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It had taken them a few more minutes to arrive at Sycamore's house. By that time Layton had calmed his nerves down.

Layton opened his car door and got out without saying a word. Sycamore tried his door but it had been locked at some point. "Uh, Layton… it seems that the door-"

Suddenly his door opened from the outside, with Layton standing right outside. He gave out his hand to help Sycamore get himself up. "*cough* Layton…?"

"Shh. I'm helping you," Layton put his arm around Sycamore and guided him toward his door, "Can I see your keys?"

Once inside, Layton started a fire in the fire place and guided Sycamore in the chair near it. "Please Layton; you don't need to do this…"

Layton had left for the kitchen and didn't reply. He came back with a cold wash-rag in hand. "Hershel, you've done quite enough for me. Far more than I would expect from anyone…"

Layton got on his knees and placed the cold wash-rag on Sycamore's face. "Ah! T-That hurts!" Sycamore grabbed the towel and held on to it, "Please you've done enough for me... You don't have to anythi-"

Unexpectedly, Layton threw himself on Sycamore and held on him tightly. Sycamore suddenly felt bad about what all he had done to him that night. "Hershel… I'm truly sorry for not telling you sooner. I just- *sigh* I don't know what to do anymore," Sycamore put his hands around to comfort him. "But… I am glad that I got to see you tonight…"The calming sound of the flicker in the fire had helped the both of them relax.

"Will you do me a favor, Desmond?" Layton got removed himself from Sycamore and sat on the table next to the chair. "Will you take the next week off from work?"

"What? Of course not, Layton! I have classes to teach!" Sycamore was startled by the sudden request Layton had made. "Besides, there's no excuse for me not to show up to work."

"You've got all the reasons in the world, Desmond! Better yet, I'll go in the morning at the University and tell them what happened to you! They'll surely understand!"

"No! You can't tell them anything!" Sycamore nearly jumped out of seat. "They can't know about anything! Not the scar, not the robbery. Nothing!"

"What?! Robbery?" Layton got up and stood in front of Sycamore. "When was there a robbery?"

"Did I say…? Oh no I did!" Sycamore wanted to slap himself for making such a foolish mistake. "N-No! There was never a robbery to begin with! I don't know what I'm saying!"

"Oh my god, Sycamore," Layton turned and started to rub his eyes, "See! This is what I mean! You're saying all these absurd things that aren't making any sense!" Layton got on one knee, grabbed Sycamore's shoulders, and looked him in the eyes. "You're taking the week off and that's final."

"No!" Sycamore pushed away Layton's hands. "I'm perfectly fine, Hershel!"

"Fine, I won't tell them anything about the scar or the fight! I'll say you're terribly ill and cannot work the week! Will you do it for me?"

"It's not right to do that, Layton! Don't lie for me!"

"And I promise to come here immediately after I get off. Every day, I swear!" Layton gripped Sycamore's hands and squeezed them; ignoring his reply. "Please! I haven't seen you in weeks. And, frankly, I'm worried sick about you!"

"I… don't…think…" Sycamore looked up and saw Layton gazing into his eyes. He gave a long sigh. "If it will make you feel better…I suppose I have no choice but to give in."

"Oh thank goodness…" Layton let go of Sycamore's hand and stood back up.

"But only for a week. After that I'm definitely going back."

"Yes, of course! I promise to come and check on you right after work, okay?"

"I suppose that will be fine…" Sycamore knew that he would have to hide all the evidence of his other life where Layton couldn't find it.

"It's nearing midnight," Layton tipped his hat, "I best be on my way now."

"Oh…I guess you should then," Sycamore gradually stood himself up and headed for the front entrance and opened the door. "Well, I know it didn't go exactly as planned, but-"

"Don't say that, Desmond. Everything went well, trust me. And it was great to see you again," Layton smiled politely and headed for his car parked across the street.

Sycamore smiled back to him and relaxed his shoulders while leaning against the door. When a cold breeze had him, he suddenly had remembered that he was wearing Layton's coat. "Ah! Layton! You've forgotten your jacket! It's terribly cold out there!"

Layton stopped and turned around when heard Sycamore running toward him. "Thank you, Sycamore. It has gotten quite cold." Layton said when he had received his jacket.

Under the street light, Layton slowly put on his coat and Sycamore stood there watching. "I'll see you tomorrow, correct?"

"That's the plan, I suppose." Layton opened his car door, "See you then, Desmond."

"See you, I guess…"

After Layton had left, Sycamore stood outside in middle of the street looking around. "Wait…Where's my car?!"