Place to discuss, rec, and generally squee over fan fiction about Steve Rogers and Tony Stark
Wednesday Fic Recs #26: Artist!Steve & Break Up/Make Up
It’s Wednesday, which means fic rec time! Each week, we're offering you the chance to submit your favourite fics for our two themes. Self-recs are welcome and of course you can still make new recs once Wednesday has passed!
This week, theme #1 is ‘ARTIST!STEVE’ (suggested by @lazywriter7) -- We all love our Steve with an artistic streak: AU where Steve is a comic book artist? Canon fic in which Steve has an embarrassing amount of sketchbooks filled with nudes of Tony? Budding artist Steve selling his first painting to filthy rich industrialist Tony? Marvels editor Tony Stark fulfils Captain America's long-held wish to illustrate an issue of his favourite magazine?
Theme #2 is 'BREAK UP/MAKE UP' (suggested by @sabrecmc) -- There's only one acceptable scenario to suffer through the heartbreak and angst of seeing Steve and Tony break up: bringing them back together! Absence makes the heart grow fonder after all.
Please use the following format for your recs (you can just copy & paste this):
**Title**:
**Link**:
**Author**:
**Rating**:
**Word Count**: (Please note if it's a WIP)
**Relationship(s)**:
**Warnings**: There's no need to tag everything, but please heed
at least the mandatory AO3 warnings for Rape/Non-Con, Dub-Con,
Major Character Death, Underage and Graphic Violence. Also note
if the author *chose not to warn*.
**Author summary**:
*(Optional)* **Comment**: Why do you rec this story?
Do you have a rec that doesn't fit either of the themes? Submit it to the general Stony Fic Rec Library, open 24/7 :)
Other great places for recs are:
- Hale Roger's tumblr
- Bea Recs' DW (you need to request access to these)
- Wingheadshellhead's tumblr FAQ
We also want to ask you to name themes for future Fic Rec Wednesdays, so pop into the comments and let us know what you suggest! We'll use your ideas for sure (and of course give proper credit!). This and future posts will be tagged with 'Wednesday Fic Recs' so if you ever want to go back to old themes, you can find them easily.
And now unto the fics!





New topics go here!
Can we do something about outer space? A fic that takes place in space, space au, space/star metaphors?
We did Aliens & Space a couple weeks ago, feel free to add some more recs if you have them :)
Have we had a magical accident rec yet? Like 'A being magically turned into an animal/baby and B has to take care of them', or Truth spells, memory spells, etc. (Aka Loki the (accidental) cupid).
No, we haven't done that kind of magic yet. We've had Magic before but that was more of an AU twist? We could definitely do magical accidents, those are always fun!
Reply to this comment with your recs for BREAK UP/MAKE UP
(Just Like) Starting Over
http://archiveofourown.org/works/9488891
georgygirl
Explicit
24156
Steve Rogers/Tony Stark, Nat/Bucky
Seven years ago, Steve broke up with Tony because he thought it was the Right Thing to Do™ for both of them.
But he never asked Tony.
And now it's seven years later, and Tony has decided to very publicly remind Steve of a promise he made to him once upon a time.
Or, Steve and Tony dated in college, broke up, and now Tony wants Steve back again.
I love this one!
My faaave
Catching Lightning in a Bottle
http://archiveofourown.org/works/5787061
sabrecmc
Mature
120,663
Steve/Tony
College student Tony meets janitor Steve at MIT and they fall blissfully in love, until Howard happens and things fall apart. One divorce paperwork snafu courtesy of the ever-helpful Jarvis, and ten years later, Tony has to get re-divorced from Steve.
This does not go as he imagines.
Or, the Sweet Home Alabama AU that no one--well, okay, a few of you--asked for.
I loved this so much
Bulletproof
http://archiveofourown.org/works/330201
foxxcub
Explict
20,554
Steve/Tony
At age fifteen, Steve Rogers had been in love with Tony Stark.
By age twenty, he’d (mostly) gotten over it. And then he promptly became Tony Stark's fuck buddy.
So Close Together (So Far Apart)
http://archiveofourown.org/works/8385013
theapplepielifestyle
Teen
13,020
Steve/Tony
Steve and Tony become Friends With Benefits.
It backfires on them both.
A Lesson in Domesticity
http://archiveofourown.org/works/1149542
StarkatHeart
Mature
98,664
Steve/Tony
Peter Parker, son of Tony Stark, lives a normal life with his dad and his pops, Steve Rogers. That is, it was normal before he got bitten by a genetically altered radioactive spider. Steve and Tony, for their part, are going through a not-so-normal period of tension that threatens their marriage, their family, and their whole team. With all this 'not normal' going around, can the little family of three hold things together, or will it all finally fall apart?
I love this fic so much. I dont know how many times Ive read it.
Something death can touch
http://archiveofourown.org/works/336663
thatdamneddame
Gen
6k
No warnings
Steve/Tony, minor Jane/Thor, Clint/Phil, Bruce/Betty
Tony nearly dies in the field on a Saturday.
Steve breaks up with Tony the Wednesday after he's released from hospital.
You Look A Lot Like My Next Boyfriend
http://archiveofourown.org/works/7402294?view_full_work=true
Lelantus
Explicit
91k
No warnings
Steve/Tony
“Pepper, today I met my arch nemesis.”
“Again? Really? Is this another Justin Hammer situation?”
“I don’t hate him, Buck. He’s just some rich kid that’s being forced to do charity work by his dad. It just pisses me off that he doesn’t actually care. You know how much stuff like this means to me.”
Or: A Steve/Tony College AU. Tony attempts to “reform” his public image by doing charity work. Steve volunteers at said charity. They meet and kind of hate each other. Then, somehow, they end up friends. And one day Tony realizes he might be a little bit in love with Steve, which wouldn’t be that bad if Steve weren’t pretty much straight. Next comes a bet, a kiss, a minor sexuality crisis, a secret relationship, and a whole lot of boys being stupidly repressed about their feelings.
Note: Okay maybe this is not a real breakup because they dont actually acknowledge they are dating and in love (which they totally are) but this fic is one of my new absolute favorites.
I have no idea why it did that boldy thing but my phone is so stupid to edit it. Forgive me guys.
Modern Love
http://archiveofourown.org/works/3966742
fictionforlife, Neverever
Mature
15336
Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Summary: Tony drifts into a relationship with Steve after a one night stand. He thinks that Steve is modern and well adjusted to the 21st century but finds that Steve is old-fashioned in unexpected ways.
Comment: there's some illustrated parts by ireallyahouldbedrawing. And Steve frustrates me here but all is well in the end haha
Aww I just recced this. Will delete mine.
Then others will know its def good bec we recced it!
Better This Time
http://archiveofourown.org/works/1794658
Nightwalker
Teen
2130
Steve Rogers/Tony Stark, implied one-sided Peter Quill/Tony Stark
Post-Mind Wipe (in comics)
Summary: It had been been two years without Tony at his side and his back, two years nursing a resentment and an anger that had refused to fade. It was time to move on, and Steve didn't want to do it alone.
Comment: I like Steve here haha plus jealous!steve
And Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Now
http://archiveofourown.org/works/2801066#main
kaceywithak
Teen
5628
Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Sick Mama Rogers
Summary: Like all good stories, it starts with a phone call that changes everything. Or, that time where Bucky Barnes of all people finally got Tony to come home and Steve may be a decade older but he hasn't changed a bit.
Newborn Series
http://archiveofourown.org/series/34849
Ilerre
Mature
109,616 [4 one-shots]
Steve Rogers/Tony Stark, Steve Rogers/James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Tony Stark/OMC
Cheating, Angst, Minor Character Death, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Grief/Mourning, Violence, Self-Harm, Depression, Mild Gore
Summary: It all started when they stopped trusting each other.
Comment: So I really didn't read this - just most!y skimmed the stories bec this hurts. Just look at the tags and relationships.
Ten Things I Hate About You
http://archiveofourown.org/works/439281/chapters/748688
thesecretmichan
Steve/Tony, Clint/Tony, Clint/Nat
Explicit
33644 words
Summary:
It's amazing how Steve and Tony could screw up something as simple as hate-sex.
Alternatively: Love and hate may be two sides of the same coin, but moving from one to the other is far more complex than we really give people credit for.
Comments: They didn't break up as much as ended a fwb relationship. I love Clint on this one, really. I was almost hoping it would be deadend IronHawk.
Reply to this comment with your recs for ARTIST!STEVE
What Remains for Tomorrow
http://archiveofourown.org/works/9800888
adarksweetness (chayaasi)
Not Rated
5,148
Steve/Tony
Steve has a one-night stand on Sunday, and a job interview on Monday. Guess who is his potential boss’s son?
Comment: There's some bonus skinny!Steve, too!
Dude, you are on fire today, right on!
This is one of very few places where my obsessive Stony knowledge is of use. I take full advangage :)
Omg, thank you for reccing mine! Appreciate it <333
A Different Perspective
http://archiveofourown.org/works/463157
Aviss
3968
General
Steve/Tony
It frustrates Steve to no end that there is something he can't do well. The art is something that's all Steve Rogers, not a trace of Captain America in it. And yet, there is something he can't draw. Or, more precisely, someone.
Ain't Nothing Black and White
http://archiveofourown.org/works/841783
Pookaseraph
General
2944
Steve/Tony
Steve hadn't signed up to be a war correspondent with Bucky because he wanted to meet famous people, but he couldn't quite help the pure joy in his heart when he saw the Tony Stark, leaning against one of his armors, chatting with a trim and neatly-dressed woman who could only be Miss Pepper Potts, Mr. Stark's dame.
Deep In The Heart Of Me
http://archiveofourown.org/works/5111324/chapters/11759420
Finely Honed
Explicit
257k
No warnings
Steve/Tony, side Bucky/Clint
There were days when the realization that he was someone’s father made Steve's head hurt, but mostly he was grateful that he could trust his instincts, because apparently Peter was what had been missing from his life. Yes, he still had lingering, unresolved issues from his time in the Army, and sure, he had what Bucky annoyingly referred to as a criminally untapped ass, and no life outside of work and Peter, but Steve was okay with how his life had turned out because of trusting his instincts.
Unfortunately, those same instincts had straight up betrayed him by going absolutely haywire upon being exposed to Tony Stark.
Veteran single dad Steve runs a tattoo shop. For his 40th birthday, Pepper arranges for Tony to get that tattoo he always wanted, and he winds up with the mother of all crushes instead. Jumping out of airplanes is one thing, but falling in love is something else entirely. Steve struggles with the idea of actually letting someone into his life. Tony is left trying to keep his heart from being broken while Steve figures things out.
Note: Tattoo artist Steve is my favorite artist Steve 😁
The Weight of Water
http://archiveofourown.org/works/563470/chapters/1007119
citsiurtlanu
Mature
31.7k
No warnings (though there's major character death because Titanic au)
Tony Stark is a rich socialite who's reached a dead end in his life. Steve Rogers is a poor artist who works from job to job. Both of them are passengers on the biggest ship in the world. Yup, it's a Titanic AU.
I (created from fantasies) exist solely for you
https://archiveofourown.org/works/565273
Mizzy
Teen
63k
No warnings
Steve/Tony
Six years ago, without the Avengers Initiative there to save the day, scientist Dr. Eric Selvig sacrificed himself to save the world, the almighty demi-god Thor was lost to a terrible storm, and vigilante Iron Man – spotted with a nuclear weapon trying to take advantage of the situation – was forever labelled an enemy of SHIELD.
This is a comic book office AU, where Steve is defrosted a year too late, Thor has forgotten who he is, and no one knows Tony is Iron Man.
Also includes: office pranks, inappropriate post-it notes, and superheroes who like pina colada and getting caught in the rain.
Notes: Steve wakes up and starts working as a comic book artist 😁
Issues
https://archiveofourown.org/works/2577506
so_shhy
Mature
10,863
Steve/Tony, Bucky/Natasha
In which Steve has a crippling crush on Tony Stark, Tony is oblivious and obnoxious, and Bucky expresses his disapproval via passive-aggressive comics.
Neither Independent Nor Serious
http://archiveofourown.org/works/7024537?view_full_work=true
ChibiSquirt
Teen And Up
33424
Steve Rogers/Tony Stark, Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes (past), Tony Stark/Pepper Potts
No Archive Warnings Apply
Summary: Steve doesn’t think it’s unreasonable of him to be alarmed by Tony’s disclosure, because Tony's his teammate.
It isn’t unheard of for a man to switch his dynamic; it mostly happens in cases of high stress, when the hormones produced would instigate either an advance to or a retreat from the extreme ends of the spectrum. Plenty of soldiers he'd known had gone off to battle as Betas and come home Alphas; a few came home Omegas, instead, and back before the days of suppressants, they got an honorable discharge.
But no one goes straight from Omega to Alpha, or, for that matter, the reverse, which means that Tony has to have changed dynamic not once, but twice. And that is rare.
Comment: The summary doesn't indicate it, but this fic possibly has one of the most authentic, beautiful descriptions of Steve's art I've ever read. He basically sets out to make anthropomorphized animal portraits of the Avengers and the results are glorious. As for the A/B/O factor, I'm usually not the biggest fan of the trope because of how het-like it comes off as, but double Alpha Steve/Tony works for me XD