#ooooooooof.

— ☆⋆˙ WIDE EYES REPEATEDLY GLAZE WRITING as if trying to entirely rescript the words detailed out in front of him so bluntly, so cruelly. Recalcitrant as ever, he clenches his fists at his sides with a vigor, irate that anyone could even have the audacity to question his father's love for him.

❝W—What? No! It's not like that at all, seriously! I— well, I mean, it was at first, but…!❞

— ☆⋆˙ SUDDEN NAUSEA CYCLONES DEEP WITHIN, as echoing words of a fuscous past come barreling back, each with a biting vengeance towards his rapidly waning certainty, gutting any confidence that he may have built up over the months in a rhythm secondary with the doubt it seeds. "I'm offering you a place to stay that isn't corrupted by the stench of Robotnik. If you were capable of handling yourself, you'd have done what needed to be done by this point. I don't think a failure of a Tails like yourself is in a place to be turning down an opportunity like this."

❝I… I know he and I didn't get off on the right foot to start off with, but father is a good man! Even if people don't agree with his methods, he… really just wants the best for everyone! He loves Kit, and me! He does!❞

— ☆⋆˙ LACERATING HATE SWEPT INTO CORNERS of his mind drag themselves up, resurfacing from the depths of a headspace since placated by kinder words, by the lavish of glamour and affectionate doting. "...My mistake for thinking Tails would understand my pain. Brainwashed little brat putting his blind faith in a liar, despite everything I've done to keep you safe."

Quopping in his chest already, Chronos' heart feels like it's started to bleed all over again. If father truly does love him… why would he say something like that? It's something he'd stopped questioning far too long ago to recall, but that neglected query, still with no answers, returns all too soon to haunt him. He apologized, didn't he? Why does it still matter?... Why does it still hurt?

Chewing on his lower lip to fruitlessly distract himself from the forming tears, a stuttering breath exudes broken fear. Eyes, trying as they may to avoid rereading the message, roll over the last sentence one more time.

Do you really think someone like that could love you, let alone anyone?

He breaks.