#clive.

okay, first of all, layton doesn’t hate clive. he believes what clive has done is reprehensible, but in light of symbolism, clive is essentially a young anti-layton. somewhere in his mind, hershel is aware of that. although clive presents himself under the guise of being a future luke, he’s the exact opposite (present anti-layton). his investigative skill, his puzzle-solving ability, his engineering genius, his obvious cunning: it’s all layton! keep in mind that clive is only twenty-three when his plan comes to fruition, but he’s been working on it for years. 

on top of that, he’s also orphaned, having run into layton the day that that happened. and after the realization that clive is just as much a victim as he is a criminal, layton wants to aid in his rehabilitation. his reintegration into society. it could easily be argued that clive is severely mentally ill, based on how he has a clear caring for the professor, as well as spring and cogg, but despite that wanting to exact revenge on the whole of london anyway?? if anything, that’s what allows him back into society. he also admitted to being blinded by his “madness” (this terminology isn’t a mistake, mentally ill people can be very aware that there is something wrong yet be powerless to it. and since professor layton technically takes place in an older london, “madness” gleans to the fact that clive is ill). when he’s cuffed, clive not only mentions that he will willingly atone for his crimes but that part of him hoped that hershel could talk him down from the edge of insanity as he had the day that he lost his parents. 

anyways, after the events of unwound future, layton essentially adopts clive as well, although he’s only ten or so years older than he is. he feels responsible for his integration back into society and his coping with his feelings. of course layton doesn’t take this responsibility on himself, but makes it clear to clive, as well as everyone else, that he is going to be here for the long haul.