CHAPTER 167: BREAKFAST IN BED, SECRETS IN SMILES

The tray landed between them, steam curling lazily from two mugs of coffee.

Luca shifted back against the headboard, but Noel tugged him closer until their shoulders pressed together, solid and warm.

"See?" Noel said, tearing a piece of croissant and popping it into his mouth. "Breakfast in bed is the superior way. You get comfort and food."

Luca stole the other half of the pastry from his fingers. "You’re getting spoiled already."

"Whose fault is that?" Noel’s eyes glittered as he sipped his coffee. "You sneak off, bring food to bed, and still expect me not to demand this every morning?"

"You’d never leave the sheets again," Luca countered, reaching for the jar of jam.

"Maybe I wouldn’t," Noel said, softer now, watching him spread it with careful precision. "Not if you’re here."

The words settled between them, heavier than the silence that followed.

Luca paused, knife hovering midair, then set it down. "That’s a dangerous habit you’re building."

"Dangerous?" Noel tilted his head, brushing his knee against Luca’s under the covers. "Or just honest?"

Luca fed him the slice of bread without answering, his fingers brushing Noel’s lips in the process.

Noel nipped playfully at his fingertips before taking the bite, his eyes never leaving Luca’s.

"Mm," Noel murmured around the mouthful, "you’re better than room service."

"That’s not a fair comparison." Luca smirked faintly. "Room service doesn’t have to deal with your clinginess."

Noel leaned into him, resting his coffee cup on Luca’s thigh as if it belonged there. "You don’t really mind, though."

Luca’s hand found its way back into Noel’s hair, combing slowly through the soft strands. His voice dropped, quieter. "No. I don’t mind."

Noel closed his eyes at the touch, his lips curving with a contentment words couldn’t quite capture.

The tray grew emptier between them, but neither seemed in a rush to finish.

Noel reached for the last piece of toast, only for Luca’s hand to intercept it.

"Unfair," Noel complained, eyes narrowing in mock offense.

"You’ve had three already," Luca replied, holding it just out of reach.

"That’s because you keep feeding me like I’m incapable of using my own hands." Noel leaned closer, making a half-hearted attempt to snatch it, but Luca simply raised an eyebrow, steady and immovable.

"Maybe I like having an excuse to feed you."

Noel froze for a beat, then let the smile tugging at his lips take over. He leaned back, deliberately dramatic. "Fine. Go ahead then. I’ll let you win this round."

Luca tore the toast in two, pressing one half gently against Noel’s mouth.

Noel accepted it, chewing slowly, but his gaze remained fixed on Luca—too focused, too unguarded.

"What?" Luca asked, pretending not to notice the heat in Noel’s stare.

"Nothing." Noel licked a crumb from his lip, then nudged his foot against Luca’s under the covers. "Just... it’s nice. Having you like this. No rushing, no cameras, no schedule."

Luca let the quiet sit for a moment, his hand brushing the back of Noel’s as he reached for the coffee. "Yeah. It is."

The tray was nearly cleared by the time Noel leaned back against the pillows, his head finding its way to Luca’s shoulder. "Don’t get used to me sharing food, though," he murmured, already half-asleep.

"Noted." Luca placed the empty cups aside, his arm curling instinctively around him. "But I’ll still order breakfast. Every morning if I have to."

"That’s blackmail disguised as romance," Noel muttered with a sleepy grin.

"Call it whatever you want." Luca bent his head, pressing a brief kiss against his hair. "I’m not stopping."

Noel didn’t answer this time. His breathing slowed, steady against Luca’s chest, as if the morning had finally lulled him back under.

Luca just sat there, holding him, letting the silence carry the weight of everything neither of them had to say out loud.

After a moment, Luca shifted slightly so Noel wasn’t crushed against him, brushing a crumb from the corner of his mouth. "So," he started casually, "what’s the plan today? Shopping first or packing my stuff?"

Noel’s lashes fluttered, his voice still lazy with sleep. "Shopping first. Then we deal with your stuff."

"Efficient," Luca hummed, nodding.

Noel’s lips curved, a spark of mischief cutting through the drowsiness. "Oh, and then we take Luca Jr. for his checkup."

Luca groaned, tilting his head back against the headboard. "You’ve got to be kidding me. I thought you’d forgotten about that cat."

"I don’t forget the important things," Noel shot back, eyes gleaming as he reached for the half-empty coffee cup.

"Important?" Luca gave him a flat stare. "He tried to bite me last night."

"That was affection. His love language just happens to include teeth." Noel sipped, looking entirely unbothered.

"Your cat’s a menace," Luca muttered.

"Our cat," Noel corrected smoothly, tapping Luca’s knee with his foot. "You agreed to this relationship, remember? Luca Jr. is part of the package deal."

Luca sighed heavily, as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him with the faintest smile. "Fine. Shopping, packing, and your furry demon’s doctor appointment. Anything else you’ve scheduled without consulting me?"

"Dinner," Noel said instantly.

"With who?"

"You. Obviously."

The silence stretched a beat before Luca chuckled, shaking his head. "You’re impossible."

"And you love it," Noel murmured, leaning in just close enough that Luca couldn’t deny it.

Noel stretched, the sheets slipping a little down his chest, and pushed himself up with a yawn. "I’m going to shower first," he announced, already sliding off the bed.

Luca propped an arm behind his head, watching with a lazy grin. "Let me join you."

Noel paused at the doorway, shooting him a look over his shoulder, half warning, half amused. "Don’t you dare."

That only widened Luca’s grin. "What? Saving water is good for the planet."

"Saving me from you is better," Noel muttered, but his ears betrayed him—pink at the edges—as he disappeared into the bathroom.

The sound of running water filled the room a second later. Luca chuckled to himself, sinking deeper into the pillows. "One of these days noel," he murmured, almost to the ceiling, "you’ll say yes."

From behind the door came Noel’s muffled voice, sharp but laughing, "Not today!"

Luca’s smile lingered, soft and satisfied, as he stretched out across the empty half of the bed that still carried Noel’s warmth.

Steam still clung to Noel’s skin as he rubbed at his damp hair with a towel, padding across the room barefoot.

His bag sat open, clothes spilling over the edge, and he dug through it with practiced ease.

"You’re up next," he said without looking, his tone casual but edged with authority.

"Mm, only because you said so." Luca finally dragged himself from the bed, moving with that lazy stretch that made even standing up look deliberate.

The shower was quick—Luca never lingered the way Noel did.

When he returned, drops of water clinging to his collarbone, Noel nearly dropped his phone.

Luca was wearing his clothes.

The shirt hugged his shoulders too tightly, sleeves straining to cover his arms, and the drawstring pants were unmistakably pulled from Noel’s bag.

"You’ve got to be kidding me," Noel said flatly, blinking like he needed to reset his vision.

Luca tugged at the hem, pretending to inspect the fit. "Didn’t pack anything. Yours smell better anyway."

Noel slapped a hand over his face. "You literally broke into my bag."

"Correction," Luca drawled, crossing the room with a grin that was all teeth, "I look good in your clothes. Admit it."

Noel shoved him lightly on the shoulder, though his lips betrayed a twitch. "You’re impossible."

"Mmhm." Luca smoothed his palms down the shirt as if he were modeling it. "Your taste? Impeccable. Actually—" he spun half a turn toward the mirror "—I think I make them look better."

Noel arched a brow, arms folding over his chest. "Oh, really?"

"Absolutely." Luca angled his reflection, chin tilted with smug approval. "Handsome, charming, effortlessly stylish... it’s almost unfair how good I look in these."

Noel’s lips pressed together, fighting the laugh crawling up his throat. "You’re shameless."

"Unbelievably attractive, yes. Glad you agree."

That did it—Noel’s laugh broke free, light and exasperated all at once. "If I’d known you’d turn into a one-man runway, I would’ve locked my bag."

"Too late," Luca said, smug as a cat. He gave the shirt’s hem another satisfied tug. "Consider it shared property now."

Noel shook his head, a smile tugging at his mouth despite himself. "Fine. But when you stretch them with your ridiculous shoulders, don’t expect me to buy replacements."

"That’s fine." Luca’s voice dropped low, smooth as silk. "I’d rather you just take them off me yourself."

Noel groaned, launching a pillow at him, but the grin that broke across his face ruined the act entirely.

Noel scooped the little cat into his arms, the bundle of fur curling against his chest like it already belonged there.

He pressed his cheek to its head for a second before glancing at Luca.

"We take the cab first—vet, then shopping. After that, you can pack your stuff," Noel said, half-planning aloud, half-asking.

Luca leaned on the doorframe, towel still around his neck, watching Noel fuss over the cat. "Efficient. I like it. But..." he arched a brow, "who’s picking this little criminal up after the vet?"

Noel adjusted the cat, who let out a tiny mewl. "We’ll pay for delivery. Safer, and we won’t have to drag it around while we run errands."

"Smart." Luca stepped closer, brushing his fingers over the cat’s ears, more tender than he meant to. "So, vet first, then shopping, then back home for packing. Deal?"

"Deal." Noel looked up at him, lips twitching into a small smile. "And don’t act like you’re not secretly thrilled about having a cat. I saw that face just now."

Luca scoffed, straightening as if caught. "What face?"

"The soft one." Noel’s grin widened as he turned toward the door, cat secure in his arms. "Don’t worry—I won’t tell anyone."

Luca followed, shaking his head, but the faintest smile tugged at his mouth. "You’re impossible."

"And," Noel said over his shoulder, "you still follow me everywhere."