Title: shake it out Series
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Bruce Banner/Tony Stark, Peter Parker/Wade Wilson
Categories: Series, Friends to Lovers, Romance, Domestic, Fluff, Established Relationship, Hurt/Comfort, Drama, First Time, Action/Adventure, Angst
Length: Epic (42273 words)
Warnings: Violence

Author on LJ: sleeponrooftops
Author Website: sleeponrooftops

Author's Summary:

here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my rope:
“That you’re in love with each other. God, it’s like—it’s kind of ridiculous.” When he says this, Bruce snaps his gaze back up, frowning. “You two are so stubborn and blind, but the whole world knows that science boyfriends—I mean, honestly—isn’t just a pet term for you two. Even Jarvis knows, okay. You two are so stupid.”

it’s a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat:
Tony thinks there’s got to be some kind of hidden meaning behind this kid, something the universe is trying to tell him that he’s been ignoring, that he’s made a little family for himself, him and Bruce and their bratty little college kid, and he thinks that’s why he doesn’t shake the kid loose, but instead lets him follow him around. The panic attacks only get worse, and the kid—Harley, he thinks his name is—keeps pushing every button possible—New York, aliens, do you have PTSD, wormhole—until Tony feels like he’s been turned inside out, and all he can think about is Bruce.

you are the space in my bed:
There are rules, damn it. Number one: never sneak up on Peter while he’s napping or he will end up on the ceiling. Number two: stop trying to get in Peter’s pants. Wade stops listening after that one because he doesn’t like rules.

Review:

The 'friends to lovers' trope has always been near and dear to my heart ever since I was a wee shipper, fumbling through my very first forays into fandom. It seemed like there was always that one pair, that one 'duet', to borrow a word from one of my early fandom obsessions, who were always there for each other, giving and taking, leaning and being leaned upon, orbiting each other like pair of binary stars, moving in perfect rhythm.

here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my rope's Bruce Banner and Tony Stark are such an amazing example of that kind of partnership, two wholly different people contrasting in so many ways, but still bonded together by a cherished tether. And it's through the power of that bond that they share that they're able to abandon old crutches, shed old fears, and find strength and inspiration in each other. Tony stops drinking. Bruce starts trusting. Tony does yoga and Bruce busts Hulk out for some friendly sparring. The Science Boyfriends adopt a baby scientist who is sometimes a superhero. And in the end, they discover that they've made their own little 'happily ever after'.

here's to drinks's continuation “of sorts”, it’s a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat is set in roughly the same universe as its predecessor and runs roughly parallel the plot of Iron Man 3, though it focuses on the events leading up to, and following, the actual plot of the movie than the movie itself. In fact, the IM3 movie is reduced from an entire story in its own right to just an incident in the larger scope of Tony and Bruce's relationship, highlighting their trials, but also their small triumphs and the enduring love that connects them in spite of all.

The third fic in the shake it out series is one of my other favorite Marvel pairings, Peter Parker/Wade Wilson, also set in roughly the same universe as here's to drinks and shot in the dark. you are the space in my bed follows them as they progress from three years of something-like-friendship into a full-fledged romantic relationship. It's not an easy road, and for them, not an especially quick one either as their bizarre romance moves forward in fits and starts. Despite their respective idiosyncrasies, they manage to click, discovering strength, but also weakness in each other, in the way their rough edges chafe until they settle together. Through danger and domesticity and awesome homemade tacos, they find balance and their own brand of peculiar happiness.

shake it out