Three months in
Matt and Frank start to work together more often. Frank helped Matt in his struggle to cover all of Manhattan. (Excluding Chinatown. Iron Fist has that covered.) Matt helps Frank in a lawsuit against the tenants of his building.
Matt comes to learn Frank is not a fan of swinging across the city. To the point he prefers doing parkour than risking it.
Frank discovers Red doesn't know how to fight with knives. He is excellent against them. But he absolutely sucks at using them.
Frank tracks down the one who attacked Matt's office. Meanwhile, Matt visits Foggy's remaining family and sorts through the funeral arrangements.
When he finds the guy an interrogation is due. Turns out it was an attack on Murdock the lawyer. The thug wanted to scare him away from a case. He was planning to repeat the assault in a few days.
The guy didn't live to try again.
Murdock will have his head for that. But he won't have it any other way.
He keeps in contact with Curtis. Telling him about his progress. About the relationship with Matt.
He doesn't know where they stand. Companions. Allies. Companions that kissed each other. Allies that fought more often than not.
He kills and Matt doesn't. They fight. They leave for a while. Then fix it. A circle Frank expects. Wants.
Three months have passed since the snap.
The city learns to breathe dust. Daredevil makes daylight appearances with a new suit. Yellow, black and red. Eye catching. People learn to see Daredevil as their vigilante. Criminals learn that if Daredevil is there, the Punisher is there too.
Karen's funeral arrangements don't take long. Her house was taken by the state of New York. Her stuff was donated (or kept close to their hearts). The deal is fast. Her coffin is buried close to Matt's preferred church. He makes sure to visit when he can.
Nelson's funeral is harder to arrange. Family members want to bury him near his family. They live in another state. In the end, Red had to travel all the way over there to settle things.
Today he comes back.
Frank left the construction gig a few weeks ago. He's searching for something different. No veterinarian was willing to receive him.
Maybe they'll receive him at an animal shelter.
He is cleaning his guns when he gets a message.
-hey Frank.-
-I just arrived.-
-Can you pick me up?-
-There are no taxis nearby-
Bullshit. He probably doesn't want to deal with the smell of the cabs. Even less the metro.
Not that he minds.
-hey Red-
-yeah, I'll go.-
-give me 10 minutes-
-ill wait-
-cant wait to see you-
-bet-
-Ill bring Max-
Matt doesn't answer. Just sends his location.
Max enters the car. Tail wagging and everything. The drive is relatively quick. With just minor bumps in traffic.
When he arrives Matt is waiting there. He looks fine. A bit paler than usual. But that might just be the lighting. There is a small smile on his face as he tilts his face in the direction of the car. His red glasses are on.
He parks and Max comes down with him.
"Looking good Red."
The smile turns into a grin.
"So do you. Definitely a sight for sore eyes."
"You'll never stop, will you?"
"Nah."
"Smug bastard."
He extends his arm. Offering his elbow. Matt takes it closing the gap between them. Autumn is closing over them. The cold slowly replacing heat. So the closeness is welcome.
Turns out he ends up taking Matt for a coffee.
"I brought Max."
By that point Matt is already petting Max. They are sitting down in a park. Matt balances a cup of capuchino on one hand and petting Max with another. His bagel is already in the car.
"Couldn't tell."
Frank huffs.
"You remember him?"
"Yeah, he is healthier. You've done a great job, Frank."
He shakes his head.
"Max deserves that and more. Glad those guys are dead."
Matt just sighs. He doesn't deny it.
"How did it go?"
Matt doesn't stop petting Max .
"We came to an agreement. The funeral will be held here in Hell's Kitchen. They come here for the ceremony. They'll plan everything, from the priest and church to the flowers."
"That's exactly what you wanted. I shouldn't be surprised. You are a lawyer after all."
"Yeah, you are right."
He doesn't speak so Matt continues.
"How was your week? Did you find a job?"
"Not yet. Some places can't ignore the flaws in my resume."
"Shame. They don't know what they are missing."
"I might give a shot to the refuge close to your place."
"Yeah, I've heard about it. It's a good place."
"You hear everything."
Matt hums and tilts his head to the side.
"It's going to rain."
"Huh?"
"It smells like rain."
He looks upwards to find a somewhat clear sky.
"You sure bout that?"
Matt nods and motions to the parking lot.
"Let's get going. I have something for you."
He raises an eyebrow but complies.
They walk with Max following close. Matt seems to zone out letting Frank do the guiding. He doesn't mind. He's glad Matt trusts him enough.
They get to Matt's home quickly.
He settles on the couch while Matt searches for something.
He finds some of his stuff thrown around He sees one of his vests thrown in a chair. One of his books rests on a table. There is a baseball cap near the entrance.
It would be intrusive if Matt didn't leave stuff back at his place too. He is sure he has a cane and billy club somewhere.
Matt comes in with a gift. In warping paper and everything. It has a dinosaur pattern. It's green with a light blue. He has the feeling Red doesn't know about it.
The thought that Matt put in the effort of packing it is enough of a gift.
"Here."
He hands Frank the gift. He makes sure he is as careful as he can.
It's a book. A collection of poems.
"Didn't know you liked these."
"They are descriptive. I can appreciate that."
He hums and runs a hand over the book. He was never a fan of poetry. He didn't hate them. He just never really picked them.
Maybe once, with Maria.
But that was long ago.
"Thanks Red."
Matt nods and sits by his side, leaning in. There are no windows open but a slight chill runs through him. He shifts closer.
Matt talks his ears off. About the place, the smells, the sounds of the other city. How different it was from New York. About the Nelsons. The conservative grandma who seemed to always survive. The father who lost his son.
Eventually, he talks about his college years. The disaster he was. Frank chose to listen.
It felt like home.
Matt draws closer putting a hand on Frank's jaw. Feeling the skin. He leans into it.
The gesture is familiar at this point. Intimate in a way only Matt can be.
You'd expect their relationship to be explosive. Dangerous and unstable. In a way it is. Their morals a topic of conflict. But they are also soft around each other. Frank can't be all teeth and sharp edges around this man. Yes, they spar and fight. But he never wants to truly harm.
Matt leans in for a kiss and Frank lets him.
He kisses back.
Frank bites Matt's lips making the other bite back. Matt pushes against him and he lets a groan out. One hand slipping towards Matt's waist. Matt feels his back with one hand. The other one grabbed his hair.
They separate for a second.
Frank takes in the view. Matt is flushed to the roots of his hair. Mouth is slightly open letting out little gasps of air. It makes for a beautiful image.
Matt dives in for another kiss. Frank takes it in stride. Frank stood to leave little kisses on Matt's neck while Matt struggles to take off his shirt.
It's when the shirt is finally off that his phone rings.
Frank doesn't react. He stays there hands still on Matts chest and lips hovering over the skin.
The call goes to messages.
Matt laughs and nudges him.
"Frank you here?"
"Yeah, thanks Red."
Matt smiles and his lips resemble his name.
"I have to go to the office. Some case files I want to check. Mind taking me?"
"It's on the way home anyways, so I don't mind."
Matt goes to his room to change into his suit. Maybe he has clients waiting for him too.
Once he is done he stands up and Max walks over to him. Max had been resting near the door that whole time. Smart dog.
"Let's go."
They get into the car and the silence is comfortable.
In a road light he checks who called.
Turns out it was Curtis. He'll call later then.
They arrive quicker than expected. The building is sturdy. It survived an alien attack with minimal damage. He can still see the plaque that promotes the firm Nelson, Murdock and Page in the front. Matt hadn't mentioned anytime about changing it, even if it weighs him down.
"I guess this is my stop."
"Damn right, sweetheart."
Matt rolls his eyes but he doesn't stop him.
"See you around Frank."
"Not like you can."
"Fuck you."
"Whenever you want!"
He rolls the windows and drives away with Matt's laughter resonating inside his skull.
He doesn't know where he gets the courage from. Those comments almost roll off his tongue without his permission.
His heartbeat definitely gave his embarrassment away to Matt.
The book that Matt gave him rests by his side.
He already knows what he is going to be reading this week.
___________________
Foggy's funeral doesn't take long. Foggy's family comes to Hell's Kitchen. They took Matt in during college. He was adopted in a sense. He was loved by Foggy's parents. The grandmother always looked at him in contempt. The aunts and uncles always ignored him. It's different from college. All of them approach him with their regards. Their condolences. Their comments. Foggy's father hugs him and walks away. Towards the empty coffin. The mother is missing.
Frank comes with him to that mass. Just as he did for Karen. He stands quietly by his side. He grounds Matt. Keeps him from bolting towards the door.
There is no silence during the time with the open casket. Silence doesn't exist for him. Even when everyone is quiet he still hears the city at its fullest. Their hearbeats. Their breathing. Their organs. It makes the empty echo inside the coffin more real. More present.
Mass is a blur. Sounds echoing together into a messy picture.
He barely remembers when they step outside to lower the casket.
He's been crying for a while now. He is left alone. People don't try to console him. Eventually, people leave.
He stays. So does Frank.
He runs a hand over the inscription.
Franklin Nelson.
Beloved son, and friend.
Tears fall from his eyes. The glasses are still on his face.
Foggy was gone far too soon. Karen was gone far too soon. Claire and Luke.
Everyone who left. They left too soon. Out of nowhere.
Frank doesn't move from behind him. He needs this. But he doesn't leave either.
Right now, in front of Foggy's grave, he sobs. Cries his heart out. He wishes he spend more time with him. That he didn't lie. That he didn't push Foggy away. That he didn't ruin their friendship.
(He also wishes that Foggy stuck around. He wishes that Foggy understood, that he ties harder. That he didn't leave.)
He hates the snap. He hates the heroes that failed. He hates himself because the only thing he could do was hold Foggy as he faded.
He hates that he only got to keep the dust.
He is kneeling and praying for Foggy's soul. That he gets heaven. That he gets peace.
Time passes and he never stops kneeling. After a while he stops crying. It turns into quiet sniffs. Frank reaches for his shoulder. He doesn't move.
A little push.
He stands and walks with Frank. They find a bench. A chill covers the cementery and Frank leans closer. Offering warmth.
Their heartbeats fill the space. Some trees move with the wind. There are cars honking in the background.
The world moves around him. He uses Frank as an anchor to keep himself from going too deep
He hates and loves his relationship with Frank. He loves it because he finds joy in being together. Because he can live without worrying about his safety if he stays.
He hates it because he feels he moved in too fast. He hates it because it feels like they are going too fast and that he is leaving them behind. That he is forgetting Foggy and Karen. That he is replacing them.
It makes his stomach turn. He wants to run and stop crime and ignore those feelings.
Instead he says it.
"Sometimes… It feels like I am moving on too fast."
Frank doesn't speak. Continue it's says.
"It feels like I forgot them. That I don't think about them. It feels too fast."
"Did you forget about them?"
"..."
"Do you not dream about them? Don't the memories attack you at moments? Didn't Daredevil come back?"
He can say nothing.
"Truth is, Red, that grief is strange. It's different for everyone. Everyone handles it in their own way. I went on a killing spree. You go out and fight criminals. You decide that protecting others makes those emotions better. Smaller. Easier to handle.
"You are still grieving, Red. You fight day and night against that grief. Whether it is at the office. Or at night on the streets. You are still grieving."
"Who said grieving was about crying alone? Maybe a part of it is. But there is more to it. Grieving is letting go of their things. It's learning to talk and live without that person by your side. It's learning to enjoy the good and bad in the memories."
"You are doing well, Red. Better than I ever could."
He stays quiet. Mulling over the words.
"Frank. Do you think we are going too fast?"
Frank mulls over it in his head. Then he asks.
"Do you want to go slower?"
He doesn't. Maybe, he just thinks that being with Frank betrays them. Somehow.
"No."
He regrets nothing about his relationship with Frank. He is glad they have each other.
Silence surrounds them again. A siren goes off in the distance. Crimes happen. When he first stepped back into Daredevil he did it to mourn. To process the chaos. Because being Daredevil is easier. The violence of vigilante life is familiar. Like a home to him.
Now, he needs to be Murdock. He needs the calm and peace of civilian life.
He leans into Frank's space.
Maybe right now he can just stay quiet and think. Let his memories carry him away into another time.
At least he isn't alone.