I'm Not a Cynic

While he couldn't tell exactly what Ellery was thinking, Clouse was able to see that what he'd said had been difficult for his sister to hear. That hurt, and his sadness returned even more strongly than before. His ears collapsed against his skull and his eyes started to sting as he listened to her talk. This was why it was better to keep one's mouth shut. Why he had just up and left, rather than facing the damage his black sheep tendencies caused. Of course, there was the option of being the Clouse he knew they wanted him to be, but the child did not have the strength to bury himself so wholly.

"I'd wanna bring you guys back stuff," he assured her with eager earnesty, before his voice thickened with the threat of tears and he whined;

"I don't hate you."