Side Chapter Two

"I hope this doesn't bother you, Cassandra, but... have you lost weight?" His voice was quiet, as he broke the silence that had grown between us. Emmy was off, to a gym somewhere in London, promising she'd be back sometime.

"It's fine. I have."

"Oh... You look fine, though-"

"Thanks, Clive."

"I mean, you were pretty before but-"

"I get it, Clive."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Well... this is new."

"What is?"

"I don't think we've been alone like this."

"We've been by ourselves before-"

"Not like this."

"Not... here, I guess?"

"No."

"I see."

More silence.

He moved closer and we were barely touching.

"Cassandra?"

"Yes?"

"How have you been?" He asked, averting his gaze toward his jacket hanging on Emmy and I's little coat rack, before looking back to me. All I could do was chuckle, although it was more due to the fact I was nervous as can be.

"I was stabbed months ago, Clive. I'm fine now."

"I'm sorry about that."

"Why?"

"I did give you the ticket, Cassandra."

"No one knew it would have happened. Besides, I was protecting someone I care about."

His hand covered mine. My heart skipped a beat.

"I know, Cassandra, but-"

"Clive, it's fine."

"I can't help but feel guilty about it-"

"Clive, hush."

"I just wanted to say-" He grew quiet as I grabbed him by the shirt, and pulled him close to me.

And I kissed him.

I kissed him.

Those seconds I spent felt like a lifetime, as I slowly drew away from him. Our cheeks were red, and he opened his mouth, about to say something before closing it once again. It was guiet.

"I..."

"Clive, I'm sorry, I just-"

"I-I just..." He looked away, cheeks still red.

"I just..." I repeated quieter, before averting my gaze as I felt his hand on mine once again, and I turned back to him, "... Clive?"

"M-May I kiss you?" He was quiet, and I barely believed his words.

"What?"

"May I kiss you?" He repeated, and I could tell he was nervous. I was at a loss for words, and all I could do was slowly nod. He pulled me closer, and gently presses his lips against mine, and heaven returned.

Neither of us heard the door open, but we sure as hell heard it close. And within seconds, he pulled away, looked at his watch, and said he had to leave or he'd be late. Late to what, I wasn't sure, but he gave a quick apology as he left, promising he'd call me later. And the moment the door closed after him, the look Emmy had given me, with a Cheshire cat grin as she leaned against the wall.

"I told you he liked you."

"E-Emmy!" I protested, standing.

"I debated leaving you two here for a moment."

"S-Shut up, Emmy..." I replied, looking away as I was still blushing.

Hours passed, and within the first moment the phone rang, I almost answered it. Emmy had beaten me to it, and turned to me with a small smirk.

"It's for you." She passed the phone, only for the voice I'd been dying to hear to greet me.

"Cassandra?"

"H-Hey, Clive."

"I was wondering... about earlier."

"It's fine, Clive. I don't know what came over me-"

"Did you like it?"

"... Excuse me?"

"Did you like the kiss?"

"Did you?"

"I asked first, Cassandra."

"... A little... what about you?"

"I did..."

"M-Maybe we should meet somewhere and talk about this away from my flatmate," I shot a glare towards Emmy, who'd been listening in.

"There's the cafe down the street from Scotland Yard. The 'Here & There Cafe.' You should remember it, since-"

"That's where we met. I'll be there soon."

What felt like hours later, we were sitting across from each other in the corner of the little cafe, both at a loss for words.

"Clive," I whispered, trying to find the words to say, only to look away.

"Cassandra, if you don't want-"

"No. It's not that, it's just... you're busy a lot and I don't want to just be something that gets in the way of your work." I replied softly, shutting my eyes, "please. I already bother you enough-"

"Cassandra, you would never be something that gets in the way. I come to visit you because I want to, not because I feel like I have to." He replied, his voice gentle.

"Are you sure?" I asked, voice still quiet. Both of us were quiet, when I think back to it.

"I'm sure."

"I'm bad with this relationship talk, I guess," I chuckled nervously, "but... I guess maybe we can make this work?"

"I believe we can," he smiled, "perhaps with a date-"

"I'm leaving tomorrow, Clive. I told you before, or... at least, I was sure that I did."

"Oh... right. Monte d'Or?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe I'll see you off, then?"

"We're leaving pretty early. I'll call you at the hotel, alright?"

"Promise?"

"I promise."


And with that, this is our second Side Chapter.

This side chapter takes place the day before they leave for Monte d'Or.

Clive and Cass have been on numerous dates that have only been mentioned in text. The little cafe, then the Side Chapter One, then various times between Eternal Diva, and after Cass got out of the hospital. This was their first kiss - in which Cass kisses him.

Chapter Ten will formally start 'Miracle Mask' and I'll go ahead and warn that there will be spoilers - which are to be expected - for all of the Layton games from this point on, for sure.

Sadly, Miracle Mask - despite my love for it - isn't one of my most favorite games. If you want a ranking, it goes:

- Unwound Future (my first game, which gives it a special place in my heart)

- Diabolical Box

- Azran Legacy

- Miracle Mask

- Last Spectre

- and Curious Village

(and Layton Brothers fits in somewhere, but it's there)

The one I'm most excited for, however, will most likely Diabolical Box - despite how far it is in the future!