Acceptance.

Max skittered her way to the containment of the Funeral of the Dead Butterflies. She liked this abnormality. She understood it. It had been a great comfort during the time where she had been aimless and grieving Linus. It reminded her of him. No matter what the other employees said, it had always had a warm air about it. A fellow mourner and a nurturing undertaker. The fact it had extra arms and butterflies for a head had made no difference to the still-defeated Max.

But today was different. She'd had a long time to review and replay the events in her mind, to fall, to cry, to lash out, to get up again, her heart still tender but back intact. Her pristine bandages and milky suit were proof enough. Shedding the black garbs of grief to a fresh swaddling in white. She hadn't seen Butterflies in a while, and she was eager to reach him once again, to thank him for his assistance.

She entered the containment room energetically, a resounding "Hello!" to mark her entrance into the room as she scampered to give the abnormality a quick side hug.

The abnormality looked to Max, or so she assumed, seeing the butterfly head rotate to face her.

"Heya, Butterfly." Max said, calmer this time. A normal speaking tone. "I'm back! And I'm feeling better."

The butterfly, though it couldn't change expression, seemed to have a content air about it. Max came to the hopeful conclusion that it was happy for her. She smiled and pulled back from the hug, to stretch and start working. It was Insight work, easy and Max was happy to chat while she worked.

A fluttering of wings seemed to send the message, "I'm happy to hear that you've come to the last stage."

"The last stage? Of what?"

"The final stage of grief. Acceptance."

Oh. That made sense. "Yeah, I suppose I have come to accept it. It still hurts sometimes but… I don't feel like the world is ending anymore."

"You've grown. Pain is a part of life. It will always be with you, but it will remind you you are human. And it will get easier."

Max smiled. That, like most things Butterfly said, was a comfort.

"Thank you." Max replied as she finished dusting the containment unit. It seemed that her work was just about finished from the looks of it. "Well, um, goodbye, Butterflies!"

"Wait," The Butterfly beckoned her with one hand. "I would like you to take this. As a memento, a gift, and a tool to assist you." He hands her a coffin, beautifully crafted and light in her hands, lighter than she thought possible with the elegant craft and size. Around it was a strap to hold it on her shoulder. 

"What's this for…?" Max asked, turning it over in her hands and admiring the weight and finish.

"Wear it on your back, and use it to store your negative emotions. It will serve you greatly, I'm sure. Without the weight of heavy emotions you wish to bury, surely your mind and body will be clearer." The butterfly explained warmly. 

"Gosh, this sounds super useful..! Thank you so much, Butterflies." Max cheered. She slung the coffin on her back and pulled Funeral of the Dead Butterflies into another, fuller hug. "I'll be sure to take good care of it! Thank you so much for your help, for everything."

"Of course, Maxwell. My job is to help those who are dead return home, and help those who are left behind march forward." The Butterflies assured. "You are cared for, no matter where you are, no matter who you are."

"You… You really are such a wonderful person. I hope you have a great day! I'll see you soon!" Max cheered happily. She was touched deeply. She was cared about, by the butterflies and by friends. It was a lovely feeling, warm and glowing in her chest. She waved goodbye as she approached the door.

"Everyone does, everyone does." The Funeral of the Dead Butterflies replied. A menacing thought but Max didn't care, the words were wrapped with comfort, with love. And with that, Max left, donning her shiny new coffin