ALL I FOUND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SPACES
STANDING IN THE NOTHING, AND TIME RECLAIMS YOU

Pain. Despite knowing that he hadn't sustained any physical injuries following Trevor's death, Michael still felt as though he woke up every morning since then with his body aching. Everything felt heavy and stiff, and it was actively a chore for him to slowly push himself from bed. Today, however, he was aiming to change that feeling. As soon as the pads of his front paws connected with the smooth wooden floorboards, he had a plan in his mind. He would need to make a bit of an effort on his part in order to execute said plan, but that was fine. He liked having something to do these days, since it stopped him from being stuck in his own head.

The dealer slowly made his way out of his bedroom and into the small storage room of his family's hut, his teeth eventually sinking into the lip of what he was looking for - a small wooden tub. The act of dragging the tub all the way outside was a bit of a hassle, but Michael felt pretty determined, a stern expression on his face as he tugged it out and onto the porch. After that, it was a simple matter of pushing the tub down the front steps, watching as it sunk down into the sand below, sitting firm and still. That was perfect for what he planned to do, honestly. The next step would also require a bit of effort, considering he had to bring several buckets of warm water over to the tub, pouring them all in before he was finally finished. He had just what he had been looking for: a nice warm bath.

Finally seeing an opportunity to just relax and let his muscles stop aching, the bobcat slowly tugged himself up and over the lip of the tub, settling down inside and letting out a breath of relief. The warm water washing over his back was a godsend, and he was quick to rest his chin on the edge of the tub, closing his eyes and just letting himself tune the world out around him. Of course, this also meant that he was utterly oblivious to what was going on behind him - namely, Midas sneaking up with an entirely full bottle of bubble bath in his jaws. The multicolored coyote had a crooked grin on his face as he approached his father, standing up on his hind legs as he said cheerfully, "Hey dad! Here, this'll make your bath even nicer!" He then proceeded to dump the entire bottle into the wooden tub, sticking his long limbs into the water and shaking them around vigorously in order to make the bubbles start to rise. Michael let out a surprised shout as the bubbles rose up and began to spill over the side of the wooden tub, drenching the sand below. He was only able to send a stern look in Midas's direction as his son went running off, laughing mischievously.

With a sigh, the bobcat just watched as his bath continued to bubble over around him, shaking his head from side to side. At least it seemed as though Midas was finding ways to make himself happy, even following Trevor's passing. Remaining comfortably seated within the wooden tub, Michael muttered as he gently splashed his paw at some of the bubbles, snorting, "Well... I guess at least I won't have to clean up too much..." The bubbles really seemed as though they had no end in sight, but at least they were just soaking the sand. It wasn't as if the beach was going to get ruined.

I DON'T KNOW, EVERYTHING.
IS THAT AN ANSWER, EVERYTHING?

Frankie's days had become rocky, turbulent. He'd spent most of the days asleep with his father or hidden in the darkest corner of his room. He'd heard his father leaving the home and hadn't reacted, heard his brother grabbing something from the bathroom. His brother's laughter is what had brought him from hiding, pulling him outside. He squinted in the sun, light hurting his one "good" eye. He finally managed to adjust until he could see what was happening, expression lightening some at the scene before him.

He shifted into a run, giving only a howl of warning before he plunged into the water with a splash, water flying around him. He gave a few excited barks, dunking his head under the water. He swished around for a moment before lifting his head and shaking it to get some of the water off his head. "Hiya, papa!" he says before pressing his forehead against his father, tail wagging behind him.

ALL I FOUND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SPACES
STANDING IN THE NOTHING, AND TIME RECLAIMS YOU

Keona's approach finally prompted Michael to raise his head properly from the water, a soft chuckle leaving the bobcat as he heard his fellow dealer's confusion. He had to imagine that it was difficult for her to know what was going on, considering bubbles weren't exactly easy to sense, so to speak. Watching as the small wildcat stretched out a paw to poke at the bubbles foaming and shifting on the ground, Michael couldn't help but let out a soft laugh – his first genuine laugh in months. He nodded in her direction – even though he knew full well she couldn't see it – before he spoke, "Yeah, it's bubbles. I dragged a tub out here onto the beach so I could take a nice warm bath, and... well, Midas thought it would be fun to dump some bubble bath in. He dumped the entire bottle, though... it might be a bit before the bubbles fully stop." He had a bit of a sheepish look on his face as he finished, hoping that Midas's actions wouldn't lead to Keona getting hurt. After all, she only had to take a step forward in the wring spot to send herself sprawling outwards.

Opening his mouth to warn Keo to be careful, Michael wasn't able to finish before a loud and joyful howl echoed through the air behind him. It caused the thief to jump, barely having time to turn his head before he was drenched with a wave of bubbly water, soft coughs leaving him as some hit his tongue. When Franklin emerged from the depths once more, Michael found himself shaking his head, chuckling happily before he muttered, "Hey there, Frankie. Can't say that I was expecting that... you didn't inhale too many bubbles there, did you?" He was quick to lift one fluffy limb to wrap around his son, pulling the young coyote against his chest. He couldn't help the way that his heart gave a painful pang, the other's appearance and excitable demeanor reminding Michael so much of Trevor.

After the death of Trevor, Roxanne knew that it had taken quite a toll on Michael and she had decided to try to make something nice for her brother. Check on him every now and then when she wasn't occupied with her duties or running after the kids, a soft breath leaving her maw as her half closed gaze would look at the basket she had placed on her kitchen counter. She wasn't even certain on how the kids were taking the loss, Rox grabbing the basket as she made her way out of her house making her way over to her brothers home. A soft breath leaving her as she shook her head lightly in slight frustration "Be there for him."

She noticed that there was some bubbles floating out from the home and she knocked on the door for a moment to announce her presence not knowing where Michael was exactly. It didn't take long for her to find him and a small frown touched on her maw only to force it away as a toothy grin pulled at her lips as she set down the basket full of baked goodies "Anyone order some of my famous red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting? Yes? You." She pointed a pink claw to Michael, she was trying her best.