Avengers rec list (+ excuses)

Nov 12, 2012 16:38

Hello! I'm not actually dead! But I was on my way to a conference for work and stupidly packed my laptop (and all of my clothes, and my notes, and my presentation) in my luggage, which the airline promptly lost. Judging by the tags, it ended up somewhere in Reykjavik. Nothing crashed and burned, but it was close, and I've been without a computer until my bags arrived.

So. That's my explanation for absolute deadness of my journal so far.

To make up for that, recs! Mostly humorous, because I've been in sore need of that the last few days.



Avengers:

Title: a higher form of war by gdgdbaby
Rating: NC-17
Author’s Summary: The first thing that occurs to Tony is that the deflector shields are down. The ship is motionless, a sitting duck-a flying duck, as it were.

He jettisons up. His black pirate flag's peppered with bits of neon paint-in fact, the entire topside of the helicarrier is splattered haphazardly with broken pellets and streaks of color. The UN flag's been torn in half and is fluttering half-mast, which means they're probably breaking about ten different maritime laws.

Why you should read this: Oh god, it’s crack. Hilarious, wonderful, amazing crack. An Avengers vs. SHIELD paintball war-does any more really need to be said?

Title: A Meeting of Minds by CrimsonQuills
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: As it turns out, the Extremis hadn't quite finished rewriting Tony's brain. The only potential fix has...consequences.

Why you should read this: The Tony/Steve friendship (or relationship, if you want to see it that way) in the comics is very, very deep, and this story flows from that idea so naturally. It’s lovingly in character and very well written, and the weirdness could absolutely be canon.

Title: All The Leaves Are Brown (And The Sky Is Gray) by paxnirvana
Rating: R
Author’s Summary: (Just Pre Heroic Age) - The Avengers aren't quite back together yet, things are still a little rocky between Tony Stark and Commander Rogers, and Tony's slaving away at Stark Resiliant, trying to make a fortune again to fund everyone's superhero habit -- and stay on his best behavior for Steve -- when Maria Hill calls him with a problem... an unidentified Iron Man suit has appeared in New York City. But it's not talking.

Why you should read this NOW: First and foremost, I'm an Avengers comic fan. They're my first love, and I still devour them when I get the chance. And this story…wow. It hits all of my buttons so, so hard. Normally I wouldn't rec a WIP, but this one deserves it a thousand times over. It might be a bit confusing (though still understandable) for movie-only fans, but everyone should read it, just because.

Title: An Abundance of Heart by theapplepielifestyle
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: Steve finds himself grinning, despite everything, because god, he didn't realize how much he's missed this- having someone to back him, people to fight around, getting caught and pulled to his feet.

Hell, even Stark's quips make his mouth quirk upwards slightly.

Why you should read this NOW: The Avengers fandom has some great humor, and a collective ton of heart, and I think a great majority of it is concentrated in this fic. Seriously, it’s funny and sad and you just feel so much for Tony and Steve, even when you're not trying to. (And the rest of the team is awesome, too.)

Title: And Never Brought to Mind by KiaraSayre
Rating: G
Author’s Summary: Steve gets selective amnesia. Tony hates magic.

Why you should read this: I have a weakness for amnesia!fic about as deep as the Alps are high, and this one’s perfect. The angst is amazing and never cloying, the humor is impeccably well done, and the resolution is very sweet.

Title: And The Void Would Be Calling by jadedoll
Rating: NC-17
Author’s Summary: Tony could be suffering from amnesia, a hitch-hiker from a parallel dimension, a ghost or maybe a time-traveler. He's sure he could work out the answer if Steve would just stop pretending he was Tony's boyfriend.

Why you should read this: This is an interesting and very cute fic. The developing relationship, even if it’s only seen in snatches here and there, is wonderful.

Title: Be No Stranger (All Your Saints and Soldiers Remix) by jibrailis
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: That's the twenty-first century love song, baby. Glitz and glamour and every one of us is a liar.

Why you should read this NOW: The language and lyrical gorgeousness of this fic are both beyond par. The time travel plot really drives home every point the story makes in a way that's somehow both blatant and surreptitious. It’s like poetry somehow got mashed into a pile of angst and a heap of romance, then twisted into prose, and came out one of the most brilliant fics I've ever read. And, to top it all off, it’s also a remix of gyzym’s wonderful ‘it should follow, you know this (like the panels of a comic strip)’, which is also reced here.

Title: By Its Cover by EClairedeLoon
Rating: NC-17
Author’s Summary: The men and women Tony dated were young and beautiful and grew up in this modern world. Steve was still just that skinny kid from Brooklyn that didn't get asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance and never had hopes of going steady. Only now, he was just as awkward, twice as big, and painfully out of date.

In which Thor is wise, Steve is wrong, and Tony is more than he seems.

Why you should read this: I've got a soft spot for pining, and this fic has it in spades. It’s also well written, thoughtful, and beautifully characterized.

Title: Deep Waters by AlchemyAlice
Rating: G
Author’s Summary: His power's running low, the arc reactor flickering. Cold, rancid sewer water is rushing into the fissure at his torn up shoulder, filling up the gaps, rising along his neck in frigid fingers. He's been like this before.

Why you should read this NOW: This is a brilliant handling of Tony's PTSD and the trauma carrying over from Afghanistan. And the feels here. It’s perfect. <3

Title: Degrees of Separation by plingo_kat
Rating: G
Author’s Summary: Oh god, what if Jarvis infected Dummy with, with emotions. Jesus Christ.

Why you should read this NOW: I adore JARVIS and Tony's relationship, and this is an awesome look at Tony's robots and the way he treats them. Every freaking word of it is perfect, god.

Title: Everybody Got Naked and We Got Cap Back Day by Letterblade
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: A gratuitous Civil-War-fix-it-AU. Self-indulgent fluff. Ignore all canon and retcons after the point in the introduction; this violently clashes with certain bits of canon, and doesn't particularly care.

Why you should read this: This makes me so happy, because I can easily ignore the Civil War depression while I'm reading it. It’s sweet and fluffy and a little silly and happy-making and wonderful.

Title: Generation Gap by JeziBelle
Rating: G
Author’s Summary: A lot has changed since Steve Rogers hit the ice. A lot has changed since he woke up. A lot more than just which Stark is repairing his equipment.

Why you should read this: I read this story and think I want. And really, I think this reaction is probably how it would go, if this happened in canon.

Title: Greyscale by Jazzypom
Rating: G
Author’s Summary: Steve draws Tony, and after all these years, he's now seeing him for the very first time.

Why you should read this NOW: Steve’s past as an artist is something that's often overlooked by fandom, and this is a brilliant look at that. Destroythemeek did a fabulous remix, too, which is also reced here.

Title: Hostile Takeovers by truthiness_aura
Rating: PG-13
Author’s Summary: Iron Man is not just the armor.

Why you should read this NOW: Possibly I mentioned this before, but Tony is my favorite Marvel character, and possibly my favorite comic character, period. This fic encompasses everything that I love about him, and brings it to the forefront. Tony is a genius, remarkably good with people (in a business setting, and especially compared to other geniuses like Reed Richards), and incredibly resourceful. And the writing here is crisp and clear and lovely. It's just an all-around wonderful story.

Title: i stole the keys to this guy by kellifer_fic
Rating: R
Author’s Summary: Where it was Nick Fury's idea, but he didn't mean it like that.

Why you should read this NOW: The boys are so stupid. Adorable and angsty, yes, but stupid. We love them (and they love each other) anyway. Especially in this fic. <3

Title: In a Different Light by marinarusalka
Rating: R
Author’s Summary: After an unexpected attack, Tony has trouble dealing with his injuries and Steve has trouble dealing with Tony.

Why you should read this NOW: As a long-time fan of the Avengers comics, and a somewhat newer Robert Downey Jr. fan, any melding of the two makes me happy. And this. It’s beautifully written, clear and light except when it’s deep and stark, and full of emotion and amazing characterization.

Title: In My Dreams… by Aviss
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: Sometimes Tony missed the old days when he disliked Steve because, for the record, pining really sucked. But Pepper has an idea of how he can let Steve know how he feels without risking their friendship. Maybe.

Why you should read this: This story is ridiculously adorkable, and has the added benefit of a really kickass Pepper and Tony being more than just a somewhat damaged man in a metal suit. It’s great all around.

Title: Instant karma’s gonna get you by dorcas_gustine
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: Cap is disappointed. Predictably things start to Go Very Bad for Tony.

Why you should read this NOW: This is hilarious and angsty and awesome and so very true to (Averngers) life that I can see every moment of it playing out like a movie. Go, read it. There can be no regret where dorcas_gustine’s fics are involved.

Title: it should follow, you know this (like the panels of a comic strip) by gyzym
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: Four, eleven, fifteen, twenty-one, thirty-six, forty, as old as he's always been, too young, and everyone knows Tony Stark.

Why you should read this NOW: This fic makes me want to cry every time I read it. Not because it’s particularly sad, but it’s just so beautiful and brilliant and heart-wrenching all the way through. This is the best characterization of Tony anywhere in fandom, and it has an equally awesome remix, Be No Stranger (All Your Saints and Soldiers Remix), reced above.

Title: Just For Tonight (or, five times one of the team gave Tony a hug) by forest_rose
Rating: G
Author’s Summary: Written for this prompt on Avengerkink: "So a lot of people also seem to think Tony is a secret cuddler and reading all those prompt has got me in the mood to read a five times thing where Tony comes crawling to his teammates.”

Why you should read this: This is adorable and so, so sweet. All of the Avengers are wonderfully portrayed, and sometimes you just need cute. This is my go-to fic for that feeling.

Title: Let Daylight Enter In by Elnothar
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: Post Avengers movie. Tony had figured that his life would go back to normal, or what passes as normal in Tony Stark's life, after the Chitauri Invasion - he was sadly mistaken. Fury isn't getting off his back about this whole team thing (never mind that most of his team mates are notable only through their absence), Pepper is dangerously close to a nervous breakdown due to his latest world-saving stunt (which really doesn't make his life any easier), terrorists have it out for him and the world by proxy, and Steve Rogers continues to defy all his expectations, somehow firmly inserting himself in Tony's life - all the while being ridiculously attractive and possibly the most oblivious person on the planet. Oh, and let's not forget the blue goo, there's blue goo, too. Sometimes Tony really hates his life.

Why you should read this NOW: It’s adorable. Truly, legitimately adorable in a way that manages to never be over the top or cloying. The author’s Steve-voice is wonderful, and it’s a lovely look at the boys’ issues, done in such a way that said issues are never the point of the story, but rather add a lot of wonderful depth. And it’s funny.

Title: Life to a Soul by SomeTorist
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: Few people ever see inside Tony Stark; fewer can stomach what they find; next to no one claims to still like him afterwards. So Tony hides, closing all the doors and battening down the hatches, using charm and confidence as armor when he's not in the suit.

To Tony's horror, Steve somehow manages to see inside him anyway.

Why you should read this NOW: Tony Stark has Issues, and they really shouldn't be this fun to read about. But they are, and SomeTorist manages to turn a careful look at some of the more apparent ones into a beautiful, touching, aching story. The writing is absolutely lyrical, and it's hard not to love Tony even when (or because) he’s so very, very damaged.

Title: Like Gene Kelley in the Movies by lyra_wing
Rating: R
Author’s Summary: Everything Tony Stark does is a dance. And it's super confusing for Steve.

Why you should read this: It’s entirely possible that I have a slight case of Stark-worship. Iron Man has long been one of my favorite comic characters, and that fact that he’s played by Robert Downey Jr. in the movies just seals the deal. This fic is an amazing Steve-POV on Tony, and it all just fits so beautifully.

Title: many names in history, none of them are ours by aubkae
Rating: NC-17
Author’s Summary: Steve's not sure if he'll ever understand Tony Stark, but it's good, living here. If he still wakes up sometimes convinced this was all a dream, well, it's better than it was before, and that's something, isn't it?

The Avengers live in a world that both glorifies and fears them, but they know each other now behind the scenes.

Why you should read this NOW: The characterization in this story is what really sells it for me. Tony and Steve are perfect, and the parallels that aubkae draws between them are beautifully done. The amount of emotional depth in this fic makes it seem like it should be heavy-handed and overwhelming, but the writing comes out gorgeously clear and light. There’s humor, and heart, and lots of beauty. And then there are the team dynamics, with all of the Avengers slowly but surely moving from strangers to insomnia club to friends to family. Just… *huggles*

Title: The Minor Fall, the Major Lift by jukeboxhound
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: "Jesus, Steve, it's not like I went diving in the Mariana Trench, I'm fine." Totally fine, and if he's shaking a little and can't quite bring himself to stop touching the arc reactor, whatever, no one's perfect.

(This is how they piece it together and make it work.)

Why you should read this NOW: God, this one’s painful. It’s also beautiful, touching, achy, sweet, and gorgeous, so read it anyway.

Title: The Mission series by missbecky
Rating: M overall
Author’s Summary: Steve discovers a new mission for himself: protect and watch over Tony Stark.

Why you should read this: When I'm in the mood for hurt/comfort, this is where I turn. It’s a lovely, unflinching take on the Avengers’ various issues, especially Steve and Tony's.

Title: Momentary Paws (or, DO NOT WANT) by velithya
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: WTF KITTEN

Why you should read this NOW: Because it’s kitten crack? Because I can just imagine Tony as a tiny, fluffy black kitten who still manages to get himself and everyone else in trouble all the time? Yeah, if those reasons don't sway you, you're made of stone. Read it. Now.

Title: Mr. July by jibrailis
Rating: NC-17
Author’s Summary: Tony is the only one who can defend Steve's virtue. Tony hates his life.

Why you should read this NOW: The first time I read this, I nearly fell out of my chair at some points, I was laughing so hard. Every time I want a pick-me-up fic, and am in the mood from Steve/Tony, this is where I inevitably turn.

Title: No Right Words by Nix
Rating: R
Author’s Summary: Tony's latest relationship blows up on him and Steve makes a realization.

Why you should read this: This fic is so sweet that it should be cloying, but it’s not. The angst is a beautiful balance, heartbreaking as it is, and Steve is just…so sweet.

Title: please let me get what I want (this time) by theapplepielifestyle
Rating: M
Author’s Summary: He wants to run a hand through his hair, bite down on his lip, rumple his shirt, mess him up a little and pull the Stark away until it’s just Tony, who doesn’t need to fake anything.

And there’s two minutes and fifty-three seconds left, according to the clock, and Steve hears it in his throat, and his heart is rattling around in his chest, and he feels like he’s going to overflow.

He looks over at Tony, and it bursts: IwantIwantIwantIwant, over and over, beating a rhythm at the back of his eyes.

Why you should read this: The tension and longing in this story is palpable, even if Steve’s the last one to figure it out. And, as is always true with this author, the writing is lovely. It’s a sweet, subtle knife’s-edge of a story. (And Loki shipping Steve/Tony is absolutely wonderful. :D)

Title: Ready, Fire, Aim ‘verse by gyzym
Rating: R overall
Author’s Summary: There's no "I" in "Avenger."

Why you should read this NOW: Gyzym is one of my favorite authors in any fandom, and this series is absolutely awesome. It’s got angsty bits, funny bits, heartwarming bits, and overall is absolutely everything I want in an Avengers fic.

Title: Scale and Perspective (The Technicolor Remix) by destroythemeek
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: Tony had always appreciated Steve's art, but he didn't realize Steve's art had started appreciating him in return.

Why you should read this: This is a sweet, sometimes painful, but always true-to-character look at Steve and Tony, and I just love it. It’s also a remix of the equally wonderful Greyscale, reced above.

Title: Shortsighted by Aviss
Rating: R
Author’s Summary: The first time Steve sees Tony wearing glasses, he walks into a wall.

Why you should read this: Uh, it’s glasses!porn, and it’s sweet and funny as hell. What more can I possibly say? (And: wall sex. Just saying.)

Title: slipping through the years by often_adamanta
Rating: R
Author’s Summary: The plane crash and subsequent ice might have killed him, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still around, haunting those he cares about. And since the only person who can see him is Tony Stark, death sure isn’t going to be boring.

Why you should read this NOW: I flat-out love this fic. It’s got so much heart to it, and it’s a brilliant look at what could have been. Tony and Steve both have a whole host of issues, but that's nothing compared to what they can be together.

Title: T is for Thong by Elspethdixon
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: Naked might actually have been slightly less distracting. Tony was…almost wearing…a tiny, tight scrap of red fabric that most definitely didn't hide anything.

Why you should read this: The fact that this is a canon scene (almost entirely) makes me gibber with happiness. I always thought that Steve’s attention to Tony in this volume was suspect, and the fact that one of my favorite Marvel authors has committed fanfic about makes me grin Cheshire Cat-style.

Title: Two Out of Three (Ain't Bad) by plingo_kat
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: It blindsides him one morning in the middle of his customary third cup of coffee; Steve walks through the door in loose cotton pants, shirt pulled up to wipe the sweat off his face from his usual morning workout, and Tony thinks: adorable.

Why you should read this NOW: Tony is absolutely ridiculous here, and just adorable beyond words. Him trying to woo Steve is the best thing ever, and the writing is a perfect balance of light and humorous and sweet. This is one of my favorite Avengers fics, period.

Title: Wake Me Up by ashinan
Rating: NC-17
Author’s Summary: Steve slowly comes awake when he feels Tony’s fingers on his wrist, light at first and then more firmly as his arm is pulled above his head.

Why you should read this: Um. I don't normally rec straight-up porn, but. Yeah. Ashinan writes some of the hottest stuff there is. So, here. Reced.

Title: The World That Forgot Tony Stark by shinkonokokoro
Rating: R
Author’s Summary: There's a reason Tony hates magic. And it's a good one. He's never been so glad for the fanfare his name has caused. Because it means the world knows him. Unlike this one.

Why you should read this NOW: I'm not sure I can put into words all the things that make this story incredible. There's angst and strength and heartbreak, and I just love it to bits and pieces and want to legitimately cry for Tony every single time I read it (which is often).

Title: The Worst You Can Do Is Harm by theladyingrey42
Rating: T
Author’s Summary: So what if Tony Stark has a folder of pictures JARVIS recognizes alternately as Project Rebirth (when Tony's sober), Project Hero Worship (when he's tipsy), and Project Spank Bank (when he's drunk)? No big deal. Unless Loki destroys Avengers Mansion and Hawkeye ends up finding the damn pictures and showing them to Steve. And if there's maybe a teeny-tiny misunderstanding about why precisely Tony has them.

In which Loki is a dick, Thor is the bestest drinking buddy ever, and Tony has a hard time saying what he means.

Why you should read this: Oh, the angst, it burns. This is adorable and quirky, and the writing is the same way, and all of the characters are believable and painful. <3

rec list, humor, avengers

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