Rereading my notes and a handful of partially written scenes from American Phoenix and wondering if I’m truly prepared for the trauma of this fic. 

I’m not. 

I know I’m not. 

Alas, I will do it any way.

Ready or not the sequel to American Punchline is starting. If you missed the original you can catch up here.

American Phoenix on AO3

Summary: Picking up shortly after the conclusion of American Punchline, we continue to follow TJ and Steve as they maneuver their new relationship and the entire team as they navigate life together. With Fury’s warning of something amiss at SHIELD, the team discovers information that proves unsettling. Will new relationships survive when a ghost from the past reappears and the reality they thought they knew changes. In other words, what the heck is going to happen to our little family when I give CA:TWS a complete overhaul (and maybe a smidge of Civil War for good measure). Events of this universe take part post-Avengers, but pre-everything else in the MCU. That won’t stop me from finding ways to introduce various characters if they play a part.

(BTW, I hate coming up with titles but the idea of the phoenix struck a chord with me as it relates to at least 2 of the characters in this story ...)

If you’re joining this ride - settle in and get comfy. American Punchline was a 2 year labor of love, laughter, and tears. I make no guarantees that this one wraps up any sooner. 

And now on with the story ....

One of the lights in my already fairly dark office went out and everyone now comments on how dark it is. The upside is the ability to make cheesy Star Wars references because of the noticeable difference in the room.

At work trying to get focused on a project and decided this was a good idea. Why did I think that?

I know a video of Sia’s Alive probably seems really random, but today this song has left me really wishing I still had time to do things like make videos because right now this is totally screaming “Bucky survived all the HYDRA bullshit and is back by Steve’s side” to me. 

Sia - Alive (BEST PERFORMANCE - Live From The Graham Norton Show)

If you find me hiding under the covers sobbing, just know that these gifs represent just part of what I’m going to attempt to handle in the American Punchline sequel. 

Remind me why I do this to myself? 

My only concession is that while it won’t all be sunshine and roses, my darlings (Steve & TJ) will face it together.

American Punchline - The Final Chapter

A TJ Hammond/Steve Rogers Crossover

You can find the previous chapters here (or on AO3).

Note: This final chapter is a bit long, but hopefully worth it.

Chapter 69

Still burrowed under the covers, Steve curled on his side to watch as TJ slept. He looked so different here than he had when they first met. Resisting the temptation to brush a stray lock of hair away from TJ’s eye, the blond couldn’t help but smile.

“I can feel you watching me,” TJ spoke a few minutes later.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you.” Steve frowned, realizing that staring at the other man sleeping was probably kind of creepy.

“S’okay. It’s probably time to get up anyway.” TJ rolled to his side, noticing the faint redness on Steve’s cheeks and his closed eyes. “I’m surprised I haven’t ever woken you up doing the same thing.”

Steve’s eyes shot open, his head cocking slightly in confusion.

“You think I’ve never watched you sleep?” TJ chuckled. “Seriously, that’s all I did night you showed up at my door after your nightmare.”

This time it was Steve that let out a small huffing, laugh. “What gave me away?”

“Nat’s right. It’s a good thing you didn’t try to become a spy.” TJ skirted the question, leaning forward to kiss Steve on the tip of his nose instead. As his lips brushed the soldier’s skin, he realized just what he was doing.

I just wrote the final words of American Punchline. Not gonna lie I’m totally emotional right now. 

69 chapters, 108,776 words, 2 years of my life, a lot of laughter, and almost as many years later and the story I never anticipated is finally done. 

I’m not even sure what to do now.

Quick question

Those that are tagged here are the list from the first American Punchline story. Since it only has one chapter left before I start work on the other AP-verse fics, I wanted to get confirmation if you guys still want to be tagged in the subsequent works. 

If you want to stay (or be added if you aren’t on the list and want to be added, please either like, reblog, or message me. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll remove you from the tagging list. 

Just kidding, I will not consider it abandonment if you elect not to continue on... I just haven’t had a reason to use this gif in a while ;)

Just let me know :)

Link to the American Punchline master post in case anybody wants to know WTF this is about ...

The current list:  @steverogersnotebook @marvel-at-stucky@colorfulcandypainter@buckythetinman@dwindlingdichotomy@captainbuckybarness@readergirl1013@purplechewbacca@eyeluvmusic21@penny-yolo@sarahsassafras13 @lilbitmo0re@justfollowtheroad @sebstan-theman@dickpuncher365@captaincutebutt@unabashedlyfoggybanana @hopefulfangirlblr@katherinekittentaylor@brb-theres-cookies@sciencebeam

American Punchline Ch 68

A TJ Hammond/Steve Rogers Crossover

You can find the previous chapters here (or on AO3).

Note: This is the end for American Punchline. See note at the end regarding where we go from here.

Chapter 68

“I don’t know about you guys, but I could go for something sweet before I crash.” Tony didn’t bother stopping or turning around to face the others as he headed for the kitchen. They would either follow or they wouldn’t.

TJ shook his head, laughing at the billionaire as they followed. Once they reached the kitchen, he veered off toward one of the less used counters. “Lucky for you, I happen to know where to find something sweet.”

Tony aborted his trek to the fridge, spinning around to find TJ. “Yep. Those look sweet.”

This time everyone laughed as Tony all but started bouncing up and as TJ walked toward him carefully balancing two rather delicious looking cakes.

“How did you find time to make those?” Pepper asked as she rounded the island to help Steve retrieve plates and silverware.

“We baked them yesterday evening while prepping dinner and finished them after everyone headed to bed for the night.” Steve grinned. “TJ rather correctly assumed we might want something when we got home.”

American Punchline Ch 67

A TJ Hammond/Steve Rogers Crossover

You can find the previous chapters here (or on AO3).

Note:  When you’re working on chapter 68 and realize that while you posted chapter 67 on AO3 before Christmas, you failed to post it on Tumblr. Ooops.

Chapter 67

“How do you think it’s going so far?” TJ looked anxiously at Steve as they ducked into the small room designated as command central.

“Amazing based on the reactions I’ve been getting. What about you?”

“Better than I ever expected. It feels so weird.” TJ shrugged, turning a bit so Steve couldn’t really see his face.

“Hey. Why are you trying to hide?” Cap reached out, tugging TJ closer to him.

Letting his head fall against Steve’s shoulder, TJ thought about Steve’s question. “Ingrained reaction?”

Resting his chin atop TJ’s head, Steve wrapped his arms around him hoping that it would help center him as TJ always claimed it did.

After a few silent moments, TJ finally spoke up. “I guess it’s a couple of things.” He paused for a second. “I’m not used to being so involved with anything that is considered a success.”

Visiting the outlaws for the holiday, so I didn't get a chance to make anything new for you guys. Hopefully you'll forgive me and enjoy a revisit from years past. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! @steverogersnotebook @onceuponardj @dwindlingdichotomy @captaincorruptor @stevetopsbuckysbottom and everyone else!!!

American Punchline Ch 66

A TJ Hammond/Steve Rogers Crossover

You can find the previous chapters here (or on AO3).

Chapter 66

As their small caravan maneuvered toward the back entrance to the convention center everyone caught sight of the crowd amassed out front. It was a full hour before the doors were scheduled to open, but there were hundreds if not thousands huddled in the brisk DC morning.

“Are those protest signs I see?” Steve groaned. They’d been expecting this.

“They are, but notice they are being held at bay.” Tony commented. “It’s a little outside their normal duties, but when they caught wind of what we were putting together a couple of the Patriot Guard groups reached out to see if they could assist. Apparently, they were expecting the Westboro idiots just like we were.”

“Remind me to find a way to thank them.” Steve noted to the group with him.

“I’m sure they’d appreciate the thought,” Tony started. “But don’t stress too much about it. After their call they received a rather sizeable donation to help support their efforts.”

“Thanks, Tony.” TJ replied as he squeezed Steve’s hand.

“JARVIS is having coffee and donuts delivered momentarily for the crowd.” Pepper shifted the focus to something more positive than Westboro’s inevitable protest. “We can’t do much at this point, but that makes the wait a bit more pleasant.”

“That’s perfect.” Steve hopped out of the SUV as they stopped beside the door, reaching back to give TJ and Natasha each a hand as they slipped out behind him. “If everything is in order and any of the volunteers are free maybe I could take a small team out to start pre-registering people.”

“Emily confirmed everything is exactly as it should be and the majority of volunteers are already checked in.” Pepper grinned. “Let’s stash our stuff, grab what we need, and head out front.”

“I didn’t mean you needed to freeze …”

Pepper glared at him before he could finish.

“Right. In that case, let’s go.” Steve followed without further argument.