Relationships for Bucky that would actually be interesting
Note: I do NOT necessarly mean “romantic” relationships. Though this could certainly help give a fanfic writer ideas.
Also, I’m going to copy-paste a few things from the Wanda and Tony entries, as well as the Winter-ships one.
The guy whose parents he was forced to murder
I love Shuri, I worship Shuri, but Tony should have been the one to replace that arm, and you know why. What that would have done for their story arc. How much more powerful it would be than, rather than just “Oh BTW here’s an new arm yo.”
I’ll also drop here that Bucky knew Howard; Tony knows about torture and mental instability; both are psychotically protective of people they care about, both have colossal guilt complexes.
Tony supposedly has a conflicted friendship with Steve. Bucky supposedly is super protective of Steve. …………Fine. I’ll buy it. I can’t, actually, but I can pretend to. But Tony has far more reason to have a conflicted relationship with Bucky, and Bucky has ample reason to be protective of Tony. Basically, both’s supposed relationship with Steve would be far better used with each other. I think this is the basis of Winteriron, to be honest.
Basically you have these two goldmines of angst, played by brilliant actors, who have been given the angstiest possible connection to each other….. but there’s this red, white and blue wall of cardboard standing between them.
The other Hydra Guinea pig
Again, I worship Shuri, but having her fix Buck’s brain and provide the new arm was such a cop-out. Tony should’ve made the new arm, for obvious reasons, and Wanda should’ve cured Bucky’s Hydra programing, or at least helped with it. (Maybe a combination of her mind-powers and Tony’s BARF tech) That is of course, after having to earn his trust. Bucky, if/when he learned her history, would likely despise her for a while, since she “volunteered” for the Hydra labs, and specialized in mind-control. In fact, did Bucky and Wanda perhaps already meet, back at Hydra? Was Wanda, or previous agents given similar powers, used in Bucky’s Winer Soldier programing?
On the other hand....
The Person who DID (for better or worse) fix his mind-control and give him his new arm
Salty as I am about Shuri snagging the arm-replacement from Tony and the mind-fixing from Wanda and Mantis, I do still worship the ground she snarks on. Bucky already has a relationship of some degree with her, in canon. And I would like very much to see more of it. He needs some other friends besides Steve.
The Guy Whose Story He’s Joined
White Wolf is a “Black Panther” character in previous media, so God willing we’ll see Bucky became a vastly superior designated “chivalrous team leader who wants to help Bucky” another hero’s sidekick.
The other assassin for a sketchy organization
Supposedly Ava Starr worked for Shield, but Nick Fury didn’t use her for the Avengers. Fans suspect it was Hyrda pulling her strings, as they were secretly running Shield all along. So Bucky and Ava might already have a history together, as partners on missions or as enemies.
If you don’t ship it due to the age difference/shipping Bucky with someone else, there’s always the big-brother little-sister option.
Also, both Ava and Bucky were known as “ghosts.”
The Other Other Assassin From A Sketchy Organization
They dated in the comics. They fought in the past, in the movies. Nat already helped a friend with Mind Control issues. I never personally shipped it but I’d be a lot more invested in Bucky interacting with Nat than you-know-who.
The Guy Who Leads a PTSD Group
...but the movies treat him like the Doubting Thomas sidekick to the “pure” and “noble”.... sorry getting offtrack. Anyway, I wasn’t into WinterFalcon, until remembering that Sam specializes in PTSD. I’m still personally not into WinterFalcon, but would love to see Sam help Bucky (and other Avengers) with PTSD. Also, they can bond over being Steve’s sane friends sick of his rash stupidity, and growing frustrated with his godlike reputation, being two of the only people who know what’s really going on behind the curtain. (Whether that’s a suffering Steve who needs their love or an asshole or both, I don’t care, because we’re not talking about Steve.)
MORE DAMN IT, I NEED MORE!
Aside from the arm connection, Bucky also seems to be an animal guy. He takes care of goats to help recover from his trauma; he takes the name White Wolf, and was saved by a guy named Black Panther, and is maybe friends with another guy named Falcon. And then the above scene happens.
Also, “We didn’t ask to be made!”
And Rocket’s not the only Guardian Bucky should hang out with,.
The Other Assassin Cyborg
Captured, turned into science projects; given cyborg limbs--specifically, a robotic left arm!; trained to be assassins for one of the most evil institutions in their societies; have one adopted/surrogate sibling they rely on (Gamora, Steve); have both met the raccoon.
The Other Unwitting Pawn Who Helped a Villain Commit His Murders and who could help Buck with his mind-control issue
Basically same relationship he’d have with Wanda, but with less trust issues, as Mantis was never with Hydra and was raised by Ego from a larva. (Though Wanda wasn’t exactly a grown-up either when she “volunteered” for Hydra, but I digress).
The Other Cinnamon Roll With A Violent Alter Ego
This would be so cute and painful we would all explode
The Other Mind-Control Victim
Hey Marvel, if you’re looking for something to do with Hawkeye, maybe have him help the other mind-control victim (though Hawkeye’s was microscopic compared to Bucky’s but still). Maybe the Bartons put Bucky up for a while as he gets re-integrated into American society (if he is pardoned, and doesn’t choose to stay in Wakanda)
The Fellow Military Background Superhero Who’s Gonna Get Him Out Of The Soul Stone
Both signed up for the U.S. military, “died,” was re-made into a super-human and trained in a new army that the old one knew nothing about, has amnesia, has a past with Nick Fury and (probably) Tony Stark, one is dusted/in the Soul Stone and the other is the key to saving everyone in the Soul Stone
The Other Former Villain Who Lives In His Heroic Adopted Brother’s Shadow
The more I think of it, the more this seems like stretch outside of shipping. Still, imagine Loki piercing Bucky’s “armor” so to speak. (Not like that. I mean, unless it’s slash you’re writing. Then go ahead.)
The Guy He Tried To Assassinate
“Join the Avengers Initiative Take 2, and all is forgiven Barnes.”
And finally.....
HIS FUCKING FAMILY FOR FUCK’S SAKE!
Yes, it’s been 70 years. But Bucky was the oldest of four. All three of his siblings could easily be alive, maybe even one of his parents. At least cousins and nieces and nephews. Old friends from his life.
Would Bucky WANT to face them? Obviously not. Which is exactly why I want to see it.
