When I think of "firsts", my mind automatically jumps to first meetings, which mostly means...AUs! (All the other firsts slot together in my mind as "getting together" fic, which I don't quite categorize as a "first", since the relationship is already set in place, it just needs a push in a certain direction if that makes sense!)
The Faint Light of Dawn (http://archiveofourown.org/works/3128171) by exfatalist
A pre-slash fic with a very thoughtful and cool canon MCU alternate history AU entailing an extended Cold War where Steve being in ice is more of a "Steve is put into cryo and woken up periodically whenever he's needed" This time, of course, entails rescuing a missing Tony Stark. The strength of the world-building, the intrigue, and the plausibly altered characterizations of Tony and Steve (the psychological ramifications of being put into imperfect cryo were particularly interesting!) made this one of the more memorable AUs I've read.
Tony Stark and the Sentinel of Liberty: A Marvels Adventure (http://archiveofourown.org/works/4266375) by Sineala
Noir-verse with pre-serum Steve as Tony's chronicler! As if that isn't enough to pique your interest...surprise, it's a Sentinel/Guide AU! It's a wonderful action/adventure fic, to boot, and has a great pulpy vibe.
Breaker of Horses (http://archiveofourown.org/works/4018945) by Sineala
Roman 616 AU where Steve is a centaur, Tony is a prince of a conquered nation, and now they're both gladiators. One of my absolute favorite parts of AUs is the ability to construct a complete romantic arc - the first meeting, the falling in love, getting together, and (maybe) a happily ever after. This fic definitely hits all the romantic elements I love. About the fic proper, my favorite part has to be Steve! Being a centaur, he's very much otherworldly - beautiful yet unattainable, gorgeous aesthetically yet almost repulsive romantically (okay, not to Tony, but still!). It's much different than Steve's usual desirable status in his stories. A large part of the relationship development that pings so hard for me in this story is Steve defrosting and becoming more open.
The Emperor's Fury (http://archiveofourown.org/works/240045) by valtyr
Ults!Roman AU. I think my absolute favorite part of this fic is the massive amounts of repressed Steve that leads to lots of miscommunication and misreading between Tony and Steve. Which, you know, makes perfect sense considering all the mixed signals Steve gives off :D
no subject
The Faint Light of Dawn (http://archiveofourown.org/works/3128171) by exfatalist
A pre-slash fic with a very thoughtful and cool canon MCU alternate history AU entailing an extended Cold War where Steve being in ice is more of a "Steve is put into cryo and woken up periodically whenever he's needed" This time, of course, entails rescuing a missing Tony Stark. The strength of the world-building, the intrigue, and the plausibly altered characterizations of Tony and Steve (the psychological ramifications of being put into imperfect cryo were particularly interesting!) made this one of the more memorable AUs I've read.
Tony Stark and the Sentinel of Liberty: A Marvels Adventure (http://archiveofourown.org/works/4266375) by Sineala
Noir-verse with pre-serum Steve as Tony's chronicler! As if that isn't enough to pique your interest...surprise, it's a Sentinel/Guide AU! It's a wonderful action/adventure fic, to boot, and has a great pulpy vibe.
Breaker of Horses (http://archiveofourown.org/works/4018945) by Sineala
Roman 616 AU where Steve is a centaur, Tony is a prince of a conquered nation, and now they're both gladiators. One of my absolute favorite parts of AUs is the ability to construct a complete romantic arc - the first meeting, the falling in love, getting together, and (maybe) a happily ever after. This fic definitely hits all the romantic elements I love. About the fic proper, my favorite part has to be Steve! Being a centaur, he's very much otherworldly - beautiful yet unattainable, gorgeous aesthetically yet almost repulsive romantically (okay, not to Tony, but still!). It's much different than Steve's usual desirable status in his stories. A large part of the relationship development that pings so hard for me in this story is Steve defrosting and becoming more open.
The Emperor's Fury (http://archiveofourown.org/works/240045) by valtyr
Ults!Roman AU. I think my absolute favorite part of this fic is the massive amounts of repressed Steve that leads to lots of miscommunication and misreading between Tony and Steve. Which, you know, makes perfect sense considering all the mixed signals Steve gives off :D