Work Text:
Being without an apprentice brought a surprising amount of spare time for him.
After teaching his last class for the day, he found himself taking more walks to the outdoor plaza a few blocks away from the university.
It was pleasant there, busy but not rushing, loud but not deafening, quiet but not suffocating.
A pleasant aliveness that Hershel missed having.
He first noticed the public piano in the middle of the walkway, having been donated to the plaza. Someone was playing when he first passed by it. He took a moment to admire the music before going on his way.
Today though, no one was playing.
Layton stared at the instrument for longer than he meant to, and looked around. Then, he glanced at his watch.
Plenty of time.
Descole was visiting London, and Layton had asked him to meet here.
He had an hour or so to kill. Perhaps he was a bit overzealous with the time. But he had nothing much to research to keep his attention span. Even his usual puzzles were becoming monotonous.
And so, without overthinking it, he came over to the piano and sat.
He can't quite recall when he first learned how to play piano, but he does remember his adoptive parents helping him practice. He played something peaceful, something nostalgic for a bit. He even had a few people stop to listen to the second piece he played, which was a little more upbeat.
There was something about the piano that made him feel at ease. Like he was in a safe place with it, either when listening to someone else playing it or he himself playing the keys.
A little after he had just stopped playing a third song, a voice came up behind him.
"Playing the piano Layton? Didn't know you were one for public crowds."
Turning, he was met with the teasing face of Desmond, but without the glasses. Descole had his hat on though. Layton greeted him with a smile, though hesitating his words halfway through. "Hello Descol- or uh, Sycamore, is it?"
Layton tipped his hat, fully turning his body towards the man, skewing his smile. "Apologies, I'm unsure what name to call you."
Descole hummed in thought, a frown down his lips.
Admittedly he felt quite... Incomplete with a piece of each of his respective outfits missing. But he felt he couldn't face Layton physically as one or the other. He wasn't sure what to call himself. Every name held pain. Some more than others.
Then finally, he settled on a part of his name he didn't use very often by itself.
"I think, call me... Jean, in public places." A hand went to his hat to emphasize which he was taking it from. "That's my first name."
Layton simply nodded, respecting Descole's choice. Then Jean gestured towards the piano, the smirk coming back into his expression. "So, is this what you've called me here for? A music lesson."
Layton chortled a smidge, shaking his head, then glancing to the piano. "Oh no, I just, sat down at this piano and the playing just... Happened. I am quite knowledgeable with the instrument you know."
Descole placed his hands on his hips, smirk getting a little bigger. And a drop of fondness slips into his second sentence. "I know, I was there. You soiled my plans spectacularly little brother."
They both feel a sudden ping in their hearts, and Descole stumbles awkwardly while emotion passes through Layton's face.
"Ah-. I-."
Descole silences himself before he accidentally says anything else foolish.
Hershel shakes his head, a reassuring grin back on his face. He stands up from the seat to properly start a conversation with Descole. "Anyways, how has your adventures been? I heard Professor Sycamore made an appearance in South Africa."
Descole found himself smiling smugly despite his disposition before, and goes on to recall the adventure. "He did. Was quite an interesting expedition.."
The two began to catch up on what they hadn't disclosed in letters, Descole with his adventures and Layton with his last adventure with Luke, and his teaching duties. Descole had been visiting a lot of archeological digs on site, and Hershel was reading more into artifacts, including helping analyze artifacts at the University labs. It was fairly pleasant.
Hershel was about to suggest they continue their talk at a tea house or café, before Descole gestured to the piano again, then himself.
"May I have a try? I do know other songs besides the sea and stars you know."
Layton seemed surprised at the sudden instance, but welcomed it openly, taking a step away from the piano. "Of course."
Jean took a seat, and poked the keys a few times, before beginning to play.
As he is, younger people and children stop when they recognize the melody. A good number of people stop to stare. Layton notices of course and recognizes the song Descole is playing. He remarks in his head about how this was an expertly done piano cover of the song. Not really surprised Descole knew it, and notes that it does fit Descole's flair for the dramatic, but smoother.
When he ends the piece, he gets a few claps from those who stopped to listen. Jean chuckles to himself, proud of his performance.
Hershel compliments him easily. "Very nice. You could be a musician if you ever stop adventuring."
Descole scoffs, standing from the piano seat, looking over to his brother. "Don't flatter me Layton. My adventuring days aren't up yet. Besides, I didn't get to appreciate you playing yet."
Layton is caught off guard by Descole's sudden complement, but still smiles as he takes the seat from Jean. He expects an addendum.
"If you can play better than me, that is."
There it is. Hershel grins a little more, though he doesn't entertain the comment and just starts playing.
After a short time, a little girl had been watching the music. Her mother close behind. She had whispered to her mom, and the mom gave a nod. Slowly then, the little girl walked up to Layton, Descole now standing beside the piano.
She was quite shy, but quietly spoke up. "Um, excuse me sir?"
Layton kindly smiled to the child, looking down to her. "Yes, young lady?"
"Um, can I request something?"
"Sure."
The girl hesitated, looking back to her mother before her mom encouraged her to go on. "Go on then, dear."
She turned back to Layton, poking her pointer fingers together timidly. "Uh, do you know Lullaby For A Princess? Can you play it?"
Hershel blinked in surprise, as did Descole. Turns out, that yes, he did know the song. And it's full context in relation to the thing it was based on.
Layton nodded, happy to oblige the little one. "Of course."
Jean jested to Layton as he feathered the keys, finding the right place. "Better not mess this one up for the young Miss, it's quite a beautiful song."
Before he could start playing though, the young girl nervously inquired once more, looking to Layton then to Descole as she spoke. "Wait, um, could ether of you sing it? If you could."
The two brothers looked to each other. Descole shrugged, but nodded all the same. Layton chuckled at himself and agreed to the girl's request.
She took a few steps away as Layton started, singing as the words came to mind. He sung the first verse.
Then, Descole sang the second. At one point, when he sung "Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved" he accidentally/purposely looked to Layton. Layton noticed.
Hershel took the first chorus, and the little girl watched and listened in awe.
Layton began the third verse.
Soon did that pony take notice that others did not give her sister her due,
And then, Descole joined the next line, the both of them looking to the other. These words suddenly held personal weight.
And nether had she loved her as she deserved, she watched as her sister's unhappiness grew
Their voices blended together wonderfully, hitting the swell. But such is the way of the limelight, it sweety takes hold of the mind of it's host
Then Layton took the next line, almost adding a frustrated bite to the first few words. Secretly, he was looking inwards to himself.
And that foolish pony did nothing to stop
the destruction of one who had needed her most
Descole carried almost the whole the second chorus, Layton harmonizing with "goodnight, sister mine." Descole was purposely watching Layton now, words carrying a different meaning.
He made a wholehearted edit to this line, Hershel's present last name slipping out and (accidentally?) conveying Descole's feelings.
Layton, you're loved so much more than you know
Hershel caught it, eyes widening slightly and Descole glancing down with a hint of sadness. He was holding back more than he let on. May troubles be far from your mind
And for-
Layton completes the word, interrupting, meeting his brother's eyes with a weight of guilt.
-Forgive me for being so blind..
The emotions were too much, and Layton's eyes fell to the piano at the drop in the song. Jean couldn't move. He was shocked at the admittance. He remembers how devastated Layton looked when he thought Descole was going to die after he revealed the past. That same look Layton gave as Descole simply smiled and bid farewell at the end of the journey.
Maybe... Maybe he wasn't the only one who had regrets for this....who wanted more time...
Layton let the music wash through his emotions. He sang again.
The years now before us, fearful and unknown
Descole found his voice at the start the next line, glancing away. "I'd never imagined"
Their voices found each other again, though sight keeping away from each other.
I'd face them on my own
Descole continued, a fist stubbornly making it's way to his heart.
May these thousand winters, swiftly pass, I pray
The two suddenly gazed to each other, eyes meeting and all the emotions were clear. Simply the truth. Just as the words were, singing in unison.
I love you
I miss you
all these miles away...
Descole could sense his eyes getting misty. To which his shattered ego stubbornly made his eyes close. Hershel couldn't take it ether, gaze falling to the piano again.
Jean moved forward. And unconsciously his hand found Layton's shoulder. Layton kept playing. Then, gently, Descole took the ending verse.
May all your dreams be sweet tonight
safe upon your bed of moonlight
Something in him snapped his eyes open, to his brother. He was speaking from the heart, voice threatening to crack at the last word in the first line.
And know not of sadness, pain or care
And when I dream I'll fly away and meet you there
He breathed it out.
Sleep
Then Hershel did the same.
Sleep
And finally their voices found each other one more time.
Sleep...
The archeologist teacher played the song out, and all fell to silence.
Once again a small crowd of strangers had been stopped by the music, and the singing, and everyone was still. The little girl's eyes were wide, on the verge of tears.
The moment between them didn't end yet. Descole was shaking.
Then, Layton's eyes met Descole's.
There was a childlike sadness to them. But also, awe. Longing. A specific want that was only experienced by those who know.
Descole tried to hold back his emotions. But...
Above all else, in this moment, he saw his little brother. His big brother instincts overrode everything else. He didn't even think about it.
His arm came around Hershel's shoulders, and he gave his little brother a side hug, resting his head on his brother's shoulder. He was smart enough to know not to fully hug him with an audience.
Hershel felt his heart drop. It floods into him, memories of warm hugs, playful shoves and brotherly bonds. Descole doesn't know how his other arm went over Layton's upper chest, but Hershel doesn't mind at all, lifting a hand to his brother's arm resting across his chest. This feeling.. it threatens him to cry. He smiles fondly.
Sometime during that interaction, someone began clapping and now the small crowd was applauding the musical performance, including the girl.
"You're good."
Descole whispers it so quietly Hershel almost doesn't catch it. But he does.
And he knows Jean isn't just talking about his piano playing.
Quickly Jean regains his bearings and slips out of the hug, internally embarrassed to look around. Layton looks to him.
Descole lets a hand linger on Layton's shoulder, giving his shoulder a single shake.
"Really good."
Layton finds a grin pushing up his lips, chuckling as Descole brings his hand back to his side. "You are too. The singing, I mean." He doesn't just mean the singing.
Descole blows out a breath, waving it off.
The small crowd is dispersing now, and the little girl comes back up to them. "Wow! Oh my wow, that- that was amazing sirs! The piano and the singing! I cried it was so good!"
Hershel lets out a soft laugh, tipping his hat to her. "Thank you, miss. It was a pleasure playing that for you."
The girl giggled, putting her hands together. "I'm glad you two enjoyed it as much as I did!" Abruptly her mom called, and the child waved goodbye. "Thank you again!"
"Don't mention it." Descole waved back, feeling his heart full at making that little girl happy.
A moment of silence passes over them, and suddenly Descole is looking smug again, crossing his arms as a tease left his mouth. "So, you like ponies huh?"
At that Layton laughed, then scoffed, playfully retorting. "Well so do you! You wouldn't have known the words by heart if you didn't!"
He remembers...
Sitting in his mother's lap, her hands gliding across the keys, him watching her every movement. Her singing softly, grabbing his small hands and playing the keys with him. Standing beside them, his older brother, watching mother play just as intently as he was.
The soft singing carrying them gently to peace. Together they could still be. It wasn't ever too late. The guilt and sorrow didn't have to be carried alone.
They still had each other.
They have each other.