Summary: A change in circumstances switches the tables on Tony. When an assassination attempt leaves Steve debilitated, Tony is his only hope. In order to save Steve, he might very well have to suffer the same fate as Steve. A story about the paradox of love.
Why I'm Reccing: This is a top tier fic and I think, an underrated fic. I love this fic. I love it so much. This is the fourth of the amazing time travel fics that I have encountered so far. And I want to say, this fic is absolutely breathtaking, but in a different way than other fics I've used that word to describe. Usually if I say a fic is breathtaking, I mean that the prose itself is poetic and a work of art. With this fic, it's the plot that takes my breath away.
It is just incredibly well plotted speculative fantasy (which I've been really getting into lately). There is a clearly defined beginning, middle and ending arc to this story, and it feels like something that could be on a store bookshelf. I've talked previously about books that bring me joy in the same way fic does -- well, this fic brought me joy in the same way SFF books do. After I finished my reread least night, I had that same sort of feeling I get after finishing an amazing book (I call it the book hangover). Like, I'd already read it, and knew everything that would happen, but after I finished, it just sat in my brain, stewing there, and wouldn't let go.
I love this fic so much that I really need to wax poetic about it a moment, so I'll put the bulk of this under a cut to save everyone's dash.
It's hard to talk about this fic without spoiling things, but I'll give it my best shot. Shortly after the events of Avengers, someone attempts to assassinate Steve, and Tony is the only one who can save his life. To avoid as many spoilers as possible, I'll just say that saving Steve's life involves the two of them time travelling back to the moment when Steve meets Dr. Erskine.
Unfortunately, the trip seems like it might be a one way trip, and after saving Steve's life, Tony and Steve find themselves trapped in the 1940s. For weeks. Months, maybe. So, what this fic does, and it does it so beautifully, is it flips the script on Tony and Steve.
Remember, Steve had only been awake in the present for a really short time when Avengers happens. So, now he's back in his comfort zone, and Tony is the one who is a man out of time. And... he doesn't handle it very well. Which allows for some really nice character analysis for Steve and Tony and how they each handle their respective circumstances of being cut off from everything they know and love and understand.
I found this all really interesting, because (timelines are slightly fuzzy here, but) it seems like Tony actually spends more time in the 1940s than Steve has spent in 2012 at this point, and while you can certainly make the argument that it's harder to go back in time than it is to go forward in time, it's really interesting to see how Tony deals with (or doesn't) their current situation, and how it impacts his impression of Steve and everything that Steve has gone through.
We also get Steve caring for Tony as he becomes increasingly distressed and frantic as he tries to find a way to get them back to the present. This is also very much an idiots in love fic, as Steve is so obviously head-over-heals in love with Tony, but Tony is completely oblivious.
They both make some highly questionable decisions as they each come to terms with their feelings for the other (all the while assuming the other doesn't feel the same way) and there are definite moments where you want to smack them both up the backside of their head and scream get your fucking shit together! Lol. But that's what makes it all the more satisfying when they finally do.
Also, Steve and Tony have some discussions in this fic (okay, arguments) that, ah, really put into perspective how bad Steve's ending in Endgame really was. It was really interesting to read this (which was published in 2013) knowing where the MCU would eventually take Steve. All the more reason fandom will always be better than canon. Fandom has a way better handle on who the characters are.
Anyway, this is a top-tier fic for me. I don't know what constitutes underrated, but this fic has less than 500 kudos, which feels absolutely absurd to me. So, I hope you'll all show it some love.
Summary: On the fourth night, Steve takes the clock from his bedside and levers out the batteries.
Why I'm Reccing: This is just a stunningly beautiful, top tier, and massively underrated (only 128 kudos as of today) character study of Steve Rogers. I mean, this fic is damn near perfect as a study of Steve feeling completely lost and out of time post Avengers, of dealing with depression and post-traumatic stress. I mean it is just utterly gorgeous, I have such talent envy after re-reading this.
So, Steve is, sort of, but not really, trying to acclimate to life in the twenty-first century. He's more rather just going through the motions. I really like that we get to see Steve be sad here, for what he's experienced and all that he's lost, and it makes me mad all over again that the MCU just brushed past all of this.
Anyway, Tony is, well, Tony. He kind of forces his way into Steve's life, gets Steve out of his sad and lonely apartment and gets Steve living. And what I really love about this fic is watching the love between Steve and Tony develop gradually, through a growing friendship first, and sexual attraction second. This fic is not fluff, god it's the most anguishing angst, but it's warm like fluff fic. Which seems contradictory, but it's somehow not.
Just...I don't even have the words to express how achingly beautiful this fic is. It's sadly been orphaned by its author, so I don't think they get notifications on it anymore (?) but god, this fic deserves more love.
~.~.~
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Summary: From a very early age, Steve Rogers was aware that he was going to die of cold.
Why I'm Reccing: Here we have the first fic with a bit of light angst. It's an Avengers move into the tower fic, but in this one, Steve and Tony do not get along at first. In fact, Steve doesn't even really want to move in to the tower.
Their fight from the helicarrier looms large over their interactions, at least, it does for Steve, who keeps replaying Tony's harsh words over and over again in his mind. And they butt heads around Steve's acclimation to the twenty-first century, in part because Tony can be insensitive at times (I think without meaning to) and in part because Steve is very self-conscious about feeling like he doesn't fit in, so mix the two together and you've got a perfect recipe for tension.
And then the boys talk (yes, they actually communicate, like adults) and the beauty of this fic shifts into high gear. Tony and Steve gradually get closer but there's this stunning intimacy between the two right from the get go.
There's a couple of plotlines that run throughout the fic, involving Steve's discomfort with the cold, and with what Tony said to Steve on the helicarrier. And they both come to fruition in absolutely gorgeous ways. Also, there's snarky Jarvis.
~.~.~
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Summary: Everything Tony Stark does is a dance. And it's super confusing for Steve.
Why I'm Reccing: (Out of order because I loved Bedrock and Brick so much, I wanted more.) The summary makes it seem like this might be focused on Tony, but this is actually very much a love letter to Steve, I feel. Which is fabulous for me, because I love Steve with all of my heart.
It's insane to think that the Iron Man suit—this huge clanking piece of armor—could be graceful, but the suit moves through the air like a bird in flight, like a spinning firework. "He… he looks like he's dancing." The words slip out of Steve's mouth before he's aware of what he's saying.
"Wow, could you have any more stars in your eyes, Captain?" says Natasha with a lifted eyebrow.
"I—" Steve flushes. They're only talking in person, not on the party line for everyone to hear, for which Steve is grateful, because—
"Hey, Cap, I said you're clear. Shake a leg. Is your hearing aid on the fritz?" Tony's voice on the comm line interrupts his thoughts.
Steve grits his teeth. Yes, Steve is grateful, because Tony is a jerk and deserves no further compliments to make his head even bigger than it already is.
What we have here is a classic idiots-in-love scenario where Steve and Tony gradually get closer to one another, Tony's self-destructive defense mechanisms kick into high gear, and Steve is adorably oblivious throughout all of it, until he suddenly isn't -- which is partially because everyone around them is giving Steve some very pointed hints, and partially because Steve finally takes a moment to really see Tony.
What I really love about this fic is that, while we're getting all of this from Steve's perspective, so Tony's affection is not always clear, because it's not clear to Steve, there are these small moments where it's actually abundantly clear to the reader, even though Steve can't see it yet.
There's a part where a misunderstanding creates drama, and yet even though Steve just (kind of unfairly - which only the reader and Tony know) blew up at Tony, Tony still goes out of his way to show Steve affection, in his own way. It's at this point where it becomes crystal clear that Tony cares for Steve a great deal - even if he isn't always the best at showing it.
You'll be torn between being like, Jeez, Steve, wake up, can't you see what's happening right in front of you?? and Tony, what the actual fuck are you doing??
Here, I'll let Pepper sum it up:
Pepper stops, jamming a hand between the elevator doors to keep them open longer. She points her keys at Steve. "Fix it."
"Why does everyone think that I can—"
"Oh my god. Idiots, both of you." And that's the last thing Pepper says before the doors close and she's gone.
~.~.~
Follow me as I make my way alphabetically through every Stony fic on AO3 and review my favorites.
Summary: Tony wants to help Steve get everything he deserves. Steve deserves everything.
Why I'm Reccing: I know we've been really heavy on the fluff here at the beginning, but what can I say? I started reading in the middle of 2020. I needed fluff.
And this fic... just makes me ridiculously happy. It's another fic that will make you smile pretty much the whole way through. What begins as a Steve-has-a-crush-on-Tony-and-Tony-is-adorably-oblivious-as-he-attempts-to-play-matchmaker fic ends up actually being a mutually pining fic (where Tony may or may not be aware of Steve's feelings?) when we get a perspective switch halfway through.
Steve and Tony mutually tease one another, but in a way that is totally affectionate. And we get acclimating Steve! Yay. Always a favorite.
Summary: Steve is fresh out of the ice and nearly out of patience with the world. The last thing he want is a beautiful stranger to gatecrash his lunch and bombard him with pop culture references he doesn't get...
No, really, it is, it's the last thing he wants... honest....
Rating: G
Why I'm Reccing: I don't know if this is underrated....it seems low on the kudos count to me, but Wilmakins is, of course, a well-known and beloved famdom author. But I feel this fic definitely deserves more attention than it currently has.
Taking place just after the end of First Avenger and just before the events of Avengers (or, I guess technically during Avengers? The cut scene with Steve from the café), this fic gives us the man-out-of-time-Steve we deserve and (at least I) love that the MCU robbed us of. Sigh. Still salty. But that's what fic is for. To give us the good content that canon leaves on the table, for whatever reason.
So, Steve is, you know, feeling really overwhelmed and out of place in the twenty-first century, some mere days after being thawed from the ice. But this doesn't stray into making Steve an idiot territory, just sort of lost and a bit uncomfortable with all the newness that surrounds him, both technologically and socially. Which is something that is totally natural and expected given the circumstances, MCU...ahem. Sorry.
And in struts Tony, being all...well, pre-Avengers Tony. Fast talking and being coy and dropping pop culture references. I imagine Tony is trying to suss out Steve here (since he doesn't disclose his identity and pretends he doesn't know know who Steve is), and it all just feels very in character.
The duplicity of Tony's methods notwithstanding, the interaction (and subsequent meeting with Natasha) does help Steve feel a little more like he can belong.
Anyway, I'm a sucker for acclimating Steve, and this is one of my favorite examples. Definitely pre-slash more than slash, but still very enjoyable.
~.~.~
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Summary: 5 times Steve ate yummy things, just go with it.
Why I'm reccing this fic: I love this. This fic is comfort food in literary form. I love everything about this fic.
One thing I kinda dislike about canon, is that Steve was so quickly acclimated to life in the twenty-first century. I don't need Steve acting like an old man, but I do really enjoy seeing him learn about his new world.
This fic handles this through food, recognizing that, having grown up poor in the 1920s and 30s, and being sickly (he's given prior food allergies for this fic) that Steve's experience with food was probably more utilitarian and less eating for pleasure.
And I can absolutely imagine Tony as being the type of person who would want to take Steve on a beautiful culinary journey.
Their transition from newly found friendship to something more is handled really well. You can see the softer moments creeping into each experience, and I love that this is written without conflict. Tony doesn't make fun of Steve for his occasional misunderstandings or old-fashioned ways, he just enjoys being the person that Steve shares all these wonderful firsts with.
This fic is the perfect fill for all your adorable fluff and comfort (no hurt) needs.
