A/N: Hey everyone. This is my first songfic! I hope you all like it. Based on Owl City's, "Vanilla Twilight."
First of all, before we start, I need to give a HUGE "thank you" to komodo dragon2 for her amazingly helpful tips, suggestions, feedback and assistance. If you haven't already read her stories, make sure you do. They're awesome!
Now, to the boring disclaimers...
I do not own any Professor Layton characters.
I do not own "Vanilla Twilight" All rights go to Owl City.
Oh, one more thing...
The lyrics will be centered and italicized.
The letter will be italicized as well, but not centered.
Everything else will be in regular format.
Enjoy!
It was cold.
Luke clutched a single crimson rose in his gloved hand as he hurried along the street.
The air was damp, and the tree branches hung low, weighed down by sadness.
The ambiance around him was dreary, with all signs of life seeming to be stripped of their color.
A shiver ran through him as a terrible feeling of anxiousness enveloped him.
He walked a little faster, trying his best to push it away.
Today was November nineteenth, and despite his apprehension, he had made a promise that he would go, knowing that it would mean a lot to his friend.
Luke stopped suddenly. He was here.
Drawing a deep breath, he reached up and took ahold of the handle.
Creeaakk!
The wrought iron gate gave a squeal as it crept open, allowing its visitor in.
Luke stepped over the threshold, and kept his focus on the ground, averting his eyes from his surroundings.
A thin veil of ice frosted the earth, crunching under his boots.
Finally, he reached his destination.
He turned, and faced the white marble that beared her name.
Bending down, he gently laid the flower next to the bouquet of pink camellias.
It was then when he noticed a small slip of paper poking out from between the stems.
His initial instinct was not to touch it. After all, it wasn't his.
Then again...
Luke did a quick survey of the territory.
Aside from a rather skittish robin, he was alone.
Gingerly, he plucked the note from its plastic sanctuary and unfolded it.
Immediately, he recognized the elegant cursive that belonged to his mentor.
He felt guilty.
Betraying the Professor's privacy like this was something that he would have never dreamed of, but at that moment, he couldn't help it.
It was if all of the gentlemanly principles that had been instilled in him were slowly but surely being overpowered by his natural, child-like curiosity.
Like a moth to a flame, his eyes were glued to the paper, and he began to read.
The stars lean down to kiss you
And I lie awake and miss you
Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere
'Cause I'll doze off safe and soundly
But I'll miss your arms around me
I'd send a postcard to you, dear
'Cause I wish you were here...
My Dearest Claire,
As I sit here, pen in hand, my heart breaks a little more with each word that I write.
Twelve years have passed since that day. That day when you were taken from me and my world was forever changed.
I'll watch the night turn light blue
But it's not the same without you
Because it takes two to whisper quietly
The silence isn't so bad
Til' I look at my hands and feel sad
'Cause the spaces between my fingers are right where yours fit perfectly...
I'm writing to you quite early.
So early, in fact, that the sun has not even made an appearance yet.
It reminds me of the many mornings when you would ring, begging me to watch the sunrise with you over the telephone.
That was your most favorite time of day.
This is why I'm quite reluctant to admit that it's been a long while since I've watched a sunrise.
I know you would be terribly disappointed.
I can hear you now, telling me to go and enjoy everything that nature has to offer, but it's not easy.
Not being able to share it with you just evokes the constant ache of your absence.
I'll find repose in new ways
Though I haven't slept in two days
'Cause cold nostalgia chills me to the bone
But drenched in vanilla twilight
I'll sit on the front porch all night
Waist-deep in thought because when I think of you
I don't feel so alone...
I don't feel so alone...
I don't feel so alone...
Memories are bittersweet.
They destroy me and save me.
They madden me and keep me sane.
They are of you, and of us.
When the cold blackness of night is my only company, I know you are with me.
I feel your spirit everywhere I go, and the warmth of your presence helps me not to feel so alone.
As many times as I blink, I'll think of you...
Tonight...
I'll think of you tonight...
'If you love someone, tell them, because hearts are often broken by words left unspoken.'
I don't know who said this, but I do know how true it is.
I wanted you to be my wife, Claire.
For us to be married and have a family.
To grow old together, and tell our children and grandchildren of how we met.
Now that is gone, and all I have left are the painful reminders of what could have been, and what will never be.
That night at dinner, the night before...
I had it all planned, but at the last moment I couldn't bring myself to say the words I wanted to.
I was scared, I suppose.
Scared of the answer.
Scared of rejection.
I figured I could wait.
It was only until it was to late that I realized I was very selfish in that, thinking that my time with you was unlimited.
When violet eyes get brighter
And heavy wings grow lighter
I'll taste the sky and feel alive again
And I'll forget the world that I knew
But I swear I won't forget you
Oh, if my voice could reach back through the past
I'd whisper in your ear
Oh, darling I wish you were here...
Those last moments in that deserted alleyway were some of the hardest I've ever had to endure.
You looked at me and told me that I would be okay, but in my heartbroken state, I couldn't fathom how that was possible.
The thought of losing you a second time was unbearable, and the inexplicable grief I felt seeing you walk away was only intensified when Luke told me that you were gone.
You were the best thing that ever happened to me, and our time together, while cut devastatingly short, was the happiest time in my life.
As I close out my letter, just know that I love and miss you more than words can ever describe.
One day, when we finally meet again, I won't hesitate to place that ring on your finger, where it belongs.
I love you.
Eternally yours,
Hershel
Luke felt his hands tremble as his gaze drifted over the final words.
Suddenly, something firm rested on his shoulder. A hand.
He yelped in surprise and subsequently dropped the letter.
He looked up.
Oh, no.
"Professor."
Luke's mouth went dry.
He was caught. Red-handed. He felt horrible.
"I'm so sorry, Professor, I just-," his mind was frazzled, trying to come up with a explanation for what he had done.
Just this once, Luke wished that the Professor would yell, but he didn't.
His demeanor was calm and his eyes were kind and understanding.
"It's alright, my boy."
Luke picked the paper up from the ground, brushing the dirt off.
"Flora told me you would be here," the Professor continued. "Thank you."
His expression was a mixture of sadness, with a hint of peaceful contentment.
Luke placed the note back into its rightful place.
"Now, come along," the Professor said, glancing at the flowers one last time, before turning. "We should be going. It's getting dark."
Luke obliged, and silently walked closely behind his mentor.
Before they reached the exit, Luke looked back and saw the letter fluttering gently, as it waved goodbye in the icy air.
A/N: I hope you all liked it! Please R&R!