Title: Maybe You Can Help Me
Author: jberri79
Rating: NC-17 although this part not so much still that rating should stay there.
Summary: Luke needs help, can Noah help him
Disclaimer:I don't own these characters, this is merely a stress reliever- but if I did, Luke and Noah would never leave bed, okay to eat and use the bathroom but that's it.

He hadn't done this in a while. Two years to be precise. No Luke was use to business proposals now, cutting deals, talking shop with men in expensive suits, men who knew nothing about real hard work, men who had everything given to them on a silver platter.

This part of his life should have been over though or at least half way done.

The late night study sessions the drinking cup after cup of coffee just so you could get that extra boost. Cramming so much into your brain by the end you feel as if your eyes might explode. Luke was wondering how he would survive it.

First he quit his job- needed all his extra time to go into studying. Since Luke was rich he could do that, that doesn't mean he didn't hear bio dad's protest against this. Luke had too much on his plate; he had to let something go, why not the shipping company, he really didn't want to run.

Not only did he work at a company with his dad- well formerly worked. He ran a foundation for young gay teens and was a board member at Oakdale memorial, the town's only hospital. On top of that, he had to give a lot of his attention to his boyfriend.

Things were stretched thin- but Luke knew the payoff would be worth it. And plus he knew there were people rooting for him, people who knew he could do it. His Father Holden was one of those people.

His father was proud of him, his real dad- not bio dad. Holden knew about hard work making things beautiful with his hands, he knew about sticking to something learning a skill and bettering it- but he respected those who went to school, learned more, kept their brains fresh with new and interesting things.

Luke wanted to go back to college- finished what he started a few years ago, seventy five percent of this was what Luke wanted- however he still wanted to see that proud look spread across Holden's face, see that gleam in his eyes. A few years ago he wasn't motivated- let some silly election get in the way and knock his focus right off track.

Now back on track and ready to go Luke's having a bit of a hard time getting started.

He sits staring at his cursor. The blinking kind of pisses him off. It hasn't moved since he sat down.

Luke, spent most of his time staring at his cursor at home- still not able to start the first paragraph, the laughter of children and Faith's thick teenage angst looming in the air had Luke heading for Java. It was after the morning rush and Luke figured he could people watch- while waiting for inspiration.

"You want me to full her up?" Luke looks up to see Noah standing beside him coffee pot in hand.

Luke smiles blinks at the surprise appearance "yeah sure thanks" Noah nods fills the mug "I thought you were off on Saturday's?"

"I usually am- but Jeff called asked for a favor so here I am."

"Noah Mayer to the rescue, you should learn to sleep in you know."

Noah shrugs "well; I finally got up to date on all my class assignments, so why not make a few extra bucks."

"You're almost done." Luke's smile is wide so proud.

"Yeah, and you're just getting started I see."

"Who told you?"

"Doesn't matter who told me Snyder, the point is you didn't." Noah's tone is serious yet teasing- grin full, strong.

"I was going to, I just-" Luke trails off not knowing how to finish that sentence but one thing was certain though. Holden wasn't the only person Luke wanted to make proud, there was one other.

"Thought I wouldn't care?" Noah finishes it. There's a little frown now, casting a shadow over the grin.

Luke's nod is slow- sure he's right. He stares hopelessly at the blank. Noah takes a seat watches as Luke tries to burn a whole into his computer screen. "Just so you know. I do." Noah leans back into the chair watches as Luke slowly lifts his head.

"You do?"

"Of course, I always thought you should have went back to school. It might be two years later but you're doing it" Noah shrugs give's Luke a sideways glance. "You look lost Snyder, what's wrong?"

"I don't want to bother you, you have work."

"I'm off in about" Noah looks at his watch "in about 5, 4,3,2,1, I'm off now."

Luke laughs loves the fact Noah can joke with him "what about the pot Mayer?"

Noah gets up hands the coffee pot to someone behind the counter he comes back and sits down. Noah rubs his hands together; gives Luke a stern look. "So spill Snyder."

Luke is about to speak but before he can, Noah's holding up a finger signaling for Luke to hold on a sec. Noah reaches into his pocket pulls out his phone. A smile spreads across his face seeing the number, this shakes Luke's core a little. "I'll be right back." Luke watches Noah move to the back he can see his shadow as he stands off by the door.

Luke can't see anything, hear anything; wouldn't want to if he could. That's not saying he's not curious- wants to know who the hell Noah is talking to.

Luke's so lost in thought he doesn't even notice when Noah sits back down across from him. "Sorry about that, you were saying."

Luke looks up startled; he recovers quickly though- smiles that lopsided grin, the one that always took Noah time to recover from. Noah doesn't seem fazed though he's just waiting for Luke to start talking "um" Luke clears his throat, he's a little thrown by the lack of notice- has to struggle silently with that realization. "Just hard to get back into the swing of things" head pounding as he speaks.

"Don't worry, before long you'll get a handle on things. You always do." They stare at each other for a while; Noah's look is encouraging, Luke's unsure.

"So" Luke scratches his chin, looks around the café- careful not to look in Noah's direction. "Who was that on the phone?" He takes a chance eyes focused squarely on Noah.

Noah laughs casually, places his hands on the table, plays with the salt shaker between his hands- pushing it back and forth. "How's Reid?" The comment is like a smack- No, A punch to his gut.

When they broke up both boys figured being friends is better than nothing. Although it seemed for a while Noah had a hard time moving on, couldn't stand to see Luke in the arms of another man. Now, now it seemed like Noah had taken that next step. Moved on, fallen completely out of love with him.

"Sorry," Luke mutters eyes casting down now; lashes full overflowing. "Maybe you can help me though." Luke looks up. Eyes hopeful, pleading for his slip up to go unnoticed- like it never happened.

"Whatcha need Snyder?"

Luke grins, eyes screaming 'thank you' he looks down at his blanking cursor- lips tight trying to stop the frustrated groan lodged in his throat. He looks back up at Noah- who is waiting patiently. "Maybe you can explain to me in Lyman terms, the effects of British colonization on the Native American."

Noah stares at him for a moment taken aback. Suddenly he's laughing, his deep baritone voice falling over Luke, leaving him feeling warmed and nostalgic. "Sorry," he gasped "didn't mean to laugh, just wasn't expecting that."

"Its okay" Luke is still lost in the way it sounded, wouldn't mind hearing it again.

"Well, let me think." Noah put his pointer finger to his chin- tapped lightly. The gesture looked mocking- but Luke knew Noah was actually thinking, trying to help. "Well for starters the diseases that immigrants carried, that didn't help. Before the British, the Native American didn't know about things like that."

"What kind of diseases?" Luke asked leaning towards Noah.

"Hmmm" Noah tilt's his head to the side. "Let's see. There are Small Pox, Measles, and Malaria to name a few."

Luke looks at him shocked, none the less he's thankful. "Yikes" is all he can get out.

"Yeah, I'd say gross- but yikes works." Noah chuckles light, runs his hand over his mouth, Luke watches; wishes that hand made contact with something else.

"This is for a paper right?"

Luke comes back. The hand had been such a distraction, he looks at Noah almost confused. "What?"

"It's for a paper."

"Oh, sorry yeah, it's, it's for a paper." Apparently the hands still a distraction.

"And how long does it have to be?"

"What"

"The paper Snyder, how long does it have to be?"

"Oh sorry," that damn hand. "No more then fifth teen, no less then twelve pages," Luke finally get's out.

Noah rocks his head from side to side, blue locked to the ceiling "so roughly 8,000 give or take."

"Yep"

"And what do you have so far?" Noah picks up Luke's laptop; turns it his way. And there it is again, that laugh; deep and beautiful. Noah's holding his side's now, the laugh overtaking him. "Are you serious Luke?"

"What?" Luke is trying not to laugh- but Noah's giggle is infectious. He puts his hand over his mouth trying to stop.

"The Effects of British colonization on the Native American," Noah gawks at him- shakes his head, teeth showing, eyes sparkling. "All you have is the title?"

"I can't focus." Luke rubbed his hands over his eyes. He knew he sounded like a whining child.

"Well know wonder- you came to Java to study."

"Well it was better then my other options."

"And what were those?"

Luke shrugged "you don't wanna hear about my problems, have to pretend you care." Luke laughs nervously, stares at a mark on a wall right behind Noah, and doesn't dare look at him.

Noah maneuvers his head, makes sure he's right in Luke's view. "Try me. And I. Do. Care." he settles back into his chair, arms folded; hurt showing, he doesn't even bother to hide it.

Luke takes a deep breath- knows what he's done. He's kind of happy; he thought for sure Noah felt nothing. It's a relief to know he still cares. "Well" Luke starts- smirks as he thinks. "First I was at the farm- but people kept popping up, some familiar, some not. It was so irritating."

"I understand." Noah does that grin again, Luke's stomach tightens.

"You do?"

"Yeah" Noah nods his head; features showing understanding- compassion. "Remember when the only youngsters that roamed that farm on a daily basis were you me and Aaron?"

Luke starts to giggle head falling back, bangs falling to the side, Adams apple in full view- bobbing.

"What?" Noah giggles.

"Mayer, you said youngsters."

"I did, didn't I?"

"Yes." Luke cups his hand over his mouth, his giggles still consuming him.

"Well, what can I say, Emma rubbed off on me."

"I see"

"Whatever Snyder, just finish"

"Okay- okay," Luke says while trying to stifle a laugh "then I went back home and Ethan was so loud, I knew that wouldn't work."

"Yeah, Ethan's a screamer, reminds me of someone."

"Whatever"

"What? It's true."

Luke just glares, feigns anger "can I finish Mayer."

"Continue Snyder"

Luke sticks out his tongue "thank you. Anyway I thought about going to the hospital ya know? Sit in the break room and try to do the paper there- wait for Reid, while I did it. Then figured that might be a bad idea since I'm on the board, someone's always in my face, I probably wouldn't get anything done there."

"Probably not," Noah agreed.

Luke takes a deep breath- studies Noah's facial expressions, the mention of Reid doesn't seem to have fazed him.

Noah leans over the laptop, looks down and starts to type.

"What are you doing?"

"Relax Snyder; I'm not writing anything, this is your responsibility." Noah looks up over the top winks his eye, goes back to typing. "I'm just giving you a few sites to go to for your research; I put them in your fave's." Noah finishes up, closes the laptop. He drums his fingers over the top "When is it due?"

"Wednesday"

"You have time then."

Luke cocks his brow "Oh come on Snyder, you're a writer. Just do the reading and the rest will come to you."

"I need a good place to study." Luke blows out a gust of air; shakes his head. "Man I need my own apartment" as soon as the words leave his lips, Luke wishes he could take them back. The look on Noah's face strengthens that wish; he knows there's no going back. The words are already out in the air swirling around them, nudging at happy memories. Luke stares hard at the floor- hopes the tension passes.

Noah starts to laugh again. "Remember how the floor creaked in the kitchen?" Luke's head pops back up startled at Noah's response.

Luke regards Noah for a moment, decides to play along. "Remember the window in the bathroom that wouldn't open? And when we finally got it open some how it was uneven."

"Oh my god yes, how could I not. When we finally fixed it, it slammed shut, right over my hand."

"Oh my god, you screamed so loud."

"What did you expect Snyder? It hurt like hell." Noah actually started to massage his hand, the memory so vivid in his mind.

"I expected you to act like nothing was wrong, if you want me to be honest. I was shocked when you let me take care of you."

"You did a good job too," Noah blurted out. "You know? Taking care of me, you always did."

"Thank you." Luke tries his best not to react, show how much those words affect- but he can't help it, his smile is so wide, he's sure he looks like a fool. He looks away from Noah, focusing his attention back on the floor.

"Here." Luke looks up to see keys dangling from Noah's pointer finger.

"What?"

"You can study at my place."

Luke shakes his head "you don't have to do that Noah. You don't, I don't want to bother you."

"Luke, would you stop. Look we're friends right?"

Luke nods fast, his answer quick "yes…. Always."

"Okay then" Noah starts to remove his car keys from the ring "besides you won't be bothering me, I won't be there."

"Oh, where are you going?"

"I have plans." Noah doesn't say anymore and Luke doesn't press.

"Still, Noah I-"

"Luke, just take them." Noah puts the keys right in front of Luke's face.

Luke reaches out; takes the dangling keys "thank you," he mumbles.

"No problem."

"Oh, um….. What about Ali?"

"Oh, don't worry; she's in Carbondale with Casey, visiting Will and Gwen, so you have the whole place to yourself."

Noah gets up "alright, come on." He claps his hands together "you have a paper to write. This is yours right?" He points to a black messenger bag.

"Who else's would it be?" Luke cocks his eyebrow at him- can't hold back the smirk.

Noah narrows his eyes "smart ass" he picks up Luke's Laptop; puts it in his bag. "Get up" Luke sighs in mock annoyance; stands up in a dramatic fashion. Noah just rolls his eyes and puts the bag around Luke's head so that it hangs off Luke's shoulder. "Okay you're set, now go." He turns Luke around pushes him to the exit.

"I'm going, I'm going stop being so bossy that's my job." Luke makes it to the door- almost heading out but stops suddenly and turns around. "Noah?"

"Yeah"

"Thank you"

"No problem, just do me one favor." Noah holds up that pointer finger again; taps it on his nose.

Luke's brow crinkles "what's that?"

"Let me in, when I come home. You know, since you have my keys."

Luke smiles, tilts his head "of course."