Chapter 3: A True Soldier’s Heart

Training Grounds – The Grenade Test

The sun hung high overhead as Colonel Phillips led the recruits into an open field, his sharp gaze scanning them. The SSR officers, including Peggy Carter, stood nearby, observing.

Alex and Steve stood in line with the other soldiers, sweat still clinging to their skin from the morning drills.

Phillips paced in front of them, hands clasped behind his back. "You boys think you're ready to be soldiers?"

No one dared to answer.

He smirked. "Let's see about that."

Without warning, he pulled the pin from a grenade and tossed it into the middle of the group.

"GRENADE!"

Chaos erupted. Soldiers scrambled, diving out of the way, instinctively trying to save themselves.

All except for two people.

Steve Rogers and Alex Rogers.

Without hesitation, Steve threw himself over the grenade, curling his body around it.

At the exact same moment, Alex moved to cover Steve, shielding his twin with his own body.

The entire camp froze.

Nothing happened.

After a few long seconds, Steve peeked up. Alex slowly lifted his head.

The grenade was a dud.

Silence.

Phillips exhaled through his nose, unimpressed.

Peggy, however, stared at them with a look that was hard to describe.

Steve sat back, rubbing his forehead. "You knew, didn't you?" he muttered to Alex.

Alex sighed, shaking his head. "I had a feeling… but I couldn't take the risk."

Phillips turned to the officers. "Still think these two aren't ready?"

No one spoke.

Peggy's gaze lingered on Alex for a moment longer before she turned away, deep in thought.

For the first time, she was truly considering Alex Rogers as more than just another recruit.

---

The crisp morning air bit at Alex's skin as he and Steve ran alongside the other recruits. Their boots pounded against the dirt, the rhythmic sound blending with the shouting of drill sergeants.

Alex, of course, wasn't winded. His enhanced physique made endurance training easy. But Steve?

Steve was struggling.

His breath came in ragged gasps, his small frame drenched in sweat. Every morning, Alex saw how hard Steve pushed himself. And every morning, Alex ran beside him.

"You good?" Alex asked.

Steve gritted his teeth. "Peachy."

Alex sighed. "At least pace yourself. No point in running yourself into the ground before breakfast."

"I can keep up," Steve insisted.

Alex smirked. "No, you can survive."

Steve shot him a glare but didn't argue.

As they rounded a corner, the obstacle course loomed ahead. Walls to climb, ropes to swing from, and trenches to crawl through.

Steve took a deep breath.

Alex clapped him on the back. "Let's do this."

---

Mess Hall

After training, the recruits filed into the mess hall. Plates clattered, and the scent of warm food filled the air.

Alex carried two trays, setting one in front of Steve before sitting across from him.

Steve muttered a thanks before immediately shoveling food into his mouth.

Alex smirked. "You eat like you're in a warzone already."

Steve shot him a look but kept eating.

As Alex picked at his meal, he noticed Peggy Carter walking through the hall, her presence commanding attention.

When she passed by their table, she slowed, glancing at Alex.

He smiled. "Agent Carter. Looking for a seat?"

She gave him a cool, amused look. "I doubt you'd want me ruining your lunch, Rogers."

"On the contrary," Alex said, gesturing to the empty seat beside him. "I'd say it's an honor."

Steve coughed, nearly choking on his food.

Peggy hesitated for a second before sitting down. "Flattery won't get you out of push-ups, you know."

Alex leaned forward slightly. "Good thing I don't mind doing a few extra."

She exhaled a small, amused breath—almost a laugh.

Steve glanced between them, eyes wide. He looked like he wanted to say something, but before he could, Colonel Phillips' voice rang out.

"Alright, you apes! Get moving!"

Peggy stood. "Enjoy your meal, Rogers."

She walked off, leaving Alex with a grin on his face.

Steve just stared at him. "What… just happened?"

Alex took a bite of his food. "I think I like her."

Steve groaned. "God help us all."

---

That night, under the glow of a dim lantern, Steve sat on his cot, rubbing his sore arms.

Alex sat beside him, stretching his shoulders.

"You should get some rest," Alex said.

Steve shook his head. "Can't. Too much on my mind."

Alex leaned back. "Nervous?"

Steve exhaled. "I want to prove myself. I know I'm not like you or the others, but… I need to do this."

Alex nodded slowly. He understood. Steve's heart was his greatest strength. It always had been.

"You'll get your chance," Alex said. "And when you do, I'll be right there with you."

Steve looked at him, surprised. "You really think they'll put us both in?"

Alex smirked. "We'll find out soon enough."

As Steve finally laid back, eyes growing heavy with exhaustion.

Lying in his cot, Alex stared at the ceiling.

He already knew what was coming. The serum. The transformation. The war.

But what he didn't expect was Peggy Carter lingering in his thoughts.

He smirked to himself.

"Maybe this world has a few surprises after all."

Peggy Carter's Perspective ---

That evening, Peggy sat at her desk, reviewing reports.

Her mind, however, kept drifting back to the grenade incident.

She had expected Steve Rogers to act. That much was clear—his heart was too big for his own good.

But Alex Rogers?

He had reacted just as quickly, maybe even faster. He hadn't hesitated to cover his brother, despite knowing that if the grenade had been real, he would have been caught in the blast.

That kind of selflessness… courage… instinct…

She found herself intrigued.

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Perhaps I underestimated him."

A knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts.

Colonel Phillips stepped in, tossing a file onto her desk.

"They're doing the procedure tomorrow."

Peggy's heart skipped a beat.

Tomorrow, everything would change.

And she wasn't sure why, but the thought of Alex Rogers stepping into that machine left her… uneasy.