Challenge 97: 2 The Avengers/Thor recs

[super-tricie341.livejournal.com]

I am astonished that these haven't been rec'd yet for the het_bigbang challenge. I've been holding back because I feel like I um...sort of hog a lot of Avengers recs. >.> But these stories were too fabulous not to tell the world about.

Fandom Category:The Avengers/Thor
Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Bruce Banner
Fic Title: I'm Gonna Be A Part Of It (Whether I Want To Or Not)
Author: fringedweller
Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/495093/chapters/866425
Rating/Warning(s): M/R
Genre: Post-movie
WIP?: No

Why This Must Be Read: If I could describe this fic in one word, it would be glorious. I just want to roll around in all the feels this story gives me. Immediately after the battle in New York, a couple of intrepid camera people stumble upon Tony and Thor unsupervised. Thor essentially blows up Darcy's spot on national television and Darcy has to be immediately extracted by SHIELD mid-semester, just 20 credits shy of graduating. To add insult to injury, they expect her to slave away at their HQ as a lowly grunt since she doesn't have a college degree. But this Darcy is determined and resourceful, and if SHIELD is going to completely uproot her life, then by god, she will find a way to get her own back and graduate, even if it involves blackmailing rookie SHIELD agents.

If you can't tell, I am in absolute love with this Darcy. She's got real and believable flaws, as well as some legitimate resentment over her situation, but she's also kind, competent, and able to make the hand she's dealt work for her. I love the backstory the author has given her and watching Darcy come into her own is an absolute treat. Aside from Darcy, there are so many other things to love about this story, including a fantastic cast of OCs (Agent Chuck Norris, bwah! XD), PUPPIES!!, food porn (om nom nom), and adorable Hulk antics. Speaking of, the romance between Darcy and Bruce is so lovely. The way their relationship deepens and unfolds feels very organic and just...ugh, all my feeeeeeels. This is such a satisfying story--go read, read, read!


Fandom Category: The Avengers/Thor
Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Clint Barton, some background Jane Foster/Thor, Pepper Potts/Tony Stark, Natasha Romanova/Phil Coulson
Fic Title: I Take My Chances
Author: seren_ccd
Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/496391/chapters/869414
Rating/Warning(s): M/R. Warnings for sexy times
Genre: All Human!AU, A-Team!AU
WIP?: No

Why This Must Be Read: The Green Thumb nursery has been run by Darcy's family for generations. When an aspiring and unscrupulous entrepreneur starts badgering Darcy and her grandmother to sell their land despite their repeated refusals, strange and upsetting things start happening, including equipment sabotage, unpleasant rumors in town, and so on. Darcy, her grandmother, and her adopted cousin, Maria Hill, are strong, fierce women, but there's only so much they can do in the face of escalating harassment. That's when their friend, the mayor Val di Fontaine, and their most recent employee, Phil Coulson, suggest bringing in a team, called the Avengers to help solve their problems.

This is a fun AU, in which the Avengers are all mere humans albeit with very specialized skill sets. There's a very compelling mystery and fantastic team interactions and dynamics. My favorite part of this story is Darcy, naturally. She's resourceful and business-savvy (even if she has a black thumb), and fiercely protective of her family and its legacy. As proud as she is of her accomplishments at Green Thumb, she wonders if there isn't something else that she was meant to do. And Clint. Oh sweet mercy. I literally had to stop reading several times to fan myself because he is unreasonably sexy. He and Darcy throw off sparks whenever they're together and watching them dance around each other is enormously enjoyable.