Crescent Acres (Steve Rogers AU)

13

Darby

As I step out onto the porch the next morning, I note the boots and hat that are set by the swing with a note that simply says, 'just like old times' - a memory now resurfacing of when Steve did the same thing years ago so that I would fit into the slice of cowboy life a little more.

If I can even call it that.

I still have them in a box collecting dust somewhere in my closest, that contains other memories. How could I get rid of them? I wore those boots everyday until the soles began to wear down. Only then did I have to give in and put them away forever.

I haven't looked at them in ages though, but I did sometimes get the mementoes from the trip out. A stone from the river where Steve and I would sometimes sit. A napkin that wasn't used, but had the ranch name and logo printed on from one evening that we'd had dinner.

I kept it all, just like I kept all the memories vivid of the boy that I fell in love with that summer - and never forgot.

You never fell out of love though. But now he's out of reach, perhaps it's time that you stopped clinging to the past.

Maybe it was a bad idea coming back after all, but as I stare at the hat and boots, I'm glad that I did, because now it gives me a sense of closure in some way - thoughts trailing back off to when Steve gave me these the first time around...

"Why'd you give me these?" I grin at him as he looks impressed at the fact I actually wore them.

He shrugs, "I dunno, thought you'd rock them and you do, can't be riding without good boots and a hat - that's what dad says anyway".

"Well it was really sweet of you, thanks". I tell him, "how do I look?"

"One slight thing..." he moves towards me and then readjusts my hat so it's sat right. 'My heart skips a little, tummy doing somersaults. "There...perfect..."

I take the stuff inside and get dressed, putting both things on after and then taking a look at myself.

I really do look like I fit in now.

As I walk out and make for the restaurant, I hear a voice and see Steve now coming towards me. "Well, well...look at you". He grins. "Reminds me of a girl I used to know".

I smirk. "What happened to her?"

"She never knew how to put her hat on right". He mirrors my expressions and then readjusts my hat just like he did back then. "There...perfect..."

I suddenly realise that I'm staring and quickly decide to change the subject. "Well, thank you for once again providing me with the essentials to fit in - was Sharon ok?" I ask. Bucky had said that she had left yesterday afternoon and was in a bit of a state of worry for her aunt.

"After I told her to stop stressing - she does a lot, not just with her aunt. She's gonna keep me updated though, sent a message this morning telling me that she landed ok and that Peggy's okay currently - she has up days and down days".

I don't want to seem like I'm prying so I don't ask what's wrong. It sounds like a sensitive subject as well as a situation. "Sorry to hear that, when you speak to her next, tell her that I'm thinking of her".

Steve smiles warmly. "I'll be sure to, she'd really appreciate that. Sharon doesn't really have many friends other than a close couple of them, so to hear it coming from you, I know it would really mean something". He looks at his watch. "You heading to get something to eat?"

"Sure am, have you eaten?"

"If you count the slice of toast I grabbed on my way out this morning? Yeah".