Superman, Firebrand, and the Metropolis Gang in... the World's Mightiest Duckling

[stands_for_hope]

[continued from here]

It took a few weeks, but soon enough, the apartment had become an entirely settled little commune between the five of them. Steve's things had arrived as Clint had promised, they'd been installed in the new apartment, and the group had made the changes they'd discussed for everyone's comfort with one addition: with Steve bunking with Jim, the room he'd initially intended to take had become a general office/library/art room for everyone to use when they felt like a bit of time alone. For as silly as the concept sounded, all of them had ended up using the room a time or two and it had definitely kept things peaceful despite the addition of two new people.

Considering that the apartment was home to four superheroes and a world-famous journalist, it was amazing how easily they all fell into a routine. Jim, Lois, and Clark would usually leave for work around the same time and Steve, always an early riser, had taken to making them something to munch for breakfast on the way after he returned from his morning run. Having also gotten a position at the community center (teaching kids art and art history), Steve would leave with Diana an hour or so after that. Everyone filtered back into the apartment at different times and whoever was feeling up to cooking would usually start dinner when they got in. If no one was feeling up cooking, one of the two 'old' men would treat takeout.

Today, however, Jim's site was currently closed for due to an issue with the plumbing contractors and some unfortunate flooding that had occurred overnight. That was why Clark texted Jim and invited him to come visit he and Lois at the Daily Planet offices and go out for lunch together.

Comments

[stands_for_hope]

"I would appreciate if you watched your phone when I decide to go, but the first attempt should probably be solo," Clark said after a moment, obviously having considered it well before Jim had even asked.

"Despite, well, me, some people actually find me intimidating all by myself and I'd rather not double that by bringing a friend. But thank you for the offer, Jim."

[kolodnoykovki]

After giving him a look, Jim nodded. "Yeah, at first glance, most people can't tell you're a marshmallow. You are kinda bigger than Steve is now. People tend to think that bigger people are more dangerous."

[stands_for_hope]

"Something like that," Clark agreed with a bob of his head. There was also a rather popular shot of him lifting a tank and another of him throwing a helicopter like a frisbee. Things like that made people think of you as 'dangerous', though Clark was pleased with the fact that, after the Luthor debacle, most people thought of him as a hero and not a hindrance.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Well, I'll keep my phone handy, you just promise to actually call if you need me - or us, in this case. I mean, there's four of us willing to bail you out." Lois definitely counted.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark gave him a sweet little smile.

"I know to call if I need help. I promise. And I've got all four of you here on speed dial and Clint as well if things get that bad."

[kolodnoykovki]

"And I apparently know how to email Tony Stark," Jim agreed. "I mean, if I can do it in a time crunch, I should be able to do it when I've got time."

[stands_for_hope]

"Well, I trust you to take care of Metropolis while I'm gone. You and Diana and Steve. Make sure to fill up the tank before I get back."

Lois chuckled at that.

[kolodnoykovki]

"It'll be fine - might even shine it up a little," he smirked.

[stands_for_hope]

"Just no setting it on fire," he said 'firmly'.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Hey, who's the older brother, here, again? Who is it turnin' ninety-sev... Yeah, seven?" He'd had to pause to calculate.

[stands_for_hope]

"I don't know," he said, mock considering, "Steve's told some stories from when you two were younger. Makes me concerned."

Lois snorted.

"...you mean the ones where Steve got in trouble and your brother here pulled him out of it by the collar?"

[kolodnoykovki]

He snorted a laugh. "Yeah, that's about it. I think he's only turned into a bigger trouble magnet than ever - like that's anything new and different. He got bigger all around."

[stands_for_hope]

"Aren't you glad you have a responsible sibling to assist you now?" and Clark's eyes were practically glittering with suppressed mirth.

"So correction. Don't let Steve burn the place down."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I won't," he laughed. "I haven't yet, have I?"

[stands_for_hope]

"Fair enough, fair enough," Clark agreed, laughing a little under his breath.

[kolodnoykovki]

"The city will be in good hands. Especially now that the LexCorp letters are being taken off of the tower." And that was a happy sight for him, at least.

[stands_for_hope]

"I'm honestly amazed how quickly Tony got that going," Clark admitted, "though Steve said I shouldn't be."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I think after what he did, they were glad to get rid of it," Jim exhaled. "Nobody's sure what's gonna go on it yet - I'm kinda lookin' forward to that part."

[stands_for_hope]

"From what he said, probably POTTS, and I wouldn't mind that one bit."

Which Clark was privately glad about. Lex was a genius, and Clark knew that wasn't just in xenological science. If anyone could weasel himself out of the charges, it would be Lex... but there was no escaping from your share holders or a corporate takeover during such a time, and that meant that Lex's resources were seriously limited even if he did get out.

Clark liked that just fine.

[kolodnoykovki]

"I'm fine with that, too," Jim agreed, "but I was wondering if she'd be as vain as he is to name a business after herself. Even if it seems to be what people do."

[stands_for_hope]

"I think you need a certain sort of vanity to get that high in the world," he admitted thoughtfully, starting to finish up his salad.

"But anything's better than Luthor."

[kolodnoykovki]

But he paused and asked, "...Will I need to make some kind of company since I'm gonna be owning the building?"

[stands_for_hope]

Clark opened his mouth... and then frowned.

"I don't think so? But you might want to ask Clint. Maybe Tony. I'm pretty sure you don't, but there may be something you should look into for limited liability."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Yeah... I think I'll talk to one of 'em this afternoon," he exhaled. "They know more'n I do about that end of things. I can fix it up inside, but the whole owning part..." He'd figure it out, though.

[stands_for_hope]

Lois nodded along.

"Probably for the best. It's not that big of a deal, though, even if you do need to set up a company. My sister, Lucy? She makes these little figurines and sells them online and she had to pay like, a hundred bucks and that was pretty much it. Don't worry too much about it."