Hey guys! So I decided to write this instead of Step On Your Toe, which I think is the right call in my mind. I thought of this when I was going through some genderbent Steve art, and then hopped over to the Peggy!Cap comic. I hope you all enjoy!
To say Steve is nervous is an understatement. He isn't even quite sure what he had signed up for, just something that would make him strong. But he constantly felt assured by Agent Carter- Peggy's presence. She just seems so put together and professional, but she also seems so genuinely concerned for his well being. He doesn't like the fact that Erskine tells her to leave, but that final glance makes him feel so safe, like everything is going to be okay.
Everything after that happens in a blur. Erskine said a couple of things about how the serum works, he was injected with dozens of tiny needles, then the pod doors close and lock him inside. He felt the radiation pierce his skin and his body distort in ways he couldn't even begin to recognize. A scream rips through his throat as the radiation gets more and more intense. About halfway through the scream it shoots up a pitch and he hears frantic yelling from outside, but he couldn't focus on any of that. His whole body just ached, begging, pleading for this to stop. The radiation cuts off and he instantly begins to feel lightheaded, as if someone sucked all the air out of his lungs. The pod doors open slowly and the restraints on his arms and legs pull away. He hears a couple of gasps before everything goes dark.
Steve slowly becomes conscious to the song of gentle lounge music. He squeezes his eyes in frustration, desperately longing for more sleep. After about another five seconds of attempted rest he blinks his eyes open, squinting at the light directly above him. He slowly moves himself up from underneath the blankets of the hospital bed and tries to remember where he was.
"Hello Steve."
His attention is caught from the other side of the room. He looks over and his heart nearly stops. Peggy was a lot... bigger than he remembered. She was taller and much more muscular, toned biceps peeking out from underneath the rolled up sleeve a nurse was currently taking blood from. The nurse finishes before walking over to him and putting her cool fingers on his wrists to find his pulse.
"Wh-What happened?" He questions softly, looking up at Peggy. Something inside of him just felt... off.
"After the serum turned... had that side effect. I offered to participate in the program, and it worked." She explains, a pitiful smile plastered on her face.
"What side effect?" Steve inquires, raising his voice a little more, why did his voice sound higher? Peggy and the nurse both share an alarmed look.
"Maybe you want to look in the mirror hon." The nurse advises, going to reach for a small handheld mirror, hiding behind it as she holds it up for him to see.
His brain doesn't even register what his eyes are seeing. It's almost like one of those weird dreams that you wake up from and then can't remember when telling a friend about it. His hair is a shade lighter and down to about his ears. Nose smaller and less pronounced. Chin rounded, lips bigger, lashes longer. If she wasn't dead you could have convinced him he is staring at his mother. He forces himself to look down and his breath hitches. Two perky breasts easily visible from underneath the thin SSR shirt he is currently wearing. He knows the nurse and Peggy are staring at him, but he doesn't care, pulling the blanket up and tugging down the pants and underwear he is wearing. He almost starts laughing. This isn't happening. This isn't real.
"Steve?" Peggy murmurs gently, standing up and going to walk over to him, "Are you going to be alright?"
He doesn't respond, fighting back the asthma attack he feels coming on. His heart is pounding out of his chest. He begins wheezing, clutching his chest as tears start to prick his eyes. Tears? Why is he sad? Why is he panicking? He should be mad.
"Wh-Where-" He starts, getting cut off again and again by the painful wheezing, "D-Doctor E-Ersk- wh-where is h-e?" He manages to force out as Peggy kneels down next to him and strokes his hair, trying to calm him down.
"After the serum worked for me, a spy... a German spy killed him... Steve I'm sorry."
His wheezing stops and is replaced by his throat slamming shut. Adrenaline begins to flow freely through his veins, tears start to flow freely down his cheeks as he unavailingly gasps for air. He hears Peggy yell something at the nurse, but he was so lightheaded he couldn't register anything.
"Steve if you hold on I promise everything will be alright." Peggy murmurs quietly, cradling his head in her arms. The amount of love and care he felt from her was genuinely able to pull him out of his attack. He takes a few deep breaths and stays in her arms, he felt so safe. The brunette looks down at him and gives him a reassuring smile, gently brushing the hair out of his face.
"After they're done doing all the blood and physical tests, I'm being assigned to help you back on your feet." She explains gently, running her hand through his hair. Part of him wants to stand up and tell her to stop treating him like a sick child. But the other loves this tender treatment, loves the genuine care she gives him. The latter wins out.
"Agent Carter." The tender moment is interrupted and they both look over to see Colonel Phillips and Senator Brandt standing in the doorway, "Sorry to break up this little love fest but-"
"We need to talk about your future." Brandt interrupts as Phillips shoots him an annoyed glare. Peggy looks down at Steve in her arms and gently sets his head back on the pillow.
"I'll be right back darling." She assures, before standing up and walking over to the two men, "What's there to discuss? I thought you said I was going to take care of Steve."
"We realized that would be a waste of your talents." Brandt dismisses as Steve sits up and leans in a bit. Peggy's brows furrow and she clenches her fists, trying to keep a straight face;
"With all due respect I think I should stay with Rogers and-"
"That is not an option, unless you want to jeopardize your position in the SSR." Phillips warns as Peggy clenches her jaw.
"I just don't quite understand, is anyone going to help Steve-"
"Come on Agent," Brandt interrupts dismissively, "How hard is it to grow out your hair and buy some women's clothing. We're compensating her well-"
"Him." Peggy corrects angrily, "Colonel I truly think I should stay in New York-"
"You're either heading to London with me and Stark or are no longer in business with the SSR do I make myself clear?" He snips. Peggy stares at him and swallows hard, trying to think of anything that could save her job and keep her with Steve. The colonel takes her silence as an answer and nods, before walking off. The brunette takes a couple deep breaths, trying to cope with the fact that someone she had just meet was worth losing her dream job over.
"With all due respect to the colonel, I think I have a better way you can help serve the allies."
Steve leans over a bit more, carefully listening in.
"And what exactly would that be?" She questions suspiciously.
"It depends. How good is your American accent?"
Steve has been home for about two weeks now. No sign of Peggy, or anyone really. He takes a shaky breath as he struggles to clip this stupid cage around his chest. Why do women even wear bras? All they do is cause pain and discomfort. He goes into the bathroom of the slightly nicer apartment the SSR provided for him and gently combs his hair, using some water to flatten all the stray hairs. He goes back into the main room and pulls on a dress, the low buzz of the radio giving the apartment some much needed background noise. The music slowly fades out and an ads begin to play. He tunes them out for the most part as he attempts to button up the front of the dress, angrily fighting with one particular button.
"Enlist for the army today!... Are you a gal between the ages of 18 and 32 that wants to perform in front of hundreds across the country?"
Steve rolls his eyes before finally winning the battle of the buttons and sliding on his socks and shoes.
"Well then today's you're lucky day! Tryouts for the Star Spangled Singers today from noon to five! Sell bonds, and serve your country with leading lady Captain America!"
Steve's head snaps up. Leading lady Captain America... Peggy.