It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight. Below are my Top 5 Favorite stories:
“Teach What You Know” (T, 11k) by SharpestScapel
Other considered names for this fic include: "Ma Barnes, Secret Abortionist" and "Bucky Barnes, Mama's Boy."
Bucky is still uncomfortable, still figuring everything out, but he's tired of sitting still. That's when he finds the ad on Craigslist looking for a self-defense instructor for the local rec center. Bucky figures he can teach which he knows.
In which Bucky Barnes teaches self-defense, asks about pronouns, steals Steve's ice cream, gets in trouble with the press, and eventually realizes that, yes, his mother would be proud of him.
+ Post CW. Bucky helps people and helps himself. So soft!
-☆-
“The Boy With The Thorn In His Side” (E, 21k) by BetteNoire
“Holy shit,” says Steve. “I’ve been knocked out twice by the same guy.”
+ Shrunkyclunks. Steve has a crush, Bucky’s too busy training to save the world.
-☆-
“The Hardest Blows” (T, 15k) by CaptainHoney
Bucky was headed for glory as an Olympic champion boxer, before WWII changed everything. Now he's washed up and dead eyed, rattling around Brooklyn and fighting in illegal bare knuckle matches. Years after the war has ended an actor called Steve Rogers sees him fight. Months later, Bucky gets a call inviting him to L.A. to work on a film, and he finds something worth fighting for.
+ Historical AU. Boxer Bucky realizes his life is better with Steve in it
-☆-
“I Can’t Take Them On My Own” (T, 4k) by earthseraph
“So, Barnes, how do you feel today?”
Bucky looked back at the reporter and shrugged, a cocky smile on his lips, gloves tight and secure on his hands, “Well, seeing as who my opponent is I feel confident.”
The reporter raised her eyebrow at him, probably scoffing and calling him an idiot inside her head, “You’re confident you’re going to beat Steve Rogers? Also known as Captain America for keeping his winning streak in the Summer Olympics and being a military veteran?”
“I never said I was gonna beat the guy,” Bucky pointed out, nodding at her, “just that I’m confident I can get a few of my own swings in before the guy can knock me down.”
+ Modern AU. Fight your boyfriend, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.
-☆-
“In Search of Your Glory” (E, 3k) by emj1s
“C’mon,” Bucky says. “Stop thinking. This doesn’t gotta mean anything.”
“I’m Steve,” Steve says.
“That’s nice,” Bucky says, and kisses him.
+ Shrunkyclunks. Steve can’t keep his eyes off the guy at the gym, but that’s okay because the guy’s looking right back.
-☆-
*More Boxer Bucky stories in the Pre-Serum Steve list
