So when Abbot tells a patient with an American flag sticking out of his chest without enough pain meds to "shut his fucking mouth" it's funny, but when my girl Santos privately calls a patient stupid for taking an absurd amount of turmeric supplements, she's an evil, unempathetic, monster? Ok.
Pairing: Matt Murdock x Livia Yersova , Ben Poindexter x Livia Yersova
Word Count: 9,105
Summary: Livia Yersova has made bad decisions in the past, but maybe revisiting one of those isn't the worst choice she could make. It does, however, start an interesting chain of events.
Livia and June walked into Josie’s in silence. Josie was nowhere to be seen, leaving Matt and - to Livia’s surprise - Cherry at the bar. June slid into the seat beside Matt and Livia stood beside them. Matt turned almost immediately to their presence.
“How’d you find me?” Matt asked, turning away for a moment and then pushing a shot glass into Livia’s hand.
“How do you think?” Livia spoke, though her focus was being pulled away. That damn pull in her head was turning to a yank, almost painful to ignore.
Livia handed the liquor to June instead. The blonde took it, sniffed it, then gingerly sipped. She coughed on the taste and Livia cracked half a smile. June stuck out her tongue in disgust and put the small glass gently on the bar top. She shook her head and slid it away.
“Poindexter was just trying to settle an old score, with Foggy and Karen and Livia and you.”
“No.” Livia commented, her head tilting as she thought. “If that was the case, he wouldn’t have gone for Foggy. It would’ve been her.” Livia gestured to June. “Sorry, Bug.”
“From where I’m standing, you look like a guy blowing up his life.” Cherry began ranting but slowed his words, as if he remembered Livia and June were there. “What do you need, Matt? More pain?”
Josie came back, caught sight of Livia, and smiled. Livia returned the expression as Josie pulled out a familiar bottle.
“Oh, no.” Livia laughed slightly. “You still have that bottle?”
“Foggy was basically the only one to ever drink it, other than when he got you all in on it.” Josie reasoned. She pulled a couple additional glasses for Livia and June.
“Was he drinking it that night?” June asked.
“Mhmm.” Josie nodded as she poured. “Never finished his last round, though.”
Livia’s brows furrowed, watching the liquid flow. She remembered a lot about that night, most of it playing back in her sleep, but what Foggy was drinking… She didn’t remember the O’Melveny’s.
“He was celebrating early.” Matt spoke his thoughts slowly.
“He knew he was gonna win.” Livia continued. “He knew and someone made sure he wouldn’t.”
A flash of anger, burning through her blood, coming on quicker than she could stop. Her heart thumped hard for a few beats, hard enough to make Matt spin in his seat towards her.
“Poindexter didn’t just show up. He was sent.” Livia said urgently. Her hands twitched, half the familiar motion of activating her Bites. That changed everything. “I have to…”
Livia turned and all but ran out of Josie’s. She had to get back to the office for her car. She needed to get to Riker’s. She needed to talk to Dex.
A few feet down the block, she was flanked on either side. Matt looped his arm through her left, June through her right. Livia clenched her jaw but kept her eyes straight.
Determination pushed her forward, setting her stride to an urgent pace. June’s gloved fingers dug slightly into the flesh of Livia’s arm.
“Are you sure about this?” June asked quickly. “Maybe you should stop and we talk this through.”
Livia wasn’t really sure about anything but she wasn’t about to tell June that.
“I’m sure.” She lied. “Dex wanted to see me. He’ll talk to me.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Like hell you are.”
“Liv, if this guy is still half as crazy as he was before, you can't go alone.”
“I won’t be alone. Clearly, Matt’s going.”
June just rolled her eyes.
“I can handle Dex.” Livia insisted. “I’d rather him not get any ideas about you..”
“I thought you trusted me to handle myself.” June offered her own challenge.
Livia forced her steps to stop. Matt was uncharacteristically quiet as the three stepped aside, out of the way of other pedestrians. Livia glanced at Matt, who seemed more interested in her response than offering one of his own.
Livia ran a hand down her face as she considered her words.
“I know you’ve grown up.” Livia spoke carefully. “But I don’t get why you’re so interested in meeting Dex.”
“Fisk liked him, right? Maybe I want to know why.” June lifted her chin defiantly.
“Same reason I did.” Livia met June’s stare. “He’s dangerous. You saw what he did at Josie’s that night, how many people he killed without blinking.”
Neither woman backed down for a few moments until Livia let her powers slip, pulling June’s determination back just enough for the eye contact to break. She didn’t want to do it, but she didn’t have time to sit there and have a standoff in the middle of the street, especially when she knew Dex had been moved into gen pop.
“I believe you, Liv. I do.” June nodded. “But if there’s something else to Foggy’s death, I deserve to know. I shouldn’t have to hear it second hand...”
Livia dropped her eyes and sighed. She wouldn’t say it but June did have a point.
“Liv, June’s right.” Matt said gently. “All of us deserve the truth.”
“Fine.” Livia caved. “But you don’t say anything to him. You wait, you focus.” Livia tapped her temple twice. “And you tell me if it’s going bad.”
“Okay.” June nodded. There was a hesitation in her agreement that Livia knew came from their earlier conversation, but for the moment, it was settled.
“And you have to trust me. If you question me in front of him…”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Same goes for you.” Livia looked at Matt. “You have to trust me.”
“I do.” He nodded once.
“You have to trust me with him.”
“He’s the one I don’t trust.”
“But he trusts me.”
“You trust him?”
Livia didn’t have an answer. Instead, she kept walking, which she supposed was answer enough.
After clearing prison security, the three were escorted to a cold, concrete room.
Matt stood against the wall, positioned just right so he was blocking June from direct sight.
“This was a mistake.” Matt complained. “June shouldn’t be here.”
“I’m standing right here.” June argued.
“June’s grown now, Matt.” Livia shrugged, not looking over at either of them. She was intently focused on her ability, locking down her own emotions and keeping everyone else out. Her bones vibrated with the insanity of a prison as soon as she stepped on the property. One distraction and she’d be overwhelmed. “If you didn’t want her here, you should’ve said something. We can’t do anything about it now.”
“You’re supposed to look out for her.” He groaned.
“Like you did?” She whirled to face him. “When she ran off to my cousin for five years, you were looking out for her. Right?”
He shook his head and mumbled to himself. June shot Livia a disapproving look. Livia took a deep breath and readjusted in the metal chair. She didn’t know why she said it. Matt hadn’t done anything specific to start a fight with her, but that place had her nerves on edge. The commotion was banging against her mental blocks and defending against it took more focus than she would’ve liked.
Livia still felt the daggers June was staring into the back of her head. She did her best to ignore those too, but Livia knew exactly what those meant. It was because, despite it all, June still held out hope that Matt and Livia could end up together again but Livia was ruining it. She, however, tried to keep a more realistic view of the situation.
Matt was with Heather, despite the fact that he was actively self-sabotaging that by falling back into Daredevil. Livia wouldn’t deny that she liked having Daredevil back.
It also didn’t hurt knowing that Daredevil was hers. No woman Matt dated would ever have the connection to that side of him that she did. Except maybe Elektra, but Livia doubted El would manage another resurrection. In that way, behind their masks, they’d never lose each other. No matter who the other one was involved with.
Livia was lost in thought when Dex was brought in. The only thing that brought her out of it was the jangle of the chains. He was cuffed to the metal surface immediately but he didn’t seem to mind. It was like he was used to it. Something about that made Livia’s chest tight.
His eyes were locked onto Livia’s. He was eerily calm, which was about as far from what Livia expected as he could be.
Then she considered the routine of jail. The structured, tight schedule, especially for someone as dangerous as Dex. That probably got all those crazy little ducks in his head in a row.
At least she didn’t have to be overly concerned with him trying to kill her or June. She could focus on that pang of familiarity in her chest and the tension in her shoulders relaxed.
The guard was saying something. Matt answered, Livia hadn’t registered any of it.
“Hey, Aly.” Dex said calmly, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. She tried not to cringe at the nickname only he ever used, at the deep chord it struck in her. “I wasn’t sure you’d show.”
“Aly?” June parroted.
“And who’s that you’re hiding over there?” Dex looked over quickly.
“Don’t talk to her.” Matt said sharply.
Dex simply smirked then returned his focus to Livia.
Livia swallowed the lump in her throat. “Well, it’s been a while. I figured I’d see what all the fuss was about.”
“You look good.”
Livia’s head cocked slightly, eyes tracing the long scar on his cheek. “So do you.”
He chuckled to himself and for a brief moment, Livia felt a rush of memory. She thought of the man she knew years ago, if it was possible he was still in there.
Was he?
Could she bring him back?
Thinking of it as years ago was still so strange for her.
Still, she thought of the man she knew before Fisk. The man whose bed she would find if she wasn’t in Billy’s. The man that essentially saved her life when she bled out.
She couldn’t help but smile slightly. It was also at that moment when she understood something else, something deeper than a memory.
Dex felt the same as before. Something in her wanted to cling to that familiarity. A deeply hidden need for the past, for the life she was yanked out of, reared its head and whispered in her head ‘Don’t lose this. Don’t lose him.’ even though Dex wasn’t hers to keep or lose. If anything, she lost Dex in that other life.
But still…
Matt grumbled something before clearing his throat. It was his not so subtle way of reminding Livia he was in the room and there was a point to their visit.
“I was surprised you asked to see us.” Livia said, pointing between her and Matt. “Considering what happened last time we saw you, the consecutive life sentences and all.”
June let out a small laugh.
“Why does Fisk want you dead?” Matt asked sharply.
Livia’s hand tightened into a fist but she said nothing, only looked at Dex with a question in her eyes.
“Did he hire you to kill Foggy?” Livia asked softly. The words were a slice to her tongue, a burn to her throat, a bullet to her heart, but she had to ask.
She had to know.
“You hear that?” Dex turned his head slightly. “Outside… The roar of the jungle.”
Livia was, in fact, trying very hard not to hear it.
“Gen pop.” June said quietly.
So much for not talking.
“Is that what I am to you? Dex looked over at June again. “An animal?”
June’s ability tapped at the edges of Livia’s boundaries. She withdrew them, just enough for June’s intention to sneak in. June was intimidated, uncertain, but also determined. She didn’t know what to say.
Livia looked over her shoulder to the blonde and gave one small nod, a simple signal that said Livia would protect her. That she was safe.
“You’re no better than anyone else in here.” June said firmly, carefully controlling her voice. She understood there was no room for wavers, no chance to falter. She had to be strong. She had to be a soldier in that room. “In fact, I think you’re worse.”
“I don’t think she’s much better, either.” Dex tilted his head towards Livia. “Are you, little June? Fisk talked about you all the time.”
Livia didn’t have to see June to know her eyes would’ve gone wide, mouth slightly dropped.
Livia shifted in the seat, leaning her elbows on the table. She tapped the metal surface with her nail and Dex focused back on her as a realization began to creep in.
“Livia…” June said suddenly.
Livia didn’t falter in her eye contact. “Ty chto-nibud' slyshish'?” (You hear something?)
“V lovushke. Ili, mozhet byt', zastryal.” (Trapped. Or stuck, maybe.)
“Dex…” She said carefully. Everything had to be so careful considering the upheaval of control on her abilities. “Do they keep those chains on all the time?”
He looked down at the chains and she watched his shoulders move with a heavy sigh. He was lost in his thoughts for a few quiet moments. Livia couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in his head. He finally looked back up at her but said nothing.
He didn’t have to. Livia could read it on his face and a new sense of regret began to gnaw at her.
Part of her still wanted back the man she knew, despite him having killed one of her best friends. She put him there, from the very start. She left him to fall to Fisk’s plans and manipulations. She left him broken. She sent him to prison. She owed him something, didn’t she?
“Why’d you send for us?” Livia asked, a kindness in her words she didn’t necessarily intend to put.
That damned yearning was going to be a problem.
“I thought about writing to you but…” He shrugged a shoulder.
“I don’t think they’d be dumb enough give you a pen.”
“You never came to see me before.”
“Almost did once… Years ago, I was in the hospital to see someone else and I saw your PT. Honestly, I thought I’d try to kill you if I got any closer that day.”
For a split second, he smiled at her.
“Some things don’t change, do they?” He asked, almost playfully. “You have though.”
“Yeah, you shot my best friend in front of me.” She rolled her eyes.
“No.” Dex leaned forward, broad chest hitting the edge of the table. He shot an annoyed glare at the chains before settling.
Livia felt the tension grow beside her. Matt and June were both suddenly very alert, like two coiled snakes waiting to strike. She knew she should say something, gesture them off or just ask what she needed to. But she was intrigued by what Dex saw.
“It’s something else. Isn’t it?” Dex’s voice was low and calm, like he knew something no one else in the room did.
“No, I’m fine.” Livia shook her head.
“You can lie to them.” He nodded towards June and Matt without looking away from her. “But I can see it in your face, Aly. You’re tired. You’re hurting. You sound it, too.”
“What is he talking about?” Matt demanded. “Liv?”
“Nothing.” Livia said firmly. She wasn’t breaking eye contact either. “You’re wrong, Dex.”
“I don’t think I am.” He smirked.
Livia stood from the chair, moving a few steps closer to Dex’s side of the table. She noticed him pull on the chains slightly, as if he had intended to reach her in some sense. Whether that was to try and embrace her or strangle her was anyone’s guess.
“Everyone thought you were just a shooter on a rampage…” Livia spoke calmly, watching Dex’s face for a reaction. His eyes followed her every moment, watching her like he could memorize something about her or like she’d disappear if he looked away. “Settling scores, getting vengeance… But we both know there was a better target if you wanted to hurt us.”
Dex’s eyes slid past her to June and then back. The quick move confirmed something she already knew.
“I wouldn’t…” He nearly whispered.
Livia leaned her hip against the edge of the table. “That’s not what it was. Was it?”
“You did it for someone.” Matt added, suddenly appearing at Livia’s side. Livia felt Matt’s hand on the small of her back. Protective. Possessive even. “You did it for Fisk, didn’t you?”
“I don’t think…” June tried.
“Another night in here, I might not be able to answer that for you.” Dex said tightly.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Matt used a condescending tone and Livia rolled her eyes slightly. “What do you want me to do? Want me to get you out? Want me to file an appeal?”
“Stop being an ass.” Livia bit out. Matt only scoffed in response.
“In another life, you two might’ve been defending me.” Dex said, looking Livia up and down.
“And if you had shot almost anyone else, I might’ve considered it.” She said, almost too quickly. Livia wasn’t quite sure if it was true or not. Judging by the finicky control over her abilities, she assumed Matt would call her out on it in one way or another later on.
“But I tried that once. Remember? I tried to help you, protect you, defend you… You chose Fisk’s games over mine, over me.”
She sat on the edge of the table and when he looked up at her, she reached out and ghosted her fingers over the length of the scar. “Look where that got us…”
“Livia.” Matt said firmly. “Seriously?”
Livia smirked then withdrew her hand. She shrugged innocently and let her hand fall to Dex’s arm.
“Just tell me, Dex.” She used her gentlest voice. “Who sent you after Foggy?”
“I’ll tell you anything you wanna know.” Dex answered. Livia thought there was a plea, maybe even desperation, in his words and it was a familiar jolt down her spine. “But it’s gotta be outside.”
“You know I can’t risk that.” She shook her head.
“I’m bargaining for my life here, Aly.”
“I know, honey...” She said softly. “But you can tell me now, right? Tell me the truth and then maybe I can help.”
Livia hadn’t even touched her ability. She didn’t need to. That about Dex hadn’t changed. He was absolute putty in her hands. With the right pressures, with the right words, she could get just about anything from him.
She slid off the table and knelt at his side. Her hand that was on his arm went to his knee instead. His eyes never left her. She smiled innocently.
“Help me figure this out… Please?” She lifted her brows, making her eyes look a little bigger.
He was going to break. She could feel how thin his resolve was. He wanted to bargain, to get something out of it, but Livia was smarter. Livia knew just the strings to pluck, the looks to give.
Before Dex could answer, Matt yanked Livia to her feet and pushed her away. She let him, even laughed about it.
Livia felt June’s hand in hers. She had the instinct to pull away, to go shove Matt against the wall and shout at him, but she couldn’t. Not with June and Dex watching her.
“We don’t trust you for a second.” Matt said firmly, standing in the spot Livia had been in.
“Liv?” June tried softly. “I think he’s baiting Matt.”
“Are you sure?” Livia answered in the same hushed tone.
“Pretty sure, yeah. He wants him to-“
The sound of bone on metal cut off June’s words. She gasped at the sudden noise, grabbing tighter to Livia at first. Livia’s head turned quickly as Matt was slamming Dex’s head against the metal table. There was another sound buried underneath.
Someone breaking.
Bone? Teeth? Livia couldn’t tell.
Every time Matt slammed Dex down, Livia flinched. She felt June’s hand in hers still, the gentle way her shadow tugged her back, but she pushed forward. Livia shoved Matt away by his chest.
“What is your problem?” She hissed. He only rolled his eyes.
Dex looked up at her with a bloodied smile. There was banging behind her, Matt calling for someone, then the door opened.
“Please, Dex.” Livia said suddenly, letting her own desperation leak into the words. Something in Dex’s bloodied expression softened when he met her gaze. “Give me something to go on.”
Dex leaned in slightly, though the guard tried to pull him back. Livia held up a hand to stop him. She even took a step closer to meet Dex halfway. He cracked half a smile.
“It wasn’t that Fisk.” He said lowly and shot her a wink. “Thank you, Counselor.”
The wink and the tone of voice made Livia’s blood run a little warmer.
“Fuck you.” Matt spat as he pulled Livia away again.
Livia’s feet stumbled slightly but June was at her elbows to catch her. She was more focused on watching Dex leave, processing his last words to her.
Not that Fisk.
What the hell did that mean?
Livia was practically mute the rest of the day, though Matt thoroughly chewed her out for her actions. She drove her trio back to the city, dropped off Matt, then went home. She fished out the dresses, even helped June pin and cut hers.
June would wear white, an off the shoulder satin gown with trains at either arm that connected at her spine for the illusion of a full cape. Livia said with the extra fabric of the sleeves, June didn’t need gloves. She could easily hide her hands if need be, but the tension of their earlier disagreement lingered heavily in the statement. June opted for a sheer white pair that she’d covered in glitter out of boredom. She added a few pearl embellishments to match her necklace then went off to do her hair and makeup.
Livia disappeared back into her room to finish getting ready. She would wear black, a square neckline with sheer cape sleeves. The bodice was a corset and a high slit ran up her right leg. The back was open until the bottom of her shoulder blades, exposing her devil horns at the base of her neck and the bold ‘memento mori’ across her shoulders.
Her heels were black, silver accents to match the silver jewelry she wore. Rings on both hands, a simple watch, a diamond choker layered with a longer silver chain. Dark red eyeshadow with red eyeliner, hair in long curls down her back but pinned out of her face.
She ordered a car as she did her hair and makeup.
Once done, she stared at herself in the mirror. She was as put together as ever, a well-decorated beauty if she did say so herself. But something in her eyes seemed hollow.
It had seemed that way since Foggy was killed. Only now, there was a brightness in that hollowness. It was ignited by the hope of finding the truth, of potentially being able to avenge her friend, not just mourn him. Livia would admit she hadn’t done that part well but now she could do something about it.
She just had to figure out what the hell Dex meant with “not that Fisk”. What other Fisk was there?
A light knock on the door frame made her turn.
“I thought you might want this back.” June said carefully, turning something small in her hand.
“You look beautiful, June.” Livia smiled at her little shadow.
June had opted for gold accessories. Her hair was neatly pinned, purple eyeshadow pristine. A gold chain with a heart pendant, subtly engraved with a J, complimented her pearl choker and dangling gold earring completed the look.
“You said you would come back for it…” June came and stood beside Livia, offering her the object. “The day you went to Wakanda, it was the only way I was going to stay in New York.”
Livia looked down and saw…
“My ring.” Livia commented, looking but not taking the jewelry. She swallowed slightly and met June’s eyes. “Maybe you should keep it.”
“Matt got it for you.”
“Yeah, but I think it makes more sense for you to have it.”
“It matches your accessories.”
“It matches you.” Livia shook her head fondly before she took the ring in one hand and spun June’s gold necklace with the other. “You’re a Murdock, June, whether you want to be or not.”
June made no protest as Livia released the clasp, hung the silver band, then replaced her necklace into position. She only sighed slightly.
“Murdock-Yersova.” June mumbled.
Livia nodded once. “Murdock-Yersova… I’m proud of you, June.”
The statement, though true, was sudden and made June’s eyes go wide.
“Should I be worried? Or more worried, I guess.” June said carefully, watching Livia expression.
“No.” Livia smiled for a moment. “Everything’s fine, I just… I haven’t been as present with you as I should.”
“You’ve been weird lately and seeing Dex didn’t help. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m working on it.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Not right now, but I’ll let you know.”
“That’s… something, I guess.” June gave a single nod. “You look great, by the way. If Matt could see you, he’d lose his shit.”
“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that last part.” Livia chuckled.
“You can pretend all you want. You know I’m right.”
“I don’t dress for men, Bug.”
“Fair, but you can’t deny that men notice.”
“That may be the one thing men always notice.” Livia mumbled.
“Are you bringing anything?”
“Just a small clutch, probably. Enough for my phone, lipstick-”
“I meant weapons.” June cut in. “A knife. Something?”
“Are you?” Livia raised a brow.
June offered a proud smirk as she shifted some of the fabric of her sleeves. Buried in the folds was a small sheath holding a single throwing knife.
“I have one on both sides.” She confessed.
“I love you, but your aim is shit.” Livia teased. “Don’t throw those unless you’ve got clear visual.”
“Hopefully, I don’t have to throw them at all.”
“Then why bring them?”
June shrugged as she readjusted her dress in Livia’s bedroom mirror. “I guess I’d rather be safe than cornered… I don’t trust Fisk to invite you and me without having something to gain.”
“Smart girl.”
“So.” June turned to Livia expectantly. “Where’s yours?”
Livia had to admit that she didn’t have anything stashed. Her dress was one she had bought on impulse, something that she could have that was just pretty. She had to admit that June was right. The gala would be public but there was always a shadowy corner to do business in. Livia crossed the room to her hidden case of gear under her bed. She slid it out and pulled a single thigh holster, dual compartment with a gun and thin pocket knife. She shimmied it up her leg and managed to clip it around her waist. It sat just above where the slit started.
Livia’s phone buzzed from her bed.
“Car’s here.”
Security was tight as Livia and June walked up the steps. There was a small crowd already waiting as they approached, so Livia took the chance to adjust her skirts. She pulled it down, hoping to give a bit more room between the holster and the slit. June did something similar, rolling her shoulders back and adjusting the flowing fabric.
Most were waved through, a brief check on a clipboard followed by a gesture. Livia watched the task force that was posted every few feet, could feel their emotions in the peripheral of her defenses.
She could set them off, she thought. Find one with the itchiest trigger finger and give a little nudge. It’d ruin Fisk’s whole night.
But they were at the front of the line before she realized.
“Yersova.” Livia said. “Alivia.”
“Step this way.” The woman said, gesturing Livia in and to the side rather than straight. “Next.”
“Yersova, June.”
“Step this way.” The same sideways gesture.
“What is this?” Livia asked quickly. She raised her voice just enough to draw a few head turns and end a few conversations.
“Random search.”
Livia rolled her eyes and caught a glance of the clipboard. Her name, as well as June’s, was written in red.
“Random.” Livia nodded once. “It feels like profiling.”
“Ma’am, we have no reason to-“
“Look at the way my dress fits.” Livia gestured to her bodice, the firm corset hugging her ribs. It left an ache in its place, right above that permanent tender spot, but she ignored it. She endured it, fully willing to loosen it later in the evening if need be. “How would I hide a weapon?”
That drew some gossipy whispers.
“It’s our name.” June scoffed. “Yersova, because we’re Russian you assume we’re up to something.”
“No, I-“ The woman tried to defend. “I’m just doing my job!”
“Are you?” Livia challenged. “I’ve been watching. You didn’t stop anyone else.”
“What is the fuss about?” Buck appeared, asking his question with a pointed tone.
“Mr. Cashman, I’m just following instructions.” The woman said desperately, showing him the red printed names.
“Hello, Buck.” Livia smiled innocently. “Come to save the night?”
“Ms. Yersova, you look…” His eyes trailed her up and down, following the boning of her corset to the curve of her hips to the slit of her dress. “You look stunning. Please, excuse my friend here.”
He offered Livia his arm. She accepted, took June’s hand with the other, and walked past the woman at the door.
June used her free hand to mock her with the shape of an ‘L’.
Livia had to chuckle.
“I apologize for that.” Buck spoke as he guided the women to the party. “We had to round up a full detail on relatively short notice.”
“Not everyone is equipped for this line of work, I suppose.” Livia commented absently.
“Yet those are exactly the ones Fisk gives a gun to.” June commented.
“Mayor Fisk will be glad to know you’ve arrived, Miss June.”
“That makes one of us.”
“Manery, Bag. Nam nuzhno soblyudat' prilichiya.” Livia spoke quietly, shooting June a pointed look. (Manners, Bug. We need to keep appearances.)
“I should get back, then.” Buck nodded, patting Livia’s hand before withdrawing his arm. “If you’d be so kind, Ms. Yersova, to save me a dance?”
“You can have the first one if you really want it.” She winked.
Buck grinned and June made a sound of disgust from beside her.
“Okay, ew, we’re going now.” June said loudly before dragging Livia away.
“That was so gross. Never do that in front of me again.”
“He’s harmless.” Livia laughed.
“I highly doubt that.”
“Compared to men I've dated before. Trust me, he is.”
June opened her mouth to argue then gave a nod of concession instead.
The presence of the task force was hard to ignore. Everywhere Livia looked, there were men and women in bulletproof vests with watchful eyes and skittering nerves. It was eerie, to be watched so intently but also aggressively ignored.
“…Mayor Wilson Fisk, and the First Lady of New York, Vanessa Fisk.” Someone announced.
Livia’s head snapped over and the realization hit like a punch to the stomach. She felt like an idiot for not understanding sooner.
Not that Fisk meant it wasn’t Wilson Fisk that fired him.
It was Vanessa. And now, Livia wanted her dead more than ever.
June noticed this shift. Whether Livia’s thoughts were projecting something or Livia’s own ability had given her away, she didn’t know and she didn’t quite care. She was going to find a way, maybe several ways, to make Vanessa Fisk suffer.
“What’s wrong?” June asked quietly.
“Pieces are fitting together.” Livia answered quietly, manicured nails digging into her palms. If she kept going, she’d draw blood.
“What pieces?”
“Who had Foggy killed.” Livia whispered. “What Dex said makes sense now.”
June began to say something but snapped her mouth closed when Vanessa caught sight of them. The woman offered a warm, welcoming smile but there was a devious plot behind her eyes as she locked eyes on June. Livia took half a step forward.
Before Vanessa could get to the women, Heather was in front of Livia. Livia flinched at the sudden appearance but relaxed once she realized who it was. She offered as friendly a smile as she could, though she saw the lingering look Vanessa offered over Heather’s shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.
“Have you heard from Matt?” Heather asked, tapping her phone against her palm. “I’ve been calling but no answer.” She sighed.
“Yeah, sorry.” Livia shook her head, offering an apologetic smile that only made Heather give her annoyed, expectant expression. “The three of us went-“
Heather breathed a chuckle, pushing her tongue against her cheek as she nodded. “Of course.” She muttered.
“Excuse you?” June said sharply.
“You know, I really wanted to believe him about you.” Heather looked Livia up and down.
“Alright, I’ll bite. Do I even want to know what that means?”
“Are you still in love with him?”
“What difference would it make? He chose you.”
“You can have any guy you want, Livia, so just... I dont know, back off. At least a little?”
“Back off?” June laughed. “Lady, you’ve got some nerve.”
“Look, Heather, if it's not enough for you to have him come home to you at night.” Livia shrugged. “That’s not my problem.”
“Wow.”
“Don’t 'wow' her. Now’s not the time to start this fight.” June snapped, taking a step forward. Livia didn’t stop her, just moved slightly so everyone was on equal footing.
“And what's your problem with me?” Heather turned to June.
“Thank you for finally noticing! Do you want key points or an essay?”
Heather only offered a scoff in response.
“I suggest you're careful with your next set of words about or towards her.” Livia said easily, glancing around the room for an excuse to leave the conversation.
“This is why she acts like this. You always step in and enable her.” Heather argued.
“Don’t start this fight with me right now either.” Livia met Heather’s eyes. “You won't like how it ends.”
“No. No. Someone needs to be the one to say it to both of you.”
“Do they?” Livia cocked her head. “What needs to happen is you getting out of my business. You think you’re better than us because you have some fancy, expensive degree? So do I. You think your fancy office makes you better than me? I have one, too. You have nothing I don’t.”
“I have someone.” Heather lifted her chin slightly.
“You didn’t seem all that convinced a few minutes ago.”
“Finally found you ladies.” Matt greeted with a quick smile. “Sorry I’m late. Turns out you two aren’t the only ones to wear Chanel No.5 and YSL.” He looked between Heather and Livia in turn to their respective scents.
“We’re used to it.” Livia gestured between her and June.
“Oh, hey Matt.” June’s voice cracked as she looked towards the ceiling, fanning her watery eyes. Livia’s head snapped at the sound, pushing her ability almost instantly.
It came back… smug?
“June, are you crying? What's wrong?” Matt asked, moving to June’s other side. He put one hand on her arm and the other on the side of her face.
“Heather was just-“ June tried to explain.
“Oh, don't even.” Heather cut in. “I didn’t say anything mean.”
“Just because you didn’t think it was mean doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt her feelings.” Livia countered.
“She’s doing this because she knows you and Matt will-“
“Stop.” Livia said firmly. “Don’t act like you know her, alright? You think surviving a serial killer after Daredevil and Exodus show up makes you tough? It doesn’t. You and I can go blow for blow right now to prove it and I guarantee you're on your ass in two minutes.”
“Hey, Liv.” Matt tried, reaching out to tap her arm. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. Nothing about this is okay.”
“Seems a little overestimating, don't you think?” June chimed in with a sniffle. “We all know you can put her down with one shot.”
“Take you with us to Poindexter and you come back a little feisty.” Livia had to chuckle.
“What?” Heather snapped towards Matt. Livia’s brows raised at the tone but she said nothing. “Seriously, him? Matt, what were you thinking?”
“We’re just gonna…” Livia grabbed June’s hand and began pulling her away.
“What? No, I wanna stay and watch.” June argued.
“No, we’ve already gotten him in trouble with the missus.”
June huffed a sigh but didn’t fight Livia’s pull.
Before the two could get far, Buck had appeared in front of them. He offered Livia a nod and a slight smile before focusing on June.
“Mayor Fisk has requested a conversation, Miss June.” He said politely.
June hesitated, looking over Buck’s shoulders towards Fisk. Livia simply looked over at June and waited for a reaction. She could see the thoughts processing behind June’s eyes but she also knew she had to keep her word. She couldn’t push June one way or the other.
“Okay.” June finally said, her voice barely audible over the chatter of the party. She looked over at Livia and took her hand. “Come with me?”
“I’m afraid the mayor has asked for a private conversation.” Buck explained.
“Go on.” Livia nodded. “Dover'tes' svoim instinktam.” (Trust your instincts.)
June blew out a sigh, shook out her hands, then nodded to Buck. The man gestured across the room to where Fisk was watching. Livia offered her own glare, meeting the large man’s eyes for a brief moment. He nodded as if he understood, or maybe it was a means of thanking her for not interfering. Regardless, Livia felt an uneasy knot twist in her stomach and she had the itch to yank the knife from her holster and throw it across the room. She could hit him. She knew she could, but she also knew the task force bullets would hit before her arm came back down.
“I hope this won’t leave you alone for too long.” Buck said, drawing Livia’s focus back to the present moment.
“Believe it or not, I don’t keep a large social circle these days.” Livia answered with a short chuckle. “I have a nasty habit of chasing people away.”
“Who would be dumb enough to let you?”
She couldn’t help the way her eyes trailed over to Matt. “You’d be surprised…”
“I was taught that it’s rude to leave a lady on her own.” Buck offered Livia his arm. “Can I get you a drink?”
“He has manners, he can shoot.” Livia smiled and hooked her arm through his. “You’re ticking all the boxes, aren’t you?”
Buck chuckled with a slow nod. “I am a man of many talents.”
“Just the way Fisk likes them.”
“You should know.”
Livia gave a small noise of agreement and shrugged slightly. She hoped to get a bit more information out of Buck, but even if that failed, at least he was fun.
“You remind me of a guy I used to date.” Livia said before the bartender came over for their orders. Livia ordered her drink as a double and Buck gave no objections. He ordered the same.
“Is that a good thing?” He raised his brows.
Livia shrugged slightly. “It’s not necessarily good or bad. He was interesting. Ran his own company, kept a lot of secrets, tried to kill me.”
“Is that what you think of me, that I’ll try too?”
“Oh, god no.” She grinned. “You wouldn’t stand a chance.”
She shot him a wink and he laughed as the drinks came back over. He handed Livia hers and she bowed her head slightly in thanks. She watched as his eyes traced the shape of her body once again, lingering for a second longer at her hips and the slit up her thigh.
“Are you looking for something?” Livia asked, a certain silk in her voice she didn’t pull out often.
“You’re quite something to look at as a whole, Ms. Yersova.” He shook his head slightly. “Though I do apologize for staring.”
“Stare away.” She gestured to herself. “At least someone’s appreciating this dress.”
“You look very expensive tonight.”
“I have very expensive tastes.”
“And how did your last boyfriend handle that?”
“There was hardly a problem he couldn’t throw money at.”
He nodded as if he had uncovered some vital piece of information as Livia sipped her drink.
“Can I ask about the tattoos on your back?” Buck gave a small gesture to request she turn around.
She did, sweeping her hair over her shoulder. She felt his finger brush the bottom border of the letters between her shoulders.
“Memento mori seems a bit depressing, don’t you think?” He asked and she turned to face him again.
“It is but it’s also true. We all die, some deserving to and some not so much. Just a way to cope with it, I guess.”
He came a step closer, leaning slightly closer to her. “How much death have you seen?”
“More than we have time to discuss tonight.” Livia patted his chest and took a step away, feeling a new sensation of buzzing anxiety that she could recognize anywhere. She took the glass that was intended as his drink and he simply watched her with a question in his expression. “It seems I’m needed elsewhere, and I’m sure you can relate to needing a drink after a chat with the mayor.”
Buck laughed slightly and straightened his posture, adjusting his suit jacket. “Enjoy your night, Ms. Yersova.”
“Call me Livia.” She smiled. “You still owe me a dance.”
“How could I forget?”
Livia followed the buzzing through the crowd until she came to June. The blonde seemed unharmed, just shaken. Livia offered June the drink and she took it gladly.
“Everything go okay?” Livia asked. “That was quick.”
“Yeah. No. I don’t know. I feel weird now. Is that normal?” June said quickly.
“I am the last person to ask about feeling normal.” Livia chuckled. “You’ll be alright.”
“Where’s Matt?”
“Trying to smooth things out with Heather still.”
“That wouldn’t be happening if you would just tell him the truth.” June offered.
“You know I can’t do that.” Livia shook her head.
“He would pick you in a heartbeat.”
“It’s been too long this time.”
“You’d be surprised what goes on in his head.” June mumbled into her own glass.
“I thought you didn’t like to do that.” Livia quirked a brow.
June shrugged a shoulder as she swallowed. “Not often, but he can be… loud, especially when you’re around.”
Livia glanced back at Matt and she saw the intention building between his shoulders. She tapped June’s arm and gestured towards the man, and June mumbled a complaint in Sokovian. They watched Matt pull Heather towards Fisk. June grabbed Livia’s arm and began to pull her in the same direction.
Matt’s plan came to a screeching halt when the spotlight shone on Fisk and Vanessa appeared at his side. Livia let out a small sigh of relief and June’s grip loosened slightly. She made another comment in Sokovian before downing the rest of the drink. She coughed afterwards and pressed the back of her hand to her mouth.
“God, that was strong.” June complained and coughed slightly. “What was that?”
Livia lifted her own glass with a wink before finishing hers. “I ordered a double, Buck ordered the same. I took his and-”
“Ew! Buck drank that first?”
“I gave you my glass, dumbass.” Livia set both empty glasses on the tray of a passing waitress.
“What are we going to do about- Oh, great. He’s dancing.” June gestured towards Matt, who was now on the dancefloor with Heather.
Livia could see FIsk’s lips moving, and judging by the way Matt was reacting, he was purposefully taunting the man.
“Does he need a rescue?” June asked Livia.
“Probably…” Livia sighed. “Hope you wore dancing shoes.”
The women made their way to the edge of the dancing crowd, slipping through small gaps to get closer to Matt. Livia pushed her power slightly to try and get a better read on the situation. Matt was tense, as expected. Fisk was calm, confident, and a little proud. Something in his talk with June must’ve gone his way. Vanessa was in love, the fucking bitch. There was someone else teetering at the edge of her boundary, someone familiar but oddly calm. For a moment, she thought of Dex. He was the only one who hadn’t felt different to her since the Blip, but there was no way she could feel him, not with the miles between them.
She tried to shake it, but her attention caught on Buck.
He was muttering to Fisk and a new spike of panic came from Vanessa. Livia was now very interested. Given what she knew about Vanessa, there wasn’t much that could rattle the woman.
She caught Buck by his arm and pulled him closer. He tensed slightly, attention snapping to her, but he seemed to relax a bit once he realized it was her. Over his shoulder, she saw June’s jaw drop.
Livia offered Buck a simple smile as she slipped one hand into his, the other on his shoulder. His free hand sat on her hip, a light pressure against her body.
“Hello, Livia.” He forced a calm smile. It would’ve fooled anyone beside Livia, who could feel the unease stemming from him. “I was just coming to find you.”
“No, you weren’t.” Livia shook her head.
“No.” He chuckled. “I wasn’t. I apologize, it’s just that things have taken an… unexpected turn.”
He stepped back to spin her, her back against his chest. His hands were holding hers across her body but there was a subtle, almost searching pressure from his arms. She turned her head slightly to speak over her shoulder.
“You’re still checking me for weapons, aren’t you?” Livia asked. There was no accusation in the words, no malice. She was careful to only sound curious. “You don’t trust me.”
“It’s my job not to trust anyone.”
“Not even the men you work with?” Livia spun back to face him. “The Task Force.”
“They are useful, of course.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Would you answer if I asked you a similar question?”
“Ask away.”
“Mayor Fisk has mentioned that you are friendly with a few vigilantes… Do you trust them?”
“I trust them more than the mayor.” She said honestly. “I trust that they aren’t going to abuse the power they have and I trust them to put their friends and neighbors first… I don’t trust Fisk to do that.”
“Hmm.” He nodded once. “You and I seem to believe the opposite.”
He was looking around now, hardly focused on the dance at all. It was admittedly impressive that he hadn’t stepped on her foot yet.
“Buck, what’s going on?” Livia asked gently. “I saw you with Fisk. I can tell something’s wrong.”
“It’s nothing.” He shook his head. “But I do unfortunately have to get back to work… We can continue this conversation when things are settled, perhaps over a nice dinner to make up for everything.”
“Don’t do that.” She snapped. “If something is happening, something that could jeopardize the people out there I care about, I should know.”
Her eyes darted between his and the guilt of a secret seemed to cloud his stare for a moment. She pushed her ability a bit, past the emotions. She could just reach the anticipation he was feeling. Someone was coming, or expected to come, but she needed more. She needed to know who.
“Alivia.” Buck spoke and it spooked her. She withdrew her ability almost completely and focused on his words. “I understand your concern for your friends but believe me. This isn’t yours to concern yourself with.”
She stared at him in silence again. She knew she could get him to tell her. She could get any man to do anything. Instead, Livia thought of the only real connection left between herself and the Fisks. To that painstakingly familiar set of emotions just in her peripherals.
“It’s Dex, isn’t it?” She breathed.
Buck sighed inwardly but said nothing.
“He got out?” She made her voice shake.
“Killed a prison guard, used his badge to escape.” Buck confirmed. Livia’s grip on his sleeve tightened and his other hand tried to pry her fingers off. “Trust me. We have it covered. You and Miss June have nothing to worry about.”
“You don’t understand.” Livia almost laughed. “If Poindexter is coming here to kill someone, it’s almost certain he will… You need me.”
“Everything is under control, but I have to get back out there.”
“You can’t stop him.” She said simply. Livia thought of the last celebration Dex crashed, the absolute mayhem on the way up to the Presidential suite after Fisk’s wedding. “If he comes here, he’ll be on a mission. He’ll kill whoever steps in front of him.”
“All the more reason to keep you away then.”
“I might be the only one he’ll listen to!”
“The mayor wouldn’t-“
“Fuck the mayor!” She released her grip on his sleeve and stepped away. “When Dex gets here, don’t come asking me for help.”
She maneuvered past him and returned to her place beside June. He walked past them both, shot her a look over his shoulder, and returned to his post. Livia made a face mocking him once his back was turned.
“What was that about?” June asked, bumping Livia with her hip.
“This night is going to go very wrong very fast.” Livia explained calmly. “We need to be ready for anything.”
“What kind of ready?”
“The kind that’s gonna send these dresses to the dry-cleaners.”
“Right.” June nodded once and looked down at her hands. Livia followed June’s line of sight but said nothing. She watched June trace the length of one of her fingers before gently pulling the fabric off. June pulled the other, took a deep breath, then tucked the gloves into her small purse. She looked back to Livia with a fiery determination in her eyes. “Ready for anything. Incoming.” June nodded to something behind Livia.
Livia turned and collided with Matt. He reached to help her steady herself, chuckled an apology, and then guided her to the dancefloor.
“What are we doing?” Livia asked as Matt’s hand found her lower back, pressing her slightly closer.
“It was her.” He explained. “He was away, she was in charge. She did it.”
“Vanessa.” Livia nodded. “That must’ve been what Dex meant when he said ‘not that Fisk’.”
“You already knew, didn’t you?” His brows furrowed.
“It clicked earlier, when they made their entrance.”
“Why didn’t you come talk to me?”
“Because you need to be a good boyfriend.” She sighed. “Heather already thinks I’m still in love with you and wants me to back off so if I tried to sweep you away for this conversation, it only would’ve made things worse.”
“Are you?”
“Seriously?” She deadpanned. “That’s what you took from that sentence?”
He laughed slightly and Livia couldn’t help but crack a smile.
“June is going to have a field day with this.” Livia shook her head.
“Did she end up talking to him?”
“Yeah, said it made her feel weird.”
“Weird how?”
Livia shrugged slightly. “I didn’t ask. Figured we could all talk about it tomorrow.”
He nodded slowly. “You know that I… I don’t want you to back off. Right? It doesn’t matter who I’m dating. Livvy, you’re part of my life, regardless of anything or anyone else. You do know that, right?”
“Of course.” She did her best to offer an honest smile. “Besides, June will go to hell and back to make sure we don’t fall apart again so…”
He flashed her a grin. “She gets that from you.”
“I highly doubt that.” Livia glanced and saw Heather and June talking awkwardly. Livia lifted a hand and gestured Heather back over. “I’ll hand you back to the missus but what do we do about Vanessa?”
“We find a way to prove it.”
“Can we?”
“Only one way to find out.” He gave a small shrug as Livia stepped away. She let Heather take her place and slipped through the crowd, meeting June halfway.
“Oh my god!” She squealed, taking Livia’s hands and squeezing. Livia just laughed and shook her head. “You two were so perfect! It’s like you two were made to dance together.”
“Don’t make this a big deal.” Livia said softly, trying to get the blonde back down to Earth. “He just wanted to talk and needed to do it away from Heather.”
“What about?”
“Remember when we got here, and I said pieces were coming together?”
June nodded.
“Well, he just agreed. We know who had Foggy killed.”
“What? Who?”
“Vanessa.”
As soon as the name left Livia’s mouth, she heard the gunshot. She heard June scream. Livia quickly scanned the crowd, looking for something to give away the shooter. Her eyes met Buck’s briefly before he focused higher. Livia looked up, past the lights, and saw the outline of a figure. He had a rifle and it felt like he was looking at her now. She reached under her skirt and pulled her knife while the crowd parted around her in their panic to leave.
Heather’s scream cut through her focus. Not because of her voice, but because of what she said.
She said Matt.
Livia turned and saw Heather kneeling on the ground, hands shaking and panic streaming off her. She turned to June, who was now staring in frozen shock with watering eyes.
“Let’s go.” Livia said, but June didn’t move. She groaned and stood in front of her, giving the woman’s shoulders a slight shake. “Listen to me. You can either be his daughter or you can be my soldier right now. Only one of those is going to be useful, so which is it?”
No answer. Her lips were moving, her hands moving in and out of fists, but nothing.
“June!” Livia said loudly, causing June to flinch. “Soldier. Daughter. Which is it?”
tags: @fallingfavourites @see-the-divine @alanis-altair // seven // finale // masterlist
Pairing: Matt Murdock x Livia Yersova
Word Count: 8,335
Summary: Livia does her best to keep it all together, but some things have no chance of staying hidden. Her and June can’t help but disagree on what’s possible and what’s already over.
Livia arrived at Heather’s office before Matt but she lingered on the rooftop.
The idea of being “too late” came up again on her way over. She didn’t have to make it, right? Heather was just another person, after all. Livia had no obligation to her or anything Heather was connected with. She didn’t have to save her. Livia didn’t have to save anyone. That was Matt’s domain, always had been.
She was made to kill people.
Only she didn’t necessarily want to kill Heather.
She was arguing with herself as she threw her anchor down. While connecting the wire to her belt and adjusting the slack, she heard the police chatter through her implant. There was a team already on the way. She paused for a moment, tossing her ability out. It snagged on one office, almost directly below where she stood. The familiar bitter taste of fear settled on her tongue and she turned her head to spit it out. She scuffed her boot over it while she sorted through the other feelings. Some convoluted notion of pleasure, acceptance, a deranged type of anger, desperation.
Livia sighed to herself, accepting the decision was already made for her, and took a few steps away. She didn’t like Heather, but she couldn't let the woman die. Especially not since Matt asked for her help.
She took a running start off the ledge, swinging her body so her heels hit the window first and she slammed through the glass.
She landed in a crouch, wire tangled around her hips, and Heather screamed. Livia and Muse locked eyes for a moment, a split second of realization, before he turned a gun towards her. Livia threw her arm up, the bullets hitting one of the plates in her sleeve. Two shots was all he fired, then she heard the heavy falls of his feet as he ran at her.
She quickly released the wire from her belt buckle and dove away. She pulled the wire taut and she watched Muse trip over it. He landed with a thud and Livia almost laughed while he punched the floor in annoyance. She looked over at Heather, registered her bleeding and the canvas laid out beneath her, spared a quick thought for Matt, then moved again.
Livia wouldn’t have much time before Daredevil showed up, so if she was going to kill Muse, she’d have to move quickly. Livia flexed her hands, arming both Bites, then stood to her full height.
Muse was up to a knee, looking at her over his shoulder. She could feel the heat of anger in his stare. She offered a taunting grin in return.
Muse pulled a knife from his waistband and flicked out the blade. It glinted in the light from the broken window. The knife itself was clean, meaning there was a different blade used to cut Heather.
From the street, she could hear the sirens blaring.
She took a deep breath and reached with her ability, past Muse and past the anxious officers outside. Matt was closer than she thought.
Livia released her breath as a sigh before she fired both Bites. Muse tried to dodge, but one shot landed at the edge of his chest. He staggered back, arm twitching. Livia quickly moved in and kicked Muse’s dropped gun behind her. When Muse faced her again, she immediately threw a right hook to his jaw. His head snapped to the side and she grabbed onto the stupid suspenders he wore.
She dropped and rolled to her back, a foot bracing against Muse’s hip. Livia kicked that leg out, flipping Muse over her and to the ground. He coughed at the impact and Livia heard the extra crunch of glass. She turned her head and saw the familiar glove extended towards her.
She took it, letting Matt pull her up.
Livia patted his arm in thanks before focusing on Muse. The man found his gun and raised it, hesitating slightly as to who he should aim at. Matt shoved Livia aside before throwing his baton. Matt was right behind it, taking the fight to Muse on the other side of the room.
Livia groaned slightly before kneeling at Heather’s side. She reached for the woman’s arms to assess the bleeding, but Heather scooted away in a panic.
“Will you stop!?” Livia complained, accent heavy and an octave lower. “You’re bleeding.”
The men fighting caused a loose bullet and Livia had to shove Heather’s head down. The stray pinged off a plate at the back of Livia’s shoulder and she groaned. Quickly turning, she saw them still locked together. She spared Heather one more look but she was still on the ground, hands over her head and nearly shaking.
Matt flipped Muse over his shoulder and Livia pulled a knife from her belt. She went to kneel on his chest, flipping the blade as moved, but Muse kicked out. The heel of his heavy boot hit the break in her ribcage and Livia’s knees buckled with the pain.
Muse took the chance to reach for his own knife and looked past Livia at Heather. Livia’s blade was already moving before Muse’s feet could. She slammed the blade forward, the tip buried deep between the bones of his lower leg, and she twisted.
Blood leaked over her fingers. She had to give him some credit, because he didn’t make any sound acknowledging the pain, but he did buckle.
Her breathing was ragged and shallow.
That was the most normal she felt since the Blip.
Livia pulled the knife out and turned her attention higher, intending to flick it right under his chin, but Matt’s weapon came in first. He pierced Muse’s shoulder and yanked the man backward, dragging Muse towards him.
Livia had to use the short coffee table to get to her feet.
Muse fought against Matt desperately, slashing the knife recklessly. He managed to cut Matt’s leg before Livia slammed her foot down on his wrist. Muse thrashed beneath her weight, managing to catch the side of her knee with a foot. When she shifted to right herself, he kicked at her again and found that cursed spot on her torso.
Livia gasped, a sharp pain lancing her side, and she stumbled away, unable to catch a full breath.
Matt took over and controlled the fight, until shots rang out.
Livia flinched, arm pulling back on instinct, and then she saw the shooter.
Heather, with forearms still pouring blood.
Moments later the woman collapsed. Matt was quick to drop to his knees beside her, gently coaxing her to live.
Livia suddenly felt sick.
She forced herself to move, cutting two strips off the canvas before sheathing her blade. Livia silently moved to Heathers’s other side and tied one strip on one arm and one on the other. She looked over, watched the bleeding slow, then stood.
Livia tapped Matt on the shoulder once before going back to her wire. She clipped it back to her belt and spared on last look at Matt.
“It’s all over.” Matt said softly.
She remembered when Matt would talk to her with that kind of tenderness, that kind of care. The memory twisted her stomach.
Livia was biting her tongue so hard she tasted blood as she stepped out the window to climb back up to the roof.
She had a dinner meeting that night anyway.
When Livia got back to her apartment, the sharp pain in her side grew worse. She could barely stand upright and her breathing felt uneven, like one lung just wasn’t expanding enough. As she pressed on her side, she started to wonder if she could just reach in and take the broken piece out on her own.
In fact…
She unzipped her top and dropped it on the ground. One hand went for the zipper of her suit while the other finger-walked down her ribs. She winced at the pain before reaching for her knife. It’d be messy and painful, but it’d be less pain than what she was in now.
If she could survive having her skull cracked open and a permanent bluetooth in her brain, Matt’s death, Billy shooting through her wrist and letting her Bite relentlessly tase her, Dex burying a knife in her stomach, and watching Matt in love with someone else again, she could survive a minor home surgery. The tip of the blade had just broken skin when June came into the living room.
“There you are!” June shouted.
Livia flinched and the intended incision shot off and across her stomach instead.
“For fuck’s sake, June.” Livia scolded.
“Where have you been? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m great.” Livia pressed a hand to the thin slice before facing June. Her eyes scanned the blonde’s outfit, noting her braided hair and purple outfit. “Where are you going?”
“I was going out to find you!” June threw her hands forward, her own mask in her tightly clenched fist. “First, you and Matt don’t come back to work. Then the apartment is ransacked when I get back. I thought we were robbed or that you were kidnapped!”
Livia couldn’t help but scoff as she tucked away her knife.
“What was I supposed to think?! You said it yourself, that Fisk could target you and Matt. You two both go missing and I’m supposed to just… What? Ignore it?”
“You’re not supposed to try and get yourself kidnapped, too, actually.” Livia pushed past June, kicking her discarded top along. “Everyone’s fine. Heather got attacked by Muse.”
“So she’s dead then, right?”
“No.”
“Shame.”
“Stop that.” Livia snapped.
“What?”
“Stop treating that woman like shit because of some obsession you have with me and Matt getting back together!”
“It’s not an obsession.” She mumbled, looking at her feet as she wrung her hands slightly.
“It is!” Livia stopped in her doorway. “You have to stop trying to force us to fill the roles of whatever twisted notion of family you have. We aren’t going to play mom and dad for you.”
“Twisted, huh?” June nodded once then looked back at Livia. “You’re the one who told me I decide who my family is.”
“You do.” Livia conceded. “But you don’t decide how we get to be your family. Matt’s moved on, June. Now you have to.”
“Have you?”
“It’s not about me.”
“So that knife you were about to use on yourself isn’t anything?” June challenged. “Yeah, didn’t miss that.”
“Not about him.” She shrugged.
“Bullshit.”
“Watch it.”
“Or what?” June laughed. “God, Liv, I tell you everything and the one time - the one time - that I want you to talk to me.”
“It’s not. It’s about you and Matt and every fucking person I know wanting so much. You want me to talk and to heal and to move on and pretend like nothing happened. Like I wasn’t dead for five years or that my best friend didn’t die or that the only man that knows the most about me has-“ Livia swallowed the rest of that confession.
June stood a little straighter. “Liv, I hadn’t realized…”
“You weren’t supposed to.”
June shifted awkwardly between her feet. Livia could feel June trying to get into Livia’s head, just barely surface level. She wanted to know what to do, how to fix it.
But Livia knew there was no fixing her. There was something, some crucial part of her, that was irreparably broken. She was irreparably broken.
“If that’s all, I have a meeting to get ready for.” Livia said flatly. She could feel the heavy mental walls sliding into place, forcing her feelings into a very tight, very dark corner.
“You know I…” June tried. “I just wanted…”
“It’s fine, June.” Livia shook her head.
“It’s not. We need to-“
“No, we don’t. I’ll figure it out.”
“Liv…”
“I always do.”
“But I-“
“Please, just stop. You can’t fix this.”
No one could.
June nodded slowly before turning on her heel and heading to her room. Livia stepped back into her own and shut the door firmly, flipping the lock. She leaned against it and let out a long sigh. The action flexed her stomach and another thin stream of blood leaked out of the wound. Despite her hand being pressed against it, she had practically forgotten it.
Livia went into the connected bathroom and leaned over the sink to clean the wound. The skin along the cut was cold in some places and hot in others as the manifestations of her emotions worked to pull the edges back together. It was a shallow line, unlikely to scar, and Livia left it to heal on its own. Instead, she kicked out of her suit and headed to her closet to find an outfit for her meeting.
Her phone buzzed with a text and she looked over at it on her dresser. It was from an unknown number and only gave an address. She vaguely recognized it as a restaurant.
Livia picked out an outfit accordingly. Dark slacks, a loose fitting sweater, loafers. She pinned some of her hair out of her face and looked at her purse.
She could walk to the restaurant, or hail a cab. She had no intention of eating, just in case Fisk tried to poison her. It seemed below him but she was in no mood to risk it. She’d likely be patted down and searched, so trying to sneak a gun in would be pointless.
Livia wondered if she could manage to hide a blade.
If she switched her loafers for boots, she could get a small one in it, even if it would have to be under her foot. If she clipped a pocket knife in her waistband or sleeve, it’d be too easy to feel. It’d be a huge concession to go into the meeting without anything to protect herself, but at least she was smart enough to make a weapon out of nearly anything. Even if he kept knives and forks off the table, she could gouge an eye out with a spoon before his guards would be able to pull her off. She could break the dishes and jam a shard into his neck.
Livia didn’t want to fight Fisk or Buck that night, actually. She was tired. She was confused. She was lost in a mess of her own head. She just wanted to show up, quell any suspicions that her and Matt were out being vigilantes again, and come home. Whatever it took to get Fisk off her back, at least for a little while.
On her way out, she was shaking out her hair and hit the scar in her hairline. She scoffed in annoyance but the phone call the device picked up froze her hand halfway.
“… you can’t make her talk about it.” Matt’s voice echoed in her head.
“I know but-“ June answered.
Livia shifted, facing the younger woman’s door.
“I get it, Bug. I do, but I can’t make her either.”
“You didn’t see her. She had a knife to her stomach.”
A hesitation.
“Why?” Matt asked tightly.
“I don’t know!” June said loudly, her voice coming from behind the door and Livia’s implant. “I know you’re a little preoccupied right now but I could really use your help.”
“We both know she won’t listen to me…”
“So what? We have to just let her burn herself out or get herself killed?”
“I don’t know, June, but I- I can’t deal with this right now.”
“Right, Heather needs you more than I do.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Neither is this!”
Livia tapped the device and knocked on June’s door. “I’m taking off for my meeting…”
“Okay!” June called back. “Are you gonna bring dinner back?”
“I can. Let me know what you’re thinking, okay?”
“Thanks!”
“We’ll talk when I get home?”
“Okay!”
Livia lingered for a moment. She thought about what else she could say. Should she apologize? But what was she going to apologize for? Yes, she had snapped at June for simply asking questions and that wasn’t fair, but she didn’t need anyone hovering, trying to take care of her.
Livia didn’t ask for that. She didn’t need it.
She shook the thought and headed out without another word.
The address led her to a smaller restaurant, one way in and one way out. It was hard to miss how empty it was despite the hours on the door saying they were open. Inside, she saw only one patron. She rolled her eyes as she entered.
As a precaution, she pushed out her power as she walked through the restaurant. Fear in the kitchen, the workers that remained. Calmness from the table, and another feeling, one that almost made her steps falter.
The workers, Livia expected. Someone had to stay and serve the meeting. Fisk, of course. But the other, another sort of confidence that mixed with pleasure. Pride, almost, that she had shown up.
Livia sat at the table, eyes scanning the scene in front of her.
“No forks or knives within reach.” She nodded, having expected exactly that. “No candle, no glass. I can’t tell if you’re hosting a business meeting or dinner with a toddler.”
“A necessary precaution, Ms. Yersova. I hope you understand.” Fisk answered with that halted delivery he always had. Livia’s teeth ground hard against each other. “I’m glad you agreed to this.”
“Well, it was under the pretense of speaking to someone else.”
“Yes.” He nodded once, his free hand fidgeting. “And I apologize for the deception. I thought Buck would be more convincing than myself.”
She shrugged a shoulder, then picked up the spoon. She turned it idly, examining her reflection in the cutlery. Just barely, tucked away in a shadowy corner, she could see the outline of a figure. Livia smiled to herself at the confirmation.
“You know, I’ve used a fork to pierce a man’s spine… And a spoon is just as good. Pops eyes out their sockets if need be.”
“Let’s try not to resort to such things.”
“Why am I here?” Livia said flatly, looking back to meet Fisk’s eyes. “What do you want?”
“Have you spoken with June about my proposition?” He asked, clearly stalling.
“I have.” Livia nodded. “She’s considering it. I told her to do what she thinks is right and I wouldn’t make the choice for her.”
“And what does Mr. Murdock say about it?”
“The same, but he and I agree that this is something only she can choose.”
“Tell me, Ms. Yersova, why it is June flocks to you instead of me.”
“Because I treat her like a person. I’ve never asked her to do anything she didn’t want to or force her to be someone she’s not. She’s an adult now, and you have to accept that it’s her life. She can do with it what she chooses.”
“You say that like it’s easy, to simply let go of someone who you’ve dedicated so much to.”
“When I met her and I took her in, she wanted me to fill a role I had no idea how to.” Livia spoke honestly. She didn’t know why she was saying it, but it was something she just needed to say. Maybe she wanted to hear what the thoughts sounded like out loud so when she told June later on, it wouldn’t be so strange. “I made it a point to not be like the people who mentored us before. I didn’t want her to be like me.”
“I can tell she sees the best in you… And Mr. Murdock.”
“Well, there’s more of it in him than me, but I think we both know this isn’t about her.”
“I fear it will always come back to her, in some sense.”
“Let me tell you how I anticipated this conversation.” Livia said, diverting the conversation away from June. Livia didn’t feel like hearing how Fisk cared for June still. Something in the notion made her stomach turn. “You ask what I know about what happened at Dr. Glenn’s office today. I tell you the same story you’ve been pushing, that your gaggle of crooked cops killed him and saved her. You ask if I’ve heard from either of our friends in masks, I say no. Of course not. You say that if I do, I should relay the message to be smart and not risk their lives or the lives of anyone they care about. I ask if it’s a threat, you tell me of course it isn’t, and then you’ll try to circle back to June… How’d I do?”
Fisk laughed to himself and Livia gripped the spoon tighter, but before she could make a move with it, she heard the front door open. Her head snapped over but Fisk - and Buck from the shadows behind her - gave no reaction. Had they been expecting someone else?
Livia felt a flash of anger lick up her spine. Her mind flicked to betrayal. It was a setup, an assassination, and she was dead in the water. If whoever walked in was armed, she’d swallow the bullet before she could react. She had no protective gear, a sad excuse of a weapon, and little to no time to figure a way out. It was all turning into a trap, and she had walked right into it.
Livia saw the gun but she didn’t recognize the shooter. Panic flashed in her chest then vanished as quickly as it came, replacing itself with a calm acceptance. She was going to die that night, by the gun of a no-name thug, likely at Fisk’s orders.
She thought it was actually a little pathetic to die that way.
The shooter’s eyes met hers for a brief moment and she saw him hesitate. He hadn’t expected anyone else to be there and Livia understood the bullet wasn’t for her. It was for Fisk.
She was both relieved and disappointed.
The hesitation was costly, and the bullet came from behind her instead. The sound of two shots from a silencer filled the empty restaurant.
“Thank you, Buck.” Fisk said calmly, enjoying his meal as if nothing had happened.
Livia cocked her head to try and see the man, trying to match the face to a name, but it was useless. She doubted she had ever seen the man before.
“You seem concerned.” Fisk noted.
“Thought it might’ve been a setup.” Livia admitted, adjusting in her seat to face Fisk head on. “Wouldn’t be the first time you had people killed.”
“If that was the case, I would’ve done it by now.”
Livia’s eyes drifted as Buck came to the side of the table. His eyes met hers and he shot her a wink, as if to say ‘You’re welcome’. She gave a small tilt of her head in acknowledgement.
“You’ve got a talent for finding the right guards.” Livia commented, thinking back to her brief time with the FBI and Dex.
“I have high standards few are able to meet.”
“You know this little meeting is pointless, right?” Livia’s head tilted back and she stared at the ceiling as she continued to speak. “Daredevil and Exodus, even if they were there, they didn’t kill Muse.”
“The task force-”
“Task force didn’t either.” She laughed as the realization hit her. In the moment, she didn’t think much of it, but those final shots didn’t come from her own weapon or a cop’s gun. They came from Muse’s own gun, and Heather was the one to pull the trigger. Livia was surprised but also a little impressed. “The doctor did.”
“Dr. Glenn?”
“Mhmm.” She looked back at Fisk. “How else was he already dead when the cops got in?”
He waved a hand as a dismissal and Buck took his leave. He did look over his shoulder one more time to catch Livia’s eye. There was a question in his expression, wondering just what her secret was, but it would take more than a few bullets and a wink to get her to reveal anything.
“Buck has taken a keen interest in you and your involvement.” Fisk commented once Buck was out of earshot.
“Him and everyone else I’ve ever met.” She shrugged a shoulder. “What does he know?”
“I haven’t told him anything if that’s what you’re implying.”
“I wonder if he’d believe you even if you did… Are we done?”
“I do hope you understand the gravity of the situation you and Mr. Murdock are in.”
“What situation?” She shrugged again, tapping the end of the spoon against the table. “Mr. Murdock and I are just lawyers these days… Besides, I hear Alter has been making appearances lately, too. Your little attack dogs gonna gun her down too?”
Fisk said nothing, just gripped his utensils tighter. Livia tossed the spoon to the table and stood.
“Understand one thing, Mayor Fisk. If you come after people that I care about, I will come for someone of equal value to you. And you and I both know you only care about one woman.” Livia threatened firmly. There was no waver in her voice, no inclination that she could possibly be bluffing.
“If you hurt Vanessa.”
“Stay away from my people and I stay away from yours.”
With that, she left.
By the time Livia got back to her apartment after stopping to pick up dinner, June’s room was silent. Livia knocked lightly but heard nothing in response. Instead, she simply sighed, and left June’s meal in the oven. She sent a text but didn’t wait for a reply. She just took her own food to her room and shut the door.
The next morning, her and June went over to Matt’s apartment to pick him up for an all-hands meeting at work. Neither of them brought up the conversation from the night before. Neither mentioned their argument or the knife Livia pulled on herself. There was an awkward tension between them. Livia could feel it crawling under her skin, burrowing into her veins to try and replace her blood. She simply cracked her neck and tried to push the sensation away.
That only seemed to shift it to a persistent ringing in her ear, aligning with whatever side June was standing on. The blonde didn’t seem affected so Livia kept it to herself.
Matt smiled as June let herself in, Livia following behind, but he said nothing in greeting.
She made sure there were a few extra steps between them, if only to put additional distance between her and Matt. Everything in her wanted to be closer to him, to check him over, to ensure that he was okay, but she leashed the desire. She yanked it back, buried it in the back of her mind, and reminded herself that it wasn’t her place anymore.
Not her place, not her problem, not her responsibility.
“Not sure you can put Muse and Daredevil in the same category…” Matt countered whatever Heather had said, but his voice brought her attention to whatever they were discussing.
Livia looked to June for a clue.
“She killed Muse.” June mouthed. “She’s spiralling.”
Livia nodded, for she had already known that.
“Not so sure that you can’t.” Heather countered.
Livia leaned on the kitchen island and June hopped into the stool beside her. Both women listened quietly to whatever hole Heather was going to dig herself into.
“They’re just these underdeveloped boys, hiding behind masks, trying to make it look like something more sophisticated.”
“What about Exodus, then?” June chimed in. Livia knocked her knee against June’s leg but was ignored. “If DD was there, I’d guess Exodus was, too.”
“DD?” Livia laughed slightly.
June shrugged with a small smile.
“She’s no different.” Heather continued and Livia looked back with raised brows and her mouth pressed in a firm line to keep from saying something stupid. “She’s just as violent, just as…”
“They’re completely different animals.” Matt countered.
“You weren’t there, Matt.” Heather snapped, causing Livia and June to share a look of disbelief of her tone.
“No, I know. I’m just saying that…that Muse tried to kill you and Daredevil saved you.” Matt recovered and June offered him a subtle, sarcastic thumbs up. Livia pushed the blonde’s hand down.
“I saved me.” Heather argued. June struggled to keep her laugh in and had to leave the room, claiming she needed the bathroom. Livia leaned into her hand, deftly covering her mouth to stifle her own giggle. Whatever ground Heather had gained towards Livia’s respect was now negated. “They were all just out there for themselves.”
“If I may…” Livia tried when she regained composure. “I’ve come across both Exodus and Daredevil. He, at least, seems pretty selfless. He’s gotten his ass beat more times than he can probably count, but he gets back up. He cares about the people of this city and she…”
Before Livia could finish the thought, a knock sounded at Matt’s door. He went to open it and Livia heard a familiar voice on the other side asking for Heather.
“Buck?” Livia stepped closer. When he caught sight of her, he smiled and Livia saw Matt shift to block her from sight. “What are you doing here?”
“The mayor wanted me to personally deliver something to Dr. Glenn, and to you and Miss June afterwards. Is she here with you?”
“What it is?” Livia countered.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope with June’s name written in elaborate calligraphy. Livia’s was next to it, the entirety of her name dancing across the envelope.
Alivia Yersova and Miss June Fisk-Yersova.
“This isn’t her name.” Livia met Buck’s gaze with a fiery one.
“The mayor made an assumption.” Buck offered as an explanation. “I’ll ensure it’s corrected on the guest list.”
“She uses Yersova, same as me.”
“Of course, our mistake.”
Livia gave Buck a once over before lifting the envelope in quiet thanks and switching places with Heather, letting her talk to Fisk’s new right hand. Livia tapped the envelope against her palm as she went back into the apartment. June was back, her cheeks still pink from her hushed laughter.
“Who’s that?” June asked, noticing Matt and Heather still standing in the doorway.
“Buck Cashman.” Livia said honestly. “He was bringing one of these for Heather and turns out there was one for us.”
“What is it?” June held a hand out and Livia carefully handed her the envelope.
“Fisk…” She read, her finger tracing the letters. “I never…”
“It’s okay.” Livia patted June’s arm. “You don’t have to explain.”
June met Livia’s eyes, desperation and confusion playing in her irises. “I never used that last name. I was always just June until you.” She spoke quietly and quickly, as if she was against a timer to get her explanation out.
Livia just smiled softly. “It doesn’t matter to me.” Livia said honestly. “What matters is who you are now.”
“I thought about hyphenating yours and his for a while.” June laughed slightly as she flipped the envelope and broke the seal. “June Murdock-Yersova.”
“Kinda surprised you didn’t just go for Murdock during the Blip.”
June’s hands froze and she blinked quickly, as if the mention of the Blip short-circuited something in her brain or brought up something June hadn’t wanted to think of.
“It’s a joke, Bug.” Livia reached forward and took the envelope from June’s now trembling hands.
Matt and Heather came back into the kitchen area and a tension between the two slapped Livia in the back. She winced quietly at the sharp sting of it but focused on the paper she now held. It was an invitation.
“You want to watch your tone?” Heather challenged, and that was enough to snap June from whatever thoughts she was lost in.
“You want to watch yours?” June threw back and Livia couldn’t react fast enough to catch her. June stepped around Livia, twisting to avoid Livia’s reaching hand, and stood opposite of Heather across the island. “Why so defensive, hmm?”
“June.” Matt tried.
“Hang on.” Livia held up a hand. “She hasn’t done anything wrong yet.”
“Yet.” Matt scoffed.
Heather rolled her eyes and Livia raised her brows in challenge, daring Heather to do it again.
The woman was smart enough not to.
“It’s a work thing.” Heather answered flatly.
“Fisk is a client.” June understood. The way she said it was obvious to Livia and to Matt. June’s intense staredown wasn’t intimidation, like Heather thought it was. It was her using her ability, rummaging through Heather’s thoughts until she could piece together the truth. “Him and Vanessa, aren’t they?”
“I’m not answering that.”
“If he’s in her life, he’s in yours too.” Livia told Matt, who sighed in response. “That can go very bad for you.”
“And you.” June added over her shoulder.
“And you.” Matt told June.
“He’s the mayor, he’s in everyone’s lives.” Heather reasoned, her tone sounding as if she believed she was the only rational one in the room.
Livia ran a hand down her face and turned to Matt.
“Nam troim nuzhno pogovorit' o moyey vcherashney vstreche.” Livia said under her breath. (The three of us need to talk about my meeting last night.)
Before Matt or June could answer, Heather read off the invitation. It was to a gala about some project at Red Hook Port. Livia couldn’t place it, but something about that place felt familiar, like it was talked about before regarding something.
“You’re not seriously considering going, are you?” Matt asked. “Any of you.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Heather responded first.
“I…” Livia trailed off. She hadn’t had enough time to even process the event, let alone commit to attending. She was still stuck on Red Hook.
“I have some things I need to say.” June reasoned carefully. “Maybe that’ll be a good time.”
“If she’s going, I’m going.” Livia said without thought.
“Heather, he wants to use your trauma to boost his narrative.” Matt reasoned.
“If his narrative is that vigilantes are dangerous, then he’s got my vote.”
“You do see he’s trying to use you, right?” June deadpanned. “It’s what he does.”
“How would you know that?” Heather asked loudly.
Livia shifted on her feet, a slight repositioning of her body that Matt noticed immediately. He came around the other side, putting himself between Livia and Heather. If she was going to swing on the other woman, she’d have to go through Matt first. Unfortunately, that wasn’t as much of a deterrent as he thought it would be. In truth, it made the idea more appealing.
“Because I was one of the FBI agents that testified to the Grand Jury about him.” Livia said before June could be interrogated. “Because I saw first hand how he finds people and breaks them down until they fit. He broke a good…” She paused, reconsidered how she really wanted to describe Poindexter. “He broke a man who was already struggling just because he could. He’s not the person everyone thinks he is, and you standing there and agreeing with him is just ridiculous.”
“Is it?” Heather laughed. “Because you, Livia, weren’t there. You weren’t sliced open like meat at a butcher’s shop for some sick man’s amusement.”
The various scars across Livia’s body that burned with Heather’s words proved otherwise. Her hairline, her abdomen, her leg, her back, her shoulders. Almost every inch of skin was a textured map of her past, a repaired place with a story that would never heal. Never be forgotten. But of course, Livia didn’t know what it felt like.
“Yet here you stand.” Livia breathed, daring a step closer. “Cause Exodus and Daredevil saw something worth saving in you… Beats me what it was.”
“Liv.” Matt tried gently. There was a split second where he reached a hand for her, but almost immediately he thought better of it.
“I’ll be in the car.”
“You’re such a fucking bitch.” June scoffed then hurried after Livia.
“We’ll need dresses.” June said as she caught up with Livia.
“What?” Livia sighed, yanking open her car door.
“For the gala.” June dropped into the passenger seat. “It’s black tie, black and white dress code.”
“Oh… I have something that’ll probably work. You know how to sew?”
“Yeah.”
“I have another dress that you’ll probably like, but it’d have to be tailored to your height even if you wear heels.”
“My waist too, I bet.”
Livia raised a brow.
“Cause I’m skinny.” June’s voice went up an octave and Livia had to laugh. “What color?”
“I’ll be in black… You make more sense in white, matches your color palette better.”
“Cause I’m blonde?”
“Cause you’re pale as a ghost.”
“Every single man you’ve dated has been a white man.”
“Marc wasn’t white.”
“Who the fuck is Marc?”
Livia just laughed to herself.
“I’m gonna be the bigger person and forgive that little comment since you’re upset.”
“I’m not upset.” Livia shook her head. “Muse would’ve cut her into pieces if Matt and I hadn’t been there, and she’s blaming us, like we sent Muse after her. Trust me, I know not everyone will like what we do, but generally they lean our way more once we’ve helped them.”
“She’s definitely something.” June agreed. “Why did you want me to be so nice and respectful towards her anyways? We never talked about that last night.”
Livia sighed, taking one look to see if Matt was on his way. He wasn’t yet.
“In the Room, they were always putting us down to put another one of us up. We were all cruel to each other… When I left, I said that I wouldn’t be like that to another woman without reason.”
“Is there a reason now?”
“There just might be.”
“Do you think Matt will go to the gala?”
“Do you?”
June looked towards Matt’s apartment building as she thought. Livia wasn’t sure if that was all she was doing or if she was reaching out with her ability, but Livia didn’t interrupt her either way. Instead, she rested her head back and closed her eyes.
She had a nagging feeling in the back of her mind all morning, like someone familiar had a hook in her brain and was giving it a tug. There was a word for the feeling that was trying to get through to her but her mental walls were so firm that it had no chance. All she could make out was that the source was familiar.
“I think he will.” June finally spoke. “I think he’s worried about Heather now, but also for me. Since I said I wanted to talk to Fisk, I think that’s reason enough for him to go, but he’ll tell Heather it’s for her sake.”
“Makes sense.” Livia agreed.
“For you, too.”
Livia opened her eyes and turned to June. In the process, she saw Matt coming towards her car. “What makes you say that?”
“He still thinks about you all the time.” June shrugged.
All Livia did was hum in response before Matt got in. No one said anything on the ride to the office but the trend still was thick, forming a lump in Livia’s throat. She toyed with her necklace and collar of her shirt, coughing slightly to clear her airway. It didn’t do much to help.
When they got to the office, Livia took a deep breath outside the car. June went ahead of them, more interested in her text message than walking in together.
“Are you okay?” Matt asked, taking his familiar position at her side. “June called last night, said you two got into an argument.”
“Yeah, just in a weird place, I guess.” She answered smoothly. “The invitation was an odd development, threw me for a loop.”
“No kidding.” Matt agreed, knowing better than to push on her status. She was silently thankful. “I’m more surprised June wants to go.”
“I think she just wants closure. I don’t blame her. I don’t think there’s a length I wouldn’t go to to at least try for it Yelena and I even tracked down Clint Barton cause we thought he was responsible for Natasha...”
“Hmm.” He nodded slightly. “Do you… Do you have a guest in mind?”
“No. You think June will invite Joaquin? She was pretty locked in on her phone just now.”
“She won’t even invite the guy for dinner.” Matt scoffed slightly. “I doubt she wants him anywhere close to Fisk.”
“Guy’s probably too busy anyways, being an Avenger and all. It’s an upgrade from back alley vigilante, I’ll give her that.”
“Hang on.” Matt laughed. “Back alley?”
Livia only offered a teasing shrug, turning to face him and walk backwards through the office door.
“You’re late.” Kirsten scolded as soon as you righted your direction.
“Fashionably.” Matt answered.
“Ten is fashionable. 35 is just not cool.”
“My fault.” Livia put a hand up slightly. “I couldn’t find my wallet this morning.”
“That’s it?” She raised a brow, coming over to the two once she ended her call. She scrutinized Livia’s face before turning to Matt, lifting his glasses for a moment. “You both look like you just got out a Jersey fight club.”
“Yeah, you should see the other guy.” Livia commented with a small eye roll. Matt gave a small chuckle beside her, and for a split second, she almost believed everything was normal between them.
“What’s going on, Kirsten?” Matt asked. “Why is Madison calling a panic meeting?”
Livia patted Matt’s shoulder and stepped around them while Kirsten explained what was going on. Livia felt the other woman’s eyes on her for a moment then a hand closed on her arm and pulled her back.
“Before that, there’s something you both need to hear.” Kirsten explained.
Livia felt a new tightness between her shoulder blades.
“Poindexter.”
The tug in her head came back with more force, a second hook finding purchase in her chest. She coughed slightly to try and clear the new sensation.
“Two days ago, he was moved from protective custody and released into gen pop.”
“Any chance we can get a front row seat?” Matt tried to joke and Livia elbowed him in the ribs before she could think.
“Why would they do that? Either he’ll kill someone or someone’ll kill him.” Livia’s brows furrowed as she thought it through. That had to have been the point, to get him killed.
“A friend from the Southern District called with this because apparently Poindexter wants to talk with you.” Kirsten met Livia’s eyes.
“Me?” She asked, though there wasn’t much need for the confirmation. It made sense Dex would want to talk to her. It made sense that she was the one he was trying to reach out to, and at the same time, the tugs in her body made sense.
“Matt, too, but mainly you.”
“Why us?” Matt questioned when Livia was silent.
“I have no idea and I don’t care. Neither should you two.” Kirsten answered firmly.
“Then why tell us?” Livia scoffed slightly. There was a new defensiveness in her words, in her body language. She felt the sudden urge to be protective over Dex, to go and help him.
But what sense did that make? He had killed one of her best friends. He had tried to kill her. He had tried to kill Matt. She was willing to be that if he had the chance, he would’ve tried to kill June, too.
Yet there it was, crawling between her skin and muscles, coiling her body like she was prearping to strike. It was the pull in her head and heart, it was the thump of her blood in her ears, it was the draw of her shoulders together.
“Who moved him?” Livia asked.
“Mayor Fisk.” Kirsten said simply before grabbing Matt’s sleeve and pulling him towards the conference room.
“Don’t do anything stupid about this.” Matt told Livia, pointing a finger at her while Kirsten kept him on track. “We’ll talk about this later.”
Livia waved a hand but said nothing.
She went to her desk and found June had pulled her own chair over and was sitting, staring at her leather covered hands.
“I don’t know if I have gloves nice enough.” June mumbled.
“You could go without them.” Livia offered and June’s head snapped up, eyes blown wide at the suggestion. “You’ve got it pretty under control from what I can tell, Bug. Trust yourself.”
“But what if I’m not thinking and I use it on someone? Or I get upset and I use it?” June reasoned, shaking her head fiercely. “It’s too much of a risk. I can’t.”
“June.” Livia sat in her chair.
“No.” June said sharply. “I’m not ready.”
“Okay… Okay, maybe the excess fabric will be enough to throw a pair together.”
June offered a small smile in thanks. “So.” June blew out a sigh and crossed her arms, tucking her hands into her armpits. “What was that about, with Matt and Kirsten?”
“Um…” Livia leaned around, seeing an obstructed view of her friends in the conference room with their client. “There was a different kind of invitation waiting for us…”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning someone else wants to talk to me, and Matt to a lesser extent.”
“And the fact that you won’t say who is concerning.”
“You won’t like who it is.”
“That doesn’t really narrow it down.”
“I know, I just… Matt’s not gonna want me to go but something in me is tellling me to go.”
“Liv.” June reached over and put her hand on Livia’s arm. Her leatherclad touch was cold, despite her hands having been tucked away. Livia winced away from it. “You can tell me. Hell, I might even be on your side for it.”
“You won’t be.” Livia shook her head. “If I do this, I’m probably going to have to do it alone.”
“Why do you keep doing that? You’re not alone anymore.”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Then tell me!”
“I’m not doing this here.” Livia hissed as Kirsten came around to her side of the desk.
“What is going on with him?” Kirsten asked quickly. The woman was at the end of her road regarding Matt, and it was a familiar scene. Briefly, Livia thought of how exhausted karen and Foggy had been when Matt was displaying the same tendecies when Daredevil was first starting. “It can’t just be the Poindexter thing.”
“Waht Poindexter thing?” June’s ears perked up.
“Nothing.” Livia told June before looking back to Kirsten. “He’s just overwhelmed, I guess. I don’t know. Him and I haven’t been talking all that much lately. Heather might know.”
“He said it feels useless, what we do here.”
“He gets that way sometimes.” Livia sighed, already getting to her feet. “I’ll try talking to him. Where’d he take off to?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” She shrugged. “But he can’t just come in late and insult clients and…”
“I know. He’s out of line. I’ll handle it.”
Kirsten sighed but nodded. She offered June a tight smile then went back to work. June, however, was not done with the conversation. She stood and blocked Livia from going anywhere.
“Poindexter?” Her brows went up and she said the word like an accusation.
“What about him?” Livia challenged calmly.
“That’s who wants to see you, isn’t it?”
“What difference does it make, June?”
“Because he killed Foggy!”
“Thank you for that reminder. I nearly forgot.” Livia spat sarcastically, stepping around June to go chase after Matt.
“You can’t go see him.”
“That’s not up to you.”
“You won’t even hear me out?”
“No, I won’t. I don’t tell you how to live your life. You can’t tell me how to live mine.”
“I can, actually.” June threatened. A moment of silence, the shuffle of fabric, and a bare hand around Livia’s wrist. There was no thrum of June’s power against Livia’s skin, no sensation of being marionetted or the dizzying feeling of June’s command washing over, but Livia recognized the threat in the touch.
They were out on the street by then and Livia acted mostly on instinct than anything. She whirled on June, backing the blonde up against the closest wall. Livia didn’t pull herself free, just pressed the opposing forearm against June’s chest.
“Don’t you fucking dare.” Livia said lowly, nearly a threat of her own in her tone.
June swallowed, eyes darting between Livia’s.
“Let go of me.” June tried.
“Let go of me.” Livia countered.
There was a moment of stillness, of both women holding their ground. Livia’s skin flushed with heat, with anger.
How could June even threaten to use her power? How could June threaten Livia’s autonomy? Who was June to decide who Livia could or couldn’t talk to? Livia had no intention of listening to anything even Matt would say on the matter. If she decided to go, she was going to go, and no one was going to stop her.
Both of June’s hands came into view, lifting in quiet surrender. Livia backed away.
“I wasn’t going to do it.” June said quietly.
“Maybe we do need gloves for the gala.” Livia said instead.
She turned away from June without another word and made her way down the street. She tried Matt’s cell, but of course he wouldn’t answer. She left only one message before giving up. Footsteps fell into stride beside her but she didn’t need to look to know it was June. Instead, she focused on her ability. She pushed it out, let it seek familiar people. Familiar emotions.
A far off one, longing and lonesome.
Dex.
She blocked that pathway quickly, then she reeled it in. Focusing closer. More local.
It took a bit, but eventually, she found him.
He was at Josie’s.
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