A/N: Okay, I know you all hate me. But you know what? I don't care. I'm having fun! Hehe.
Reply to Guest Reviewer: Thank you! I know I'm mean to Danny, but it's so hard not to be. If the professor and co. hadn't come along, Luke really would have been in a tight spot! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Onto the next chapter!
…
Chapter Eight: Rest and Recuperation
Once the group figured out the puzzle in the chamber, an entrance opened up, letting them out into the woods.
"Let's head back to Fenton Works to regroup," Hershel said, sounding tired.
…
Jack and Maddie didn't take the news that their son was possessed well. Jack was currently in the lab, trying to figure something out to save his son, while Maddie searched the city with their ecto-detectors.
Luke looked at his reflection in the mirror in the upstairs bathroom, having discarded the ripped up white shirt and jacket, as well as his favorite hat. Thankfully, that hadn't really taken any damage, it was just in need of a good cleaning.
He fingered the Magatama that still hung around his neck before deciding to clean his hair first. He started the water and ducked his head under the tap. To his surprise, a different pair of hands began massaging soap into his hair. He tipped his head slightly, opening an eye, and caught sight of Pearl. She smiled at him, continuing to rub the soap in.
Since they reunited, and Pearl punched him in the chest, the two hadn't really got to say anything to each other. Luke sighed.
"Pearl—"
"It's okay," she said softly. "We found your journal, and read the last entry. The Professor… told us about the Bronevs…"
"Hm…" Luke hummed, still feeling bad. Pearl gently pushed his head back under the tap to rinse the soap out, then pulled him out, towel drying his hair for him. Luke looked down at her face, taking note of the slight red still rimming her eyes.
"Pearl, I'm sorry," Luke said. Pearl met his dark eyes with her own.
"Luke… I understand. I'm not happy about it, but I understand." Luke looked down again, and Pearl shook her head, taking a wash cloth and putting soap on it before starting to clean his shoulders. "Just, promise me one thing?"
"Hm?"
"In the future… Never… never do that again. Please. I… couldn't bare for you to disappear again," she said, looking up at Luke. Luke hesitated, before smiling warmly, kissing her forehead gently.
"I won't. I promise," he said. Pearl smiled and nodded.
"Good. Now, turn around so I can get your back," she said. Luke laughed, doing as she said and closing his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her delicate hands against his skin.
"Hey Pearl?" Luke asked, suddenly realizing something.
"Yes?"
"How'd you get here?"
"Mystic Maya bought me the plane ticket once she heard you went missing, and told me to come to Fenton Works for help. Neither of us thought that Danny..." she trailed off.
"Ah."
The two lapsed into a comfortable silence for a while until Pearl finished.
"Luke?"
"Hm?" he asked, turning to look at her.
"What do you see for us? In the future I mean?" she asked. Luke started slightly, staring at her.
"Well…" he started thoughtfully. "I see us being together," he said with a smile, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her forehead again.
"And…?"
"'And…?'" Luke repeated innocently, before giving her a sweet kiss.
…
Flora quietly moved around the kitchen, making a kettle of tea, the earlier events playing over in her head.
She was happy Luke was safe and sound, but it wasn't fair that Danny had to be taken at the same time.
"Hey… you okay?" a voice asked from the entrance of the kitchen. Turning, she found Eric.
Flora had always thought Eric was a little too confident. In school, he flirted with all of the girls, herself included, and always showed off in everything he did – sports, academics, and of course, archeology. The only person who could ever knock him off his pedestal was Luke.
But now… it was different. In fact, since Luke's disappearance, Flora has noticed a softer, more serious side to Eric.
"I… yeah, I'm okay," she said, turning back to the kettle. Eric bit his lip slightly and moved closer so that he was standing next to her.
"Luke is safe, and we'll find and save Danny, don't worry," he said with his normal, confident smile. Flora snapped, slamming the kettle down onto the stove. In retrospect, she was happy is was a metal one, and not one of the Professor's china kettles.
"Will you stop being so confident!? For just once!?" she demanded. Eric lurched back slightly in shock, his eyes wide. He then looked down, and Flora saw a crack in his confidence.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, looking down. "I didn't realize it annoyed you so much."
Flora bit her lip, and sighed. "No. I shouldn't get mad at you for your confidence. It's not far. I just… sometimes, it's a little too much, you know? Especially when…" she trailed off, looking back at the kettle.
"Flora… I'm not really that confident…"
"What?" Flora asked, looking at him. For the first time, she saw the true Eric: a scared, nervous twenty-four year old guy who had the same look Flora recognized in herself.
Shyness.
"I'm… acting so confident is how I get through being scared, or shy," Eric explained, leaning against the counter next to her.
"What do you mean?" Flora asked.
"Well, growing up, I was always a step behind Luke, or in the shadow of my father. I've always been kind of scared that I wouldn't make a name for myself." He laughed slightly, a humorless sound. "Even now, Luke's discovered more about the Venrin in a week, with almost no sources or help, then I have in two months." He shook his head. "As for the shyness? I'm painfully shy. My confidence isn't my real personality…"
"What is?" Flora asked softly, intrigued, the tea forgotten.
"Well…" Eric bit his lip. "I do love archeology, that part's not an act, and I have grown to love boxing, but… I also love animals, especially dogs. And reading… and cooking, heh." Eric rubbed the back of his head, looking away with a slight blush, and Flora couldn't help the smile that crossed her face.
"I like dogs and cooking, too," she said softly. "And, obviously, reading and writing," she added with a laugh. Eric smiled, and Flora looked down.
"What are you most scared off?" he asked, taking her hand. She gasped softly in surprise, looking between their hands and him.
"Um… being alone…" she finally answered. He nodded.
"I'm afraid that I'll never be successful," Eric admitted.
"Oh… Eric, you'll be successful one day. You're still young though," Flora said, smiling up at him. Eric chuckled, looking at her again.
"You… I…" he hesitated. "I read your book, by the way. The Curious Village. It was really good. Very captivating."
"Um… thank you," Flora said softly, looking down at her hands.
"Flora… would you… when we get back to London… do you want to go out on a date with me?" Eric suddenly asked. Flora looked up again, her wide eyes growing even wider.
"I…"
"Flora, my dear?" Professor Layton stepped into the kitchen before spotting Eric as well. He looked between their flushed faces, and smiled warmly.
"Y-yes, Professor?" Flora asked, quickly turning to her guardian.
"The tea will have to wait. We are ready to move on," he said. Flora started slightly and looked back at the kettle.
"Ah, right Professor," she said, turning off the stove. She glanced up at Eric once more, who smiled slightly at her, although he looked slightly disappointed, and the two followed Layton out of the kitchen.
"Please, Pearl. I don't want to chance you getting hurt," Luke pleaded as the two came downstairs. He was wearing one of Danny's shirts; a white one with red trimming, and a pair of Danny's jeans with a belt. His head seemed bare without the ever present hat.
"I'm coming, Luke. That's the end of it."
"But—"
"Please, Luke. I don't want to keep arguing with you," Pearl pleaded. Luke sighed, but gave in, wrapping his arms around her.
"Alright…"
…
A/N: The calm before the storm! Poor Luke, he must feel so uncomfortable in those clothes, haha.
The next chapter will probably be the longest of the story, and I have work tomorrow morning, so I'm going to stop uploading tonight.
Look for chapter nine tomorrow!