A/N: Hello again, my lovely little readers! This is my...third TotA multi-chap, I think? I dunno. Anyway, Lorelei prequel will be posted once this is finished. It's pretty small, about 8-10 chapters, so I hope you enjoy!
This is a post-game, so using a weird thing I found in another fic, there is an explanation into why both Asch and Luke are alive. Luke has also been made a child. Hence the title.
Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss. It is the property of Namco Bandai.
Asch lay on his bed, gazing at the ceiling. It had been a little under a year since he and his replica had returned, and in that time he had taken up a permanent residence in the Inn of the village he was staying at. The only person who visited him often was Natalia, but even then she couldn't usually stay very long.
There came a sudden knock on the door of his room, and he sat up, scowling. Who would dare to disturb him?
Walking over to it, he thrust it open. "What do you wa-"
"Here, look after him for us. Bye!" said Natalia quickly, thrusting a small figure into his grasp before slamming the door shut. Asch heard the sound of running feet as he tried to comprehend what had happened.
Finally he remembered the fact he was holding someone and looked down, wondering who it was. Bright green eyes and flame red hair like his own made him pause, but although the boy looking at him resembled himself and Luke, he was far too young...
"Are you done staring?" asked the boy.
Asch blinked, then frowned. "...Are you another replica?" he asked suspiciously.
The boy rolled his eyes. "You're paranoid as well as angsty? How are we even the same person?" he muttered sighing.
Asch blinked. "Wait...Are you the dreck?"
"Yes...And my name is Luke."
"...Why are you a small child, dreck?"
Luke sighed. "It's a long story. Basically, Jade was wondering how stable my fonons were after returning, and made my body the age it actually is. I still have all my memories, but I have a smaller body," he explained.
Asch eyed him. "And why exactly did they give you to me?" he asked.
"They said they didn't want a kid under their feet while they looked for a way to turn me back..." Luke said, looking downcast.
"So they dumped you on me?" Asch asked, unimpressed.
"It was Natalia's idea. She said you were just sulking in your room," Luke shrugged. He glanced around. "You really don't have very much in here, do you," he noted.
Asch gave him a flat glare, then deposited the small Luke on one of the chairs. "Sit there. Don't move. Don't talk," he ordered, giving him a scowl. Luke cowered slightly, nodding quickly, and Asch turned away. He got on his bed and lay down on his side, staring out the window.
Silence invaded, Luke quietly swinging his feet as Asch gazed out of the window. Both redheads were silent, though Luke let loose the occasional quiet sigh.
Honestly, Luke hadn't wanted to go to Asch. His original was depressing just to be around, and he'd had doubts that Asch would let him stay. Natalia had been adamant he would look after Luke, but the redhead was extremely doubtful.
As the hours went by, Luke felt hunger grow. He waited, wondering if Asch was going to make anything, before he finally grew impatient.
"Um...Asch?"
"What do you want?" was the curt reply.
"...I'm hungry.." Luke said quietly.
"Make yourself some food then," Asch snapped, not moving.
Luke hesitated, glancing to the adjoining kitchen, then slipped off the chair. He padded into it, glancing around. He sighed in irritation as he realised how high up all the cupboards were, and wished for the nth time that he was his normal size.
Grabbing the chair, he dragged it into the kitchen and climbed onto it. Opening a few cupboards, he looked for something to make some food with.
"...A boiled egg couldn't be too hard," he decided finally, jumping off. He searched through the cupboards, finding a saucepan and carrying it over to the sink. He filled it with water and lifted it up, grunting in effort as he somehow carried it over to the stove. He switched it on, watching the water boil.
As it began bubbling, he went looking for some eggs.
"Asch?" he called finally.
"What?!"
"Do...do you have any eggs?"
"No! Now stop bothering me!"
Luke sighed. Well, that was a wasted effort. He switched the hob off and grabbed the handle of the saucepan. Lifting it up, he began carrying it back towards the sink.
The handle slipped in his grasp and he yelped as the hot water burned him, the saucepan clattering to the floor.
Asch glanced up at the sound, wondering what the idiot dreck was doing. He sighed and stood up, heading over to the kitchen.
"Dreck? What are you doing?" he asked as he entered. He blinked before raising an eyebrow as he watched Luke put the empty saucepan on the side and reach for something to clean the water with. Asch frowned as he noticed Luke was keeping one arm out of his sight.
"Oh, um, hi Asch. Sorry, I kinda dropped the water. I'll clean it up now," Luke said, looking embarrassed.
"What did you do to your arm?" asked Asch, not taken in by the conversational tone.
Luke flinched, then laughed awkwardly. "What are you talking about? My arm's fine," he said, wiggling his fingers.
"Don't play dumb with me, dreck," Asch snapped.
"Look, it's fine," Luke sighed, continuing to mop up.
Asch eyed him, then walked up to him, reaching down and grabbing his wrist. Luke gasped in pain then whimpered as Asch pulled his arm up, gazing at the deep red burn.
"Stupid dreck. How clumsy can you be?" Asch growled, dragging him over to the sink and putting the cold water on. Luke winced as the water hit his burn, then sighed in relief.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"What were you even doing?" asked Asch.
"Well, I was going to make a boiled egg, but I didn't check if you had any eggs," Luke explained.
Asch rolled his eyes, leaving Luke at the tap. "Seeing as you are completely incapable, dreck, I suppose I'll make you something. Only this time, though."
Luke looked at him in surprise, then smiled. "Thanks," he said.
A/N: Sorry it's short, I'm rushing to get this out before my internet goes. Next chapter will be longer, promise!
Review?