"Goodnight, Professor Layton."
Emmy stepped out of the house, waving to him one last time, leaving Layton all alone. He sighed, finally able to act more gaudy around Luke, who waited patiently in a nearby room for Emmy to leave.
Luke stepped out, grabbing Layton's hand as he swept in. "What was that about?" he asked.
"Nothing," he said, slightly lowering his head. "It's fine." He suddenly seemed increasingly reluctant to talk, even look at Luke. "Um... you should go to bed now."
He nodded, giving an urging grunt as he did so. He reached his arms out to Layton, who swept him up in his arms, sharing a brief cuddle and kiss with him.
"Alright now," he said, setting Luke down, "go." He smiled fairly as he walked off. He heard the door shut.
He sat down on a nearby piece of furniture, moving his fingers along with the embroidered groove in the wood. He buried his face in his hands.
He knew after tonight, he wouldn't see Luke again.
He rose up from the chair. "It's for his own good," he said to himself. "I have to tell him." He crept to the door that led to the room in which the boy slept. He courteously knocked on the door, and entered.
Luke whipped his head around, immediately concealing the paper and pencil he was using, only using the light from a candle to illuminate his drawing.
"What are you drawing?" he has led in a comforting tone, pretending nothing was happening.
Luke blushed. "Nothing... it doesn't matter." He slid the paper further into the abyss of his bedsheets.
"Um, ok," Layton said. "We need to talk about something, Luke."
He nodded, sitting up on his bed. He listened attentively.
"Luke, I know we love each other, in a family sort of way, but-" he noticed a sliver of paper. He grabbed it.
"Wait! What are you doing?"
He pulled it out, revealing a full piece of paper. On it was a simple drawing, yet Layton's face turned a deep red as he saw Luke and himself, dressed in formal suits, kissing in front of a throng of onlookers.
"Luke... is this where we get... married?"
He nodded slightly, burying his face in his knees.
"Luke," he began, pausing. He wasn't sure of what to say next.
Luke stuttered slightly, but explained his drawing.
"It's just... I love you, professah," he said.
"I love you too," replied Layton. "But I didn't know you meant it in this way."
"Well I do..." Layton noticed tears emerging from his eyes. He scooted himself closer to Luke, until he was no more than a hand's distance away.
"Luke," he said, brushing his hand through his soft but fragile hair. "I love you too."
His face turned deeply red. "You.. you do?"
He nodded, which only made Luke blush more. He loved Layton's nodding face.
"Yes, I do." He sighed. "But, unfortunately we can't do this."
"Why not?"
"You're too young!" He chuckled to himself. "It'd be at least eight more years!"
Dismayed, Luke only let out a small "oh."
"But," he countered, "it's good that I know this. Because... I really do love you too. In...that way."
He squealed slightly. Layton saw his happiest face, seemingly illuminating the room.
"Now," he said, rubbing his cheek, "go to bed."
"Right!" He returned to his resting position, keeping the drawing near. "Good night!"
"Good night, Luke." He smiled as he shut the door.
Luke heard footsteps getting farther and farther away. He crept out of the bed and to the table. The table that held sewing kits.
He grabbed a section of cloth and reached for a thread. He wanted his drawing to become reality.
---
Luke paused. He didn't know what to do.
"I'm sorry professah!" He started. "I just..."
Layton sighed. "I'm sorry too." He turned away. "Maybe it's time I send you off."
Almost immediately Luke was crying. "But... but why?"
"Because I don't think this is working. I mean, you want to marry me!"
He sniffles. "Why is that bad?"
Layton immensely blushed, taking notice to the plush counterpart in Luke's hands. "Luke. I don't know why I ever decided to send you away."
Luke lowered his head. "I don't know why I ever decided to do this." He started sobbing.
"No, no, no it's... good." He tilted Luke's head up so his eyes met with Layton's. He gave a comforting smile as he repeated himself. "It's good."
Luke threw himself into Layton's arms in a crying fit. "I don't ever want to leave you professah...!"
Layton smiled as he started crying himself. "I don't ever want to leave you, either. But Luke, I don't think-"
