Let's face it Marvel fans: if there's one thing Marvel movies are really lacking in, it's a really passionate canon ship. Sure, there's Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, and Thor and Jane Foster, but all of those couples have yet to establish the kind of following of, say, a Lois and Clark. There is, however, one MCU relationship that comes close: the friendship between Captain America's Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes (aka Captain America and The Winter Soldier). The dynamic duo, known to fans and shippers as Stucky, is back for their third outing on the big screen in Captain America: Civil War , and their friendship is said to take center stage this time around. In anticipation of their great romance (hey, a girl can dream), here are 13 Stucky GIFs and memes you need in your life.
Steve and Bucky might only be friends in the movies, and though their love might not be romantic in kind, it's pretty damn strong. "These are two guys who grew up together, and so they have that same emotional connection to each other as brothers would, and even more so because Bucky was all Steve had growing up," Civil War co-director Joe Russo told Empire . Need proof of their (insanely cute) brotherly bond?
1. The Bromance Begins
Even after Steve Rogers became Captain America, to Bucky he was always that wimpy kid from Brooklyn. (Also, check out the fading effect on this GIF... *swoon*)
2. Stucky Salute
The brotherly salute is so sweet, and OMG I'm sobbing.
3. Shirtless Bros
Yes, some internet god/goddess did make a side-by-side GIF of shirtless Cap chest from The First Avenger and shirtless Winter Soldier chest from The Winter Soldier.
4. Civil War Meme
Robert Downey Jr. has crossed a line, guys.
5. Stucky Meets Frozen
To be fair to Bucky, there is something strange about Cap asking The Winter Soldier if he wants to build a snowman...considering he "died" falling into a snow-covered mountain and was then frozen for decades.
6. "You're My Friend"
This is the moment in The Winter Soldier when Cap refuses to fight The Winter Soldier because he knows Bucky's still in there somewhere. If you don't ship Stucky now, then there is no hope for you.
7. Cap Saves Bucky
Clearly, Chris Evans knows where his loyalties lie.
8. #TeamStucky
Once again, Evans knows what's up.
9. Stucky Meets T. Swift
Um, BRB, feeling all the feels.
10. The Stucky Boob Grab
The sexual tension is strong — goofy, but strong.
11. More PDA
Evans and Sebastian Stan totally love each other IRL.
12. The Next War
Accurate.
13. This Epic Photoshop
Lolz.
BONUS:
Here's Evans drinking a hot beverage out of the world's smallest tea cup. You're welcome.
Stucky, may your romance — I mean, er, brotherhood — last forever.
Images: Walt Disney Studios; Giphy (4); Robert Downey Jr./Facebook; dailychrisevans/tumblr; realchemistry/tumblr; the-stonedsoldier/tumblr (2); Tony Stark/Facebook; Captain America Memes/Facebook; protectbuckybarnesatallcosts/tumblr