CHAPTER 2
*SNOOOOOOOOOORT COUGH COUGH*
Layton was wrenched away from his memories of Misthallery by one final humongous snoring fit emanating from the armchair across the room. Being pulled from his warm thoughts was reminiscent of the way he had to pull himself out from under Luke that next morning in the hotel room. Sometime during the night, Luke had rolled over and come to rest with his head on Layton's shoulder, and his arm sprawled across the older man's chest. Layton had awoken first that morning, and delicately removed himself from the situation. He didn't mention it to Luke, lest he make him uncomfortable. He also didn't mention that he had in fact heard the "I love you". If Luke knew that the Professor heard what he'd said and didn't respond, it would have hurt him deeply. Somewhere deep down, Layton knew that.
Layton quickly picked his pen up and tried to get back to work. Luke sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"Wake yourself up, did you, my boy?" Layton teased good naturedly without looking up from his paper.
"Hmm? Was I sleeping?" Luke mumbled somewhat incoherently. He smacked his lips a few times and yawned before getting up, stretching, and walking over to Layton to see was he was doing. The Professor felt a flash of heat when Luke moved next to him. The fact that Luke placed his hand on Layton's shoulder as he peered down at the paper wasn't helping either.
"Aw, Professor! You said you wouldn't start the paper without me!" Luke pouted endearingly. Layton tried not to notice.
"I didn't exactly start, Luke. Besides, you've been asleep for the past two hours. I've already had nearly four cups of tea. I wasn't sure what else to do with myself." Layton hoped Luke didn't find that statement nearly as pathetic as he did. A grown man that is basically lost without his 18 year old student…
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep. How about I make us dinner, and afterward we can both work on the paper."
"That sounds perfect, my boy. What shall we have? I'll help you make it."
"No, I want to make it for you myself, Professor. I just found a great new recipe for stir fry, and I think we have everything here I need, except some ginger."
"No worries, lad, I'll run out and buy some." Layton followed Luke out into the kitchen and grabbed his keys and his hat. He had a strange compulsion to kiss Luke goodbye, and started toward him, but by the time he reached the boy, he had come to his senses. In the end, the Professor awkwardly patted Luke on the shoulder, swiftly turned around, and muttered, "See you in a bit, Luke."
The young man watched his mentor through the window as he strode quickly through the brisk London evening air to the Laytonmobile. He sighed with a mixture of contentedness and longing, and smiled as he set about chopping vegetables and meat for their dinner. "See you soon, love."