Call It What You Want: Home Series 1 (Trans!Steve and Pan!Bucky Summer AU)

Seven

Turning down another road, they started moving at an incline, finally heading up the mountain. Steve couldn't help but feel like their summer vacation had officially started as they headed up the mountain.

Watching out the windshield, Steve watched as the further they got, the more trees were seen. The trees acting as a barrier the higher up the mountain they traveled. Steve shuddered then. Having a difficult time not thinking about how many people could've gone over the side since there wasn't a very sturdy railing. When there was a railing, that is.

Not wanting to think about dying in a fiery crash, Steve averted his gaze to his lap. Hoping that they were close to their destination. Especially once Natasha dramatically exclaimed, "Civilization!"

Steve looked up then to watch as they passed through a small town. Houses and a school. Churches, lots of churches. And even a post office. Then, it was all gone.

"Well, so much for that," Natasha deadpanned and sighed as they passed the small village.

As Bucky continued driving, Steve couldn't help but wonder how much longer were they going to travel. Especially once his ears popped and he winced at the discomfort. Thankfully, Steve and Natasha were on the same wavelength -- as always -- Natasha loudly complained, "How much longer?"

"Not much," Bucky answered and kept driving.

Natasha groaned in annoyance, "This is taking forev--"

Interrupting her, Bucky pulled into a long gravel driveway. It was so long, in fact, that Steve started to wonder if this was just another road. However, soon enough, the driveway started to curve and a log cabin style house came into view.

Stopping the Bronco in front of the house, Bucky pulled the keys from the ignition and accidentally elbowed Steve in his chest. With his eyes large, Bucky turned to look over at Steve and immediately started to profusely apologize, "I'm so sorry."

Holding his chest, Steve reassured Bucky, "It's okay. Accidents happen." And perhaps, Bucky would've believed Steve, if Natasha hadn't been cackling from beside him.

"I am so, so sorry," Bucky apologized.

"It's fine," Steve reassured again. Elbowing Natasha harshly, Steve hoped that she'd stop laughing and get out of the vehicle already.

Which, thankfully, she did. Well, not with the laughing. But Natasha did open the door. As Natasha climbed out of the vehicle, Bucky did too. Steve took a moment to slightly rub at his chest, near his collarbone where Bucky had accidentally, harshly, elbowed him.

"Nattie!" A younger girl, maybe seven or eight years old, yelled. In her excitement, the girl jumped off the porch and ran towards the teens.

As soon as the girl reached Natasha, she wrapped her tiny arms around Natasha. Shocked by the sudden embrace, Natasha held her arms awkwardly so she wouldn't touch the girl and she turned her head to look at Steve. With eyes wide in her surprise, Steve could tell that he really shouldn't, but he couldn't help it, as he started chuckling.

The little girl peeked around Natasha's slender frame and looked at Steve. Nervously, Steve's chuckles died as he stood there next to the Bronco. Steve loved kids, but they made him nervous. Kids were brutally honest by nature, and it always made Steve's skin feel prickly at what they could say about him.

Natasha noticed the girl looking at Steve, so she decided to avoid any awkwardness by introducing, "This is my friend, Steve."

The girl bashfully hid her face in Natasha's hip, but Steve could see that the corner of her lips were tugged up in a shy smile. Steve smiled at that. As he took a step towards Natasha, to properly greet the girl, another girl, a teen, called from the porch, "God, Tibby they just got here. Let them breathe!"

"I'm just trying to be welcoming, Becca!" Tibby sassed, letting go of Natasha's torso to face her sister on the porch. Pouting, Tibby crossed her arms and tucked her chin down into her chest while she kicked her bare feet in the grass.

Steve was about to comfort the child, but Bucky beat him to it. With both bags slung over each of his shoulders, Bucky started heading to the house and softly touched Tibby's back as he suggested, "C'mon."

And since Bucky was heading for the log cabin house, Steve and Natasha followed. Even though he knew that he shouldn't, Steve couldn't help but watch Bucky's bum as he headed up the porch steps.

A harsh elbow to his ribs caused Steve to avert his gaze to Natasha. Natasha's brows were arched accusatorily, causing Steve's cheeks to immediately heat. His face reddening, Steve dropped his gaze, staring down at his feet as he followed Bucky into the house.