#a grumpy fox

[hardcore-gaming-101]

Top 47K - Lunistice

Join the HG101 gang as they discuss and rank a cute 3D platformer from A Grumpy Fox

[miloscat]

[Review] Lunistice (NS)

The more throwback 3D platformers the merrier!

Lunistice is a retro-style 3D platformer mostly made by one person, Dennis Kröner. It was supposed to be a 30-day development project but in reality it ended up taking more than a year! The inspiration is 32-bit titles on the PSX and Saturn, so environments are blocky and textures low res, but without the warping or low frame rates that plagued these kinds of games.

The gameplay also feels modern and smooth while evoking retro level design. In many ways it’s very similar to Siactro’s Toree games (and in fact Toree herself appears as a guest character!) with linear obstacle course-type levels, but with plenty of twists and turns (and checkpoints, thankfully), not to mention short looping branching paths for extra collectibles. You have a double jump plus an attack that works as an extra mini-jump, and there’s otherwise plenty of bouncing and other little interaction gimmicks to keep the pace flowing. Lovely stuff.

Our protagonist Hana is an anthropomorphic tanuki—or maybe a comatose human undertaking a sci-fi special ops mission—and much of the iconography of the colourful worlds of the abstract dreamscape she’s jumping and grinding through is Japanese tinged. Get the main bonus items in a level and you can unlock a bit of lore about the high concept scenario, but it feels a bit disconnected and ultimately unnecessary.

With about a dozen levels the game is a great length for an indie snack of this sort, although individual levels are pretty substantial. After beating the game Toree becomes available along with Toukie, a samurai bird character from the early access 3D roguelike Holomento. These two have different attributes that make playing through again a satisfying prospect. Their collectibles get swapped out for ones appropriate to their sources, but otherwise the levels are the same.

Complete the game with them though and they each have their own authentic final stage… well, I haven’t played Holomento but Toree’s level feels like a Toree level! Toukie’s stage is a nice change of pace, a sprawling map more like a collectathon exploration platformer. They’re a great addition to what is otherwise a neat little package.

Lunistice is an utterly charming throwback that knows when to add modern touches for a perfect blend. If you are a fan of Siactro’s games like I am, especially the many excellent Toree games, well this is right in that wheelhouse albeit a little more complex and challenging at times, perhaps. I had a lovely time.

[the-witty-pen-name]

Too Sweet

Grumpy!Buck x Sunshine!F!Reader

Word Count: 3.6k

Synopsis: Based on Too Sweet by Hozier, you’re a probie at the 118. You meet Buck during a rough patch in his life. Despite the distance between you two, he comforts you after you couldn’t save someone on a particularly difficult call.

Warnings: mentions of death, depression/grief, angst, hurt/comfort, cursing

A/N: This takes place around the time of season 2, but follows canon very loosely. Thank you so much @munsonsmixtapes for reading and helping me with this fic!

You feel paralyzed, you’re hardly able to move your legs to get off of the truck. You’re stuck, standing next to the truck in your full gear and everyone moves around you. They shed their layers of equipment and talk about dinner and you feel like you could scream. But you’re stuck, feet firmly planted as if you're lost in your own head. You’re playing back in your head everything that you just witnessed, and you can’t even fathom that it had been real.

Everyone has noticed that you need space, so they don’t crowd you. They’re concerned- of course they are. But they know all too well that you need to process this like they had to. Buck hangs up his coat in his locker as he watches you, seeing how you look so lost. He shakes his head, ignoring his urge to reach out to you. You think he hates you anyways. He thinks you’re better off talking to Bobby, or Hen- hell, anyone on the team other than him.

Buck didn’t start off on the right foot with you and he has been fumbling ever since. He was abrupt, and distant. He’s sure that you thought he was just an asshole. He couldn’t bring himself to get closer to you. He couldn’t exactly pinpoint why.

Deep down he knew why, but he would never let himself acknowledge it. He was jaded- bitter after being abandoned by Abby and he’s sitting in his own self pity that he just deflects everyone away. Including you- especially you. Who just up and runs off to Ireland and doesn’t tell their boyfriend until their bags are packed? Abby apparently.

Buck had made a genuine connection. He finally felt like he was getting his act together, finally turning his life around and he feels like it was almost stolen from him. Or worse- none of it has actually been real. All the progress, everything he felt with her- that connection, was it even as real as he thought it was? Were they even still together? God, he’d been miserable and he made it everyone else’s problem lately.

When everyone settles at the table to eat dinner, Buck notices you’re the only one still not changed out of the clothes you wore on the call. Your face is still covered with grime and hair sticks to your forehead from sweat. You’re staring at the table in front of you, still completely zoned out. Buck opens his mouth, wanting to say something to you- anything. His words fail him yet again. Bobby beats him to it.

“You should go wash up,” Bobby says gently from across the table. The tone of his voice, commanding yet firm, snaps you out of your daze. You blink, like you’re coming out of a trance as you look around. Everyone’s eyes are on you, and they offer sympathetic half smiles. It enrages you even more, and you hate that you feel this way. You aren’t yourself right now, and you don’t know how to get back to that. Maybe it’s all too fresh, but you’re scared you won’t find yourself again after that.

With a nod agreeing with his suggestion, you get up without a word and head to the women’s locker room. Everyone eventually settles back into their own conversations, talking about nothing in particular while Buck can’t shake you from his mind. You’d been here for only a few months, you’d hadn’t seen the worst of this job yet and it’s breaking his heart to see you like this after months of just- he doesn’t even know how to describe it. Light? Joy? Optimism? Sunshine? Basically, everything he hasn’t been since Abby up and left. He swears he sees that same fire in you that he used to have before everything changed.

•••

The first thing Buck noticed about you was your smile. It was the first thing everyone saw. Beaming and bright eyed, you walked in that first day like you dragged the sun in behind you. With your duffel bag over your shoulder and your brand new uniform, you strolled in like you’d been there a million times before.

Abby had been gone for a couple of weeks, and Buck felt a constant tension in the back of his neck from how poorly he’d been sleeping. He hated being home, because he was reminded of how lonely home actually felt. Then when he was at work, the long stretches in between calls left him too much time with his thoughts. He was hurt, confused, and betrayed. It played on a constant loop in his mind- just seeing her suitcase and how nonchalant she was about everything.

“Hey,” you introduce yourself for the first time, extending your hand out to Buck. He’s so lost in his own self pity that he doesn’t even hear you at first. He reluctantly shakes your hand, noticing your grip is stronger than he anticipated. You ask him a question, and he misses it. He doesn’t ask you to repeat yourself. You give him the benefit of the doubt.

Everyone welcomes you with open arms, and you’re quickly whisked away on a tour before Buck even realizes that you’re gone from in front of him. Just like that, you bounced in and out of his orbit for the briefest of distractions before he’s back to his silent brooding.

He watched from a distance, hanging back the rest of the day, as everyone seemed to be captivated by you. You were so… nice. You were sweet and even tempered and personable. You weren’t what he was expecting. He didn’t expect someone like you.

He didn’t expect to be thinking about you this much.

“She’s great isn’t she?” Eddie asked, walking over to his locker and finding Buck there. Buck shrugs, not wanting to talk.

“She’s a little, um,” he takes a second to think about his words. “Delicate?”

Eddie furrows his brow, and shakes his head in confusion. “No, what are you talking about?”

“She just seems a little… I don’t know- naive, maybe? She seems a little too wide eyed for a job like this.”

“It’s her first day, don’t you think you should give her a fair chance before saying shit?”

“I’m just saying,” he says, coming off a little more defensive than he means to.

“What are you saying, Buck?”

“Is someone like that really someone we want out on a call? You need to have thick skin.”

“You aren’t sounding like yourself,” Eddie begins to say. It’s not the first time he’s wanted to talk to Buck about this. He’s been so closed off, stuck in this negative spiral and he won’t let anyone in no matter how hard they try to pull him out.

“I know you don’t know me,” they hear a voice behind them say. Buck’s eyes widened when he realized that you heard him. “I’m going to carry my weight here, and I passed the same test as everyone else. I know what I signed up for. I appreciate your concern for your team but I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t up to the task.”

He knew he fucked up.

•••

You scrubbed your skin until it felt raw, and you stood under the hot water of the shower until you couldn’t physically stand it. No matter how hard you tried, you felt like you couldn’t wash it all away- you couldn’t get clean enough. The feeling of it all still lingered on your skin as you let the harsh stream run over you.

You’d changed into fresh clothes- another LAFD shirt and a pair of your sweatpants when you reemerged to join the group in the break room. Your hair was still wet from the shower and it was leaving a large water stain on the back of your shirt, making the material cling to you. Usually, the feeling of the wet fabric on your back would drive you crazy but you can’t find it in you to care.

Hen and Chimney were playing a video game you didn’t recognize and Eddie hovered behind them, waiting for his turn to sub in. The three of them were screaming at the characters on the TV, too wrapped up in the game to notice you there. You checked the clock on the wall- it was so much later than you realized. You missed dinner, and the realization of how hungry you were was enough to make you want to cry.

You notice on the table, there’s a plate wrapped in aluminum foil. They saved something aside for you. It brings you just enough comfort that you could kiss whoever thought to keep it. It’s easily the best thing you have ever seen in your life. You don’t even say anything to anyone as you stride over to the table, so relieved to be able to eat something. Buck smiles to himself- he can’t help but feel a tug on his heartstrings, knowing that something he did made you that happy.

You take a seat at the table, and you can’t remember spaghetti ever tasting this good. You practically wolf it down, and it's the most content you’ve felt in hours. When your hunger is finally satisfied, you wash your dishes and decide it would probably be wise to join the group. You didn’t want to be alone in the quiet of your bunk. The thought was enough to fill you with even more dread.

The only seat open is the space next to Buck on the couch. Hesitantly, you decide to make your way over and take a seat. He scoots over to make room for you and he swings his arm over the back. Neither of you say anything at first. You don’t know what to say- what can you even say?

•••

You were never an early riser, but it was something you trained yourself to adjust to. You liked being the first one up, taking in the early morning alone. It was peaceful. The past few weeks, you’d get up first before anyone else on call and make yourself coffee. It was nice.

You still had on your plaid pajama pants you slept in and one of your LAFD shirts with a blanket wrapped around your shoulders as you were moving about the kitchen.

Buck slept terribly. He’d stayed up way too late so he could call Abby. The call was short, and it felt like she had been rushing him off of the phone. He’d been feeling so disconnected, and abandoned. It felt awful- feeling her slipping away without a care while she left him stranded here. He didn’t expect anyone else to be up.

He’d never admit it, but he watched you maneuver around the kitchen longer than he probably should have before making his presence known. The way you shuffled your feet across the title, the way you kept your blanket wrapped snugly around you, the way your hair was undone from sleep… all of it, he just- he found it so endearing.

He didn't want to ruin your morning when you would realize that he was also up.

“Oh, hey,” you say, sounding a little shy when you finally see him. “Couldn’t sleep?”

“I guess so,” he shrugs, walking into the kitchen. “You always up this early?”

“Pretty much.”

The awkward silence is enough to make him want to shrivel up into a hole. He hates that he can’t pull himself out of this.

“Do you want coffee?” You ask him, and he nods. He walks past you to get a mug. It’s the first time you notice… well, him. The morning quiet gave you the first opportunity to actually look at him.

And he was gorgeous. Suddenly, you’re avoiding eye contact and feel a different type of nervousness stirring inside that you try your best to push down immediately.

You move out of his way so he can pour himself some, and you walk over towards the fridge. “How do you take it?” You ask.

“Just cream,” he says. “Thanks.” You hand him the carton from the fridge and your watch as he checks the date and sniffs it to make sure before pouring it.

“How about you?” He asks. He hands the carton back to you.

“How do you think I take it?” You ask, sitting up on top of the counter.

“Probably a shit ton of sugar,” he says, offering a smile. Was he teasing you? “If I had to guess.”

“Why’s that?” I ask, pretending to be offended.

“I mean,” he begins with an exhale, and you swear for a moment you watch his eyes trail up and down your figure- like he was trying to figure you out (or check you out), “just your personality, you know? You’re sweet- I mean you strike me as someone with a sweet tooth.”

“You’ve been quick with your judgements about me, Buck,” you say back, your tone lighthearted, but you don’t miss the way his face flushes red. “Just cream,” you say, holding up your mug like you’re showing off a trophy.

•••

“I wish I could tell you that it gets easier,” Buck whispers to you after a few moments of the two of you sitting in silence. “You don’t ever get used to it- but, you learn to compartmentalize, you know? You have to tell yourself you need to be all in, because there’s going to be another call. You have a chance to save them, and that’s the important thing to focus on.”

It’s the nicest Buck has been to you since you’ve met him. It almost takes you back, not even realizing at first that you’re the one he’s talking to so gently. You can offer a weak smile, but he’ll take it.

“Thank you,” you mumble, still sounding exhausted. He knows you’re still beating yourself up over today.

“You did great out there,” he says, turning his body more to fully face you. “No one could’ve anticipated that’s how it was going to go down. You can’t let yourself shoulder all this guilt.”

“She died, Buck,” you mumble, keeping your head low. You can’t meet his gaze. “She died, and I was the one trying to help her when she did.”

He nods, way too familiar with how you’re feeling to even express it well enough. You remind him so much of how he felt after his first call that went like this.

“I know how hard it is,” Buck says, “The sleepless nights, the nightmares, the what-if’s that play in your mind about all the things that you didn’t do- it’s torturing yourself. You need to just focus on doing your best, and being present for the next call. You couldn’t save her- we don’t know if anyone could. But, none of today was your fault- it was no one’s fault.”

•••

Buck had originally planned on Abby being around for the Firemen’s Ball. He wasn’t sure if he would have actually convinced her to be his date, but in his mind, he was supposed to be here with her.

Third wheeling with Maddie and Chimney surprisingly didn’t make him feel better- what a surprise.

He watched, nursing a beer, while Maddie and Chimney, Hen and Karen, Bobby and Athena danced… it felt like everyone here had someone but him. And it fucking sucked.

His eyes flick over to see you dancing with Eddie. Whatever he’s saying to you has you laughing so hard you’re throwing your head back, and he holds you steady so you don’t trip on your dress. Jealousy stirs inside him, wanting to be the one making you laugh like that- but he pushes the thought away immediately.

He may not have heard from her in weeks, but he’s still technically with Abby. He’s not that guy anymore. He ignores the knot in his stomach as Eddie twirls you and you smile at him. He has no right to feel this way, and yet, the feeling continues to linger as he silently watches from the table.

He takes out his phone, wondering what time it is Ireland. He feels this impulse to call her even though he knows she won’t answer. He opens her contact and just stares at it. His emotions are all over the place. He doesn’t know what he wants- he just doesn’t want to keep feeling like this.

“You don’t dance?” Suddenly you're sitting next to him, checking in on him when no one else has yet. He locks his phone and looks at you.

He’d never admit it- never in a million years, but you take his breath away. He’s never seen you like this. He always thought you were cute, attractive obviously, but tonight you look- he can’t even find the perfect word to describe it.

“I just don’t feel like it,” he shrugs, clearing his throat, trying to be nonchalant. Suddenly he’s embarrassed that he’s just been staring at Abby’s contact and that he was a minute away from leaving. Now, he wouldn’t leave. He can’t. Not when you’re going out of your way to make sure he feels included.

“So I can’t convince you?” You ask, a small pout on your glossed lips and he almost caves. He shakes his head.

“You don’t have to do this,” he tries to insist.

“I want to,” you smile. “Please, for my sake? Eddie found another partner so, please? I need you.”

When you say it like that, he’d do anything.

“Fine,” he grumbles, offering you his hand. You smile, practically giddy as you both walk towards the dancefloor.

It’s a slow song, easy to sway to. He rests his hand on the small of your back, guiding you as you both dance. For the first time all night, he lets himself relax. He ignores the thought about how perfectly your bodies fit together when he pulls you in close. He also ignores the way his phone was vibrating in his jacket’s breast pocket- the first time he’s content to just let the call just go to voicemail.

He can’t put his life on hold anymore.

•••

“You’re being really nice to me,” you observe, looking at Buck, almost suspicious of him. It makes him laugh, and you think that might be the first time you’ve heard his laugh. You ignore the way your face turns warm.

“Have I really been that bad?” He asks, scrunching his face up in disgust at himself.

“No, not really,” you say, trying to smooth things over.

“I’ve been a dick, you can say it,” he jests and it makes you smile. Actually smile.

“I know it hasn’t been personal,” you shrug, still trying to keep the peace. He scoffs.

“Maybe it has been… maybe a little bit,” he confesses. “And I’m sorry about that. I just- I’ve been in a rough patch, and your… um, cheeriness. Just reminded me of how unhappy I’ve been and that wasn’t fair to you, like at all.”

You shrug, pulling your knees up towards your chest. “I get that,” you muse, thinking over his words. It’s not much, but you appreciate that he’s opening up to you- even if it’s only a little bit.

“Even now, you're being too nice to me,” he points out. “I think you need to be mean to me, it’s only fair,” he teases, making you giggle. “Yell at me, hit me or something please,” he begs with a laugh and you shove him playfully.

“Ew, no, you’d probably be into that,” you jest, making him smirk before laughing harder. He couldn’t keep up the straight face he’d been trying to hold.

Suddenly, the air feels lighter, it’s finally cleared and the walls are finally down. Buck and you were closer after that night, and it helped him find the clarity he’d been bogged down looking for all these months.

At the end of that 48 hour shift, his first stop was to mail a letter he’d written to Abby. He finally felt like he was ready to move on.

He was hesitating, the letter was clutched tightly in his hand as he walked to his car. He looked at how he had written her name on the envelope- and he was second guessing everything. What if he did this and he would come to regret it? Could he open himself up like that again?

“Buck!” He heard you call from across the parking lot, running to catch up with him. Your voice cut through any of his doubts. It brought him back to reality. “Here, you forgot this,” you say, holding out his phone to him.

It’s so funny how he went from never letting his phone leave his hand, to letting it go to voicemail, to completely leaving it behind. Progress shows up in funny ways like that. He’s strangely proud of himself as he thanks you for running it out to him.

“Thanks a lot,” he smiles, slipping it into his pocket. “Hey, um, listen- are you doing anything tonight?” He asks.

“No, nothing. Why?” You ask, tilting your head at his question.

“There’s something I need to take care of first,” he says, “but, after that- I want to take you out, if you’d let me.”

“I’d like that,” you reply, a smile gracing your face and it takes all of his will power to not kiss you stupid. He can do this the right way, he knows he can. This time, he thinks he’s got it right.

“Cool, uh, that’s great,” he says with a grin, fumbling his words.

“Pick me up at 7?” You ask.

“Of course,” he replies. God, suddenly he’s got butterflies. Maybe starting over won’t be bad, especially when you’re looking at him like that.

[mid-knight-black]

Corporate needs you to find the difference between these two photos 🤓

[the-brucest-fan]

BABEYYYYYS 😍😍😍

And they even took Shadow with them!!

[enwoso]

finding her way back home | alessia russo

i’m sure someone requested something with lotte and foxy from college era but i can no longer find the request or maybe i dreamt it idk but if not here it it anyways!

grumpy masterlist

alessia leaned back against the dorm room couch, her hand resting on her small bump as she watch lotte and emily animatedly discuss their future plans.

"i'm telling you," lotte said, pausing for a moment as both girls waiting for her to continue, "arsenal is where i'm heading after here. best club in england!"

emily rolled her eyes, "your so biased, arsenal's good sure but if you're really aiming for the best, you'd look across the pond. nwsl has the edge in-."

"emilyy, not again" alessia interrupted, laughing as she dragged out emily's name.

emily smirked, "fine but i'm staying in the u.s. anyway at least for now. but mark my words we'll all end up in london one day, we'll sign with a club together. it'll be epic"

"deal" alessia said softly, looking between her two best friends. "i don't care what club we're at as long as we're together again."

lotte grinned, "you'll have to hold out the talks with manchester united until you're ready to come back though."

"yeah, the deal with them is still early days" alessia said a wistful smile crossing her face. she loved the idea of returning to england and playing there but for now, football felt like a distant dream.

she had other priorities now - a tiny, growing priority who was going to depend on her for everything.

emily leaned forward, her serious side kicking in, "oh, speaking of priorities, less have you taken your prenatal vitamins today?"

a small groan came from the blonde, this had been the same conversation she would have with the american everyday. she wouldn't forget. "yes, emily"

"and the iron supplements? you've been looking pale the last couple of days."

"wow thanks em, but yeah i have"

"and you're drinking enough water?"

"yes, emily!" alessia said, exasperated but unable to hide her smile, her heart warming at the fact of how caring her friends were over her now.

emily raised an eyebrow, "don't 'yes emily' me you were standing for like two hours at that student center thing yesterday. you've got to take it easy less!"

lotte snorted, "your like her personal midwife"

"somebody has to be!" emily shot back, tossing a pillow at lotte as she giggled on, "she's carrying out honorary niece or nephew. i take my duties very seriously!"

—

after a long morning, and a few teary goodbyes mainly saying goodbye to lotte and emily who walked alessia to the further point they could in the airport before sharing a group hug, promising one another that they'd see each other soon.

alessia was finally settling into her seat on the plane, rummaging through her carry-on, pulling out the book emily had packed for her.

as she opened the front cover she noticed a bright pink sticky note with emily's neat handwriting sprawled on it.

‘make sure you drink water every hour, you're already bad enough at this on the ground, don't make me come 30,000 feet and lecture you! safe flight lessi.’ emily

a small laugh bubbled up despite her exhaustion, emily had never let up since the the moment alessia told them and alessia could never not be grateful for the two.

a couple hours later, the flight going somewhat smoothly apart from the fact alessia was finding it rather difficult to get comfy, as she kept having to get up every half hour to use the bathroom. luckily she was on the isle seat..

as the flight attendants handed out complimentary snacks, alessia reached into her own bag for her own stash she'd bought in the airport. as she unwrapped the granola bar another little sticky note fluttered out.

the one had a messier scrawl of letters on it, accompanied with a doodle of a football. alessia immediately knowing it was from lotte.

‘granola bar = good. chocolate = bad. unless you want me and em to tell your little one that their mum broke all the rule, only kidding. take care of yourself, okay? we love you.’ lotte<3.

shaking her head with a smile, alessia carefully folded the note and slipped it back into her bag. her journey back home continued as she found more and more notes that the two girls had hidden in her bag in unexpected places.

reminder to stretch her legs.

a reminder to take her vitamins (no guesses needed to guess who that one was off..)

a reminder to have a nap.

but finally she found a small handwritten card tucked into the side pocket of her bag, where she kept her headphones. the note being from both of them:

‘alessia, we're so proud of you. we can't even begin to imagine how hard this is for you but you're the strongest person we know. and we know that your little one is so lucky to have you as their mum, and we're are so lucky we get to have you as our best friend. don't forget we're only a call away — no matter what the time it is. this isn't a goodbye, just a see you soon. we love you so much! lotte and emily <3'

tears filled her eyes as she read their loving words. holding the note tightly as she pressed it to her chest, overwhelmed by the love and support they had shown her. looking up at the time left on her flight: ten minutes and she'd ben home.

—

when alessia finally stepped through the arrivals gate in london. her body ached for her own bed from the long flight and her mind was foggy with fatigue. yet her heart leapt when she saw her family waiting for her.

her brothers were the first to reach her, gio stood tall with a big grin on his face as he pulled her carry on from her hand. "what's this? didn't they charge you extra for the snacks you probably smuggled on board?"

"or is it baby stuff already?" luca added with a smirk, reaching to grab the trolley with her suitcases on, "bibs and tiny shoes?"

"hilarious" alessia said rolling her eyes playfully. normally she'd fire back with a quick comment of her own but she was simply too tired to engage as she let out a breathy laugh and muttered, "just make yourself useful and carry my bags would you?"

her lack of a witty retort made both her brothers pause, gio nudging luca with his elbow. "she'd either growing up or she's too jet lagged to care?"

"one hundred percent the second one," luca quipped back quickly.

mario was standing slightly behind them, giving her a warm smile as he silently pulled her into a hug. alessia closing her eyes as she leaned into his steady presence.

when he released her from the hug, he took one look at her tired face and gestured towards the doors of the airport, “let’s get you home, you can sleep in the car”

but before they could move any further, carol appearing rushing forward to envelop alessia into her arms.”

“oh my baby!” she cried, happy tears already spilling down her cheeks. her hands immediately going to alessia’s six month bump

“look at you, you’re glowing. are you eating enough? have you been taking those vitamins i told you about? and oh- names! have you thought about any yet? what about james or izzy? or-”

“mum,” alessia said with a tired laugh her voice soft but affectionate, “i’m too tired to think of names right now”

her mum wasn’t deterred, as she looped her arm through alessia’s and began walking in the direction of the car, her chatter filling the quiet night.

“that’s okay, we can talk about it tomorrow. did you know your gran suggested peter? i told her absolutely not and then your aunt said olivia, but that’s..” alessia let her mum’s voice wash over her, a small smile tugged at her lips.

she was home.

the drive back to kent alessia’s head was leant against the cool glass of the car window the air cool and a lot less sticky than the hot air from the states as alessia’s eyes half closed.

her brothers keeping up a low and playful banter next to her as mario hummed softly to the radio as he drove. carol keeping a watchful eye on alessia from the corner of her eye the entire way.

when they finally pulled into the familiar driveway of her childhood home, alessia felt a wave of emotion rise in her chest. her family bustled around her, her brothers unloading her bags as her dad quietly set up a spot for her to sit in the living room. her mum of course already started to plan where they were going to go for breakfast.

alessia sat back, her hand resting on her bump as she let the moment sink in. she was surrounded by love, laughter and warmth. this is what her baby was being welcomed into, a family surrounded by people who already cared so deeply.

for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt at peace. she was home and she couldn’t wait to welcome her baby into the world.

—

it was well past midnight when alessia finally sank into the soft cushions of her old bed, her body aching with exhaustion but her mind too restless to sleep.

her family has tucked her in for the night with promises of a big family breakfast in the morning, but the quiet hum of the house only made her miss lotte and emily even more.

reaching for her phone, alessia stared at the time. it was early morning in north carolina - ridiculously early. she debated whether to call, knowing she could leave a message and they’d get back to her later.

but before she could second guess herself, her fingers had already pressed the button.

to her surprise emily picked up after only two rings, her voice groggy but alert. “less? everything okay?”

“why are you awake?” alessia asked, startled at the americans accent and by the fact she actually answer the phone.

“it’s five thirty am,” emily muttered, “i have morning conditioning in an hour. why are you still awake?” alessia chuckled, that’s one thing she wasn’t going to miss in a hurry - the early morning sessions.

“i just got home and i- um couldn’t sleep. i wasn’t expecting you to answer. i was just going to leave a message.” alessia explained as emily had placed her phone down on the counter to fill up her water bottle.

“like i’d miss your call,” emily said her tone softening as the american glanced across her dorm room, “wait, here comes lotte.”

a moment later, lotte was on the screen a tired smile on her face but still filled with excitement to her see the blonde. “less! your home already? how was the flight? did baby behave? did you find the notes we left?”

“slow down lotte..” emily interrupted with a teasing smile, “let her answer one question at a time”

alessia laughed, warmth spreading through her chest, ��yes i’m home. the flight was fine - long but fine. baby is all good, kicking my ribs but that’s usual these days. and yes i found all the notes. thank you for those by the way.” her voice softened, “i already miss you guys.”

“don’t make me cry at five am,” emily groaned, “it’s too early for emotions.”

“literally? who gave you the right?” lotte added, but her teasing tone couldn’t mask the affection in her voice.

alessia leaned back against her pillows, “it feels weird without you both. and em you’ll be happy to know my mum has already taken over your job”

"job?”

“mhm the constant reminders about vitamins and water” alessia replied a hint of amusement in her tone, “first you, now her. it like i have my own personal tag team of nagging.”

“poor you” emily dai, her voice mock dramatic, “you live such a hard life. imagine having people who actually care about you. must be terrible.”

alessia snorted as she rolled her eyes playfully, although the two on the other side of the facetime call could barely see by the blondes dimly lit room.

“don’t mind her less,” lotte said her voice light. “you know she gets snappy when she’s tired.”

“i’m not snappy when i’m tired.” emily protested as lotte and alessia both looked to each other and burst out laughing.

“you are..” lotte countered as she stopped her laughing, “but it’s okay we love you anyway.”

the banter made alessia smile so wide her cheeks were beginning to her. these two girls were her rocks, her family away from home. even though right now they were miles apart she felt their love and support as strongly as if they were sitting beside her — if not more.

“thanks for answering” alessia said softly, “i didn’t think you would.”

“of course we did.” emily said her voice losing its previous teasing edge, “we told you that you can call us anytime, less. even if it’s just to say hi, we’re here for you.”

“always,” lotte added, “now you need to sleep. you’ve got the whole growing another human thing to keep up with.”

alessia laughed as she could feel the baby kicking slightly, “okay okay, goodnight— or good morning.. i guess”

“love you less!” they said in unison making the blonde grin.

“love you guys too!”

as alessia hung up the room felt a little less quiet and her heart felt a little less heavy. even across an ocean her best friends were always there for her. with a content sigh she fitted off to sleep one hand resting on her bump knowing she’d never be alone in this journey.

[cabbagege]

[jepzer0]

Fox has grey streaks in his hair and a missing eye like wolffe but doesn't have a prosthetic one cause cause the guard can't afford to get him one so he wears a patch over his eye instead. He has tattoos and scars and drinks way to much caff and hardly sleeps so has permanent bags under his eyes. And he's so FUCKING COOL, I LOVE HIM. He's a stressed little maniac who hates senators and loves his siblings so much.

[kaleoscope]

updated old Michael's design

[eobe]

Searching for the #1 grump soldier of the GAR!

Fox: „I heard this and I saw that look! My caf just went empty – you get exactly the time that I need to get a fresh caf to RUN“

🦊☕️ This fox is on the hunt. Out of caf. Very dangerous. Just… don’t mess with him. He just SEEKS for a distraction of his paperwork! 👀 Clone Medic Gauze should exercise his right to outrank him and stop that menace Commander!

Thanks to @jupitermover for inspiring me with incredibly grumpy amazing Clone Medic OC Gauze to this fun art of Commander Fox!

So I got successfully ✨ WIP distraction FOXed again 😂🦊☕️✨ Maybe I‘m cursed, but I can’t complain 🤪 The more work load I feel, the more fun chaos my brain craves and sometimes (when I have to appreciate great art and artists for example 🫶) I give in to the ever-lurking internal Commander Caf, allover stressed, sleep deprived, tousled and ready to eat my brain 😂☕️🦊

The artist’s comment reaction triggered him, and slowly I should get used to the fact that this usually happens when I‘m about to drown in work, WIP, being generally overwhelmed and when my brain is about to snap 😱🤪🤯

Check out, Gauze, the „#1 grumpy soldier“ (having a new fan me 🫶)

👀 Is this now an art challenge (unforseen art collection 😎🫶) for the grumpiest looking commander Fox ever? Hehe 😀 #the grump wars!

So here get no pressure, only join for fun tags:

First of all with much appreciation: @jupitermover 👀 hehehe, looking forward! 😎

@foxwithadarkside 👀 (nyaaawrrr FOX me one more time! 😎)

@ghostymarni 👀 Vod, I hold your beer…?🍺 Grump your Commander?

@catd3mon I saw a grumpy Fox of your skilled feather, but he was definitely still a little bit too caffeinated! 😀 I wonder how he would like decaffeinated. I mean… DECAFFEINATED! 👀 (reblog of your amazing art incoming 🦊)

… and everybody who wants to bring some more fox art into the fandom, feel tagged!🦊🫶

Oh, and @thats-marshal-commander-caf – how many of those mugs you need to sort that face into a happy fox face again?🫶🦊✨

Have a closer look at that face in need of caf (and sleep, and time, and a hug, some head massage and others things… food?):

Taglist: @eclec-tech @lonewolflupe @bixlasagna @returnofthepineapple @sunshinesdaydream @covert1ntrovert @general-ida-raven @vrycurious @dystopicjumpsuit @chaicilatte @groguandthebadbatch @ladylucksrogue @spaceyjessa @morerandombullshit @freesia-writes

My Fox Fun Folks 🦊: @thora-sniper @feral-ferrule @nika6q

@crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf is Gauze already in your OC showcase? 🤩

[grumpyfoxcartoon]

#GrumpyFoxCartoon tries an hourly comic, only it only works on certain days - days where everything seems to be ‘not right’. [Click on each picture to read.]

[sugdendingle]

kennethchoi_ These are a few of my favorite things

[enwoso]

playing for more | alessia russo

(grumpy universe)

grumpy masterlist

alessia sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she stared at the pregnancy test. two lines, they stared back at her. her heart felt as though it was lodged in her throat, her pulse louder than any cheering crowd she had ever played in front of.

she had worked hard to get were she was — unc scholarship, a starting spot on the team, become captain, achieve her first call up to the senior england squad. she was a rising star.

and now, well right now she was a twenty year old college student staring down a future she hadn't planned for.

her phone buzzed on the desk, a message from her boyfriend: harrison.

—

alessia's usual type wasn't football players, they were too loud, too cocky, too much trouble.

but yet here she was, tying her boots on the sidelines of the practice field sneaking glances across the turf at harrison reed - the wide receiver who had too much charm and a smile that made her stomach flip.

it started during her freshman year, her soccer practice had run late and alessia sweaty and exhausted from the scorching sun of north carolina had cut across the football fields to get back to her dorm quicker.

she hadn't expected anyone to be there, let alone him.

"well if it isn't the soccer team's star girl herself!" harrison's voice rang out as she passed. she's rolled her eyes — of course he'd call her that.

"hey footbal guy." she shot back, not stopping. the only thing in her mind was the cold shower she was going to have when she got back to her dorm.

he jogged over, helmet in his hand as he fell into step beside her, "you always this friendly or did i get lucky today?"

alessia just snorted, brushing a strand of blonde hair from her face, "depends, are you always this annoying or am i just lucky?"

that should've been it, a quick exchange, a bit of teasing but harrison wasn't the kind of guy to leave things alone, he liked to push boundaries and push people's buttons — be annoying in simple terms.

so over the next few weeks, the end of the school year looming and they kept bumping into each other. in the corridor as alessia carried her books in her arms.

at the athletic center when harrison was nursing a sore shoulder. in the library when neither of them were studying but both of them pretended they were.

it was easy with him. too easy and that's what scared her.

they became friends at first - sort of. harrison would show up at her matches, yelling loud enough for half the  crowd to hear as alessia claimed she only went to his games for the nachos but really her heart raced every time he made a big play.

one of the last games before the big final, alessia's team lost. alessia missing a crucial goal which ultimately probably cost them the game.

harrison was the one that found her sitting alone on the bleachers showered as her wet hair sat on her jumper.

"rough game," he winced as he sat next to her as he put a arm around her pulling her into a comforting hug which he knew she needed.

alessia sighed, as she leaned into him more, "yep, i missed an open goal."

"eh, you'll get the next one" his voice was softer than usual, not the usual cocky confidence he wore like it was amour.

for a moment they just sat there, the lights from the field buzzing faintly. alessia tilting her head to loot at him, "why do you even care?"

harrison hesitated, a small smile tugging at his lips, "maybe i like you"

the words just hung in the air, heavy and warm as alessia just blinked. "maybe?" she teased, but her pulse hammered in her throat.

"okay.. definitely" he admitted after a moment of silence, a grin creeping onto his face, "so what do you say soccer star? let me take you out sometime?"

"football. it's football."

"soccer. your in the states now less"

as she shook her head leaving the debate for another time and against her better judgement or maybe because of it — alessia smiled, "your impossible, you know that?"

"and yet your still haven't walked away."

that was the start, they started hanging out more after that. coffee dates between classes even though they'd both get a smoothie. late night calls when the pressure of school and sports became too much.

sneaking out to the quad when they should've been asleep, laughing about everything and nothing and supporting each other at the others games.

but it wasn't always easy. there were arguments, about missed plans, about the attention harrison got from other girls, about how alessia always seemed to put soccer first. the two being too stubborn for their own good.

in the end that was what made it work, the moments which weren't perfect, the times they argued they then made up and were stronger than ever. the late night cuddles and morning practices.

the way harrison would bring her a smoothie after every game, whether they won or lost.

so by the time their final year rolled around, everyone knew they were the package deal. alessia and harrison. the soccer star girl and football hero. two athletes who would do anything to win, but hopeless when it came to each other.

—

haz | 'can't wait to see you tonight, gonna get us a takeout from that taco place you love!'

her chest tightened as she looked at the message, harrison was everything she wanted in a boyfriend, charming supportive and ambitious.

but they'd never talked about kids or families or anything remotely close to this. from their late night chats they talked about their dreams of travelling the world and becoming the best at what they did.

children? that's was a word which never even entered the conversation. and she knew - she just knew this was going to be something he wasn't going to be ready for.

so she did the only thing she could think of. text her best friends: emily and lotte.

—

emily and lotte arrived within minutes, their concern palpable the moment they stepped into alessia's dorm room.

"less? what's wrong?" emily asked frantically dropping her gym bag by the door. lotte following close behind.

lotte, the over observant, noticed alessia's tear stealer face and the white stick lying on the desk. "oh less.." she said softly sitting beside her.

alessia took a shaky breath. "i'm pregnant." she said the words tasting foreign and heavy leaving her lips.

emily's jaw dropped, her expression quickly morphing into one of concern and determination. "okay, deep breath. we've got you, whatever you need. we're here for you, less."

"i don't know what to do," alessia admitted her voice quiet and shaky, "harrison's not ready for this. and my parents? there gonna be so disappointed."

lotte placed a comforting hand on alessia's knee. "first things first, you're not alone in this. no matter what you decide, we're with you. but you need to talk to harrison. you can't carry this on your own."

alessia knew they were right, no matter how strong she thought she was. she couldn't carry the weight of that on her own.

—

later that evening, harrison arrived at alessia's dorm his usual easy smile in place. he set out the takeout bags on her desk, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "what's up baby? you look like you've had a rough day."

alessia's stomach churned, rough day was certainly one way to put it. she motioned for him to sit on the bed, her hands twisting the hem of her hoodie. "haz, i need to tell you something and it's.. big."

his playful unserious demeanour faded, as his face paled, "you're scaring me less, what is it?"

she took a deep breath, looking at him with such fear as she bit her lips, "i'm pregnant."

for a moment, harrison froze, his expression unreadable. then he ran a hand though his hair, letting out a shaky laugh, "wait, are you serious?"

alessia nodded, her eyes welling up.

"wow," he muttered, standing up and pacing the small room, "this.. this wasn't supposed to happen. alessia we aren't ready for this. we barely managing school and soccer as it is."

"i know," she said quietly, "but it's happening, haz. we have to figure out what to do."

he turned to face her, his expression filled with frustration and fear, "look, i'm sorry but i can't do this. a kid? now? we are only twenty for god sake. i just started getting noticed in football. this would ruin everything - for both of us."

his words hit her like a punch to the gut, "ruin everything?" she repeated, her voice cracking.

"i'm not saying it's your fault," he said quickly, "but think about it less, we have our whole lives ahead of us. you've got the england squad, you're one of the best young players at the minute. a baby is gonna change everything, it's not the right time."

alessia just stared at him, her chest tightening with every word, she couldn't believe his words. "so what are you saying? you don't want to keep the baby?"

harrison hesitated, her silence speaking volumes. "i'm saying... i don't think we should."

alessia felt like the air had been sucked out of the room, she had known the conversation would be difficult. she had braced herself for his shock, his panic. but hearing him say it out loud 'i don't think we should' felt like a knife to the heart.

her fingers curled tighter into the fabric of her hoodie as she swallowed back the lump forming in her throat. "haz, this is our baby. my baby. i can't just pretend this isn't happening."

harrison exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "less, come on be realistic. a baby means we'd have to give everything up. football, school, our future - everything we've worked for. we aren't ready for this." his voice was desperate, like he was trying to make her see reason, but all alessia could hear was rejection.

"you think i don't know that?" she shot back, her voice trembling. "you think i haven't spent every second since i found out thinking about how this changes everything? but it's happening haz, whether we're ready or not."

harrison let out a frustrated sigh and turned away from her pacing again. his usual confidence, his easy charm - gone. now he just looked scared. "there are.. options," he said hesitantly. "we could-"

"no." her voice was quick and firm and when he looked at her, she shook her head. "i can't. i won't."

he stared at her for a long moment, his jaw tightening, "you're sure?"

tears burned at the corner of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall, "i've never been more sure of anything."

harrison exhaled sharply, hands on his hips as he looked away. the silence between them stretched, heavy and suffocating. when he finally turned back, his expression, again unreadable but his next words shattered her completely. in more ways that one.

"then i don't know if i can do this, less."

"what?"

her stomach dropped. he ran a hand through his hair again, exhaling shakily. "i'm not ready to be a dad. i can't be a dad." his voice cracked, but he pressed on. "and if you're keeping it... i don't know how to be part of that."

alessia felt like the floor had disappeared beneath her, her entire body felt cold, numb. "so, what? you're just going to leave?"

harrison's face twisted in anguish, but he didn't answer. that answer was enough.

alessia let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly. "okay," she whispered. "if that's how you feel.. then go."

"less..”

"no," she cut him off, wrapping her arms around herself. "you made your choice. i'll figure this out on my own."

harrison hesitated for a second, like he might say something else. alessia's silently hoping he would say something else. but instead, he grabbed his hoodie and moved towards the door.

he paused for a fraction of a second, then walked out, closing it softly behind him.

the moment he was gone, the first sob broke free from alessia's chest. she curled up on the bed, clutching her stomach, her heart shattering.

she had never felt so alone.

—

alessia lay on her bed, she felt numb. sitting on the bed as his words replayed in her mind.

not ready.

not the right time.

ruin everything.

alessia had managed to find the energy to message emily and lotte. so when they arrived alessia was still sitting there with tears streaming down her face.

"he doesn't want to keep it," she whispered as emily wrapped her in a tight comforting hug.

"of course he doesn't," emily said, her voice tinged with anger but also comfort, the type alessia was craving. "he's a twenty yet old boy who is scared out of his mind. but this isn't just his decision."

lotte crouched in front of alessia, her voice calm and steady. "less, what do you want? not harrison, not anyone else - you. this is your life, your body, your future."

"i don't know," alessia admitted, her voice breaking. "i feel like everything i’ve worked for is slipping away. but.. i also can't imagine just walking away for this. it's a part of me."

emily squeezed her should. "then that’s all that matters. you'll figure it out, and we'll be here every step of the way. harrison doesn't get to decide your future — you do."

alessia's breath shuddered as she leaned into emily's embrace, gripping the fabric of her friend's hoodie like it was the only thing tethering her to reality. the weight of the moment was crushing, pressing down on her chest until it felt like she could barely breathe.

she had spent years building herself into the player she was today - grueling training sessions, sacrifices, endless hours on the pitch. football had been her whole life for as long as she could remember.

and now.. everything felt uncertain.

"i don't know what to do," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "i don't even know how to begin figuring it out."

lotte, still crouched in front of her, took her hands in hers giving them a reassuring squeeze. "you don't have to figure it all out tonight, less. you just have to take it one step at a time."

"but what if i can't do it?" alessia's voice cracked, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "what if i ruin everything - for myself, for my career, for this baby."

emily pulled back slightly, her expression fierce. "listen to me. your alessia russo. destined to be one of the best footballers in the world, the hardest working, most determined person i know. if there is anyone can handle this, it's you."

"but what if he's right?" alessia asked, her voice raw, "what if this really does ruin everything?"

lotte shook her head, "it won't. it'll change things - yes. but that doesn't mean your dreams are over. your not alone in this less, we'll figure this out together."

alessia sniffled, looking between her two best friends. the unwavering support in their eyes made something shift inside of her - like a tiny sliver of hope breaking through the overwhelming fear."

she exhaled shakily. "i just.. i thought he'd be here for me. that we'd figure it out together."

emily's jaw tightened. "if he can't handle being here when things get hard, then he doesn't deserve to be here at all."

lotte nodded. "you don't have to do this alone, even if he's gone. you have us. and whatever you decide, we're with you - every step of the way."

for the first time since harrison had walked out, alessia felt the smallest bit of steadiness return to her. she was still terrified, still completely unsure of what the future held.

but at least she wasn't alone.

[aotomegane]

“How is he?” “He’s still with me”

[brainworms-all-night-long]

Baby Nine AU: Has Tails ever been a little brat to Nine unintentionally while playing with him? Did he get his lesson, comeuppance, or punishment for it.

For example, Tails discovers that Nine can be scuffed and picks him up that way over and over while giggling due to him curling up or going limp. Sonic sees this and picks Tails up by his scruff after first giving him an ignored warning not to do it. So, Tails is curled up or limp in air jail for some time due to still having his own scruff reflex and Nine is laughing at him while playing.

Hmm, no. At least definitely Tails would never do such a thing, intentionally or unintentionally, since he's like one of the people to know how much distress unwanted physical contact would bring to the poor little guy. And I also don't thinks Nine would really be up to "playing" and openly giggling in like the innocent baby sense. Ik is said "baby" Nine but I actually meant like, a four year old baby. Like just a little guy, Classic Tails age. Little-er than he was in the show, but not as little that it would get him classified medically as a literal baby. I need him to already comprehend and have some of his trauma for later story purposes :)

But if someone were to roughhouse or obviously bring little Nine to distress with no signs of stopping – let's say... Renegade – who's not actually trying to be deliberately malicious or anything, but also doesn't necessarily understand Nine's trauma (cuz why would anyone tell him abt it) and just can't help it because the fox is literally just so so tiny and so so adorable with his little angry face.

Either way doesn't excuse him and he's definitely in for a stern talking-to from a certain other fox and a hedgehog pretty soon...

[aiza-luna]

Ok everyone... HEAR ME OUT-

Is it just me, or Aiden's face is really squishy?