"And you're certain you're fine?"
"Yes, mum. I'm fine. Just as I said before," Elaine replied calmly. With their work done in Torrido and the third egg found, Professor Layton and Elaine went to use a payphone in a post office to call their parents and the professor had been kind to let Elaine call hers first.
"I'm just checking. Philippe was actually rather annoyed you didn't call him before you left."
"I, er… Forgot. I guess," Elaine said sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. "How is he anyway?"
"He wanted me to let you know that he's anxious to meet your boyfriend."
'In other words, try to scare him,' Elaine thought her mother spoke again.
"Also, I was just at your house doing some dusting for you."
"You really didn't have to-."
"And when I was in your office, I saw one of your articles by this Desmond Sycamore, and I have one question."
"Y-yes, mum?" There couldn't be anything wrong now, was there? Surely her mother hadn't somehow figured out Desmond's other identity. She doubted any photo'd pictures of Descole existed. At least, as far as she knew.
"Why is it, Elaine Marie Hawthorne, that you never mentioned how attractive he was?"
"Uhh…"
"And if that's just a picture, God only knows how handsome he is in person."
"Um…" Elaine didn't realise she would ever feel so awkward about her mother complimenting any boyfriend of hers so… bluntly. Sure, she's done this before, but it just felt weirder since it was now directed towards Desmond.
"If I was twenty years younger at least and not married and in love with your father, I swear I'd-."
"Mum!" Elaine all but cried. Cheeks red from her mother's words. "Could you please not let your mind sink into a perverted gutter?!"
"When have I ever done that?!" Elaine was tempted to point out all the occasions that she could recall, from experience and stories from her father. But she decided to just move around it for now.
"N-never mind that now. By the way, it's not that I don't trust you, but were you going through my things?"
"Don't be ridiculous, of course not. I only dusted, nothing else."
"Right. Sorry. But you're all okay, yes?"
"We are, so don't worry about us. But are you sure you're fine? It sounds like something is on your mind."
"I am, really." Elaine glanced towards the doors outside. Desmond had come with them, mainly just to have another walk before they left this dusty town. She had held off asking about his intentions for the Azran Legacy long enough and she felt now would be a good time as any to ask. She just had to get him alone, which should be easy enough. "I… Just got a bad taste of sand in my mouth."
"You did say you were in a desert town, yes? I suppose that's to be expected sometimes. Depending on wind direction."
"Yes, that's true," Elaine agreed. "Um, I know this call might be a little short, but Professor Layton has to call his parents and this was the only payphone we could find, so…"
"Say no more, I understand. Just have a safe trip and call again once you get the chance."
"I will, mum. Love you."
"Love you too, dear." Elaine smiled to herself as she hung up and looked her left. Professor Layton was a little way away, looking at the notice board to give Elaine some privacy even though she was speaking French.
"Professeur, you can 'ave your turn now," Elaine told him as she walked over to him.
"Ah, thank you, Elaine. I trust your parents are well?"
"Oui," Elaine said, nodding her head. "I was just talking to my father for a bit before he had to go, and then to my mother. Everyone seems to be doing fine, and I'm sure the same can be said for yourself."
"Most likely, but I believe I speak for the both of us when I say that it's always best to hear our families say it themselves," Professor Layton remarked.
"Oui," Elaine agreed. "I'm just going to go now. I need to talk to Desmond about something in private actually."
When Elaine left the post office, she only had to look around once or twice before she finally spotted Desmond looking at some horses near the saloon, and quickly made her way towards him.
"Enjoying the horses?" Elaine asked as she stood by his side.
"They look good. Definitely built for this climate," Desmond commented. He looked to Elaine, giving her a smile. "Though to be honest, I prefer my ones in comparison."
"Not too surprising, coming from you," Elaine said. "Could we talk? Somewhere more secluded?" Desmond's smile slowly vanished, and he narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Was he already onto her? Aware of her intentions for this talk? Or had she let something slip in her tone?
"Alright," Desmond agreed, giving a single nod. "I saw a part of town that looked mostly abandoned. I think that will do. Though it will have to be quick since the sun is setting and I'd prefer to leave as soon as possible." Elaine followed Desmond silently as he led the way, patient to begin their conversation. Though she wished to just get it over with already.
The abandoned part of town didn't look too much different from the rest of Torrido, other than the fact that most of the wood looked more weather worn, and the windows being either completely bare of glass or still holding onto a few remaining shards. Elaine and Desmond stepped into the space between two buildings. Just for a little extra privacy. The setting sun shun through the space, but neither of them were paying a bit of notice to that.
"We 'ave the third Azran egg."
"Yes. Aurora's latest memory from it is quite interest. Isn't it? Though it shouldn't be too surprising that the Azran's had gone through stages with their technology."
"Of course. They would 'ardly 'ave just invented their greatest of inventions in a single week," Elaine agreed dryly. "But I would imagine that even their lowest level of technology would still be advanced compared to ours. Still enough for someone to want to seek." Desmond gave a slight glare and stood a little stiff.
"If there is something you're getting at, I'd rather you say it now."
"I've hold off asking long enough," Elaine glared back. "Willingly or not, three years of my life was practically given up to translate all of your papers. I 'elped you find Ambrosia, I translated the Wall of Norwell for you. The only good thing I could say about all of this, is you and me, and maybe this adventure. I think I 'ave the right to know, what do you intend to do, when we find the Azran Legacy?" Desmond tightened his lips, the look in his eyes saying he was trying to think of something and fast.
"… I don't think it's really worth you knowing right now," Desmond muttered. "Can't you just be patient?"
"That's rich, coming from you," Elaine scoffed. "Even if I was impatient, you would still be worse than myself. And you 'aven't answered my question."
"Why do you even need to know?!" Desmond snapped. "Can't you just go along, not keep digging where you shouldn't and… and… I don't know, just pretend there's nothing to worry about?"
"Because I was scared!" Elaine snapped. Desmond's anger faltered momentarily but kept a firm look.
"Excuse me?"
"Maybe I never really showed," Elaine went on. "And it was more of a concern at the back of my 'ead. But when I was first kidnapped by you, I kept wondering, 'will I ever see my family again?' 'Will I ever leave?'…" Elaine paused, a little hesitant at adding the last part. "… 'What will Descole do to me once everything is over?'" Desmond frowned to Elaine, and took a step towards her.
"Elaine…"
"I 'ad to go to therapy after Ambrosia," Elaine went on, still glaring. "But you would already know that, wouldn't you? You did enjoy playing with my feeling of security, didn't you? I didn't want to go, but it was the only way I could get back to work. I 'ad nightmares after what 'appened at Ambrosia, and in a majority of them, you always came to kill me and usually succeeded. Though I usually woke up before the first blow."
Desmond's eyes widened, his mouth open. Elaine felt a little pleased that he was shocked. At least she knew he wasn't going to just try and brush all of this away. But she wasn't going to stop now that he was listening.
"You 'ave physically 'urt me, we can't just pretend that never 'appened. But… But then we came together. Slowly, but it was for the best to do it that way," Elaine said softly. "I thought, things could at least be a little easier." Elaine then glared once more. "But then you kidnapped my cousin. Maybe you didn't 'arm 'er physically, but you risked my relationship with 'er! I was lucky she forgave me! You're imagined scenario of everyone being understand could 'ave just been that, imagined!" Elaine hissed.
"I 'ad a gun 'eld to my 'ead, while that Targent leader threatened my parents if I didn't join 'im or tell 'im where you were, and kicked a good few of their grunts back at the Vault of Akbadain before I was caught and Raymond rescued us." Elaine felt a little calmer now that she had said it all. She swallowed and continued on.
"After all that, I just want to know. 'As. It. Been. Worth. It?" Desmond shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I… I know I can't truly make up for everything I've done, especially to you directly. Simply saying 'I'm sorry' will not ever make up for what I have done to you. But, I do regret all those times I've pulled your hair or harmed you in any other manner. I truly do.
"I… Can't exactly say I've regretted everything I've done. Maybe I've regretted the consequences of some schemes, but…" Desmond trailed off. "… I have my reasons. My goals. One in particular since I was a child." Desmond stopped as though he let something slip. He licked his lips before he started again.
"Without Johanna, Lucy… My family, the Azrans, the civilization I've heard of since I was a young boy, their legacy was all I had to live for. But, then there's you now, and now Johanna once again. I still have that one dream to accomplish. But I don't want to lose you or Johanna." Elaine was hesitant, but she knew question that might help her decide with her current uncertainty.
"Did you know Loosha, the creature you fought in Mishtallery, died?" Elaine asked. "The last of 'er kind most likely."
"… I heard about that." Desmond glanced away.
"And 'ow did it make you feel?" Elaine held her breath as she waited for Desmond's response. He was quiet, but after swallowing he replied,
"At first, I didn't exactly feel anything. But a short time later, I felt a little sick since I never did intend on killing anyone, or anything." Desmond shut his eyes. "I would say Loosha's death is something I do regret. Immensely. I was just trying to knock her out. But I guess I didn't realise her stubbornness or how badly the Spectre-bot would harm her."
It relieved Elaine to know that. It made Desmond more human, knowing that he was capable of regret, and not just because he was attached to someone and they were family.
"Why are you with me?" Desmond asked suddenly. He looked at Elaine with uncertainty. "After everything, you should still hate me. Shove me away when I try to hold you or slap me when I kiss you. How can you do all of that with me?" Elaine thought it over before saying,
"We grew attached to each other. We grew to enjoy each other's company. You 'aven't 'armed me since my second kidnapping if I remember correctly. I was also able to see you in a more 'umanized light, and when it's not 'arsh, I can enjoy your 'old. It's warm." Desmond stared at her and then shuck his head.
"I don't deserve you."
"But if we can make the effort, I want us to be together," Elaine said firmly. "I'm not saying we'll act like nothing happened, but we can still try to continue what we 'ave."
"Yes… Yes, you're right I suppose."
"Let me ask you this. When this is over, do you think there will ever be a need to go to the extremes you 'ave gone to in the last three years?"
"… No," Desmond shuck his head. "Never as extreme as Misthallery, Ambrosia or Monte d'Or. There might be a chance of more illegal actions, but there won't be any intentional harm to people."
"Will you keep me from my family and friends?"
"Never." Elaine paused for a moment. So far everything sounded reasonable and good. But there was still one question left.
"And at the end of this, will it be worth it for me?" Desmond frowned, but hesitantly stepped towards Elaine, and tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a small squeeze.
"Let me put it like this," Desmond murmured. "I don't plan for anyone to get physically harmed, nor do I intend to harm the world. I just want revenge."
"Against Targent?" Elaine guessed. They did take away his daughter. It wasn't too surprising. However, Desmond looked hesitant. Like he was also thinking of someone else.
"Y-yes. Them. And some other people."
"Who?" Elaine narrowed her eyes.
"I'll tell you when the day comes, I promise," Desmond assured. "Just, please. Can we end this? I… I like it better when we're like any other couple. Happy and content." Elaine frowned up at him.
"I don't want to play ignorant," Elaine muttered. "I want to be realistic about us."
"And I'm not exactly making it easy, I know. But… There are other parts of my life that I'm just not ready to talk about that would make all of this more understandable. Please. Don't try to force anything out of me now." Elaine swallowed as she thought it over. She recalled Raymond mentioning in the beginning that Desmond had his share of misfortunes. Elaine was likely only aware of a few of them. It would be unfair to make him talk about anything he wasn't comfortable with.
Maybe she never asked him directly since she believed he would just ignore her question, but she never did ask about Lucy or Johanna when she first heard their names. It took time, but eventually, he was comfortable to talk about them.
Elaine could wait for this.
"I still expect some answers when you're revenge day comes," Elaine sighed. "But I'll try to… to just enjoy us and the adventure."
"… I know I'm asking a lot of you, but I thank you. Truly." Desmond snuck a hand under her chin and lifted it up before capturing her lips in a kiss. A kiss Elaine returned. Was it bad to kiss and enjoy it after their argument? Some might think so, some might not. But Elaine was enjoying their kiss which was getting a little more heated then the usual small, chaste kisses.
Desmond's lips were certainly pressing against Elaine's a little harder, but Elaine was liking it, and comfortable with it. She didn't even mind when Desmond had pressed her against the wall of the building behind her and just moved her hands to his face, stroking her thumbs under his eyes while keeping his face from being too far from hers. Desmond's arms were just above the small of her back, though one hand trailed up her spine before moving around to hold onto her shoulder.
The slight dab of tongue against Elaine's mouth made Elaine stiffin. She hadn't exactly expected that, though given their current position, she really should have seen it coming. It was similar to one or two exes but this moment was just… different. In a good way.
Elaine felt Desmond pull away slowly, and quickly realising the misinterpreted message, she pulled his face back and murmured before pressing her lips back on his,
"Continue."
Elaine gave soft nips on his lower lip. Wanting to initiate the deeper kiss. After a moment, Desmond's lips parted and Elaine fully intended and slipping her tongue in his mouth. But she was caught by surprise when he gently bit on her tongue and forced some of it in his mouth to lightly suck it.
A slight moan escaped from her before she could stop herself. But the sensation was a wonderful one, and almost made her want more of it.
Though, when he had stopped she had tried to let her move around some more before she felt his tongue already rubbing against the roof of her mouth. Mentally growling, she waited until his tongue moved down and lightly bit down on his tongue and returned the treatment from earlier.
Hearing a faint moan or two from Desmond nearly had Elaine smirking from smugness. How could she not?
Pulling away, both their cheeks were flush and their simply looked into each other's eyes for a moment. Desmond adjusted his glasses, a little smudge on them on some parts of the glass from when they had been lightly pressing against her face.
No other words said, and almost in instinct, Desmond move to her neck. Carefully to kiss kisses away from anywhere noticeable. Elaine sighed lightly as she felt his lips against her neck. It's been so long since a man kissed her there in a make out session. Not even her previous boyfriend had dared.
"I… I know we're not going further then this for a while yet, but I think I should mention that I'm a virgin," Elaine mumbled before she could stop herself. Desmond paused, and Elaine felt a mixture of concern and insulted. Concern that it was a problem, insulted that there was something wrong with Elaine being in her early thirties and still a virgin.
"… Sorry, just… caught a little off guard by that sudden confession," Desmond mumbled back as he placed more chaste kisses on her neck. "I actually haven't had any... 'experience', since Lucy died, if it makes you feel more comfortable. But there's still time before that as you said. To become more comfortable with it. But I promise when that time does come, I intend to treat you the way you deserve to be treated."
Elaine's breath hitched when Desmond's kisses moved under her collar, and pressed against a more sensitive spot. Desmond must have noticed since he chuckled and began to lightly bite down on it, making Elaine give a slightly shaky moan.
"Papa, why are you biting Elaine?!"
They both tensed, eyes wide open and Desmond having yet to let Elaine's neck go. Their eyes moved to the source of the voice. A wide eyed, gawking Johanna. Just when it couldn't get any worse, they noticed she was holding onto Emmy's hand!
Emmy stared at them with an equally surprised look, though not as bad as Johanna. Elaine's face began to turn red, matching the shade that was coming to Emmy's face a little. She wasn't sure about Desmond since she couldn't look away from Emmy looking at them.
But Emmy was the first to recover, and smirked at the two.
"Sorry, are we interrupting?" she teased.
"Uhh…"
"What's going on?" Johanna asked, still confused. "Are you playing some sort of vampire game?"
"Yes," Desmond said quickly. Still having yet to let go of Elaine's neck. "An adult only game."
"Yes, an adult only vampire game," Emmy repeated, trying to keep herself from grinning more then she already was now. She probably found this funny in a way. Either that or she felt the 'fake couple' thing in San Grio may have had an effect somehow.
"I-indeed," Elaine muttered, glancing around awkwardly. So much for her and Desmond's first deep kiss. "A-and what are you doing 'ere?"
"The Professor is back at the Bostonius now, so I decided to come and look for you two and Johanna wanted to come along as well." Emmy raised a brow. "So, when you're ready…"
"Y-yes, of course!" Desmond finally pulled away from Elaine, flattening out his clothes while Elaine did the same. "Uh… We would both appreciate it if you could keep this between all of us. The both of you," Desmond said, cheeks quickly losing a faint redness. Elaine felt a little relieved to that he possibly was as embarrassed as she was.
"I don't see why not. It's your personal business after all," Emmy shrugged. "But we should probably get back now if we want to leave before sunset."
"Yes, of course. Come along, Johanna." Johanna held onto Desmond's hand and let him lead her back towards the Bostonius, Emmy and Elaine not too far behind. At least most of the embarrassed feeling left very quickly, and was over now.
"So Elaine…" Emmy looked ready to tease as she gave Elaine a sly look. "Is he a good kisser~?"
… Elaine thought it was over too soon.
Hopefully the make out scene was at the very least, alright.