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 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."

[kolodnoykovki]

"You've made a difference your whole life," Jim assured quietly. "Trust me on that one. Even if it's just to a jerk like me."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I can live with that," he said, one foot sliding up against Jim's ankle.

[kolodnoykovki]

"God, who turned you into a tease," he muttered, a hint of red rising into his own cheeks.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He looked back, all wide innocent eyes.

"I don't know what you mean," and those baby blues were almost convincing ( or would be on anyone but Jim), "but I will say that a lifetime if thinking about it can do wonders for your creativity."

[kolodnoykovki]

"...We can talk about those daydreams later," Jim decided almost under his breath, biting at his tongue before determinedly focusing on his meal.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve gave a crooked smile.

"Of course. My best guy took me out to a fantastic meal. I'm not gonna miss out on the best part."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I'd tell you to save room for dessert but I don't think I have to," he smirked. He couldn't say much, though - he didn't eat quite as much as Steve, but he did eat more than he used to.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"That and we'll be walking for a bit, work off some of this," he agreed before tucking in in earnest.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Oh yeah, God forbid Stevie might actually put on some weight." He had to laugh for a second before he could eat again.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He laughed.

"I wish. Don't think that was ever in the cards for me."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Your ankle might get a quarter of an inch thicker for thirty seconds. Watch out." He grinned over at him, enjoying another fork of his fish - it was better than he'd expected, for all he didn't know what to expect.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"The most terrifying threat I've ever faced, obviously," he said before taking another bite.

"This is fantastic, incidentally."

[kolodnoykovki]

"I'm glad you're liking it," he smiled. "I am too - more than I thought I would, honestly." He'd figured to come in, eat, and then have the real experience at the boardwalk. This food was proving to be an experience in and of itself.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I almost think we ought to come back here and try everything before we move on."

[kolodnoykovki]

He laughed. "Eat our way through the menu? I'm fine with that. As long as we get a decent dose of junk food on the way out."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Of course. Can't avoid it since we're on the boardwalk. I could smell the cotton candy when we got out from the car."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Cotton candy and popcorn..." Almost like home. He loved the feel of it all - home, but with the money to enjoy it like they never had before.