#sambuckyfics

[honestlyfrance]

That’s when he saw him, standing by the fucking ice sculpture: The most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on.

an art piece inspired by Deception written by @siancore​ :) it’s one of my favorite fics of hers, it’s one of the main reasons I got an AO3 account in the first place! the pacing and plot is so interesting and intriguing, and I’m just so lucky to have read it as it was updating <3 this will forever will be one of my top fic recs!!

have a great day, sian, and I hope you like this! 

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[saryasy]

Here’s the thing, I LOVE reading sambucky AUs. I’ve made a list of some of my favorites, and since it’s promotion Monday, I thought I’d share it with y’all.

1. You Got What I Need by @six2vii – Lawyer!Sam & Chef!Bucky

E - 37,635

Summary: Sam and Bucky are both in a bind, professionally. Nat points out a solution that neither men like. To save their careers they play along or rather, stop playing all together.

Note: This was such a lovely read. It has fake dating, with a bit of enemies to lovers. The buildup and slow burn is so well written. Also the writer has many +20k different aus with detailed worlds you might wanna give them a go.

**

2. To The Full Moon And Back by @glittercake – Werewolf!Sam & Human!Bucky

E - 24,697

Summary: After serving his time in Special Ops, Bucky moves to a two-horse town, deep in the mountains. He buys an old log cabin in a large clearing surrounded by acres of tall, thick trees and dark woods- the only place for miles up there.

As he acquaints himself with the locals, he learns about the small town’s weird obsession with wolves and all the supernatural rumors, specifically around the area of his cabin.

Bucky thinks them all a little off-kilter until peculiar occurrences around his new home piques his interest enough to find out more.

And that’s when he learns that apparently werewolves are a very real thing.

Pity that Bucky doesn’t share the town’s caution when it comes to the woods and his cabin.

This ‘werewolf’ devoured his pizza and left the crust, how scary can he really be?

Note: An amazingly written fic all around. it has Sam with long hair, need I say more?

**

3. ghosts that we knew by wilsonsnest – Artist!Sam

T - 46,616

Summary: Sam (reluctantly) agrees to do a commission for Steve's rich but extremely reclusive friend, James Barnes.

Sam just stared at the other man, the feeling of being watched suddenly overcoming him. God, what kind of weirdo didn’t even come to greet their guests? It was one thing to be a rich recluse, but another thing to just completely ignore people wandering around your house.

“Steve, this is really weird.” Sam stressed. “This isn’t weird to you?”

Note: This one is very dear to me, and I don’t find it recommended quite often. I read it twice in a row, and I can’t get enough of it. The atmosphere is chilling at times. And the writing and world building make you feel like you’re right there. Their communication throughout the early chapters is pure gold. It’s adds a hint of mystery to everything and makes you wanna finish the thing immediately (which I did). Also, if you love art, you’re gonna appreciate the great details used to describe the painting process.

**

4. The Boys of Summer by @siancore – Humans AU, with High School flashbacks

E - 84,227

Summary: Sam Wilson returns home to the small town he grew up in to complete his med school residency. He hasn’t been back for an extended amount of time since he left for college. While he only consistently kept in touch with childhood friend, Steve Rogers, he was keen to see the people he had grown up with. With the exception of Bucky Barnes. They had a falling out the summer before Sam left for college.

What happened between them? Can they move past it now that they’re adults?

Note: boy, oh boy, how I love this one. The back and forth between the present and the past just pulls you right in. But, please check the tags very carefully. (It deals quite heavily with homophobia, racism, emotional manipulation from a parent.)

**

5. The Real Thing by Siancore – Student!Sam & SugarDaddy!Bucky

E - 24,745

Summary: Birnin Zana is an exciting city. There’s a lot for a young man like Sam Wilson to do and see, but he is a broke American exchange student in Wakanda. He would love to see the rest of the country and continent, but for that, he needs an additional income. His scholarship covers the basics of his study, but when he isn’t studying, he takes on odd jobs for extra cash; Sam is saving up, you see. His most recent job is the reason why he is standing inside of the art museum nursing a glass of champagne and feeling completely out of place.

Note: Even though it’s missing a chapter (according the chapter count) you’ll be quite happy with where things left off. I just adore it.

**

6. Deception by Siancore – Crime AU

E - 79,992

Summary: That’s when he saw him, standing by the fucking ice sculpture: The most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on.

Note: Am I gonna recommend everything written by Sian? Yes, yes I am. You might wanna go and check her entire catalog, like right now. This story is full of twists right and left. It sucks you right in. It has angst, it has jealousy, it has everything you need. Go read it.

**

7. Lighthouse by glittercake – Hospital AU

E - 50,767

Summary: This guy’s trouble. Bucky knows that in his bones. It’s not bad trouble, is the problem, it’s good. Sam is so goddamn inherently good and if Bucky even touches that with a ten foot pole—fuck if he even looks at it—it’ll turn to shit.

He can’t afford another move to yet another city because his colleagues started recognizing Brock’s fist prints on his face.

But Sam is a ridiculously bright glowing light, a beacon, and Bucky goes toward it like that idiotic moth to the flame.

Note: EVERYONE MOVE OUT THE WAY. This fic will always have a special place in my heart. I just recently re-read it, and all the emotions were right there, again. There are a few scenes that I revisit every now and then just to feel something. It’s a masterpiece all around. I’ll never tire of recommending it. But please check the tags and the notes very very carefully. (It deals with domestic abuse, NOT BETWEEN SAMBUCKY‼. And it gets quite graphic.)

Also, you might wanna do yourself the favor of reading everything ever written by glittercake. Go ahead, I’m gonna wait.

**

8. Stolen Moments by @jemgirl86

T - 98,822

Summary: “No,” Sam said, chuckling. “I don’t cheat,” he swept his gaze up and down James’ body, “even with guys who look like you. But, I’m bored and a little pissed, so if you wanna sit here and shoot the shit ‘til my man shows back up, I’m game.”

Never one to back down from a challenge - especially a challenge who looked like Sam Wilson - Bucky took another swig from his bottle and replied, “Sure, doll. I’ve got nothing but time.”

Steve has Sam. Bucky wants Sam. Sam wasn’t expecting any of this.

Note: I love this one with all of my heart. Usually love triangles aren’t my thing, but this one is executed beautifully, there isn’t a dull moment in sight. They're messy, and you love to see it.

A TW is in place for gaslighting. The relationship between Sam and Steve isn’t good at all.

**

9. Exactly What You're Looking For by snarkymuch – Soulmate AU

M - 5,898

Summary: When you lose something, it might appear beside your soulmate in the morning.

Sam never found anything from his soulmate until after Bucky Barnes dragged Steve from the Potomac.

Bucky grew up never finding a thing either, but after he finally gets free from Hydra, he starts finding things beside him the morning.

This is the story of them coming together.

Note: this one is pure joy. It’s not precisely au (quite canon compliant actually) but I had to put it here. It’s hilarious at times, and fluffy at others. And the alternate ending is just a delight.

**

10. i wanna savour, save it for later by caramelle – Food truck AU (is that a thing? Should be a thing)

Not Rated - 6,419

Summary: "It's his damn ratings, man," Sam says. "It's weird 'cause when you read the reviews, he seems to like our food and all. Nothing but praise for days. And then you get to the rating, and it's always the same. Three goddamn stars."

Bucky tips his beer bottle from side to side, lips pursing slightly. "I see. And that's… a bad thing?"

"We are not a three-star joint," Sam says flatly.

Or, the one where food truck owner Sam gets caught up in his quest to unmask an anonymous food blogger. Falling for one of his regulars was never on the menu.

Note: fun fact: I read this one mere minutes before an exam and finished it right after said exam. I remember nothing from that day except for this lovely fic. It’s just sweet, ok? And I love food, so there’s that.

**

11. Good Enough by junipermoss – Paramedic!Sam & DogWalker!Bucky

Not rated - 18,871

Summary: Bucky Barnes is an anxious dog walker who takes his job very seriously. Sam Wilson is a paramedic who takes his job seriously-ish. When Sam responds to an emergency call, their paths cross.

It gets worse from there.

In a good way.

Probably.

Note: THE FEELS

**

12. Who doesn't know their own coffee order? by tinyarmedtrex – Coffee Shop AU

T - 3.313

Summary: Is that what you get?” The man asked, his gaze dropping to Sam. Sam was suddenly tongue tied. The man had the most intense eyes that Sam had ever seen, it felt like he was staring at Sam’s soul but in a...good way? Sam wasn’t sure.

“No- no.” Sam shook his head. “I get cold press coffee with hazelnut.”

Sam had a feeling that the customer didn’t know what cold press was but he nodded. “I’ll take that. Large.”

Sam punched the order into the ancient computer. “Great. Anything else?” He gestured to the bakery case, the customer’s eyes following.

“How are the apple fritters?”

“Honestly pretty terrible.” Sam said, smiling slightly. “But the chocolate muffins are amazing.”

The man smiled at Sam and his heart skipped a beat. “I’ll take one of those then.”

“Good choice. What’s your name for the order?”

“Um- put Bucky I guess.”

Note: one of the very earliest AUs I’ve ever read, and it’s so so sweat.

**

I’m sure I missed a lot of aus so please, don’t hesitate to add some of your favorites (or even your own!)

[cyclogenesis]

Be Gay, Do Crimes. Sam/Bucky, Explicit. 12,221 words.

Bucky and Sam go on an undercover mission as husbands in Palm Springs, where they attend a Pride party, make new friends, and are not great at spying, actually.

[yaksomins]

This might not be strictly a prompt, but you're writing is so soft, I think it's gonna be great. So here goes: Sam is playing with Bucky's hair. Yup that's it. It could be pre slash, and Bucky falls asleep, that's how he realizes how safe Sam makes him feel. Or could be before they go undercover to a fancy party, and Sam fixes his hair for him. I dunno if that's considered a prompt, but I hope you'd give it a go

bucky's usually not one to drift off.

falling and remaining asleep has always been a struggle for him—echoes of all the lives he's lived archived and sealed away deep in the recesses of his mind, always found a way back to the surface once he closed his eyes. flashes of hazy memories unraveled before him like old film reels before jolting him awake in a cold sweat.

and it's for that reason he's particularly puzzled when he finds his head resting in sam's lap on the plane ride to germany, sam's fingers idly stroking his hair with one hand while thumbing through his phone with the other.

bucky's not sure how he ended up there, but he fights his initial instinct to move, the curious warmth building in his chest and stomach the longer he stays, overtaking him.

sam hasn't sensed he's awake yet, his eyes trained on the tiny pixelated words scrolling on his screen that periodically elicits a small chuckle from him. all the while, his fingers continue threading through bucky's hair—slowly, tenderly—melting away all tension left in bucky's body with each movement.

it takes tremendous effort for bucky to not fold. to not turn onto his side and bury his face into the warmth of sam's center, hugging him close and asking for more—more of sam's fingers caressing his skin and maybe sam's lips pressed to his forehead or cheek or, even better, his own lips.

bucky wants it—needs it—so bad his chest and face burn at the thought of actually making the request.

"you feeling better?" sam suddenly asks. it's then that bucky realizes sam's looking directly at him, his phone abandoned off to the side. "been a while since you've been on a plane, huh?"

"i'm fine." bucky clenches his jaw, averting his gaze when sam raises an eyebrow. "you don't need to worry about me."

"i know i don't," sam says, and bucky hates the way his stomach drops so easily at his words. "but i can't help it if i do."

bucky openly scoffs, finally sitting up and returning to his seat across from sam. it's a decision he immediately regrets, already missing the comfort of his closeness.

[glittercake]

"Sam, he fights like—"

"If you say Ali, you're fired. Everyone fights like Ali, nobody fights like Ali, come on now—"

"You!" Steve blurts out, his voice rising then fading to a sigh, "You. He fights like you, Sammy. Every move, every jab, his footwork. Kicked my ass. He fights like he studied you. Look, he's dedicated, and he's good. I haven't seen talent like this in a goddamn long time, Sam. He could be—"

CHAPTER 2

[saryasy]

It’s once again promotion Monday at @fuckyeahsambucky so I’m back with yet another list of sambucky fics that no one asked for.

The working title for this one is ‘Non-MCD fics that made me sob’ as in ANGST……with a happy ending

1. Warm by Attaining aka @samwontshare

T – 2,473

Summary: As the cookout wraps up, Bucky and Sam are alone on the docks. Old memories bring up old hurts and new confessions, but Bucky is there when Sam needs him.

(Or how Bucky talks Sam through a flashback of Riley. Bittersweet with a happy ending.)

Note: This is so stunningly written. The words were just shooting into my heart. It’s always nice to read Sam being comforted, and this fic handled it really well.

TW: PTSD, flashbacks

**

2. Let me be your A-Team by @glittercake

M – 13,862

Summary: They will love each other forever more, no matter what comes next. It's one for the books, he knows that in his ever-aging bones.

Note: you want the angst of a Major Character Death WITHOUT the Major Character Death? Look no further. I adore this one with all of my heart.

**

3. My Autumn Touch of Gold by prettylittlementirosa

E – 76,536

Summary: Sam seriously considers checking the ‘regretfully declines’ box. It’s not that he isn’t happy for Steve and T’Challa or that he doesn’t want to be there to see them get married. He’s just not sure he can handle seeing Bucky up close and in person, even after all this time. He wishes he was a better person. A more put-together person. A more over-it person, but. Well. It’s a Friday night and he’s at home drinking twelve-dollar wine by himself, staring at a little rectangle of fancy stock paper, trying to decide which tiny box he should scribble in.

Note: This was the angstiest (is that even a word?) shit I've ever read. Some tears here, ugly sobs there, and A LOT of screaming. Why do people do that to themselves? (I am people). I actually had to come back to the tags over and over again to make sure ‘Angst with a Happy Ending” was there. I had to make sure I was suffering for a reason. It was all worth it in the end. But I still avoid thinking about it too hard or else I’m gonna start crying again. Ok, I'll shut up now.

Ps. It’s the 4th installment in a series, the first 3 fics are quite short, and they explore their developing relationship. They’re worth the read before this one.

**

4. Almost Every Night by @burn-thatbridge

T – 3,136

Summary: It’s not a nightmare, so Sam isn’t exactly sure why he wakes. Maybe it’s that even asleep his brain knows something isn’t right; this can’t possibly be real, otherwise he would not be this happy.

Sam has a rough night. Bucky helps.

Note: this is pre-relationship, but Bucky comforting Sam after a dream? Can’t recommend it enough. The main focus is actually past Sam/Riley, but the grief, the pain, what could’ve been, ooof.

**

5. birds flying, but I'm still there by overnights

Not Rated – 45,103

Summary: “Shit,” Sam says, staring at the thin golden ring on his finger. He blinks quickly, like he’s pushing through it all: the hangover, the too-bright sunlight, the pure insanity of this moment. Bucky watches the dark curl of his eyelashes, staring for just a second too long.

Sam blinks again, then starts to laugh. “Shit. Well, I guess we’ll have to file for annulment.”

And maybe it’s the leftover buzz of the alcohol, or maybe it’s the way that Sam has started to feel like safety to him, but something makes Bucky blurt it out; he clears his throat and says, “Yeah, or we could just stay married.”

[Sam, Bucky, and a long road to peace.]

Note: this one explores the journey of Bucky falling in love with Sam (it’s Bucky centric). It was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. Kate Bishop and America Chavez make a very welcome appearance as the neighbors of married sambucky. Yup, there’s fake dating. And the ending was *chef’s kiss*

**

6. and here, my love, we linger – glittercake

M – 9,274

Summary: "You're an idiot," Sam says, suddenly very serious.

Bucky swallows and brings his hand up to trace along the hem of Sam's untucked shirt.

They're looking each other dead in the eye. So so close.

Sam's eyes flick up to Bucky's, and he says, "I haven't laughed like that since… Since he—"

"Since what, Sam," Bucky pleads. He wants to know this. He wants Sam to be okay again, to be able to talk about Riley.

But Sam never talks about Riley.

Note: where are my Sam/Riley lovers? This fic destroyed me in the best way possible. The concept itself is heartbreaking, and Bucky being there for Sam in his grief is just perfect. (Also oblivious!Bucky makes an appearance)

**

7. Favorite Worst Nightmare by stereobone

E – 16,422 - GDV

Summary: This is a dream, Sam realizes. I'm in Bucky's dream.

Note: I cried like a baby! The idea is interesting, and the dreams were really greatly written, and tangible. It was so cathartic.

**

8. When You're Ready, I'm Ready by Unclesteeb

Summary: “You ever think about getting help for real?” Sam asks, passing back the blunt. He normally wouldn't bring it up so soon into Bucky’s stay, but it's supposed to snow for like three days straight and that weed is good as shit. He figures Bucky's not going to run on him.

Bucky does make a face and eye Sam carefully as he hits the blunt again. “Why, so you can make an honest man out of me? Put a ring on my finger? Have 2.5 adopted children with me?”

M – 3,580

Note: this one is so sad and beautiful. It broke my heart into a billion pieces and twisted my gut. It touches quite heavily on addiction.

Ps, please check the tags carefully, there’s a lot of drug use, and the relationship between Sam and Bucky isn’t healthy.

[cyclogenesis]

Just This Once. Sam/Bucky, Explicit. 15,732 words.

Bucky has enough to deal with given his feelings for Sam and his latent masochistic streak, so if everyone could stop treating him like some sort of murder sexbot, that would be great.

[saryasy]

Title: · to fly toward a secret sky

Featuring: A bookstore date, Sam speaking Arabic, Poems, and love confessions.

**

It starts with a spontaneous idea.

Not a promising start, granted, but if it makes you feel any better, it isn’t Bucky’s.

There’s a new bookstore opening in town, and if months of living with Bucky as roommates have taught him anything, it’s this: Bucky loves his books; be it fantasy, sci-fi, romance. You name it, he reads it. He reads every night before bed, or on nights when the nightmares find their way back to him. Sometimes Sam wakes up to find him sitting in the rocking chair on their front porch, a book in one hand, and a hot cocoa in the other, and Alpine curled in on herself next to his legs. He’s also recently discovered audio books which means he’s constantly playing one no matter what he’s doing, whether he’s cooking in the kitchen, or cleaning around the house. He always brings 3 books with them on missions, 5 if it’s a stakeout. Sam has introduced him to the wonders of e-books, hoping to lighten their bags, but “Nothing compares to the feel of paper in your hands, Samuel.”

On AO3