#sunny keene: intro
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scryptids · 2 months ago
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sofia wylie / she/her  ———  no way is that SUNNY KEENE.. they’re a 20-year-old SYNTH notoriously known for being CATTY  &  POSSESSIVE  but there are some people who have seen them being APPRECIATIVE  &  EXTROVERTED.  if you ask me, they remind me a lot of quickly depleting phone batteries, a large tote bag that’s always flung over her shoulder, a closet full of shoes that goes ignored in favor of the same pair, and a sprinkling of soft freckles across her cheeks, but that could just be because they’re considered the INFLUENCER around town. just keep an eye on them  &  see if their true colors shine through..
full name: sunny angelique keene birthdate: january 7th age: 20 height: 5’11” occupation: social media influencer ship status: closed bio:
sunny keene has never known misfortune a day in her life, and that both worked to her advantage and also screwed her for life
the only child to two synth parents, sunny was made specifically for them so they could live out their dreams of having a family
being the center of her parents’ world gave sunny a complex early on, and soon enough she was seeking the attention of anyone that she possibly could, and when she wasn’t the center of attention, she would throw an absolute fit
but despite her bratty behavior, sunny was also taught how to be humble by her parents
every week, they would volunteer at local soup kitchens and homeless shelters, donating any extras that they didn’t need in order to give back to those who were less fortunate
sunny always loved visits to the soup kitchens, and she even made a few new friends during her volunteering stints, always wanting to gather as many people as possible
at the playground, sunny always tried to make friends with other kids, but nobody ever took to her the way oberon langdon did
he had an older sister and wasn’t from the same district, and yet sunny still clung to him like her life depended on it, and they were practically inseparable
she could never go a day without talking to him, and whenever anyone tried to tease her about it, she would shoot them a dirty look
at school, sunny usually did the bare minimum in order to pass; she was a very smart girl, she just didn’t care enough to try
instead, she submersed herself in the world of social media, and she began to make her own content when she was just thirteen years old
she stuck mostly to fashion and beauty content, throwing in a slice of life vlog every now and again
it didn’t take sunny to gain a big following of both devoted fans and haters, with some in-between also following along
because she was getting such good views, it didn’t take sunny long before she was getting brand deals and commissions, and her bank account was slowly growing in number
most of her income went into a savings account, but she also put a large portion aside so she could donate to several charities and other people in need around the city
sunny figured if she was going to be making that much money, the least she could do was give back to the community a little
it’s been seven years, and sunny is still creating content to this day
she still has a fairly big following, and it’s opened the doors to so many opportunities for her
she chose not to go to college, because she knew it would just be a waste of money, as she hated every single second of being in school
she has a small group of friends that she goes everywhere with, and people often refer to them as her minions, but her best friend has always been and will always be oberon langdon
sunny still volunteers at soup kitchens around the city, and she does it happily
she can have a catty personality every now and again, but it’s usually when people are rude to her first, as they often assume she’s a bitch just by the way she carries herself
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sodapops0lstice · 1 year ago
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Intro Post!
Because I've never made an actually good one...
Favs! Blinkies & Stamps! Sprite Drive!COMMS!!!! Classic Era Say hello to me!
@badlydrawndirk @badlydrawnjade @ectobio @our-fav-hs-char @alternian-life-advice @aviansaffection @arethesewordsinhomestuck @fuckyeahhomestuckladies @the-gang-makes-a-blog
⬆���I run all those ⬆️
My tags:
#soda's minifridge <- wishlist
#fizzes <- asks
#solar systems <- original posts
#neighbouring stars <- mutuals and pals
#grubpeta <- my earth c au
#cure pop <- PreCure Tag
#splatstuck <- Splatoon x Homestuck au
#jo au <- My fluff au where Joey takes care of Jade
#candy bowl for roxanne <- posts for my good chum and friend roxanne of marinealcoholic fame
#meteorites <- queued posts
#lesbian danny devito <- dog pics, block as needed
#the moon <- @dykemaxxing's very own tag for gay tomfoolery
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Basic Stuff
I'm a freak by many a name. But I go by Soda, Cece, Admin, Ary, Xefros, Sol and Rezi mostly. Seriously. Any of those will do. Hell, I'll take new names aswell. Drop them name recommendations lmao
I'm 15 aswell, in Year 11. (I chose Triple Science, French and History if you wanted to know about my GCSE choices.)
I'm a lesbian and agender, which basically is me saying my gender changes for when it's funniest.
I use ALLLL the pronouns, even xenos and neos because I am badass and awesome. Literally anything goes.
I'm Scottish and Irish. Which is kinda cool, means I burn hella easy though which sucks ass.
I'm also autistic, I like to post about that.
I also also have depression and anxiety, I don't really care though because I'm balling 24/7 B)
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Interests & Likes
Obvious is obvious but I'm a massssive Homestuck. That is primarily what I post/reblog. This includes Hiveswap/Hauntswitch
I also enjoy Pokémon. A lot. Like... 2200 hours on Ultra Sun alone enjoy.
Youkai Watch is also a big fav of mine. In fact, Youkai Watch 3 is one of my favourite games of all time!
I absolutely ADORE A Hat in Time! It is THE game for me. It means the world and everything to me.
Alongside AHIT, Undertale and Deltarune are some of my favs ever! (I don't cry everytime I replay UT what do you mean?)
In general, I'm a total loser for vidya. I can do a quick rundown of the gaems I like but probably won't be reblogging often
Crash Bandicoot
Kleptocats
Touhou
Gmod
Sonic
Papa's -rias
FNAF
Animal Crossing
Half Life
Persona 5
I don't often watch many series or movies. But there's a special place in my heart for Invader Zim, The Owl House, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Eddsworld and My Little Pony. I'm also super excited for the new Scott Pilgrim show :D
It's strange to say but I have a keen interest in reality shows. This means Gogglebox, Come Dine with Me, Four in a Bed, Kitchen Nightmares (both versions) and Impractical Jokers. Only the lord knows why. I think it's the autism. It's probably the autism.
I'm a fan of Pretty Cure aswell! Those girls are so beegitful <3 in those dresses... Yes I found out about it through Glitter Force but that doesn't change anything. Another anime I also love is Pop Team Epic that show irreversibly changed my sense in humour. I've been getting into MHA and Chainsaw Man aswell.
I also adore!!! Vocaloid it literally makes up 50% of my music taste. I black out and wake up with 20 new pieces of miku merch lmao
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Music
I have a lot of different music interests! But my all time favourite band ever is Qbomb! I adoreeeee them to infinity. I literally don't know what my favourite Qbomb song is because they're all so good.
But! Qbomb doesn't have my fav song, that honour goes to Stacked Like Pancakes and their song SFDD. It's a really high energy ska song that I recommend highly. (You won't regret listening to it!)
Instead of just listing my spotify stats here, I'm gonna just get some images of those funky websites instead :)
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Obviously this isn't completely accurate since this is from my entireeee spotify history. But it's basically all there!
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livthechoochieslayer · 4 months ago
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505
When two people meet in an unexpected way, love is usually not something that comes out of it.
Story warnings: Nothing crazy, mostly fluff but the end does feature 5k words of smut. HA.
Summary/intro: When Lia went on a girls trip New York, she never thought writing her phone number on a bathroom wall would lead to a relationship, let alone meeting a man she has only seen on camera. Dominic would have never imagined he would be catching an airplane across the country for a girl, especially one he has never met.
Chapter TWS: self pity lol
4 OF 9
Link for part 1
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He can’t stop replaying the entire scenario in his mind. He crumbled when he heard her voice crack, knowing she started to cry. It was the worst thing he could have said, and he knows it just made her day worse than it already was. He’s itching to apologize, but doesn’t know how to and, well, even if he wanted to, he can’t since she won’t answer the damn phone.
3,000 miles away, Lias sits on her bed, glaring at the small little blue rectangle that’s flipped upside down on her sunset bed. 
He knows how much she hates when he does that, and he did it even after she told him not to! Everything seems to settle and hit her then, her few tears turning into a downpour. The familiar ache in her chest that was already forming half way through their call, and only got worse as it went on became too heavy.
She cries because she feels violated, cries because her day has been so tiring, cries because all she wanted from Dominic was comfort and she got judgment instead. She understands that he means well, but she already figured it out and told Jack, her boss, about the situation. 
Jack made sure to contact the local police and banned Tim as well as some of his friends from the restaurant permanently. Sometimes it just feels like Dominic thinks she can’t protect herself or think on her own. She can do both, and can do them without anyone's help.
Maybe if she sleeps she would feel better, but that’s not what she wants to do. She sits in her bed, tears stinging her eyes, and chest tightening, letting all the emotions run through her to get rid of them. 
She groans angrily remembering what Dominic said, trying to smear the tears off her cheeks with her purple painted nails. They had been such a drama-free couple since the start, never having problems, so this felt like a big deal to her and hopefully to Dominic as well. 
She’s keen to keep him silenced until morning and if she doesn’t see any texts of apologies or begs for forgiveness, she is genuinely going to lose her shit. 
There is no way she is going to date someone that thinks he was in the right in this situation or has things to share when she firmly says she doesn’t want them. She wants to scream or punch something to ease her emotions, but all she can do is cry.
Lia goes to brush her teeth in the dark, not wanting to even catch a glance of herself in the mirror. She snatches Sunni from the couch in the living room and pets her as she walks them into her comforting bedroom. 
“It’s bedtime.” She states, turning off her light, plugging in her phone, and throwing the warm comforter over herself as well as her cat. 
She kisses Sunni’s head and holds her close, listening to her purr as she slips off into sleep with a stuffy nose and puffy eyes. Lia was mentally and physically exhausted from the day, needing every bit of peace she could get. 
Plus, she has a big day tomorrow, but doesn’t know it yet. 
3AM NEW YORK
His mind is awake, unable to shut off. He’s replaying and rethinking the earlier events, angrily shoving his face into one of his many silk pillows. 
‘Goddammit,’ he thinks. He’s supposed to be dying from excitement right now, 4 hours away ‘til his 7 hour flight to PDX and a simple 45 minute drive to his girlfriend’s house. 
If he did all the calculations correctly, he should get there around 6 pm her time, and Lia won’t be off work till 7, so that gives him an hour to explore the town she calls home. 
He decides he’s been tossing and turning in bed for too long now. Might as well get up and start getting ready for his, give or take, 8 hours of travel, right? 
Peanut his beloved goldfish won’t be left alone while Dominic is on his trip since his best friend, Ryan, will be staying in his apartment for the 2 weeks he won’t be here.
Dominic thinks about how he is going to miss Peanut as he feeds him an early breakfast, sprinkling the food down into the dark water like stars splattered in the sky.
Dominic twists the top of Peanut’s food closed, looking out the bay window that stretches almost the whole wall in his beloved bedroom. He peers down to the streets and even at 3 in the morning, the roads aren’t abandoned. He studies the cars for a few minutes, watching where they go and even catches glimpses of flashing police lights as they color the buildings. 
He sighs and closes his eyes. He just needs to see Lia in person, and then he can figure everything out from there.
Dominic walks away from his window and goes to take a quick shower, wanting the bad memories to wash down the drain, only if the silence lasts for a couple hours. 
By the time he gets to the airport, the sun has woken and he watches the busy people doing busy things with the limited space they have. 
Some are in work clothes, quietly speaking into their phones with a passion Dominic doesn’t understand, while others are walking with purpose to their gates, suitcases close to their bodies. 
His hood is up, and he’s slouching in his chair feeling bad for himself. His headphones are in, and he’s tapping out the beat of the song on his phone he holds in his hands.
He has his glasses off, tucked away in his backpack so everything is slightly blurry which calms him. Things don’t matter if they are blurry so, in theory, nothing matters in this airport at the moment. He likes the peace of not being able to see all the details on people’s faces. He can’t hear their voices or see their expressions well and it’s like a blanket covering the world for him, keeping him safe from everyone. 
He often feels untouchable when he does this, not in a way that makes him feel big or powerful, but in a way he feels safe, like no one can disturb him. Of course, he can be disturbed very easily, but putting headphones on and taking his glasses off feels like he falls into a haze of a pure silent and blurred world.  
The only thing that this method of calming can't do is shut up his thoughts. 
The plane should be boarding very soon, and Dominic can’t seem to decide if he should be terrified for the day ahead or be extremely thrilled. He’s feeling both, plus a splitting headache of course, created by his pitiful situation and maybe, his lack of wearing glasses. 
He vaguely hears his flight number get called and stands up on instinct, walking to the boarding door slowly, placing his glasses back on his nose. There’s no rush, he thinks as people are quickly making their way over, cutting in front of one another. He would rather be last on the plane so he doesn’t have to sit there for any longer than necessary.
Dominic belongs to the majority of people who hate flying, but instead of hating it for the fact that airplanes violently shake in the air, he hates it for the memories it brings. 
He would go on tour with his dad 8 months of the year when he was a kid, and it caused him to feel like he didn’t belong. He barely had any friends, didn’t have a house, a city or state to call his own. He didn't feel comfortable anywhere or connected to anything for years which caused him to grow up lonely and constantly uneasy. 
For his 20th birthday, all Dominic wanted was an apartment far away from his parents that he could call his own and never have to leave. His dad granted his wish as a way to apologize for his childhood, but it wasn’t very meaningful. 
A letter was slipped under his college dorm room door the night of his birthday and it had all the financial paperwork for a high rise apartment in Manhattan. 
Ever since he’s lived there he’s loved it, but the idea that it’s his fathers way of apologizing has always irked him. So, he’s been saving up enough money to buy it from his dad for years now, and once he gets back from his trip, it’s the first thing he’s going to do. 
“Boarding pass, please.” The lady in a navy shirt and skirt uniform spoke warmly to Dominic. He fumbles, forgetting where he is for a moment, and quickly pulls out his phone to give her. 
She scans the barcode and smiles, waving her hand as a sign to move forward. He gives a small smile back, walking down the blank cream hallway to the plane door. 
He's never had the idea to go and visit Lia to be honest. It was only a dream for Lia to visit him since her finances aren’t as stable as Dominic’s. While receiving a little over minimum wage at the diner is enough for just her and her cat's needs, it’s not enough for her moms needs or for saving. Her tips help out with her mother, but the remainder of them immediately go to her car fund. 
While it would be fun to go, she’s had no financial opportunities to even think of visiting New York again. 
The first time was lucky when her old California friend paid for everything. 4 girls were invited to her birthday bash and the birthday girl, Erika, was nice (and rich enough,) to fly them all out just because she wanted her 19th birthday in New York.
For Dominic, the chance was never there because his work has always been extensive, and his company rarely gives out long vacation breaks. He just recently got moved to a position that allows him to be able to almost work full time outside the office.
When Dominic learned about this position and the possibilities of less time spent at work, he immediately took the deal. Once everything was signed, he booked a flight and date to see Lia.
It was almost instinctual when he did it, there wasn’t even another thought in his brain. Dominic just did it, no second guessing himself or worrying about how it could go wrong. 
He doesn't regret it at all now as he stares at the lady in the middle row of the plane giving her flight safety speech. He’s happy that he did it even if Lia wants to cut off his balls right now. The lady in the navy blue slowly fades out of his vision, and he falls asleep feeling the slight rumble of the plane’s take off. 
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crazy stuff!!!!!!!!!
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blueberry-beanie · 1 year ago
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Bastille at Stadtpark Open Air in Hamburg | 01.08.2023
A little story about my trip to see Bastille and a very rainy time in Hamburg and my former home city. The text is divided into sections to make skipping to the concert easier.
The Journey
The last time I was at a concert at the Stadtpark Open Air in Hamburg it was really hot and sunny. We were baking in the queue for hours and I was lucky not to come home completely sunburned. This time, however, it was pouring. Buckets. Almost the entire time.
I have to admit that my enthusiasm to pack my bags and board the 8:30am train to Hamburg was kept within reasonable limits. The journey was actually pleasant though. I passed time by listening to Max Uthoff's CD Gegendarstellung as well as some interviews with him and Claus. The one hour break in Berlin due to a delayed train was actually good because I could buy a much needed rain cape and had lunch at the Vapiano there.
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When I finally reached Hamburg it felt like I've come home. Everything is so familiar. The U3 I had to take to the hostel is also the line I used to take twice a week to get to Hamburg Media School for classes. I discovered that the hostel was nearby Knust and Uebel & Gefährlich (that huge grey concrete bunker) where I've seen Inhaler and White Lies last year in spring.
The hostel itself was small and nice enough, except for having sockets only on top of the wardrobe and next to the trash bin and no hooks on the wall at all. Happens when you're broke and get the cheapest accommodations, I guess. My roommates were a permanently absent party guy (who would come in at night saying "oh fuck" and then fall into bed and snore) and two Danish friends from Copenhagen. They were nice enough, although a bit loud and messy.
I gathered my stuff and made my way back to the U3 to get to the venue. As I discovered, that was my mistake because I accidentally got out at the station on the opposite side of the park. While walking I met two local girls who didn't seem too keen to make another concert acquaintance, so we eventually parted ways and I went through the rose garden to the left side entrance.
Queueing and Support Act
It was shortly before 5pm and there were already more than 100 people. Bastille started sound checking and we heard Overjoyed and Good Grief. Then they separated the lines and I got sorted into the "cloak room" queue because of my umbrella. That was my luck because this line was much shorter.
However it started pouring shortly before 6pm just when we had to hand over our umbrellas. I ran - no, carefully walked - through the muddy field to the left side of the stage and got to the front row, although on the very edge of it. No time to ponder though, I frantically put on my rain cape to not get entirely soaked and offered my spare to the girl to my right who only had a jeans jacket.
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I was really far from the center and the stage this time and honestly didn't expect to have a great view. The stage in this venue is very odd. It has a small catwalk in the center and the front row is a double-curved line with a weird grassy breaker in the middle. An envelope was passed around, containing many little fanmade booklets with the lyrics to These Streets. It is very cute and sadly it has a few spots from the rain now. The support act, anaïs, was quite awkward and I honestly did not like her that much. She had a whispery voice and tried hard to engage the crowd, although most people did not seem to feel it. She premiered a new song for us and that was the best of the bunch. I was happy when it was over though. Then it was already time for the roadies to come back and get the stage ready for Bastille. The sun came out and it actually stayed dry from now on, which was a blessing given the rainy weather.
The Concert
Then shortly before 8pm it was finally time for Bastille. They started an intro with something on the screen I couldn't really see. These were snippets from their tours and funny stories. They would be played regularly as interludes, but I can't really comment on them because I couldn't see the screen. And then the band walked onstage, with Dan being the last one to appear. He actually wore funny sun glasses and as it appears he had an endless stash of jackets to change into as well.
They proceeded to play the entirety of Bad Blood in full, divided by these video interludes and Dan talking to us a little bit. At some point he commented on the extraordinary location. "I feel like I'm kind of in Hobbiton. Or in someone's garden. This is the first time we've ever played a tea party. It feels like a tea party, apart from you guys. We've never had a hedge in the crowd before," he said, referring to the high hedge fencing off the venue from the rest of the park.
I really enjoyed hearing all these songs I knew since I was 15 and remembered how half of our class went crazy for bastille and the girls gathered to go to their concert together. I didn't go, my parents wouldn't have allowed it. But I did borrow my friend's Bad Blood CD and have kept these songs ever since. The band sounded amazing live and I was surprised how good Dan's live vocals are! Very close to the recording, he is a great singer.
They had a huge platform onstage that was made to look rusty. It didn't only have space for the drum kit but also for the two background vocalists, two Black women whose names I sadly didn't quite catch. But they were amazing as hell and sometimes came to the front to engage with us. One of them sang together with Dan on the catwalk. Truly awesome singers. Dan sometimes disappeared on top of that platform to sing or to walk on some sort of treadmill that was installed there.
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Their drummer Woody on the first glance reminded me a bit of EE's Pete, but that is probably because of the long hair. He came to us later during a song called "The Draw" to get us all to show our hands and make the Bastille triangle shape. He also threw some drumsticks to fans and everyone seems to really love that guy! Their guitarist sometimes went absolutely wild with it to the crowd's delight. I did not see quite as much of Will, the bassist, but he also did a great job and for one song came to the catwalk to show off and be overall awesome.
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Dan was crazy enough to go straight into the crowd at two occasions, apologising to us because it was so slippery. He did not come close to us though and explained he didn't want to be directly in front of the speakers to avoid possible feedback. At some point he took a fans phone and they had a sign explaining something about a friend who couldn't be there. So Dan recorded a short video with greetings for him.
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They actually did play a lot of songs I don't know after finishing with the album, but that didn't mean I did not enjoy them. They were cool and just made for jumping and dancing. The two girls behind me, Jacky and Corinna, were jumping together with me and we had an overall great time singing and dancing.
Overall just an amazing band it seems, I would definitely want to see them again and at a venue with a better view so I can see more of what is going on! Looking at the photos my camera with its super zoom surely saw more than me! Once again I was the crazy person with a handbag full of prisms. I was trying to take good shots from an angle no photographer would ever go to because it is so shitty. At this point a big shoutout to @flamingplay for providing me with a new wonderful triangular prism after I broke the last one at the Foals concert in Amsterdam. It is wonderful for the daytime and I could use it to reflect the famed hedge right onto the stage to Dan.
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The concert ended somewhat abruptly with them just waving and leaving. We stood confused for a minute until the roadies arrived and started disassembling everything. Jacky, Corinna and me took a few photos and then decided to head to the overcrowded merch stand on the opposite entrance. I thought they might have a few CDs or posters but there were only t-shirts which were too expensive for me. We parted outside with them going to the S-Bahn and me going to get my umbrella.
On my way I realised there was a small crowd waiting at the tour bus and decided to join them later. The park was pitch dark and I called N to tell her about the concert. I waited a little while at the bus, watching the roadies loading in the trucks, but we only saw Woody once and nobody came to say hi to the fans. Some fans were clever enough to manage to order food right to where they were waiting? The marvels of modern day food delivery... It was getting late by now, so I decided to join two girls, Luisa and Christina, who were also catching the U3 in the Direction of St. Pauli. We had some nice conversations about concerts and about the crazy Coldplay ticket sale. Then we parted and I went back to my hostel.
A Visit to My Home Town
After a rather short night I got my aching grandma self out of the hostel at 10am, just early enough to catch the train to my old home tome I used to live in for five years.. Although I've been in my new town for almost an entire year now, it still feels like coming home every time. Everything in me relaxes and it seems like I could just get my keys out and go back to my old flat to eat some warm bread from my favourite bakery and fresh cucumbers from the market. Everything sounds, looks and smells familiar. Maybe one day I can come back. I love this town very much.
I met up shortly after 12 with Vamsi, my former flat mate. We went to the market to get some cucumbers and a tray of raspberries and then walked to his new flat (he was made to leave our previous one because they wanted to renovate it, presumably to rent it out for the double price after). His new flat is gorgeous, with a beautiful kitchen and a large balcony looking over the town and with the church tower in view. Once we arrived it started raining ceaselessly. We made an Indian dish, drank some lemonade and played a game.
In the evening we decided it is time to go out despite of the rain. Afterall I wanted to see some of my beloved town. We ended up finding a present for my now-flatmate and friend Maja's birthday: A little travel journal for her upcoming semester abroad in Manchester. Then we kept wandering around until it was time for me to catch a train back to Hamburg. Deutsche Bahn decided it is not necessary to announce that a train is 10 minutes late and to tell us to which platform it would arrive... Vamsi and I hugged and parted ways. Back in Hamburg I got out my old grandma personality again and stayed at the hostel on a call with N while the others were out partying. Honestly, how do they do it... after two days I was already so so tired.
Last Day in Hamburg and Travelling Home
On the last day Hamburg decided to show me some mercy and it rained a little less. I packed my heavy bags and headed to the Speicherstadt, which I somehow have never been to before. It is right where the famous Elbphilharmonie is situated, but I did not go there. Instead I visited the tiny little Speicherstadtmuseum which deals with the history of the ware house district, how and why it was built, the people that worked there and the goods that were stored in here. It was very interesting and kept me dry from one of the frequent rain showers.
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After that I briefly thought about visiting the nearby Zollmuseum, but then I came by the entrance of a spice museum with a spice shop. I didn't want to pay the entrance fee to the museum so I wandered through the extensive spice shop. Vamsi inspired me to get some (mild) curry powder and I got a vegetable roast mixture as well as some greek herbs.
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Then it was already time to walk into the direction of the Hauptbahnhof as my train would depart half past two already. A quick stop at a shop and some cheap Asian noodles later I was already in the train home. This time the journey went as planned and I arrived back half past eight in the evening to a surprisingly warm and dry weather, thank the lord...
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Dear Hamburg, it has been a wonderful time back home. Just a tiny suggestion: Don't pour a month worth of rain on me in the matter of three days please. Anyways... would definitely do it again.
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hellizens · 2 years ago
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An Intro to Passive-Aggression by Mordecai
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"To the two demons that kept me up all night by singing and screaming on their balcony: thank you for your epic performance. Your terrace faces 115 windows, so you really did have the perfect stage. I'm sure you're keen to hear my verdict.
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"2:23 AM: 'Pinball Wizard' by The Who. Terrible. 3 out of 10. Your performance of this would cause the band more shame than Pete Townsend's liberal attitude.
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"3:14 AM: 'Walk This Way' by Aerosmith (Run-DMC version). The lowest point of the performance. 1 out of 10. I hate this song. For me, it's always covered in the shadows of 'Dude Looks Like A Lady'. However, it's catchy. So catchy that 'Walk This Way' became your catchphrase of the evening, repeated every 10 minutes or so. It literally got funnier every time.
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"8:20 AM: 'Tiny Dancer' by Elton John. Actually very good. 7 out of 10. I've said it before: if you're going to be woken up after 2 hours sleep, it might as well be to a herd of morons screaming 'Tiny Dancer'.
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"9:10 AM: 'Friday I'm In Love' by The Cure. A return to poor form. 2 out of 10. You sang the opening line: 'I don't care if Monday's blue' with supreme confidence. Judging by how wired you all looked by this stage, I can assure you Monday through to Thursday will be very, very blue.
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"As the song ended, one of you look out over our courtyard and hugged the other. You gestured to the beautiful sunny morning and gave a little smile that said to the world: 'Yes, we absolutely nailed that.'
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"I hate you."
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plungermusic · 1 year ago
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“It’s Bluegrass, Jim… but not as we know it!”
Bluegrass, New Grass, Jamgrass … C&Ngrass? Plunger don’t profess to be authorities on the genre, although we know a bit, from Scruggs & Flatt through Sam Bush, to Bela Fleck and on to Greensky Bluegrass… and now Low Lily. 
Low Lily alumna Liz Simmons’ solo effort Poets really caught Plunger’s ear back in 2021, so we were interested to hear the band’s latest release Angels In The Wreckage. While Poets zips around genres like a pond-skater on acid - and very pleasingly so - Angels In The Wreckage is by and large a more cohesive affair, plying a steadier course through the waters of bluegrass and traditional roots music (albeit with scenic route diversions via the West Coast.)
Keeping true to the ‘his turn, your turn, my turn’ at the mic of old time bluegrass, the fourteen tracks alternate by songwriter and vocal lead, which subtly alters the feel and emphasis while maintaining the overall vibe, and at least half of the fourteen feature an echt 1-2 bass-and-drum pulse, in a very tasteful, understated upright-and-brushes way (from multi-tasking producer Dirk Powell and Stefan Amidon respectively) not “Techno! Techno! Techno!” or riotous rockablilly style…
Epitomising the rootsier, more ‘trad', vibes are the bustling brush-driven badlands two-step Aren’t I Good Enough, with Liz Simmon’s high, plaintive lead vocal counterpointed by Natalie Padilla’s fiddle and a low-harmony-underpinned chorus, while Liz and Natalie swap dextrous mini-solos towards the close; and Long Distance Love’s bouncy commentary on the woes of modern life has a conversely Old Timey feel - in Flynn Cohen’s lead vox, the harmonies, and the rustic-edged fiddle. Flynn’s own instrumental Keep The Pachysandra Flying is a shotgun-shack-meets-Bagpuss reel: a filigree mandolin opening (later joined by fiddle, guitar and bass) conjure celtic/Appalachian overtones; Natalie’s fiddle takes a turn with the melody before harmonising with the mandolin in a raucous hoedown crescendo to the finish.
Hints of West Coast influences come in the Laurel Canyon-y rework of Shawn Colvin’s hit Round Of Blues, with Liz’s airy vocal, delicate harmonies and a poppy middle-eight-cum-chorus; and in the breezy backwoods backporch two-step of Where We Belong, with somewhat Dead-ish timing and chordal progressions, and lovely Crosby, Nash and, erm, Nash three-part harmonies, while the mountainside hillbilly banjo and vox of the traditional sounding minor key Up On A Rock is punctuated by a very Nashesque sunny major chorus (and some very fine guitar/fiddle interplay between Flynn and Natalie). Peak Crosby & Nash comes in Lonely (probably Plunger’s favourite track): melancholic piano (from jack-of-all-trades Dirk Powell) introduces a very C&N, Cali-coloured slow country waltz with exquisite three-part harmonies, the fiddle and mandolin taking their turns at the bittersweet melody, and a spine-tingling near a cappella passage.
The hummed intro, Liz and Natalie’s honeyed vocal harmonies, restrained melodic guitar and banjo (yes, that’s Dirk again) over a half-speed bluegrass beat lend a dreamy sheen to Love And Loss, and the rural reverie continues in Captivate Me courtesy of Natalie’s keening tone and mantra-like repetition, melancholic fiddle and a banjo continuo. Completing an ethereal trifecta, the celtic-tinged One Wild World’s folk features delicate harmonies and a hymn-like chorus, plus wistful, aching fiddle matched with part-colliery-band/part-mariachi (layered) trumpet from Drake LeBlanc.
The trumpet bleeds through into the wholly different sonic universe of What’ll You Do: a ballsy defund-the-police-protest-inspired (we’re guessing) almost a cappella (barring body percussion and a smattering of kick-and-tom) field holler-cum-spiritual, and an air of protest resurfaces in the Woody Guthrie-meets-Julie-Felix (sorry, Plunger’s childhood’s to blame) state of the union lament of Could We Ever Be Great, complete with run outs for fiddle and Flynn’s guitar and some quirky timings.
Flynn’s second instrumental (guitar-only this time) Bastard Plantagenet Blues has the flavour of a English folk number, including a very mediaeval closing shift into the major, perhaps to prepare your ears for the closing track Wond’ring Again, written by Ian Anderson (yes, THAT Ian Anderson). The spookily prescient 70s folk-rock environmental warning is given an Americana wash by Liz’s gentle harmonies and Natalie’s eerie fiddle harmonics, while Flynn does a rather good job of Ian’s delivery and mannerisms, with all-rounder Dirk adding mellotron in the place of flute.
It may not be Bluegrass as we know it, but Angels In The Wreckage is a very polished, captivating collection of modern American roots music and we like it!
Angels In The Wreckage is available to buy or stream now, from here: https://lowlily.bandcamp.com/album/angels-in-the-wreckage
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mrsbsmooth · 1 year ago
Text
Scripts - S6 - Episode 19 (Part 1 of 2)
Casa Day one up until the bed choice
NARRATOR: Welcome back to Love Island, where {0} has been sent on a secret reconnaissance mission to sunny Casa Amor.
NARRATOR: That’s right, she’ll get to spend a full day without the girls, soaking up the sun, sea and flirty chat from four new men.
NARRATOR: But will it be mission accomplished, mission-ary, or there’s just something <i>mission</i> with these new dreamboats?
NARRATOR: Let’s get straight back to it and find out.
You stroll over to the Casa poolside, towards the sounds of a group of new hunky boys.
ANDY_HAPPY: Here she is!
PLAYER_HAPPY: I can’t believe I’m in <i>the</i> Casa Amor!
ANDY_HAPPY: I can’t believe I’m meeting <i>the</i> {0}. You’re practically a star now.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I really hoped I’d get to meet you first.
ANDY_FLIRTY: Make the autograph out to Andy, please.
Andy smiles softly and offers his hand to shake yours.
Kiss on the cheek
You lean towards Andy and plant a quick kiss on his cheek.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Nice to meet you, Andy.
ANDY_HAPPY: Nice to meet you too, {0}.
ANDY_FLIRTY: That was much better than a handshake!
Act cool
You raise your eyebrows and give him a cool little wave.
PLAYER_SERIOUS: Good to meet you.
ANDY_HAPPY: Yeah, maybe a handshake is a little formal.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I like your wave much better.
Quirky handshake
You shake his hand, hold your hand up for a high five, then fistbump him, all with rapid speed.
PLAYER_HAPPY: That’s my ideal greeting.
PLAYER_HAPPY: If you can keep up.
ANDY_FLIRTY: Woah, you just made me dizzy, in the best possible way.
ANDY_HAPPY: I saw you coming and wanted the chance to welcome you first, ease any nerves.
ANDY_FLIRTY: Plus, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t trying to make a good first impression.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Oh yeah?
ANDY_FLIRTY: How am I doing so far?
You’re nailing it
PLAYER_FLIRTY: You’re absolutely nailing it.
PLAYER_HAPPY: You’ve given me such a warm welcome to Casa.
ANDY_HAPPY: That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.
ANDY_HAPPY: I always want to make people feel comfortable.
You’re doing ok
PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: You’re doing ok.
ANDY_IDLE: There’s always room for improvement.
ANDY_IDLE: As long as I made you feel welcome.
ANDY_HAPPY: I still have time to sweep you off your feet!
ANDY_FLIRTY: If you want to be swept, that is.
You’ll have to up your game to impress me
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I reckon you’re gonna have to up your game if you want to impress me.
ANDY_FLIRTY: For you, I think I can do that.
ANDY_HAPPY: Just wanted to give you a warm welcome first.
ANDY_HAPPY: I can only hope that I made your first moments in Casa memorable.
ANDY_HAPPY: But, I’ve kept you for long enough.
ANDY_HAPPY: The rest of the boys are buzzing to meet you.
Andy leads you over to the Firepit where the rest of the boys are waiting eagerly.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Oi oi! He finally brings her over. Taking your sweet time, buddy.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Don’t think we didn’t see you stealing a little one-to-one intro.
ANDY_EMBARRASSED: You got me.
HAMISH_HAPPY: I did wonder why you were so keen on admiring the pool all of a sudden.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: Well, I could sense your good vibes from a distance, {0}.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I’m Francis.
Francis smiles and casually ruffles his long hair with one hand.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Careful, he’ll start talking to you about his third eye next.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: I’m Hamish, by the way.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I thought it was warm already, but you brought the real heat, {0}.
PLAYER_HAPPY: So good to meet you all!
PLAYER_HAPPY: I guess you boys already know quite a bit about me, what should I know about you?
HAMISH_FLIRTY: I’m so glad you asked. I’m a bit of a talker.
HAMISH_HAPPY: I’m an estate agent.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Selling people their dream houses.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Ooh, what’s the most interesting house you’ve ever sold?
HAMISH_HAPPY: I once showed a couple around a Scottish castle.
HAMISH_HAPPY: They were so impressed they bought it on the spot.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Hoping one day I can design my dream house with my dream girl.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Could be a castle for a girl like yourself.
Sounds great
PLAYER_HAPPY: Sounds great!
PLAYER_HAPPY: I’d love to live in a castle.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: The royal treatment it is then.
HAMISH_IDLE: If I think you’re the right girl that is.
Maybe not
PLAYER_IDLE: Maybe not. I’m not sure a castle is really my thing.
HAMISH_IDLE: That’s ok.
HAMISH_HAPPY: I can do houseboats, seaview villas, log cabins…
HAMISH_HAPPY: For the right girl, my property portfolio knows no end.
That’s cringe
PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: That’s a little cringe.
HAMISH_EMBARRASSED: Too much cheese?
PLAYER_HAPPY: Gotta have a balance.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Less stilton, more mozzarella. Got it.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Sounds a bit stuffy to me. Whose got time to clean a castle?
FRANCIS_HAPPY: I haven’t lived in a house for over two years.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: How come?
FRANCIS_HAPPY: I’m a bit of a restless soul. Been travelling the world.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: I teach meditation classes and run my own travel blog to stay afloat.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: I’ve lived on boats, slept in hammocks, stayed at some of the grimiest hostels.
PLAYER_HAPPY: So, travel isn’t always glamorous?
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Nah, but that’s why I love it!
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Just give me a pair of sandals and a backpack and I’m set.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I guess I’m looking for a girl to share the world with.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: Someone to experience it all with, ya know?
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: What do you think of my nomad lifestyle, {0}?
I’m into it
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’m into it.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Every destination is a dream with the right person.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: I’m glad you think so.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I’ve been travelling solo for far too long.
Not for me
PLAYER_SERIOUS: It’s not for me.
FRANCIS_IDLE: It’s definitely not for everyone.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I’d spend a lot more time closer to home if I found my soul connection.
HAMISH_HAPPY: He’s getting all spiritual again.
I like to be settled
PLAYER_IDLE: I like to be settled.
PLAYER_HAPPY: I love a getaway but I’d want to know I had a home to come back to.
FRANCIS_IDLE: I can’t travel forever. I’d definitely love a place of my own one day.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: That’s where knowing a good estate agent would come in handy…
HAMISH_HAPPY: Let me know if I can help.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Maybe you can hook me up… with one of your colleagues.
HAMISH_ANGRY: Whatever.
You turn to look at Andy, his eyes sparkle with a gentle charisma.
ANDY_HAPPY: I don’t spend a lot of time looking at oceans unfortunately.
ANDY_HAPPY: But I wouldn’t change my job for the world.
PLAYER_HAPPY: What do you do?
ANDY_HAPPY: I’m a vet. I spend my days looking after the furrier members of people’s families.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: You should meet my uncle Dave…
ANDY_HAPPY: I meant more like tabbies and labradors.
ANDY_HAPPY: Maybe the odd parrot, if I’m lucky.
HAMISH_HAPPY: I doubt your uncle has feathers, Francis.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Honestly, I wouldn’t be so sure.
ANDY_HAPPY: I’m always surrounded by furry, feathered or scaly friends.
ANDY_HAPPY: Are you a pet person, {0}?
I’m all about animals
PLAYER_HAPPY: I’m all about animals!
ANDY_HAPPY: I knew it.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I bet they’re drawn to you.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I believe that animals can sense the good in people.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Careful, you’re starting to sound like Francis.
I could never work with animals
PLAYER_SERIOUS: I could never work with animals.
PLAYER_SERIOUS: That’s a lot of responsibility.
ANDY_IDLE: It definitely is.
ANDY_HAPPY: But it’s very rewarding.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I’d let my future girlfriend pick out our pet though.
I grew up with animals
PLAYER_HAPPY: I grew up with a lot of animals!
ANDY_HAPPY: Childhood pets are the best.
ANDY_HAPPY: They really are part of the family.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Speaking of animals, should I address the elephant in the room?
HAMISH_HAPPY: {0}, I’m loving this chat, but I’ve gotta ask, where are the other girls?
PLAYER_HAPPY: Of course, I should fill you in.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: I thought I was being dumped from the villa.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Then I got a text.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Turns out the public voted for me to spend a day alone with you boys in Casa Amor.
HAMISH_EMBARRASSED: Oh…
FRANCIS_SURPRISED: Plot twist!
PLAYER_HAPPY: I guess the rest of the girls will arrive sometime tomorrow?
PLAYER_FLIRTY: But for now, it’s just me.
ANDY_HAPPY: Lucky us!
ANDY_FLIRTY: I’m excited to get to know you better.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: I think it’s a great idea too.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: More time to see if we connect, without any distractions.
Hamish raises his eyebrows.
HAMISH_IDLE: I was really looking forward to meeting the other girls this evening.
Well there’s plenty of me to go around
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Well there’s plenty of me to go around.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Just saying.
ANDY_HAPPY: You tell him, {0}.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: Exactly, you gotta live in the moment, Hamish.
HAMISH_IDLE: Point taken.
Am I not good enough
PLAYER_ANGRY: Are you trying to say I’m not good enough?
HAMISH_EMBARRASSED: No, no, that’s definitely not what I meant.
ANDY_HAPPY: You put your foot in it there, Hamish.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: You really did.
ANDY_HAPPY: And we’re not gonna help you out.
HAMISH_IDLE: Cheers, boys. That came out wrong.
You’re not missing much
PLAYER_IDLE: Trust me, I’m all you need.
PLAYER_IDLE: You’re not missing much.
ANDY_HAPPY: I like a girl who backs herself.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: She told you.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Message received.
HAMISH_HAPPY: I can wait till tomorrow.
Andy catches your gaze and subtly rolls his eyes at you.
ANDY_HAPPY: That’s good of you, Hamish.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: Since we’ve got you all to ourselves for now we should have some fun.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: To break the ice and get a bit closer.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I guess Casa is all about new connections.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: What better way to start than with a game.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Yes! I love a good game.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: I’m all for a bit of healthy competition.
ANDY_HAPPY: I’m up for it if you are, {0}?
*Let’s play a kissing game
PLAYER_FLIRTY: A kissing game sounds like fun.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I could pick the best kiss.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: A great way to test the water.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: You are in Casa Amor after all…
The boys line up. Andy gives you a reassuring smile.
Francis closes his eyes and raises his hands to touch his palms together.
Hamish smirks with confidence.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Either of you boys need gum? Aftershave?
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I just need to focus all my energy towards my lips.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Sounds intense.
ANDY_FLIRTY: May the best man win.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Let’s go!
HAMISH_FLIRTY: I’m up first.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: I’ll be a tough act to follow.
You walk over to Hamish.
Passionate snog
You wrap one arm around Hamish’s neck and kiss him firmly.
His hands find the small of your back and your bodies move closer together.
His lips part with desire as you move your tongue towards his perfect teeth.
You open your eyes and step back.
HAMISH_IDLE: That was… something.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Still, I don’t think the rest of the boys stand a chance.
Quick peck
You place a hand on Hamish’s cheek and give him a quick peck on the lips.
He raises one eyebrow and grins.
HAMISH_IDLE: Huh, not sure I really got the chance to show off my skills.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: But I reckon I’ve still got a chance.
Kiss his cheek
You pull Hamish towards you, holding his face in your hands.
You tenderly kiss his cheek. Stroking his jaw with your thumb. He grins as you step away.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Didn’t think I was into kisses on the cheek…
HAMISH_FLIRTY: But now I am.
You move on to Francis, the next boy in line.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: There’s nothing as beautiful as a first kiss.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: If you say so.
Sexy spiritual snog
You run your fingers through Francis’s long hair and kiss him deeply.
He places your hand on his chest so that you can feel his heart beating.
Your hands move to his biceps as your lips move faster against his.
You pull away and he gazes into your eyes.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Wow, {0}.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: That was out of this world.
Gentle kiss
You kiss Francis delicately on the lips.
He smiles peacefully and ruffles his hair.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: That felt so natural.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Short and sweet.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: I hope I get the chance to kiss you again.
Kiss his cheek
You pull Francis towards you and tenderly kiss his cheek.
His stubble tickling your lips. He looks into your eyes as you move away.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I could feel your spirit through your lips.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: A real connection.
Andy steps forward.
He gives you a casual half-smile and holds his arms out towards you.
ANDY_FLIRTY: Maybe you saved the best till last.
Steamy snog
You step into Andy’s arms and your lips meet passionately.
He gently caresses your hair as he kisses you harder.
You can feel him smile through your kiss, you move your hand up to caress his cheek.
You break apart slowly. His eyes stay locked on yours.
ANDY_HAPPY: I lost myself for a moment there, {0}.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I’m going to remember that kiss.
Brief kiss
You step into Andy’s arms and plant a brief kiss on his soft lips.
His eyes light up.
ANDY_HAPPY: That was lovely.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I can only hope that next time we can get more lost in the moment.
Kiss his cheek
Andy smiles as you turn his face away and place a kiss on his smooth cheek.
His eyes light up as you move away.
ANDY_FLIRTY: That was lovely.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Right, now you’ve kissed the runners up, it’s time to put me in first place.
HAMISH_IDLE: Even kissing my cheek is better than the weak kisses the others gave you.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: Very confident.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I don’t know, Hamish… I think I stand a fair chance.
ANDY_FLIRTY: Or maybe I’m the dark horse.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Who kissed their way into your heart, {0}?
Hamish
PLAYER_FLIRTY: The best kisser is… Hamish!
HAMISH_FLIRTY: What did I tell ya, boys.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: There’s more where that came from.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Maybe I should make an acceptance speech?
FRANCIS_EMBARRASSED: Please don’t.
Francis
PLAYER_FLIRTY: The best kisser is… Francis!
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I felt the earth move when we kissed.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: That’s what a good kiss can do.
HAMISH_EMBARRASSED: Rub it in why don’t ya.
Andy
PLAYER_FLIRTY: The best kisser is… Andy!
ANDY_HAPPY: I’m honoured.
ANDY_FLIRTY: That kiss was a dream.
ANDY_FLIRTY: You deserve all the credit, {0}.
HAMISH_SERIOUS: Suck up.
None of you
PLAYER_IDLE: They were all pretty disappointing to be honest.
HAMISH_SERIOUS: I highly doubt that, {0}. I’m an expert kisser.
ANDY_IDLE: Maybe as we get to know each other they will get better.
FRANCIS_IDLE: There has to be a vibe for a great kiss.
HAMISH_SERIOUS: Vibes or not, I’m always great.
ANDY_EMBARRASSED: Sure, Hamish…
I’m not game right now
PLAYER_IDLE: I think I’ll give the game a miss for now.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Are you sure? Could be a bit of fun?
ANDY_FLIRTY: Casa’s all about having a blast.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: They do say what happens in Casa stays in Casa…
*Let’s play a kissing game!
PLAYER_FLIRTY: A kissing game sounds like fun.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I could pick the best kiss.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: A great way to test the water.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: You are in Casa Amor after all…
The boys line up. Andy gives you a reassuring smile.
Francis closes his eyes and raises his hands to touch his palms together.
Hamish smirks with confidence.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Either of you boys need gum? Aftershave?
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I just need to focus all my energy towards my lips.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Sounds intense.
ANDY_FLIRTY: May the best man win.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Let’s go!
HAMISH_FLIRTY: I’m up first.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: I’ll be a tough act to follow.
You walk over to Hamish.
Passionate snog
You wrap one arm around Hamish’s neck and kiss him firmly.
His hands find the small of your back and your bodies move closer together.
His lips part with desire as you move your tongue towards his perfect teeth.
You open your eyes and step back.
HAMISH_IDLE: That was… something.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Still, I don’t think the rest of the boys stand a chance.
Quick peck
You place a hand on Hamish’s cheek and give him a quick peck on the lips.
He raises one eyebrow and grins.
HAMISH_IDLE: Huh, not sure I really got the chance to show off my skills.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: But I reckon I’ve still got a chance.
Kiss his cheek
You pull Hamish towards you, holding his face in your hands.
You tenderly kiss his cheek. Stroking his jaw with your thumb. He grins as you step away.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Didn’t think I was into kisses on the cheek…
HAMISH_FLIRTY: But now I am.
You move on to Francis, the next boy in line.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: There’s nothing as beautiful as a first kiss.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: If you say so.
Sexy spiritual snog
You run your fingers through Francis’s long hair and kiss him deeply.
He places your hand on his chest so that you can feel his heart beating.
Your hands move to his biceps as your lips move faster against his.
You pull away and he gazes into your eyes.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Wow, {0}.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: That was out of this world.
Gentle kiss
You kiss Francis delicately on the lips.
He smiles peacefully and ruffles his hair.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: That felt so natural.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: Short and sweet.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: I hope I get the chance to kiss you again.
Kiss his cheek
You pull Francis towards you and tenderly kiss his cheek.
His stubble tickling your lips. He looks into your eyes as you move away.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I could feel your spirit through your lips.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: A real connection.
Andy steps forward.
He gives you a casual half-smile and holds his arms out towards you.
ANDY_FLIRTY: Maybe you saved the best till last.
Steamy snog
You step into Andy’s arms and your lips meet passionately.
He gently caresses your hair as he kisses you harder.
You can feel him smile through your kiss, you move your hand up to caress his cheek.
You break apart slowly. His eyes stay locked on yours.
ANDY_HAPPY: I lost myself for a moment there, {0}.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I’m going to remember that kiss.
Brief kiss
You step into Andy’s arms and plant a brief kiss on his soft lips.
His eyes light up.
ANDY_HAPPY: That was lovely.
ANDY_FLIRTY: I can only hope that next time we can get more lost in the moment.
Kiss his cheek
Andy smiles as you turn his face away and place a kiss on his smooth cheek.
His eyes light up as you move away.
ANDY_FLIRTY: That was lovely.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Right, now you’ve kissed the runners up, it’s time to put me in first place.
HAMISH_IDLE: Even kissing my cheek is better than the weak kisses the others gave you.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: Very confident.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I don’t know, Hamish… I think I stand a fair chance.
ANDY_FLIRTY: Or maybe I’m the dark horse.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Who kissed their way into your heart, {0}?
Hamish
PLAYER_FLIRTY: The best kisser is… Hamish!
HAMISH_FLIRTY: What did I tell ya, boys.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: There’s more where that came from.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Maybe I should make an acceptance speech?
FRANCIS_EMBARRASSED: Please don’t.
Francis
PLAYER_FLIRTY: The best kisser is… Francis!
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: I felt the earth move when we kissed.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: That’s what a good kiss can do.
HAMISH_EMBARRASSED: Rub it in why don’t ya.
Andy
PLAYER_FLIRTY: The best kisser is… Andy!
ANDY_HAPPY: I’m honoured.
ANDY_FLIRTY: That kiss was a dream.
ANDY_FLIRTY: You deserve all the credit, {0}.
HAMISH_SERIOUS: Suck up.
None of you
PLAYER_IDLE: They were all pretty disappointing to be honest.
HAMISH_SERIOUS: I highly doubt that, {0}. I’m an expert kisser.
ANDY_IDLE: Maybe as we get to know each other they will get better.
FRANCIS_IDLE: There has to be a vibe for a great kiss.
HAMISH_SERIOUS: Vibes or not, I’m always great.
ANDY_EMBARRASSED: Sure, Hamish…
Not tonight
PLAYER_SERIOUS: I don’t want to play.
FRANCIS_IDLE: Sure, no pressure.
HAMISH_HAPPY: We’ll get to know each other another way.
ANDY_HAPPY: I’m so glad we’re getting to spend this alone time with you, {0}.
FRANCIS_HAPPY: It’s special, that’s for sure. Anything can happen in Casa Amor.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Maybe you’re right…
Your phone pings! The boys smile at one another.
PLAYER_HAPPY: I’ve got a text!
You read out the text.
LITEXT: {0}, the final Casa boy is waiting for you on the terrace. {1}DoubleTrouble {2}CasaClone
PLAYER_HAPPY: What’s that supposed to mean?
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Yeah we might have forgotten to mention that there are four of us.
ANDY_FLIRTY: Don’t forget about us whilst you’re up there.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: We’ll be waiting.
FRANCIS_FLIRTY: Like Greek statues.
HAMISH_HAPPY: Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
HAMISH_FLIRTY: Which isn’t a lot.
Your heart races as you make your way up to the terrace to meet the surprise boy.
Your mouth drops open as you recognise the boy waiting on the terrace!
PLAYER_SURPRISED: Ozzy?
You realise it's not Ozzy, but he’s near identical.
He pops a bottle of bubbly.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So close, but not quite.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I’m his much more lively brother, Marshall.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: What’s wrong, never seen an identical twin before?
Funny!
PLAYER_HAPPY: That’s funny!
PLAYER_HAPPY: I can’t believe there’s another set of twins here!
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Best believe it.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Double trouble everywhere.
Not funny
PLAYER_SERIOUS: That’s not funny.
PLAYER_SERIOUS: I’m sure you know about me and Amelia.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Course I do.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I always bring the jokes. Even if they don’t always land.
Marshall pours a glass of bubbly and hands it to you.
You both sit down.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I saw the boys below giving you a warm welcome.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Really, really warm.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I'm a bit jealous that I missed out on that game to be honest.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Looked like Francis really made an impression.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Maybe he did.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Looked like Andy really made an impression.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Maybe he did.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Looked like Hamish really made an impression.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Maybe he did.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Seems like the boys didn’t make much of an impression though.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Hopefully I’ll make more of one.
PLAYER_IDLE: You certainly made a surprising entrance!
PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: Ozzy never mentioned you.
MARSHALL_SERIOUS: Classic Ozzy.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: He probably just didn’t want me to steal his thunder.
MARSHALL_EMBARRASSED: Surely you can relate to some sibling competition?
Absolutely
PLAYER_SERIOUS: I get the sibling rivalry for sure.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: It’s good to find someone who can relate.
MARSHALL_SERIOUS: Siblings can be our rivals and our best friends.
I don’t want to say
PLAYER_IDLE: I don’t want to get into all that.
MARSHALL_IDLE: I get it.
MARSHALL_IDLE: It’s personal.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Maybe we can open up to each other in the future.
Not really
PLAYER_IDLE: My sister is my girl. I can’t really relate.
MARSHALL_IDLE: Of course she is. It’s great that you’re loyal to your sis.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Maybe you’ll rub off on Ozzy.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I guess there’s a lot Ozzy hasn’t revealed.
MARSHALL_IDLE: I’m always telling him to open up more. He won’t listen to his younger brother.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: And he’s only 92 seconds older than me.
PLAYER_SERIOUS: Am I sensing some story between you two?
PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: It does feel strange he wouldn’t mention you.
PLAYER_IDLE: ​​Especially when he's living with a pair of twins!
MARSHALL_IDLE: I’m sure he had his reasons.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: We’ve obviously got each other’s backs. In our own way.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: In your own way?
MARSHALL_EMBARRASSED: We defo wind each other up. We’re tight, but we used to be a lot tighter.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: His face is going to be a picture when I walk back into the villa.
PLAYER_IDLE: That’s assuming one of the girls take you back.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I’m always optimistic, {0}.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Anyway, I’m being rude, I should be asking about you!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Time to leave my brother behind.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I’m here to have a good time, meet some breathtaking girls.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Like yourself.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So, I hear you’re an influencer!
PLAYER_HAPPY: You heard correct.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You must get all sorts of amazing opportunities.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Sure do.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So, I hear you’re a personal trainer!
PLAYER_HAPPY: You heard correct.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: That explains why you’re in such great shape.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Thanks!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So, I hear you’re an engineer!
PLAYER_HAPPY: You heard correct.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: That must be so rewarding.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Sure is.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So, I hear you work in the charity sector!
PLAYER_HAPPY: You heard correct.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: It must be so rewarding to know you’re actively making a change in the world.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Sure is.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So, I hear you’re an entrepreneur!
PLAYER_HAPPY: You heard correct.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I’m thinking of power suits and board rooms.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Something like that.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I’m a bit of an entrepreneur myself.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So, I hear you’re a trainee architect!
PLAYER_HAPPY: You heard correct.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You must get the chance to be creative all the time.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Sure do.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So, I hear you’re a fashion designer!
PLAYER_HAPPY: You heard correct.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Must be quite a whirlwind lifestyle.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Sure is.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: It shows with your outfit! You look stunning, {0}!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So, I hear that you’re still figuring out what career is right for you.
PLAYER_HAPPY: You heard correct.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I think that’s really wise.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Better to wait and do something you’re passionate about.
PLAYER_HAPPY: For sure.
PLAYER_HAPPY: So what do you do, Marshall?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I work in the events industry.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Specifically, organising celebrity events.
You must meet a lot of stars!
PLAYER_HAPPY: You must meet a lot of stars!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Yeah, it’s part of the job really…
MARSHALL_HAPPY: These sorts of events are chaotic but so much fun!
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I love the chaos though.
I can’t with name dropping
PLAYER_EMBARRASSED: I’m not a big fan of name dropping.
MARSHALL_IDLE: I know what you mean.
MARSHALL_IDLE: A lot of the time the celebs like us to keep a low profile about what we do.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Makes me sort of mysterious.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: It’s so cool that I get to hang with you before the rest of the girls arrive.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: You were the one that intrigued me the most.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Oh really?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You’ve definitely got a cheeky something about you.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: And something tells me my big bro feels the same too. He’s got good taste.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Let’s just say I’m not surprised you’ve been getting so much attention.
PLAYER_IDLE: And why is that?
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Wanna stay up here longer and I’ll fill you in?
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Maybe we could get to know each other a bit better too.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I’m sensing we might not get many chances like this alone.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I think you’ve got some admirers here already. And not just me.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Wanna take the chance to get to know each other more?
*I’d like that!
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Sure, sounds like fun.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’m enjoying our chat so far.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Me too. Glad you got over the shock of the twin twist.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I always say that I’m the better looking twin.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Is that so?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Yeah. I mean, look at me. My eyebrows are in way better shape than Ozzy’s.
Marshall crosses his arms and turns his head slightly.
His eyebrows arch mischievously as he catches your eye.
Check him out
Your eyes travel all the way down from his jawline to his tailored trousers.
Then you flick your eyes back up to meet his gaze.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: You’re almost making me feel shy.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Maybe that’s my plan.
Look away
You look off into the distance, ignoring Marshall.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Oof, I see how it is.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Maybe I was just fishing for compliments.
Laugh at him
You look at Marshall and start to laugh.
He grins back at you and dips his head.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I can only hope you’re laughing with me and not at me.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I like to think I’m the funny brother.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: It’s so great to be here.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Weirdly enough, I hosted a party in a place similar to this not too long ago.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Oh really?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: The vibes were immaculate.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: It got pretty wild.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: And some big celebs turned up.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Don’t worry, I won’t drop any names.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Thanks.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I’ll just give you a rundown of what happened.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: It was a fancy dress party. I was dressed as a chicken.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Sexy!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You’d be surprised. I remember being in awe of everybody’s costumes.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: One guy was dressed as a slice of pizza.
MARSHALL_IDLE: There was a girl dressed as the solar system!
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I was shedding feathers everywhere, trying to be the life of the party.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: But it was getting hot under my costume and everybody was mingling by the pool.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I really wanted to impress the guest of honour.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So I was trying to act professional.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: But that pool was looking mighty inviting...
PLAYER_SURPRISED: Uh oh.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I couldn’t help it. I dived in, feathers and all.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Let me tell you, the relief I felt!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Luckily my VIP found it hilarious.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I was plucking feathers from the water way after everyone had left.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Would I catch you at a party like that, {0}?
I’d be there
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’d be there, wearing the best costume.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Oh I’d like to see that.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I love a party girl.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Someone who isn’t afraid to really let her hair down.
Sounds silly
PLAYER_IDLE: Sounds kinda silly to me.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Oh it was.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Very silly, but very fun.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I would have made sure you were having fun.
Yeah, only for the food
PLAYER_HAPPY: Only for the food.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Now you’re speaking my language!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I’m a bit of a foodie myself.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I always want my events to have the best catering.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: We had a nacho bar at that event!
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I like your vibe, {0}. I can see why Ozzy made a play for you.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You’re very easy to talk to, you make me feel relaxed.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Is that so?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I guess I feel like we can relate to each other.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Maybe it’s a twin thing.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: But, I’m here to meet the right girl for me.
MARSHALL_IDLE: The whole Ozzy thing, that’s just background noise.
You sure about that?
PLAYER_FLIRTY: You sure about that?
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’m not convinced.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I’ll just have to convince you then.
I get that
PLAYER_IDLE: Yeah, I get that.
MARSHALL_IDLE: For real.
MARSHALL_IDLE: Though it is a weird situation.
PLAYER_IDLE: When did you last see each other?
MARSHALL_IDLE: Not for a while actually. We’ve both been away a lot.
MARSHALL_EMBARRASSED: And we had a little thing a while back.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: An argument?
MARSHALL_IDLE: Something like that.
MARSHALL_SERIOUS: We’re both pretty stubborn.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: It’s gonna be interesting sharing a villa with him.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: Good interesting? Or dramatic interesting?
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: We’ll just have to wait and see.
Marshall holds your gaze confidently, drawing you into his hazel eyes.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Weren’t you going to tell me why you think I’m getting so much attention?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Oh yeah, I was!
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Well, I think it’s the vibe you give off.
PLAYER_HAPPY: My vibe?
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Confident but not arrogant. Fun but mysterious.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: You draw people towards you, but not in an attention seeking way.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You’ve just got presence... Magnetism even.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I felt it as soon as we made eye contact.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: It’s hot... You’re hot, {0}.
You’re pretty hot yourself
PLAYER_FLIRTY: You’re not too bad yourself, Marshall.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Let’s just say you have my attention.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I was hoping you’d say that. Goes without saying you’ve got mine too.
Thanks
PLAYER_IDLE: Thanks, Marshall. Appreciate the compliment.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Of course. Just stating the obvious.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: But it’s nice to bring a smile to your face.
We should call it a night
PLAYER_IDLE: I think we should call it a night. It’s getting pretty late.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: The night is young.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Especially for a party boy like me.
MARSHALL_IDLE: But jokes aside, I’d love to spend some more time with you.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Tonight feels pretty special, I’d love to make the most of it.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: We could steal a few extra moonlit moments?
*Let’s do it!
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Sure, sounds like fun.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’m enjoying our chat so far.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Me too. Glad you got over the shock of the twin twist.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I always say that I’m the better looking twin.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Is that so?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Yeah. I mean, look at me. My eyebrows are in way better shape than Ozzy’s.
Marshall crosses his arms and turns his head slightly.
His eyebrows arch mischievously as he catches your eye.
Check him out
Your eyes travel all the way down from his jawline to his tailored trousers.
Then you flick your eyes back up to meet his gaze.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: You’re almost making me feel shy.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Maybe that’s my plan.
Look away
You look off into the distance, ignoring Marshall.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Oof, I see how it is.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Maybe I was just fishing for compliments.
Laugh at him
You look at Marshall and start to laugh.
He grins back at you and dips his head.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I can only hope you’re laughing with me and not at me.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I like to think I’m the funny brother.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: It’s so great to be here.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Weirdly enough, I hosted a party in a place similar to this not too long ago.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Oh really?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: The vibes were immaculate.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: It got pretty wild.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: And some big celebs turned up.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Don’t worry, I won’t drop any names.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Thanks.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I’ll just give you a rundown of what happened.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: It was a fancy dress party. I was dressed as a chicken.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Sexy!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You’d be surprised. I remember being in awe of everybody’s costumes.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: One guy was dressed as a slice of pizza.
MARSHALL_IDLE: There was a girl dressed as the solar system!
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I was shedding feathers everywhere, trying to be the life of the party.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: But it was getting hot under my costume and everybody was mingling by the pool.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I really wanted to impress the guest of honour.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: So I was trying to act professional.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: But that pool was looking mighty inviting...
PLAYER_SURPRISED: Uh oh.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I couldn’t help it. I dived in, feathers and all.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Let me tell you, the relief I felt!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Luckily my VIP found it hilarious.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I was plucking feathers from the water way after everyone had left.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Would I catch you at a party like that, {0}?
I’d be there
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’d be there, wearing the best costume.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Oh I’d like to see that.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I love a party girl.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Someone who isn’t afraid to really let her hair down.
Sounds silly
PLAYER_IDLE: Sounds kinda silly to me.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Oh it was.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Very silly, but very fun.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I would have made sure you were having fun.
Yeah, only for the food
PLAYER_HAPPY: Only for the food.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Now you’re speaking my language!
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I’m a bit of a foodie myself.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I always want my events to have the best catering.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: We had a nacho bar at that event!
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I like your vibe, {0}. I can see why Ozzy made a play for you.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You’re very easy to talk to, you make me feel relaxed.
PLAYER_HAPPY: Is that so?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I guess I feel like we can relate to each other.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Maybe it’s a twin thing.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: But, I’m here to meet the right girl for me.
MARSHALL_IDLE: The whole Ozzy thing, that’s just background noise.
You sure about that?
PLAYER_FLIRTY: You sure about that?
PLAYER_FLIRTY: I’m not convinced.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I’ll just have to convince you then.
I get that
PLAYER_IDLE: Yeah, I get that.
MARSHALL_IDLE: For real.
MARSHALL_IDLE: Though it is a weird situation.
PLAYER_IDLE: When did you last see each other?
MARSHALL_IDLE: Not for a while actually. We’ve both been away a lot.
MARSHALL_EMBARRASSED: And we had a little thing a while back.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: An argument?
MARSHALL_IDLE: Something like that.
MARSHALL_SERIOUS: We’re both pretty stubborn.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: It’s gonna be interesting sharing a villa with him.
PLAYER_SURPRISED: Good interesting? Or dramatic interesting?
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: We’ll just have to wait and see.
Marshall holds your gaze confidently, drawing you into his hazel eyes.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Weren’t you going to tell me why you think I’m getting so much attention?
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Oh yeah, I was!
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Well, I think it’s the vibe you give off.
PLAYER_HAPPY: My vibe?
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: Confident but not arrogant. Fun but mysterious.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: You draw people towards you, but not in an attention seeking way.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: You’ve just got presence... Magnetism even.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I felt it as soon as we made eye contact.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: It’s hot... You’re hot, {0}.
You’re pretty hot yourself
PLAYER_FLIRTY: You’re not too bad yourself, Marshall.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Let’s just say you have my attention.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I was hoping you’d say that. Goes without saying you’ve got mine too.
Thanks
PLAYER_IDLE: Thanks, Marshall. Appreciate the compliment.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Of course. Just stating the obvious.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: But it’s nice to bring a smile to your face.
No thank you
PLAYER_IDLE: No, thanks. I think we should call it a night.
MARSHALL_IDLE: Sure, {0}. I’ve had a great time chatting to you though.
The sounds of the guys below have faded away.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: I guess they’ve gone inside.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: It’s later than I thought.
PLAYER_HAPPY: It is pretty late.
MARSHALL_HAPPY: We should get ready for bed.
MARSHALL_FLIRTY: I don’t snore, and I’m a great big spoon. Just saying.
PLAYER_FLIRTY: Hmmmm…
MARSHALL_HAPPY: Thanks for the chat, {0}. I enjoyed it a lot.
You head to the dressing room to get ready for your first night in Casa Amor.
You open up your suitcase and wonder what you should wear for your first night.
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rainydaydream-gal18 · 3 years ago
Text
(The Bad Batch) Camping: Crosshair’s Ending
  Intro
    “I guess I’ll follow Crosshair,” you said.  The sharpshooter hadn’t heard your statement.  He was already on his way toward the edge of the clearing, crossing over into the woods.  
   Omega nudged you with her elbow.  “You’d better hurry, or you’ll miss him!”
   You hesitated.  “I don’t know.  He didn’t wait around for anyone to go with.  Maybe he wants to be alone.”
   “No,” she insisted with a shake of her head, blonde locks waving.  “Trust me, he won’t mind you going.  He likes your company.”
   You had to admit that he wasn’t as abrasive with you as he once had been.  Over time, the sudden snaps and sarcastic comments had died down.  He even showed subtle signs that he cared for you as a member of the team and family in his own little way.  Your feelings for him had grown beyond what you could have imagined in that time.  You didn’t expect for them to be returned, but at the very least, Crosshair didn’t seem to mind you.
   “Hurry!”  Omega urged again, giving you another nudge.  Crosshair had already disappeared into the forest, but he most likely hadn’t gotten far.  You shrugged at Omega before taking off for the edge of the clearing.
   “Here goes nothing,” you muttered to yourself.  A twig snapped beneath your shoe as you stepped out of the bright open clearing and into the shady, cool woods.  It was beautiful.  The trees above created a sort of canopy, only allowing for smaller patches of sunlight to shine through.  Everything was so green, and the air smelled so sweet.  The brush was thick and difficult to get through even though you were following Crosshair’s trail.
   You looked straight ahead to see him standing there several feet away, twisted around to peer at you over his shoulder.  You offered a smile and waved despite the fact that your leg was caught in a bush.  If he was surprised to see you, he didn’t show it.  His gaze swept over you for a moment before he approached.
   “Hey,” you greeted.
   Crosshair’s eyes met yours briefly.  “Hey.”  He extended his hand and pulled you forward so that you could remove your leg from the brush.  It was done swiftly and with ease.  Once you were free, you dusted yourself off and looked up at him.
   “Thanks.  Do you mind if I walk with you?”
   Crosshair turned his body in the direction he’d been walking in before, peering at you over his shoulder once more.  “Do what you want.”  It was well known that he wasn’t the most wordy or expressive.  That phrase was his way of an open invitation.
   You were watching where you walked, but your gaze was also drawn to the one who led the way through the dense woods.  You studied him as if somehow it would give you insight to what was going on in that mind of his.  He didn’t speak for some time.  Your eyes rested on the back of his head of silver hair, traveling down his form and pausing at his arms.  They were left exposed by his sleeveless blue shirt that faded into darker blue further down the torso.  He definitely wasn’t built like Wrecker, but his arms weren’t noodles either.  His lean form held an impressive strength.  You’d witnessed it on the battlefield many times, and even more recently, he demonstrated it when he had snapped the tent pieces back into place in front of you and handed them back.  It had been done swiftly and with ease, whereas it had taken you and Omega both to do it the first time.
   “What?”
   You snapped out of your train of thought at his question.  “Uh, what?”
   “You were staring.”
   Of course, those keen eyes of his didn’t miss a thing.  It was handy when it came to taking out droids, but at that moment, it was unfortunate.
   “Sorry.  I was just thinking.”
   He stepped over a bush and paused, turning to hold out an open hand towards you.  You hesitantly took it, and he helped you over the plant.  “About what?” he asked.  It wasn’t meant to be nosy or demanding.  It seemed he was trying to start a conversation, which was a rare but not entirely unheard of occurrence for him.  At least, not with you these days.
   Your heart was thumping erratically at that point, racking your brain for something to say other than “I was thinking about you.”  Although, you didn’t want to lie either.  “I was just thinking how nice the sights are here.”  It was true.  Crosshair just happened to be one of the sights that you admired.
   “It is nice,” he agreed, pausing to cast an admiring glance at the canopy of trees above.  The leaves created lovely patterned shadows on his face.  You followed his gaze and sighed at how your chest swelled with happiness.  The air was warm, but not quite as blistering hot as it was in the sunny clearing.  The shade held a different kind of quiet intensity, a tension that was still so beautiful to you.
   Your eyes fell back to Crosshair.  The corner of his mouth was turned up in a half-smile at the view.  He noticed then that you were watching him, and he turned his head to look back at you fully.
   “Have you and the squad done this before?” you asked.  “Gone camping?”
   “We’ve camped out for missions,” he replied.  “Never did it for fun.”
  “Technically, Hunter originally told us that this was for team-building.”
   “Funny, he’s the one who let everyone wander off in separate directions.”
   You chuckled at the realization.  “That’s true.  Well, maybe this is part of team-building in the end.  We negotiated an effective way for everyone to do what they want.  I’d say that was a good problem-solving exercise.”
   Crosshair shook his head.  “Good one.”
   The two of you continued through the forest, talking a little along the way.  It wasn’t exactly a chatter-filled walk, but it was probably the most you and Crosshair had opened up to each other.  He told you a few stories about the squad’s past experiences camping out.  There was one in particular about how Wrecker heaved a rock and accidentally knocked over a hive of bees that Crosshair even smirked at.  Fortunately, Wrecker had escaped without getting stung, but he had run off yelling and swatting his hands around.
   You weren’t sure how long you and Crosshair had been out, but it was definitely past lunchtime.  You hardly noticed.  You were having such a nice time with him that the time flew.
   “We should turn around,” you spoke up.  “The others are probably having lunch now.”  Crosshair paused and nodded before turning straight around and heading back the way you came.
   Even as late as it was, It still seemed a little too early for the sky behind the trees to be darkening as much as it did.  The air had grown humid, and the bird chirping had ceased.  The woods had gone from delightfully shady to nearly sunless and dreary.  You walked closer to the sharpshooter, though not so close that you’d step on his heels by accident.
   Then, you heard the pitter-patter of rain beginning to fall on the greenery around you.  It started off as a trickle before gradually morphing into a downpour.  It was so heavy that even the trees didn’t shield you from the drops that soaked your clothes.
   You felt a hand take yours, and you squinted through the rain to see Crosshair urging you to follow.  You let him lead you toward a large tree that had been uprooted.  It leaned against another tree, creating a spot beneath it untouched by the rainfall.
   You rested your back against the upright trunk, panting from the sudden dash.  Crosshair ran a hand through his damp hair and shook some drops from his face.
   “When it lets up, we’ll keep going,” he said.  Both of you stared out into the rainy haze in silence.  You wondered how long it would be before it would subside.  You were glad to have a shelter of sorts, but you were starting to shiver in your soaked clothes.  Crosshair’s eyes locked on you.  He gazed at you, and despite your chill, your face grew warm under his quiet scrutiny.  Finally, he walked over to stand right in front of you.
   “Cold?” he drawled.
   Your words abandoned you at the proximity, so you merely gave a short nod.  Crosshair was just as soaked as you were, but the arm that slipped around you still provided some comfort.  You automatically leaned into him, pressing your face against his bare shoulder which was already warming back up.  His other arm wrapped around your form, and you breathed a sigh as you sank into the contact even more.
   You lost yourself in the rise and fall of his chest as well as the steady thrum of his heart.  It was a melody that you were sure would play itself over and over in your mind after the encounter.  You didn’t even want to think about the after.  You didn’t want this to end.  Your arms had slipped around his waist, and his breath hitched.  You lifted your head to meet his gaze, concerned that perhaps you’d overstepped, but then his eyes locked on yours.
   It was like the bug caught in a spider’s web that caught your eye earlier as you passed through the forest.  You were trapped by those piercing eyes as his face grew closer, though you didn’t feel like the prey you’d seen before.  You weren’t struggling to escape.  You were drawn in.
   And suddenly, his warm lips were pressed to your own.  His grip on you tightened, and you felt like you’d melt into a puddle if it weren’t for his arms holding you.  All at once, something exploded in your chest, and your lips pulled away only to unite again in a more heated dance.  Your back hit the tree trunk behind you, and Crosshair grunted an apology.  His lips met yours again before he pulled away altogether, eyes glinting.
   “Rain stopped,” he said, running a thumb along your jaw.  You didn’t tear your eyes from his to confirm, only noted that the sound had subsided.
   “We’d better head back then,” you replied.
   Neither of you moved for several seconds.  Eventually, both of you were able to pull away, though his hand didn’t let go of yours, and continued your trek back to the campsite.  The walk back was quiet, though you found yourself meeting Crosshair’s gaze many times.  There wasn’t room for embarrassment because he was almost always staring at you first.  Even though there was a bit of a hurry to get back to the campsite before it rained again, you enjoyed every second.
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wiypt-writes · 4 years ago
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Stark Spangled Banner
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Epilogue: His Forever
Intro: Part of the journey is the end…
Warnings: “Language!” Smut (NSFW, 18+) Descriptions of childbirth, slight angst and drama... Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark
A/N: So here it is, the Epilogue to SSB. I’m tearing up as I post this, my babies sure have come a LONG way since that first meeting in that little boxing gym. I’m all kinds of emotional and I can’t thank you all enough for reading, re-blogging, commenting, and for loving Katie as much as I do.
And to @angrybirdcr​…you are AMAZING. Coming on this ride with me, doing all these wonderful edits, I simply love you!
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.
Chapter 61
Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist
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May 2024
There were various ways in which Katie was used to being woken in the mornings. Sometimes it was by a kiss from Steve along with a fresh coffee when he returned from a run. On others, she woke up because she was just too damned hot due to Steve being tangled around her like a koala, years of sleeping together hadn’t changed him in that respect. He was needy. Very needy. Some mornings it was down to a cheeky four year old crawling under the covers from the foot of the bed, settling in between his parents for a morning snuggle, Lucky often padding behind him. And then there were the times she was woken in a way which was most certainly not child friendly, in any way, shape or form.
Which was the way she found herself waking that sunny Tuesday morning, whilst the first light broke outside their Brooklyn home. She was barely aware of a pair of soft lips gently kissing her neck forming an exquisite contrast to the delectable scratching of a beard against her skin, a strong yet ever so gentle hand trailing across her now huge baby bump and up her side and curve of her hip in a way that made her shudder in anticipation.
Unable to stop herself, she made a sleepy noise in her throat and the owner of said lips and beard smirked against the crook of her shoulder as a hand slid between her legs and caressed the inside of her thigh. Still half asleep, she let out a soft sigh, moving her legs slightly, spreading them wider. She blinked and rolled her head to glance over her shoulder to be met with a pair of bright, blue eyes that were shining with mischief.
“Good Morning.” Steve’s voice was thick with sleep and an unmistakable deep sliver of desire, his short hair tousled slightly where he’d been led on it.
“Yeah, it looks that way.” She grinned biting her lip, as his hand moved back up over her stomach. “What happened to sleeping in?” “It’s gone nine, Doll.” he murmured, his lips gently sucking on the spot behind her ear. “You’ve been asleep for nearly twelve hours.” “Not my fault.” Katie closed her eyes and rolled her head to the side as his teeth nipped at her skin. “At least I can sleep this time round.”
Steve let out a chuckle as his hand continued his journey upwards underneath the shirt she was wearing. Much to his relief (for the sake of both their sanity) Katie had found this pregnancy a lot easier than the last one, something she continually insisted was down to her carrying a girl and not an awkward mini-Steve.
She still had her cravings. The food this time being strawberries (in any shape be it fresh, dried, flavoured ice cream, flavoured milk) and sex (which Steve was more than happy to help out with) but all in all the sickness had dissipated by twenty weeks, she managed to sleep better and she felt better, he could tell. She wasn’t half as cranky or emotional as she had been last time and had actually enjoyed being pregnant, confessing to Steve that she was actually going to miss it when their little girl arrived, and it had shown. She was positively glowing.
The day they’d found out they were expecting a daughter, Steve’s entire face had lit up with a smile as large as his heart as he’d choked up that his secret wish had come true, a little princess that would hopefully look just like her momma, with her famous sass and tenacity that he loved beyond belief. And the fact that his wife was there, nurturing and growing his baby once more, seeing the changes to her body again, had made him constantly horny on the low.
And this morning was no exception.
“Not going running?” Katie asked as his lips continued their assault on her neck.
“Its my day off.” He muttered, as if that explained it, whilst his arm pulled her back further into his chest and she could feel his hardness pressing into her back. Katie deliberately pushed back into him, causing him to hiss through his teeth and his hand found her tender breast and gave a soft squeeze, his finger barely brushing over the nipple but it was enough to send a hotwire straight to her groan, causing her to moan loudly.
���Shhh!” He grinned, using the hand of his right arm that was currently situated underneath her neck to gently tip her head round towards him, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. “God I love you.” He muttered against her lips, pressing his forehead to hers.
“I love you too.” She sighed, as his hand slid back down her body and worked into her sleep shorts. She gave a hiss, senses heightened as Steve hooked a hand round her thigh slightly, placing it over his to keep her legs open.
“Sweetheart, you’re fucking drenched.” He groaned, breath hot on her lips and she gave a soft whimper.
“Don’t tease me Stevie, please.” She murmured, pressing back further against his crotch. “Need you.”
And when she begged like that, how could he refuse?
He ground back up against her once before he gently eased the bottom half of her clothing down, shoving his own sleep pants down.
“We’ve got to be quiet.” Katie reminded him, then contradicted herself, letting out a groan when he shifted gently, keeping her leg over his and slowly pushed into her, his hand grasping on her hip. Katie’s head rolled back further as he began to move gently, his teeth grazed the side of her neck gently chiding,
“Hush, Baby.”
Katie whimpered, but did as instructed, turning her face into the pillow, digging the tips of her nails into his arms which were wrapped around her, keeping her close to him as he continued his slow, deep movements, finding a rhythm that was perfect for the lazy morning. He continued to spread sloppy kisses down the back of her neck, and she once more rolled her head to capture his mouth, her breath coming in ragged pants as she neared her release. Steve read the signals and picked up the pace slightly, his hand dropping to her clit and gently stroking.
“Fuck.” She hissed from between her teeth, turning her face to press again into the pillows in an attempt to stifle her sinful moans. Steve buried his face into her neck, quelling his own noises of satisfaction, as he rutted up and forward into her again, his fingers deftly working her sensitive bud as he did so. Katie was powerless to do anything but squeal she felt her relief coming, silently screaming as the lights went off before her eyes and she let out a soft keen of delight into the plush bedding that surrounded her face as she tightened and pulsed around him, pushing him over the edge right behind her. Steve came with a low moan that he stifled by biting down gently on her shoulder, his chest heaving as the world span around him.
They lay there in silence for a moment, the only sound was that of their heavy breathing as Steve ran his hand up and down the curve of his wife’s hip, before it curled around her bump, her own hands settling on his forearm as she looked over her shoulder. Steve lifted his head with a lazy smirk gently pressing their lips together again, more than content to stay right where they were and possibly fall back to sleep.
But it seems someone else had other plans.
Steve’s head snapped up when his super hearing picked up the sound of a door opening across the landing. “Incoming.” He muttered before they shared a smile and he pulled out of her, both of them giving another soft sigh as he hastily pulled up his pants, Katie managing to find her sleep shorts that had been discarded somewhere under the covers. And just in time too, as the door opened a crack and a small blonde head peeked in. Jamie grinned upon seeing his parents awake and quickly made a beeline for the bed, diving onto the bottom and crawling up into the middle.
“Morning, Sweetie.” Katie beamed as Steve moved the covers so the little boy could settle underneath them.
“Morning Momma, morning Daddy.” He grinned, giving them both a kiss in turn. A thud on the bottom of the bed told Steve that Lucky had joined the party and sure enough, when he looked down he saw the elderly dog was led with his head on Katie’s feet where they peaked the blanket up.
“Did you sleep well?” Katie asked, smoothing back Jamie’s sleep mussed hair as he sat up in the middle of his parents.
“I had a dream I was on motorbike.” He grinned and Steve chuckled as the boy turned to his father. “Can I ride yours?” Steve looked at Katie who rolled her eyes. He had let Jamie sit on it in the garage a few days prior and since then he had been obsessed with the damned thing.
“Maybe later.” He smiled. “But first, I don’t know about you but I’m pretty hungry.”
“I want pancakes.” Jamie demanded clapping his hands together.
“What d’ya say?” Steve responded gently correcting his manners.
Jamie stilled, staring at Steve with his big blue eyes, a smile on his face. “Please.”
Then they both turned pleading faces towards Katie and she laughed at the ridiculous resemblance between them. “Alright,” she sighed, “We can have pancakes. Again.”
Jamie cheered. “Emmy will want pancakes too!” He chirped, climbing over his father, drawing a loud huff from Steve as his knee dug him right in the stomach, before the stocky little boy slid off the side of the bed. Katie grinned as he ran off calling for his sister.
“I’ll go start breakfast.” Steve smiled. “I’m assuming you’ll want Strawberries with yours?”
She nodded eagerly. “Oh and some chocolate chips.” “Any strawberries in your orange juice or you happy to have that straight, today?” Steve raised an eyebrow at her, remembering her sudden request yesterday that he blended the fruit into her juice. “Our little princess wants what she wants, Stevie.” She smirked and he laughed, giving her a peck on the lips before he swung his legs off the side of the bed, standing and grabbing a shirt off the back of the chair by the dresser.
“Nice ass.” Katie complimented cheekily.
He threw a smirk over his shoulder as he turned walking backwards towards the door holding his arms out to the side, giving the usual response “It’s all yours Baby Momma” He told her, turning back round heading out of the door.
Katie giggled and looked at Lucky who was now led on his back, all four legs splayed, in a most undignified position.
“You comfy, pal?” She grinned at the dog as his head cocked to one side and his tail began to wag as much as it could due to the position he was in. She rubbed his belly before she heaved herself out of bed and headed into the en-suite for a quick shower. Her back was aching slightly, most likely due to the position she’d just been pleasantly fucked in, but it was nothing she couldn’t cope with. She smiled to herself, her hand rubbing her bump, knowing that their baby would be with them any day now. And, despite the fact she was petrified about giving birth again, she couldn’t wait to meet their little miracle snap baby. And neither could Steve.
Once she was dried, Katie pulled on a pair of leggings, a vest top and one of Steve’s flannel button downs before she made her way down to the kitchen, the chatter of her family’s voices hitting her ear as she walked into the room ready for her breakfast.
“Daddy says we can go see Uncle Buck as I’m not going to Day Care today!” Jamie told her as soon as she made her way to the table. “He’s at his department.” “Apartment, dude.” Emmy corrected.
“Yeah that!” He nodded. “Uncle Sammy will be there too.”
“He messaged before to say he was back from, well, wherever he’s been for the past two weeks. I said we’d pop by later on.” Steve said as Katie looked at him. “Thought we could walk round if you’re feeling up to it?”
Katie nodded, the apartment Bucky had bought was only a few blocks away. He’d only moved in a few months ago as the paperwork had taken a while to complete and then there had been the rather heated discussion Katie had held with Secretary Ross in order to get both Sam and Bucky some form of compensation, not to mention Bucky’s Army severance pay that was well overdue. Katie had gone to town on the man, thoroughly enjoying the fact she embarrassed him in front of a fair few military leaders accusing him of shirking his responsibilities towards two Veterans, and then the new President had stepped in, probably to stop her right hooking him again. As a result, the two men had been given a fairly decent lump sum each, with Katie had doubled using monies from the Stark Relief Fund. Bucky had bought a nice apartment in Brooklyn, whilst Sam had opted to head further into Manhattan after spending a couple of months at home with his folks. Either way, it made both Katie and Steve chuckle as the two men spent that much time at each other’s respective places they might as well have moved in with one another.
“You wanna come, Em?” Katie asked as Steve set a large plate of pancakes down in the middle of the table
“I got homework.” she pulled a face “I’ll probably do a bit then go to Brooke’s. Am I okay to stay the night? We’ll be studying, not messing around I promise.” “If it’s okay with Jennifer it’s fine with us, Sweetheart.” Steve said, placing a dish of strawberries down in front of Katie before he settled into the spare seat as his wife placed a few pancakes on a plate and some bacon for Jamie. “And as for studying, give yourself a night off. You’ve been flat at it since you broke up last week.”
She smiled at him as he gave her a wink before they all tucked into their breakfast. They ate, talking about anything and everything, before Emily retreated upstairs to her room to start her work. Katie and Steve settled in the living room for an hour or two before they dressed and set off on the short walk to Bucky’s apartment.
“Hey buddy!” Bucky grinned as Jamie threw himself at his Uncle, wrapping his arms around his legs.
“I missed you Uncle Buck!” Jamie giggled as Bucky swung him up into his arms, moving backwards to let Katie and Steve into the apartment. Katie undid her lightweight jacket and Steve took it from her, as usual, before he shed his own and placed them on the hooks by the door. “You guys walk here?”
Katie nodded. “It’s a nice day, pretty warm out.”
“Yeah, I’ve been colder.” Bucky quipped, making her grin. He turned to Jamie. “You wanna chocolate milk, pal?”
“Yup!” Jamie grinned, popping the P causing Steve to snort as they all made their way through into the kitchen. Katie noticed there were a few more photos dotted around the place than last time she had been. She’d done the same for Bucky as she had for Steve years ago and dug a few photos out of archives and various places, making him a frame up which consisted of shots of his family, him and Steve, the Howlies… He’d hung it on the wall and now around it were a few pictures of more recent times, including some of him and the kids. She smiled gently as she saw the copy of the scan photo they had given him pinned up on the fridge.
It wasn’t long before Sam joined them much to Jamie’s delight and soon the apartment was filled with chattering and laughter, which in turn filled Steve’s chest with a warmth he couldn’t explain, having his best friend in such a domestic setting.
They ate lunch, as of course Jamie was hungry despite the mountain of pancakes he had eaten, and then Bucky keyed up the Nintendo, passing a controller to Jamie with a grin.
“How’s the job going Steve?” Sam asked, passing Steve a beer as he sank back onto the couch, the sound of Mario Karts filled the room form the speakers of the TV. Steve watched Jamie for a moment, before he turned to Sam smiling.
“Good, yeah.” he leaned back, taking a drink of his beer. “It’s still early days yet but…no I’m enjoying it”  
And he was. Whilst he had back in time, so to speak, Steve had trained as an art teacher but he had no paper work or anything to back this up formally. So, with Katie’s help, he had pitched an idea to the Pratt Institute who had gleefully accepted him as a part time lecturer on their History Programme, providing first hand experiences of being in the War and the Depression. Alongside this, he was working to re-gain the qualifications he needed to teach BFA Drawing. It wasn’t full time, he worked Wednesday through Friday at the moment, intending to pick it up when he was qualified but that was still up for debate. They didn’t need the money, it was more a case of Steve needing to do something and he had no desire to join the various military organisations the Government kept trying to tempt him with. Plus, he still hosted a support group twice a week and that wasn’t something he wanted to give up any time soon. Bringing everyone back had, as predicted, posed a whole different set of problems so SIDE had continued to fund groups to help in any way they could.
“You on maternity leave yet?” Bucky asked, not looking at Katie, his eyes glued to the screen “Because, no offence, but you’re huge.” “Thanks.” She glared at the back of his head as he shrugged. “I officially finished last Friday. The Company is in good caretaker hands and Pepper will be overseeing it all so, yeah, that’s it!”
“Just need her here now.” Steve grinned, his hand resting on the back of the sofa behind Katie.
“You need a name first.” Sam raised an eyebrow.
“They got one.” Jamie looked at Sam, taking his attention off the screen “It’s…” “Woah!” Steve cut him off and shook his head, “A secret, remember?”
Jamie clamped his little hands over his mouth “Whoops!”
“Whisper it to me kid.” Sam grinned, leaning down towards Jamie who shook his head furiously.
“That’s naughty, Uncle Sammy.” He looked at him, his little brow furrowed.
“Yeah stop trying to teach my kid bad habits.” Steve shot him a look. “He gets enough off his sister.”
At that point a triumphant cry came from Bucky who’s Luigi Kart had sailed over the line in front of Jamie’s Mario one.
“You cheated.” Jamie looked at him, his eyes narrowed with an expression that made him momentarily look like his mother.
“How did I cheat?” Bucky scoffed.
“I wasn’t watching.” Jamie continued to glare at him. “That’s your own fault.” Bucky smirked. “Rule number one kid, never take your eye off your opponent.” “Okay, move over Jay.” Sam shook his head, dropping onto the floor by the little boy’s side as he handed him the controller. “I’m gonna kick his ass.”
**** “But I don’t wanna!” Jamie pouted, as Steve held out his coat when it was time to leave. “I wanna stay here…” “It’s not up for discussion.” Steve replied sternly. “Put your jacket on, now.” “Steve.” Bucky smiled, holding his hand out. “I don’t mind, I can drop him back tomorrow if he wants to stay.”
“Boys night in.” Sam nodded sagely and Jamie’s eyes lit up as he looked at Sam then back to Steve. “Yeah, please daddy. There’s some of my stuff in the spare room from my last sleep over.” Jamie pleaded.
Steve sighed, and looked at his son who was watching him, hope bright in his eyes.
“Honey?” He asked, looking to his wife who merely popped her shoulder in response.
“He’s not in Nursery this week so his routine is already out of the window, he can stay for me, but you’ll have to feed him at some point.” She smiled, looking at Bucky. “Preferably before midnight or he’ll turn into a gremlin.”
The reference was lost on Bucky, but not Sam who laughed.
“Pizza?” Bucky asked and Jamie gave a cheer.
“Pizza is my fave. And Mac and Cheese.” “Looks like he’s all yours then.” Steve shrugged, putting the jacket back on the hook and retrieving Katie’s instead. “Don’t let him stay up too late or we’ll be dealing with the fall out tomorrow.” Bucky saluted Steve who rolled his eyes before he looked at Jamie. “You behave or Uncle Bucky and Sam will call me to come pick you up.” Jamie saluted his dad in an identical way to Bucky, making Katie grin. Together, man and wife set off back into the setting sun, Steve’s arm curling round Katie’s shoulders. As they were alone for the evening, Emmy having messaged to say she was indeed going to Brooke’s, they decided to take the opportunity for a meal out and headed to a little Italian Bistro Steve had discovered on his run one morning. Katie wasn’t all that hungry after a large lunch but she managed a decent portion of her penne pasta, Steve demolishing her left overs as well as his own meal. They then made their way over to a small wine bar across the street, Steve grabbing them both a drink as they settled in one of the booths by the back, simply enjoying their time together, and left shortly before eleven, their pace easy.
They’d made it to the end of their road when Katie stopped, rubbing at her back as she gave a little hiss of pain.
“You okay?” Steve’s brow furrowed in concern and she smiled, shaking her head.
“Yeah, my back’s been playing up all day. I’ll be fine in a bit.”
The continued their walk, at a slower pace, until just as they reached their gate, Katie felt a sharp twinge across her abdomen. She blew out a breath as she rubbed her distended belly through her jacket and then the realisation washed over her. The growing back pain, uncomfortable feeling she’d had all day…just like it had been when she had started labour with Jamie.
Steve was watching her as she looked at him, straightening up.
“I think I’ve started.” She said gently.
“Really?” Steve asked, closing the distance between them, hands falling to her hips.
“I think so, I mean it feels the same as last time.”
Steve’s face was the same mix of excitement and nervousness it had been when she’d gone into labour with Jamie just over four years ago, and he placed a kiss on her forehead as he pressed his hand to the sensor on the gate.
“Let’s get you in and settled.” He smiled.
Once she was inside, Katie sat on the couch, suddenly very uncomfortable. Steve went into the kitchen to find the heat pack, but he hadn’t even had chance to open the cupboard when a loud yell made him turn and run back into the lounge.
Katie was bent over rubbing at her stomach her face scrunched up in pain.
“Honey?” Steve dropped to his knees in front of her.
She breathed through it and looked at him, nodding. “I’m okay.”
“Do we need to go in already?” He frowned. Katie shook her head, smiling. “It’s gonna be faster but not that fast.”
“You want me to run you a bath?” She nodded.
“Alright, come on.” In one easy movement she was in his strong, secure arms as he effortlessly carried her up the stairs.
Fifteen minutes later she lay in the bath, the warm water providing a little comfort until she felt another contraction. Katie counted, and this one lasted for a good sixty seconds, causing her to swallow with worry. She couldn’t possibly be in full labour though, it was far too fast. Taking a deep breath, she lay still for a further ten minutes then another hit her and this time she was unable to stop the scream leaving her mouth as she bent her head forward then back against the rim of the bath.
Almost instantaneously, she heard heavy steps bounding up the stairs and the door to the bathroom opened.
“Sweetheart?” “Steve,” she looked at him, panic on her face, “That’s three in less than thirty minutes. I think we need to go.” “Alright, come on.” He nodded, walking across the room before he stopped dead as he glanced down into the bath, his eyes widening as he swallowed slightly.
“What…” Katie looked down and spotted the blood in the water, spreading like ribbons between her legs.
And then she started to panic.
“Oh God, Steve, there’s something wrong!” “Honey, look at me.” Steve knelt by the bath, hand on her face, trying to appear calm when he was anything but. “Let’s get you out and I’ll call Dr Kellet okay?”
“Okay.” Steve gently hooked his arms under her shoulders and easily lifted her out of the tub, wrapping her in a towel robe, just before another contraction hit her and she gripped at the sink for support, gritting her teeth, screaming in pain as he rubbed her back.
“This is too painful, it’s wrong.” She sobbed as Steve stood right by her side, his arm curved over her hips as he pulled his phone out of his pocket with his spare hand.
He scrolled through and found the number for Katie’s Ob-Gyn that had been programmed into his phone ready. Katie had insisted she wanted the woman was there for the birth, having been her doctor for years.
“Dr Kellet?” He cleared his throat. “It’s Steve Rogers…sorry to bother you, so late.” “It’s not a problem Mr Rogers.” She greeted him, “I’m assuming Mrs Rogers has gone into labour?”
But before Steve had even had a chance to explain what was going on, Katie gripped his arm.
“No,no, no!” She cried, her voice almost a plea of disbelief. “Steve, I need to push…”
His eyes widened.
“Ok I heard that.” Dr Kellet spoke calmly in his ear “Make her as comfortable as possible, I’ll be with you as soon as I can, I’m only round the corner, lucky for you I’ve been out on another call.”
“Should I call an ambulance?” Steve gulped.
“I’ll do it.” The woman assured him. “Just as a standby, chances are that baby’s going to arrive before we can get her to the birthing centre though. You concentrate on your wife. I’ll see you shortly.” “Thank you.” He whispered as he put the phone down and turned to his wife who was now crying.
“Steve I don’t want my baby here.” She sobbed.
“Hey,” he soothed, his hands on her face. “Dr Kellet is on her way.”
“I need to go to the centre.” “Sweetheart, if we take you, chances are you’re gonna have her on the way.”
“But, something might go wrong and…”
“Look, it’s gonna be fine.” He assured her, not quite sure where his confidence was coming from as frankly he was anything but. However, he knew the more he panicked, the more she would so he had no alternative but to put a brave face on. “There’s an ambulance coming too, just in case we need it once she’s here.”
Katie refused to move from her spot in the bathroom, despite Steve’s best attempts. And the following seven minutes and thirty-four seconds that it took Dr Kellet to arrive were the longest of Steve’s life. When the buzzer to the gate finally sounded, he bounded down the stairs, helped the woman with her kit bag, and hastily led her straight up to the bathroom, leaving the gate and door open for the paramedics when she informed him they were approximately ten minutes behind her.
Katie was now screaming in pain as the Doctor knelt beside her, where she was still hovering over the sink.
“Mrs Rogers,” she told her calmly as she snapped on a pair of gloves. “I’m just going to take a look okay?” Katie nodded as Steve’s arm curled around her shoulder. After a few seconds the woman stood up.  
“Fully dilated and engaged.” She looked at Katie “This baby is on its way.”
“No I need to be at the centre!” Katie began to cry. “Mrs Rogers, trust me that is not an option.” The Doctor was firm but fair as she turned to Steve “Where’s your bedroom?”
“Straight across the hall, last door to your left.” Steve swallowed, his hand rubbing at Katie’s back as she screamed again.
“We need to get her led down before baby gets distressed.” The Doctor instructed, moving out of the room and picking up her kit bag. 
“Steve,” Katie turned to him as the Doctor hurried into their room, “Stevie, I’m scared.”
He didn’t need her to tell him that, he could see the fear in her eyes and it killed him. Not least because he was petrified himself. “I know, Honey.” He gave her a small smile, pressing a kiss to her head. “But Dr Kellet is here, it’ll be okay. Now, come on, let’s get you settled.”
He carried her into the bedroom where Dr Kellet had unpacked most of her equipment and was throwing a plastic sheet over their bed.
“I know this isn’t what you planned” She spoke to Katie gently as she screamed in pain again, Steve gently placing her on the bed.
“Why is it all so fast?” Katie gasped out. “I don’t…”
“You’re experiencing something called Precipitous labour.” The Doctor explained as Steve knelt on the floor besides her, taking her hand in his, the fingers of the other one brushing her hair off her face. “It’s rare but not completely unheard of. Just means things happen extremely quickly, that’s all.” Katie really didn’t care what it was called. All she knew was that the pain was excruciating. Worse than with Jamie, and she had no relief either. And she was done with trying to be brave.
“It hurts.” She sobbed, laying her head against the pillow, turning to face Steve who dropped a kiss to her forehead before her entire body tensed up as Dr Kellet knelt on the bed. “Oh God, I need to push this time, I really do.”
“Then go with it.” The doctor instructed and Steve kissed the back of his wife’s hand.
“I got you, I promise.” He looked at her, his eyes locking onto hers which were wide with fear. “You can do this, Sweetheart.” So she did, screaming as her tears freely flowed down her cheeks in a mix of agony and fear. She had neve felt pain like it, but all she could think about now was that their girl needed to arrive, safely, and to do that she had to fight through her own discomfort for her.
Three huge pushes later a piercing scream hit their ears and Katie collapsed back, and Steve felt pure relief flood over him as their tiny daughter was positioned on his wife’s chest, soft skin against hers through the top of her towel robe screaming as she nuzzled into her mother.
“Steve,” Katie managed to gasp, looking at him as he lay his head against hers, looking down at their baby girl, tears pouring down his face as he got a proper glance at his daughter for the first time.
“Shit, Katie, she’s just like you.” He stuttered, his large and shaking hand gently moving the top of Katie’s robe to gently run a finger down his baby girl’s cheek. She was smaller than Jamie had been, despite the fact he had been earlier, with a smattering of dark hair. Her eyes cracked open, a sliver of light baby blue peered up at them which caused Steve’s heart to swell even more, as their baby snuggled further into Katie’s chest and Katie dropped a tender kiss to her head.
“Hey, Princess.” Steve whispered, as he too pressed his lips to his daughter’s soft head, before he gave a little splutter of a chuckle. “You gave us a bit of a scare there!”
He looked at Katie, his eyes shining as he sniffed. “I’m so proud of you” He whispered softly, pressing his lips to hers, his voice cracking with emotion. “So fucking proud, Sweetheart. Look what you did.”
Katie gave a little emotional laugh, the pair of them lost in the moment, before a  loud shout from the Paramedics who had arrived cut across the room. Steve looked up and Dr Kellet held her hand up, instructing him to stay where she was before she headed down to greet them. A minute or so later, they walked into the room, giving Steve and Katie a small nod and a smile as Dr Kellet began talking them through what had happened, neither parent really paying attention.
Much to Katie’s chagrin, she released their daughter to Dr Kellet to be checked over whilst her own vitals were taken by the paramedics. Their precious baby was cleaned up and wrapped in a soft pink blanket that Steve pulled from the packed hospital bag and then, as the Paramedics moved away, Steve finally got a hold of his daughter for the first time, cradling her to his chest, looking down at her as her tiny fist raised by her face, her little mouth opening and closing slightly as she lay safely in her father’s arms.
Katie watched him, smiling as he was sporting the same adoring look on his face that he got every time he looked at Jamie. He glanced up and beamed at her, before Dr Kellet cleared her throat. 
“Does she have a name yet?” She asked gently, looking over at them from where she was tapping something on the tablet she had in her hand.
Steve and Katie smiled at each other. Oh, did she have a name, worthy of the Princess she was.
“I think the new baby should be called Nala.” Jamie nodded firmly, his mind made up.
“Let me guess, after the lion?” Steve looked at him, the boy’s Disney Film of choice at the moment was The Lion King. Jamie nodded.
“We’re not calling her Nala.” Katie shook her head, “Although there is another Disney character that has a name I like.” Steve looked at her “Really?”
“Yeah. Remember that night in Scotland when we took a midnight walk to see the Northern Lights?” Steve smiled, he remembered that night very well. And he knew instantly what name she was referring to. In fact, given the circumstances in which their baby had come back, he couldn’t think of anything more appropriate.
“Aurora.” Steve smiled softly, looking at the Doctor “Aurora Sarah Natasha Rogers.”
“Rori.” Katie looked at him, and he smiled again, before he turned his attention back down to their baby.
“The Goddess of Dawn.” Dr Kellet nodded, approvingly as she noted the name down. “Fitting.”
Which was exactly why they had chosen it. Aurora had come back to them, like daybreak always returned, no matter how long the night. It was the perfect name for their perfect little girl.
Steve smiled and spotted that Aurora was getting fidgety, exactly as Jamie had done, burying her face into his chest, rooting, so he passed her to Katie. Just like she had with Jamie, although this time she knew what she was doing she positioned her to her breast and the baby began to nurse as Steve settled on the bed next to her, watching as Aurora’s cheeks worked hungrily.
“Well the good news is both your vitals are strong so I think that we can say you’re okay to stay home.” The female paramedic spoke as she looked at Dr Kellet how nodded before she turned to Katie. 
“But you need to rest, Mrs Rogers. I didn’t want to worry you both before but Precipitous labour is extremely rare. In my twenty years of practicing I’ve only ever seen it four times now. You did amazingly well.”
“You’re bound to feel drained and extremely sore so rest up.” The Paramedic continued “The first signs of any problems, call us straight away.”
“I’ll see you out.” Steve smiled at them all. “You be okay here for a moment?” He looked at Katie.
She nodded, her eyes focussed completely on their daughter, and he kissed her head again before he slid off the bed, leaving Katie alone with her baby for the first time.
She felt drained, but also an overwhelming sense of happiness that it was over, and their baby was there safe and healthy. As she studied her baby some more, she saw that familiar Stark nose which was nudged against her breast as Rori fed, and she was hit by a sudden thought. Katie’s head turned sharply to the digital clock that was on the nightstand, and when realised it was, in fact, after midnight a wave of emotion washed over her and the tears slid freely down her face.
**** Outside Steve shook hands with both the Paramedics who gave him their congratulations, both stating it was an honour to meet him, before he tossed his hand at the ambulance as it drove off, and turned, helping the Dr Kellet load the bags into her car.
“Mr Rogers, it is imperative you keep an eye on your wife.” She looked at him as she closed the trunk to her BMW SUV. “That all happened so fast, her body won’t have had time to release the normal pain relieving endorphins that come with the natural cycles of labour.” Steve swallowed, a surge of affection and pride swilling round his chest before it dissipated into worry.
“But she’s okay? You said they both are, right?”
“Medically she’s fine, the baby is fine but that will have been extremely traumatic for your wife, and as painful as anything I can imagine.” Dr Kellet fished her keys out of her pocket. “She needs to rest. The Paediatrician will be along in the morning, I’ll sort all that out. In the meantime, any issues, no matter what time, hit 9-1-1 and give me a call. But for now, enjoy her and congratulations.” She shook his hand and he thanked her again before he hurried back inside. Once the door shut he leaned against it and let out a deep sigh. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how that had felt for Katie, it had been bad enough for him but, wow. Just when he thought she couldn’t possibly amaze him anymore…
He wiped his hand over his clammy brow, brushed the tear from his cheek that he hadn’t even realise he’d shed and took another deep breath and bounded back up the stairs to his wife and baby girl.
“Hey.” He smiled, before he frowned as he realised she was crying. He crossed the room and climbed onto the bed, reaching out to wipe the tears from her face. “What’s wrong, Doll?” “She was born after midnight.”
“Yeah, twenty three minutes past.” Steve looked at her, and then the realisation of what that meant hit Steve like a sledge hammer. 
“It’s the 29th.” He whispered. 
“Yeah, she has the same birthday as Tony.” Katie sniffed, her face breaking into a little smile.
“So she does.” Steve’s voice was choked with emotion, his eyes misting over. “And I’m sure he’s up there now mumbling something about her stealing his thunder.”
They sat in silence, Katie leaning her head on his shoulder as her sniffles and silent sobs subsided, Steve lost in his own thoughts about his Brother-in-law for a second. This was the first birthday, so to speak, that Tony wouldn’t be here to celebrate. And whilst Steve had known it was going to be an emotional day, they hadn’t banked on it being quite like this.
It was certainly bittersweet, but what a way to remember him.
Steve’s hand reached out, smoothing down the blanket Aurora was wrapped in. “She’s beautiful.” He whispered, kissing Katie’s head the pair of them simply watching their baby as she gave a milky little yawn, turning her head away from Katie’s breast.
“Has another girl stolen your heart Rogers?” She teased, looking at him as she gently rearranged the baby over her shoulder. “Your new princess?”
“Yes.” He deadpanned, and Katie chuckled as she gently rubbed at their baby’s back, before Steve tilted her face round to kiss him softly. “But you’ll always be my Queen.”
**** Of course, later on that morning, once Jamie and Emmy heard their sister had arrived they demanded to come home immediately. So Bucky and Sam did the honours, collecting Emmy from Brooke’s before bringing them both back to the house.
Jamie barrelled up the stairs where he was met by Steve at the top, his dad stopping him from bursting straight in the room to see his mom.
“You gotta be quiet and gentle okay?” Steve crouched down so he could look him in the eyes. “Momma’s had a hard time so she’s a little tired.”
Jamie nodded and Steve stood up, placing his hands on his son’s shoulders from behind as he steered him to the doorway, looking at Katie who smiled at them from where she was led on the bed, Aurora in her arms having just been fed again. Jamie walked into the room and climbed up onto the bed as Emmy stopped by Steve in the doorway.
“Are they both okay?” Emmy asked quietly and Steve pulled her in for a hug and chuckled.
“All fine, go ahead, go meet your sister.”
“She’s all pink.” Jamie peered down at the baby, wrinkling his nose.
“So were you.” Katie chuckled, kissing his head before she smiled up at her daughter. 
“Mom, she’s beautiful.” Emmy whispered, her eyes swimming with tears. “Can I hold her?”
“Sure.” Katie smiled, and gently Emmy took her baby sister in her arms, holding her safely as she smiled down at her little face.
Hey Rori!” Emmy beamed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
As Steve watched his family from the doorway, a warmth swimming in his chest, he felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned, suddenly finding himself in a huge back-slapping, rib crushing embrace from Bucky, before Sam stepped forward, to do the same.
“Congratulations, Punk.” Bucky smiled at him and Steve beamed, taking a deep breath.
“Come on, you can say hi to your goddaughter, guys.” Steve wiped his eyes as Bucky hastily did the same, before the three men stepped into the room. 
Bucky leaned over to give Katie a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations.” He smiled as he stepped back, his hand gently cupping her face as she smiled back at him, before he was jostled out of the way by Sam who bend to give her a huge hug.
“How are you feeling?” Sam asked, pressing a kiss to Katie’s head.
“A little sore and tired but I’m good.” She beamed, her eyes straying to Bucky who was now peering down at Aurora.
“Wow, she’s gorgeous.” Bucky beamed, before he looked at Steve. “You sure she’s yours?”
Steve narrowed his eyes as Sam gave a huge guffaw of laughter, Katie shaking her head as she chuckled. 
“You wanna hold, Uncle Buck?” Emmy asked and Bucky hesitated a little, and Katie didn’t miss the way his metal hand fisted nervously.
“Buck,” She spoke and he turned to face her, swallowing and she nodded. “It’ll be fine.”
Tentatively, Bucky moved and nodded, as Emmy placed Aurora in his arms, a little gasp escaping his mouth as he held her securely, beaming down at her face. He glanced up at Steve who smiled back at him, before Bucky’s attention turned completely back to the tiny human he held. 
Eventually, Sam got a hold too, commenting on how like Katie she looked already, before Jamie let out an exasperated sigh from where he sat cuddled up to his mom.
“Can I hold her now?” He demanded impatiently, as he sat up, his arms folded over his chest in a move that made him look even more ridiculously like his father.
“Course you can, buddy.” Steve smiled, moving towards the bed. He propped a few pillows behind Jamie so he was sat up against the head board before he scooted in, and placed his left arm round his son. Sam gently placed Aurora into Jamie’s arms and she lay there, her head supported in the crook of Steve’s elbow as he helped his son hold her. 
Steve glanced up and shared a look with his wife as she smiled at him and he gave a swallow as he looked round he room before turning his attention to his boy who was now holding his baby sister, grinning down at the newest addition to their family.
To Steve, it was almost unbelievable, and overwhelming even, when he thought back to how this had all stared in a small, run down gym in Brooklyn. Where Katie Stark had walked into Steve Rogers’ life, across the warn linoleum floor and never left. No matter what the world had thrown at them, they had overcome every goddamned obstacle and Steve loved her now more than he had ever believed possible.
She was his wife, the love of his life, his baby momma, the person he had sacrificed fifteen years alone for.
The woman he would die for in a heartbeat.
His home, his world, his forever. 
******* If you’d like to keep in touch with the Rogers’ family, their adventures continue in  Stark Spangled Forever
 **Original Posting**
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what-is-your-plan-today · 5 years ago
Text
Stark Spangled Banner Epilogue: His Forever.
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Intro Part of the journey is the end…
Warnings: “Language!” 
Smut (NSFW) no under 18s.
Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark
Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist
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May 2024
There were various ways in which Katie was used to being woken in the mornings. Sometimes it was by a kiss on the cheek or lips from Steve along with a fresh coffee when he returned from a run. On others she woke up because she was just too damned hot due to Steve being tangled around her like a koala, years of sleeping together hadn’t changed him in that respect. He was needy. Very needy. Some mornings it was down to a cheeky three year old crawling under the covers from the foot of the bed, settling in between his parents for a morning snuggle, Lucky often padding behind him. And then there were the times she was woken in a way which was most certainly not child friendly, in any way, shape or form.
Which was the way she found herself waking that sunny Saturday morning in May, whilst the fist light broke outside their Brooklyn home. She was barely aware of a pair of soft lips gently kissing her neck forming an exquisite contrast to the delectable scratching of a beard against her skin, strong yet gentle hands trailing across her now rather large baby bump and up her sides and curves in a way that made her shudder in anticipation.
Unable to stop herself, she made a sleepy noise in her throat and the owner of said lips and beard smirked against the crook of her shoulder as a hand slid between her legs and caressed the inside of her thigh. Still half asleep, she let out a soft sigh, moving her legs slightly, spreading them wider. She blinked and rolled her head to glance over her shoulder to be met with a pair of bright, blue eyes that were shining with mischief.
“Good Morning.” Steve’s voice was thick with sleep and an unmistakable deep sliver of desire.
“Yeah, it looks that way.” she grinned biting her lip, as his hand moved back up over her stomach “What happened to sleeping in?” “It’s gone 9…” he murmured, his lips gently sucking on the spot behind her ear “You’ve been asleep for 12 hours…” “Not my fault…” she closed her eyes and rolled her head to the side “At least I can sleep this time round.”
Steve let out a chuckle as his hand continued his journey upwards underneath the shirt she was wearing. Much to his relief (for the sake of both their sanity) Katie had found this pregnancy a lot easier than the last one, something she continually insisted was down to her carrying a girl and not an awkward mini-Steve. She still had her cravings. The food this time being strawberries (in any shape be it fresh, dried, flavoured ice cream, flavoured milk) and sex (which Steve was more than happy to help out with) but all in all the sickness had dissipated by 20 weeks, she managed to sleep better and she felt better, he could tell. She wasn’t half as cranky or emotional as she had been last time and seemed to actually enjoy being pregnant, which showed as she was glowing. And Steve had, as a result, found himself constantly horny on the low, and this morning was no exception.
“Not going running?” she asked as his lips continued their assault on her neck.
“It’s weekend"  he muttered, as if that explained it, whilst his arm pulled her back further into her chest and she could feel his hardness pressing into her back. She deliberately pushed back into him, causing him to hiss through his teeth. His hand found her tender breast and gave a soft squeeze, his finger barely brushing over the nipple but it was enough to send a hotwire straight to her groan, causing her to moan loudly.
“Shhh…” he grinned, using the hand of his right arm, that was currently situated underneath her neck to gently tip her head round towards him, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. “God I love you…” he muttered against her lips, pressing his forehead to hers.
“I love you too…” she said, as his hand slid back down her body and worked into her sleep shorts. She gave a hiss, senses heightened as Steve hooked lifted her thigh slightly, placing it over his to keep her legs open.
“Sweetheart, you’re fucking drenched…” he said, breath hot on her lips and she gave a soft groan again.
“Don’t tease me Stevie, please…” she murmured, pressing back further against his crotch. “Need you, daddy.”
And when she begged like that, how could he refuse?
He ground back up against her once before he gently eased the bottom half of her clothing down, shoving his own pyjama pants down.
“We’ve got to be quiet.” Katie reminded him, then contradicted herself, letting out a groan when he shifted gently, keeping her leg over his and slowly pushed into her, his hand grasping on her hips. Katie’s head rolled back further as he began to move gently, his teeth grazed the side of her neck gently chiding,
“Quiet baby.”
Katie whimpered, but did as said turning her face into the pillow, digging the tips of her nails into his arms which were wrapped around her, keeping her close to him as he continued his slow, deep movements, finding a rhythm that was perfect for the lazy morning. He continued to spread sloppy kisses down the back of her neck, and she once more rolled her head to capture his mouth, her breath coming in ragged pants as she neared her release. Steve read the signals and picked up the pace slightly, his hand dropping to her clit and gently stroking.
“Fuck…” she said between her teeth, turning her face to press into the pillows in an attempt to stifle her sinful moans. Steve buried his face into her neck, quelling his own noises of satisfaction, as he rutted up and forward into her again, his fingers deftly working her sensitive bud as he did so. Katie was powerless to do anything but squeal she felt her relief coming, silently screaming as the lights went off before her eyes and she let out a soft keen of delight into the plush bedding that surrounded her face as she tightening and pulsed around him, pushing him over the edge right behind her. He came with a low moan that he stifled by biting down gently on her shoulder.
They lay there in silence for a moment, the only sound was that of their heavy breathing as Steve ran his hand up and down the curve of his wife’s hip, before it curled around her bump, her own hands settling on his forearm as she looked over her shoulder. Steve lifted his head with a lazy smirk gently pressing their lips together again, more than content to stay right where they were and possibly fall back to sleep.
But it seems someone else had other plans. Steve’s head snapped up when his super hearing picked up the sound of a door opening across the landing.
“Incoming…” he muttered before they shared a smile and he pulled out of her, both of them giving another soft sigh as he hastily pulled up his pants, Katie managing to find her sleep shorts that had been discarded somewhere under the covers. And just in time too, as the door opened a crack and a small blonde head peeked in. Jamie grinned upon seeing his parents awake and quickly made a beeline for the bed, diving onto the bottom and crawling up into the middle.
“Morning sweetie.” Katie said as Steve moved the covers so the little boy could settle underneath them.
“Morning momma, morning daddy.” he grinned, giving them both a kiss in turn. A thud on the bottom of the bed told Steve that Lucky had joined the party and sure enough, when he looked down he saw the elderly dog was led with his head on Katie’s feet where they peaked the blanket up.
“Did you sleep well?” Katie asked, smoothing back Jamie’s hair as he sat up in the middle of his parents.
“I had a dream I was on motorbike.” he grinned and Steve chuckled as the boy turned to his father. “Can I ride yours?” Steve looked at Katie who rolled her eyes. He had let Jamie sit on it in the garage a few days before and since then he had been obsessed with the damned thing.
“Maybe later.” he said, “But first, I don’t know about you but I’m pretty hungry.”
“I want pancakes.” Jamie demanded clapping his hands together.
“What d’ya say?” Steve responded gently correcting his manners.
He stilled, staring at Steve, “Please.”
Then they both turned pleading eyes on Katie and she laughed at the ridiculous resemblance between them, “Alright,” she sighed, “We can have pancakes. Again.”
Jamie cheered before announcing, “ Emmy will want pancakes too.” he chirped climbing over his father, drawing a loud huff as his knee dug Steve right in the stomach before he slid off the side of the bed. Katie grinned as he ran off calling for his sister.
“I’ll go start breakfast.” Steve said “I’m assuming you’ll want Strawberries with yours?”
She nodded eagerly “oh and some chocolate chips.” “Any strawberries in your orange juice or you happy to have that straight, today?” he raised an eyebrow at her, remembering her sudden request yesterday that he blended the fruit into her juice. “Our little princess wants what she wants Stevie…” she smirked and he laughed, giving her a peck on the lips before he swung his legs off the end of the bed, standing and grabbing a shirt off the back of the chair by the dresser.
“Nice ass.” Katie complimented cheekily.
He threw a smirk over his shoulder as he turned walking backwards towards the door holding his arms out to the side, giving the usual response “It’s all yours Baby Momma” He told her, turning back round heading out of the door.
Katie giggled and looked at Lucky who was now led on his back, all four legs splayed, in a most undignified position.
“You comfy pal?” she grinned at the dog as his head cocked to one side and his tail began to wag as much as it could due to the position he was in. She rubbed his belly before she heaved herself out of bed and headed into the en-suite for a quick shower. Her back was aching slightly, most likely due to the position she’d just been pleasantly fucked in, but it was nothing she couldn’t cope with. She smiled to herself their baby would be with them any day now. And despite the fact she was petrified about giving birth again, she couldn’t wait to meet her. And neither could Steve.
Once she was dried she pulled on a pair of leggings, a vest top and one of Steve’s flannel button downs before she made her way down to the kitchen, the chatter of her family’s voices hitting her ear as I walked into the room ready for her breakfast.
“Daddy says we can go see Uncle Buck!” Jamie said as she made her way to the table. “At his department.” “Apartment, dude.” Emmy corrected.
“Yeah that!” he grinned “Uncle Sammy will be there later.”
“I said we’d pop by later on.” Steve said as she looked at him “Thought we could walk round if you’re feeling up for it.”
Katie nodded, the apartment Bucky had bought was only a few blocks away. He’d only moved in a few months ago as the paperwork had taken a while to complete and then there had been the rather heated discussion Katie had held with Secretary Ross in order to get both Sam and Bucky some form of compensation, not to mention Bucky’s Army severance pay that was well overdue. Katie had gone to town on the man, thoroughly enjoying the fact he embarrassed him in front of a fair few military leaders accusing him of shirking his responsibilities towards two Veterans, and then the President had stepped in, probably to stop her right hooking him again. As a result, the two men had been given a fairly decent lump sum each, with Katie had doubled using monies from the Stark Relief Fund. Bucky had bought a nice apartment in Brooklyn, whilst Sam had opted to head further into Manhattan. Either way, it made both Katie and Steve chuckle as the two men spent that much time at each other’s respective places they might as well have moved in with one another.
“You wanna come Em?” Katie asked as Steve set a large plate of pancakes down in the middle of the table
“I got homework.” she pulled a face “I’ll probably do a bit then go to Brooke’s. Am I ok to stay the night?” “If it’s ok with Jennifer.” Steve said, placing a dish of strawberries down in front of Katie before he settled into the spare seat as his wife placed a few pancakes on a plate and some bacon for Jamie. The family ate breakfast before Emily retreated upstairs to her room to start her work. Katie and Steve settled in the living room for an hour or two before they dressed and set off on the short walk to Bucky’s apartment.
“Hey buddy!” Bucky grinned as Jamie threw himself at his Uncle, wrapping his arms around his legs. He swung him up, moving backwards to let Katie and Steve both into the apartment. Katie undid her coat and Steve took it from her, as usual, before he shed his own and placed them on the hooks by the door. “You guys walk here?”
Katie nodded “It’s a nice day, pretty warm out.”
“Yeah, I’ve been colder.” Bucky quipped, making her grin. He turned to Jamie “You wanna hot chocolate?”
He grinned and nodded, and they all made their way through into the kitchen. Katie noticed there were a few more photos dotted around the place than last time she had been. She’d done the same for Bucky as she had for Steve years ago and dug a few photos out of archives and various places, making him a frame up which consisted of shots of his family, him and Steve, the Howlies… He’d hung it on the wall and now around it were dotted a few pictures of more recent times, including a few of him and the kids. She smiled gently as she saw the copy of the scan photo they had given him pinned up on the fridge.
It wasn’t long before Sam joined them much to Jamie’s delight and soon the apartment was filled with chattering and laughter, which in turn filled Steve’s chest with a warmth he couldn’t explain, having his best friend in such a domestic setting.
They ate lunch and then settled in the living area where Sam keyed up the Nintendo.
“How’s the job going Steve?” Sam asked sinking back onto the couch, as Bucky and Jamie started Mario Karts. Steve smiled.
“Good, yeah.” he leaned back, taking a drink from his beer bottle. “It’s early days yet but…no I’m enjoying it”  
And he was. Whilst he had been away he’d trained as an art teacher but he had no paper work or anything to back this up formally. So, with Katie’s help he had pitched an idea to the Pratt Institute who had gleefully accepted him as a part time lecturer on their History Programme, providing first hand experiences of being in the War and the Depression. Alongside this, he was working to re-gain the qualifications he needed to teach BFA Drawing. It wasn’t full time, but they didn’t need the money, it was more a case of him needing to do something and he had no desire to join the various military organisations the Government kept trying to tempt him with. He also still hosted one a support group. Bringing everyone back had, as predicted, posed a whole different set of problems so SIDE had continued to fund groups to help in any way they could.
“You on maternity leave yet?” Bucky asked, not looking at Katie “Because, no offence, but you’re huge.” “Thanks.” she glared at the back of his head as he shrugged. “I officially finished on Friday. SIP is in good caretaker hands and Pepper will be overseeing it all so…yeah, that’s it!”
“Just need her here now.” Steve grinned, his hand resting on the back of the sofa behind Katie.
“You need a name first.” Sam raised an eyebrow.
“They got one.” Jamie said, taking his attention off the screen “It’s…” “Woah!” Steve cut him off and shook his head “a secret, remember?”
Jamie clamped his little hands over his mouth “Whoops!”
“Whisper it to me kid…” Sam grinned, leaning down towards Jamie who shook his head furiously.
“That’s naughty Uncle Sammy…” he looked at him, his face furrowed.
“Yeah stop trying to teach my kid bad habits.” Steve shot him a look. “He gets enough off his sister.”
At that point a triumphant cry came from Bucky who’s Luigi Kart had sailed over the line in front of Jamie’s Mario one.
“You cheated.” Jamie looked at him.
“How did I cheat?” he asked.
“I wasn’t watching.” “That’s your own fault…” “Ok, move over Jay…” Sam said, dropping onto the floor by the kid. “I’m gonna kick his ass…”
**** “But I don’t wanna!” Jamie pouted, as Steve held out his coat when it was time to leave “I wanna stay here…” “It’s not up for discussion.” Steve said sternly “jacket on, now.” “Steve…” Bucky smiled “I don’t mind, I can drop him back tomorrow if he wants to stay” “Yeah, please daddy. There’s some of my stuff in the spare room from my last sleep over.” Jamie pleaded.
Steve sighed, and looked at his son who was watching him, hope bright in his eyes.
“Katie?” he asked, looking to his wife. She shrugged.
“He can stay for me, but you’ll have to feed him at some point.” She smiled, looking at Bucky. “Preferably before midnight or he’ll turn into a gremlin.”
The reference was lost on Bucky, but not Sam who laughed.
“Pizza?” Bucky asked and Jamie gave a cheer.
“Pizza is my fave…and Mac and Cheese.” “Looks like he’s all yours then.” Steve said, putting the jacket back on the hook and retrieving Katie’s instead. “Don’t let him stay up too late or we’ll be dealing with the fall out tomorrow.” Bucky saluted Steve who rolled his eyes before he looked at Jamie “Behave or I’ll come pick you up.” Jamie saluted his dad in an identical way to his uncle, making Katie grin. Together, man and wife set off back into the setting sun, Steve’s arm curling round his Katie’s shoulder. As they were alone they decided to take the opportunity for a meal out and headed to a little Italian Bistro Steve had discovered on his run one morning. Katie wasn't that hungry after a large lunch but she managed a decent portion of pizza and pasta, Steve demolishing her left overs as well as his own meal. They left shortly before 11 pm and headed back, their pace easy. They’d made it to the end of their road when she stopped, rubbing at her back.
“You ok?” he asked.
“Yeah, my back’s been playing up all day.” she said, “I’ll be fine in a bit.”
The continued their walk, at a slower pace, until just as they reached their gate Katie felt a tinge across her abdomen. Hissing slightly she rubbed her distended belly through her warm jacket and then the realisation washed over her. The growing back pain, uncomfortable feeling she’d had all day…just like it had been when she had started labour with Jamie.
Steve was watching her as she looked at him, straightening up.
“I think I’ve started…” she said gently.
“Really?” Steve asked, closing the distance between them, hands falling to her hips.
“I think so, I mean it feels the same as last time before the contractions hit…”
Steve’s face was the same mix of excitement and nervousness it had been when she’d gone into labour with Jamie just under 4 years ago and he placed a kiss on her forehead as he pressed his hand to the sensor on the gate.
“Let’s get you in and settled.” he smiled.
Once she was inside, Katie settled on the couch, suddenly very uncomfortable. Steve went into the kitchen to find the heat pack, but he hadn’t even had chance to open the cupboard when a loud yell made him turn and run back into the lounge.
Katie was bent over rubbing at her stomach her face scrunched up in pain.
“Honey?” Steve dropped to his knees in front of her.
She breathed through it and looked at him, nodding “I’m ok.”
“Do we need to go in yet?” he frowned. Katie hook her head, smiling “It’s gonna be faster but not that fast…”
“You want me to run you a bath?” She nodded.
“Alright, come on.” in one easy movement she was in his strong, secure arms as he easily carried her up the stairs.
15 minutes she lay in the bath, the warm water providing a little comfort until she felt another contraction. She counted and this one lasted for a good 60 seconds. Shit. She couldn’t possibly be in full labour though, it was far too fast! She lay still for another 10 minutes then another hit her and this time she was unable to stop the scream leaving her mouth as she bent her head forward then back against the rim of the bath. She heard heavy steps bounding up the stairs and the door to the bathroom opened.
“Sweetheart?” “Steve…” she looked at him, panic on her face “That’s 3 in less than 40 minutes. I think we need to…” “Alright, come on…” he said, walking over the room then stopping as glanced down into the bath water, his eyes widening as he swallowed slightly.
“What…” Katie looked down and spotted the blood in the bath water. And then she started to panic. “Oh God, Steve, there’s something wrong…” “Ok, Honey, look at me…” he said, kneeling by the bath, hand on her face, trying to appear calm when he was anything but. “Let’s get you out and I’ll call Dr Kellet ok?”
“Ok…” Steve gently hooked his arms under her shoulders and easily lifted her out of the tub, wrapping her in a towel robe, just before another contraction hit her and she gripped at the sink for support, gritting her teeth as he rubbed her back.
Steve stayed there, right by her side and he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“Dr Kellet?” he cleared his throat “its Steve Rogers…sorry to bother you at the weekend, but…” “It’s not a problem Mr Rogers.” she greeted him, “I’m on call today anyway. How can I help?”
But before he had even had a chance to explain the timings and what was going on, Katie gripped his arm.
“No,no, no…” she said, her voice almost a plea of disbelief “Steve, I need to push…”
His eyes widened
“Ok I heard that…” Dr Kellet said in his ear “Make her as comfortable as possible, I’ll be with you as soon as I can, I’m only round the corner, lucky for you I’ve been out on another call.” “Thank you.”
He put the phone down and turned to his wife who was now crying.
“Steve I don’t want my baby here…” she sobbed.
“Hey…” he said, his hands on her ace. “Dr Kellet is on her way ok…
“I need to go…” “Sweetheart, if we take you to the hospital chances are you’re gonna have her in the car or the ambulance… so we’re gonna have to stay here…” he said gently.
“But…” “It’s gonna be fine…”he assured her, not quite sure where his confidence was coming from as frankly he was anything. However, he knew the more he panicked, the more she would so he had no alterative but to put a brave face on. 
Katie refused to move from her spot in the bathroom, despite his best attempts. And the following 7 minutes and 34 seconds that it took Dr Kellet to arrive were the longest of Steve’s life. When the buzzer to the gate finally sounded he bounded down the stairs, helped the woman with her kit bag, and hastily led her straight up to the bathroom.
Katie was now screaming in pain as the Doctor knelt beside her, where she was still hovering over the sink.
“Mrs Rogers…” she said gently snapping on a pair of gloves “I’m just going to take a look ok?” Katie nodded as Steve’s arm curled around her shoulder. After a few seconds the woman stood up.  
“Fully dilated and engaged.” she looked at Katie “This baby is on its way…”
“What? …no I need to be at the hospital…” Katie began to cry. “Mrs Rogers, trust me that is not an option…” she looked at Steve “Where’s your bedroom…”
“Erm…straight across the hall, last door to your left.” he said, his hand rubbing at Katie’s back as she screamed again.
“We need to get her led down before baby gets distressed” she instructed, moving out of the room and picking up her kit bag. 
“Steve…” Katie turned to him as the Doctor hurried into their room “I can’t…” “Honey, like the doctor said, I don’t think we have an option.” he said smiling softly. He could see the fear in her eyes and it killed him. “But the Dr Kellet is here…it’ll be ok. Now, come on…let’s get you settled.”
He carried her into the bedroom where Dr Kellet had unpacked most of her equipment and was throwing a plastic sheet over their bed.
“I know this isn’t what you planned” she said to Katie gently as she screamed in pain again as Steve gently placed her on the bed.
“but, Mrs Rogers, you’re experiencing something called Precipitous labour.” she explained as Steve knelt on the floor besides her, taking her hand in his, the fingers of the other one brushing her hair off her face. “It’s rare but not completely unheard of. Just means things happen very fast…” Katie really didn’t care what it was called. All she knew was that the pain was excruciating. Worse than with Jamie, and she had no relief either.
“It hurts…” she said, laying her head against the pillow, turning to face Steve who dropped a kiss to her forehead before her entire body tensed up as Dr Kellet knelt on the bed.
“Go with it.” The doctor instructed and Steve’ kissed the back of his wife’s hand.
“I got you, I promise…” he said. “You can do this sweetheart.” So she went with it, screaming as her tears freely flowed. She was in agony, and had never felt anything like it in her life. But all she could think about was that their girl needed to arrive, safely, and to do that she had to fight through her own discomfort for her.
3 pushes later a piercing scream hit their ears and Katie collapsed back, and Steve felt pure relief flood over him as their tiny daughter was positioned on his wife’s chest, soft skin against hers through the top of her gown.
“Steve…” Katie managed to gasp, looking at him as he lay his head against hers, looking down at their baby girl.
“She’s just like you…” he stuttered, his large and shaking hand gently moving her gown so he could see his daughter. She was smaller than Jamie had been, despite the fact he had been earlier, with a smattering of dark hair. Her eyes cracked open, a sliver of light baby blue peered up at them as she snuggled further into Katie’s chest and she dropped a kiss to her head.
“Hey princess…” Steve whispered, as he too pressed his lips to her soft head “You gave us a bit of a scare there!”
He looked at Katie, his eyes shining “I’m so proud of you” he said softly, pressing his lips to hers “So fucking proud.”
The usual weighing and APTA scores were done, their daughter was cleaned up and wrapped in a soft pink blanket that Steve pulled from the packed hospital bag. Whilst Dr Kellet busied herself writing up her notes and cleaning up the equipment, stashing it all in some kind of bag, neither of them paid her any attention. Steve was too busy cradling his baby girl to his chest and Katie was simply watching him, smiling as he was sporting the same adoring look on his face that he got every time he looked at Jamie.
“Does she have a name yet?” Dr Kellet asked gently.
Steve and Katie smiled at each other. Oh did she have a name…
“I think the new baby should be called Nala.” Jamie nodded firmly, his mind made up.
“Let me guess, after the lion?” Steve looked at him, the boy’s Disney Film of choice at the moment was The Lion King. Jamie nodded.
“We’re not calling her Nala.” Katie shook her head, “Although there is another Disney Princess that has a name I like.” Steve looked at her “Really?”
“Yeah. Remember that night in Scotland when we took a midnight walk to see the Northern Lights?” Steve smiled, he remembered that night very well. And he knew instantly what name she was referring to. In fact, given the circumstances in which their baby had come back, he couldn’t think of anything more appropriate.
“Aurora.” Steve said softly, looking at the Doctor “Aurora Sarah Natasha Rogers.”
“The Goddess of Dawn.” Dr Kellet smiled “I like it.”
Her words weren’t lost on either of them. Aurora had come back to them, like daybreak always came back no matter how long the night. It was the perfect name for their perfect little girl.
Steve smiled and spotted that Aurora was getting fidgety, just as Jamie had done, burying his face into his chest-rooting- so he passed her to Katie. Just like she had with Jamie, although this time she knew what she was doing she positioned her to her breast and the baby began to nurse as Steve settled on the bed next to her, watching as her cheeks worked hungrily.
“Well the good news is I’m happy for you to stay home.” Dr Kellet said and they both looked up, smiling. “But you need to rest, Mrs Rogers. I didn’t want to worry you both before but Precipitous labour is extremely rare. In my 20 years of practicing I’ve only ever seen it 4 times. You did amazingly well, but you’re bound to feel drained and extremely sore so rest up. And the first signs of any problems, you call me, no matter the time”
“I’ll see you out.” Steve said, “You be ok here for a mo?” he looked at her
She nodded and he kissed her head again before he slid off the bed. The two left and Katie was alone with her baby for the first time. As she glanced down at her nursing she was hit by a sudden realisation and she glanced at the clock to check. When she realised it was, in fact, after midnight a wave of emotion washed over her and the tears slid freely down her face.
Outside Steve helped the Doctor load the bags into her car.
“Mr Rogers, it is imperative you keep an eye on your wife” Dr Kellet looked at him. “That happened so fast it means that her body won’t have had time to release the normal pain relieving endorphins that come with the natural cycles of labour.” Steve swallowed, a surge of affection and pride swilling round his chest before it dissipated into worry.
“But she’s ok? They both are, right?”
“Medically she’s fine, the baby is fine but that will have been extremely traumatic for your wife, and as painful as anything I can imagine.” She shut the trunk to the car “She needs to rest. The Paediatrician will be along in the morning, I’ll sort all that out. In the meantime, any issues, no matter what time. Give me a call. And congratulations.” She shook his hand and he thanked her again before he hurried back inside. Once the door shut he leaned against it and let out a deep sigh. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how that had felt for Katie, it had been bad enough for him but… just when he thought she couldn’t possibly amaze him anymore… he wiped his hand over his clammy brow, brushed the tear from his cheek that he hadn’t even realise he’d shed and took another deep breath and bounded back up the stairs to his wife and baby girl.
“Hey…” he said, crossing the room and climbing onto the bed, reaching out to wipe the tears from her face. “What’s wrong kitten?” “It's after midnight...its the 29th." She sniffed "she has...the same birthday as Tony…”
“So she does.” he said softly, his own eyes tearing over. “And I'm sure he's up there now mumbling something about her stealing his thunder.”
Katie leaned her head on his shoulder, as he pressed a kiss to her head, the pair of them simply watching their baby.
“Has another girl stolen your heart Rogers?” she teased, looking at him. “Your new princess?”
“Yes.” he deadpanned, and Katie chuckled before he tilted her face round to kiss him softly “but you’ll always be my Queen.”
**** Of course, later on that morning, once Jamie and Emmy heard their sister had arrived they demanded to come home immediately. So Bucky and Sam did the honours, picking Emmy up and dropping them home.
Jamie barrelled up the stairs where he was stopped by Steve at the top.
“You gotta be quiet and gentle ok?” Steve said, hands on his shoulders from behind as he steered him to the doorway, looking at Katie. “Momma’s had a hard time so she’s a little tired…”
Jamie nodded and he walked into the room and climbed up onto the bed.
“Is she ok?” Emmy asked quietly. Steve pulled her in for a hug and chuckled.
“All fine, go ahead…”
“She’s all pink.” Jamie said peering down at the baby.
“So were you.” Katie said, kissing his head. “Want a hold Em?”
Emmy nodded and took the baby off her mom, smiling down “Hey Rori!” she smiled.
Steve felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned, and was pulled into a huge back slapping embrace by Bucky, then Sam, as they furiously shook hands with him, congratulating him.
“Come say hi to your goddaughter guys.” Steve said, wiping his eyes as Bucky hastily did the same, before they stepped into the room. Aurora was passed around to her Uncles, quite happy to be cuddled by everyone. Well, almost everyone…
“Can I hold her now?” an impatient Jamie demanded.
“Course you can buddy.” Steve said, moving towards the bed. He propped a few pillows behind Jamie so he as sat up against the head board before he scooted in, and placed his left arm round his son, and his right under both of Jamie’s arms as Bucky gently placed Aurora into them. She lay in Jamie’s arms, her head supported in the crook of Steve’s elbow as he helped his son hold her. He glanced up and shared a look with his wife as she smiled at him.
To think that this had all stared in a small, run down gym in Brooklyn. Where Katie Stark had walked into his life and never left. No matter what the world had thrown at them, they had overcome every goddamned obstacle and Steve loved her now more than he had ever believed possible. Because she was his wife, the love of his life, his baby momma, the woman he had sacrificed 15 shitty years alone for, the woman he would die for in a heartbeat.
His home, his world, his forever. 
@the-omni-princess​  @momobaby227​ @geekofmanythings16​ @angelofhell-666​ @thewackywriter​ @marvelfansworld​​   @cobalt-gear​  @asgardlover75​ @jennmurawski13​​​   @jtargaryen18​​  @saiyanprincessswanie​​   @navispalace​​ @patzammit​​   @joannaliceevans-fanficblog​​   @icanfeelastormbrewing​​ @djeniiscorner​​   @ayamenimthiriel​​   @coldmuffinbanditshoe​​   @disneylovingal​​ @madzmilllz​   @sgtjaamesbaarnes​
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masonduchanne · 5 years ago
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hey what’s up i’m sunny, i’m 23, and i never freakin learned how to read! 
wow, i actually have an intro this time for my character?? will peachy-keen’s ever get written?? who knows. welcome to mason’s sad life though. @frostfordstart​
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Being the oldest kid was always tough, but being the oldest with four younger sisters? Well, Mason had his work cut out for him from the start. Growing up, he had always been the caretaker. Someone scraped their knee? He was there with the bandaid. Someone was throwing a fit? He would be the one to calm them down. His parents did their best on their own, but with both of them working full time, and such a doting oldest son - it wasn’t long until more responsibilities began weighing on the young boy’s shoulders. Of course, he didn’t mind making his sister’s lunches or making sure they got to school in the morning. He didn’t mind giving up on sleepovers and football games all throughout middle school to babysit on the weekends - as long as he could make sure his sisters’ were okay, then he would be okay too.
It wasn’t until he was in high school - hormones raging, and rebellion growing within him - that he began to crave his own path. He was always there to lend a helping hand, always there to defend his sisters when they needed him. But for the first time in his life he began to realize that only ever being acknowledged for taking care of his sisters wasn’t enough for him. By the end of his freshman year, he was already on the baseball team, the football team - the president of his class, and well on the way to snagging the nomination for sophomore class president in the coming year. He worked harder than he had ever worked before to keep his grades up, but it wasn’t enough to outshine the torch that his parents would always hold for his younger sisters. He didn’t resent the girls - he never could - but he would be lying if he said he hadn’t felt the slightest bit jealous of the attention that they got.
When it came time to choose his fate - where to go to college, what to do with his life  - the wishes of his family was nearly enough to keep him home in Alabama. But the pull of the city was too tempting for the southern boy, and before he knew it, he was off to Berkeley, California to study medicine. Mason missed his sisters more than anything - he missed the little town he grew up in, and he missed being close to his parents - but he felt like he had finally found himself in the Bay Area, and that feeling was too good to give up. Sure, he always made his way back home on the holidays - showed up for a surprise on more than one birthday - but Mason made himself a promise in Berkeley. He would never get stuck in Frostford ever again.
The vow was only strengthened when Mason met the love of his life. Allison Rose. It was only his second year in college when he saw her standing near the keg at a frat party; his throat going dry at the sight of her. It was like a dream from the very first moment they spoke, and like a whirlwind they were in love before they knew it. Dating led to moving in together, and moving in together led to an engagement. His entire family flew out to California for the wedding, and his sisters stood proudly as ‘groomsmaids’ during the ceremony. They were married before either of them even had so much as a Bachelor’s degree, but they were sure they had a whole life ahead of them to figure things out together. That was, until Allison got sick. The couple had three good years before the ground Beneath their feet began to crumble, and Mason was forced right back into his most seasoned role: caretaker. Only this time, no matter what he did, he couldn’t seem to heal the woman he loved. He couldn’t even seem to help her. Still, he stayed up at her side every single night - spent countless hours researching anything that might save her. He dropped out of college, and prayed every night to a god he didn’t believe in. But Mason was only human. The funeral went by in a blur. Hordes of family and friends giving him their best wishes went by unnoticed. He hardly remembers how all four of his sisters spent every night for a month squished into the apartment he had shared with Allison. The only thing that he could make sense of through the haze in his head was the pain. He missed his wife. He missed the beautiful life they had imagined for themselves; so many plans gone astray. He wasn’t sure he was ever going to feel okay again, but with his sisters begging him to live his life again, he didn’t feel like he had much choice when it came to healing – or faking it, at least.  They needed him, just like they always had; his whole family did. Though the walls he built around his heart certainly never went unnoticed, he had had enough of checking out of his own life.
In an attempt to get away from the memories that haunted the walls of the home he and Allison had shared together, he went along with his sisters back to his hometown. The one place he swore he would never go back to; Frostford. But with the help of his family he made it back to college – somehow made it all the way through med school. There wasn’t enough time to think when he was constantly on his feet, after all; barely sleeping and always waiting for the next patient.
It’s been nearly eight years now since the love of his life left him, and though he wishes he could tell the whole world he’s moved on… he knows there’s a piece inside of him that’s doomed to stay broken. A hole he’s been trying to fill with vodka and a xanax slipped to him under the table for as long as he can remember. It’s not the best method of coping, but… for a guy with so much on his shoulders, what else can he do?
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componentplanet · 5 years ago
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Top Cars of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show That Never Was
Out of an “abundance of caution,” a phrase we’re hearing a lot, the Swiss government pulled the plug on the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS). Since this is 2020, not 1990, the news from the show went out anyway as automakers switched to video reveals over the past week. Geneva intros fall into three categories: a wide range of mainstream and upscale cars from across the world; a lot of EVs and some plug-in hybrids because Europe is moving more quickly (governments for sure, buyers somewhat less so) to alternative energy sources; and the eye-candy $150,000-$3 million cars for those flush with oil money and others who Americans, from a distance, sniff at as Eurotrash.
Geneva is not just any auto show. In the even years when there’s no Frankfurt show, this is the world’s most important auto show. And unlike Frankfurt, Detroit, and Tokyo, there’s no hometown bias since Switzerland has barely any auto industry. It does have a lot of wealthy residents and visitors with money to burn. Here’s our take on virtual Geneva 2020.
2021 Audi A3 gets a standard 10.1-inch center display. The instrument panel goes up to 12.3 inches.
The 2021 Audi A3 debuted with a showing of the Sportback version, meaning hatchback, which will ship later this year along with the A3 sedan. It has bolder styling and will be heavy on tech with a 10.1-inch center stack display standard, this on a subcompact vehicle about 175 inches long. At a time when some mainstream small cars are doing 8 inches as standard, this is one way to justify a price tag that can push into the forties. The instrument panel is digital, too (dubbed Audi Virtual Cockpit), with a 12.3-inch version optional and offering more display modes.
International editions will get small turbocharged gas and diesel engines. The US gets a larger turbo-four (gas) with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Sport S3 and RS3 versions will come later. Ditto hybrid versions. The big difference: the US for sure will get an A3 sedan but probably not the A3 Sportback. That’s because it’s a hatchback. But you could also call it a small SUV – many of which have sloping rear rooflines – and we’d happily buy. Although to our eyes it mostly looks like a wagon, which is another body style Americans aren’t currently keen on.
The Fiat 500 will be an EV-only vehicle with a range 0f 175-200 miles depending on test procedure.
The beloved little Fiat 500 Cinquecento (Italian for 500) – beloved for its style and sporty driving, less so for reliability – is gone as a combustion-engine car. Bigger Fiats such as the Fiat 500X motor on, and the Cinquecento is to become a battery electric vehicle. An older version was called the 500e but now that electric is the only way you’ll get a Fiat 500, it will be the 2021 Fiat 500, no e.
The new EV 500 has doubled its range. Fiat says it can drive up to 199 miles (320 km) using a 42.0-kWh battery. That’s on the European WLTP test, which stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure. Harmony or not, US EPA numbers are lower, perhaps 175 miles. For a car that’d be great urban runabout, 175 would be plenty, but American buyers like 250-300 miles even more. Because of this, Fiat has not yet said if it’s bringing the new 500 to the US. Right now, pure EV sales are less than 1.5 percent of the US vehicle market, and the majority of those sales belong to Tesla, at least currently.
Eight-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s the only Golf Americans will get: the fast one.
Golf GTI cockpit.
The 2021 Golf GTI is redesigned inside and out. This is the sportiest of VW’s compact (actually, subcompact at 168 inches long), four-door Golfs. Let’s jump ahead to why lots of people buy GTIs: The 2.0-liter turbo-four engine climbs from 228 to 245 hp, and torque from 258 to 276 pound-feet. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual, or millennial anti-theft device, as VW says in its ads – and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is offered.
VW had some years with mixed reliability. That’s better. The most recent Consumer Reports reliability survey has VeeDub right at average. And since reliability has gone up over time, VW is in a good spot. Still, as VW works to rebuild sales, it isn’t bringing every variation to the US. For now, only the sportiest Golf will be offered, even if this car, with its upright seating, provides a lot of rear-seat comfort and luggage capacity.
Hyundai Prophecy is much smoother-looking than 2019’s sharply edged 45 Concept.
The Hyundai 911 Turbo. Or so it seems.
How many more reminders do we need to understand what a mature car company the Hyundai group has become? Now there’s the Prophecy concept EVd using Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness concept. The effect is of an elongated, lowered Tesla Model 3 done right, with beautiful curving lines and few interruptions (such by side mirrors) in the concept. In the rear view, there’s a spoiler that pays homage to Porsche 911s. Inside the cockpit, the steering would be done by joystick, at least on the concept.
Propulsion, were the concept to come to market, would be electric-only, and Hyundai vows to have 44 electrified vehicles by 2025. According to Hyundai, “The expectation is to sell more than 670,000 battery and fuel cell electric vehicles annually by this time [2025], and to be positioned among the top three EV providers globally.”
BMW i4 Concept: Shipping in Europe late 2021, US early 2022.
The BMW i4 Concept is the stalking horse for a late 2021 / early 2020 3 Series-sized EV. It’s a closer-to-production advance on the Concept 4 coupe from last fall’s Frankfurt Motor Show. (See, with all the motor shows, sometimes you have more than one concept, plus the final shipping car, and you’ve got new at three shows.) It will be a powerhouse, with 530 hp and a sub-4-second 0-60 mph time.
Range is in flux, or rather the world’s competing test cycles are not in sync. The WLTP figure says 600 km or 373 miles. But BMW says on EPA tests, range will likely be in the mid-200s. Length is listed at 189 inches, or 3 inches longer than the 3 Series sedan. Based on BMW’s evolving naming convention, 4 in the name means 4 Series means the coupe version of the 3 Series, and four doors make it a 4 Series Gran Coupe. We believe most buyers don’t need 300 miles of range most of the time. But try telling that to someone cross-shopping the Tesla Model 3 that provides two options: 250 miles (standard range) or 322 miles (long range). While Tesla is the industry’s benchmark for battery efficiency, long range, and loyal followers who put Bernie Bros to shame, BMW is the leader in cockpit telematics and the past few years the premium German automakers have developed a reputation for highly reliable cars (Porsche, Audi, and BMW; Mercedes-Benz is a bit below average currently).
Fisker Ocean will have a head-up displaying karaoke lyrics. Your life is now complete.
Fisker Ocean cockpit. No, no 48-inch display across the dash. That’s Byton.
The Fisker Ocean SUV got its European (virtual) debut at the non-Geneva show, reprising some of what the industry saw in Las Vegas at CES 2020. It is “the world’s most sustainable vehicle” with a vegan interior, offers a solar roof adding up to 1,000 miles a year of range (that is, 3 miles a day) in sunny climes, and Fisker would prefer to lease out the Ocean rather than sell this compact (183-inch) SUV: $379 a month with $3,000 down.
Safety fanatics may freak, but Fisker says there’ll be a head-up display with karaoke mode, meaning the lyrics to songs will be projected at the base of the windshield so you can sing along. Fisker’s challenge is that the company will be coming to market along with a lot of other electric vehicles from vendors with lengthy pedigrees. But then, Tesla was just a startup, too, and not long ago.
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport: You can’t afford it. Most people who can are too old to get in. There is justice.
Some Bugatti customers had a complaint. Not the $3 million price tag. (Paying that kind of money proves you’re a Player.) Nor was it the top speed well over 200 miles per hour. Rather it was the feeling the car wasn’t 100 percent comfortable to drive at speed.  Now comes the Chiron Pur Sport.
The Pur Sport is lighter, but it also has a six-foot-wide spoiler to plant the car at its insanely high speeds. The engine remains the same: 16 cylinders, quad-turbos, and 1,500 horsepower. The tradeoff is the top speed of about 235 mph has been scaled back to 217 mph. Price will be $3.3 million and 65 will be built.
Now read:
EVs Finally Get Some Love from the Most Important JD Power Study
2020 Subaru Forester Review: The Safety-First, Can’t-Go-Wrong-Buying-One Compact SUV
Tesla Teardown Scares Competitors: ‘We Cannot Do This’
from ExtremeTechExtremeTech https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/307280-top-cars-of-the-2020-geneva-motor-show-that-never-was from Blogger http://componentplanet.blogspot.com/2020/03/top-cars-of-2020-geneva-motor-show-that.html
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thebandcampdiaries · 7 years ago
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Rex Macadangdang - The Pasadena Sessions
Great positive vibes from the debut EP of a budding LA artist!
“The Pasadena Sessions” is a brand new EP release from Los Angeles artist Rex Macadangdang. The record features four exciting new track, which showcases Rex’s unique sonic visions and characterful personality. Although based in Los Angeles, Rex was born in Kansas City, with Filipino roots - when not busy crafting stunning melodies, he loves to make videos for other artists, dabbles in sociology and loves spicy foods. Has he says, “the hotter, the better!”
You can tell that Rex loves a little spice throughout life simply by listening to the colorful, exciting vibes of his eclectic music and his diverse artistic approach.
His sound is a great example of heartfelt lyrics, converging with stunning melodies and driven beats. While some artists seem to aim to entertain their audience solely, Rex aims to set the bar higher and create songs that connect with the listeners on a deeper level. This is certainly the case with the tracks featured on “The Pasadena Sessions.” These four songs showcase a really special approach to production, particularly striking for the organic and natural feel of these tracks. The opening number is a powerful and upbeat tune with a retro feel - the track is a rendition of  “Beautiful and Amazing,” and it reminds me of a 60s pop song, with staccato guitar riffs, edgy beats, and compelling vocal harmonies. The song is particularly striking because it has a really beautiful retro vibe while retaining a strong modern edge. The verses are quite catchy and easy going, while the choruses acquire a lot of depth, going for a rich arrangement that truly opens up, making for a spectacular rendition of this great track. The second track, “Gimme Love” follows along the same vein. In addition to the stunning vocal harmonies and direct arrangements, the violin and cello bring a special vibe to this song, particularly effective in the intro and the choruses. This is a feel-good performance of a stunning and timeless song, which feels retro, yet fascinatingly modern at the same time. The sparkling clean electric guitar melodies are particularly perfect to counteract the uplifting vocal tones.
“Melody” stands out as one of the best and most thought-provoking tracks on this release. While retaining a lot of consistency throughout these songs, Rex is also keen on experimenting and adding new elements to each song. In this particular case, the saxophone is a refreshing addition to the sonic palette of this EP. The instrument has been performed by the excellent Cameron Black, who appears as a guest musician on this release, alongside a cast of other talented players who contributed to the instrumental backbone of this record under the expert production of Doug Grean. “Melody” has a special vibe with a lot of feeling: the dream-like features of this track almost makes me think of Oasis, trying to cover the E Street Band with Pink Floyd’s instrumentation - classy and beautiful to say the least.
Last but decidedly not least, “Walking In The Rain” is the fourth and final track featured in this release. This song also features sax, violin, and cello, broadening the classic rock band line up with a lot of different colors and spices. This arrangement is direct and seamless, yet very direct and easy to relate to, with Rex’s far-reaching and emotional vocals to the forefront.
“The Pasadena Sessions” will be a great listen for fans of Noel Gallagher/Oasis, Coldplay, The Beatles, The Fray or Neil Young, just to mention but a few. One of the most striking features of Rex’s amazing songs is how he managed to capture many retro elements and vintage flavors, by translating them into a uniquely modern way. As a result, this EP has a very flavorful retro twist, which still feels extremely contemporary and very catchy.
Following up to successful previous releases such as “A Better Place” or “Let’s Ride It Out,” “The Pasadena Sessions” marks the beginning of a great and prolific year for Rex Macadangdang. This talented artist is the perfect embodiment of a singer/songwriter with a lot of heart, but with the ability to please the crowd by allowing different attitudes and style to converge, due to his striking personality and eclectic taste for rock, pop and more. A lot of indie artists tend to have a rather melancholic feel, exploring a dark and eerie tone, often full of minor chords and droned-out atmospheres. On the other hand, Rex is particularly distinctive for his sunny, spontaneous and positive vibes. Throughout “The Pasadena Sessions,” I couldn’t help but tap my feet, smile, and sing-along to each track. This is the perfect example of how artists can create a record that feels engaging and can positively affect the mood of a listener. There is this weird notion that artists need to somehow look sad in order to be taken seriously - Sure, a lot of great art comes from dealing with pain and misery, but who said happiness couldn’t be an inspiration as well? Authentic positive music is surprisingly hard to come by, but thankfully, artists such as Rex Macadangdang are here to make a big difference and bring something new to the audience. There is something innovative, yet refreshingly familiar in these songs, which allow listeners to connect from the get-go and enjoy a memorable experience. I could imagine driving in the California sun, blasting these songs out loud from my car stereo!
“The Pasadena Sessions” is currently available online in its entirety. The release can be streamed for free on the artist’s official Bandcamp account, but listeners can purchase all the songs for only $4. This is a great way to support this hard-working artist who is so committed to delivering outstanding performances to his audience.
Find out more about Rex Macadangdang and do not miss out on “The Pasadena Sessions” or other releases:
https://rexmacadangdang.bandcamp.com/album/the-pasadena-sessions
https://rexmusical.com/
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