( ETERNALLY YOURS, YOUR DARLING )

Dear Edith, 

        This is just a quick letter to give you the address to write to me. It's my first day of training and I'm only a little nervous. I'm really hoping that my asthma doesn't act up, because that would be a terrible way to show everyone that I'm fit to fight in the war. 

        Thinking about you always. I love you.

Eternally yours,
Steve

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Dear Steve,

        I miss you terribly, I'm not going to lie. But I know what this means to you and I am never going to be someone who says that you can't do something. You are one of the best men I know (don't tell Gordon) and the Army is lucky to have you.

        But, I beg you to be careful, please. How are you supposed to spend your future with me if you're killing yourself by pushing your lungs too hard. Do you have the asthmatic cigarettes? I can send you more if you need them. Along with some of Mrs. Finch's pie. Gordon would be jealous because I didn't offer any to him, but with your asthma I believe you deserve it for all the hard work. 

        I hope nobody is giving you too much grief about your stature. As I said before, you have one of the best hearts and probably ten times more guts than the rest of them. I'm so proud of you, Steve. Seriously. So is Bucky, even if he doesn't show it well. 

        And your mom. Sarah would be so proud and excited for you, Steve.

        I love you, always.

Your Darling,
Edith.

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Dear Edith,

        It's not so bad here. Sure, it's a little ego bruising to be the last guy to finish, but I know my limits and I know not to push them. And sure, I may not be the strongest or the fastest, but I'm fighting for my country and that's the important thing here. 

        Nobody should be forced to give up their freedom. 

        Some of the exercises they have us doing are a little straining. I go to bed every night with my muscles aching, but I know it's worth it. Is it too late to hit that growth spurt? Maybe with all the muscle building I'll fill out and look something like Bucky. Wouldn't that be something?

        I hope you're doing well. I miss you so much and sometimes wish that I was in your arms instead of training, but I have a good feeling about this. Like this is where I'm supposed to be. Have you heard any word from Gordon? I hope he's not too detailed when telling you about the war, but just enough so that you don't worry and know that he's fine.

        I think the SSR has something planned for the soldiers. I think that's why I'm here, but I'm pretty sure it's classified and I really shouldn't be telling you about it. But, I see higher ups watching us train and can't help but wonder why. 

        I can't wait to be done and have you in my arms again. 

Eternally yours,

Steve

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Dear Steve, 

        I hope they're feeding you good and letting you boys bathe. I don't want to imagine how much odor are in the bunks from everyone after a long day of training. Especially because you're probably out all day in the sun and mud and sweating and I'm shivering in disgust just thinking about it. When you get back, you're coming to my home to shower. And, I beg of you, please use all the hot water you want. 

        Just so you know, I like you the way you are. I know you don't want to hear about how much your asthma worries me sometimes, but I like how short you are. Makes it easier to kiss you. I would hate to make you pick up my 5'0" stature just to have a quick kiss to the lips. And bending down all the time would just hurt your back. I believe that we are evenly matched, you and I. But, I wouldn't mind you filling out a bit, only because it would show me that you're not as sickly as you look. 

        I know you're Irish, but could it kill you to not be pale all the time and have some color? (When you're not blushing adorably, that is!)

        Gordon is fine, thanks for asking. Him and his squadron are camped somewhere in France in a little town, trying to deal with everything there. Apparently, the towns people are really nice and hate the German occupation as much as we hate the idea of it. He seems to be doing okay. There's a woman that gives him free coffee whenever she sees him, so he's being taken care of. 

        I miss and love you lots and I hope that everyone is treating you fairly! 

Your darling,
Edith

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Dear Edith,

        Wow, do I have a story to tell you! Today, we were doing the run and there's this flag pole that marks the halfway mark of the whole track. Now, the drill sergeant told us to try and get the flag and if we did, Agent Carter would give us a ride back to camp. And apparently, nobody has gotten the flag in seventeen years or something. I don't know, I wasn't paying that much attention because I was trying to get my breath back.

        Anyway, the other recruits were trying to climb this flag pole and some of them even tried to help their fellow soldier up. Which, they made a valiant effort, I have to say. However, when he fell down, the others didn't get a chance to try and climb for it because the drill sergeant told everyone to fall in.

        Well, with how tired I was (and, okay, my asthma), I wanted to seize the opportunity to get a ride back to camp. So, I pulled the pin at the bottom of the flag pole, tipped it over, and then grabbed the flag from the ground. Everyone seemed surprised. But, really, if that had simply thought it through better than just scrambling to get the flag, they would have gotten a ride back instead of me. 

        Peggy (Agent Carter) had told me that I was smart for hanging back and thinking it through, which means a lot. I think you'd like Peggy. She's strong and smart and she does her hair a lot like how you wear yours. I wish I could introduce you, you two would be the best of friends, I'm sure. 

        I'm glad to hear that Gordon is okay. I'm sure that you and Bucky write as well, but in case it hasn't reached you yet, he's fine. They're doing their best against the Axis and Bucky is optimistic. I hope that when I get my orders, I'll be sent to give Bucky back up. 

        I'm hoping the rest of training goes by quickly, I want to see you again real soon. Hopefully take you dancing finally. 

Eternally yours,
Steve

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Dear Steve,

        See! I knew you'd prove to everyone that you're not just the little guy! I'm so glad to hear that you're also taking care of yourself. And showing off. The other soldiers probably need to be taught not to judge someone by their looks. You belong there, Steve, don't let anyone ever tell you differently. 

        Bucky's letter arrived after yours, but thank you for telling me! His letters take a little longer to get back to me, but I'm glad that he's safe. Gordon is too, if you were wondering! He says he's doing as much as he can out there, trying to help the locals as well as fight the war. I worry, of course, that between his letters something happened and I'm going to get a condolence letter, but I try not to think about that. Being positive is really the only choice I have. I can't sit around and wallow, that's not good for anyone.

        Mrs. Finch told some people about how I mend clothes for cheap and now I got a load of flannels, dresses, and pants hanging around the apartment, waiting to get mended. It helps keep my mind off of things, sewing has always been relaxing to me. Plus, the spare changes really helps with keeping the apartment. Gordon's army money pays for most of it, but it's nice to be helping out. 

        I hope to see you soon! It's only a few weeks left until you're back in New York! I would love to go dancing, Steve. I know you can't dance, but my mama taught me when I was younger and I can teach you, don't worry. I won't even care if you step on my toes (mostly because you'll turn red to your chest and I find that endearing).

Your darling,
Edith

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Dear Edith,

        I'm not sure what the Colonel thinks of me. I'm pretty sure I'm basically the bane of his existence when it comes to whatever secret project the SSR is conducting. He always gets this look on his face whenever he looks at me, like he's sucking on a lemon. And it would be comical, if I didn't think it played apart of whatever is going on around here. I have a feeling that at the end of training, something huge is going to happen. 

        I'm glad to hear that you're trying to keep positive. I know it's hard with all your loved ones away, fighting in a battle. I know there isn't any guarantee, but I promised to spend my future with you and you bet your ass I'm going to keep my word. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't? 

        Hearing about Gordon helping the townspeople is also good to hear. It wasn't their fault that the Nazis were able to invade and we should definitely not treat them as such. They're probably having a harder time than we are. 

        Before we go dancing, we're gonna have to practice. I'd hate to embarrass someone as gorgeous as you. Especially because you're hopefully gonna wear that green dress and everyone is going to be staring at you. And they can stare, but once they see you and me dancing, they will hopefully know that you're taken. 

        Wow, getting home isn't coming fast enough. The fact that I miss you isn't helping, either. I love you.

Eternally yours
Steve

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Dear Steve, 

        Well, I'm hoping whatever this secret project is, it better be safe. It'd make me feel better to hear about you fighting a war in England than doing some secret project that might get you killed in America. I think it's because of the distance and the fact that, yes, the war is ravaging New York, but most of it is taking place overseas.

        That makes me sound terrible. I just want you to be safe. I don't mean anything by it. If anything, I wish there wasn't a war going on at all. I just want everyone to come home safe and sound with minimal injuries. Is that too much to wish?

        I'm gonna stop thinking about it before I work myself into a tissy. 

        You're going to be home soon, so that will help ease my worry. And we'll definitely practice. I think it's only fair because you're the one who's supposed to lead and can't have you not knowing how to do that. But, you're gonna be great at it, I can already tell. Maybe a little clumsy, but you've always been a fast learner. 

        I can't wait for you to come back home. I miss you. 

Your darling,

Edith

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Dear Edith,

        I guess I'm gonna be home a day later than what I said before. The scientist that recruited me told me that they've chosen me for whatever secret project they're doing. I guess we'll have to dance after. 

        I can'y wait to see you. I love you.

Eternally yours,

Steve

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and there is steve's time in basic training! there are going to be two other chapters like this, like i said last chapter. one for when he's touring as the star spangled man with a plan and another for when he's fighting overseas. 

should i throw in one with all the letters that gordon and edith send each other too?

i'm super excited for you guys to read the next chapter! i think it's a really cool idea and hopefully original!