Calling all recs! (fic, art and otherwise)

[jacedesbff.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to make a rec post and several others have had the same ideas, so let's put them all in the same post! Share the coolest works you have come across lately. Be sure to include why it's so awesome, all necessary warnings, and links.

Here are my recent favs:

Oxycodone Days by Naja Melanoleuca. This is an almost frighteningly realistic take on the relationship and psychology of our two favorite assassins. The author does not include warnings, so be aware that it is fairly dark, includes past mentions of child abuse (physical and sexual), thoughts of suicide, and contains violence as well as sustained scenes of torture. EDIT: alphaflyer is also correct in pointing out that Tony seems OOC. Still excellent!

Into the Fire by Naja Melanoleuca. The sequel to Oxycodone Days, about four times as long and more violent. Together these are two of the best fics I have read in a very long time. In particular Clint is very, very in character with the MCU Clint that we all know and love. Again, very dark.

Daddy's Little Princess by TashaBlackWidow. Clint adopts a puppy. So cute! No warnings, but lots and lots of adorableness. :-)

The Golden Arrow by sneakronicity. Clint is Robin Hood. The Avengers are the Merry Men. Tasha is Maid Marian. Yep, they went there. And it's awesome. :-)

Strange Bird by CloudAtlas. Hawk!Clint. I've probably recced this before. But I just love it. :-)

So what do you recommend? Share!!

Comments

[alphaflyer.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this! I just read Oxycodone Days, based on someone else's rec. It's realistic in some aspects, less so in others (writing in the real world of politics requires a fair bit of research) but the author does have a gift for heart-stopping actions. I found Tony a bit OOC in this one, but the Clint/Natasha relationship is fascinating. Another warning though: it does more than show graphic violence. There are prolonged scenes of torture. If that is your squick -- it is mine -- beware. (It's a testament to the author's story-telling ability that I stuck with it despite my difficulties.)

My current fave is BOHICA (http://archiveofourown.org/works/711557) by Domenica Marzione. Now that one is realistic -- down to the very last drop of acid snark.

[franztastisch]

I also thought that Tony was a bit OOC in this, but it was really good. :D And I love BOHICA.

[happilydancing.livejournal.com]

I am enjoying this series too, but I think Clint and Natasha are kinda OOC...I don't seem them as THAT damaged. But the writer is very clever and I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[franztastisch]

Well, happily, they're all consistantly slightly OOC. So no one really mind and we all enjoy the story regardless. :D

[andacus.livejournal.com]

I just read BOHICA and I loved it. Thanks for the rec

[jacedesbff.livejournal.com]

Good points all (I edited the main post to reflect that). As far as Tony goes, I almost wonder if the author dislikes Tony as a character given the negativity with which he's portrayed.

Also like you, I'm not a huge fan of torture scenes but the characterization in hers overpowers the icky factor.

*waves hello*! I haven't said hi in forever. :D

[franztastisch]

Thank you so much for the rec! <3

Oh, and my current favourites I recced a couple of days ago and they're all by Karu-DarkAngel.

[frea-o.livejournal.com]

I have two Natasha-centric recs!

Whispered on the Winds (http://archiveofourown.org/works/805748/chapters/1519915) - a Highlander/Marvel Cinematic Universe crossover, rated Teen. Five times Methos met Black Widow and, eventually, Natasha Romanov. Or, as Methos likes to put it, four times he ended up dead or 'dead' around Black Widow.

I don't know much about Highlander, but I was able to follow along with minor Wikipedia'ing. Warnings for violence, mentions of past abuse, etc. Such a good fic!

10 Things Pepper knows about Natasha (and one thing Natasha knows about Pepper) (http://okayophelia.tumblr.com/post/22677728512/10-things-pepper-knows-about-natasha-and-one-thing) - Rated PG. What it says on the tin.

Pepper and Natasha friendship fic. Warnings for violence and stuff. One of my favorites. :)

[andacus.livejournal.com]

I feel semi-certain we are all reading this (as well we should) but I have to throw some love out there for Highway of Diamonds (http://archiveofourown.org/works/759841/chapters/1421451) by alphaflyer Seriously, if you're not reading it, you're missing a very smart, very interesting story. Summary from the horse's mouth: The road to danger is often lit by shining stars. Clint and Natasha are sent to investigate a secretive cult, and discover things about each other in the process. Mission fic; pre-movie.

I'm also really digging I've Learned How to Paint My Face (http://archiveofourown.org/works/575186/chapters/1031131) by ashen_keyfor it's spot on depiction of terrifying, deadly tween Natasha and the interesting situation everyone is put in when she's unexpectedly de-aged.

I know there are so many more but I'll have to think on it.

[alphaflyer.livejournal.com]

awwww.... \O/ thanks ... (blushes). I hope to get Chapter 4 mostly done on the flight back from the UK tomorrow.

And I love your other rec (Indebted). It reminded me (around several corners) of my favourite Robert Heinlein novel, The Door into Summer, where the protagonist spends some time hanging out with a smart and sassy 15-year-old and then time travels to meet her again when she's in her twenties.

[andacus.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome.

I have not heard of this novel but now I feel like I must read it! *goes to amazon*. I love new book recs!

[alphaflyer.livejournal.com]

Fair warning: I last read that book when I was in my teens (but then I loved it and read it four times, and remember the mood). I have no idea how it would hold up if i were to read it now ... ;-)

[andacus.livejournal.com]

Copy. I'll keep that in mind. :-)

[andacus.livejournal.com]

Oh! I remembered another one that I love.

Indebted by Sablier_bloque (http://archiveofourown.org/works/440522). It definitely plays loosey goosey with canon, but it could easily fit Movie canon, I think. Essentially, the story is that Clint is sent to kill Natasha and she's only a teenager (15 or 14) and instead he sort of ends up adopting her. It's definitely Clint/Natasha later, but I love the way it's written and the way they progress through their relationship.

[happilydancing.livejournal.com]

This was one of the first fics I read in this fandom and I still love it. I actually thought of this one when the question was asked about fiction where Natasha falls in love first (she doesn't really in this fic, but is more open to it first obviously)...and now I have this little nagging thing in my head that is telling me that maybe when he first finds her, they don't know what her age is...so she is all "let me love you" and he is all "no way kid", and she is all "I'm not a kid" b/c she thinks she's in her 20s (because she has been through so much and feels the years on her shoulders) and he thinks she's a teenager and so he waits a few years until he is more comfortable and then they get it on, haha.