If you've ever wondered how I and other writers create special work skins for certain fics, look no further! La_Temperanza has a whole library of tutorials for AO3 work skins and general tips and tricks. I've definitely made use of their code for a whole bunch of different projects, and I bet that you'll find something that'll help you in your writing journey.
Here's some of their tutorials that have helped me throughout the years:
Work-Skins:
How to Mimic Letters, Fliers, and Stationery Without Using Images
How to Mimic Author's Notes and Kudos/Comment Buttons
How to Mimic Email Windows
How to Make iOS Text Messages on AO3
How to Create Notebook Lined Paper on AO3
Sticky Notes on AO3 Without Using Images
How to Make Deadpool's Thinking Boxes on AO3
How to Make Newspaper Articles on AO3
Tips and Tricks:
How To Make Images Fit in Mobile Browsers
How to Make Linked Footnotes on AO3
How To Change Text on AO3 When the Cursor is Hovering Over It (Or Clicked on Mobile)
How to Wrap Text around Images
How to Make Customized Page Dividers
How to Make Invisible Text (That Can Be Highlighted)
There are many amazing things about RayShippouUchiha's writing, but what always stands out to me is the way they write people being enamored with Tony. I have a soft spot for female Tony, and Ray writes some of the best fem!Tony fics I've found in this fandom. Some of their fics read like straight up poetry, and they're a master of both the angsty and the fluffy. I have a lot of their fics lined up to rec them in other weeks, so if you don't see your favorites in this list, don't worry, they're probably coming up at some other point this year.
Here's some of their work that I think you should check out:
Fearful Symmetry
Pairing: Bucky/Tony
Rating: T
Words: 5,684
Tags: Shapeshifters, Kidnapping, Team as Family
Summary: He’s obviously in the warehouse district near the docks, probably in one of the abandoned packing plants or something of the like. Honestly at this point this kidnapping couldn’t get more cliché if it actively tried.
“Service sucks and the wait staff stole my clothes,” Tony whispers, unable to help himself as he slinks down the hall, “Zero stars, would not come again.”
Reasons why I love it:
BAMF Tony getting himself out of tough scrapes will never not be an instant win for me. Couple that with a worried-sick team and pining Bucky who just wants to keep Tony safe, and there's a perfect recipe for Kandi-bait. Also, there's shifters, so, you know, what's not to love? Especially when Tony's true nature is revealed - it fits him so well, and I really love the mental images I got from that scene. I love this fic, and I bet you will too!
Summary: He thinks maybe he should be unsettled by the impact she’s had on him.
Thinks maybe it should chafe.
That maybe it should remind him of HYDRA and having his choices, his will, ripped away from him.
It doesn’t.
She doesn’t.
It, she, the memory of her, feels like choice.
Reasons why I love it:
God, Bucky's devotion to Toni in this one is so pure and right. Their first meeting is perfect, and I love how Toni is the one to get Bucky to really reflect on his life and the choices he has. Plus, Bucky's attempts at flirting are both hilarious and adorable. This fic is amazing, and I highly encourage you to read it!
The Beat We Drum
Pairing: Bucky/Tony
Rating: T
Words: 1,510
Tags: Honeymoon, Trans Tony, Comfort No Hurt
Summary: Tony isn’t sure what he wouldn’t be willing to suffer to have this, to have this sun-drenched morning where he feels safe and whole.
To have years stretching out in front of him with the possibility of so many more of these mornings yet to come.
Reasons why I love it:
Newlywed Winteriron is just - gah, I love it so much. They're both snarky assholes, and they fit together like the imperfect puzzle pieces that they are. I really love the banter in this one, and the promise of future sexytime is really hot. I hope you give this one a shot, because it's fantastic!
Monday In A Cafe (All You Did Was Look My Way)
Pairing: Bucky/Tony
Rating: T
Words: 6,301
Tags: Meet-cute, Coffee Shop, Love at First Sight
Summary: Then Gorgeous, as Bucky abruptly names him in his head, slides a bit further down the counter and reaches for his wallet. He pulls out what Bucky’s pretty sure is a crisp hundred and stuffs it into the tip jar Clint decorated to look like a bulls-eye.
And then he turns and looks directly at Bucky.
Staring into big doe eyes from across the way Bucky resists the urge to bring his hand up to grip at his chest.
Because that split second is all it takes.
One look and Bucky is officially gone.
Reasons why I love it:
They're such idiots in love, I live! Bucky is so cute when he fawns over Tony like a lovesick fool, and the exasperation of everyone around him just makes it even funnier. And the identity porn is hilarious, oblivious Bucky is my favorite. This fic is like a cup of hot chocolate with extra marshmallow fluff, so go ahead and enjoy it!
The Straight Path (Until The End Of My Days)
Pairing: Steve/Tony, Steve/Bucky/Tony
Rating: T
Words: 5,389
Tags: Fix-it, Angst with a Happy Ending, Murder
Summary: “Buck,” Steve whispers then, voice low like a secret, “I don’t … I don’t think I want to live in a world without him. I don’t think I can.”
“Ah hell Stevie,” Bucky laughs, soft and fond and just a bit sad. “I always knew that.”
Reasons why I love it:
This is such a beautiful fix-it. Ray does a fantastic job of presenting the original timeline in a way that feels viscerally awful, enough so to make Steve want a do-over. And the things he does - even though they're super dark, holy fuck - actually make sense for his character. I love this fic so much, and I really hope you decide to read it for yourself, because it's amazing!
seventymilestobabylon is a jack of all trades. Whether it be angst, fluff, smut, action, humor, emotional highs and lows – they manage to be fantastic at all of it. Their writing style is wonderful, and I love the scenarios they come up with for their fics. Their dialogue especially makes me want to take a green pen to every fic and write 'Yes, yes, this!' next to every other sentence. They're an amazing author, and they deserve all the love they can get.
Here's some of their work that I think you should check out:
should be a dream but I'm not sleepy
Pairing: Steve/Tony
Rating: M
Words: 4,592
Tags: Huddling for Warmth, Cabin Fic, Telepathy
Summary: Steve and Tony get hit with a telepathy spell and a magical blizzard, and they have to take shelter in a cabin with fresh milk but no working electricity. Even when they can sort of read each other's minds, they are still terrible at communicating.
Reasons why I love it:
I love everything about this fic. Tony patching Steve up, drinking hot cocoa, Steve wearing a goddamn Hagrid coat, it's all great. I especially love how they manage to misconstrue everything about each other's intentions, even when they're telepathically linked. We stan a lovable train-wreck ship. This fic is amazing, and I really hope you give it a shot, if you haven't read it already!
Summary: Tony misses Steve very badly after the Accords. Some days he deals with it better than other days.
(a fic featuring the booty call flip phone, minor kidnappings, and time jumps between chapters because the election has been happening and my brain has been too mush to make a proper plot)
Reasons why I love it:
Steve just plays a whole fucking symphony on my heartstrings in this one. He's so vulnerable and sad and I just want to wrap him in a thousand blankets, Christ. Luckily Tony is there for him when he needs it the most. I love how this fic manages to wrap up the whole Civil War drama without any extensive focus on the politics, it's really refreshing. And the dialogue is amazing. I love this fic, and I bet you will too, so give it a shot!
Summary: Steve Rogers runs a flower shop. Tony Stark owns a real estate company (eh, and it probably does other stuff too, like it's got "Industries" in the title) that's sniffing around Steve's neighborhood of Triskelion Crescent with an eye to building new developments. Triskelion Crescent fights back.
Reasons why I love it:
Oh my god, Steve's merry band of Young Avengers are the cutest. Joyce Rumlow is such a genius idea as the neighborhood Karen, and I love how Steve sticks to his friendly demeanor always, committed to doing things the right way. Plus, the entire Stony plot going on parallel to the neighborhood drama is so fucking good, it makes me grin like an idiot. This fic is amazing, and I highly encourage you to read it!
Theory of Mind
Pairing: Steve/Tony
Rating: T
Words: 28,497
Tags: Gift Giving, Getting Together, Avengers Family
Summary: Or, five things Steve didn't let Tony buy him, and one thing he did
Reasons why I love it:
One of my favorite 5+1 fics. The way their relationship develops is really satisfying – angsty and cute and emotional in turns. I also love how the team is set up, their friendships feel incredibly real. Natasha and Clint especially just completely stole the show for me. And the banter between Steve and Tony is top notch. This fic is amazing, and I hope you give it a shot!
Summary: Steve ran away from SHIELD when they unfroze him and then accidentally ended up in the same cooking class as Tony Stark. 100% fluffy nonsense birthday fic for my lovely friend Renay.
Reasons why I love it:
They're so fucking cute, they make me want to mash my face into a pillow. I love the mild identity porn going on, and Chitra is a wonderful OC who must be protected at all costs. That said, don't read this fic when you're hungry, because the descriptions of the recipe they're following will make your mouth water. This fic is wonderful, and I bet you'll love it just as much as I do!
Amuly is not only a master of smut, but also of unique and interesting concepts. I'm constantly in awe of how varied their writing is. There are a ton of fantastic fics on their AO3, but I'm going to have to limit myself, otherwise I'd probably want to rec all of them, they're just that good.
Here's some of their work that I think you should check out:
Shower Rocks
Pairing: Steve/Tony
Rating: T
Words: 1,268
Tags: Domestic Fluff, Sam is a Good Bro, Steve vs the Future
Summary: Steve decides it's time to stock his shower up with some of Tony's bathing supplies. Even if one of those supplies is a strange, scratchy rock.
Reasons why I love it:
First off, the Sam and Steve friendship in this really warms my heart. Steve is such a considerate sweetheart, Tony should hurry up and put a ring on that. This fic is sweet as hell, so go and get yourself a little treat!
Fairy Godmother
Pairing: Steve/Tony
Rating: T
Words: 5,186
Tags: Peggy is Tony's Aunt, Howard Stark's A+ Parenting, Alzheimer's Disease
Summary: Auntie Peggy has been telling Tony stories about Captain America his whole life. Only problem is, the real thing just about measures up to the stories. Which means, of course, that Aunt Peg has to go to work, because an Aunt's work is never done.
Reasons why I love it:
Peggy is so sweet with Tony. Thank god for her, honestly, considering how Howard was. And her playing matchmaker is amazing. I love the moment she sees Steve again for the first time, and it's so heart-warming to see Tony visiting her later on in life. I wish we'd gotten that in canon. This fic is wonderful, and I really hope you check it out for yourself!
Close Shave
Pairing: Steve/Tony
Rating: E
Words: 4,123
Tags: Shaving, Bathroom Sex, Porn with Feelings
Summary: Steve and Tony are stuck in a hotel room waiting on an AIM arms deal. Tony makes fun of Steve's straightedge razor, Steve thinks Tony's LASER hair remover couldn't possibly do as good as a job. Steve offers to show Tony exactly how close a shave his razor has to offer. Obviously this leads to sex.
Reasons why I love it:
This fic is so fucking hot! I could cut the sexual tension between them with a knife, and shaving as foreplay is something I've always loved in fanfic, so this is right up my alley. Plus, the hints of possibly something more than just sex are fantastic. I love this one so much, please go and check it out!
Gold “Member”
Pairing: Steve/Tony
Rating: E
Words: 3,004
Tags: Extremis, Sexual Humor, Bottom Steve
Summary: Tony realizes one night that the golden under-armor he pulls out of his skin with Extremis can be pulled out to cover only very specific parts of his anatomy. Namely, his penis.
He decides he really needs to share this with Steve.
Reasons why I love it:
This fic is hilarious in concept alone, so I was surprised how much the feels actually hit me while I was reading it. Steve and Tony give off major old married couple vibes, their love for each other is palpable. Plus, the smut is really hot – Steve being a sapiosexual made me smile. I love this fic, so I hope you check it out!
Sheriff's Watch
Pairing: Steve/Tony
Rating: E
Words: 2,646
Tags: Marvel 1872, Blow Jobs, Western
Summary: Steve and Tony enjoy each other company in Tony's home of technological marvels. But there's something out there, and Steve's beginning to take notice.
Reasons why I love it:
I really love the descriptions of Tony's house with all of its inventions. And the smut is so fucking hot, my god. Steve discovering the wonders of sex is always fun, and this fic definitely does the trope justice. I love it so much, and I bet you will too, so please go and check it out for yourself!
