My fanfic recommendations (you don’t say), organized uh a bit haphazardly. If you don’t know what the ship names are, look at this fanlore list.
You can find the fics on my AO3 bookmark page as well.
Ah yes also I’m trying out different layouts for the sections, you can always message me to tell me which one you prefer!
how have I never read any fanfic about them while they make me swoon so hard in the Loki series
For now it’s only moom’s recommendations!
someone will come running to take you home, by superhusbands4ever (1,564 words)
RhodeyTony bed sharing Iron man 1 missing scene. Sweet and shows how much they both care for each other <3
when they were friends, by moonwifecity (1563 words)
This is all of my favorite things:
Also, Nightingale by The_Cimmerians
Sam and Steve live hidden in Wakanda after the events of Civil War. Wakanda is a beautiful place.
Bucky comes back. But he’s very grumpy.
The peace they all feel can’t hold forever, and they have to fight intruders. But separately, because… you know, they love each other and they want to protect each other.
I loved: the descriptions of Wakanda (the sights, the food, the tech), the three very different types of masculinity, and the smut.
There’s a lot of smut, very explicit, very good (Bucky is a whore – affectionate)
The series the future unfolding, infinite by notcaycepollard (2 works, 39,405 words total)
A SamSteveBucky series that starts with just SamBucky, and then they both know they’re in love with Steve and they bring him in.
Apart from the fluff and the porn, I love that the fic tackles the boys’ PTSD and the fact that they don’t want to fight anymore.
They’re domestic and I love it!
Also, special appearance by some Agents of Shield and the Bartons~
Also here are one of my moots’s recommendations!
A Happy Announcement – 1 chapter (2414 words), by drabblerofstars
Trans Steve! NB Bucky! THEY’RE PREGNANT! But Steve kinda forgot to tell his friends about it!! Funny and sweet and i like it.
The creator has written sequels (6 so far) and they’re all gooooood. Trans representation without any angst! Series’s name is There is no other place in this world that I’d rather be.
despite the threatening sky and shuddering earth (they remained) – 20 chapters (71532 words), by praximeter
wowie this is good and heartbreaking but good ending and i’m so there for Steve & Bucky. Bucky can’t talk because they can’t remove the mask so (1) Steve didn’t recognize him and (2) Bucky can only use sign language. Really good. Good character development. CW for explicit descriptions of bad stuff.
I [Heart] You – 1 chapter (1138 words), by writeonclara
Steve is cursed with having hearts pop around his head when he looks at someone. Cute!
it’s new, it’s blue – 4 chapters for now, by thchateaus
Set during tftws, some things differ from canon. Like, the fact that Bucky never had Steve by his side, he actually meets him as his neighbor at this new place he lives in. Their interactions are… so good. Also there’s action, SHIELD, the flag smashers, Sam, Sharon… and sex where consent is everywhere and it’s so very good!!
the author says: “it pretty much does follow canon except hydra weren’t a part of shield and obviously steve was born in the present - and sam has always been cap!”
Mission Incomplete – 1 chapter (9855 words), by gammadolphin
The Winter Soldier completes his mission and kills Steve and then Hydra gives him his memories back to torture him. Very very very angsty *but* it’s a happy ending I swear. Just looooots of feelings in the meantime. Also, Steve and Bucky are clueless idiots.
Red, White & Other Colors – 6 chapters (23 249 words), by coveryourheads
Steve comes back from the ice, works with shield and meets Bucky Barnes, Steve’s Bucky’s grandson! Other than that the plot loosely follows the events of several MCU movies (Avengers & CA:WS). Steve and Bucky slowly warm up to each other, it’s very soft and cute <3
Also, cats!
Rest your soul against mine, by revuko & Menatiera (12 787 words)
Soulmate AU. Steve and bucky are soulmates but Steve doesn’t know who bucky is yet, and bucky is the Winter Soldier.
I liked the characterization of the Winter Soldier, and the fact that not every bond is a romantic connection!
Savage God, by LenneWithMilkAndHoney, PottersPink (3 chapters, 36 127 words)
This follows Steve through the events of CA:FA and CA:TWS, with the twist that Steve know Bucky is going to become the Asset because of time travel.
I love the characterization of Steve (he loves to say fuck but he hides it to seem harmless, love it), and his friendship with Nat (she’s so precious to me).
a couple rebel top gun pilots (flying with nowhere to be)
Such a lovely story, it’s based on slow burn enemies-to-lovers SamBucky but it’s so much more than that! There’s domestic stuff and Bucky goes to massage therapy school and his neighbor is Kate Owner-Of-Pizza-Dog Bishop and I felt so at home reading this.
1 chapter (19 051 words), by notcaycepollard
at the gates
No pun intended, he’d tell Sam if he were here, but this isn’t looking good, birdy.
Angst with a happy ending.
The love declaration that gets interrupted by A BUILDING FALLING ON SOMEONE. Nice. Glad that they’re okay in the end!
1 chapter (2300 words) by flowermasters
beyond the shore
“That scene in the tftws finale extended. Except it includes the first kiss we were robbed of.”
short and cute and fluffy!
1 chapter (1 518 words) by thchateaus
Happy Endings
so this is a fic that had me actually sad-cry (which is rare! i love angsty stuff but i don’t always cry at it, but this… this is perfect)
Sam sees Bucky fall from a building and has a Riley flashback 😭😭
+ he’s furious at Steve from having left Bucky and he expresses it so well
1 chapter (2559 words) by Saturning
I am.
Cute small SamBucky fic by my friend Moom, first kiss! The way Sam confesses is so smooth!
1 chapter (1 121 words), by moonwifecity
in your black heart (is where you’ll find me)
Sam and Bucky start to call each other by pet names to annoy each other, but you can fake being sweet to someone only this far until it becomes real. They’re absolutely adorable.
1 chapter (2905 words), by notcaycepollard
Knife Tricks and Grapefruit Juice
such a good fic <3 And I’m not saying that just because I beta-ed the thing!
Sam and Bucky being soft together, Bucky slowly becoming more themselves (NB BUCKY!!), less anxious about the way the world will react to them. And Sam being just awesome, funny, sweet, gorgeous.
I love them very very much, the fic is really really nice. And fluffy. Brings a lot of comfort.
9 chapters (8625 words), by Shipsty_Snow
The future is scary, but not when I’m with you
SamBucky had a fight, Bucky left the house and doesn’t want to talk to Sam for weeks, but then they talk!! and they make up!! (and out huhuhu)
it’s very nice i like it very much
1 chapter (5008 words) by winterfalconwarrior
The SamBucky Journals, by SamBuckyJournals (ongoing, 46 736 words)
This is a collection of what was originally posted on twitter day by day: entries of journals, first Bucky then Sam, starting right after TFATWS and creating such a beautiful storyday after day. It illuminated my Twitter feed for a good half of 2021 <3
warm blood (feels good, i can’t control it anymore)
Bucky snuggles up to Steve and Sam to feel warm, it’s very cute. Platonic to nsfw cuddling.
1 chapter (4492 words), by notcaycepollard
Days like this, by Flowerparrish (3 chapters, 7,084 words)
An amazing Nonbinary Bucky fic <3 where past and present Bucky explores his gender, and also where Clint is very hot and attractive and where Nat is his platonic soulmate and these are all my favorite things.
Mistakes were made
“the concept of Clint making the already poor decision to sleep with the deadliest assassin on the planet combined with the idea that he knows exactly what Bucky Barnes looks like was too funny to pass up.”
Short, funny fic that’s exactly what it looks like: Clint hooked up with the Winter Soldier very innocenty.
not just motions anymore, by hawksonfire (4097 words)
Bucky has sessions with sex worker clint, they’re taking it very slow, checking for consent at every step, it’s cute and short and amazing 😊
Acorn Stairlift Protocol – 1 chapter (776 words), by drabblerofstars
A short very funny fic about what would happen if super soldiers took an escalator for the first time. Spoiler: it doesn’t go well, and it’s hilarious!
Feels Like Me
Non-binary Bucky explores his gender expression with help from Nat and Sam!
Also a hint of WinterHawk.
warm summer nights – 1 chapter (1041 words), by thats_a_secret
Sam and Bucky being *there* for each other – therapy is good – open communication is good – i love it very much.
We’re Not The Ones Who’re Meant To Follow, by geckoholic (1 chapter, 1282 words)
Nat and Steve’s friendship, during and after CA:TWS. It’s really nice and exactly what I love about the two. Also it’s quite short!
Distractions, by Subpar_Samurai (3 chapters, 4504 words)
Tiny snippets of Bucky as The Asset as he gets distracted by… cats. And food. It’s both grim and cute!
Every Other Thursday, by zedille (series in 4 parts)
Just a series of voicemails left on Maria Hill’s voicemail, after CA:TWS and the fall of SHIELD. It’s very funny! Lots and lots of references! Including saying that Robin from HIMYM is her cousin ^^
How to Be Extremely Cool and Completely Normal Around the Person You Like, According to James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes, a Regular Guy in the 21st Century by SharkAria (4 chapters)
A Bucky×Sarah fanfic!! I know, I didn’t expect it either but it’s so cute!
I love their interactions even though Bucky feels too chipper for my headcanon of him… but they work well together so I went with it!
Smut in chapter 3.
Like the Dawn, by irishavalon (1 chapter, 4499 words)
loki COMING BACK TO LIFE after endgame
they love Thor (like, romantically)
it’s a monologue while they come back to thor and it’s so good, so poignant, they talk about the horrors they suffered with Thanos and the love they have for Thor and it made me weep. Also, listen to the song while you read if you can, it sets the perfect atmosphere of melancholy.
Won’t You Come And Wash The Pain Away, by drabblerofstars (8656 words)
A bit of Stucky but it’s not the main point of the story
Post-Avengers modern day era.
Steve has chronic pain and grits his teeth through it, but now his friends are there for him. Doesn’t make the pain go away, but makes the days a bit easier.
(also, his friends are amazingly queer and trans. I love them very much)
Also you should have a look at my friend Loke’s fanfic recommendations!
I made a big smau spreadsheet!
My favorite ones are marked with a star ⭐.
always and forever, by cait. 290 entries.
“after a tragedy hit some (most) of our characters, they’re trying to move on and live their lives to the fullest but not everything happens according to plan”
High school au.
established sambucky, pining rhodeytony and scotthope, enemies to lovers natpepper, friends to lover carolmaria.
A lot people died in a terrible accident, it’s bad and there’s lots of ptsd going around; apart from that it’s classic highschool romances and I love them lots, all of them.
⭐ Fanboy AU, by dei. 105 entries.
Sam is Captain America, Bucky is a journalist and has a kinda public (on twitter) crush on him. It’s riveting!
(also here are some pics to go with episode 31-32)
It’s Nice To Have A Friend, by moom. 183 entries and a ko-fi.
Very slow burn SamBucky.
Bucky is Steve’s best friend & he’s autistic, he has a crush on Sam.
Sam has had a crush on Steve for ever but now Steve’s gone.
They both love lotr and are adorable.
Moom even made a spotify playlist for this AU <3
Love Games, by jamie. 80 entries.
NatSharon.
Nat (she/they) & Sharon (he/she) decide to fake date to get back at their friends (esp. bucky) who set them up.
make it with you, by dei. 463 entries.
Follow-up to the Fanboy AU, two years later.
Sam & Bucky are very much in love (there are rumors they’re getting married), Sam is always off fighting crime as Captain America.
The angst comes both from outside (so many threats and fights) and inside (some people might have crushes). There are some very cinematic scenes, dei is a mastermind.
aya’s taylor swift sambucky au. 113 entries.
“based off the taylor swift james/betty/august love story where betty and august end up together and james d!es (figuratively). Basically steve cheats on bucky with sharon, bucky forgives him and sam gets caught in the crossfire.”
This started off a premise i didn’t like (Steve cheated because he was in love with his best friend so he had to break up with bucky even though he still loved him: but you can love two people at once!), but i loved how it evolved! Sam is very protective of Bucky and I love it.
⭐ Tell me why I’m waiting, by david. 110 entries.
“in which sam wilson has a crush on the secretary bucky barnes, who is already in a long-time relationship (or, a jim and pam!sambucky au)”
Very cute SamBucky office au, with sticky notes! Steve being a bad bf! Bucky and Sam crushing on each other and absolutely everyone thinks they’re perfect for each other!
The One Where They’re Dysfunctional, by elisabetha. 230 entries. She has a ko-fi!
Friends AU where Sam moves in Bucky and Monica’s apartment; Clint (with hearing aids) is as stupid a prankster as Bucky, who just broke up with Tony.
Also, Buck and Clint and Nat all dated each other; it’s very warm and funny. Until it’s not?! What’s Bucky up to? There’s lots of adventures.
trans(lator) bucky agenda, by Loki. 108 entries.
Sam moves in with Steve and Bucky.
Bucky is a jerk at first but Steve forces them to get along.
they… get along alright 😏 (in the beginning it’s only jokes, but what if sam wasn’t the hetero he says he is??)
We also get NatSharon (Sharon is transmasc, fem, uses he/they/ze), and Liho & Alpine.
⭐ You Belong With Me, by moom. 250 entries.
College au.
Moom makes us root for Sam×Bucky + Doreen×Nancy + Rhodes×Tony, and despair when there are people in the way.
There’s angst the way there’s angst in a college story, but it all works out in the end.
⭐ you rock my world, by meret. 488 entries.
Sam’s in a rock band with his roommate Riley (chaotic neutral, very lovable) + Scott + Joaquín.
Bucky’s a writer who doesn’t care about music. Also his bf is Brock Rumlow, we hate that guy.
Steve is friends with both 👀
⭐ Bucky’s Journal (I’ve reached this entry) and Sam’s Journal (reached this entry).
Started out as a simple one-tweet “what is bucky up to” journal account after the end of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, now tells a very nice story, in sorta real time, intertwined with Sam’s Journal. They’re very much in love <3
⭐ from afar, by moom. I’ve reached #91.
SamBucky au where Sam and (nb!) Bucky are mutuals on Star Trek twitter and they chat and flirt shamelessly, but ipl Sam is a jock and Bucky is a nerd so they don’t really get along.
The irony of some situations is gold, there’s some mutual pining RhodeyTony that’s absolutely lovely to see, and all in all it’s such a great au <3
⭐ good 4 u, by vee. I’ve reached #64.
Set after Steve went back in time, at first we have the reactions of the avengers to his departure (they’re saying what we were all thinking at the end of endgame), then it moves into more SamBucky territory.
Nat is still alive and dating Sharon.
In the Dugout, by mer. I’ve reached #223.
Highschool romance between awkward Sam and jock Bucky in a relationship with head cheerleader Sharon.
Just For The Views, by lee. I’ve reached #59.
“When trolls hack into the Captain America twitter account, saying very homophobic things, the world starts turning on Sam. So he decides to come out as gay with a bf. Of course now he needs a bf to vouch for him and well Bucky is ready to help.”
Closeted Sam! Trans Joaquin! Gay/queer uh everyone else! Obvious angst but it’s riveting!
mystery of love, by aya. I’ve reached #9.
Sam and Bucky are roommates, Sam is a psych student by day and the Falcon by night, unbeknownst to Bucky.\
Say Something Stupid, by moom. I’ve reached #95 (currently on hiatus).
A marvel new girl au starring rhodeytony as cece/Schmidt and sambucky as Jess/nick!
This is the 3rd au from moom and it’s as good as usual.
⭐ sweet sweet melody, by cy. I’ve reached this entry.
CarolMaria au!
Carol and Maria are head singers in rival rock bands, but they’re forced to socialize as the bands go on a joined tour… Enemies to lovers trope 🌩.
(actually it might be former lovers to enemies to lovers? 👀)
You can expect some very very cute rhodeytony and some very obvious sambucky flirting 🥰
a tattoo au by Li. I’ve reached #6.
“Samsteve - modern no powers
Steve is tattoo artist who’s known for his vibrant art on dark skin tones. Sam has been hesitant about starting his back tattoo for ages due to lack of money and skilled artist. But his best friend, Riley suggests a local artist. Who could it be?”
tag team, by jj.
“picking up where endgame left off, sam tries to bring bucky back into the avengers fold. but bucky doesn’t want to be found, and always seems to be one step ahead of sam.”
Two eyes are better than one, by Zain. I’ve reached #20
Detective AU! Sam’s a reporter who uncovered some shady stuff about the flag smashers, Bucky is a grouchy detective.
Haven’t read any fic yet, but here are some mega-lists of recommendations (be wary of the tags!):
Here’s my filter on AO3
-------
Here are all my fanfics ✨