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]

"I think I've got a better shot at it than I used to," he admitted as he considered the question, "and I know just the thing for a little music up on the roof. I just have to unpack it from the boxes that came in."

Because Steve hadn't quite unpacked entirely, mostly out of a total lack of need. A lot of it had been his scrabbling way of trying to catch up, trying to force himself into a world that seemingly didn't need or want him anymore. Now, here, he'd put that concern down to some degree. He was who he was, after all, and the most important parts hadn't changed. He'd just needed some reminders of that to get it through his skull.

[kolodnoykovki]

"It is a little sad that I probably won't be able to slide you between my legs for some of those moves, but there are still other moves I could do with you." He grinned at the thought. "After all, you're the tall one now."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"By a couple inches," and his fingers ticked back and forth between their foreheads as if to prove it, "not that I'm all that worried about tossing you. Promise not to try and bounce you off the ceiling either."

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim laughed at the thought. "Yeah, I'd appreciate not coming back from dancing with many more bruises than usual." Dancing wasn't exactly safe, even at the best of times. With feet flying, bruises were pretty common.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Well, if you get 'em, at least they won't last as long," was the only upside he could think of, "but I'll do my best. Just don't wear stripes and we ought to be okay."

[kolodnoykovki]

"No stripes, except maybe on the tie. How's that?" His eyes gleamed with amusement.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I don't know..." and his eyes went wide, to the ceiling, around the room, lazy and playful.

"Maybe if they're not red or white."

[kolodnoykovki]

He snickered into his forkful of lettuce, giving his toe a light and playful kick under the table.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve nudged him back under the table before finishing up his salad.

"You know, I thought the day couldn't get better and that was before I even got home."

He took a sip of his wine.

"I got the email today. I... got into Metropolis School of Art."

[kolodnoykovki]

The gladness that came into him couldn't be faked. His eyes lit up, his smile got wider - there was none of the teasing front that he usually kept up. "I knew you would! Congratulations!"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I didn't know if I'd get in. Thankfully, the application is pretty impersonal so I don't think me being me affected the decision. They just... really liked my work."

He took another sip of his wine as his salad dish was swooped away by the server. He actually tried to catch her that time and-- nope. He figured he'd show his appreciation by helping with the tip. And thanking her profusely then.

"It was mostly New York City architecture, a few still lifes, some portraits... you know, my usual."

[kolodnoykovki]

"See, I told you you'd do it." He grinned, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "You're great. I knew they'd have to accept you. When do you start?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"couldn't squeeze in for the fall semester, considering, but they're going to get me started in January for the spring," he admitted, "which gives me plenty of time to make arrangements at work."

[kolodnoykovki]

"We'll get you plenty of supplies by--" But then he broke off and shook his head, laughing faintly at himself. "We don't have to save for supplies anymore, do we."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He shook his head.

"Nope, we're doing well in our golden years."

Smile.

[kolodnoykovki]

"We're the lucky ones." He smiled. "It's... I was sitting here trying to figure out how many hours I was going to need to work to get you some new charcoals..."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"That actually..." He leaned back a little. "I thought about the same thing at first. Which got me thinking. Then I talked to the folks at the community center about it.

"What do you think about me setting up a scholarship for kids like... like I used to be, so they can go to art school too. Not have to... not have to worry about that kind thing."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I think that's you all over, Stevie," he smiled. "It's a great idea. And we've got enough to do it. Might want to get in touch with Tony or somebody - he'd know more about that stuff than we would." He had money and accountants, anyway.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I figured. Might even make him pleased enough to skip the pouting."

He breathed in and was about to sip his wine again when the main dishes were expertly swooped onto the table.

"For now, though... I think we have some fish to enjoy."

[kolodnoykovki]

"It's been forever since I've had fish that wasn't on a sandwich or in a rangoon," he said, looking at the plate in front of him with some wonder. "Here's hoping it tastes as good as it looks. And smells." And after a long look, he picked up his knife and fork and started in.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve took a moment to mutter a prayer since it was the main course, then picked up his fork and knife and started in himself.

[kolodnoykovki]

"You always were more for that than I was." But that was part of his life - he couldn't remember ever really saying grace before a meal - not without Steve present, anyway.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I'm about as lucky as a man can be," he said softly, "so I figure I ought to be thankful."

He looked over.

"I'm not saying it was easy but... I figure, it coulda been worse. We're both still here and the world's still turning."

[kolodnoykovki]

"That's better than both of us thought it would be," he agreed with an exhale. "I always figured I'd be putting you into the ground, and you... saw me fall, so even with the hell in between, this is probably... the best ending we could hope for."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He breathed in and out a few times at the mention of the fall... then seemed to restart and went for his food again.

"Pretty much. Never figured I'd make it to 30, let alone 90. It's... Part of why I was keen to go off and fight. I figured, at least that way is go out making a difference."