Fake SamBucky fans: We love Sam and Bucky as a couple if Steve can't have him in Canon. He's not white or a woman. But until someone better comes along, Sam will do. 😅
Me:
I ship SamBucky because Sam choose on his own to search for Bucky after how badly they treated each other with Sam dropkicking Bucky on the street and Bucky ripping off Sam's wings before kicking him off the hellicarrier.
Sam literally went from 'I don't think he's the kind you save. He's the kind you stop' to 'where do we begin' in his steps towards helping bring back Bucky. Steve didn't ask it. Sam volunteered. It's sweet that no matter how much Sam acts like he hates Bucky, he was willing to give up his secure job to search for him. Clearly, he saw Bucky was redeemable enough to risk approaching a guy who normally attacked first and asked questions later.
No matter how much they pretend they can't stand each other, they always find themselves drawn together in a crisis. Whether its fighting a teenager in pjs at an airport or dealing with an alien invasion, Sam and Bucky always had each other's backs.
Sam doesnt need to write out in big letters in the sky that Bucky means everything to him. Sam shows his care in little ways and Bucky is lucky to have someone in his corner to treat him like a person and not a weaponized accessory or just Captain America's best friend. He sees Bucky as Bucky and let's his opinions be known accordingly with no ulterior motives.
Sam is someone who checks in on him without prompting because he recognizes Bucky as a PTSD victim and POW without trying to lecture him like he's one of Sam's patients. Sam defends Bucky automatically against people like John Walker and Zemo. He teases and argues with Bucky like a schoolyard kid with and crush. Fights at his side, trusting Bucky to have his six.
Sam is someone who gives him that little drop of normalcy by welcoming Bucky into his family. He let Bucky around his most vulnerable, precious people because Sam trusts Bucky and wants to show him off to his family.
Bucky showed he cared with how determined he was to give Sam the shield. The fact he considered that shield his only family and Bucky fought to give it to Sam means something that people fail to notice. Bucky could have stolen it for himself. It was his last reminder of Steve; wherever old man Steve is. But he wanted it for Sam because he believed in Sam and he clearly wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility in Infinity Wars.
Bucky gave Sam a whole suitcase full of Wakandian tech, using his last favor from the Dora Milaje because he believed in his man that much. He knew he was on thin ice with them but he needed something to convince Sam that he was the one.
Bucky doesn't trust easy. So for him to put all his trust in Sam time after time. They consuled each other in Endgame. Sam was the only Avenger remaining that kept checking on Bucky despite their supposed bad blood. Bucky willingly opened up to Sam about his nightmares when it was like pulling teeth for Dr. Raynor to open about anything.
When they both refused to acknowledge what they had, Bucky was willing to face off John Walker so that Sam could talk to the terrorists. They argued constantly but Sam and Bucky where never vicious to each other like jaded Sharon Carter was to Bucky. Their arguing was their own love language. Whenever they would say 'I hate you' it had no real fire and is said more with fond annoyance.
Sam worried about Bucky long after Steve disappeared and Bucky gave his blessing the moment he saw old man Steve on the park bench. SamBucky is amazing because they went from two perfect strangers whose only connection was their best friend Steve Rogers; to two petty and in love people who proved they can survive together without Steve as long as they have each other.
Sam Wilson deserves Bucky Barnes and Bucky Barnes deserve Sam Wilson because they can be real with each other and know the other ain't going anywhere.
Periodt.
