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]

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.

[kolodnoykovki]

While they were in relative private, Jim took the chance to slide his hand between Steve's jacket and vest, to let his fingertips stroke the line of his spine. "I could get used to this."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve goes stock still before melting against him, leaning down and in to steal a kiss.

"Better get used to it."

[kolodnoykovki]

"God yes," he grinned, swaying against him before nipping Steve's lower and stepping back, mischief in his eyes. "I think we better get moving."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve nodded... then went trotting off towards the entrance, heading straight for the front desk.

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim laughed and followed, catching the back of Steve's coat so he didn't get too far ahead.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

It takes every ounce of self control not to spin around and plant one on him right then and there in the lobby which, while mostly empty at this time of night, isn't entirely. So he behaves.

The lady at the front desk smiles at both of them politely, and then a little more fondly before nodding to the both of them.

"Are you Mr. Rogers?"

"That I am."

[kolodnoykovki]

Jim was smiling, staying close to Steve's side - and at the question, he couldn't help but say, "That we are," before he pulled his card out of his wallet. "Here, we're paying with a different card..."

[justakidfrombrklyn]

She looked between them for a moment before taking the new card and entering it in the system.

"Checkout is at 11am or as early as you require. You just have to return the key since you're all paid up."

She magnetizes two cards and holds them out.

"1204. Should be the suite off to your right as soon as you get off the elevator."

[kolodnoykovki]

"Thank you," he smiled and slid the card into his wallet, then the wallet into his pocket, along with the key. "Have a good evening." But then he was pulling Steve toward the elevator, a little shameless.

[justakidfrombrklyn]

Steve practically raced to the elevator, pressing the button as soon as he got could reach it. Then he let himself run into Jim, just a little, a grin on his face like he's ten years old and actually has enough money to get them both a sweet at the shop.

[kolodnoykovki]

"They're gonna be talking about us all night," he said, laughing as the elevator started going up, arms wrapping around Steve's waist gladly. "And I don't care."