In action
Illya was nothing if not a professional, so he decided to study this Steve Rogers to play his role convincingly. He met with Agent Carter, he saw some videos and pictures of the man, he learned of about him, how he moved, how he was, who had been his friends, where and how he grew up. He asked Agent Carter why she liked him so much.
Truth was, despite his initial displeasure at the mere notion of a Captain of America, this Steve Rogers sounded like a very nice man. He'd fought for his homeland and hadn't let his underprivileged background or fragile health stopping from doing what was right, from helping others. Illya could relate – he also had a not-so-ideal background and had to fight to be able to defend his country like he so desired.
This Rogers had been let scientist experiment on him so he could serve better – not something everyone could do. It was very clear that this was a brave man with a dtrong moral compass, and a man who had given everything to help the world, do the right thing. He lost his friend and gave hils life up to keep people safe. He really seemed to live up to the legend.
Illya may not like the uniform he wore with the colours of a flag that was not his own, but he did like what Rogers represented: justice, courage, integrity. And so he decided he would do this not just for Peggy, for also for the memory of Rogers and his crusade against injustice.
But he was glad no one from Russia would see him wearing that, with that shield... It felt (a bit more comfortable than expected, if he was honest)...wrong. Odd, at least. But he wold do it, and he would be great at it.
“Ready?” Peggy asked, smiling his way. He looked perfect.
She introduced him to Steve's old unit, and while Illya was concerned that they wouldn't accept him (a Russian wearing his old Captain's uniform, preposterous!) they were all very accepting, seemed glad to have him.
“Is it true that you threw a bike that had fallen on you to some bad guys that were attacking your partner?”
“That is so something that Steve would do!”
Illya smiled. He couldn't help but the flattered at the comparison – this man had been their leader and an icon, and they thought him worthy of filling his shoes. It was... an honour.
After introductions were made, they prepared to intercept Kearney, who always returned home alone, walking, late at night. It was the perfect occasion, and they were absolutely ready.
The Howling Commandos and Peggy stopped him, standing in his way on the whole width of the street, so that he couldn't move. All the Commandos had their weapons out, to show the man that they were serious.
“A higher power asked to stop you. Before you do something that will regret.” Peggy started.
“I don't know who you are, lady, but I need to get home.”
“We know what you plan to do next Sunday. We're asking you to stop.”
The man scoffed.
“Nothing short of a miracle would stop me, lady. It's late to go back now.”
“A miracle like a man coming back from the dead?” A grave voice said, in a studied but fairly natural american accent.
“Cap- Captain Ame... rica... How?”
“Since you have been such a good christian so far, the Lord has chosen to give you a warning. This is the warning. Call off the deal, repent and maybe you will fix things with the man. But if you decide to continue... Well, then me and my team will have to stop you, with all our strength. And trust me, after so long up there, I'd love some action. In other words, son...just don't.”
And he patted the criminal in the shoulder with his very strong hands, looking at the man with his very piercing blue eyes and Kearney peed himself, right then and there.
“Trust me.. I'll stop this... I'll stop everything... Gvie my money to the church... Anything! Please don't hurt me!”
“Then don't make us hurt you, Kearney.” Peggy said. “Stop and you won't have to see us ever again.”
“Make me proud, John.” Illya said, in his fake american voice. “I know you have it in you to change, be better. Do yourself and us this favour.”
Kearney nodded frantically and ran, fast in a way he never was, deciding to throw overboard all of his career as a criminal and to give all the weapons he had to the police, to maybe get some time less in prison. Yeah, prison. In prison he would atone for all he'd done and then Captain America wouldn't have to come for him. He would be safe. Jesus, he hadn't realised how tall he was, how scary was his voice.... He would be good, from that day on, he would make Captain America proud. That he bowed.
On another corner of the city, a bunch of world war II veterans were impressed. One even applauded.
“I do good?” Illya asked, taking the mask-helmet-thing. “Acent was not bit too much?”
Peggy grinned.
“You were amazing, as I knew you would be.” She sadi. “Steve would have liked you a lot, it's a shame you'll never get to meet him. But you honoured his memory with your acting – thank you, Illya, I know it can't have been easy for you.”
There were some thank yous, some good job, and then...
“Gaby asked me for a favour, and I couldn't refuse...”
The favour turned out to be photo of Illya with the whole uniform and the shield, and one of the gestures Steve favoured, the one with his two fingers on his forehead, as if saluting.
“I'm going to frame this.” Gaby said. “It's a work of art.”
“You do look quite dashing in red, blue and white, Peril.” Napoleon noted. “Ever thought of making it a more permanent thing?”
“Oh, no. One night as Captain America is more than enough. I will never wear that suit again.”
He wore it seven other times.
… And honoured that uniform and what it stood for every time.