Welcome to the #Stevebucky / #Stucky meta thread 
TFA, TWS, CW, & IW were all written by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. Anthony & Joe Russo directed all except TFA (Joe Johnston).
Iām here to show how the work of the SAME TEAM is very subtext-heavy. Because I want to.

TFA, TWS, CW, & IW were all written by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. Anthony & Joe Russo directed all except TFA (Joe Johnston).
Iām here to show how the work of the SAME TEAM is very subtext-heavy. Because I want to.
DISCLAIMER: This is not an "it's gonna be canon!" thread. No part of me ever expects that to happen. You shouldn't either.
Consider this a collection of evidence that interpreting them romantically is no stretch, for the next time someone says "they're BROTHERS it isn't GAY."
Consider this a collection of evidence that interpreting them romantically is no stretch, for the next time someone says "they're BROTHERS it isn't GAY."
ANOTHER DISCLAIMER: This is not a āstevebucky is the only valid shipā thread. Ship what you want! Stevetony, samsteve, stevepeggy, sambucky, whatever floats your goats: valid. If anyone uses this thread against other shippers I WILL physically fight them with my tiny fists.
Lastly, ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS & BLATANT THINGS INHERENT IN THE PLOTSā¦ these are things that can be subtextually intended to be read through a romantic lens, or push the boundaries of believable platonic explanation.
This is analysis, not me waxing poetic.
Here we go!
This is analysis, not me waxing poetic.
Here we go!

Bucky calls Steve āpunk,ā which was the 40s equivalent of ātwink.ā
Please see a source below. Itās on Google books if you want to validate it.

Hereās a very cool post: brilliant meta about how, according to ancillary MCU info, Steve (& Bucky?) lived in the middle of a gay neighborhood in the 30s/40s.
https://thingswithwings.dreamwidth.org/213805.html

The song is "There Is A Tavern In The Town."
"There is a tavern in the town, in the town
& there my true love sits him down, sits him down,
& drinks his wine as merry as can be,
& never, never thinks of me..."
Watch the scene & where the lyrics are placed, as Peggy comes up.
"There is a tavern in the town, in the town
& there my true love sits him down, sits him down,
& drinks his wine as merry as can be,
& never, never thinks of me..."
Watch the scene & where the lyrics are placed, as Peggy comes up.
(Source: )
Not only does this song work as foreshadowing for Bucky's upcoming fall, but it also implies Bucky's in love with Steve & jealous of Peggy.
The stanza "He left me for a damsel dark, damsel dark" is sung (by MEN) as she's there. No accident.
Not only does this song work as foreshadowing for Bucky's upcoming fall, but it also implies Bucky's in love with Steve & jealous of Peggy.
The stanza "He left me for a damsel dark, damsel dark" is sung (by MEN) as she's there. No accident.
If you want more about the bar scene, I point you to this excellent analysis of lighting & framing. It talks about & shows how this scene is entirely centrally about Bucky, in many ways.
āHomoerotic Subtext from the Bar Scene in CATFAā https://archiveofourown.org/works/2631527
āHomoerotic Subtext from the Bar Scene in CATFAā https://archiveofourown.org/works/2631527

The song is cut off by Bucky's entrance into the film / return to Steve's life (since falling in 1945).

Nat: "Nobody special then?"
Steve: "Believe it or not, it's kind of hard to find someone with shared life experience."
Does it need to be said?
Is this not foreshadowing? What else could it be? Can the writers please answer my calls?

They couldāve put that line in any context, but THIS is specifically what Steve had in mind before trying to bring Bucky back.
Steve then wears the old (vulnerable) uniformānot as armor but to try to jog Bucky's memoryāyet what finally works is the promise they made before war.
Steve then wears the old (vulnerable) uniformānot as armor but to try to jog Bucky's memoryāyet what finally works is the promise they made before war.
This is something thatās been discussed / known for years, & then a couple months ago Chris Evans just went ahead & confirmed (fairly unprompted) that Bucky is Steveās home, so... thatās nice. I'm calm.
Article: https://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/10/14/avengers-4-chris-evans-steve-bucky-home/
Full GIF set: http://alwaysanoriginal.tumblr.com/post/180801312834
Article: https://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/10/14/avengers-4-chris-evans-steve-bucky-home/
Full GIF set: http://alwaysanoriginal.tumblr.com/post/180801312834

āTill death do us part.ā
Except, of course, for them it becomes applicable even beyond ādeath.ā


This is so he could bring focus to this & set the emotional stage on Steveās end for the film.
The phrasing of āyour Buckyā is also very intentionally specific, & not typically the kind of phrasing used when discussing a platonic relationship. There's a possessiveness there.
The phrasing of āyour Buckyā is also very intentionally specific, & not typically the kind of phrasing used when discussing a platonic relationship. There's a possessiveness there.
It stands in contrast to āyour pal, your buddy,ā & itās possible those were included to cushion the romanticism inherent in āyour Buckyā by itselfā¦ because imagine what āyour Buckyā would sound like without the first 2 adding the plausible deniability of a platonic skew?

Sources for above:
ā¢ https://www.vox.com/2016/5/10/11645550/captain-america-civil-war-steve-bucky-sharon-carter
ā¢ https://www.gq.com/story/captain-america-civil-war-best-marvel-love-story
ā¢ https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/marvel/255301/from-iron-man-to-infinity-war-ranking-the-romances-of-the-marvel-cinematic-universe
ā¢ https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/04/hayley-atwell-on-what-peggy-would-think-of-steve-and-sharon
Some other pieces I like:
ā¢ http://comicsalliance.com/super-stucky-steve-bucky-civil-war-trailer/
ā¢ https://www.themarysue.com/worst-marvel-movie-romances/
ā¢ https://www.vox.com/2016/5/10/11645550/captain-america-civil-war-steve-bucky-sharon-carter
ā¢ https://www.gq.com/story/captain-america-civil-war-best-marvel-love-story
ā¢ https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/marvel/255301/from-iron-man-to-infinity-war-ranking-the-romances-of-the-marvel-cinematic-universe
ā¢ https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/04/hayley-atwell-on-what-peggy-would-think-of-steve-and-sharon
Some other pieces I like:
ā¢ http://comicsalliance.com/super-stucky-steve-bucky-civil-war-trailer/
ā¢ https://www.themarysue.com/worst-marvel-movie-romances/
Why do I mention this? To point this out:
The weird non-passionate tension of Steve & Sharon is particularly seen when they're in front of an elevator. This directly contrasts with Steve & Bucky IN an elevator, wordlesslyā& very much passionatelyāfacing each other uninterrupted.
The weird non-passionate tension of Steve & Sharon is particularly seen when they're in front of an elevator. This directly contrasts with Steve & Bucky IN an elevator, wordlesslyā& very much passionatelyāfacing each other uninterrupted.
I consider it also worth noting that she could've asked Steve to go up with her in the elevator, but doesn't... and he doesn't offer, as they're both hesitant... Then, significantly, they get interrupted byāyou guessed itāBuckyās narrative entrance into the film.
Lastly (& I know THIS is subjective), every time I watch this, Iām struck by how it feels like an end, not a beginning. The kiss seems like something Steve felt he owed her, as thank you & closing of that chapter.
"That was..."
"Late."
Of all the words...
"That was..."
"Late."
Of all the words...

In TFA, it is the capture of the 107th & Bucky in particular that spurs Steve to action to fully BECOME Captain America.
Steve picked up the shield & the identity to save Bucky, & he later drops it for Bucky as wellāliterally in TWS, & both literally & metaphorically in CW. The latter is a bit more complicated than that, of course, but Bucky is narratively a tipping pointāas is often the case.
My excellent friend @mblursen takes this point a step further, too. She explains how Captain America, SHIELD, & the Avengers all only come to exist becauseāno matter if you read it platonically or romanticallyāSteve Rogers loves Bucky Barnes. http://brunettereader.tumblr.com/post/182021346531

In the final movie version, an injured Bucky is in the background, as Steve stands in front of him protectively.
But, interestingly, the trailer take is different (understandably for spoiler reasons) & LONGER: āYou know I wouldnāt do this if I had any other choice, but heās my friend.ā It further hammers home the significance.
(Hereās how the camera angles are spliced, for reference)
(Hereās how the camera angles are spliced, for reference)

Once he is consciously no longer the Winter Soldier, he corrects everyone. We see it 1st with Zemo-in-disguise...
...and later, when he has the opportunity to go by a different name in Wakanda, he still elects to keep the name āBuckyā as his primary identityāeven correcting Shuri. He keeps the name Steve is most familiar with, and that heās decided to align himself with anew.

Russos: http://alwaysanoriginal.tumblr.com/post/173567105544
Markus & McFeely: https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/avengers-infinity-war-steve-bucky-skype/

The theme of time is used for Wanda & Vision throughout IW. I see Steve strongly thinking "relatable" here when Wanda says "Iām sorry. We just wanted time.ā Thatās Steveās lifeā& Buckyās, really.
This is what really gets me, though: during the talk at Avengers HQ, the camera cuts to Steve about 3 times. While Wanda & Vision are speaking, we get deliberate focus on Steveās (depressed, somewhat pained) deep-in-thought face. It's as if he of all people empathizes.
What does the dialogue make meā& maybe Steveāthink of?
As Wanda is the only one with the ability to destroy Vision, Steve & Bucky are the only ones equal to each other. Steve was the only one able to confront Bucky to break him out of brainwashing, neutralize him, or die trying.
As Wanda is the only one with the ability to destroy Vision, Steve & Bucky are the only ones equal to each other. Steve was the only one able to confront Bucky to break him out of brainwashing, neutralize him, or die trying.
& what does talk of ~removing the bad parts of a mind & leaving the good parts~ make one think of?
Bucky's mind, too.
Why would they show only Steveās reactions? His, of all of them?
Parallels. I do think Wanda & Vision's situation reminded Steve of him & Bucky.
Bucky's mind, too.
Why would they show only Steveās reactions? His, of all of them?
Parallels. I do think Wanda & Vision's situation reminded Steve of him & Bucky.
Back up a bit.
In light of what comes later, this conversation too is very reminiscent of Steve & Buckyās prevalent themes for me.
Missing trains?
Stolen moments? 2 years? Stark?
It works, whether in the context of the 40s or in present day.
In light of what comes later, this conversation too is very reminiscent of Steve & Buckyās prevalent themes for me.
Missing trains?
Stolen moments? 2 years? Stark?
It works, whether in the context of the 40s or in present day.
As Captain America, Steve made promises to Starks twiceāHoward & Tony.
Steve saved Bucky in 1943; the Commandos were formed; Bucky fell in 1945.
In present day, Buckyās been recovering in Wakanda for 2 years while Steveās visited for "stolen moments" sporadically.
Steve saved Bucky in 1943; the Commandos were formed; Bucky fell in 1945.
In present day, Buckyās been recovering in Wakanda for 2 years while Steveās visited for "stolen moments" sporadically.
Iām not saying this scene specifically was intentional! They weren't like, āThis Wanda/Vision scene sounds like Steve/Bucky.ā
I just think it reads like a theoretical, applicable conversation for them, & further underlines the parallels in camera angles I see later on.
I just think it reads like a theoretical, applicable conversation for them, & further underlines the parallels in camera angles I see later on.

It is, of course, paired with "platonic" & "brotherly" (as oxymoronic as that sounds) but I DEEPLY love them for always supporting fans' interpretations.
Sources for the above:
ā¢ Markus & McFeely did not write that comic, & in it Bucky is young & not the Bucky of the MCU; however, those words very much show these MCU writers' POV on THEIR work.
ā¢ http://www.mtv.com/news/2718101/captain-america-steve-bucky-shipping/
ā¢ https://www.empireonline.com/people/scarlett-johansson/captain-america-civil-war-love-story-says-joe-russo/
ā¢ https://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/your-pal-your-buddy-your-bucky?utm_term=.ikmNAwp0X#.dqVj3woln
ā¢ Markus & McFeely did not write that comic, & in it Bucky is young & not the Bucky of the MCU; however, those words very much show these MCU writers' POV on THEIR work.
ā¢ http://www.mtv.com/news/2718101/captain-america-steve-bucky-shipping/
ā¢ https://www.empireonline.com/people/scarlett-johansson/captain-america-civil-war-love-story-says-joe-russo/
ā¢ https://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/your-pal-your-buddy-your-bucky?utm_term=.ikmNAwp0X#.dqVj3woln
Lest you say "queerbaiting," the writers are clear about avoiding that.
https://www.bustle.com/articles/159379-stucky-probably-wont-happen-in-captain-america-movies-but-the-writers-know-you-ship-them
I also love this shield the Russos signedā& stories about their talks with fans. I'd LOVE to meet them. In all seriousness, their work is brilliant.
http://unrequitedstar.tumblr.com/tagged/wizard-world-new-orleans
https://www.bustle.com/articles/159379-stucky-probably-wont-happen-in-captain-america-movies-but-the-writers-know-you-ship-them
I also love this shield the Russos signedā& stories about their talks with fans. I'd LOVE to meet them. In all seriousness, their work is brilliant.
http://unrequitedstar.tumblr.com/tagged/wizard-world-new-orleans
In conclusion, the next time someone tries to imply youāre wild for shipping Stevebucky, you now have a collection of evidence that A) thereās more than enough subtext to be getting on with, B) even media discusses it, & C) the creators themselves support ~all interpretations.~
& for those who are against #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend as a concept on principleā¦ I give you this article, which is great in full.
https://reelrundown.com/film-industry/Why-Marvel-Should-GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend
Here are a couple screenshots of key pieces from it against peopleās main āarguments.ā
https://reelrundown.com/film-industry/Why-Marvel-Should-GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend
Here are a couple screenshots of key pieces from it against peopleās main āarguments.ā
If you want to lose hours of your life to devouring more MCU-related meta, some unsung hero has a collection (through 2016) on this tumblr here:
ā¦http://pleasenotinfrontoftheklingons.tumblr.com/tagged/marvel+meta
& if Iāve missed any relevant subtext, PLEASE feel free to send it to me to add! Obviously, I love this stuff.
ā¦http://pleasenotinfrontoftheklingons.tumblr.com/tagged/marvel+meta
& if Iāve missed any relevant subtext, PLEASE feel free to send it to me to add! Obviously, I love this stuff.
Onwards & upwards. We can only hope Steve & Bucky get a happy endingāsomething I think even non-shipper audiences want to see, based on how intrinsically their storylines are tied & how tragically they're framed as never coming home from war. But that's a thread for another time.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (lol):
My eternal love to @mblursen. She is my partner in Stevebucky hell & sheās been dealing with me during this process & beta-testing it periodically for months.
If you liked this thread, hereās some music for your mood
https://open.spotify.com/user/alwaysanoriginal/playlist/2N1UMdgfKnTXBj8M8iVXD9?si=sWZPPyf9QQyhTMWjVuETOA
My eternal love to @mblursen. She is my partner in Stevebucky hell & sheās been dealing with me during this process & beta-testing it periodically for months.
If you liked this thread, hereās some music for your mood

PS the lovely @threadreaderapp compiled this into a link
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1085731769738035200.html


The background of comic book character Arnie Roth was used for Bucky in the MCU. Arnie was Jewish & gay, had a boyfriend of 10 years, & was Cap's best friend in the 80s.
https://uproxx.com/entertainment/captain-america-gay-best-friend-arnold-roth/3/
Highlights:
This isn't conjecture; the creator confirmed.
Baron Zemo was even lifted from this, meaningāto meāthe writers still have Arnie in the back of their heads.
I say that because even when there was going to be Cap 3, not CW, Zemo was planned to be involved.
https://screenrant.com/captain-america-3-civil-war-kevin-feige/
Baron Zemo was even lifted from this, meaningāto meāthe writers still have Arnie in the back of their heads.
I say that because even when there was going to be Cap 3, not CW, Zemo was planned to be involved.
https://screenrant.com/captain-america-3-civil-war-kevin-feige/
However: this essentially means that the writers used a Jewish & gay character as a the framework for MCU's Bucky Barnes, & erased both of those extremely important aspects.
Unless they've got something up their sleeves we don't know about... & considering this, they'd better.
Unless they've got something up their sleeves we don't know about... & considering this, they'd better.
IT LIVES!
By popular demand, this is now on Tumblr!
Every single one of you who voted on the poll and asked me to post it over there is contractually obligated to reblog this because it took hours! Thank you and good afternoon!
http://alwaysanoriginal.tumblr.com/post/182168350399
By popular demand, this is now on Tumblr!
Every single one of you who voted on the poll and asked me to post it over there is contractually obligated to reblog this because it took hours! Thank you and good afternoon!

Oh hey. Guess what?
There's more.
In TWS, Steve's apartment address is 1614 20th Ave NW.
This is in Dupont Circle, which is...
The #1 "gayborhood" in the DC area.
Images/info for apartment:
ā¢ http://enechelon.tumblr.com/post/87634932573/steve-rogers-washington-dc-apartment-address
ā¢ http://nanoochka.tumblr.com/post/101702068760/captain-americas-dc-apartment-interior-details
DC info:
https://www.rent.com/blog/best-washington-dc-neighborhoods-for-lgbt/
There's more.
In TWS, Steve's apartment address is 1614 20th Ave NW.
This is in Dupont Circle, which is...
The #1 "gayborhood" in the DC area.
Images/info for apartment:
ā¢ http://enechelon.tumblr.com/post/87634932573/steve-rogers-washington-dc-apartment-address
ā¢ http://nanoochka.tumblr.com/post/101702068760/captain-americas-dc-apartment-interior-details
DC info:
https://www.rent.com/blog/best-washington-dc-neighborhoods-for-lgbt/
So basically, both apartments Steve canonically lived ināpast and presentāare in gay neighborhoods.
Which also means that Bucky's entrance into the film and first "reunion" on screen with Steve (directly after "It's Been A Long, Long Time" plays) is in a gay neighborhood.
Okay.
Which also means that Bucky's entrance into the film and first "reunion" on screen with Steve (directly after "It's Been A Long, Long Time" plays) is in a gay neighborhood.
Okay.
Surprise! An addition!
Thanks to @jaybunzy0, we now have this:
Parallels from Agent Carter courtesy of Peggy Carter's romantic relationship with Daniel Sousaāwho is heavily implied to later become her husbandā& Steve & Bucky.
This show was created by Markus & McFeely.
Thanks to @jaybunzy0, we now have this:
Parallels from Agent Carter courtesy of Peggy Carter's romantic relationship with Daniel Sousaāwho is heavily implied to later become her husbandā& Steve & Bucky.
This show was created by Markus & McFeely.
*clears throat*
I'm going to link this thread here now since it's been long enough since Endgame came out. And if you've read the whole thread above, chances are pretty solid that you like analysis and will probably appreciate the below thread too. https://twitter.com/CharCubed/status/1125860665267249158
I'm going to link this thread here now since it's been long enough since Endgame came out. And if you've read the whole thread above, chances are pretty solid that you like analysis and will probably appreciate the below thread too. https://twitter.com/CharCubed/status/1125860665267249158
Wow. So, "your pal, your buddy, your Bucky."
Anthony Oliveira @/meakoopa posted of this, & @gaylibrary sent me these resources.
In WWII, "buddy" relationships were intimate & significant. The term is historically tied to male soldiers & dying lovers.
Rumlow was calling Steve gay.
Anthony Oliveira @/meakoopa posted of this, & @gaylibrary sent me these resources.
In WWII, "buddy" relationships were intimate & significant. The term is historically tied to male soldiers & dying lovers.
Rumlow was calling Steve gay.
ā¢ Images 1-3 are from My Buddy: World War II Laid Bare. More below.
ā¢ Image 4 above is from the conclusion of Armed Forces: Masculinity and Sexuality in the American War Film, which you can read here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aiqcezEjkl1m5CAK-FAYIG4P5Tan05UW/view?usp=sharing
ALL from Rachel @gaylibrary, who you should thank
ā¢ Image 4 above is from the conclusion of Armed Forces: Masculinity and Sexuality in the American War Film, which you can read here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aiqcezEjkl1m5CAK-FAYIG4P5Tan05UW/view?usp=sharing
ALL from Rachel @gaylibrary, who you should thank
