#leveragehunters

< 10,000 words

The description in this is just so delicate, and the emotional punch it packs is considerable. This is the Bucky waking up out of cryo in Wakanda tearful reunion that you’ve been longing for.

20,000 - 50,000 words

This was a reread. I read an animal transformation fic (and then several more) and it made me want to reread this one, where Winter Soldier! Asset! Bucky is transformed into a dog and (unsurprisingly) gets adopted by a lonely Steve. They are what each other needs, and this is a beautiful, touching ultimately feel good story.

First things first, leveragehunters’ On a Pale Horse is one of my favourite Stucky fics, so I was predisposed to a) like a Bucky is a horse transformation fic and b) compare any horse transformation fics to that one. This story really stands up. It’s different enough that it doesn’t feel rehashed, and the essential things I love about On a Pale Horse (winning trust, equine devotion, essential goodness of the ‘rider’ character, stubborn not-a-horse antics) are all here.

Second things second, I was a horsey girl growing up. I love horses. I loved that so much of this story was about building trust between Steve and horse!Bucky, and I enjoyed all the talk about halters and lunging.

This story has so much heart and humour. There’s the usual gang (Sam is delightful here), and such a kind, stubborn, good Steve. I really adored it.

*Examines fingernails* so, you know that animal transformation fic reading binge I mentioned earlier? This is the last one. In fact, I went to leveragehunters’ AO3 page looking for On a Pale Horse (have I said how much I love that fic enough yet?) after reading The Winter Stallion, and found this story instead. It’s a Ladyhawke AU. I had to google what Ladyhawke was, and didn’t bother until after I’d read the fic. You don’t need to know anything about the film to enjoy this story. It is set in a medieval fantasy world and features my favourite flavour of pre-serum Steve (stubborn, slightly bitter, quick and with so much innate goodness, honour and self-sacrificing idiocy). He falls in with the unlikely, bickering and mysteriously-cursed duo of Bucky (grumpy, oddly vulnerable, ultimately awesome) and Sam, who is kind, witty and Sam (is there ever a bad Sam?). Also, importantly, there is a horse and he is the best horse (just ask Bucky).

We are (briefly) back to the real world after my animal transformation fic spree. And oh my goodness, if you read nothing else on this list, read this fic. It’s a Winter Soldier recovery fic except that it isn’t, it’s a Steve recovery fic. Steve has all his powers in this story, but he is so human. He is brave and loyal and snarky, but he is also so, so vulnerable, and this story shows him feeling lost and little and hurt in a way that not many stories do. Bucky is equally awesome - he’s so clearly the Bucky of the 1930’s whose main objective was keeping Steve safe. This story also has one of my favourite versions of Tony as a side character.

> 50,000 words

Alright, we have skipped happily back into medieval fantasy land for this fic. It features another of my favourite kinds of AU Steves. He’s strong and clever and has proven himself in battle, and has the confidence that goes with that, but he still remembers being the scared young man defending his village with tools not weapons. He’s honorable and down to earth, strategic but also so open to love. This fic has some of my favourite tropes (identity porn! Forbidden love! So much pining!) and is such a fun romp through this ‘swords and honour’ landscape.

And now a different kind of swords and honour. I’m very late to the party in reading this, but if you haven’t come across this Shrunkyclunks story, then do yourself a favour and settle in to read. This fic has so much humour, warmth and passion with a side of politics (but in a good way!) Bucky is a civil rights attorney, and the fact that the story is tagged for period typical homophobia and transphobia and is set in the modern day tells you the rest.

But what this story does really well is make you passionate and pissed off (alongside Bucky and Steve) about civil rights, whilst primarily being a romance story that is fun and positive. There are so many deft character touches as well that round out the supporting cast into lovable, memorable individuals (Yelena!!).

WIPs

I’m trying to be better about reading WIPs. In that spirit, here are two that I’ve started and which I’m really enjoying.

Currently 10/27 chapters posted (74,000 words)

In which MCU-verse Bucky and Steve retire and move to Florida. Steve gets into surfing and Bucky is busy gardening. Okay, my summary sucks but this story is brilliant. I’m a sucker for fic where the author clearly knows their shit. Florida is sketched so well in this story that it’s practically its own character. The story is about how being in this place (that is shown for all its wonders, flaws, and idiosyncrasies) is challenging, helping and healing a Bucky and Steve who are both in pretty bad shape at the beginning.

Currently 5/30 chapters posted (24,000 words)

“Welcome to Oblivious, Population: Two” (T, 11k) by leveragehunters (Monkeygreen)

Steve is a wedding photographer in need of an assistant. Bucky is unemployed and in need of a job. Sam and Natasha, in what turns out to be a successful attempt to solve both problems, arrange an introduction.

In a moment of frustrated brilliance, Bucky sets Steve on the path to incredible popularity and the two of them--and their relationship--on the path to complete obliviousness.

+ Modern AU. Steve and Bucky’s personal space rapidly dwindles. They share chairs, share beds, share food, and don’t know they’re already dating

-☆-

“A Fishy Deal” (E, 31k) by esaael, QueenoftheRandomWord42

James Buchanan Barnes was a man of many talents. He was a fantastic shot, could speak several languages, was skilled in a few martial arts, really passionate about space and science museums, Fuck Buddy of Steve Rogers, and was a proud owner of a few betta fish.

Things changed when Bucky's sister charged in to talk to her brother and wound up inviting Steve to the wedding as his plus one.

But Weddings bring out the best and the worst in people, will their relationship survive?

“What just happened?” Steve asked as he ducked back into the bathroom.

“I think you just got invited to my sister’s wedding in my ex-boyfriend’s stead…” Bucky said blinking.

+ Shrunkyclunks. Friendship with benefits, mutual pining, and developing relationships. Betta fish and Great Uncle Arnie Roth

-☆-

“You can't hurry love” (E, 8k) by obsessivereader

“Jesus!” Steve hurries forward. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Before he’s even halfway into the room, the man’s already on his feet and turning around. He has a face as perfect as his ass. High forehead, square jaw, pink lips with a hint of a natural pout. Short, wavy, dark brown hair. His wide, deep-set eyes are a clear and luminous gray. Those eyes widen as the man takes in the sight of Steve staring at him.

Something about that wide-eyed, slightly nervous look catches at Steve’s memory. “Bucky?”

Steve remembers a shy, sweet teenager, with soft round cheeks, eyes too big for his face, and a wild head of hair. If this really is Bucky, some time in the last few years, he grew into his face and is now so gorgeous that Steve’s having a little trouble breathing. The lean, toned body beautifully displayed by a black shirt and gray pants don’t help the breathing situation either.

“You… have a beard now,” Bucky says faintly.

or, Bucky finally gets to do something about his decades-long crush on his best friend's older brother...

+ Modern AU. Bucky’s childhood dream (crush) comes true! Grinding on the dance floor and intercrural. 

-☆-

“The Wedding Planner('s Assistant)” (T, 40k) by crinklefries

Bucky Barnes is in a bit of a conundrum. 

For example, on the one hand, he’s the former extremely polished, brutally efficient, and impressively ruthless brainwashed weapon of mass murder for the secret Nazi arm of the United States government. 

On the other hand, he has an uncontrollable crush on the cute blond wedding planner who lives next door. 

What do you do when HYDRA agents keep climbing through your window and the Avengers can’t seem to leave you the fuck alone? Volunteer to help with wedding planning, he guesses. 

This won’t be difficult to balance at all.

+ Shrinkyclinks. Winter Soldier Bucky throws himself into wedding planning hell because it makes modern Steve’s life easier. Featuring a very amused Cap Sam and the Avengers team

-☆-

“if only you could see me (for the pie that i am)” (M, 35k) by bitelikefire (theoleo)

In which Steve is the proud owner of Frost; a semi famous local bakery in D.C. And despite the overwhelming insistence that it’s about time he start dating, Steve swears up and down he isn’t ready for that.

Or as of recently, just doesn’t have the time because of Mr. Barnes. The highly demanding wedding planner on the phone who keeps asking for nearly impossible deliveries and maybe Steve would like to personally strangle him. Maybe.

(There is pie. And misunderstandings. But a lot more desserts and eye rolls.)

+ Modern AU. Enemies to lovers with hidden identity. Steve is a stubborn baker who falls in love with Bucky, someone with an equally busy schedule.  

-☆-