bakerstreet | ( picture prompt meme )

Pretty obvious it does.

[ That's what bartenders are supposed to do, right? Listen while their customers bemoan their troubles? Even if half his problems weren't related to being a vigilante, Matt's not sure he could open up that way. Foggy would certainly say he's incapable of it.

It's supposed to be easier to do it with a stranger, but Matt can't see dragging a stranger into that kind of shit either. ]

I appreciate the offer. But I wouldn't want to put you to sleep while your sign still says open.

[ Before he can say more, or get a response, the newcomers suddenly surge down the bar. Matt hears the sudden increase in heart rate from the whole group, just before their footsteps race toward him. Out of instinct, he whirls off his stool, putting it between him and the men before remembering that he's supposed to be just a lawyer.

Fuck. This is going to hurt. ]

I'm sure you're not that boring...

[Luke trails off as he sees the men who recently entered the bar rise to their feet. He narrows his eyes suspiciously, but before he can think to approach them they're hurrying toward the counter, the lawyer obviously in their sights.

Shit.

They get a few hits in before he manages to hop over the counter and grab one of the guys, tossing him across the room. He lands on a table, smashing it beneath his weight.

That catches the others' attention. Seeing a threat now, they turn their attention to Luke, something they'll soon regret. Any hit they manage to get in hurts them more than Luke, and then they end up with either broken limbs or fractures as they crash into the wall. He really, really hates to show off what he can do, but it's either that or let Matt get his ass kicked right in front of him. There isn't really a choice there with a group like this.]

[ Matt wants to insist that he is so boring, so incredibly dull that there's no reason for anyone to ever think twice about him or what he might do with his free time. But clearly he's not, because there are several angry men attempting to murder him in a bar in the middle of the night.

He doesn't take as many blows as he rightfully should. It's hard enough to force himself not to retaliate, let alone not even block them in self-defense. Maybe that's something he can pass off as just good sense for a blind man living alone in New York to learn, though.

After a few minutes, he realizes that the attack is no longer focused on him, and if what he's hearing (and sort-of-seeing) is correct, it's because of the man who owns the bar. He's a hell of a fighter, but more than that, he seems to just shrug off every punch and kick that lands. Matt's pretty sure he heard a chair shatter in there somewhere, even. It's impressive. ]

I, uh...shit, I'm sorry about that. Thanks.

[ He wipes a little blood off his cheek onto the cuff of his sleeve (shirt's ruined now anyway), realizing his glasses have been knocked somewhere. Hopefully not under anyone's feet. ]

Yeah, no problem.

[One of the men looks like he's about to try standing, but lies back down after catching a hard glare from Luke. Nope, they're not going anywhere until the cops arrive.

Once he's sure no one's getting back up yet, Luke grabs Matt's hand and helps him to his feet.]

The hell were these guys doing going after you?

[It's mostly a rhetorical question- he hears about lawyers getting beaten up or killed now and then by angry clients or friends of prisoners. He can only guess that's what happened here, and of course it had to happen in his bar.]

Here, sit down. I'm calling the cops.

[ Yep, the guy's as strong as his fighting style suggested. Matt comes to his feet easily, offering a rueful smile of gratitude for the help as he lets Luke direct him to a seat. ]

Can't really be sure until I find out who they are. But I could probably make a couple of educated guesses. [ He raises his chin in the direction of the guys sprawled on the floor. ] Whoever it is you're pissed off about, you realize you're not doing him any favors, right?

[ He can't see the silent snarl one of them shoots in his direction, but he doesn't need to. They're probably twice as angry now. Once they've been processed and released on bail (he'll press charges but there's no question that they'll be back on the street in a couple days), Daredevil will have to pay them a visit. Otherwise they'll be after Foggy next, and Matt can't let that happen. ]

Ask for Mahoney if you can get him. He's a good guy. [ The sting of broken skin calls his attention to the couple of places on his face where their punches landed. ] Got any ice?

Yeah, I will.

[Luke pulls out his cell phone and dials for the cops while going back behind the bar to grab some ice and stick it in a baggie. He hands that to Matt as he asks for Mahoney, and then gives his report on what happened.

The call doesn't last for long, especially when he mentions Murdock being attacked.]

They'll be here any minute. [Much to the 'joy' of those guys on the floor, he's sure, but Luke knows how it is too. That they'll probably be out again, and might come for him next time.

Bad idea if they try it.]

We'll give our statements, and, well. I'll be happy to walk you home after closing up. If you want.

[ Matt smiles when he's handed the bag of ice, slumping in his seat with a sigh as he listens to both ends of the conversation. At least he won't have to make up excuses as to why he's involved in a crime scene.

He'll have to be sure and add this place to his patrols for the next while. He owes Luke at least that much. ]

Yeah, I uh... I appreciate that. [ Actually he really doesn't want an escort home, but it would be too suspicious if he insisted. And he's not about to call Foggy or Karen.

The cops are there in record time, and Matt feels guilty pulling strings the way he did. But he's not the only one in danger from these guys. It doesn't take long to give their statements, either; Matt 'brags' some about getting a few good punches in, and mentions how incompetent they seemed. He has a hunch that Luke might prefer to avoid a lot of attention being brought to his fighting abilities.

Matt can't resist mentioning it, however, as he's pulling on his jacket after the police have cleared the scene. ]

Not that I could see much of what happened, but from the sounds of it you're a hell of a fighter. Boxer?

[Luke gives his statement as well, deciding to simply agree with everything Matt has said and downplaying the guy who broke through the table. Most people don't want to assume you're 'weird' like 'that,' so they don't question it too much.

The lawyer has something to say about it, however; much more justifiably since he'd been there during the whole thing. Luke's glad he can't see the way he frowns and doesn't meet his eyes when he answers.]

Yeah. Learned a bit when I was younger and then later on from a friend.

[It's not a lie, but he doesn't mention his police training and definitely has no intention of talking about the serious fighting ring he'd been forced into while in prison.

Putting on his jacket as well, he waits for Matt before leading him out the door.]

You think that stuff's all behind you, and then, well... [He shrugs, then sighs when he remembers that the guy can't see.] You get reminded.

Yeah? My dad was a fighter.

[ It's a way of finding common ground and explaining away his own fighting abilities, as limited as he hopes they appeared.

He uses his cane to navigate, just resting his hand on the back of Luke's elbow, since he doesn't know what the guy's personal bubble might be like. It's obvious he's not big on talking about himself; Matt wonders what 'stuff' he thought was safely in his past. He nods in understanding, though. There are things he'd once thought were buried in time, too. ]

Nothing ever really stays in the past. [ He pauses, thoughtful, hoping he's not making a mistake by pursuing the topic a little further. ] So, question for you: who do bartenders go to when they need to share their troubles with someone?

Mine was a preacher.

[But even giving that information doesn't seem to sit well for him. An ordinary person wouldn't be able to pick up on his increased heart rate just by dipping his toes into conversation related to himself and his past.

He does have to agree with Matt's comment, however, even if it makes him uneasy as well.] Guess not.

[Leading him isn't a problem for Luke, and no one gets in their way while he does. If anyone wanted to give Matt trouble on his way home, they're obvious seconding guessing that.]

A bartender's troubles aren't too interesting, usually.

[ Hopefully Luke won't take offense at the amused chuckle. Matt just finds it kind of funny, a deeply religious man like himself becoming the Devil of Hell's Kitchen and the son of a preacher becoming...well, whatever Luke is besides a bartender. Because that can't be the only type of work he's ever done. Not a man who can fight off a gang of vengeful thugs single-handed. ]

I want to say that neither are a lawyer's, but obviously that isn't true. And, I also don't believe you. Everybody's troubles are interesting in this city.

[ The streets are crowded at this hour, but it's well before last call and there are people out and about. It doesn't escape Matt's notice that they all give the pair of them a wide berth. ]

I should hire you as a bodyguard.

[Well, he'd be lying if he outright said his troubles aren't interesting, in a morbid sort of way.

He gives his own chuckle at the suggestion of being a bodyguard.]

If you want to spend more time with me, all you have to is ask.

[He knows it's a flirtatious comment, and has no way of knowing how that'll come off on someone like Matt. At the very least he might get another laugh out of him.]

Or come by my bar more often.

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