The room was cold in that specific government-issued way — where the walls looked like they were painted using the soul of a wet cardboard box and the air smelled like stale coffee and low-level despair.
Alex sat in the suspect's chair, steel cuffs locked around his wrists, head tilted back as he tried to process the absolute absurdity of the last few hours.
Let's recap:Saw a murder.Didn't commit the murder.Got arrested for the murder.Now cuffed in a tiny-ass room with zero idea what the hell just happened.
"Bro," he muttered to himself. "I literally ripped a dragon in half with a guy from a video game last week, and now I'm sitting here like I just shoplifted a f***ing Snickers bar."
The door creaked open.
Alex didn't even look.
"If this is the part where someone comes in with a cigarette and fake 'good cop' energy, I swear to God—"
Tap.Tap.Tap.
The sound was clean, sharp. Not cop boots. Something more deliberate. Controlled.
He turned his head.
And saw him.
Tailored dark suit. Slick haircut. Red-tinted glasses. Walking cane tapping rhythmically on the floor like it had better things to do.
Matt Murdock.
Alex blinked. "No f***ing way."
Matt gave a calm nod. "Hello again."
"You're the guy from the street. From New York."
"I am."
"And you're here. In this police station. For me."
"I am."
Alex leaned back, squinting. "Are you following me?"
Matt smirked faintly. "Technically, you're the one who got arrested."
Alex scoffed. "Wow. Great legal support. Love that."
Matt walked to the table and sat down opposite him, folding his cane and laying it across his lap like it was ceremonial.
"You're cuffed."
Alex looked down. "Yeah."
"You know you could've broken those the second you sat down, right?"
"…Yeah."
"So why didn't you?"
Alex paused. "Didn't want to add 'property damage' to the list of bogus charges?"
"Fair," Matt said. "But also — you're not here to fight them. You're here to prove you're not what they think you are."
Alex sighed. "I don't even know what they think I am."
"You were seen at the scene. Near the body. No one else in the area. Your energy signature—"
"My what?"
Matt waved a hand. "Doesn't matter. The point is, they think you did it. And someone made sure it looked that way."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Wait. You think it was set up?"
"Yeah," Matt said flatly. "And not by amateurs."
There was a long pause.
Alex shifted in his seat. "So… what, you're my lawyer now?"
Matt tilted his head. "Would you prefer someone else?"
Alex laughed. "Hell no. You're the only guy I've seen catch a baseball mid-air without looking. You're terrifying. In a... blind Batman kinda way."
"Blind Batman?" Matt repeated, a little amused.
"Yeah," Alex nodded. "Like, if Batman listened to jazz and quoted legal codes mid-punch."
Matt gave a small smile. "You know I can hear your heartbeat, right?"
"Yeah?"
"It's not racing. You're calm."
Alex shrugged. "Because I know I didn't do it."
"No," Matt said, "because you know you can break out whenever you want."
Alex didn't deny it.
He simply smirked and raised his hands. Snap.
The cuffs split open like they were made of plastic. He flexed his wrists and cracked his knuckles. "Okay, that was getting uncomfortable."
Matt didn't even flinch. "Try not to do that in front of the officers."
"No promises."
Matt tapped the table. "Alright. You want out of this?"
"Desperately."
"Then follow my lead. Keep your powers in check. Let me talk. And—" he raised a finger, "—whatever you do, don't try to explain the multiverse to the detective." (EVEN HE KNOWS??!!)
Alex held back a grin. "Already learned that the hard way."
The two stood up. Matt fixed his tie. Alex brushed off imaginary dust from his shirt.
Matt opened the door with a casual push, like he owned the building.
Before walking out, Alex glanced sideways at him.
"By the way… you ever get tired of being so cool?"
Matt deadpanned, "You ever get tired of being so obvious?"
Alex laughed. "Touché."
They walked out side-by-side.