05-24-2021, 01:07 AM
When he had died in the Coalition's camp, with his guts yanked out and his blood spilling onto the cold earth... Harland had been one of the many faces that flashed through his mind. Faces that he missed, that he loved, and that he wished he could've spent more time with. He had figured in that moment that the end had come for him, and he had only hoped then that all of them would be able to forgive him for rushing in.
He was back now, though, which meant he didn't have to just hope. He could be with them all again, and he had no intention of being foolhardy and rushing into enemy territory again. With this in mind, the canine had stepped forward, many unsaid words lingering on his tongue as he tried to figure out how to greet Harland. What were you supposed to say to someone you thought you could love, who you had also thought you'd never see again? It was a complicated question, and the thief's mind was struggling to come up with an answer. He didn't need to worry for much longer, though, as Harland came rushing forward, and Michael suddenly felt paws wrapping around his neck. A soft yelp left him as he was pulled downwards, although it was swiftly silenced as Har's muzzle met his own, and he found his face set ablaze beneath his dark pelt. Even as he felt vaguely dizzy from the rush of his heart speeding up, he made no move to pull away from the other's grip, and he had a dopey grin on his face when Harland pulled away.
The embarrassment on Harland's face was unmistakable in that moment, not to mention the frazzled worry his body language seemed to carry with it. Michael was swift to correct this, his voice still a bit rough and hoarse as he laughed, "Hey Har... that's a pretty nice way to come back to life." As if to assure the other that he was alright, the dealer stepped forward to press his forehead gently against Harland's, a small gesture that he returned the sentiment. They could talk more about things later, when he felt less like his now lanky legs were about to collapse beneath him.
Of course, rest wasn't the only other thing that Michael had to worry about at the moment. It wasn't long before Diya came rumbling over, the polar bear understandably pissed at what he had done. Even if her words lacked any true rage, the coyote's ears still flicked back in a sheepish and apologetic way. He muttered to her, another little laugh leaving him – weaker this time, though, "Trust me, I have absolutely no intentions of making that a repeat performance..." It made him feel like his pelt was crawling with ants whenever he tried to think back to what had happened. Sojourn looming over him with a crazed look in her eyes, his blood staining the dirt, his guts... it was all a lot, and he found himself briefly closing his eyes to shake it all away. The bad memories were gone with the wind as Diya stepped forth, pulling him into a hug that he gladly returned. He was silently relieved she had shifted from her polar bear form, knowing she really could snap him in half easily in said form.
As for he and Harland... well, he'd have to try and explain that later. At least, once he knew what was going on as well. He knew there was still a dopey grin resting on his dark muzzle, and he had no intention of forcing it away anytime soon.
The next to arrive was Roxie, in her usual loud and attention-grabbing fashion. Although this time, said volume was motivated by anger rather than her usual antics. His gaze softened as he saw the tears stinging her eyes, and he quickly mumbled, "Hey... yeah. That was really stupid of me. Like... mind-numbingly stupid of me. I'm sorry." His tone was genuine, the canine very easily understanding the rage that had been radiating off the captain in waves, even if he hadn't entirely understood her words. As she joined the hug, he smiled and pressed his nose gently between her horns, moving to do the same with Diya. He muttered to the both of them, feeling his own voice shake as he did so, "Alright, alright... no more tears, okay? You guys are gonna make me cry too, and then I'll be whining about it for weeks." God, he really did love them both so much. Spending a bunch of time without them up in the afterlife would've fucking sucked – even if he wouldn't have wanted either of them joining him anytime soon.
The next to approach was another face that Michael was glad to see, and one that didn't respond with the same bombastic emotions as everyone else. Still, Deldrach's presence caused the dealer's heart to warm, a smile gracing his muzzle. In the relatively brief time he had known her, he had definitely come to consider Del a friend. His tone was warmly teasing as he spoke to her, tail swaying behind him, "What, no hug?" He then followed it up, shaking his head from side to side as he barked, "Thanks, Deldrach. It's good to see you're alright." He had seen her out on the Coalition battlefield that day, and much like with everyone else, he had been praying for her safety. Of course, he didn't know of the rage she had gone into following his death, and he probably would've chided her for doing something so risky if he had known – even if that would be hypocritical considering what he had just come back from.
The last two to arrive... well, just seeing them caused relief to flood through Michael's entire body, a soft laugh leaving him. Even as he chuckled, he could feel tears stinging his gaze, delighted that his plan had amounted to something. He was so glad both Danny and Vayne seemed to be okay, even with all that they had been through.
He let out a grunt as Vayne came rushing over into the group hug, tail wagging as he nuzzled her on the head gently. He spoke softly to his niece, shaking his head from side to side, "Hey... don't apologize to me, alright? What I did may have been really, really stupid, but if it helped even a little bit to get you guys home... I'm glad. I'm so glad you're safe, Vayne." He was so glad they were all safe. He felt like his heart was going to burst forth from his chest, even as he could feel himself also about ready to pass out. The trip back to The Typhoon had been long, and with everything that he had gone through... he couldn't wait to curl up in his bed and just sleep. For how long? He wasn't quite sure, but he was sure he wouldn't be allowed to be cooped up inside for too long until others dragged him out for drinks to celebrate him being alive.
Before any of that, though... there was one last person he needed to address. The words that left Danny were a bit of a mess, but that was understandable. The kid had been through a lot, and just as with Vayne, he didn't want the other trying to say he hadn't been worth it. So, with a little snort, Michael just reached out to lightly pat Danny on the head, muttering in response to his stuttering words, "I'm pretty sure I've already had as many lectures as I need for a lifetime, kid. I'm just glad to see that you're alright." He then said, blue gaze glittering with emotional mirth as he smiled at the other canine, "Sides, I said I was proud of you, didn't I? There was no way I was gonna just leave you there... you're gonna be great, Danny." And he genuinely did mean that. The other had a great deal of potential, even if be was a bit of a crybaby.
— Reggan
— Reggan