#The Sovjets made one though.

[fanficsallthewayhey]

In ruined soil flowers bloom -9-

"Sir... Sir?" Jarvis' voice woke Tony up.

"I'm up. What's up, J?"

"Ms Potts is here to see you."

"Let her in."

Tony straightened his back and rubbed his eyes, just as pepper stepped out of the elevator.

"Oh Tony..." She walked up to him and hugged him.

"Hey there Pep." He smiled into the hug.

"How are you now?"

"Tired, but I'll manage." Tony smiled slightly.

Pepper studied the face of her good friend and just knew something was wrong.

"Tell me what's wrong Tony, where's Bucky?"

That made tears escape Tony's eyes, bingo.

"I... I broke up with him." Tony whispered, and pepper swore.

"Tony! When I told you to do something I meant maybe letting him in, not pushing him away! Why did you do that?" She scolded him.

Tony looked at his hands.

"I couldn't do that to him, pep. Couldn't make him hold on to a dream that I might survive."

"You're Tony stark! You always miraculously survive!" She exclaimed.

"I don't think I will this time, pep." Tony said sadly."the blood results came back and they weren't good."

The blonde hugged her friend closer.

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Tony. Is that why you broke up with Bucky?"

"Yeah."

Pepper nodded, wise enough not to ask any questions.

"Come on, let's get you something to eat and a shower. I bet you'll feel better after that."

She kept Tony busy, making sure he ate and drank. They took a look at development problems the R&D department had came across and couldn't figure out. Tony did feel better solving those problems indeed, they made him forget about his own problems.

It was movie night that evening, and Tony was seriously thinking about not going. Bucky would be there of course, and he didn't know if he would be able to handle the sadness on the super soldiers face. Pepper insisted he'd go ,though, so he pulled on a sweater and grabbed a blanket before he accompanied her downstairs.

"I'll see you soon, okay? Let me know if you need anything." She said softly.

"I will, thanks pep." Tony smiled, wrapping his arms around himself. "I hope tonight will be smooth."

"It's gonna be fine, Tony. You'll see."She promised, giving him one last hug before leaving. Tony returned to the common floor and settled on the couch next to Natasha. Clint and Sam were hanging on the other side of the couch, Clint catching popcorn pieces in his mouth in midair.

"Hey there, how are you today?"Natasha asked with a smile.

"I'm ...okay I guess?" Tony said."Where's capsicle and winter?"

"Steve's in his quarters and will be down soon, I think." Natasha said."I thought Bucky would be with you."

'no you didn't, you piece of cheeky Sovjet spy. You know I broke up with him.' Tony wanted to say, but he knew Natasha. She would wait until he told her something.

"I broke up with Bucky this morning, wondered how he was doing." Tony murmured.

That caught the attention of Sam and Clint as well.

"You broke up with Bucky." Clint repeated.

"Don't make it any harder than it is already, Barton." Tony said sternly." but yes, I did break up with him."

The conversation was cut short as the elevator dinged and Steve and Bucky stepped out. Tony settled somewhat deeper into his blanket and watched them. Bucky did seem down, his eyes puffy as he clutched his blanket.