CHAPTER 166: WORTH IT

The night folded around them like the blanket itself, soft and certain, carrying them into peace.

The blanket held them close, but Luca held Noel closer. His hand slid down Noel’s arm, fingers lacing tight, refusing to let go even in sleep.

For a while, they simply listened — Noel’s heartbeat steady beneath Luca’s palm, Luca’s breath a soft rhythm against Noel’s neck.

The world outside could have vanished, and neither would have noticed.

"Feels unreal... having you here, like this," Luca whispered, voice small in the dark.

Noel tilted his head, brushing his lips against Luca’s hair. "Then don’t pinch yourself. Let’s keep it a dream if that’s what it feels like."

Luca chuckled quietly, the sound warm against Noel’s skin. "If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up."

Noel’s hand wandered lazily over Luca’s back, tracing half-shapes he never finished. "We missed too many nights like this," he murmured. "I don’t plan to miss another."

Luca shifted, catching Noel’s eyes in the faint spill of streetlight. "Promise?"

Noel’s smile was faint, but steady. "Promise."

Their voices grew softer after that. Words trailed into murmurs, then into silence.

Noel’s lashes lowered first, sleep tugging him under despite Luca’s thumb brushing gently along his cheekbone.

"You’re tired," Luca whispered, more to himself than to Noel.

Noel hummed, almost asleep, but leaned close enough to press a final kiss to Luca’s jaw. "Still worth staying awake for you," he mumbled, words dissolving into drowsiness.

Luca tightened his hold, protective, tender. His lips brushed the crown of Noel’s hair as he whispered into the quiet, knowing Noel wouldn’t quite hear, "Then I’ll keep you safe while you sleep."

And so Noel drifted, carried by Luca’s steady embrace, the night holding them both in a silence made only for them.

The first slant of morning light crept through the curtains, painting pale gold across the room.

Luca stirred, not because he was restless, but because something in him couldn’t sleep any longer — not with Noel right there, tucked into the blankets beside him.

For once, Noel hadn’t woken first. His breathing was slow and even, lashes casting delicate shadows on his cheeks.

He looked younger like this, softer, as if the world had finally loosened its grip on him.

Luca lay still, one arm folded under his head, the other brushing just barely against Noel’s shoulder.

He couldn’t stop staring. Every rise and fall of Noel’s chest felt like proof — proof that he was here, proof that last night hadn’t been some cruel dream.

A smile tugged at Luca’s lips. He remembered another morning, weeks ago — cramped dorm room, a narrow bed they could barely fit on, their legs tangled together, the old window rattling with wind.

Back then, he always woke because Noel’s alarm was set too early. Still, he’d stay, watching him, waiting for his eyes to flutter open.

Now, the bed was bigger, the room brighter, but Luca’s heart felt the same.

Maybe fuller. Maybe heavier with everything they’d missed, yet lighter too, because here Noel was, beside him again.

He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from Noel’s forehead, fingers soft as if even the faintest touch might shatter the moment.

"You’d laugh if you knew how long I could just lie here and look at you," Luca whispered, a confession meant only for the stillness of morning.

Noel shifted slightly, lips parting on a sleepy breath, but didn’t wake.

Luca smiled wider, warmth spilling through him.

He tucked the blanket closer around Noel, then settled back, content to let time stretch.

Once upon a time, they only had a narrow dorm bed. Now, they had this — a home, a morning, and each other.

Luca’s phone glowed faintly on the nightstand.

He reached for it carefully, ordered breakfast with quiet efficiency — coffee, pastries, something light to ease them into the day.

After, he slid the phone aside and curled back around Noel.

His cheek brushed Noel’s hair, breathing in the familiar scent that made his chest ache with happiness.

Noel stirred but didn’t wake, only nestled deeper into Luca’s warmth, his hand resting loose against Luca’s shirt.

Minutes stretched, hushed and unhurried, until the muted buzz of Luca’s phone announced the delivery.

With a reluctant sigh, he pushed himself up.

He’d barely moved before Noel’s hand twitched, then tightened — fingers clutching Luca’s arm even in sleep.

Luca glanced down, heart squeezing at the sight: Noel’s brow faintly furrowed, his grip stubborn, like a child clinging to a dream they didn’t want to lose.

Luca bent close, brushing his thumb across Noel’s knuckles. "I’ll be right back," he whispered, though he knew Noel couldn’t hear.

He pried the fingers gently, tucked the blanket snugly around him, and slipped out of bed.

The air outside their cocoon felt cool, but his chest stayed warm, tethered by the thought of Noel waiting upstairs.

The elevator chimed softly as it descended. Luca caught his reflection in the brushed metal: hair mussed, shirt wrinkled from sleep, but his eyes—soft, almost glowing. He looked... happy.

The doors opened. The delivery man stood ready with warm paper bags.

"Good morning," Luca greeted quietly.

The man smiled. "Enjoy your breakfast."

"Thanks."

The scent of coffee and butter drifted up, making Luca ache to hurry back.

Noel should be here, stealing bites before they even reached the counter, teasing him until he gave in.

The ride back felt longer than before.

When the doors slid open, Luca slipped into the quiet apartment, careful not to rustle the bags. But the bed was empty. The blanket tossed aside, a faint indentation where Noel’s body had been.

"Noel?" Luca’s voice wavered.

From the other room, a sleepy call: "Luca...?"

Relief poured through him. He set the bags down quickly and found Noel standing in the doorway, hair tousled, blanket draped over his shoulders like a cape.

His eyes were still heavy with sleep, but his pout was unmistakable.

"You weren’t there."

The small accusation hit Luca like a weight. He cupped Noel’s cheek gently. "Just downstairs. Breakfast delivery. I didn’t want to wake you—you looked too peaceful."

Noel pressed his lips together, voice soft. "Peaceful? You left me in a cold bed."

Luca chuckled, brushing his thumb along Noel’s jaw. "A cold bed for warm coffee. And croissants. Worth the trade, don’t you think?"

Noel leaned into him, arms looping around his waist. "No. I want this."

Luca’s arms closed around him, protective. He pressed his lips to Noel’s hair. "Breakfast will get cold."

"I don’t care." Noel’s words were muffled against his chest. "You should’ve woken me. We could’ve gone together."

"You’d have fallen asleep in the elevator." Luca teased softly. "Missed our floor completely."

Noel huffed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "That’s not funny. I wouldn’t miss it... maybe."

"Mm-hm." Luca tilted his head, grinning. "Come on. Food’s waiting."

Noel tipped his chin up, eyes still heavy with sleep. "Bed. We eat in bed."

"Crumbs everywhere?"

"Worth it."

Luca sighed in mock defeat, kissing his forehead. "Fine. But if you roll onto a croissant in your sleep, don’t blame me."

By the time Luca carried the tray back, Noel had crawled under the covers again, blanket pulled high, arms stretched open in invitation.

"Bring it here," Noel said softly, expectant.

Luca set the tray carefully on the mattress. The scent of butter and coffee filled the air.

Noel immediately reached for the mug, cupping it like it was the only warmth that mattered.

"Too hot," Luca warned.

Noel blew on it dramatically, eyes glinting with mischief. "You always worry too much."

"And you never worry enough." Luca broke a croissant in half, holding a piece to Noel’s lips.

Noel bit into it, crumbs dusting his mouth, and hummed in satisfaction. "Okay... maybe you’re forgiven."

"Maybe?" Luca brushed away the crumbs with his thumb, smirking. "What do I need to do for a full pardon?"

Noel’s grin was slow, sleepy, but bright in the morning light. "Stay. Don’t leave the bed again without me."

Luca laughed under his breath, leaning closer until their foreheads touched. "That’s an easy sentence to serve."

"Good," Noel murmured, already tugging Luca down into the blankets. His hand slid across Luca’s side possessively, as if he could anchor him there with sheer stubbornness.

The tray wobbled dangerously, and Luca steadied it quickly with a soft chuckle. "Careful, or breakfast won’t survive your clinginess."

"Then it dies with honor," Noel muttered, muffled against Luca’s shoulder.

They ate in fits and starts—Noel insisting on bites fed to him, Luca pretending to complain but indulging him anyway.

Between mouthfuls of buttery pastry and stolen sips of coffee, their laughter tangled with the warmth of the morning.

Crumbs scattered across the sheets, but neither cared.

When Noel leaned back at last, his eyes half-lidded, Luca brushed a hand through his curls and sighed. "We’re going to need to wash these sheets after this."

"Worth it," Noel said again, echoing his earlier stubbornness. His smile softened as he tucked his face against Luca’s chest. "Everything’s worth it... as long as it’s with you."

The words landed heavy in Luca’s chest, sweet and aching all at once. He tightened his arms around him, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "Then let’s make it all worth it. No more missed nights, no more empty mornings."

Noel tipped his chin up, eyes glinting with something unspoken but certain. "Promise?"

"Promise," Luca whispered back.

And in that quiet morning light—crumbs scattered, coffee cooling on the tray, their arms locked around each other—the promise felt less like words and more like the shape of their future.