Work Text:
The ruins were quiet. The footsteps of their small group echoed noisily off the walls as they passed along the waterway, accompanied only by the gentle sound of the water. Professor Layton glanced down at his apprentice, who was sticking close to his side. Luke had one hand fisted in the fabric of Layton's coat, as though worried he might disappear, and his eyes were wide. Layton's brow furrowed.
“Hold on a second, everyone.”
At his side, Luke froze, clutching at his coat. Espella's footsteps grew silent behind him. Up ahead he saw Phoenix and Maya stop in their tracks and look around wide-eyed for some pressing danger they'd missed. Layton shook his head, smiling slightly.
“Now, now. Calm down. I would like a moment alone with Luke, that's all.”
Phoenix and Maya both glanced at Luke. The understanding and sympathy in their eyes tore at Layton's heart, a clear indication of what Luke must have been through in his absence. Phoenix met his eyes and nodded.
“Of course,” Maya said softly. She gestured for Espella to join them; the girl hurried over to her, looking back at Luke with a worried expression. “We'll wait here. Take your time.”
“Thank you,” Layton said. He looked down at Luke, who was staring up at him. “Come, my boy. Let's step into the other room for a moment. I'd like a word with you.”
Luke was quiet as they entered the small room. In the flickering torchlight, his face looked uncharacteristically somber. He was normally such an energetic boy; it was disquieting to see him this subdued.
They sat down on a broken column lying on its side, Luke shuffling in close beside him. Layton didn't think he'd strayed more than perhaps a metre away since they were reunited. He sighed.
“Luke… I wanted to speak to you about what happened. I understand you've been through quite an ordeal while I've been gone. I am truly sorry to have caused you such pain.”
Luke shook his head resolutely, even as his eyes grew moist and his lower lip wobbled.
“It's not your fault, Professor,” he said. “I know you would've come back sooner if you could.”
“That I would,” Layton agreed. “Still, blame is not the issue. I know that through your travels with me you are frequently put in harm's way, and it weighs on me often, but I particularly dislike leaving you on your own. To do it in such a frightening way… You are an exceptionally clever and brave child, but you are a child nonetheless. You should not have to feel that sort of grief, and I most certainly do not want to be the cause. I am sorry that I was not here to protect you from that experience.”
Luke stared at him for a moment, teary-eyed, before throwing his arms around his waist and burying his face in the front of his shirt. Layton folded his arms protectively around him.
“I was s-so afraid,” Luke sobbed, clinging to him. “I th-thought I'd never s-see you again, Professor… I thought you were d-dead…”
Layton stroked a soothing hand over his back.
“It's alright, my boy,” he murmured. “I'm here. It's going to be alright.”
Luke trembled like a leaf against him, taking in gulps of air between great hiccuping sobs. Layton held him through it, letting him cry for as long as he needed. After a few minutes, his breathing slowly began to even out. Layton heard him swallow.
“I m-missed you,” Luke said thickly.
Layton smiled.
“There, there. You don't need to miss me anymore, Luke. I'm right here.”
Luke sniffed, then pulled back slightly, wiping at his eyes.
“Sorry, Professor,” he mumbled, clearly trying to look collected. “I didn't mean to cry.”
Layton furrowed his brow and shook his head. He placed his hand under Luke's chin and tilted his face up so he could meet his eyes.
“Luke,” he said. “Bottling up your emotions is no virtue. I want you to be able to talk to me when you're upset. Do you understand?”
Luke nodded, blinking away fresh tears.
“I understand,” he said. “I just… want to be strong, like you. I don't— I don't want to disappoint you.”
Well. He certainly couldn't let that stand. Layton held out his arms, and Luke immediately clung to him again.
“You could never disappoint me,” Layton said, stroking Luke's head. “You are a remarkable young man, and I consider myself very lucky to be your mentor. The fact that you care for me enough to be so distraught at the thought of losing me is a great compliment, not something that could ever cause me shame. I… Well. I would be immensely proud to have a son like you.”
Luke was silent for a moment. Then, very quietly, he mumbled, “You do.”
Layton found himself, quite unusually, at a loss for words. He took a breath, holding back tears of his own.
“We should rejoin the others,” he said. “There is still much to be done before this mystery is solved, after all.” He squeezed Luke before letting go of him. Luke sat back, looking up at him with determination.
“Right, Professor! We'll get to the bottom of this!”
Layton smiled, nearly overwhelmed with fondness for his apprentice. He reached up and removed his hat, holding it out to Luke.
“Why don't you wear this for a while? Perhaps it will help you with the investigation. I can hold on to your cap for you.”
Luke stared at the hat like it was more precious and remarkable an artefact than any of the ancient, irreplaceable relics in Layton's office.
“Really?!”
Layton chuckled. “Really. I'm sure it would suit you quite well.”
Luke pulled off his blue cap, then took the top hat reverently in both hands and placed it on top of his head. It was, of course, far too big for him, and slid down to sit at a jaunty angle. He grinned up at Layton from beneath the brim.
“How do I look, Professor?”
Layton smiled.
“Like a proper gentleman.” He took Luke's cap and stowed it away in a pocket, then stood up. He held out a hand to help Luke up. “Come on, my boy.”
Luke took his proffered hand. He didn't let go once he was on his feet, and they returned to the waterway together, ready to brave whatever may lie ahead.