FEVER'S GONNA CATCH YOU -- open; return

[michael t.]

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

Michael hadn't interacted with Torsten much since the other's return, although that wasn't intentional. He wanted to give the kid space – especially since he was sure the other had been treated like shit by the Iron Forged – but he also would've been happy to provide Tor with some company, if he just wasn't so busy. Every time he thought he had a bit of time to goof off or relax, something new would hit him. In some cases, that something new was just a job he had forgotten about, or a new chore being plopped in his lap. In other cases, though, it was something much more serious... like his most recent loss.

Needless to say, he found it difficult to focus on too much as of late, and his planned visits to Torsten had unfortunately slipped through the cracks. All he could hope was that the other was still being well cared for and getting plenty of company, considering he had his family all around. Not to mention, Michael was sure that Torsten and Roan had bonded a bit as a result of their shared situation within the Iron Forged – there was no doubt that the soothsayer had gone to visit the other once or twice.

Even though the dealer was sure that the other had gotten plenty of support since his return, he couldn't deny that he was glad to see Torsten out and about again. It meant that the other was recovering, if even in a small capacity, from what he had experienced. It was because of this that Michael wore a smile on his muzzle as he made his way over, sitting down beside the silent boy. He hesitated for a moment, scrubbing at his own tired gaze, before he spoke, "Hey there, Torsten... it's good to see you out here again. You feeling better, or... did you just want to come and appreciate the waves?" The bobcat certainly wouldn't blame Torsten if he had come out just to enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean before heading straight back inside. Michael knew he had done that at least a couple of times for the first couple of days following Trevor's passing.

— Reggan