lawyerbyday | Open Post

( matt's place was the first he checked after getting back in, taking a shower, and dressing down. but it was empty, and when bucky checked the chest, it was empty, too. unsurprising. even if matt weren't hard set on stopping crime in hell's kitchen, bucky knew his absence tended to give matt an itch to be doing more, even just to keep his mind off of things, to keep from entertaining the worst.

tracking him took a bit longer than anticipated, but with the serum's speed, he still made quick work of it. it was instead to his dismay that matt seemed to be struggling, stumbling on his feet with his back toward a wall as his attacker, some youthful gang type, came at him again with his modded bat. it was hard to tell what damage he might have already suffered either from this encounter or an earlier one, but knowing murdock, there was certainly something amiss about the way he held himself upright.

the soldier's pulse immediately spiked with realization, adrenaline prepping the charge in as he sprinted forward to block the strike. throwing out the vibranium arm to catch it, the wood instead splintered against the force thrown against it with a hollow crunch, and the punk's grasp was thrown back as the handle lost all the weight that had stabilized the swing.

with a curse, the bat was thrown at his face, a newly adapted weapon, but it didn't meet, a quick step to the side a simple enough task. with a scoff, bucky couldn't help but remark. )

You really need to work on your aim, kid.

[Matt didn't take quiet well. Mostly because it was never quiet for him. The sounds around him always beat down through whatever he did to quiet them unless he was distracted by something closer. Work was done and that left him with nothing but his thoughts.

He had better use of himself than quiet time alone with his demons. Why not let that devil out on people that deserved it?

For most of the night, he'd been fine. He usually was. But there'd been a woman walking by with an infant, the shock of her understand what was happening and the cry of the child surprising him. It surprised who he was fighting as well, and as one of them turned to respond to her, Matt put himself in a tenuous situation to distract them. Which had led to a hit to the back of his head, one that made him glad that he'd come across Melvin, knowing that without the helmet, he'd be in trouble.

After that, he'd been thrown off his game a bit, the headshot messing with his ability to hone in properly, which is how a knife had gone in under his guard and sliced at his calf. The material had mostly stood up, but there was enough of a tear that some of it got through and he'd have to take the suit in for Melvin to touch up later. Dammit.

He was already chastising himself, confused and trying to get himself to get his head in the game instead of thinking of what to do afterward. He was assuming it was that confusion that had him hearing a heartbeat and scenting a metallic scent he knew that shouldn't be there, but that voice cleared it up. So. Someone was back in town early.

Relief flitted over him, the relief of him being back in one piece and of knowing that headshot or not, he'd be making it home whether he wanted to or not now that a certain annoyed super soldier was making the little shits in front of him piss themselves. They knew Daredevil, but they also knew Bucky. That kind of celebrity gave him weight, and the bat all but splintering to nothing on his arm gave credence to a lot of what they heard about him. Matt straightened and moved to come up behind him, attempting to look as menacing as someone who was two inches taller than him.]

Pretty sure that's not all they need to work on.

Sure wouldn't hurt for them to pick up some manners either, now would it?

( he answered, eyeing up the rest of the crew as the attacker he'd stopped stumbled back with shock and fear in his eyes. it didn't make bucky glad to see, even being from someone clearly disrupting the peace of the neighborhood; it felt too much like something else, something far more sinister. but still, that he stumbled back into his friends gave clear indication of how startled the young man felt, and his friends couldn't help but feel the same, even as another toward the back decided to pull out another knife. )

You sure you wanna be doing that, kid? ( the warning was exactly that and also that lingering bit of concern, bucky knowing that what led people down these paths wasn't always straightforward, wasn't always because better opportunities had been forgone. ) I can break that too, if you're set on it. Maybe your hand while I'm at it. Learn you from pulling a thing like that on anyone anymore.

[Things that shouldn't be happening right now: Matthew Michael Murdock getting turned the fuck on hearing Bucky talk like a scolding teacher. There was censure there, yes, and he'd spank the shit out of the younger man if given the opportunity, but there was grace there and Matt felt that thud of something hard and heavy turning over in his chest, that inevitable sinking into love that he needed to put away for later.

Still... goddammit, the man was hot. Matt shifted to his other foot, pulling out his baton and giving it a bit of a twirl as if to ready himself.]

You weren't winning with a single opponent. How well do you think it's going to go with two?

( oblivious, as usual, to matt's internal dilemma, bucky's stance widened, gesturing his own readiness to attack. )

Gee, seems almost like they wanna find out, huh? ( his head cocked to the side toward matt, though his gaze remained on the thugs in front of them.

at that, one of the guys gestured for an exit and quickly scrambled back and away without confirmation from his companions. the one who'd wielded the bat quickly followed suit, and when the one who'd drawn out his knife hesitated, bucky decided to take a step forward. )

I'd suggest calling it a night right now, before it gets any worse. ( the rest turned tail at that, but the youth with a knife lingered, a spark of daring in his eyes. he didn't seem to have anything to prove, but maybe he didn't understand better enough when to quit. maybe never learned how. )

You know, having two hands it's pretty useful. And I say that cause I know better than most.

[Matt wasn't in so gracious a mood. The violence lately had been increasing, and it had been at the hands of individuals like this. Young punks who thought death was a myth, or something glorious to aim towards. With a flick of his wrist, his baton detached and headed out for the hand holding the knife. He hit hard enough for fingers to numb and release the weapon, the detachable part retracting back to snap onto the baton with a mechanical click.

No real damage done, Matt tipped his head as the guy grabbed at his wrist, cursing. One cracked finger bone and a few bruised tendons. Matt considered it a light lesson learned. The guy paused, then made as if to bend to pick up the knife. Matt took another step closer.]

Consider that and your hand the price for this very effective lesson. Keep it up and I'll add a tax.

( there was clear indecision lingering in the kid's head, but, thankfully, after a pointed growl, he turned and ran. it really was a light sentence compared to what would have been, and while matt hadn't the patience for more, bucky understood well why he'd made the decision. at least there was something to learn here, for however long it might remain.

only after all trace of the crew had gone did bucky take a proper breath, sighing as he stepped over to retrieve the discarded knife. a small switchblade. dull. not the most professional thing. was this all that matt had been up against?

he turned back after, stepping in to assess, his heart no longer as steady as it had been when confronting the gang members now that matt's wellbeing was on his mind. )

You okay?

[Matt's attention was split between the man in front of him and the little punks scurrying off to go regroup elsewhere. Bucky picked up the knife and Matt felt that concern when it was aimed at him. A half smile and he tapped at his helmet, then winced.]

Better than I could have been without this. Your timing is, as usual, impeccable. I didn't think you'd be back tonight.

[It was half of an apology, a reason why he hadn't been there waiting.]

( bucky understood what sat underneath, huffing gently through his nose as he smiled with his own relief. )

Manage to wrap quicker than planned. Rushed back, so I didn't get a chance to call.

( walking closer, his right hand reached carefully for the helmet, inspecting for cracks or damage. still solid. definitely a saving grace. )

Just glad I found you when I had.

[He sighed, wishing the helmet wasn't on, because he was suddenly craving skin on skin contact. Touch. Taste. The man was right there in front of him, but... they were out in public, sort of, and he was trying to woo Bucky as Matt. It'd be a little telling if the blind attorney and the Devil of Hell's Kitchen were both seen panting after the same very hot little ass.

Still, his hand came up to barely brush against Bucky's, not able to feel it as much as he wanted through his gloves.]

My hero.

[Said as a tease, but there was a note of genuine gratitude there. Matt hated having to hit harder and do more damage than he had to just because he'd gotten to a place where it was 'them or him'. He probably would have gotten out of it in one piece, but he'dve done more damage than he intended initially. This way, all he had was a bit of a headache. And a sore leg. Win-win?]

( there was a notable stir in his heart, a shift in beats, that indicated his want to lean in, indulge in affection. but he remained in place, instead humming gratefully, as his thumb dipped forward to find matt's cheek. )

Like you couldn't handle 'em yourself.

( he withdrew contact, then, not wanting to be caught out, if anyone decided to pass by. even if matt could offer forewarning, it was still best to avoid entirely, when convenient. )

You at your quota today? Or didja wanna keep going?

Machismo and pride has me wanting to say the latter, but common sense and my inner romantic wants to say enough's enough so I can go home and greet you properly.

[That thin line of dancing along what they could and couldn't do out in public, what he wanted to do, which part of him he could show at what time. It could get frustrating, but he was content to with leaving the courting of Bucky to Matt and having Daredevil be an 'associate'. One he seemed to be in the habit of pulling out of his own mess.]

Head's a bit... off. It can mess with my perception. I'd rather not risk worse on a welcome home night.

( he gave matt a quick scan of the eyes, at that, answering only after another moment. )

I hear you. ( and he meant it on both counts. ) Sometimes a reset is in order.

( both in the business sense and emotional.

looking down the alley, he remapped the path back briefly in his mind before giving matt a light nudge against the arm with his own. )

Can you still climb? Faster over the rooftops.

Not quite at the stage of needing to be carried over your shoulder like a sack of meat.

[He reached over and gave Bucky's shoulder a shrug, then turned to point back further down the alley.]

Better fire escape over there. And ah, Bucky? Thanks. For...

[He gestured at where the younger crew had run off, then to himself.]

( a casual smirk followed with a playful tilt of his head. he couldn't tell if matt meant it as himself or as daredevil, but that it was said at all felt good. people rarely thanked him for anything, and with matt being as important as he was, it felt that much better to hear. )

Any time.

( he gave matt a pat on the shoulder as he turned, then leading them further into the alley. )

Things been busier the last week?

[A sigh, and a frown that Bucky couldn't see with his face turned away.]

Violently so. I've had to go out every night, and it's been more... I don't know. Mean. Usually there's a point to it; money, guns, gang related crap. This has all just been violence for the sake of violence. It's like one of those movies Foggy rants about. Some anarchistic crap.

[Matt sighed as he reached for the ladder above his head, pulling it down on its tracks until it hit the ground.]

( concerning, to say the least. how had matt been fairing? how much had been done and how much still remained? but peace often led to misguided causes. this wasn't particularly new. idle hands, as they say. )

Don't take it personally. Sometimes, when people got nothing better going on, they make something up to justify their existence and motivations.

But definitely a shame to hear is happening, regardless.

What about you? Do I need to get the bactine out for more than just myself?

[He pulled himself up, starting the slow drag up to the roof up along rusted metal that needed oiling. But it was sturdy enough to manage his weight along with Bucky's, so he wasn't too concerned. Not about the ladder, anyway. More about what had Bucky home early and if it was something that needed to be seen to.]

( bucky waited until matt was a good way up before following, eyes focused on the task rather than the direction. )

Bactine? ( too modern for him to recognize off the bat, but at least the context clues said enough. ) I'm fine. Nothing amiss. Few bruises, but nothing serious.

( especially with the serum. )

I know it's hard to think anything might go well, but it can happen sometimes.

Any bruises that need any particular attention?

[He was grinning as he made his way up, knowing he was pushing his luck a little, but lightening the mood was his defense mechanism. Bucky was back, in one piece, and he hadn't wound up bleeding more than a little tonight. As far as nights went, it was a good one.]

( there was a small laugh below matt's feet. )

Well, I'm sure one of them could use a little help.

What about that noggin of yours? I'm sure you'll have something purple or black by the morning.

[The laugh made his smile brighten, and he made quick work at getting to the roof, pulling himself over and waiting for Bucky.]

I'll take some Aspirin when I get back. No new beats to the head is probably the best thing. This bruise that needs attention wouldn't be on your backside, would it?

( pausing near the top, he took a moment to set the counterweight, drawing the ladder back up with a harsh scrape of metal and a rough clatter. bucky winced himself from the noise, and then looked sheepishly up at matt with a frown. )

Shit. Sorry. I. That. ( with a grunt akin to a frustrated groan, he climbed over the edge proper and sighed. )

Glad it'll only be an aspirin, really. And, well, wouldn't want to spoil the surprise now would I?

[That noise certainly was something that had him feeling like nails were being clawed on the inside of his brain. He couldn't quite stop the wince, shaking his head a bit afterward and giving Bucky a look that was fortunately masked by his helmet.]

You're just setting yourself up to be stripped entirely when we get back.

Odd way to dole out punishment, sir. ( ...which was used to avoid the use of matt's name. ) But I suppose I consider myself the adventurous sort.

( regardless, he set a sympathetic hand to matt's shoulder briefly. bucky hadn't enjoyed the noise himself. that only meant it was that much worse for the other man. )

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