“Hardly anyone does,” a deeper-toned voice says. Viola turns to the counter to see a different man than she normally talks to. This man has dark hair just long enough to brush back or frame his blue eyes. He is a slimmer build than the other men Viola knows at the gym. By slimmer, it only means that his build is more balance between his arms and legs like an athlete instead of being top-heavy like everyone else. By any other measurement, the man in the loose t-shirt is still huge. “You’re Vi, right? You made quite the impression on your first day. I think we’ve only seen each other in passing till now.”

“You’re usually talking to the red-haired man,” Viola recalls.

“Yeah. That’s Josh.” He offers his hand, “Nice to actually meet you.”

“I’m at the disadvantage here,” Viola reminds him as they finish shaking hands.

“Sorry. Name’s Steven. Just call me Steve,” he quickly rambles as his hand goes behind his head. He looks at the blonde woman with the purple streak staring at him and just releases a little sigh. “So, they told me one month is your deciding point. What do you think? You going to stay with it?” he wonders as his hands come back to the desk.

“I am. But I got some recommendations to talk to a trainer now.”

“Good idea,” Steven pulls a small tablet and clicks a few times. “All our guys are pretty open right now. Anyone, you want to work with specifically?”

Viola glances around the room searching for something, “Doc said to talk to ‘Cap’?” Not only is Viola a recent addition to town but she is terribly slow with names. Plus, everyone in town seems to prefer nicknames! ‘A town off the digital map and no one uses their actual name,’ Viola begins thinking.

“That’s me,” he moans while raising his hand slightly like an ashamed schoolboy. Her head tilts slightly at his response. “Everyone calls me Steven but after those movies resurged a few years back people started calling me Cap like...” he drags out.

“Oh, ok,” she smiles.

Steven’s energy is different than Mark or other men Viola talks to at Cyclone. All of them are pretty relaxed in nature but most seem to jump eagerly at something new. The full force excitement, even in teasing talk, all the time is a bit draining to Viola. But the slow playful tone Steven shows puts her more at ease.

She takes an envelope out of her bag, “Here. He said to give this to you.”

Steven opens the letter and skims it. “Come with me,” he says before calling someone else over to watch the door. He shows the way to the office. Once the office door closes behind them, “You’re one of Doc. Clarke’s patients?”

“Yes. You two have a history?” Viola asks for confirmation of a shift in his tone.

“Yeah. We do a lot of work together,” he says as he encourages her to sit on the couch. He takes most of the other end of the couch. He rotates enough to face her, one leg up on the couch and an arm on the back. “Occasionally we send each other people that we think the other might help. He’s been monitoring your coughing problem I’m guessing? Gossip says it’s because of chest problems.”

“Yes.”

“But this... Doc says your status is declining and he’s a specialist. What am I getting into if I start training you?” he holds up the letter slightly before turning back to Viola. “I would be your trainer so it stays with me. I won’t add to the gossip,” he encourages hoping for an answer.

“A lot. And that’s an understatement.”

“So, fill me in.”

“Minimal damage to multiple organs, immune-compromised, weakened muscle structure, and on a boatload of stuff.”

“What are you not saying?” Steven asks as his tone shifts. Even with her faux smile and placating answers he can tell it is just that, placating.

“A lot. But having chest problems covers most of it. Breathing, pain, and nausea are going to be my main concerns moving forward,” she continues non-answer answers without even blinking.

“Have you told anyone the full extent of your condition?” He bluntly asks.

“No,” she responds without hesitation. His surprise at her quick honesty must show on his face because her weight shifts. “Most people actually care about my problems as much they think all ‘muscleheads’ are alike. My chances are better here and working out instead of worrying about not being able to. Plus, it is nice to be around people who like seeing me succeed at something.”

He sighs understanding her argument but also that she is not going to explain anything. “Is that your end goal? To succeed at something? Or are you aiming for something?”

“My goal is to be Athena’s equal. I want to be able to lift every man in here and be a sculpted beauty. No matter how much I blow up, beef up, or bulk up to get there,” she energetically answers her arms stretches behind her. His eyes twitch. She plops back on the couch. “And mostly be healthy enough to try all of it,” she ends with a smirk and a hand motion. He chuckles at her excitement about it. “What about you? Why do you work out so much?” Viola asks as she leans on her hand.

“Huh?”

“Come on. There has to be a reason you’ve gotten bigger than the average man,” Viola encourages with honest curiosity. Everyone she meets is huge. While he is also the most balanced in terms of development. The redhead, Josh, only looks thinner because he is taller. Otherwise, everyone is very strong.

“I like being big, getting big...” He rubs his side as he trails off. She bumps his hand. He looks up to see a soft smile causing him to release his breath. “Let’s just say I understand the injury concept,” he answers as he stands up. He walks over to the desk with the envelope.

“And not entirely wanting to tell a stranger your darkest secrets yet?” she teases with a grin. He smirks as he yields and leans against the desk. “Then we both need to get back in there?” she encourages.

“Yeah. I guess so,” he answers automatically. A moment later he realizes what just happen.

“Think the manager will mind if I occupy your time for a while?” she asks as she stands up cutting off his train of thought.

“Not at all. Because this is my place,” is the first thing he proudly declares in the conversation with a smile.

“Really? Congratulations on the ownership,” she responses with a little applause.

“Thank you,” he gives a playful bow that gets a chuckle out of Viola. He smirks before turning towards his desk. “Go get changed and I’ll make a plan for you to get to your goals,” he agrees.

“Don’t forget your own. If we’re both getting back out here you need a plan too,” she encourages as she put her hand out for a shake.

He smiles and shakes her hand, “Sure. Now go change.” She leaves to go to the locker room. After the door closes, he glances at the note again, ‘She is damaged and breaking right now. Though she’s very open to being one of us IF she can heal.’ Steven slips the note from the Doc into the desk. “You sure Doc? She just seems open to me. We’ll see.”

Steven’s assessment is mostly correct. Viola is not open when it comes to her body. He spends the first ten minutes of their session explaining why she should be measured at different points of her body to track her progress, even in her baggy clothes. He finally gets her to agree by also doing it himself, to show his commitment to his own progress. A concept that causes his cheeks to feel warm. In fact, the entire day seems to spark something.