I was thinking, what if post-trash Bucky is actually really disturbed by stuff having to do with nudity and sex, because of the abuse? Even innocent things?
And there's just SO MUCH of it in the modern world.
So, he's deeply disturbed just by Dove commercials or Victoria's secret model. People displaying PDA makes him shudder. Porn makes him verge on a panic attack. He won't even shower in the nude.
But Steve, who is genuinely clueless as to the whole male rape thing even being a thing (sure, terrible things happen in war, but even then there are rules!), just doesn't suspect that's the cause. He thinks Bucky is just having some sort of culture shock to modern times.
Doesn't help the way it manifests isn't a reaction that looks like panic, but more one that looks like embarrassment and prudishness.
To add insult to injury, people tease him about it.
Until someone (I'd say either Nat or Sam or both) figures out this isn't normal, and they try to explain it to Steve, but he thinks it's ridiculous.
But after that he starts noticing things, too(like Bucky not willing to change clothes with him in the room, while they did that a thousand times before the war) and a feeling of dread creeps up on him.
Then something big happens and neither of them can pretend anymore (author's choice how) and the secret breaks out big time, with a lot of angst.
I'm a sucker for Stucky, but for this story either lovers or good friends is great :)
Post-Hydra Bucky acts like a prude (and Steve is clueless)
And there's just SO MUCH of it in the modern world.
So, he's deeply disturbed just by Dove commercials or Victoria's secret model. People displaying PDA makes him shudder. Porn makes him verge on a panic attack. He won't even shower in the nude.
But Steve, who is genuinely clueless as to the whole male rape thing even being a thing (sure, terrible things happen in war, but even then there are rules!), just doesn't suspect that's the cause. He thinks Bucky is just having some sort of culture shock to modern times.
Doesn't help the way it manifests isn't a reaction that looks like panic, but more one that looks like embarrassment and prudishness.
To add insult to injury, people tease him about it.
Until someone (I'd say either Nat or Sam or both) figures out this isn't normal, and they try to explain it to Steve, but he thinks it's ridiculous.
But after that he starts noticing things, too(like Bucky not willing to change clothes with him in the room, while they did that a thousand times before the war) and a feeling of dread creeps up on him.
Then something big happens and neither of them can pretend anymore (author's choice how) and the secret breaks out big time, with a lot of angst.
I'm a sucker for Stucky, but for this story either lovers or good friends is great :)