The apartment felt warmer when they came back.
Not because of the groceries or the soft evening light slipping through the windows—because Luca was here, moving around like he belonged in every corner of Noel's quiet.
Noel set the bags down on the counter, already sorting. Vegetables on one side. Dairy on the other. Pantry items lined up with quiet precision.
Luca leaned against the doorway, watching like it was the most interesting thing he'd seen all day.
"You're organizing," he said.
Noel didn't look up. "I'm unpacking."
"That's organizing with commitment."
Noel slid the tomatoes into the fridge, then shut the door with a gentle click. "It saves time later."
Luca hummed, amused. "Everything you do saves time."
"That's the point."
"And yet," Luca said, stepping closer, "you still agreed to come shopping with me."
Noel paused, finally glancing at him. "You insisted."
"I prioritized."
Noel's mouth twitched. "Corporate language for boyfriend behavior."
