Queens, New York City
LaGuardia Airport
12:44 p.m.
Karen Page saw him stick out like a blind man in a crowd.
She quickly shot up from the bench she had been spending hours upon hours resting on. With fresh adrenaline rushing through her veins and giving her weary body just the extra push she needed, Karen tore through the growing crowds, several people looking back as they passed her. They watched as she embraced the blind man, practically crushing him in a bear-like hug.
Matt Murdock chuckled lightly as he exhaled, bringing his arms around Karen and returning the hug. He whispered words of comfort to her, to which she replied by grabbing his face and plunging her lips right onto his. Matt was stunned for a moment, his eyes wider than usual behind his dark shades. The kiss didn’t last too long, Karen and Matt both breaking away. Karen watched as Matt smiled at her, gripping onto her hand and telling her everything was going to be okay.
Words like that. All sounding numb when her eyes drifted behind him and onto the lone figure walking past them. He was there for a split second, casting a dark glance her way, then was gone the next second. She spun her neck around, eyes landing on the figure slip through the crowd, a hat, overcoat, and dark glasses on his person. The face looked familiar for a reason. They caught Karen’s eyes for a reason.
She could have sworn it was Frank Castle. Turning back, she saw the knowing smile on Matt’s lips, the tiny but powerful nod he gave her that told her everything she needed to know. Matt and Frank were both back, Frank coming willingly. Karen breathed a sigh of relief. She caught that breath, however, when Matt grabbed her hand and directed her behind him, to the two men waiting behind Murdock.
They each wore a hat pulled over their eyes, heavy shades resting on each of their noses and concealing the person beneath. When Matt and Karen were close enough, the two men removed their glasses, smiling and causing Karen to gasp, the woman failing to conceal it.
The noise and chaos of the airport made it impossible for anyone to hear or notice her, or any of them for that matter. As far as anyone else knew, they were just random bystanders that meant nothing to their daily routine. So, people strode on by, paying no heed to Captain America and the Falcon standing in front of the Daredevil and Karen Page.
Karen was momentarily stunned, words failing her. Despite the fact that two Avengers, both war heroes, were standing in front of her, they were smiling at her. If Steve Roger's warm smile couldn’t ease the tension then nothing else really could. But it did help when Matt pushed Karen onwards, properly introducing the three. Steve was the first to hold out his hand, saying it was a pleasure to meet the brains behind the devil.
Karen didn’t know how to respond at first. Nearly star-struck, Karen held out her hand, managing to offer a strong handshake with Steve. She did the same with the Falcon, saying very little. They did most of the talking, explaining that Murdock helped them a great deal. Without his help, they would have never been able to reach the location of the other Winter Soldiers… despite the fact that the mission was a bust. Karen asked why. Steve Rogers and the Falcon looked at each other, simply stating that the Winter Soldiers were dead before they got there. They couldn’t say anything else.
She understood. There were some secrets she’d rather not dig up.
Other than that, both Steve and the Falcon said their final goodbyes, shaking both Karen’s hand and Matt’s hand. They thanked him again for all of his efforts, and not to hesitate if he needs them for anything. They surely wouldn’t hesitate if they need his help. Matt just smiled at that. He picked up his suitcase, grabbed Karen’s hand, and turned around to walk home. All the way home.
Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson both put their sunglasses back over their eyes, hands slipping into their coats’ pockets. Steve saw as the suitcase in Matt’s hand swung lightly back and forth, his other hand still holding onto Karen’s. Neither letting go. It was a small bond, but it concealed something much greater. Much stronger. As for the suitcase, it concealed something darker, something Murdock literally carried with him the rest of his days and the life he would continue to live.
But that was something that was hidden. When Matt and Karen held hands and strode through the crowds, they did it for all the world to see.
Sam chuckled. Steve turned his way, turned to his smile. He asked, “You made sure to erase all of that data on Castle and Murdock?”
Steve nodded, looking back at Matt’s retreating form. He pointed at him, saying, “Per his request, Frank Castle’s whereabouts are currently unknown, as far as everyone knows. And as of now, Matt Murdock is just a struggling lawyer in Hell’s Kitchen, son of a boxer. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
The blind man held onto the strong woman, both needing that grip on home and reality. But he looked back, one final time. He looked back to Steve Rogers and the Falcon, watched as they retreated and vanished within the crowds. Possibly for the last time. The last he’ll ever see them.
And so Matt Murdock, the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, smiled one final time, as he and Karen returned home. Back to Hell.
That's the devil for you. Forever unknown, anonymous and lurking in the shadows in the corner of your eye.
Will you include the Defenders?
Pretty good way to conclude Matt and Frank's arcs without compromising their shows and storylines for future seasons. But something tells me it won't be the last time Matt will see an Avenger.
In the meantime, New York needs to be defended, and I'm sure a few other vigilantes will agree with that when the time comes. Now I wonder how they'll respond to Matt standing with the Avengers if/when they find out.
8361620
It's nice because he's a pretty unknown actor. The only thing I recognized him from was his one episode of Fringe.
Hell is still on it's way and it wears a certain gauntlet.
Goodbye, Murdock. See you when Prune Face arrives on Earth.
The Devil of Hell's Kitchen has done his part. Now its back to hell and the usual street-level lawyer-by-day, vigilante-by-night routine. And he'd better rest while he still can, because the War for New York is on the horizon, something that the Avengers can't be involved with, and Daredevil will need all the help he shall need to defend it.
Daredevil will return....in "The Defenders".
"Hey, don't those guys look familiar?"
8362789
Danny: "You actually fought with the Avengers, and those alien sentient ponies?"
Jessica: "Oh that's bullshit! There's no way he did, let alone evening lasting a minute with them!"
Matt: "Well, it's true. I joined up with Captain America and his team while I was looking for Castle. I broke War Machine's baton, breaking mine as well.... And I got mauled by the King of Wakanda himself.
Luke: "Damn, you're one crazy fool."
Infinity War return for the two of them?
Spike: So if that guy is called Iron Fist, and Matt is called Daredevil, what do they call you Luke?
Luke: Nothing really.
Pinkie: Oh Oh I know! Power Man!
Good luck to you, Daredevil, Punisher...
You'll need it when the Infinite Six are united and the entire multiverse is in danger of being destroyed...
8362538 Always there, but never seen.
8362584 Stick around for the next story.
8362789 It definitely won't be the last time he'll see an Avenger.
8362860 Daredevil will return.
8362995 Let's see how the rest of the Defenders react when a certain titan arrives to Earth...
8363288 Plus many, many more.
8364034 They'll need all the help they can get.
8362500
No sweat!
Rest for now, Daredevil, for you'll be called to do your duty once again.
Daredevil and Punisher made it back home and they will probably stay there until the purple people eater makes his appearance.
Defenders wait, facing the Hand is nothing compared to the future threat of the Donut Spaceship. Unless you do want to get involved, which I doubt they would.
Such a good thing to be done. Rather than putting their lives in any further jeopardy, Steve did what he felt was right and erased EVERY form of information about Daredevil and The Punisher. For now, they are in the clear and free to live their own lives. But if this story was of any consideration, we won't be hearing the last of them.
I guess Daredevil got a pretty good ending all things considered. With his identity safe he can go back to his civilian life instead of going on the run. Plus, Karen got to meet two Avengers. That has got to be awesome for her.
Though the Avengers might need his help in the future soon. Maybe the other Defenders too. They’re gonna need all the help they can get.