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]

"That sounds like a pretty nice dream," he said quietly, peering across the space between them as his thumb rubbed slow circles at the base of Jim's neck, his cheek brushing past Jim's fingers.

"Doesn't sound too far off from how we've got it now. An apartment, space for my art, my arms around you and a bit of kissing. Maybe not how you imagined it, but... we got there. Even if I need to shine my halo a little."

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim smiled at him, gentle and warm. "Your halo's just fine, Steve. Never been brighter. ...But now I wanna make us a glass room like that on the roof..."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I bet everyone would like a nice sun room up on the roof," and now he was thinking about it too.

[kolodnoykovki]

He leaned in and brushed another kiss to Steve's lips. "Almost forgot about the boardwalk, thinking about kissing you in a sunroom on the roof..."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"A happy thought to look forward to," he said softly before leaning in for another kiss.

[kolodnoykovki]

A pleased hum and Jim let the kiss linger, rubbing at the back of Steve's neck - after all, he wouldn't want to muss his perfect hair.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve was content to linger, was content to stay right there for as long as Jim wanted to be there.

"This whole thing was perfect," he said softly when he had to breath, "you're amazing."

[kolodnoykovki]

"You deserve it," he murmured quietly. "You've always deserved somebody who would treat you right."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"So do you. I'm gonna have to figure out something good for next month."

Though he already had a few ideas.

"Good thing I fell in love with a fantastic fella."

[kolodnoykovki]

He took a long, slow breath when he heard those words and he wrapped his arms tight around Steve, burying his face into Steve's neck. "I love you too, Steve."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve ran his hand down the back of Jim's hair a few times, just... holding him. Breathing him in, tucking up against him in return.

[kolodnoykovki]

His lips brushed Steve's neck - just a brush before he whispered, "I've loved you since I grew hormones." There was just enough humour in his voice to make it at least half a joke, despite its truth.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He shivered at the brush of lips before his mouth curled into an amused smile.

"Oh, if we start in on that kind of thing, I'm going to embarass myself. But it's been just about as long for me."

Steve drew back a little to at least catch one of his eyes.

"Do we wanna walk or just find that hotel and get ice cream brought to the room like a pair of lazy bums?"

Because as much as the walk sounded nice, he almost couldn't imagine waiting that long to kiss him more.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Mm, I thought you wanted cotton candy and a barefoot walk on the beach," Jim teased, brushing his nose to Steve's. "Changed your mind?"

[justakidfrombrklyn]

He nudged Jim's shoulder but not far enough to dislodge him from his own shoulder.

"I want you."

And then Jim could probably feel his cheeks heat even in the darkened car.

"I mean, I don't want to wreck your plans. That is. I'd love that too. But I keep wanting to kiss you every time I look at you so I'm trying to. Be strategic."

[kolodnoykovki]

With a soft laugh, he brushed another kiss to Steve's lips. "Well, I kind of need to find a hotel first," he admitted, eyes gleaming. "I only came up with that idea on the way to the apartment. So do you want to pick one out while I drive? Get one that's top of the line."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"And close by," he said, leaning up to press a peck to Jim's cheek before leaning back to pull out his phone. Steve was surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly) quick, pressing the screen with some finality before putting his ear to the phone.

"Yes, hello... do you have a suite open for rent tonight? Yes, tonight. No, just for the night. Yes, exactly. And when can we-- perfect. Do you have room service? Yeah, yeah, sorry, just--- right. Fantastic. We'll be there in about... ten minutes, I think? Right, under Rogers. Two. Right, that's--" and he dictates the number to his credit card by memory before smiling, "perfect. Thank you very much. See you soon."

He pressed the red button on the screen before turning back to Jim.

"There's a hotel three blocks over, very nice, great reviews," blush "nice big bed."

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim laughed, leaning over to give Steve's ear a light bite before he started the car engine and buckled himself in. "Let's go, then. Then if we want to, we can walk to the boardwalk. ...If we have the time," he teased.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve straightened right up and shivered hard this time. His ears might be a wee bit sensitive.

"M-maybe a quick stroll tomorrow morning."

[kolodnoykovki]

"After all, you owe me a bear." He grinned widely over at Steve, then pulled out into the street. "Tell me where to turn, Stevie. Let's see our beautiful room with the big bed."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I owe you so much more than a bear," he said, keeping it light before pointing up a few streets.

"Third light up there should be it. The big white building there."

And even from the distance, in the dark, it looked impressive.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Wow," he murmured, but he headed right for it, his hand resting on Steve's leg until he had to turn in to park. "You really picked a great one."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

"I picked a close one that fit your qualifications. If it doesn't suit your tastes, we can go someplace else. They just take the card to reserve it for you."

But he glowed from the praise clear enough.

[kolodnoykovki]

"Oh, it suits just fine. Makes me think there should be a red carpet out front." He grabbed his hat from the back seat before climbing out, the car neatly parked in the garage. "Now this is the high life."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve took a moment to straighten his hair just a little before slipping out of the car, closing the door carefully behind him before walking around to Jim's side.