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

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"We're living," he said before taking his own sip.

"And it's our sacred duty to show our niece New York properly. Bet she's only been there for business."

[kolodnoykovki]

"And that means she's only ever seen the shiny parts," he grinned. "So of course we have an obligation."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I'll make you a bet she's only been to Manhattan," he said as he pulled over one of the mussels to start trying it out.

"Every person I've ever met who's not from New York seems to think the other boroughs are like... a buffer zone for Manhattan and not much else. It's sad."

He took a sip of the wine.

"Incidentally, Staten Island hasn't improved. If anything, it's worse."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Harlem's a little better, though. Kind of. Depends on your definition of better." And at last, he reached toward the mussels, a little uncertain but knowing it was time to give them a go. They looked almost too pretty to eat. "I did wander through New York before heading down here."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"They had to do a bit of reconstruction recently, so the new building projects helped, from what I remember," Steve said as he pulled the little fork from the table and plucked the meat from the mussel. He popped it into his mouth and was about to say more when--

Oh, that was very good. He made a soft noise as he let the flavor sink in, the texture, and finally swallowed it with a sigh of contentment.

"Okay, those are... very good."

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim had to stare for a few moments with that sound, that look... He was going to be sending compliments to the chef, for sure. "Now I'm not sure if I want to eat 'em or just feed 'em to you."

God that had been a beautiful sight. He bit his lower lip just at the thought of it.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve looked over at Jim and two dots of color appeared on his cheeks as he ducked his head a little, bashful.

"You should definitely have some," he said after a moment (and clearing his throat) "it's... really good."

Captain Eloquent he was not.

[kolodnoykovki]

"I believe it." He picked up his own fork and did the same - and he raised his eyebrows at the flavour. Damn, it really was good. He couldn't hear his own sound of enjoyment, too focused on just how it tasted.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

But he'd done something, or perhaps it was just an opportunity, because Steve was watching him, eyes rapt and focused on the curve of his lips.

And he made plans for at least one thing to do when they got to the hotel.

[kolodnoykovki]

"You're right," he said once he could. "This is... wow. This might turn into a regular thing for us just for the food." But then, after a pause, he grinned. "Well. Not just for the food."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I wouldn't mind coming back at some point, making this a regular thing," he agreed with a little grin in return.

He went for another one of the mussels, and prepared this time, he didn't react quite so strongly, but it was still delicious.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Maybe once a month?" He played with his fork for a moment before getting another. There were too many ideas going through his mind, and all of them involved Steve.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"A night out you and me, once a month?" he asked, frowning thoughtfully. Then he nodded, one hand slipping forward before settling on the table as his foot gave Jim's another little rub.

"I'd like that."

[kolodnoykovki]

His finger brushed Steve's, taking the opportunity while he could. "Then it's a deal."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

The little brush to his hand made his expression turn from thoughtful to smiling.

"Definitely. And we take turns taking each other out?"

He leaned in a little.

"Or do you like picking the details?"

[kolodnoykovki]

"I think taking turns is fair..." He touched his toe to Steve's ankle. "Gives me something to worry about."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Worrying I'll drag you around an art museum?" But he was grinning.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Worrying I'll decide to cut everything short and take you to a hotel instead, maybe."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve smirked just a little.

"I had an idea for the boardwalk that might help."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Oh really." He arched an eyebrow in that expression he was so very good at. "And what was that?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

That eyebrow raise melted his insides, but he soldiered on.

"I was thinking we could pull off our shoes and walk below the boardwalk. Lots of dark corners to duck into for a minute... And the sand should be nice."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Now that sounds good," he smiled. "Get some ice cream, some cotton candy, and then go disappear for a while..."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"See? This is why you keep me around. My brilliant ideas."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Nah, I keep you around because you're pretty." Jim winked at him across the table, innocently eating another mussel. Those things were damned good.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve blushed and let out a little laugh.

"Good thing I clean up nice," he said before taking another mussel. And if he let that noise slip out again, utterly earnest in his enjoyment, well, let it never be said that Steve Rogers didn't play dirty.

They were very good, after all.