Crescent Acres (Steve Rogers AU)

8

Darby

1999

I didn't expect mom and dad to drag me for horse riding as my first activity, but here I am now stood in front of the large animal and looking like a complete loser. Everyone is being shown how to mount them, some successfully - there's a couple of other girls my age who have done it, but are now smirking and whispering as I try and try again to mount my own horse.

"Can't I just stay here? I've got nowhere to go anyway?" I look to mom and dad who keep encouraging me to try again.

Easy for them to say, they can actually do it.

"You're coming with us Darby. We didn't come here just so you could sit in our room all day and watch TV". Mom says, "Once you get up there, you'll see just how fun it will be".

Or not.

"Cant you guys just stop staring at me! You're putting me off and people are laughing" I snap.

"No they're not".

"Those girls are". I now rat them out and point at them, they immediately turn away once they make eye contact with my parents, clearly embarrassed they've been caught.

Dad sighs, "Come on, let's leave her to try, you need help just ask Joe". He now points to the man who looks a lot like Kevin Costner in my opinion, dressed in what I'd expect people on the ranch to be dressed like. He has the hat to prove it.

"Whatever". I roll my eyes and keep on trying, noting that Joe is coming around and checking on people to see how they're doing with their horses. Thankfully mine is patient enough to stand still.

I go to get up once again but this time miss my footing, falling back and then feeling someone stop me with a small "woah, careful". I quickly get back fully onto my feet and then look at the boy who caught me. He's thin with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a checked shirt and jeans as well as a hat. But I don't think I should have expected anything less. "You ok?" He asks.

I nod. "I'm fine...thanks for catching me".

"First timer?"

"Yeah...I suck don't I?"

He smiles. "Here, I'll give you a boost - one foot on the stirrup and the other on my hand, I'll push you up - you just gotta swing your leg right over".

"But I'll just fall right off the other side"

"You won't, trust me".  He encourages and then helps me to place my foot in the stirrup, hands now under my other. "Ready? Go..."

He pushes me up as I now successfully manage to mount the horse with my parents all but embarrassing me by clapping and yelling 'well done'. I just wanna fall off the horse straight into a hole in the ground.

"See?" The boy grins up. "Easy right?"

"Technically that was cheating as you helped". I point out to which he waves it off.

"If you're up then you're up. I'd say that's a win. I'm Steve..."

At least he's not laughing at me. "Darby". I give him my name now that he's told me his.

"Darby..." He nods to himself as the name rolls off his tongue, then looking in another direction as I note the man, Joe, coming over. "Hey dad".

Dad? Cowboy Kevin Costner is Steve's dad? Wow...

"Didn't think I'd be seeing you until lunch, you finish up in the stables?" Joe asks.