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]

"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.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

All three of their roommates waved them off and Diana made a point of giving Steve a smile and a slightly over-done thumbs up before the door closed behind them.

Steve leaned into Jim and put his lips close enough to press a kiss to the other man's cheek without actually doing so.

"You know... I used to dream about this," he whispered, conspiratorial and even a little giddy. It isn't as easy to see nowadays; once upon a time, he'd been too big for his body to contain, all bounce and energy. Now that he's bigger, it's more of a sway then a bounce, smoother and more balanced.

[kolodnoykovki]

That smile. Jim couldn't help but smile in return, leaning over to kiss him. It was something he definitely wouldn't have done had anyone else have one of the apartments on that floor. But that whole floor was theirs. That gave him the freedom to do just what he wanted. "So did I."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve stole another kiss while they were still on their floor, mostly because he could. He'd gotten... significantly better at them sine he'd moved in with Jim and the others. That probably had to do with the copious amounts of practice he had.

"Sounds like we've both waited long enough then. Should I ask where we're going for dinner, or is it a surprise?"

[kolodnoykovki]

He slid his arm around Steve's waist. "This place called Pier 95. We've even got reservations," he grinned. "It's real close to the boardwalk. I figured a nice meal to go with our nice suits, a stroll on the waterfront, then maybe a late movie and a nice hotel room just for us...?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"A hotel room?" he asked with playfully wide eyes, unable to chase the grin from his face at all Jim had proposed, "Mr. Rogers, what kind of boy do you take me for?"

[kolodnoykovki]

His own eyes were gleaming, hands sliding around Steve's waist. "I think you're my kind of boy," he answered softly before tilting his head and taking Steve's lips in a slow, teasing kiss.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve melted easily into the kiss, his own hands finding Jim's waist, the side of his neck.

"All yours."

[kolodnoykovki]

His hands traced along Steve's back between jacket and vest before he broke the kiss and started tugging him toward the stairs. "C'mon. We'll be late, and I'll be too tempted to just spend the night in our own bed." And then, with a grin, he said, "And you can tell me about those dreams of yours on the way."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve's ears turned deep pink as he followed Jim.

"Only if you share some of yours."

Steve couldn't keep the bright grin off of his face, though.

[kolodnoykovki]

"'Course I will," he smiled. "Now, I hope you forgive me but I wasn't able to get a car that was from the right year, so that's stuck modern." And, yes, there was a dark blue Buick sitting outside the front door, meter paid up and ticking, waiting just for them. He used the little keyfob to unlock the doors and then guided Steve to the passenger side.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He walked around with him to the passenger side, leaning against the truck a little with a smile.

"I'm noticing a blue theme. Other than you. Then again, you always looked brilliant in brown."

[kolodnoykovki]

"This one was actually an accident," he laughed, motioning to the car broadly. "All I did was ask 'em for something that didn't look like an egg. But as for you, well, Stevie, you're made for blue. Between your hair and your eyes, blue is perfect."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Stop saying things like that until we're in the car," Steve said as he slipped his hand into the handle and tugged the door open.

Because that was where he could kiss him.

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim grinned and rounded the car to slip in behind the steering wheel. He was glad he'd had a chance to get used to driving the car. It meant that he wouldn't have a problem getting them on their way. But instead of fastening his seatbelt and getting started, he leaned over for another kiss.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve gave it to him in spades, practically humming with how happy he was. He'd always been excited when Bucky'd brought them to Coney Island or sprung for a night at the movies, but now, going together? It was all the better. His eyes slipped closed and the kiss widened into a smile by the end.

"This is already pretty damn perfect."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Mm, just wait 'til we're walkin' down the boardwalk together, having some cotton candy and trying to pretend we're not great at the games..." He combed his fingertips lightly through Steve's new beard, grinning as he did. "It'll almost be like it used to be."