Professor Layton and the Rewound Repercussions –Final—

"Welcome back, Clive."

"I believe it is a little late to be saying that, professor." Clive rested his cheek on his palm, flashing Layton a bored look. "I've been here quite a while. I should be saying that to you now."

"Ah." Layton nodded. He waited.

"What?" Clive broke the silence impatiently.

"I thought you were going to welcome me." Layton frowned silently.

"I didn't say I would."

"No, you didn't. It just sounded like you would. I'm disappointed."

"If you're disappointed at such small things, professor, you won't have a very happy life."

"On the contrary, my boy, we must live life vicariously! Take pleasure and pain in the small things and the soul will be that much more enriched."

Clive looked away, a pained expression suddenly playing across his face. Layton's smile slowly faded away, only to be replaced by concern.

"Is something wrong, my boy?"

Clive deliberated for several moments, as though unwilling to speak. "Yes, professor. I'm afraid there is."

"Well, out with it. I'm sure there's no problem too difficult for the pair of us to solve!"

"No, professor. I believe this is something you may not be able to help me with." Clive shook his head and grimaced.

"Girl troubles…?" Layton prompted. "I may be old, but I assure you, I've become rather experienced in the art of courting. Claire wasn't one to be easily wooed, you know. I'm sure we can work this out."

"No, professor. I have no need for such a thing."

"Then what is it?" Layton's voice grew stern. "Tell me, please, Clive."

"I'm—I'm trying." Clive gripped his arms tightly. He didn't want to face the professor. He didn't want to tell him.

"Better out than in, I'd say."

"I—" Clive started, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "I've been told that I'm not allowed to see you anymore."

"What?" Layton tipped his hat up. "I'm…shocked, to say the least. I had heard nothing about this. Are you sure?"

"Why would I lie to you, professor?" Clive ground his forehead against his palm. "Why would I…why would I want such a thing? They told me this was the last time I could see you."

"Did they tell you why? I'm sure we could argue a case—"

"It's not negotiable. I…I can't see you anymore."

"But why, Clive? Surely they would have given you reasons. Or did you not pursue the matter…?"

"Of course I asked them!" Clive slammed his fist against the glass partition abruptly. "Of course I wanted to know! Do you know how many hours I spent quarrelling with countless staff members?"

"What did you learn?" Layton folded his hands over his knee, full attention on Clive.

"They…they told me you've been a bad influence." Clive slumped back in his chair. "They said you're…they said that you've been hurting my 'recovery'."

"I'm sorry, my boy. I had no idea. I am horrified at my own—"

"It's a lie, professor."

"You're lying?"

"They are."

"What brings you to that conclusion?"

"What wouldn't bring me to that conclusion? Ever since you started coming, my mind has grown clearer and clearer. It was as though I was drowning in a sea of chaos and you alone dragged me to calm waters." He laughed bitterly. "I can't say I was much of a help to you, either. So many times I struck out at you in my own blind fury, I…I…"

"No fear, my boy. You didn't wound me at all." Layton gave Clive an encouraging smile. "And I know you can get through this on your own now."

"I—I can't! I can't! I've only gotten this far because of you and you know it!"

"You can, Clive. Believe in your own strength." Layton stood, pressing his hand against the glass. "Perhaps the doctors are right. Perhaps you have to stand on your own now, without my help. I know you can rectify your mistakes."

"I can't!" Clive protested, violently shaking his head. "I can't! I—"

"You can," Layton insisted. Clive stopped thrashing and looked up at the professor, pale and afraid.

"I…don't want to," he said quietly.

"But you will." Layton smiled again. "I know you will. You're a good boy, Clive. Serve your time and perhaps we will meet again one day."

"I don't want you to leave!" Clive slammed his own palm against the glass, mirroring the professor. He leaned forward until his brow touched the wall, form wracked with heaving sobs. "I don't…I don't want…"

"But you will," Layton repeated. "You can and you will. I know it. Be strong, Clive."

"It can't end this way!" Clive shouted. "Not again! It can't end like this!"

"End?" Layton said. "My boy, this is no end. Nothing ever truly ends." He gave another little smile. "I should know. I'm an archaeologist."

"But—"

"This isn't an end, Clive. It's a beginning. I'm sure you, the smart boy that you are, can see it, too…?"

"I…"

"Things only end if you let them end, and I'm not willing to allow our friendship to conclude so suddenly. How about you…?"

"I—I want to stay your friend!"

"Good." Layton pulled away from the glass, adjusting his hat and beaming at the boy. "I would like that very much. Now, I expect you to be a model patient until your release, hm…?"

"D-don't go! You—you said we're friends! Friends don't just abandon each other!" Clive cried. He knew it was hopeless. He knew he was acting like a child. He knew he had lost all dignity. He knew all this, yet...he couldn't seem to stop.

"Abandoning you? My boy, I'm not abandoning you at all."

"You're leaving! How can—how can we be friends if we never—"

"Never see each other? Friends are still friends, no matter the distance. Really, now, you're starting to sound like Luke." Layton chuckled.

"Damn it, professor, the difference is that he can see you!"

"Clive, this isn't permanent. It may seem this way right now, but one day you will again be free. Until that time, I expect you to stay strong—if not for yourself, for me."

"For…for you?"

"Yes, my boy. You see, the more resolute you stay, the sooner you're free…and the sooner you're free, the sooner we can meet once more. And," Layton added, "I believe at that time we will no longer be forced to act as prisoner and visitor across a glass wall, but as two equals. Two gentlemanly equals."

"I'd…I'd like that, professor."

"As would I, Clive." The professor tipped his hat one last time and turned to the door. "As would I."