You know what they say, you'll just have to write it yourself.

Why the !#$@ is there so much fluff in the MCU? I want complex and emotionally satisfying stories about three-dimensional characters struggling in a world that's shades of grey, and 95% of what appears to be out there is YAY! FAMILY! TEAM! SLEEPOVERS!

I admit, I enjoy the fluff. But, yes, there is a surprisingly large percentage of it in the fandom.

Have you read Homefront by Copperbadge? It starts out fluffy with video-gaming and getting Steve drunk, but then [broad plot spoilers and possible triggery issues] goes on to explore issues of PTSD, self-medication, and suicide. I think it's a good story.

ETA: [link]

It looks like a "Hey, hey, the gang's all here!" thing, and the gang is getting bigger and bigger.

I'd really love some way for Captain America to meet the descendants of the Howling Commandos. If any of you come across any story where he deals substantively with Tripp from S.H.I.E.L.D., that'd be great.

(For some reason, all this Stucky makes me sad about Stony, whereas Sam/Steve doesn't overlap negatively in the least.)

(Then again, I saw Loki/Tony (shit, there's a clever name for it--ahah Frost Iron) and it just set off my NO NOT ALLOWED claxons)

(I am talking more art than stories, but if the Steve + Tripp thing is a story that'd be the best. I'm sure if I tried to draw it, aside from massive Chris Evans face fail, most people would think it's Sam not Tripp. My skills notwithstanding. Or perhaps because of them.

--these have been S.H.E.I.L.D. spoilers whited out, trivial ones

There are several fics where Steve deals with being gay and being religious, one at least where he actively tries to resist the feelings he has for Tony through a church-based program. I think the tag "internalized homophobia" on AO3 would find you things.

edit: Not About Superheros (A Private Little War) [link]

You know what they say, you'll just have to write it yourself.

Get me a clone of myself and a TARDIS, and I might be able to swing it.

Have you read Homefront by Copperbadge? It starts out fluffy with video-gaming and getting Steve drunk, but then [broad plot spoilers and possible triggery issues] goes on to explore issues of PTSD, self-medication, and suicide. I think it's a good story.

No, because I tend to avoid Steve/Tony like the plague (it hits so many of my Do Not Want buttons), but I do like the author, so a shot I shall give it.

There ought to be a good amount of Steve/Bucky that fills your need for angst.

(Moar Steve/Tony for meee!)

Febricant's this is a back alley is great. that which echoes knocked me down, it was so awesomely twisty.

boopboop - The man on the bridge is a WIP, from Tony's perspective, has great Clint characterization.

There ought to be a good amount of Steve/Bucky that fills your need for angst.

Yeah, you'd THINK. Except it winds up not being angst exactly that I'm looking for so much as emotional exploration that may touch on areas of melancholy, and on areas of pain, but also on coping, surviving, and moments of happiness and humor. Actually, I did read some pretty damn nice Steve/Sam that hit those notes.

Tried thingswithwings?

Juliana, I may possibly have read all of those maybe kind of sort of because, err, if it came out in the last two months and is Steve/Bucky or Steve/Sam, and is on AO3, I have read it or at least tried to read it before clicking the back button with extreme prejudice.

Also, if it's tagged pre-serum, I have read it or attempted to do so.

Basically, remember that time I was sick and went through all the appalling tags for Supernatural fic until I ran out? (Back when delicious was a thing.)

It's like that, only I'm not violently ill, and am therefore being somewhat picky.