Did Tony Stark ever forgive Bucky?

Yes, Tony Stark did eventually forgive Bucky Barnes, though the process was not easy and the resolution wasn't explicit or immediate. Their journey toward understanding and reconciliation unfolded over the course of several films in the MCU, particularly Captain America: Civil War (2016) and the later Avengers films.

The Source of Conflict

The main reason Tony harbored animosity toward Bucky was the revelation that Bucky (as the Winter Soldier) was responsible for the deaths of Tony's parents, Howard and Maria Stark, back in the 1990s. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Tony learns from Steve Rogers (Captain America) that Bucky, while brainwashed and under Hydra's control, was the one who killed his parents. This revelation shatters Tony, and it becomes a central conflict in Captain America: Civil War.

Key Moments in the Process of Forgiveness

1. Civil War:

   • After Tony learns that Bucky killed his parents, his grief and rage take center stage. He confronts Steve and Bucky during the Sokovia Accords conflict, and in the final battle, Tony nearly kills Bucky, convinced that he was personally responsible for the pain caused by his parents' deaths.
   • However, during their fight, Zemo, the villain of the film, reveals the full truth to Tony: Bucky was not in control of his actions when he killed Howard and Maria Stark. He was under the influence of Hydra, brainwashed and manipulated into carrying out the assassination. This revelation begins Tony's path toward understanding and, eventually, forgiveness.
   • Although Tony is still deeply hurt and angry, he sees that Bucky wasn't acting out of malice or personal intent, which is crucial in Tony's emotional processing.

2. Post-Civil War:

   • While there is no formal scene of forgiveness in Civil War, the events of the movie suggest that Tony is beginning to come to terms with the fact that Bucky wasn't to blame for the deaths of his parents. By the end of the movie, although there's no direct resolution between Tony and Bucky, Tony does seem to acknowledge that Bucky wasn't entirely responsible, and there is a level of understanding between them.

3. Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame:

   • By the time we get to Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the animosity between Tony and Bucky is not a focal point. The Avengers, including Tony and Bucky, unite to fight Thanos. They work together without any major friction, suggesting that their relationship has healed somewhat.
   • In Avengers: Endgame (2019), there is no direct confrontation or reconciliation scene between Tony and Bucky, but they share moments of cooperation and mutual respect. Tony's leadership in the fight against Thanos, combined with Bucky's involvement in the final battle, shows that Tony has moved past his anger.

4. Tony's Final Moments:

   • In Endgame, Tony sacrifices himself to save the universe. There is no significant or overt moment where Tony explicitly forgives Bucky, but the fact that Bucky is fighting alongside Tony and the other Avengers suggests that any lingering animosity has been resolved.
   • Bucky mourns Tony’s death deeply, which also suggests that any unresolved issues between them were largely healed by the end. Bucky looks up to Tony as a leader, and in his final moments, Tony's actions show that he had come to terms with Bucky’s past actions.

Conclusion

While Tony Stark never explicitly says the words "I forgive you" to Bucky Barnes, it is clear by the end of Avengers: Endgame that Tony had moved past his anger and come to terms with the fact that Bucky was not responsible for his actions when he killed Tony's parents. The final battle against Thanos, where both characters fight alongside each other, symbolizes their reconciliation. The healing of their relationship is more subtle, shown through action and mutual respect, rather than a clear, verbalized forgiveness.

In summary, Tony did forgive Bucky, though the process was gradual, and the full reconciliation happened off-screen through their interactions over time.