A/N: The next couple of chapters may take a little longer to upload. I want to thoroughly write and edit before posting. Thanks to everyone who has been reading. I don't own Professor Layton.
Clive had been living with Professor Layton, Flora, and Luke for a couple of weeks when Professor Layton approached him and asked him to dinner. "Sure," Clive replied, "But are Luke and Flora coming?" "I'm afraid Luke has some errands to run and Flora is meeting with a friend. So it's just you and I if that is alright with you." "Of course Professor!" Clive replied wondering what errands Luke had to run.
At the restaurant, conversation was slow at first as they were waiting for their food. Then Clive remembered a particularly hard puzzle about a restaurant he had heard once. It took the Professor exactly one minute to find the answer and soon the two were throwing out puzzles left and right. They ate as they contemplated answers. Eventually Clive was stumped. They left the restaurant with Clive still trying to figure out the answer to the Professor's last riddle. "Why don't you take the night to think about it?" Layton suggested.
Luke returned to the townhouse at the same time as Clive and Layton. "Luke, did your errands go well?" "Yes Professor! I got it all worked out!" "Very good," Layton turned to Clive, "Why don't the two of you take a walk? It's a nice night and Luke can tell you about his day." Confused but eager to spend time with Luke, Clive agreed. The two of them began walking under a row of streetlights. "So where were you today?" Clive inquired. "There's a park up ahead. I'll tell you when we get there. It's a bit of a surprise." Now Clive was curious, but he waited until the two were sitting on a bench in the park to repeat his question.
"Well, I went to the newspaper's office and asked if they were in need of any journalists. Mr. Clarke, the editor, remembered your work and was willing to allow you to work even under your circumstances. He can only pay you per each article you write and Layton or I will have to take you since you can't drive and the whole 'constant supervision' thing. But…" "That's more than enough! Luke, that's amazing!" Clive interrupted. Luke smiled at Clive's joy.
"Also I got you something," Luke added. For the first time, Clive noticed the brown paper bag that Luke had carried with him. Luke held it out to Clive and Clive took it and opened it. Inside was a writing pad and a pen. A very nice spiral bound writing pad and ink pen at that. Smiling he hugged Luke and thanked him. "Though, I don't want you to think you need to take care of me. I'm not a child, Luke," Clive said quietly. "Says the child who threw a tantrum and tried to destroy London and who has to be watched constantly," joked Luke elbowing Clive gently. "Hmph, well at least I don't still sleep with a teddy bear!" Clive retorted. "I don't sleep with Mr. Snuggles!" Luke objected, then blushed realizing what he had said. Clive just laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Very funny," Luke grumbled. "It's just… You're just so cute!" Clive exclaimed making both of them blush. "Oh, there's one more thing," Luke said, "You can't run away again. If anyone sees you alone they could send you back to jail." "Yes, you're right," Clive said, then he smirked, "I've been a bad little criminal. I'm sorry, officer, you can take me now." Clive held both his fists out to Luke as if ready to be arrested. "Clive! I'm serious!" said Luke, but he grabbed Clive's hands and pulled him closer. The two embraced and both their hearts beat a little faster.
"I've got it!" Clive suddenly shouted pointing excitedly, "It's the seven of diamonds!" Luke looked confused for a moment then nodded in understanding, "You've been exchanging puzzles with the Professor." "That obvious?" "I spent a week on that puzzle when I was eleven," Luke admitted smiling.
When Luke and Clive arrived back at the townhouse they sat down to dinner (this time cooked by Layton and much more edible) with Flora and the Professor. Clive told Flora the news (Layton had been in on Luke's plan from the beginning). "I don't see why you need a job though," Flora said, confused, "aren't you exceedingly rich?" "Well," Clive replied, "Building an entire fake version of London underground and a giant mobile fortress complete with weaponry does take a toll on one's wallet. Besides, it's less about money and more about fitting back into society." "If you want to fit into society again, I think you should get a girlfriend!" Flora suggested, "I know a few friends that I could set you up with!" Clive blushed and Luke gripped his fork tightly. "No thanks," Clive asserted quickly. "Are you sure?" Flora pressed. "Quite," Clive affirmed. Layton quietly chuckled and Luke asked him what was funny. "Oh, nothing, my dear boy." Luke looked at him suspiciously but didn't press further.
After dinner Layton asked to talk to Luke in his study. Shutting the door, Layton sighed and said, "Luke, I'm worried about Clive." "Why? He'll be able to work as a journalist, he has friends, he has a home, everything is going right for him!" Luke said, confused. "That's just it, my boy. Say you did something wrong and hurt Flora and I and all I did was lightly scold you, how would you feel?" "I guess I'd feel guilty and wouldn't feel like I was being punished enough," Luke replied honestly. "My guess is that Clive is feeling the same things right now," Layton theorized. "But Professor, he spent years in prison! He's lost all his family and people insult him where ever he goes!" Luke argued. "I know. His behavior, however, suggests that, to him at least, that is not punishment enough." "What would you have me do, Professor? Make his life miserable?" "No, Luke. Just be careful, don't defend him too much. He needs to discover, himself, how to stop blaming himself for his mistakes." "I'll try, Professor," Luke sighed as he left the study.