Innamoramento (Future Luke x Reader)

Risveglio (III)

(Reminder: This story contains massive spoilers from 'Professor Layton and the Lost Future')

***

"What will become of them?", wonders Professor Layton.

The company has managed to save the prime minister and escape thanks to the Future Laytonmobile now converted into a plane.

Flying as close as possible to the mobile fortress, they are searching for you.

But their visibility is limited due to the amount of gas leaking from the mechanical monster.

Sitting on the passenger seat, Luke cannot stay still. He and Flora are worried sick about you, and Celeste is trying to reassure them the best she can.

"Celeste, I've been meaning to ask you...", Luke begins hesitantly. "D-does (Name)... does (Name) have feelings for... a-are (Name) and Clive..."

"The heart has its reasons, my boy.", the professor prudently answers before Celeste does.

Luke nods with a sad expression on his face, seemingly heartbroken.

"I'm sure (Name) can save him.", the woman affirms. "I know it. We have to believe."

"I do." Luke replies, trying to convince himself too.

The plane flies along what seems to be the control area.

Celeste gasps.

"I see them!"

"It's too dangerous!", the professor intervenes, having guessed Celeste's intention.

He is obviously reluctant to let her take the risk.

"He's not the only one to blame. You do know that, don't you Professor?"

He sighs.

"... I do."

Professor Layton too feels responsible.

He realises that he should have filled you in on his latest clues as soon as you have entered this fabricated city. But instead, he has been hiding the truth from you for the sake of his investigation.

His silence is tantamount to complicity in Clive's ambitions.

He has let you fall into the lion's den.

"Professor! (Name), we've got to--", Luke begs him.

"Please, professor!", Flora interjects with an adjuring tone. "We can't let them die! (Name)'s my best friend!"

The professor knows he won't convince any of them otherwise.

"What's this?! We're going back?!", exclaims furiously Bill Hawks.

The professor flies over the deck very fast and Celeste takes this opportunity to jump out of the moving vehicle, rolling on the metal sheets and almost falling into the emptiness, while Luke stares in fear and amazement.

"Not to worry, Luke. When you're all safe, I'll go back for her."

***

He could remember.

The warmth.

The taste.

The warm, salty tears on his cheeks.

How much he hates them.

He remembers crying for days, and weeks, and months after his parents died.

Never again, he told himself.