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Luke clings to the man’s leg, reduced to nothing more than a trembling little ball of fear. He’s not breathing properly. The Specter is still nearby. They can’t leave, they can’t. They can’t. It’s way too dangerous, a-and Mr. Layton might even get hurt-
His racing thoughts are cut short by the man himself kneeling, coming down to his level. From this close-up, Luke can’t help but notice... How handsome Mr. Layton is. How mature, how refined, how adult he is... How he always seems to be one step ahead of everyone. How he always looks in control of every situation he’s in, despite how dire it may seem. Nothing like the helpless child Luke is. From an outside perspective, seeing them face-to-face like this, it’s probably really obvious, isn’t it ? That the Professor is a truly exceptional man. While Luke Triton is just a boy.
The man speaks ; his tone warm, but resolute.
"We shall uncover the truth about this specter. Together, I promise."
His large, steady hands on Luke's small, shaking shoulders, and his gentle yet determined expression... Luke has no choice but to calm down, and look the Professor in the eye. Every single word he says is significant, and should be treated with gravity.
"Will you trust me, my boy ?" Layton asks, eyes kind and comforting, and those words- "my boy", the idea that someone like Luke could ever belong to such an exceptional man, arouses in him certain feelings that should never exist inside a nine year old boy’s body. Feelings that he knows he shouldn't look at too closely, lest he loses all chances at ever becoming a proper gentleman. His heartbeat picks up, out of control. He’s sweating, but it’s not from fear anymore. A knot twists in his stomach... And he gets lost in contemplation, admiring the man before him. He always knew he wasn’t quite like other kids his age, always felt out of place, but he can feel it, here and now : there’s a dangerous path ahead. A path that’s calling to him. A path he doesn’t mind walking... If Mr. Layton holds his hand through it.
"Luke ?"
Ah... Right. He’s been silently staring at him for a bit too long without even answering...
I have to be strong. If I want to uncover the truth, I have to be brave, for Mr... For Professor Layton.
Luke gulps, and nods; regaining his composure is, he finds, surprisingly easy when the Professor is looking at him.
Fear melts away, when the Professor is beside him. This moment cements itself as the first time the boy is made aware of that rule. The first of many more moments like this to come, that he’s not aware of quite yet.
He trusts him. That’s why he sent the letter that started everything. It’s only thanks to this man that things are finally being done about the Specter. Even before meeting in person, he trusted him.
How could he not ? How could he not trust such a man ? How could he not want to follow in his footsteps, not want to try and become just like him ?
How could one not want to become Professor Hershel Layton's apprentice ?
The Professor is a truly exceptional man. And Luke Triton is just a boy.
Luke Triton is nothing but a boy. But with the Professor’s help...
He might become more than that, one day.