Chapter 326: The One He Loves
Soft light slipped through the curtains, pale and golden, brushing across tangled sheets and quiet breaths.
Luca woke first. He didn’t move right away.
He just lay there, watching the slow rise and fall of Noel’s chest, the way his lashes rested against his cheeks, the faint crease between his brows that always disappeared when he was asleep.
Carefully, Luca shifted closer, tucking himself into the warm space between Noel’s arms and chest.
His fingers traced lazy patterns along Noel’s side—light, almost teasing.
Noel stirred, a soft sound leaving him before his eyes opened. "You’re up," he murmured, voice husky with sleep.
"Barely," Luca whispered, brushing a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
Noel’s eyes opened then, still heavy, still soft.
For a moment, he just looked at Luca like he was trying to memorize him.
Then his hand came up, cupping Luca’s cheek, thumb grazing over warm skin.
"Good morning," he said.
Luca smiled. It was slow, unguarded. "Morning."
They stayed like that, foreheads touching, breathing the same quiet air.
The world felt far away—no deadlines, no noise, no expectations.
Just the hush of dawn and the warmth between them.
Noel brushed his nose against Luca’s. "Did you sleep okay?"
"With you?" Luca murmured. "Perfectly."
A soft laugh escaped Noel, barely louder than the sheets shifting as he pulled Luca closer. "We should probably get up."
"Probably," Luca agreed, making no move to do so.
Sunlight climbed higher, spilling across their skin, painting everything gold.
And for a little while longer, they let the morning wait.
Eventually, the quiet pull of the day nudged them out of bed.
The bathroom filled with soft sounds—running water, the clink of toothbrushes, the faint hum of the city waking outside.
They stood shoulder to shoulder at the sink, still half-dreaming, still wrapped in that gentle bubble from the morning.
Noel bumped Luca lightly with his hip. "What are you staring at?."
"You. Can you blame me?" Luca said around his toothbrush, eyes smiling even before his lips did.
Noel rolled his eyes but leaned closer anyway, brushing their shoulders together.
Foam dotted the corner of his mouth, and Luca wiped it away with his thumb, slow and deliberate.
"Flirting this early should be illegal," Noel muttered.
"Then arrest me," Luca said, bending to steal a quick kiss, minty and soft.
Noel laughed, nudging him back. "We’re supposed to be brushing."
"We are," Luca said, stealing another kiss just because he could. Then, quieter, gentler, "Don’t forget—today. We’re going to see the house later."
Noel paused, toothbrush lowering slightly. He met Luca’s eyes in the mirror, something warm flickering there. "I remember."
"Good," Luca murmured. "I’ve been counting the hours."
Noel leaned in, resting his forehead against Luca’s. "You always do."
They finished up slowly, unhurried, exchanging small touches and softer smiles, the kind that said everything without needing words.
And as they stepped out together, the promise of the day waited—steady, bright, and full of quiet anticipation.
Noel reached for an apron as they moved into the kitchen, already shifting into that calm efficiency Luca loved so much.
"I’ll make breakfast," he said, voice still soft from sleep.
Luca nodded, detouring toward the corner where the cat waited, tail swishing impatiently. He scooped food into the bowl, crouching to scratch behind its ears. "You’re fed. No complaints today."
By the time he turned back, Noel had vegetables laid out, sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows.
The kitchen window spilled pale morning light across the counter, turning everything warm and unhurried.
"Need help?" Luca asked.
Noel slid a knife across the board, glancing up. "Always."
Luca took the potatoes, rinsing them under cool water before peeling them in slow, steady strokes.
The soft rasp of metal against skin blended with the low simmer of the pot Noel had already set on the stove. Steam rose, faint and fragrant.
Noel worked beside him, trimming meat, seasoning it with practiced ease. Every movement was clean, deliberate. No wasted steps. No rushed motions.
"You’re too good at this," Luca murmured.
Noel smiled without looking up. "Someone has to keep you alive."
"I survive just fine."
"Barely."
Luca laughed, bumping their shoulders together as he dropped the chopped potatoes into the pot.
The splash sent tiny droplets up his wrist. Noel caught his hand automatically, wiping it dry with a kitchen towel, fingers lingering a second longer than necessary.
Their eyes met. The moment held. Simple. Easy.
The soup thickened slowly, pale and creamy, carrying the scent of herbs through the apartment.
The meat sizzled in the pan, rich and savory, filling the space with warmth.
Luca stirred while Noel adjusted the flame, their movements weaving together like they’d done this a hundred times before.
At one point, Luca leaned back against the counter, watching Noel work.
The way his brows knit in concentration. The quiet focus in his eyes. The calm control in every motion.
"You look good like this," Luca said.
Noel glanced over, faint color touching his cheeks. "You say that about everything I do."
"That’s because everything you do looks good."
Noel shook his head, but his smile lingered as he slid the finished dish onto a plate.
They set the table together, side by side, the clink of cutlery and soft footsteps filling the silence.
When they finally sat down, steam curled lazily between them, and the world outside seemed to fade.
Just warmth. Just home. Just the quiet certainty of another ordinary morning made extraordinary simply because they were sharing it.
They ate slowly, neither of them in a hurry to be anywhere else.
Luca was halfway through a spoonful when a drop of soup slipped past his lower lip.
Noel noticed instantly.
"Hey," he murmured.
Before Luca could react, Noel reached out with his thumb, wiping it away with a gentle sweep.
His touch lingered just a second longer than necessary, warm and deliberate.
"There," Noel said softly.
Luca blinked at him, then smiled, small and helpless. "You’re ridiculous."
"Someone has to look after you."
Luca leaned forward, brushing a quick kiss against Noel’s knuckles. "I don’t mind it being you."
Noel’s answering smile was slow, fond, the kind that settled deep in the chest.
They finished eating like that—stealing glances, sharing quiet smiles, occasionally feeding each other a bite just for the excuse of it.
Nothing rushed. Nothing loud. Just a steady, gentle rhythm that felt like home.
When the plates were empty, Noel stood and gathered them. "I’ll do the dishes."
Luca caught his wrist before he could take a step. "Not now."
Noel turned, eyebrow lifting. "Later?"
"Much later." Luca tugged lightly. "Come here."
Noel didn’t resist. He let himself be pulled toward the couch, laughing under his breath as Luca guided him down.
They settled in easily—Noel leaning back, Luca curling into his side, head tucked beneath his chin.
An arm draped over Luca’s waist, pulling him closer.
The TV flickered on, some mindless morning show filling the room with soft noise, but neither of them paid much attention.
Luca traced slow, absent patterns on Noel’s chest. "Today’s going to be good."
Noel pressed a kiss into his hair. "Yeah. It is."
They stayed like that, wrapped around each other, letting the morning stretch and breathe—quiet laughter, shared warmth, the easy comfort of two people who didn’t need to say much to understand everything.
"Shower?" Luca asked lightly, bumping his knee against Noel’s.
Noel glanced up from the couch, lips curving. "Together?"
Luca shook his head, a soft laugh in his throat. "Not yet. Go. I’ll clean up first."
Noel studied him for a second, like he sensed something beneath the calm, but he didn’t push. He leaned in, brushed a quick kiss to Luca’s lips, then stood. "Don’t take too long."
"Never do."
The bathroom door closed behind him with a muted click.
A moment later, the sound of running water filled the apartment—steady, comforting.
Luca gathered the dishes, stacking them carefully in the sink.
The routine steadied his hands. Warm water. Soap. The soft clink of porcelain.
He moved slowly, deliberately, breathing in, breathing out, letting the small, familiar motions anchor him.
When the last plate was set aside to dry, he wiped his hands and stepped onto the balcony.
The city stretched below, hazy in the morning light.
Somewhere far off, traffic murmured. A breeze lifted the curtains behind him, cool against his skin.
Luca leaned his forearms on the railing and pulled out his phone.
He hesitated only a second before calling.
It rang once. Twice.
"Luca?"
His dad’s voice came through warm, awake, already smiling.
"Hi," Luca said quietly.
There was a pause, then a softer tone. "You sound like you’re standing on the edge of something."
Luca huffed a breathless laugh. "Is it that obvious?"
"Always has been. What’s going on?"
Luca looked out at the sky, pale blue, wide and open. "Today... I’m going to ask Noel."
Silence—then a sharp inhale on the other end, like someone holding back a shout.
"You’re serious," his dad said, voice already thick.
Luca smiled to himself. "I’ve never been more serious about anything."
Another beat. Then laughter, bright and full, spilling straight through the speaker. "About time."
"Dad—"
"No, listen," Mr. Smith cut in, still laughing, emotion slipping through every word. "I knew it. I’ve known it since the first time you talked about him. You’ve never sounded like that about anyone."
Luca swallowed, chest tightening. "You’re okay with it?"
"Okay with it?" His dad scoffed softly. "I’m proud of you. And excited. And a little emotional, so don’t make fun of me."
"I wouldn’t dare."
"Good. Because I’m already planning what I’m going to say when you tell me how it went."
Luca leaned his head back against the balcony wall, eyes closing for a second. "You really think he’ll agree?"
A gentle pause. Then, steady and certain: "Son, that man looks at you like you hung the stars. If he doesn’t say yes, I’ll personally fly over and ask him what he was thinking."
Luca laughed, quiet and breathless. "Thanks, Dad."
"Go get him," his dad said softly. "And call me after. No matter what time it is."
"I will."
They hung up. Luca stayed there a moment longer, letting the breeze cool his skin, letting the nerves settle into something warm and steady instead of sharp.
Behind him, the shower cut off.
The apartment fell quiet again, filled with possibility.
Luca turned, stepping back inside, heart steady but racing all at once.
Today was the day.
