#I should probably write the follow-up with actual Layton discovering the body and Dimitri not understanding what's up

[another-clive-blog]

imagine if luke somehow accidentally killed clive

So proud of myself for answering this ask about Clive dying with a fic in which Clive's death is only ever implied 😔 I am failing my lit classes btw

TW !! Death implied, non-graphic description of hurtful event + there's a tiny little mention of "red" for blood in the very last sentence.

This was hard to write because of Future Luke (Clive), but also because of Layton (Don Paolo). I can deal with one evil cosplayer, two is more difficult. Also, I think it's hilarious that Don Paolo is in charge for what, 3 minutes, and the child commits a homicide during this short amount of time. Splendid

"I think I'll need a break," Luke admitted, sounding terribly exhausted.

"Again ?" His future self was impatient, but yeah, he needed a break actually ! This towering pagoda was huge, filled with far too many staircases !

"Very well. There's no use in pushing ourselves beyond our limits," Layton nodded, and the group stopped as a whole.

"Future Layton is waiting for us," Big Luke protested, the only one still willing to go on. He must be used to this, Luke thought, climbing up these stairs to go and confront Layton every other day. A duel at the top.

"He's not going anywhere," Layton said, and that was it. If the professor wasn't even suggesting a compromise, then it was better to drop the subject altogether.

Little Luke was still catching his breath when Big Luke came to stand next to him. "That exhausted, uh ?"

Luke nodded. "These staircases are huge ! I don't get why the professor would build such a big tower !"

"We haven't even made it halfway," Big Luke remarked, and Luke almost felt his courage vanishing.

No ! This was important, far more important than a bunch of stairs !! "It's going to take some time," he muttered instead.

Big Luke didn't say anything. He was looking at him with an unreadable expression, almost upset- and then he smiled.

In a swift motion, he stole Luke's hat.

"Wha- give it back !" Luke commanded. He tried to grab it but Big Luke was faster, annoyingly so. "This isn't fun, stop it !!"

"It's quite fun, actually," His future self replied, effortlessly beating Luke's attempts to win back his hat. That was vexing- but also he almost had it, Luke was sure of it !! Just a few more tries-

And then Big Luke looked at the ascending staircase.

Oh no- "Race you to the top !" Before Little Luke could say anything, he was already gone- and with his hat in hand !!

"That's it !!" Luke yelled, running after his future self.

"A gentleman never gets into a fight !" the professor called out after him, yet not making any move to stop them. It was a bit odd for the professor to be so little concerned, but it didn't matter : Luke would just have to settle this himself. Like an adult. Be the bigger person.

And get back his bloody hat !!

When he finally caught sight of the top of the staircase, Luke also saw his future self blocking his path, grinning down at him. He was playing with the hat, spinning it on his finger. "You're pretty fast for someone exhausted !" He laughed, and Luke saw red.

"Give it back !!" He screamed, throwing himself at the guy. Big Luke merely sidestepped, dodging him as if he was just that insignificant.

"I'm afraid you'll have to ask." Big Luke said, holding the hat high above his head : Luke clenched his little fists, only letting go when he took notice of the professor and Flora at the top of the staircase, behind his future self.

Layton swiftly grabbed the hat as he walked. Big Luke turned in surprise and was met with Flora glaring at him. "Oh Luke, I am disappointed to see you being so mean. I thought you would have become a true gentleman by now !"

Luke ran to Layton, eagerly taking his hat back. "Thank you, professor !!" The professor didn't say anything, only sparing him a single glance before focusing on the room ahead.

"Hey," a voice muttered, and Luke turned around to see Big Luke scratching at the back of his neck while pointedly avoiding to meet his eyes. "I was just trying to... go faster. Show you you can do it. You know." He put his hands in his pockets, looking almost annoyed- or maybe that was just what embarrassment looked like for him. "I won't do it again."

Luke narrowed his eyes, glaring at him. "You didn't even apologize," he bitterly said, "You're no gentleman."

His future self frowned, thought for a while, and then surprisingly enough, relented. "You're right. I'm sorry." He held his hand out with a small smile, a nice smile for a change ! "Truce ?"

Well... Luke did want to get along with him. He was him ! And he could learn so much from him !! Maybe even understand why he was like that, and keep this from happening to him ! "Alright !" Little Luke happily said, trotting toward his future self.

As he raised his hand, Big Luke grabbed his hat.

What.

Big Luke was chuckling, looking far too proud of himself. "It was way too tempting," he smugly explained, "you're so naive sometimes."

Something went off in Luke's brain.

He pushed, hard. It wasn't even that deliberate, just an instinctive reaction to that feeling of anger, hatred maybe. He's just so mean. I can't keep being the bigger person.

He immediately regretted it when he saw Big Luke's eyes widening, him losing his footing, the stairs so dangerously close- and then little Luke closed his eyes. Of course, he still knew what was going on, he could hear everything, but he- he didn't want to look just yet.

"What happened ?" The professor was next to him in a matter of seconds, urging him to answer. "Where is the other one ?"

Luke took his hands off his eyes. He was shaking, and so did his voice. "I- he was being mean again," a sob. "Professor, I didn't mean to push him-"

Layton looked down the stairs. He couldn't see the bottom of it, with the spiraling architecture and the huge staircase. "I'll go check on him," he finally decided. "In the meantime, you should start working on the puzzle in this room. Our priority remains to get to the top as soon as possible, before Future Layton or the Family catch up."

Luke and Flora nodded, apprehensively watching the professor leave. "Come on," Flora eventually said, pulling Luke away. She sounded less enthusiastic now.

Luke couldn't focus on the puzzle, of course he couldn't. Maybe his future self needed to go to the hospital, or maybe he had gotten caught with all this ruckus. Oh, was he going to get mad at him ? Luke couldn't bear this thought. He hoped Big Luke would understand that he had never wanted to harm him.

Flora was about to solve the puzzle when they both heard footsteps. Although she carefully stayed put, Luke ran to see-

The professor, alone.

"Professor ?" Luke tilted his head. "Where is Big Luke ?" Oh no, no no no-

The professor didn't answer right away. There was something stern, torn in his eyes, as if he had seen something he'd much rather forget- something he knew he'd never forget.

Luke held his breath. Oh, Big Luke was definitely hurt- but wait, the professor wouldn't leave him hurt. And he couldn't have possibly be led to the hospital in such a short amount of time ! Where was his future self ? Could it be that maybe...

"He's fine," The professor said at last, and Luke felt his whole body relax. He was fine ! His future self was all good, no injuries, no hospital !

Where was he then ?

As if he had read his mind, the professor went on. "He didn't feel like climbing everything up again. He said that he'd join us later, once this was all done."

"Oh. Alright." Luke hesitantly nodded. Well, yeah, he'd hate to have to climb more stairs, but Big Luke had been so keen on meeting Future Layton... It just felt weird for him to suddenly change his mind... Then again, it was a pretty big fall. And he had to be pretty upset. Luke still felt a bit mad at him, to be frank. Maybe Big Luke was too. Maybe he'd never want to see him again.

"He said that he was sorry. He asked me to give you this, as a sign of apology," Layton said, and he pulled something from behind his back-

His hat !!

"Thank you professor !!" Luke's smile was wide as his little hands grabbed the cherished fabric. Oh, it felt good to have it back !!

"Don't thank me. Thank him."

Luke put his hat back with a frown. Yeah, Big Luke may have given it back, but he was also the one who kept stealing it in the first place... Luke could thank people for being nice, but it felt weird to thank people for not being mean. "It'll have to wait until I see him again," Luke finally decided. He'd have some time to think until then : and if he was lucky, Big Luke would finally and truly decide to change his ways.

Yeah. Yeah, that was good. It would all work out in the end.

Luke walked away with a smile, unaware of Layton's saddened eyes staring at a little speck of red on the back of his blue hat.

-_-_-_-

Shout-out to Clive's "I can't believe I was this small." Like my man, why are you bullying your middle schooler self. You're kind of an asshole tbh