#austinb

“Where the Need is Greatest” (T, 19k) by Niitza

In which Steve Rogers takes one look at the history of American military interventions since the end of World War II and nopes straight out of it, follows in his Ma's footsteps to become a paramedic, joins Doctors Without Borders, gets sent on an unsanctioned humanitarian mission to Syria, and somehow still ends up being a determining factor in Hydra's downfall - all of this without throwing a single punch.

Somehow, he's okay with it.

+ Shield and Hydra learn not to underestimate Steve Rogers, but by then it’s too late

-☆-

“Easy Work For Easy Pay” (M, 45k) by AustinB

Bucky's working his way back up through the ranks at S.H.I.E.L.D. after a mission took his left arm and Stark gave him a new metal one.

So when Fury tasks him with integrating the newly defrosted Captain Rogers into the 21st century, he jumps at the promotion.

+ Shrunkyclunks with mutual attraction, battle couple-ing, amnesia, and a wedding

-☆-

“can’t hardly weight” (T, 3k) by attackofthezee (noxlunate)

When Steve Rogers woke up in the future he was given a phone and shown how to use social media.

Well, no, in all actuality he was given a two week crash course entitled The Future And You, a six hour sensitivity course, a brand new id, and a credit card.

In which Steve gets a crush on an instagram gym thot and laments over it a lot to the intern stuck with him.

+ Shrunkyclunks with a lot of thirst and awkwardness

-☆-

“turn me up when you feel low” (T, 13k) by faerietell

Steve Rogers is a man out of time, in a city that used to be his home, a city he no longer recognizes. Through charming radio host, Bucky Barnes, he relearns his city, adopts a dog, and falls in love.

+ Shrunkyclunks where Steve listens to the radio for advice, conversation, and connection

-☆-

“The New Age” (T, 6k) by AustinB

“You’re good at the future,” Steve says, a little downcast.

Bucky doesn’t notice. He grins, “I always thought I would be.”

(AU: Bucky and Steve were both on the plane when Steve put it in the Arctic.)

+ They will always come back to each other no matter how different their perspectives are, or how far apart they drift

-☆-

-☆- And a freebie -☆-

“Surveillance” (G, 7k) by Sproings

If there are ears everywhere, that means it's somebody's job to listen.

I hate my job.

+ Steve’s apartment was bugged and this is that outsider’s POV. Part 1 is defrosting, Part 2 covers events of WS.

-☆-

“Rivers and Roads” (M, 30k) by AustinB

Steve is working undercover for Hydra when he gets an unexpected promotion.

To the Winter Soldier Project.

+ Shrinkyclinks. Steve sabotages the chair wipes and the Asset pays attention

-☆-

“Captain Sugar Baby” (E, 18k) by Whendoestheshipsail

He's waiting in line for coffee with Natasha at the downstairs kiosk in Stark Tower when he overhears two young women talking about needing sugar daddies.

It goes downhill from there.

+ Shrunkyclunks. Reposted from the Writer Spotlight because I love this story! Steve is so eager to be spoiled, and he’s adorably petulant when denied.

-☆-

“A Darkness Upon Me, Flooded in Light” (T, 7k) by Anonymous

“We’re retired,” said Steve.

“Right, I know, same here! Just—could you look into this one tiny thing. Please. It’ll be super quick, low profile. Heck, consider it a vacation! If you and Barnes could just—”

When recovering a mysterious, dangerous artifact requires two people with a "bond deeper than death," Steve and Bucky are the only ones who might fit the bill. Retired or not, maybe it wouldn't be so bad going on one last mission with Bucky if that mission involved pretending to be married to him.

+ Post IW. They may be fake-married, but their lifetime devotion is real.

-☆-

“The Front Desk Soldier” (G, 8k) by StuckySituation

HYDRA is a big, evil organization, and one thing that all big, evil organizations love?

Free, unpaid workers. No better way to keep the costs down.

So, for the last seventy years, the Asset has had a secondary purpose between its missions: work 20/7 in whichever base it was located at the time in the most nightmarish, unwanted, and demanding jobs: the Customer Service.

+ Shrinkyclinks. Incomplete but still worth reading. The Asset gets a crush on Terrible Spy Steve

-☆-

“Follow My Lead” (T, 10k) by amsch (calendulae)

Bucky really imagined his first undercover operation as a detective would be something gritty and hardboiled. Teaching fellow detective (and office crush) Steve Rogers how to dance so they can enter a ballroom competition? Not part of the plan.

+ Modern AU. Mission prep requires long hours alone together in close physical contact... what a hardship!

-☆-