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]

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.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"You can have the popcorn, but the cotton candy's calling my name," he admitted with a childish sort of grin. Being able I indulge his sweet tooth, both due to funds and the lack of danger of diabetes, was a wonderful thing.

[kolodnoykovki]

A soft laugh and he reached out to just touch Steve's hand. "One of these days, Steve, I'm going to fill you up with chocolate and bananas and strawberries and sugar..."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"And when I'm bouncing around the apartment, you get to tie me up and sit on me," he pointed out with a smile in return, his hand shifting to take Jim's almost delicately. He wanted to hold it, but he didn't want to make Jim uncomfortable.

[kolodnoykovki]

His brows raised slowly. "Promise?" he smirked, slowly wrapping his fingers around Steve's. "That sounds like it could be fun."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Now it was Steve's turn to go a bit pink at the ears.

"I'm... not opposed. To this idea. I mean."

His expression clearly said that he was deeply regretting having a vivid imagination at that very moment.

[kolodnoykovki]

"I'm more interested in the sitting on than the tying up, I admit..." Somehow he was able to be so casual - so nonchalant.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Which earned him a nudge under the table.

But let it never be said that Steve Rogers didn't know how to rally. He sat up a little straighter and smiled right back.

"Something we'll have to explore when we get to that hotel, hmm?"

[kolodnoykovki]

"Sounds good to me," he agreed. "Seems like we're quickly filling up our schedule for the evening..." That nudge under the table. Jim showed no outward sign, but he reached out with one foot to catch Steve's, wrapping his ankle behind his best guy's. Not exactly all that subtle, really, but he didn't care.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"Well, if we don't get to it tonight, we just save it for next month. Have something to look forward to."

And if his smile got brighter and he let his feet stay hooked in Jim's, well... no one could see under the table.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Next month? Who says it'd wait that long?" He winked and took another slice of his fish.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He ran his thumb along Jim's hand and ducked his head, peering past blonde lashes as one corner of his lips curved up. It said, without saying, that he really wished he could kiss Jim right about then.

But instead, he pulled back a little to finish up his fish.