japanmaniaz said: Can I request Ludger/Jude modern day AU where they both are university students? Not the same age; Jude's a genius as always. Smut will be very, very lovely.

Ludger was going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level reserved for child molesters and people who talk at the theater. It wasn't like he wanted to, he just couldn't help it when his best friend was so… cute.

Jude had been a new student at the university, transferring in as a junior just when Ludger started to have trouble with his science classes. He had gone to the library for tutoring help when he ran into the other boy who had just been exiting the door.

Amber met green and it was like something special passed between them.

"Sorry." Ludger stuttered out, realizing that not only had he knocked over a fellow student but he had knocked said person's books.

"It's all right. Not like I know where I'm going anyway." That peaked Ludger's interest as he knelt down to help him.

"You're new here?" A small shy nod.

"Yeah, I was accepted into the science program and they wanted me to start classes right away." Ludger placed the last of the books in the other boys hands, eyes going wide as he realized what the other meant.

"So, you're like, really good at science?" A light blush scattered across the other boys cheeks as he nods.

"Something like that." He extended his hand. "I'm Jude, by the way."

"Ludger." 'Jude has nice hands.', was Ludger's passing thought at the time before he offered to show Jude around campus and they exchange numbers. Ludger isn't near as smart as Jude but he certainly has more experience in getting around by comparison to the sheltered brainiac, whereas Jude is amazing at helping Ludger boost up his grades with a little tutoring help.

It's not long before they switch from convenient acquaintances to best friends.

Jude is a bit of a mystery though. So courteous and sweet, they even share a love for home cooking and martial arts. Ludger discovers early on that he is attracted to the shorter male but he can't figure out if Jude is also into men.

He tries to see if he can sort it out on his twenty-first birthday. There's a bar the next town over called 'Film Noir' and he invites Jude along for the ride. Julius once told him that if you get anyone drunk enough, they can't hide the truth from you and Ludger is dying to know if maybe Jude feels something for him too; not that he has any intention of taking advantage if things do happen to lean in his favor. Everything goes according to plan until they get to the door for the bouncer to check their ID's and Jude hands his over.

"17? Are you kidding me kid? Get out!" Ludger hears the bouncer as he turns Jude away and his heart stops.

Seventeen. Jude is seventeen.

He doesn't say anything, not when Jude apologizes for wrecking his night and not when they decide to just hit the local theater for an impromptu movie; Jude's treat. Instead he's trying to wrap his head around how he could have missed that detail, the one where Jude was such a whiz kid he could already be in college, in Ludger's grade, at seventeen.

Their friendship continues as though nothing significant has happened and maybe for Jude, that is true. Ludger though… he's trying his damnedest to quell his crush on this kid who was just shy of legal with little to no luck.

The water in his dorm is shut down right now, some kind of issue with the pipes and Ludger has to go to one of the dorms across campus to use the showers since the ones nearby are all having the same problem. It's late and most of the other students from his dorm tend to bathe during the daytime so with luck, Ludger will get to have some privacy since for the most part the shower area is only partitioned into stalls with a curtain blocking the water stream. It's not like Ludger is overly shy about his body but he doesn't really like it when people stare plus the water tends to be warmer.

No one is there fortunately and he takes the stall in the furthest corner; the water is warm, soothing all the knots he's accumulated sitting at a desk most of the day. Another person comes in shortly after, starting their own shower on the other side of the room.

Ludger shrugs as he suds up with some shower gel; guess someone else likes to take warmer showers too. He pays no mind to the other occupant until he hears a stifled groan echo against the tiled walls and his breath catches in his throat.

Is someone masturbating in the other stall? Didn't they hear the water from Ludger's shower? Maybe it's a mistake, maybe they just really like hot water… Another barely contained moan fills the room along with a thunk against the tile. Most likely propping their head so they can concentrate as they fondle themselves to completion.

He should wash off and get out of here. There's another dormitory the next block over he can wash his hair at. Hell, he can even use the sink in the bathroom down the hall. Ludger rubs off the soap on his body the best he can, trying hard to ignore how he can hear someone else beat off as their breathing picks up and the sound of wet strokes reach his ears.

Almost done. Just need to turn off the water then-

"Uhn, god, Ludger!" The other man doesn't even try to cover up the satisfied moans they make as they spill their seed against the tiled wall.

Oh god, he knows that voice.

"Jude?" Ludger asks, so softly he's not sure if anyone can hear him until a shocked gasp pierces the air. He had no idea he had come to his friend's dorm, it was so dark out he just went with the first one that came into view.

"L-Ludger?" There's a thud and audible scrambling as Jude turns off the water. "H-how long have you been here?" The younger man is nervous, probably wondering how much was overheard and Ludger is so stunned he can't say a single word. "You heard everything didn't you?" He nods even knowing Jude can't see him. "I'm sorry. Does it bother you? I-" Jude sighs. "I'm really sorry."

"It's okay. I like you too." The words are out before Ludger can even stop them and now it's Jude's turn to be stunned silent. Ludger takes the opportunity to turn off his shower, step out and grab his towel, wrapping it around his waist to cross the room where Jude is still hidden. There's only an opaque beige plastic sheet that blends in with the rest of the room separating them now and he can hear Jude's breathing on the other side.

"Why didn't you say anything?" The answer is caught in his throat but Jude seems to know already, just like he knew Ludger heard him masterbating. "It's because I'm seventeen, isn't it?"

"Yeah." It sucks admitting to such a thing. He feels like such a jackass.

Abruptly the curtain is pushed to the side and there's a naked, wet Jude Mathis staring Ludger down with such fire in his eyes it's positively daunting. "Well, that's stupid. You're only four years older than me and I'm legal in my home state."

Wait, huh?

"You're legal where you live?" He'd never once thought about that possibility.

"Yeah, thats why I felt so bad when I found out we couldn't go to the bar on your birthday. I didn't know the age limit was higher here." The younger man is blushing in embarrassment, his eyes averted to the floor. "I didn't think it was such a big deal since you didn't mind me tutoring you even after you found out my age; I just figured you weren't interested but obviously I'm still..." He trails off, amber meets green again and just like that first day, Ludger feels a rush of electricity in his veins. "My roommates out of town and I hate sleeping by myself." Jude's rushing but Ludger doesn't care, he can't believe he's about to get so lucky. "Do you want to spend the night with me?"

"Definitely." Ludger smiles before leaning in and kissing the shorter man softly.

Oh yes, he might still burn in a special hell due to a technicality but least he wouldn't go lonely.

Fin.