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“Frank what the fuck? Are you okay?” Karen exclaimed as she saw Frank walk in, completely bruised and battered, thankfully he wasn't wearing his usual punisher vest but a hoodie that covered up most of his face.
Frank nodded and hid a wince. He was alive, which was basically the same thing as being okay. “Red and I had a rough night.”
Karen’s eyes widened and she anxiously ran a hand through her hair. “Is Matt okay? Where is he?”
Frank raised his arms in a placating manner to calm her down. “He's alive, Karen, I left him back at his place to rest, besides his face looks worse than mine so it wasn't smart of him to walk around looking like that.”
Karen gasped, taking her hand to cover her mouth. “What happened? Because, Frank, you're telling me not to worry and yet every word that comes out of your mouth makes me worry more? He's alive? I'm really going to need more than that.” She said exasperated.
“Karen, he's fine, I wouldn't be here if he wasn't. Would probably be hauling his ass to a hospital if I thought he was in any danger of dying.”
“He's going to be okay?” She asked again. “Do I need to call Foggy from court? He could go check on him afterwards.”
Frank shook his head. “That's not necessary, he is not dying but he does need to rest and if you start showing up it will undoubtedly stress him out, give him a day or so.”
“Goddammit, Matt.” Karen cursed under her breath. “Alright, we’ll wait.”
“Good.” Frank nodded curtly. “I’ll be on my way then.”
“Oh no you won't.” Karen stopped him before he could leave by grabbing him by the arm and dragging him to one of the empty seats, Frank was not in the mood to fight back so he let himself be dragged by her. “You will tell me what the hell happened last night, don't think I caught up to your deflecting.”
_____________
“Karen—” Frank let his head drop again after he kept hearing just how angry Karen was at both of them, after explaining how the mission went wrong Karen didn't hold back on telling them just how much of a dumbass they were and proceeded to come up with an alternative to their usual injury jar deal.
“I am not changing my mind on this.”
“How the hell am I going to stop him getting hurt for a week let alone two?”
“Not my problem.”
“I already look out for him, that doesn't stop him from throwing himself into danger the first sign he gets.” After she said nothing, he continued. “Karen, my budget won’t handle two weeks of it.”
“Don't act all high and mighty when it was you who put 15 bucks last week for getting shot again and another 20 for other injuries and a dislocated shoulder.” She gave him a pointed look. “Oh, and the fact you look like you've been run over by a truck right now?”
“I ain’t saying I never get hurt.” Frank huffed. “Just not as often as he does. One shot is all I need, while he uses himself as his own body shield.”
“It will be a nice incentive for you both then.”
“You know how Red is, he won’t stop. What do you want me to do?”
“It's your choice, just supervise him when he goes out.”
“Not gonna be enough.”
“It's that or you pay the 200 upfront for almost dying on us.”
“Fine I guess I'll play vigilante babysitter for a week.”
___
“Wha? Frank? Thought you’d left by now.” Matt mumbled from where he was laying in bed.
“I did. Back now.” He shrugged. “Karen was not pleased.”
“What did she say?”
“After tearing me a new one ‘cause of yesterday’s stunt, she changed the rules of the jar.”
“Shit.”
“Mhmm.” Frank grumbled. “Now whatever we used to pay for our injuries, it's double.”
“That's not fair.” Matt pouted and tried to sit up but after wincing at the pain flaring from his body he stopped.
“Gets worse.” He added while moving to adjust one of Matt's pillows so he could sit up a little without moving too much. “It's switched, you gotta pay for my shit if I get hurt, and vice versa.”
“What for?” Matt frowned.
“She thinks this way you’ll be less prone to injuries if I'm looking out for you, with it being my wallet taking the toll.”
“You already look out for me though.” Matt said nonchalantly, paying more attention to finding a better position so his bones didn't hurt as much. He was never going to admit it, but last night had been a close call for both of them, they both took the brunt of it all and quite honestly Matt was as surprised at surviving the night as the time Nobu had attacked him back then. “So, what now?” He asked. “We can always just pay for our own things, if I get hurt, I’ll give you the money for it, so you don't have to worry about it and so on.”
Frank didn't even think about it for a second and shook his head. “Nah, Karen would find out about it somehow, I think it's best to wait out this thing before we get her mad for yet another thing.”
“She really was that mad?”
“Yeh.” Frank nodded. “So, for the next two weeks we just stick to the new rules while they last.”
“Fair enough.” Matt paused then chuckled. “Well, at least you don't have to lose much money.”
“Hmm?”
“Given I can barely stand, I'll be out of commission for at least two or three days.”
“Oh, hell no, you ain't going anywhere this week at least , well not anywhere that involves fighting and beating people up.”
“Frank—” Matt began, ready to argue but then he stopped and pulled the most innocent face. “Fair… you’re right it's not wise to move around rooftops with the ribs and stitches how they are.” He technically never said he wouldn't do it, just that it wouldn't be wise.
Frank narrowed his eyes because he had expected a fight or at least an argument, there was no way he agreed this easily, Matt was a lawyer for fucks sake, he practically got paid to argue. He replayed Matt’s answer in his head and caught onto what he had said. “You don't think it would be wise huh? That don't mean anything, and you know it. Nelson told me how you kept on crime fighting after the ninja guy and when I shot you in the head. You never make any wise decisions.”
“Since when do you and Foggy share stories? You barely exchange words that aren't passive aggressive in the least and now he's telling you about my stuff?” Matt asked dubiously.
“‘Kay, fine, he didn't exactly tell me , I might have been passing by when he was talking to Karen about it.” He conceded. “Point still stands though, you can't be trusted to let yourself rest properly.”
“Well, I hate to break it to you but short of you staying 24/7 it's not like there's anything you can do if I decide to put on the suit.” Matt was not planning on actually going on his nightly rounds around Hell’s kitchen, however that didn't stop him from listening to everything that happened around. So, if he heard something that needed his help, damned be his injuries, he would go to stop them.
Frank stayed quiet at Matt’s comment and thought about it, that might not be too bad actually.
Matt seemed to have caught onto Frank’s thoughts because he was on high alert now. “Frank, no.”
“Why not?” Frank grinned. “It would solve all my problems now that I think of it.”
“You can't possibly be thinking of staying here for two weeks, you do have a life do you not?” Matt quirked up an eyebrow. “I know you have dinner with the Liebermans this week.”
“Nah, David cancelled, something about me not showing up with my face all battered and scaring the kids.”
“Still, no .”
“I don't know, Red. I get a fancy couch to crash in, beer in the fridge, and I get to keep an eye on ya, so I don't lose money, while you get some shining company and a week without getting hurt.” Frank chuckled and looked at Matt’s face, completely bruised. “Well, you don't get hurt any more .” He pointed out. “It's a win-win”
“Sounds to me you get all the pros of the deal and I get all the cons.” Matt deflated. “Besides, good luck finding anything in the fridge. I forgot to go grocery shopping last week so there's only some take out from two nights ago and one beer.”
Frank sighed. “Fine, food is on me since you clearly can't feed yourself.”
“Oh no, don't do that, don't start mother-henning me, I eat perfectly well.”
“Hate to break it to you but take out is not considered healthy.”
“Says you, I can still smell the Indian takeout you had yesterday.”
“I never claimed I ate healthy.” Frank pointed out with a grin. “So, it's settled then.”
“I never agreed to anything.”
“I'm still crashing at your place.” Frank said. “ Hi roomie. ” He said in the most sarcastic, cheeriest tone he could.
“I hate you.”
“I bet.” He grinned.
______
“You’re really going to stay?” Matt asked after Frank had stayed all day in his apartment after talking to Karen. He did leave once to get groceries and a few things from his apartment, but he was back in under two hours, with enough food for the week and a duffel bag from one of his safe houses with extra weapons and a few extra clothes. He didn't have to pack that much however, since he realised a few things he needed were already at Matt’s place from where he had left them from previous visits.
“I said I was, didn't I?”
“Well yeah but—”
“There you have your answer then.”
Matt snorted at that but didn't say anything.
“What?”
“Nothing… it's just... It will be interesting to see you cooped up here for a week, you're going to get all antsy.”
“The hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh c'mon, Frank, in all the time I've met you, you have not stayed in a single place for more than a few days, and even then, you go out and do stuff. So, doing nothing for a week? Yeah, that's going to go well.”
“You do know I was a marine right? With stealth operations that needed me in one single place for days on end?” Frank sent him an unamused look. “Besides, who says I have nothing to do? I will be playing vigilante babysitter all week, now that's something that requires my whole attention.”
“No one is asking you to babysit.”
“So, you agree? Making sure you don't get hurt is akin to babysitting?” Frank teased in order to annoy him, which he succeeded wonderfully.
Matt groaned and shook his head. “You know perfectly well what I meant.”
“Yeh, yeh. I’m making us dinner, is your jaw still swollen as shit? I can make you a smoothie, so it doesn't hurt to chew while it heals.”
Matt shook his head. “Normal food is fine, I’ve had worse.”
“Doesn't mean half your face looks like an oversized, battered grape.” Frank was used to them getting various injuries and bruises, in their line of work that was practically a given, but Matt did look worse than usual with half his face more black and purple with bruises than skin and one of his cheeks being twice its size did not help.
Frank went to the kitchen and began grabbing the ingredients to make some pasta with chicken for two, he thought of how Matt’s face had looked and knew there was no way chewing was going to be pleasant no matter what he had said, so before closing the fridge he grabbed some fruits and vegetables to make him a smoothie, he would need to eat better later, but for now that would do.
Twenty minutes later, Frank walked into Matt’s room with a smoothie in hand and two painkillers.
“I thought I said I was fine with normal food.” Matt said, not sounding ungrateful, just curious.
“Didn't want to hear you complaining about it hurting, I already have a headache.” Frank grunted and passed onto the drink and pills to him.
Matt smiled softly and took them from him. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything. My food’s getting cold.” He said instead, excusing himself from the conversation.
_________
“You need to clean your cuts better than that.” Matt said conversationally over breakfast. It had been three days since Frank decided to stay over and things were going shockingly well. He had thought Frank would have left by now but here he was, still making sure Matt ate “proper” food and that he was healing properly.
“Huh?” Frank asked over a spoonful of cereal.
“The cut on your cheek is going to get infected if you don't clean it properly, I can feel the area is warmer than it needs to be, it doesn't smell infected yet though.”
“You can smell infections?”
“Yes, and they don't smell pleasant so it would be great if we can avoid them.”
“Just when I thought your freaky powers couldn't get freakier.”
“Frank for the millionth time they are not powers, just because Foggy keeps calling them that doesn't mean it's true.”
“You can smell infections; you cannot tell me that doesn't sound like a power.” Frank could not keep the small hint of wonder from his tone at that.
“ Heightened senses.” Matt shrugged.
“Same thing.”
“Frank, I'm serious, you better not let it get infected.”
“What are you? My nurse?”
“Says the one who has been nursing me back to health for the past week.”
“Red, it's only been three days.” Frank pointed out.
“It feels like a week.” Matt took a bite out of his breakfast with a grumble. Frank had been mother-henning him ever since he decided to stay and even after he showed him he was perfectly capable of standing on his own with minor complaints, he still didn't let him move around the apartment freely, let alone go out as daredevil. Frank kept going on about how “broken ribs need more than a few days to heal, Red .” and “concussions don't magically disappear, dumbass .”
“You really can't be cooped in a place for long huh? Look who is getting all antsy now.” Frank raised an eyebrow.
“You won't let me even exercise, I can stay in one place just fine but bedrest?”
“You have broken ribs.”
“Bruised. And they're fine.”
“You and I both know that's bullshit.”
“You are also hurt, and you don't see me confining you to bedrest.”
“It would be funny to see you try.” Frank snorted. “But I’m not the one with fucked up ribs and a bashed in face.”
“Your face is covered in bruises.” Matt pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
“You can't see .”
“Doesn't mean I don't know you’re hurt too, jackass.”
“And I'm letting myself rest too.”
Matt threw him a pointed look, even with his eyes staring at the wall behind Frank rather than him, he got the sentiment across.
“Hey, it's not like I'm going out in the punisher vest and taking down scums.” Frank said.
“You need to take better care of yourself, Frank, that's all I'm saying.” Matt raised both his arms in defeat. “You spend too much time making sure I’m okay, which is unnecessary by the way, I’m fine, that you’re gonna let your injuries get worse.”
“Fine, I’ll keep a closer attention to it if you quit bitching about it.”
_______________
“You're sleeping in the bed tonight.” Matt came out of his room, hair rumpled in all directions in a hoodie and sweatpants.
Frank had been making breakfast and coffee, waiting for Matt to wake up, he stopped halfway through picking up the coffee mug and turned to look at him. “Morning to you too.”
“I’m serious. You're done sleeping on the couch.” He said almost gritting his teeth, still grumpy about waking up.
Frank was seemingly confused about the whole situation, lots of thoughts in all directions going through his head. “Mind explaining what the hell you're going on about?”
“Your spine .” Matt moved his arms in exasperation as he spoke for emphasis. “It’s too fucking loud.”
“Right.” Frank drawled, not following at all.
“The couch isn't made for sleeping, not for long periods of time and days on end, the muscles get all tense and then the bones begin to crack and at first I can ignore it but after some time it’s too much and it won’t let me sleep, especially since you wake up early as fuck, your bones wake me up.”
“My bones wake you up?” Frank repeated, trying his best to keep himself from laughing.
“ Yes .” Matt said dead serious. “You're taking the bed tonight and if that doesn't shut up your back, I'm paying you to get a massage.” He grumbled. He wasn't exactly a morning person on a good day, especially since he always stayed up late for his off the book activities so mornings were not his friend. On a bad day everything got on his nerves, today was a bad day after hearing the incessant sound of bones for hours on end as well as the water tap dripping two floors down and just about everything going on around him, he was at his wits end and it wasn't even seven in the morning.
Frank just shrugged at it giving a grunt of agreement and served him some more coffee. He wasn't one to talk and if Matt seemed this grumpy, he wasn't going to add to it.
___________________
“Frank, I meant it earlier today, get your ass off the couch.”
Frank had just laid down on the couch for the night when he heard his voice coming from the bedroom. “Red—”
“You can't hear it, Frank, your spine is begging for a good night's rest in a proper bed.”
“I’ve been sleeping in way more uncomfortable places for longer, your couch is pretty nice all things considered, it's nice, not too soft and comfy, minus the blood stains but that's a given.”
“Your bones disagree.” Matt opened the door from his room and stood there, crossing his arms. “Do we really have to disagree about everything?”
“Yes.” Frank nodded very seriously before breaking into a grin. “You know you love our little conversations.”
“Arguments.”
“Same thing.”
“Well? You're coming or what? There's enough room for both of us and seriously, sleeping in a proper bed will work wonders, you might not be so grumpy.” Matt half smiled.
Frank sighed and rested his hands on his knees to stand up before stretching his back, hearing a small crack. Matt gave a pointed stare at the wall behind him and raised his eyebrows at the noise, proving his point. “Fine. But I'm stealing all your fancy silk sheets, Red.”
“As long as your bones shut up, sure.” Matt nodded, content at the answer before turning around and heading once more to the bed, turning in on his right side since his ribs on his left were still sore and bruised.
Frank silently crawled into bed, taking a moment to appreciate the softness of the sheets. Laying there with the light weight of the silk material felt like he was being cocooned by a cloud, it was oddly nice. “Night, Red.”
“Goodnight Frank.”
_________
Waking up to someone next to him confused the hell out of Frank for a solid ten seconds before remembering where he was. Matt was still asleep, head turning his way with his mouth half opened, sleeping soundly, tangled in the sheets.
Frank snorted as silently as he could, amused at the fact that Matt was apparently a blanket hoarder, for some reason it didn't surprise him, it seemed like the sort of thing he would do now that he thought about it. He stretched his neck and back and realised that Matt had been right, his back felt much less stiff and cracked less.
He smiled at that and decided to rest his eyes a little longer. Matt was fine, the sun was up warming the room and overall, there was a weird sense of peace around them that Frank wanted to bathe in it for a little longer.
“Morning.” Matt mumbled, face still half in the pillow with his eyes closed.
Frank startled ever so slightly at him, opening his eyes again to turn and look at him. “Morning, Red. Sleep well?”
Matt smiled and nodded against the pillow, opening his eyes now. “Your bones are quieter today, that makes sleep much better.”
“‘Bones being loud’,” Frank huffed amusedly. “Still not over that.” Frank chuckled.
“ Everything is loud, some things are just more annoying than others.”
“That so? Like what?”
“Hmm, tensed bones and muscles are up there in the list of annoyances as well as water droplets on sinks. Heartbeats are the opposite, they're the good loud, grounding.”
“Ain't that nice.” Frank said. “Good thing they’re everywhere.”
“Yeah, familiar ones are better.”
Frank raised his eyebrows at that. “You can recognize people from their heartbeats?”
Matt nodded and frowned. “I thought I had mentioned it before?”
“You did not.”
“Huh. Well, most heartbeats are different, but barely, I can pinpoint those only if I concentrate completely and even then, it's hard. Familiar heartbeats are easier to spot out the differences between the rest. Yours and Foggy are easier to spot, Karen too most of the time.”
“Hmm.” Frank grunted in response because what else could he say to that? It was interesting but also what the fuck?
“Yeah.” Matt sat up and rubbed his eyes, feeling the crusty residue around his eyes on his skin. “Sleep well then?”
“Yeh.”
“Good, you're sleeping here again tonight then.”
“Just don't hoard the blankets again.”
“I did not.”
“Sure.” Frank hummed in response and stifled a yawn. “Coffee?”
Matt perked up at that and nodded. “Please.”
___________
“Absolutely not .” Frank said, glaring at him from across the room.
“It’ll be fine.”
“No, you are not going out in your devil onesie while you’re still healing, especially since I will have to pay double your money when you get your shit beaten up.”
“I don’t always get hurt, besides, it's just for a few hours.” Matt practically ignored him as he continued to put on his suit and grab his baton. “It's been eight days, Frank, you won’t even let me go outside for a walk.”
“That’s because whoever sees your face right now will call social services or some shit like that, you are still favouring your right side, and your ribs are still fucked. Unlike you, I'm not blind.”
Matt snorted at the comment but shook his head. “If anyone asks, I can just say I fell, as I always do. It's New York, Frank, people usually mind their own business.”
“Fair enough, that's the only reason you still have your secret identity. Don't try to tell me otherwise, Jessica told me about your dumbass stunt at parkouring in your lawyer clothes in the middle of the day.”
“It was one time.”
“We both know that's not true.”
“I’m going out, there's a robbery going on about four blocks from here, I think I can get there in time.”
“I’ve spent the last few days making sure you don’t do anything stupid, and I won’t stop now.” Frank reached out to grab the mask that was on the counter before Matt could. “You are not getting this back.”
“Frank.” Matt’s voice was dead serious, no longer had the teasing edge to it, making it sound like a warning. “You can't stop me from going out. Give me the mask back.”
“No.”
“ Frank .”
“C’mon, Red, drop it. I don't want to fight you.”
“Then don't.”
“We both know how this will end.”
“Not if you just give me my mask back.”
Frank just sighed. “I will end up tying you to a rooftop again. You are in no condition to fight.”
Matt stood there, analysing his next move, he was conflicted as to whether he should start a fight with Frank or if he let it go for now and just tried again when he went to sleep. Problem was, logically he should just wait it out, it was the smartest option, however a big part of him wanted to start a fight. He had spent an entire week just laying low, working from home and despite their prolonged banter, there hadn't really been any altercations between them, everything had been so conflict free it irked him; he was not used to this.
Long story short, Matt was aching for a fight, his body begged him to go out there and beat some people up, keep the devil within himself happy. Besides, he knew Frank fought well, truly kept him on his toes and it would be a good way to let go of the pent-up energy.
Frank, however, knew Matt entirely too well to know what was going through his head when he tilted his head to the side and stood still, he recognised that pose from the moment before Matt would beat people up when they teamed up together. He couldn't really blame him, for guys like them it was part of them to seek out confrontation, for one reason or another. Yet he was dead set on not fighting him.
Despite Matt’s complaints and assurances he was fine now, his face was still bruised as fuck, the bruises were fading and much better than before, sure, but it was still bad, and all his other injuries were still there. Frank was aware Matt was a worthy opponent in fighting, but he knew without a doubt he could overcome him if he decided to fight him, he just didn't want to add onto his injuries.
Before Matt could react as to whether to fight him or let it go, Frank chose for him. Walking to the kitchen, where he had been before, about to start making dinner, he grabbed a potato peeler, and threw it at Matt, which he reacted quickly enough, startling himself but catching it.
“What the fuck, Frank?” Matt bristled.
He simply shrugged. “You’re peeling potatoes tonight.”
“What.”
“You’re getting too restless, so you're helping me cook tonight. That should keep you busy enough.”
“Are you really trying to substitute daredeviling for peeling potatoes ?” Matt repeated dumbstruck and completely appalled and offended at such a thing.
“Yeh. Problem?”
“Yes!” He all but yelled, completely exasperated.
“Deal with it.” Frank turned his back to him and started to cut down the vegetables he had ready on the counter. “C’mon, don't wanna eat late, ‘m hungry.”
Matt had a moment where he wanted to simply yell at how stupidly impossible he was being, but he stopped himself, he was a reasonable adult after all, so instead he just gave his best glare he could at Frank’s back, before sighing and moving towards the kitchen to peel the damn potatoes.
At first, they didn't really talk, both of them being abnormally quiet as they worked in the kitchen. Frank only talked while dropping out instructions on what to do and how to cut vegetables in a certain way, otherwise the dish wouldn't be right.
Matt was surprised at how particular and fuzzy Frank was at cooking, who would have thought? He hated to admit it, which is why he would never admit this out loud, but immersing himself into the cooking, making sure all his senses were perfectly honed as he cut into the food in order to not cut himself, as well as the rhythmic sound of Frank’s heartbeat and the monotone, almost cadenced sound of the knives kitting the cutting board eased him into a sense of calmness, no longer restless and itching for a fight.
If Frank noticed that, he didn't mention it, but unbeknownst to Matt, he was smiling down as he cooked, a smile small enough that Matt could not pick up on it even with his super senses.
After the initial hour of silence, they slowly progressed to small talk and usual banter, yet this time slightly different with something they did not want to acknowledge, neither of them mentioned it. Instead, they moved from the kitchen to the small dinner table that was rarely used and spent the next few hours in peaceful and amicable companionship.
___________
Matt woke up sensing something was off, yet not entirely realising what it was yet. He guessed it must have been early in the morning, the rays of sunlight were not yet warming his skin as much and the outside noise wasn't as noisy as when it reached its peak at around eight or nine in the morning.
Frank was still sleeping next to him, the warmth of his body radiating immensely, and the slow calm heartbeat showed he was sleeping peacefully. Matt smiled at that, it was uncommon for men like them to get peaceful hours of sleep, it was more usual for them to be haunted by nightmares.
Matt laid there unmoving, knowing that because neither of them slept lightly and any sound would put them on high alert. Frank seemed tired, more than usual lately, and he couldn't blame him, he had spent the last week or so making sure Matt was healing well, which in turn Matt had to be reminding him he needed to take care of himself.
Both failed at that more times than not, Frank wasn't one used to looking after himself with the same care he looked out for others, and Matt wasn't one used to being taken care of, much more used to dealing with everything himself. It was interesting to say the least, but they got by.
Matt assessed his surroundings, knowing something was off still but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Only after triple checking the heartbeats of around the area, he let go of the idea someone was about to ambush them somehow. It only hit him a few minutes after, while he was still laying on the bed, that he noticed the smell, it was faint, well as faint as it could be with a nose like his; one of the cuts from Frank’s cheek seemed to be getting infected.
Matt had warned him before, but it seemed he didn't listen and now that he knew what to look for, he could easily detect the distinct smell. He groaned quietly; Frank should have listened to him. Well, from what he had gathered, it wasn't fully infected yet, but it would be if they didn’t do something soon.
He considered waking him up but thought against it, might as well let him sleep for a little longer. Not wanting to stay there any longer, needing to go to the bathroom, he moved ever so slowly and as stealthily as possible to not disturb the sleeping man next to him.
Somehow, he managed to move around the room without waking him up. It seemed that having some down time after everything Frank had gone through managed to take him down, letting him properly rest. Surprisingly, he seemed to be sleeping deeply and soundly.
A few minutes later Matt went to make himself a cup of coffee for him and another for Frank. Even though before the events of the past week, this had always been his routine of making coffee in the morning on his own, it felt weird. He had gotten way too used to waking up to Frank and coffee already made.
Shoving those thoughts away he took a gulp of his coffee, closing his eyes as the drink burned down his throat. Thank God for coffee.
Matt could pinpoint the second Frank woke up, his heartbeat speeding up ever so slightly and the shuffling of the bed frames as he stood up. Thankfully, his bones didn’t crack annoyingly anymore, it seemed the few days of him sleeping in a proper bed seemed to do the trick after all.
He picked up the second mug and headed to their room, opening the half-closed door with his leg by pushing it. “Morning.” He greeted Frank, giving him his coffee.
Frank grabbed it and made a pleasant humming sound as he took a sip of it. “Thanks.”
“You kept making me coffee, it seemed only fair.” Matt said with a soft smile. “Sleep well?”
“Hmm.” Frank said in agreement, taking another sip of his coffee. He was way too sleepy than he usually was. He never slept fully, always on alert so waking up was never a struggle, today however it seemed he had properly slept, and his body was complaining for more. He downed the whole cup before he began to feel more like himself.
“It's getting infected.”
“Hmm?”
“Your cheek, I told you, you needed to clean it better.”
Frank did notice it was hurting and felt more uncomfortable than usual, but he didn't really give it much thought, it happened sometimes. “It's fine.”
“I can smell it, it's not. Thankfully it's not fully infected yet.” Matt said. “It does need to be cleaned and covered though.”
There was no arguing with Matt and Frank knew it. “Fine, I’ll do it after breakfast.”
“No need, let me.” Matt put down his own cup of coffee on the bedside table and headed to get their first aid kit, putting it on the bed as he sat down next to Frank.
“You don't have to help, Red.”
“Humour me, let me return the favour of last week.”
Frank huffed but his face broke into a tiny grin. “Fine.”
Matt picked up the cotton swab and began to slowly dab it on Frank’s cheek, applying a little less pressure as Frank winced ever so slightly. He was always careful but there was something about this that made him help him with utmost carefulness.
Neither of them spoke as Matt cleaned and covered up the cut with a small bandage. Matt could feel the heat of Frank’s face in front of him, inches away, he had to be close to make sure his senses worked the best.
Maybe it was because of what they had been through the last week, maybe it was because of how Matt couldn't stop thinking of all the little moments they shared lately, not being able to ignore them any longer; maybe it was because of the way Frank was reacting, on the outside he seemed almost normal, but Matt could feel the piercing stare with undivided attention the man was giving him, the way his heart rate picked up ever so slightly, but it all felt too intimate, too special.
Matt did his best to ignore all of it in favour of focusing on Frank’s cheek, making sure he cleaned it properly and the smell of infection wasn't as strong now. Once he was happy with the result, he put the supplies down but didn't move away. “There, all done.” He said almost above a whisper.
Frank didn't say anything for a moment, but Matt could feel him staring at him. Unbeknownst to him however, Frank was lost in thought, staring fondly into Matt’s unseeing eyes, thinking about how brown they were and how charming he looked, fully concentrated with his lips tight as he cleaned his cheek. It was endearing.
“Frank?”
“Would you punch me if I kissed you right now?” Frank blurted out in a whisper, not really thinking until he realised what he said. Before he could backtrack his words, Matt’s eyes widened in surprise before breaking into a smile and leaning in to kiss him.
Frank barely had time to register Matt's response when he felt the kiss, he blinked once to make sure this was happening, and he kissed back soft and gently.
Frank couldn't stop thinking of all the little moments they had shared the past few months; they had been somewhat friendly before but ever since the whole injury jar thing had started, they had become closer than ever; so effortlessly Frank didn't notice when nor how at some point they had shifted from friends to whatever they had going now, but it was there and it was theirs.
He cared for Matt, more than he thought he would care for someone after the carousel incident, but he never actively thought of the implications, he knew better than that. And yet somehow, sitting there next to him as he helped him, rays of sunlight kissing his skin and making his hair brighter, he had a moment of weakness, asking the one thing he didn't think he would ever say. He was happy how it turned out though, Matt's reaction surprised him yet in hindsight it oddly made sense.
Frank pulled away from the kiss and pressed his forehead against Matt's, cupping his neck with his hand. “Yeah?” he breathed out in question. He didn't have to explain himself, a simple word for a complicated question.
Matt nodded once. “Yeah.”
“Good.” Frank smiled and kissed him once again for good measure. “Breakfast?”
There wasn't much to talk about, all their most important conversations happened wordlessly or with minimal words; just like how they decide their plans for taking down cartels and drug dealers when they team up, or when the other needed help in something, they don't acknowledge it, there's no need to. Neither of them are people who use their words to communicate, which is ironic for Matt, in his profession he has a way with words, making him as successful as he is, but when it comes to talking about himself, he rarely spoke.
“Bacon?” Matt replied, perking up.
“If there is still any, sure, you've been eating that all week.”
“There's still some left, I can smell it next to the orange juice you bought.”
“Bacon it is then, you better not eat it all like last time.”
“If you want there to be more, you should have bought more, it's not my fault there's only half a plate of it for both of us.”
“There's more than enough.” Frank snorted. “Now quit bitching about it and help me make a new pot of coffee.”