Falling To Earth | b. barnes

~T W O~

You know, it's funny how quickly some things can change. It seems Tony is quite good at thinking of other people, and quite good at reading them. In the short span of time Bucky had been living in the building, Tony had managed to figure out exactly what hobby could change his life for the better. He just didn't think of the lives of those he would involve.

Over the week that Pepper was gone, Bucky grew very attached to her plants. He was mesmerised.

Sitting next to them, he could imagine the tiny sprout growing from a seed and becoming a flower. Beautiful. His eyes wander to another flower. Older. More damaged.

Still beautiful.

He is filled with hope when he looked at them, taking in the sunshine. Hope for himself.

All the Avengers became accustomed to finding the once assassin on the balcony. They knew this could help him. And they wanted at least him, the most pained member of the group, to find happiness.

Tony heard, from murmurs in the hall, that Bucky was enjoying life again. He knew what to do. So, Tony Stark dragged himself out of his office and went to find Steve.

He had avoided contact with him since Siberia, but would make an exception. For Bucky.

He found Steve madly sketching in the kitchen. If he noticed Tony, he didn't show it. On his page was a half-complete drawing of a black panther.

Tony stood, working up courage, before calling out quietly, "Steve."

The man looked up, seemingly surprised to hear that voice. "Yeah?" He said in an overly cheerful voice.

"Um..I wanted to talk about Bucky." Tony mutters. "He's doing okay. What is there to talk about?" Steve asks. Tony expected this. The tension, the less natural banter.

"Uh, well, h-he liked the plants, right?" "Yes." Steve replies curtly.

"Well, maybe you could take him to the plant shop? I heard it's still pretty small." "No." Steve answers simply.

"You don't have to go in. Just drive him and leave. I think it would be nice for him to do it alone." Tony explains. "And why the sudden interest?" Steve questions.

"I just want to help. Maybe leave it as a shop you've heard of." "Ok, I'll drive him tomorrow."

The next day, Steve found Bucky in the same place as always. "Do you want to come out with me?" Steve inquires.

Bucky tears his eyes off the plant and looks over, "Where?" "Well I wanted to visit Sharon,"

Bucky furrows his eyebrows. Why would he go too? "and thought I could show you a gardening shop. You could buy a few things." Steve finishes. "When?" Bucky mutters. "How about in half an hour?" Bucky nods, and goes to get changed.

After pulling on some black pants and a navy blue long sleeve, Bucky looks in the small mirror. His Wakandan-made, Vibranium coated arm is lighter than the last one. But it is still metal. Still a symbol of the Winter Soldier. Still a fear icon for many. For him.