Marvel: Breezing Through History as an Eternal

Steve Rogers was a skinny man. He had failed to enter the Military four times, and all of them failed, just because he was skinny and his body was frail.

 He entered the recruitment center softly as people came and went from the exhibition. There was a stand in front of the front door, putting you in a soldier’s uniform at the wall. He could see people trying it one by one, and once it was time for his turn, he stepped on the stand, only to be disappointed when his head couldn't even reach the spot properly, as he was too short.

He sighed at the display, and was about to hop off of the stand, but then, a voice spoke from behind him.

“Why the gloomy face young man?”

Steve turned to his back, and saw a well dressed man with his fancy hat, looking at him with a smile.

“Uh… it’s nothing sir…”

“You want to be a soldier?” the man questioned again, pointing at the image in front of him.

Steve sighed deeply. “Denied. Too frail for the military.”

“A pity.” said the man, shaking his head.

Another man then suddenly walked to Steve, and tapped on his shoulder. It was Bucky Barned with his military uniform.

“Sorry sir if this man’s bothering you.” Bucky apologized to the man in front of Steve, then turned to him. “Come on, the girls are waiting, don’t just ditch us.”

Steve looked at the ground and sighed. “Go on, I’ll catch up.”

Bucky raised his eyebrow at him. “You really going to do this again?”

Steve shrugged. “Maybe I’ll get some luck.”

“As who? Steve from Ohio?” Bucky snorted. “They’ll catch you, or worse they’ll actually take you.”

“Is there a problem here?” the man from before interrupted.

Bucky’s eyes went wide for a second. “Oh, I-It’s nothing sir, It’s just…”

“From what I hear, you’ve been changing identities to get in the military.“ the man continued. “Is that true young man?”

“N-No sir…” Steve murmured.

The man sighed as he stepped on the stand, watching himself wearing a soldier’s uniform in the image in front of him. “Why do you want to enter the military so bad? Steve is it?”

Bucky elbowed Steve in forgiveness, and told him to just ditch him, but instead, Steve just stood there, answering his question.

“There are men risking their lives out there, sir,” he said sternly. “I’ve got no right to not follow them.”

“War is not a joke Steve,” he said calmly. “People die, families torn apart, yet you still want to join, you want to kill Nazis Steve?”

“I don’t want to kill anybody.” Steve answered. “I don’t like to see people suffer out there while I sit here and do nothing.”

“Hm, well, what are you going to do with that small body? Be a meat shield?” the man turned around, speaking while smiling to Steve.

“I can carry supplies, or be in a support division.” Steve argued.

“Sure, at the end of the day, you’re just going to break your back carrying all those things.” the man chuckled, the man then saw someone in the distance. “Ah! Dr. Abraham Erskine, you’re still alive.”

“Mr. Smith.” he nodded as he approached the group. “I am surprised that I am alive myself.”

“It seems you finally have the courage to ask for help, Dr. Erskine.” Smith hummed, making Erskine sighed.

“I should’ve asked for help then.”

“You should.” Smith hummed. “But no crying over spilt milk. Anyway, this is Steve, he had faked his identities multiple times to get into the military.”

“Really?” Erskine said, seemingly following Smith’s lead. Steve and Bucky’s paled at the mention. “How many times, young man?”

“Sir, I–”

“Answer the question Steve.” Smith said casually. “It’s illegal to fake your identity, you know?”

Steve gulped as he heard it. “Four times… I- I just want to fight in the army Sir, I have no ill will towards the military.”

“My god, four times?” Erskine exclaimed rather theatrically. “Wow, that is a serious criminal offence young man, you might be imprisoned for that.”

“Sir, in his defence, he just wants to fight for his country.” Bucky interrupted rather desperately. “Please don’t brand him as a criminal.”

“Look young man.” Smith said suddenly. “If you had one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it? or just let it slip?”

“Pardon me sir?” Steve stammered.

“How do you know about this Mr. Smith?” questioned Erskine in surprise.

“I work with Howard.” Smith shrugged. “He blabs when he’s drunk you know?”

“Ah… I need to talk to him after this…” Erskine sighed while massaging his forehead. “So, what will it be, Steve? I will give you one chance, and only one chance, would you take it?”

“One chance? What do you mean sir?”

“To be a soldier.” stated Erskine.

“W-Well of course sir.”

“Good.” Erskine nodded. “Follow me Steve.”

Erskine then turned around towards his office, with Steve following him, but before that he said thank you to Smith.

“Thank you sir, I don’t know if I could repay you like this…”

“It’s fine.” Smith shrugged. “Don’t blow it kid.”

Smith then walked away from the scene, patting Bucky’s shoulder just before he left.

Bucky meanwhile, was staring at Steve as he walked away, smiling proudly as he shook his head, while waiting for his best friend to come back.