𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘 - the confession

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𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐍 Olivia long to find where Matthew had gone. She had his scent and could hear his voice with just the slightest concentration. She did as she always would in the middle of the night; scale and jump between buildings as the wind that rush past her blew her hair into her eyes and mouth.

Her landing was heavy and alerted Matthew and the man he was with to her presence. Olivia swiped the hair away from her face as she pulled up the turtleneck in order to conceal most of her face and slowly made her way over. It was the middle of the night and the three of them were shrouded in darkness, the bleakest of light breaking through from streetlights on the ground below.

Olivia felt her brows furrow as she approached the two; she had no idea who the man was. Matt snapped his attention away from Olivia and turned back to confront the man; Felix Manning aka Fisk's right-hand man. "Tell me what Fisk is planning."

The man sighed, he was tied up and had blood trailing from his nose, "He's getting married. He's been planning the ceremony for months. He's gonna charm the press and the public and make Hell's Kitchen love him again."

Olivia blinked in slight surprise that Fisk, of all people, was getting married. Though she had to admit, it was a plan and a half. Convincing the entire city that he was a changed man because of the woman at his side.

Matt stepped closer to the man, his face covered by his usual black mask, "You're gonna tell me everything. I wanna know where everyone is gonna be. Anyone who could stop me."

"Stop you?" The man spoke, his British accent laced with confusion.

"From stopping Fisk..." Matt paused, his words falling short on his tongue as he debated finishing his sentence, "Killing Fisk."

Olivia inwardly sighed as she walked towards the edge of the building, taking a seat as she stared at the lights that shone in the dark. She knew Matt was filled with anger, pure hatred for Fisk but she knew that if Matt crossed that line, he would never forgive himself. He would distance himself from everyone, more so than he already was.

"He controls all of the FBI agents who are guarding him. The hotel is a fortress."

"Is that a no?"

"You'll never get to him."

Olivia hummed to herself as she kept her gaze on the view of the city, offhandedly commenting; "Sounds like a no to me."

"It does, doesn't it?" Matthew agreed, his voice low as he grabbed the man and tossed him over the side of the building.

His descent was stopped by the piece of rope that was secured to one of his ankles, the pain and the fear of falling making the man scream out int the night as Olivia and Matt sat rather nonchalantly on the edge of the building; Matthew had his legs crossed at the ankles and Olivia's lightly swung back and forth, heels tapping the wall, despite the situation, it was a rather amusing scene.

Felix continued to wail as blood traveled to his head, the breeze of the night continuing to swing him back and forth, "I can give you something better!" he cried out to the pair above.

"We're listening."

"I witnessed Ms. Marianna order the murder of Agent Nadeem. And Fisk ordered many. Agent Winn. Julie Barnes! I could testify!"

"We know about Winn and Nadeem. Who's Julie Barnes?"

⋆⋆⋆

As it turned out; Julie Barnes had previously worked with Ben Poindexter and she had been reintroduced into his life just recently. Poindexter began to stalk her, Fisk found out that Julie was the way to make Poindexter a better man, keep him sane, and that wasn't something Fisk wanted. Fisk hired the woman to work for him and just days later he had her murdered so he could take her place in Pendexter's life; pretending to be his support system so gain his trust and manipulate him into doing the things he had done.

After leaving a beaten and bruised Felix Manning dangling off the building, Olivia and Matthew migrated to yet another rooftop, a little further away. The plans for Fisk's wedding was the perfect opportunity to infiltrate and now, they could play Poindexter into getting them in.

For the time being, the two took a seat on the edge of the building, the dark sky still looming above. Matthew tilted his head towards the wolf, "I know that you, Foggy, and Karen don't want me to go through with it. Killing Fisk. But I have to."

"No, you don't. You want to because he's destroying your life and hurting innocent people. I get it, Matt. You know I do. You'll never forgive yourself."

"I don't have any other choice, Olivia."

She sighed, her eyes drifting away from the city lights to gloss over his face, "When we tell Dex what we know, he's gonna go after Fisk. We can follow after him, get access to the building... Fisk is getting married to a woman that he... that he loves, a woman that ordered a murder to be carried out. We can use that. We beat Fisk, we get him begging on his knees and we throw him in jail--"

"--That won't hold him. It didn't before."

Olivia nodded, "Yes, it didn't work before. Because you had nothing keeping him there. If we make a-a deal... he goes away and his wife stays free. He steps even a foot out of line? His wife gets put away, we make the threat to go after her, I don't know. If he loves her he won't risk it."

"And if he doesn't?" Matt countered. "If he's just marrying her to-to charm Hell's Kitchen?"

The wolf swallowed harshly as she redirected her gaze forward, "Then he dies."

"You'll let me kill him?"

"I can't stop you. But... you can't stop me either."

Matthew frowned before his eyes widened at her insinuation, "You're not killing Fisk."

"No? I've killed before. You never get over it. I've crossed that line Matt; you don't have to."

"He's my problem Olivia."

Olivia scoffed as she shook her head, "He's screwed Hell's Kitchen, and Hell's Kitchen is my home now. He's screwed you, Foggy, Karen, and countless others. So yeah, he kinda is my problem."

The pair were sent into a deafening silence. Matt understood what Olivia had said... and in all honesty, some of the things she had spouted reminded him of Frank Castle 'You cross over to my side of the line, you don't get to come back from that. Not ever.' Matt remembered that line like a mantra.

Olivia had killed and she suffered from the guilt of it each day, and yet there she was telling him that she would kill again if it meant that he didn't cross over to her side. He knew there would be nothing that could stop her if that was what she decided to do, so whatever decision he made, he wouldn't just be making it for him. If he decided to kill the man, Olivia would step in, he had no doubt about that from the determination in her tone, but if they managed to pull off what Olivia had suggested, neither of them would need to spill blood.

The wolf had meant what she said and she didn't say it lightly. She would take Fisk's life, deal with the constant reminder that more blood was on her hands if it meant that Matt didn't have to live with the same burden.

⋆⋆⋆

The night passed them by quickly, especially after the tense atmosphere dissipated and the two had a semi-normal conversation; one that didn't involve murder. Shortly after their bickering, the sun began to rise, the sky turning a baby-blue and the night-time breeze faded into wisps of air that jostled their hair every now and then.

The brightness of the day filled Olivia with apprehension. It was the day that she and Matthew, a wolf and a vigilante, would tell Poindexter aka the fake daredevil, that his... emotional support woman... was dead, due to Fisk. It was the day that they would literally crash a crime boss's wedding that may or may not end with murder. You know, just Olivia's casual Thursday routine.

But that was pretty much their schedule for the day, if they made it through, with her dumbass alongside Matt's she wasn't overly optimistic.

Matthew stood to the side; Felix Manning's phone clutched in his rope covered hand as they both waited for Poindexter to pick up the call; the call that would reveal to the man that his 'north star' had been murdered on Fisk's orders, the call that would hopefully send Dex charging towards Fisk, paving the way for the wolf and the devil to follow swiftly behind.

It didn't take long for the call to connect; two beeps and the line was picked up, filled with Pendexter's gravelly tone, "What do you want?"

"I'm coming for you, Dex. And my suit." Matt's voice was low and determined, his free hand twitching by his side.

Olivia's face stayed stoic as Matthew egged Poindexter on, bringing up information from the tapes Matt had found, how Dex killed birds with rocks when he was just a child. The vigilante then went on to bring up Julie, asking the imposter how Julie would react to the things he did; to the deaths he had caused.

"If you... If you hurt Julie..." Dex gritted out. Even through the phone both Olivia and Matt could almost feel the anger the man was radiating.

"Fisk had her killed. He killed Julie, so he could replace her as your North Star."

Though his words tried to deny what Matthew was saying, Dex couldn't hide the emotion in his tone. He tried to brush the words away, tried to keep his beliefs in Fisk. And yet, it was almost as plain as day that the FBI agent truly did believe the vigilante. The more Matt spoke, the more Dex got riled up.

"You said you got some free time?" Matthew spoke. "You may wanna check out 16 Canal Place."

"Why?"

Matt said nothing, instead, he pulled the phone away from his ear, his thumb ending the call. It was better that way, Dex was impulsive and obsessive, he would follow Matthew's words and head to the address. He'd find Julie, find out the truth about Fisk and then, he would clear the way for the wolf and the devil.

The plan was in motion and Olivia didn't know how to feel. She didn't know how the rest of the night would go. It was inevitable that they would confront Fisk as well as Dex, that much was certain. But how everything ended and how things would play out after that? She had no idea.

Olivia hoped things would return to what they all considered normal. She would go back to helping Jess and Malcome, Matthew, Foggy and Karen would work together again. Matthew would continue his nightly escapades of beating on people in alleys. She hoped that she too would be involved in those things, even the beating on people.

Matt had already asked her to move in with him, so him returning to his apartment was already set in stone. She knew that both Derek and Peter would return to Beacon Hills whilst she stayed in Hell's Kitchen and no matter the outcome at the end of the night, she vowed that she would visit more often than she did, and force them to visit her every now and then too.

But she supposed now wasn't quite the time to dwell on what would happen in the future. They had one hell of a night ahead of them.

"I guess we should meet him there, huh?" Olivia muttered as she broke out of her thoughts.

Matt's head bobbed in agreement. Things were still just a tad awkward and tense between the two, but that was to be expected after having a conversation about who would murder Fisk if it came down to it. It would pass; with those two it always did. One of them would make a snarky or flirty comment and the two would laugh as if they weren't about to crash a crime boss's wedding.

It didn't take the duo long to reach their destination, the sun was still up and the pair simply sat side by side on top of the roof. Olivia shifted, her hand pushing her loose hair back as the sun shone down on her head, "What're you gonna do after this?"

"I, uh, I'm not sure," Matthew responded. It all depended on what would transpire that evening. If he took Fisk's life, he wouldn't be Matthew Murdock, he wouldn't be the Devil of Hell's Kitchen; he'd be a murderer. He'd never be able to go back to his old life with his old friends.

"Would you ever think about going back to working with Foggy?"

"I doubt he'd want that."

Olivia blinked, her head turning towards Matt's, "God you're an idiot."

"What?"

"You honestly believe that Foggy wouldn't want to work with you again? This entire time he's just been trying to get you to talk to him, he misses you and I know that you miss him."

"It's not that easy."

"Actually, it is. You just make things harder for yourself because it's what you think you deserve. Been there, done that... still doing that, actually."

Matt sighed knowing that she was right; he did make things harder for himself and pushed people away claiming it to be for their benefit. And she was definitely right in the fact that he made things harder because it really was what he thought he deserved. Olivia did the same thing, blamed things on herself even if they weren't her fault because she believed she deserved that burden; just as he did. "You're right."

"Can I get that written on paper?"

"Sure." Matt chuckled lightly as a small breeze passed them. "I'd like it though... to work with Foggy and Karen again. We helped people. That's all I want to do."

Olivia placed her hand on top of Matt's as she leaned her head on his shoulder. She knew that all the man ever wanted to do was help. He did it during the day and he did it at night by even endangering himself. She was the same. She wanted to help people; that's exactly why she had stayed in Beacon Hills, why she helped Jessica with her cases and why she agreed to even help with Elektra. "Me too."

⋆⋆⋆

The night was finally looming above them; the few stars blinking as the duo waited for Poindexter to arrive. The building they had perched themselves upon contained a cold storage, one owned by Fisk that contained several dead bodies, one of which was Julie.

The sound of footsteps traveled through the brisk air and the two on the roof perked up. It was Dex, he finally followed the trail of breadcrumbs they had left for him.

The wolf and the devil listened attentively as Poindexter broke his way into the building; each of his steps reached their ears, the way his heartbeat pattered away inside of his chest and how it sped up each time he revealed a dead body's face.

They knew the moment the agent had seen Julies face; a yell burst out of the man's chest as his heartbeat pounded like a drum. They could hear the man stumble backward, almost tripping over his own feet as his lungs rapidly inhaled the chilled air. The man screamed and yelled to the point where Olivia could almost feel the pain in his throat.

And then, within a breath, he fell deadly silent.

Olivia opened her eyes upon hearing Matthew move; he brought the beeping phone to his ear, the line connecting almost immediately, the pair of them hearing Dex's voice as an echo.

Pendexter's voice came out as a growl that even Olivia was envious of, "When I find you..."

"Fisk killed her and we both know it."

"You did this."

Matt scoffed at the man, he was in denial, shrouding himself from the truth, "Think, Dex. Who got Julie the job in the hotel? Who had you followed when you were stalking her? It was all Fisk. You let him turn you into a murderer." Matt paused for a breath, his next words slow, digging into Poindexter like a knife, "You think he's gonna let Julie get in the way?

"Why are you telling me this?"

"'Cause Fisk wants to get married tonight." The vigilante's mask covered face tilted towards Olivia who looked over the city, it's bright lights flashing like stars, "And we don't think he deserves a happily ever after." With that, Matthew disconnected the call and pocketed the device.

"I guess it's time then," Olivia muttered, the flecks of green in her eyes fading as her head turned away from the vibrant city lights. She could feel a buzzing inside of her. The adrenaline building, knowing that everything would end tonight.

⋆⋆⋆

The hotel was bustling. Crowds gathered and chattering like flocks of birds. They were all dressed for the occasion, and yet it seemed that none of them knew what event they were actually attending. Gowns and suits, clicking heels, and shined shoes lined the entrance whilst masses of officers patrolled the area; vibrant red and blue lights illuminating the street as the metal detector beeped with every passing guest.

For once, the wolf and the devil had their feet firmly planted on solid ground, rather than a rooftop. They stood together, opposite the hotel and under the cover of shadows, their dark attire allowing them to blend in, completely unnoticed.

There was a tick in Matt's hand, one Olivia caught on to. He flexed and clenched his fingers, his bones clicking as he did, though muffled by the rope that encased his hands. Olivia reached out, grasping his hand and his movements stilled, his head turning to her, eye covered as usual.

The wolf lowered the material that covered her plump lips before uncovering the devil's chocolate eyes. She led them deeper into the alley.

"You ready?" Matthew muttered; his voice low.

Olivia let out a short laugh as she leaned against the cold bricks of the wall behind, "As ready as I'll ever be. Are you?"

The vigilante nodded. He was more than ready to finally end Fisk for good. Ready to free his city and his friends for good.

Olivia chewed on the inside of her cheek for a second as her eyes swept across his shadowed face. Her mind pulled out the memory of her conversation with Jessica; when she had told her friend that she did, in fact, love the man standing in front of her. Of course, she was still reserved on speaking her mind about the particular subject, after all, she feared for everyone she loved; feared that the unspoken curse of death would snatch them away.

But now, as they stood face to face ready to charge into battle, what better time was there?

"Matt?" The wolf whispered, her voice falling short as that awful feeling of anxiety clawed at her throat, threatening to close it entirely.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm okay. I just need to say something." She paused for a second, her hands raising up; one cupping his cheek and the other resting just below his jaw, the stubble prickling her skin. Her lips stretched into a fond smile as her eyes took in his confused features; deep brown eyes narrowed, brows furrowed and his head tilted just slightly.

"No matter what happens tonight, how it ends, and what you choose to do, I'll be by your side... because I love you." She had finally managed to get out. Her words were soft, a gentle caress that completely contradicted her usual sharp tongue.

She felt like she couldn't breathe, his silence was suffocating her. She could have sworn her heart was breaking through her rib cage.

Matthew on the other hand, well he felt something he had only ever felt once before, with Elektra. She had been his world, but they were different. Too different. She killed because she could.

Olivia wanted to save people. She was a hard-headed and stubborn woman, she could get angry and yell profanities, she could make even the devil afraid. Yet here she was, her heart playing to the tune of her nervousness. Matthew knew that she hated saying those three words to anyone in the fear that the world would rip them away.

His attention was clutching to the sentence. Each word. She had said everything he had ever wanted to hear from the people he loved; she wasn't judging his choice; she was going to stay by his side. It was all he ever wanted, needed. Just someone to stay with him. He couldn't deny the fact that he too had wanted to speak those three words himself, but he didn't, solely because he didn't want to scare her away, he didn't want to pressure her.

Those words coming from Olivia meant more to him than she would ever know. He needed to say something; he could hear her heart beating faster with every second, her breathing escaping in almost inaudible gasps.

His face erupted with more emotion than she had ever seen on the man. Sure, they both offered soft smiles, grins, and cheeky smirks here and there. But his smile showed his pearly white teeth, wrinkles gathered at the edges and around his eyes that were somehow shining in the dark.

His rope covered hand moved to the back of the wolf's neck, moving her forward and she followed without hesitating until their chests were pressed together. Their breaths tangled together, visible in the chill of the night. Matthew leaned closer, his pouted lips pressing against hers.

He pulled back sooner than either of them had liked, "How is it that you say everything I wanna hear?"

Olivia's lips quirked, her eyes slowly opening as she spoke softly, her thumb stroking the curve of his cheek, "Because I know you."

"Better than most." He breathed as he pulled her back to his mouth. "I love you too, you know." He muttered against her swollen lips.

Olivia pulled back, her eyes blinking hastily, yes she had told the man she loved him, but she hadn't said it in order to get the same response, she just wanted him to know. Hearing those words spoken so softly and truthfully to her was a foreign feeling.

Her lips crashed back on his, a small sound of surprise rising in his throat as she did before he chuckled into the kiss, responding just as fervently.

When they separated, their breathing was labored, chests rising and falling heavily. They each had grins resting upon their faces and Olivia couldn't help but duck her head, a laugh escaping her. "We finally said we love each other; right before we go beat people up. Normal people could never."

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22-09-2020