CHAPTER 126: WALKING TOWARD TOMORROW

The sunlight had settled into a soft glow across the floor, warming the air like a lazy weekend blanket.

Luca tightened his hold around Noel, burying his nose into the crook of his neck. "Let’s keep sleeping," he mumbled, voice still husky with sleep.

Noel laughed under his breath, running his fingers through Luca’s tangled hair. "It’s already ten, Luca. Get up."

A pause. Then a quiet groan from Luca. "Why are you always attacking peace?"

"I’m hungry," Noel added, stretching slowly against him.

That got Luca to stir. He shifted back, eyes still half-lidded. "Fine... let’s order something. And cuddles until it arrives."

"Nope." Noel sat up, the sheets sliding down his shoulder. "We’re walking out. Fresh air. Legs. Movement."

Luca stared at him like he’d just declared war. "That sounds a lot like effort."

"It is. Now brush your teeth," Noel said, already swinging his legs off the bed.

"I was really enjoying my lazy boyfriend fantasy," Luca grumbled, reluctantly dragging himself up. "Why do you ruin dreams?"

Noel leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Because if I don’t, you’ll rot in bed forever."

Luca smirked. "And whose fault is that, Mr. Warm-and-cuddly?"

Noel shook his head, already padding to the bathroom. "Change, sleepyhead. I’m not dragging a half-dressed flirt to the café."

"Shame," Luca muttered, yawning. "That was kind of the plan."

A few minutes later, they stepped out of the bathroom, changed and lightly tousled from the quiet morning rush.

Noel had slipped into a soft, oversized pullover in a dusty shade of sage—it hung off his frame just enough to look effortlessly comforting.

His hair was still a little messy, his expression calm but alert.

Luca, on the other hand, layered a crisp white tee over a fitted black sweater, sleeves pushed up to his elbows.

His damp hair curled just a little at the ends, clinging to his forehead in that annoyingly charming way he never tried to fix.

"Do I look too cozy or too hot?" Luca asked, turning slightly in the mirror and raising an eyebrow like he was auditioning for a fragrance ad.

Noel didn’t even glance up as he grabbed the keys from the table. "You look like a guy trying way too hard to impress the boyfriend who already said yes two months ago."

"I’m just keeping the romance alive," Luca said, trailing after him with a crooked grin. "Can’t let you forget how lucky you are."

Noel arched a brow. "Mm, pretty sure I’m the prize in this relationship."

"You are," Luca said without missing a beat. "But I’m the shiny bonus."

Noel chuckled under his breath and opened the door. "C’mon, shiny bonus. Let’s go before I change my mind and cook noodles instead."

They stepped into the hallway, the air inside the dorm still and heavy with the quiet of a semester ending.

Most rooms were empty, doors slightly ajar, cardboard boxes stacked like memories waiting to be moved.

The only sound was the gentle creak of the old stairwell beneath their feet, and the way their voices softened automatically, respecting the hush around them.

Outside, the campus street was bathed in late-morning gold.

The air was crisp—fresh enough to wake them up, soft enough not to bite.

The trees rustled overhead, lazy with breeze, and the occasional laugh or bark of a dog drifted from across the street.

The world felt slow in the best kind of way.

As they walked side by side, Noel’s hand brushed against Luca’s.

Luca glanced at him. "You sure you don’t want to stay in and admire me for a few more hours?"

Noel bumped his shoulder gently. "You can pose over brunch. Let’s go."

And with that, they headed toward the café down the block, the kind of place with fogged windows, mismatched chairs, and the smell of cinnamon always hanging in the air.

The bell over the café door chimed gently, a soft greeting to the warmth inside, where the hum of quiet conversations and the scent of brewing coffee wrapped around them like a familiar hug.

Warm air wrapped around them instantly, carrying the scent of freshly brewed coffee, toasted sourdough, and something sweet—maybe cinnamon rolls just out of the oven.

The place wasn’t crowded. A few couples sat tucked into corners, hands curled around warm mugs, while a lone student near the window hunched over a laptop, earbuds in, a croissant half-eaten beside him.

Noel led the way to a small table near the window, one that overlooked the sleepy street outside.

Luca followed, tugging off his sweater to reveal the white tee beneath, casually draping it over the back of the chair like he owned the space.

"I always forget how good it smells in here," Noel murmured, scanning the blackboard menu above the counter.

"That’s because every time we come, you say we’re gonna order light, and then you walk out with half the display case," Luca teased, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at Noel like there was nothing else worth staring at.

Noel glanced down at the menu in his hands but didn’t answer right away. Then, with a playful tilt of his head, he said, "Well... I did pass all my exams."

Luca grinned. "Oh, is that how this is gonna go? Using your academic success to justify ordering three pastries?"

"Three?" Noel blinked innocently. "I was thinking five."

They both laughed, the kind that drew a warm glance from the barista behind the counter.

After they placed their order—two lattes, a plate of avocado toast, and yes, a small mountain of pastries—they returned to the table, fingers brushing briefly as they set their cups down.

"Honestly," Luca said, watching the foam swirl in his drink, "I still can’t believe the semester’s over."

Noel leaned back in his chair, sipping his latte. "Feels like it dragged forever... and then ended all at once."

"And now the interview’s on Monday." Luca’s tone was light, but there was something steadier beneath it. Quiet support.

Noel nodded. "I keep thinking about it. Every night before bed. Every morning when I brush my teeth."

"You’ll kill it." Luca reached out, wrapping his fingers around Noel’s hand on the table. "You’ve already come so far. You just have to show them what I see."

Noel’s gaze softened. "What do you see?"

Luca didn’t hesitate. "Someone who never gives up. Someone who works harder than anyone I know. Someone who deserves everything he’s chasing."

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

The café faded around them—the quiet hum of conversation, the clink of cups, the song playing softly from the speaker above the door.

Then Noel smiled, small and real. "Thanks."

Luca squeezed his hand gently. "Just don’t forget to reward me properly after your victory speech."

"Oh, I won’t," Noel said, smirking. "I already have plans."

Luca blinked. "Wait, what kind of plans?"

Noel sipped his coffee slowly. "You’ll see... if you behave."

Luca groaned dramatically. "That’s too much pressure for a Saturday."

They both laughed again, their knees touching under the table as the world outside drifted on in quiet motion.

The food arrived a few minutes later—still warm, the steam curling gently above the plates.

The avocado toast sat on the plate, topped with a soft-boiled egg and a hint of chili flakes, just enough to make their mouths water.

The pastries were stacked on a wooden tray like a display of indulgence: two almond croissants, a glazed cinnamon roll, and something new Noel insisted on trying—a pistachio cream bun.

Noel leaned forward, already tearing into one of the croissants. "We’re not going home until I finish everything on this plates."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "I didn’t know I was on a brunch date with a competitive eater."

"I’m carb-loading for the mental pressure of Monday."

"Mm-hmm," Luca said, biting into his toast. "If you show up late to the interview because you’re in a food coma, I’m telling them you were mugged by a croissant."

Noel smiled without looking up. "You wouldn’t dare."

Luca leaned closer. "Try me."

They kept eating, letting the comfortable silence stretch between them, interrupted only by soft hums of approval at each bite.

Noel broke his cinnamon roll in half, offering the gooey center to Luca without a word.

Luca took it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Outside, a light breeze rustled the trees, sunlight peeking through shifting clouds.

The window beside them caught the golden light just enough to halo Noel’s profile.

Luca watched him for a moment—his calm focus as he peeled the edge of a pastry, the way his thumb rubbed absently against the paper cup of coffee.

"You’re really nervous, aren’t you?" Luca said quietly, voice low enough not to break the moment.

Noel didn’t answer right away. He looked down, brushing a crumb from his lap.

"I want this," he said finally. "More than I’ve wanted anything in a while."

Luca nodded slowly. "I know. That’s why you’ll get it."

Noel glanced up, his eyes momentarily clouded, not with doubt, but something deeper—a quiet fear of what not succeeding might mean.

"And if I don’t?"

"Then we scream into pillows, eat cake, and start again."

Noel let out a soft laugh, the kind that didn’t quite reach full sound. "That’s a very specific plan."

Luca placed a hand on his chest with a grin. "Certified pillow screamer. Cake connoisseur. Loyal boyfriend."

But under the humor, there was something steady, a promise of support that Noel could always count on.

Noel stared at him for a beat, then shook his head, smiling. "You’re ridiculous."

"But helpful."

"Sometimes."

They stayed at the café longer than they planned, lingering over their last bites, refilling their cups.

It wasn’t just about food anymore—it was the quiet they shared, the safety in it.

The way the world seemed to pause around their table.

Eventually, Noel stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "Let’s walk back."

Luca stood too, grabbing the leftover pastries in a brown paper bag. "Lead the way, Mr. Future Intern."

Noel rolled his eyes, but his smile didn’t fade.

Outside, the breeze had picked up a little, ruffling Noel’s hair as they stepped onto the sidewalk.

He didn’t seem to mind. He just looked up at the sky—soft blue, with a few clouds drifting lazily past—and then slipped his hand into Luca’s.

Just like that. No words. Just fingers weaving between fingers.

Luca glanced at him, their steps falling into sync.

"Still nervous?" he asked.

"A little," Noel admitted.

Luca squeezed his hand gently, his voice softer now. "I’ll be nervous with you, Noel. But we’ll face it together."

And they kept walking—together—toward whatever came next.