Best Tony/Bucky fic? I need some recs
So out of 65 bookmarks I picked out 18. Which is... well, I am going to add categories and what the feel is so scroll past any unwanted categories. Please pay attention to tags on Ao3 before reading. Here we go. (Also I only included finished fics)
WinterIron - My Top Recommendation
The Looking Glass Self https://archiveofourown.org/works/5461817 Post:CA:WS & Burn Your Biographies, Rewrite Your History Mid-CA:TFA https://archiveofourown.org/works/16356734
Summary: James was having problems with understanding where exactly he stood with the team, Tony and especially Steve. He thinks he has finally found some kind of equilibrium with them, when a portal from another dimension makes him question his own worth.
My Take: This is a wonderful angsty medium-length story from syriala (Looking Glass Self) that is followed with the wonderfully long Burn Your Biographies, Rewrite Your History by phlintandsteel that takes the Bucky that travels through the portal from the first fic and follows his life. You technically can have one with the other but as a reader, you really can't have them alone. This is the pinnacle of what fanfic should be. One author (syriala) writing something that inspires another author (phlintandsteel) and the end result is my most-read story/series at 20 times each for both fics with the fics not technically being in a series together. We have the gloriously painful journey of James, hurting after CA:WS and trying to find his place (by Tony's side). James and Steve are maybe, finally balancing out to have friendship only for WWII!Bucky fresh from captivity to show up and make James think that he isn't wanted. In the midst, is Bucky, trying to learn as much as he can from James to go back and save Bucky's world in Burn Your Biographies. Can Steve adjust? Can Tony get James to realize he isn't alone or unwanted? What will all of them think when they go see the new world that Bucky has changed with the information he gleaned?
WinterIron - Post-or-Current-CA:WS, AU
What is Good for the Goose https://archiveofourown.org/works/12864585https://archiveofourown.org/works/12864585
Prompt: "A soulmate AU where an immortal goose shows up one day to lead you to your soulmate, the challenge is surviving the goose."
Summary: We all have soulmates, and every soulmate pair shares an animal guide. The Guide is there to lead you to your One True Love, and they represent the aspects of the psyche that you both share. They appear when you're about to meet your soulmate, and often materialize in moments of great personal crisis, offering hope and support. There are stories upon stories about how someone's Guide appeared to lead them to their One True, or how the barest glimpse of their Guide eased their hearts and gave them hope in the midst of despair. The newly-rescued almost always attribute their Guide with giving them the strength and courage to hang on.
Animal Guides are ephemeral, ethereal, and elusive. They are, most often, no more than a warm presence or flicker out of the corner of one's eye. They are incarnate symbols of perseverance, optimism and hope. Foretellers of happiness, and the grand destiny of love.
Except for geese. Geese are assholes.
My Take: This feels like Tony/Bucky soulmate story where their guides are from the Goose Game. The first time I read it, bookmarked it and promptly read it again. If I can only recommend 1 story for WinterIron of medium length, this would be it. Well written, fleshed-out characters, and wonderful ending.
Tales from the Communal Kitchen https://archiveofourown.org/series/554317
Summary: This 'verse has several overarching plots that run through multiple stories, so if you're looking for specific plotlines, this is the list for you. Most (though not all) of the standalone stories are PWP, and labeled as such.
First story: Winter is Coming (aka Fifty First Avengers Dates) -- Bucky Barnes is still mostly The Asset, and he's pretty sure Hydra is going to come back for him soon, so in the meantime he's just going to keep an eye on the Avengers for them. But then Clint spotted him hiding in the shadows, so Tony came out and dragged Bucky back to the Tower, threw him in the shower, and fed him cheeseburgers.
Now The Asset is having anomalous feelings. In his pants.
My Take: Anything by these writers is worth your time if you are a WinterIron fan. This is their MCU fix-it story that has everything I ever wanted with lots and lots of good smut. It is MCU up to WS and then after that goes AU and really pulls from the comics for further story arcs. All of the main Avengers have full arcs, the robots in the tower are exactly as ridiculous as I would imagine from Tony, and Bucky's healing is awesome.
False Names, Right Nets https://archiveofourown.org/works/16837291
Summary: After saving Steve from the Potomac river, Bucky Barnes disappears into the Costa Rican mountainside intent on staying off the radar. He only interacts with society for reconnaissance and surveillance - to make sure his tail is clear.
Then he stumbles into a chat room.
My Take: Fantastic character and relationship building. A lot of romance skips so many steps on characters developing feelings and this one really feels realistic. You get POV from both Tony and Bucky, and a wonderful romance with a large surprise helping (for the characters) of "Oh Shit, I know you"
WinterIron - Bucky and Winter Soldier as Different People
Note: Sometimes this is in the same body and sometimes it isn't. It was hard narrowing it down to just a few fics in this category.
Forms of Love https://archiveofourown.org/works/13841301
Summary: Months after the Avengers' dispute in Germany, the team returns to the US and moves back into the tower. As always, everyone pretends that nothing happened. Tony is just fine with this. He's used to pretending, and he'll be damned if he lets any of them see him flinch.
Tony's the bad guy, after all. He's used to it. He's fine with it. He's good at it.
Only now, there's something far worse loitering around the tower - The Winter Soldier. No one notices the guy at first, but when they do, Tony figures that he should have the soldier's back.
Birds of a feather should flock together, and the bad guys should start a book club.
My Take: Wonderful WS/Tony starting out with eventual Bucky getting in on it. Really good fractured team dynamics that get fixed because Tony befriends Winter. Accidentally, I might add. A Serious fic with lots of Comedy and laughter, this is one of my favorite rereads when I am feeling down and want hurt/comfort with laughter and a happy ending for everyone.
Supersonic https://archiveofourown.org/series/1299518
Summary(Mine): Tony is avoiding Steve and the team while remembering Peggy. A memory of her calling to tell him about his parents and messing with an unknown device leads to Peggy and Bucky WWII era zapping into a post-AoU world. Bucky is very excited to get to know Tony on a date, make the tabloids and the Winter Soldier shows up, hoping for answers.
My Take: This is a fun romp with some seriousness. It occasionally lacks in the storytelling side but makes up for it on the character development and CA:CW fixit side. It is a light read that is fun, has Steve being an accidental idiot who works to fix his actions, Peggy bossing everyone, Wanda making amends, a new arm for Barnes, Ross being a dick, Ross getting outmaneuvered and ends with WWII!Bucky/WS!Barnes/Tony.
WinterIron - GenderBending
#AlternaCap https://archiveofourown.org/works/15273468
Summary: All Bucky wanted to do was to make Captain America proud and beat up the Nazis she met. But someone was filming. And Bucky was wearing her favorite sweatshirt. The one with Cap's shield on it.
Now there's a hashtag, and just about everyone, including the Avengers wants #AlternaCap to join them.
Bucky's current response plan involves moving out of state, dying her hair, becoming a florist, pretending to be straight and possibly becoming vegan and/or Amish. She's not exactly handling it well.
My Take: We have Modern!Female!Bucky who is crushing on Female!Tony. Which shouldn't be an issue, no one knows who Bucky is. Until she beats up Nazis. Multiple times. Bucky is freaking out over the crush which turns mutual but, uh, problem folks. Those Nazis were also Hydra. Just fun, from start to finish with modern use of twitter, ridiculous lesbians, and Steve hoping he found a new best friend.
Gods of Carnage https://archiveofourown.org/series/1370686
Summary: On May 29, 1970, the Winter Soldier feels a burning sensation and looks down at his wrist to find a single name written in enduring ink: Antonia Margaret Stark.
HYDRA, fearing the defiance of their greatest asset due to a bond that cannot and will not be denied its due, immediately dispatches the Soldier, to locate, collect and deliver this newborn girl to HYDRA, which will become her new home, her new family and her entire world - to be raised as another one of HYDRA’s great warriors: their Engineer.
But the Engineer is a faulty asset. She thinks things that may get her killed one day. She wants things that she shouldn’t, that are not hers to want. She has a mind and body that belong more to herself than any handler, than any commander she may have.
And if she cuts her strings, when she cuts her strings, well, when you put sheep next to wolves, you ask for a bloodbath.
My Take: This is one of the best, realistic reactions that Hydra could have had with Female!Tony turning out to be Bucky's soulmate. It is heavy and horrible to start out with. Please read the tags. You can always skip to the second story (which I often do when rereading) but the whole thing is heavy, horrible hydra and Tony kicking all their asses. Without Bucky, Tony might not escape, but without Tony, Bucky would not escape. This really is a Murder Couple to watch and is amazing how much of the MCU doesn't change right up through the first Avengers movie.
WinterIron - Post-CA:CW
Such Sweet Revenge https://archiveofourown.org/works/15146219
Summary: When the Rogues are back in the States after being pardoned, the New Avengers want nothing to do with them and as far as Tony is concerned, if he never speaks to them again, it'll be too soon. After all, he didn't spend the last year putting himself (and his family) back together only for his former co-workers to ruin all of his hard work.
But then he gets a hand-written letter from the Winter Soldier himself, apologizing for the events that transpired and an off-handed comment from Rhodey about Rogers failing to take care of an obviously miserable Bucky Barnes sets in motion Tony's new, oh-so-evil plan to get some payback.
After all, what better revenge than to steal the Winter Soldier away from his best friend?
The only problem: Tony sucks at being vengeful, but apparently he's an expert at inadvertently falling in love.
My Take: Pay attention to the tags, but this is wonderful hurt/comfort. I absolutely love this, long angsty falling in love story. Seriously not Team Cap friendly but isn't just "they are evil" just what would happen if Wanda was unrepentant and manipulating the situation (okay and maybe evil) with Steve as a two-dimensional "wants everything to be happy but the way it was" character. OR Wanda is self-serving and Steve is an ass. This is 90% Tony/Bucky and 10% everyone else so it mostly is hurt/comfort and a small serving of "Oh God, they all need therapy".
Definition of Self https://archiveofourown.org/works/20639288
Summary: “I am Bucky.” The phrase feels like any other phrase from his mouth. There is no weight to the statement, no assurance ringing deep within him that it’s true. ‘I am the Asset,’ has more meaning to him than the name ‘Bucky Barnes.’
“I am th - Bucky,” he says, the change coming out of his mouth without permission. “I am th-” e Asset, “Bucky. I am Bucky.”
The trigger words are gone, but now there is something in their place - something that only lets him speak as Bucky.
And he is not Bucky Barnes.
My Take: The best, most horrible hurt/comfort, Asset/James/Bucky recovery. Yeah, that is what is in my bookmark and I don't have much to add. Maybe add "with a side of Tony/Bucky and Tony on Bucky's side against all the odds"
WinterIron - Total AU/No Superheroes
Natural Talent https://archiveofourown.org/works/22011622
Summary: Bucky is Boss of the Commando territory, carved out of Hydra's territory with blood, tears, and sweat - mostly his own. He has a reputation in other territories for being hard and ruthless, but his own people know him as a generous, considerate leader. He protects his land and his people, but otherwise keeps his head down. He has no intention of getting embroiled in any of the other territories' disputes. That is, until Bucky finds himself in possession of a beautiful companion and learns that the man is far more than he appears.
My Take: Cyberpunk AU that I didn't know I want but now I want to live there. We have a medium-long Cyberpunk story of Bucky's thirst for Tony saving his life, and Tony's genius giving Bucky's territory a chance at stabilizing their neighborhood. Fantastical world-building, wonderful relationship building and very nice smut as always from 27dragons and tisfan.
Barnes Family Motors, Inc. https://archiveofourown.org/works/17793284
Summary: In a world where alphas legally own omegas, Bucky is just a small time mechanic from Brooklyn who gets lucky in a poker game. Tony is an omega whose life is fraught with abuse, until his luck suddenly takes a turn for the better.
In the grand scheme of things they may only be able to make little differences in the lives of those around them, but that doesn't mean it's not worth making them. After all, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
My Take: For all the serious, and heavy themes this fic explores using A/B/O mechanics, this is an amazingly light-hearted story. Hurt/comfort is our main theme, with our main character Bucky, not liking that omega's are legally owned, consistently treats omega's with respect and uses the law to protect omega's around him. This really becomes apparent when he ends up in a card game with Howard and wins Tony's ownership papers. Thinking to let the other Alpha out of the bet the next day, Bucky changes his mind when Tony is very clearly a victim of abuse. So begins Bucky and Tony's relationship where Bucky does all he can to protect and respect Tony, from ensuring that he gets all the fuzzy blankets, to encouraging him to join him mechanic-ing at the family garage. Tony realizes that this might be terrifying but that being Bucky's husband is much better than being his father's son. Together they saving Clint and Barney from an abusive father, Natasha from being killed in mob violence against sex trafficking, and even little Bruce from a murdering father. I love how this explores how we treat sexism and expectations but I really love just how wonderful Bucky and Tony are as they navigate their marriage.
WinterIron+
+ is not Steve
Do Every Stupid Thing https://archiveofourown.org/series/860456
Summary: MCU/DCU - Jason doesn’t mean for the Winter Soldier to be a present for Tony Stark. The youngest Stark isn’t supposed to be involved at all. The plan is simple: intervene before the Winter Soldier can murder Howard and Maria, tranq the Winter Soldier until he’s sufficiently incapacitated, and then drag him off for further study and let the Starks carry on with their fraught, bourgeoisie bullshit.
My Take: For a fic where Jason is the main POV, it is really about Bucky/Tony/Jason, very little only about Jason and is SO DAMN GOOD. It is hard, all three of them struggle with feeling like they aren't good enough, going to be abandoned and all are very okay with murdering their problems.
+ is Steve
Scientific Heresy https://archiveofourown.org/works/13664655
Summary: In the process of running the particle accelerator in his basement and fixing the arc reactor, Tony finds himself flung into the past where he has to take on a fight not his own if he wants to get home to stop Vanko. At least he had a chance to replace the old rector that had been killing him with the new one before everything went sideways... But now he has no choice but to face off with family, friends, and old heroes, and none of that sounds remotely appealing. Well, okay, getting to meet them all during their glory days kinda does.
But as it turns out, they're not exactly what he imagined, and his path home is a lot longer than he'd hoped it would be.
And a lot more complicated.
My Take: Tony time travels almost at the end of IM2 and completely changes all of MCU canon after. He shows up and accidentally saves Bucky. The story does have the three of them falling for each other but is mostly focused on Tony trying to navigate the past and get back home. Has artwork all throughout and some wonderful Tony & everyone moments that land it on my favorite reread list (seriously, I was going to put "Carter" then went well "Barnes" ugh well "Steve" and just realized that it really was everyone).
Canvas, Ink & Paint https://archiveofourown.org/series/435478
Summary: Soulmate AU, where what one soulmate marks on their skin appears on anyone they're bonded to.
Bucky's got one goal: to rescue a captured SHIELD agent and get out before the guards realize he's not one of them. Unfortunately, apparently he's also got soulmates, and when their messages and sketches start appearing on his skin, his mission becomes a complicated mess of trying not to get caught covered in their ink.
My Take: A short wonderful romp. Lighthearted for all it starts with Bucky trying not to die on assignment.
This I Do For You https://archiveofourown.org/works/6488113
Summary: Tony has no idea if he can give Bucky the future he deserves, but he can sure as hell try to give him his past back.
My Take: This is one I debated about including as it doesn't have as much Bucky in it as it is established Bucky/Tony that prompts (first third of story) a Time Travel fixit run by Tony to get Bucky's past back. But if you love Bucky Barnes it is a must read for all that he isn't in the center third. Mind if you don't appreciate Tony falling for Steve or TFA Steve/Bucky, I would skip it.
I’ve been blessed
