"Just as I thought, a fever."

Layton frowned at the thermometer and the flushed boy. He pressed his palm against Luke's forehead, then went to the other room. Luke faintly heard him over the telephone, calling off work on the grounds that his apprentice was sick.

Luke pulled the covers over his head and sniffled. He had a terrible headache.

"Luke?"

The blankets were politely pulled away, lulling the boy out of his daze. He had almost fallen asleep. Slowly he sat up and the professor set a tray in his lap. It held a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, a bowl of chicken broth, toast, and- Luke retched inwardly at the sight- medicine.

"Now, before you eat..." the professor said cautiously, knowing the fuss that was about to ensue. He carefully picked up the bottle of medicine and a spoon.

Luke stared apprehensively.

"Just one spoonful," he said as he filled the utensil with the grape-colored liquid.

Subconsciously, Luke's lips became rigid.

"It won't hurt you."

"But... it tastes terrible, Professor."

"It's good for you."

"Why is everything that's good for us nasty?" Luke asked, as if to stave off the medicine a bit longer.

"That's hyperbole, Luke. There are things that are unhealthy for us that taste disgusting. For example, sewage." He stared at Luke's mouth, bringing the spoon forward. "Just one swallow and it will be over with."

The spoon nudged the boy's lips and Luke shook his head. "I can't do it."

"Of course you can; it's simple enough."

"But I hate it!"

"I know," The professor said gently. "I hate it too, but unless you want to stay sick, you will have to endure it."

"You hate it too, Professor?" Luke's eyes widened.

"Yes," Layton admitted.

"But you still take it- even though it's gross?" Luke was bewildered and more impressed by his mentor.

"Yes."

There was a pause, and then, Luke swallowed dryly. "If you can do it, I can," he said.

The spoon loomed closer. Luke's mouth latched onto the metal and the professor pulled it away, leaving the medicine sitting in his mouth.

A look crossed Luke's face and he spat the medicine out over the man's orange shirt.

The professor knew it was going to be a long day.