#marvel fic rec

[ifyoucandaniel]

favorite fics of 2024/basically just batfam fic rec list

It's that time of year guys, here is my favorite fics of 2024 in no specific order (aka my master batman fic rec list bc that's all i read this year with some spider-man thrown in there lmao). most of these have been in my previous rec lists, but this is just like one big frankenstein’s monster of a fic rec with all of them in one place <3

starting off strong, anything @bluelotuswrites's hands have touched is pure gold. Red is the Color of Sinners placed post UTRH where after being hit by bruce's batarang and now mute, jason decides to leave gotham and go to hell’s kitchen for a fresh start, but he keeps running into daredevil both in and out of costume. this is possibly the best jason of all time i rotate him in my mind like a microwave all day

The Hellblazer's Apprentice is an all blades jason fic where instead of continuing his lost days world tour, he meets john constentine and decides to learn magic to piss of bruce. blue added some lore to jason’s character in this that to this day makes my brain vibrate with excitement and the dynamic between john and jason is just ?? so good. both of these fics haunt me, they follow me wherever i go, i love them. read everything she's written, trust me

going with the theme of my favorite authors i read this year, @cdelphiki wrote my favorite read of the year and possibly all time Life Happens a fic that hit me like a sucker punch where tim and damian are both sent to a different dimension where everyone they know are comic book characters. with no other choice, they have to start a new life in this world while they wait for rescue. words just dont do it justice, please please read this fic. it’s the most beautiful story on growing and life

their other fic Jason and the Three Terrors crosses my mind at least once a day if not three times. jason is still with the league when talia charges him with getting damian, his cousin mara, and his secret sister athanasia to bruce safely from ra's. the rest of the fic is jason going from "i cant wait to get rid of these kids" to "these are my kids, i need to provide for them and keep them safe and i would die for them" 100/10 jason's character development is some of my favorite in any fic.

The Time Before is another of my favorites where jason is sent back in time to when he was 9 and goes to bruce for help and realizes maybe his memories of bruce maybe aren't all accurate. just read everything cdelphiki has ever written, trust me <3

Split by @wolfsbanesparks i have never been hooked on a character i previously did not know much about faster than when i read this fic. Billy and shazam are forcefully separated into separate bodies by black adam and then they have to try to keep billy's identity secret somehow while working with the justice league to fix them. the end of this fic had me sending paragraphs and 5 minute voice notes to my friends, trying to explain why i was so absolutely distraught and obsessed.

also by wolfsbanesparks, From the Shadows is basically everything you could ever want from a billy batson joins the batfam fic. it's got plot, it's got identity shenanigans, it's got badass magical billy, what more could you possibly need! seriously idk what is up with everything wolfbanesparks writes, but the endings are always so fucking good, 100/10.

Something in the Static by @bonerot19 is one of my favorite jason series ever, i go back to it constantly and think about it all the time. this is a series where jason's mom doesn't die and his dad isn't in prison, instead he's 17 working nights at a convenience store when everything changes and suddenly batman won't leave him alone. this is my favorite jason & steph best friends fic ever and the way this fic is paced scratches an itch in my brain, the flow of the story is just perfect

Buy Back the Secrets by @vinelark is the only ship fic on here and it deserves a place of honor. every time i get an email that it's updated an angel gets it's wings and my friends all get texts in all caps. Timkon fic where kon still doesn’t know tim’s civilian identity, but tim keeps calling for superboy when he's in trouble which leads to kon meeting him as a civilian. the identity shenanigans are just so top tier, its a 5 + 1 fic so every chapter is just just a new world of fun tropes. the chapter with tim's fake uncle and jason is actually probably my favorite chapter of a fic ever its so dear to me. as far as i'm concerned, this fic is the only timkon ever <3

Honoring Promises by LananiA3O is the shortest fic on this list and is the most important jason & dick post UTRH fics i've ever read. this fic both scratched an itch and created an itch because i need 100 more chapters and for it to never end. set post UTRH when dick starts to rethink his opinion on a note jason left him and realizes it was jason reaching out and decides to find him and fix things. this goes up there with RITCOS in the post UTRH fics where jason decides to just fuck off and do his own thing, i love them

Adopting a New Plan by A_Silly_Gander is yet another fic where jason winds up with an adoption problem when he first comes back to gotham. however, my favorite part of this whole fic is how the author writes jason making mistakes and being flawed and how those mistakes affect him. absolutely 10/10 character development and jason rejoining the batfam + damian and jaosn meeting in the LOA tag is just a mixture of all my favorite things, i love this fic so much

A Collision of Masks by MOVAZ is my favorite dick grayson fic ever, its set in a young justice AU where batman never joined the JL and YJ never met dick, so when the YJ team is sent to investigate a new vigilante, nightwing, identity shenanigans ensue. this is seriously such a fun fic, i loved all the crossover between dick's many identities and the YJ team

Cards on the Table by @wesslan is just!!! so fun oh my god. the chapter titles are to this day my favorite things ever they enhance the experience. it’s about tim being a scam fortune teller who knows a lot more than he should about the upper class due to his nighttime stalking. he winds up meeting the batfam and giving some scarily accurate advice which leads to him being tied up in their business and lots of lying <3 it’s such a fun fic and i just love the vibes 100/10

Hand in Unloveable Hand (a chokehold) by @a-large-orange-cat is by far my favorite fucked up tim fic! while tim’s out taking pictures of batman and robin as a kid he gets kidnapped by black mask and raised to take over his crime empire. cue 50k of manipulation and angst, the ending is so satisfying and the sequel with jason always makes me :’) very good, this tim lives in my mind in a little house he and jason built

Dark Matter by @mysterycyclone because would it be a fic rec without the loml? i love this fic so much oh my god, it sent me back on my spiderman obsessed bullshit which in turn led me back down my marvel bs. post infinity war peter is dusted and wakes up in the DC universe with the ghosts of the dusted avengers following him. i love this fic so much, nothing compares to this peter in my mind. the dynamic between him and the batfam + the identity angst is just so well done

keeping up with the peter theme, The Teenage Vigilante's Guide to Saving New York (And Making Friends Along the Way) by candlesneedflame is such a good team red/mentor matt fic oh my god. where peter goes against tony’s wishes and starts hanging out with daredevil and his friends and maybe starts getting mentored by new york’s vigilantes. 10/10 i love peter interacting with the other vigilantes and also matt mentoring him

anyways, that’s all folks! 2024 was the year for the DC and marvel fics clearly and hopefully 2025 will be the year of me binding all of these finally and having them sitting pretty on my shelf <3

[harrie-fic-center]

avengers

bucky barnes [2]

clint barton

druig

hobie brown

loki laufeyson [2]

marc spector

matt murdock

miguel o'hara

miles morales

peter parker

pietro maximoff

sam wilson

stephen strange

steve rogers

thor odinson

tony stark

[bookboyfriendsficrecs]

Steve Rogers Fic Recs

Bolded = fic located on Ao3

SERIES:

Nice to Be Kneaded by @rogersideup

Nothing But the Truth by @anika-ann

Don't You Love Me by @dreamwritesimagines

Steve Rogers' NSFW Alphabet by @universitypenguin

A Blind Path Home by @imamotherfuckingstar-lord

Love on the Brain by @anika-ann

The Year of Starting Over by @justanothersong

His New Partner by @star-spangled-steve

Fools Rush In by @ronearoundblindly

When You Come Back to Me Again by @sunriserose1023

Non-Sequential by @invisibleanonymousmonsters

Out of Time by @after-avenging-hours

The Demigod From Asgard by @secretswiftymarvelfan

Stark Spangled Universe by @wiypt-writes

Tomorrow by @just-dreaming-marvel

Hacker's Heart by @bakugousaysdie (note: this series' masterlist is currently unaccesible due to a username change by the author, I have linked the tag "hacker's heart au" on their blog as that's the only way the find the corresponding stories, hopefully this works fine)

MINISERIES:

Bug and Bear and Burritos and Bandages by @real-jane

Seven Minutes Part 1 and Part 2 by @anika-ann

Start Again Part 1 and Part 2 by @wkemeup

SR Version Desperate Times and Desperate Measures by @lancsnerd

Pace is the Trick by @syntheticavenger (part 4 linked, other parts available at beginning of post)

ONE-SHOTS:

No Questions Asked by @pellucid-constellations

No Strings Attached by @viperbarnes

Nature's Beauty by @biteofcherry

How to Dismantle Steve Rogers by @jtargaryen18

Passing the Baton by @touchstarvedirl

Writer's Block by @navybrat817

Taken by @time-for-a-lullaby

Hold Onto Me by @anika-ann

[late-to-the-party-81]

Thank you!!!!! 🤩

Whatta Man

AN: Well folks, I've beaten my own record for length of a one-shot. I could have posted this as a mini-series, but didn't want to tease y'all.

This is full of filth and I am not sorry in the slightest. This is a no-powers AU.

Mood board by me, dividers by @firefly-graphics and beta'd by my dream team.

Main Master list | Series Master list

Pairing: CamBoy Sam x Fem Room-mate reader, Nat x Steve (Background)

Word count: 11k

CW: Fluff, Angst and SMUT!!! (inc both male and female masturbation, the former described in a lot of detail)

MINORS DNI

Do not copy/transfer/transform this work. If you see it posted anywhere but here or on my AO3 (Late_to_the_party_81) it has been taken without my consent.

“You want me to do what?”

Your voice rose to a high squeak as you processed what Nat had just asked. Your roommate at least had the decency to hide her face behind her hands, and peek at you from between her fingers.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, but Steve’s place is rented, and I own this apartment. It just makes more sense for him to move in with me than the other way around.”

You weren’t angry with her; far from it. You were pleased that her relationship with Steve had progressed to the next level and they were moving in together, but the fact that it meant that you had to move out had your head in a spin. You’d moved in with her two years ago when her younger sister, Yelena, had left to go to college and you were desperate to get out of your parent’s house.

You twisted your sweater sleeves around your hands as you tried to process everything.

“So, erm, I suppose I ought to start looking for somewhere else?”

You really didn’t want to have to move back in with your parents; you and your mom were too alike to be able to get on for longer than a few days.

“Well… about that. Steve and Sam have still got 9 months left on their lease, so Sam will be looking for someone to share with. Gives you a bit more breathing room and would make moving much easier.”

Nat’s suggestion made sense. You didn’t know Steve’s roommate Sam that well; he tended to keep to himself, but you’d never heard any complaints from Steve about him. Could you move in with a man you barely knew, even if his friends and yours could vouch for him? Well, when the other option was your parents, the answer was a resounding “Yes!”.

“Let’s hang out, the four of us. If I feel that Sam is someone I can live with for the short term, then we can set up a moving date.”

Nat squealed and threw herself at you, wrapping her arms around you and knocking you back on the sofa cushions. She peppered kisses all over your face, leaving red lipstick marks.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at her over-enthusiastic gratitude. And anyway, how bad could living with Sam be?

Bad, that’s what it was.

Okay, maybe you were being a bit over dramatic, but compared to what you were used to with Nat, living with Sam was, well, lonely.

With Nat, you ate meals together, watched films, and binged box sets together. You went out shopping, and whilst you know those trips would still continue, they were currently on hiatus as Nat and Steve were presumably christening every single surface in the apartment. That was an image you really wished you weren’t having.

You'd obviously seen a lot of Sam on the day that you moved in. He’d smiled genuinely at you, thanking you again for saving him from the horror of posting for a roommate, and you’d answered in kind. Then he used the impressive muscles that he (unfortunately) kept covered up under a t-shirt to move your boxes from the hallway into Steve's old, and now your new, room.

“I, um, made Steve bleach and vacuum before he left.”

You’d chuckled at that, and he’d continued to smile. He was a very charming man, and you’d have been blind not to notice how physically attractive he was. However, since that day, you’d barely run into him. He left the house early every weekday morning for a run, a routine that he’d had before he’d met Steve, and which he and Steve had continued together. You had no idea if Steve was still joining Sam or not.

By the time he came back, you were on your way out to work. In a sweet gesture, he always seemed to come back with a coffee for you, and as you weren’t a morning person, it was greatly appreciated. You knew he had a day job, some kind of cycling delivery person, and you guessed that was one of the ways he stayed in such excellent shape. He also had some other kind of job, something computer based that he did a couple of evenings a week, including Friday evenings. He glossed over it, saying it was rather mundane and boring, but paid the bills.

Three weeks in and you’d only shared a handful of meals together and two movies. Oh well, it was a different dynamic, and it would take time to find your feet. You vowed to make more of an effort, and that would start tonight. You went grocery shopping on your way home from work, picking up the ingredients you would need to make your signature dish: sausage and red wine casserole with creamed potatoes, a selection of greens and a baked cheesecake, New York style of course.

You were just testing the cheesecake with a skewer when the door opened, heralding Sam’s return.

“Hey Roomie, what’s smelling so good?”

You’d planned to answer eloquently but you were momentarily struck dumb. Sam’s cycling gear, white and red in colour, was skin tight, showing off his muscular frame. The skin that wasn’t covered had a slight sweaty sheen to it, evidence of Sam’s hard work. His protective eye goggles were pushed up on his head, and the cords of his earphones dangled over his chest as he removed them. Jesus Christ, you could see his nipples through his shirt, it was that tight…

“I… um…”

Your brain finally rebooted, and you managed to process his question, plastering a smile on your face as you answered.

“Sausage casserole and cheesecake. I was thinking, you know, we haven’t had much time to hang out; maybe it would be nice to eat together tonight. I’m not sure what your and Steve’s routine was, but Nat and I would eat together fairly regularly.” You looked away from him to slide the cheesecake back in the oven, glad that it gave you a moment to compose yourself. Your appreciation of his attractiveness could not be allowed to morph into a crush. That would not be good.

“Sounds good, Squishmallow.” You turned back to face him and rolled your eyes.

“Really, Sam? Just cos I have a few…”

He chuckled at you, the sound deep and melodious and somehow making your core vibrate with want. Shit.

“A few? Girl, you got more of those things than Toys 'R' Us.”

You stuck your tongue out at him, gesticulating with the spoon you’d been using to stir the casserole.

“Hey… they’re cute and nice to cuddle.”

He leant over the kitchen counter, grabbed a fork and pinched a piece of sausage out of the pot on the burner.

“You need to get out more, Squishy. I’m gonna go have a shower. Looking forward to dinner. A guy could get used to this, you know.”

He sauntered away towards his room, and you couldn’t keep your eyes off his ass as he walked away. Maybe spending more time together wasn’t going to be the best idea…

The front door closed with a bang, galvanising you into action in your bedroom, where you had been laying, post shower, tired from work.

“Squishy? I’ve got the take-out.”

You pulled on your sleep shorts and shirt and walked into the living room.

“Stop calling me that, Sam.”

“Nope! Now it looks like you haven’t picked a film for us to watch, so you forfeit.”

He placed the bag of take-out on the coffee table and flopped down, full-length, onto the sofa, grabbing the remote and starting to flick through the channels. You picked up one of the cushions and smacked him with it.

“Hey, no fair!”

“Way fair! But if you make me a cup of coffee, I may relent.”

A disgruntled snort was your reply, but you still moved to the kitchenette and put the kettle on the stove for your tea and turned on the coffee machine for Sam.

“Don’t pick anything too scary, Sam. You know I’m a wuss.”

“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll protect you.”

You were glad he was facing away from you so he didn’t see the shudder that ran through your body at the use of the pet name.

Over the last month, after the dinner that you’d made, you and Sam had been spending more time together. Whilst it was never going to be the same as living with Nat (you missed having someone to review your outfits with), you and Sam had settled into something… well, nice.

A couple of times a week you’d take turns to either making or picking up dinner, and when your schedules allowed, you’d watch a film together. It was Thursday today, and tomorrow night you were heading on out with some of the girls at work, and Sam had his evening job.

Finishing the drinks, you carried the mugs through. To celebrate having had you as a roommate for a month, Sam had brought you a mug, covered in pictures of squishmallows. In response, you’d bought him a bike mug with double entendre statements across it, which had made him laugh.

You placed the mugs down next to the takeout bag and then motioned for him to move his legs so you could sit on the sofa.

“So, what are we watching?” You questioned him as you unpacked the white cardboard containers from the bag. “And did you get my noodles?”

“Yes, oh Mallow dictator, I got your precious noodles! What about a classic? Fifth Element? Or the Mummy?”

“Ooh, the Mummy! I’ve not seen it in ages.”

With your noodle box in hand, you tucked your legs up under you and watched as Sam selected the film.

“Question for you, Sammy. Rachel Weisz, Brendan Fraser or Oded Fehr?”

Sam caught you in an amused glare and let out a huff.

“What kind of question is that? The answer to that question is always ‘yes’, but you forgot about Patricia Valazquez.”

“Gold body paint!” You chanted together before collapsing into giggles.

“Correct. Any other answer and I would have had to disavow you as my roommate.”

As the opening credits began to roll, you cosied down next to Sam to enjoy the misadventures of Evie, Rick and Jonathan with Ardeth rolling his eyes at them every chance he got.

Lights flashed and the bass-line thumped as you made your way across the night club towards the ladies room. Friday night and you were out with your girls. God, you’d needed this; it had been too long, and whilst Sam was great to hang out with, you couldn’t have a good gossip with him in the same way. You hoped work wasn’t too onerous for him tonight. You were glad you didn’t have to do a tele-marketing job from home to make ends meet; your office job might not be the most exciting, but it paid enough and was good and steady.

There were about eight of you out from work, and it had been a riotous evening so far. You were all well lubricated with wine, vodka and gin and had now come to the club to dance off your drunken energy. You and your friend, Sophie, finally found your way through the cavernous space to the washroom, and after doing the necessary, you both fixed your make-up before heading back to the rest of the group. You found them at your table, all giggling and half leaning over each other to look at the phone that Helen, one of the others, was holding.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

Cassie lifted her head, grinning.

“Helen was showing us this Camboy feed she discovered, and -phew-ee- is this guy hot! Come on, Hel; show her.”

The group shuffled around in the booth as Helen rewound the video and passed it across so you and Sophie could watch. The video started with the camera pointing at a backdrop, a light orange colour, which you thought was a strange choice until the man walked into frame. His face wasn’t in the shot, but the background showed off his skin tone to perfection. He wore a white shirt, sleeves rolled up and the buttons straining against his broad chest. Tan leather pistol holders were visible across his shoulders, with matching bracers on his lower arms and brown pants held up with a leather belt.

“Wooooo, he’s doing a Rick O’Connell cosplay.”

Sophie let out an appreciative whistle. Something niggled at the back of your mind, but you couldn’t drag your eyes away as the man swayed and rolled his hips to the camera in time to the music he had on in the background. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, dragging it out from where it was tucked into his trousers, the fabric fluttering. One broad hand slid down his front, drawing attention to his pecs and abdominals. He slid the holsters off his shoulders so that the shirt could follow. It stopped briefly when it was half off so he could flex his biceps and show how the fabric tightened around them.

You shuffled in your seat. He hadn’t even got to the good part yet, and you were already involuntarily clenching your thighs together for some relief against the pulsing inside your underwear. Next the guy, USFalcon, according to his handle, slowly unbuckled his belt, pulling it slowly from the loops, before folding it in half and snapping it together, making a cracking noise. The sound made a dart of electricity zing straight to your clit.

“Fuck; imagine this guy tying you up with that belt!” It was like Sophie was vocalising your inner thoughts.

With the belt discarded, he ran his thumbs around the waist band of the pants, teasing his viewers as his fingers ghosted over the button, a button that was starting to show the strain against the now obvious bulge under the fabric.

“Come on. Come on.”

It took a moment for you to realise that it was you talking under your breath. Christ, it was obviously far too long since you’d last gotten laid if you were getting this wound up watching some anonymous guy do a strip tease on the internet.

Your attention was brought back to the screen as he finally, finally, popped the button and lowered the zip. The pants clung to his thick thighs, and he pushed them down to reveal a pair of somewhat anachronistic white boxer briefs, but at this point you didn’t care. The stretch cotton showed more than it revealed; it might have well been painted on. God, it reminded you of Sam and his cycling gear.

“Fucking Christ!”

Helen leant over to you. “Wait until he takes them off…”

You didn’t have to wait that much longer though. He teased himself and the viewers first, his hands running over his body again, including his clothed cock. When a small wet patch appeared on his underwear you swore you almost came in your own panties. You wanted to lean inside the screen and suck on the fabric. Then he pushed them down and off, letting his cock bob unimpeded for a few seconds in front of the camera.

Fuck, you’d never felt this level of desire before, and you could feel your cheeks heat. USFalcon’s cock could only be described as beautiful; slightly longer than average, but the girth! Just thinking about it had you clenching, imagining being split apart on it. The tip of it was cut and weeping salty pearls.

You felt a finger on your chin and your eyes darted to the side. Helen pressed under your jaw, closing your slack mouth. “Girl, you’re drooling. Do you and USFalcon need some alone time?”

“I’m telling you now; this guy has a new fan!”

“I can tell.”

You returned your attention as USFalcon drizzled some lube over his gorgeous cock before wrapping his hand round it. He slowly moved his hand up and down his length, coating it in the slippery fluid. His movements then became firmer and faster, his spare hand trailing over his body, teasing his dark, pebbled nipples. You wished you had earbuds in, so you could hear the sounds he was making, but you already knew you were going to watch this again when you got home; you were dying to get your hand inside your panties.

You could almost imagine the breathy moans coming from him as he worked his cock. You could see his defined abdominals clenching, his heavy balls twitching. You crossed your legs under the table, squeezing your own thighs together as you watched him cum, ropes of his white spend running down his cock and fingers as he worked himself through his orgasm.

You slumped back in the booth.

“Damn!”

You heard everyone around you chuckling at your outburst. Someone, you weren’t sure who, placed a shot down in front of you, and you knocked it back, shuddering as the alcohol burned your throat.

You slammed the glass down on the table.

“Okay, ladies. Time to dance! I’ve got some frustrations to work out.”

You all laughed some more, before heading across the rather sticky floor to continue partying until the small hours. When you finally got home you were too drunk and tired to make good on your promise to yourself to watch the video again, but if you happened to have an interesting dream where USFalcon, dressed as Rick O'Connell, but with Sam’s face rescued you, dressed like Evie, from evil mummies - well that was no-one’s business but your own.

“I’m never drinking again…”

Your pathetic moan fell from your lips as you wrapped your pillow around your head in an attempt to keep your brain from running out of your ears.

There was a series of soft taps on your door, but to your hungover senses it sounded like a series of gunshots. You hunkered down under your bedding, squeezing your eyes tight, letting out a pathetic moan.

You heard your door open and a soft chuckle made its way across to you.

“Feeling a bit delicate, Squishy?”

“Fuck off, Wilson.”

Another chuckle and then your sensitive ears heard him making his way across the room. A clunk and a rattle sounded on your bedside table before your mattress dipped, indicating he was now sitting on it. You pulled back the covers enough so Samuel could see part of your face and you opened one eye.

“Loving the panda-eye. You too drunk to take off your make-up last night?”

“What do you think?”

You glared at him the best you could with one unfocused eye.

“I’m surprised you didn’t wake the whole building when you came in last night. I think you were shouting that you were Evie, and you were wondering where Rick was. I don’t think you should watch The Mummy again anytime soon…”

You groaned in embarrassment and pulled the blanket back over your head.

“Anyway, I’ll leave you to suffer. I brought you some water and some meds. Let me know if you need anything. I don’t have a delivery shift today, so I’ll be around.”

You mumbled out a thanks and heard him leave, pulling the door gently closed behind him. You shuffled yourself out of your cocoon enough to take the painkillers, nausea rushing through you as you sat up enough to not choke on them.

“Fuck..”

You collapsed back down, the world still spinning and you closed your eyes, passing out again in a matter of minutes.

🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍☕️🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

It was late afternoon when you woke up again. There was another glass of water, a glass of apple juice and a wrapped sandwich on the table beside you. Bless Sam, you thought. After sitting up and eating your snack, with more hunger than you thought you had, you realised that you were also feeling better than you had any right to.

Dragging yourself out of bed, you made your way to your en-suite, grimacing when you saw your dishevelled state in the mirror. Not only did you have an amazing panda-eye going on, one of your false eyelashes had moved itself to adhere to your eyebrow. You peeled it off with a hiss, wincing as it took a couple of hairs with it.

You turned on the shower as you peeled off the t-shirt you’d somehow made your way into last night and your underwear. As you waited for the water to warm, you giggled to yourself remembering the video you’d watched and how it had made you feel.

Making your way under the scalding spray, you relished in the feeling of the water cascading over your body. You scrubbed away the sweat and the dirt of the night before and as you did you ran over what you remembered of USFalcon’s video. The snippets you recalled made you warm and tingly all over. You exited the shower and secured your towel around you, returning to your bed. You wrinkled your nose as it got a waft of sour alcohol sweat; you’d need to change your sheets before going back to bed later, but it would wait for now. You grabbed your tablet and typed in the address of the internet site that hosted USFalcon’s videos.

In order to view them, you’d have to sign up. You tapped your finger against your lips as you pondered an anonymous username that suited you. Inspiration struck and you typed it in, popped in your card details and smiled as you made it through the entry portal. It seemed that this guy had been posting videos one to two times a week for the past eight months. That was a lot of material.

You grinned to yourself. This should keep you occupied for a while. You scrolled up and down. The video you’d watched last night was his latest, streamed live and then posted earlier on in the evening. Getting comfortable on your bed, you connected your earbuds and pressed play.

It was as good as you remembered, and it wasn’t long until your fingers were working feverishly over your clit. Your cunt clenched around nothing as you watched that strong hand working up and down the cock of your dreams. With your earbuds in, you could now hear the sounds this man made, and they were delicious. Small grunts accompanied the movement of his hand until he came with a long moan. You bit your own lip as you came, not wanting Sam to be aware of what you were up to, because that would just be utterly embarrassing.

Yes, you thought. You were going to have great fun watching this guy’s videos. You wondered what sort of ‘show’ he would do next. You checked his schedule and saw that he was due to post again on Monday. Until then, you’d just have to manage with his back-catalogue…

Sunday you hung out with Nat, meeting her for brunch, although you just stuck to orange juice, your hangover having only just left you.

She asked how you were getting along with Sam. You admitted he was good fun, although not a patch on her, but that you were adjusting. You didn’t mention how he was distractingly attractive, because you didn’t want her trying to take the mickey or set you up. Nor did you mention your new wank bank material, you didn’t want her to think you were pathetic, lusting over some anonymous guy you were never going to meet.

In return you quizzed her about whether she and Steve were out of the honeymoon phase. Her coy smile and the way her cheeks pinked showed they weren’t, and you cackled so loudly other patrons stared at your table. After stuffing your faces with English muffins, smoked salmon and eggs multiple ways and earning the disapproval of the maître d', you said goodbye with a lingering hug and a promise to meet up again soon.

When you got home Sam was lounging on the sofa, watching football. You hadn’t seen him yesterday afternoon after your ‘self-care’ session, or this morning when you’d headed out to meet Nat.

“Hey Sam, whatcha doin’?”

You lifted up his legs, sat down on the sofa and placed his socked feet back on your lap.

“Chillin’. Watching the Saints whup the Falcons.”

If he felt you start at the word falcon, he didn’t show it.

“Like, the Saint’s are my boys, but really, the Falcons fucking suck this season, and it just makes it boring for everyone.”

He decreased the TV volume and turned all his attention on you.

“Have a good catch-up with Nat? Steve texted me and we went for a run while you two stuffed your faces.”

“Yes, it was great! She and Steve are still sickenly in love…”

Sam snorted. “Don’t I fucking know it. He needs another topic of conversation…”

“But we did agree that we should all meet up to do something together. What are your plans for next Saturday?”

“Nothin’ at all, Squish.”

“How about a day out on Coney Island? I haven't been there in ages.” You barely waited for his answer before you were texting Nat to set up the plans. You didn’t notice Sam looking at you as if he were trying to observe the very depths of your soul.

“There we go”, you announced. “All organised. They’ll come here at 10am and then we can all catch the train together.”

“I have to say, you’re looking a lot better today than you did yesterday.”

You dipped your head, embarrassed. “Um, yeah, not my finest hour. Thanks for not taking the piss too much and bringing me that snack.”

Sam shifted, swinging his legs off your lap and turning so he was sitting next to you, bringing you into a side hug.

“No problem. I gotta look after my Squishy, otherwise how will I get awesome food cooked for me? And anyway, I thought you might need energy for whatever you were gonna get up to once you woke properly. Was I right?”

You peered at him, slightly confused. What was he getting at? A jolt of panic shot through you; had he heard you ‘entertaining’ yourself?

“I…um…well it gave me the energy to have a shower, change the sheets and go back to bed, so…um…yes, you were right…”

He looked back at you and for a moment you were lost in the depths of his eyes. Then, without warning, he got up, heading over to the kitchen and putting the kettle on.

“Tea?” He asked as he got your mugs down from the cupboard? “I’m gonna make a coffee then I got some prep work I gotta do before work tomorrow evening.”

“What about the game?” You turned to look at the screen, only to see that the match had come to end, the Falcons having suffered the most embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Saints. For some reason you were a bit sad, part of you had been rooting for the team. Get a grip, just because they have the same name as your current obsession…

Sam placed your mug on the coffee table, and then to your surprise dropped a kiss to the top of your head. “See you in a bit, Squish. You doing dinner or am I?”

“I’ll do meatloaf - if you go out and get some red wine. We’re all out.” You answered without thinking, head still reeling over the soft kiss.

“Sure thing, later.”

He closed his door firmly, and you sat there, somewhat dazed at the moment of domesticity between you. Fuck. You needed a boyfriend, or at least a good dicking down; you were starting to get housewife fantasies over your roommate…

Monday afternoon and you knew you had to get a handle on yourself. You knew you had a tendency to hyper-fixate on new things, but you’d spent nearly all day preoccupied about USFalcon’s stream this evening. You’d treated yourself to watching another of his old ones last night; from Halloween, where he’d been wearing a white leather harness with wings attached and a white, shiny thong. He made dressing as an angel so sinful.

But tonight, as you were going to watch live, you could tip him in real-time, send messages about what he was doing and what you liked. Yeah, other folk were going to be doing that too, but it still felt more intimate.

There had been something though, as you’d watched last night. Some kind of niggling feeling. It teased at your brain like a familiar smell, or a word that was on the tip of your tongue but you couldn’t quite get out. Familiar and unknown all at the same time. You tried not to worry; your brain liked to play tricks on you on a regular basis and you knew it would come to you eventually.

When you got home, Sam was in his room, his cycling shoes with the cleats discarded in the vicinity of the shoe rack. You tutted your yourself and straightened them, mainly so you didn’t cut yourself on the sharp metal. It was 6pm and the live stream was due to start at 8.30pm. At least you wouldn’t have to come up with an excuse to abandon Sam; his evening job started at 8pm so he wouldn’t be around to walk in on you. You knocked on his door though.

“Sam, I’m back!”

He opened his door slightly, sticking his head through the gap. He looked a bit stressed, which wasn’t normal for him.

“Hey, Squish… I ordered for pizza, if that’s okay? I’m right in the middle of something important, so when it gets here can you just pop mine outside my door? Might be able to talk later if you’re still up when my shift finishes.”

You had to admit you were taken aback. This wasn’t the normal Sam you knew, but then again, work kicked everyone’s ass on occasion so you decided to cut him some slack.

“Um, yeah. Sure thing. Have a good shift, and you know, if you ever wanna vent, you know where I am.”

He grinned, and your stomach flipped.

“You gonna be my Mallowy therapist now?”

You stuck out your tongue in reply and made your way down the hall to your room, all to the sound of his deep chuckle and click of his room door closing.

An hour later and you’d had your shower and dressed yourself in a comfy sleep set. You’d make a drink whilst waiting for the pizza to arrive.

You took your mug off the draining board and dried it with a dish cloth before deciding to make Sam a drink to go with his pizza as well.

The kettle was squealing as the doorbell rang so you quickly turned the stove off before going to answer the door. Luckily, Sam had paid when he’d ordered and you took the boxes from the delivery guy with a smile before kicking the door closed. You made the drinks and went and knocked on Sam’s door.

“Pizza’s here!”

You shouted through the closed door. Your ears picked up some shuffling sounds and a strange scraping and then a somewhat muffled response.

“Ah, just leave it outside the door. I’m just a bit tied up for a moment.”

“Want me to bring it in?”

You swore you heard a strangled squeak, before his muffled voice sounded again.

“No, no, that’s okay. Outside is fine…”

He really was acting strange this evening.

“Well, okay then. Have… um… have a good shift.”

You placed his pizza and mug of coffee outside his door, collected your own from the kitchen, and retreated to your room. As you ate, you set up your laptop, your good headphones, and your favourite toys and lube from your bottom drawer. As the clock approached 8.30, you cleared away your pizza box and mug, washed your hands, and then returned to your bed, laying out a towel.

You clicked on USFalcon’s page and a video window popped up with a countdown timer. You whipped off your pyjama shirt and shimmied out of your shorts, comfortable on your bed in just your underwear. The countdown hit zero and the video faded in to show the familiar backdrop and what looked like a velvet draped high backed chair. Music started to play, something exotic and evocative.

When USFalcon’s distinctive body sashayed into the frame your mouth dropped. His skin, so delicious looking normally, was covered in a layer of gold body paint, stylised black geometric patterns gracing his arms, chest and thighs, some kind of furred cloth covering his groin.

His head was in shot this time, but he had a mask covering his eyes, with a fine gauze attached to it, reminiscent of belly dancers, so that all his features were hidden. Then it hit you- apart from his mask and veil, he’d recreated another outfit from The Mummy; this time Anaksunamun.

The part of your brain that housed the niggling feeling started up again. You watch the Mummy with Sam and then you discover a sexy cam boy cos-playing the characters? What were the chances? No, it must be just a coincidence; with Brendan Fraser back in the public consciousness there had been a resurgence in interest in the film. That must be it.

A shake of USFalcon’s hips made you return your attention to the screen. He was putting on a little dance swaying to the music and rolling his hips. Fuck, you could wash laundry on his abs, should you feel so inclined!

He ghosted his palms across his nipples making the dark nubs pebble up, and all you could think about was biting them. His thumbs danced delicately around the thin cord holding up his furry ‘thong’, drawing attention to the gold metal cuffs around his wrists and the rings on his fingers. You could imagine how the cold metal would feel against your skin; taking hold of your arms, stroking up your thighs, wrapping around your throat…

You slid your hand down across your stomach and into your panties, finding your pussy already dripping. You started to slowly circle your clit as you turned your attention back to the screen. The thong dropped away, and you sucked in a breath; the gold body paint and black line work extended down that beautiful cock. The lighting in the room made it shine and you couldn’t hold back your own moan as you took it all in. You leant across to the laptop and clicked the button to send a tip.

He didn’t immediately take hold of himself, but slowly shimmied around in a circle, showing off his tight buttocks and the design that extended over them. He definitely got points for maximum effort and dedication to his fans. When he finished his turn he backed up, seating himself on the edge of the chair, legs wide apart. Reaching briefly out of frame, he pulled his hand back to show a small gold ewer. He tipped it up, a drizzle of oil spilling out into his palm. He placed his hand between his splayed legs and you swore your heart stopped as he started to circle around the furled muscle of his hole, smearing the oil over his flesh. He leant back in the chair, abs tensing, cock bobbing as he let out a salacious moan as his finger pressed in.

“Fuuuuck…”

Your own finger pressed into your wet pussy, your rhythm matching his. His free hand rubbed across his chest, the black lines of paint smearing as he squeezed his pec and plucked at his nipple. You copied that action too. When he added a second finger, you did as well, the coil of desire inside you tightening. He trailed his hand down his body, across his abs, until he took hold of his cock. He looked so debauched, head thrown back, fingers pressed tight inside him, body paint smeared across his chest and now his engorged length. Your own hand moved to your clit.

Another punched out moan came from him as he pressed a third finger into himself, an answering whine falling from your own lips. His hips rolled on the chair as he fisted himself in time with the thrust of his fingers. His sounds were so restrained; you wished he would let himself go, let himself fully vocalise his pleasure. You imagined how he would sound, in tandem with you, your cries merging together in an erotic symphony as you worked yourselves together towards your peaks, eyes locked…

You couldn’t stifle the sound that came from you as your orgasm crashed over you, your cunt clenching on your fingers, your hips snapping up as each wave of pleasure rolled through your body. As you sagged back into your pillows you realised that USFalcon was still somehow going. The man had stamina!

Wiping your hands on the towel, you deposited another tip on his account. You couldn’t be certain, but you were sure his head turned to the side briefly, as if he was watching his computer screen. He twisted the wrist between his thighs, that deep grunt signally he was nearing his own end. You imagined he was having to bite down on his lip as the hand on his cock stuttered once, twice and then he was cumming, the sticky fluid destroying the rest of the body paint on his cock.

He lay replete for a few moments, probably gathering his thoughts before he withdrew his fingers from his body and sat up. He stared into the camera and there was something about his eyes, the way they felt familiar, and as though he was staring straight at you. He got up from the chair, sauntering towards the camera, before moving behind it. His body paint was smeared from sweat and from being rubbed against the velvet covering the chair, and he looked like sex personified.

As the screen faded to black he must have nudged the camera a bit, as a different bit of the room came into focus for a moment. You froze, hand reaching out to close down the browser window. You felt the blood drain from your face.

No…

I couldn’t be…

Your eyes must have been deceiving you…

You didn’t just see the handle of a very distinctive mug in the edge of the shot.

You couldn’t rewind to check; you’d have to wait until USFalcon uploaded the video to his archive page. Then you’d be able to freeze frame that point, that’s if he didn’t edit it out. You got up, went to the bathroom, and washed yourself up before returning to your room and tidying your bed. Navigating to the archive, you pressed the refresh button, but the latest video didn’t appear. To be fair, he was probably still recovering himself.

Leaving your room you snuck down the corridor on tiptoes. Pausing outside Sam’s door, you pressed your ear against the wood. You could hear some kind of music, but it was so faint you couldn’t make it out. Should you knock? But if you were wrong, and he was working, you’d be disturbing him.

You carried on down the hall to the kitchen, grabbing yourself a glass of water and quietly returning to your room. It was getting on for 9.30pm by now, and you had to be up early for work.

Flopping down on your bed, you grabbed your book and tried to read, breaking off to refresh the web page every few minutes. You picked up your phone, pondering, before sending off a text. You placed down your phone and worried the tip of your thumb with your mouth. An insistent buzzing a few moments later had you snatching it back up.

You peered at the screen, willing it to give up some more information of its own accord. Was he just being his usual friendly and cheeky self, or did he mean anything specific with that comment? You were confused and anxious.

You tapped refresh again to no avail, going back to your book and reading the same paragraph over and over. Eventually you threw it to the side in frustration. You went and cleaned your teeth and face and on your return were finally rewarded. The video was loaded.

You clicked on it, muting the sound and moving the scroll bar along to the last minute. You tried not to focus on the sight of his cock and his hands working himself, your brain telling you to feel embarrassed, not horny, as you watched him come. You tried to focus on the parts of his body you might recognise. The hands maybe?

When you rewatched him gaze into the camera, you were almost 100% certain, there was no mistaking those eyes. Then he got up and the camera jolted and you paused the video. And there it was.

Not a figment of your imagination.

You almost felt as though your throat was going to close up. The black bicycle shaped handle, attached to a grey mug.

There were too many coincidences now for it to just be your imagination. Sam’s second job wasn’t in tele-sales or something like that.

He was a Camboy.

He was your Camboy.

You’d been getting off on watching your roommate - the roommate you might have a teensy crush on - well, getting off too.

Oh fuck.

Did he know you were subscribed? Is that why he made the comment? How were you going to look him in the eye now?

🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍☕️🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

You managed to get out of the apartment without seeing Sam on Tuesday morning. You heard him go out for his run and threw yourself into gear, making sure you got ready and out, onto the bus at the local stop before he returned. Your colleagues knew something was up, even if your earlier than usual appearance in the office wasn’t a massive clue. They kept needling you but you weren’t talking.

You weren’t sure how you managed not to give yourself away when Helen and Sophie started talking about USFalcon’s latest stream when you all went out to get lunch.

“Well, he obviously enjoys doing it all. Just look at all the time and research he put into his outfit and staging.”

“I wonder if he has a partner and what they think about it.”

“If I was his girl, I’d find it hot and jump him as soon as he finished streaming.”

“I might even ask to join in!”

The pair fell about cackling, no longer noticing how reserved you were.

You spent the rest of the afternoon thinking. Sam was putting himself out there; he was doing this because he wanted to and in the expectation that he’d be seen. You weren’t doing anything wrong in enjoying the material that he was putting out into the public domain. You were a grown woman with a healthy libido and you had nothing to be ashamed of.

Was it awkward?

Okay, a bit. And now you knew it was him you weren’t going to watch again, cos that would just be weird, right?

You still managed to avoid him during the evening, not entirely on purpose. Your mom rang you to catch up and was in one of her chatty moods. The only time you saw Sam was when he knocked on your door to deliver your tub of chow mein. You smiled at him, too distracted by your mom telling you all the details of your second cousin’s latest job venture disaster to remember to act awkward as he passed you the white box, your chopsticks, and your Squishmallow mug full of tea.

You woke on Wednesday morning determined to act more normal with Sam. He was your friend and your roommate and didn’t deserve this cold shoulder treatment from you just because you’d discovered his secret. You greeted him at the door as usual as he came in from his run with your coffee and you were heading out to get your regular bus.

“Hey, Squish, didn’t really see you yesterday. You alright?”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I had a load of work on, and then my mom needed to tell me all the gossip from back home. Wanna eat tonight?”

“You cooking?”

He smiled at you, broad and bright, and your stomach flipped. The attraction you’d had for him, that you’d brushed off as just a healthy response to being so close to an attractive man, increased in magnitude. You ducked your head away, trying not to imagine hearing his moans close up, feeling his skin against yours.

“Um, yeah. Thinking something simple like steak and fries?”

“Sounds great. I’ll pick up a tub of ice cream on the way home from that place you like.”

“Thanks, Sam. I’ll see you later; gotta scoot for the bus.”

You were still somewhat reserved throughout your evening together. There were some awkward silences when you’d get lost in your thoughts, staring at him, or you’d get too close to him in the small space of the kitchen and just freeze, feeling the heat crawl up your cheeks.

After the meal, when you both went to eat your ice cream whilst sat on the sofa, you kept to your end, legs tucked up, instead of one of your lazy sprawls where you and Sam would end up with your legs tangled together, or you pressed up against his side, using him like a pillow.

Every so often you thought you caught him watching you, a small smile on his face. He couldn’t know you were one of his subscribers, because surely he would’ve mentioned it by now?

As it got late, you got up from the sofa and went to make yourself a bedtime drink. When you walked back past him, towards your bedroom, he reached out his hand and took hold of yours.

“You okay, Squish?”

He thumb rubbed over your knuckles, and he tipped his head back to look up at you from his seat on the couch.

God, why did he have to be so handsome?

“Yeah, um… just tired I guess. Got a lot on my mind.”

“You still up for movie night tomorrow? Thought we could get Indian for a change?”

“Sounds great, Sam. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Sweet dreams, Squishmallow.”

He slowly let go, almost as if he were reluctant to stop touching you, and as you made your way to your room you swore you could feel the prickle of his gaze on your back.

You bumped the front door closed with your hip, hands holding the carrier bag containing your feast. Meandering your way across the lounge, you placed the bags on the coffee table and started to unpack the various tubs.

“Sam! Can you get the plates and cutlery from the kitchen?” You shouted through to him, knowing he’d ducked into his room when he’d gotten home to get showered and changed.

“Sure thing, Squish.”

You yelped, standing up straight and spinning on the spot as his reply unexpectedly came from closer than you expected. A lot closer. In fact he was right behind you, or rather now, right in front of you. Your nose was almost touching the dip in his collarbone and you were suddenly aware of several things.

Firstly, his skin was still slightly damp from his shower, a few small droplets clinging to him. Secondly, you knew this because he was shirtless. You’d never been this close to him shirtless before, hence why you hadn’t recognised him in that first video, but still, there was no way this beautiful body could belong to anyone else. Thirdly, whatever shower gel he used had a scent in it that was doing things to you. You wanted to breathe him in, rub your face over his chest, scenting him like an animal. Then fourth, and finally, you were aware of the throbbing between your legs, the pulsing of your clit in time with your heartbeat.

“I… um… you…”

He took a step back, a coy smile forming on his lips.

“You alright? You look a bit….warm.”

He turned, going to get the bits from the kitchen, and you just gaped at his back like a fish. He had a pair of grey sweatpants on, hanging low on his hips, showing off his muscles and clinging to his ass. All you could see in your mind’s eye was him touching himself, his abs clenching, makeup smearing…

Get it together, woman.

You shook your head to snap yourself out of your thoughts and finished opening all the containers before withdrawing to your corner of the couch, feet tucked up under you. As Sam returned from the kitchen, he tapped against your knees with his hand.

“You can’t eat like that.”

You unfolded with a sigh and then started slightly when he sat down right next to you, his thigh pressed up against yours. He placed a plate in your lap and leant across to grab the first foil container, dishing out some of the fragrant food to you before placing the remainder on his plate. Next, he grabbed the remote, quickly flicking to the right streaming service with ease.

“I thought we could continue our appreciation of Brendan Fraser and watch George of the Jungle, whaddya think, Squishy?”

With a mouthful of fish pakora, all you could do was nod.

As you ate and watched the antics of fish out of water, George, you found yourself starting to relax, the awkwardness melting away. Full of food and plates abandoned to the coffee table, you didn’t really notice Sam putting his arm around your shoulder, pulling you to relax against him. When he laughed along with the film, you could feel the rumble in his chest under your head and your hand where they rested on him. As that awareness came to you, you also realised how smooth his skin was under your fingers and your cheek.

“Which outfit looks sexier? The billowy white shirt and black pants combo, or the leopard-skin loincloth?”

Sam’s question jerked you out of your reverie and you turned your head to look up at him. Which you quickly realised was a mistake. Your faces were close together, his eyes looking directly into yours.

“Um… I think an argument could be made for either. Cos you know, there’s um… something quite erotic about someone being partially covered, you’re… err… teased by what you can’t see. But then the loincloth, yeah, that’s also … umm… good.”

“Girl, are you just constantly horny on main?”

His teasing lightened the air of tension.

“You started it, Wilson!”

You poked him in the chest, and he tightened his arms around you, resting his head against yours. He shifted his body and you settled closer, allowing yourself the indulgence.

“Watch the film, Mallow-girl.”

You tried not to notice how his thumb brushed back and forth across your arm.

You weren’t going to watch. Nope. You’d only logged on so you could cancel your subscription.

Liar.

It was just a total coincidence that you hadn’t had time to do so until five minutes before his Friday night stream was due to start. Total coincidence.

Liar.

Maybe you’d just wait long enough for it to start and send him a last tip, then you’d unsubscribe.

Pants on fire.

Whatever remaining fragment of good intention you’d had went out of the window when the stream started. The background music was ambient jungle sounds, and when his body moved into shot you didn’t know whether to cuss him out or melt into a puddle, because now you knew why he’d asked you about George’s outfits last night.

Framed without his head in view, he wore a billowy white shirt and tight, black dress pants, that were already straining. He circled his hips as he slowly undid the buttons on the bottom half of the shirt. He ran his hands up and down his body and round his waist in an imitation of a lover's touch. The shirt fluttered to the floor as he continued to caress himself, teasing his nipples into stiffened peaks.

You couldn’t draw your eyes away now. You’d touched that chest, albeit innocently. You knew how warm his skin was, how soft, yet also firm, it felt.

His hips swayed from side to side as he unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, quickly shoving them down his thighs to reveal a straining leopard print thong underneath. You felt like you were gonna have heart failure.

He turned sideways to the camera, bending back slightly, hips thrust forwards, as he drizzled oil over his pecs, and slowly started to oil up his body. His hand slid inside the thong, cupping and caressing himself, but then pulled back out without really revealing anything.

He then turned his back to the camera, and once again, swinging his hips, showed off his firm, high buttocks as his fingers slid under the thin waistband of the thong. He teased the camera by pulling it down slightly, then back up, before bending forward to show his back, shoulders and back of his head, and pulling the scrap of fabric down. Fuck, you wanted to eat his ass; it looked fucking delicious.

Turning back to the side, the oiled front of his body shining under the lights, he reached off screen, hand returning holding a masturbation sleeve. He must’ve already prepped it because he slid it over his cock with a moan, and started to thrust his hips up, fucking himself into the lubed, textured silicone. The sleeve was opaque, and you got a thrill from watching him move through it, the tip of his cock every so often making its way out of the end.

Sam USFalcon moaned and grunted as he jerked himself. You watched his hips snap, and imagined he was fucking up into you, that it wasn’t a sex toy wrapped around cock, but your pussy, clenching down on him and soaking him with your arousal.

You hadn’t even really registered what you were doing until you realised that your own orgasm was almost upon you, that you had one hand down your shorts and the other up your top.

The idea of watching him knowing who he was, gave you a thrill. Knowing that he was just a few feet down the corridor, working himself…

You cried out as you came, curses falling from your lips as you watched him reach his own peak, the snapping of his hips losing rhythm and that delicious restrained noise falling from his lips.

You were breathing hard as you watched him move off camera, the screen fading to black.

This is wrong.

The voice in your head nagged at you, and you knew you shouldn’t, couldn’t do this again.

You already had inappropriate feelings for your roommate, and there was something so voyeuristic about watching him like this that it made you feel like a Peeping Tom. Before you could change your mind, you reached out and pressed the unsubscribe button. You slid off your bed and into the bathroom, feeling so down, despite the post orgasm endorphins.

You washed your hands and splashed cold water onto your face and walked back through to your room. You’d barely sat back down on the bed before there was a loud thumping on your door.

“Squishy, open up. I gotta talk to you.”

Your heart plummeted.

“Go away, Sam, I’m not feeling good. Just wanna be left alone.”

“Open the goddamn door, MarshmallowSquishy99.”

Fuck fuck fuckity fuck.

So he did know. Time to face the music. You crossed the room, drew in a deep breath and straightened shoulders, before opening the door. Sam stood there, wearing a mid-thigh length red silk robe, haphazardly tied at the front. His eyes pinned you like a butterfly to a board.

“You really thought I wouldn’t recognise your username?”

“I didn’t know it was you when I first signed up. I saw a video when I was out with the girls drunk and signing up was a hungover, bad decision.”

He took a small step forward, making you instinctively step back further into your room.

“Such a bad idea that you watched my live stream on Monday and tipped me, twice.”

“It was only at the end I worked out it was you.”

He stepped closer again and raised an eyebrow, questioningly.

“You… you knocked your camera at the end, part of your mug, the one I bought you, ended up in frame for a split second.”

“And you noticed that? But you didn’t unsubscribe then did you? No, you decided to act odd all week, watch me when you thought I wasn’t looking, then watch this latest stream - which I did for you, by the way - and then unsubscribe. A little rude, don’t you think?”

“Rude? Now hang on a minute, I… what do you mean for me?”

The sound of the door closing made you realise that he’d backed you fully into your room. Your legs bumped into your bed, and you sat down on it, with a squeak.

“Well, baby, you inspired last week’s video, and when you signed up on Sunday night I couldn’t believe it. You made me want to get the one on Monday just right.”

He leant over you, hands on the mattress, each side of your hips, caging you in and making you lean back.

“The two tips made me think that you really liked it. So I decided that I would do tonight’s stream just for you, pick something you liked, then what do you do? Unsubscribe on me. Makes me feel a little unwanted, to tell you the truth.”

“It’s not like that, Sam. I meant to unsubscribe as soon as I realised it was you, and then I thought that was silly and… I didn’t mean to watch tonight, but it started and… “

He lifted a finger and dragged it down the side of your face, and you shivered under his touch.

“So you liked what you saw then? I’m glad. I like you, Squishy, and I’m hoping that, maybe, you like me too. We have fun together, and now you’ve seen me naked and kept watching, so it can’t be all bad.”

His voice was soft and low and thick with lust.

“Tell me, did you like what you saw? Did it turn you on? I imagined it was you with me so many times, and fuck, when I realised you were watching…”

His face was so close to yours, his voice hypnotic. Your eyes fluttered closed and your breath was ragged in your throat. His hand was resting on your shoulder, thumb stroking your neck.

“Come on, sweetheart, tell the truth now…”

Your voice came out, barely louder than a whisper.

“Yes..”

“That’s not a proper answer.”

“I liked it. Okay?”

“Did you touch yourself? Did you cum, watching me?”

His hand trailed down, off your shoulder, across your collarbone and down towards your breast.

Your back arched, pressing yourself up into his hand, and a whine escaped you. He pressed forwards, forcing you to lie down on the bed, his body covering yours. Your hands came up, fisting into the red silk.

“Sam…”

“Yes, Squish?”

“Shut the fuck up and just kiss me, please.”

“Whatever you want…”

His lips were soft on yours, so warm and gentle and right. Your hands slid under the silk, and ran over his skin, letting yourself explore everywhere you could reach.

His tongue begged entry to your mouth, and you granted it, sucking on the intruding muscle and scraping your teeth along it, enjoying the hiss he let out. You came out of your lust-addled stupor then, your desire turning passionate and primal.

Your hands fought briefly with the knot holding his robe closed before you pushed it over his shoulders, fully baring his body to you. You shimmied out of your shorts, and his hands pulled your top over your head. There were no words, just sounds of pleasure as you explored each other with mouths and lips and fingers.

You playfully tussled for dominance with him as you tried to kiss down his body towards his cock.

“I swear to god, Sam, I will end this here and now if you don’t let me do this…”

He laughed, taking hold of your hips and turning you around, before lifting you, settling your core over his face and diving right in. His cock twitched in front of your face, a rivulet of pre-cum running down it, as he took his first taste of you. It danced again as he heard you moan and felt you grind down on his face.

It took you a moment, but then you had his cock in hand and were licking the salty drop off the side of it. His moan vibrated into your pussy as you took him in your mouth, hot and silky and hard.

Sam deployed every trick, using his tongue and fingers on your sopping pussy until you had to abandon your own task, just letting his cock lie heavy in your mouth and muffling your cries as you came.

He gave you no respite, flipping you onto your back on the mattress and turning himself to align with you, lips pressed to yours, your fingers entwined as your hands lay up by your head.

“You need me to get a condom, Squish?”

His cock pressed up against your stomach, wet from saliva and pre-cum.

“No, please, Sam. ‘M on the pill, ‘n trust you.”

One of his hands left yours for a moment as he guided himself into you. Your legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, and his hand came back to yours, you foreheads pressed together as he slowly pushed inside you. Your breath stuttered out of your lungs as he filled you, a feeling just as right as that first kiss.

“You’re so perfect, baby. Fuck, feels so much better than I could imagine.”

“It’ll feel even better when you start to move, Wilson.”

“Oh, so this is how it’s gonna be? You gonna be bossy in bed?”

“Hey, I’ve been dreaming about this dicking down for a week. Can you blame me after you’ve been flaunting the goods?”

“Well I’m about to rock your world, baby girl. You’ve seen the moves, now get ready to feel them.” He punctuated his words with a couple of small thrusts of his hips and your muscles clenched down on him.

“Big words, Sammy, little action.”

He shut you up with a deep kiss, and then started to move. You clung onto his shoulders, nails digging into the muscles. Then Sam did something you didn’t expect; he made noises. Not the small grunts and moans from his videos, no, but loud, salacious sounds of pleasure, peppered with curses and praise.

“Fuck, baby, that’s it. Squeezing me so tight. I ain’t ever gonna leave this pussy, I swear.”

His hips snapped up, and you saw stars, the feeling almost overwhelming you. Carefully, he moved your legs, one at a time, up from his waist and onto his shoulders, almost folding you in two as he drove into your weeping hole.

“Oh God, Sam…yes, fuck, yes.”

“Touch yourself. Touch yourself for me; make yourself cum around this dick.”

He changed the angle of his hips, as you slid your hand down between your bodies. His cock grazed over that sensitive spot inside you, and you drew tight circles over your clit, causing your eyes to roll back in your head, your mouth slack, each of his thrusts punching a moan out of you.

Now there was just the sound of skin on skin and the sighs and groans that went with it. Sam kissed at your neck as you clung onto him with one hand, grounding yourself to him as you chased your pleasure.

“Come on baby. Come on; cum for me. Cum for me; fuck.”

“Sam, I… I… oh fuck. Fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck.”

You crashed over the precipice, your body shaking under him. In response, Sam moaned into your neck, his hips snapping up a few more times before you felt him twitch inside you, filling you with his cum.

Somehow Sam managed to roll the pair of you so you were lying half on top of him, still joined for a while until your body let him go. He pressed kisses to your forehead and brow, stroking his hand up and down your back, both of you just enjoying the afterglow and being held by the other. Eventually, though, Sam broke the silence.

“Squish…”

“Mmmm.”

“We gotta clean up. I’m actually still a bit oily.”

“Like you oily…”

“Perv. And you gotta go to the bathroom. Whilst I very much like the idea of you leaking me through the night, the reality is never as pleasant. Also, we’re the wrong way round on the bed and it feels weird. Let’s wash up, and then, if it’s okay with you, I’ll come back here, okay?”

You turned yourself in his arms, cupping his cheek and kissing him sweetly.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍☕️🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

“Why aren’t they answering? We organised to meet them here at 10 and it’s already quarter past.”

“Have you still got your spare key? Open the door. What if there’s a problem?”

Steve huffed at Nat and dragged the key out of his pocket, opening the door to his old apartment.

“Guys, where are you?”

Nat strode through the living room into the quiet apartment. She stopped by Sam’s room, the door uncustomarily ajar and stuck her head in. She turned to Steve, grinning.

“He’s not in there and his equipment is all still out.”

The pair tip-toed down the hall to Steve’s old room, and pressed their ears to the door, making out the sounds of two people sleeping. Steve turned to look at Nat.

“Took them long enough. Do you think she found out or he told her?”

“Well I’m guessing she found out after her big-mouthed co-worker Helen discovered his page.”

“How did she find it?”

Nat smiled at Steve mischievously.

“Oh, you sweet summer child.”

Then she dragged him out of the apartment, shutting the door behind them.

🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍☕️🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

Tag list: @christywantspizza @jobean12-blog @tinnedowl @bucky-bucky-bucky-bucky @tuiccim @beelicious-barnes @yarnforbrains @sidepartskinnyjeans @maladaptivexxdaydreaming @krissy25 @bodeckersdiamonddoll @turbolisedcomet @goldylions

[lives-in-midgard]

Fic Recommendation

On this Masterlist you can find some of my favorite Marvel fics I've read recently. Some of them are older ones that I found and some are new ones. Let's show those amazing writers some love and enjoy their storys.

Bucky Barnes:

Pulse by @lostgirlmuseum

Best Friends by @sergeantbarnessdoll

Let me be your world by @buckys-wintersoldier

Perfect Coincidence by @nicoline1998enilocin

Lost In Translation by @sleepypanda27

After The Mission by @ghostofskywalker

Just like magic by @onceuponastory

Trick or Treat by @mrsbuckybarnes1917

Smile For Me by @sergeantbarnessdoll

Barbie by @mrsbarnesblog

The Stars Aligned by @mrsbuckybarnes1917

Steve Rogers:

We’ll always protect you by @nicoline1998enilocin

Is this jealousy? by @secretswiftymarvelfan

An olive branch by @real-jane

Wanda Maximoff:

Drunken Thoughts by @yelenasdiary

Cooking class by @alotofpockets

Yelena Belova:

Coming out by @alotofpockets

The Brightest Star by @yelenasdiary

Loki:

The First Date by @lokisbiiiitch1993

The Pregnancy Announcement by @lokisbiiiitch1993

Fated by @lokisbiiiitch1993

[bulkyphrase]

Shrunkyclunks Rec List

Some of my favorite Stucky fics that feature a relationship between Modern Bucky Barnes and Captain America Steve Rogers.

Lessons in Normality by relenafanel (@relenafanel) (Explicit, 38,002 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: Things Steve knows about his boyfriend Bucky: How he looks with his face relaxed in sleep. That he can perfectly flip pancakes. The way he's open about things Steve is still adapting to, like therapy and depression and sex toys and being a millennial. The way he laughs with his mouth wide open and his eyes squinted, and the cheerful way he cheats at cards and loses at laser tag. The way he seduces Steve with a knowing glint in his eye. The way Steve responds to it, stronger each time, taken by his beauty and competence and snark and compassion (or the compassionate way he boots Steve in the ass when he needs a push). Things Steve doesn't know about his boyfriend Bucky: That he's an undercover operative gathering intel on Hydra, SHIELD, and which Steve is affiliated with. Otherwise known as The Honey Pot AU

It's a Ghost Story (baby just say yes) by moontyrant (@moontyrant) (General Audiences, 11,262 words, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings)

Summary: There are an infinity of universes in potentia. In one, Bucky Barnes was born in the early twentieth century, followed Steve Rogers into a crusade against Hydra, was captured and became the Winter Soldier. In another universe, Bucky Barnes was born in the 1980s and grew up to spend his weekends busting ghosts. "And this guy is legit?" Clint asked for the third time, eyebrows making a break for his hairline. Tony threw his hands in the air. "How should I know! He has some reviews online but it's not like he has a website or anything."

Mission Impossible by AggressiveWhenStartled (@aggressivewhenstartled) (Explicit, 20,165 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: The thing of it is, when everything goes to shit Bucky isn't even trying. Also available as a podfic read by quietnight (@quietnighty)

More below the cut!

Cat Nap by galwednesday (@galwednesday) (Teen And Up Audiences, 8,883 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: Objectively, losing the Bucharest safehouse and its contents was the least of Bucky's problems. The balding agent he'd seen directing the raid was apparently affiliated with SHIELD, which was a shadowy government agency that made representatives from other shadowy government agencies suddenly remember urgent appointments when Bucky tried to bribe, threaten, and otherwise shake them down for information on what the hell SHIELD might want with a former brainwashed assassin. Dodging SHIELD should be his number one priority. Subjectively, he wanted his fucking cat back. Also available as a podfic read by quietnight (@quietnighty)

Under the Bridges of Fame by notlucy, art by alby_mangroves (@notlucy, @albymangroves) (Explicit, 89,678 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: For better or for worse (usually worse), Steve Rogers has been the most famous guy in the room for a while. And though newsreels have given way to YouTube, people's reactions haven't changed much in seventy-some years. Steve's become an expert at keeping his head down and getting on with his life. A head-on collision on a busy street sends books flying and sweeps Steve off his feet. The point of impact has a name: James. A charming mess of long hair, thick glasses, and a crooked, not-quite-smile. If he recognizes Steve, he chooses not to comment, placing him firmly in Steve's good graces. As far as Steve can tell, they might be Bogie and Bacall all over again, save for the group of idiots with selfie sticks who surround them. But for once, the request isn't for Steve. Which begs the question: if James is James, then who the hell is Bucky?

Save a Horse, Ride a Captain by galwednesday (@galwednesday) (Teen And Up Audiences, 2,708 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: Bucky tapped him on the shoulder, swaying back and forth a little as he waited for the man to turn around. "Hello," he said, and then promptly forgot what else he was going to say, because this guy was fucking beautiful. "Wow. Good face." Two of the guy's friends, a man wearing a suit that fit so well it had to be bespoke and a man with a cute little gap between his front teeth, started cracking up. The petite redhead sitting next to them cocked her head to the side and pulled her phone out of her handbag. Beautiful Face just looked kind of pained, so Bucky redirected. He was a gentleman. He could take a hint. No hitting on beautiful guys who were uncomfortable with that sort of thing, no matter how lickable their jawlines were. "Hello," he repeated, doing his best to mind his manners. "I'm very sorry to bother you. Can I have a piggy-back ride?" Also available as a podfic read by irrationalpie

Don't Give it a Hand, Offer it a Soul by TooManyBattles (Skarabrae_stone) (@captaintoomanybattles) (Mature, 30,734 words, Graphic Depictions Of Violence)

Summary: An Avengers training mission gone wrong, a HYDRA plot in the midst of SHIELD, and a mysterious prisoner in the basement of an abandoned bank-- and that's just the start of Bucky's day. While the Avengers rush to prevent HYDRA's plans for world domination, Bucky finds himself drawing closer to the stranger he rescued... a man who is almost certainly an agent of HYDRA.

If the Apocalypse comes, text me by relenafanel (@relenafanel) (Teen And Up Audiences, 16,151 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: AKA Bucky the Vampire Slayer Captain America squinted against the sun, raising his arm to shield his eyes. He looked uncomfortable and angry as the camera zoomed in on his face. "I don't have anything further to say," he snapped at the reporter. Bucky's feet fell off his coffee table in shock. "Holy shit," he said to the room at large. "Captain America is a vampire."

old situations (new complications) by ChibiSquirt, Art_By_DrowningByDegrees (@chibisquirt, @drowningbydegrees) (Explicit, 21,191 words, Graphic Depictions Of Violence)

Summary: A soulmate AU where your soulmark is the first thing your soulmate thinks when they meet you. Bucky is a normal, Level Six SHIELD agent who stumbles into a time machine while on a mission. When he travels back sixty-four years and lands ass-up on the wartime desk of one Agent Carter, his soulmark—"Who's that with Peggy?"—goes from fairly distinctive, as thoughts go, to maddeningly common.

Laying Down Bricks by wildraspberrie (Teen And Up Audiences, 27,317 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: She sighed and shook her head, a small look like pity covering her face. "I am aware of the significance of Captain America to Americans, Barnes. But he has been compromised. SHIELD can't let a super soldier loose with someone else pulling his strings." She gestured with her gun. OR, another soulmate AU. Bucky gets recruited by SHIELD to find the kidnapped body of Captain America. He's stalked by a mysterious man, gets blown up a bit, and is maybe a bit too cavalier.

if you're looking for jesus (then get on your knees) by voxofthevoid (@voxofthevoid) (Explicit, 18,171 words, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings)

Summary: Hot damn, is his first thought. Threat assessment follows close on its heels because Bucky's a goddamn professional. Military, definitely. Male, built like a goddamn mountain. Bucky stares helplessly because shoulders that broad should be illegal. It's the face that really fucks him up though. Hair as silver as the star on his chest, swept back from a face that's all hard angles and deep lines. There's a beard too, covering a jaw that looks strong enough to sit on, and its white is peppered with bits of dark blond, which should look ridiculous but doesn't. "You seem to know my name," Bucky says, plastering on a charming smile. "Only polite to return the favor." "If you're banking on politeness, you might be in the wrong business, son." Jesus, Mary, and motherfucking Joseph. This is how wet dreams and porn clips should start, not a goddamn interrogation. Or, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Bucky Barnes is captured on a mission and meets Commander Steve Rogers, the erstwhile Captain America.

Life of the Party by AggressiveWhenStartled (@aggressivewhenstartled) (Explicit, 21,689 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: "You know, kids," Steve heard from the backyard, "one of the most common threats a superhero has to face is inside an active volcano! We're going to have to work on your evasion skills, so for the next five minutes, the floor is lava!" This was met by a sudden spike in both volume and pitch from the small children as they scrambled onto every raised surface they could find and immediately launched themselves right back off. "I've never seen actual lava in my entire life," Steve said, vaguely offended. "You got a superhero impersonator for The Falcon's niece's birthday party," Sam said, incredulous. "The Falcon, who is an actual superhero."

Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time by DogsForDays (Teen And Up Audiences, 22,779 words, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings)

Summary: "Who knew that the Avengers could throw such a rager?" The hotel receptionist commented as she dug around in her desk. "The Avengers?" Bucky squeaked. "Oh yes, I mean, that was the only party here last night. That must have been the one you went to, right?" Bucky and his unit hadn't just crashed a fancy party. They had crashed a fancy party hosted by the fucking Avengers.

To the Marrow of Our Bones by Sproings (@sproings) (Mature, 22,614 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: "I'm Grant," the guy said shyly. He had jet black hair with streaks of bright blue that brought out his eyes, even from behind his thick rimmed glasses. "I'm Captain America's assistant." "Am I supposed to be meeting Captain America today? Because I am not prepared for that," Bucky said. He tried to play it off as a joke, but seriously, he would have found something nicer to wear if he'd known he was going to meet a national icon. "Uh, it's only me," Grant said, biting his lip a little, just enough to show off the bright gold of his lip ring, and Bucky kinda wanted to help out with the whole biting thing, because Grant's lips were lush and pink and very biteable looking.

The Boy With The Thorn In His Side by BetteNoire (WeAreWolves) (Explicit, 21,980 words, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings)

Summary: "Holy shit," says Steve. "I've been knocked out twice by the same guy."

dance with a ghost by crinklefries (@spacerenegades) (Teen And Up Audiences, 11,634 words, No Archive Warnings Apply)

Summary: "Captain America is haunting me," Bucky says over a bowl of ramen. His pronouncement is met with a round of silence. "Captain America," Natasha says. "As in--" "The first Avenger," Bucky confirms. "Supersoldier and hero of World War II. The fabric of the American conscience." "But he's--dead," Sam says. His look of perplexed concern, ever perplexed and ever concerned, only increases. "You're aware of that, right?" "I know," Bucky says. "That's why I said he's haunting me." Also available as a podfic read by lightupstars (@collapsinghorizons)

For more rec lists, check out my Fic Rec Masterpost!

[alwaysabrighterdarkness]

A non-extensive ThunderShield Reclist

Discord conversations happened and @bulkyphrase suggested that I put this thing together and toss it out into the wild. It's definitely not an easy task to pick in choose what to put here, especially since I can't just copy/paste the AO3 tag and call it done.

Extra, extra thanks and appreciation to anyone that puts these lists together on a regular basis. It's definitely not as easy as it looks XD

Anyway, here we go! I’ve compiled it in alphabetical and rating order:

G-Rated

11:59pm by @capnwinghead | Rated: G | Word Count: 1754

Summary Thor surprises Steve on his birthday.

T-Rated

The King of Two Kingdoms by @azuretiger | Rating: T | Word Count: 36,169

Summary

As Thor makes a home on Earth with the Avengers, he falls out of love with his own realm and the allure of rule. In his absence, his favorite human falls in battle, spurring Thor to make his choice.

But he's already chosen - it's not the choice that's hard, it's the steps necessary to enact it.

—

Angel Among Men by ABrighterDarkness (A little self-rec never hurt anyone XD) | Rating: T | Word Count: 42,655

Summary

Steve went into Doctor Erskine's experiment a man, he came out something other entirely. With the highly secretive nature of the serum and Doctor Erskine's assassination, Steve has to learn this new form the hard way.

An avenging angel sent by God was what the old woman had called him.

But what kind of angel burned everyone they touched, marked everyone they kissed for death?

By the time SHIELD recovers him from the ice, Steve was certain that he was no angel, avenging or otherwise.

It's lucky, then, that Thor has the patience necessary to prove to Steve that he's not the monster he fears he's become either.

—

Divine Yet Fallible by Graceful_Storyteller | Rating: T | Word Count: 5,007 

Summary

Even now, after everything he has been through, Steve can still remember the prayers his mother taught him as a child.

In which worship of the Norse gods is the world's main religion and Steve is a true believer.

—

Glimpses by Avonne | Rating: T | Word Count: 4733

Summary

5 times people inadvertently moved Steve's and Thor's relationship along (and one time when no prompting was needed).

—

Put Me Down by @azuretiger | Rated: T | Word Count: 15,792

Summary

Steve doesn’t like to be carried.

Five times Thor carried him against his will, and one time he wanted it.

Steve didn’t like to be carried.

—

M-Rated

better than the original by Thorsday | Rating: M | Words: 49,864

Summary

“So what you’re telling me,” Steve said slowly, enunciating each word deliberately after he’d digested the new influx of information with coffee, “is that you’re from the future, and you went back in time to the wrong era.”

“I’m afraid so.” Thor munched on his cookie, catching stray crumbs in his beard.

—

Change of Heart by orphan_account | Rating: E | Content Warning: Omegaverse, Omega Steve | Word Count: 19,341

Summary

Steve has been avoiding his feelings for Thor. This gets harder to do after a moment of indulgence.

—

Reparation by @azuretiger | Rating: Mature | Trigger Warnings: Rape/Non-Con/Recovery | Word Count 192,942

Summary

It's Thor who falls from the rainbow bridge instead of Loki, and it's Thor tasked with bringing the Chitauri invasion about. He arrives to Earth a very different man, a more skilled warrior than he was, but wrong. Broken and made into something stronger.

What will it take to stop him? What will it take to set him free?

Steve struggles to find his place in the 21st century, and to find himself. The Avengers seems to be a good starting point, though there are some things Fury can never give him. What Steve needs is someone who's had time stolen from them, too. And in helping each other, maybe they can help themselves in-turn.

—

unbroken by @capnwinghead | Rating: Mature | Word Count: 1547

Summary

When Captain America recruits a team to retrieve Thor from the land of frost giants, Peter doesn't hesitate to join. After the battle, he sees a few things he wasn't supposed to.

—

E-Rated

In the Hall of the Mountain King by Hippiebuckyharrington | Rating: E | Word Count: 26,515

Summary

Thor doesn't mind taking the throne when his father dies. He doesn't mind giving up his partying ways with his brother in order to be the responsible King Asguard deserves. What he does mind is having to marry the prince of the neighboring kingdom of Midgard. He doesn't need a spouse to run his country, and he isn't ready to settle down.

Steve really would just like love, a family maybe, and to not be stuck watching his newly married brother mooning over his new husband. And he'd rather be painting anyway, so an arranged marriage is not the worst idea. What Steve doesn't want is to be married to the strange almost barbaric King, who shows up spectacularly hungover to their wedding. Now he's alone, and scared in a place miles from anything he is used to, saddled to a King who doesn't want him.

But maybe, maybe all hope is not lost, even with the disaster their wedding turns into. Maybe, just maybe, there is something to be salvaged from the less than ideal circumstances that brought them together.

—

just a little change, small to say the least by @cinderellasfella | Rating: M | Word Count: 1572

Summary

There's sleeping together, and then there's sleeping together. Steve proposes that he and Thor take the leap to find out the difference.

—

Minnows of Midgard by BurdenedWithPointlessPurpose, Marv_with_a_v | Rating: E | Word Count: 35,018

Summary

Years spent swimming the sea alone Steve finds himself growing irresistibly curious of what lurks above the surface. Everything in him tells him he belongs there, especially when Thor’s otherworldly ways welcome him with open arms and provokes questions he can’t answer. Answers he desperately seeks out when given the opportunity the God offers.

—

small beginnings by @capnwinghead | Rating: E | Word Count: 13,356

Summary

When the team reunites on the search to find Loki's scepter, Thor takes a very special interest in Steve.

—

Starborn by hafital | Rating: E | Word Count: 45,255 | Content warnings: Have tissues ready, Character deaths, Angst, Fluff

Summary

As he walked, he wondered if sleeping through seventy years and then waking up to find almost everyone he’d ever known or loved gone was preferable to living through each loss. They both sucked, he decided, but he knew he wouldn’t have traded the last few decades for anything in the world.

Part 1 of Starborn and Stormbreaker

[somefanficrecomendations]

2023 BEST READS

A few days late but hey, better late than never! This is a non-comprehensive list of my favorite fics that I’ve read in 2023! Criteria for a fic to be included on this list are:

I read the fic in 2023

I reread the fic at least once

I can rate 5/5 stars without hesitation

The fics are organized by fandom but otherwise are in no particular order.

BATMAN

New Wave by yellow_caballero Batman (gen), 103k, Reverse Robins, Stephanie Brown is Robin Some lunatic in a bat costume is running around Gotham clowning on fools, but local delinquent Stephanie Brown has way bigger problems. When her father and friends start joining mob wars Steph knows she has to do something about it before Gotham collapses. If that means joining up with rich dudes playing dress up, pasty nerds with hacking and photography habits, and throwing on a costume herself, then that’s just what she’ll have to do. Even if Batman works alone. She’s convincing. In which Stephanie Brown rocks the radical nineties and becomes the first Robin, ruining Batman’s life and giving Tim Drake a hobby.

birdsong by ScarlettSwordMoon Nightwing (gen), 22k, Dick Grayson-Centric After getting a face full of Scarecrow’s newest toxin, Dick isn’t haunted by his typical nightmares. No. This one has little green pixie boots. AKA Batman: Ego but make it Robin. Nightwing 60th Anniversary Bingo: Drugs & Toxins

Keep Your Head, Your Backbone, and Your Heart by MrMich Batman (gen) 54k, Dimension Travel, Duke Thomas-centric The last thing that Duke expected on what was supposed to be just a regular patrol was being suddenly thrown five years into the past, coming face to face with a darker, more violent Batman than the one he knew, a broken family, and a Tim who was a foot shorter than Duke, and not even Robin yet.

Loading and Aspect Ratio by JUBE514 Batman (Superbat), 45k, Wings AU A world where nobody has wings, but people think they do, and that changes everything.

Our Bodies & Other Fine Machines by SilverSkiesAtMidnight Batman (gen), 13k, Starvation He has never argued with a punishment, not since he was a toddler, if then. Surely she’ll listen, surely she’ll see this is too harsh, that he wouldn’t be disrespecting her like this if he was simply sulking over not getting his way. He needs that food, needs to be able to eat enough if he wants to be Robin. He’s been hungry before, but back then, it never mattered if he was a little weak or dizzy. It never risked his life or the life of his partner when he was a kid. She turns, sighing softly and pursing her lips. She reaches out to pat his cheek, and for a moment his heart soars hopefully, and he barely restrains himself from leaning into the rare bit of contact and soaking up his mother’s touch. “Oh, Timothy,” she tuts. “This is for the best. And honestly, I think it’s wise for you to cut down a bit on the snacks. I’d hate to have to listen to anyone tittering at the next gala that you’re getting chubby.” And without another backwards glance, she turns and heads upstairs, leaving Tim alone and frozen at the bottom of the steps.

You, Me, and the Humanity in Between by JUBE514 Batman (gen), 65k, Non-Human Robins Bruce is trying his best to protect the city that he loves. He doesn't know how exactly his Robins came to be- they're not fully human, not even at all. All he knows is that he wants to keep them safe.

Little Red by destiny919 Batman: Under the Red Hood (gen), 39k, Series, Jason is Tim’s Parent AU where Tim is younger and has been illegally adopted by his hero, the Red Hood.

A Different Game by Hinn_Raven Batman (multi), 62k, Red Hood!Stephanie Brown, Role Reversal Stephanie Brown died with a mouth full of blood and her eyes wide open, staring at the locked door, hoping still for a miracle, for a rescue. She died in a hidden place, still hanging from the ceiling by her wrists, bleeding out from a wound in her stomach, and no one was with her when her heart gave its last beat. AU where Stephanie Brown dies as Robin and becomes the Red Hood.

bad news, this place is magic as fuck by mikkal Batman (gen), 28k, All-Caste Jason Todd, Magic Jason Jason's on the trail of a killer who's targeting kids in Crime Alley for an unknown magical ritual. Between that and his family who insists on butting in, he's got his work cut out for him. But, as they say, nothing is as it seems.

Wings over Gotham by icarus_chained Batman, DC (gen), 190k, No Man’s Land, Independent Gotham An AU where an altered version of No Man’s Land happened while Bruce was in his late teens/early twenties, and Batman was born in the hellish crucible of a trapped city that was left for dead and then violently retaken. Gotham may pretend to run by mainlander rules for the sake of those who would have died otherwise, but under the surface, Bruce, Jim, Leslie, Ivy and Oswald and their pack keep their own council, and look with jaundiced eyes on the mainland.

A Meditation on Railroading by eggmacguffin Batman (gen), 24k, Hurt/Comfort When he ends up ditched in Atlanta after a fight with his dad, Tim decides to do the only sensible thing: Tell no one and make the 800 mile journey back to Gotham on his own. Because the "call Batman when you're in trouble" rule only applies when he's Robin, right?

THE BATMAN (2022)

I’m a Good Pretender by shipNslash The Batman (2022) (gen), 40k, Dick Grayson-Centric Dick’s mother raised her son to be a star. Dick’s father raised his son to be an athlete. Bruce's new ward is charming (manipulative), dedicated (obsessive), and way, way too smart for either of their own good.

In This or Any Other Universe by wildsofmarch The Batman (2022) (gen), 33k, Dimension Travel There was a new vigilante in his city: a man who smiled too much and talked too loud and knew his way around a fight a little too well. Bruce wasn't bothered by his antics. Except the man also seemed to know a little too much about him. Who was this Nightwing, anyway? OR: Dick Grayson (DCU) accidentally lands himself in Battinson’s Gotham.

DC LEGENDS OF TOMORRW

Countless Roads by nirejseki Arrowverse, DC Legends of Tomorrow (Mick Rory/Leonard Snart), 231k, Medium Leonard Snart, AU-Ghosts Due to a family curse (which some call a gift), Leonard Snart has more life than he knows what to do with – and that gives him the ability to see, speak to, and even share with the various ghosts that are always surrounding him. Sure, said curse also means he’s going to die sooner rather than later, just like his mother, but in the meantime Len has no intention of letting superheroes, time travelers, a surprisingly charming pyromaniac, and a lot of ghosts get in the way of him having a nice, successful career as a professional thief.

Straight On Till Morning by nirejeski Arrowverse, DC Legends of Tomorrow (Sara Lance/Mick Rory/Leonard Snart), 17k, Time Pirates Left alone in the Refuge, Mick and Sara decide they're going to be proactive about their fate. They end up becoming time pirates. Because of course they do.

THE WITCHER

A Beginners Guide to Exploiting the Kaedweni Tax Code For Fun and Profit by Heronfem The Witcher (Aiden/Lambert), 190k, WIP, AU-Modern Setting, AU-College/University Aiden Kett and Lambert Wilkson accidentally get married, and this is honestly probably the least of their problems.

By the Broken Lock That Freed Me by inexplicifics The Witcher, (muti), 46k, AU-Daemons, Accidental Warlord Series Aiden takes a contract on the Duke of Velen. He's not expecting the most interesting part of the whole affair to be meeting the duke's betrothed. His daemon thinks they should keep her. Aiden's not sure how that will work, given that he's already got a Wolf and doesn't know how Lambert and his daemon might feel about adding someone else to their little pack, but it's awfully tempting. And Cats aren't very good at resisting temptation.

Intent by tnico The Witcher (Aiden/Lambert), 18k, Non-Traditional A/B/O, 5+1 "You think I don't know what you're after?" Lambert accuses. "Well, I'd certainly hope you do, by this point in the evening," Aiden (so he says) agrees in a convincingly genial tone. It'd probably be enough to fool someone else on the matter of genuine interest.

SPIDERVERSE

gonna crack a rib (when i get home) by eneliii Spiderverse (gen), 40k, Cannon Divergence Miles Morales, recently landed in Earth 42, has had enough of everyone’s shit and he’s going to save his dad or so help him he’ll lose his mind. Miles Morales 42, just wants to know what the /hell/ is up with his doppelgänger.

MCU

The Hero's Journey; or: What Jasper Sitwell Did Last Summer by pagination MCU, Welcome to Night Vale (multi), 23k, Crossover The thing is, when an agent reaches clearance level five, it’s because they’re valuable, capable of something an exponentially diminishing few can offer in the ranks of SHIELD. Clint Barton, his personal issues notwithstanding, is unstoppable behind a scope. Jim Woo is an analyst and extractor par excellence. Melinda May has infiltrated half the presidential offices of Asia, and Phil Coulson has an instinct for the unusual that could be the basis of an entire TV show. Jasper’s less certain what he brings to the party.

If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked a Cake by OddityBoddity MCU, Hawkeye (gen), 27k, Baking They’re the broken ones. That’s what Clint figures the rest think about him and Barnes. Clint with his eardrums trashed, Barnes with a regiment’s worth of trauma and a psychotic cybernetic arm, put in the same room and told to make nice while the others get to go on missions and do important things and save the world. Well they're not broken. So of course they got bored and tired of being sidelined and decided to entertain themselves. And of course they ended up wanted, running through the streets of Paris with bananas down their pants and gendarmes in pursuit. Of course they did.

[bamitzzsam]

So cute! Im gonna be honest though, I would absolutely beg for his Mini Bucky’s. I don’t even want children, nor can I get pregnant anymore, but I want HIS children. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Broken ribs and special date

Bucky's just about to win the boxing fight, when John breaks his ribs. Little did he know that he will find something more in the woman who treats his wounds than just another woman looking at him.

Pairing: Boxer!Bucky Barnes x Paramedic!Fem!Reder

Wordcount: 1.671 Words

Warnings/Tags: boxer au, injuries, meet cute, fluff

Authors Note: @gremlin-girly here you go. Thank you for the encouragment to write this one. Dividers made by me.

Events: 4B-Bingo [4B 010 | B1 | Boxing AU | @avengers-assemble-bingo], Bucky Boy Bingo [N1 | Meeting | @buckyboybingo], Bucky Barnes Bingo [BO23 | U1 | Action/Adventure | @buckybarnesbingo]

Masterlist | Bucky Barnes Masterlist

One punch. Another punch.

The loud cheers from the people around the boxing ring erupt in the club when one of the guys falls down on the ground. He’s holding his hands in front of his face to protect his nose and cheeks that already got attacked by the other boxer.

His chest rises and falls heavily, the skin above his eyes already broken when he brings his hands to the ankle of the man who’s still standing. With a swift movement, he pulls the leg back and causes the brunette man to fall down on top of him.

A huff escapes the brown-haired man, followed by a cough as his ribs land on John’s knee. The cracking sound of breaking ribs is only audible for the two of them.

You flinch, watching the scene from the side. Your eyes roam over the men on the ground, their limbs tangling together as both try to set punches.

Both of them are groaning and panting. Bruised faces, but none of them cares, only getting even more motivated by the chanting of their names, the loud cheers, and the screams that fill the boxing club.

“C’mon,” the brunette laughs, his fist connecting with John’s face. James, who’s also known as Bucky ‘White Wolf’ in the club, wraps his legs around John’s hips. He turns them both until he straddles the man and sets another punch to his jaw.

Bucky grins at the man, watching John wiggling underneath him. The man’s fist connects with Bucky’s stomach and chest, not even hard enough to make him budge. Except the one punch that’s set against Bucky’s broken ribs, making him hiss in pain.

“Fuck!” Bucky growls, slamming his fists a few more times against the other man’s jaw before he gets dragged away from John.

Two medical workers rush into the ring to look after John, while Bucky gets led to the side where you’re sitting. It’s a small room where you can watch everything from when the door is open.

You watch the brunette man getting dragged into the room, a frown on his face as he tries to argue with his trainer that he doesn’t need anyone to look over his ribs.

“I’m fine, I told you,” he huffs, falling down on the plank bed. Bucky growls at his trainer as he walks out of the room and closes the door behind him. Leaving you alone with the boxer.

You turn toward Bucky, smiling softly. His expression softens when he looks at you, a small smile forming on his lips. “Hi, I know you’re a big boy and can handle some wounds, but do you let me look at them anyway? Especially your ribs would be important to have a look at.”

Bucky nods, even though he would say it’s not necessary. He brings his calloused hands to the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head to reveal his muscled chest and stomach to you. His left arm is covered in tattoos, a star on his shoulder while the rest is black and gold that looks like roses and boxing gloves.

You have seen a lot of muscular chests and skin from boxers, but never as impressive as Bucky’s. With his shirt on, though it’s fitting him like a second skin, he doesn’t look that well trained.

You clear your throat, sitting down on the chair before moving closer to Bucky with it. He’s sitting with his legs slightly spread, his head hanging low to look at the bruise that’s forming on his skin. “I didn’t know it would look that bad.”

“You broke them,” you say, pressing your digits around the bruise into his skin. Bucky watches you intensely with his blue orbs, taking in every little detail of your face. A soft chuckle escapes him as you tilt your head slightly; for whatever reason, he thinks it looks adorable. “What? Does it tickle you?”

“No, I just think… you’re cute, I mean—“ Bucky sighs, throwing his head against the wall behind him. He had the perfect moment to flirt with you, and he had to ruin it by telling you you're cute. It could have been everything: sexy, beautiful, and handsome. But he has to say cute. Like he’s a college boy trying to get a prom date. “Sorry, I'm Bucky, by the way, and that’s not what a beautiful woman like you wants to hear, is it?”

“I can’t complain; it’s nothing I get to hear daily,” you chuckle softly, giving him your name as well, and then you turn around to get a cooling pack. You press it with a paper around it to Bucky’s ribs, holding it there until Bucky places your hand on top of yours to hold the pack himself. “It’s better than sexy, I guess. It’s not that I don’t like to be sexy, but having every man walking in here telling you you’re so sexy. It’s like it’s all about your body but never about me.”

Bucky hums; he can’t relate to it, but he can still understand. “You’re cute then, doll,” he chuckles and looks at his hand that’s pressed against his hips. “Can I fight with it or? You know John isn’t down yet. So…?”

“Your ribs are broken; it’s all swollen and already blue. Risking to worsen that, it’s your decision; I can’t stop you from going into the ring, but I wouldn’t suggest it,” you answer honestly. You keep that soft smile on your lips as you inspect his bruised cheek and forehead as well. “These aren’t that bad. Only your skin is broken from the force of the punches and some light bruises.”

Bucky nods, watching you a moment longer. It’s quiet in the room but not uncomfortable. You’re waiting for him to tell you if he wants to go back into the ring. And he’s thinking about it.

“I wanted to ask if—“ he chuckles, running his thick fingers through his brown locks. Bucky’s expression softens further, his lips curling upward into the sweetest and softest smile you have ever seen. “You would go out with me if I win. But you look worried about my ribs. Would you go out with me even when I don’t win? I mean… I don’t do it to impress you; it’s a way to impress someone, but I don’t feel like I have to impress you.”

Bucky’s eyes search your face for any hint. He has noticed the frown on your face when he played his injuries down and when he asked to be able to keep fighting in the ring with John. But he has also noticed that your smile widens when he smiles, and for the first time in ages, he’s interested in a woman, but not any woman, in you.

“It’s just, I kinda like to earn certain things. So your attention, your agreement to a date with me,” Bucky explains with a low chuckle. He removes the ice pack and looks at the bruise. It’s dark and hurts; he’s not sure if he wants to risk anything when he can just go on a date with you instead.

“I would love to. But you don’t have to fight against John to earn it. I would love to go out with you in one piece,” you say softly with a slight giggle. Bucky raises his eyebrows in amusement, tilting his head but nodding. “So, do you want me to tell your trainer you can keep going or that your ribs should get some rest before you step out there in the ring again?”

Bucky hums, thinking about it for a moment. He doesn't like to interrupt a fight like that, especially not against John. But he also knows better than to go out there to get another punch or kick into his ribs and get a worse injury.

“John knows my ribs are broken, or at least injured. He would use it to his advantage,” he says quietly, nodding his head. Bucky looks back up at you, a soft smile on his plump lips. “Tell him we will continue that another time; my ribs have to heal first.”

“Good,” you say, opening the door to find Bucky's trainer standing in front of the door. He turns around when he notices you in the door, his eyes wandering from you to Bucky, who's still sitting on the bed, and shrugs. "His ribs should heal before he gets out there for any fights. They are broken, and another punch could cause them to damage anything."

The trainer nods at you. “Barnes, you will listen to the lady or you will get timeouts,” he warns Bucky, who's grinning at him playfully. “I mean it, you will sit on the bench if you dare to disobey her.”

“Yes, sir,” Bucky chuckles and gets off the bed. He picks up his shirt to throw it over his shoulder before he walks up to you. One of his thick arms wraps itself around your waist, pulling you into his warm side. “If you excuse us, we have a date.”

Bucky's trainer's eyes widen. Bucky doesn't even look at any women, and now he's going on a date with you? You really have to be someone special when he asks you out. The wide smile Bucky gives him before leading you to the locker rooms answers it for him – you're not just someone; you are Bucky's everything.

“Have fun, lovebirds. But not too much,” the trainer says. “I mean, mini Bucky's aren't bad when they come here and are as good as their daddy.”

Your eyes widen when you look at Bucky. “Does he always plan stuff like that for you?”

Bucky shakes his head with a chuckle. “No, you're special, and he knows. I don't do dates, unless I'm sure it's the right person,” he hums, smiling softly at you before he presses his plump lips to your forehead. “But don't worry, no mini Bucky's before the date. Maybe after the date, doll.”

Taglist: @rogersbarber @loki-laufeyson68 @etherealdisneyvillainness @winterschildren8 @rnurse-kole @kimmie113080 @sergeantbarnessdoll @sebastianstanisahotmf @mercurial-chuckles @holylulusworld @randomawesomeperson102 @looking1016 @multiversefanfics @kpopgirlbtssvt @disneyprincessbuffyannesummers @alexxavicry @gremlin-girly @grilledcheesewithjalapeno @unabashed-lover-of-fictional-men @irisk12 @lilyalone @iris-xoxo-juhu @fckedupandbeautiful @hisredheadedgoddess28 @princesscore-angel @casa-boiardi @blackhawkfanatic @mrsalexstan @thesarcasmqueen-22 @bamitzzsam @feynightlight @ethanhoewke @kandis-mom @peachy-satan00 @armystay89 @queen-honeybee-stories @p1nkgirly333

[yes-i-am-happyaspie]

⬇ What I've Been Reading Recently! [In No Particular Order]⬇

Rivers and Roads (Rivers Till I Reach You) Series by peterparkersbff @pbpsbff

[Series Description and Notes] Zombie Apocalypse, No Powers AU centered on Peter, Tony, and Rhodey (But if we're being honest, it's pretty Peter-centric)

Updates will likely be posted out of order, but will be reordered so they are in preferred reading order. I'd recommend reading in series order.

Peter Benjamin Stark Series by MoonBoo

[Part 1, Stars Align Summary] Pepper is concerned about Stark Industry's image and organizes a tour for a group of orphans. It's during this tour that Tony meets a five-year-old Peter Parker, who is mute due to the trauma of witnessing Ben and May dying in a robbery, and realizes they're soulmates.

Time Brings All Things to Pass by MsWinifredQuale

Tony feels like he's in a good place right now. He's got a great fiancee, a makeshift but settled little family, and he's even in a fairly ok place with the former Rogues.

So naturally the universe decides to throw him some curve balls, when he gets a call one morning from the police claiming they've just picked up Howard and Maria Stark from the side of the road.

And that's not the only time-related event about to unfold.

Tony really hates time travel.

[Also includes de-aged Peter Parker]

Please obey the signs by Bergen

“This young man claims to have been invited by you personally.” Tony has learned to read Happy’s expressions. That one is disapproval, and it’s highly familiar. “Peter is helping me out in the workshop today.” “Why?” “Uh.” Tony has enough presence of mind not to carelessly throw Peter’s alternative identity around. “He won a competition.” Happy’s expression flickers, grows tense. “I did not approve any competition that included a trip to Avengers Tower.” “Okay. Well. If we had theoretically organized a competition, he would definitely have won it.” - Tony’s life lately has been a perfect storm of incompetence. But perhaps he can get some solid spiritual advice from a mischievous teenager with a secret identity he meets by the side of the road one evening, like a lucky little leprechaun. If only Happy would stop being so paranoid about Tony inviting a random kid into Avengers Tower, sheesh.

The Chill Factor by Tashie

5 Times Peter's thermoregulation caused issues +1 Time Others tried to do something about it.

Broken Thoughts (I Remember Everything) by blackwatchandromeda (avenris)

"Peter, who am I?"

He hesitates. "I'm sorry. I... I don't know."

Peter Parker has been missing for thirty-six days. When Tony Stark finally finds him, he's wandering around New York with no memories, unaware of where and who he is. The missing month is a mystery, and nobody knows what happened to him - least of all the kid himself.

Peter, meanwhile, is trying to piece together who he was. What doesn't help is the big secret he's sure Tony is keeping from him, or the way the man is avoiding him.

Nobody notices how the missing month is catching up to them until everything goes wrong.

(Not Infinity War compliant, but takes place after Civil War.)

When spiders tour their houses, chaos ensues by pirateninja9

"I am very pleased to announce that we’ve been invited for an overnight tour at Stark Industries.”

Join Peter and his Academic decathlon team on a chaotic field trip to the Stark Industries. Featuring a bullying teacher and student, a confused tour guide and many Avengers shenanigans. With luck like his, Peter should have known this would be as far from a normal tour as possible.

Mugs Are A Problem (I Do What I Want) by JAWorley

It’s not usually a problem. Tony doesn’t usually have to work so hard to hide it because Pepper, Happy, and Rhodey know. He can be himself around them. Right after the compound had been built, Tony had been worried about moving in with the Avengers full time… worried they’d notice his tics and figure out his secret. Then Germany had happened and the team had split up before they could fully move into the compound. Tony had had two years where he hadn’t needed to worry about it. Now that the Rogues are back and are living in the tower full time, it’s on his mind again and stressing him out. The problem? Coffee mugs. Well… coffee mugs, and other things and the fact that when he’s stressed out, the tics get worse. But mainly coffee mugs. Coffee mugs are the bane of his existence. OR Tony has Tourette Syndrome and he doesn’t want the Avengers (or Peter) to find out about it. The newly returned Avengers think Tony is just being a jerk when he knocks things off of tables and counters, because they think he’s doing it on purpose. Despite the angsty summary, this is all about the team coming back together and Tony learning that the people in his life can’t accept him as he is until given the chance to know him as he is.

[daisytarget]

A new visionboard for @ineffable-snowman's fic "Surprisingly Compatible." I cannot recommend this fic enough for anyone looking for fake dating, pining, and really sweet romantic overtures - please give it a read and give her all the kudos and comments!!

Also, the original creator of the dancing manip/painting on the bottom right is @freaky-mcgoooo, who has since deactivated (or been deactivated). Anyone who knows their current handle I would appreciate the help locating the amazing artist, but for now, here is a link to their original post!

[fuckyeahhowardstark]

Mission Report: December 16, 1991

In honor of the chief Howard-related MCU anniversary, please enjoy this rec list of 12/16/1991 related fics!

Dead Loves Never Stop Dying by ThePlaceByTheRiver (Gen, General Audiences, 4,944 words)

Summary: How Howard Stark decided to re-create the Super Soldier Serum, and what happened next. No active romantic relationships depicted, just memories of past (and desired) romance. Trigger warning for (mild) mentions of lab animal death... and, also, human death 😁 Inspired by discourse in the House of Squee, with much thanks to its founder, mandoorhandhookcardoor!

December 16, 1991 by Trekkiehood (@trekkiehood) (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 654 words)

Summary: AU to the fateful day of December 16, 1991.

For Better and For Worse by blakefancier (@blakefancier) (Howard Stark/Maria Stark, Steve Rogers/Howard Stark/Maria Stark, Mature, 29,441 words)

Summary: Howard and Maria Stark died the night of December 16, 1991. But what if they hadn't? What if Howard had taken steps to make sure that he and Maria would survive whatever HYDRA threw at them? What would happen next? This is that story. AKA: the awful fic.

Snuff by Domenika Marzione (@laporcupina) (Gen, Not Rated, 2,641 words)

Summary: SHIELD Director Peggy Carter has no idea what to make of a video capturing the murder of Howard and Maria Stark.

ghosts in the rearview by somehowunbroken (@somehowunbroken) (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 1,896 words)

Summary: Howard brought his ghosts home with him. They're not real, he knows, except for when they are.

[lettingtimepass]

OG Fic Rec List - Science Boyfriends

It seems like I've finally found some Science Boyfriends lovers on here and I'm feeling nostalgic, so here is my list of fics that have been saved in my bookmarks for nearly 10 years! If you haven't read these -- Enjoy!

Tony Stark Recommended, Bruce Banner Not by hollydermovoi

Bruce and Tony are a happy couple looking to adopt, but those in charge of approving them aren't huge fans of Bruce's Alter Ego.

Five Times Tony Stark Made Bruce Banner Laugh, and One Time He Made Him Angry by Yamx

Being friends with Tony Stark is many things, but it's certainly never boring.

Loose Talk in the Classroom by Undertheblu

Teenage Tony Stark finds his new teacher Bruce Banner more interesting than he probably should. Bruce does his best to be the responsible adult, but he discovers a stubborn Stark can be quite hard to resist. While trying to hide their taboo relationship they expose themselves to secrets they weren’t even aware of.

Pendulum by ChevySK and Zphal

Two highschoolers with brilliant minds and troubled lives find they have a lot in common. While Bruce struggles to cope in an abusive family, Tony longs for an intimacy he's never known. As the boys grow closer, can Bruce overcome his hang-ups about being in a relationship? And what role will Tony's heart condition play?

Dark Memories by Trammel

Tony and Bruce have been together six months, when something Bruce does triggers memories in Tony that he never wanted. Tony is not good at dealing with his feelings, but Bruce does his best to help him through it. Eventually Bruce confides in the team. Then someone from Tony's past returns to make things worse…

[logansgaar]

does anyone have any good fic recs central to Bucky that aren't ship related? Everything is usually so ship focused and I'd rather just read something about the individual character and his platonic relationships

Particularly:

Fics exploring his disability

Anything about his music taste, I've been on a Bucky playlist binge lately and the music feels so right for him but every fic talks about him exclusively liking 40s music. I get it but Bucky being into intense modern metal and rock music, maybe even rap too, after Madripoor sparks joy. He's multilingual too so his taste realistically wouldn't only be in English either

Any honeypot style fics that explore the possibility of the Winter Soldier having training/protocols similar to the Widows in the area of seduction. They can be dark angsty fics or fun surprise! Bucky is trained in seduction and has fun with his friend's shock. This one can be shippy if absolutely necessary but nothing with him and Tony or him and Clint. Not my thing at all

Just any really good platonic fics central to him would be amazing really

[greencatalystcomet]

my full loki fic rec list

every fic listed is on ao3. none of them have any non canon ships (except The Horizon Line, but the non canon ship is in the background) and none of them focus on romance. most of them are angst and h/c fics, with a focus on thor and loki's brotherly bond. lots of loki whump. fics listed are kind of vaguely in order from best to not best but still good

comments are enabled for everyone, please feel free to comment your own fic recs on the doc!

[bulkyphrase]

Post-CACW Stony: a fic rec list

I've been on a Captain America: Civil War kick lately, and since I know that Steve-friendly CW Stony fic can be hard to find, I've put together a rec list!

I am thoroughly team cap, but these range from being anti-accords to just not getting into the issue, and all are Steve-friendly as long as you can accept a lot little loving Steve-whump.

Atlas by nanasekei (@elcorhamletlive) (Not Rated, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, 11,505 words)

Summary: They don't hear each other.

Eigengrau by vorkosigan (@the-vorkosigan) (Teen And Up Audiences, 16,811 words)

Summary: Tony is captured; he doesn't know by whom, or why. He doesn't know how much time has passed since. What he knows is, he can now hear something in the adjacent cell, and that 'something' sounds a lot like Steve Rogers.

Nights When the Wolves Are Silent, and Only the Moon Howls by Cluegirl, Defiler_Wyrm (@cluegrrl) (Mature, Graphic Depictions Of Violence, 77,612 words)

Note: has a Stucky element too, but the relationship between Steve and Tony is the main focus.

Summary: “Could you drop all that stoic shit and be my freaking-the-hell-out wingman for just like, five seconds here?” Steve wasn’t sure he could think of anything he wanted less to do than to freak out about his wounds just then though, so he reached across his chest and gingerly patted Sam’s clenched knuckles. “It’ll be fine,” he promised, believing it. “Serum’s handled worse.” “You know, I actually believe you,” Sam allowed after a long second of glaring. “Which is deeply alarming, considering how much of your connective tissue I’ve touched in the last 4 hours. Now you wanna tell me what Russoff’s men did to you that made it look like you got mauled by a bear?” Steve flinched, then breathed the memory down to size. “Not a bear,” he murmured. “Wolves.”

More below the cut!

(trust me when i say) i'll get back to you by machi_kun (@machi-kun) (General Audiences, 1,549 words)

Summary: “Me and Rogers are not on speaking terms anymore.”

An Infinite Number Of Monkeys At Typewriters (Or, Steve and Tony Finally Get It Right) by JenTheSweetie (@jenthesweetie) (Mature, 18,864 words)

Summary: Tony blinked up at the face staring down at him. This was impossible. This was definitely 100% not possible, he had not just started giving a good morning handy to - “Steve?” After the events of Civil War, Tony and Steve wake up in bed next to each other in an alternate universe. It goes about as well as you'd expect it to.

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep by Cluegirl (@cluegrrl) (Mature, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, 152,765 words)

Summary: They all made mistakes. They all have regrets. They all have nightmares, suspicions, and questions they'd like to ask. And they all left business behind them that was never quite finished. This is the story of how the Avengers ask those questions, get their answers, and come together like fucking adults to make things right again.

Bring Him Home by seventymilestobabylon (@seventymilestobabylon) (Explicit, 13,769 words)

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)

Conjugal Visits by xtricks (Explicit, 4,252 words)

Summary: AU: Steve Rogers gets captured fairly soon after Civil War and sent to the Raft. Tony discovers that trying to appease your enemies doesn’t work and ends up a prisoner too.

Down Came the Rain by captainoutoftime (@captain-outoftime) (Explicit, 75,274 words)

Summary: A mission goes badly for Natasha, who is discovered de-aged to three years old. She recognizes no one, but every kid knows Captain America. When Tony grudgingly makes a call, Steve makes good on his promise to answer. Steve has to work together with Tony to take care of a traumatized child and figure out how to turn their itsy bitsy spider back into a Black Widow. Neither of them really want to talk about what happened in Siberia, but living in close quarters, they have to come to some sort of peace - even if it means addressing some feelings they'd rather not admit to having. As they work together to solve the problem of a re-emerging Red Room, Steve uncovers something he never expected to find again: family.

Hating Steve Rogers by nanasekei (@elcorhamletlive) (Not Rated, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, 16,243 words)

Summary: The thing about hating Steve Rogers is that it shouldn’t be easy - but it really, really is.

I Have Questions by YourFadedGlory (HisNameWasAce) (@yourfadedglory) (Not Rated, 2,808 words)

Summary: There is only so much that Steve can carry. His legs quiver and his heart aches, he looks skyward, and in a startling moment of clarity he lets the shield go. Gouged and battered, it rings like a bell when it hits the stone floor. He wonders for a split moment if it will weigh on Tony the way it has weighed on him.

The Crying Game by fohatic (@fohatic) (Explicit, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, 36,403 words)

Summary: Steve Rogers stared at the dimly glowing digital screen of the little burner phone, rereading the text message as if it might somehow give away something he missed the first dozen times he scrutinized it. His frown only deepened, though, brows drawing together with consternation as the 88 characters only left him with an even more ponderous sense of uncertainty. If you meant what you wrote, I'll be at the Swissotel Sarajevo, 4/18. Presidential Suite. 9pm. Come alone. ...Nearly a year after Steve and Tony's fallout—and only weeks after press rumors that Tony and Pepper's engagement was inexplicably called off—Steve gets a message on the dedicated burner phone. Despite his instinctive reservations, he's compelled to answer the mysterious call. An approximately canon-compliant story.

the hope that kills you by meidui (@meidui) (Mature, 1,227 words)

Summary: Steve used to go on so much about freedom and choice. If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose. Some of the freedom he loved was big, big enough for him to lay his life down for over and over, and some of the freedom he loved was small, like the wind in his hair when he took his motorcycle out, but now he has to sob and take it when Tony sucks a deep flowering bruise where his prison uniform couldn’t possibly cover and whispers in his ear, “Who’s gonna help you now? Where are you gonna run?”

live for the hope of it all by meidui (@meidui) (Mature, No Archive Warnings Apply, 1,880 words)

Note: This is a sequel to the hope that kills you

Summary: “You can keep me here, can’t you?” Steve asks a little desperately as Tony kneels over him, spreading himself out all the better for Tony to take. He must have really hated his cell on the Raft, Tony thinks before he loses himself in Steve’s body, and for a little while, everything is the same as it has been for the past six months. It’s only after, in the dark and quiet of his own bedroom with Steve sprawled sleepy and heavy across his chest that Tony realises— This is their cell now.

The Phone by AvengersNewB (@avengersnewb) (Mature, 9,039 words)

Summary: Tony hates the flip phone Steve sends him, but he keeps it close at all times, and it never rings until it finally does and the news might help put things into perspective - Captain America : Civil War fix-it. or The phone can't take the place of your smile. [podfic added as chapter 2]

the things we invent when we are scared by nanasekei (@elcorhamletlive) (Not Rated, 18,305 words)

Summary: Steve is trapped in a dream machine, programmed to make him believe he's living his happiest fantasy. Tony goes inside to wake him up, but what he finds is a lot more complicated than he expected.

there's nothing but blue skies by Meatball42 (Mature, Major Character Death, 647 words)

Summary: “This isn’t good,” Steve said grimly.