Firebrand, Superman, Lois Lane, and the Avengers in... Unfortunately Lex Luthor Is An Asshole

[stands_for_hope]

That morning, there wasn't a paper that didn't have a variation of one headline:

Captain America Comes Out in Support of Superman

The quotes were all different, though: 'He's here to help, same as me.' 'I've never met a kinder, more civic-minded man.' 'I've fought beside him and I'd do it again; there's very few people I'd trust to have my back like Superman.'

The Planet was the only one who had a full interview to go along with the statement that had been distributed to the various publications, an exclusive as written by Lois Lane who was starting to get known as the woman to go to if you needed to talk to a harder-to-find superhero. Lois didn't mind that one bit, honestly, though Cat Graham had started to ask her if she knew any of their numbers to get herself a date.

Later, on another day, Clark might wonder if that had been as much of a catalyst as anything. Because that was the day that Lex Luthor decided to make his play.

The massive spider mecha seemed to appear out of nowhere, towering over parts of the downtown area that had only just begun to be rebuilt. The streets were suddenly filled with rolling war machines, filled to the brim with alien soldiers speaking a language that was unfamiliar and strange to anyone who might hear it. Strange flying ships made their way from the outskirts of the city inward, terrifying the people as they scattered them from the streets. And all of them, each and every one of them, wore red, blue, and gold... and sported the s-like curve as an emblem.

The invasion had begun.

Comments

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve, amazingly, kept a straight face.

"You know, I'm going on the record saying I don't think that's true."

[kolodnoykovki]

A sock bounced off his shoulder. "Ass."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

The sock was retrieved from the floor and tossed his way.

"Bigger ass."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I've heard that that's a good thing in this decade," he answered, letting the sock bounce off his left elbow.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Mine, apparently, has a blog."

Because what the hell. They were being ridiculous. Steve never did do things half...assed.

[kolodnoykovki]

He looked at Steve skeptically. "I know they enhanced your muscles, but how the hell is your ass supposed to type?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"If only it was that ridiculous," Steve said with a bit of a sigh. "Suffice to say, the internet is a deeply silly place sometimes."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Yeah, what little I've seen of it, that's about right," he exhaled. He scrubbed his right hand over his face, something he'd learned to do after gaining one of the scars on his nose.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He let him do it for a moment before glancing at his bag and his shield.

"You gonna be all right with me?"

[kolodnoykovki]

The only answer to that was another question. "You gonna be okay if I don't talk about it much?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Not much to discuss. I told you. You know. Wasn't... I wasn't looking for anything else."

He shifted his weight from one foot to another.

"It doesn't change anything between you and me. At least as far as I'm concerned."

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim nodded. "Then we're fine." He could pretend nothing changed. He'd have time to practice, he thought, before that was put to the test.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve nodded to that before completing the movement by dipping down to grab his things. He slung the bag over one shoulder and slotted the shield in it's usual spot on his back.

"I'm gonna head out. I mean, I was planning to anyway. But it's about time if I don't wanna hit the traffic."

[kolodnoykovki]

Another nod and he said, "All right," and stood, figuring that was only right - saying goodbye on the same footing.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Like I said. Phone's on. Texting you was... fun. We'll have to do it again sometime."

It was obvious he thought he should go and just as obvious that he didn't want to go.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Yeah." Nodding, Jim gave a faint smile. "I've got lunches and after work. Work itself's a little too busy for messages."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Same here," he said with a slightly cheesy smile. He hitched the bag a little further on his shoulder.

"See you around, Jim."

He opened the door, gave him one last grin, and then closed it on his way out.

[kolodnoykovki]

"See you, Steve," he said to the closed door before he slumped to the floor and dropped his head to one of his knees. He wasn't exactly sure what he felt - something between relief and regret, but it was enough to leave him drained and confused all over again.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark peeked his head in a few minutes later.

"Everyone else is heading out. You can say your goodbyes or I can just let them know you're still resting."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I... need to stay here for a while." Somewhere quiet, alone, and where he could unwind. "Tell 'em I'm sorry."

[stands_for_hope]

"Will do."

And Clark closed the door behind him, happy to take over the pleasantries.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Thank you." Despite the closed door, he knew that was heard, and that was good enough. He just needed to sit. Just for a while. Long enough that his world stopped breaking apart.

[stands_for_hope]

[continued (with deep apologies to all) here]