Wounded Future
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the original story to Professor Layton
Author's Note: BACK FROM HIATUS! Thank you SO much for being SO patient with me! I'm so sorry that the Hiatus went longer than the 3 weeks I promised, but life has been busy busy with graduating and started an internship and such. No worries though, come May I'll be completely free to write! = D Thanks a lot for all the support and reviews! Here starts the first CLIVE & FLORA only chapter!
Chapter 7
Clive followed Flora closely as she descended the stairs cautiously. He pulled the heavy trap door behind him and slammed it shut to ensure the Family wouldn't find them. As soon as the door shut, all sources of light were gone and the two were left with pitch darkness.
"It's so dark, I can't see a thing." Flora commented. "Where are you?"
Flora held her arms up blinding feeling for Clive.
"I'm right behind you." Clive said as he reached out to touch her arm. Flora held onto his arm tightly and positioned herself beside him.
"Don't worry, Flora. I thought ahead." Clive said smugly. With a small spark, their surroundings were instantly illuminated by a single lit match stick.
"Is that what you were looking for in Dimitri Allen's desk?" Flora smiled.
"Gotta think ahead." Clive said proudly. "Right then, let's move."
The two began to venture forwards through the narrow, enclosed space. Flora continued to hold onto Clive's arm as they walked through the humid, darkened passage.
"It's so dark in here. We could easily get lost." Flora worried.
"It shouldn't be a problem. I think I remember the correct route the Professor laid out."
Flora looked up at Clive, confused how the man could remember a whole route with just one glimpse.
"What about the matches? Did you bring enough for the whole trip?" Flora continued.
"There is no need to worry, Flora. I've ensured that we were well prepared before heading into this maze." Clive assured.
Flora nodded as the two silently walked through the tight, narrow space. The passage was intensely dark; the lit match barely illuminated a foot in front of them. Their footsteps echoed as they ventured through the concrete walkway. Small puddles formed where the ceiling leaked and the air was sticky and moist.
The two continued to walk in silence as they approached an intersection.
"Hm, I'm pretty sure the Professor said to go right." Clive stopped as he looked around. He held up the match to illuminate the two possible passages, but both paths seemed to lead further into darkness. Clive placed a hand on his chin as he struggled to remember the map. Though he knew of this escape route, he had never had a chance to explore it himself. It was, after all, Dimitri's headquarters.
"Oh look!" Flora suddenly cried as she pointed downwards. Scattered on the floor were a trail of small pieces of paper.
"The Professor must've left us these clues to follow him out to the exit!"
"Very clever." Clive admired, crouching down to examine the shredding. "Very well then, let us continue on."
Flora continued to hold onto Clive's arm as the two followed the paper path. They walked silently until Flora suddenly clutched his arm and froze.
"What? What's the matter?" Clive asked as he too stopped in his tracks.
"I, um, I thought I heard something." Flora said with uncertainty. "I'm sure it came from behind."
Clive turned around and held up the match. He squinted in attempt to see past the darkness.
"I don't see anything. What did you hear?" Clive looked down at Flora. She squeezed his arm tighter and stared into the darkness as well.
"It's hard to describe. Sounded like...squeaking."
"Squeaking? Like a mouse?"
"Yes. Like a mouse." Flora nodded in fear. "Oh gosh, do you think this place is inhabited by mice?"
"I wouldn't be surprised. Mice love dark, secluded places." Clive agreed.
Flora gulped at the thought of being surrounded by mice.
"I'm not...good with mice." She revealed with concern.
"Don't worry, Flora, they won't hurt you." Clive reassured. He stepped closer towards her, placing a hand on her back. "Besides, I won't let a few mice take you away from me."
Flora's fear was instantly replaced by embarrassment. She studied Clive's earnest expression and began to relax.
"You better not." Flora teased; her cheeks still pink from his remark.
The two continued to venture onwards, following the paper shreds closely. Flora bit her lower lip nervously, her senses heightened for signs of mice. It was not long before Flora heard another squeaking, matched with the sounds of scurrying footsteps. She jumped and turned around in the direction of the noise.
"I heard it! I heard it again. Except...this time they seemed closer." Flora clutched Clive's arm tightly.
"Flora, don't worry, they won't hurt you." Clive attempted to calm Flora down. Flora stood completely still as her eyes scanned the floor.
"Flora, please, we must keep going." Clive pleaded. She ignored Clive and continued to stare at the floor. She held her breath as she waited patiently for the mice to reveal themselves.
"Okay," She finally gave in as she sighed in relief. "You're right, let's keep moving."
Just as the two began to advance again, a mouse ran by, this time close enough for Clive to see.
"Oh gosh! There it is!" Flora squeezed Clive's arm as she jumped back.
"Flora, they're just mice. They won't hurt you! We have to keep moving!" Clive raised his voice.
Flora stood completely still as she studied the ground. She was breathing became heavier, and faster, almost gasping for air.
"I can't, I don't want to move," Flora stuttered. She stood complete paralyzed until she felt a small rodent brush up against her foot.
She shrieked in fear and jumped away. She looked down to see not one, but two mice dart around her feet, squeaking in fear.
"They're everywhere!" Flora cried nervously as she furrowed her face into her hands.
"Shoo! Go away!" Clive kicked at the mice in attempt to scare them off. Just as the two mice began to disappear, another mouse crept from behind Flora running between her shoes.
"Ahhh! Mother of GOD, get them away!" Flora shrieked again.
"Flora, please calm down. Flora!" Clive yelled. Just as Clive yelled at Flora, the matchstick met its end, burning Clive's fingers.
"Daaah, mother of fuck!" Clive screamed at the top of his lungs. The passage went pitch dark as Clive dropped the remains of the match. He placed the burnt fingertips on his lips in attempt to sooth the burnt skin.
"Luke, it's so dark! I can't see a thing!" Flora cried, voice drenched in worry. "I think the mice are still around! Please, you have to light another match!"
"Flora, I just burn myself for fuck sakes!" Clive yelled back, losing patience with her. "I'm in a lot of pain right now."
"Luke, please!" Flora's body shook in fear. Her breathing quickened and her palms became sweaty as she waited for Clive to light another match. Flora gasped for air in attempt to calm herself. With her sense of sight gone, Flora was now completely lost. She waited patiently for Clive to react when she suddenly felt another mouse run by. This mouse seemed especially large; its fur was still wet from exploring the sewers. Flora leap up in fear, with a bone chilling scream, pushing herself into Clive, and sending the two crumbling towards the ground.
"Oh, god!" Flora held onto Clive, furrowing her face into his laying body. "I'm so sorry. I'm...very scared right now."
Clive didn't say a word. He propped himself up with his elbows and struggled to reach for another match. In an instant, the space was illuminated once again and all signs of mice seemed to have disappeared.
Clive looked down at Flora to see that she was still trembling in fear. Her face was furrowed into his belly, as one hand clutched his shirt tightly and the other one was latched onto his belt.
"Flora," Clive spoke steadily. "I think they're gone."
Flora shook her head, unwilling to open her eyes as she held onto Clive tighter. Unsure of what to do, Clive reached over a placed a hand on her head.
"Flora, it's okay. They're gone. I promise." Clive stroked her hair lightly. He could visibly see Flora's body begin to relax as she realized the mice had gone. Slowly she began to lift her head as she looked up at Clive's face. She looked around quickly for any sightings of mice and sighed in relief. The hands clutched onto Clive's clothing began to relax and it was then that she realized her face had been burrowed into Clive's lower abdomen, only inches away from his crotch. She looked back at Clive in surprise as her cheeks began to turn a deep red.
"I-I-I'm sorry." Flora stuttered as she pushed herself off Clive. She rose to her feet, her body still shaking from the whole experience.
"You weren't kidding about not being good around mice." Clive said, still lying on the ground. He lazily rolled over and began to get up.
"Is your hand okay?" Flora said with concern as she dusted off the dirt on her dress.
"It really stings, but it should be fine." Clive said. Clive watched as Flora tried to calm herself.
"Come now, we can't keep the professor waiting." Clive said with a smile.
Flora nodded with unease as the two began to follow the paper trail again.
"I'm...very sorry for what just happened." Flora apologized again. She looked down in shame, refusing to meet his eye.
"It was no bother, Flora, really." Clive tried to reassure her. "There is no need to apologize."
The two fell in silence once again as Flora replayed the incident in her head. Her mind struggled to fully grasp what had happened and she bit her lip in embarrassment. Her breathing had finally calmed but her heart was still racing a mile a minute. They continued to walk through the tunnel until Clive spoke up.
"Are you going to be alright?" Clive asked with concern. He could see that Flora was still shaken from the whole ordeal.
"Yes, I'll be fine, thank you." Flora answered bravely.
"I'm sorry, I had no idea you were so scared of mice. I shouldn't have yelled at you." Clive continued to apologize.
"There is no need to worry," Flora insisted. "Really, I'm fine. I just need a bit of time."
Clive nodded and decided not to say anything. The two continued through the cave silently allowing Flora time to recuperate.
"So, that Don Paolo is quite frightening, huh?" Clive asked suddenly in attempted to lighten the mood.
Flora nodded before saying anything.
"Yes, well, I can't be too careful around him. Surely, you remember all those awful things he's done to me."
"Uh, I may have forgotten. 10 years was so long ago. Please remind me again?" Clive struggled to stay in character.
"Well, you remember the adventure you had with the Professor to my hometown. He was there. Trying to win the fortune and trying to stop Layton and you from finding me." Flora said sadly. "You don't remember? You almost got ran over by a Farris Wheel!"
"Oh, yes, of course! How could I forget?" Clive exclaimed.
"Also there was that time he kidnapped me in Dropstone, and pretended to me be!" Flora suddenly raised her voice. "As if a man like that could ever capture my beauty and grace."
"I'm sure it was quite challenging for him." Clive said with a chuckle, imagining the man in drag.
"The worst part is that you and the Professor didn't even notice!" Flora began again. "You went on the longest time not even realizing that I was gone or replaced. I spent so long tied up just wondering when anyone would save me."
"I'm sorry, Flora, but the man is a criminal mastermind. As you recall we couldn't even see past his Layton disguise." Clive defended. "You have to admit, that man is very good with disguises."
Flora bit her tongue stubbornly. "No, I refuse to believe that he could mimic me perfectly."
Clive chuckled at the girl's stubbornness.
"And yet, regardless of how much you resent the man, you were more willing to travel through this tunnel with him rather than me." Clive mimicked a hurtful expression to Flora.
"Oh." Flora was caught off guard. "It's not what you think."
"No, I think I know exactly what it is." A playful smile danced upon Clive's lips as he leaned in towards Flora. "You're in love with the professor."
Flora's eyes widened as she looked up at Clive. "No! That's preposterous!"
"Oh, no? I dunno, you might have fooled me when I was 10, Flora, but I'm much older now and I see the way you look at him." Clive teased.
"What are you saying?" Flora was completely embarrassed. "What way I look at him?"
"You're completely in love with the guy!" Clive repeated loudly. "I don't blame you though, he is a perfect gentleman. I've seen ladies swoon as he walks by."
"It sounds like you're in love with him, not me." Flora joked with a giggle. "Anyways, you are completely off this time. I'm not in love the professor. I see him as an older brother."
"Then why didn't you want to go through this tunnel with me?" Clive shot back. Flora's eyes widened as she flinched from the question. Clive could see her mind mentally working as she struggled to come up with an explanation.
"I, uh," Flora began. "I wanted young Luke to get to know you better!"
"Please do not lie to me, Flora," Clive said with a smirk. "It's unbecoming for a lady of your status."
Flora furrowed her brows as she registered the insult. She then paused, not saying a word until she finally spoke with a sigh.
"It's you,"
Clive's eyes widened with shock as he studied Flora's face for an explanation. Unfortunately, before Clive could say anything, Flora suddenly started again.
"That's not what I meant!" Flora blurted out quickly. "It just that...I mean, sometimes...you make me uneasy."
"Uneasy?" Clive echoed. "How so?"
"You say things that...make me blush. Things that no one has ever said to me." Flora explained. "I grew up with very little friend. I don't even know how to react in these situations."
Clive nodded slowly, deciding not to tease the poor girl any more. "I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable." He apologized sincerely.
"It's okay," Flora peeped quietly. "It's not that bad." Flora smiled shyly as she looked up at Clive.
The two continued onwards until they finally reached the end of the tunnel. Clive threw down the lit match as he began to climb the ladder towards the escape door. He grasped the rusted handle tightly and pushed the door with all his body. The heavy metal door creaked open as daylight poured into the space.
"Luke, we found the way out!" Flora cried in celebration. Clive quickly jumped out of the manhole as he reached down to help Flora up. She held onto his hand as she climbed up the ladder to freedom. The two sighed as they sat on the ground in exhaustion from the trip. Clive slammed the trap door shut and breathed in the fresh air.
"Damn, it feels good to be out of that hole." Clive said with his hands on his hips. "Right then, let's start heading to the hotel."
Flora got up from the ground and followed Clive towards the hotel. The walk was short and quick with very few distractions. They arrived at the hotel shortly, instantly falling onto the furniture as they entered the suite.
"Gosh, I'm exhausted." Flora said as she took a seat on the bed. "Look at me, I look absolutely filthy!"
"You look fine to me," Clive commented from the sofa. "At least you didn't get hurt."
Flora's eyes suddenly widened as she remembered Clive's burnt fingers.
"Oh, how are your fingers? Are they okay?" Flora asked with concern. She scurried over to Clive and took a seat on the ottoman.
Clive held up his hand lazily as she examined his fingers. The skin on his thumb and index finger were charred as blister bubble began to form underneath the skin.
"It looks bad," Flora concluded. "Let me go see if they have a first aid's kit here."
Clive watched as Flora rushed into the washroom. He could hear her opening and closing cupboards while running the sink water. She returned shortly with a small cup of water, a face towel, and a white first aid's kit. She took a seat in front of him on the ottoman again and held onto his right hand.
"Just relax okay?" Flora said as she began to wipe the dirt off his hand. Clive's body began to relax as he felt the soft, cold towel brushing against his rough burnt skin.
"There's ointment inside the first aid's kit but I'm not sure if it will be effective. Hopefully we didn't wait too long for the ointment to work."
"Wow, I didn't know you cared about me so much," Clive commented as he watched Flora work. Flora smiled up at Clive as she continued to wipe down his fingers. She then moved onto applying the ointment cream onto his fingers, gently rubbing it onto the burnt areas.
"Mm, that feels good." Clive smiled, his eyes closed as the ointment soothed his burning fingers. Flora remained calm, ignoring the sexual connotation and began to wrap his fingers with bandage. Flora patted down the medical tape onto the bandage as a final touch and smiled to herself in triumph.
"That should do the trick," She said. "Hopefully it won't get too bad or infected."
"Thanks for helping me, Flora. You're very good at being a nurse." Clive commented as he stared at her.
"Yes, well, I guess I'm not as dumb as you think I am." Flora said smugly. Clive smiled as he admired Flora's face, knowing perfectly well how uneasy he was making her.
"W-why do you keep staring at me?" Flora blushed as she looked away from him.
"Like I've said before, I'm admiring how beautiful you are." Clive answered, unwilling to break the stare.
"You're making me feel uneasy again." Flora said, still refusing to look him in the eye.
"I'm sorry, I just can't stop."
"Please, I told you, I'm not sure how to react in these situations." Flora spoke shyly.
"You just gotta relax," Clive edged closer to Flora. "And let things happen naturally."
He slowly began to inch his face towards her, tilting his head as he moved closer. Flora's eyes widened as Clive's lips met hers. She sat still, paralyzed, completely caught off guard, and unsure what to do. Her mind raced as she tried to register what was happening. His soft lips were pressed lightly against hers, almost as if he was asking for permission. Slowly, Flora's body began to relax as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the kiss. She kissed him back, pushing her lips aggressively onto his to deepen the kiss. Clive reacted to her advances and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Wait," Flora suddenly pulled her head back, breaking the kiss.
"What is it?" Clive asked with concern.
"This is wrong," Flora said quietly as she looked into Clive's eyes.
"No, it's not, Flora." Clive said as he stroked her hair lightly.
"It is wrong," Flora insisted as she moved back from his grasp. She looked down in shame unsure with how to continue.
"Why is it wrong, Flora? We're childhood friend! And I've missed you so much since you left." Clive tried to convince.
"Please, stop." Flora said quietly.
"I don't understand, Flora." Clive sighed, disappointed by her sudden change of heart. "Why is it wrong, what did I do?"
Flora sat quietly, her eyes unwilling to meet his. She sat completely still, silent and deep in thought, until she finally spoke in almost a whisper.
"It's wrong because..." Flora stopped as she looked back into Clive's eyes. "I know you're not Luke."
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