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

[kolodnoykovki]

"Well, he's not had the--" Injections? Serum? "Training." But he followed along into the elevator, clearing his throat once they were in and remembering the persona he was going for. Russian hiding himself with a Brooklyn cover. Exactly backward from how he'd been for ages.

[stands_for_hope]

"He's also slow. He couldn't dodge me punching him in the balls."

She let the door close and pressed the button for the right floor.

[kolodnoykovki]

He laughed. "It's 'cause men don't expect it. Seriously. We all figure our balls are safe."

[stands_for_hope]

"Is that like some sacred rule among guys? Thou shalt beat the shit out of each other in all other ways, but thy balls are sacred?"

[kolodnoykovki]

"Pretty much, actually - it's considered a cheap shot. Makes things too easy," he chuckled. "Anybody can take a guy down by hitting his balls, but it's a more fair fight to go at each other hand to hand."

[stands_for_hope]

"Yeah, I'd kind of noticed. Girls? Don't care. The second the fight starts, you're aiming for the throat in every kind of way. And I'm kind of proud to hear from Diana that they teach that way where she's from soon."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Hey, I'm for it. I've watched too many women get the bad end of men because they're not taught to stand up for themselves," he said, shaking his head. "So more women stand up for themselves, all the better."

[stands_for_hope]

"That's one change from when you were last kicking around. More of us kicking ass where people can see."

She breathed in as the elevator doors opened.

"Like right now. Wish me luck with Perry."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I've got confidence in you - go get him," he encouraged, squeezing her hand. "You can do it." He stepped out of the elevator with her and nudged her forward.

[stands_for_hope]

She grinned at him just the once before steeling herself and heading for the office at the back.

"Good luck with the suit."

Fortunately or not, Lombard appeared to have left for the day.

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim left after she was headed off, and started looking things up on his phone - suit shops, tailor shops, any place that could do what he was looking for. And then, a car rental. After all, he'd need a car for the night.

He finally found a place for both and gave over Steve's measurements when Lois sent them, and stood still for his own, having to explain that his arm was a prosthetic and no, he wasn't going to take his shirt off.

[stands_for_hope]

Clark texted him a little after he left the shop to let him know that Steve was on the way home and that he was going to help Diana with some work down at the community center.

[kolodnoykovki]

Not long after the call, there was a buzz from the front door. A delivery, the guy said, for Steven Rogers. The package he brought was from the well-to-do shop he'd stopped at, an envelope taped to the top.

The note inside was simple. "Let me give you the kind of night you never got to have before. Be ready at six."

And inside the box, on top of the tissue paper that wrapped the suit so carefully, was a single rose of the most vivid red he'd been able to find.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve took the package, curious but willing to go along with it until he read the note and am saw the rose. Then he started grinning, hung up the suit, and threw himself into the shower to get ready. He wanted to look as smart as possible for when his 'mystery' suitor showed up at six.

It was a good thing that he had super healing because he was bouncing so much with excitement that he nicked himself at least a half a dozen times shaving.

[kolodnoykovki]

The suit was tailored impeccably and came absolutely complete. Pants, dress shirt, suspenders, tie, waistcoat, jacket - everything but underwear. While it was delivered, Jim had made them reservations at the restaurant, bought himself a few more little things, and had taken some time at the Vet Center to shower and dress himself up.

A squirt of cologne, a polish to his shoes, combing his hair just so, and he finally dropped his hat onto his head at just the right angle. Seventy years before, he would've been damned proud at what he saw in the mirror - and now, he was finding that he still could be. Out of fashion according to the world, but it felt good to him.

It didn't take him long to drive to the apartment and let himself in quietly, looking around the living room. He'd figured their roommates (especially Lois) would want to see how things turned out.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Lois was curled up on the couch when he came in and her smile went wide as he walked in.

"Oh, very nice. Steve's still getting ready, so you'd best stay here."

Clark, sitting at his desk working and none the worse for wear after what had apparently been a rather nasty hostage situation in Opal City (according to the Daily Planets website, compliments of Clark Kent), turned and actually gave a slow, quiet clap.

"You clean up well. The hat really works for you."

Diana, who'd been lounging on the bean bag that had become a part of the new living room furniture shortly after her arrival, looked up at him with wide, delighted eyes.

"Sweet Hera, James. You do look lovely. I'm sure Steven will be so happy to see you. Your smile glows. I have seldom seen such an expression on you. It suits you well."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Thank you," he said to everyone, taking the hat off since he was indoors - some things were ingrained into him like that. "I figured it was about time. I've missed havin' a nice suit, anyway."

He didn't have the same shape as Steve, but he still liked how the waistcoat hugged him. He was vain enough for that.

"Pretty soon, I'm gonna get you all clothes to match and we'll go out dancing. But tonight..." Tonight was for him and Steve.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Tonight is for yourself and Steven to celebrate your love," Diana said with a happy bob of her head.

"And I'll be right out!"

Came the shout from down the hall and behind the bedroom door.

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim couldn't help the start of a smile, stomach giving a little flutter at the thought of Steve all dressed up in the suit he'd bought. Those shoulders of his in a well-fit coat... He caught himself biting his lip. "No rush, hot stuff," Jim called back with a levity that masked his sudden nerves.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

A few minutes later, Steve slipped out of the bedroom, the suit perfectly fitted and his newly-grown beard carefully neatened up to look as sharp. As expected, the suit did nothing but good to show off his shoulders as well as the smooth slope of his waist and deepened the blue of his eyes, which was very visible as those eyes widened upon seeing Jim standing in the middle of the living room.

His mouth gaped open for a moment before he closed it with a snap and his lips curled into a sunshine-bright smile.

"Lookin' good, Jim," he finally said, his voice soft and distant and warm.

[kolodnoykovki]

He stared. The last thing he thought about was how he looked, even though he knew he looked good. He'd always been able to make brown look good, and with the hint of green of his tie tucked into his waistcoat, the tiny green feather in his hatband - he looked nice. But that was nothing compared to Steve.

Steve was made for suits like this now. For a good few seconds he couldn't answer, and when he tried, he had to clear his throat and swallow before he was understandable. "So are you, Stevie."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

The smile, somehow, widened.

"Glad you like it."

He spread his arms and turned around smoothly for Jim to get a good look all around.

"Fits perfect."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Well. I had help," he smiled, trying to speak past the butterflies in his stomach. "It's lookin' like I did good."

He hadn't even realised he'd crossed over to him until he saw his own hand at Steve's waist. "I think we need to get on out of here before I decide to stay in."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve looked up at him past a fringe of dirty blond hair and pale lashes, lips curled in a slightly impish grin. While pure vanity was something that was rather alien to him for any number of reasons, he could read Jim well enough to know that the other man liked how he looked right that moment and it gave him a burst of confidence that was heady in it's rarity and treasured mostly due to the source.

"And miss a night out with my best guy?"

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim's eyes were bright as he slid his hand over and took hold of Steve's. "Let's go, then."

The hand-hold didn't last for very long. Just long enough to get Steve to follow him to the door, hat placed back on his head at that angle where it belonged. "Don't wait up, guys," he called over his shoulder.