#stevetony staples

[lazywriter7]

Cap-Ironman Rec Week - It’s About The Yearning Tuesday

Slightly controversial opinion - pining isn’t the trope I seek out most often? So the kind of fics that hit me the hardest are usually interesting/compelling/poignant takes on this fandom staple. So without further ado: Overhaul by  Annie D (scaramouche)

Steve knows that Tony has feelings for him and, since he doesn’t return those feelings, has been mildly dreading the day that Tony decides to do something about it. When that day finally arrives, Steve discovers that Tony’s wooing strategy isn’t anything at all like he’d expected. Notes: Featuring a Tony whose methods of pining include trying to be a better version of himself (however he defines it) and expressing his actual emotions instead of angsty repression and I just... love it so very much? It’s a take on the SteveTony dynamic in general that I really, truly enjoyed.

inside my shell-shaped mind by Mizzy

Before Ikaris of the Eternals died along with the rest of his people, he gave Tony Stark the power of the Uni-Mind, a power Tony used in order to help stop the Horde from destroying the universe. 

The Magistrati are the Living Tribunal's enforcers of Universal Law. They are the judges, jurors, and advocates of the universe. And Tony’s Uni-Mind ability has been judged too dangerous: he must be put to death.

Steve thinks he has a solution. To save Tony's life, he must undergo an intimate version of the Uni-Mind known as the Gann Josin, a type of bonding that creates a mental union between two people...and makes them lifelong soulmates.

Well, it's probably not the oddest way to save someone's life, but it's certainly not going to be easy. Especially when Tony seems determined that the bond should be broken, as soon as possible. (Set just after War of the Realms #4.) Notes: You know that very specific trope where two characters have to get bonded or married for the greater good, but also they’d very much like it for their personal good, because pining? This is it, and boy is it a joyous ride. All-Time Low by Sineala Tony's lost his company to Obadiah Stane. He's lost it all: his money, his friends, his Avengers team... and his sobriety. Drunk, homeless, Tony is living on the streets, and when he runs out of liquor money, he sells the only thing he has left: his body. And one day, he has the exact wrong customer. Notes: Oh, the angst. Oh the pain. This is pining intermingled with guilt, shame, self-hatred, and you’d think you wouldn’t be up for that intensity but it’s written so beautifully, and the pining definitely goes both ways, though not self-articulated. Couldn’t recommend it more. Marvels: The Bloodstone Odyssey by teaberryblue The year is 1940. In the middle of the Blitz, Tony Stark and Pepper Potts set out to London to recover Howard Stark's lost work. But it turns out that they're not the only ones hunting for it. Tony finds himself contending with Nazis, crooks, and perhaps his most formidable adversary yet: a scrawny, asthmatic, bullheaded kid named Steve Rogers. Notes: I wasn’t going to have a pining! reclist without Marvel Noir, come on. Handsome adventurer Tony Stark meets pre-serum Steve Rogers? Best dynamic, sign me the hell up. And love the pulpy-inspired plot to go with it <3 Wake Up Someday by thepartyresponsible Steve relaxes back against his chair. He takes a quick look – just checking, just making sure – over his shoulder, and he gets an unexpected and vaguely life-changing glimpse of Tony’s ass, as he bends over the pool table to line up his shot.

When he looks back, Bucky’s staring over Steve’s shoulder, a familiar, dumb, dreamy look on his face. Steve feels something catch in his chest.

“Oh,” he says. He clears his throat. God, he’s an idiot. He is an idiot. “Him, huh?”

“Yeah,” Bucky says. He catches the corner of his mouth with his teeth, but it’s not enough to fight off the stupid grin lighting up his whole damn face. “That’s the one,” he says, low and fond. Notes: Aww, Steeb <3 Rest assured, this doesn’t feature Steve or Tony with other characters, just Steve being - in his words - an idiot. Just some delicately fluffy, poignant, idiotic pining goodness. Gift With Purchase Remix by sabrecmc Gift With Purchase Remix wherein Steve actually is a hooker. But for a Really Sympathetic Reason. Notes: You also know that trope where Steve and Tony are very much sleeping with each other but also pining? Yes there’s some delightful miscommunication/assumptions in this one, but also the power dynamic at play makes things a lot more complicated, and I quite enjoy that nuance in my pining fic actually :D 

Someone To Love by blue_jack What does it matter that it’d been because of Loki and his damn magic? He’d fallen in love with Steve once. He can do it again. Notes: Okay, this one’s a bit of an ambiguous squeeze into this category, but I had to get it in okay? There’s magic induced feelings, and then all the fallout and pining when the magic goes away, and it’s so interesting when Steve and Tony aren’t quite in the same place emotionally at different points of time, that it makes the ending all that much sweeter. Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by  Annie D (scaramouche) Steve doesn’t mind that Tony doesn’t return his feelings. He just would've preferred if it didn’t come with the side effect of his coughing up flowers and possibly dying. Notes: Oh look, it’s the ‘what if pining away wasn’t actually metaphorical’ flower disease :D I’ve always loved the way this author writes emotions though - Steve’s pining has peaks and troughs, he suffers but also loves, and in such a Steve way.  And that’s it for the day! Remember not to repress those feelings, and show the authors all your love in kudos and comments!

[andhumanslovedstories]

Oh my goddddddd that’s a blast from the past. This was the first long fic I wrote. It was for a stevetony reverse bang (I was SO HARD into stevetony) (I remember telling Cyrus we were just like them for real) I picked this art because 1) wanted to write women, and 2) the art had enough details and components that I could scour it to craft the actual plot. I remember mapping out the sections of it on flashcards that would get stapled to other flashcards as the story expanded. And god the media referenced in it is such a time capsule of my interests 😭😭 congrats on your bisexuality, I’m happy to have helped

Summary: Stephanie Rogers isn't happy to be in the 21st century, but she's even less thrilled to be on a team with Antonia Stark who seems as spoiled and self-centered as people come. She and Tony do their best to ignore each other, until their mutual insomnia causes them to bond over the new American pastime: late night television watching. Eventual Steph/Tony.

Author: @andhumanslovedstories

Submitter: @undercovercannibal

Note from submitter: I credit this fic with helping me realize I'm bi <3

[lildemonsemen]

“I just pay for everything, design everything and make everyone look cooler”

The second Tony is gone Steve’s answer to his clothes dilemma is literally to just fucking spray paint it black

men are useless without their wives

[bruciewayne]

(stevetony ocean’s 11 au pt. 2, ao3 link in bio)

There’s a certain type of comfort he gets alongside all his personal possessions and the form that declares them officially his and legally obtained. Not homely, not exactly, but like he’s his own man again. He signs the form, slides it under the glass, and receives a manila envelope for his troubles.

“Came in last night,” the guard behind the counter tells him, already moving on to the next guy.

Steve slides his finder under the flap and tugs out a stapled set of papers: FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE.

A ring, gold, inscribed, falls out into Steve’s palm with it.

The guard who leads him to the changing cubicles glances over his shoulder, “Missus couldn’t wait, huh?”

Steve shrugs, “I’m a free man now.”

As efficiently as he can, Steve tugs on his civilian clothes: suit jacket, suit pants, white shirt, no tie, top two buttons undone, and wingtips. There’s no mirror, but he still stands with his shoulders back and straightens out the cuffs - the old skin feels good, if a little loose. He contemplates wearing the ring - he should want to start a new life, a clean life, maybe helping troubled youths reform, maybe reconciling with Tony, he shouldn’t wear it: rings are often far too symbolic for their own good.

He hands the godawful orange fatigues to the guard, who leads him to the gates, the precipice of freedom. He lingers there for a moment after the gates grind open, hovering, letting the wind whistle past. The world out there isn’t pretty, and the view isn’t particularly pleasant - being on the inside for so long had almost allowed him to forget that he’d spent the last four years of his life in New Jersey. Almost. The glaring, graffitied sign to his right reminds him immediately.

If anything, it’s his strong and immediate desire to leave New Jersey that lets him call the courage to step out into free America.

Among the hum of conversation, the dings and the thunks of the slots, the whir of shuffled cards, the splash of a drink… in the buzz of a casino, he's home. As close to the general concept of it as he’ll ever get in the absence of Tony, anyway.

He catches a flash of red hair at the blackjack table and makes his way over there - she’s not exactly the friend he came here for, but close enough. He slides into the booth as he greets her, “Evening, Natasha.”

If he shocks her in the slightest, she doesn’t let it show, instead gesturing to her nametag, “You must have me confused for someone else,” she says coolly, “my name is Yelena, see.”

Steve nods, getting up, “Right… my mistake, this table’s cold, anyway.” Who said prison hadn’t humbled him?

“Sir? The lounge at the Grand gets busy around 1, if you’re interested,” Natasha tells him with a smile.

Steve taps the table, smiling back, “Thanks.”

 Overtop the New York Times he’s pretending to read, Steve watches the faceless clock tick slowly closer to one - there’s still a couple minutes and Natasha doesn’t believe in being early. He scans the front page: plans to raze one of Fury’s - well, Loki’s now - hotels, accompanied by a picture of a scowling Fury (not that he has any other faces, Steve’s pretty sure he’s seen him smile exactly once when he got too into character in the Looky-Loo they pulled in Belgium) and another picture of Loki, with Tony at his arm, radiating smugness and generic assholery.

Steve takes a sip of his bourbon to calm himself. Tony can - should, really - do whatever he likes with whomever he likes, it’s not Steve’s place to say, anymore.

“Catching up on recent events?”

Steve lowers the paper, “They kept us out of the loop, inside, Yelena.”

“They tend to do that. Natasha Romanoff would have caused too many red flags,” she says, and it’s explanation enough, though Steve hopes, for her sake, that she hadn’t burned through all her aliases just yet. “You just get out?”

“This morning,” Steve answers with an almost self-deprecating grin, but now isn’t the time for melancholy and introspection and regret.

Natasha recognises that, and asks, “And already turning over a new leaf?” gesturing to his drink and whereabouts.

Steve gives her what he hopes was a withering look that conveyed just the right amount of exasperation - in his defence, he’s slightly rusty at friendly banter. By her returning look, he rightly assumes that it may have been just a touch too far… murderous. Regardless, he gets to the point, “Where is he?”

Natasha rolls her eyes, “And here I thought you were here to visit an old friend.”

“Nat.”

She just about refrains from sighing aloud. “Last I heard he was teaching the up and coming youth of LA how to play poker.”

“Last you heard?”

“You know him, he's not the most… talkative.”

Steve raises an eyebrow. “You fought.”

“We disagreed. Why?”

“I need him, and you. And a few more people,” he doesn’t want to say his plan directly to her when they’re like this; alone with no witnesses. She could see through him clearer than even Bucky, probably better than Tony could as well.

Natasha gives him a look he swears she pulled straight from his own mother, despite never actually meeting her. “You have something planned. Already?”

“You kidding? I just became a citizen again.”

She leans over, takes his glass, and drains it, “Ради бога.”

Of course, he has something planned already.

At her look, Steve can’t stop himself from grinning and something else settles in him. He’s missed this, God, he’s missed this. He pulls a bill from his wallet, tucks it under the glass and gets up, “You coming?”

[ifmywishescametrue]

1, 15, 16 for the writing asks?

thanks for sending these!!

1) What fic of yours would you recommend to someone who had never read any of your work?

oof I'm so torn between what I think are my best works and what I think best represents me as a writer, so I'll go with one that I think falls into both categories: when it feels right

It's got most of the staples of my writing – non-powered au, falling in love, and steve being smitten by a very adorable tony. Only thing it isn't is a college au lol

15) What's your favorite AU that you've written?

definitely your ivy grows! I think it has some of the better plot I've done, because it actually has one haha. Most of my long fics tend to be just vibes and 'watch these two people fall in love,' which I love love love doing (and reading) and won't stop but I liked the world building and backstory with that one

16) What’s an AU you would love to read (or have read and loved)?

I love any AUs that have one of them as an Avenger or just some sort of superhero but the other is just a normal dude. For Stevetony, bonus points if it's pre-serum Steve, but honestly I'll read any variation of it for almost any ship involving Tony

[ad1thi]

henlo adi tis i with a request for some stevetony fics,,, angsty if you have 'em 💓

okay so this rec list is mainly classic stevetony fics, but i assure you - there’s angsty ones in there (ive marked the angsty ones with a 😞 so you can identify them quicker) just a general note that a lot of authors are going to repeat, because there are some authors that (imo) are stevetony staples (so if you see an author more than once - thats a sign that ALL of their stevetony is good and ive cherry picked the ones i love the most) (ive also marked those authors with a 🌟) 

//

in the light of limerence:  @shell-heads

It's the final game of the season, their biggest one yet, and there's only one question on everybody's mind: who the hell is Captain Steve Rogers' boyfriend, and why does Cap keep dodging questions about him?

"You gotta admit it's suspicious that only Bucky and Sam have met your boyfriend, dude," Clint points out as he shoves Pietro away with a smirk, pulling the uniform over his head and tugging it down. "We've known you, what-two years? We've never seen the guy even once."

"And your phone mysteriously only has pictures of Tony Stark," Johnny Storm adds as he joins the conversation, knocking knees with Thor when he sits down on one of the benches. "Tony Stark, who has at least ten fansites and personally assured me he's had a boyfriend for the past five years."

"I can't believe Cap is actually out here acting like Tony Stark's boyfriend," Luke says with a smirk, resting against a wall without a care.

"I can't believe you guys still think this is a joke," Sam throws back while tossing his other dirty sock at Luke, who dodges it smoothly.

In little more than ten minutes, the biggest question of Shield University is answered with much aplomb by none other than Tony Stark himself.

almeno tu nell'universo: @silkspectred 😞 🌟 (funfact: this is the fic that got me into stevetony) 

Tony drives off.

Well, he wants to.

But he can’t.

Because.

Steve Rogers is in front of his car.

Steve fucking Rogers. Is in front of Tony’s fucking car.

Rookie and Jailbait Take On The World: @theapplepielifestyle 🌟

“You really should be in school, you know.”

“Why would I be there when I could be here, solving crimes with my favourite rookie?” Tony flashes a grin, and Steve’s stomach twists like it did on the first day.

Teenager, Steve’s mind supplies. Definitely not legal, stop doing fluttery things, stomach.

Thumb, Index and Pinky Extended: @/Eudoxia 😞

Tony Stark is twenty-one when he loses his voice. It shouldn't matter, but in a world where the first words your Soulmate says to you are marked on your skin, it can be pretty damn annoying.

I (created from fantasies) exist solely for you: @mizzy2k

Six years ago, without the Avengers Initiative there to save the day, scientist Dr. Eric Selvig sacrificed himself to save the world, the almighty demi-god Thor was lost to a terrible storm, and vigilante Iron Man – spotted with a nuclear weapon trying to take advantage of the situation – was forever labelled an enemy of SHIELD.

This is a comic book office AU, where Steve is defrosted a year too late, Thor has forgotten who he is, and no one knows Tony is Iron Man.

Also includes: office pranks, inappropriate post-it notes, and superheroes who like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.

Celestial Navigation: @sabrecmc

Celestial Navigation: 18 year old Omega!Tony finds himself Bonded to Captain Steve Rogers. He isn't happy about it until he is.

By request, here is CN in one place without other stories and artwork.

Ironsides: @copperbadge 🌟

Antonia Carter Stark takes no shit and no prisoners.

Paved With Good Intentions (I’m On The Road To Hell): @itsallavengers 😞 🌟

When the mysterious group of vigilante assassins known only as 'The Avengers' are tipped off about the dirty secrets that lie within Stark Industries, Steve Rogers has his heart set on taking out Tony Stark for good in order to protect the rest of the world from his evil. He's seen the footage, after all- Stark is a man who fights only for himself. And of course, when a job arises as chief bodyguard for Stark, to protect him from the growing threat of an ominously infatuated stalker, the opportunity is way too good for him to miss out on. It's the perfect placement, and the perfect way to find out whether or not their tipoff is genuine.

But as Steve falls into rank as the new bodyguard for Mr. Stark and he spends time getting to know and protect him, his initial hatred begins to falter and merge into something different, something far more terrifying than the prospect of killing the face of Stark Industries.

Steve Rogers may just be falling in love with him instead.

The Problem With Communication: @itsallavengers

Steve is terrible at flirting, but when he finally picks up the courage to talk to the adorable barista who makes his drinks, he finds himself hitting a small snag:

That being, Tony is deaf. He doesn't know what Steve is saying.

But never say Steve Rogers does not rise to a challenge.

Killing Me Softly (With His Song): @itsallavengers

Steve is Tony's whole world. Tony couldn't imagine life without him. They've grown up together, after all.

Steve gets cancer.

Open Field In Front of Him: orphan account

Steve Rogers's football season is functionally over after a loss to Rutgers, but he finds a distraction in Tony Stark (yes, THAT Tony Stark). A college AU Stony fic.

Good For You: @orbingarrow 😞

Steve doesn't understand why Tony dates people who abuse him. Tony doesn't understand why Steve cares.

The rest is bad choices, good choices, rehab, milkshakes, paintball, YouTube videos, couples therapy and learning to put the past in the past. Or: How Tony finds his happy ending.

COMPLETE 5/27/16 Edited to add art as last chapter on 6/23/16

Wrapped Up In Clover: @festiveferret

It's been seven years since Steve and Tony split up, and Steve's sure he'll never see Tony again. He's finally managed to put their failed relationship behind him and move on, focusing on his friends and building his business. But then his best friends, Bucky and Clint, decide to get married, and their wedding week at a cabin resort in Vermont turns into a minefield of heartbreak for Steve.

little green soldiers: @/nasa 🌟

“Rhodey,” Tony says. “I’m not stupid. He’s shipping out in three months. I’m not going to fall in love with him.”

Tony is a student at MIT; Steve is a soldier. They meet at a house party six months before Steve is set to deploy. This is their story.

flesh and bone: @/nasa 😞

“You or Rogers?” they ask, brandishing a knife or a gun or a flame.

“Me,” Tony says, over and over again. “Me, me, me,” always me.

Buried: @not-close-to-straight

When Howard Stark demands Tony work at a dig site in S.America one summer to "build character" and "learn about life", Tony is furious. But then he meets soldier/archeologist Steve and falls in love with blue eyes and a perfect smile. 

Just as they are ready to move forward together, Steve leaves abruptly with no explanation and breaks Tonys heart. Ten years later, Tony stumbles across the file for the old dig site. He's determined to visit and shut it down, but discovers that instead of a village, the dig has uncovered a temple and actually needs MORE money to stay open. A security team is hired to protect the staff and the artefacts they find, and Tony comes face to face with Steve Rogers all over again– except Steve is bearded and BIGGER and way more dangerous than he used to be...And Tony likes it.

When the camp is attacked, Steve jumps into action, snatching Tony and running into the jungle to escape and work their way towards safety. But long days and nights together bring back old feelings, and one day Steve takes a risk and asks Tony to give them another chance. Will Tony say yes? Or is his heart buried too far for the soldier-turned- archaeologist-turned-mercenary to find it?

don’t know why it took me so long to see: @3799steps 

“Oh, watch this,” Natasha says, propping her chin against her knuckles and turning a sweet gaze on him. “Tony, what’s it like dating a superhero?”

Tony bristles in irritation. “We’re not dating,” he snaps. “Captain America probably thinks he can get into anyone’s pants just ‘cause he’s got a mask, costume, and reputation, but not me, buddy. That shield? Gotta be overcompensating for something.” He adds, a bit petulantly, “Oh, and all that blue? Definitely more Steve’s color than his.”

- In which Tony is a genius in all matters except recognising his boyfriend past a mask

Heartlines: @nanasekei 🌟

“Let me,” Tony repeats. He regrets it deeply, so much, he wants to stick the words back into his mouth again, and it must show, in the way his voice wavers. He feels exposed, all of a sudden, as if he’s asking something bigger than what he can actually say. Let me touch you, let me take care of you. “Just… Let me do it.“

Feel Whole Again: @thepartyresponsible

Steve turns to leave. It’s easier to talk, somehow, when he’s not looking at him. “If you need anything,” he says, “I’m just a few floors down.”

“Might regret that, Cap,” Tony says to his retreating back. “I’ve been told I’m needy.”

Steve doesn’t know who the hell said that to Tony. It’s probably for the best that he doesn’t.

“It’s an honor,” he says, a little helpless, out of his depth and out of his time. “It’s an honor to be trusted with something like that, Tony.”

Attack Dog: @/salytierra

Steve doesn't swim in self-delusion. He knows that he is sick and that his owner is even worse. He is aware of it every time he rips some nameless guy’s throat out and feels the crunch of bones under his fingers. He is aware of it every time the rush of adrenaline at seeing life slip away from a stranger’s eyes hits him and gets him bothered and panting in ways that have nothing to do with physical exhaustion.

But it feels so good…

His owner’s approach is less personal. His shots fall clean and take out several foes at a time, his figure elegant and so graceful he looks like a god among savages. He is power incarnated, cold and burning like a sun at the same time… and Steve tries not to focus on him when they are fighting together, least his knees go weak and his technique falters. It’s fine though. They will go home afterwards and his owner will fuck him on the hard floor, with most of their gear still on and a vicious grip in his hair.

[ad1thi]

any winteriron blogs you'd recommend? kinda new to the ship 👀 thanks!

absolutely!! i can’t promise that all of these blogs are exclusively winteriron, but most of them are my go-tos for buckytony stuff!!

writing:

@riotfalling:  Riot does all of it, crack, fluff, angst, and has some of the most delicious nsfk stuff (her kinktober last year is actually how we met). She’s currently doing a buckytony bdsm series with @therollingstonys (Stella)

@anthonyed: Ana’s stuff is the stuff of legends. she does both drabbles and longer, bigger fics and both of them are so brilliant. ive been in love with her work since forever

@imposter-human: absolute gem to the mcu fandom, and particularly to the buckytony fandom - brooklyn churns out fics faster than anyone ive ever seen. she could single-handedly run the content for the fandom and we’d never run out. i think she’s got upwards of 100 fics on her ao3?? which should tell you just how much she writes

@wintersoldierland: Kat is currently on a hiatus (she’s on a sabbatical in the witcher fandom) but she has the most delightful stuff

@iam93percentstardust: Alle is possibly one of my favourite people in the whole world, and only a small portion of that is how talented she is. all of her fics deserve an incredible amount of love

@kimannhart: one stop shop for your buckytony needs. absolutely amazing and i love Jo endlessly 

@hddnone: i dare you to find a fic by OP that’s bad. its just not possible

@deathsweetqueen: Simi has a special place in my heart because she writes Indian Tony, and all of her fics are so rich. they’re beautiful, and all completely binge-worthy

art:

@monobuu: OP has this adorable style that always makes me 🥰 because they capture Tony’s bambi eyes so perfectly 

@anthon-e: OP is largely stevetony but they have some amazing buckytony pieces (one of which i commissioned so check it out)

@beir: if OP’s art doesn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy inside i have no idea what will 

@catalus208: i only very recently discovered OP but they have some very cute pieces!!

@gayspacesprinkles: absolutely adorable style. i love everything OP comes up with

@seijishun: OP currently has a dancer series going on that is the sole provider of my serotonin

also, im going to drop in a couple of names of people who i think are fandom staples!!

@27dragons and @tisfan: both authors have separate works, but they tend to collaborate together a lot on a whole plethora of buckytony fics (the Nights in Sandbridge series is the stuff of myth and legend. its a fandom staple. 

@hawkbucks: some of the most well thought and detailed AUs ive ever read in my life, and also does art occasionally!! 

@aurumacadicus: OP writes for a whole plethora of fics, and is a very good place to go for rarepairs - but also has some amazing buckytony stuff!! (im partial to Yield, but there’s a whole bunch)

@lovelyirony: Jess also dabbles in a lot of rarepairs, but her buckytony stuff is the *chef’s kisses*

@NaturoRox: i have to be very honest, i don’t actually know if OP is still in the fandom, but they have the most amazing fics

@not-close-to-straight: a fandom great. ‘nuff said

@rayshippouuchiha: i think it might be illegal to mention buckytony without mentioning the absolute queen herself

and if you’ll indulge me for a second, im going to rec my absolute favourite buckytony series of all time (that i am still hoping will one day be updated because its just so beautiful) 

We’ll Meet Again (Some Sunny Day): @tangodancer91 (four part series)

Stranded in the past, Toni Stark builds herself a new life, far from superheroes and corporate expectations

those are all my recs!! welcome to the buckytony fandom, we’re not extremely large but there’s a lot of us to go around so this is by no means an exhaustive list. i hope you enjoy your time!!

[lazywriter7]

Marvel Ace/Aro Rec List

Happy Pride everyone! It’s 30 June where I’m at, and although I didn’t get to actually write something ace-coloured for Pride, I thought I could atleast show some love - mostly towards the numerous fics I’ve read in this fandom that mainly feature characters on the ace/aro spectrum.  Characters and pairings may vary, and please make sure to read all tags and take care of yourself before diving in, as some of these feature internalised phobia (but always a happy ending <3 ). So go forth and show these authors some love!

grey and other colours by theappleppielifestyle  (steve/tony, demisexual, demiromantic Tony)

Distantly, Tony hears Clint say something like, “No, I definitely heard he was an equal opportunist. Like, equal-equal, no preference. Hey Tones, who are you attracted to more, dudes or chicks?”

He calls the last part out to Tony, who runs the words over in his mind and unthinkingly says, “I’ve actually never been attracted to anyone, it’s really worrying.”

~ this one’s a staple in the ace stevetony fandom, and the first I ever read. Sweet, poignant and beautifully written, capturing Tony’s changing feelings with lovely nuance.

Variations in Modern Dance by  Pookaseraph (steve/tony, asexual Steve)

There's only one thing in the world that Steve has decided the 21st century isn't alright with: not wanting to have sex. Sadly that seems to be the one thing the Serum couldn't fix, and it's playing hell with his ability to deal with his feelings for Tony. Thankfully Tony is a brilliant engineer, and he might be able to find a solution, or maybe he'll realize there's nothing there to fix.

~ I think this fic serves as great companion reading to the one above. Some of the conversations had by the characters are (deliberately) not always delicately phrased, but there’s a lovely sense of openness, self-discovery as well as self-acceptance that’s complimented by solid, solid writing.

Chance by SallyExactly (asexual Nat, Clint & Nat brotp)

Clint Barton's snap decision to re-interpret his mission orders means a new life for Natalia Romanova. She's only got the one shot at it, though, and "how to live and remake yourself in three easy steps" was never included in her assassin training.

~ anyone who knows me knows that I never miss an opportunity to rec this fic. This is one of the best fics I’ve ever read, one of the best spy stories I’ve ever read, and it just happens to feature an asexual, female protagonist. The asexuality is honestly not the main point of the story, just one of the several things Natasha discovers and reclaims about herself, along with a lifelong friendship - and all of those things make this fic absolutely excellent.

A Practical Glossary for the Twenty-first Century by shadowen (sam/bucky, asexual Bucky)

Some words are easier than others.

~ There’s a line from this fic that goes: What he’s having trouble with is matching new words to old feelings and figuring out which words are right for all the things he feels right now. And if that’s the sort of poignant character journey you want to read for Bucky, man is this the fic for you. Lovely writing, compulsory amoeba joke, a really soft Sam... this has something for everyone :P

No Such Thing as Normal by nightwalker (steve/tony, asexual Steve)

“I understand if you want to break up,” Steve said, the words spilling out of his mouth like they were hot on his tongue. He hadn’t meant to say it quite like that and not so early in the conversation, but it’s out there now, loud and heavy between them and he can’t pretend he didn’t say it.

~ this fic is essentially a well-written, honest conversation between two characters navigating unfamiliar waters, and I like that a lot. It’s also great about representing a different facet or kind of asexuality than we sometimes read in fandom, which is all sorts of excellent because being in a spectrum do be like that :D 

Walking like a man, hitting like a hammer by TardisIsTheOnlyWayToTravel (aromantic, asexual maria hill) "Darcy was convinced it was going to become part of SHIELD’s oral history forever, like that time everyone on this one op was doused with sex pollen and the only one who didn’t screw someone senseless was then not-yet-deputy director Agent Hill, and Robards said it was because she was a frigid lesbian and Hill told him that the term was asexual and if he was going to be a bigoted asshole about it he could at least get her orientation right. And then Coulson made him go through the hardcore diversity and sexual harassment training as punishment, because everyone knew Hill and Coulson were bros."

Maria Hill is honestly pretty happy with her life.

~ You know when you’re kinda done with the emotion-heavy angst of being an LGBTQIA+ person, and you just kinda wanna consume content that deals with unquestioned acceptance and awesomeness? This is that fic. Maria Hill is that woman. And I love. After the Applause by  tartanfics (peggy/angie, demisexual Angie)

Angie doesn't have anyone waiting for her out in the audience. She didn't get to tell Peggy she finally got a part in a show; Peggy wasn't there to tell. She ran lines with Sarah from 4A. There's been not a word from Peggy, nothing, after Angie went to all the trouble of calling up her family and finding Peggy a way out of the city.

~ not to be tooo controversial, but do I wish that Peggy Carter’s story ended something like the above fic? Yes, yes I do <3 Set post season 1 of Agent Carter, this fic is everything you’d want a get-together to be, plus bonus demisexual Angie! Win-win all around.

And now for some self-recs: to love and to hold (aroace bruce banner, asexual natasha, queerplatonic brucenat) His expression was a little too brittle. “Lucky for you I’m a bit too much of a coward for sex, then.”

But Natasha’s lips only flattened, gaze implacable. “Have you thought not wanting to do something might not be the same as being a coward?”

untitled aro Rhodey ficlet (aro rhodey, tony & rhodey brotp)

Because here’s the thing: there are no butterflies in the world that Rhodey resides. No whirlwind rush of emotions, no dusky blush rising to his skin when someone flashes a cute smile his way, no impassioned, well-meant love notes he was smuggling into people’s lockers at recess.

All his friends come to him for love-related advice; but he feels like a scientist, observing phenomena he can analyse but not understand, proselytising about another species from afar.

And that’s it folks! Please feel free to add your own recs on, this is really by no means an exhaustive list and we deserve nice things this year - happy Pride again!