#leveragehunters

[hazel-wand]

I’ve been reading a lot of stories I want to rec recently, so I thought I’d try a bumper fic rec post of my most recent bookmarked fics. Read on for Animal Transformation, Medieval Fantasy, Canon Divergence, Shrunkyclunks and Shrinkyclinks and Florida!

< 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)

This is an A/B/O AU set during WW2. Omega! Pre-serum!Steve is a mathematical genius recruited to try to break Nazi codes. There’s the right amount of codebreaky detail which goes into (to me - someone who knows nothing about codes) impressive depth and feels very authentic. This story is just getting started, but so far the characters are great (there’s an excellent supporting cast - Darcy and Wanda are early faves), and Steve is such a good mix of physical frailty and mental power. I’m interested to see how the A/B/O elements play into the story as it progresses. The setting and moreso the feel of the setting - the frustration, desperation and guilt as the team struggle to make sense of the codes and inform troop movements - is really well-realised and gripping.

#stucky #steve rogers #bucky barnes #stucky fic rec #stucky fic #hazel’s favourite fics #fic recs #stevebucky #ryoorisuru #fancy #caughtinanocean #leveragehunters #somanywords #LeeHan #zenaidamacrouras1 #SquadOfCats #aimmyarrowshigh

[hitorimaron]

Inspired by The Necrofloranomicon by @leveragehunters

#leveragehunters #stevebucky #stucky #fic rec #MY ARTSIES #once again struggling to come up with tags worthy of this wonderful story #BASICALLY #bucky is a necromancer #who uses his powers to revive flowers #how wholesome is that #a touch-starved necromancer in a slow-build universe #and then steve happens #what more do you want me to say

[justanothersong]

Spent a good deal of the day reading @leveragehunters and @snarkymonkeyprime on ao3, and you should too.

#fan fiction #ao3 #leveragehunters #snarkeymonkey #stucky #destiel #fan fic

[kotaka-kun]

Hi sorry do you have a link to the fic where Steve gets to howl like laika and bucky breaks into nasa blease

omg yes i had to go look for it but its Black Dog by leveragehunters please enjoy 💖💖💖

#kotaka talks #anon #fic rec #black dog #leveragehunters #this fic impacted me so deeply i c o n s t a n t l y think abt it

[flowerpot-watered-with-the-basil]

As I enter my nth time rereading all their works on AO3, I remain convinced that @leveragehunters is my favorite author, maybe ever.

Seriously, if you haven't read their works yet, I highly recommend you check them out.

#leveragehunters #ao3 #fanfic

[leveragehunters]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Captain America (Movies) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Steve Rogers Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern: No Powers, School Reunion, Bartender Bucky Barnes, natasha romanov - Freeform, Wanda Maximoff - Freeform, Drinking, Flirting, Fluff Summary:

"Hey!" Steve laughed. "Are you calling me boring?"

"You are spending your Friday night sitting at the bar at someone else's high school reunion," Bucky pointed out.

Steve opened his mouth, then closed it with a snap. "I've got no come back for that."

Bucky patted his arm. "It's okay. You're here for a good cause."

#It's this year's birthday fic #which was not the intended birthday fic but eh life #nothing but silly fluff and that make me a happy leveragehunters! #also probably the closest I will ever come to writing a high school au #stucky

[artgroves]

For the wonderful Graphology by @leveragehunters!

#stucky #steve rogers #Bucky barnes #shrinkyclinks #if you read Stucky and you haven't read this yet then congratulations #You now have an absolutely fantastic fic to read on your phone while everyone else is enduring holiday chaos!

[adventures-in-mangaland]

I'm going with 10 All Time Classics from the Captain America (MCU) fandom. I mean, they're all classics to me, at least. In no particular order:

1. This, You Protect by owlet

First installment in the Infinite Coffee and Protection Detail series, which are all amazing. It's a “Bucky escaping Hydra and rebuilding his sense of self” fic, which he does while spying on Steve. With eventual Avengers Family and a lovely cast of OCs bonding with Bucky in the meantime. It has a very distinctive perspective and writing style; Bucky's in constant internal (and sometimes accidentally external) dialogue with himself, making it hilarious and tragic all at the same time. I love it. I've recently been getting into The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells and this Bucky has a similar sassy-but-vulnerable vibe? Read this if you like that, anyway.

2. The One Who Knows by Dira Sudis (dsudis)

This is a Political Animals AU, in that no-powers Steve is inserted into the Political Animals world and Bucky is TJ. Discusses being outed and depression but is ultimately hopeful. The author is one of my all time faves and has written lots of great stories for this and many other fandoms.

3. Blue Scales by chaya

Steve is a merman AU. He's still Captain America, though. It's crack with heart, I love it.

Best line: "May your scales and your love story be our weird secret forever.”

4. Our Lingering Frost by eyres

AU where Bucky is rescued from Hydra in the 50s (?) and so is around for Steve to be found.

5. Assets Out of Containment by follow_the_sun

It's a classic to *me*, OK? Bucky goes undercover at Jurassic World just as that movie's plot kicks off. They're Hydra dinosaurs! It's just great. Also has a podfic and crossovers with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

6. Not Easily Conquered (series) by dropdeaddream and WhatAreFears

Some of the greatest fanfiction I've ever read, the whole series is epic. Anyway, it's a "Steve doesn't go into the ice" AU with added queer angst when (never sent) love letters from Bucky resurface. I particularly like the second installment in the series The Thirteen Letters, which are just Bucky's letters and are insanely well-written.

7. to memory now I can't recall by Etharei

Time travel AU! Featuring post-CATWS Bucky accidentally switching places with CATFA era Bucky.

8. If Wishing Made It So by Leveragehunters (Monkeygreen)

Genie!Bucky AU! This author is great at writing AUs with fantasy/genre elements, it was hard to choose. They've also written an excellent werewolf!Steve AU and a horse!Steve AU that I really love.

9. Into That Good Night by Nonymos

An Interstellar AU! Very angsty and tragic but with an eventual happy ending.

10. Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square by Speranza

Speranza must be one of the best writers in the fandom, so it was hard to pick just one of their fics. Other strong contenders were All the Angels and the Saints and The Fifties, so check those out too! But this one has a special place in my heart. Steve, Tony and Natasha accidentally time travel to WW2 London, leading to an accidental run-in with CATFA-era Bucky. The author does tragic and romantic time travel tropes so well, but with a happy ending.

I now realise that most of these are AUs, so here’s a bonus rec for a non-AU in-universe story that’s severely underrated and deserves more love:

+1

Heart, Have No Pity on this House of Bone by Sena

This story follows Bucky in-action in the Pacific Theatre. It’s very well written and, from what I can tell, well researched. Steve only appears in Bucky’s imagination and the story focuses on the horrors of war rather than romance, but it’s gripping! And it explores unrequited love, being closeted and period-typical homophobia, which I also enjoyed. I’m still holding out hope for a sequel.

#wow throwback #found this in my drafts #originally intended for international fanworks day #yikes #anyway #fic recs #fic rec friday #international fanworks day #captain america #fanfiction #mcu #stucky #nostalgia #kind of an old fandom for me now #but still #classic fics #fandom classics #stucky fic recs #stucky fic #my fic recs #my fic rec posts

[helenedraws]

A gift for @leveragehunters for being a legend and a cutie on top

Tip me on Ko-Fi if you want!

#shrinkyclinks #my art #artists on tumblr #watercolor #stucky #marvel #steve rogers #captain america #bucky barnes

[musette22]

For the nonnie who asked: here are some of my all time favourite lengthy Stucky fics (30-200k, mostly multi chapter):

Not Easily Conquered by��dropdeaddream, WhatAreFears

This, You Protect by owlet

Home Is Wherever I'm With You by cydonic

Lucky Seven by BetteNoire

Political Animals by @spacerenegades, Deisderium

Wishes and Words by wearing_tearing

A Company Man by @whtaft

Push It Real Good by spoffyumi

The Size of Perfection by @phoenike

Like Real People Do by 2bestfriends

Easy Work For Easy Pay by AustinB

Prince Charming by Brenda

What's in a Name? by levi_cas_tho, maichan

Critical Feline Mass by Kryptaria, zooeyscigar  

Ipseity by SkyisGray

Circling Back by chaya

Ain't No Grave (Can Keep My Body Down) by spitandvinegar 

The Necrofloranomicon by leveragehunters (Monkeygreen)

with all my skin and bone by unicornpoe

He's All That by @spacerenegades

Monoclonius by Zenaidamacrouras1

oh meet me, my darling, where the sun sets over the barley by charlesdk @trancowboy

Coming Home by charlesdk @trancowboy

The Settler by charlesdk @trancowboy

Waking Up Slow by odetteandodile

Family Placement by notlucy

I Held You in Gloved Hands (And I’m Not Letting Go) by @voylitscope

then a small thing happened by BeaArthurPendragon

North Fork by BeaArthurPendragon

Itsy Bitsy Yoga by wearing_tearing

All Those Little Pieces by Ellessey

Bucky Barnes Gets His Groove Back & Other International Incidents @silentwalrus1

Scents and Sensibility: The Working Assassin's Guide to Supersoldier Seduction by galwednesday, silentwalrus, skellerbvvt

Coming Home For Christmas by Chiyume

Chase the Lightning From the Sky by SilverSlashes

These next ones I haven't had a chance to read yet, but I love these authors' other fics so I'm sure these are brilliant too!

lane lines by @sparkagrace

Till It Bleeds Daylight by @cable-knit-sweater

Backhoe by @zenaidamacrouras1

hey now, you're an all star (get your game on, go play) (WIP) by @buckyismybicycle

I was alone, I took a ride (I didn't know what I would find there) by @otp-holic

Till there were no more wolves in the West by @dharmasharks

better to speak or die (WIP) by @between-a-ship-and-a-hard-place

Atoms by @andrea1717

I'm sure I'm forgetting some brilliant ones, so feel free to add to this! Also, please check out these authors' other works too, they're all brilliant <3

#in no particular order except for the first two lol #stucky #steve rogers x bucky barnes #steve rogers #bucky barnes #stevebucky #fic recs #I tried putting half of this under the cut but tumblr is being so difficult today for some reason #so sorry #long post

[hazel-wand]

I love fanfiction. Having enjoyed the sexual tension and romantic plotlines between two characters in a superhero franchise, why wouldn’t you want to go and read a story set in an alternate fantasy universe where one of the characters is turned into a horse?!

And of course, it’s brilliantly written, imaginative and detailed and makes you Feel Things.

#stucky #bucky barnes #steve rogers #fic recs #stucky fic #hazel’s favourite fics #stucky fic rec #leveragehunters

[frostbitebakery]

Last Line Challenge

I got tagged by the wonderful @jedi-enthusiast and ∞-tagged by the Mostest amazing @cacodaemonia

Rules: Show off the last line you wrote or drew in a new post and tag as many people as words, pigments, or pixels as the line provides!

The song I mentioned in the last game? The Kamino song? Yeah. That one’s wholly at fault here. But! There’s more blame to go around! Mainly @adiduck who gleefully encourages me whilst I cry over cursed clones.

So this here is disassociating Unlucky!Cadet Cody. Don’t worry, the blood isn’t his! it’s Bly’s who’s currently recovering from stabbed lungs and complaining about it

The last line I drew is the little highlight on the bone ridge on the bridge of his nose.

No pressure tags, except for you @cacodaemonia, @lttrsfrmlnrrgby @cj-kenobi @leveragehunters @levitatingbiscuits @imrowanartist @happybean17

#last line challenge #my wips #TORTURE THE BLORBO \o/

[koreanrage]

I've been trying to catch up on my saved list of stucky fics I'm just hoarding never actually reading lol and picked up @leveragehunters's Werewolves in the Workplace. Can't believe you're still posting amazing stucky fics in 2023. You are - as the kids working at the office like to say - the goat...I think? ._.

Anyway still struggling to get through the art slump and fics always seem to help.

#stucky #steve rogers #bucky barnes #captain america fanart #mavel fanart #my art

[sparkagrace]

Happy spooky season! I hope everyone is looking forward to the turning of the season (I am!)

september

390,977 words read over 36 fics (average of 10,860 words per fic, not including wips) 📈 up 29% from August

current total for the year: 2,296,745 words

a handful of fic recs

Two of a Kind, the Perfect Pair by @stfustucky shrunkyclunks | E | 78.4k

if the bad times are coming let 'em come by @suzukiblu shrinkyclinks | E | 5.8k

Maybe Our Kind Don't Fit Round Here by Rainne shrunkyclunks | E | 5.8k

the price we pay by @dontcallmebree stucky | M | 1.5k

we never had a shotgun shot in the dark by @voxofthevoid shrinkyclinks | E | 2k

you were far from the truth by @teenytabris stucky | M | 6.6k

If I could hold you for a minute, Darlin’, I would do it again by @cable-knit-sweater stucky | M | 2.4k

Are You Aware, Wolf? by @leveragehunters stucky | T | 12k

series rec

Song of the Rolling Earth by @the1918 shrunkyclunks | 5 fics | E | 154k

be kind, rewind

As You Seep On In And Keep Me Down by @thiccbuckybarnesfic shrunkyclunks | E | 8k

i'm gone in such a blaze by @thiccbuckybarnesfic shrunkyclunks | E | 1.3k

Public Offering by Brenda shrunkyclunks | E | 7k

non-mcu recs

Let Them Eat Cake by @rohruh FirstPrince (RWRB) | E | 1.7k

(did my love aid and abet you?) by alasse FirstPrince (RWRB) | T | 12k

Didn't know what time it is, the lights were low by @dreamsinthewitchouse FirstPrince (RWRB) | E | 3k

Not the tide (series) by @dreamsinthewitchouse RWRB RPF | 3 fics | M | 4k

#monthly fic recap #fic list #fic rec #author rec #steve x bucky #firstprince

[steevbuckk]

FAVORITE STUCKY FICS | 45/100

some short fics that i love 🥰

Belated by leveragehunters (Monkeygreen)

[Post TWS, 2 295 words, General Audiences]

Summary:

In the middle of the war, Steve has a birthday present for Bucky, one he never manages to give him. After the ice, after the Winter Soldier, when Bucky finally comes home, Steve tries again.

Breathe Your Breath in Me by @dekudynamight

[Endgame Fix it, 2 491 words, Teen And Up Audiences]

Summary:

When Steve said to the end of the line, he meant it.

From Brooklyn, With Love by @musette22

[Meet cute, 4 816 words, Teen And Up Audiences]

Summary:

Bucky Barnes, newly-single twentysomething from Brooklyn, heads to Europe with the goal of showing everyone back home (particularly his shitty ex) that he's living his best life. He asks a beautiful blond stranger for a picture of them kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower to post to his social media, and ends up having a bit of a déjà vu.

that's what they don't know by steveandbucky

[Post TWS, 6 884 words, Explicit]

Summary:

“I remember,” Steve whispers. “I always regretted that we didn’t get a chance to…”

Bucky bites on his lower lip. “We have the chance now. If you’d like.”

No Vacancies by @darter-blue & @the1918

[Enemies to Lovers, 6 416 words, Explicit]

Summary:

Steve Rogers might have a pretty face, but fuck is he a pain in the ass.

***

In which Bucky and Steve have a sexually charged, warring relationship as co-workers, and the conference hotel has a double-booking problem.

Lonesome no more by @dharmasharks

[Wakanda, 7 539 words, Explicit]

Summary:

“Uh, Steve?”

Steve’s eyes snap open. He pulls back, bracing to be reminded that this isn’t something they do.

Instead, Bucky slurs, “D’you…have a beard?”

—

A post-cryo, pre-Nomad interlude.

#TweetMeDaddy by StarSpangled (Senforza)

[Shrunkyclunks, 4 127 words, Teen And Up Audiences]

Summary:

Coulson, for his part, stares up at Bucky with such a betrayed look of frozen horror that Natasha actually goes the extra step and presses another button, capturing the moment and airdropping the photograph to her phone for posterity. When he speaks, his voice comes out as a hoarse whisper. “Why…?” He swallows and starts again, trying for some semblance of normality. “…Why would you tweet something like that?!”

“If you must know, sir,” and somehow he manages to make ‘sir’ come out with the same inflection most people reserve for ‘motherfucking son of a bitch’, “it’s because I have a difficult time doing my job when my job involves monitoring the man with the best fucking ass in the United States of America.” He slowly lowers himself back into his seat until he’s at eye level, making extreme eye contact with Coulson until Coulson turns away to make mortified eye contact in Natasha’s general direction through the one-way glass. Natasha would take another picture, if she weren’t too busy catching Steve’s red-faced sputtering. “Sometimes, I vent to my Twitter followers. Sometimes, it’s about hot men with washboard abs. Can I go now, or do you need a graphic description of how I pleasure myself at night?”

more fics

#100stucky #i actually have no idea how long a short fic is #just fics up to 10k words #stucky #steve/bucky #stucky fanfic #stucky fics #stevebucky #steve and bucky #stucky fanfiction #stucky edit #steve x bucky #captain america steve rogers #steve rogers/bucky barnes #steve rogers x bucky barnes #steve rogers #bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #fluff #smut #fic rec #fic list #my recs #moodboard #stucky moodboard #captain america #captain america tfa #captain america: the winter soldier #captain america the winter soldier #stucky in wakanda

[leveragehunters]

Aaaand that concludes our brief trip down Bill and Ted lane.

#apparently it's nostalgia day in the leveragehunters' household! #...at some point I need to finish my Bill and Ted/First Avenger crossover #You thought strange things were afoot at the Circle K #you ain't seen nothing