Chapter 1: Spider-Man
Summary:
The teenaged, hyphenated missing link between hero and vigilante catches the tail end of Daredevil and Punisher rescuing children. He gets a soft surprise.
Chapter Text
Spidey was finishing up his patrol for the night when he decided to swing closer to Hell’s Kitchen, taking the long way back to his apartment. If he was lucky, Double D wouldn’t be busy, would hear him swinging in his direction, and they’d chat for a bit and maybe grab something to eat from that diner on 8th that did free food for vigilantes.
Not that it was required for Daredevil to be there for free food to be had but it was still a little depressing to eat alone when there was the option of having others to talk to. Hell, Spider-Man had eaten there with Deadpool on occasion. Again, without Double D. Although, he highly doubted the vigilantes would have a place to get free late night eats had it not been for Daredevil and the Punisher in the first place.
Stomach growling at the thought of free food brought him back to paying attention to his surroundings. There was gunfire nearby. A lot of gunfire. The kind of gunfire that suggested that Daredevil would be too busy to get food with Spidey. But, maybe, also, the added possibility of the Punisher being around.
Spider-Man quickly adjusted his course to go help out. The building seemed to be closed for renovations. Honestly, Spidey had anticipated a random warehouse with the amount of gunfire and lack of screaming.
By the time he crawled his way down to the first floor, the gunfire had stopped. Double D stood over several bodies, his fists clenched, his breathing only heavy enough to be noticed if you knew what to look for, and his head tilted towards the web slinger. A sharp smile.
”Spidey.”
”Awe, man.” The younger vigilante quickly swung over to stand next to his Team Red brethren. “You coulda called me, Double D! Your busts are the most fun. Lots of yelling and lights being smashed to bits.” He mimed Daredevil’s baton throwing and general athleticism while he talked. One of a few who could match his gymnastics.
”Next time. Frank was already in town.”
That caused Spider-Man to perk up. He’d been right about Punie’s involvement! Not that he’d make the mistake of saying that nickname aloud ever again. But, where was he? When he first encountered the man Spidey’d been a little terrified. He was more than willing to admit that if asked. It didn’t help that Daredevil let Frank shoot at him, with rubber bullets sure, as a way of introduction. Afterwards, they’d talked for a bit and he realized the skull-wearing vigilante was more than the media made him out to be.
Voices. Had it not been for his enhanced senses, Spidey doubted he would have noticed them before they hit the main area. There were… three of them. One he recognized and two much younger. Kids. He looked around at all the unconscious people and wondered why so many were needed to guard just two kids.
Until the small group emerged.
Mutants. Young mutants with very noticeable physical mutations.
The girl looked like an overgrown porcupine with a few broken off protrusions. Maybe they’d been broken for samples after she’d been captured or she used them to try to defend herself. As they got closer, Spidey couldn’t help comparing the protrusions to bone. It was like the girl had too many bones in her body and they pierced out from her skin to make room for organs.
And the boy appeared to be an unfortunate cross between a human and a bird. Not with wings like Angel. Well, maybe they were tucked away under the oversized hoodie he was sporting. Poor kid had feathers, talons for hands, and a large beak.
Both of them clung to Frank. Spider-Man doubted the man would show any discomfort even if their various sharp bits sliced his skin. It wasn’t the first time but it never ceased to amaze. The marine was far gentler with children than he was with anyone else. Save, maybe, Double D on a good night. See free food at diner thanks mostly to said marine.
”They were collared.” Laced with undeniable venom, the Punisher’s gruff voice reminded Spidey that the older vigilante before him was, in fact, dangerous. Usually rather deadly. Especially when kids were involved in some way.
”Bugboy.” Not too uncommon a greeting. Often dripping in amusement as it sparked a familiar argument. He was a little preoccupied with checking the pre-teens over now that he had backup to watch out for any other threats. Save for a few defensive wounds, they were unharmed. They’d probably been tranqed shortly after discovery then put in Trask collars and transported to this building awaiting the next step in whatever trafficking ring they’d been kidnapped by.
”Ugh! Frank, I’m an arachnid. Not a bug. How many times do I gotta say that before you get it right?” If his mask was as expressive as his face it’d be pouting. He was sure the lenses at least gave the impression of an exhausted expression. It was one of the features he kept when building his own suit so he didn’t have to worry about Tony keeping tabs on him every night.
Double D chuckled softly. “We’ll get these two somewhere safe then call Xavier. Police are three blocks out. They can handle this mess.” His head tilted toward Spidey as the younger vigilante’s stomach growled again causing blood to rush to his masked face. “And we’ll get the arachnid something before he swings home for the night.”
Chapter 2: Soccer Moms
Summary:
It’s Frank’s turn to take Leo to her soccer game with Zach in tow. Parents are shocked at Pete’s effective sideline coaching and how the girls seem to hang on his every word.
Chapter Text
The woman immediately behind Zach leaned over so much that he was forced to notice her. He thought her name was Mrs. Johnson. Mrs. Joneston? Something starting with a J, probably. Coulda been an L. Whatever. She demanded his attention.
”Zach, sweetie, how long is your uncle in town?”
”My uncle?” He’d have to ask his mom if they had family coming to visit and also why it was his duty to know that information.
”Yeah,” she pointed towards ‘ete on the sidelines of the field. “Isn’t he your uncle?”
”That’s Pete. He’s dating my parents.” He turned his attention back to the girls running towards the opposite goal. “It’d be weird if he was my uncle.” Leo was trying to intercept the ball as it was passed down the field. Failed. Oh, well. It’s not like she was the fastest runner the team had.
”He’s dating your parents… like both of them? At the same time?” Another woman questioned. Zach didn’t see, or care to find out, where she’d teleported from and he really wasn’t interested in this conversation.
In public, Frank was Pete. Nobody could know that Frank Castle was alive and well, after all. He was Pete Castiglione as far as those who didn’t already know knew. “Yeah.”
Coach Luka saw Pete waving at him and called for a time out. The girls rushed towards their unofficial assistant coach rather than the official coach because whenever the ‘construction worker’ showed up, he had better advice on how to gain points than their coach.
Zach did his best to ignore the uptake in whispering going on around him. He unfortunately managed to catch a few phrases like ‘those poor children’ and ‘I bet Sarah’s just cheating on her husband and doesn't want the kids to rat her out’. The youngest Lieberman gritted his teeth but kept quiet.
It wasn’t long before the players returned to the field and Pete joined Zach on the bleachers. The two gently shoved one another back and forth a few times before Pete threw his arm across the boy’s shoulders. It had become their thing at some point.
Leo’s team scored a goal. And the soccer moms pounced.
”So, Pete,” began the one Zach was determined started with a J or L, “little Zachery here was telling us that you’re dating Sarah Lieberman.”
Frank glanced at the boy, who rolled his eyes in annoyance, before responding. “He probably said David and Sarah but I bet you chose to ignore that.” Pete was always polite. Until it was obvious he was dealing with bigots. Then he was short. Rarely mean. Just short. Dismissive.
There were gasps, groans, and even some scandalized muttering. “In front of children?”
”Listen, lady. Zach and Leo are old enough to understand that their parents are polyamorous and have accepted another, me, into their lives. Now how ‘bout you all mind your own damn business, enjoy the game, cheer for your children, and stop clutchin’ your beads?” Pete turned around to fully face the main voice in the commotion. “‘Cause out here, I doubt you got pearls.”
”The nerve of some people!” The gossipers shifted away from the pair to continue their whisperings with pointed glares and occasionally fingers.
Zach snickered. He couldn't wait to tell everyone about it at dinner later. Maybe he’d expand the interactions to make them more exciting than they were. His dad would get a kick out of it.
Towards the end of the game, a short-statured woman in a Mothman hoodie strolled over and stood next to Pete. When the game concluded, she went over to Coach Luka and basically yelled a familiar “Hi, husband!” as the girls ran past them to crowd around Pete.
Their team had won! It was a miracle. They came from behind with Pete’s suggestions at altering who was manning which part of the field or some nonsense Zach didn’t care to learn. He was too busy laughing at all the moms failing to corral their kids away from Pete. Couldn’t have the man corrupting their minds.
Leo’s confused look only succeeded in making him laugh harder.
Eventually, the Lieberman kids and their parents’ boyfriend made it back to his truck heading home. Zach broke down and told his sister what happened and why he’d laughed.
”Mom is gonna flip!” The kid was much more animated and relaxed when David came back into their lives.
”Frank has to be the one who tells them about Mrs. Lancer trying to get everyone else to shun him. Right, Frank?” Leo smiled. “That’s your part.”
Shaking his head, Frank agreed. The three of them worked out what details to omit and which to expand and a few to throw in that hadn’t been there originally just for good measure.
Everyone enjoyed one hell of a laugh at the embellished retelling.
Chapter 3: Defenders
Summary:
The Defenders find Frank with a group of teenagers in a dog park showing off commands they can teach their own pets with relative ease.
Chapter Text
The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen was rarely seen while the sun was up. His mostly secret alter ego, however, was almost exclusively seen during that time. The blind lawyer, Matthew Murdock, seemed to be being guided by Harlem’s Hero, Luke Cage, with Jessica Jones and the billionaire Danny Rand following.
He’d separately represented them before. It was still odd to see them all together on a Saturday afternoon. Odder still for them to apparently be heading for a park. Not that anyone, save the lawyer, knew that was their next stop.
Matt had been splitting his focus between Frank’s voice one more block away and the Defenders trying to piece together Jess’s latest case and how it strangely overlapped with one of Danny’s previous business deals. The marine was at a dog park. Not too unusual for the man as he gave up construction work to occasionally offer dog training, sitting, and walking services instead. When he wasn’t on patrol as a vigilante of course.
Daredevil’s alter ego smiled when his little entourage realized that the hipster in the park with multiple teenagers around him was someone they knew. Frank had been away this time for a little under a month. At least away from Hell’s Kitchen.
“Is that..?” Danny’s question trailed into nothingness. He was still a bit wary of Frank Castle. He seemed to be the only one of their group who found it odd that a completely normal human could keep up with various enhanced people. Marine or not. Punisher’s stamina and durability had no business being as high as they were.
”He looks like a damn hipster.” Jessica’s voice rang with laughter. At least Luke and her had been unfortunate enough to have been experimented on thus giving them impenetrable skin and super strength, respectively.
“Sweet Christmas,” Luke shook his head, “I don’t think this is a coincidence.”
The group approached the park. Those without super hearing were finally able to listen to Castle instructing the teens on maneuvers they could use on their dogs. There were seven dogs of varying breeds sitting calmly and three excited or nervous teens. One leash went to each teen. Two more leashes were held by Frank. The final two dogs’ leashes were lying on the ground.
The youngest, or at least smallest, of the teens, Gabriel McCorkle, waved at the lawyer. “Mr. Murdock!” Matt had helped the kid’s parents deal with a horrible landlord and the teen had instantly latched onto the two autistic adults.
Frank had said the boy was a redhead like Matt. There was a joke somewhere about how neurodivergent people ran in packs like dogs. Able to sniff one another out regardless of what flavor spicy their brain happened to be.
”Gabe.” Matt detached from Luke’s arm to make his way towards his boyfriend using his walking aid. “I didn’t know you were one of Pete’s students.” He gave the marine a peck on the cheek and a subtle jab in the side when he was close enough.
”Uh huh. He’s showing me how to get Penni and Lulu to stay!”
“Yeah? Which one are you working with?”
”This is Penni.”
”Sweetheart, you’re interrupting the important part of the lesson.”
Matt shrugged. The rest of the Defenders stayed back, watching the scene before them as the lesson continued. They’d found a bench to rest against while quietly conversing. All three teens had successfully managed to let go of their leash and walk away without their dogs giving chase.
Frank, and Matt, accepted the enthusiastic hug from Gabe and the more relaxed waves from the other teens. The three teens with their five dogs walked away, joining their guardians on the other end of the park.
Only then did Frank grab the remaining leashes, walking the pit bulls over to the vigilantes. “Cage. Jones. Rand. Red.” The five of them talked in hushed voices exchanging information and offering potential next steps for one another.
They eventually had a new plan in place. Jessica split off from the group complaining about the severe lack of alcohol the previous few hours had held. Danny and Luke mentioned a double date with Colleen and Claire that they couldn't risk being late for.
”I’m surprised they didn’t mention the kids.”
”They did.” Matt stowed his cane in his jacket pocket and grabbed one of the leashes from Frank so each of them had a dog while walking arm in arm. “You were busy.”
Frank chuckled. “Nobody believes the big, bad Punisher playing nice nice with teenagers, huh?”
The lawyer gave a noncommittal hum in response.
Chapter 4: Brett Mahoney
Summary:
The one honest cop known to a select few vigilantes gets the shock of his evening. One that may alter how he thinks about said vigilantes later.
Chapter Text
Brett was busy writing up another report when his phone rang out the vigilante’s tone. He had it saved as ‘Lawyer Friend’ rather than anything actively incriminating just in case he wasn’t alone when it rang or should he receive a text. People might assume it meant Nelson as he and Foggy had been frenemies since they were four years old.
“Yeah?”
”Detective Sergeant. Make your way to the back entrance. There’s a delivery for you that can’t come through the front.”
Brett sighed. This was either a severely injured criminal or a traumatized survivor. Most of the time, the red-clad vigilantes left so-called presents at the steps of the precinct or tied up, unconscious, in nearby alleys with notes detailing the crimes the individual committed.
”Yeah, alright. I’m heading that way now.” He wasn’t surprised when the line went dead. Was it too much to ask for more people to be included in the list of people the vigilantes were willing to deal with? As it stood, it was only himself at the 15th and Detective Misty Knight as far as acceptable cops. Homeland’s Dinah Madani was occasionally acceptable depending on the crime.
Reaching the back door, Mahoney heard multiple voices, most of them on the younger side. Ah. Going through the front would be too much stress when there were more than one or two children involved. He was not looking forward to dealing with the crime scene when he found out exactly where it was. Vigilantes were always harsher on the criminals who were dumb enough to involve kids.
The sight that greeted him was wholly unexpected. He drew his gun on instinct. The Punisher was standing there! For a moment, Brett ignored the various children around, several cowering behind the vigilante, and even the three hanging off of the man.
“What the…” He cursed beneath his breath, finally noticing the absence of a drawn weapon towards himself.
”Mind putting that away? You’re scaring them.” Frank Castle gestured with his head at the group now slinking further behind him.
“I’m scaring them?” Mahoney took another look at the strange group, holstered his weapon, and glared at the only other adult in the back lot. “I was expecting your better half.”
Castle chuckled. “Yeah. He’s keeping an eye on the assholes who were testing their drugs on these guys. Most of ‘em weren’t involved, so it should be okay for them to go ahead and get checked out. One or two inhaled something but,” he looked behind himself at a few boys who were holding each other up, “whatever it was didn’t seem to do too much to ‘em.
“Daredevil wants those bastards to stand trial and figured, ya know, if I stayed behind while he got the kids to safety, there’d be no need for a trial.” His exaggerated shrug effortlessly raising the small children still clinging to his arms slightly off the ground and back down.
“Now why would that have been an issue to worry about?” Brett rolled his eyes. As if there was any doubt as to why criminals were unlikely to get a trial date if the Punisher had been in charge of watching them by himself.
One of the older children glanced between the two adults. Quietly, she asked, “Are you sure we’re safe here? He was going to shoot you…”
Frank’s eyes visibly softened as he turned towards her and that surprised Mahoney almost as much as the ease with which the children followed him. “Yeah. You lot have nothing to be afraid of from Detective Sergeant Mahoney here. He and I just have… history.”
Now that the tension had been eased a bit, it was time to do what he’d come for. He gently detached the three kids from his arms and gave them a hug, further calming them down. Soon he found himself swarmed by the rest in one large, increasingly inescapable, pile. Not just the younger ones, Brett noticed. The teens had joined the pile as well.
Brett watched in horror first, then amazement, before settling on pure disbelief. The children didn’t only feel safe with the Punisher, they loved him. What the hell was going on in the world? They’d prefer a mass murderer to an honest cop…
Well, they had no reason to trust that he was an honest cop. There were too many corrupt cops still in the country. He knew it was part of the reason there were so few people that the various vigilantes would release victims of harsher crimes to. Or direct them to if they weren’t working at the time.
There had been several instances where people would appear at the station and refuse to talk to anyone other than himself. He’d been called in just to take statements and found out they’d been told by whichever hero or vigilante that they were to go to Brett Mahoney, and only Brett Mahoney.
”Mahoney.” Frank’s voice was muffled by the multitude of bodies piled on top of him. Laughter drowned out whatever else was said as the pile slowly shifted.
It took longer than it probably should have to come to the conclusion the vigilante was asking for help. As the kids that slid off were climbing back on the pile. He relented but it took a moment where Brett considered what led him to this moment in his life. Rescuing a dangerous man from a bunch of children and teenagers hugging, no swarming, him goodbye.
CyborgMagpie on Chapter 1 Thu 01 May 2025 01:34AM UTC
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