to scoff, to brush it off, but the raw certainty in Luca’s eyes left him unsteady, stripped bare.
Noel’s breath caught. He looked away quickly, his cheeks heating, muttering, "Just go shower already."
But Luca only leaned closer, his forehead nearly touching Noel’s. "Not until I’m done taking care of you."
And for the first time, Noel didn’t argue.
Finally, Luca let the towel drop with a satisfied hum. "There. Perfect." He gave Noel’s head a playful, affectionate pat, as if he’d accomplished something grand, before finally dragging himself toward the bathroom.
The room quieted in his absence. Noel lay back against the pillows, sinking into the comfortable stillness, his eyes growing heavy and half-lidded.
By the time the water shut off and Luca emerged, his hair damp and clinging darkly to his temples, Noel had almost drifted into a doze.
Without a second thought, Luca tugged on a soft cotton vest, then padded over and collapsed onto Noel’s chest as though he belonged there.
His weight pressed down, warm and solid and familiar, his hair still dripping faint, cool droplets onto Noel’s shirt.
"Noel—" Noel’s protest broke into a soft laugh, muffled under the comfortable weight of him. "You’re heavy."
"Shhh," Luca mumbled, already settling in like a cat claiming its spot in a sunbeam. "You love it."
Noel rolled his eyes but his arm betrayed him, curving around Luca’s shoulders and pulling him closer instead of pushing him off.
His chest rose and fell beneath Luca’s cheek, and for once, he didn’t fight it. He just let him stay.
Luca lay draped over him, his breath a warm, steady rhythm against Noel’s shirt, until the quiet in the room grew thick with unspoken things.
After a while, he shifted, lifting his head, and their eyes found each other in the dim light.
Noel reached up almost without thinking, his fingers brushing along Luca’s jaw, his thumb stroking lightly over the sharp curve of his cheekbone.
The touch stilled Luca completely.
"You’re looking at me like that again," Luca murmured, the corner of his mouth tugging upward into a soft smile.
Noel’s lips quirked. "Maybe I missed you too much."
That smile of Luca’s softened, melting into something quieter, more vulnerable. He inched closer, their foreheads nearly brushing.
Noel didn’t wait. His hand slid down to cup Luca’s chin, tilting it gently, before closing the small space between them.
The kiss was deep, but not rushed—sweet, lingering, the kind of kiss that said more than words ever could.
Weeks of distance and longing melted into that single moment, all the tension and separation undone in the tender, searching press of their mouths.
Luca’s hand found its way into Noel’s hair, fingers tangling in the still-damp strands, pulling him closer as if he were unwilling to ever let go.
When they finally parted, both were breathing unevenly, their foreheads resting together.
"I think," Luca whispered, his lips still ghosting against Noel’s, "I’m never letting you out of my sight again."
Noel laughed softly, his thumb still caressing Luca’s cheek. "Good. I was hoping you’d say that."
The room fell back into quiet, but this time, it wasn’t empty. It was full—of warmth, of closeness, of two people who had finally, completely, found their way back to each other.
The kiss left them both suspended, as if the world had gone hushed just for them.
Luca’s hand lingered in Noel’s hair, his thumb tracing lazy, soothing circles against his scalp.
Noel’s own fingers were still curled at Luca’s jaw, reluctant to break the connection.
"You always do this," Luca whispered, his smile a tangible curve against Noel’s mouth.
"Do what?" Noel’s voice was low, roughened by the depth of their kiss.
"Make me feel like I’ve been starving, and then give me everything at once."
Noel’s chest tightened with a swell of emotion.
He pressed his lips to Luca’s temple, his breath stirring through his hair. "Maybe that’s because you forget I’m yours already. You don’t have to wait for permission."
Luca chuckled, a soft, contented huff against his neck. "Then don’t ever leave me waiting again." He tugged Noel closer until their bodies aligned perfectly, Luca’s weight a warm and grounding comfort over him.
Noel laughed under his breath, wrapping his arms around him tightly, savoring the solid heaviness pressing on his chest. "You’re heavy, you know that?"
"Good." Luca’s grin was audible in the dim light. "Maybe this way you can’t push me off."
"I wouldn’t even if I could," Noel admitted, the words quiet and true in the space between them.
For a long, peaceful while, they didn’t speak—just breathed together in sync, the silence filled with the profound closeness they had been missing.
Eventually, Luca shifted, burying his face against Noel’s collarbone like a boy who never wanted the night to end.
Noel’s hand found the back of his head, smoothing gently through his damp hair.
His smile was soft, invisible in the dark but felt in every tender gesture as he whispered, "Sleep, Luca. I’ve got you."
And in the deep, forgiving quiet of their room, with hearts finally at ease, they both let themselves sink into the unwavering warmth of each other, the night closing around them like a long-awaited promise.