The trading cards and the costume redesign are Steve's first clues, but he doesn't recognize them at the time; he's too new to the world, too angry at it, too busy fighting a war.

"Oh god," Pepper says. "Are you kidding me?"

"I've noticed that you're quite good at following my orders," Agent Carter says. "Compared to some of the other men, I mean." "I want to do well in this program, Agent Carter." She nods. "I've also noticed the way you look at me." Steve blushes, half embarrassed and half angry. "Ma'am, I would never – " "Which is to say," she goes on, talking over him in that calm, steady tone, "I've noticed you meeting my eyes. Not staring at my legs. And I thought, what a respectful young man. A rare commodity in the Army these days."