( closed to thegoodbad. )

[calltoaction]

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( i will not cross you and you must move on. there is nothing else. )

[calltoaction]

[ Matt dimly thinks he can hear the other line ringing on Father Lantom's phone after he gives him "Max's" number. It's dangerous to ask him here, but---he doesn't have anyone else to call. Foggy and Karen---what's he supposed to say to them? Maybe it's better that he---that they think he's dead.

"Is this Max?"

Sister Maggie swore all of the other nuns to secrecy. There isn't anyone who would tell.

His consciousness fades, in and out, and hard to keep a hold of. He remembers hoping, praying, before that Frank would pick up. Please, pick up. He didn't want to do this over a voicemail. Maybe a part of him---didn't want to do it at all. It makes his chest ache in a way that has nothing to do with how shot his whole body is right now.

He comes back around, feeling a hand on his shoulder after a muffled conversation, and feels the phone pressed to his good ear. He licks at his dry lips, voice slurred from drugs, pain, and exhaustion. ]

Are---are you there?

[thegoodbad]

[Frank hasn't heard from Matt Murdock in weeks. His life after the "death" of Daredevil has been relatively busy, what with his own personal life yet again going to shit, but maybe it was for the best. It meant he didn't have to linger on thoughts of Matt lying crushed somewhere in rubble, or having run off with the apparent love of his life. Whatever happened, Frank had to be okay with it. He had no choice. He promised it was fine. He wasn't mad.

Yet there is always this unmistakable ache in his chest whenever he thinks about the man, when he recalls their last conversation, wishing so badly that he'd not let Matt run off into danger so recklessly. It wasn't Frank's place to stop him when he would've done the same thing in his shoes for Maria or his children.

He's trying to lay low, to live a seemingly quiet life while certain enemies stir back to life, unaware that a single phone call from an unfamiliar number will change his plans drastically. Frank's stomach drops to his feet upon being called Max and the short explanation that follows, and before he can even react beyond an affirmation or grunt, he hears Matt's strained, tired voice on the line.

A beat or two pass. Frank has to sit down. A part of him always hoped Matt hadn't actually died but he couldn't be sure, couldn't let him cling onto that sliver of hope. It only made moving on more difficult.]

Ye- Yeah. Yeah, I'm here. [Frank's own voice is a little broken and shocked, rough yet soft at once.] What the fuck?

[calltoaction]

[ Matt's life, before the call, is much the same as it is now. Full of confusion, pain, and bitterness. It's heavy on his tongue and on each breath, and poison with every beat of his heart. He feels like he did when he first lost his sight all those years ago. Loving God? Yeah, right.

The way his heart had caught in his throat when Frank had picked up that night, Matt not having changed completely, and mask still stuffed into the duffel that Foggy had brought him. He's not sure what would have happened, truly, if Elektra had left there with him. He knows, now, no matter how twisted up they were with the other, in each other, their love is not what other people would understand. I don't know what's going to happen tonight, but I---you deserve to know. He was holding her as it all came down around them. Elektra, where did you go?

All he can do is breathe, waiting for the voice on the other line to say something, anything at all. His eyes water suddenly, when he hears his voice, even if the laugh of relief he gives is full of pain. He can hear a little of the shock in Frank's voice, but he can't hear his heartbeat. Everything is still so muddled and out of reach. His right ear is shot to hell, and that's not counting his hip and spine. ] I think it's God's version of a practical joke.

Matthew. [ He knew the chastisement was coming, but he doesn't apologize. ]

Are you---can you come here? They asked---hmm. [ He has to take a moment, catch his breath and get his bearings again. He hasn't really spoken much since he woke up. ]

They asked if I had anyone to call.

[thegoodbad]

[The fact that Frank came to mind first means something, doesn't it? What happened to that woman? To his friends? Last Frank knew, not even Karen was aware of Matt being alive. Maybe she still doesn't know.

He can't let emotions cloud his judgment right now though, not when Matt needs him. Frank allows himself to be shocked for another ten seconds before steeling himself with a deep breath, his voice a little more hardened with determination when he speaks again.]

I'll come for you. [He pauses a moment, only hesitant for a second -] They'll know who I am when they see me. I've been on the news recently. [Long story.]

[calltoaction]

[ It does. It's something he might not have thought of before. But Frank was one of his last thoughts before descending into the hell that was Midland. He was one of his first thoughts after. He can't think of calling Foggy or Karen and--it isn't like their relationship was the greatest thing before everything went horribly wrong.

He never wanted any of this to happen. He tried. Famous last words, he supposes. It doesn't matter now.

Right now, for the first time in what feels like ages, he feels something close to happiness. ]

I'm not going anywhere. [ There's a distinctly watery note to his voice. ] They won't---they won't say anything. They won't be happy but---

[thegoodbad]

[The voice in his ear, strained and broken as it is, means that Matt is alive. Alive. Frank didn't realize just how relieved he'd be at the thought but here he is, ready to break through his hideout and go back to the heart of the city to find him, to get to him, to make sure he's safe. Here he thought he'd gotten over this loss at last. Leave it to Murdock to come crawling back from the dead.

The wateryness to Matt's voice softens his own again and Frank feels something well up in his chest and throat, a discomfort paired with relief. Despite the solid nature of his determination his voice softens again just for Matt, just to comfort.]

Hey, hey, it's alright... it's okay. I'll come either way, I promise.

[He knows the place, knows what it means to Matt. Frank is glad he has the church even if he has mixed emotions about them personally.]

Will they let you leave?

[calltoaction]

[ A contrary son of a bitch. That's what he told Claire he was once. At least he's consistent. He thinks Sister Maggie is in the room again. Probably to give him more medicine, and check on the bandages.

He's tired of all of this. He knows he called for them thanks to the taxi driver, and he owes them for sheltering and healing him. But he's tired of the feelings associated. Arm's length. Distance. He stopped waiting on help from them years ago. ]

Okay. [ Is all he manages at first, trying to get his bearings when the ringing in his ears starts up again. It takes a few shallow breaths, and he hums before he trusts himself to speak. ]

I think they're ready to push me out the doors in a wheelchair, so yeah.

[thegoodbad]

[Keep it together, Castle. Focus. He's got tunnel vision at this point, focused on Matt and making sure he can get to him. Nothing else matters. With the state of his voice Frank can already tell that Matt's still... fucked up. It's a wonder how he survived at all.]

It's getting late. I can come by and pick you up in 45 minutes.

[calltoaction]

[ He's pretty sure it isn't a miracle to how he survived, just another smack in the face. His expression, tired as it us, brightens a little when he hears the time frame.

Maggie speaks next: "I need to change your bandages,
if you'll let me." ]

I'm not going anywhere. [ He manages before a sound of protest at the phone being pulled away. ]

( this is the essence of love and failure. you see what I mean but you're happy anyway. )

[calltoaction]

[ Matt shouldn't have gone out tonight, but Foggy insisted. Yes, they were almost done with their final semester of law school, but good grades aren't just a thing that happen just because. He insisted on staying in, but Foggy wanted to have a little fun before the inevitable death that was the next handful of months. He'd laughed at the melodrama, but finally relented, getting dressed and heading out with him.

They headed out to Josie's, a place Foggy had found God knows where last semester, and were pretty sure was one foot in the grave. Still, it was a decent place with good people, and tucked away in a spot where most of the other college kids didn't think to look.

His best friend was heading off to go to the bathroom, and Matt focused on the room a moment, just taking it in. A guy, military he thinks, had come in with a buddy an hour or so ago, and got settled at the mid-way point of the bar. He was about to focus on something else when he heard him order a glass of water, and made his way over. ]

Hey, hey. Uh, free advice? Don't get anything that needs water here. This place has a good beer tap, but anything else that has "tap" should probably be tested for everything.

And then some.

[ He was just a touch too drunk, and a little more openly affectionate than he typically is because of it. He hadn't realized he'd put his hand on the other guy's arm, while the other still held his cane. He pulled it back, and reached up to adjust his glasses, leaning back out of his space with an awkward grin. ]

Just---thought I'd try and give you a heads up, 'kay?

[thegoodbad]

[It's strange being back in New York but of course the moment Billy heard he'd be spending some down time with his family back home, he decided to join him. This city is just as much a home to his friend as it is to Frank, but life in the suburbs isn't like being in the heart of it all. They're not here long and it will never feel like enough when Frank knows he has to leave Maria and Lisa again, especially now that Maria is pregnant again. Sometimes he wonders what kind of a father and husband he is to not give up on his life in the marines and stay home where he should be.

Home has been a strange concept as of late.

Those thoughts are kept to himself tonight though as Billy dragged him out to Hell's Kitchen for an evening of "guy stuff" which essentially translated to ditching Frank at the bar while his friend pursued whatever pretty lady caught his eye first. He doesn't mind so much though. Usually going out with Billy means Frank is chaperoning anyway.

Which is also why he tried to order water before the stranger slid up beside him with his wisdom. Frank flinched from the familiar touch to his arm before catching sight of the man's cane and glasses, instantly relaxing as he wonders how he even knew it was Frank.]

Oh - shit. You probably saved me a night of being stuck on the toilet, huh? [Frank wrinkles his nose on a chuckle, opting for one beer instead. That can't hurt. He side-eyes the stranger before turning more in his seat to face him properly.] I'm guessing you found out the hard way?

[calltoaction]

[ Matt could smell the cologne that the other guy was wearing, it was nice, but not overpowering. His other friend, on the other hand, was wearing something that was easy to pick up on even though he was halfway across the bar. And it still clung to the air around Frank which meant they probably drove together.

Foggy was probably going to call Marci after this, and Matt was maybe going to be left to wander home after assuring his friend that he could make it back on his own. He worried too much, though.

He chuckles a little at the comment about rescue and shrugs. ] Or some other horror story. I've heard a few. [ He laughs at the question. ] Honestly it was mostly hearsay at first until my friend decided he was a badass and tried a glass.

So he was the one that really learned the hard way.

[thegoodbad]

[Frank is the kind of guy who is usually pretty content staying in with his family on nights like these, but even he knows it's good to get out of the house and do something for himself sometimes. In fact, Maria encourages it, despite seeing him only a few months in a year these days, and despite how much they miss each other. You look tired, she always says. Truer than she knows.

So what's one night like this, right? He can get a little chatty when he's got a beer or two in him so once the bartender slides his drink over, he's quick to take his first gulp.]

Ahh, gotcha. So you're the smart one. [There's a lightness to his tone, clearly teasing. The stranger can't see the way Frank's eyes give him a quick once-over.]

I'd say let's toast to our health but I don't see a drink in your hand. [Which is when Frank waves the bartender back down over to them, starting to order Matt a beer of his own without asking.]

[calltoaction]

[ Matt can pick up on that. There's the scent of the house, breakfast cooked this morning, his wife's shampoo, he thinks, his daughter's crayons, and freshly mowed grass. He chuckles at the insinuation that he's the smart one, and maybe he has his moments. ]

I mean maybe. [ He says it with a little shrug. He can hear the teasing tone, and it makes a bit of heat flush up his cheeks to his ears. He'll blame it on the drinks he's already shared with Foggy if pressed. He hears a change in his heartbeat, but he's not sure what it indicates quite yet. ]

Oh, uh, thanks. [ He reaches out to the empty stool next to him, and nods at it. ] Mind if I join you then?

Between us, I'm pretty sure my friend is going to ditch me for his girl. He says that it isn't a thing, but it really is.

[thegoodbad]

[Frank is glad when Matt chooses to sit rather than run off, not wanting to scare him away by coming across too bold. Nothing wrong with a friendly drink with a stranger right? Especially when his own friend has ditched him already. Frank's eyes scan the bar toward the corner where Billy is still chatting up some pretty girl and he shakes his head in response to Matt's words.]

Tell me about it.

[A breathy laugh and he takes another drink, angling his body to be facing Matt.]

My name's Frank, by the way.

[calltoaction]

[ He scoots up onto the bar stool and leans against the bar, cane cradled between his knees. He chuckles as he says that, and sighs. Oh, he can hear the lines coming from Billy across the bar from them. He's good, he'll give him that. ]

Did you get drug out here and ditched too?

[ He takes the beer once Josie hands it over with a quick on your right, sweetheart at him. He holds it up, tilting the neck towards him in hopes for a clink. ]

Matt. Nice to meet you, Frank.

[thegoodbad]

Something like that. Was supposed to be a guy's night out but... [His voice trails off with amusement, shaking his head to himself.] Guess that has different meaning when you're married.

[Not that he blames Billy whatsoever. Just getting out of the house and away from the silence is always good. Maria will be happy when he returns safe and sound.

As Matt tilts his drink toward him Frank takes the hint and clinks the bottles together, drinking right after.]

Same to you. Most people at these kind of places aren't always so friendly right off the bat.

( pressing against you until he fits, until he's made a place for himself inside you )

[calltoaction]

[ Matt can't say that he didn't miss this. The easy way it is to fight alongside someone he knows. The way Frank covers anything he might miss, even if it isn't much, and the way his body moves, violent and in it's true element. It doesn't have the same fluidity that his own does, but it has a kind of grace to it.

Everyone has their own battlefield, after all.

He stops, breathing harsh, and blood on his lip from a stray punch. He grins under the black mask when Frank knocks the last guy out, teeth gleaming in the low light. ]

Thought you weren't gonna get sweet on me.

[ An old tease, but still pertinent. He wants to cross the distance in the alley right then, but someone's already called the cops about the commotion. His head tilts towards the sound of sirens starting up. ]

My place. Half an hour. [ Should be plenty of time for both of them to get back, and not have to worry about attracting attention or any tails. ] Then we can talk about that upcharge.

[ With that, he's jumping up on the edge of a dumpster to grab on to the nearest fire escape and vault up, heading for the rooftops. ]

[thegoodbad]

[Coming back shouldn't feel this easy, yet it does. Months after he helped nurse Matt back to relative health, after they parted ways again and Frank became a ghost to New York, here he is. One text and it's like nothing has changed at all. He doesn't understand why Matt doesn't push him back, why he just accepts this, but that's gotta be a good sign. The man who left him back then in Jersey wasn't the same as the one fighting on this rooftop.

He's changed. They both have.

Frank's reasons for returning may not be the greatest but he finds relief in fighting at Matt's side, in cracking some skulls and letting out some pent up frustration for the evening. While he doesn't use his guns there's a reason for that too. He asked to come into Matt's territory and this particular fight isn't his own. There's a time and a place. He gets that now.

Breathing heavy, Frank chuckles at the comment of sweetness, taking a step closer.] Guess I lied.

[Before he can take another step though Matt's doing that thing where he cocks his head just so and can hear something up ahead, his warning clear. Frank wants to sigh but instead watches the other disappear into the dark, his own method of moving quickly sending him back to his truck parked across the street.

By the time he's at Matt's door, dressed down and knuckles red from the fight, he doesn't wait to be let in politely. Instead, the moment the door's open he shoves up against Matt and presses him to the adjacent wall, door kicked behind him, and lips slotted together in a greeting he's been dying to give since he first thought to reach out to Matt again.]

[calltoaction]

[ It had been difficult to come back for so many reasons. Least of all was selfish desire to ignore what was happening in New York, but it would have soured whatever this was between them. It didn't change the softer moments, the strange quiet as he healed, and nights without sirens in the quiet town Frank had them in. The man who had left Frank Castle then, had been one convinced he was going to put another man in the ground, and nearly did. He still carries the guilt of it on his conscience.

He's not sure how far he stepped into that darkness, or how much it's left a stain on him yet.

Matt doesn't know Frank's reasons, or even if he's going to tell them to him. He might. He might not. He's glad Frank didn't bring out the guns, and is grateful he at least respects his turf enough to not. Even if he can't say it won't come up later, should another war be coming on the other man's heels.

All he gets for the trouble of his comment is a breathy laugh before the moment ends from the call to the authorities.

By the time Frank gets there, he's still in the black outfit, but the mask is off. His lip is still red, scabbing over slowly from where it was split. He's glad he doesn't have to think of anything to say in order to fill in the space in the moment when he opens the door.

Matt grunts softly into the kiss when Frank rushes him, back hitting the wall with a thump that he can't bring himself to give a shit about, neighbors be damned. His arms go around his shoulders, and he slides his tongue into his mouth, enjoying that taste he hasn't had in too long.

When he finally does break away, still pressed against the wall, and fingers sliding up, questing into Frank's hair. He smiles a little. ] You changed it. I like it.

[thegoodbad]

[There's a lot of unspoken tension here and while they aren't arguing about it now he knows it'll come eventually. It won't be all fun and games forever and at some point the shoe will drop, most likely after they've enjoyed their intimate reunion. For now Frank is content to let things flow as they will, glad he's getting kissed back instead of an elbow in his ribs.

Large hands slide up the sides of Matt's black shirt, pulling it up a few inches as his fingers stroke against warm skin, only revealing an inch or two. He's enjoying the familiar feeling and taste of Matt's mouth too much, bodies pressed together as close as possible. The fingers through his hair earn a low hum and Frank noses into Matt's cheek, lips pressing a smile to his jaw.]

More to hold onto? [Another quiet chuckle and Frank mouths down Matt's jaw and neck, pressing a kiss up against his racing pulse.] You should've felt when I still had a beard.

[calltoaction]

[ Eventually it always devolves into a fight. Frank crosses a line, or Matt refuses to budge away from one. It always ends that way, but they usually still manage to find some small middle ground for a time. A small neutral space to coexist in. The moments are few and far between, and more than worth savoring. Like now.

Matt's breath hitches at the feel of Frank's fingers against his skin, muscles jumping at the caress. His hands continue to wind into the other man's hair, and he offers an experimental tug at the sarcastic remark, smiling as well. ]

Definitely worth finding out. [ He offers with an airy laugh, tilting his head to the side to give Frank more room to explore, pulse jumping a little as he does. His hands leave the other man's hair, palms sliding down his face to cup his jaw, and let his fingers trace familiar angles. ] I don't think I could imagine that.

[ He shifts, using his hands to bring Frank's mouth back to his, and kisses him slowly, savoring it. He's not idle, though, and he shifts, hands sliding away from Frank's face, down to his shoulders to push at the other man's coat. ]

[thegoodbad]

[They'll have plenty of time to talk in the aftermath. Frank is happy to continue as they are, to get reacquainted with one another's bodies, and it's a kind of intimacy he admittedly misses. They had something special for a time. That doesn't have to change even though they've had a break, does it?

Hands push at his coat and Frank lets it fall easily, breaking apart from the kiss to take off his shirt as well. There's no layers of armor or weaponry tonight, leaving his chest bare, and his hands resume the path they were drawing beneath Matt's new-old uniform.]

I don't think I've seen this outfit before. I like it. [One hand wanders up his ribs where he feels a new scar, and back down again over Matt's stomach.] Shows off your best features.

[calltoaction]

[ It's a kind of reacquainting that Matt is more than happy to give in to. Their last parting had been bittersweet, tinged with regret, and uncertainties. This, though, feels like none of those things, and it's invigorating. Nothing has to change just because of a break.

Matt chuckles a little against Frank's mouth before he pulls away as he hears the coat hit the floor. His stomach muscles jump a little at the other man's calloused hands finding their way over sensitive skin. He's glad there isn't anything in his way like body armor. Just Frank. ]

You do? [ He feels Frank's hand slide over one of many new scars, expression shuttering only a moment, and then refocuses on the other man. He shoves gently, only enough to get space between them so he can grab for the hem of the shirt, and tug it over Frank's head. ] Leading with flattery, huh?

[ He responds to his own question by grabbing the buckle of Frank's belt, and tugging back towards the living room. ]

[thegoodbad]

[Distance or not, it never feels awkward once they reacquaint themselves in this way, and Frank's fucking grateful for that. Matt doesn't expect softness or apologies, just as Frank doesn't from him, only the reassurance that this is something he still desires. If not, he wouldn't be here with him right now.]

You know me. I aim to please. [He's tugged toward the living room and follows gladly, eyes falling over Matt's torso. Yeah, there's plenty of new scars, and he's almost certain most of them didn't come from just fighting off the occasional bad guy. He won't ask right now, instead doing them both the favor of unbuckling his belt once they make it closer to the couch.]

Your place hasn't changed at all.