Title: Picking the Perfect Gift

Fandom: Professor Layton

Author: LifeAwakens

Pairing: Hershel(Layton)/Claire

Rating: G

Disclaimer: I do not own the game franchise Professor Layton, or any of its characters. It all belongs to Akihiro Hino. I'm just...simply borrowing them for my pleasurable needs and feels.

Summary: Sometimes picking the perfect gift for your sweetheart can be a little...puzzling and problematic.

The only sound that could be heard by the young graduate of Gressenheller University was the light tapping of his own foot upon the dark tile flooring. With a hand over his chin and eyebrows slightly furrowed, the former student gave off a perplexed look as his eyes glanced across exquisite, yet expensive trinkets and gadgets.

His eyes ran quickly over the cash he had secured in his sweaty palms, and then returned his gaze unto the glass casket where the golden treasures shimmered and sparkled, taunting the young male.

"Umm… Excuse me, sir, but is there anything I can do for you? You've been standing there for quite a while." A soft male voice inquired, interrupting young Layton from his thoughts. He then focused his attention on the employee beside him, with eyebrows raised.

"Ah, yes, I believe I have been here for a while, haven't I? Forgive me, for I cannot come to a conclusion of a gift for my date, tonight." Hershel frowned, puzzled.

He was used to this sort of thinking when it came to solving puzzles, and he could easily have an answer after thinking a little outside the box. Though this time, it was different.

This time, he was solving one of the greatest puzzles of his life. And that was thinking of the perfect gift for his sweetheart, Claire. Pathetic might be the word to describe the situation, but when it came to certain men; they only wanted what's best for a woman. To ensure their happiness. And when it came to Hershel, he desperately wanted what was best for her, since his feelings for her were unconditionally profound. In his eyes, no other woman could compare to Claire, and he sought to give her the best that she deserved.

Despite the fact that they've only been together for not even a year, he felt deep in his heart that Claire was the only woman that understood him, and accepted him for who he was. That's why when they planned on having a special date between the two of them later in the evening; he wanted to buy something special for her. And that's what brought him to this small, yet marvelous jewelry store, filled with luxurious charms and other wearable metal decorations.

But what to get, was the question.

"It's not a problem, sir—my apologies. Take all the time you need." And the man walked off, leaving the pondering graduate alone once more. Not that he was really paying attention at this point, as he had already fixated his gaze once more at the jewelry. Though, there was something that the man said, that really stuck in his mind.

And after a moment of rendering the man's last comment, his black round eyes lit up with realization.

Time…

A smile crossed Layton's face. "I've got it." He spoke with confidence as his eyes set on a golden hand-sized pocket watch, set up in its fine glory on a plastic pedestal behind the glass.

A/N: Just to let you guys know, this drabble takes place before they had dinner together. Which is shown in one of the cutscenes of course! Well, I'm kinda shaking things up a little. I decided to expand when it comes to writing for other fandoms. And ever since one of my closest friends introduced me to Professor Layton, I've been hooked. The road of playing these games has been a road of tears and uncontrollable feelings.

I decided to make some simple drabbles about my favorite couple from the series, and I at least hope that you all enjoy reading them as I do writing them. Some may be A/U's, but I haven't decided this just yet.

Well, thanks for reading! Until next time!