Keira's POV

Weeks passed too quickly. My parents came up the weekend after my birthday and we had a fun time eating sushi and talking. Of course, they asked how my love life was doing and I noticed disappointment cross their features when I said I wasn't seeing anybody. Not yet anyway.

'I'm not getting any younger. You need to find someone soon so I can have grand-children,' Mom had told me that night.

'Mom. I thought you're too young for them,' I stated.

'But honey, don't you want someone to spend the rest of your life with? Start a family?' she argued. You have no idea how much I want that. Maybe I've found that one person. Steve, I thought.

'Mom. Please,"

'She's right. You've been in New York for two years. Surely, you've found people to go out with?' my dad chimed in.

"Dad? Not you too. I'll find someone when I'm ready. I've been too busy with work,'

'I don't think watching dogs keeps you that busy. What about your friends? Can't they set you up with someone?' Dad stated. There it was, the disappointment of what I did for a living. I could've told them about Steve and the letters, but I knew I'd get the same reaction as my friends.

'I don't want to talk about this anymore. If that's all, then I'll see you for Thanksgiving. Love you. Bye,' I had stated. It had been all they wanted, leaving me alone in the apartment once they left. That night I had cried myself to sleep, clutching the framed picture of the doodle Steve had sent me.

After the discussion took place, I stayed busy watching dogs, the furry companions bringing me comfort. Too bad Steve couldn't bring me comfort by being here with me. I could write to him, but it wouldn't be the same as letting him hold me as the pain drifted away. I got to enjoy the company of Jamie and Sherlock, my favorite of the regular clients I had. Don't get me wrong. I loved all dogs, but something about the goldens made me happier and comforted in a way that no other dog could.

You're probably wondering about my friends and if I hung out with them. The answer is, I did, at a special event at the hospital where Jana worked. I wore a long silver dress with skinny straps and silver heels to match. I thought it'd be a great night until Jana had tried to set me up with someone. I say tried because it didn't go well. She brought him over and he immediately struck me as someone who was only interested in sex and himself.

In the brief conversation we had, he had told me his name – David Clayton – and quickly dismissed the idea of reading, claiming it was a waste of time and 'who would want to spend their time reading when they could fuck?' Yeah, those exact words. He proceeded to hit on me after that lovely sentence and grabbed my ass thinking he was charming me into sleeping with him that night.

My reaction? Removing his hand and stomping on his foot, slapping him across the face, to which he called me 'bitch' causing me to walk away.

"Keira! What the hell? I thought you two might hit it off. If it's about the reading-," Jana shouted at me. I didn't expect her to be mad about it, which only made me furious.

"No, I can deal with someone who doesn't read or doesn't like reading but he's dismissed it altogether. He doesn't think anyone should read saying it's a waste of time. By the way he's only interested in having sex. If he wasn't then he would have hit on me straight away or grabbed my ass. Jana, you have poor taste in men when it comes to setting me up with someone. I don't need or want your help. I'm going home," I snapped.

Turning on my heel, I strode out to the lobby, grabbed my thick red trench coat I always wore during the colder November days and walked into the chilly New York night air. Normally, I would've taken a cab back to my apartment, but I wanted to walk, not caring if my feet bled from the heels. I needed to breathe; my heart hurt, and I wanted someone to hold me and make the excruciating pain go away. Not just anyone. I wanted Steve. I wasn't aware he happened to be at the same hospital in an undercover mission or that a friend of his would investigate me.

Now on this present day, I had no dogs to take care of due to the oncoming storm in a few hours. To prepare, I decided to head to the local grocery store to get supplies; bread, peanut butter, batteries, two flashlights, water, matches, candles, and a couple of lighters in case the power went out. I even decided to pick up several bags of chips as snack if I wanted one. The store was packed, and I patiently waited while checking out, eagerly waiting to get back home to start reading.

Thanks to Steve, I had picked up a copy of The Haunting of Hill House and the storm provided the perfect day to devour it.

"Can you believe this weather has people all in a frenzy?" A voice asked me. I turned to find a woman behind me with long, auburn red hair and green eyes.

"Yeah, though I'd think they'd be a little more relaxed. Especially after what happened with that alien attack a couple of years ago. Still, it doesn't surprise me. Back in my hometown, people went crazy whether it stormed bad or snowed," I answered.

"You're not from New York?" She asked.

"No. I've been here for two years. I'm from North Carolina. You know what I don't understand?"

"What's that?"

"Why people buy bread and milk? I mean, sure bread is fine if you want sandwiches. But milk? What are they going to do with it besides drink it? Are people going to make soppy milk bread sandwiches?" This got her laughing and she shrugged, a section of hair falling on her shoulder.

"Maybe. I'm Natasha. You look like you've got the essentials. No perishables. Smart. I'd eat peanut butter sandwiches too," She told me, gesturing to my basket.

"I try. I love storms. I like to watch the lightning in the dark. They're sort of tranquil to me. I'm Keira by the way,"

"Nice to meet you. Tranquil? A storm?" She asked.

"I know. Ironic isn't it? Tranquil with all that chaos? They're beautiful, though. Even if they cause destruction,"

"You sound like a friend of mine. Look, you're next. Be careful getting home," She told me. I placed my basket down on the cashier's shelf and walked up to the counter to pay once everything got rang up.

"What friend? I…oh, she's gone," I stated, turning back and finding that Natasha had disappeared.

"Okay then. She seems nice," I muttered. For someone I just met, she and I appeared to get along great. We had a better conversation than my usual friends, I'll tell you that. Grabbing my purchases, I walked back to my apartment and unloaded them; I set up candles in the living room and the bedroom, not lighting them unless I had to. I placed the peanut butter and bread next to each other and kept one flashlight in the living room and the other in my bedroom.

The case of water I kept near the fridge in case of an emergency and the matches I stuffed in the utensil drawer. I also shoved the bags of chips in the pantry for later. Satisfied with everything, I sat down to read.

At the first crack of thunder, I looked up from my book and checked the time. 5 p.m. Perfect timing. I marked my place in the book and fixed a cold cut sandwich – ham and cheese with mayonnaise and added pepperoni – before the power went out or if the power went out in this case. As I ate, carrying the sandwich with me, I opened the curtains to my windows to watch. It was dark, the ending of Daylight Savings Time, making it get darker earlier.

Lightning flashed and another crack of thunder sounded, bringing a smile to my lips. I stood at the window in the living room, enjoying the storm and chewing on my sandwich. Around the fifth lightning strike, the power flickered, and I grabbed the flashlight did it, shrouding me in darkness, the calming night beginning.

Steve's POV

Astonished by the time that passed by, I managed to stay busy. Missions and meetings took over my days and left me without time to write to Keira. I hoped things had cheered up for her after her birthday. I secretly hoped I had been the main cause for it with my gift and words.

Thankfully, Natasha hadn't pestered me about her, but I feared what it might mean since she hadn't. She could easily be conducting her own under my nose. I tried not to worry about it and focused on the tasks given to us. After all, there was the gala we had been sent to, undercover to watch a target who wanted to cause trouble.

It took place at a hospital and we dressed out best, mingling among the crowd as normal people. I found it ironic that this gala was taking place at the same hospital where Strange used to work but decided not to bring Bucky in case it opened up some wounds with what was happening. As I was mingling, a woman with short brown hair and hazel eyes approached me.

"Hello, handsome. I haven't seen you around here before. I'm Jana Elliot. What brings you to this event?" she greeted me.

"Security," I answered and continued surveying the crowd.

"Security, huh? Maybe we should go back to my place and you can secure my bedroom. What do you say?"

"No thanks, Ma'am. I'm very busy. I don't have a lot of time to spare," I commented. Jana was pretty, sure but my heart began to yearn for someone else. Keira.

"I-,"

"Bitch!" Some guy shouted, cutting her off. I turned towards the sound but only saw the head of a guy bending down to cradle his foot, too many people blocking my view of the source of his distress.

"You've got to be kidding me. Excuse me," Jana stated, and she took off across the room.

"Did you turn down someone?" Sam's voice came over the ear comm.

"We're not here to flirt. We've got to this job done. Does anybody have an eye on our target?" I ordered.

"She was cute. Steve, you really need a girlfriend, or at least-,"

"Natasha, not now. We're not discussing my love life in the middle of the mission,"

"Fine. I believe he was the one shouting. Some woman crushed his foot and slapped him. Serves him right. He grabbed her ass," Nat stated. Oh great. Another asshole, I thought.

"Keep your eyes on him. Nab him if you get a chance," I ordered. About an hour later, we had him cornered and arrested for trying to run a scheme for an organization that was once close to HYDRA. He wanted to get it started again and we put an end to it before he could even try. Back on the jet, I got questioned more about my social life.

"Seriously, when are you going to date? You need someone to love again," Nat stated.

"I'm not ready for a relationship,"

"Bullshit. I know you're ready when you look at the couples around you. You even look at Wanda and me with a longing to be with someone. You've got to put yourself out there. What about the new acquaintance of yours?" Nat stated, leaning over to whisper the last part. So, she didn't want anyone to know it either, I thought. I shrugged and withdrew from the conversation. A common thing I did when I wanted the discussion to end.

At the present time, we were getting prepared for the storm rolling in. Naturally, everyone thought it was Thor's doing but he laid no claim to it.

"Are you sure? Maybe you're still angry at me for pulling that prank," Loki stated, grabbing his book and plopping down on one of the couches in the lounge.

"I'm sure. It's a normal storm. I have nothing to do with it. Steve, where's Natasha?" Thor answered, turning his attention on me.

"She went out to grab a few things before the storm hits," I commented. She had been gone a half hour, coming back with nothing in hand, confusing me.

"I thought you needed some supplies," I stated, gesturing to her empty hands.

"I have everything I need here. I did meet someone interesting at the store though. You're in trouble Steve. She's lovely," She told me, her lips twisting in a knowing smile. I frowned and pulled her aside into another room, so no one could hear us.

"Natasha, you didn't do what I think you did? Please tell me, you're not investigating Keira?"

"Don't worry. I'm only seeing what she's like. Maybe see if she's got any dark secrets,"

"No, don't do that. I don't need to do this. If you're trying to deter me from writing to her, please stop. Stop this now, Natasha," I snapped at her.

"Steve, really? You don't want to find out more about her before you meet her. I'm not trying to deter you. I'm just making sure she's someone you really-,"

"I should be able to decide that for myself. I don't need you investigating her because she's some threat. She's not. I don't get that from her. Stop investigating," I argued. She looked shocked at my tone and I walked past her to my room. I was angry she had decided to dig around in Keira's life. I should've known she'd do it ever since she had discovered my secret pen pal. I wanted to be the one who got to know her on my own, in my own time.

Around 5, the first crack of thunder sounded, and I clambered off my bed to draw back the curtains to watch, despite the lights still on in my room. It was only a matter of time before the power went out and I patiently waited when it did. The seventh flash shut things off and I grabbed a flashlight, exiting my room to grab a bottle of water and fixed a peanut butter sandwich to eat, returning to the silence of my room.

I sat watching the storm, a calmness sweeping over me. I hoped Keira was watching with me, wherever she was. Finishing my sandwich, I moved to the windowsill, watching the rain patter against the glass, illuminated by the lightning when it flashed. I sighed, wrapping my arms over my knees, thinking about her. What was she doing while watching the storm? Or if she wasn't watching, what was she doing instead? Could she be wrapped up in blankets reading?

All these thoughts were enough to motivate me to pen a letter to her. I climbed off and went downstairs to find candles and matches. While rummaging around in the drawers, I heard someone approach me.

"Steve. I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry, but you've been keeping this girl a secret for a while. I didn't know what else to do. Maybe you thought by keeping her secret, we wouldn't look into her. She could've have been someone who writes to you to get to us. I needed to find out. Turns out she's harmless and I like her," Nat's voice told me.

"It's fine. I still wish you hadn't staged a run-in with her though. Before I've had a chance to meet her. I don't believe Keira's a threat. I just…I don't know. I feel different every time I get a letter from her. Seeing her words on paper, it brings me joy. I…"

"My god. You're starting to fall for her. After only a few letters. Will you ever ask Keira to meet you? If so, when?"

"I want to. You don't know how much I want to. I'm not sure when would be best to meet her. Maybe after the holidays. Start a new year with her. Maybe fate will bring us together earlier. I'm honestly not sure. It scares me. I'm worried that she'll treat me different when she finds out I'm Captain America,"

"You'll have to trust that she won't. She's writing to Steve Rogers, not Captain America. She'll see past the hero and see you because you're being yourself. I'm sure everything will work out the way it's supposed to," Natasha reassured me, giving me a hug.

"Is she…when you saw her…was she…?" I said, stumbling for words. I wanted to know if she was truly beautiful, if she had the same beauty I imagined, despite my heart telling me so.

"She's lovely. Funny and sweet. At least, that's what I got from our short conversation. I think you're in trouble with this girl. You're in danger of falling in love with her. Especially once you've met," I nodded and retreated to my room to write my next letter.

Keira's POV

As I watched the storm, I wondered if Steve was somewhere watching as well. I had lit up the candles and started reading as well. The book was creepy indeed, sending chills down my spine. It drew you in and I finished it with a shaky sigh, dreading to go to sleep.

The storm had a way of keeping me invested in watching it for hours, forcing me to stay wide awake until it ended. Since I was already up and alert, I decided to pen the next letter, throwing in details of the last few days, wincing when I knew I was sending him more rants. I kept them in, wanting to get it off my chest. I asked about the storm in case he had been watching it with me, two souls connected in a magical way.

Being silly, I took a few Polaroids of myself and slid them in the envelope, only to pull them back out. Should I let him see me now? Should I send him these? I thought. Deciding against it, I shoved the pictures away before taking a picture of the framed doodle on my desk, telling him I kept it there, drawing inspiration from it. I placed the letter on my nightstand planning on sending it out in the morning and went to sleep dreaming of us sitting together watching a magnificent storm.

Three Days Later

Nothing exciting happened after the storm, work returning back to normal as I had picked up another dog for a few days. A German Shepherd named Frank, who liked going for walks and playing ball in Central Park. I wrote up the review for Hill House and waited for the day I'd get a letter from Steve.

Today happened to be the day when I opened my mailbox and saw his letter sitting on top. Running upstairs, I sprinted into my apartment and stretched out on my couch to begin reading.

Keira,

How have you been? I wonder if you've been as busy as I have. More meetings and events have kept me from taking a break. I even attended a gala as part of work and got approached by some girl who attempted to flirt with me. You know what's interesting? The whole time I thought about you. My friends teased me about it for the rest of the night when they saw me turn her down. They've been pestering me about my love life lately, wanting me to start dating again. They've even gone so far as to trying to set me up on dates, which I've refused to go on.

I need a deeper connection with people to date them. This connection with you, though we've only been communicating through letters, makes me feel things and the more I write to you the more connected I seem to be getting to you. I haven't felt this way about anyone in a long time. Not until these letters from you came.

You too huh? Something we can both relate to, I thought. I smiled at the confession a feeling connected to me. Truth be told, I felt connected to him even if we hadn't met.

You've been occupying my mind and I can't seem to stop thinking about you. I have an image in my head of what you look like and I think you're absolutely beautiful. I know you'll be perfect when we meet for the first time. I'm sorry to hear you spent your birthday alone. I hope you got some joy out if though. Even if you did dance around and drink wine. I hope I brought you some as well. I'm pleased you love your gift. I wasn't sure if you would. People are picky about what they like. I should know, my friends can be like that sometimes.

To your request of my favorite colors for a blanket, I like blue, like the sky and green. If you can find a shade that matches the color of your eyes, then that's what I'd love. If you need an additional color, you're welcome to include a crimson if you'd like.

In other matters, did you watch the storm tonight? Maybe we were watching it together. It was quite calming. Tranquil, almost. I wanted you beside me in my arms. Keira, I think…I believe I'm…

I sat up reading the next line, my heart hammering in my chest. Could he be developing feelings for me? Like I was for him?

I find I'm having difficulty writing the next sentence. Please forgive me if it crosses a line. Here goes. I believe I'm starting to fall for you. I'm aware we haven't been corresponding for very long, but I don't know how else to describe how I'm feeling. Every time I receive a letter, I can't help but smile and be excited by what you've written. I'd love to meet you sometime. Maybe after the holidays, if that's alright with you? Perhaps fate might bring us together before then.

Again, sorry if it crosses a line. I just needed to tell you before it's too late. You don't have to answer yet or at all if you don't want to.

Here's a list of some of my favorites to bring this off the subject if I've made it awkward or weird.

"You're not crossing any lines. You'd be surprised about I how I feel about you," I stated, dropping one hand to scratch the ears of Frank.

Movie – Currently, it's The Goonies. It's funny and full of adventure. A great watch.

Music – Anything soft, laid back. Classical. You said you love Country. Tell me some I should be listening to.

Book: The Shining by Stephen King. It messed with my head a little more than I'd like. Very spooky. Very psychological.

I already gave you my favorite colors earlier. I don't have any musicals I love either. I plan on watching Rent and any others you think I might be interested in.

Season: Winter. I love snow and sitting by the fire with a book or movie. Maybe cuddling with you. There I go again. Sorry.

Ideal date? Dinner and a movie. Old-fashioned, but it's still romantic to me. Second idea? Coney Island, maybe.

Ideal day? Like yours. Rainy day. Sleeping in. Buried in blankets, a book. Someone to cuddle with. Someone to kiss.

Hoping you'll write to me after my confession. Patiently waiting for you,

Steve

I smiled, my lips stretching as far as they could. More tears of joy filled my eyes. I thought about crafting another letter but waited. He didn't need to get two letters at nearly the same time. Plus, I needed time to think about his request of meeting.

If we did, then maybe after the holidays would be best. It'd give us a start of a new year, new beginnings. But what happens if we met and didn't like each other? It could happen…

No, don't do that to yourself. You already like each other on paper. You're being yourself. I'm sure he is too, I thought. Besides, we could get to know each other more after we met.

Still, I chose to wait until the next week to write to him with my answer. Instead, I went out and picked up the colors of yarn to begin creating his gift, his blanket. A perfect gift for Christmas.

Steve's POV

Not risking anyone else finding out about the letters, I waited by the mailbox close to the time it'd be delivered each day. I was sure she had sent one the same time I had. The only difference being it wouldn't contain her answer to my request. A good thing if she needed time think things over.

Today, I stood by the mailbox, pacing until the truck arrived, the mailman stuffing the box full of letters or bills and driving off. I grabbed the medium stack, going through each piece until I found the one, I was looking for.

I threw the other pieces of mail on the kitchen counter and found somewhere quiet to read Keira's new letter.

Steve,

I have a lot to tell you. I debated on whether or not to say anything for fear that you only read complaints or rants, but I don't know who else to turn to.

First, my parents visited me, and we were having a good time until they pressured me into dating. Sometimes, I get too busy to go out and most of the people I've met are jerks. Dad thinks my job doesn't take up a lot of time, but he'd be surprised. After they left, I cried myself to sleep holding onto your doodle.

Oh, the Polaroid shows you where I keep it. I framed it and it stays on my desk to help me draw inspiration.

To make matters worse, I attended a gala at the hospital where my friend Jana works. She tried to set me up with a guy named David Clayton. He dismissed the whole idea of reading, hit on me and proceeded to grab my ass.

My reaction, maybe an overreaction. I stomped on his foot and slapped him. He called me a bitch before I walked away. Jana got mad and I left, going home after a long walk. My heart hurt so much, I needed to take a walk to breathe.

A tingle went down my spine as I realized we were at the same gala at the same time. We were only a few feet apart and I didn't see her because people were blocking my view. I didn't see her the whole night, too busy surveying the crowd to notice her arrival. Natasha had seen her when she slapped our target Her friend has poor taste, I thought. A chill went down my spine as I knew who had flirted with me at the gala. Another thought occurred to me. I wouldn't be able to write to her about it because I'd have to explain what I was doing there. She'd know I'm Captain America. I wasn't planning on keeping it from her forever, but I still didn't want her to know yet.

On a happier note, I met someone today who I had a great but short conversation with. Her name is Natasha. Thought I get the sense she might be a ghost. I turned away for a minute and turned back to find her gone. I could see myself being friends with her. She made me feel comfortable unlike my other friends. I met her at the grocery store before the storm. Isn't it great? The storm? I hope you're watching it with me. I know you're a fan of them too.

Keira likes Nat. I'll have to tell her she made a good impression despite her plan to investigate Keira. I made no mention of it in my letter, afraid of driving her away. Leave the explanation until we meet. I smiled; glad we had been watching the storm. I felt connected to her by some great force I couldn't see.

I finished Haunting of Hill House tonight. You were right. It's super creepy. It made me want to check all the doors in case theyopened on their own. Poor Eleanor. Everyone was so cruel to her towards the end, only feigning being nice when they feared she'd do something crazy. The ending though, shocked me. Wonderful recommendation. Allow me to tell you one of mine. You might like the Dresden Files. It has a wizard and magic and all sorts of supernatural creatures. Tell me what you're doing the next time you write, while you write. Tell me more about you friends. Who's your oldest friend? Tell me your fears. Pull me deeper into your world.

Tell me a story so warm, I can feel your arms around me. So, I can see it vividly in my mind. I'll write to you on Thanksgiving. Don't be alarmed by the address from North Carolina. I'll be at my parents' house.

Waiting for you,

Keira

I released a deep sigh when I finished reading, my fingers brushing over the words again. I held the Polaroid in my free hand, a small smile tugging my lips. She drew inspiration from the drawing, and it made my heart grow fonder for her. I needed to meet her, to kiss her. Natasha was right. I was in danger of falling for her once I met her.