The Dove & The Strongman

Lyla's hands smoothed over the canvas, trying to imagine her next piece. She felt at the waist of her apron for the small sculpting tool she had placed there.

Using her fingertips as a guide, she scratched marks into the canvas to use as an outline for her brush-strokes.

She was trying to occupy her mind with something other than worry.

Worry over Stevie and Bucky out there and now T.A.

'That poor, lonely, sweet man.' He had reached out to her in a time of impossible odds and hadn't even thought she would write back, no doubt.There was something to the tone of his writing that called of loneliness to her and she felt horrible for him.

Especially after he gave her such lovely gifts.

She smiled softly.

She jumped and nearly knocked over her easel when a loud knock could be heard at the door."C-come in!"

"Did I scare you, Lyla? If I did, I'm so sorry, but I did call out."

"Oh, Mrs. Jarvis. Yes you did, but I wasn't paying attention, so I didn't hear you call my name."

Mrs. Jarvis laughed."Well, I thought you would want this letter as soon as it arrived."

Lyla scrambled to pull her apron off.

"A letter? From him?"

"Yes and a letter from your brother as well. Which one do you want read first?"

"My brother's of course."

"So save the admirer for last...good move."

Lyla smiled, "Tess..."

"Alright, alright. Lets get settled then."

"Dear sis,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. The mission is going well enough. Twelve bases down and no casualties. So that's a win in my book. God, I thought things would be easier, but they aren't. I'm glad Bucky's here. It's like having him here keeps my feet on the ground. He treats me the same, no matter what and I can't thank him enough for it. The only person missing here is you, but I am thankful to Stark for taking you while me and Buck are here. Bucky says hi by the way. And also to remember the left cross he taught you in case Stark tries to get handsy.

Oh, and the rest of the commandos told me to say hi too. They are constantly asking me about you, all except Dugan of course, but Dugan's Dugan. Falsworth actually asked me if you like to drink tea. He seemed pleased when I said yes. Peggy on the other hand has mentioned wanting to look at your paintings. She's an amazing woman, that Peggy Carter.

How are you doing there? Do you need anything? Like more paints or new brushes? Well, I have to go now, so I love you sis. And I miss you so much.

Your brother,
Steven Rogers

p.s. and your brother's amazingly handsome friend, James "Bucky" Barnes.
p.s.s. I didn't know he wrote that until I read back over it, the jerk.
p.s.s.s. punk."

Lyla dissolved in laughter.

"Those lovable dorks."

Mrs. Jarvis's laugh filled her ears.

"Do they do that all the time?"

"It was usually Bucky writing the letters and Steve would read them to me. Then the whole program that turned him in..."

"Into Captain America?"

"Yes. That still doesn't stop me from worrying myself sick about him, about Bucky, and-"

"Your mystery man?"

She put her hands over her hot cheeks.

"Oh, dear, I didn't mean to embarrass you. Here lets see what he has to say. Alright?"

Lyla nodded, a soft smile on her face.There was a rustling of paper and again she could smell the faint aroma of cigar smoke in the air.

"To Lyla,"

"Still no 'dear' I see...well, we will just have to give him another chance for it in the next letter."

"Tess?"

"Oh, alright."

"I hope you are healthy and safe when this letter reaches you. I will admit to being a bit blue and it cheered me up to see your name on that letter. You made me smile, dove. Thank you. The rest of my squad says hi. They keep wondering who the gal is that is making their gruff friend smile so much. I think I'll keep you to myself a little while longer. Let them stew.



I do know your brother. The all American Captain America, but I just call him Cap or Steve. He's a good leader and a good man. Proud to be following him in this battle. Bucky's a good guy too, but a bot mouthy at times, you know. Likes to shoot the breeze but tends to get his job done when he needs too. I'm sorry that you had to go through that ordeal, losing your sight like you did, but I'm glad you had your brother and Barnes there.

I never really talk about my life before getting involved in the 107th, but I was in the circus as a strongman. Yeah, you read correctly. I was a strongman. So, I know firsthand how cruel people can be to those they don't understand. The ones I usually worked with were the sideshow people. I don't like calling them freaks, because they're not. They're still people like you and me, they bleed the same color of blood, they laugh, they love the same. They're just shaped differently.

I'm glad you liked the paints and brushes, and the flowers. I didn't know Lilies were your favorite. I'm glad they are though. I saw them in the shop and just knew they were for you. They reminded me of your pale skin and your beautiful eyes. Don't tell the guys, but you're turning me into a big sap here, little dove."

"Oh this man is smitten, Lyla. Don't let this one go."

"He is a sweet man, isn't he?"

"Yes. Well let's continue on, shall we?"

"I'm sorry for all the secrecy with my name, dove, its just that I guess I was nervous. I get shot at nearly every day and just writing to you is what makes me nervous, and happy, and twists my stomach into knots at the same time. Tell you what, we'll turn this into a game, alright? I give you my first name and the initials of the rest of my name and you have to guess the rest, okay? You can just add a list of possible names to the back of your next letter and I'll answer in my next letter. And we'll have to come up with a prize for when you figure it out, which I'm sure you will. You're one of the smartest gals I have ever met and the most stunningly beautiful one I had ever met too.

So until your next letter,
Your guy,
Timothy A.C.D."

With the last words, Tess pressed the letter into her hands and she held it up to her nose and inhaled.

She was right.

Cigar smoke. Sweet, spicy, and bitter.

She was starting to become addicted to the smell.

'Timothy.'

Lyla's face felt hot again and there was a flutter in her chest. Whoever this man was, he was so sweet and kind.

"His name is Timothy."

Tess laughed, "A nice normal name for a strongman. A strongman Lyla! That means he's tall and all muscly. Hmm..."

"Tess!" Lyla yelled shocked at her friends tone.

"Hah! You are beet red right now. So you are thinking the same thing I am?"

"W-what?!" Her voice sounded unusually high at the moment. Her mind was racing, thinking about all the sweet words Timothy wrote her.

'A strongman...'

"We need to write him back, of course. Wait, why are you even redder now?"

Lyla giggled. "Tess, you are horrible!"

"Oh you thought I meant...oh haha! It seems your Timothy isn't the only one smitten now."

"Let's get the letter written, alright? I also need help coming up with names for the other initials."

There was a rustle of fabric and footsteps as Tess walked to the bureau.Lyla could hear drawers being pulled out and paper rustling.

"So, 'little dove' what do we start with first? Letter or list?"

The young woman smiled. "Letter, of course."

"Dear Timothy..."

Notes