Previous:

''hey why don't we split up again?'' aliya asked.

''great idea aliya, why don't we split into two groups, the first group is Hershel together with katia and flora and aliya and I will look together'' you said.

The rest agreed on the plan and walked on. You sure hoped he wasn't in any trouble…

Chapter 35 love comes from all places

You and aliya walked towards the gate against the forest, still searching for luke.

''he sure is hiding well isn't he?'' aliya said.

You nodded, now also beginning to be worried.

''ugh…what was I thinking, playing hide and seek at times like this, what If he kidnapped or hurt or worse..'' you said stressing out.

Aliya placed a hand on your shoulder and patted it softly.

''don't worry we will find him, I'm sure of it''.

''hmm I hope so…''.

Finally arrived at the gate both of you stopped.

''and what's next, are we going into the forest?'' aliya asked.

''I guess, maybe he's at the mine or something''.

''would he really be such an idiot?'' you wondered.

You walked past the gate, getting a shiver crawling from under your toes. Not the best sign in the world. The man with the glasses looked towards you and blushed. It would be quite the appearance if two beautiful ladies would come out of nowhere. You giggled. Aliya asked what was funny but you waved it off.

''nothing, you're just cute''.

This made aliya even more confused. You arrived at the mine when both of you stopped, not really wanting to go inside such a creepy place.

''what know, go inside?'' aliya asked.

''uh, w…why don't we just try calling him instead?''.

Aliya smiled and nodded at that. You both called luke several times, not getting an answer.

''wait aliya let's stop…'' you said.

''why?'' she asked.

''well…if I wear to hide myself in a game of hide and seek, I wouldn't answer if I got called now would I?''.

aliya chuckled.

''you've got a point there''.

You sighed.

''so we really need to go inside heh?''.

''yep…unfortunately, we have to'' aliya said gloomy.

Layton's POV

I hoped luke was going to be found soon. It wasn't the best idea to play hide and seek al around town at these times for sure.

''katia, flora why don't we go and try to find luke in the hotel?'' I asked.

''yeah, that's a good idea, we would never go and look at the place where we had started'' flora said.

''yes my dear, not yeah, that is not how a lady articulates''.

''professor..'' flora whined.

Katia giggled.

''come on you two, this is not the time to squabble''.

I chuckled as we walked towards the hotel. I also hoped my dearest and aliya wouldn't run into trouble, because they sure are two girls who attract these kinds of things. We all called Luke's name a few times before walking into the hotel. The butler who had kindly helped us was standing near the stairs, stared at the noise we made. He asked what was the matter and if we had lost someone. Katia explained the whole situation and asked if he had seen luke passing by. Unfortunately, he had not.

''there is only one place I can think of where he is now girls, let's head over there'' I said mysterious.

Flora and katia looked at me confused, but they didn't ask a thing and just followed me.

Back to the story

You grabbed Aliya's hand before entering the cave-like mine, which she gladly accepted. The shiver which ran over your back when you passed the gate at the beginning of the forest came back the moment you set a foot into the mine. You were also having the feeling that you were being watched. You wanted the professor to hold you. You wanted to be with him and not In a creepy cave. You were unconsciously holding your breath, awaiting for a sound to come.

The only thing you heard were the soft footsteps from you and aliya. It seems that she was also holding her breath. You were just about to release your breath when a meow was heard in the back of the cave. Aliya flinched slightly, immediately clinging to your side. You would have also flinched or be scared in any other circumstances but, you knew this meow all too well.

''don't be scared aliya, it's just jovi, I don't know how he got here, but I recognize him anywhere'' you chuckled.

Aliya let out a sigh and stood up straight. You walked forward bowing slightly looking for the small kitten.

''jovi, come here sweetie, mammies' here''.

You were surprised when the only thing you saw were two pair of brown shoes with blue stripped socks. Your eyes widened, you knew these socks(LoL). You slowly straightened up coming into eye-level with the person. A gasp was heard from behind you, none other than aliya who had come closer too. In front of you stood Clive, together with jovi in his hands. You didn't know what to do or too say. Claire obviously wants to tell you something, but what is it?

''aliya…'' Clive whispered.

You turned around to look at aliya, to be surprised. She was crying, and not just a bit, big crocodile tears. You turned around again and looked Clive in his eyes.

''we need to talk'' he said, apparently to aliya, completely ignoring you.

''uh…do you want to talk alone or can I listen too?'' you asked.

Clive chuckled.

''you are part of the conversation are you''.

You blushed.

''oh…right''.

Jovi meowed cutely before jumping into your arms. You softly patted him behind the ears while the three of you sat down at the outside of the mine. Aliya looked to the ground, drying her tears. You looked at Clive who had a look in his eyes which you would never forget. It was the same look Hershel gave you when he said how much he loved you. Did Clive love aliya? But what about the kiss he gave you in the garden at the castle? Maybe he's just a two-timing bastard. You pouted your lips and awaited for him to begin. He sighed before starting the conversation, trying to get Aliya's attention too. No use.

''what are you two doing in a place as this?'' he asked more too you as to aliya.

''well…we were looking for luke, professor Layton's apprentice you know, and we thought he might be here'' you explained.

''why? Is he missing?''.

''ahem…sort of'' you said, a small smile on your face.

You felt kind of comfortable around Clive. He wasn't like Descole and Don Paolo. He was….kinder.

''and why were you here?'' you asked.

He looked towards your legs, blinking a couple of times. You followed his gaze to see jovi sleeping in your lap.

''that little creature told me so, I know it sounds insane''.

You laughed.

''no it doesn't really I understand''.

Aliya looked up to and smiled a bit. You felt relieved that she had joined the conversation now.

''but that must mean, you have been brought to us for a reason'' aliya said.

Clive looked to her, his eyes slightly widened, as if though he couldn't believe to hear her talk. She blushed and quickly looked to the ground. You wondered what was going on.

''uhm…may I be so bold to ask what is going on between you two?'' you asked curious.

Clive and Aliya both looked up surprised, blushing bits.

''yes you may, you see when I was with triple malum…'' aliya said softly.

Clive looked up making an confused face at the triple malum part. You chuckled slightly.

''that's a name we have come up with for the three of you, it means evil threesome in Latin'' you explained.

''ah…right..''.

''what I was saying, I felt really lonely, I was still in love with Hershel back then'' aliya said.

''yeah you were quite the wreck'' Clive said mocking aliya.

She softly hit him against his shoulder, blushing apple-red.

''Clive was the only one who really understood me, he was there for me, and well….eventually h…he…he''.

She was blushing deeper and deeper.

'' I fell in love with her'' he said bluntly.

You gasped.

''REALLY?'' .

He smiled a soft smile.

''are you really that surprised? I mean, she's beautiful, kind, fierce and I can go on like that for hours''.

You also blushed, not wanting to bring up the following subject.

''but what about….the kiss you gave me in the garden?''.

His eyes widened and so did the eyes of aliya.

''t…that was a misunderstanding you see….you look a bit like her, and I missed her so…'' he explained.

Aliya released a breath she had been holding unconsciously.

''aliya…do you also love Clive?'' you asked.

She blushed even more.

''I…I don't know…I have just come over my love for hersel and…and…''.

You smiled.

''I think you do''.

Both Clive and Aliya blushed. Jovi seemed to have woken up as he jumped on top of aliya, surprising her. Due the shock she jumped of her rock right into Clive's arms.

''and now I know for sure, if jovi makes something like that happen, it has to be, you belong together''.

Aliya and Clive stared in each other's eyes for a moment, before softly letting their lips meet. You blushed at the sight In front of you. Even Aliya had found love now, she wouldn't be alone anymore. But what will Clive do? Will he stay with her and join us, or will he go back to the other evil men. Once they stopped kissing, Aliya arose from his lap and sighed.

''I know you need to go back, but promise me you will be back okay?''.

Clive also stood up and took her hand to turn her around. He stroked his hand over her cheek and smiled.

''I will, I promise''.

''n'aw you guys are too cute'' you said cheerfully.

They gave each other one last goodbye kiss before Clive really had to leave. You both walked back, still talking about what had happened. You were happy for her, she had finally found a new reason to be her, in this world. You had decided to be quiet about what had happened for the rest for a while. That was what aliya preferred. You arrived at the hotel to see the rest plus luke standing in front of it, talking. Aliya and you ran towards them, wanting to hear were luke had been. And of course, he had been to no other place than granny riddleton's shack….

Yaay two chapters in one day, I'm impressed :D
hope you liked it, I've put a lot of afford in this chapter
ow and btw POV means point of view ^^

I don't own anything of the professor Layton games.