For much of the characters’ stay in the The Falcon and the Winter Soldier flipped this around and made the duo the lead characters, with the Disney+ series centering around their relationship.
Since the fanbase loves shipping characters together, Sam and Steve have seen many favoring their pairings with Bucky. With the movies showing the relationship between Steve and Bucky when they were together in the war and against HYDRA, and the Disney+ series revolving around Bucky with Sam against the Flag Smashers, it’s worth looking into how well Bucky can be matched with either character.
Sam & Bucky: They're Like A Married Couple
Sam and Bucky never fail to keep viewers entertained, what with their constant squabbling. In essence, the duo acts like a married couple that frequently argues but always makes up in the end. The two are also known for looking to attract the attention of the other without actually saying it.
It’s clear that despite how many times the two claim they don’t want to be around each other, they actually do prefer each other’s company. Overall, Sam and Bucky exemplify how two people who love each other work on their relationship.
Steve & Bucky: They Have Battle Couple Vibes
Fans love a good battle couple and the MCU has these in droves with the likes of Pepper and Tony, Star-Lord and Gamora, and Ant-Man and the Wasp, among others. While Steve and Bucky weren’t an official couple, they can very well qualify as a battle couple due to how well they were synchronized.
Moreover, their stances were such that it was clear both of them were looking to protect the other. Not to mention the banter that went along in these moments, including the “I had him on the ropes” line that frequently got flipped between the two.
Sam & Bucky: The Progression Of Their Relationship From Conflicted To Emotional
Sam and Bucky’s relationship can be seen as something of a love story in which the two begin at odds before realizing that they need the other. Funnily enough, their first interaction saw Bucky actively attempt to kill Sam, which is a far cry from where they ended up.
The pair went from being openly antagonistic to coexisting just for Steve’s sake and eventually becoming each other’s true friend. It’s difficult to imagine how two people who tried to take each other’s lives could become emotionally involved, but it’s heartwarming to see how this played out with Sam and Bucky.
Steve & Bucky: Their Friendship Always Had Subtle Romantic Traits
A significant part of the fanbase is convinced that Bucky is Steve’s true love instead of Peggy. To be fair, if their interactions are seen through a romantic lens, there’s good reason to believe this. The two were very open to showing affection, with frequent hugs, sideward glances, and confessions of how much they meant to each other.
There’s a compelling case that there were romantic undertones in Steve and Bucky's relationship, with both also shattered after the loss of the other as if their romantic interest had left them.
Sam & Bucky: Their Transition From "The Best Friend" Roles To Being Each Other's Best Friend
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier saw Bucky develop into a greater character, as he moved on from just being Steve’s friend to his own person. This was true for Sam as well, who was basically the modern-day equivalent to the role Bucky played for Steve in the past.
The Disney+ series saw Sam and Bucky become each other’s best friend while bolstering the other’s characterizations. In effect, the two empowered themselves to be more than who they thought they were and became heroes in their own rights, all thanks to the trust and faith that came with their relationship.
Steve & Bucky: One Of The Original MCU Duos
The chemistry between characters is a vital part of the MCU formula, as seen with the franchise's many double acts. The original ones that established this include Tony and Rhodey, Thor and Loki, and Steve and Bucky, with these dynamics continuing almost a whole decade.
Due to this, the MCU itself has placed Steve and Bucky as a duo to be shipped since they’ve been presented as such. Their role together is to highlight how well two characters can get along, which easily paves the way for fans to start rooting for the relationship.
Sam & Bucky: Opposites Attract
Whereas Sam is a straight shooter who likes to have things in place as part of a team, Bucky is a flirt who prefers to do things his own way. The two have constantly butted heads over their differences, yet their opposite mentalities are what draws them together.
Fans love following characters with differing qualities as watching them coexist is part of the entertainment. Moreover, both Sam and Bucky have been intrigued by their differing approaches, meaning they do feel a pull toward one another.
Steve & Bucky: Their Relationship Is The Central Arc Of The Captain America Trilogy
All things considered, the Captain America trilogy is about the relationship between Steve and Bucky. The series started out with the two friends being separated, with the second movie putting them in conflict, and the third bringing them together against the Sokovia Accords.
These two characters couldn’t help but be with each other and fought uphill odds just so they could be reunited. The fact that the two became fugitives rather than be free without the other is one of the biggest takeaways from the Captain America series.
Sam & Bucky: They're In It For The Long Haul
Interestingly, Steve and Bucky weren’t together all that long since they were often separated, whether it was due to the war, HYDRA, or Steve’s decision to stay in the past. On the other hand, Sam and Bucky have ensured they’ll be with each other for a long time to come.
Bucky moved to be with Sam in his hometown at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with the latter insisting Bucky stay. Now that they’ve become a crime-fighting duo as Sam has become Captain America, they're in it for the long haul, meaning there's a firmer commitment between the two.
Steve & Bucky: All Their Heartwarming Moments
There’s probably no other pair that has had as many heartwarming moments as Steve and Bucky. These include their reaffirmation that they’re together “till the end of the line,” joking about scoring dates, reuniting during the Infinity War, and being ready to die for the other.
With this in mind, the Steve and Bucky ship writes itself since there’s just so much material for fans to indulge in. The heartwarming moments between them signify their bond, providing a contrast to all the other conflicts happening throughout the series.