Professor Layton and the Christmas Adventure –Part 10—

With the holiday spirit high in the British pair's mind, they went to a lunchtime showing of White Christmas. At first, the professor wasn't sure if the young boy would like it, but Luke seemed to enjoy the various musical numbers and laughed at the jokes—though he didn't quite seem to understand the more adult ones. All in all, it was a rather pleasant activity.

On the way home, the two stopped for tea in a small café. The professor ordered his usual Belle Classic, while Luke opted for a large hot chocolate and six sugar biscuits. They watched through the smudged window as people on the street passed them by, oblivious. They shared few words between them as the time passed, to the professor's surprise; a quiet Luke had become rather a curiosity in Layton's experience.

"Shilling for your thoughts, my boy?" Layton asked as he drained the last drops of tea from his cup.

"Mm?" Luke looked up from his own drink, face covered in whipped cream and chocolate. He hastily wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Erm, I was just thinking that they looked like they were having fun in the snow. I like this time of year, everyone seems so happy…"

Expecting a but, Layton waited. When no continuation came, he prompted, "Is there something you'd like to add?"

Luke dropped his gaze again, the perfect picture of an awkward youth. "I don't really want to say it."

"Go ahead," Layton urged.

"I…I don't want to."

"Well, I certainly won't make you say anything you're so hesitant to mention, but is it possible to tell me why?"

Luke fidgeted in his seat, scrunching the hem of his sweater with his hands. "It's just…it's just…everyone is walking around and looking really happy, which is great, but…"

"But?"

"They're all families…"

Layton glanced out the window again. Luke was right. Nearly every passing group was a cheerful family, walking hand in hand or arm in arm alongside each other. "My boy…"

Luke quickly shook his head. "D-don't say it, professor. W-we're just as happy as them, right? I don't need…I don't need my…family or…" His face was slowly reddening. Luke brushed his cheeks with sleeved palms and tried to avoid the professor's gaze. "I-I'm having a lot of fun with you, really, I am, professor, and I…"

Layton watched patiently as the boy fought to keep control. He reached across the table and patted Luke's head affectionately. "It's okay, my boy. It's hard not to remember the past this time of year." Layton frowned slightly as his eyes travelled back to the window. Couples. Couples everywhere. If it wasn't a family, it was a couple. In the past, Layton had felt such resentment, but now…now there was only void.

"I-I'm better, professor. I'm sorry about that."

Layton jumped in surprised. "O-oh, yes, my apologies, I… That's good. I hope you start to feel better." He patted the boy's head again, though rather absently.

"Are you okay, professor? Now you look like you're about to cry." Luke stared up at Layton, keen eyes wide in concern.

"N-nonsense." Layton laughed, but it was a shaky laugh. Luke narrowed his eyes, unconvinced.

"Professor…" he warned.

"What say you and I return home and build ourselves a snowman?" Layton suggested quickly.

"A snowman?" Luke repeated, still staring suspiciously.

"Yes, a fantastic snowman. It will be the envy of the neighbourhood! What else is there to do in such weather?" Layton rose, quickly tossing money onto the table to pay the bill. He was rather unsure as to how much he had thrown, but it amounted to at least a thirty percent tip. As long as Luke was distracted, Layton was safe.

"Can it have a top hat?" Luke asked, finally succumbing to the temptation.

"The biggest hat we can find!"

"Alright." Luke finally relaxed his expression, to Layton's relief. "We'll build a snowman."

However, as the two left the shop, Luke cast the professor one last long, hard look. He wasn't going to give up quite that easily.