Brenda’s Long-Ass Under-Appreciated Fanfics Appreciation/Rec Post
I should be writing right now. I have a Marvel Bang rough draft to finish and stephrc79‘s (actual) birthday fic to type in (yes, I still write by hand sometimes, it’s soothing, and gets me away from the temptation of the internet) and Tumblr prompts I want to finish for you guys, but. Yesterday’s Fanfic Writers Appreciation Day lovefest got me to thinking. Because I was seeing a lot of the same names cropping up on my dash - all great writers, don’t get me wrong, writers who deserve all the praise and kudos and love out there, but they’re also writers everyone knows. So, I got to thinking about the fics and authors - the mid-list, to borrow a publishing industry term - who maybe slide under the radar a little bit. So I decided to go through my bookmarks to make a rec list. Which took...um, way too long, because of course I had to re-read some of my faves (as you do). But, hey, what else are Friday nights and Saturday mornings good for. :D
There are three things I learned while doing this - one: I will literally read anything hitlikehammers and biblionerd07 and defcontwo and lanyon write. It’s somewhat embarrassing how much I love their work, and if you haven’t discovered them yet, this is the opportune moment. Two: I’m terrible at leaving comments, and I need to be better at it, because I know how much I love them as a writer. Three: This fandom fucking ROCKS. There’s so much creativity and awesomeness. I am genuinely floored by all of you. Also, a fourth quick thing: PLEASE DON’T DELETE YOUR FICS. Even if you’ve left the fandom. You can orphan your account easily and still leave the stories up as anonymous. I found a lot of broken links for stories I’d loved, and it made me sad.
So, my two rules for this list are as follows: each fic had to have UNDER 350 kudos (it’s an arbitrary line of “under-appreciated”, I know, but I had to make one), and the author in question had to have responded to their comments. (I have a lot of feelings about this issue as a writer, so it’s important to me.) Not every fic is Bucky/Steve (although the vast majority are), so I’ve tried to label accordingly. I have no idea who most of these people are on Tumblr, so if you see someone you recognize, please reblog it and tag them. But mostly, peruse and enjoy and read and maybe discover a new favorite or a story that slipped under the radar for whatever reason.
All fics listed are in alphabetical order:
A Greek Tragedy (Bucky/Steve) - I really want someone to do the art described in this fic, because the way the author describes it is beautiful. I never saw Steve & Bucky as Orpheus and Eurydice until I read this, and now I can’t see them as anything else.
A Lucky Meeting (Bucky/Clint/Steve - Modern AU) - This is basically a really hot and funny ode to Clint’s arms and Bucky’s everything and Steve’s sass.
And It’s Breaking Over Me (Bruce/Clint) - Let’s talk about all the ways this entire fic was hot as hell, because DAMN. Seriously hot.
As In A Sea Series (Bruce/Steve) - I’m a huge poetry nerd, so this story was SO my jam. And I love the slow evolution of Bruce and Steve’s relationship.
Baby Steps (Bucky/Steve) - Hands down, one of the best post-recovery Bucky fics you will read. I could go on for hours about how awesome this fic is, but I won’t. I’ll just tell you all to read it. :)
Bad Becomes Worse (Bucky/Steve) - Holy hell, this story. It’s post-rescue Bucky not really dealing well at all with his shit, and it is just phenomenal. And the coda at the end, when they find each other in the present...if that last paragraph doesn’t hit you right in ALL your Bucky feels, I don’t know, man.
Benefit (Bucky/Steve) - This one hit me in all the right places - the guys are messy and fucked up and still each other’s rock through it all, and the conversation about deserving each other is so spot on.
Bigger Than Us (Bucky/Steve) - Funny and touching in equal measure.
Born From Dark Water (Bucky/Natasha/Steve) - I love the Natasha POV in this one so much. Sooooo much.
Chickens On The Roof (Peggy/Steve, Bucky/Steve) - One of the best Steve dealing with Peggy’s death and learning to give himself a second chance fics out there.
Climatic Shifts Series (Bucky/Steve) - I haven’t had a chance to read the last two parts in this series yet, but the first three feature some amazingly hot porn and some great characterizations, so I think you’re all in good hands.
Darkest Before Dawn (Bucky/Steve) - The pairing’s slightly misleading, in that it’s mostly Bucky & Bruce talking about their nightmares, and the entire fic is reason 9283 why I will read anything biblionerd07 writes. Because she GETS these guys.
Dawn In The Fields (Snow And Dirty Rain) (Bucky/Steve) - A beautifully quiet and introspective fic about Bucky & Steve getting out and claiming a life just for them.
Devil’s Backbone (Bucky/Steve) - Steve, chasing a ghost. And wow, it punches all the right feel cards.
Dirt On My Hands, Blood On Yours (Bucky/Skye|Daisy Johnson) - Okay, I’ll be honest here. The author is a friend and I’ve been trying to bribe her into writing me the sequel for awhile now, so if you could all encourage her, that’d be great. :D It’s also a REALLY good take on Bucky during his incarceration and her Skye voice is pitch perfect.
Every Blue Shade Of Green (Bruce/Clint) - I basically wanted 100k more of this story, it was that damn good.
Everything You Say (Sounds Like Gospel) (Clint & Steve - Gen) - The author’s take on Steve here is SO good. And there aren’t enough fics with Clint & Steve bonding.
Fever Dream (Bucky/Steve) - Not enough fics explore Bucky post-enlisting, but pre-war, and the author here does a great job with it.
Home of the Brave Series (Bucky/Steve) - I’m just going to take a minute - just a minute - to gush about this series. About how THIS series is possibly my favorite Bucky/Steve fic series of all time. About how the way this author gets every inch of Brubaker!Bucky & Steve - their faults and fuckups and stubbornness and desperation and how tired they both are and how all they want is to STOP and just go off the grid and be together. I have no idea how many times I’ve read this series, or how many times I’ve gone back to it for inspiration or just to generally marvel at how well it captures what I love best about these guys. These fics were the ones that spurred me into finally writing Bucky/Steve - because I wanted to write something that touched someone else the way this series did me. I owe this author a debt I can never, ever repay, but reccing it might be a good start. I cannot - CANNOT - recommend this highly enough. If I ever have a chance to meet this writer, drinks will be on me for life.
Honey And Salt (Bucky/Natasha/Steve) - Everything this author writes is great, but I really loved her take on my (second) favorite OT3. And the humor is spot on.
How The Story Goes (Bucky/Steve) - Just a great take on Bucky relearning himself and relearning Steve.
In These Rough Hands (Bruce & Steve - Gen) - Bruce & Steve discuss their (apparent) immortality and it’s heart-breaking, but also awesome. Not enough fics explore their friendship and similarities.
Like A Sucker Punch (Bucky/Steve) - Remember what I said earlier about defcontwo’s fics? This one is a perfect example of why I will read anything she writes ever. It’s comics-based and beautiful and Jesus, fuck, her Bucky is, well, I have no words. But that’s okay, because this fic has plenty, and they’re all brilliant.
Mabuhay (Steve & Natasha) - One of the better takes on Natasha & Steve after TWS and how they negotiate what comes next.
Mood Indigo (Bucky/Steve) - Awkward, pre-serum, teenage Bucky/Steve fics are my secret kryptonite and this one is shiveringly great.
Nothing But Death (Bucky/Steve Time Loop AU) - This fic fucked me up for days after, in the BEST of all possible ways. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reread it.
Now There’s A River (Bucky/Steve) - Just a quietly beautiful slice of life fic. With bonus Steve as a Springsteen fan, because YES HE WOULD BE.
Patterns In Nature (Bucky/Steve Magical Realism AU) - The use of language in this is soooooooooooo good.
Peace Behind Your Eyes (Bucky/Steve) - Holy shit, this fic, you guys. I’m just going to leave you with a quote, because, a) I wish I’d written it, and b) it’s one of the best sentences on Bucky you will ever read: Somewhere in the future, when he has become dust after being a dock worker, a comic book character and a ghost story, they might find him in the footnotes of the history of human suffering and realize that after the boogeyman came yet another, and then -- then, nobody can say that James Barnes occupying the final slot wasn’t a goddamn survivor.
Pitch & Flame (Bucky/Steve - Secret Agents AU) - Full caveat. This fic was written for me for a fic exchange, so yes, I am biased. But it is BRILLIANT. And features the hottest non-blowjob scene you will ever read in your life. I cannot say enough great things about how the author wrote the guys and their relationship.
Reentry (Bucky/Steve) - Steve & Bucky heal each other, featuring some gorgeous imagery.
Remembering The Pieces (And How They Fit Together) (Bucky/Steve) - Seriously well-written take on Bucky post-WS.
Rivets (Bucky/Steve) - Basically, Bucky reclaiming his memories through a series of body piercings that he uses as talismans. It’s as hot as you’d expect, and as brilliantly done as you’d expect.
The Say My Name Series (Bucky/Steve) - No clue why this entire series doesn’t have way more love, but it’s definitely worth your time. The author’s take on Bucky is outstanding.
Shadows Of Days That Are Gone (Bucky/Steve) - Just...trust me. The last line. WOW. I mean, it’s all great, but the last line.
Snapshots (Bucky/Steve) - Gorgeous use of language and rhythm in this one.
Stone Cold (Bucky/Steve) - Hands down, one of THE absolute best takes on Bucky and Steve as soldiers that I have ever read. I can’t say enough great things about this story. For those of you who have read my fic, The Rage of Achilles: A Love Story, just know that fic was partially an ode to this one.
Supersoldiers Can’t Even Get STIs (Bucky/Steve) - One of the funniest fics out there.
That Old Autumn Anxiety (Betty/Bruce/Tony - Hades/Persephone AU) - SUCH a huge Greek Mythology fan and this fic captured that vibe so beautifully.
That Was Then (And We Are Now) (Bucky/Steve) - An older fic, but still one of the best one I’ve ever read that deal with Bucky learning to live with his past.
The Weight Of The World (Steve & Thor - Gen) - I’m a sucker for a well-written Thor fic and this is one of the better ones.
Their Brave New World (Bucky/Steve) - Super short, but very worth your time.
This Is Not (Bucky/Peggy/Steve - Time Travel AU) - 1940s Peggy winds up in 2015 New York, and it’s one of the most brilliantly written fics I’ve read in this fandom.
This Is The Wonder That’s Keeping The Stars Apart (Bucky/Steve) - A short, gorgeous take on Bucky & Steve visiting a planetarium.
To Hold That Swelling Truth (Bucky/Steve) - Bucky & Steve, before, during, after, and every word is genius.
To Stop My Mind From Wandering (Bucky/Steve) - I think I’ve recc’d this already, and I will rec it a thousand more times. What the author does here with how Bucky regains his use of language as he regains his memories and sense of self is nothing short of astonishing. It’s also funny as hell.
To The West (Away From The Sunrise) (Bucky/Steve - Pagan God AU) - Anything I say will spoil the story, but trust me, it’s beautiful and worth your time, and the world-building is amazing.
Uniformly Terrible (Bucky/Steve) - Really well-written comics-based uniform kink. I mean, come on, it sells itself.
Until We Meet Again (Antoine Triplett & Gabe Jones) - Just a lovely fic about Gabe visiting his grandfather.
We Bleed In Color, But Our Lives Should Be Black & Grey (Clint & Natasha, Natasha & Steve) - A great take on Natasha & Steve’s friendship.
What If I Told You (Bucky/Steve) - Bucky, over the years, trying to tell Steve he loves him. SO SO GOOD, you guys.
Wipe Away The Blood, Kiss Me Well Again (Bucky/Steve) - Just a great, quiet take on Bucky’s recovery.
With A Short Temper And A Loooong Arm (Bucky/Steve) - Read for the Bucky & Sam interactions, if nothing else.
With The Dawn A New Day Is Born Series (Bucky/Steve) - Love this take on a recovering Bucky. And the Bucky & Tony conversation is great.
You Were My Greatest Downfall (Bucky/Steve) - Read this one out loud. It’s like slam poetry and has that same visceral rawness to it. And the ending. Jesus, the ending.
You’ve Got A Mean Swing, Point Break (Tony & Thor - Gen) - Tony learns to appreciate Thor’s intelligence and sense of honor. LOTS of team-building awesomeness.
Your Ghost Is Lingering (Bucky/Steve - Reincarnation AU) - Really unique take on reincarnation & the subtle shout-outs to canon are great.
