A Meeting of Minds (Avengers story)
See A Meeting of Minds for articles with a similar title.
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | A Meeting of Minds |
| Author(s): | CrimsonQuills |
| Date(s): | 18 February 2008 - 6 March 2008 |
| Length: | 17,309 words / 1:59:00 hours |
| Genre: | slash fanfiction |
| Fandom: | Marvel 616 |
| External Links: | A Meeting of Minds (Tales of Suspense) Bonding 'verse (Tales of Suspense) A Meeting of Minds (author page) A Meeting of Minds (AO3) A Meeting of Minds (audiobook) |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
A Meeting of Minds is a Steve/Tony story by CrimsonQuills. This story is set after "Extremis" and before "Execute Program".
Summary: As it turns out, the Extremis hadn't quite finished rewriting Tony's brain. The only potential fix has...consequences.
kalakirya podficced the story for amplificathon 2012.[1] It is available at the Audiofic Archive. thesuperhusbands made a "if superhusbands fics were movies" gif set for the story.[2]
In 2013, A Meeting of Minds was included in a Steve/Tony custom zine that caused controversy because it used self-publishing venues without author permission.
Bonding 'verse
A Meeting of Minds is the first part and main story of the Bonding 'verse. The other stories in this verse are:
- Unbinding. Tony has a request for Steve. This is a sequel to "A Meeting of Minds", but it's just a PWP in the Bonding 'Verse, really. 2465 words long.
- Doubts. Hank and Jan worry. Steve and Tony are oblivious, but not to each other, for once. 1759 words long.
- Isolation. Steve dreams. So does Tony. 1184 words long.
Recs and Reviews
Bonding fics are a staple of some fandoms and are usually considered to be a natural characteristic of an alien species or special being (the mystical bond between Sentinels and Guides, the Vulcan mating link, a Vampire/Saiyan/[insert random species/mythic creature]'s claim upon his/her mate). While I'm a fan of the genre it tends to get a bit tiresome after you’ve read innumerable fics with the same approach."A Meeting of Minds" (the main story of the Bonding 'verse, which also has three short sequels) presents an original and refreshing take on the bonding concept. Due to the modifications in his brain caused by Extremis, Tony develops a type of telepathy which will eventually kill him as he is unable to block it. The only possible solution is to create an artificial bond, linking his mind to another’s. Steve, of course, volunteers, despite Tony's protests. Being bonded, of course, brings its own set of problems, especially as Tony refuses to share some of his innermost thoughts with Steve, straining their friendship.
An original concept that meshes well with canon facts, great writing and some excellent character interaction make this a wonderful series for Steve/Tony fans or those who like bonding fics in general.[3]
I found this story via the podfic recording of it, and now I am here to heap my affection for it upon you. This hit every aspect of my telepathy/bonding kink just absolutely perfectly. I love watching Tony struggle with his feelings and with the frustration of not being able to fix it himself. I love Steve finally taking control and being so damn self-sacrificing to save his friend. I love the growth of the the relationship and the both of them eventually overcoming the secrets and getting to actually be together. And all of that is on top of being set in a believable universe with snarky dialogue from Peter, incidental XMen, battles with villains, and everything else that we love the Marvel universes for. Excellent beautiful work. Thank you for creating it and for sharing. Now I'm off to revel in the other bits... I see that there's bondage porn. *_*[4]
One reason why I'm such a fan of Tony/Steve is because the fan writers to favor h/c scenarios (which I'm guessing is because of the prominence of the Resurrection-verse, the story that built this fandom in a cave with a box of scraps). Nix is one of the pairing's best h/c writers, playing up Tony's woobie potential to full advantage while losing none of the character's snap, and in this she manages to work in yet another of my favorite tropes: the psychic link. Definitely a story at the top of my re-read list when I go on an Avengers binge.[5]
The Tony/Steve friendship (or relationship, if you want to see it that way) in the comics is very, very deep, and this story flows from that idea so naturally. It’s lovingly in character and very well written, and the weirdness could absolutely be canon.[6]
References
- ^ "Avengers: A Meeting of Minds". Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- ^ thesuperhusbands if superhusbands fics were movies - A Meeting of Minds by Nix (CrimsonQuills), 28 July 2012. (Accessed 29 July 2012)
- ^ slytherin_gypsy in epic_recs. Bonding 'Verse by CrimsonQuills (NC-17), 23 February 2010. (Accessed 27 June 2012)
- ^ setralynn AO3 comment on Chapter 6, 08 May 2012. (Accessed 27 June 2012)
- ^ "avengers • a meeting of minds". Archived from the original on 2023-05-05.
- ^ "Avengers rec list (+ excuses)". Archived from the original on 2023-05-05.