Infinite Coffee and Protection Detail

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Fanfiction
Title: Infinite Coffee and Protection Detail
Author(s): owlet
Date(s): Dec 2014 - 2019
Length: 246,688 words
Genre(s): slash
Fandom(s): Captain America Movieverse
Relationship(s): Steve/Bucky
External Links: http://archiveofourown.org/series/195689
Cover art for This, You Protect by epicstuckyficrecs (2021)

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Infinite Coffee and Protection Detail is a series of Steve/Bucky fics by owlet. Post Captain America: The Winter Soldier Bucky fixates on protecting Steve. Gen with later slash. The individual fics are:

  • This, You Protect (2014-12-31)
    • The mission resets abruptly, from objective: kill to objective: protect
  • Team-Building Exercises (2015-03-30)
    • Integration into adult human social dynamics requires attention and effort. Especially with this bunch of damaged bozos. (A series of interconnected one-shots.)
  • The Long Road Begins at Home (2017-07-09)
    • Oh sure, reunion results in happiness, kittens, and rainbows, because that's definitely how life goes when you've just spent 70 years as a tool of villainy. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
  • Truth, Justice, and the Cheating Cheater Way (2015-06-13)
    • Don't play cards with Captain America. Just don't. Especially if you've pissed him off recently.
  • Upgrade: Advanced Happiness Skills (2015-09-15)
    • Barnes's body does a new thing. Thanks for all the trouble, body. - WARNING: Reference to past sexual assault (not explicit)
  • A Chance To Try Bravery (2015-10-25)
    • Changed his mind about touching," Bucky said. Just ... what? (Takes place during Upgrade: Advanced Happiness Skills)
  • Q & A with Owlet Re: The Infinite Coffee & Protection Detail series by MusingsOnBuckyBarnes, owlet (2018-03-24)
    • Musings asked me some questions about ICaPD! I answered them.
  • A minor misunderstanding, solidarity, and reunion (2018-06-21
    • Barnes should know better. Lidia should charge her phone.

Reactions & Comments

It turns out that not every fangirl on the planet with even a passing interest in Steve and Bucky has read this fic. Let me do my part in remedying that situation. I read it as a WiP and I'm not positive when in the process I started following along, but it was in the first few chapters at least and the subsequent fic updates were a major highlight of whatever day they appeared. [...]

It's 90 - 95% crackish, sassy hilarity with a solid storyline foundation and 5 - 10% drama to keep it all grounded. Ultimately the day is saved primarily by a pair of fleece pajama pants with sheep on them in a way that is poignant, somewhat terrifying, and, finally, wonderful. There are some stellar OCs in the latter chapters and an epilogue of assorted post-fic conversations. It's an excellent fic that has just enough tether to keep it on track while overall being an amazingly fun read. Highly recommended and one I'll definitely be keeping to hand for (many) future re-reads.[1]

This may just end up being the cutest fic you read all year. It’s exactly the kind of cute I love, the kind with slightly dark overtones, that takes thousands of words to develop and ends up rotting all your teeth.

The characterisation of Bucky is fascinating, and you get a real feel of how damaged Hydra left him, but his voice remains strong and distinctively Bucky. Steve is perfectly written, and the original characters are adorable. Just a warning, this fic will make you want to buy a rundown apartment in Brooklyn and eat nothing but grilled cheese for the rest of your life, regardless of whether you like apartments, cities or cheese.

This may be the perfect Stucky fic, and the icing on the cake, for me at least, is that the central relationship in this is non sexual. Yeah, it’s 64000 words of beautifully written queer platonic love. Dammit, I didn’t want to ship this![2]

This is one of those heart-warming stories where Bucky seems to be adjusting to the 21st century at a faster rate than Steve, who he decides needs to eat more grilled cheese and drink more mochas. Steve, he remembers, can't be trusted to a) keep himself out of harm's way and b) still doesn't keep an eye to his vulnerable left-side, so Bucky does it for him, much to his ever-lasting chagrin; Bucky objects to anyone hugging Steve since it just gives people a chance to plant bugs or administer contact poisons.

This is a novel-length story with all the usual ups and downs of a person recovering from trauma, and the bewilderment (and sometimes mistakes) of those who try to help him. But it's life-affirming, very well written, and has an underlayment of humor that can't be beat.[3]

my favoritest ♥_♥ It starts out as gen, but gets slashy, oh, only about 100,000 words down the road. But those 100,000 words are SO worth it, I promise.[4]

There is so much depth to this story and a number of important characters, yet it starts out incredibly simple and plausible. Barnes’ objective shifts on the helipad, but what does that do for his mental health? This story is sweet and funny, sad and scary honest. If you’re looking for a quick smut fix, this isn’t that story. There is very slow burn between Cap and Buck, mainly because the story stays fairly realistic and canon compliant. You will find your faves in character, doing the most awesome and bizarre things to help Bucky and Cap find some semblance of normalcy–set after CA: TWS.[5]

Bucky/The asset learn how to be more like a person by stalking- I mean, protecting - Steve. All is cute and fluffy and so, so funny.[6]

Because this is on everyone's list of the best stories in the fandom and everyone is right.[7]

Grumpy Bucky and oblivious Steve (unaware of his stalker/bodyguard) is hilarious. Side characters are gems. Angst for essential mental health recovery and character growth adds depth.[8]

This, You Protect

This is typically most people’s entry for the “if you read one fic from this fandom” contest. Funny, clever, sweet, and a totally unique take on Bucky’s post-TWS mindset. Great fun and great sequels.[9]

Bucky begins the story as a blank slate. He’s mostly thrown off his Hydra programming, but he doesn’t know who he is, was, or wants to be. Over the course of the fic, he discovers grilled cheese sandwiches, a cat, Starbucks mochas, and some old people. His inner voices lend the story sarcasm and giggles as he struggles past trauma to make himself a home.[10]

I love to read this story when everything feels like it’s going to shit, especially in my internal world. Bucky/the Soldier’s gradual growth from mission-achieving automaton to almost-self-actualised-human is open and joyful and raw, and never fails to bring hope and comfort.[11]

Related and Inspired

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Vids

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Links

References

  1. ^ rec by bluemeridian, January 11, 2015
  2. ^ rec by sapphywatchesyousleep, January 15, 2015
  3. ^ Goodreads comment by Dropspun on March 7, 2017
  4. ^ reddit comment by ClimateMom
  5. ^ rec by The Collective, July 13, 2016
  6. ^ Comment by ImABookwormReally on International Fanworks Day Feedback Fest 2022
  7. ^ Comment by Fictitious on International Fanworks Day Feedback Fest 2022
  8. ^ "The Rec Center #362". Archived from the original on 2024-07-23.
  9. ^ "Any stucky classics I can read. I am new to the fandom n all., 2018 Tumblr post". Archived from the original on 2022-06-25.
  10. ^ "The Rec Center #177". Archived from the original on 2024-07-22.
  11. ^ "The Rec Center #392". Archived from the original on 2024-07-24.
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