"What If Luke And Clive Were Brothers?" | | AU

| Wintery Gifts For All |

"Are you going to open up your presents, Clive?"

Luke asked excitedly with Flora standing behind him; looking eagerly at the elder brother who appeared to still be in a trance.

Clive wasn't expecting a full birthday celebration for himself, not after all the events that occurred in the past and Luke's new condition. However, the scenery of everyone's smiles and pleasure proceeds to bring the engineer affection.

Cogg and Spring was giving him a soothing hug whilst giving their appreciation, Hershel, Flora and the newly greeted member of the Laytons, Alfendi who at first gave Clive a bitter scowl gave neat presents, Clark and Brenda came to start chatting to Clive about how his current age may feel for him while giving gratuity for looking after their son. And of course, there was his sweet little brother, Luke.

Whilst the rest made sure Clive was having the fun he never received for all the lost years he experienced, Luke came with a chocolate flavoured cake which he made especially for his brother; claiming he got help with his adoptive mother, Brenda and Spring.

Another fact that still made Clive smile was how even when Luke found out he was adopted when he was small, his relationship with Clark and Brenda never changed. A change now was how the couple began to treat Clive like their own child as well when the news became official from Scotland Yard that the two brothers were indeed biologically related.

"Clive?"

Luke's call wakened his elder brother from his thoughts who then gave a sheepish smile to the two children.

"Ah, of course! How could I simply ignore these wonderful presents everyone had gave to me?"

Flora huffed with feign annoyance, "Well, for starters you've been stuck in your daydreams for a long while now, Clive."

"And you haven't started to eat my cake..." Luke murmured sadly.

Immediately noticing the letdown in Luke's voice, Clive motioned the boy to move toward him and sit on his lap which Luke instantly obeyed before being covered close to Clive's blue blazer; giggling merrily.

Before Clive could ask Flora for a slice of the chocolate cake, she passed him an orange coloured box that was illustrated with flowery patterns as a sparkling pink ribbon was wrapped beautifully; almost as if signalling the engineer to loosen the delicate thing.

"Come now, Clive. Unwrap my gift first!"

Delicately, Clive began to unwrap the gift in front of him; finding a blue knitted scarf that came with matching mittens for the bitter winter.

When he looked up in surprise, he noticed how Flora was biting her lips anxiously; almost as if she was worried that she got the wrong gift for him.

"...So, do you like it? I'm not very good when it comes to knitting b-but I got help from the Professor-!"

"I like it."

A tender smile rose upon his face as he took out the two knitted gifts Flora made for him and put them on.

Luke, who was busy cuddled up close to him began to giggle once more when the blue scarf came around him gently; almost as if it was protecting him.

Flora stood in awe when the two brothers appeared to be enjoying themselves with her gift.

She beamed happily, "I'll take it that Luke adores it too?"

"Seems like it!" Clive replied enthusiastically before laughing along with his cheery brother.

After a while, everyone began to gather around Clive to have him prepared to cut the cake. Rosa and Cogg, who were in the kitchen came back to the living room with candles; placing them neatly on the cake before lighting it up.

From a silent command, everyone excluding Luke and Clive began to sing the engineer a happy birthday.

"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to dear Clive,
Happy Birthday to you~"

Clive would admit that the atmosphere around him almost had him shed tears. Going through his memories, the boy could hardly remember the warmth he recieved when his parents used to celebrate his birthday as he grew. His thirteenth birthday was a crystal clear one.

So clear that he may break down horribly to the ground.

There was his...Ma and Pa who held him close wishing him well. He somewhat vaguely remembered little Luke who quickly blew out the birthday candles first before he could even try.

"Hey! That was supposed to be for me, Luke!"

He only received more giggles from the child.

His parents...oh, his parents had such joyful smiles that night; looking at their two boys enjoy themselves with the presents they were able to afford and the chocolate cake his mother made with love.

She knew very well how much he loved that flavour, so much that she spoilt them rotten with her baking.

To think that he would revisit such a memory from the birthday party his friends had planned caused a tear to fall down his peachy cheeks.

Clive didn't realise he had attracted everyone's attention to him.

"Is something the matter, my boy?" Hershel spoke worriedly,

The said boy looked down at his brother who now appeared to have fallen asleep comfortably by his chest.

With a bittersweet smile arising on his face, Clive looked back up to everyone else in the room as tears of pure happiness continued to fall from his eyes.

"I couldn't have asked for something so wonderful, Professor. Especially when all of you worked so hard just to make me smile on my birthday..."

"You deserve it all the way, Clive! No one shouldn't be allowed to be left out and not have fun in their lives." Flora exclaimed as the others nodded their approval.

Clive gave a grin before he clapped his hands together,

"Well then, we might as well keep the celebration going, shall we?"

Cheers rumbled merrily as snowflakes started to fall from the twilight atmosphere.