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Frank had been walking around Hell’s Kitchen, not really knowing where to go.
The streets were quiet which meant Frank was free to do pretty much anything he wanted for the night.
As he walked he noticed a very lively looking bar just down the street.
‘Eh, fuck it.’ He thought.
Frank usually stuck to crappy bars filled with maybe a couple low lives and a tired looking bartender, just somewhere where he could drink in peace. This bar was clearly the opposite of that, it was filled with people, all of them seemed happy, chatting with each other, laughing, most of them seemed pretty drunk.
Lucky for Frank soon after he walked in a chair at the bar opened up and he quickly took a seat before someone else tried too. He ordered a drink and for the first time he looked around, the walls were brightly colored and filled with photos, neon signs, and other pictures making the place seem happy and welcoming.
As Frank looked around he started to realize more and more what type of bar he had walked into,
The bartender came back with his drink smiling politely.
She had a lesbian pride flag pin on her shirt.
Frank felt stupid for not realizing right when he walked in, he’s in a gay bar.
He sighed, he didn’t have enough energy to care all that much and the drinks here were pretty cheap, that was enough to keep him happy.
After finishing his first drink he started to slowly get lost in thought, thinking about what was really bothering him.
Red.
Frank had gone out tonight hoping to run into the Devil but had no such luck, they had started working together more and as much as Frank hated to admit it, he was definitely falling for Red. Hard.
He felt like a stupid high schooler, going out of his way just to see Murdock knowing nothing would come out of it yet still hoping.
Frank didn’t even know if Red was into that. The more he thought about it, the chances of Red being into men were slim, he was a damn altar boy for god sake.
Sighing, he called the bartender over to close his tab, but just as she walked over to him Frank noticed something in the corner of his eye,
A glint of red.
“What can I help you with hon?” Frank glanced back at the women before remembering why he called her over, taking another glance at the crowd around him, Frank wasn’t sure if he saw Murdocks red tinted glasses or if it was his mind playing tricks in him,
“Uh, another beer please.” He answered absently.
The women gave a knowing smile watching him look out into the crowd before handing him a beer and walking over the the other side of the bar.
Frank leaned back against the bar and searched through the crowd of people when he finally saw it, that glint of red.
Murdock.
Frank swore his heart skipped a beat.
There Red was across the bar, standing uncomfortably close to some guy. He felt his heart drop as he watched, he was to far away to hear what they were saying but their body language said enough.
Red was with a small group of people, the guy next to him had his arm wrapped around his waist. The man was talking to the other two people across from them, it seemed like a very one sided conversation, the man was mostly the only one speaking, after every comment they all laughed, including Red.
It was weird seeing Red laugh, especially in such a flirtatious way. In fact, it was weird seeing Red at all outside of his night life and lawyer life. He was dressed different too, no jacket or tie, just a white button down with the sleeves rolled up tucked into black dress pants and his signature red circle glasses. The man next to him seemed a lot more put together, wearing an expensive looking burgundy suit and matching gold necklace and ring.
“What the hell you doing Red?” He mumbled to himself.
But Murdock turned around,
’Shit. Goddamn freaky ear.’
He forgot Matt would be able to hear him.
He watched Red turn his head as if ‘looking’ for him.
The man who still has his arm wrapped around Murdocks waist seemed to notice Matt attention moving elsewhere, setting his drink down he turned Reds chin back towards him and kissed him.
Frank felt his chest tighten,
He felt a mix of anger and- jealousy? Creep up inside him.
Frank watched as they finally parted their lips, the man’s hand was still gripping Reds jaw and it took all of Franks strength not to walk over there and punch the man out cold right then and there.
They went back to whatever conversation they were having with the other couple except now the man’s hand started moving down past Reds waist.
Red glanced behind him, his cheeks were a little pink and he looked slightly uncomfortable which only made Franks rage grow. Frank was sure his heartbeat sounded like a car horn to Matt by now.
It went on like that for awhile, Frank watched the man act so possessive of Murdock and for some reason Red just- let it happen.
Frank couldn’t for the life of him understand why Red hadn’t kicked this guys ass by now. He was clearly trying to hide his discomfort, why was he with this guy in the first place??
Frank was pulled out of his thoughts by the man waving a goodbye to the couple and leaving-
with his arm wrapped around Reds shoulders.
They were walking a bit of a faster pace, Matt had his hands out in front of him.
A new form of anger and hatred grew in him.
Not everyone knew about Reds fancy senses, and when it came down to it, Matt’s still blind.
The man was basically pulling Red with him, not even bothering to lead him or tell him where they’re going.
Once they left Frank tried to stay put. But the idea of that guy bringing Red to his home, leading him to his bedroom-
He slapped some money down and hurried out trying to catch which direction they went.
He did a half jog-walk for a second thinking he lost them when the glint of a gold ring caught his eye.
He walked over just in time to see Red pressed against a brick wall in an alley, with both of his hands on the man’s chest. The man was smiling, one hand against the wall just above his shoulder and the other fiddling with the top button of Reds shirt.
That’s when Frank lost it.
“Hey!” He yelled stomping over to them, the man looked over surprised and Red looked a mix of relieved and worried.
Frank didn’t stop when he got to them. Without hesitation he pulled the man off of Red pushing him away blocking him from getting any closer to Red.
“What the hell is your problem?!” The man asked angrily.
“You need to leave.” Frank growled, it was the only thing he could grit out in his anger.
The man, of course, didn’t leave, and instead looked passed Frank slightly at Red,
“Matthew. What the hell is going on??”
Matt faced around where the man’s face was, “Sorry James, I uh, forgot I was meeting with a client tomorrow for breakfast, I really should be going.”
Before the man- James- could even respond Frank took another step forward and spoke coldly, “It means beat it buddy.”
He glared at Frank for a second before cursing under his breath and walking off.
It wasn’t until the man turned the corner before Matt let out a sigh of relief, laughing a little, “Thanks, I wasn’t sure how I was going to get rid of him.”
Frank turned around, confused slightly, “What?”
But Matt don’t bother answering, instead he tossed him a phone, “Tell me what’s on it.”
Frank looked at the phone for a second, it was touch screen, why the hell did Red have a touch screen phone??
And as if reading his mind Murdock continued, “That guy, James, his full name is James Curtles, he’s the new leader of a huge drugs and arms deal operation. I heard from Turk he’s getting all of his new shipments in three days and he gets sent the addresses of where the shipments will be. It took longer than I thought it would to get his phone off him,”
Matt let out an embarrassed laugh before finishing, “But now I got it and I’d like to know if he has the addresses yet.”
Frank looked at Matt for a minute completely dumbfounded and slightly impressed.
That whole thing was just a rues to get information.
He finally looked down at the phone and opened it, going through all of messaged he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, some ‘unknown number’ sent him a list of addresses about an hour ago” he said with a smile in his voice.
Matt let out another sigh of relief, “Good to know all that flirting wasn’t a waste.”
Frank thought back to seeing Murdock at the bar, his heart must have done something funny because Red did his head tilt thing that Frank hated to admit was absolutely adorable and asked, “You alright Frank?”
He looked at Matt for a moment, his eyebrows were bunched together in confusion, he had pulled out his cane at some point and was now fiddling with the strap. Frank could feel his heart flutter.
‘Damn. I really fell for the goddamn choir boy.’
“Yeah,” he finally answered, clearing his throat, “Was just thinking we could do some recon on these addresses so we’re ready for them when the shipments come in.”
Red smiled, “We? You wanna help?”
Frank smiled in return, tapping Murdocks hand with his elbow so he could grab on, “Yeah, someone’s gotta watch your back.”
They walked back to Matt’s place, the blush on their cheeks not just from the cold night.