SteelAtom

SteelAtom is the slash ship between Ray Palmer and Nate Heywood from the Legends of Tomorrow fandom.

Season 3
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD DADS

Nate is working out when Ray walks in and thanks him for searching all of history to save him from a supervillain. Nate says that it was two, Damien and Nora. Ray believes that Nora had a tough life and comes off worse than she actually is. Nate asks if Ray is into Nora, which Ray denies, but Nate reminds him that Nora isn't the sanest person. Ray just believes that there's hope for her. Nate calls him a softie and wants him to look out for his heart.

Season 4
WITCH HUNT

Nate goes to the Waverider where he see's a pig in the Captain's office. He asks why it's there, when Gideon says it's no pig. As the pig snorts, Nate is somehow able to understand it and realize that it's Ray. Ray snorts some more, but Nate tells him to slow down. Ray explains how he got turned into a pig, but he'll probably turn back soon since the team is working on it. Nate gets that they're in a situation but he could still use Ray's help at the bureau. Ray says yes, and asks if Nate will carry him. Nate says of course and uses his jacket to cover him as they go to the bureau.

SEANCE AND SENSIBILITY

As Ray leaves the dining room, he runs into Nate. He awkwardly say he's sorry, and Nate says it's okay but Ray says it's not. He gave Nora a second chance and she ends up killing Hank. Nate gets it, they both thought wrong about people, and Ray can't believe that Nate is the one comforting him. Nate tells Ray that he loves him, and no matter what that's not gonna change. Ray tells Nate that he loves him too.

Season 2
Out of Time
 * Nate tells Mick that he got a lead on Ray.
 * Ray asks if Nate is okay after time traveling.
 * Ray tells Sara that Nate is with them.
 * Ray and Nate stand next to each other on the bridge.
 * Nate asks Ray who Gideon is.

Invasion!
 * Nate tells Mick that Ray made his suit.

Season 3
Zari
 * Ray calls Nate to bring the Waverider to them.

Welcome to the Jungle
 * Mick calls Ray, Nate's boyfriend.

Season 4
Tender is the Nate
 * When Ray finds out that Nate is coming back on the ship, he comments on how much he needs a hug.

Seance and Sensibility
 * Ray questions whether it's a good idea to go to Nate's dad's funeral.
 * Ray says that he can't face Nate and hides.
 * Ray kisses Nate on the cheek when they leave.

Season 5
Thong Song
 * Nate points out that Ray had the suit in the museum.

Quotes
"Look, I didn't have a choice. He was gonna kill Nate. It was the only way I could make sure my best friend would be safe."

- Ray to Nora

Fanon
Fans began to ship them after their adventure in the Wild West. They had a more fun adventure than their time in feudal japan. They continued to have their main interactions be with each other over the next couple of episodes. Bonding over their love of nerd culture, as well as them having a softer friendship in the process.

Some fans prefer their friendship over a romantic relationship, but both types of fans enjoy their overall "bro" dynamic. Many tumblr fans will portray them as the guys from "bro posts". Specifically in the "tumblr text post" meme. This lends well to them given that they've said "I love you." to one another and have shared many genuine hugs, and bro hugs.

On AO3, SteelAtom is the most written ship for Nate and the third most written ship for Ray. It is also the eleventh most written ship in the Legends of Tomorrow tag.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Nate/Ray on FanFiction.Net
 * Nate/Ray on FanFiction.Net

INSTAGRAM
 * boyfriends who'd die for each other

TUMBLR

TWITTER

Trivia

 * Their goodbye made Buzzfeed's Best TV Moments Of 2020
 * Nick Zano (Nate Heywood) hinted that he likes the ship.
 * The ship name comes from Nate's superhero name, Steel, and Ray's superhero name, The Atom.
 * Both Ray's and Nate's favorite movies were made by George Lucas.
 * Ray made Nate's Steel suit.

Gallery

 * SteelAtom/Gallery

Variations

 * Atomic SteelVixen refers to the ship between Amaya Jiwe, Ray and Nate
 * DarhkSteelAtom refers to the ship between Nora Darhk, Nate and Ray
 * SteelAtomblazer refers to the between Nate, Ray, and John Constantine
 * Steelatomwave refers to the ship between Ray, Nate and Mick Rory
 * SteelCanaryAtom refers to the ship between Nate, Sara Lance, and Ray
 * SteelZaray refers to the ship between Nate, Zari Tomaz, and Ray