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'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.

[kolodnoykovki]

It was good fish, easy to eat, easy to enjoy, and he did eat enthusiastically, but as good as it was, there were other things he was looking forward to - like being out with his guy at the boardwalk. It'd just be a short drive from where they parked, but he'd still be impatient the whole way.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

As soon as they were finished, the server appeared like magic, smiling over at the two of them.

"Would you two like anything else, any dessert or--"

Steve looked up and shook his head.

"I think we're good. If you're good, Jim?"

[kolodnoykovki]

"We're ready for our check," he agreed, "but I really would like to send my compliments to the kitchen - it's been fantastic. And your service has been great. You're definitely getting some repeat customers."

But after she smiled and thanked them both, she returned with the check - which he promptly paid for, and wrote a big tip into the tip line. He was used to how those cards worked now, and it was just a matter of minutes before they were on their way out to the car.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

She promised to pass along the compliments and gave them both a big smile as she collected the receipt.

Steve made a point of leaving a little something under his plate as well before getting up and gesturing to the door.

"To the boardwalk/?"

[kolodnoykovki]

"Gotta move the car," he said, "but yep, to the boardwalk." His hand came to Steve's shoulder, arm slung around him almost like he used to. Just a foot of difference.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

And if Steve let his shoulders drop a little and leaned in to help it work a little better, well...

It felt as natural as anything else.

"To the car, then."

Where Jim was going to get a kiss, because he'd waited long enough.

[kolodnoykovki]

He smiled, even unlocked the door for him - but then jogged around to his side, knowing well what was going to come when he slid in behind the steering wheel. He'd wanted to since they'd gotten out of the car to begin with. He tossed his hat into the back seat before he climbed in, already reaching for Steve.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

And Steve didn't disappoint, leaning in and reaching to rest his hand at the nape of Jim's neck to pull him in for a firm kiss. It'd taken a bit of practice, but Jim was a very good teacher. And he liked to think he was a half-decent student, especially considering how much he'd enjoyed the lessons.

[kolodnoykovki]

He leaned into it happily, arms sliding around Steve like he'd been gone for days instead of just the time for a meal. But all of those little touches, their game of touching toes beneath the table -- he'd wanted to kiss him the entire time, and he'd come close to it, but propriety had stopped him. But here in the car - if anybody noticed, they were the improper ones.