#but that require nrs to make good costumes-

[froggie-recs-fics]

Fic Roundup (up to 9/26/21)

I'm gonna start collecting fics I've read recently to recommend them, because making trope lists takes too long and many fics fall by the wayside. Let me know if you like this new format!

The fandoms in this list are as follows: Marvel (SamBucky, HTP, SpideyPool, WinterHawk, WinterIron, Stony, Stucky, SpiderShield), DCU (Bane/Blake), Inception (Arthur/Eames), Teen Wolf (Sterek).

A * signifies a particular favorite (though I love all these fics)

Marvel

Sam/Bucky

double back by flowermasters (E, 12K, Post-Endgame, Time Loop, Time Travel)

Sam gets stuck in a time loop. In 1943.

Things could be worse, but they could certainly be better.

Companion piece here: quick time

I'll explain everything to the geese by napricot (Post-Endgame, E, 50K, Sam can talk to birds)

Bucky is so competent that it hurts my feelings is not a rational complaint to have about a person, and yet, after a year of being Captain America and partnering up with Bucky for the new and improved, post-Blip Avengers, that’s kinda how Sam’s feeling.

It’s not great. It maybe leads to Sam making some rash, ill-advised decisions like claiming he has a previously undisclosed superpower, and then getting caught in a web of lies when he ends up actually developing that surprisingly inconvenient superpower. Talking to birds had seemed like a harmless superpower, but it turns out that birds have a lot of opinions, and they don’t hesitate to tell Sam about them, especially when it comes to his supposedly subpar courting skills. Which is ridiculous, because Sam isn’t courting Bucky. Right?

Rumlow/Bucky

**blueprints for a better world series by itallstartedwithdefenestration @astralhux (CATWS, Post-CATWS, Noncon, E, 115K, Dark Main Character)

When Pierce discovers the asset is no longer capable of getting himself hard during recreational use, he tells Rumlow to figure out what the problem is, and to fix it. The solution turns out to be more complicated than anyone expected.

I can't recommend this series enough

Peter/Wade

*Dead Men Walking series by doctorestranged @lazystrawberrymilkshakes (E, 235K, Identity Porn, Slow Burn)

When a series of murders take place, Peter Parker goes undercover in Sister Margaret’s to get intel on Tony Stark’s prime suspect: Deadpool. Peter goes in hoping to get enough information so that Spider-Man can save the day, but like everything in Peter’s life, it becomes a bit more complicated than that and it soon becomes apparent that he might not be the best fit for the job.

All About Chemistry by TwiceBakedPotato @sedatedkoala (No Powers AU, M, CNTW, 74K, Teacher-Student Relationship, Slow Build)

After serving his 20 years in the Marine Corps, Wade Wilson is cashing in his GI Bill and going back to college. He feels like the old man on campus, but that doesn't matter. He likes his classes. He likes learning. And he especially likes his Chemistry professor with the messy brown hair.

Clint/Bucky

Making Me A Habit by Kangofu_CB @kangofu-cb (No Powers AU, T, 20K, Pet Store, Slow Burn, Pining, Misunderstandings)

Bucky is a disabled vet struggling with reintegrating into civilian life. He has a routine and a rhythm, and he doesn't like to let anything - big or small - disrupt it. That all changes the day Bucky finds himself inside CATastrophe, the local pet rescue, recovering from a panic attack in the back room of the shop.

He’s used to walking by the place, not visiting, but the next thing Bucky knows, he’s hanging signs and being used as a climbing tree for a bunch of freshly-acquired kittens. And he just...keeps going back. First for the kittens, then for the disaster shop owner who rescues actual kittens from actual trees and teaches archery as a side-gig, and eventually because he’s hopelessly in love.

(Clint was in love before Bucky ever walked in the door.)

*Nameless by AvaKelly (Post-CATWS, M, 101K, Time Travel, Time Loop, Slow Burn)

A gun is pointed at him before he can even move from his position, the Soldier's metal arm steady in its aim. Clint sighs.

"Nemo," Clint says. "It's tattooed on your wrist, right here," he lifts his right hand and taps his left index finger where his palm ends.

The Soldier's eyes widen. "How do you know this?"

"I put it there."

Glitter, G-Strings and Other Mission Hazards by flawedamythyst @flawedamythyst (T, 16K, Undercover, Stripper Clint)

“Which is why you need me to shake my booty for cash,” said Clint.

“Precisely,” said Coulson. “You’re the only agent we have who wouldn’t need additional training in the skills of an exotic dancer to take on the mission, and we want to get someone in there as soon as possible.”

Clint nodded, shutting the file. “Okay, awesome. I’ll dig out my sequined g-string.”

“You’ll have full access to requisition any costumes you might need,” said Coulson.

A mission requires Bucky to be Clint's back-up as he goes undercover as a stripper, which gets more difficult with every new costume he comes out in.

Paternal Error by EVVS @skylarkevanson (Post-CATWS, T, 33K, Kid Fic, Established Relationship)

Bucky has never once thought of being a parent. Not since the Winter Solider happened.

Until he falls in love with Clint Barton. And that idiot just keeps collecting children for his flock.

Now Bucky has to pretend like he's good at parenting.

Bucky/Tony

Forms of Love by bear_bell (Post-CACW, E, 33K, Split Personalities)

Months after the Avengers' dispute in Germany, the team returns to the US and moves back into the tower. As always, everyone pretends that nothing happened. Tony is just fine with this. He's used to pretending, and he'll be damned if he lets any of them see him flinch.

Tony's the bad guy, after all. He's used to it. He's fine with it. He's good at it.

Only now, there's something far worse loitering around the tower - The Winter Soldier. No one notices the guy at first, but when they do, Tony figures that he should have the soldier's back.

Birds of a feather should flock together, and the bad guys should start a book club.

Steve/Tony

While You Were Sleeping by betheflame @betheflame (No Powers AU, M, 65K, While You Were Sleeping AU)

It's been years since Steve Grant Rogers Drysdale has spoken to his twin, Ransom. So it was quite a shock when he was summoned to a hospital and found out that Ransom was in a coma.

Even more shocking? That Ransom is engaged. To Tony Stark.

Steve/Bucky

The Road Goes Ever On And On by PipGraham (Omegaverse AU, M, Noncon, Graphic Violence, 20K, Road Trip, Pre-Serum Steve, Past Domestic Violence)

When Brock's continued domestic abuse puts not only Steve's life in danger, but also that of his unborn pup, he flees into the night with just a small backpack of clothes and almost no money to his name.

Steve quickly runs into trouble as he tries to embark on a 3-day cross-country bus journey back home to New York City.

He meets a kind veteran when he most needs a helping hand.

Just Words by LadyRazzle (crimegimp) @ladyrazzle (Pre-CATFA, Soulmate AU, T, 2K, Fluff)

Inspired by that now legendary post: "soulmate AU where you wake up on your 18th birthday with the first words your soulmate will say to you tattooed on your body so you’ll know them when you meet them." Well what if they appear the moment you turn 18, rather than just the day? And what if by the time you turn 18, you'd already fallen in love?

Bucky wasn’t eager to discover what the words said. He already knew what he wanted them to say. He always had.

Peter/Steve

Forgetting It's There by spinstitcher (stygian) (NR, 8K, Crack, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Identity Porn)

“You’re Captain America,” he blurts out.

“What?” says Captain America, looking a little wide-eyed. He casts a nervous glance at the girl at the counter – he has nothing to worry about there, she’s rocking out to her iPod and could care less what they’re talking about – and says, “No, uh, Steve, it’s just, I’m Steve.”

“Right,” says Peter, and then because his brain-to-mouth filter had apparently been completely destroyed in the fight on Oscorp Tower: “Hey, your butt really is as tight as it looks on TV.”

DCU

Bane/Blake

7 Deadly Ass(as)sins by teacuphuman @teacuphuman09 (AU, E, 23K, BDSM)

Bane and Barsad own a sex shop and John needs a job.

Straws by Menirva (Bane/Blake/Barsad, AU, E, 38K, BDSM)

John works in a smoothie shop.

He has a knack, a second sense if you will, for being able to look at a person and know what they're going to order. It's not the most spectacular gift in the world but he likes being able to figure people out and he's never wrong.

Except for this scruffy asshole who is clearly just ordering the wrong thing to fuck with him.

How is he even finishing an extra-large?

Inception

Aurthur/Eames

Rough Trade by Whisky (whiskyrunner) @whiskyrunner (AU, E, 23K, Internalized Homophobia)

Arthur is an investment banker. He is professional and efficient. He's a halfway decent cook. He's totally independent and has been since the age of eighteen. Maybe he's tired all the time because he works about ninety hours a week which is twice what normal people do, but he's rich and he's competent at his job. He's almost thirty, and already a success.

And there are some things Arthur is not. For instance: Arthur is not gay.

Lucky by earlgreytea68 @earlgreytea68 (M, 37K, Kid fic)

Arthur finds a baby.

Teen Wolf

Stiles/Derek

Cut to the Bone by standinginanicedress (Omegaverse AU, E, 112K, Secret Relationship, Enemies to Lovers kinda)

“Not that it’s any of your god damn business, but my name is Stiles. Do you need something?”

The alpha grins. All teeth, shiny white, straight as an arrow. He’s got this sculpted perfection to him that Stiles is sure has worked on all the omegas he’s ever encountered before, but Stiles stands his ground and narrows his eyes. “A date.”

Stiles looks him up and down, slowly, from the black shoes on his feet, to his uniform khakis and blazer littered with pins, to his face. He frowns, makes a face, and says, “pass.”

Cornerstone by Vendelin (Human AU, E, 83K, Marine Derek, Blind Stiles, Friends to Lovers)

Suffering from PTSD, ex-Marine Derek Hale moves back to Beacon Hills to open a bookshop and find a calmer life. That’s where he meets Stiles, completely by accident. Stiles is talkative, charming and curious. Somehow, despite the fact that he’s blind, he’s able to read Derek like no one else.

Stand Fast in Your Enchantments by DevilDoll, Rahciach (AU, Graphic Violence, E, 76K, Captivity, Feral Derek)

"Stiles knew damn well what a pissed-off wolf sounded like, and every hair on the back of his neck was telling him that somewhere in this room was a very pissed-off werewolf." An AU in which Derek is feral, Stiles is magical, and they eat a lot of fast food.

The Payoff Pitch by Leslie_Knope (Sports AU, E, 83K, Coming Out, Friends to Lovers)

Derek is on the cusp of his second season with the LA Dodgers, and as the reigning runner-up Rookie of the Year, the pressure’s on him to become the team’s star pitcher and lead them to the playoffs for the first time in five years. He’s trying to deal with the burden of expectations and really has zero desire to spend any extra time or energy on anything that isn’t baseball.

But then he meets Stiles.

[butterfly-winx]

In an enchantix post you described that their transformation image is how they wanted to be viewed. does that mean fairies or even witch*ers have to design how their transformation has to look, or is it just the subconcious at work? Can a transformation magic user consciously alter their look? And in your butterflyverse how does charmix work, do they still get those brooches and weird bags? In Diapsro's post you described how Alfea has a power tree and everywhere else has a normal tree? Thnx

More cool questions!

The influence of one’s self, upbringing and culture on Enchantix is entirely subconscious. Once the form manifests subtle changes can be made, but it is rarely necessary, as a fairy form would never manifest as clothes the person would never wear or feel uncomfortable in for body image or religious reasons. Enchantix goes through maturation however as the person wielding it does as well. A young Enchanteur in the prime of his powers might want to present markedly different later in his life due to societal circumstances shifting. (Eg the original costume might have included armour necessary for war that has long stopped being fought, or the climate has changed so that the magic user needs drastically more or less layers in their costume). The biggest influence on transformation appearance is trauma, but that is outside of anyone’s control and the shift in transformation appearance reflects the changes in a person’s outlook, confidence and personality. (Trauma often manifests as armour, cloaks or veil, or a sudden loss of ornamentation). 

The only conscious design work that goes into it is what young fairies do as children, dreaming up their “grown up and successful” selves. The transformation of course takes this inherent bias into account. (Coupling back to untainted child selves is generally important for users of such selfless magic.) If someone really wanted, and really, really held onto it, they could make their Enchantix transformation look like a burlap sack with some holes. There is no style requirements, the general appearance of little footwear but some gloves stems from fairies observing each other. If that is the look of the older generation around, it will naturally influence the younger learners who will want to make their transformation look like that since they associate fully actualised Enchanters/esses with the look. (Someone must have started it years and years ago, but its’s hard to say who or when)

I wrote this all referring to Enchantix, but the unconscious shaping is true for basic witch transformations as well (Apprentice and Witch/er). Past the fully witch/er form, witchcraft users put some thought and spellwork creativity into their Master Witch/er forms. And no, this is beyond just choosing the Hat. Because witchcraft relies a lot on material and prepared spells, witchcraft users needed to develop ways to carry their ingredient toolkit with them that was not an ugly fannypack, so most often these are stored in the transformation itself. To prep for spell application, a witch/er has to transform, sort of “equip” the desired spells and then detransform. This is how Icy’s icicle spell in her fake nails works, or how Lucy is able to store potions and ingredients in the tartan of her trousers. Ask me on a separate one about these, cause it will get long otherwise).

Charmix in butterfly verse comes with a sort of complementation of the Basic Manifest design and a prot-fairydust container/bag. Basic Manifests are simple and beholden to the design ability of the magic user as well as the size of their magic core - the latter being the decisive factor. Many people start off with overly simple first transformations because keeping them up costs less energy and thus they can hold the transformation longer. It is a basic trainee tactic. Once fey magic users reach maturity enough that they are able to generate some fairy dust, they switch to Charmix. Optically this increases the level of detail on their transformation. If someone’s BM was quite intricate though because they already had a very good grasp on their magic when they transformed (most commonly happens with late bloomers like Stella) the change will not be as big or noticeable. Alfea encourages students to learn Charmix so that they can get used to handling fairy dust in external containers. In all other higher forms fairy dust is available in fairy wings, but using it from vial is markedly different than flutterng onto something and confers higher spell negating effects.

And that leads us to Alfea vs everywhere else. I’ve said in a Magics post before I think, that Alfea was founded by the Third Circle of Nymphs of Magics (aka Daphne’s circle but way before her time at their head) with the explicit intention of preparing young fey magic users for going on the Nymph Quest. Enchantix until then was regarded as a life goal, something you mature into during your life, learning belonging, loyalty and self sacrifice completely erasing the fact that Ench in butterfly canon was invented during the Magic User Wars. The Nymphs turned it into something that can be learned in 4 years or less, scandalising half the Magic Universe. It did not fly with so many cultures, and still doesn’t. Reason nr 3000 for why Diaspro despite being gentry was never even considering attending Alfea. 

The Alfea power tree separates fairy forms from BM to Enchantix, but Charmix is technically not necessary. Even Enchantix is not necessary, if one doesn’t seek a career in magic (hence Alfea is actually a vocational school). Diaspro doesn’t need all that and uses a so called Lifelong Transformation: she may only have one basic form, but that doesn’t mean her power levels can’t grow or that the appearance of her form won’t mature. Exactly the opposite is true: Diaspro’s transformation exists on a sliding scale and she will one day melt into a power level comparative to Enchantix if she keeps up practicing magic. She can still aquire gifts and specialised transformations aside from that, the Lifelong Transformation thing only applies the form sustained from her own magic core.

[mitsususu]

Happy Halloween! Haunted Houses, Trick-or-treating, costume parties, and candy! Below are my Top 5 Favorite stories:

“#halloween” (T, 2k) by englishghosts

After countless pictures of #tbt's of girls with sugar skull makeup and tons of “Welcome, October”, and so much orange his brain hurt, there was an ass. Bucky had to double check it was an ass, because he didn't think anyone would… but there it was, in all its glory, a nice round ass below a bony waist, and painted as a Jack O'Lantern. With glitter.

+ Modern AU. Bucky hires an artist to be his boyfriend so they can win the best decorated house competition. If the artist happens to be super cute, well that’s just a bonus

-☆-

“We Got a Loving’ Thing” (G, 6k) by MacksDramaticShenanigans

Steve’s trying to think of a good response that doesn’t make him sound pathetic in front of Brock when a flash of leather catches his eyes. His Sandy. The man is only a few feet away, and before Steve can think his actions through he’s striding towards the man and sliding an arm around his waist, pulling him into his side.

Sandy looks like he’s about to say something— probably ask who the hell Steve is and what he’s doing, which would blow the lid off of Steve’s lie. Brock doesn't need more to taunt him about.

So Steve does what any normal person would do. He pulls Sandy in by the waist and leans in to lay one on him.

+ Modern AU. Fake dating, Bucky in leather pants, and more making out than required 

-☆-

“Steve is a Fuckin Hot Ghost, Okay?” (NR, 7k) by itsmylifekay and WhatTheBodyGraspsNot

It’s that time of year again. Changing leaves. Hay rides. Haunted houses that scare Bucky so much that his friends have never been able to get him to set foot in one. It would be fine if it wasn’t a yearly tradition...being within arm’s reach of entering the house and then having Bucky wimp out at the last second. But this year is different. This year he’s going to prove to himself that he can do it, even if he’s doing it by himself. Or maybe, he realizes after nearly fainting from the new presence of one Steve Rogers behind him, he doesn’t necessarily have to be alone.

+ Modern AU. Bucky is having a Real Bad Time and Steve thinks he’s hilariously adorable

-☆-

“march of the pumpkins” (G, 2k) by silentwalrus

Halloween in Brooklyn, bog witch style.

+ Post WS. Magic Bucky and his sentient pumpkins. You’ll never look at seeds the same 

-☆-

"No Guts, No Glory” (NR, 4k) by pornographicrainbowlegs

“Bucky,” the man says after a moment.

“Bless you,” Steve responds.

“No,” the man laughs heartily. “Bucky, it’s my name.”

This meet cute follows Steve through his various pumpkins tragedies and meeting the cute pumpkin boy, Bucky.

+ Modern AU. Steve buys giant pumpkins and joins a pumpkin carving class

*More spooky stories in the Holiday Sampler, Ghosts, magic, and all three werewolf lists