#pin the knife on the Caesar

[several-breathing-eyes]

Does Camp Jupiter celebrate the Ides of March? Or do they hold it as a solemn day? Like Camp Jupiter sees it as a day where drastic measures had to be taken to protect democracy.

But then you have Camp Half Blood who absolutely celebrates the Ides of March.

Camp Jupiter: This is a solemn day we remember that drastic measures were taken in the name of Rome and that we will not allow dictatorship.

Camp Half Blood: Haha stab Caesar day. Check out this pinata we made of him.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Cool for the Summer 2

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as noncon/dubcon, age gap, power dynamics, cheating, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: After finishing your degree, you return home only to find things aren’t as you left them.

Characters: Bucky Barnes

Note: Humping it up on hump day.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Please do not just put ‘more’. I will block you.

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

You taste the cocktail and make a face. As sweet as it is, the alcohol is stringent in your throat. You set the glass down as Bucky’s fingers tap on his pint. You glance up, surprised to find him watching you. 

"Don't like it?" He asks. 

"Mm, no, I mean yes. No." You stutter out. "It's good, I just... don't drink much." 

"She's a good girl." Your mom teases. "I always had to push her out the door. Oh, don't even ask about prom." She grabs his forearm and cackles. "You would think buying a dress would be fun. Nope. I think she'd have rather gone to the dentist." 

Your cheeks turn hot. Four years past and you still cringe at the fitting room torture. You look down and fiddle with the cutlery wrapped in a red napkin. You really wish she wouldn't treat you like a child. You suppose at times you might act like one. 

"Those things can be tough. I barely remember mine. Only went so my buddy didn't feel like such a loser," Bucky shrugs. "But look at how far you've come. I'm sure high school is like a blip on the radar. Now the real fun begins, huh?" 

You know he's trying to help and you appreciate. But it only makes your chest tighten. The dread throbs in your temples. Life, it's all ahead of you but you have no idea where to start. 

"Yeah, I... I barely remember." You talk to the table. 

"She's a smart one," your mom praises. "I really lucked out. No teenage angst, no rebellion." 

You chew your lip and pick at the trim of the table. You sound lame. You are and you never minded the safety of that trait. Still, you'd like to be known as more than a boring little bookworm. 

"Okay, here we are." The server rescues you from further humiliation. "Chicken caesar." 

She puts your salad in front of you, "cheese steak sammy and macaroni salad." She lays a plate in front of Bucky, "and the sizzling fajitas." 

Another server appears with a wooden plank, set with a cast iron pan atop it and fixings; tortillas, salsa, guac. It smells delicious but you know it's too early for all that. You'd be even sleepier and you still have to get unpacked.  

"Enjoy," the waitress smiles and struts away. 

You unwrap your cutlery and use the knife and fork to shred the lettuce. You should've known better than to order salad. It's always so awkward to eat with others around to see. 

"Mm, pretty good," Bucky says. "Lauren, how's that extravaganza? Really went all out." 

"Wasn't expecting all this." Your mother scoops grilled peppers into a tortilla, daintily with her fork as her nails shine in the light. You remember when you asked to get a manicure and she said they were impractical... 

She's changed but you don’t feel all that different than when you left for college. Maybe you should have tried harder. Well, it's not like your life is over. Far from. 

"How about you?" Bucky prompts and once more you meet his gaze with a startled blink. You nod and swallow. 

"Good. Just boring old salad." You say. 

"Always chicken caesar," your mother chirps. "Creature of habit. Don't worry. You'll hardly be surprised. By tonight, she'll have one of her books and you won't hear another peep." 

You bite down on your tongue. You're not sure anymore if she's bragging or she's chiding you. Her life is so exciting now. Her hair is highlighted, her nails are filled, and her makeup... she's actually wearing makeup. 

"Didn't think you could work with those." You say as she catches her nail on her napkin. 

"Oh, yeah, I'm not in the ward anymore. Sweetie, didn't I tell you? I do clinicals now. I just show the new ones what to do. Not much hands-on stuff." 

"Uh, I remember. Sorry." 

"Too sharp," Bucky chuckles. "Can't even hold her hand without getting clawed." 

She jabs him with her shaped tip and he grunts. They laugh together and you look around. You're the sore thumb sticking out. Ever the third wheel. Even when you had 'friends', you sat on the sidelines, confused by their inside jokes. 

"It's very good. Thank you." You sit forward and focus on the salad. The sooner this is over, the sooner you can do exactly what your mom expects. Hide with a book. Alone. 

🩵

Home is always a comforting sight but not as much as you expect. A flicker of guilt sparks in your chest. Bucky just bought you lunch, you shouldn’t be so negative. Still, you just want to unwind after a long day of traveling. 

As much as you want him to just go, you would never say as much. Your mom seems happy with him. She even seems healthier. It’s nice to see her taking care of herself, she’s done enough of that for others for too long. 

You get out of the car but Bucky’s too fast. He has you bag in his hand before you can react to the trunk opening. He smiles and insists, “I got it. You lead the way.” 

“Mm, I could nap about now,” your mother calls over the car roof. 

You agree internally. The whole train ride, you looked forward to burying yourself in blankets and leaving the world behind. It would be rude to do so with company around, even if they aren’t yours.  

You follow your mom to the front door and she unlocks it with a yawn. You enter and slip your shoes off on the mat. Things are different. Not too different, you can’t quite place everything. Yet you notice that the coat rack has been replaced with mounted hooks across the wall and the rug at the bottom of the stairs is new. 

“Oh!” Your mom spins, surprising you before you can sneak past her. “I forgot about your surprise!” 

You look at her then over your shoulder at Bucky as he plunks down your bag. You wait for him to respond. He just offers a small curve of his lips. You turn back. 

“You,” your mom taps your nose. “Come on. Ah,” she waves around you at Bucky, “bring her bag with you.” 

Your mom grabs your arm and ushers you upstairs. You can’t resist, too swept up in fatigue and confusion. He follows behind you. What’s happening? 

“Okay. I hope you like it,” she goes to your door and your stomach flips. Oh no, what did they do? She swings the door open and backs up, waving inside, “tada!” 

You hesitate but make yourself step into the doorway. You glance around and your mouth slowly falls open. You blink at the room. Wow. 

It’s not awful, just another change you’re not ready for. Instead of your old rectangle bookcases, new circle ones have been built into the walls; white instead of brown. Your bed is the same but the wood is newly re-stained and the bedding is shade of pink you wouldn’t necessarily choose. A heart shaped rug is spread across the floor and your previous desk has been replaced with one that folds into the wall. 

There is an entirely new piece that stands out. A vanity in the corner. The mirror is the same shape as the carpet and the stool has a fluffy seat. 

“Oh, wow...” you utter as you step further inside. 

“Bucky is so handy! I always wanted to do this but I didn’t know where to start. Oh, just wait until you see his place,” she rambles as she trails you. “He built the whole thing himself.” 

“I had help,” he tuts and sets your bag down. “Tried not to do too much but just added a fresh coat to everything.” 

You’re silent.  

“Sweetie?” Your mom touches your arm. 

“I’m... surprised. That’s all.” 

“She’s speechless, Bucky!” She squeals and claps her hands. “I knew she’d love it.” 

“Heh, yeah. Well, I hope it isn’t too much.” He rubs his neck as he looks around. “You can let me know. I can change whatever you need.” 

“No, no, it’s really nice. Like really. I...” you wring a finger in your other hand. “Thank you.” 

“Lauren,” he sidles past you and nudges your mother gently. “Why don’t we let her get settled in? I’m sure she’s beat from the road.” 

“Right, right,” she beams around the room before she faces him. “Of course.” She glances over at you, “sweetie, let us know if you need anything, okay?” 

“Mom, I’m fine.” You show your teeth sheepishly and hover around the wall. 

Bucky leaves first, your mom following as she cranes to stare at the room. She leaves you with an excited wiggle and you go to close the door behind her. Once it’s shut, you sigh. You weren’t ready for any of this. Somehow coming home has proven even more disjointing than going away to college. 

You plod to the bed and flop onto it. You roll onto your back and let your eyes rove. It is so cute. You would have killed for a room like this in high school, even on campus. Yet it does seem a lot. You’re sure once you get a job, your mom doesn’t expect you to stay too long. 

Maybe this is a good thing. A little less pressure on you to get out but not exactly. With Bucky hanging around, you can’t help but be in the way. You’re not the only one who needs to adjust to your return. 

You can worry about it all later. For now, you need to close your eyes and stop thinking. 

🩵

The afternoon wears on as you dawdle away on your phone. You can barely keep your eyes open as the screen glares back at you. It’s almost six when you make yourself stop the addictive word game.  

You lay listless, trying to urge yourself to get up and do something. You lose the battles as your eyes close and you drift off without realising it. In your subconscious, you’re just as you are in reality. Just lying there, motionless and mindless. 

You wake slowly as pressure squeezes in your pelvis. Your bladder forces you to action. Even with the painful weight throbbing inside, you move without urgency. You sit up slowly, dizzy from the unexpected doze. You stand and shuffle to the door. 

You leave it open as you go into the hall and let your feet guide you. Habit takes down to the bathroom door and you reach for the handle. It turns from the other side and you recoil in surprise. Bucky stops short as he emerges and apologises. 

You stammer as you gape back at him. Somehow after the whirlwind morning, you forgot all that change. In your grogginess, you didn’t see the new walls or the white bookcases or think. 

“S...Sorry...” you murmur.  

You’re consumed in radiating heat as you stare at the stubble along his neck. Any lower and he might be embarrassed. He is shirtless after all. You’ve never been the best at looking people in the face but you have no choice. You examine his silver-streaked hair, slightly tussled, and his grizzly beard with its dusting of white along his chin. 

You step back as he raises a palm and dips his head. “No problem. Gotta get used to each other, I guess. Bad timing, is all.” 

“Right,” you agree dully. 

He looks back at you and his forehead creases. “You okay?” 

You wince. “Yeah, why?” 

“Nothing, nothing. Just... you look... a little out of it.” 

“I fell asleep,” you run your fingers along your throat nervously. The motion catches his eyes. Their startling blue hue gleam in the light. 

“Right. I figured you needed it. Long ride...home.” His gaze flicks up to meet yours. “Sorry you’re stuck here with us boring old people. You probably miss it already.” 

You shrug, “not really.” 

“Not really? What about your friends?” He rests his hand on the door frame and leans. 

“Didn’t... just study buddies. Classmates.” You look away and shift as your bladder aches. 

He clears his throat and stands straight. He steps out of the frame and you jump at his sudden movement. He touches your hip to keep from colliding with you and sidles by. 

“I’ll just get out of your way, baby girl,” He squeezes, his hand lingering for a moment. “Welcome home.” 

He lets go and turns, strutting down the hall as you stand frozen. You hurry forward and shut yourself in the bathroom as you scramble with the sudden agonizing pang. You don’t have time to think, you have to go! 

[simply-whump]

Strange Tales of Jiang Cheng (江城诡事) - Whump List

Whumpee : Qin Huo Le played by Xia Zhi Guang and Song He played by Caesar Wu

Synopsis : In the early years of the Republic of China, the situation in Jiangzhou in the southwest region was chaotic, which led to frequent spies. Qin Huo Le, who returned from studying abroad, met detective captain Song He and with the help of the quirky female forensic doctor Fan Xiao Fan, the three of them worked together to solve 8 bizarre murder cases and bring justice to the world. (MDL)

Genres : Thriller, Mystery, Investigation, Bromance

Warning! Possible spoilers below!

Qin Huo Le

Ep 1 : None

Ep 2 : (01:35) Arm twisted — (11:35) Throwing up

Ep 3-4 : None

Ep 5 : (12:5) Choked

Ep 6 : (08:55) Crying

Ep 7 : (11:30) Am twisted — (11:55) In handcuffs 

Ep 8 : (06:10) Knife at his neck, captured, hands and feet tied, gagged (Gif Set)

Ep 9 : (0:50) Still tied up —(04:45) Knife at his throat — (06:23) Found, untied, taken hostage

Ep 10-23 : None

Ep 24 : (03:05) Arm twisted

Ep 25 : None

Ep 26 : (05:05) Thrown to the ground, attacked, knife at his throat

Ep 27-35 : None

Ep 36 : Missing, suspect in a case

Ep 37 : None

Ep 38 : (00:45) Tied up with rope the whole episode 

Ep 39 : (09:30) Still tied up, black hood on his head, gagged, saved — (13:40) Restrained

Ep 40 : (05:25) Wakes up from a nightmare

Ep 41 : None

Ep 42 : (06:45) Fighting, hit — (09:10) Shot at, more fighting, gun pointed at his head — (12:50) Hit several times, choked, punched, Song He comes to the rescue

Ep 43 : (08:25) Handcuffed (wants to infiltrate a prison)

Ep 44 : (03:00) Handcuffed, about to infiltrate a prison (very dangerous), hugged by his friends — (10:25) Manhandled, restrained, force fed something disgusting, coughing

Ep 45 : (01:00) Glass cup smashed on his head, knocked out — (07:10) Wakes up in a cell, holding his stomach, in pain — (12:35) Stomach hurting, sweating

Ep 46 : None

Ep 47 : (02:50) Fighting, hit

Ep 48 : (04:05) Walking unsteadily, holding his stomach, passes out, wakes up in bed, concern for him — (09:10) Crying, vision blurry passes out — (11:30) Wakes up tied up

Ep 49-50 : None

Ep 51 : (01:00) Teary-eyed, fighting — (10:20) Teary-eyed 

Ep 52 : (00:50) Teary-eyed, crying — (10:20) Crying

Song He

Ep 1-2 : None

Ep 3 : (10:35) Fighting, choked, in an explosion, found collapsed on the floor, concern for him, helped up, stumbling — (11:30) Wound treated, in pain, alcohol dumped on his wound, screaming in pain (semi-comedic)

Ep 4-12 : None

Ep 13 : (07:30) Feeling unwell, collapses unconscious, concern for him, surrounded by some poison miasma — (09:15) Wakes up, slightly disoriented 

Ep 14-27 : None

Ep 30 : (08:55) Surrounded by smoke, coughing, collapses, passes out, concern for him, woken up

Ep 31-38 : None

Ep 39 : (01:50) Fighting, hit

Ep 40 : (02:00) Surrounded by enemies — (03:45) Just had a tough fight, injured, tired, bleeding, saved — (09:20) Grabbed on his injury, wincing in pain

Ep 41-46 : None

Ep 47 : (11:30) Drugged, stumbling, vision blurry, cut with a knife multiple times, hit, fighting, pinned to the ground, stabbed in the chest, jumps through a window, shot, still manages to escape (Gif Set)

Ep 48 : (03:35) Bleeding, barely conscious, concern for him — (09:45) Carried unconscious, concern for him — (12:00) Unconscious in bed, wakes up, pale and feverish, in pain, concern for him

Ep 49 : (00:50) In bed, weak

Ep 50 : None

Ep 51 : (01:25) Slight concern for him, fighting — (06:25) Shot, collapses, bleeding, concern for him 

Ep 52 : None

>> More Whump Lists

[chronicbeans]

Wally Darling and a Restoration Project Reader (part 9)

YIPPEE

TW: Cults, Religious Imagery, Mentions of Possible Murder, Death

🗞️ You immediately text your friends, Amy and Finn, telling them to come over. You also tell them to introduce themselves as your friends, in the hopes that they make it through the gates without much trouble.

🗞️ They say they will arrive within an hour, allowing you to start your part of the investigation early. Looking around the room, you focus on the posters of Barnaby. The eyes are scratched out on every one, almost like someone took a knife or pin and scraped the pointed end against the poster. You can even see the scratch marks in the wood. Your wonder increases, causing you to search a few of the drawers.

🗞️ You find old clothing, such as suits, ties, pants and the likes. On a desk by the bedside, you see a small jewelery box. You open it, finding a collection of sun shaped pins, cufflinks, and even a few sets of sun and moon earrings in small plastic bags. You pick a set of earrings up, looking at them closely. They seem to be made with real gems. There are notes on each bag, every one saying "To the One". If you had to guess, this man might've been a hopeless romantic! How cute!

🗞️ You hear the door open, seeing both Amy and Finn run in, out of breath. Finn seems to be holding a paper, showing it to you "I... I found the guy that wrote the messy writing! Apparently, he is related to Caesar Jones, the voice actor and creator of Wally! I-" he cuts himself off, looking around "Holy... what is this place?" You grin "This is the room of William Dorelaine! He is the brother of the original creator, Ronald Dorelaine!"

🗞️ Amy looks around, her eyes settling on something by the door. She walks over, before there is a heavy clunking, then a small huff comes out of her mouth. She turns, holding a hatchet in her arms. "This man must be very obsessed with suns and moons. Even his hatchets match that theme. Kind of like Wally with apples..." "What's that? ... Why would he have this?"

🗞️ Both you and Amy look over to Finn, seeing him holding a newspaper. "I found this under his mattress. Here, let me read it out..."

"CULT LEADER FOUND DEAD IN POLICE STATION! The leader of the mysterious cult tormenting town has been found dead in the local police station this afternoon, after being arrested at the parking lot of Playfellow Workshop. It is currently suspected that the sheriff, Sheriff Dekker, killed him after being provoked by the leader, Father Simon "Luna" Johnson. There was a note found in his cell, mentioning how he has been "crucified by the public" and how he shall be a "martyr for the truth". He also wrote down how he shall be resurrected, returning to earth in a body that his followers will recognize instantly by their actions."

🗞️ You all look around at each other. Finn pauses, before saying "There are a few scribbles on the page. Little notes. It is in the same handwriting as William. "Look for the values" and "I must find it", with the last one saying "Sunshine, Sunshine, I love Sunshine", almost like a name instead of just the word." You look over to the jewelry box, remembering the earrings. "I... I feel like we should go..."

🗞️"Come on, (Y/N), a little creepy newspaper article doesn't mean anything. I mean, from what we heard from Mr. Jones' relative, he was really into investigating cults. Maybe William was the same?" Finn nods, explaining "Yeah. He just liked looking into them. How about this? I'll take this book I found. The lock on it should be easy to crack open with my pliers, at home, and we can all look into it, tomorrow. If we find nothing of concern, we will come back to investigate more." Amy then takes the jewelry box, adding on a quick "I just think these are pretty neat!"

🗞️ You look at the book, the unnerving symbol giving you a sense of dread. The symbol seems to be a sun and moon crammed together, with a hourglass in the center. There are a few stains of red on the edges of the hardcover, with a few more on the pages. You swallow, nodding. "Sure. I'm going to go outside, now. Let the Dorelaines know what you took, okay?"

🗞️ As you begin your walk home, you get a call from your mother. Answering, you hear her speak in the harsh tone she uses when upset or annoyed "(Y/N), what have you done know?" "What do you mean, mom? I did nothing! I just went around town, and-!" "There's a man here! He says he is a Dorelaine! Says he wants to talk to you! You better be here quickly, or else I'll lose my temper with him! Keeps talking about Sunshine, like a madman!"

[james-t-kirks-fat-ass-tiddies]

I present to you: pin the knife on the Caesar.

I made this for my ides of march party I threw tonight

[sir-will-herondale]

Are you bored? Celebrate the Ides of March by playing Pin The Knife On The Julius Caesar!

[the-hunger-games-source]

Everything We Know about the 50th Hunger Games: A Look at the 2nd Quarter Quell ⚔️

Suzanne Collins is returning to Panem with a new Hunger Games prequel book, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which will be released on March 18, 2025. A film adaptation, with a November 20, 2026 release date, is already in the works.

The new book revolves around the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The story begins on the morning of the 50th Hunger Games reaping. Here's everything we know about the Second Quarter Quell:

✨The Second Quarter Quell

A Quarter Quell is a special edition of the Hunger Games held every twenty-five years to mark the anniversary of the end of the First Rebellion. All known Quarter Quells were characterized by a twist in the reaping process, altering the selection of tributes in some way.

In the 50th Games, or Second Quarter Quell, as a reminder that two rebels died for every Capitol citizen, twice the number of regular tributes were to be sent into the Games: two girls and two boys per district, for a total of 48.

✨The Reaping in District 12

What we know about the Second Quarter Quell reaping from the books is that in District 12, an unnamed girl from the Seam was reaped first, followed by Maysilee Donner, whose twin sister and a close friend, a young Mrs. Everdeen, were seen clinging to her in the crowd. An unnamed male followed, leaving Haymitch Abernathy as the last tribute called.

Maysilee's twin grew up and became District 12 Mayor Undersee's wife and Madge Undersee's mother in Katniss' era. Madge wasn't in the films but, in the books, is Katniss' only friend and the one who gives her the Mockingjay pin before the 74th Hunger Games.

✨Pre Games

By this point, Caesar Flickerman was the Hunger Games host, and he was wearing his famous twinkling midnight blue suit.

Haymitch came across as snarky, arrogant, and indifferent in his interview.

Caesar: "So, Haymitch, what do you think of the Games having one hundred percent more competitors than usual?"

Haymitch: "I don't see that it makes much difference. They'll still be one hundred percent as stupid as usual, so I figure my odds will be roughly the same."

✨Arena

The arena for the 50th Hunger Games was a breathtaking place with a golden cornucopia in the middle of a meadow, surrounded by woods and a snowcapped mountain - later revealed to be a deadly volcano. Everything in the arena, including plants, water, and even the scent of the flowers, was lethally poisonous, except for rainwater and the food from the Cornucopia. Some known muttations in the arena included golden carnivorous squirrels, poisonous butterflies, and candy pink birds with long, thin beaks.

✨The Games

Most tributes were distracted by the beauty of the arena when the gong sounded, so Haymitch nabbed a backpack and weapons from the Cornucopia and headed into the woods. Maysilee Donner came away from the Cornucopia with a small bag, which included a blowgun with twenty-four darts.

18 of the 48 tributes died in the bloodbath, and a Career pack of 10 Tributes claimed the Cornucopia's remaining supplies, including the only safe food and drink in the arena.

Haymitch encountered stinging butterflies and carnivorous squirrel mutts in the woods. Meanwhile, the Careers scoured the mountain area for potential victims, and during this time, many of the tributes fell victim to the arena's poisonous substances. Maysilee was able to use these poisons to turn her darts into weapons.

A volcanic eruption took out another twelve tributes, including five Careers. The lava flows made half the arena inaccessible, driving the thirteen remaining tributes into the woods.

Haymitch faced three of the surviving Careers in the woods. Despite his size disadvantage, Haymitch made up for it with speed; he dispatched two with his knife before he was disarmed by the third. When the Career went for Haymitch's throat, Maysilee shot him with a poison dart, and she and Haymitch became allies.

As allies, Haymitch and Maysilee could get more rest, devise a rainwater harvesting system, and share food from the fallen tributes' packs, all while continuing on a course Haymitch was determined to follow - trying to get to the arena's edge.

Haymitch and Maysilee finally reached a cliff edge, marking the end of the arena. With only five tributes remaining, Maysilee broke the alliance when Haymitch refused to leave the area.

After Maysilee left, Haymitch kicked a pebble off the cliff into the force field. Surprised to see the pebble bounce back, he threw a larger rock, which flew back into his hand. He laughed but was cut off by the sound of Maysilee screaming. By the time he reached her, the pink birds had skewered her with their beaks, so all he could do was hold her hand until she was gone.

By the end of the day, Haymitch and the District 1 female were the final two tributes. In their bloody showdown, both sustained nearly fatal wounds.

She chased him to the cliff and threw her axe, but Haymitch collapsed on the ground, dodging the attack. The force field flung the axe back. It lodged itself in her head, leaving Haymitch as the victor.

✨Aftermath

Haymitch's stunt with the force field made the Capitol look foolish. In retaliation, they eradicated Haymitch's mother, brother, and girlfriend in the weeks after the Games. Depressed by the loss of his loved ones and forced to mentor years of doomed tributes, Haymitch developed an alcohol dependency, and his life fell into disrepair. Or so we thought...

If you made it this far, CONGRATULATIONS 🏆🏆🏆 That was a LONG post.

I'm so curious about the upcoming book and movie! I'd love to know when Haymitch joined the rebellion and learn more about Maysilee Donner, the original owner of the Mockingjay pin.

There are some incredible opportunities to see younger versions of returning characters in Sunrise on The Reaping. I can't wait to see how the casting process for the movie evolves.

Do you have any favorite fan casts yet? Do you have any theories about the book? Let me know in the comments!

📚The link to preorder the book is in the comments!

[margridarnauds]

“Team Brutus” this, “Team Caesar” that, let’s hear it for Team Vercingetorix, who are cheering from the sidelines during Pin the Knife on the Asshole Day 

[skykittywhatchamahcallit]

Lionesse had spent the evening exploring through the forests along the outskirts of Jacobstown. She followed Bighorner paths torn through the woods, smaller paths of Mantises and Hares and foxes. She felt safe surrounded by the trees but at the same time, use to the open air of the desert, it felt suffocating. She could check behind a tree to find an animal, maybe nothing. Sounds being made with no sense of the direction it could be coming from. It was getting dark, and she was heading back towards Jacobstown to rest. As she did, she could have sworn she could hear steps along side hers, breathing, sticks snapping. She would stop, the air still, to turn around and check and backpeddle. There was nothing she could find, no sign of anything or anyone. But she could feel it.

She was less than half a mile away from Jacobstown when she stopped suddenly again, this time the unmistakable sound of a twig snapping made her turn around. She pulled her pistol, switching off the safety. It was loaded, cocked, ready for whatever sat just outside of her vision. It was darker now, she could barely see two or three trees beyond where she stood. She slowly scanned the forests edge.

“Come out here. Face me.” Lionesse said firmly, not expecting an answer. Her hand went for her belt, for her flashlight, when she was hit blindly from the side. Her finger squeezed the trigger on instinct, once, then twice. She was knocked to the ground, her hand holding her pistol smacked against the ground once, twice, three times, throwing her pistol from her hand and out of reach. Her free hand was twisted behind her, then her second hand, pinned face down in the leaf litter. She lifted her head just enough to scream.

It rang out for a second or two before a sour, salty leather glove stuffed it’s palm into her mouth. She bit down viciously, the person holding her down sucking in a breath of pain. But no matter how hard she bit down, she wasn’t going to be able to break through the leather. The person shuffled around on top of her, kneeling against her back, his free hand holding Lionesses two hands behind her back. She bit down, her yelling muffled against the leather.

“Silence. Silence!” A familiar voice hissed, “I am not here to cause you harm. I will pull my hand out of your mouth if you swear not to scream again. I do not need your doctor friend coming up here.”

Lionesse gently released the man’s hand from her mouth. She could feel him shake it after her release.

“Good. Now I cannot trust you not to run, so I’ll speak clearly, the eyes of the mighty Caesar are upon you once again. Your actions around the Strip have rightfully brought his attention to you once again, to assure your goals align with him.”

“How the hell did you find me?” Lionesse twisted under his weight, tilting her head to meet his eyes. Blue eyes, still visible in the low light. Vulpes.

“I have been watching you for some time since your return from Zion. Alone. I know of your doings, as does Caesar. Listen to me carefully, do as Caesar asks or he will make your life miserable. Your Recon buddy, the doctor, the brotherhood woman, all of them will suffer if you do not follow my directions.”

Lionesse twisted again, Vulpes dug his knee farther, a ‘pop’ coming from one of the vertebrae he held down. Vulpes droned on.

“You remember the way by Cottonwood cove, you should make haste, before Caesar declares you an enemy of the Legion, and we both know that is not something you want.” Vulpes free hand then traced down Lionesse’s side, to the knife on her hip, “Under no circumstances am I to harm you, nor you to harm me. Caesar wants no harm to come to you, for now, but I will not hesitate to defend myself. You have been warned. Do you understand?”

“I understand.” Lionesse let her head fall back into the leaf litter, her pistol within view and just out of reach. It had gotten terrifyingly dark during their short conversation.

“Good. Do not forget your pistol, and I bid you ‘Vale’.” Vulpes stood up and let go of Lionesse’s hand in one fast motion, standing and taking a few steps back. Lionesse scrambled to her feet, turning to face him, and the only thing she caught was the faintest outline of him disappearing into the woods. She stared after him for a moment, before ducking down and grabbing her pistol, making a dash in the direction of Jacobstown. The woods could have been full of Legion, for all she knew. Surrounded. Helpless. Watched. The trees broke suddenly as she ran, a steep embankment she stumbled down and onto the road, only a few hundred yards from the fence of Jacobstown.

Her boots connected with the concrete and she ran for the fence. Marcus and Arcade stood there, weapons trained on her for a moment, before Arcade dropped his stance and pushed Marcus’ rifle sights off of her. He holstered his pistol and ran towards her, and they collided into a hug. Lionesse was breathing hard, Arcade was breathing fast.

“Oh my god, oh my god I heard the gunshots, I didn’t think I was going to see you again, we thought the night stalkers got you or something.” Arcade rambled, one hand on Lionesses head the other wrapped around her shoulders. He was leaning down awkwardly as Lionesse took fistfuls of his lab coat into her hands and buried her face against his chest.

“Are you hurt?” Arcade pulled her away from him, checking her over. Besides the dirt and leaves sticking to her hair and face, she as unharmed, “Thank goodness, come on, let’s get you back into town, what the hell happened?”

Together, they walked back into town, Lionesse throwing a backwards glance again to the long, dark stretch of road she could see. And, she could have sworn she saw a familiar figure standing along the tree line.

[olfactoryventriloquism]

In my class we play “Pin the Knife on the Caesar” to celebrate the Ides of March

[ailelie]

Okay. But what about kid party games?

Pin the Knife on Caesar's Back?

A Caesar pinata that you stab instead of hit with a bat?

Statues but the goal is to tag Caesar ("It") with your finger tip in lieu of a dagger?

We could have such fun with this.

[konohokelly]

Are You Not Entertained? (Toxic! Marvel Sanford x Toxic! Reader HCs) (2/3)

Summary: As a career you only have one goal, volunteer for the hunger games and bring pride to your district, but you happen to be an emotionally unstable individual and your district partner is your ex…

OR

You and Marvel are the anti-EverLark.

Warnings: Dead Dove Do Not Eat, trash fire relationships, emotional abuse, referenced smut, smut, public sex, SO MUCH MESSINESS, both reader and Marvel are toxic, reader has anger issues, reader fights other women over a man, emotionally manipulative Marvel, physical abuse, reader puts hands on Marvel, insecure reader, reader isn’t nice, reader has no shame, reader often goes from 0 to 100, trashy behaviour on TV.

No use of Y/N

IMPORTANT: This font represents Caesar and Claudius’ commentary during the games.

THE GAMES BEGIN:

— You participated in the bloodbath with absolute glee. Slashing and swiping at other tributes with your sword.

— Your first kill was the boy from 6, you stabbed him with a knife like he was a pin cushion.

— Your second was the girl from 8, whom you chased down and sliced her throat as she attempted to escape into the tree-line.

— Your third wasn't really your kill, he was Marvel's.

— You trapped the boy from District 9 with a net, holding him down, while Marvel skewered him with a spear.

— When the dust had settled and the cannons had begun firing, Marvel pulled you into his arms, and you kissed like there's no tomorrow, as the thrill of killing ran through both of your blood.

"Would you look at that, Claudius. It seems the District 1 tributes are back in each other's good graces". Caesar commented, looking at a monitor. "That looks like a bit more than good graces to me" Claudius replied. "You know what they say, a couple that kills together, stays together"

— When Peeta joined the group, you wanted to kill him as soon as possible. His little stunt of professing his love for Katniss pulled some focus off you and Marvel.

"C'mon, guys. Let's just kill him now" you said.

"Unless you know how to find Katniss, we need him” The others careers would reply.

— You and Marvel are all over each other in the arena. It's very rare that you're not walking together, and when you stop, it's very rare that you're not making out.

— Days later, you all trudged along the forest floor hunting for tributes to kill.

— Walking ahead of the group, you looked back when you heard laughter. It was Marvel and Clove.

— You instantly lost it.

"What the fuck is so funny?" you asked them

Clove raised an eyebrow, "It's-"

"I wasn't talking to you, short stack. I was talking to MY boyfriend" you got in her face, trying to start something.

Clove's hand instantly went for a knife as you gripped your hilt of your sword.

"Babe, enough. We were just laughing, it's no big deal" Marvel said, pushing you and Clove apart.

"Well, can I get in on the joke since it's so hilarious? You know what? I'm so sick of your shit. You're such an asshole, Marvel! I can't even turn my back to you for 5 seconds without you diving into another girl's skirt!"

"Can you be any more of an attention-seeking lunatic? You're so fucking insecure!"

"Of course I'm insecure, I can't fucking trust you!"

"You're such a bitch"

"Fuck you!"

"Well, fuck you too!"

You stalked off into the darkness.

"Your girlfriend is crazy, man" Cato laughed

"Don't call her crazy" Marvel said glumly, guilt about yelling at you already setting in.

Cato raised his hands in mock surrender, he and Clove stifling their amusement at the whole situation as Marvel stalks off after you.

— It doesn't take Marvel long to find you and make it all better with gentle affection.

THE MIDDLE:

— The group camped out under a tree waiting for Katniss to come down.

— All of you, except Peeta, had a similar upbringing, so you all reminisced about the camping challenges you had back home.

— You and Marvel didn't hesitate to get a little frisky in the sleeping bag you were sharing, hoping no one, especially the cameras, would pick up on your hands down each other's pants.

— When you both finished, it became evident that the cameras had picked up on it, seeing as a parachute came down with a makeshift water purifier you didn't need yet and a note reading:

"You two definitely aren't shy. They're loving it" -G

— When Katniss dropped a tracker jacker nest, you had nearly tripped while running, but Marvel picked you up and held you all the way to the river.

— By the time you got there, you were stung, had dropped your bow and arrows and Peeta had got away. You needed someone to be angry at, so you picked Cato.

"I told you we should have killed lover boy days ago!"

— Picking a fight with the most jacked member of the group wasn't your smartest move.

— You were honestly shocked when Marvel stood by you, going for his weapon when Cato began coming at you.

— This wasn't what you were taught to do.

— Your anger issues were putting him in unnecessary danger, and you had been taught to detach yourselves from wild cards during your career training.

— The falling out of the career pack was only averted when Clove calmed everyone down.

"Right now isn't the time for this. Let's just drop it"

— You were mad at Cato for a few hours after that.

— The next few days were relatively quiet. Marvel and you fought and made up a few times. The ups and downs of your relationship entertaining the Capitol enough that they didn't send more obstacles your way.

— Your screaming matches usually consisted of you throwing an accusation his way and him sending all manner of insults towards you.

— When you apologized, you would typically mumble sorry, then cuddle up to him.

— When he apologized, he would end up deciding to carry your bags and weapons as self-inflicted penance.

— Being on night watch duty together just meant more time to have your hands on each other.

— You would sit in his lap, a blanket over your shoulders for privacy, and ride him to kingdom come.

— you tried not to come at the same time, so one of you could always be alert when the other was caught up in bliss.

— Marvel would get you to finish first with his fingers on your clit, and you could barely hold back your moans.

— Then you would make him come so hard his vision would go white, as you scanned the surroundings for danger.

"These lethal lovers just can't keep from tearing each other's clothes off, can they, Claudius" Caesar laughed. "That's youth for you, Caesar. I on one hand can't wait to see them start tearing each apart" Claudius said.

— Marvel, with his electric personality, often entertained the group with his stories and jokes,

— But knowing you, he would give you a kiss every once in a while, making sure you knew you always had his attention.

— You started hanging around the boy from District 3 more.

— In reality, you were watching him so he didn't pull a fast one when setting up the mines.

— Marvel didn't like it regardless.

"Why don't we just kill the twerp already?" Marvel asked absent-mindedly, watching you ask the boy more questions about his district, "he's getting too comfortable".

"You jealous or something" Clove teased

Marvel turned to glare at her, but instantly turned right back when he heard you laughing with the boy

— During your next fight, it was Marvel doing the accusing, making you refute just as angrily.

"You're loving this, aren't you. The whole of Panem getting to see what a slut you really are" he challenged.

THE MINES:

— When the fires started, you all jumped to your feet. Finally, something exciting.

— You were close by when the explosion at the cornucopia happened, running back to get more weapons, and the shockwave knocked you off your feet and made your ears ring.

— With the supplies gone and feeling extremely disoriented, you were upset and needed to direct it at someone, but the kid from 3 was already dead.

— Marvel trekked ahead of you through the woods, both of you looking for whoever set the fires.

— You screamed at his back.

"I bet you're happy now! 3's dead, so you got what you wanted!"

— You didn't really care that he was dead even though you were just starting to become fond of him, you just wanted Marvel to yell back at you.

"Say something! Are you scared, huh? You're such a coward, Marvel. Fucking say something!"

— When he wouldn't shout back, you tackled him.

— Marvel, not being one to back down from a fight, tackled you back.

— Full of rage and with the forest spinning in your vision, you attempted to slash at him with your knife, but he twisted it out of your hand, leaving you to kick and punch him as he tried to get a grip on you.

— You used your nails to create a bloody trail down his cheek.

— The both of you grappled at each other, rolling over again and again.

"Uh oh, is this it?" Caesar exclaimed, "Will this killer couple finally put an axe in their turbulent romance".

— Marvel ended up on top, pressing you face down into the dirt as you thrashed and screamed.

— When you calmed down and stopped struggling, he stood up and took a few steps back.

You stood breathing heavily, arms wrapped around yourself with vulnerability.

"You good?" He asked, panting with exertion.

You nodded, glaring at the ground.

"Come here, baby" Marvel said as he opened his arms.

"Not today, Caesar" Claudius says, "It seems these two will live to bicker another day"

— That night you and Marvel took watch, you were seated between his legs on the ground, back against his chest.

— He whispered a sweet "I love you" into your ear.

— Too scared that he may be lying, you don't say anything back, but lean further into him, taking his arms to wrap them around yourself.

— The next day, when you saw Katniss take aim at Marvel with her bow, you didn't think twice about running to his rescue.

— The arrow narrowly missed his throat and instead lodges itself into his shoulder.

— You drag him to safety in an obscured portion of underbrush, and tend to his wounds, allowing tears to run down your face the whole time.

"It's okay, baby. I'm going to be okay" he keeps telling you.

"I love you" you finally say back, voice shaking with terror that he may die.

— when you're done with your crude stitching, you get up swearing you're going to find and kill Katniss.

— Still too injured to move without pain, Marvel asks you just to lay with him for a while.

THE PAIRS:

— When the announcement comes of district pairs being able to win together, you and Marvel don't say a word. There's nothing to say.

— For once actually in tune with one another, you just pick up your things and move further into the forest, ending the alliance with Cato and Clove.

— With Marvel hurt, you'd both be too vulnerable with them anyway;

— And with a pair counting as one now, you'd basically reached the natural end of your alliance-- The point in the games where there was a single tribute from each career district left, and the fight to the death began.

— It didn't take long for hunger to set in, seeing as you and Marvel only had a bag of dried fruits and a few sticks of jerky between you. It seemed having a pile of supplies at the cornucopia made you both too confident.

— You catch a few small rabbits but with Marvel's better spear throwing arm out of commission and him being the better hunter, having grown up doing it, you didn't have much to eat.

— You internally thank your mentors for sending you a water purifier.

— But Marvel needs medicine and you both need food.

— When the feast is announced, you go together.

— Marvel, unwilling to not be part of the action when his legs still work, bites his tongue through the pain and makes it down to the cornucopia with you.

— You're the one to run out and grab the pack with a big "1" printed across it. Marvel watches your back from the tree-line.

— Unfortunately for you, Cato had spotted you.

— Instead of trying to save Clove, whose head was currently being bashed in by Thresh, Cato decided to get some revenge against his former allies.

— Cato was strong, but you and Marvel had been trained to kill people like him all your lives.

— You and your boyfriend were starving, and he was injured, but there's still two of you and one of Cato.

— The fight goes on for a while before a single canon goes off, you and Marvel still standing.

— With the medicine in the District 1 pack, Marvel is better in no time, still sore but able to hunt.

— Being the only careers left in the games, and being in relatively good health again, you go out hunting for tributes. Thresh, Katniss and Peeta at the top of your lists.

— But the games have reached the point where everyone still living is alive because they're good at staying out of sight.

— When the dogs came, you both booked it to the Cornucopia.

— He made sure you were safely on top before boosting himself up with your help, the rabid dogs nipping at his heels.

— You didn't expect to find Katniss and Peeta coming up on the other side.

— With the girl from 5 dead mysteriously and Thresh torn apart by the animals, it only left the District 1 and 12 tributes.

"Here we are, down to the last tributes. The lethal lovers from District 1 versus the star crossed lovers of District 12. The stakes are as high as it gets" Caesar spoke into the camera.

— The fight is longer than anticipated, but ultimately ends with two cannons and Katniss and Peeta lying dead.

— You and Marvel are both bleeding profusely by the end of it but make it down the cornucopia.

— You kiss and hug one another.

"We did it, baby" he breathed, resting his forehead against yours.

— But then another announcement comes, the rule of pairs has been revoked.

— You both beg the other to deliver the killing blow, eventually falling from blood loss and passing out from light-headedness.

— The last thing you hear in the arena is, "ladies and gentlemen, the winners of the 74th annual hunger games"

AFTER THE GAMES:

— You and Marvel were put back together in no time.

— From what you heard, you were both bleeding out at the same rate and if the game makers left you in the arena any longer they wouldn't have had a winner.

— Your mentors weren't as joyous as you expected, apparently there were complications that arose from your team win.

— You had shown the Capitol up by not dying, but you had also killed Katniss, whose actions in the arena were stirring up rebellion among the districts.

— For your help in quelling the revolts, the Capitol was willing to be merciful if you both played along.

— during your interview with Caesar, you both made sure to copiously thank the Capitol and the hunger games for bringing you two together and strengthening your relationship.

"This girl right here is my soulmate, and without the games we may not have found that out" Marvel said, looking deeply into your eyes, only love in his gaze.

Even though you were directed to do this, his words were completely true. Without the games, you and your lover might have gone the rest of your lives thinking you were enemies.

You tear your eyes from his, staring directly at the cameras and saying, "We send our eternal gratitude to President Snow and the people of the Capitol for granting us this chance to be together"

— When President Snow crowned you it was the greatest moment of your life up until that point; standing before the entire country, crowned by President Snow himself as a victor.

The old man, gave you both a curious smile, speaking words that only you three could hear,

"Your love story has been a source of distraction to many, make sure it stays that way"

Please let me know how you’re feeling about everything.

[newvegascowboy]

Tagged by @bigbraincel :3c ty 💖

This little bit is from my Reyes wip, titled "soldier, king, and spy" which I've been working on today because of @morscanis 's wonderful enabling 💕

Vulpes' back hits the dust with a thump, hard enough that Reyes hears his teeth clack together. The fight is over in an instant. He snarls, bucking beneath her in a vain attempt to throw her off, but she has him thoroughly pinned. One wrist is trapped beneath her knee, his fingers grasping weakly at the meat of Reyes' calf. The other is stretched above his head, her fingers tight around his wrist. Reyes has a forearm barred against his throat, enough pressure applied to be uncomfortable, to make him squirm.

Vulpes' face twists, lip curling into a grimace. He bucks beneath Reyes' weight, but she's straddling his chest and he doesn't have the momentum. His struggling is rapidly flagging, face growing redder the longer Reyes keeps her arm pressed across his throat. 

Something stings inside Reyes' mouth. She licks the inside of her lip, tongue brushing over a cut from her teeth. Eyes still locked on Vulpes' face, she turns and spits blood into the sand. "I told you," she pants, leaning over him until her shadow falls across his face. A strand of hair drips from behind her ear, trailing in the sand next to Vulpes' head. "If you tried anything, I'd kill you. Did you think I was bluffing?" 

Vulpes doesn't answer. He couldn't if he wanted to, but Reyes isn't letting him, her arm flush to the soft flesh beneath his chin. His face is tight, eyes flicking rapidly side to side, just off Reyes' face. She can feel the muscles of his throat working against her forearm, but his teeth are clenched, preventing him from gasping. He would die before begging, and Reyes knows it. Strength is the rule of the Legion and Reyes has proved hers in the bowl of this dusty basin, beneath the hot mojave sun. The shame of having been beaten will subdue him, no matter how underhanded he might be.

Carefully, Reyes leans back, easing her arm off his neck. Vulpes shudders beneath her, eyes squeezing closed. He hacks, sucking in a long, ragged breath, then coughs again. Reyes settles back on her haunches, raking her hair off her forehead with her freed hand. She glances around, taking in their scattered campsite. Vulpes' knife is lying not far away, obscured by sand where Reyes had kicked at it. Grunting, she leans over to paw at it. She catches the edge with the tip of her fingers and the blade jumps. Again, and she drags it closer by the flat of the blade. Grit scrapes her palm as Reyes picks it up. The hilt of the blade fits neatly into Reyes' hand, bronze blade flashing in the sun. 

Beneath her, Vulpes has gone rigid. He's staring at her from the corner of his eye, tracking Reyes' hand as she tests the weight of the blade. She huffs a tired laugh, tapping the point on his breastplate. "Relax," Reyes says. She scratches at the leather with the point of the knife, leaving little white scars behind. Absently at first, then intentionally, until an angular R has been whittled into it. Vulpes watches, resolutely silent. "I'm not going to kill you," Reyes says. "But I could. Understand?" 

He says nothing. Reyes squeezes his ribs with her knees, spinning the point of the blade on his breastplate. "Hey. I'm not letting you up until you tell me you understand. I'd like to not have to do this again." 

Vulpes' lip curls again, bearing his teeth. A muscle in his jaw jumps as his head drops back to the dust. He's silent. For a moment, Reyes wonders how long she'll have to kneel here, testing his seething resolve against her patience. He would be the type to fight a war of attrition. Reyes can't give him an inch, cannot waver, because that would be weakness. Vulpes' contempt for the weak is only barely rivalled by his blind devotion to Caesar.

His head jerks once. A short nod. Reyes' shoulders relax, the tense line of her body softening. It's an out for him. He could escape now, if he wanted to, but only because Reyes let him.

[several-breathing-eyes]

Last year I made these paper dolls! This year I made...

Pin The Knife On The Caesar!

In celebration of the Ides of March, I made stab-able paper Caesars.

[casgirl]

omg your birthday is on the ides of march?? very dark academia, very donna tartt, happy birthday!

i know one of these days i'll have to throw a toga party. pin the knife on the caesar

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch49: An Old Friend

Intro: After five years of more or less domestic bliss, Katie’s fear that their peace will be one day shattered comes to fruition as a man they long thought dead appears at the compound.

Warnings: Bad Langauge. Smut (NSFW, 18+)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

A/N: And so we begin the Endgame timeline...and as with all the parts, it has it’s own little banner as made by the talented @angrybirdcr​ who’s made another lovely edit for me here!

Chapter 48 Part 2

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

  May 2023

“Emmy this room is an utter disgrace!” Steve said exasperatedly as he looked around at the various items of clothing scattered around her bedroom. DVDs lay on the floor instead of in the designated rack, the bed was unmade and various school books were tossed onto the rug instead of at her desk.

“Chill Dad.” She mumbled as she sat cross legged, tapping at her tablet, music blaring from her stereo. “Chill?” He shot her a look “Seriously, we spent a fortune doing this room up last month. Get it tidied.” “Yeah, yeah.”

Steve grit his teeth, jaw twitching with annoyance before, after a moment’s deliberation, he crossed the room and turned off her music.

“Hey I was listening to that!”                                  

“Well, now you’re gonna listen to me.” He stood cross armed looking down at her. “I mean it Emily, get this sorted now, or you can forget going to Philadelphia with Brooke.”

“But, it’s all organised, we leave first thing in the morning!” “It can be unorganised.” His threat was simple but it had the desired effect.

“Fine.” She groaned, tossing her tablet to one side. “Thank you.” Steve replied, sarcastically before he left the room, shutting the door behind him. He made his way downstairs to the kitchen where Katie was prepping lunch, Jamie sat in a chair at the table on a booster seat, colouring in an activity book.

“Look, Daddy!” he pointed to his picture. Steve leant over, one arm on the back of the chair and glanced down at the elephant his son had coloured in purple.

“A purple elephant.” He nodded “Creative.”

“Like in Dumbo!”

“Of course.” Steve smiled, Jamie’s Disney film of the moment. It was one Steve could remember seeing at the theatre before he joined the army. It still creeped him out slightly, the scene with all the drunk elephants. So much so he was convinced the animator had been on some kind of mad drug fuelled trip when he drew it. He ruffled his son’s hair and then moved over to where Katie was slicing up a cucumber for the salad, reaching round to steal a piece as he dropped a kiss to her cheek.

“She tidying it?” Katie asked, her eyes not moving from her task.

“Only because I threatened to stop her going to Philly.” he snorted, leaning on the counter, looking at his wife. He reached into the salad bowl to snatch a piece of pepper and Katie slapped his hand. He grinned as she looked at him.

“Bet that went down well.” “Don’t care. Her attitude stinks.”

“She’s a teenage girl, Steve” Katie smiled. “That’s not the point.” “Honey, just shut the door if the mess bothers you that much.”

Steve sighed, and rubbed at his temple. “I’m surprised the door even opens with the amount of crap on the floor.” Katie gave a little chuckle before she looked at him. “Can you get me the dressing out of the fridge?”

He pushed himself off the counter and opened the fridge. “Caesar or Ranch?”

“Caesar.” She nodded after a moment’s deliberation. “Oh, and the cooked chicken please.” Grabbing them, Steve turned back to Katie and passed her the items, chewing the inside of his cheek. “Do you think I was too strict?”

Katie placed the knife down and looked at him. “Stevie, stop second guessing yourself.” She reached up to run a hand down his cheek “You’re a great dad. All I’m saying is it’s not out of the ordinary for her to have an attitude. She’s fifteen. I was a nightmare at that age, as I’m sure Tony will delight in telling you.”

“Speaking of your brother, what time is he expecting us to drop Jamie off?” “Oh he’s coming to pick him up.” Katie said. “They’re in town anyway so said he’ll be here later this afternoon. I just hope Emmy does as you told her.” “Huh?”

“Because if she doesn’t, you’re gonna have to carry through with your threat. And that means you’ve just flushed our night alone down the lav.” Steve let out a groan, he hadn’t thought about that.

A little while later Katie called Emmy down for lunch. She appeared in the kitchen with a scowl and Katie saw Steve bristle slightly so she decided to get in there first and back him up.

“Straighten your face, young lady.” She ordered sternly as Emmy sat down. “Your dad’s right. That room is an absolute dump.” Emmy sighed and reached over for a warm pitta bread, piling her plate with the salad before she took a deep breath.

“Sorry. I’ll tidy it, I promise.” Steve looked at Katie who gave him a wink as they began to eat.

“Emmy I colourded you a picture.” Jamie pointed to the book which was to his right, out of the way of his plate.

Emmy smiled, and looked at it. “Aww dude that’s awesome. Is it to pin up on my board?”

He nodded and she bopped his nose gently, smiling back.

“I staying at Moo’s tonight?” He asked, turning to his mom.

“Yeah.” Katie looked at him as he picked up a piece of the pitta bread she had sliced into smaller strips for him “Is that okay?” He nodded. “Uncle Nee gives me juice pops. The red ones are my bestest.” “I thought you liked the blue ones?” Steve asked, swallowing his food. “Because they’re the same colour as Cap’s Suit?”

“Red ones better.” Jamie nodded. “Like Iron Man.”

Steve looked at Katie who was biting her lip, trying not to laugh at the look of utter indignation on his face.

“This is good, Mom.” Emmy nodded at the food on her plate. “Better than the incinerated breakfast dad gave us.” Steve half-heartedly glared at his daughter. “I burnt one egg.”

“One too many.” She quipped, and Katie grinned, reaching over for the jug of water. Steve beat her to it and poured her a glass, sliding it over to her before he did the same for Emmy, Jamie already had his in a tippee-cup by his plate. 

“Thanks.” Katie smiled at him before she turned to Emmy “Hey, did you get your grade back for your English essay last week?”

“Oh, yeah, I got an A.” she shrugged.

“Emmy that’s great.” Steve nodded at her, smiling.

“Yeah well don’t get used to it. I don’t think I’ll get one again. I may have upset my tutor.”

“Why?” Katie frowned “What did you do.”

“Well, he’s assigned us a book that is totes inappropriate.”

“What book?” Katie interrupted to ask

“The Colour Purple. I mean it’s good but…”

“Yeah, that is kinda heavy…” Katie frowned, having read the book herself. “What’s the angle?” “Race, gender, and bigotry in the early twentieth century. ”Emmy shrugged “I would have thought To Kill A Mockingbird would have been better but when I voiced my opinion Mr Tozer didn’t like it.”

“So what did you say to upset him?” Steve arched his brow.

“Exactly that. And then he told me it was his way or the highway. Don’t worry, I refrained from calling him Hitler.”

“I guess we should be pleased then.” Steve snorted. Emmy flashed him a grin and went back to eating.

The family made chatter for the rest of their lunch until Jamie poked at his mom’s arm.

“Yes, Sweetie?” “I done now. Fankoo.” He grinned, his plate completely cleared.

“You’re welcome, honey” Katie ruffled his hair “Cake?” He asked hopefully.

“What do you say?” Steve prompted gently.

“Please.” Jamie nodded.

“Do you think about anything but food?” Emmy looked at the small boy.

“You know he doesn’t.” Katie sighed. “He takes after your father in that respect.” “That’s not all I think about.” Steve grinned, as he raised a suggestive eyebrow at his wife over his glass of water.

“Yeah well, thankfully he is way too young for that.” Katie winked as she stood up to get the fruit cake she had made the day before to cut everyone a slice. As she did, she had to bite back the smirk as Emmy sighed at Steve’s blatant sexual reference.

“Gross.”

****

Emmy did tidy her room, so she was dropped off at the coffee shop early evening with her bag which Steve was sure contained more clothes than she needed for the four nights she was away. He made a comment to that effect and the fifteen year old just rolled her eyes and explained she needed two outfits a day,  just in case. Just in case of what, Steve had no idea, and he wasn’t sure he really wanted to know if truth be told. He made small talk with Jennifer over a coffee for a while, instructed his daughter to behave and loudly told Jennifer that if she was any trouble to pack her home straight away. Brooke rolled her eyes but gave him a hug goodbye anyway as he left.  By the time he had gotten home, Jamie had already been picked up leaving the two parents alone. Steve had been planning to take Katie out, but when he suggested it she shook her head and pulled a magnum of Champagne out of the fridge and held it up.

“I got a better idea.” She grinned “Hot tub party for two and take out.” “Champagne, pizza, you in a swimsuit.” Steve grinned, pulling her to him. “Baby, I’m sold.”

Needless to say there wasn’t much relaxing done in the hour they were in the tub, quite the opposite if truth be told. Hands and lips were all over the place, pawing at skin and kisses being exchanged with avaricious force. By the time they’d called for pizza, Katie was feeling thoroughly defiled as she sat on the sofa, wearing one of Steve’s button downs and tore into a large slice of pepperoni as if she hadn’t eaten for a week. Steve grinned, tucking her damp hair behind her ear and dropped a kiss to the side of her head. They settled down to watch a film, but Katie was flat out before it was even ten minutes in and she didn’t even stir bar to murmur something to Steve when he carried her up to their room.

Steve woke the next morning, wrapped around his wife, her warm body pressed to his chest, one arm under her neck, the other draped over her waist. He sighed in contentment, it was bliss, knowing there was nothing to get up for. No constantly hungry three year old to feed, no lunches to make, no school runs, no meetings until later, nothing. Snuggling into her closer, the arm that wasn’t trapped underneath her swept her hair away from her face, before his lips skated over her jaw and down the side of her neck. As her eyelids fluttered his large, gentle hand trailed down the curve of her hip and slid between her legs, caressing the inside of her thigh. Katie took a deep breath, shifting automatically, still half asleep, spreading her legs a little wider. She rolled her head over her shoulder, blinking and she was met with those blue eyes she loved so much, the owner wearing a devilish smirk.

“Morning.” He rasped, his voice low with sleep and desire.

“Good morning.” She grinned, biting her lip as his hand moved back up over her stomach to her breasts underneath the shirt she was wearing and he began to tease her softly, causing her to moan as he rolled a nipple between his fingers, the sensation burning in her stomach. She rolled onto her back and Steve settled between her legs, her arms winding around his neck as he captured her lips with his, soft and slow before he pulled back to peel his shirt off her body, tossing it down the side of the bed. He turned his gaze downwards, eyeing up her blue lacy panties before he groaned and lowered himself over her again, kissing her and sliding his tongue along hers. Katie wrapped her legs around his hips, grinding against him to get any friction that she could. His hands trailed down her sides and under her back, fingers gently grabbing at the waistband of the lace before he broke the kiss and unhooked her legs from around his waist. He gently pulled her underwear down, shimmying under the covers as he removed the garment and then kissed up her right leg, his lips hot as he made his way from her ankle up to her inner thigh, pushing her legs open wider.

His actions were controlled, slow. There was no rush after all. His mouth and tongue gently worked her to distraction, flicking at her clit over and over. She was a writhing mess within minutes, her hand fisted in his hair, the other grasping at the sheets, the noises flowing freely because they didn’t have to be quiet. Her fingers tightened on his scalp and she gave a cry of his name as her hips bucked upwards, her legs tensing slightly before they flattened against the bed, her breathing heavy and ragged. With a smirk at how easy he could undo her, Steve moved back up the bed, one hand pushing his sleep pants down. Without a word he lined himself up with her, letting out a loud groan as she slid a hand between them, stroking him before guiding him inside. He moved slowly, deliberately, until every inch of him was sheathed. Katie’s eyes rolled back as he stretched her, her groan was loud as he laced his fingers into hers. Steve let out a shaky little whimper as he moved his pelvis slowly, pushing back against her hands.

Every thrust was deep, slow, measured, his mouth moving from hers to her jaw, neck, collar bone. The house was quiet, nothing but the sound of soft cries and kisses could be heard as Steve continued his thrusts, whilst his wife purred into his ear, and he let go of her hands to bring one of her legs up round his hip. She let out a cry at the change of angle as he picked up the pace slightly, but not much, Katie’s nails raking down his back as her pleasure rose. The sensation made him shudder and he doubled his efforts, her hands sliding down, grabbing at his flexing ass, urging him on and, as always, he was happy to oblige.

“Shit, Stevie,” the cry of his name turned into a complete babble which died in her throat as she tightened and pulsed around, him, her body shaking with pleasure.

“God, Doll,” Steve was right behind her as he came with a low moan, his hips thrusting until he was completely spent, his head buried in the side of his wife’s neck.

Katie tipped her head back in satisfaction, sighing softly as Steve pushed himself up slightly. He gently ran his nose up her throat, taking her bottom lip between his and he let out a loud, satisfied sigh of his own. He loved his kids, beyond anything but man he enjoyed being able to take his goddamned time making love to his wife without the patter of little feet across the hall meaning they were about to be interrupted. “Baby,” he said softly, his lips gently smoothing the skin underneath her ear “Hmmm?” She asked, her hands creeping into his hair as her head rolled to the side, eyes still closed in pure bliss. “Look at me, kitten.” She obliged, and emerald green met ocean blue as she held her husband’s gaze. He gave her a soft smile, and she reciprocated, the affection on his face blatantly evident. “I love you,” he said, as she reached up and gently brushed the longer strands of his hair back over his forehead, “more than you can ever know”

“Will that still be the case when I’m old, grey and wrinkly but you still look like you’re straight out of GQ magazine?”

Steve frowned as he looked at her, this wasn’t the first time she had mentioned that. He shook his head and sighed softly, unable to do anything but repeat what he told her the last time she’d raised the issue.

“I told you baby girl.” he gave her lips a quick peck, “it’s me and you till the end of the line.”

After a lazy breakfast, Katie headed off to collect Jamie from Tony’s and Steve made his way into Manhattan for the two support groups of the afternoon. The first one was always the busiest and it took a little longer this week as they had a few new faces. This didn’t surprise Steve, people were still five years later coming to terms with opening up about their heartache or problems, but the core of the group were always welcoming. He had an hours break before the second, slightly quieter group so he took a walk. Their air was damp and there was a gloomy fog descending over the city, making it darker than it would normally be for the time of day, but it wasn’t cold. He grabbed a coffee from the shop round the corner and headed back to start the second meeting.

The meetings always followed the same format. There was ten or so minutes of everyone arriving, grabbing refreshments, saying hello and then they would form the usual circle and Steve would start the discussions with a chat about something he’d done or seen that week that was positive before moving to something he’d done or seen that week that wasn’t so positive, and then invite other people to comment and do the same, gently coaxing them into opening up.

“So, I went on a date the other day.” A man named David sighed. “First time in five years. I didn’t know what to talk about.”

“What did you talk about?” Steve pressed gently, patient as ever.

“Same old crap, you know? How things have changed. My job. His job. How much we miss the Mets,” David paused taking a breath, “then things got quiet. He cried as were serving the salads.”

“What about you?” Another man, Ian, asked hopefully.

“I cried,” David trailed off, “just before dessert,” There was a slight pause, “but I’m seeing him again tomorrow, so…”

Steve gave a small smile. “That’s great. You did the hardest part. You took the jump, you didn’t know where you were gonna come down. And that’s it, it’s those little, brave baby steps we gotta take, you know, to try and find purpose.” He paused and looked around the group, biting the inside of his cheek. “I went into the ice in forty-five right after I met the first woman I’d ever loved. Woke up seventy years later and met the love of my life. She gave me hope, she gave me a purpose, a reason to keep going in the crazy new world I’d found myself in.” He paused again and looked around at the attentive faces assembled in a circle. “You gotta move on. The world is in our hands. It’s left to us guys. We gotta do something with it. Otherwise, Thanos should have killed all of us.”

Steve let the meeting roll for a little longer, everyone discussing what he had said before it came to a natural end and, with a glance up, he saw Katie and Jamie pushing open the door, Katie holding a huge box full of brownies.

“Looks like you’re all in luck!” Steve nodded towards his wife as Jamie ran across to his father who smiled and swept him up into arms, planting a kiss onto his head before replacing him on the floor. He looked over at Katie and she smiled back, placing the box of treats down on the table. She often did this, popped into a few of his sessions over the week with some form of snack for them all when she had time, her way of helping out, and Steve loved her for it. 

Over the next ten minutes or so, various people drifted over to the side of the room, greeting Katie and grabbing a brownie. She gave David a hug and cheekily told him to behave on his next date as Steve wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead in greeting as they waved the man away.

“How long where you at the door?”

“Long enough.” She told him, knowing instantly why he was asking.

“I meant it.” He turned to look at her. “Every word you know.”

“I know, and for the record you’re the love of my life too.” She grinned “My husband, my baby daddy…” 

Steve smiled and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. 

“Gross.” Jamie gagged, sticking his fingers in his mouth, an action he had learnt from Emmy.

There was a pause before Steve grabbed Jamie and launched into a tickle attack until the boy was screeching and running from his dad who chased him round the hall. Katie watched her boys as Jamie feinted left and Steve let him get away, before the little boy dived under a table and out the other side of it, cackling in a way so like his father.

“Don’t think that’s gonna save you, pal.” Steve easily vaulted the table, picking Jamie up, throwing him over his shoulder, patting his backside once with a large hand.

“Momma, help!” Jamie’s voice was punctuated with laughter and with a grin Katie strode forward and her hands went straight to Steve’s sides from behind, and she began to tickle him.

“Oh sh-stop it!” Steve cackled, his ridiculously ticklish nature was always his downfall. He let Jamie down as Katie continued her attack and he whipped round, grabbing her and spinning her round. He folded her arms across her chest, pinning her back to his front as he dropped his mouth to her ear.

“You’re gonna pay for that later.” “Promises, promises Captain.”

****

There was a presence to Katie’s right and she felt the soft weight of a hand against her cheek. It was too small to belong to her man, but the perfect size and weight to belong to her boy.

“James,” a soft, deep voice whispered, warning in the tone, “this is the second time I’ve told you and there won’t be a third. Leave your ma alone. She’s sleeping.”

Katie sighed and stretched. “It’s okay, I’m awake”  

Jamie giggled and surged forward giving her a peck before falling back onto his father’s pillow, "Morning Momma!”

“Good morning, Sweetie.” She yawned rolling onto her side, dislodging Lucky who had been asleep with his leg resting on the back of her knees.  As ever Jamie had his stuffed Cap bear with him, along with God knows how many other toys all which adorned Steve’s side of their enormous bed.

“Morning, Baby.” Steve bent over from behind her, pecking her cheek too.

“Hey.” She smiled, rolling her head to catch his lips, noticing his bare, damp chest from the shower. “What time is it?”

“Little past seven. Somebody-“ Steve glanced at Jamie, “-was awake at half Five.” “Not sleepy daddy.” “Really, I didn’t notice.” Steve replied, sardonically. Katie chuckled as Jamie frowned, the sarcasm utterly lost at him.

“Momma, we hided in the fort.”

Steve and Jamie had made a blanket fort in Jamie’s room last night in which they had hidden in for their bed time stories. Jamie had insisted they left it up, and considering it wasn’t in the way, Katie had been happy to oblige. Steve, who had gotten a lot better with dealing with the mess Jamie left around over the years had resisted the urge to fold away the blankets and his wife had pulled him out of the room when the pair of them had popped in to check on Jamie before he could change his mind.

“Mighty fine Fort it is too.” Steve ruffled his son’s hair.

“What time are your meetings today?” Katie asked, looking at Steve. His groups ran at different times during the week. This way, it made sure that there was a day or night everyone could attend at least one session a week.

“Last one finishes at four today. Why you ask?”

“Well, I thought seeing as we didn’t see Nat at the weekend, we should pop in.” “Auntie Nat-Nat, yay!” Jamie clapped his hands “Maybe she can come see my fort.” “You should tell her about it.” Steve nodded, before his attention turned to Katie. “Might convince her to leave the compound.” “Yeah, maybe.”

“What do you fancy for breakfast?” Steve swiftly changed the subject.

“I can bake some cinnamon rolls if you want?” “You don’t have to do that.” “I know, but they’re already made so just need to go in to the oven and I also I know someone id going to ask for pancakes and he isn’t having them three days on the run.” “Waffles?” Jamie whipped his head round, hopefully.

“No.” Katie shook her head. “Cinnamon rolls or cereal, your choice.”

“Can I have both?”

“You two will eat me out of house and home.” Katie rolled her eyes. “Yes, if you want both you can have both.”

“Cool, man.” Jamie nodded, in a way that was so like Emmy it made Steve turn back to face his wife from where he had ben stood at the dresser pulling out his clothes, a smirk on his face. The pair of them watched as their son announced he was going to get dressed and dropped onto the floor, heading out into the hallway, Lucky following.

Katie watched as Steve pulled on a pair of sweats and she cocked her head to one side.

“Did you seriously call me Jamie’s Ma before?”

Steve grinned. “Sorry.” “Makes me sound like I’m ninety” she snorted.

“Try actually being ninety.” Steve scoffed, and Katie laughed as he started to crawl over her in the bed, pushing her back gently.

“Hate to break it to you, Captain Badass, but you’re actually a hundred and five.”

“Thanks for the reminder.” Steve muttered gently, his lips pressing to hers. She happily melted into the kiss her hands straying up and down his bare chest, before she pulled away knowing that if they carried on she’d be wanting a lot more.

“Stop it.”

“What?”

“This.” Katie pouted.

“I only wanted a kiss.” Steve looked at her, eyebrow raised. “You have a dirty mind, Mrs Rogers.” “Years of being with you.” She shrugged and Steve laughed, standing up. As he headed across the room Katie couldn’t resist one last quip. “Nice ass…daddy” Steve turned round, a wicked grin on his face as he held his arms out at either side of him, as he walked backwards for a few steps. “It’s all yours, momma.” He smirked, before turning round and heading out to help Jamie get dressed.

The rest of Katie’s day was pretty much the same as it always was. She dropped Jamie in at the day-care and headed up to her office for her fifteen minute start up meeting with Soray. After going  over her diary for the day, she spent most of the morning sifting through the mountain of emails and responding to the ones she needed to. After a quick chat with Emmy at lunchtime, the girl enthusiastically telling her all about how her and Brooked had run up the Rocky steps and were eating a tonne of Philly cheesesteak, Katie headed up to the boardroom for the Monthly Financial Review. Escaping at little after three, she picked Jamie up and headed to the store to grab something she could make at the compound for dinner. Once Steve was home they all jumped in the car to make the hours drive up state owards the compound.

Steve drove easily down the highway, one hand on the steering wheel, the other laying on the arm rest in between the front seats, whilst next to him Katie hummed along to the John Legend playlist that was playing. Steve cruised the Audi onto the bridge which would take them out of Manhattan and frowned gently as he noticed that the cars ahead were all coming to a halt. As Steve slowed the car down, Katie too narrowed her eyes as people started getting out of their cars, heading to the side of the bridge, pointing.

“Wait here.” Steve instructed, climbing out of the car, Captain mode engaged.

“What’s happening?” Jamie asked.

“Daddy’s gone to see.” Katie turned to smile at him before she turned back, watching Steve approach the side of the bridge and speak to the nearest man before looking down. His mouth dropped opened and he turned, jogging back to the car.

“You’re not gonna believe this!” He shook his head, excitement all over his face as Katie climbed out of the car. “Come see.” He opened the back door of the car and unstrapped Jamie from his seat. Picking him up in his arms, Steve made his way to the side of the bridge, wife by his side and he pointed downwards.

Katie felt herself gasp at the sight- a small pod of whales leisurely making their way through the Hudson River.

“Wow.” She whispered.

“What are they?” Jamie asked

“Whales.” Steve replied. “Humpbacks, I think.”

Steve tried to keep the smile on his face genuine, but he hated it when Jamie saw something out of place in the new world that he was born into which would have been perfectly normal in the world that they once knew. Whilst a pod of whales in the Hudson was an astounding sight for sure, and would have been unheard of even before the Snap, the fact that it was Jamie’s first time ever seeing a whale made him slightly sad. They had been a pretty common sight around the ocean waters in and around the bays leading out into the North Atlantic. That was until Thanos had killed half of them.

Jamie giggled and pointed out that the biggest whale was being followed closely by a slightly smaller one, and then an even smaller one after and then a tiny one.

“Daddy, Momma, Emmy and Jamie.” He smiled at Steve who chuckled, smoothing Jamie’s hair back.

“Come on Kiddo, let’s go see Auntie Nat” When they arrived at the Avengers compound, the sun was just beginning to set. Steve drove round to the rear entrance and the gate creaked open as the ANPR scanners recognised the car. He parked the car in their old designated spot before he collected the bag of ingredients from the trunk that Katie had bought to make dinner with. Together the three of them headed inside, FRIDAY welcoming them all as they made their way towards the living area, and they could hear Natasha closing up a meeting.

“Nat,” Rhodey’s voice was almost pleading but Nat cut him off

“Please.” She begged.

Katie had a feeling she knew what she was talking about, or rather who. She glanced at Steve as they rounded the last corner to the large meeting-slash-living room and it was then that Katie could hear Natasha trying to stifle her cries. At that point Jamie ran in and jumped onto his Aunt’s lap hugging her tightly.

“Don’t be sad, Auntie Nat-Nat.” He whispered, and Natasha took a deep breath, leaning her head against her nephew’s with her eyes closed hugging him back.

Steve leaned against the bookshelf for a moment as Katie walked into the room, taking the bag of ingredients off Steve as she took in the sight of Natasha’s dinner of a peanut butter sandwich which rest on top of the table.

“You know, I’d offer to cook you dinner, but you seem miserable enough.” Steve opened, looking down at her with a smile.

“So I’m gonna do it instead.” Katie smiled, holding up the bag she’d brought, dropping it onto the table. “Chicken stew, dumplings and chocolate cake for after.”

Natasha looked at them, a smile playing on her face as Katie sat down across from her. “You guys here just to feed me?”

“And to see a friend.” Steve shot back.

Natasha leaned back into her chair, Jamie still on her lap. “Clearly, your friend is fine.”

“Bull.” Katie mimicked her stance, eyeing her. Natasha avoided her gaze and the room fell silent.

“You know we saw a pod of whales as we were coming over the bridge.” Steve broke the silence, changing the subject.

“In the Hudson?” Natasha raised her head slightly, sounding impressed.

“There was a Jamie whale and a daddy whale and a momma whale and an Emmy one!” Jamie gushed and Nat smiled.

“I haven’t seen whales in the Hudson ever, even before.”

"Well, there’s fewer ships, cleaner water.” Steve shrugged

Natasha sighed looking up at the ceiling. “You know, if you’re about to tell me to look on the bright side, umm, I’m about to hit you in the head with a peanut butter sandwich.”

“Sammich?” Jamie looked up hopefully and Natasha tore off half of one side before passing it to him.

“Sorry.” Steve sighed pushing himself off from the bookshelf, his jacket slung over his arm. “Force of habit.”

He tossed his keys onto the table, dropping his jacket over the back of a chair before sitting down next to his wife, glancing at Jamie who was now eating a small piece of the sandwich, then at Natasha. The woman looked tired, pale and such a far cry from the stoic, well-groomed Natasha Romanoff he had first known. But then again, they were all a far cry from the people they had once been.

“You know, I keep telling everybody they should move on, and forget what happened.” Steve crossed his arms as he leaned back in his chair. “And some do. But not us.”

“If I move on, who does this?” Natasha asked simply with a shrug.

Katie sighed. “Maybe it doesn’t need to be done.”

“You know, I used to have nothing. And then I got this- this job, this family.” Nat smiled sadly and looked down at Jamie before she looked back up, the tears evident in her eyes. “And I was better because of it. And even though they’re gone, I’m still trying to be better.”

There was a pause as Katie wiped her eyes, a tear having escaped down her cheek and Steve gently placed his hand between her shoulder blades, rubbing softly.

"I think we all need to get a life,” he joked, breaking the sad silence, and Natasha forced a smile nodding to him.

“You did.” At her words, Steve gave a smile. She was right, he had. Whilst he and Katie had been extremely lucky over the last five years, that didn’t stop them thinking about the people that hadn’t, and the friends they had lost.

Katie reached for the bag she had placed on the table. “I’ll go start dinner.” She was mid-way through standing when a small, holographic screen popped up in front of Natasha indicating she had a notification of sorts. She flicked it to the side, bringing the video feed to life behind Steve, who looked over his shoulder as the video began playing.

“Oh, hi, hi! Is anyone home? This is, uh, Scott Lang. We met a few years ago, at the airport, in Germany. I was small, then I got real big.”

Katie left the bag where it was and whipped round, to see Scott on the screen, stood in front of his van. Besides her Steve stood from his seat, unable to believe what he was seeing.

“This…this is impossible.” Katie breathed, shaking her head. “He was…”

“Is this an old message?” Steve asked, his voice quiet, not taking his eyes off the footage.

“Ant-Man! I know you remember Ant-Man.”

Natasha’s reaction was much the same as theirs, confused awe as she sat up, breathing deeply. “It’s the front gate.”

“I really need to talk to you guys!” Scott continued to yell his voice becoming desperate.

The three of them remained frozen for a moment, absolutely lost for words, before Jamie broke the silence.

“Who’s that?” He asked, jumping down from Nat’s lap. “An old friend.” Steve swallowed, turning to Natasha who was fishing in a drawer for the key to the main gate which had been padlocked shut for years as no one used it anymore. She found it, tossed it to Steve and he caught it expertly before heading off to go meet Scott.

**** Chapter 50

 **Original Posting**