INDEX

1. Missing
2. Falling down
3. Let it all out
4. A plan to make
5. Catching up
6. Reunion
7. Going uphill
8. Acceptance

---

Averie curled up into a fluffy ball for around 15 minutes while their friend Filbo tried to calm them down. "It hurts...as if Clumbernut's words weren't enough..." they refered to a piece of paper, the written form of the job termination. But this wasn't the icing of the cake. Because they were legally declared as deceased and without being able to pay rent, the orange grumpus also lost their apartement.

"Lin and Asp's apartement is too small. I...could live with my pa, but..." Averie hesitated. They just reconciled with their family, but as much as Dex assured he would help his child, Averie wanted him to continue his work as a saxophonist, knowing he can't always be there.

There they get reminded that they are not alone in the apartement, as a paw gently nudged the orange grumpus on their shoulder. "I...do have enough room in my home." they heard the voice of the light blue grumpus, looking up to him. "I-I mean it wouldn't make things more complicated, now with the election on going. That way we can discuss the next steps for debates...and such..."

Averie couldn't help but chuckle a little. Was he trying to ask them to move with him? The orange grumpus got up, now sitting, as they offered a genuine smile to Filbo. "You wouldn't mind having me as your roommate? You...know I can be a bit...difficult at times..." With 'difficult' they meant their occasional mood swings after a nightmare happened, or times where they don't want to leave the bed.

"Wouldn't have offered if I would mind." he responded to Averie. "Besides that...we did live together for a short while...remember?" Ohh right! The time Filbo needed a temporary shelter because of the snakification, which thankfully, has fully worn off.

Giving this a thought...it probably wouldn't change much, right? Only moving to a different house, but with the same roommate. "A-Alright..." Averie answered once they processed the conversation and what had just been said. "I guess this is fine...until I am able to find a job and earn enough to pay for my own apartement."

...sometimes you are too good to others, Filbo. But...I appreciate it...

---

The following months were a path of hills and valleys. Being busy as the "PR Manager", Averie had to solve some of their personal matters. One of those was finding a therapist after having a long conversation with their friends Lin and Asp. After several weeks and three attempts, but without results, it was Dex who recommended his child to a friendly grumpus who helped him through his troubling moments.

Dr. Lavenderhills was the name of the therapist and as soon as the first hurdles were taken, the orange grumpus soon felt safe enough to explain what currently troubled them. Turned out Dr. Lavenderhills was a patient grumpus and a good listener, as well someone who doesn't judge too much on her patients. Soon enough Averie accepted the help they get and would visit the therapist at least three times a week. The beginning to slowly recover from the scars of the past.

---

One of the few things Dr. Lavenderhills recommended was physical workout. Good thing Averie knows one grumpus who has a knowledge on that area. There it was decided Averie would work out with Chandlo and Snorpy at least twice a week. For now they would join for a jog through the park or forest to work on endurance and leg muscles.

Through one of the workouts Averie rediscovered their passion for dancing eventually. But since they don't really want to be the focus on attention all the time, they would do so in private. Only in front of Asp and Lin...but maybe one day they would feel confident enough to dance for their other friends.

---

Of course spending quality time with the grumpuses they like was also a thing their therapist recommended. New friends from Snaxb-...Snaktooth Island, but also old friends. Asp's and Lin's apartement was indeed too small to have a third grumpus living with them, but it doesn't mean all three couldn't do a sleepover (which cannot happen often due to Averie having to organize events during the election period). Here they talked about recent events, giving each other face painting and remembering good old times.

"Soooo...I heard you are living with Filbo?" Lin was currently painting Averie's face in a blue tone. Averie looked over to the pink grumpus with a pointed look. "Only temporary...until the elections ended...and until I managed to find a new job." they quickly answered. "We are...good friends. We helped each other out...and...I can't deny he is kinda...sweet..."

Asp, who had already a finished face painting, gave a meaningful look to her roomie Lin. The pink grumpus winked to the brown one in return, then placed a paw on Averie's shoulder as she led them to the mirror. "Now look, here we got a beautiful grumpus. Don't you think?"

The orange grumpus gasped by the sight in the mirror. A marking covered the upper parts of their eyes and nose, combined with a tear-marking. Asp lifted up a paw to sign that she approved. "Blue really suits you, Avie." she remarked.

"Yes! Blue is your colour!" Lin joined in with a wide smile. Averie put a paw underneath their mouth as they considered the look of the face painting. And after a while, they came to the conclusion that it does look good on them...but also that their friends indirectly teased them. "Thank you for the face painting, Lin." they thanked the pink grumpus with a smile, which soon turned into a playful smirk as they picked up a pillow. "However, I don't appreciate the hint of what you are implying. This means pillow war!"

And as soon as they shouted the last part, Lin immediately ran away from Averie. This was however interrupted with playful laughter. Only Asp remained in the bedroom, crossing her arms as she shook her head. "You haven't realized it yet, Avie. You haven't realized it..." Before she joined the pillow fight too.