Title: The Job Fair
Pairing: Clint “Hawkeye” Barton/Agent Phil Coulson, Cecil/Carlos
Length: 5,337 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Dreamwidth blog; works on AO3
Notes: Set after Thor and before The Avengers. Spoilers for “The Whispering Forest,” “Eternal Scouts,” and “One Year Later.”
Why this must be read:

Whoops! Sorry I’m late with my crossover recs. Hopefully I can compensate for my tardiness with quality and quantity.

First up is one of the fics responsible for sucking me into the Night Vale fandom. Like Clint, I didn’t know what I was getting into when he and Agent Coulson paid an unplanned visit to the latter’s hometown, a friendly desert community...

It was, indeed, a sewing room, not that Clint had much expertise with sewing rooms. The walls clearly hadn't been redecorated, though. A big Captain America poster hung beside the outside window, partially obscured now by the dressmaker's dummy. There were photos on the wall, and Phil's mother stepped over, beckoning Clint over and pointing to them.

"This is Phil when he first started Boy Scouts," she said, pointing to a picture of a serious-looking young boy who couldn't be anybody else. "Here's Phil and his junior prom date- shame about the dance, but they were good enough to take back his tux even with the scorch marks. Here he is with his cousin Emily- oh, and this one is from when Phil was in the Boys Brigade of the Sheriff's Secret Police," Mrs. Coulson said, brimming with pride. "Doesn't he look so precious in his little cape and his balaclava?"

"Mom," Phil muttered, embarrassed.

It was at that very moment that Clint realized that none of this was a joke. This was not Phil's tour de force performance; this was not the best-executed prank in the history of all time. This was simply where Phil came from, and it was terrifying.

Sabine does a fantastic job of integrating Night Vale with the Marvel ’verse, keeping everyone in character while giving enough background (including details borrowed from the comics) and local color that even someone unfamiliar with either canon can relate to the characters, marvel at the setting, and enjoy the story.

“The Job Fair” on AO3; podfic version linked in the notes

Vidder: Settiai
Musical Artist: Carbon Leaf
Length: 6:15
Vidder on LJ: settiai
Vidder's Website: YouTube
Why this must be viewed:
This vid, to a gorgeous song, pulls the viewer into the emotional reality of Steve's incredible life as a man of two times. It really is ALL the Feels.

The War Was in Colour

Vidder: JessicaRae
Musical Artist: Thirty Seconds to Mars
Length: 5:47
Vidder on LJ: jessicarae24
Vidder's Website: YouTube
Why this must be viewed:
This dramatic, epic song fits so well with Steve's journey from past to present, and JessicaRae used the rhythm of the song to pace the emotional arcs of the events of the story so effectively. I tend to forget how little time passed from Steve's perspective between his combat against HYDRA and the battle against Loki and the Chitauri...

This Is War – A Captain America Vid

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: Clint Barton/Phil Coulson
Length: 22,422 words
Author on LJ: perpet_fic
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
Leaving you with this brilliant story, one of my all-time fave Clint/Coulson stories. The author's summary says it all: In which Clint is not the emotionally stunted one, plays pretty well with others, and Sitwell is a foul-mouthed matchmaker against his will.

But I Will Hold On Hope (And I Won't Let You Choke)

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: Clint Barton/Phil Coulson
Length: 14,477 words
Author on LJ: carmenamatorium
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
I picked this story, with a favorite pairing, in honor of the upcoming premiere of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. tomorrow(!!). This is a spin on the "dosed with a truth drug/spell/etc." plot. In this story, Agent Coulson (along with many other agents, gets exposed to an experimental substance that removes emotional inhibitions. He goes to Clint for a safe refuge, and the (non-melodramatically handled) hurt/comfort abounds, for those who like that. I don't usually, and this was just right.

Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: Loki Laufeyson/Tony Stark (sort-of maybe) friendship
Length: 14,260 words
Author on LJ: asidian
Author Website: Author Page on AO3/Manga published by Tokyopop: Mark of the Succubus
Why this must be read:
This gen story is centered on Tony and Loki and the snark-filled path to their mutual, albeit tentative, respect for one another. It's complete, although I'd love to read more in this 'verse.

Like a Prayer

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Length: 2498 words
Author on LJ: uraneia
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
Some stories make you feel better about life, and this is one of those angst-free, laugh-inducing, smile generators.

Sixteen Dongs

(Bonus rec: lupinus wrote Steve's point of view of the events in "Sixteen Dongs": ... And a Mixed Tape)

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Length: 7831 words
Author on LJ: zarathuse
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
I recommend this story because I think I strained something while laughing when I read it. Aside: For a genius, Tony is an idiot.

every dong has its day

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: Pepper Potts/Tony Stark background, but this is gen
Length: 8831 words
Author on LJ: entropy_house
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
Tagged "Zombies" and "Crack Treated Seriously" (which seems not possible, but somehow works out), this story is one of my gen recs, and people who do not like zombies should still give it a read due to the amusingly wacky plot (and for reasons I won't give so as not to spoil the ending).

Brain Trust

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: None; this is gen
Length: 5580 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
Another gen rec, this character study of a Steve trying to make a life in the 21st century is just like Steve, full of sweetness and courage.

the hip and the dead

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: James Rhodes/Tony Stark
Length: 3635 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
As a general rule, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics are not my thing, but this story handles the power dynamics matter-of-factly rather than fetishistically (not that I'm down on fetish, but this one isn't mine), and that works. Consensual, sane, and happy is happy is how it goes here--I especially like the lack of angst over Alpha/Beta/Omega biological imperatives.

A Guide to Handling the Unhandleable Tony Stark

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: Tony Stark/James Rhodes
Length: 4698 words
Author on LJ: liviapenn
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
Very true to movie canon Tony/Rhodey, this angsty gem made my heart hurt like a mofo. It's the best Rhodey characterization I've read, and I felt for both of them equally in this.

Paul said to Peter, you got to rock yourself a little harder

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairings: Bruce Banner/Tony Stark, Hulk/Tony Stark, Clint Barton/Phil Coulson
Length: 1814 words
Author on LJ: thebratqueen
Author Website: The Brat Queen's home/Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
The Science Boyfriends are the sekrit pairing of my heart (but I do read most slash pairings in the Avengers universe and intend to mix it up this month with my recs). Therefore, I was predisposed to like this. Then I read it, and chortled with glee. Protective Hulk going postal on bad guys stupid enough to threaten Tony...that makes total sense, and Tony snidely provoking Reed Richards will never get old. Coulson is the martyr who deals with the repeated property damage and an irate Fury, and even Doom is disgusted with the craptastic judgment of his minions.

Common Sense

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairing: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Length: 11,701 words
Author on LJ: not really (inactive personal account)
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
Steve and Tony are particularly adorable together in this story. There's no canon personality conflict/misunderstanding to work through, which is a nice change.

Honey, I Can See The Stars

Fandom: Avengers Movieverse
Pairings: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark, Clint Barton/Phil Coulson
Length: 5981 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
Because the spectacle a courting Tony Stark makes of himself in this story is "Do Not Miss," and you will cackle like a loon (as amused as the rest of the Avengers) at how oblivious he is.

Stark As You Mean to Go On

Title:: Five Times Matt Learnt About the Avengers and One Time They Learnt About Him by Noxnoctisanima
Pairing: Matt Farrell/John McClane
Author on LJ: noxnoctisanima
Author Website: Author Page on AO3
Why this must be read:
When I saw this Die Hard crossover posted for Yuletide 2012, this made me bounce; 3500 words of Matt-the-geek finding out for himself that superheroes (besides McClane) are real. And the Clint as Observer POV was a nice bonus. *g*

Five Times Matt Learnt About the Avengers and One Time They Learnt About Him

Quite frankly, I couldn’t choose between these two vids. I’m intrigued by the way two people can take the same song and the same film, and create two completely different videos.

Vidder: Majestic klo
Musical Artist: Imagine Dragons
Length: 4:05
Vidder on LJ: None, as far as I can tell.
Vidder’s Website: Majestic klo

Why this must be viewed: Majestic klo creates a really interesting and lengthy Marvel comics based intro (listen carefully to the audio), and includes clips from Thor and the Iron Man films as well as the Avengers. I like the way the film clips are matched to the music, the way the vid concentrates more on the characters than on the action, and there are some very professional looking segues between clips. Majestic klo’s interpretation of the heavy gasp portion of the song is particularly amusing.

Radioactive by Majestic klo

Vidder: Huush95
Musical Artist: Imagine Dragons
Length: 3:05
Vidder on LJ: None, as far as I can tell.
Vidder’s Website: Huush95

Why this must be viewed: In contrast to Majestic klo, Huush95 takes the same song but chooses different clips from The Avengers, adds clips from X-Men 3, and creates a completely different vid. There’s an interesting symmetry to some of the scenes: Iron Man raises his hands, then Magneto does the same; Wolverine makes an amazing leap, then the Hulk makes a similar leap; one set of heroes takes a stand, and in the following scene…well, you get the gist.

Radioactive by Huush95

My last rec (except for a vid rec tomorrow)!

Fandom: Avengers comic!verse
Pairing: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Length: 81,526 for the first story; 89,646 for the whole series
Author on LJ: kijikun
Author Website: kijikun on AO3

Author’s Summary: For the first story in the series, All That Remains: In retrospect, it was the answer to all of the questions he'd carefully avoided asking, all of the things he hadn't wanted to look at too closely.

The subsequent stories are in the nature of timestamps for the first story.

Why this must be read: How has this story not been recced before? It goes on my list of the best Civil War fix-it fics, and my list of the best kid!fics. I don’t want to give away the plot, but if you pay attention to the tags on the story, they provide a lot of clues. Suffice to say that Tony makes a great dad, Maria (not Hill) is an amazingly genuine and fleshed out OC, and Steve does eventually come back.

Some Assembly Required series

All That Remains (Explicit)
Messages (PG)
In The Workshop (Teen)
Ice Cream and Secrets (Teen)
First Noel (Teen)

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse
Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Loki
Length: 3,288
Author on LJ: Author does not appear to be on LJ.
Author Website: Sarshi on AO3
TheOtherSarshi on DeviantART

Author’s Summary: Cute political scientist finds Norse god in her apartment. What's a girl to do but taser him? (romance kept at a minimum to leave room for insanity)

Why this must be read: What is it about Kat Dennings? Darcy Lewis was a pretty small role in Thor, but she made a big impression. The only problem is that, since we know so little about her, it’s far too easy to write Darcy as a Mary Sue or a self-insert.

Sarshi writes Darcy like the best self-insert ever. When Loki shows up in her apartment, she says – and does – all the things many readers, including myself, would love to imagine doing ourselves. But Sarshi makes it realistic and believable, and deftly avoids devolving into Mary Sue territory. And Loki may be wildly out of character in this story, but it’s in service of telling one of the most slyly funny stories I’ve ever read.

The Affair of Loki and Darcy

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse (however, the author notes that zie has borrowed elements from the films, the mythology, the comics, and the animated tv show "Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes".
Pairing: Gen (none, Loki-centric)
Length: 29,743
Author on LJ: Author does not appear to be on LJ.
Author Website: spinstitcher on AO3

The author doesn’t rate this story on the AO3, but PG-13 or so seems pretty accurate to me. There is an archive warning for "Graphic Depictions of Violence", but I didn’t find it to be particularly violent or graphic.

Author’s Summary: In the wake of the Chitauri Loki is stripped of his powers and banished to Vanaheim. Nobody tasers him, but there is an awful lot of singing and dancing. Accompanied by his eldest son, who happens to be a horse, Loki slowly begins to carve out a place for himself – one that isn’t Supreme Ruler of the Known Universe.

But there is another power emerging from the darkness; one that threatens the safety – and sanity – of all the Nine Realms. Loki may have given up his dreams of becoming Glorious Overlord, but that doesn’t mean someone else gets to take his place.

Why this must be read: This is set after the Avengers film, and the Avengers show up in the story near the end, but it’s really all about Loki. While this story is complete in itself, it’s also the first part of a series. The second story in the series is currently in progress.

I honestly don’t have a clue how to describe this story. Spinstitcher ranges from serious angst to the crackiest crack ever to quiet domestic fic without blinking an eye. And then the plot kicks in, and you’re off on a wild ride through an incredible tale that leaves you guessing – and gasping – at every turn.

Kings and Vagabonds

Fandom: Avengers comic!verse
Pairing: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Length: 12,213
Author on LJ: websurffer
Author Website: websurffer on AO3
Warnings: The author warns for PTSD, flashbacks, slight BDSM tones, and discussion of rape.

Author’s Summary: Tony is going to woo Steve. No, really, he has a whole plan and everything. It's just, things keep going wrong. If he's not getting thrown into the pool and having flashbacks, then some bad guy is fighting some other hero all through their date. But something has to give eventually, right?

Why this must be read: There are a variety of things I liked about this story, but I think the main thing is Websurffer’s deft ability to mix humor, angst, romance and hot, hot sex, all in one highly entertaining story.

It certainly helps that the writing is full of attention-grabbing lines, like the very first one: It's not until he's impaled on a road sign that Tony begins to really appreciate Manhattan's rush hour.

And later in the story, this line: Tony is aware that whining at the person he desperately wants to have sex with is an almost sure fire way to never actually have sex with them.

This was written for the 2012 Marvel Big Bang, so there is wonderful accompanying artwork by leperu which can be viewed in the AO3 post of the story or separately here.

Give Me a Sign (Point Me in the Direction of Your Desire on AO3

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse
Pairing: Gen
Length: 26,586
Author on LJ: galaxysoup
Author Website: galaxysoup on AO3

Author’s Summary: In which Thor’s primary problem-solving method (a mighty blow from Mjolnir) fails to have the desired effect on a magical artifact, and his secondary method (a mightier blow from Mjolnir) proves to be actively disastrous.

Why this must be read: I love this story so much. Then again, I love everything Galaxysoup has written in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). I’m not usually a big fan of kidfics, but Galaxysoup renders not only a wonderfully believable child, but makes that child absolutely believable in the context of the history of the characters. So even if you aren’t a fan of kidfics, you should read this. It’s a perfect blend of humor and angst.

Amateur Theatrics

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse
Pairing: Tony Stark/Steve Rogers
Length: 12,962
Author on LJ: misslucyjane
Author Website: Soda and Pie
misslucyjane on AO3
Author’s Summary: Things are missing. Pieces are gone. And Tony can't remember why.

Why this must be read: This was written for the 2013 Cap/Iron Man Reverse Big Bang, in which stories are written based on artwork. “Sardines” is an intriguingly surreal story, and Misslucyjane paints pictures with words that are as vivid and striking as the artwork the story is based on. Despite Tony’s very palpable misery and confusion at the beginning, I found this story to be a very quiet and peaceful read.

Make sure you check out the artwork, Not that this is Paris, of course, by verilyvexed, which inspired the story. And the additional artwork, Oh, how I've been looking, also by verilyvexed, which was inspired by the story, making this a Double Reverse Big Bang fic!

Sardines on AO3
Sardines on misslucyjane's website

Seeing the Thor: Dark World trailer has revived my love for Loki...

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse and comic!verse
Pairing: Loki/Tony Stark, Pepper Potts/Steve Rogers
Length: 19,447
Author on LJ: sam_storyteller
Author Website: sam-storyteller
copperbadge on AO3

Author’s Summary: Tony knows he shouldn't sleep with Loki, it's just sometimes he's drunk and she's female and he forgets why.

Why this must be read: It’s funny, it’s sexy, it blends a lot of the best things from the movie!verse with the comic!verse. Because it’s written by Sam, who is rightly considered one of the best fanfiction writers on the net. Because I love Loki and Tony, and I love the notion of characters whose gender is literally "malleable", as Tony puts it.

And for the line "Five hundred and forty-three women, fifty-two men and one god of malleable gender."

Extremely Hot and Currently Female on AO3
Extremely Hot and Currently Female on DW
Also available as a podfic!

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse
Pairing: None (gen)
Length: 23,992
Author on LJ: potboy
Author Website: Potboy on AO3

Author's Summary: Written for a norsekink prompt: Loki is abused in the Avengers' custody, Steve is horrified and tries to comfort him. As a result the two become friends. (Though when Loki is involved nothing is quite that simple.)

The author doesn't warn for these, but there is a sort-of off-screen rape at the beginning of this story, attempted cannibalism, and canon-appropriate violence. While the author rates it "Teen and up" on the AO3, some of the situations, themes and conversation should be considered potentially disturbing for younger teens.

Why this must be read: This story puts forth some interesting ideas to account for Loki's mental state and motivations, and Steve Rogers is an even more interesting vehicle for getting inside Loki's head. I love how the author retains Steve's innate optimism and belief in goodness while making it believable that he can attain an understanding of Loki's twisted psyche. Loki is a difficult character to write believably, often due to the very qualities that make him so fascinating, but Potboy gives us a Loki that makes sense - as far as Loki can ever make sense.

The story takes a flying leap halfway through into other realms, taking Steve and Loki on an intriguing little adventure all by themselves, leading to greater understanding and revelations both for Steve and for Loki.

A Kindness Repaid on AO3
A Kindness Repaid on LJ

I saw Iron Man 3 yesterday and it was AWESOME. But I was up late and now I'm tired, so you get the art rec I had waiting in the wings, because I already had the entry typed up and formatted.

Fandom: Avengers comic!verse
Pairing: None (gen)
Length: n/a
Author on LJ: dangwhyme
Author Website: None that I could find

Author’s Summary: Art fill for a prompt:
Prompt #14: "Even you have to admit it's at least a little cool. I mean, just how often do you get to see a real live dragon in New York City?"
Universe: MA
Things you'd like to see: The entire team working together to save the day, accidental nudity of some sort.
Things you don't want: Anything too dark; character bashing of any sort.

Warning for non-sexual, non-frontal cartoon nudity.

Why this must be read: So, yes, there is a comment fic by me for this picture. I’m not reccing that. I'm reccing the hilarious cartoon by dangwhyme because this is probably my absolute favorite piece of fanart for anything Marvel comics or film related. My initial reaction to it went like this: So adorable. I love Wolverine ("Uh...I'm kinda stuck here") and the Hulk just hanging on ("Smash dragon!....Why dragon not smashed?"), poor Spidey just carried along for the ride ("Maybe I can grab the corner of that building if we just get close enough..."), Thor and Storm looking like they wish they could fly a little faster("Halt, thou dragon...oh crap oh crap oh crap fly away NOW!").

I think I may need to make this my computer background.

For the record, I did indeed make this picture my desktop background for a while.

Art by dangwhyme

Fandom: Avengers comic!verse
Pairing: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Length: 85,131
Author on LJ: dorcas_gustine
Author Website: dorcas_gustine on AO3

Author’s Summary: Tony goes to see Wanda, and suddenly Steve is alive and there are Skrulls! Or maybe Tony is just going crazy. Nothing happens in this fic, until the very end. Seriously. There's a lot of talking, mostly at inopportune moments, Tony's views on the acceptable gifts to give people are slightly different from everyone else's and he spends more time than would seem necessary being (half-)naked. What else is new?

Why this must be read: Iron Man 3 is out in theatres! Don’t spoil me, I’m going to see it tomorrow. But since the internet is sure to be spammed with a plethora of new Avengers movie!verse fics in the next few months, I’m going to go in a different direction today and rec a comic!verse fic.

This is one of those stories I come back to again…and again…and again, and I never seem to get tired of re-reading it. There are three epic Civil War fix-it fics that I feel are truly exceptional in terms of both plot and characterization, and this is one of them.

If you’re not familiar with the Civil War event in Marvel comics, there are a number of websites that explain and summarize it. But elspethdixon provides an excellent and brief summary in terms of the Steve/Tony relationship in the Captain America/Iron Man Ship Manifesto. Just scroll down to the “I could not love thee, dear, so well, loved I not honour more" heading (although the entire essay is well worth reading and does a great job of explaining, for those who are familiar only with the Avengers movie!verse, the comic!verse history of Tony and Steve).

This time tomorrow (where were we?) on AO3

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse
Pairing: None (gen)
Length: 1,682
Author on LJ: The author's LJ is friends only and does not contain fanworks, so I redirect you to...
Author Website: Epiphanyx7 on Dreamwidth
Author's Summary: Betty knows that Hulk is good, that Hulk will keep Betty safe. This human does not know. This human is not Betty, but she comes close and touches Hulk, and only Betty touches Hulk.

Why this must be read: Since efficiency and competency are a particular kink of mine, I was looking for something to showcase what a BAMF Pepper Potts is that didn't involve her suiting up in an Iron Man armor, because Pepper is pretty fantastic just as she is. Frankly, it took a bit of searching, but then I came across this story. Epiphanyx7 is better known for the epic Loki-centric Silvertongue, but this little gem is too good to miss. And well-written Hulk POV is an additional pleasure.

Red Betty

Avengers fans assemble! I’m ellex42, and I have the helm of the Crack Helicarrier for the merry month of May.

laceymcbain did a great job of giving us lots of lovely Clint Barton and Phil Coulson recs last month (thanks for some wonderful reads, Lacey!), so I only have a couple of stories focusing on them, and with Iron Man 3 coming out on May 3 (in the US), you’ll probably see quite a few stories about Tony Stark. But I'll also try for some variety in characters, pairings, and ratings, including some forays into Avengers comics!verse and even some artwork. There are so many incredibly talented people in this fandom, it's hard to decide which fics to choose!

But looking through my list of rec ideas, it was easy to figure out where to start: with a story that will put a smile on your face.

Fandom: Avengers movie!verse
Pairing: None (gen)
Length: 3,230
Author on LJ: gdgdbaby
Author Website: on AO3
Why this must be read: This story is set, according to gdgdbaby, about 6 months after the events of the Avengers film, done in snippets of mockumentary style. Frankly, it reads a lot like something you’d see in a DVD extra if Joss Whedon had his way. It’s so very easy to visualize the characters in this, and I dare you not to laugh out loud.

The Helicarrier on AO3
The Helicarrier on LJ
Available as a podfic by greedy_dancer
And an alternate podfic by huntsmonsters

Fandom: MARVEL COMICS: HAWKEYE (COMICS)
Pairing: Clint Barton/Kate Bishop
Length: 500 words
Author on LJ: zarabithia
Author Website: AO3
Why this must be read:

Summary: "Clint doesn't want to lose Kate the same way he's lost his other partners, so sex needs to be off the menu. Unfortunately, Kate's really not on board the whole "not sleeping together" train."

( Imperfections )