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It's not often Frank spends an evening in at Matt's when he's out, but sometimes he realises he's left half of his gear there, and really he can just clean it there rather than run the risk of being caught transporting it down the stairs and to his van. Plus, once they're clean he can clean Red's place, and then Red will get home and he can help him out of all the wet Kevlar, towel him dry and take him to bed.
So there he is, the rain hitting the window behind him as he takes apart, cleans, oils, and reassembles each gun.
He's already been at it for over an hour when there's a knock at the door. Red wouldn't knock, or come in via the front door of his apartment. Page and Nelson have keys. So it narrows it down somewhat. Or broadens it further to anyone unfamiliar.
Frank sets down the pieces he's working on and picks up his Ka-Bar knife. He opens the door and looks through the gap between the hinges and see's Daniel Rand. Frank holds the knife out of view and steps into the doorway.
“Hey.”
“Hey. Can I come in?” He asks.
Frank looks the younger man up and down, he seems nervous, and tired.
“Sure.” Frank says, turning and stalking back to his arm chair, setting his Ka-Bar on the coffee table and taking his seat. He hears Danny close and lock the door before walking into the apartment.
“Is Matt here?” Danny asks, figures he's after Red. Nothing wrong with it. Frank likes that when he goes on trips he's not leaving Red all alone. Not that Red needs watching, but his friends, hook ups, or whatever blurred line of polyamory they have, it's good for Red, and it gives Frank peace of mind.
“Nah, he's out tonight. He'll be back in a few hours.” Frank says, finishing up cleaning the part he'd set down to answer the door.
“Oh. Okay.” The kid sounds disappointed. Frank shouldn't call him a kid really, it's patronising, and weird. His partner is only a few years older than Rand. Though Red has that tired way about him where he seems much older than he should.
“I can just go.”
“You can stick around. Or I can pass on what you came here to tell him.” Frank offers, looking over at Danny. He shifts uncomfortably, looking around in that trapped animal way. One where there's too many thoughts to deal with and something needs to be done. The one he's seen on Red, and now he understands.
Two ways Red gets out of his head, meditation, or sex. He's willing to bet Rand came here for the latter.
“No, I really should just-”
“Rand.” Frank cuts off, then feels weird about using the last name, he doesn't have that bother with others generally. “Danny. If you need something, I can help.” He says, “I know I'm not exactly the guy you came here for, but even so. Or again, you can stick around till Red gets here.” He offers. It's not really his business as to why Rand is here instead of with Cage, he's fairly certain Red mentioned them being partners. He can offer this though.
“You'd do that?” And then, “I thought you only had eyes for Daredevil.”
“I do. But I'm not against looking out for his friends. Wouldn't normally offer, but trust, I know what helps Red when he's like this. I can help you.” Frank tells him.
Danny seems to debate it for a moment, then nods. “Okay. What should I do?”
“Tell me any limits you have first. We can keep this nonsexual but what works for Red might not for you.” Frank says.
“Can- nonsexual sounds good, not that there's anything against sex with you.” Rand adds quickly, “I just - I mean-”
“Easy. Easy. This is to help you, yeah?” Frank says, soothing, like talking to a tense animal. “If you change your mind that's fine, if you want more I want you to tell me in clear words, if you suddenly change your mind you don't have to say anything if you don't want to, I won't ask questions or be upset if you suddenly just get up and walk out that door.” Frank says.
“Okay. Yeah.” Danny says, nodding slightly. Frank can see the metaphorical cogs working in his mind.
“Here “ Frank says, leaning over to the sofa to grab a pillow and tossing it onto the floor next to him. “Kneel there.”
“I don't need the pillow.”
“I'm telling you to kneel on the pillow.” Frank returns, he stands up and goes to the kitchenette and watches out of the corner of his eye as Danny goes and kneels on the pillow. Good, so Rand knows how to follow orders. Better than Red.
Frank looks through the cupboards for a specific dish. A small ceramic one with a rubber handle that's shaped like a T.
He finds it and moves back over, he holds the dish and extends the handle towards Danny's face.
“Hands behind your back. You hold this with your teeth for me while I finish cleaning up, okay?”
“Okay.” Rand says before doing as told, Frank can tell Danny's not quite in the headspace yet, but sometimes they take time. Rand clearly wants to give up some control, and Frank had said he could help.
Rand is trusting him right now to deliver.
Frank sits back down on the edge of the armchair. “You just hold that dish for me, I'm hoping to finish this before Red gets back.” He tells Danny. Making the expectation clear, all Rand has to focus on is holding his position.
Frank takes apart his pistol, placing the small screws on the dish as they make a satisfying clink. He cleans dirt out of the parts, trying not to let himself get absorbed now he has another responsibility. He brushes out the dirt with a toothbrush, then uses toothpicks for the bits of grit lodged into corners, then wipes it all over with a rag.
Partway through reassembling it he notices Rand's eyes following him. He's too bothered about Frank's movements to fully get there. Frank takes a moment to think, then stands up. “I'll be right back.” He says, going into Matt's bedroom and going straight to the box Red jeeps his gear.
Frank comes back holding something Rand clearly recognises. The black fabric mask. Red only uses it on occasion. Frank prefers he didn't at all, the daredevil helmet could stop a bullet point blank, the fabric stopped nothing.
“I'm going to put this over your eyes, look towards the window if that's okay, or away if not.”
Rand seems to go to nod before registering the instruction, then turns his head so he's facing the window. The light of that stupid billboard bathing his face.
“Good. Face forward.” Frank says. Rand does, and Frank carefully places the mask over the other's face.
Frank takes a pause to look at Danny before sitting back down. Truth be told he had already finished cleaning his guns, but he starts just disassembling one to place the small screws and parts on the dish. Then he spends some time picking up and putting down bullets on the dish. After that he stands up and packs away his gear, pacing between his duffle in the bedroom closet and the living area where his gear lays spread out.
Once that's done he starts wiping down the table, Matt says he doesn't mind the gun oil but Frank tries to keep the place scent neutral for him.
Frank looks to see if the dishes need doing but sees only a glass and bowl by the sink so decides not. He's then reminded of the dish Danny was so diligently holding, and that the other could be getting thirsty. He paces over to stand in front of the kneeling form and takes hold of the dish, gently tugging it.
“You can release this.”
Danny hesitates, but then relaxes his jaw, Frank almost goes to massage it, but stops himself. Instead he sets the dish down on the coffee table he had just cleaned, ignoring the fact it now had Danny's drool on it. He sits back in his armchair and observes the martial artist.
“You don't gotta answer this, but if you got this worked up, why seek out Red? Surely Luke would help.” He says. He hopes he's not overstepping in asking but he would like to ask why Danny would go for sex with Frank's boyfriend rather than his own.
“‘S busy.” Danny mumbles, and instantly Frank can see the problem, and potential further ones that the younger hadn't considered. He takes a moment to think over a proper, non patronising response, a way to give the advice the other probably needs.
“Even if he is, doesn't mean you don't have needs.” Frank says, the other goes to protest but Frank cuts him off.
“Me an’ Red had the same issue once. Both thinking the other is too busy or wants rest. Didn't realise it could be so lonely being in a relationship. Thing is, it's easier for us because Red can call my bullshit. But it still takes talking, he's gotta tell me when he's wanting something, I gotta call him when away, and also tell him when I'm wanting. Same with you and Luke. Sometimes he will be too busy, but from what I've heard of the guy, you say you're feeling a little rough around the edges, he'd probably drop everything. Red speaks highly of you both.”
Frank pauses to let it sink in, seeing in real time the words cement themselves into Danny's brain, even in the headspace.
“Talk to Cage. Open and honest mushy feelings.” He finalises.
“Didn't think I'd get an emotional communication talk from the punisher.” Danny says, cheeky shit.
“Didn't remember saying you could talk.” Frank returns. Danny grins at that.
They both look up at a thud on the roof, Danny simply pointing his face towards the sound in a motion that is so like Matt it's impressive.
Moments later the roof access opens and Red is coming down the stairs. Hand on the railing for balance he doesn't need, already practicing his facade even in costume.
“Frank, the Russians were-” it's then he pauses, registering the other heartbeat, he tilts his head, then sniffs.
“Why's Danny here?”
“Well, he was looking for you, but he's been helping me clean my gear.” Frank says. He watches Matt carefully use his senses, a deep inhale, the click of his tongue, the tilt of his head, and come to a conclusion on the scene in his apartment.
“Well, I'm here now.” Matt says, pulling his helmet off, his hair tousled in multiple directions and damp with sweat. Frank loves it, no matter how gross Red claims to feel like that.
“You should have something to eat first.” Frank suggests. He likes to make sure Red eats before and after patrol. He's mostly successful.
“Later. Has he been waiting long? I'd hate for him to be too pent up.” Matt says, grinning. Frank doesn't need to hear heartbeats to know that's a filthy lie, Red loves when people are pent up and desperate. It means they're rough with him, and he likes it that way.
“Go have fun then. He keeps the mask on though.” Frank says, barely turning away as Matt pulls Danny to his feet by his shirt. Chest to chest in a filthy kiss, parting only as they nearly trip over the coffee table, both stumbling blindly towards the bed, Danny trying to undo the clasps by feel as Matt pushes his hands up Danny's shirt.
Frank turns himself towards the kitchen. Cook something quick now and then lay down. Content to listen to the other two go at each other. At least they're capable of wearing each other out.