stellahibernis | Weekly Fic Rec: Slow and Splendored by alby

Link to AO3

Author’s summary:

In the chaotic years after Steve Rogers arrives back in 2023 as an old man, he helps rebuild the world, falls in love with his best friend, adopts a stray cat, and saves the entire timeline. Not necessarily in that order.

—

“Now you’re slow enough for me to catch you the next time you try to do something stupid.” Bucky leans close and jostles their arms together. “That’s the best part.”

Steve presses a wrinkled hand to his chest. “I’ve matured, James Barnes. I would never do something stupid.”

Bucky rolls his eyes and drops an arm over Steve’s stooped shoulders. “Yeah, you’re still a punk, old man.”

—

For the Captain America Big Bang 2019 | cabigbang with words by Eyres and art by Psifiend and Alby_mangroves

Words: 65532, Chapters: 1/1

Fandoms: Captain America (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Steve Rogers, James “Bucky” Barnes, Sam Wilson (Marvel)

Relationships: James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers

Additional Tags: Past Peggy Carter/Steve Rogers, offscreen Bucky/OCs, Slow Burn, Old Steve Rogers, Post-Avengers: Endgame (Movie), Avengers: Endgame (Movie) Compliant, Friends to Lovers, Romance, Mutual Pining, Age Difference, Old Age, the geopolitical consequences of Endgame, Riots, domestic terrorism, Time Travel, Infinity Gems, Captain America Sam Wilson, Families of Choice, Domestic Avengers, Protective Bucky Barnes, Protective Steve Rogers, Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Ensemble Cast, THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED, less like a slow burn and more like two idiots standing around on fire, Captain America Big Bang 2019 | cabigbang, Art, Fanart, Illustrated

My notes:

This is extremely satisfying in how it builds on the canon, and I love the slow progression of their relationship and how it’s affected both by their choices as well as the world around them. The art is also perfect.