"Faster ladies! Come one!" Peggy shouted.
"Our grandmother has more life in her, God rest her soul." I joined in, hands on my hip. Steve was still struggling to do a proper pushup. I tried my best to show him the right form but his hands were weaker than I thought.

"You stick a needle through his arm, it's gonna go right through." Colonel grumbled. I'm guessing they're talking about Steve but it felt weird to hear that. I was secretly pining for him to be picked for the serum. If I wanted any one of these soldiers to do it with me, it would be him. I remember clearly when I volunteered for it without Peggy's knowledge. She was furious but she was also scared for me. I wonder if Steve has someone like that.

"Come on girls!" Peggy snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Look at that. He's making me cry." Colonel turned to Dr. Erskine. His face twisted in disappointment and he sighed.
"I'm looking for qualities beyond the physical." Dr. Erskine looked me in the eye as if that was meant for me to hear.

"Do you know how long it took to set up this project? All the groveling I had to do in front of Senator What's-His-Name's committees?"
"Brandt." he corrected. "Yes, I know. I am well aware of your efforts."
"Then throw me a bone. Hodge passed every test we gave him! He's big, he's fast. He obeys orders. He's a soldier!"
"He's a bully."
"You don't win wars with niceness, Doctor." he walked over to the truck wagon next to Dr. Erskine. He grabbed a grenade. I turned toward him with wide eyes. What's he doing with a fake grenade.? "You win wars with guts." He took the pin off and hurled it towards the middle of the group. "GRENADE!"

Peggy and I both ran to it on instinct while the recruits ran away. Steve leaped towards it and wrapped his tiny body around it. Peggy and I paused and looked at each other.
"Get back!" he yelled. My heart ached at his bravery. The other recruits were cowards. Their priority was their own safety. But there he was. The bravest and weakest one of them all, being selfless like it was the easiest thing in the world.

"It was a dummy grenade," I shouted when he got up in confusion. "All clear back in formation!" Dr. Erskine looked smug and Colonel looked disappointed and annoyed. I smiled at him.
"Is this a test?" he panted.
Dr. Erskine turned to look at Colonel in victory.
"He's still skinny," he grumbled.

———————————————————————————
Btw. If you guys like this please check out my Avenger Imagines book and my Avengers Soulmate AU book! (shameless self promo)!!! Love you my readers!!❤️