Lucy ran away from him. She ran away.
The act caused havoc in Alfendi's brain, despite his superior intelligence. She bolted to Scotland Yard the millisecond their lips parted. If she didn't want him to kiss her, she would have stopped him. Though she kissed him back without hesitation. Does this mean she returns Alfendi's feelings?
Then again, Lucy ran away, and while they were completing their latest case's paperwork, she didn't meet his eyes once. Not a word was said between them, awkward heavy in the air. Lucy is usually straightforward, she would have said something. Why did she behave that way after?
True, Alfendi didn't want to say anything either, but what are you supposed to say after you have unexpectedly kissed your assistant? Love and romance isn't Alfendi's area of expertise, never was, and probably never will.
Alfendi groaned and fell back onto his unmade bed, his large hands masking his face. The inspector could solve the most difficult cases of London, and yet a woman's heart is the most complex mystery he has encountered.
X-x-X
Alfendi entered the Mystery Room, and shut the door softly. He trudged to his cluttered desk by the window and slumped down on his swivel chair. Lucy hadn't come to work for two days in a row since the kiss. There was a high chance that she wouldn't come today either. Alfendi couldn't help but think of the possibility that she was avoiding him. He was 87.43% sure. Though there was still that itching 12.57% of doubt that needed clarification.
The inspector shoved stray old papers and notes to the edges of the desk. Sliding his typewriter closer to him, he began to type a letter to Flora. There were no cases for him to work on, nor did he want to tidy up the Mystery Room without Lucy, so he decided to write a letter while he waited for one to come in.
Flora wanted him to send a letter to her once a few months while she's abroad with their father Hershel Layton. The inspector wondered why he couldn't call her, though he knew she would ramble on for hours, and their father liked receiving letters the old fashioned way.
Alfendi remembered they will be returning soon and that this will probably be the last letter he sends to America.
His long bony fingers pressed on the keys. Tick, tick, tick, ding!
All he wrote was 'Dear Flora and Father,' before someone knocked on the door and opened it. Alfendi's eyes peered up to see "Sniffer" Hague, a folder in his hands. "Hey, you've got a new case!" he cheered, setting it on the desk. "Also, Lucy's not gonna come in today."
Alfendi's deduction was correct. "Why not?"
Sniffer smirked, Alfendi raising an eyebrow. "She said she didn't feel well."
"Did she say it to you? Did she sound ill? Did she say anything else specifically for me?" Alfendi pressed, the detective sergeant's eyes widening. He raised her hands in mock surrender.
"Whoa! She didn't tell me, so I have no idea," he answered. Sniffer scrunched up his nose. "You didn't give her that cold you had the other day, did you?"
"What are you talking about, Sniffer?" Alfendi asked a little too loudly, recalling the kiss he shared with Lucy.
"Well, she works with you, and you two are always in the office, so..."
Alfendi scratched his head. "Ah. That's right. Yes, probably." Don't jump to conclusions.
Sniffer laughed. "You seem jittery today, Prof," he said, immediately realising what he said.
Alfendi switched to Potty Prof, who growled and grabbed Sniffer by the collar, close enough so their noses touched. The detective sergeant swallowed, a drop of sweat running down the side of his face. "Don't call me 'Prof,'" Alfendi said darkly. "I'll slice off your lips if you do." The redhead nodded and he was released from Alfendi's clutch. He bolted out of the room when his eyes met with Potty Prof's glare.
Not everyone is used to Alfendi's real personality, even though Potty Prof appears more often than usual. Most people call him by his actual name or 'Al,' but he despises it when someone other than Lucy calls him 'Prof.' Lucy is fine with both personalities, and she doesn't flinch or tremble in fear like most people do. That's one aspect of Lucy that both Alfendi's love. Though Potty Prof loves it more than Placid.
After a look over the case file and the crime scene created by the reconstruction device, Alfendi was sure of the culprit, the murder weapon and the motive within a few hours. I wonder which incompetent officer was stumped with this one.
He sorted out the paperwork, which took longer than expected with Lucy absent. Lucy hardly does any of the paperwork, and yet, it took Alfendi twice the time it usually would. He found himself spacing out or blankly staring at nothing.
Alfendi took the stuffed case file and headed towards the door to hand the folder to the Commissioner. He was planning to go home after.
As he reached for the door knob, the door swung open, Alfendi jumping back just in time to dodge it. He recovered quickly from the shock, and held the file tightly. He wanted to give the idiot that opened the door a piece of his mind until he realised it was Lucy.
She was standing at the doorway, heaving, face flushed and damp with perspiration. The constable looked up at Alfendi and she grinned. "Prof!" she cried. Alfendi couldn't understand why she was in the Mystery Room after two days of abandonment. "Prof! Prof, I-" She shut her eyes tightly, cheeks growing redder, and yelled.
"I love you, Prof!"
The file slipped out of Alfendi's frozen hand, as he stared at her, lips parted slightly. He never thought she would say it as straightforward as that. He never thought she would actually say it! But, it is Lucy, and something like this should be expected. She's always full of surprises.
It took a few moments for Alfendi to process it, though when he did, his smile refused to hide.
X-x-X
The duo sat across each other in the bustling cafe. Alfendi started to ask Lucy the questions that have been lingering in his mind. "Why didn't you come to work?" he said, commencing the line of questioning.
Lucy laughed nervously and scratched her head, her cap shifting side to side. "To be honest, I were afraid to face you after t...t'kiss," she replied. "I couldn't think straight." She bounced in her seat, as if something hit her. "Oh! I had a cold as well, I couldn't even leave my bed! I tried my best, I swear!"
So Sniffer was right...
"All right. I believe you," Alfendi said. "But why did you suddenly burst into the Mystery Room like that? Don't tell me you ran all the way to Scotland Yard just to say that," he remarked.
Lucy tapped her chin. "I had summat else to tell you, but it slipped my mind. I don't even remember if it were important," she replied. "And isn't confessing your love important enough? Isn't that a good enough reason to run across London?"
"I guess," Alfendi shrugged. He wasn't sure at all. "You didn't actually run across London, did you?"
"I'm still a tad sick, physical activity isn't that good for me. Well, that's what t' doc said."
"And yet you decided to not take his advice," the inspector sighed. If she could walk to a medical clinic, I'm sure she could've made it to work.
"Aye. I'm quite the daredevil." Lucy shyly smiled. "You called me a daredevil once. Remember?"
Alfendi brought a hand up to his chin and he gazed up at the spinning ceiling fan, searching through his archive of memories.
"Ah, yes. I do recall. In Etista's hideout. You pushed in the books without even considering that it might have been a trap!" Alfendi exclaimed.
"But there weren't any traps. Just secret doors and keys and a smelly bathroom. The whole building were a puzzle!"
An image of Alfendi's father flashed in his mind. Puzzle...
"Lucy, would you like to-"
A waitress came over and placed two cups on the table, along with a porcelain teapot. The waitress poured the tea and walked off. "Were you saying summat, Prof?" Lucy asked, picking up her teacup.
"Ah, no. Never mind." Alfendi wasn't sure if it was the right time to ask.
Lucy calmly took a sip of the watery tea, her face suddenly twisting up. She set the cup down quickly, some tea spilling, and she stuck out part of her tongue, waving her hands to cool it down while she whimpered. Alfendi couldn't help but chuckle at her. She was so childish and innocent, he had to admit it was adorable and sweet.
Adorable... Sweet... When did he begin to use such words? Perhaps hearing Lucy's vocabulary almost everyday led him to using those feminine words freely in his mind. If there is a stray cat in an alleyway, Lucy would probably say it's 't'cutest cat I've ever seen!'
Alfendi hoped he won't actually say 'cute' or 'sweet' or 'adorable' aloud. It would taint his image as a man. As a macho man in a white gown. (Lucy had explained that Dolly Hollerday had written that song about him, shocked of how clueless he was).
"I hate burning my tongue!" Lucy cried, blowing gently on the surface of her tea. "Are you done asking questions, 'cause I wanna ask you summat."
"I have one more." Alfendi lowered his gaze. He wanted to ask this question the most.
"Why did you run away after we kissed?"
Lucy sighed and stared at her feet. "I were embarrassed." Her hands fisted in her lap. "I... That were my first kiss."
Alfendi didn't respond, though he almost spilled his tea. Lucy is bubbly and optimistic. She's intelligent and funny. And yet, no man was brave enough to kiss such an amazing girl. No man except Alfendi.
Lucy scratched her head sheepishly again, her cap sliding off. Alfendi caught it before it landed in her tea and set it on her head with a smile. "What is your question?"
"Well... We're not just coworkers now, are we?" she asked. Straight to the point, as always.
Alfendi laughed. "I guess so."
After they had finished their tea, they exited the cafe. He decided to walk her home, with all the potential criminals lurking in the darkness. It isn't safe for her to walk around at night, even if she's armed with a pistol.
The air was bitterly cold, angry clouds looming overhead. The moon nor the stars were visible, Alfendi predicted that it would rain soon. They began to walk in silence, Alfendi hesitantly slipping Lucy's hand in his. Her hand was small compared to his, and it was noticeably smooth and soft. He'd never thought that Lucy would be his girlfriend after knowing her for only a year.
Alfendi's stomach growled, and Lucy burst into laughter. "We should've ate at the cafe," she said. She pulled her hand out from his to rummage through her bag, Alfendi's heart sinking when she let go. "Here you go, Prof." She handed him a paper bag, Alfendi declining it politely. She took out a golden pastry out from the bag. "Open wide!" she sang.
"What? W-"
Lucy shoved the pastry in Alfendi's mouth, half of it filling his cheeks, the other half sticking out past his lips. His eyes were wide, Lucy's laughter never ceasing.
Potty Prof spoke, but it was muffled and incomprehensible. He bit down and ripped the rest away from his lips, flakes of pastry falling onto his blue coat. He chewed quickly and swallowed. "Don't do that! I said didn't want it!"
"Sure you didn't want it," Lucy replied sarcastically. She pointed an accusing finger at Alfendi. "Your statement contradicts your grumbling tummy!"
Alfendi's stomach churned, as if on cue, and he reluctantly tore another piece and popped it into his mouth.
"It's delicious, right?"
Potty Prof took another bite. It tasted sweet like honey and blueberries.
"Yeah." It's the most delicious pastry I've eaten in my life. Though anything beats Flora's cooking.
Lucy's eyes sparkled, her smile growing brighter. "Really? I'm glad you like it! I made it myself!"
Alfendi sputtered. "You made this?"
"Why're you so surprised?" Lucy pouted, flicking Alfendi's cowlick that bounced on his head. "They don't call me Lucy Baker for nowt!"
I'm terribly sorry this is so late! I'm also sorry if this chapter isn't really good. I'm used to writing one-shots. Anyway, thanks for reading! Please help me improve my writing! It is greatly appreciated!