#matt murdock needs someone to match his freak

[creativelydani]

With respect to the LOML, Matthew Murdock is simply not being the slut I know he is rn and that disappoints me

[thematthewmmurdock]

Is the Daredevil fic community actively alive? Rewatching with my girlfriend, and if I don’t write a fic soon I will implode

[angelsspotinthecorner]

Episode 9 spoilers ddba

First thoughts on the episode before i have the time to rewatch it (trust i will make fanart)

Holy shit????

Dex mentioned but at what cost? He really is just trying to find himself and be close to someone. Does that justify his actions? No, of course not. But i understand him. He's such a well written character.

Matt "i could hear your heartbeat" Murdock.

"i don't believe that you don't care and he got captured oh 💔

Everything in its right place by Radiohead? How dare they???? Ouch my poor heart.

Overall the music choice in this show is amazing

Visuals in this episode were so good again, cinematography was top notch.

Vanessa and Fisk matching each other's freak so well? I hate them but damn they're good characters

The city finally realizing they need to stand up.

Cruel cliffhanger.

Martial law wtf. Remember, media is just a reflection of real social situations.

These are all just my first thoughts, i have to stomach this amazing episode now.

[bellaxgiornata]

Falling For the Devil [Part five: "The Wedding Day"]

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Fem!Reader

Summary: It's finally the day of Foggy and Marci's wedding and you're one of the bridesmaids.

Or

You admire how handsome Matt looks in his tux while feeling sick to your stomach as a pretty bridesmaid flirts with him all day.

[Series of one-shots about Reader meeting, falling for, and dating Matt Murdock.]

Warnings: 18+ for this series; contains humor, fluff, romance, angst, smut (like...a lot of it later in the series), language, some violence

Word Count: 3.2k

a/n: Okay, I lied, I got another one up on tumblr. Y'all, there are so many of these. For real. I feel like putting up 74 of them is going to be a bigger task than I thought. Anyway, this wedding day saga spans like three installments. You can find the list of installments that are on tumblr here. "The Wedding Night" seems to be the most loved installment on AO3 so I'm trying to get that one up next!

You took a sip of your mimosa, eyes glued to Marci in the large mirror as the hair stylist finished pinning back the blonde curls on her head while the makeup artist finished touching up her lipstick. She looked absolutely stunning–not that she didn’t always–and you and the five other bridesmaids had been dying to see her finally fully dressed in her wedding dress.

"How was dealing with the hotel mishap last night?" Karen asked you, leaning in on the couch beside you to whisper. 

You sighed, frowning down at the mimosa in your hands. Last night when you had arrived before the rehearsal dinner to check in with Matt and Karen, you'd found out that the rooms blocked out for you and Matt were adjoining rooms. Which for some reason had made you utterly nervous knowing there was only a single locked door between you and Matt for the two nights you'd be staying here. 

And it shouldn't have made any difference. It was just one locked door. Which had remained locked last night. But somehow knowing Matt was just beyond that door had made you stare at it more than you should have been staring at it last night. But the comments from one of Foggy's cousins to Matt during dinner last night about you needing ear plugs after the wedding, implying beforehand that Matt would be hooking up with someone–a perk of being in the bridal party he had joked–had only upset you further. You'd been anxiously dreading tonight, terrified you'd have to overhear Matt having sex with someone else just in the room next door. You were pretty sure that would kill you.

"It was fine," you lied. 

Karen rolled her eyes. "So naturally you're freaking out?"

You shrugged before bringing the glass to your lips, taking a sip. "I just don't want to hear his activities tonight," you mumbled.

Karen shot you a pointed look. "You know he's not going to do that tonight, right?" she asked you. "How many times do I have to tell you he's into you before it gets through?"

You sighed, shaking your head. "We're just friends, Karen," you said. 

She leaned in closer to you, her voice dropping even lower as she whispered, "But you're one of the few he's told his secret to."

"Yeah," you responded, talking out of the side of your mouth as you whispered back, "only because I'd nearly gotten myself killed looking too far into a story and he showed up to save me. It was sheerly because I have embarrassingly memorized his mouth, jaw, and voice that I'd figured it out myself. He didn't actually tell me."

Karen opened her mouth to say more, but was quickly cut off as Marci’s cousin Rosalie turned her attention on the pair of you. 

"What are you two whispering about over there?" she asked curiously, drawing the attention of everyone in the room to you both.

"It's about Matt, isn't it?" Marci called out, her knowing eyes on you in the mirror.

You felt your cheeks burn hot as your right hand fidgeted with the hem of your robe–sage green, matching each of the other bridesmaids and the same color as the dress you'd be wearing later.

"Did something finally happen?" she pressed you, her eyes widening.

"No," you answered her quickly. "Nothing happened. We're just friends, Marci, you know that."

Allison, a pretty brunette who had been friends with Marci since law school, let out an audible sigh of relief from where she was sitting in an armchair across from you. Your eyes immediately darted to her and she smiled.

"I was totally thinking you and him were together at the rehearsal last night," she explained quickly. "I had a thing for him back in law school but was too afraid to make a move. Now that I know he's available though…" she trailed off, a sly grin on her face as the girls in the room besides Marci and Karen squealed.

Your eyes landed back down on your drink, cheeks further reddening as you tried to ignore the sympathetic looks Karen and Marci were both giving you. Of course there’d be a gorgeous bridesmaid chasing after Matt all day today. Could you have expected anything less?

You followed the line of bridesmaids down the hall, the loud clattering of multiple sets of high heels echoing with each step. Foggy's laugh was unmistakable as he stood surrounded by his groomsmen all waiting for guests to finish filling into the church before the ceremony began. You couldn’t help but smile at the sight knowing how long he’d been waiting for this day. 

And then your eyes instantly found their way straight to Matt in the hallway as if drawn by an unseeable force. He was gripping his cane in one hand and smiling beneath the dark glasses currently on his face. He looked handsome with his hair slightly gelled to keep it neat–probably Foggy's doing, you thought–and his black tuxedo and black bow tie. Despite Matt matching the five other groomsmen in the same outfit, it looked infinitely better on his muscled body and your heart beat just a bit faster at the sight. With a shuddering inhale beside Karen, you tried to will the traitorous organ to relax before Matt could pick up on it. For now, if he was even paying attention, he'd surely assume it was nerves. He knew you had been anxious about having to be in front of so many people today, even if you weren't remotely the person of interest. 

As if Karen knew who you were thinking about as the pair of you headed over, she gestured her head at Matt before grinning and wagging her eyebrows at you. 'Make a move' she mouthed wordlessly. Your eyes widened, heart speeding up just a bit faster. Vigorously you shook your head 'no' in reply. 

And then you heard Allison's voice complimenting him loudly. The sound drew your attention and your heart felt like it was constricting at the sight before you. He was smiling charmingly back at her and indulging in her small talk. Your hands gripped the bouquet of white peonies and garden roses just a bit tighter.

"He won't wait around forever," Karen whispered into your ear.

A heavy weight fell around your shoulders as you plastered on a smile, turning and chatting with the bridal party around you for the next ten minutes as everyone waited for the start of the ceremony. Your eyes occasionally lingered on the way Allison's hand would find moments to reach out and grab onto Matt's forearm or shoulder. Your stomach twisted unpleasantly each time. You were grateful when the wedding coordinator for the church ushered everyone to finally pair up and line up for the processional. With a sigh and a horde of butterflies in your stomach, you headed over towards Matt.

"Hey," you greeted him with a tight smile, placing a hand nervously on his shoulder.

He said your name and you felt your heart flutter wildly in your chest. "Was wondering when you'd come say hi," he teased.

"I didn't want to intrude," you replied. "You ready?"

He smiled back at you, his mouth spreading into a cheeky smile. "I'm not the one getting married today," he joked, folding up his cane.

You laughed, rolling your eyes. "I meant to line up," you told him.

His smile never faltered as he offered you his arm. You licked your lips nervously before looping your arm through his, your hand grasping his firm bicep. 

God, he has amazing arms.

After he placed his cane on a nearby table, not needing it for the ceremony since you would be walking him in and out, you silently led him in line to where you'd been situated at the rehearsal last night. Karen looked over her shoulder from her place in front of you both, shooting you a wink that only further caused your cheeks to burn.

You felt Matt fidgeting beside you and you glanced over, spotting him removing his dark glasses one-handed. He slid them into an inside jacket pocket, smoothing a hand over it and frowning lightly for a moment. You knew he felt uncomfortable without his glasses in front of large gatherings of people, but you also knew Foggy had asked him if he would be alright having them off for the sake of photos for the important parts of the day and that Matt had happily agreed.  

You leaned over towards Matt, lightly squeezing his arm. "You look handsome, Matt," you assured him softly, hating that he even worried about how people reacted to his unfixed stare. "Don't worry."

His head turned, his sightless gaze falling fondly back on you, landing at your collarbone. A warm smile spread across his face now, his eyes crinkling at the corners. You felt your heart involuntarily stutter in your chest when he whispered back, “And I’m sure you look beautiful. No need to be so nervous.”

You ducked your head, some of your curled hair that wasn’t pinned back curtained your face at the movement. “You know I’m always nervous,” you muttered. But then you sighed, raising your head and squaring your shoulders as the processional music began. “But you’re right, no one’s going to be paying attention to me today.”

“Well I wouldn’t go that far,” he whispered back.

You didn’t respond, your eyes watching as Foggy walked his mom down the aisle to her seat, giving her a teary eyed hug before he took his place at the front of the church. And then Foggy’s brother Theo walked out with his arm linked with Rosalie’s and the line at the church entrance shuffled a few inches forward. You and Matt took two steps closer and you felt your palm lightly sweating along the stem of the bouquet as nerves swirled inside of your stomach. There were easily more than a hundred people seated in the pews staring at each couple as they walked in. Suddenly you felt a little unsteady in your heels as Karen and one of Foggy’s cousins now stood at the entrance to the church.

“Relax,” Matt’s voice came from just beside your ear. His warm breath blew over your neck as he spoke, goosebumps lightly dotting your forearms. “I won’t let you trip.”

Your hand gripped his arm a little tighter at his words as Karen and Foggy’s cousin made their way down the aisle next. You shuffled Matt and yourself to the edge of the church entrance. 

“Thanks, Matty,” you whispered back, your eyes on Karen as she gracefully strode down the aisle. “You know I’m like Bambi in heels.” 

“Just smile and focus on me,” he told you. “I’ll be right beside you.”

You glanced at Matt next to you for just one moment, taking in the sight of him smiling back at you. He looked heartbreakingly handsome and your heart squirmed inside of your chest. And then your gaze swept back to the aisle in front of you that somehow seemed vastly longer than when you’d practiced walking down it with Matt last night.

“We’re up,” you whispered to him.

You both stepped forward, slowly making your way down the aisle to the soft music the string quartet was playing. You kept your gaze focused ahead, smiling wide and paying attention to the comforting warmth of Matt along the right side of you. When you neared the front of the church you shot Foggy a grin, then turned to the right with Matt, guiding him up to stand on the step next to the groomsmen already there. Quickly you turned, making your way back towards the opposite side where the bridesmaids were standing and took your place. You exhaled a slow breath, trying to calm your nerves as the next couple began their way down the aisle. Minutes later Allison and the groomsmen she was paired with made their way down the aisle and the doors to the church were closed behind them. Your eyes darted over to Foggy where he was nervously fidgeting and shifting his weight back and forth on his feet. 

Shortly after the last couple had taken their place, the doors opened and Marci stepped out, her arm linked with her father’s. Everyone rose from the pews as she made her way down and you felt your eyes watering watching the emotion on her and Foggy’s face as they stared back at each other. For a brief moment your eyes slid their way across the church and landed on Matt; his gaze was focused somewhere around Foggy, a big smile on his face. Your heart sped up a little, taking a moment to appreciate the sight of Matt dressed like he was as he stood at the front of the church. You saw his eyes slowly shift towards you and you momentarily ceased breathing all together as your gaze quickly shifted back to Foggy and Marci. You could feel your face burning as you watched Marci’s father place her hand in Foggy’s.

The rest of the wedding ceremony was beautiful and you’d cried with Karen through the entirety of it, managing to laugh a little during some parts of the vows they’d written for each other. Foggy had pumped his fist in the air as him and Marci made their way back down the aisle as the recessional began. The pairs of bridesmaids and groomsmen began meeting up in the center and exiting the church together. When Karen began her walk back down with Foggy’s cousin, you made your way over towards Matt, his gaze already finding you before you’d said anything.

“Back already?” he teased you lightly.

You reached out, linking your arm through his offered one with a smile on your face. “You say that like you didn’t miss me, Murdock,” you teased back.

You both began making your way down the aisle with you leading Matt. After only a few steps you felt him lean in beside your ear.

“I did,” he whispered.

Heat rose to your cheeks, your smile widening a little more nervously as you walked. Not knowing how to respond to Matt’s usual teasing flirtation, you kept your mouth closed. Once out of the church, you led him back towards the table where he’d left his cane, reaching out a hand and grabbing it for him. 

“Thank you,” he said when you’d passed it to him.

You reluctantly unlinked your arm from his, fidgeting awkwardly with the bouquet in your hands. Matt slid his glasses out of his pocket, slipping them back on before he began to unfold his cane. He shot you a quick smile as he did.

“See? Wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked.

You swallowed hard, the corner of your mouth twisting up ever so gently. “No,” you answered. “It wasn’t. Thanks for not letting me fall.”

He opened his mouth to say more, but Allison appeared beside the both of you. She placed a hand on Matt’s arm and greeted him before shooting you a friendly smile. You returned the smile, your heart aching as you turned and headed over to Foggy and Marci to offer them your congratulations as Allison began chatting with Matt behind you.

The past few hours had gone by in a blur after the ceremony. The bridal party had gone with Foggy and Marci for a while to take photos with their photographer after the newlyweds had gotten their family photos taken in the church. And then everyone had headed back for the beginning of the reception. You and Matt had walked in arm in arm to the reception, Matt spinning you on the center of the dance floor while you laughed before you led him up to his seat at the head table and then took your seat by the other bridesmaids. Dinner had passed quickly after the toasts and then you’d teared up watching Foggy and Marci’s first dance. Shortly after Marci had danced with her father and Foggy had danced with his mother, the dance floor had opened up.

You’d ended up with Karen by the open bar, downing a few cocktails before heading out onto the dancefloor for a bit. Eventually Marci had come out and the three of you had danced to a few songs, drinks in hand while loudly singing to the music. 

“We should do shots!” Marci abruptly exclaimed over the loud music.

“Marci, you sure you can even handle more to drink?” Karen asked her, brows raised.

Marci shot her a flat look which had you laughing. “I’m the bride, you’re not supposed to say no to me today, remember?” she told Karen.

“Good enough for me,” you announced.

Marci beamed, grabbing both your’s and Karen’s wrists and then dragging you both to the bar with her. As you swerved through the crowd, your eyes scanned the guests. Eventually they landed on who you were looking for. 

Matt was sitting at a table with Allison, his arm over the back of his chair, his suit coat long abandoned on the back of his chair at the head table. He looked comfortable as he talked animatedly and Allison was leaning forward, her chin resting on her hand as she laughed at whatever he was saying. You felt a little tug in your chest at the sight, your gaze darting away.

Marci asked the bartender for the drinks as you situated yourself against the counter, resting an arm along it. Your eyes were focused on the man pouring the shots, watching as he slid the three glasses forward when he had finished. The three of you each picked up a glass, raising it high.

“To you and Foggy,” you said.

“And to a long, happy marriage,” Karen added.

“And hopefully great sex tonight,” Marci blurted, knocking her glass into your's and Karen’s.

You and Karen exchanged a look and laughed before the three of you downed the alcohol. It burned as it went down. You set the glass back, your eyes unintentionally finding their way back to Matt and Allison. You couldn’t fight the way your mouth curved downwards at the sight of them still smiling and chatting at the table together. You felt Marci nudge you with her elbow and your eyes darted towards her.

“You should say something,” she told you. “Cut in. Something .”

You shook your head, your sad gaze falling on the pair again. “No,” you answered slowly, sighing. “We’re just friends, Marc. Besides, he looks like he’s having fun.”

“I also am of the mind that you should go talk to him,” Karen said. “For what it’s worth, he might just be being polite.”

You shook your head, forcing a smile onto your face. “I think I’m actually just going to step outside for a minute and get some fresh air. It’s getting pretty warm in here.”

You didn’t wait for them to respond, pushing away from the bar and maneuvering your way around the crowd and the tables. You desperately needed air and a minute to get away and clear your head.

[idgivemyeyesfor-mattmurdock]

I have another matt x reader request: matt and y/n struggling with infertility, and then y/n has a miscarriage after finally getting pregnant :'( (ffs think i just need a good cry lol)

but this may be triggering so you don't have to! x

omg! hiii queen!!! love this request. It definitely was tricky to write because I swear, i wrote it like twenty-eight times before figuring it out lol. This ones not my favorite (writing wise) but lmk;)

Warnings!: Miscarriage, infertility, pain.

Currently, taking requests: slide em over babes.

Stormy weather fit Hells kitchen the same way the sun belonged in Miami. 

You hated it sometimes, especially when Matt was out at night. droplets fell on the roof of Matt apartment which sometimes kept you up.— truly it was a pain. The walls nearly shook as the thunder crashed down on new york.

Though, when the storm was over, it was sunny. not really sunny, just— it was warm. Warm enough to feel cozy. Like a campfire, or if a chimney was lit. The Warm days reminded of you when you found out you were pregnant. You felt warm, cozy, and exhilarated just likelike a fire being lit. 

Though, your body treated you like a match that had trouble lighting. Often you would get that hope, that 'spark', but then it would blow away and go out. You hated it. You cursed yourself and your body when that test would come out negative.

Matt wanted a child, and so did you. He agreed only to have a child if you truly wanted one, and you did. Growing up you werent really the one to dreammmmm about having kids. But then you met matt and everything changed.

Suddenly you wanted kids. You really did. 

He brought it up, while you thought about it. He heard you heartbeat race when you two would pass by baby stores, and you would see the excitement come around his face when someone would ask you if you two were expecting. Then the day came when you actually could respond yes. 

you were pregnant. 

How? well of course you knew how much physically, you didn't know how it happened. You stuggled with this. Like really struggled.

Nights after nights, ivf treatments, freaking prayers from all the nuns at St.Agnes’s-- hell, you two tried everything but your body wouldn’t. you cried, christ did you cry. 

Nights after nights of feeling awful, gently feeling like a sack of puss covered by skin—  then after trying so hard, paying so much money to then see “negative” on the stick. Nothing worked, 

 Until something did. 

a kid. 

You hyperfixated on everything, down to names you decided Matilda Murdock, that would be her name is she was a girl. if it was a boy you wanted Mark, or Matthew. Something biblical always seemed like a good fit when it came to boy names.

You had a plan. You and Matt would save up and buy a town home in Hells kitchen. When you would have to school, the baby would stay with Maggie at the church, or Marci & Karen. if they couldn't take care of the baby, you’d maybe just maybe let foggy take care of it. but that was the last choice. Foggy was probably you and matts number one fan when it came to having a child. it sort of, also triggered the thought once. 

Of course the re was the whole thing about matt mentioning it, but foggy was the one who brought it up when matt came to the office complaining about hoe sore he’d felt. Foggy joked that the city needed a baby devil 

you laughed it off, so did Matt but that got the thought swarming in your head. 

but now, you’re pregnant. 

you're pregnant, you have the perfect boyfriend, you live the life of your dreams. You’ve got a job, you've got the whole law school thing going for you too. The job even payed well-- you can buy matt a new tie once and a while and manage to get your hair retouched wihtout not eating dinner. Y

our life is surrounded by calls from your family members but the baby, your life is surrounded by baby shower announcements and picking out different strollers. 

Now your pregnant and you wake up every couple hours to make sure the baby is kicking, well the baby isn’t old enough to kick but you get the picture. you just want to make sure everything is fine. 

As you slept through the rain, a weird ice came around you throat, though you thought noting of it. you coughed it off, and continued to place your head down not he pillows. then, it came again. 

phlegm escaped your mouth then blood leaked out of your lips. 

Immediately your brain went to inflammation! thats it. 

inflammation inflammation… what the heck do you do to cure inflammation? uh, green tea and fish oil. 

you tossed your legs over the bed and settled you feet not he cold wooden floor. 

You went over to the kitchen, and opened matts medicine cabinet and took out what you believed to be fish oil… or vitamin D. 

hell matt had everything in braille and in separate jars so telling what everything was, was mostly a hassle. 

as you took the vitamin out, a sharp pain was pinned on the lower part of your stomach. 

hell, this wasnt inflammation. 

coughing blood and shark pain? 

your knees came weak by the second, so did you head. 

the walls began to fog up as you slowly mad you way to the couch, but as you did you fell. 

matt heard the thump come down on the apartment floor, and he was near the apartment so he decided to check in to make sure everything was okay. 

as he opened the roof door, he cauh=ght the weight that weighed on the floorboard. he heard your heart race and sweat trickle down you temples. 

he ran down the stairs and dropped his knees by your side. urgently, ehr grabbed your shoulders, and listened again for your heartbeat. then he realized he only heard one. 

only one heartbeat. 

“No no no” said Matt with a choke as he grabbed your shoulders and pressed his body against yours, his voice shut as his tears fell down his cheeks. matt slowly took his bandanna off as yo began to wake up. 

you saw his eyes, they were red, bloodshot, “honey?” you asked as your frail hands went over is jaw, “is everything okay?” 

tears contiuned to stream down his face as yo hand went along his jaw. 

“Matt?” you asked. 

his tear fell down on your chest, then you realized why he had heard. 

“…no” you said as your hand went over your mouth, “matt no, please tell me no” 

he took his head.

he guided hs hands on your back, lifting you to his chest. 

“lord, please no” you yearned as your head c=pressed against his chest, “lord—“ you said as your heart beat raced. 

“its okay” said matt as his chin pressed against your head, “Sweetheart its,” his throat croaked as he said, “Sweetheart, its okay, everything going to be okay” 

tears soaked his shirt as you yearned in not only physical pain but mental pain. 

“Sweetheart” said Matt as you wailed, “Sweetheart, please” 

“they’re gone!!” you said as you tightened your grip along his torso, “my baby’s gone.” 

your throat practically closed, your heart beat escalated and you felt the blood slowly fall on your panties as you said, “My poor baby gone” 

[petertingle-yipyip]

MAD AT GOD - MATT MURDOCK

season 2b - happening again

tags: @ironprincessstranger @dusstory @americaarse @johnmurphys-sass @astrobees @mayasaurus--rex // two // four // masterlist

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Livia

Word Count: 6,187

Summary: Coming face to face with the past isn’t easy. But when that past is supposed to be dead, vengeance seems inevitable.

The admission of your names seemed to settle most of the uncertainty among your group. Though maybe it would’ve been easier just to clear it away yourself. Matt was the only reason you didn’t, given he would’ve recognized it immediately.

You sat at the table beside Matt, next to the man you learned to be spoiled rich kid Danny Rand. The man with unbreakable skin was Luke Cage. And of course, Jessica.

You peaked down the hallway, wondering if Stick was still out there. You knew if things were going wrong outside, the cranky old man wouldn’t hesitate to get you or Matt to help so that gave you some odd sense of comfort.

Danny was pestering Matt about his abilities while you leaned back in your chair, calling on that old wave of sadness to create a ball of blue sparks in your hand. And as you drew from it, it seemed to get stronger and stronger. Almost as if it was getting closer.

“I don’t.” Danny said suddenly, making you raise your eyebrows and lift your head. “You’re blind.”

“Yeah, well, sight is overrated.” Matt answered and you snorted a laugh.

“Okay, but what about her?” He gestured to you and you smirked slightly, seeing the blue sparks shine brighter out the corner of your eye. “What’s her deal? Are you two together?”

“Yeah.” You grinned at the opportunity. “And you’re just heartbroken over that, I bet.” You flicked your fingers and watched the sparks flutter and land across Danny’s eyes.

He sniffled slightly as his eyes began to water, his face dropping and lip quivering as he cried gently.

“Now you’re angry.” You waved a hand and saw a red streak trail behind your fingers and land against his chest.

His expression quickly matched the emotion you sent as the tears faded and a snarl crossed his lips that almost made you laugh. You felt an elbow in your ribs and you turned to see Matt giving you a stern expression.

You flicked your wrist again to clear any influence you had and crossed both arms over your chest.

“I’m a really strong empath, pretty much.” You shrugged. “Plus highly trained and blah blah blah.”

“What did you do to him?” Luke asked quickly.

“Told you I’m resourceful. Unbreakable skin won’t help you against me.”

You reached across the table for one of the dumplings before Matt smacked your hand away. He moved your hand to the other plate and mouthed ‘Those were shrimp’. You nodded slightly in realization and picked one up from the new plate.

“Woah.” Danny said with wide eyes after having wiped any stray tears away. “I thought you had to be touching someone for that to work!”

“Clearly, I don’t.” You made a vague gesture. “Can we move on now?”

“But how did you get your powers?” Danny urged. “Did you earn them? Or was it some freak accident?”

“Я собираюсь ударить его по лицу, если он задаст еще один вопрос.” You mumbled to yourself which made Matt chuckle, even though he probably didn’t know all of what you said. “Neither. Moving on.” You said instead. (I’m going to kick him in the face if he asks one more question.)

“She’s right. We need to come up with some kind of plan here.” Luke agreed and you offered a thankful look.

“The only plan is how do we get these people off our backs?” Jessica added. “Ideally in a way that doesn’t incriminate us.”

“What do you mean, incriminate us?” Danny cut in.

“None of us are on police payroll. What we did back there was trespassing, aggravated assault, and vigilante bullshit.”

“No, I can get us off the hook for that if anything happens.” You offered. “If that gets brought up, Danny Rand hired the security company I work for. I was asked to bring in some freelancers. Rich Boy writes a check and my boss signs some papers. We’re all covered.”

“You really wanna get your job involved?” Matt’s brows furrowed.

“Russo won’t ask too many questions. I know he has a past too so leverage would be easy to find if I need it.”

“There is a cop I think we trust. I say we bring her in.” Luke offered.

“You’d only be putting her in danger.” Matt countered.

“Look, you saw what happened when we tried it the legal way.” Danny tried. “I even put on a tie!”

“I promise you cannot fight these people, no matter what your hand can do.”

“It’s chi.”

“What I’m saying is going at them head on, that’ll get you killed.”

You reached under the table and found Matt’s hand when you were hit with that memory of Elektra.

“Only if we do it alone.” Danny insisted.

“We weren’t alone when we went against them the first time.” You said, suddenly finding the tablecloth very interesting to look at. “It was me, Matt, and another really good fighter… We didn’t all make it out and I guarantee the three of us were better than this group. What makes you guys any different?”

“These people took everything from me. I’m gonna take them down, one way or another.”

“Oh, you think that wanting revenge will carry you through this?” You scoffed. “That’s amateur. It’s going to get you killed.”

“No, it won’t.”

“Yes it will!” You laughed and leaned forward, feeling Matt grab your upper arm. “It will overwhelm you and you won’t be able to think straight because you’re gonna want to ‘take them down’ but they will tear right through your pathetic little ass.”

You cleared your throat and sat back, having realized your accent was slipping in. You glanced around and noticed no one seemed to have caught it seeing that the group began arguing about whether or not they should do it. Other than Matt of course. The hand that was on your arm slid back down to your hand and gave a gentle squeeze.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me.” Matt sighed. “Did you know he was here?”

“Who?”

“Did he follow you here?”

“You think I wouldn’t know if I was being tailed?” You rolled your eyes. “Who’s here?”

The back door opening answered your question. You all jumped up quickly, you zipping up your top quickly and letting your hand hover at the cuff of the sleeve hiding your knife. You were relieved that it was only Stick and there was no urgency in his appearance.

“Stick.” Matt announced in annoyance.

“Matty.” He nodded. “Alivia.”

“Is something wrong?” You tried.

“Other than this shitty excuse of a hideout, no. Not yet.”

“What do you mean, yet?”

“How’d you find us?” Matt asked loudly, clearly unimpressed by his old mentor’s company.

Stick pulled Danny’s phone from his jacket and smashed it before starting a small rant about personal ties being used as leverage. After a quick and tense argument between Matt and Stick, Jessica stormed out and Luke followed. Stick took some jabs at Matt and you had to nip that in the bud before one of them took it too far.

“Stop it.” You said firmly and watched the words float through the air as a white haze that wanted to clear the brewing anger between the two. “Matt’s life is his life and he can live it how he wants.”

Luke came back in and you all sat around the table, minus Jessica, and listened as Stick gave you a history lesson in the Hand. You didn’t really care about the history of the organization, how long it had been around, what it had its hands in, or any of it. All you needed were names.

Trading lives wouldn’t bring Elektra back, you understood that, but putting a bullet in whoever pulled Nobu’s strings would sure let you sleep a whole lot better. Maybe even dull that strange feeling you couldn’t seem to escape.

You caught the name Alexandra, Stick saying she’s ran the Hand as long as they’ve existed. She would serve as your main target, the top of the Hand’s five fingers.

Madame Gao, and given your last run in with her, that didn’t surprise you. You were surprised to know she was back in town and had been under your radar for so long. But then again, your radar had either been distracted or inactive so you supposed it made sense.

Sowande, an African warlord that Luke had already encountered. Interesting, but not a priority.

Bakuto, but Danny confirmed he was already dead.

Murakami, the man who really pulled Nobu’s strings. He would be your second target. Or maybe it’d be more fun to go after him first.

“I want him.” You said simply, looking across the table at Stick. You ignored the looks from Luke and Danny, along with the slight accusation in Matt’s head turn. “Murakami. I want the first shot at him.”

“If he comes out of his little foxhole, you can have first and last as far as I care.”

“Wait. What did he do to you?” Danny cut in.

“It was Nobu, technically.” You answered carefully, watching your voice for your accent as your anger spiked and every inch of your skin warmed. “He killed someone I really cared about… She jumped in front of a blow that was intended for me.”

“I’m sorry,” Luke said honestly.

“I killed Nobu that night but… Now I want him. An eye for an eye.”

“You did what? And we’re supposed to trust you?”

“We can’t get hung up on that now.” Matt said, waving a hand to try and dismiss the topic. You were surprised to hear no opposition from him but you didn’t say anything about it. “Why are you even here, Stick? What are you expecting us to do about it?”

“Hang on. He’s given me more information in just a few minutes than anyone ever did at K’un-Lun.” Danny defended.

“That’s because he wants something. And because what he wants will put everyone we care about at risk.”

“Yeah, you’ve said that.”

“And I’ll keep saying it!”

“I’ve lost plenty in this war. Don’t talk to me like I’m some kid!”

“Then stop acting like one!” You cut in firmly, raising your brows as he stood suddenly.

“What did you just say?” He asked angrily.

“Calm down, Danny.” Luke sighed.

“You calm down, Luke!”

“Sit down or I will sit you down.” You said calmly, feeling the heat tingle up your spine and down your arms to your fingers.

“Go ahead and try it.”

You smiled excitedly and began to stand before Matt’s hands landed on both of your arms and pulled you to stand on his other side. You groaned and shook out your hands, feeling the heat leave your skin in small waves. You locked your fingers and hung them over the back of your neck.

“Yeah, alright.” You muttered. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?” Matt asked softly, putting a hand around your waist and standing close. You rested your hand on his shoulder in return.

“Mhmm… But I will probably punch him in the face before this is over.” You smiled slightly and he gave you a small chuckle. “You don’t get second chances with these people, Danny.”

“If you’re not careful, next thing you know, you’re dead. Or worse, you’re holding the people you care about and you get the…” You rubbed his shoulder slightly and you felt a brief cold sensation crawl up from your palm and dissipate across your shoulders. “You get the privilege of watching them die.”

“I know this fight is important. I know the city is at stake.” You offered genuinely. “But before you keep trying to rally up a team, think about something. Would you be able to live with yourself knowing that your involvement only made it worse?”

The air around everyone became stagnant with the heavy indecision. You ran your free hand over your face and took Matt away from the group. You could feel a tension rising in him, a mix of grief and annoyance and anger and something close to fear. As discreetly as you could, you called most of those emotions to yourself and felt it tighten your chest. You cleared your throat to cover the groan as the sensation grew to be uncomfortable.

“If you want to, we can walk away… We can go home.. Wait and see if this fight even comes to us.” You offered genuinely. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to do this just because I’m willing to.”

“I don’t know what to do.” He answered gently, turning to you with a truly heartbroken expression. “At Midland Circle… Livia, I swear…”

“What happened, Matty?”

“It was her.. The woman in Cambodia. The one who killed Jessica’s client.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m glad you two aren’t alone anymore.” Stick offered from behind you. “Your little back and forth games were exhausting, even for me.”

“Don’t act like this is normal.” Matt answered tightly.

“Don’t act like I don’t know what’s really going on with you… You crossed paths with her, too?”

“Will one of you please tell me what’s going on?” You groaned.

“Elektra.” Stick said simply and you felt your entire body run cold.

“Bullshit.” You scoffed and turned to Matt, who only offered an apologetic expression. “Really?”

“Yeah… She’s alive, Livia.”

“It makes sense…” You spoke slowly, piecing together your own realization. “What I felt a few weeks ago, it was like it was meant for me to feel. I didn’t realize then but it was.. calling to me, almost. That must’ve been when they resurrected her.”

“She’s not alive. Not the way we knew her.” Stick countered. “She’s something else.”

“Something empty?” You asked as you remembered that small feeling you had earlier when you arrived.

“I couldn’t hear her heartbeat.” Matt confessed.

“Just like the other Hands soldiers… It all makes sense. It didn’t feel anything like her before and even now… I can feel something coming but it’s not the girl we knew.”

“That’s cause that girl ain’t there anymore.” Stick shook his head and you could’ve sworn there was some yearning his voice, the slightest wish for the girl he raised.

“Maybe we can help her.” Matt tried, bordering desperately.

“No, we can’t. When they brought her back, they made her forget.”

“No.. She- She hesitated. She had the chance but she didn’t kill me.”

“If I can find that recognition, some ghost of a feeling, I can change it. I can exploit it.” You offered and it was more for Matt than yourself. “I- I- I can bring out feelings connected to memories and maybe that will-“

“Don’t try to make sense of this.” Stick cut in firmly. “With or without either of you, when the time comes, whatever is living in the body of Elektra Natchios is gonna have to die.”

“You told me that you wanted me to fight so people didn’t have to die. If I can get to her-“

“What happened to the woman that he couldn’t stand because she killed the people she needed to? What happened to the woman that brought her enemies to their knees and made them beg for mercy?”

“Exodus.” You nodded slightly. “They’ll be expecting her.”

“Maybe not.” He gave a shrug.

“Someone’s outside.” Matt said quietly.

“Great.” You muttered “Я мог бы использовать кого-нибудь, чтобы ударить.” (I could use someone to hit.)

You snapped your fingers as you moved back to Luke and Danny. You had Danny get the rest of the staff out the back while Luke went to the window. You slid your mask up and tapped it on, taking only a second to appreciate the familiar blue tint of the high tech lenses as they started up.

You were hit from behind with a shock of strong confidence laced with a vague fear before you could get any visuals. You pushed your mask up and turned quickly, flicking your wrist so the knife slid to your palm.

“This wouldn’t be my first choice but I am a sucker for fortune cookies.” The woman said calmly. “Yknow, I thought it would be a good idea if we all just talked this over like adults.”

“What do you want?” Stick asked simply.

“You surprised me, Stick. You’ve become so resourceful in your old age.” She glanced over your group but her eyes landed on you. “You’re not the girl from before.”

“Нет, это не так. Но поверьте мне, вы бы предпочли иметь дело с ней, чем со мной. Удивительно, но она намного приятнее.” You answered as you gripped your blade tighter. (No, I’m not. But trust me, you’d rather deal with her than me. Surprisingly, she’s much nicer.)

“Я могу сказать, что ты сильный... Вы бы поверили мне, если бы я сказал вам, что у вас будет больше потенциала с нами?” (I can tell you’re powerful… Would you believe me if I told you that you would have more potential with us?)

“Все, что вам нужно, это еще одно оружие на случай, если ваше Черное небо выйдет из строя. Единственный способ привлечь меня на свою сторону - это если я умру..” (All you want is another weapon in case your Black Sky fails. The only way you get me on your side is if I’m dead.)

“She’s got spirit. I like her.” She pointed to you before turning back to the group. “Mr. Rand, I’m sorry your exit from our meeting was so abrupt.”

“You tried to kill us.” Danny answered angrily.

“Them, maybe, but certainly not you….”

The woman kept talking to Danny but you lost interest. You watched the van outside, keeping a grip on Matt’s sleeve. You knew this ‘civil conversation’ with who you could only assume was Alexandra wouldn’t last long. You knew you had a chance to kill her. You could pull your gun fast enough, a quick bullet to the head, maybe even burn the body so she couldn’t be resurrected, but you saw the figure coming before you could move against her.

You cursed mentally and yanked Matt away as she kicked the door in.

You felt your heart drop when you saw it really was Elektra. Your friend had been resurrected and now standing before you with the clear intent to kill you. You opened yourself completely for a quick moment, only to Elektra and found nothing was coming in return.

Her usual spark was gone, as if it was never there. There was no fear, no loneliness or anger or confusion. She was absolutely empty, a hollow shell of the woman you once knew. And it nearly broke your heart to discover that.

But maybe… Just maybe you could find some sort of emotion to latch onto. You just had to figure out what to say if you wanted to get your friend back.

But would getting your friend mean she would try to take Matt away from you again?

Before anyone could move, Matt pulled you a few steps back as a black SUV came crashing through the front of the building and knocking down Elektra. Following behind the SUV was Jessica and you were actually relieved she came back.

“Who missed me?” She asked with a cocky shrug and you rolled your eyes in amusement. “Nice goggles.”

“Said the one with a tacky scarf.” You answered as you saw Elektra get to her feet.

The fight broke out almost instantly. Luke and Jessica took on Elektra for the most part. It was easy enough for her to knock Danny around but before you could jump in, a man you could only assume was Murakami came crashing through the skylight.

Your hand grew hot around your blade and you charged at him. Your attack clearly took him by surprise because all he could do was lean away from your swinging blade. You dropped to your knee and slammed your knife down towards his foot, though he narrowly avoided it and kicked out at your chest instead.

You rolled through it and lifted your Bite, aiming a shot for his chest. It landed square in the center as Matt came to help you to your feet. Together, you two ran at him.

You used a fallen Danny Rand as a stepped off point and hooked your legs around his head. Throwing your body, you sent him right into a strong kick from Matt that laid him out. You yanked your blade out the ground and swiped it as he rolled away, resulting in you cutting open a long gash across his back before he ran off.

You considered chasing him but before you could make a move, Matt tackled you to the ground and shielded your body with his. He kept your head tucked down until the gunshots stopped. You did a quick assessment of you both, more relieved he was unscathed than yourself. Your small team circled up as the various soldiers drew closer.

“We work together, we get out of this alive.” Stick said calmly.

“And they won’t.” You replied quietly before flipping your blade over the back of your hand and driving it into the neck of the closest soldier.

Matt made a beeline for Elektra but before you could follow him, Stick grabbed your arm and turned you back to the fight. With a loud groan, you stayed put.

Stick kicked a sword into your hand without a word and you spun it once before acting.

You worked in long strokes, swipes and slashes rather than jabs. You sidestepped your temporary teammates and spun, rolling over them when they ducked or spinning around them.

“Where’s Matt?” Danny yelled.

“I’m on it! Gimme a second!” You answered as you were slammed to the ground. Looking up, you saw Murakami headed down the hall that Matt disappeared down.

You took the sword and drove it through the chest of the man pinning you down before shoving him off and hurrying after him. You ran and jammed your knee into his shoulders, making him slam his face against the door.

He spun on you quickly and scoffed when he saw it was you. You watched his expression falter as your anger rose and you knew it shone in your eyes by the way it began to tint your vision. You sparked the heat at your hands and moved in quickly, landing quick and hot purposeful combinations that kept him off balance.

You pinned him against the wall and grabbed at his face, your hot fingers digging into his skin as your thumbs threatened to gouge his eyes. He reared back and slammed his head against yours, making you stagger back slightly. You shook it off and landed a hard roundhouse kick to the side of his head that made him collapse.

It wouldn’t kill him but it’d buy you time. Making him suffer before you killed him would make his death a bit more gratifying, so that was the route you would take.

When you got outside, you found Matt and Elektra standing in silence.

“El.” You breathed and hurried across the distance as you yanked your mask down.

You felt just the smallest spark of recognition, of fear and loneliness. You hated to use that but you capitalized on it and made it stronger, hoping it would bring some sort of memories with it.

“I know you’re in there, please.” You said quietly but she only stared at you in silence. “You have to remember me.. You… You gave your life for me.”

“It was your fault I died?” She asked quietly, brows furrowing as something seemed to connect.

“What? I.. No, it wasn’t…” You shook your head, feeling a deep cold swelling in your chest and threatening to suffocate you.

Before you knew it, she was gone and Stick was leading your group into the sewers. You followed mindlessly as your head spun violently. You felt every inch of your body growing cold the more you thought about it to a point where you thought you would turn to ice.

It was your fault.

Elektra died, your friend died, because of you.

The sudden guilt made your whole body tingle and your hands shook. Matt noticed quickly and came to your side after a quick spat with Jessica, abandoning the previous conversation without hesitation. He stood close to put a hand in your hair and the other on your hip.

“Hey.. It wasn’t your fault.” He said softly before a gentle kiss to your forehead.

“She’s right… It was.” You answered in the same hushed tone, knowing if you spoke any louder your voice would break and you wouldn’t be able to get the words out. “I got her killed.”

“No. You didn’t, alright? You didn’t.”

“I did… I hesitated and it got her killed.”

“Oh, Livia...” He sighed and pulled you in for a tight embrace. “I swear to you, it wasn’t your fault.”

You made a small squeak of protest and buried your face in the crook of his neck. You wrapped your arms around him and your fingers tightened around the material of his jacket. You closed your eyes tightly to keep back the tears and you felt your stomach twist with the newfound guilt. You felt it across your skin, like a slime creeping and crawling under your clothes but you had to swallow the thick lump in your throat.

You quietly followed your group to the van that Luke brought back, showing off Sowande tied up in the back. You felt that sadistic tendency creeping through your brain as you all headed to some building Danny suggested. You couldn’t manage to lift your eyes from the floor through the whole trip, feeling the weight of Elektra’s simple sentence in your head. Your hands shifted in and out of tight fists as you felt something ripple through your muscles. Something you didn’t like but could use.

Luke tied the captive to a chair, keeping him blindfolded and your group circled around him. They went back and forth as to how to get him to talk, if one of you could break him.

“This will drown you.” He spoke simply, as if he was in complete control.

“Do you know what that feels like?” You asked, moving to kneel in front of him as Matt stood behind him. “To drown?”

You were met with silence as his head tilted down to you.

“Drown in fear.” You mocked in your trademark accent as the yellow haze swirled between your fingers. “Drown in sorrow.” Blue danced between the fingers of your other hand.

He cleared his throat as you pushed both forward, watching the colors twist and swirl their way up his nose. He gasped and jerked in the chair as a sick smile crept across your face. You urged the sensations further, seeing a faint glow of blue and yellow settling at the base of his throat.

“What do you want with our city?” Matt asked.

“Maybe she should stop.” Luke tried and reached for your shoulder.

Stick stepped forward and stuck out his sword, stopping Luke from coming any closer.

“This place belongs to the Hand.” Sowande answered through strangled breaths. “It- It always- always has.”

“Always?” You tilted your head in interest.

“I traced it back to 1820 but it probably goes further.” Jessica answered.

“And Danny Rand? How does he fit?” You asked, withdrawing your pressure enough for him to take in a deep breath.

“Nothing you do can make me serve you. You understand?” Danny tried and you shook your head in annoyance.

“You’re the dumbest Iron Fist yet.”

You almost laughed as Danny leaned in closer. You cleared your influence and wiped your hands against your pants as you took a step around to be near Matt. The two continued a heated exchange before the prisoners started taking jabs at everyone.

“The same way the unbreakable one let that boy die in a jail cell, afraid and alone. The same way the woman couldn’t save the architect.” He paused with a proud smile as Jessica took a few steps away. “Have I gotten in your head the same way he did?”

She came charging back but Luke caught her.

“And her.” He jerked a head towards you. “She could not save anyone. Death follows her like a shadow. Tell me. What will become of your loved ones once you are gone?”

You bit back the instinct to say you had no loved ones. Instead, you pulled your knife and ran your hand over it, letting a deep heat settle across the blade. You leaned forward and yanked it across the side of his neck.

“If we’re lucky, that shadow will swallow you too.”

You tucked it away as he let out a sharp hiss before laughing.

“How many mice must drown with you? The nurse.. The woman on the radio.. The journalist.”

Your hand tightened into a fist until Matt’s hand found yours and you both knew he meant Karen.

You woke your Bite but Jessica beat you to it by knocking him unconscious. You were quick to pull Matt aside and you tried to relieve some of his stress.

“I can go get Karen if you get Foggy.” You offered. “I know he didn’t mention Foggy-“

“But that doesn’t mean they don’t know. Yeah, you’re right.” Matt nodded quickly. “Where would we take them? The Hand probably has eyes on our apartment.“

“Take them to the precinct in Harlem.” Luke called out, drawing your attention. “If you get there before we do, ask for Misty. Tell her you’re a friend.”

“You sure about this?”

“They’ll be safe there.”

You recognized you didn’t have many options so you nodded once before unzipping your top. You pulled your mask over your head and shoved it in your pocket before taking off your Bites and tucking them inside your sleeves. Once your alter ego was as civilian as it could look without leaving you totally defenseless, you hurried off to the Bulletin.

“Hey.” You said as you caught your breath, leaning in the doorway of her office.

“Uh.. Hi? It’s after midnight. What are you doing here?” She asked carefully.

“I.. Yeah, I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t important.”

“Is that blood? Oh my god.” She gestured to your face and as you reached up, you felt the drying liquid splattered across your cheek. You cursed to yourself and rubbed your sleeve across your face in a hurry. “Is that the shirt I think it is? Liv, what happened?”

“The Hand.” You said honestly as you came closer, wiping your hand on your top. “I’m sorry. Really, I am. I didn’t have any intention of getting involved but-“

“Is Matt involved?”

“Yeah… He is.”

“Jesus.” She sighed before she stood and came around from behind her desk. “I don’t believe this.. I thought you two were done with all of that.”

“Okay… I deserve that.”

“This is how you tell me that you’re doing it again? And Matt. Matt couldn’t be here with you to tell me? Cause that’s what you’re saying. That you two are going out as them.”

“I told Matt to get Foggy because I never told him.” You defended quickly. “Karen, I’m sorry! But it’s not like that! Exodus and Daredevil, they’re not back.” That was something you didn’t even believe fully. “They’re not going to be permanent pieces in our lives. It’s just-“

“Just this time? Hmm? Is that what you’re gonna say?” She mocked and you sighed.

“We don’t have time for this!” You said quickly.

“C’mon, Livia. Just… Just talk to me. Please.”

“Fine. We are doing it again. Because if we don’t, people will die. Whatever the Hand is up to this time around, they’re going to decimate New York to get it done… I’m sorry but we have to.”

She nodded before crossing her arm.

“I don’t.. Whatever you and Matt, or Exodus and Daredevil are doing, I’m not a part of it anymore. I don’t need your protection.”

“Really?” You laughed slightly as your patience was running out. “You don’t have Frank to save you this time around. He’s gone and you’ll be in danger if you don’t come with me. It doesn’t matter if you’re part of that or not because they’re probably coming after Y/N and Matt’s world, too.”

“I’m sorry. Does that mean they know who you two are?”

“I don’t know.” You admitted. “But they know too much already.”

“That isn’t your call!” She insisted and it was clear she was close to tears.

“Karen, please, just come with me.” You begged. “I can’t have another friend die because of the Hand. Because I messed up. It’d just be a couple days, lay low. Please.”

She sighed heavily and gathered her things. You thanked her but she assured you it wasn’t for you. Regardless, you felt a huge relief that she agreed to go with you. As you were getting her to the precinct, Claire came up with Danny and his girlfriend.

You practically ran once you saw Karen enter the police building with Claire. You hurried to the apartment and rushed to the closet, nearly tripping trying to get out of your jeans to change into your suit. It wasn’t long after until Matt came in with the same idea. You fit the rest of your outfit together, ensured your belt was fully stocked, and clipped your pack across your chest. Once you were both dressed, he grabbed your hand and led you across town.

He led you to a building that you didn’t recognize, but it turned out to be where Jessica was picking up her friend with the radio show. Tapping your mask, you were able to see Murakami going after her. Matt led you to the same floor and was able to throw his baton to knock the knife out of his hand.

You came from the other side, flipping over Trish Walker and slamming your feet into Murakami’s side. The action threw him off Jessica and allowed Matt to move in. You helped Jessica to her feet and she nodded that she was okay, allowing you both to reenter the fight.

You drew your own staff and slid between the open space as he aimed a high kick at Matt’s head. You hooked your staff behind his leg and pulled as you rolled to your knees, just able to see him slam his back against the floor. You flicked the blade out and moved forward, slashing it with quick precision that avoided your partners. You tossed your staff up to switch hands, catching it easily and swinging it at his head.

When the weapon felt odd in your hand, you looked down to see you had caught Matt’s instead and he had yours, even retracted the blade. You chuckled slightly as you two tossed them again to reclaim your rightful equipment as Jessica threw him over a railing.

“Scarf looked better.” Jessica teased and you grinned. “Nice ears.”

“They’re horns.” Matt answered and a small chuckle escaped you. “Are you laughing?” He turned to you.

“A little, yeah.” You admitted with a smile as you slid your staff back into its pack. “Don’t worry. You’re still very intimidating.”

Matt scoffed with a small smile before nodding for you to follow. You moved to Jessica and her friend, who was staring at you and Matt in awe.

“Holy shit.” She breathed as it finally seemed to sink in. At least she wasn’t hurt. “Jessica, you’re friends with the two most badass vigilantes in New York!”

“Who? Goggles and Devil Boy?” She gestured to you and you frowned, flipping her off once she looked. “They’re not.. the worst people I’ve ever met.”

“Wow. Was that something not mean?” You teased as you all headed out.

Matt chuckled but nudged you slightly.

“I’m serious! I’m shocked! I didn’t know Jessica was able to do that!”

“I’m going to punch you in the mouth.” She warned, though you could tell there was amusement there.

“Shut up, you know you like me.” You grinned as she glanced over her shoulder, giving you a half smile and a scoff in response.

You all made sure Trish got into the precinct before heading back to where you all left Stick and Sowande.

“Hey.. You made sure Foggy got there, right?” You asked Matt.

“Yeah, yeah, of course.” He nodded. “And you got Karen?”

“Mhmm.. Did you tell him anything?”

“Not much, no. You tell Karen?”

“Just the basics.” You shrugged. “She’s definitely not happy.”

“Yeah, kinda glad you went instead of me.” He admitted. “Figured you’d be able to smooth it over with her better than me.”

“Cause you can’t talk to people.” You joked and shook your head as you all got back inside the building.

“No, cause she’s more likely to forgive you than me.”

“So dramatic.” You sighed. “She still loves you, y’know. And she was pretty pissed at me anyway. ”

[mischiefandspirits]

Iron Legion (30/?)

Never let it be said that Tony Stark ever does things by half. He might have grown up with little family, but he wasn’t about to keep it that way.

Tony Stark was seventeen when his first child was born, and that was just the beginning.

For Masterpost, Casting, Timeline, AO3, and Fanfiction

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Iron Forge

Tony Stark was forty-three when his twelfth child was born.

“This is very pink,” Rhodey said, looking around the living room.

“Joe decorated. She’s very excited it’s a girl,” Tony sighed.

The room was, indeed, very pink. The chairs and couches were under light pink covers. The walls were covered in decals with flowers, pacifiers, and clouds in varying shades of pink. Flamingo shaped bowls were scattered around the tables with pink treats inside. The tables had hot pink tablecloths on them and matching transparent curtains had been hung over the windows to give the room a pink glow.

“I tried to stop her,” Karen pointed out.

“She did a great job,” Pepper said, shooting the men a look before turning back to Helen Cho, Maggie Paxton, Tori, Nebula, Jen, and J.O.C.A.S.T.A.

“Of course dear.”

Rhodey chuckled and knocked his shoulder against Tony’s.

“Are you ever going to settle down so I can tease you back?” Tony asked, returning the favor.

Rhodey chuckled. “Not my fault I’ve been too busy trying to keep you out of trouble. What about you, Jim, have you guys talked about giving Cassie a little sibling.”

Said girl looked up from where she, Karen, and Val were playing cards with excited eyes as her step-dad went pale.

“I think we’re good for now.”

Cassie frowned and turned back to the game.

“So have you decided on a name?” Maggie asked.

“Morgan!” Tony called out.

“We’re still deciding,” Pepper said flatly. “I quite like Patricia.”

“Morgan Patricia Potts-Stark!”

“Oh for the love of -- I will allow Morgan if you’d just stop calling yourself Potts-Stark. The board would have an aneurysm if you changed your name,” Pepper spat, rubbing her forehead.

“But -”

“No Tony.”

He pouted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Tony, no.”

“She’ll never find out.”

“She handles all your legal paperwork, she’s going to find out you changed your name.”

“Not until it’s too late. Come on, Hulkette!”

Jen sighed. “Look, I won’t help you, but I also won’t sell you out and I’ll send you the number of someone near you that I know who might be brave -- or stupid -- enough to help you.”

“You’re the best. See you at the wedding!”

She huffed and pulled up the number for Matt Murdock.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tori raised an eyebrow as Tony paced back and forth. “You know, I don’t remember you being this worried when I had your kid.”

“He had Peter to distract him,” Rhodey said, texting Happy to give him an update and check that the girls haven’t burned down the cabin yet. Well, Val at least. Karen kept out of trouble, a rare gift in Tony’s brood.

“You weren’t back there this long when you had Harley or Val.”

“Some births are longer. Why aren’t you back there with her?”

“Pepper knew he’d freak out and didn’t want to risk him getting in the way,” Rhodey chuckled. “Helen’s with her, and Pep’s enhanced. Calm down.”

“What if the Extremis interferes with the birth?” Tony said, continuing to pace.

“Helen’s been monitoring her every step of the way. If there was going to be a problem, I’m sure we would know about it already,” Tori said with an eye roll.

“But what if -”

“Tones, sit down.”

Tony sat, but his leg started bouncing almost immediately.

“How’s it going?” Maggie asked, coming in with her husband and little Cassie. “Did we miss anything?”

“Only Tony’s panicking,” Tori said. “How was your guys’ flight?”

“Noisy.”

“I offered the private jet,” Tony muttered distractedly, but the others ignored him.

“Where’s Karen and Val?” Cassie asked, looking around.

“They stayed home. They’re going to come over once Morgan’s here and she and Pepper have had a chance to rest,” Rhodey said.

“How long will that be?”

“We’re not sure,” Rhodey answered and Tony buried his face in his hands.

Cassie looked up at her parents and Jim set his hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll take her there so she can wait with the others.”

“Is anyone back there with her?” Maggie asked once her husband and daughter had left, taking a seat next to Tori.

“Nebula and J.O.C.A.S.T.A. are with her and Helen’s helping the doctor to keep an eye on the Extremis. Jen couldn’t make it because of some case, but she sent her best wishes,” Rhodey said. “Oh, and J.A.R.V.I.S. is keeping an eye on things through the hospital’s security cameras.”

Maggie sighed. “I’m guessing it’s a good thing my police officer husband isn’t here to hear that.”

“Honestly, if you can’t handle a little hacking you probably shouldn’t be associating with this lot,” Tori chuckled.

“Tony.”

The group looked up to see Helen standing in the doorway with a smile. Tony was on his feet immediately and racing to her side.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tony bounced Morgan in his arms, ignoring the beautiful woman glaring at the back of his head.

“Look at me!”

“Can’t, it’s bad luck.”

“I can’t believe you!” Pepper shouted and Tony heard her start pacing. “How could you go behind my back and do this?”

“Because I love you.”

“I love you too, but do you realize how many problems this is going to cause?”

“People change their names when they get married all the time.”

“Those people don’t have a multi-billion dollar, multinational tech conglomerate named after them.”

“I kept Stark as you insisted. I could just be Tony Potts now.”

“I und-”

“It could be Potts Industries.”

“Oh my God, Tony!”

He heard the door open and Tori said, “I don’t know what stupid thing Stark has done this time, but we are still having a wedding, right?”

“It’s Potts-Stark now,” Tony said.

“Not yet it isn’t!”

“He’s trying to get you to change your name?”

“Tony changed his name,” Rhodey said from where he was hiding in the corner. “Behind her back.”

“… I’ll be back in five minutes, but then I need to know if we can finish getting you ready or if we should send everyone home,” she chuckled then shut the door.

“Pep-”

“You are ridiculous!”

“It’s only his legal name,” Rhodey offered. “He can still use just Stark professionally.”

“Don’t take his side,” Pepper groaned at the same time that Tony said, “What? Why?”

Rhodey stood up and left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

America stared at the baby, who stared back at her.

“Tan pequeño.”

“She’s a baby,” Karen said in that cute, bemused voice she got sometimes when people said things that she seemed to think were obviously either correct or wrong.

“Yeah, but I didn’t realize babies were this small.” She poked Morgan’s belly and the girl giggled. “Or squishy.”

“You’ve never seen a baby?”

“I’m an only child. And Abuela only takes ten or older kids,” America said. “She’s so fragile. I can’t believe your Aunt let you babysit her on your own.”

“I’m not alone. You’re here.”

“Not much better.”

“It’s only for a couple of hours. Papa was supposed to watch her while Aunt Ginia and Uncle Anton are out of town, but he got called away so I’ve got her until Nebula gets here.”

“And they were all okay with you bringing her here?”

Karen frowned. “I told Papa I was coming here when you asked me yesterday.”

America froze. “Yeah, but did you remind him you were coming here when he told you to watch her.”

“No, why would I?”

Diosa, it was a good thing she was pretty. “You’re in so much trouble.”

“You girls good out here?”

America rolled onto her back and sat up so she could see her elderly foster mother looking out the backdoor. “Yeah, Abuela, we’re good.”

“You sure? Do you want some snacks?”

America shrugged and looked at Karen.

“I’m okay, but do you have a banana or something? It’s getting close to snack time, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Not at all, dear. We don’t have any bananas, but we’ve got some peaches, blueberries, strawberries -”

“No strawberries. Her mom is allergic so she’s not allowed to have any until she can be tested.” Karen moved to grab Morgan. “She likes blueberries though, so if it’s okay, I can smash them up f-”

“Nonsense, you kids have fun and I’ll bring out her mash in just a moment,” Abuela said, waving her off.

“Oh, thank you, Ms. Joyce.”

“Thanks, Abuela!”

“‘Bue’!”

The two girls turned to Morgan as Abuela disappeared back inside.

“No,” America whispered.

“‘BUE’!”

“No way,” Karen said, pulling out her phone and pointing it at the baby.

“‘Bue’! Abue’. Abue-Abuela! Abuela! Abue’!”

“I’m in so much trouble,” Karen sighed.

“‘Buela!”

She lowered her phone and patted Morgan on the head. “Good job.”

“Abue’!”

“That’s her first word, right?”

“Yup. Uncle Anton has been trying to get her to say his name for two months now.”

“Abuela!”

Karen’s phone started ringing and she answered it without looking.

“WHERE ARE YOU!” Karen’s cousin shouted loud enough to America to hear.

“Nebula? I’m at America’s… I told Papa I was coming here yesterday… Of course Morgan’s with me, safe and sound… On my bike… I’m sorry, Papa didn’t say I had to stay home… Okay… Alright, I’ll come ho- … Alright, we’ll be here… Love you… Bye.” Karen hung the phone up. “Nebula’s coming to pick me up. Apparently I’m grounded.”

America snorted and patted her friend on the shoulder. “Next time, always double-check with the parents if you want to take a kid somewhere with you.”

“Nebula said something similar.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pepper frowned when she came into the living room to see Karen floating in the air, hands hanging down as she helped Morgan stumble across her play area on the other side of the room. “Karen, no flying in the house.”

“I’m helping Morgan learn how to walk,” Karen said, looking up at Pepper and not noticing Morgan’s attempts to turn to her mother.

“You can do that from the ground.”

“Ma,” Morgan whimpered, pulling one of her hands out of Karen’s light grip to make grab hands towards Pepper.

“But she won’t do it if I don’t float,” Karen said, neither noticing the baby’s actions.

“Mama,” Morgan huffed, taking a shaky step towards her mother.

“She will eventually.”

Morgan released Karen’s other hand and took another step.

“My Lady, Miss Karen.”

“Not now, J.A.R.V.I.S.,” Pepper said. “A rule is a rule, Karen. It’s dangerous for you to fly in the house. The area is too tight. You could hit something and either hurt yourself or break something else.”

“My La-”

“Hold on, J.A.R.-”

“Mama!”

Pepper looked down to see Morgan taking a few more stumbling steps before falling back on her butt at Pepper’s feet.

“Ma!”

“Oh,” Karen said.

Pepper’s mouth gaped open and closed for a moment before she said, “Please tell me you got that, J.A.R.V.I.S.”

“Of course, My Lady,” he said, sounding slightly annoyed, and Pepper flinched.

“Sorry for ignoring you.”

“All is well.”

“Oh my God!” Pepper scooped up Morgan and spun her around, earning the girl’s giggles. “You walked!” She pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Oh Tony is going to be so upset he missed this!”

A throat cleared and the two turned to see Tony standing in the doorway to the kitchen with a smirk. “I think Jay and I are the ones that didn’t miss it,” he chuckled before walking over to pull his wife and daughter into a hug.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“HAPPY NEW YEARS!” the group cheered and Tony kissed Pepper as he hit the button to launch a procession of fireworks.

Rhodey bounced Morgan, worried the two-year-old would be upset by the loud noise, but thankfully she only seemed dazzled by the lights, reaching towards them and muttering, “Fy-flies! Fy-flies!”

“Yeah, they do look like fireflies, don’t they,” he chuckled.

“Fy-flies!” Morgan cheered. Her hands closed up into tiny fists, then snapped open.

Twin bursts of tiny embers shot out of her hands like sparklers, dying out almost immediately.

“Fy-flies!” she cheered as the group went silent.

“Did she just…” Pepper trailed off.

She did it again.

“Ooookay! Jay, send Helen a message that I would like an appointment with her at her earliest convenience.”

“Right away, Sir.”

“Fy-flies!”

“Make sure she knows it’s urgent, J.A.R.V.I.S.!”

“Of course, My Lady.”

“Never a dull moment,” Tori chuckled into her drink as Happy collapsed backward onto the patio furniture.

Nebula downed her glass of champagne. “One. Just one normal sibling. Is that too much to ask for?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Good news, she’s not about to blow up anytime soon,” Helen said as she read over the results.

“Better news, you can get rid of it?” Pepper asked doubtfully.

“Bad news, the Extremis seems to have mutated within her into something else and is in her very genes. It can’t be removed.”

“Can it be diluted?” Tony asked looking over her shoulder. “Or blocked or something?

“Maybe, but not permanently.” She hummed and moved some files around. “I’ve studied some of yours and Bruce’s notes from back when you faced Killian. I might be able to create a serum based on the one you used to dilute Pepper’s powers to temporarily block Morgan’s abilities, but she’ll have to take it repeatedly. Also, the older she gets and the more the Extremis mutates, the less it will work.”

“How long will it work?” Pepper asked.

“Long enough that we won’t have a toddler running around starting fires,” Tony said, watching as Helen started working on the formula.

“Hopefully. We will have to monitor the changes in her physiology carefully and account for that. It would be easier if Bruce could help.”

“He’s still laying low. I heard he’s been hiding out in some gamma lab in Nebraska the past two months, but I don’t know where.”

“Hulk has really been taking the defeat against Thanos hard,” Pepper said. “It’s started to get to Bruce. Jen and She-Hulk tried talking to them both, but that’s when he disappeared.”

“Poor man,” Helen sighed. “Well, I think we should send it out to a colleague of mine for a second opinion, but I think we’ve got enough to work with that it should work for at least a couple of years.”

“Can they be trusted?” Tony asked.

“Yes. We’ve worked together on a few projects. He’s… got a personal investment when it comes to enhanced people and is good at keeping secrets. He’ll be respectful and discreet.”

“Alright, we trust your judgment,” Pepper said, standing up and putting Morgan on her hip. “In the meantime, I’m going to fireproof her bed and put her down for a nap.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Well, she’s not setting things on fire at least,” Pepper sighed.

“Unfortunately, this is the best Helen, Morbius, and I could do.”

“Pretty,” Morgan giggled, watching the orange glow on her arms sluggishly move around like a lava lamp.

“You know, considering the army of AIs, Iron Lad, Spider-Man, and the alien terminator, Morgan’s probably still the most normal kid,” Rhodey offered. “As long as she takes her vitamins, all she does is glow.”

“For now,” Nebula pointed out.

“And Harley and Peter were normal until they hit puberty,” Pepper said.

“Let’s be honest, Harley was never normal,” Happy argued. “None of the kids have ever been normal.”

Tony nodded. “That’s fair.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You know... between the pyrokinetic and the Frost Giant... I guess you could say Spider-Man is going to have... some Amazing Friends :)

It was an accident, I swear! I only realized it while writing the hospital scene when I remembered Pepper still had Extremis, which could be passed down to Morgan! She'll make an awesome Firestar when she's older though.

Two subtle references: America's foster mom, Ms. Joyce, is named after the original Miss America, Madeline Joyce. Morgan's middle name, Patricia, comes from Patricia "Pepper" Potts, Pepper's Iron Man: Armored Adventures incarnation (Love that show).

[dumbbitchnumberone]

Maybe its one of their birthdays,,,

Okay so this ficlet… kinda got away from me. It’s 3500 words. That’s longer than 2 of the full fics in TVG, but I just started writing and couldn’t stop. without further ado, enjoy:

Truth be told, the only reason Wade looked the kid up on Instagram in the first place was because he needed to figure out where he’d be and when to prevent him from getting assassinated, but even after the hitman situation was dealt with he found himself checking the kid’s profile every now and then.

Peter posts pretty frequently, but when he does it isn’t like there’s any sort of strongly curated theme. He doesn’t just post aesthetically pleasing pictures of coffee and designer clothes—he posts what’s going on in his life.

There’s a picture taken from a hospital bed in Avenger’s Tower. There’s a picture of a cool looking pigeon. There are multiple pictures of cute dogs he passed on the street and some dumb selfies with his friends. The thing is, those aren’t the ones that catch Wade’s eye.

The ones that catch his eye are the off-guard ones of the tall girl he hangs out with. The pictures of the city that had to have been taken while the kid was webbing his way around the city. A shot of the kid’s aunt (she’s his aunt? Is she old enough for that?) drinking coffee and sitting on the fire escape. Peter has quite the eye for what makes a good picture, but it’s obvious he doesn’t have anything to take pictures on other than his phone that’s quite a few generations out of date.

Wade has money. Granted, he’s been known to spend it all on plastique explosives so that he can build himself a throne out of them, but right now he has money. He’s also spent a lot of his life being poor—both regular poor and power shut off in the winter, breaking up bits of furniture to burn in a grate in the floor so you don’t freeze to death poor—which is why he knows that the kid won’t accept a gift from him without a good reason. Peter hasn’t talked about being poor exactly, but Wade has heard some of his epic rants about how annoying it is that Stark is always throwing money at his problems and trying to give Peter a new phone or laptop because “this one still works just fine—why would I get rid of it?” That along with the way he hardly ever goes out anywhere (if his Instagram stories are anything to judge by) and wears the same worn but well taken care of clothes almost every time Wade sees him as a real person is enough context for him to get a grasp of the kid’s attitude. It helps that Matt mentioned the kid’s aunt is a nurse and the uncle is dead. Living in New York on a nurse’s salary with a kid? That can’t be easy on the old wallet.

It isn’t until he’s leaning out of Matt’s bedroom window so that he can smoke without bothering the guy that he finally thinks of a time the kid might accept a gift. Peter always says that he’s almost sixteen, but there haven’t been any sweet sixteen posts on his Instagram, meaning his birthday is still coming up. The only question is when.

Wade stubs the cigarette out on the brick outside Matt’s window before dropping the butt to the street.

“Hey, when’s the kid’s birthday?” he asks, turning to look at where Matt is lying on his stupid, wonderful silk sheets.

Matt raises his eyebrows. “Considering what your heart just did, that is not the question I was expecting.”

Wade snorts. “Very funny. Seriously though, do you know when it is?”

“August tenth,” Matt answers. “Why?”

Thank god—still a week or so out. “Cause I wanted to get him something. Sixteen is a big deal and all.”

“That’s true,” Matt agrees, pulling himself up into a sitting position. “I’ve been trying to think of something to get him, but I’m not sure what he’d like.”

“I want to get him a camera—one of the really nice ones. You wanna go in together on it for him?” Wade offers.

“Sure—but why a camera?”

“If you could see his Instagram then you’d know,” Wade teases, and Matt snorts.

“Asshole. Well, I don’t know anything about cameras. Do you?” he asks, and shit, Wade doesn’t know anything about cameras.

Matt must be able to read that realization in his pulse or whatever, and the smirk it puts on his face is so incredibly annoying.

“Shut up,” Wade says.

“I didn’t say anything,” Matt replies with the smirk still on his face.

“Yeah, well you didn’t have to.”

Matt must take pity on him for once, because the smirk fades away to a much nicer smile. “Put your clothes back on and I’ll help you track down Jess and get her to tell us about cameras.”

“You really want me to put my clothes back on already?” Wade tries, because he is but a man and asshole-ish smirk or not, Matt’s got it goin’ on.

After a second of consideration Matt says, “No, I guess not.”

-----

“Okay, seriously, let’s go find Jess and get this figured out,” Matt says eventually as he’s doing up the buttons on his stupid fancy shirt.

Wade gets that matching clothes can be hard—but a suit every day has got to be some form of penance because no way in hell would anyone other than a Catholic willingly do that to themselves.

“Ugh, fine. Give my healing factor a second,” Wade groans.

Matt snorts and throws Wade’s shirt at him. “Don’t be a bitch. I’ve seen you walk off stab wounds quicker than that.”

“Haven’t seen anything,” Wade mutters under his breath, getting his pants thrown at him as well for his efforts.

Once they get down to the street looking like the world’s strangest yet most fitting couple (seriously, a horribly scarred guy and a blind guy—the perfect combination), Wade realizes that he’s the one blindly following after Matt.

“Hey, where are we going? Did you call Jess when I wasn’t looking?” he asks even though he highly doubts that’s the case. With Matt it’s almost always something stranger.

Wade’s hypothesis is proven once again as Matt shakes his head. “I know where she is.”

“… why do you know where she is?”

Matt shrugs. “We were hanging out last night and she mentioned she was getting lunch with her sister today around now. I know the general area she’ll be in, and I can find her from there.”

Freak.

“You’re so fucking weird,” Wade says, and Matt just smiles brightly at him.

He follows after Matt for another two blocks before the man stops abruptly and turns onto the next street then into a café that Wade doesn’t recall seeing the last time he was in this part of the city.

Matt heads straight for a table near the back, and Wade takes his arm so that it at least looks like the blind guy is the one being led.

“Jessica,” Matt says as they come to stand at the edge of a table tucked into a corner.

Jessica looks up from where she had been talking to a blonde lady who looks absolutely nothing like her yet still strangely familiar. Jess groans, and the blonde one just gapes at the two of them. Wade’s used to it, so he just waves at her. She looks embarrassed and immediately tears her eyes away from his face.

Jessica gives them a scrutinizing look and wrinkles up her nose. “Really? You couldn’t even bother taking a shower before you came and tracked me down?”

“We tried,” Wade replies, putting his arm around Matt’s waist and yanking him closer even if it does get him an elbow in the ribs. “We just got distracted.”

“Gross. What do you want?” she says, though she doesn’t actually sound all that grossed out.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends, Jess?” the blonde one asks, but it’s really very clearly a demand.

Jessica sighs. “They aren’t my friends, they’re a pain in my ass. The blind one’s Matt—my lawyer. You’ve met him once,” Matt smiles his charming smile in the blonde’s general direction. “The burn victim is Wade. Assholes, this is Trish. Now, tell me what you want.”

“We need to know about cameras,” Wade chimes in.

“What about them?” she asks.

“What’s a good one for someone who’s new to photography,” Matt asks.

“Sorry Murdock, but no matter how fancy a camera you buy, the pictures are still gonna come out blurry.”

Matt gives her a very flat look. “It’s for Peter. His birthday is coming up.”

Jessica’s demeanor softens a little bit at that, and it’s precious—not that Wade would ever say that out loud. But he’s noticed that at least he isn’t the only one who has a Peter-shaped soft spot in his heart.

“How much are you guys willing to spend?” she asks.

“I just took a job,” Wade says.

Jess nods in understanding. “Foreign or domestic?”

“It was in Brazil.”

“Ah, thought that one might’ve been you. Usually you’re more obvious though,” she says.

“This one called for subtlety. Made the paycheck higher, so I can’t complain too much.”

Trish looks like she’s just dying to ask what Wade’s job is, but she must be smart considering she doesn’t.

“Well, if money isn’t an issue, you can’t go wrong with a Sony Alpha A7 III. It’s around 2000, very beginner friendly, but if he has any trouble with it then I’ll be more than happy to show him how to get started with it,” Jess replies, taking out a pen from her pocket and scribbling something down on a napkin. “Get this lens with it—it shouldn’t be more than 500.”

“You’re a godsend,” Wade says, taking the napkin from her and blowing her a kiss.

Jessica rolls her eyes. “Save it for someone who’ll put out, Wilson.”

“Wonderful talking to you as always,” Matt says. “Nice to meet you properly, Trish.”

“You too,” Trish says with a smile.

Wade and Matt leave the restaurant and trek all the way up to the nearest Best Buy to get their hands on the camera and lens Jess recommended. The sales associate looks at them a bit strangely, and when he asks what they’re going to be using the camera for Matt somehow knows to slam his hand over Wade’s mouth and answer himself. Good choice; Wade’s answer would’ve been nudes.

“Do you know how to wrap presents?” Wade asks, looking at the boxes the camera and lens are in and then looking back to Matt to see the bitchiest look on his face.

“No, I don’t know how to wrap presents, Wade.”

“Well do you know anyone who knows how to wrap presents?”

“Yes,” Matt says with a defeated sigh.

-------

Half an hour later, Wade finds himself in a rundown apartment building with a two thousand dollar camera in a bag on one arm and a roll of Spider-Man wrapping paper from the dollar store with Matt standing beside him and knocking obnoxiously on the door.

“I know you’re in there, asshole,” Matt calls out, thumping his fist against the door again. “Stop calling me a bitch under your breath and say it to my face.”

“You’re a bitch,” comes a response that’s loud enough for Wade and his sad, normal hearing to pick up.

“To my face,” Matt repeats.

“I’ll shoot you!” the voice calls back.

“That’s a lie!” Matt says.

There’s silence for a moment followed by the sound of heavy footsteps and the door opening.

“What the hell do you two clowns want?” Frank asks, pinching the bridge of his nose much like a put-out parent.

“We need help wrapping a present for Peter’s birthday,” Matt says.

Frank looks like he just might shoot them both. “And why the hell did you decide to come to me for that?”

“You were the nearest fully functional adult I could think of. Take it as a compliment. Help us wrap the present and we’ll put your name on the card too.”

Frank stares at them for a moment but eventually loses the stare-down with Matt and lets them in.

While wrapping the present, he interrogates them on their choice of gift. Once he gets an answer that he deems suitable for that, he moves on to giving them shit about the choice in wrapping paper. Then he gives Matt shit for something Hell’s Kitchen related that Wade has very little interest in.

“Are you two done flirting?” Wade asks when Matt and Frank are still talking long after the present’s been wrapped.

“Why? Eager to be alone with me again?” Matt shoots back.

Frank gags.

Matt punches him in the shoulder.

They leave after that, and it’s determined that Matt should be the one to keep the camera safe until Peter’s birthday. Wade gets to keep the definitely-not-officially-licensed Spider-Man wrapping paper though, so it’s a pretty fair trade.

----

Peter’s apparently got his hand full with a combination of school, his internship, and dealing with the lowlifes of Queens, so Wade doesn’t get a chance to see the kid—either as himself or his alter-ego in the next week. In fact, it isn’t until he’s scrolling aimlessly through Instagram that he sees a picture of a poorly-made cake on the kid’s story and realizes that it’s the tenth. One frantic flurry of text messages to Matt later, he confirms that Matt hasn’t had the chance to see the kid either thanks to being up to his non-functional eyeballs in lawyer work for the entire week.

Matt isn’t a fan of texting, so he elects to call Wade instead of suffering through any more grammatical errors and excessive punctuation.

“Should we bring it to him tonight?” Matt asks.

“I mean, it’s his birthday. I doubt he’s going out as Spider-Man on his sweet sixteen,” Wade points out. “Come on orphan, at least pretend you have a functional knowledge of childhood milestones.”

“I’m flipping you off right now,” Matt says.

“Glad to hear it—wait, he just added to his story again.” Wade taps on the gradient circle surrounding Peter’s profile picture and sees a short video of the kid, his aunt, and the two friends he’s always with at a restaurant. Wade’s pretty sure he actually knows that restaurant, and that’s confirmed when he checks Peter’s location on Snapchat. “He’s like, six blocks from your place. Carmine’s—you ever been there?”

“Ugh—yes. Worst date of my life,” Matt replies, and Wade makes note of that comment so he can wheedle out all the wonderful, cringeworthy details at a later date.

“Great, meet me there. Don’t forget the camera.”

“Don’t forget the card,” Matt shoots back before the line goes dead.

Wade won’t forget the card. He put way too much effort into the card to forget it—including hand-done illustrations and glitter. Rather than bother Dopinder or, god forbid, take the subway, Wade just gets an Uber and talks the poor driver’s ear off the whole way there.

When they pull up outside, Wade sees Matt standing casually outside the restaurant and the driver is more than happy to have the weird, rambling burn victim out of his car.

“Matthew!” Wade calls, pulling Matt into a half hug. “You’re here!”

“Of course I’m here, dumbass,” Matt replies in that charming way of his. “Peter and his people are still inside—let’s go give him the present. Oh, by the way, his aunt thinks I’m his Spanish tutor, and I don’t think either of his friends know who I am either. Let’s keep it that way.”

“Um, well, his friends definitely know who I am, so how are we gonna explain how Deadpool knows his Spanish tutor?” Wade says, and god bless poor Matt for having to keep all these different stories in order. Super-secret identities are a bitch.

“I’m Daredevil’s lawyer, I met you through him,” Matt answers.

“Wow, you had that one prepared. Have to use it a lot?”

“More often than you’d think. Come on, it smells like sewage out here,” Matt says, putting his free arm through Wade’s and dragging him towards the restaurant.

Even with Wade on his arm, Matt still manages to charm the maître d’ into escorting them to the Parker’s table.

“Hey, kiddo!” Wade says, loud enough to get the attention of everyone at the table, but not so loud as to draw unwanted attention. Contrary to popular belief, he can manage some sort of subtlety on occasion. “Thought you could ditch out on us on your birthday?”

Peter looks shocked at first and then pleasantly surprised by the two of them. That adorable smile spreads across his face, quite the contrast to the unreadable look on the girl’s face and the awed one on Ned’s. Peter’s aunt is doing a pretty good job of not staring at his general appearance, so props to her.

“Wade—Matt, hi!” Peter says. “What’re you guys doing here?”

“Wishing you a happy birthday. And giving you a reminder—what did I tell you about Snap Maps the first night we met?” Wade says.

“Hitman’s best friend, I know, Wade. You’re one of, like, six people who can see where I am,” Peter answers in a very exasperated ‘yes, dad’ sort of way.

Wade is touched by that, and he puts his hand over his heart.

“Hi, Matt. It’s good to see you again,” the kid’s aunt says with a smile that Matt can get from any woman on the planet. “And Wade, was it? I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you before,” she adds on with a very deliberate look at Peter.

“Pleasure’s all mine,” Wade says. “I’m a friend of Peter’s. From work.”

May’s eyebrows shoot to her hairline and she gives Peter another look.

“Um,” Peter says, looking over at Wade who gives him a big ole thumbs up. “Deadpool,” he whispers to his aunt.

She looks shocked, and Wade speaks up to fill the silence.

“Anyway, sorry DD couldn’t be here, but you know how much of a bitch he is about his stupid secret identity. He sent his lawyer to serve as a proxy. We come bearing gift.”

Matt sets the nicely wrapped gift onto the table. “Courtesy of my clients.”

Wade sets the card on top of the box and pushes both towards Peter.

Peter picks the card up off of the box and admires Wade’s doodles on the front of it before opening it up to read what Wade wrote inside.

Hey kid, happy birthday! You might be sixteen, but I’m sure we’ve all stressed you out to the point your heart is in its mid forties. We might be a bunch of dysfunctional alcoholics with the emotional maturity of thirteen year olds, but here’s hoping you’ll be the first of us to break that cycle. With so many examples of what not to do, how hard can it be? Anyway, we’re proud of you for sticking (ha! Get it?) with us. I like to think I’m pretty observant, so I think you’ll be able to put this gift to good use. You can thank Jess for lending her experience in the area to DD and me, and Frank for being the only adult we know who can wrap presents.

Happy birthday, webhead.

–Wade, DD, Jess, and last but not least Frank.

Peter smiles up at Wade after reading the card. “Thanks, Wade, and tell DD thanks too. And Ms. Jones, and Mr. Castle.”

“I’ll be sure to pass it along,” Matt says with a smile of his own.

Peter sets the card aside very carefully before taking care in opening the package. As soon as he sees the box, the kid just gapes up at Wade.

“This is too much,” he says, and Wade is reassured in his choice of waiting for a special occasion to give the gift.

“Baby-child, there’s nothing I’d rather do with my paycheck from murdering a druglord and burning down his empire than get you something you’ll undoubtedly put to good use,” Wade replies, earning himself a rather horrified look from the kid’s poor aunt.

Rather than being disturbed by Wade’s declaration, Peter gets up from his place at the table and flings himself into Wade to hug him.

“Thank you,” Peter mumbles where his face is smushed up against Wade’s chest.

Wade smiles down at him.

“You’re welcome, kid.”

[amberlynnmurdock]

Library Series (Part 9)

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Reader 

Chapter Summary: You and Matt go out. 

AO3 LINK 

Guilt is a feeling that Matt Murdock is not unfamiliar with.

It comes in waves and he drowns in it for hours, often finding the best way to cope with it is to sit in silence away from Foggy, away from his dorm, away from everything–yet he still feels like he’s suffocating because he can still hear and feel and sense everything around him.

Tonight, however, he puts that feeling away. No matter how hard it is, he has to put it away. He can never get rid of it, he thinks. Instead he puts it away in a mental box and kicks it out of his mind, all for your sake, because you are a light for him, an escape, and you don’t deserve that kind of darkness to deal with. You don’t deserve to be around darkness.

Darkness is not of your nature.

It’s a colder autumn night. Matt has made sure that he put layers on to prepare for the weather–he can always tell how cold it will end up being. He sighs softly as he wraps his scarf around his neck. Foggy is laying in his bed as Drops of Jupiter by Train playing faintly on his laptop.

“You nervous for your date?” Foggy asks.

“No,” Matt replies, “It’s just been a while, I guess.”

Foggy sits up and shuts his laptop, causing the song to stop. “I feel you, man. But hey! Apparently she really likes you. That’s what Marci’s told me, so… I probably shouldn’t have said that but you’re my best friend so, yeah.” Foggy has the type of voice that one doesn’t even need to be looking at his face to know that he’s smiling. Matt smiles lightly,

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, so, don’t lie about being nervous and–don’t be nervous, Matt. You said she’s going to be stopping by to pick you up?”

“Yeah,” Matt says, “She insisted.”

“That’s sweet, man,” Foggy says, “Real sweet. Hey! Want to know what I just thought of? A double date! It has to happen!”

Matt smiles and chuckles lightly, “Maybe, Fog. Maybe.”

Three small knocks appear on the door. Matt begins to walk towards it but Foggy has already beaten him to look through the peep hole.

“Gotta make sure,” Foggy reasons. Matt smiles and lets Foggy open the door. But Matt can already tell it’s you by your usual perfume.

“Oh, hi, Foggy,” Matt hears your soft voice which sounds surprised, “How are you?”

“I’m good! Just checking the door for Matt to make sure it’s you and… it is. Anyways, I hope you guys have fun tonight,” Foggy says. Matt comes over, shrugging his jacket on and grabbing his cane.

“Foggy, you sound like a parent,” Matt laughs. Foggy raises his arms up in defense,

“Hey, I genuinely want you guys to have a good time! By the way, ___, you better have my Matty back by 11!” Foggy jokes. You and Matt both laugh and say your goodbyes to Foggy.

“Will do, Mr. Nelson,” You say.

Foggy shuts the door, and now it’s just you and Matt. Matt smiles and shakes his head,

“Sorry–Foggy knew you were coming and he’s all excited and–“

“You don’t need to apologize,” you say, and you link your arm with Matt’s. He takes a moment to adjust and can tell you’re wearing a leather jacket. “So, where are you taking me, Matty? Do you like being called Matty?”

Matt smiles as the two of you begin walking outside the dorm building, “It’s okay,” Matt reasons. “I like Matthew, though.”

“Matthew,” you repeat, and Matt can’t help the feeling it sends to his chest, “Okay, then.”

“As to where we’re going… I hope you like Italian. It’s a bit away from campus, if you don’t mind the walk,” Matt says.

“Not at all,” you reply, “Let’s get away from that place for a little while.”

Something about leaving campus makes Matt feel like a free bird. Of course, college in general was supposed to make you feel like that, but actually leaving campus as an independent, young adult was a feeling in itself. For the first time, Matt feels at ease with being on his own.

He can’t remember the last time he really had someone.

Well, maybe he can. And maybe he chooses not to. He remembers an old mentor of his from his childhood–Stick–but with no emotional attachment anymore, Matt pushes the thought of him aside.

The two of you walk in tandem, both of you saving conversation for when you arrive at the restaurant which is still a little farther away. Columbia University isn’t even in sight anymore to where you and Matt have ended up, so far.

For a Saturday night, it’s oddly quiet on the upper West side. Matt’s cane click clacks on the side walk pavement and he hears you shudder at the sudden chill in the air. You didn’t wear enough layers, he notices. Maybe he should’ve said something before you both left.

The air is fresh, at least. New York City is filled with many smells, but on this quiet street, the only scents he smells are fresh leaves, slick pavement, and your vanilla and lavender perfume.

There’s a loud drumming coming close to the both of you. The taste of salt appears in the air and Matt senses it. Matt is slightly alarmed as he unnoticeably pulls you closer to his side. When the person with the loud heartbeat has passed, he’s relieved to have concluded that the person was only out for a run, and the small vibrations that came from the person’s earphones were a giveaway.

“That guy was out for a run. Who goes running this late at night? And it’s freezing,” You say to Matt. He can’t help but chuckle in response,

“People are strange,” Matt says.

Matt can tell that the two of you are getting closer to the restaurant because he now can smell fresh tomato sauce and basil in the air. He can hear the soft chattering of voices getting louder by each step. Just two more blocks.

Suddenly that’s all brushed away as a strong scent of cheap cologne and cigarettes fill his senses soon after, accompanied by two heart beats not too far behind the both of you. At first, Matt assumes it’s just people walking down the street, which is not uncommon for New York City. So, he ignores the sound of their footsteps and tries to focus on what’s in front of him.

But something is tugging at his mind, and for some reason it all leads back to his old mentor, Stick. And he focuses back on the strangers.

What’s odd is that the people behind you two, who Matt has figured out are two men in their late twenties, have not said a word to each other since Matt has noticed them–since they sort of appeared out of nowhere, without a single noise other than their footsteps. This alarms Matt and he makes a mental note to check in on them every so often for however long he needs to.

“We’re here,” you say to Matt as you turn the both of you to the right. He’s pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of your voice like a magnet. Matt holds the door for you and lets you walk in first, as his attention is drawn into the direction of the two guys.

Matt fazes out as he notices they’re coming towards him and not stopping, and he’s not sure what to do. Now that they are closer, Matt can tell what exactly they look like.

One is taller than the other–he can tell this by the pace they both walk at; one is faster than the other–but both are built strong. They both reek of the same cologne, a cross between cedar oak and apple, or at least that’s what it’s trying to be, if not for the harsh and burning chemicals. The taller one stomps out a cigarette on the ground and the short one twists something in his back pocket.

It’s a knife. He can hear the blade getting caught on a strand of denim.

“Matt?”

“Sorry,” Matt responds quickly as to not alarm you, “Just thought I forgot something.”

You laugh a little, “You just noticed now? Do you need to go back?”

“No, it’s okay.”

He hears the doors of the Italian restaurant jingle open as the two men walk in behind.

“Good evening and welcome to Il Rosso. How many?” A man at the front desk greets Matt and you. He has an Italian accent, you notice. Matt wants to answer but he is too focused on the guys who have followed you two as well as the drumming of his own heart. He’s crossed between freaking out and playing it cool.

You’re about to speak as the host looks at you expectantly. He has broad shoulders and a red vest on with a black bowtie that matches his black hair.

“Uh, I have a reservation. Murdock, for two,” Matt stutters lowly to the host.

You watch as the man looks in his reservation book, his pointer finger leading him down the list of names he has. The low lighting in the restaurant makes him look mysterious as a single lamp shines down on his notebook. The ambiance of the whole place is dark and the music they play is genre you cannot quite recall you’re familiar with.

Matt, on the other hand, is freaking out. He’s not sure what to do first, but he makes sure that he’s blocking you from the two guys as he stands in impatience for the host to find his name in the reservation book.

“Ah! Mr. Murdock. Please, right this way,” the man says as he smiles at you. “I’ll be with you two gentlemen in a moment,” he says over Matt’s shoulder to the guys behind him.

“We’ll be here,” the shorter one says. A deep, raggedy voice. Matt tries to remember it. Matt turns his head slightly, but when he feels your hand intertwine with his, he follows you.

The host walks you down a narrow path that passes people already seated at their tables, many of them mid conversation and mid eating. They’re enjoying the night or going out out of pure obligation for whatever it is they need to do. But there are far too many scents, and heart beats, and noises that overwhelm Matt, but he focuses on your heartbeat. He tries to focus on your hand holding his and follows you down steps that lead to a quieter part of the restaurant.

“And Mr. Murdock, of course we will gladly accommodate for you. I’ve brought over a menu that reads in braille,” the host says. He hands you and Matt menus as you take a seat in a corner booth near the back of the restaurant.

“Uh, thank you. That’s very kind,” Matt replies, taking the menu graciously and setting it down slowly. The two men still wait at the host stand.

You flip through the pages of the menu and while you try to skim the pages to see if you like anything, the numbers that follow the listings are what really grab your attention. This isn’t a cheap restaurant, and you look at Matt nervously.

You tell yourself that you should enjoy the night and treat yourself–and Matt–without any worries. You know Marci would tell you the same.

“Anything you like?” You ask Matt.

You look down and notice Matt has ran his fingers over the same line five times over. He stops and leans forward,

“I’m sorry?”

“I asked if you liked anything,” you reply softly.

“Oh, um, I’m still looking,” Matt replies quickly.

You pat your mouth together and curse at yourself; you’ve interrupted his careful reading, you think.

Matt, on the other hand, is losing his shit.

But he has to remain calm, he has to try to maintain some sort of composure, even though the host went back to the host stand to seat the two men only across the room the two of you sit in.

He listens carefully to their conversation as he absentmindedly runs his fingers over the menu in front of him.

“He’s blind.”

“I know.”

“It’ll be an easy attack. Get him on the ground and grab her.”

“No shit. The hard part is getting to them. Do we really have to sit here and eat and wait til they’re done?”

“When she goes to the bathroom. I know there’s a back door near the women’s room. I saw it. He’ll think she stood him up, poor guy.”

“Okay so, we wait.”

Matt is thinking of a thousand different ways he can prevent this from happening but almost all of them end up with you being put in danger. He needs to get rid of the two guys himself, unless he thinks of an escape plan where they won’t see the two of you leave.

“Matt?”

“Hm?”

He hears you laugh nervously as you place your menu down.

“Are you okay?” you ask him. “You haven’t moved your hands at all.”

“I’m sorry,” Matt focuses on you. The last thing he wants to do is make you scared. “There’s just a lot of people in here, I can just–feel it, if you know what I mean?”

“Oh,” you say quickly, “We can go somewhere else, Matt. I really don’t mind. Besides, I don’t know if the prices are on your menu but they’re definitely not student friendly.”

“You wouldn’t have to worry anyways,” Matt says genuinely, “Um…”

So, he thinks quickly, you want to leave. This is the perfect opportunity for him to get the two of you out of there but, where would he take you then?

He does have an idea, but it’s even farther from campus.

But right now, Matt’s running out of options. He doesn’t have a choice. He has to think quick.

He pauses and listens for beyond the restaurant, beyond the street, beyond where he sits right now. And he listens for a specific car, no, a bus with a specific destination.

In the distance, about three blocks away, a bus en route to Hell’s Kitchen is about to approach the stop at the end of the block in which Il Rosso is on. Matt calculates that he has about exactly five minutes to get the both of you out of there without the two guys following you.

“Good evening folks, how are we tonight?” A young waiter with a boyish grin and voice greet your table. You look up and smile at the kid.

“We’re good,” you reply, “You?”

“I’m doing fine myself. My name is Sebastian and I will be your server tonight. Are we thinking about any drinks already?”

“Um… Matt? Are you thirsty?”

A moment of silence from Matt becomes too long for you.

“I’m sorry,” you say to the waiter, “Can you give us a few more minutes?”

“Of course. Take your time.”

He walks off with his notepad to greet another table. You look at Matt and you feel yourself getting frustrated at his non responsiveness.

“Matt, if you don’t want to stay, just say so. I don’t mind. Just make a decision.”

Just make a decision.

“I have another place in mind, but we’re gonna have to make the next bus. Will you please come?” Matt asks, unable to disguise the worry in his voice.

“Yes, I will,” you say, “you know I will.” Your voice is hushed, and you say what you mean. Despite Matt being in panic mode, he can still hear the truth in your voice, and for some reason, that sends a pang to his heart.

Across the room, at a small table the two men sit at, Matt hears a waiter come over with a trainee at his side.  

“Good evening gentlemen, how are you two tonight?”

“My name is CJ and this is James, who will be training with me tonight.”

A few grunts in response. They’re sitting in anticipation. But they’re not aggressive enough to interrupt the two waiters–most likely to not come off as suspicious.

“Okay, let’s go,” Matt takes your hand without hesitation and starts to walk the two of you quickly down the path you walked before, up the stairs, past the large amounts of people and food.

Matt hears your heart hammering in your chest–you’re worried, and he understands why. But there’s no time for explanation when he hears the two guys get up from their table.

Matt quickly whips out his cane and in a flick of his wrist it snaps out whole. On his path is a waiter carrying a tray full of food and even though he knows the damage it will cause, he doesn’t have a choice.

He makes sure that you’re past the waiter and as he has you by his side, Matt reaches his cane out to the waiter’s feet, causing him to trip and losing balance of the tray, which has now splattered bowls of spaghetti and soups all on the carpeted floor.

In the distance, he hears one of the guys curse. You gasp.

“Oh, shit. It’s not your fault, Matt, just–hold on–“

He hears a commotion uproar–the guests of the table are angry but once they notice Matt’s disability, they’re anger becomes silent.

“He’s not feeling well,” you say to the waiter, “I’m so sorry.”

The manager comes over, willing to speak with you, but Matt has pulled you both quickly out of the restaurant, away from the commotion, away from the two men.

And he starts to speed walk, without giving you a second thought, and once he thinks he’s made it far enough, he feels you pull his arm.

“Matt, what the hell? I mean, you tripped but… you were like… completely tuned out. Why are we running so far?”

Before Matt can answer, he scans the area where the two of you stand. It’s a few blocks down from the restaurant and around a corner at a bus stop, like he predicted. It’s a bit of a livelier setting with more people sitting around and people standing in front of their own shops. Matt listens for the two guys at the restaurant, who are cursing at each other, but soon walk down the road they came from.

You’re safe.

“I’m sorry… when there’s a lot of people in a room, I just–I freak out and I get nervous,” Matt says, which isn’t entirely untrue.

“Matt,” you step closer to him and take his hand in yours in a comforting manner, “Why didn’t you say something before we left? I would’ve been happy with just sitting at the library and talking,” you tell him with a half smile on your face.

“I know, but I wanted to take you out. I’m sorry I ruined it,” Matt says. In the distance, he can hear the bus pulling closer to the stop, the tires screeching against the pavement as he hears the heavy vehicle makes its way down the street, “But I do know another place we can go to–or, that I want to show you.”

“And where’s that?” You ask.

“It’s a bit far,” Matt says.

“Where?” You plead for him to tell you. He’s glad to hear playfulness in your voice.

The bus pulls to a stop, the loud sound of the breaks being shifted. Matt holds out his hand for you to take as he answers you quietly.

“Fogwell’s.”

[dont-hate-relate-pls]

Best Fake Smile I

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Reader (platonic...or so it seems...)

Summary: Hitting the bar right after you caught your boyfriend cheating you doesn’t seem to be the best ideas at the time, but when a blind lawyer comes up to you, it may have been your only good thing that night

Warnings: none, I hope, except for swearing 

A/N: This is what happens when you finish a season of Daredevil and suddenly feel like writing...

Nothing made anyone in the world feel more alone than anyone could be when you’re nursing a cold, shitty beer occupying a booth in the dark corner of Josie’s filled with jovial drunks, all of them noisily having a much, much better time than you were. 

Of course, it wasn’t their fault that you found your boyfriend of 2 years cheating on you with a skinnier, prettier woman (and she was blonde!) right in the three-seater couch of the apartment you shared with him, no; it was almost too pathetic how you were there, alone, wallowing in your own ocean of beer-smelling self-pity while everyone else was so goddamn happy with their own lives, you attempting miserably to drown your problems out (and failing, to be honest). You were so helpless and lost, like a rabbit caught in a snowstorm; in a room full of intoxicated men and giddy women, you were a nobody, unnoticed amidst the drunks in the room. 

This made you knock back your drink once again, letting the cool liquid seep through and tide you over for the almost-inevitable long night.

Matt Murdock tuned out of Karen and Foggy’s conversation about getting new furniture for the Nelson and Murdock office (Karen found the chairs vastly uncomfortable), opting to listen to the other conversations of the other people around him in Josie’s; keen ears picking up on the all-too-friendly flirtation going on at the farther left side of the bar counter, to the rowdy discussion of last night’s baseball match by a group of the no doubt baseball fanatics from behind him, to- Matt furrowed his eyebrows a little, picking up on the air of self-pity coming from a rather tipsy woman at the back of the bar, most probably recently dumped or something like that. 

The man smiled softly to himself, taking a swig of his own beer before getting up from his seat by the bar, causing his best friend and partner Foggy to groan as he instantly caught on to what the dark-haired man was about to do, much to Karen’s confusion. “Where’s he going?” She hissed at the long-haired blond next to her, both of them watching their mutual blind brunet friend move slowly towards the back of the bar. 

Matt grinned when he heard Foggy mutter grumpily about his affinity for attractive women despite being unable to see, navigating past other bar inhabitants with his cane until he reached the person he overheard earlier. “Looks like you had a tough day.” The blind man mused out loud, the woman looking up to see him. 

“I wasn’t aware you could see.” You said snarkily, noting the cane he was holding. You also noted the fact that despite being a blind man, he was actually really freaking cute, with dark brown hair combed to the side in a slightly boyish haircut, only to be contrasted by the light stubble he had. His choice of clothing however, was enough to let you know that he was an office kind of guy, wearing a black blazer coat over a neatly-pressed button-down shirt. But what threw you off was the smirk on his admittedly adorable face, the kind that seems like he knew much more than he’d ever let on. “No offence.” You added a second later, the man waving it off as a joke. 

“There are other, more important, ways to see, Miss...?” Matt cocked an eyebrow at you, silently asking for a name to match the face, which you told him, the blind lawyer smiling genuinely when he remarked that it was a beautiful name for a beautiful person, your slightly tipsy self fluttering at the compliment. “May I sit?” He asked politely, and for a moment you were about to say yes without even a moment of hesitation. Calm down, (Y/N), he’s just a really cute stranger who was nice enough to say hi, you told yourself, despite knowing that you were already halfway falling for his unassumingly charming demeanour. No need to freak out.  

Once again, Matt smiled to himself, hearing your heartbeat slow to its regular pace as you made up your mind. 

Somehow, you and Matt ended up stumbling into a well-known 24-hours diner that both of you frequented, taking up a whole booth with him sitting opposite you. While waiting on your shared order of a strawberry milkshake and a generous helping of extra salted fries, the lawyer continued with his string of jokes that you found extremely hilarious. “Okay, so, this rabbit and his friend, who is a tortoise, were racing against each other, with the pig as the judge. Who do you think won the race?” Matt questioned you, your forehead scrunched as if you could ascertain what the punchline was, but to no avail. 

“I mean, logically the rabbit would win, right?” You replied slowly, watching him break into that cute little smirk you found adorable, yet still not quite understanding where the joke was going. “They’re faster than tortoises.” 

“How would you know, are you the pig?” It took your drunk brain a couple seconds before you understood what he meant, bursting into loud, uncontrollable laughter at how easily you fell for the joke, him grinning as a response to your amusing reaction to the joke. Thankfully, you composed yourself just as the waitress came over with your milkshake and fries; but like the hungry drunk woman you were, you pounced on the fries as if it was your last meal, Matt going after the milkshake at a much slower pace than you, sticking a straw for himself and you into the drink. “Slow down there, you’ll choke on those.” The blind lawyer chastised you, making you decrease your speed in embarrassment. 

“Hey, I have a question, and I hope I’m not crossing any lines or anything, but...were you always-” 

“Blind?” He guessed, making you bow your head down as another wave of embarrassment wash over you. Of course you’d ask him something like that while drunk, you scolded yourself, only to look up when he began to explain. “No, I uh...I was in an accident when I was 9. Been blind ever since.” 

“I’m really sorry-” 

“Don’t be.” Matt smiled warmly at you. “Like I said before, there are other ways to see, not just with your eyes.” 

“What...kind of other ways...?” You asked in confusion, taking a sip from your shared milkshake, wanting to know more about the blind man. He tilted his head to the side a little, possibly picking up on something, a telltale hint of whatever he could use to prove it, looking like a puppy when he does. 

“See that couple by the window?” You looked to where he mentioned, and indeed, there was a couple having a meal together, seemingly very animated with each other, indicating that they’ve been in a relationship for a while now. “He’s nervous, and she’s excited, so I’m pretty sure it’s their anniversary, and he plans to-” You watched as the man went down on one knee in front of his girlfriend, clearly about to ask her to marry him. “Propose.” 

On one hand, you knew you ought to feel happy for the couple, whoever they were, for being blessed with the opportunity to be bound together through marriage, but at the same time, you felt a sharp pang in your chest as you blinked back prickly tears, reminded too much of what could've been with you and your now ex boyfriend. Obviously he wasn't a good choice for you if he was already cheating on you a year or so into the relationship, but for the longest time, you were under the false illusion that he, with all his flaws, was supposed to be the One for you, the person you thought you deserved to marry. Now that you understood why he would sometimes come home at 4 am and behave all-too coldly to you, all you could do was to look at the newly-engaged couple forlornly, glancing down miserably at the plate of fries, unable to stop yourself from recalling the exact, heart-shattering moment when you found him with another woman, wave after wave of emotions suddenly crashing on you.

Matt must have noticed your sudden change in mood when he tentatively reached for your hand, providing comfort even without saying anything. "Can I ask you a question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

You nodded as an okay before realizing he couldn't actually see you, so you let out a small squeak of consent, the man squeezing your hand once before letting go. "Who on earth could be so heartless to hurt you this much?" Your eyes flicked back to look at the blind man, him doing that head-tilting gesture again, but this time he was serious; he sounded like he wanted to wrap you up in a warm blanket and cuddle with you like a puppy, but at the same time he had the air of someone who would do anything to protect the people he cared about, even random strangers he found moping in a bar.

For a second you wished he would. 

"It's my boyf- ex-boyfriend, he uh- he cheated on me on our couch. I...The thing is, a week ago I found a small velvet box and naturally, I thought he was going to propose to me, to seal the deal. I mean, I wasn't wrong, he was going to propose...just not to me." You smiled sadly to yourself, picking a fry up and dipping it into ketchup before placing it into your mouth, the saltiness of the fry soothing your emotions a little. "Of course I know I deserve better, much much better than him, but I think I'll just have this night to feel like shit about it."

"Amen to that." Matt took a fry from the plate and motioned for you to do the same, an odd toast using two extra salty fries shared between a blind lawyer and a heartbroken woman. "To feeling like shit tonight." He grinned as he spoke, coaxing you to smile as well.

"To feeling like shit tonight."

-

"No. Way!" You stared at Matt in shock, stopping in your tracks when he started laughing at your reaction; anyone walking down the street would probably find you two an odd little pair, and frankly, you didn't care much about that. "How the hell did you get away with that?!"

"I can't help it, people just fall for my overwhelmingly blinding charm all the time." He answered you with a straight face, only for both of you to burst into laughter once again, you composing yourself just enough to grab his arm and walk with him to wherever you both wanted to go, not having decided yet. "That was a bad joke, eye realize that." This comment only made you crack up even more. Unfortunately for the both of you, the sky decided that moment was probably the best time to open up and pour buckets all over Hell's Kitchen, drenching both you and Matt within seconds, you instinctively grabbing his hand, yelling over the rain to tell him that you could find shelter at your apartment, to which he agreed, you dragging him along, his cane abandoning its purpose as he trusted you enough to not let him fall.

At some point after a minute of running past several blocks, you let out a sigh of relief at the sight of your apartment building, hastily unlocking the door with Matt in tow, the man looking more like an adorable wet puppy. "You must be freezing cold right now, I think I have something of my ex's that could fit you for the night." You told the drenched man as you went up the stairs, a hand on his surprisingly really beefy bicep to guide him. Holy crap, he could crush skulls with this! You thought.

"I appreciate the offer, but I really don't want to trouble you." Matt declined your offer as you struggled to unlock the door, you turning to glare at him.

"No offence, Matt, but you do realize you're blind, right? I have enough morality to know that leaving a blind man to fend for himself in the rain is an inhumane decision that could land you in a manhole, and me in jail." This comment caused him to smile widely, probably knowing you'd bring that up in any case he'd try to turn down your offer to letting him spend the night.

"I'm sure I can take care of myself, (Y/N)." The dark-haired man told you reassuringly as you finally got the door to open, you stumbling inside your cozy little apartment, wet droplets of rain dripping all over your fuzzy carpet, leaving small puddles in your wake. Matt was still hovering by the open door, unsure whether he wanted to enter the confines of your home or not despite your invitation.

"It's no big deal, Mr Lawyer Guy, it's not like I'm going to screw you or anything." You huffed as he finally entered your home; even with your back turned to him, you could tell that cute little smile on his face had made a reappearance. "Now, do you want to share the bed or sleep in the couch where my ex-boyfriend cheated on me with another woman?"

@a-game-of-words @nekodresden85 @dare-the-punisher @secondhandsmokemoncherie @batsofanarchy @welcome-to-awesometown @instantangelstudent 

Yeah. Um. Hey. I know I’m originally a Supernatural reader-insert fanfiction blog, but I’ve hit a very literal wall of writer’s block and I’m taking an indefinite break from Supernatural-ing...

[shallahraekwon062488]

Not I

Summary:

A small collection of tales of the early days of the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen. Notes:

———————————————– (See the end of the work for notes.) ———————————————–

Chapter 1: Fire To My Soul

————————————————————————————————– Disclaimer: I only own the characters I created. Not Daredevil or any other character that appears any other Marvel works. They are the property of Marvel. ————————————————————————————————–

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Psalm 34:19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

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Not I

Chapter 1: Fire To My Soul

Jonathan “Jack” Murdock was a professional boxer. He lost more than he won, with a record at 24-31. But he could take a beating. Every now and then he’d get hit and something inside him would snap. He’s mother, She used to say, “Be careful of the Murdock boys. They got the devil in ‘em.” And you’d see it sometimes in the ring. His eyes would go dead… and he’d start walking forward real slow, hands at his sides like he wasn’t afraid of anything. And the other guy, he’d see that look, and he’d try to get away from him. he’d catch him and trap him in a corner. He let the devil out.

Jack’s son; Matthew couldn’t understand what grandmother meant, not back then at least. But now he did.

Cause he was about to let his devil out. ———————————————————————————————-

Krystal White was a 20 year-old, who worked at Rome’s Palace after school. Not only to pay for school, but to also help her mother around the house. The job didn’t pay a lot, but it more made up for it in tips. Plus her boss; Relly. Let her take some food home sometime, which helped as well. Tonight in particularly was good. Not only did she make almost hundred-fifty dollars in tips tonight, she also got her overtime.

“Maybe I’ll get me and Ma’s hair done and Ben that new Madden?” Krystal wonder to herself. Thinking about how her little brother got a paper route job. Too try help her and their mother. He’s been wanting Madden 15 for weeks now.

Yes!!! Tonight was a pretty nice night. But little did the young lady know it was about to go south really fast.

While walking through the parking lot to catch the 11:30 P.M. subway to head home, but lost in her thoughts. Krystal didn’t see or hear the sleazy figure coming upon her. It quickly wrapped it’s unsavory hands around her throat and waist, carrying her struggle 5 foot person to a dark ally.

“Don’t worry baby. If you play nice you might like it and ask for more.” The assailant said in a sleazy voice. Letting out a chuckle to match.

Krystal’s brown eye’s widen with panic and heart thumped furiously with fear. Realizing this mugger wanted more than her money. Using all her might and taking advantage of the Mugger/Rapist’s relaxing grip, as they neared the alley. She was able to break the grip of her assailant grip and run.

“Help!!!!!!!!! Someone Please Help Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Krystal screamed as loudly has she could. Her voice mix with dismay and begging. For she knew the odds of someone hearing her were low, even lower were the chance of somebody hearing and actually helping her.

This was Hell’s Kitchen nobody helps nobody for free.

Krystal’s hopes was extinguish and fears realize, when the Mugger/Rapist caught up to her. Grabbing her hard by the shoulders and throwing her into a parked car near by. Her head bouncing off the side of the car door, leaving a small dent.

“ That wasn’t very wise little tramp. Now I guess I’m going to have take it right here. If you do anything I will break your fucking jaw, got it sweetheart?” The Mugger/Rapist spoke in a voice matching his whole persona and left no room for conversation. Has he slowly walked to the young woman he threw to the ground, he’s grimy hands going towards his belt.

Tears started to roll down Krystal light brown face. Has she came to the realization that nobody was going to save her. This guy was 6’2 and weighed as least 200 pounds. He was way out of Krystal’s weight class.

But he was just right for Matt who heard Krystal’s pleading screams and terrorize heartbeat a block and half a way. Who processed to run, jump and flip through the rooftops of Hell’s Kitchen to get her.

After flipping down a fire escape Matt came upon them in the same alley the assailant tried to take his would-be victim. Both hearts pounding. One in anticipation of a conquest, the other in fear of being conquered.

Matt Murdock could hear both heartbeats as If they were his own, and they made him sick.

Moving quickly and quietly, the way his teacher taught him long ago. He snuck up on the Mugger/Rapist until he right behind. Taking both his hands Matt smashed them in both the Mugger/Rapist’s ears, making his head ring and throwing his equilibria off. As the Mugger/Rapist let out painful yelp and threw his hands to cover his head. Matt used the opening to perform standard Aikido throw, his opponent hitting the concrete ground with loud thoud.

Pausing in his attack for a moment to check on the young waitress. Matt focused his powerful senses on Krystal to make sure she was okay. He’s didn’t hear her bones shifting or grinding together, which meant she didn’t have any breaks, fractures or sprain. But he could taste and smell some copper in the air.

“She has a small cut on her head and some tiny scraps on hands, that must of broke her skin. Most likely from when this asshole threw her into the car and she tried to brace herself.” Matt thought angrily to himself. Fists clenching harder with anticipation of giving this worm, the beatdown he so needed.

The Mugger/Rapist stood up on wobbly legs. Before finding his balance and facing his attacker, it was The Man in Black. The guy who has been making life difficult for people in his line of work.

“YOU!!!!!???? YU… Y… YU…YOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY BACK THE HELL UP FREAK!!!!!!!!” The Mugger/Rapist stuttered then shouted, pulling out a long pocket knife. Trying he’s very best to be intimidating. But Matt could hear the fear in his voice.

The Mugger/Rapist charged at the Man in Black, looking to stab or slash him, The Mask ducked and weaved between the The Mugger/Rapist attacks, looking like a highly skilled boxer. Sensing an opening The Mask Man swung a left hook catching his opponent in the side of his abdomen with hard shot, then following it with hard three piece combination of punches straight to the cheek and jaw. The blows drawing blood.

Matt let a small wicked smirk grace his lips, as he smelt the aroma of blood in the air. Also as his opponent heart beat increase with hate and terror.

The assailant let out a loud angry groan as he again, charging at the Man in Black in a more wild fashion. Who caught one of crazed swings by the wrist and gave it nasty twist, which snapped the bone in two. The assailant howled in agony, but didn’t know it was more to come.

The Man In Black than performed a Judo technique that broke assailant’s forearm in a ugly crunch. Swinging him off the ground by the same arm until he standing up, the Masked Man perform a agile kick. Connecting to the Mugger/Rapist jaw,making his head snap back and blood fly from his mouth. Along with a tooth.

Turning to face the young lady, who watched the whole exchange in shock and wonderment. Matt slowly walked towards Krystal, who was still on the ground.

Coming directly under the street light, Krystal was able to clearly see the Masked Vigilante. That stood before her. He wore a black mask over his head, eyes and nose, leaving only his mouth uncovered. Along black suit with reyd stitching, with pants and boots to match. Krystal couldn’t deny that, while this man saved her. His outfit gave her the creeps sightly. “Are you alright?” Asked the Masked Vigilante in firm, but gentle tone. Offering the still anxious young lady a hand, to stand up. Which she took slowly, but thankfully.

“ You’re safe now he won’t hurt you or anyone no more.” The Man in Black said his tone still firm and gentle, as he helped Krystal get to her feet. Smoothly and softly.

“Th… Th.. Thank you!!!!!! Thank you so very much!!!!!! You saved me from being……” Krystal couldn’t finish her thanking he rescuer. Her voice filled with deep gratitude, as she broke into tears of relief and thanks.

Matt couldn’t help but let, a tiny smile display on his face. In sense accomplishment and appreciation. He gave her a simple nod in thanks and as well as saying your welcome.

“Call the police and have your boss stay with you until they come.” The Masked Vigilante said, tone still the same as before. Letting go of Krystal’s hand, and nodding his head towards the restaurant. Krystal’s boss came running to the window, then through the door. Gun in hand ready to help his employee and friend.

Looking in the direction we’re Relly was coming from, with a GLOCK 19 in his left hand. He had his cell phone in right hand, and he was on it. With 911 Krystal concluded.

Turning back to face the Man In Black and give her thanks one more time, Krystal was shocked to see he vanished.

“ He was just standing in front of me second ago, now he’s nowhere in sight” Krystal thought in amazement. Taking a few steps forward, searching the area for her savoir. But find nothing but the man who tried to robbed her of something more important than money, her dignity. On the concrete ground, still unconscious and his forearm and wrist bones showing.

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Crouched on the ledge of a building across the street, Matt monitored the conversation between the waitress and boss. Relly saying sorry for not hearing and coming to her sooner, that he was in back counting tonight’s inventory, with the his headphones on. Krystal replying that was it okay and she was fine. Pointing his gun in line of the man who layed on the ground, asking who the hell he was and what happened to him.

Krystal process to explain the incident that transpired to her friend, but then asking him did he see where the Man in Black. Still wondering.

Relly said he didn’t see where he went. That when he looked down to put his phone back in his pocket and back up, the Man in Black was gone.

“I thought that maybe he was the one trying to rob you.” Relly said his voice hard to place. But sounding thankful none less.

“No!! He the one who saved me!!! I was saved by the The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen!!!” Krystal replied with a tone full of thankfulness and admiration for the man that helped her.

Matt let out light dry chuckle from where he observed them, listening to the radios, engines and sirens of the police and ambulance. They were about a mile or two from the scene, moving fast tonight for a change.

“Things should be fine here.” Matt thought evenly to himself, now performing expert acrobatic parkour movements along the rooftops. Heading west, having picked up on a home invasion in progress on the police radio.

One thought that Matt Murdock has been having lately; Is how would the people of Hell’s Kitchen would take it if they knew or ever found out. That the Devil of it was blind.

———————————————– Notes:

This is chapter one of a small drabble of stories I’m doing, that chronicles some of Matt Murdock early days. Of protecting Hell’s Kitchen and the people in it.

Please tell me you’re thoughts and feelings of this chapter.