Another encounter
He wakes up to the shifting of his joints. Complemented with the sharp pain in his ribs.
He immediately wants to sleep again.
Making the move on the Russians during the day had been necessary. Not good for his schedule but necessary. It stopped them and sent the perfect message. But not good for his body.
He slowly rises hearing each joint creek. Jesus Christ. How is he supposed to go to mass like this? He must make for an interesting picture. Filled with bruises and cuts. With eyebags that his glasses can't cover.
God, he misses the suit. (And Karen, and Foggy.)
But what he said to Frank is true. He can't wear it… not after everything.
With Melvin in prison he doesn't have a tailor. And he doubts he will be as lucky to find one just waiting for him.
He takes a bath and enjoys how water refreshes his body. He puts on a suit, takes his cane, and one loaf of bread.
He walks out with a slight limp and a shit load of cases.
He buys coffee from the shop near his office. He has to resist the urge to buy two more.
When he arrives he has finished it already. He resists the urge to gag as dust clings to him. He prefers to think of yesterday.
It had been a weird day. First the Russians decide to receive a shipment in plain daylight. Then he finds the Punisher there. And eats lunch with him.
It'd been nice. Peaceful even. The fight felt refreshing and challenging. Frank hits hard, and is fucking cunning. It got him going like fighting other criminals never did. There was always something new with each battle. He just hadn't expected to be invited to have lunch. And he said yes. He doesn't regret it. Not really. It was a nice change of pace. He is just curious about why Frank invited him.
Working comes naturally to him. It lets him narrow down his senses to just one job. Even when it's a Sunday, it's easier to come to the office and work. It's not like there is a lack of cases.
New York is going through a crisis. Economy is crumbling, because half of the world disappeared and the market has to compensate for the missing jobs. The is a lack of manual force which affects everyone. There are no judges or lawyers. At least not as many as needed to cover this many cases. The police are short on numbers. They are unable to handle the uprising of crime. People are losing their homes, their properties to big conglomerates that took the chance to make big money. Kids and old people are left on the streets, living as homeless. Drugs are being distributed to every corner of New York.
To make it worse the Avengers decided to back down.
He was never a fan. In fact, he finds their methods lacking. Just like Frank finds his methods lacking. But he did acknowledge that they were public figures that brought hope and peace to the people. When they backed down. When they lost. People lost hope. He knows it won't last forever. New York is strong. It fights tooth and nail to survive. But it still leaves an impression on the people.
Thank goodness there are other people protecting New York.
Expanding his area for patrols wasn't a conscious choice. He just went farther and farther each time. Hearing the crimes and not backing down. Not ignoring the cries for help.
This is also his job. It's second nature to him.
After hours of reading he finally stands up. He goes directly to Patrick's Cathedral.
He arrives around 4:05. The nuns are just starting the rosary. He joins them. He prays with them. Prays for the people. Prays for New York. Prays for every soul lost.
For the kids he can't save. For everyone he couldn't hear.
Prays for Karen. Prays that she finally found peace with herself.
Prays for Foggy. Prays so that he can forgive him.
Mass starts and Matt feels drained. He doubles his efforts on listening to the father. He can almost hear Father Lantom preaching from the grave.
God he needs to sleep more.
His hands twitch. A woman shouts a block away. Even if he stood up and ran. Even if he did everything in his power, the woman would still die. He takes in a breath and prays. Again. Again. Again.
Mass is over and he walks towards the office. Tonight the devil will be absent. Paying rent was hard before. Now he has to add the cost of the office. Cost previously shared.
(He can't lose the office. He can't lose anything else. Even if the office feels like a grave.)
There is a heartbeat waiting in front of the office. It's steady. Accompanied by the smell of guns and a dog.
Frank.
What is he doing here?
He stops himself from rushing. Calming himself before entering the building.
He wonders how this will go. Did Frank connect the points between Murdock's disappearance and Daredevil's absence? Did he see his face on that roof? Does he know who Red is?
He reaches the hallway and stops there. Right now he isn't Daredevil. He is Matt Murdock. Blind attorney. Mourning lawyer.
Frank speaks first.
"Matt Murdock?".
He frowns. Why does Frank sound hesitant?
"That 's me? Do you need help?"
"You represented me once. In court.
So, he doesn't know?
"I am afraid I don't remember."
They stay in silence and Matt is done with it.
"Come inside."
He opens the door and ignores Frank as he enters. Leading them to his office.
Franks follows him like a ghost.
Frank starts once again.
"You were busy that time, Murdock. My case almost ruins your firm."
"Castle?"
"Thought you might've been better with voices."
There it is. The teasing. Fuck you Castle.
"As if. We never spoke that much. Why are you here, Castle?"
Frank doesn't answer. He looks around the office. He is looking for something.
"What do you need?"
"Whe- how is Karen?"
It comes softly. Suddenly the office is smaller than it should be. Goodness. He was searching for Karen.
Horror settles into his chest.
What can he do?
His next breath comes out shaky. He swears the office is shaking. Matt gets lost in New York.
What can he say?
Karen and Frank are close. Probably closer than him and Karen. After everything. How can he break the news?
Frank has already lost soo much. Matt will make him lose even more.
The streets are loud. Even with half the residents gone.
Even with Karen gone the city keeps moving.
Even without Foggy.
Without Claire.
It could keep moving without him.
Why did he have to say and deal with this?
Why did it have to be the-
"-rdock. Murdock!".
Frank is a step closer. Hovering just in front of him. He can't move. He can't breathe. So he listens to the man in front of him. His heartbeat was steady. He grabs it and doesn't let go.
"You with me?"
He takes in a breath and focuses on Frank.
"... Yes. I am."
Frank takes a step back. But don't examine the office as before. He narrows down on him.
"Did Karen make it?"
Was she spared? Is she alive?
"She's currently missing."
She 's gone.
He continues. The dam is open.
"I went to her apartment. She isn't there. She hasn't come to the office since… since the snap."
He knows how he sounds. He knows how cruel this is. He is just sugarcoating. He isn't lying. He isn't honest either.
They stay in silence for a while. Matt takes in the reactions of the man in front of him. Frank processes another loss.
His heartbeat picks up for a few seconds. His breathing does too. His hands clenched into fists. Skin moving. Matt is ready for a fight to come. His own hands gripping the cane so hard it could snap in two. Matt can leave the lawyer behind and become Daredevil as fast as Frank can blink.
But nothing happens. Frank releases a shaky breath. Releases his fists. His breathing slows down. He controls himself because Matt the attorney is here.
He wonders what would happen if it was Daredevil instead.
He half expects Frank to step out of the office. To vanish. To leave him here in the office.
Sigh "I need a drink."
What?
Okay.
"Let 's go get one."
God this day is a disaster. Might as well make it worse.
He feels the stare that Frank sends him.
Fuck this.
Both of them need a drink.
He fixes his glasses and takes the keys. He turns to face Frank and asks.
"Are you coming?"
It comes out softer. More open than what Matt was aiming for.
He doesn't even know what he was aiming for.
Frank is still speechless so Matt steps in.
"Both of us need it. It's been… a week."
Because yes. It's been a week since the snap. A week since the world bled into dust. A week since Daredevil came back and Foggy's voice scolding him every time he goes out. Karen's voice critical, painting out how he failed and continues to fail.
He needs that drink.
He walks out. Knowing it's not up to him if Frank accepts or not.