CHAPTER 164: SURPRISE, I’M HOME

The late sun painted the building gold as Luca and the agent stepped out through the glass doors.

The stairwell was cooler than the apartment had been, the scent of fresh paint fading into faint echoes of detergent and someone’s dinner.

Luca followed the agent down, their footsteps out of rhythm, like they belonged to different songs.

"You’re really picky, you know that?" the agent said, pocketing the keys with a weary sigh. "Most students would’ve signed the first one and called it a day."

Luca laughed under his breath, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "I’m not picky, I just—" He lifted his hand, searching for words. "I know what he’d like. It has to fit both of us."

The agent gave him a look halfway between disbelief and amusement. "Picky," he repeated, as if stamping the word on Luca’s forehead.

Luca opened his mouth to argue again—then stopped. His gaze snagged on something moving at the far edge of the street.

His words broke off.

Across the lot, at the corner where the road bent toward the convenience store, a figure appeared, dragging a suitcase behind him, another bag slung over his shoulder.

Luca blinked, disbelieving.

The sunlight caught familiar dark hair, the slope of shoulders, the tilt of his walk.

Noel.

The suitcase rattled across the pavement, rolling unevenly as Noel spotted him. For a heartbeat, neither moved.

Then Luca dropped every argument he’d had ready for the agent and strode forward.

"Noel—"

The suitcase veered and tumbled against the curb as Noel let it go. His bag slipped from his shoulder.

He crossed the space between them in three long strides and Luca met him halfway, arms wrapping so tight the city around them vanished.

Noel pressed against him, face buried in his shoulder, and Luca’s breath hitched with something between a laugh and a gasp.

"You—" Luca pulled back just enough to look at him, wide-eyed. "You weren’t supposed to be back until next week."

"Surprise," Noel whispered, grinning against his cheek.

Luca hugged him again, tighter this time, his heart drumming so loud he was sure Noel could feel it.

He didn’t care who was watching—until the sound of someone clearing their throat cut through.

The agent.

"Well," the agent said dryly, folding his arms. "Guess I’m not needed for introductions."

Luca blinked, suddenly aware of the street, the parked cars, the world.

Noel stepped back but didn’t go far, his hand still hooked in Luca’s sleeve.

"Ah," the agent said, raising a brow. "So this is the famous Noel."

Noel straightened, polite despite the flush climbing his ears. "Yes. Nice to meet you. And... sorry for the scene."

The agent waved a hand. "I’ve seen worse. Do you want to see the apartment yourself? Since you’re clearly the deciding factor here."

"Yes, please," Noel said, quick and certain. His fingers brushed Luca’s before he bent to grab his bag.

Inside, the stairwell hummed faintly with echoes of their steps.

Luca kept glancing at Noel, like he couldn’t believe he was really beside him.

Noel, though, was already looking around with interest.

When they reached the apartment, the agent unlocked the door again.

The space opened before them—sunlight spilling across polished floors, the balcony doors cracked just enough to let the city breathe inside.

Noel wandered in slowly, eyes taking in the white kitchen with its marble island, the tucked-away bedroom, the little desk by the wall that already looked like it belonged to him.

"This would be your study," Luca murmured, following at his side, pointing with a quiet smile. "And... this couch—" he tapped it lightly "—that’s mine."

Noel turned, grinning. "And the kitchen’s mine too?"

"Of course."

The agent leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching them circle the place as though he’d stumbled into a private play. He didn’t interrupt.

Noel moved to the balcony last, pulling the glass door open and stepping out.

The city stretched below, familiar and alive. He rested his hands on the rail, breathing deep. Then he glanced back at Luca, eyes soft.

"Nice view," he said simply.

"It’s..." Noel’s grin broke wide as he caught Luca’s gaze. "It’s really good. I like it."

Luca exhaled, tension loosening from his shoulders he hadn’t even realized he was carrying.

Noel’s voice softened. "You found us a home."

And in that moment, Luca knew—he didn’t need to see another place.

The bathroom door swung open, steam curling faintly as Noel stepped back out, running a hand through his hair. "Water pressure’s good. Shower works." He shot Luca a little grin, like that alone sealed half the deal.

They exchanged a glance—silent agreement sliding between them.

Luca shrugged, almost shy. Noel turned to the agent.

"We’ll take it," he said.

For a moment, silence. Then the agent’s shoulders dropped like a weight finally gone. "Finally," he muttered, half-laughing. "If you’d been here from the start, maybe he would’ve signed the first place I showed him."

Noel chuckled, nudging Luca with his elbow. "I believe that."

Luca made a face but didn’t argue.

The agent pulled a slim folder from his case and handed it over. "Here. Read it through before signing."

Noel perched on the counter, unfolding the papers.

His eyes skimmed carefully, lips moving faintly as he checked numbers and dates.

He was halfway through when a sound tugged his ear—soft, almost questioning.

"Did you hear that?"

Luca frowned. "What?"

Another sound—lighter this time, like a tiny bell without the bell.

Noel set the papers aside and crossed to the balcony. He slid the door open.

Curled against the railing was a small cat, fur mottled gray and white, its eyes blinking lazily in the light.

It meowed once, stretching before tucking itself down again.

"Oh." Noel’s voice softened. "Hey there." He crouched a little, hand on the frame as he watched the cat tilt its head.

The agent blinked. "Not mine. Might’ve been the previous tenant’s. Or maybe it just hangs around."

Noel’s smile grew, warm enough to light the room. "It’s cute."

Luca stepped closer, shaking his head. "Cute? It’s probably full of fleas. Don’t let it in."

Noel glanced at him, amused. "You don’t like cats?"

"Not really," Luca admitted flatly. "They scratch. They climb everywhere. I don’t trust them."

The cat meowed again, plaintive, as if protesting Luca’s judgment. Noel laughed softly. "See? It doesn’t agree with you."

The agent cleared his throat. "Shall we continue?"

"Right." Noel signed the papers after one last read-through, handing them back with satisfaction soft on his face.

The agent tucked them neatly into his folder. "That’s it. Just a little cleaning and you’re ready to move in."

"We’ll need blankets," Noel said, already making a mental list.

Luca nodded. "We can handle that."

The cat was still curled outside, watching them like it had already moved in.

"Feels like home already," Noel murmured.

Luca sighed but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. "Guess we’re moving in."

Noel leaned against him, teasing, "And maybe we’re not moving in alone."

"Absolutely not."

The cat meowed once more, casting the final vote.

When the agent finally left them, the quiet of evening settled over the street. Luca leaned against the balcony rail, his crooked smile soft. "Well, I thought I’d have to wait until next week to see you."

Noel tilted his head, mischievous spark alive in his eyes. "What? You don’t like the surprise?"

"No," Luca shook his head quickly, laughing. "That’s not it. I just... I never expected you today. And now you’re here and—" His voice dropped, vulnerable. "I’m so damn happy, Noel."

For a moment, the city noise below filled the silence. Then Luca asked, "So... why’d you change your mind?"

Noel’s grin deepened. "Well, someone cried over my phone."

Luca’s jaw fell open. "I did not—"

"And," Noel cut in, voice low and teasing, "someone really wanted a date."

Luca blinked, stunned, then laughed. "Wait—are we actually going?"

"Of course." Noel’s hand brushed his, casual but deliberate. "Date. Trip. The whole thing."

Excitement shot through Luca. He pulled Noel close, holding him like he might vanish.

But Noel had already crouched, scooping the kitten up. He scratched its ears, smiling in that way Luca secretly adored. "Let’s keep it."

"You’ve got to be kidding me," Luca muttered.

"Look at him." Noel held it up like treasure. "Let’s keep him, Luca."

"Absolutely not."

"Absolutely yes."

They went back and forth until Noel tilted his head, feigned sweetness in his voice. "Alright then. No cat, no date."

"What? You can’t be serious."

"Oh, I’m very serious." Noel hugged the kitten close. "Cat or no date. Your choice."

"Unbelievable..." Luca groaned, dragging a hand down his face.

"Then make a choice," Noel pressed, lowering his eyes to meet Luca’s. "Look at him. The way he curls up—it’s just like you."

"Don’t you dare," Luca muttered, glaring.

"The way you sprawl on the dorm couch? Same thing. The way you curl into a ball when you’re sulking? Exactly like this little guy." Noel’s grin softened. "It reminds me of you, Luca."

A flicker betrayed Luca’s mouth—his lips twitched despite himself. He turned his head with a huff. "Ahh, stop it."

But Noel didn’t stop, until finally—

"Fine," Luca surrendered. "But we’re taking it to the vet first."

"Of course." Noel’s smile bloomed as he stroked the kitten’s head. "We’ll take Luca Jr. for a checkup."

Luca froze. "Wait—what?"

"Luca Jr.," Noel repeated casually. "You two have too much in common. Might as well make it official."

The kitten yawned, stretching lazily in Noel’s arms, and Luca swore it was mocking him too.