Well, perhaps they meet at a Stark Industries event. Tony is the owner, so he's there, and Bucky could be there as part of a security detail or just as an attendee. They might start off with a bit of a misunderstanding, Tony being the flamboyant inventor and Bucky the more reserved soldier. But then they find common ground in their shared interest in technology, especially when it comes to Bucky's cybernetic arm. They could exchange ideas about how to improve it or just have a general conversation about the future of technology in warfare and prosthetics.
It's possible that they meet in a more casual setting, like at a bar. Tony is known to unwind at such places, and Bucky might be there trying to blend in and have a normal life for a change. They strike up a conversation, initially about simple things like the drink they are having. But as they talk more, they realize they have a lot more in common. Tony might be intrigued by Bucky's past as a soldier, and Bucky could be interested in Tony's genius mind. This encounter could be the start of an unexpected friendship that would later be explored in fanfiction.
It could be Tony. He's always curious and out - going. He might have noticed Bucky at an event or something and decided to approach him just out of sheer interest.
One scenario could be that they meet in a college setting. Rick could be studying criminal justice and Michonne could be pre - law. They meet in a study group or at a campus event.
One great 'Bucky meets Tony' fanfic could be 'A New Alliance'. In this fanfic, Bucky and Tony are forced to work together on a mission. Their initial distrust slowly turns into mutual respect as they realize they have more in common than they thought, especially in terms of their experiences with trauma and trying to find their place in the new world.
One possible scenario could be that they meet in a familiar place, like the old NCIS office. They might exchange some witty banter at first, just like in the old days. Then, they could start reminiscing about their past cases together.
One possible scenario could be that Tony is in Siberia on a mission gone wrong. Maybe he's facing a powerful enemy there, and despite his best efforts, he gets fatally injured in a fight. Another could be that the harsh Siberian environment plays a role, like he gets caught in a blizzard and succumbs to the extreme cold.
One possible scenario could be that Tony sacrifices himself to save a teammate during a dangerous mission. Maybe he takes on a bomb - defusing task and runs out of time, dying heroically.
In this fanfiction, perhaps Tony was in a dark alley when suddenly some criminals attacked him and he got shot. It could be that he was on a mission to protect someone and was caught off - guard by the enemy's fire.
One possible reaction could be Tony's heartbreak. He might feel betrayed and angry, leading to a rift in his relationship with Steve. He could also become distrustful of others in the future.
One reason could be Steve's long - standing friendship with Bucky. They have a deep history together, and in the fanfiction, that bond might be portrayed as stronger than his relationship with Tony. Maybe Steve feels a sense of loyalty to Bucky that he can't ignore.
One possible theme is friendship. Despite any past issues, Bucky choosing to stand up for Tony shows a form of friendship. Another theme could be redemption. Bucky might be trying to make up for past wrongs or misdeeds by helping Tony.