Make Out Already Podcast Stucky Recs

Hello! If you came from the Make Out Already podcast episode where I talked about Stucky, thanks for listening! If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the episode where Liz and I discussed the New Camelot trilogy, romantic fanfiction, and Steve/Bucky fic.

For the podcast, I tried to focus on Stucky fics that I found particularly romantic. If you'd like more recs, please search my AO3 bookmarks using the "Recs Only" tickybox, or look for the videos with green shields on my Tiktok. And if YOU have recommendations for romantic Stucky recs, please share!

Top 3 Romantic Stucky Recs

Not Easily Conquered (series) by dropdreaddream, whatarefears - Mature, No Archive Warnings Apply - 117,692 words Fic summary: In 1945, Steve Rogers jumps from a nosediving plane and swims through miles of Arctic Ocean to a frozen shore.

In 1947, Steve Rogers marries Peggy Carter.

In 1966, the New York Times finds the lost letters of Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes. My rec: If you are going to read one Stucky fic, this is the one to read. It's epic, it's a fix-it, it's meticulously researched and written, and it's so goddamned romantic that you'll feel it in your bone marrow. It's emotional and at times grim, but it's truly one of the best. ETA: This is the one fandom-fave Stucky fic that Liz of Make Out Already has read, but don't you worry, I'm on it.

20th Century Limited by Speranza - Explicit, No Major Warnings - 52,010 words Fic summary: "Where am I? Where is this?" and he was in Brooklyn, he was on a beach, the train was shaking around him. He was in the plane, ice splintering up onto the windshield. He was in a tank, tubes trailing from his face, from his groin. Christ, he was cold. There was still ice on his fingers. He was in the Grand Canyon. He was in Times Square. This couldn't be Times Square. Where the hell was this? "Tell me! Where am I, who are you, where's—" —Bucky? My rec: Stucky Inception but BETTER than Inception. A train ride, ESP, finding each other time and time again. Absolutely fantastic. Also addresses a bit about how Peggy wasn’t completely ignorant of Hydra’s infiltration of SHIELD. ETA: This is one of the most romantic fics I've ever read. Highly recommend listening to the incredible podfic by Quietnight.

Holy City (series) by Tremontaine - Explicit, Author Chose Not to Use Warning - 21,649 words Fic summary: (first fic in the series) Natasha wanted to try something new, and there wasn't much Bucky wouldn't do if she asked him to. My rec: Bucky/Steve/Natasha OT3. Absolutely wall-to-wall smut that did not disappoint but also VERY sneaky feelings and emotional investment and true and authentic intimacy. Also a beautiful glimpse of what it’s like to be Nat, for better and worse. ETA: This isn't even my FAVORITE Tremontaine fic (that's Glossolalia, which is Winter Widow aka Bucky/Nat), but I thought it was a good chaser for anyone who really enjoyed the D/s threesome action in the New Camelot series.

Honorable Mentions (for romantic Stucky):

Through Smoke, Solid Ground by Magdaliny - Teen and Up, Author Chose Not to Use Warnings - 25,957 words Fic summary: You take the arm off four days later. My rec: Second person done right, and highly highly recommend the podfic by silentnight. ETA: I have been anti 2nd-person point-of-view for most of my long, long fic life and have yet to find a y/n fic that made an impression on me. This one changed my mind about 2nd person POV. This is from Bucky's POV -- it is so persuasive and compelling.

Ghost Story by Speranza - In which Steve and Bucky and sometimes Natasha haunt each other. Another Speranza? YES. Speranza is one of my top favorite Stucky authors. This one just recently completed after 4 years. This one hit me right in the OT3.

Ill With Want by thedoubteriswise - I love any prewar Stucky. The WPA and a free-thinking Steve are highlighted beautifully here.

Cascades by Orange_crushed - A beautifully written, long (152K), loving AU in which Steve learns to fall through time and space.

Slide to Answer by relenafanel - An incredibly popular romantic fic with the funniest and cutest meet-cute I have ever read. It had me laughing out loud.

This City Bleeds Its Aching Heart by anonymous - Pretend husbands!? ONLY ONE BED!?! Are you kidding me? You can't prove that I didn't write this, but ... unfortunately, I didn't write this. XD