WE CANNOT FORGET THE PAST ☆ death in the family

[michael t.]

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

Too much. It was all too much for him to try and process, or handle in any sort of reasonable manner. His chest felt so tight, the sobs leaving him only bringing more pain as time went on. Vaguely, he could hear the footsteps of others approaching, a soft voice trying to reassure him. However, his "relationship" with Eltrous was new and weak at best, and Michael couldn't help the way that his words came out in a snarl, "Get... Get away from me. Now. Just leave me be..." He felt as though he couldn't breathe, although he shoved his face back in Trevor's fur anyways, ignoring the way that only made things harder. In the back of his mind, he was very much aware of the fact that the blood on his fur - and by extension the blood from Trevor - was beginning to dry. Time had passed, and there was no point to him sitting there, clinging onto a corpse that was already long gone. Still, it felt impossible for him to step away, knowing that once he did, there was no getting his husband back.

The next to arrive was Deldrach, her quiet and logical presence a comfort for the grieving bobcat. She didn't try to provide him with any meek words of comfort, instead just turning and trying to make herself useful. He watched her walk away from the corner of his gaze, a shaking wheeze leaving him before he slowly pulled himself away from Trevor's body. He still felt vaguely like he was about to pass out, but he knew he couldn't just fall apart. Or, at the very least, he needed a bed before he collapsed and shut the world away. There was no point to just sitting and letting Trev's corpse begin to rot, when he deserved some sort of proper burial. Swaying in his upright seated position, the thief then muttered, scrubbing at his own face, "M'sorry... I... he needs to be buried. Somewhere... maybe along the beach." That was always where they had taken their strolls together when they wanted to get out of the hut, after all.

Goldie's approach filled Michael with mixed emotions, the male feeling both grateful to see her, and also immeasurably guilty. After all, even if she couldn't remember it, she too had lost her spouse, and he didn't want to expose her to such a situation once again. Still, though, it wasn't as if he could've done anything to prevent it. He couldn't blame himself for what The Lost had done, as much as he wanted to. Wordlessly, the feline pressed himself into Goldie's side, closing his eyes briefly as he accepted her comfort. He muttered weakly, his voice hoarse and soft as he spoke, "Sorry Gold... you shouldn't have to see this. I should've..." He couldn't figure out what to say, not sure of what exactly he could've done. Still, it felt as though he should've done more.

Harland's presence also didn't go unnoticed, although Michael didn't say anything in response to his approach. Instead, he just remained half hidden in Goldie's fur, directing a mute nod in Har's direction. He knew the other mainly through Diya, but he still felt grateful for him coming over, the presence of others dragging him forcibly from his grief. At least, for the moment. He had no doubt that once he was in his home and alone again, he would fall apart once more - unless his children stayed gathered around constantly.

— Reggan