Archive of Our Own ^beta

The Professor had just suggested to check behind the screen in the auditorium when Luke noticed a light on the screen. 

“Professor look!” He quickly pointed out. Emmy apparently noticed also.

“There’s a film running!” Emmy called out. The three turned to view the screen, the Professor and Emmy took a few steps forward to get a better look. Though they really didn’t need to for two reasons. The first was there were only a few animated cartoons acting out the story on the screen. The second -- Luke covered his ears as the voice of the Masked Gentleman rang through the auditorium. Was it necessary that this was played that loud? 

As the film began to play, Luke had a sudden thought. Wasn’t the power in the inn supposed to be out? Then how was the film playing? Luke thought this was worth noting and went to his bag to pull out his notebook. But he didn’t get that far. Luke gasped in alarm -- or at least tried to -- as a gloved hand covered his mouth and his arms were pinned behind his back. It was the Masked Gentleman, it had to be, which terrified Luke. He tried to scream, but even he couldn’t hear his own muffled screams over the sound of the film. Luke thrashed and struggled but the Masked Gentleman was much stronger and bigger than he was. Luke was lifted off of his feet and pulled toward the entrance to the auditorium. 

No! Luke was trying so hard to scream. No! No! No! He was panicking. They were almost out of the room and the Professor and Emmy didn’t see him. Why didn’t they turn around? The Masked Gentleman was moving through the door. Luke gave a longing look at his two friends in the room, as the door closed. 

The door now shut, the Masked Gentleman uncovered his mouth to get a better hold on him. Luke used this moment to scream at the top of his lungs.

“PROFESSOR!” Luke screamed louder than he ever had in his life, kicking and squirming as much as he could. “PROFESS--” He cut himself off with a whimper, as he felt a sudden sharp pain in his arm. 

“Now Luke,” Luke had chills as the Masked Gentleman referred to him by name. “No need to make a fuss. You’ll see them again shortly.” The Masked Gentleman spoke still gripping his arm in a weird way that really hurt if he tried to struggle ...What was it Emmy called it? Oh right, pressure points... Luke felt tears stinging his eyes from the fear and the pain of his arm. “Now, promise you’ll be a good lad. You’re the star of my next dark miracle.” The Masked Gentleman said chuckling and patting Luke on the head. He released Luke’s arm and Luke found himself too petrified to struggle anymore.

Next dark miracle. Thoughts of people floating away to the sky, turning to stone, and turning to horses passed through his mind. He swallowed hard. A small part of him tried to remind himself the Professor had explained that all of the miracles were merely tricks, but mostly his mind was dominated by sheer panic. What was going to happen to him?? The Masked Gentleman walked around the outside of the auditorium to the side entrance to the stage and waited patiently. Luke could hear the overly loud film still running from here. Luke was nearly hyperventilating. The Masked Gentleman merely laughed and patted his head roughly. 

Suddenly the film was over. The Masked Gentleman entered the wings of the stage and Luke could hear Emmy and the Professor talking. 

“--where’s Luke!?” He heard Emmy exclaim. Apparently this was the Masked Gentleman’s cue, as he threw on the lights. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to my humble theater of revenge!” The Masked Gentleman shouted from the wings. He stepped into sight. “I believe you’ve lost something.” What little bravery Luke had been poorly attempting completely shattered at the sight of Professor Layton and Emmy. 

“Luke!” The Professor called out to him, his face full of concern. His face turned angry as he turned to address Luke’s captor. “Unhand him this instant you villian!” 

“Professor!! Help!”  Luke called out miserably. He risked struggling a little, but the Masked Gentleman had him in a firm hold, there was no getting out of this. Luke felt his eyes welling up again and he struggled to contain them. The Masked Gentleman went on a speech, clearly prepared in advance. Luke was so frightened he could hardly pay attention, his eyes never left his friends. Part of his mind noticed he had never seen the Professor or Emmy this angry before. 

“--I’m sure your young friend here will play his role perfectly.” The Masked Gentleman concluded. Luke’s heart sank as he was directly mentioned again. What was his role?

“Leave him out of this! He’s just a boy!” Layton desperately tried to reason. The Masked Gentleman merely laughed and took off toward the door of the auditorium.

“Professor!!!” Luke cried out. Please, please, please, help me! The Masked Gentleman ran around the side of the hall and stood on the railing above the Grand Hall, which was much higher off of the ground than Luke had ever been in his life. Luke glanced down, then immediately regretted it. He swallowed hard, nervously. They were really high up. Laughing, the Masked Gentleman fell off the rail and began falling. 

They were falling and he was terrified and they were still falling and falling and falling...

Luke woke up screaming. 

Panicked and disorientated, Luke fought his way out of the tangled blankets. He sat up quickly and as his mind cleared, realized he wasn’t dangling in the air, but safe in bed. Shaking, he clutched his bear tighter and listened to see if anyone heard him. Everything was quiet in the Ascot household thankfully. It had been about a year since they had been to Monte D’or investigating that case. Really, he should be over that incident by now. 

There were multiple guest rooms in the mansion so Luke was by himself. In the dark. In a room that suddenly began to remind him of the Reunion Inn. Luke took another deep breath trying to get a grip. A gentleman wouldn’t make a scene. 

Okay, maybe he wasn’t over that incident yet. He needed some fresh air.

Luke climbed out of bed and left the room. He made his way to the balcony, there he could get a good view of Monte D’or and hopefully calm his thoughts. Mrs. Ascot had said he could come out here whenever he liked after all, so he didn’t feel like he was sneaking around. 

Out on the balcony in the cool desert air with a view of the busy city that never slept, Luke began to feel his heart rate slow down. He wasn’t out there long before he heard the door open behind him. Luke turned to see the Professor stepping onto the balcony with him. Luke smiled a bit at the way the Professor looked, still half asleep, in his pajamas, with bed ruffled hair tucked under his famous hat. 

“Good evening Luke,” The Professor said rubbing his eyes, joining him by the railing. 

“Hello Professor,” Luke replied, “Why are you up so late?” Maybe he was lucky and the Professor hadn’t heard him. Maybe the man was up for some other reason and Luke could get away without talking about this.

“I could ask you the same question, my boy,” The Professor replied with a knowing look in his eye. “Is everything alright?” Luke looked away slightly embarrassed. The Professor had heard him then.

 “I just had a bad dream,” Luke explained sheepishly. He could almost feel the Professor’s worried look at him so he hurriedly added, “It happens sometimes... It’s okay, though. Really. So you shouldn’t worry.” 

“Do you want to talk about it?” The Professor asked. Luke sighed wringing his hands. He really did want to talk about it -- When the actual event had occurred, things had been so rushed that they never did get a chance to really discuss it. Luke didn’t think he was too traumatized by the moment. He hadn’t had a nightmare about this in such a long time, after all... Luke assumed this visit set it off. 

But all that being said, there was still a part of him that really didn’t want to talk about it. The Masked Gentleman had turned out to be Professor Layton’s long lost childhood friend, and Luke couldn’t very well let his mentor know that part of him didn’t trust -- and was still frightened of -- his friend. Wouldn’t that hurt his feelings? 

The elder man waited patiently for a response, as if sensing this dilemma. “We don’t have to talk about it,” The Professor added. Luke imagined trying to go back to sleep with everything still boiling up inside. That was sure to set off another nightmare. At the thought of not being able to sleep peacefully, Luke realized just how much he did have to. Might as well just get it over with.

“I-uh, had a dream about when we were investigating here last year,” Luke began, avoiding eye contact by tracing the designs on the rails with his fingers. “About the Reunion Inn…”

“Ah. I see.” The Professor said understanding. The older gentleman paused for a moment, as if trying to piece together a solution to this puzzle. “Are you afraid of Randall, Luke?” Luke nodded still not looking up. The Professor knelt down to his level. “It’s alright if you are. After all, our last visit was…” His mentor paused again before starting over. “Do you want to leave early, Luke? I’m sure I could find something to say to the Ascot’s --” He began to ask kindly. Luke turned to face him.

“No! No! It’s not like that!” Luke cut the professor off. That wasn’t what he wanted. “I am enjoying the visit, really I am. It’s just…” Luke struggled to find the right phrasing. “Sometimes little things he does remind me of everything... but most of the time he is really nice and funny! I know what happened wasn’t his fault, so I’m not worried it’ll happen again or anything. It’s just…. I was really scared...”  

The Professor listened as Luke explained, then nodded softly. “I see.” He paused for a moment thinking, then said, “It’s perfectly alright that Randall reminds you of… everything. But we must never let the bad memories drown out the good ones.” He paused, then smiled. “You still write to Emmy, yes?”

“Yeah…” That almost made Luke feel sadder for a moment as he thought to the period where he wasn’t hearing back from her. But he then thought to when he got her first reply. How it had been pages and pages long. He smiled. 

“I’m sure that wasn’t easy at first, but you’ve maintained a very dear friendship through your endeavors.”

“You’re right Professor, I’ll have to come up with a solution to this!” Luke said feeling much better now that he had a puzzle to solve. The older man smiled at the Luke’s determination. 

“Just remember Luke,” He said putting his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “We can still leave early if you feel uncomfortable here. There’s no shame in that. We can come back for another visit once you’re ready. I’m sure Lady Dahila wouldn’t mind if we were to arrive to St. Mystere a few days early.” 

“I understand Professor.” Luke said with a firm nod. “I really appreciate that. I think I’ll be okay though.” Layton smiled and then stood up. Luke noticed his mentor glanced at the clock in the other room. 

“But for now, I think we should continue this discussion during a more reasonable hour, wouldn’t you agree Luke?” Luke yawned as the Professor said said, prompting a chuckle from the gentleman.

“Yeah, you’re right,” He stifled another yawn. “Thank you Professor, G’night!” Luke left the balcony and walked back through the mansion to his room, feeling better than he had the whole trip. 

Luke fell asleep the second his head hit the pillow. 

…...

He was back in the Reunion Inn, dangling from the ropes where the Masked Gentleman had left him so precariously perched. Luke had stopped trying to reach the rope above him and instead focused his attention to his balance. His neck was beginning to hurt from looking up but it was better than the alternative. 

Luke was suddenly aware of an odd sound above him. Sounded like something sliding? Before he could identify it, the rope he was hanging from lurched suddenly. Luke held his breath, struggling to keep his balance as the rope stopped bouncing. Looking forward again he was greeted with the sight of Professor Layton. 

The professor was coming to rescue him, and suddenly he wasn’t so scared anymore. Almost unconsciously, he let out a small sound of joy. 

….Which was quickly cut off by a jolt of terror as Luke realized the professor was still sliding toward him. It didn’t look like he was going to slow down. Actually, it looked like he was getting faster. Luke struggled for a moment in fear as the professor was about to collide with him. He squeezed his eyes shut as he started to fall…

But he wasn’t falling? 

No, the professor had caught him around his waist and they were moving down the ropes, together, at a controlled and no where near wild pace. 

“Luke.” His mentor began quietly, as they slid down the rope. “Are you alright?” Luke could feel the worry for him radiating out of the question. There was also a small hint of anger underneath the professor’s tone, but it wasn’t directed at him so Luke dismissed it quickly.

Luke nodded in response. Of course he was alright. As long as he and the professor were together, everything would always be alright…

…

Luke had a smile on his face as he slept.   

~

Randall sat silently out of sight until he was certain Luke had fallen asleep again. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, the last thing Luke needed was to see him of all people eavesdropping. 

The boy’s yelling had pulled him out of an uneasy sleep of his own. Thankfully, based on the conversation he had heard, Randall was glad he had ultimately decided not to check up on him. Thinking of that conversation, he felt guilt -- so strong it was almost painful -- twisting all through stomach and his chest. He had been a blind fool. His mistakes were still hurting people, it seemed. 

Randall rested his head in his heads and began to brood. Normally, Angela and Henry were both around to pull him out of his funks, but since it was nearly three in the morning, both of his dear friends were sound asleep. They’d be upset if they found out he had been sulking again and he hadn’t woken them up... but his brother worked so hard everyday and his wife -- he still got chills thinking that, his wife -- was several months pregnant and needed all the sleep she could get. No, he wasn’t going to wake them up tonight.

But… he hadn’t heard Hershel go to bed yet. Perhaps he could go talk to his old friend.

It took Randall telling himself to get up three times before he found the courage to walk out to the balcony and lightly tap on the glass. Hershel turned and his eyes widened in first surprise, then confusion. He shook those off quickly and smiling at Randall, motioned for him to join him. 

Randall faltered for a moment, beginning to regret this already. He didn’t want to talk about this with Hershel suddenly. He just wanted to go back to brooding privately in the hallway. Well, too late to turn back now. He opened the door. Maybe if he joked around a bit, his old friend wouldn’t notice his terrible mood. 

“Hershel, it’s three in the morning. Why on earth are you wearing that hat?” Randall joked as he shut the door behind him. Hershel smirked proudly.

“A gentleman never takes off his hat,” He said adjusting the rim. Randall rolled his eyes at his friend and sat down on the balcony, letting sticking his legs through the bars so they could hang over the edge. The two friends enjoyed the comfortable silence for a little. 

“Why are you up this late?” Hershel eventually asked. 

“Oh you know… Monte D’or is the city that never sleeps, I figured I’d see what the fuss was all about.” Randall said motioning to the city. 

“I see,” Hershel said chuckling, then asked, “Is everything alright?”

Randall paused a second too long before answering.

“Of course! Why wouldn’t it be?” Randall said defensively, without looking at him. “I have a lovely wife, a lovely son on the way--”

“Didn’t Angela say the doctor said it was a girl?” Hershel interjected, thinking back.

“--a lovely son on the way, a wonderful house, my best friends over…” Randall had been counting these on his fingers. “See?” He said with a smile, holding it up so Hershel could see. The Professor paused for a minute, looking at him.

“I doesn’t sound like I’m the one you’re trying to convince, old friend,” He said looking back out to the city. Randall flinched slightly and rested his head on the bars to the balcony with a sigh.

“It’s that obvious, huh?” He said smirking at his friend’s intuition. 

“Not that obvious,” Layton said smiling. “I had to piece it together.”

“Hey.” Randall said looking up at him. “I’m the one who taught you to solve puzzles, you can’t use that ability against me!” Hershel laughed. 

“Do you want to talk about it?” Hershel asked, getting serious. Randall paused and started flicking the railing, sending ringing sounds through the air. He should talk about it, otherwise it was going to be yet another sleepless night. If the conversation he overheard was any indication, Hershel wasn’t half bad at giving advice. Maybe he would talk about it especially since thinking about that conversation sent the waves of guilt spiraling through his chest again.

“We don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Hershel added quietly. 

Randall groaned. Why did that phrase work so well? 

“You’re good at this.” Randall said flatly. Hershel smiled softly and shrugged. Randall sighed rubbing the back of his head. “It’s a lot of things I guess.” 

“Hmmm. Why don’t you pick the easiest one first and we can build up?” Layton suggested helpfully. 

Neither were particularly easy Randall thought so he figured he’d just start with the first one on his mind.

“I-uh.” He paused, nervous. “To preface this, I didn’t mean to, it just sort of happened and I couldn’t stop…” Hershel nodded supportively, letting him know to go on. “I listened in on your conversation with Luke just now…” Randall said quietly hanging his head in shame. 

“Oh.” Hershel seemed at a loss for words for a moment. “Oh.” He said again. “I’m sorry if that was hard to hear--”

“No Hershel, don’t apologize.” Randall cut him off. “I should be the one doing that.”

“Nonsense,” Hershel said turning to face him. “Randall, I thought you knew you’ve been forgiven. That there was no harm done--”

“But there was harm done evidently.” Randall sulked, the terrified, nightmare-induced screams that had woken him up in the first place still echoing in his mind. That stopped Hershel for a minute. 

“Luke is… wise beyond his years and very resilient.” The Professor began. “He understands that who you are now and who you were then are two very different people. You heard him say that yourself.” 

Randall nodded hesitantly, and the professor went on. “His resilience astounds me sometimes, with everything we just went through on our last adventure…” He trailed off for a second lost in thought, then shook his head and continued. “Please believe me when I say that he will be quite alright. You should not let this bother you.” Randall let this sink in. 

“I guess so…” Randall said slowly. He opened his mouth to speak again and found all of his anxieties pouring out. “It’s just-I guess-this just reminded me how irresponsible I am and how I don’t deserve anything I have in my life. I traumatized an eleven year old boy and now I have a child of my own on the way, and I’m an idiot and a heartless jerk, I am going to mess it all up for him or her or whatever they are and I’m a useless piece of--”

“Randall!” Hershel cut him off. “Take a deep breath and calm down.” He instructed. It was only then that Randall realized how heavy he was breathing, how his eyes were stinging, and how tight his chest felt. Maybe he did need to take a deep breath. 

After a moment, Hershel sat down next to him. “Have you spoken to Angela or Henry about any of this?” 

“Some.” He answered honestly. Randall rested his head on the bars again, feeling the lack of sleep he had been getting recently. A cool breeze blew by and the two friends enjoyed it silently for a moment.

“Randall,” Hershel started again, a serious undertone lacing his gentle words, “you are not irresponsible, you are not an idiot, and you are certainly not a heartless jerk. If you were any of those things, you would not be struggling with these anxieties and you would not be killing yourself with guilt.” Hershel explained. “You’ve lived through your share of hard times, and that makes you all the more worthy of the wonderful things you have in your life.” Hershel paused before adding, “And you’re going to be a great father, that I have no doubt.”

“How can you be so certain?” Randall asked quietly. 

“Because you wouldn’t be worried about it if you were going to be a bad father!” Hershel exclaimed. “Bad fathers don’t worry. That’s the definition of a bad father.” Randall was at a loss for words. “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, heavens no, taking care of children is quite a task. But you’re extraordinarily lucky you won’t be doing this alone.”

“What?” Randall asked.

“You’ll have Angela and Henry of course.” Hershel said. “They’ll be there with you every step of the way.” Randall stared out into the city. His anxieties out loud seemed so minor. The things that had been eating him up inside since Angela first arrived home from the doctor were all floating gently out of mind. He could even feel the tightness in his chest easing. 

Randall just leaned over and gave Hershel a huge hug. Hershel stiffened in surprise, then returned it. 

“I am so happy you came to visit Hershel.” Randall said, breaking the embrace. They both turned as the clock struck four. The boys turned back to each other with sheepish grins.

“What do you think Angela would do if she knew we were up this late?” Hershel asked.

“Angela?! I’m more worried about what Henry would do.” Randall said snickering. They both climbed to their feet. “But Hershel,” Randall said getting serious again. “Thank you so much.”

“Anytime Randall.” Hershel said. “I mean it.”

“You know its the same both ways right?” Randall asked crossing his arms. 

“Of course, but perhaps we can save that discussion for a more reasonable hour?” Hershel suggested. Randall smirked. 

“True.” Randall agreed. “Well then, I guess it’s off to bed for us. Goodnight, Hershel.” 

“Goodnight, old friend,” Hershel said tipping his hat.They entered the mansion and parted their separate ways to their rooms. Walking into his bedroom, he smiled at his pregnant wife sprawled on the bed. He crawling carefully into bed, trying not to disturb his wife. She muttered a few incoherent sounds -- which made Randall smile even more -- before rolling over, still sound asleep. For the first time in a long time, Randall had no anxiety stirring in his chest at the thought of his future family. 

He was asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.