Marvel Cinematic Universe: Buffet #4, "Leave"
Title: Bartended
Author: salmon_pink
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Matt/Luke
Table: Buffet #4, prompt "leave"
Rating: PG
Words: 498
Notes: Spoilers for Daredevil and Jessica Jones, set after Daredevil but before Jessica Jones
A metal door clangs open against the brick wall, the echo of it ringing down the alley and through Matt’s head. He follows, the thud of his boots adding to the pounding cacophony. The men he’s chasing have already disappeared inside; the deep and angry shout from within the building makes it clear they’re not welcome.
That makes it easier. If it were somewhere the men were welcome, that could mean reinforcements, more people that Matt would have to deal with. But the crooks are desperate and scared and sloppy.
Daredevil gives chase.
The smell of alcohol, sounds of a glass smashing. That same voice from before, low and loud, bellowing, “Get the hell out of here!”
Punches are already being thrown when Matt dives into the fray.
He moves fast, efficiently. There’s already too much broken glass and too many innocent bystanders.
Innocent bystanders who are making no attempt to leave. Matt can feel their presence, four individual heartbeats, but he can’t smell fear from anyone but the criminals he’s fighting.
And there’s one other person. Moving slower than Matt, but doing just as much damage to the men Daredevil’s been chasing. He doesn’t give off any signs of fear either. If anything, this other fighter seems mildly annoyed, like the fight is an irritating inconvenience.
It’s over quickly, and then the other man’s attention is on Matt. He’s the bartender, Matt realises from the way the scent of beer has sunk into the skin of his hands but doesn’t taint his breath.
The bartender steps closer, and Matt has to fight the urge to swallow.
The man is huge, at least six-two, maybe taller. Wide shoulders, thick arms. His pulse is steady as he glowers down at Matt.
“Wanna explain why you’re bringing that shit into my bar?” he asks in a deep voice.
One of the men lying bleeding on the ground groans. Matt ignores him.
“They sell weapons,” Matt says. He has no idea why he’s explaining himself. “They ran, I followed.”
The bartender smells of spice and lime and whiskey. There’s no scent of blood on him; the brawl was rough but there’s not a scratch on him.
“Police are on their way, Luke,” one of the bar patrons calls.
The bartender, Luke, sighs and crosses his arms.
“I’m guessing you’re gonna leave me here to clean up this mess?” Luke asks. He doesn’t sound impressed, but he’s not angry either.
Matt has no idea what to say.
Luke sighs again, waves a hand. Matt can’t help but notice how wide Luke’s palms is, the thickness of his fingers.
“Just leave,” Luke tells him, resigned, but with a hint of wry humour creeping in.
Matt does as he’s asked.
The next day he tells Foggy he’s found a new bar for them to try. Foggy protests about being disloyal to Josie’s, but Matt’s confident he can talk Foggy into it, the scent of spice and lime and whiskey still swirling around his mind.
Author: salmon_pink
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairing: Matt/Luke
Table: Buffet #4, prompt "leave"
Rating: PG
Words: 498
Notes: Spoilers for Daredevil and Jessica Jones, set after Daredevil but before Jessica Jones
A metal door clangs open against the brick wall, the echo of it ringing down the alley and through Matt’s head. He follows, the thud of his boots adding to the pounding cacophony. The men he’s chasing have already disappeared inside; the deep and angry shout from within the building makes it clear they’re not welcome.
That makes it easier. If it were somewhere the men were welcome, that could mean reinforcements, more people that Matt would have to deal with. But the crooks are desperate and scared and sloppy.
Daredevil gives chase.
The smell of alcohol, sounds of a glass smashing. That same voice from before, low and loud, bellowing, “Get the hell out of here!”
Punches are already being thrown when Matt dives into the fray.
He moves fast, efficiently. There’s already too much broken glass and too many innocent bystanders.
Innocent bystanders who are making no attempt to leave. Matt can feel their presence, four individual heartbeats, but he can’t smell fear from anyone but the criminals he’s fighting.
And there’s one other person. Moving slower than Matt, but doing just as much damage to the men Daredevil’s been chasing. He doesn’t give off any signs of fear either. If anything, this other fighter seems mildly annoyed, like the fight is an irritating inconvenience.
It’s over quickly, and then the other man’s attention is on Matt. He’s the bartender, Matt realises from the way the scent of beer has sunk into the skin of his hands but doesn’t taint his breath.
The bartender steps closer, and Matt has to fight the urge to swallow.
The man is huge, at least six-two, maybe taller. Wide shoulders, thick arms. His pulse is steady as he glowers down at Matt.
“Wanna explain why you’re bringing that shit into my bar?” he asks in a deep voice.
One of the men lying bleeding on the ground groans. Matt ignores him.
“They sell weapons,” Matt says. He has no idea why he’s explaining himself. “They ran, I followed.”
The bartender smells of spice and lime and whiskey. There’s no scent of blood on him; the brawl was rough but there’s not a scratch on him.
“Police are on their way, Luke,” one of the bar patrons calls.
The bartender, Luke, sighs and crosses his arms.
“I’m guessing you’re gonna leave me here to clean up this mess?” Luke asks. He doesn’t sound impressed, but he’s not angry either.
Matt has no idea what to say.
Luke sighs again, waves a hand. Matt can’t help but notice how wide Luke’s palms is, the thickness of his fingers.
“Just leave,” Luke tells him, resigned, but with a hint of wry humour creeping in.
Matt does as he’s asked.
The next day he tells Foggy he’s found a new bar for them to try. Foggy protests about being disloyal to Josie’s, but Matt’s confident he can talk Foggy into it, the scent of spice and lime and whiskey still swirling around his mind.