I’ve been working my way through all of the things that I have bookmarked. People, I have a lot of bookmarks *stares*. These are some of my favourites from the most recent Avengers things that I’ve read – and by some be warned that this rec list isn’t short, because this fandom produces amazing amounts of wonderful. Here be genfic, friendship fic, Clint/Natasha fic, multiple pairings, and some arty things to finish it all off. Enjoy!

Ask No Questions, Hear No Lines by Anon. Author ienablu at avengersfest (PG13, 7,517 words, warning for canon-compliant character death, Avengers, Gen) summary: Maria Hill was recruited into SHIELD by Nick Fury ten years ago. Phil Coulson is remarkably unremarkable and enjoys non-standard coffee mugs. Nick Fury does not actually wrestle bears, to the best of common knowledge. SHIELD agents know everything about each other, and they know absolutely nothing about each other. This is a fantastic look into the lives of SHIELD Agents and how what seems like a fantastical lifestyle has realities that have to be faced, complete with wonderful interactions between wonderfully characterized people. I love it.

All Aquiver by saone77 (PG13, 1339 words, gen, Avengers/Arrow (spoilers only for the basic plot points of the first few episodes of Arrow)) summary: Clint doesn't want a sidekick. Phil doesn't care. So. Much. Fun :D

Every Denny’s in America by Sookie Starchild (K+, 5,127 words, gen, Avengers) summary: Thor and Steve are definitely not hiding in a Denny's restaurant. Because Thor doesn't hide and Steve doesn't run away from his problems. A lovely, amusing, sweet, and thoughtful friendship fic.

She's a swell gal, with a gun in her hand by eleanor_lavish (Gen, 2547 words, Avengers) summary: Steve thinks Natasha Romanoff is the most impressive girl he’s ever met. Hmm, how to explain this one? Well, it’s listed as Steve/Natasha but it’s really more Natasha through Steve’s eyes rather than a romance or anything like that. Steve admires Natasha. Don’t we all?

the words are all escaping by latenightcuppa (Gen, 1,427 words, I’d add a mild warning for Red Room controlling people’s lives and choices, and taking memories, Avengers, Clint/Natasha but Gen really) summary: Still, some days, she finds herself missing it. Not the war, never the war, but how young she once was and how easy it used to be for her to get absorbed in a good story, to let herself get carried away. Natasha and books and fiction.

Red Angel by telm_393 (Teen and up, 12,514 words, warnings for child abuse, mental health issues, angst, hurt/comfort, minor character death, grief/mourning, Avengers AU, Clint/Natasha) summary: long summary is long but In the end, it really all boils down to one question. What does Natasha Romanoff want to be when she grows up? In this High School AU Natasha is placed in the care of Phil Coulson, where she falls in with Clint, who’s also in Phil’s care, and a bunch of other mixed up kids. Caring for people is dangerous, trusting them even more dangerous, and as it becomes impossible for her to detach completely, she has to wonder if she's doing the right thing… A wonderful Natasha character study.

speculative fiction by rollingplains (T, 1,137 words, warning for some bad language and I’d say for pointing guns at people and possibly triggery because of one character thinking another may be suicidal, Avengers, Clint/Natasha) summary: In which she tries to sort of one of her many issues, and he mostly patiently lets her. Wow. That is all.

Five people Clint and Natasha (but mostly Clint) lied to about how they met, and the one person they told the truth to by prettyasadiagram (Gen, 2,029 words, Avengers, Clint/Natasha) summary: Clint is a filthy liar and Natasha isn't any better. Full of fun, including the reason why Clint finally tells someone the truth.

The Woman in the Crosshairs by frea_o (PG13, 12,182 words, warnings for minor violence and some language, Avengers, Clint/Natasha, Thor/Jane, Darcy/OC) summary: In which Clint has a new hobby and Natasha isn't curious, until she is. Black Widow and Hawkeye, their partnership—and what it means—throughout the years. Made of all things wonderful. It’s difficult to praise it to the skies without giving away a huge spoiler, so just know that it deserves all the praise.

Teenage Makeout Series by workerbee73 and bob5fic (Avengers, Clint/Natasha): Five Times Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff Made Out Like Teenagers Because REASONS (PG13-NC17 (individual ratings for chapters), warnings for sex, swearing, and assassins, 38,000 words); Four Days Clint and Natasha Went Off the Grid (NC17, warnings for sex, language, non-graphic violence, angst, and intensity, 10,200 words); Teenage Makeout Epilogue (PG13-NC17 (individual chapter ratings), warnings for sex and language, 4,800 words); the equilibrists (PG13-NC17, warnings for sex, language, and assassins, WIP) summary: the series that started out as a response to a kissing meme and became another exercise in Bee and Bob destroying our brains and playing with our hearts in all the best ways. Don’t let the titles fool you – this whole thing evolves into something with plot and missions and epic feels, and is something that produces oodles of meta.

Two for the show by mousie tongue (T, 31,237 words, warnings for bullying, physical and verbal; sexualized assault of a minor; minor-on-minor violence; homophobia and homophobic language; swearing; mentions of an eating disorder, child abuse, and possible non-con of a minor (though you can choose to read it as rape didn't happen- it's left vague), Avengers AU, Clint/Natasha) summary: After her uncle is taken, young Natasha Romanov ends up in state's custody at a group home. She can tough it out alone... but somehow fellow resident Clint Barton becomes the reason she doesn't have to. A high school AU. A clever example of show-not-tell at it’s best in storytelling, as what the relationship between Clint and Natasha grows to be is never expressed out loud or in overt physical actions, just in how they are. And how they are, well, I want to hug this fic :)

galaxies in our halos and hands by sweetwatersong (PG, one-shot, warning for injury, Avengers AU, slight Clint/Natasha) summary: He has faith in miracles. The white horse and the woman who rides him can be nothing less. CIRCUS AU! Even better, a beautifully written circus AU that plays with the contrast between the magic and the realities of circus life.

History’s Mistakes by Bob5/bob5fic (Mature, 15,845 words, warnings for teacher-student relationship, age difference, and self-harm, I’d also say the rating is for sex, Avengers AU, Clint/Natasha) summary: “Now who’s the cliche?” Clint is a college professor and Natasha is his student. I left a comment here, which you shouldn’t look at until you’ve read the fic ;) , all about the word authentic, because this story? Is the real deal.

White Blank Page by allisnow (also on AO3) (mature/light R, 70,555 words, I’d warn for assassins, murder, and playing with brains issues (memory, brainwashing etc.), Avengers, Clint/Natasha) summary: Debt is only beautiful when it has been repaid. This epic has everything that you need, from a complex and engaging plot to actually scary bad guys, relationship issues, fantastic cameos from the other Avengers, Clint and Natasha backstory, everything. This ought to be one of the seminal fics in the Clint/Natasha fandom.

Slow Growth Investment by arsenicarcher (Arsenic) (explicit, 37,837 words, warnings for past abuse, prostitution, forced prostitution, medical procedures, and medical inaccuracies, Avengers AU, Clint/Natasha and Clint/Natasha/Phil) summary: Left at the hospital, injured and penniless, Clint tries to find his way to another circus, or some other means of supporting himself, but makes a few decisions that end up costing him. He's pretty much given up on ever making something of his life when he's in the wrong place at the wrong time, witness to an assassination. As it turns out, that's the best luck he's had in years. (Alternately, for those of you who know what this refers to: the obligatory hooker AU.) You might read 'hooker AU' in the summary and decide that this isn't for you. Please don't. Yes, the beginning is harsh and beware of triggers, and yes, there are a lot of issues throughout this story, and not just for Clint. BUT the relationship that builds between Clint and Natasha, Clint and Phil, and the three of them is a thing of beauty. Truly. This is not a 'let's hurt someone' fic. This is a 'look at how amazingly and wonderful the bonds between people can be' fic.

Like an Arrow Through a Flock of Doves by arsenicarcher (Arsenic) and hoosierbitch (explicit, 62,907 words, warnings for rape/non-con, crucifixion, sexual violence, violence, gang rape, medical procedures, medical inaccuracies, implied child abuse, Avengers/White Collar AU, Clint/Phil) summary: When he takes the rap for a crime committed by Barney and the Swordsman, Clint is charged as an adult at 17 and spends the next four years of his life without protection in prison. Enter one Neal Caffrey, who knows how to charm his way to whatever he wants or needs, and Clint's life gets a lot more interesting. Pretty much, the story of Clint in prison, Clint getting out, and Clint, like always, finding his way to SHIELD, and Phil. First of all, pay attention to the warnings on this one. Seriously. This is not a fic that makes light of anything, but then that’s what makes it worth reading, because the strength of Clint in this is remarkable, the way the authors get inside his head, well, feels doesn’t cover it, and the conclusion left me ultimately optimistic and in awe of the human spirit.

this river’s full of lost sharks by greatunironic (not rated, but I’d call it PG13, 15,535 words, Iron Man, Thor, and Avengers films AU) summary: “I think there’s a naked man on the beach.” Or, how Tony and Pepper adopt a genius mute and save the world. For the dialogue, the humour, and the sweetness. It makes me smile A LOT :D The pairings are not important; this is about family.

festina lente (hurry slowly) by silverfoxflower (explicit, 17,317 words, Avengers AU, Steve/Tony) summary: A role reversal fic featuring Steve Rogers (a.k.a Iron Man) as a billionaire, genius engineer with a heart of gold and Tony Stark (a.k.a Captain America) as a playboy American Hero who spent most of his backpay on his flashy lifestyle. Fantastically clever.

don't turn me home again by irnan (Gen, 3151 words, warning for major character death, Avengers, gen) summary: "I need to know what's in Hartford, Captain," said Hill. Her tone was gentler than Steve was expecting. He didn't know whether he ought to be grateful for that or not." Family," he said. The word felt rusty and disused in his mouth, on his tongue, but it was there, and that was what counted. (or: five times Steve Rogers went to Hartford, Connecticut, and the people he spent time with there.) I dare you not to have feels.

We Might Be Radioactive by Croik (explicit, 48,720 words, warning for age difference, Avengers/Amazing Spider-Man, Bruce Banner/Peter Parker) summary: Peter misses his chance at saving the world alongside the Avengers, but he's not out. When he scales Stark Tower hoping to meet Tony (and possibly secure a seat on the team) he instead meets Bruce, who has taken up a temporary residence while he continues his Hulk research. The two bond over science-y things, but between Bruce's dry spell, Peter's teen hormones, and the secret identities they're still coming to grips with themselves, it doesn't take long for things to get complicated. The relationship that grows between Bruce and Peter is believable (and steamy hot), interesting character development happens for both of them, and I enjoyed the background plot.

Slow and Soft by onthewaters (explicit, 23,116 words, warning for violence, Avengers, Clint/Phil) summary: When Coulson adds Barton to his team, he expects smartassery. Except there isn't any... Lovely Clint/Phil relationship with bonus excellent Natasha, SHIELD shenanigans, and missions.

Learn How To Tell You Goodbye by torakowalski (mature, 39,951 words, warnings for violence, graphic injury, field amputation (off-screen), grieving and discussions of grief, a fix-it fic, Avengers, Clint/Phil, Bucky/Steve, Tony/Pepper) summary: When Phil Coulson's life model decoy is attacked on the Helicarrier, the World Security Council seizes the opportunity to send him deep undercover in Russia. Meanwhile, back in New York, Clint Barton struggles to come to terms with the loss of his handler and unexpectedly finding himself part of the Avengers, a group of people who can't quite call themselves a team. Yet. Interestingly plotty and one of the best fix-it fics around.

WIPs
I rarely, if ever, rec works in progress. I like to be able to rec the whole fic and have thoughts on it in its entirety, and I don’t like to rec something that may never be completed. However, sometimes you just have to love them.

Bylines by foxxcub (explicit (but it hasn’t been yet), 32,174 words so far, Avengers AU, Clint/Phil, Steve/Tony) summary: Sometimes, you really can go home again. The AO3 tags for this might give you a better idea: small town AU, rival journalists, feelings feelings and more feelings, basically a romance novel. I’d call this a mature Avengers AU and not because of sex, because so far there hasn’t been any. It’s mature because of the character development, the fact that it shows the imperfect roads life takes us down, and just because basically this is what the Avengers would be like grown-up not only without powers, but if they were us, I guess. Just, it’s very clever, okay? And yes, it’s Clint/Phil romance, but this is also definitely a team fic and the detail everyone is treated with is wonderful.

Random Numbers by anuna_81 (at the moment this is about PG13, currently stands at six chapters (search author’s tags), Avengers/Castle AU, Clint/Natasha and Castle/Beckett although currently UST, takes into account first four seasons of Castle) summary: After the events of the Avengers film in New York the fact that Kate Beckett’s son is the spitting image of a certain archer leads to Kate approaching her one-night stand from a long while back and informing him that he’s a father. This is a story about connections and two groups of people who are families of choice – the New York cop family of Castle, and the Avengers, who are beginning to be a family. It’s a thing of beauty, and hilarity, consequences, trust, friendship, and heart.

ARTS
And whilst we’re here, have a few pretties as well.

From marielikestodraw on tumblr, who brought us such well knowns as this gorgeous Clint/Natasha Budpest art and that Steve/Tony kiss, may I also direct you to Black Widow, Bruce Banner, and Steve and Bucky.

104 Natasha/Black Widow icons by manual in corelite (dreamwidth), icons from the comics

322 Avengers icons by paraliptic in corelite (dreamwidth)

attice makes gorgeous icons, the latest being 67 of Peggy Carter

Cognitive Recalibration and Clint and Natasha cuddling by kanapy on tumblr

And finally, Budapest and Budapest 2 by kanahyde on tumblr, because there can never be enough film posters for Hawkeye and Black Widow films!