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]

"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.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Mm, you dirty up nice, too." That sound... Steve was going to have him undone by the time they were finished eating at this rate. "So... So do I owe you a dream once we get back out to the car?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I'm hoping so," he admitted, eating a mussel with much less ado as the server slipped his soup into the table. He switched to start on the soup with a satisfied smile.

"I'm genuinely curious."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I'll have to decide which one to tell you. You've shown up in my dreams a lot." And he wasn't going to tell Steve a nightmare. There was no way.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Entirely up to you," he said magnanimously, grinning a little. He couldn't help it. Jim made it so easy to smile.

"Can I get two if I play my cards right?"

[kolodnoykovki]

He picked up another mussel, looking at it thoughtfully as he mused, "Well. I guess I could tell you two. How about... one before, one after, like you?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Sounds good," he agreed. "Then maybe you get two more. If you're interested."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Well you better tell me, Stevie, or else I won't be able to make it happen." And that was a fun idea. Making each other's dreams of what it would feel like to be together come true.