The courthouse was behind them.
Alex stood near the parking lot, the tension of the past few days finally cracking off his shoulders like dry mud. He glanced to his side — Matt Murdock stood there, adjusting his tie like this had been just another Tuesday. Because for him, it probably was.
Alex turned to him. "Hey… seriously. Thanks."
Matt gave a soft smile. "No problem. It's what I do."
Alex nodded. "Still. You came through. You stood up for me. You didn't have to—"
"Alright, alright, enough feelings," Deadpool interrupted, squeezing between them. "Let's not turn this into a Fast & Furious family moment. Unless someone's bringing Coronas?"
Butcher rolled his eyes. "Jesus Christ…"
Matt smirked. "I should go before this turns into another lawsuit."
Deadpool saluted him dramatically. "Farewell, Devil of Downtown. Blindest badass in a suit."
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Try not to get arrested again, yeah?"
Alex smiled. "No promises."
Matt disappeared down the street.
Deadpool spun around, arms wide. "Well! The court's out, the streets are free, and our boy here is no longer falsely accused of murder. Let's get some food, some beers, and some much-needed therapy."
"I told you, you need therapy," Hughie mumbled.
Deadpool threw an arm over his shoulder. "And I keep telling you: therapy fears me."
Frenchie lit a cigarette. "So what now?"
Alex checked his phone. "Now? We breathe. Then we go after the next artifact."
Butcher snorted. "More freaky stones from ancient bunkers?"
"Probably."
Deadpool grinned. "Sweet. I call dibs on whatever glows or explodes."
Suddenly, a street performer across the road dropped his boom box, triggering a blast of loud desi hip-hop. Deadpool immediately jumped into a dance, nearly knocking over a hot dog stand. Butcher muttered something about needing a drink laced with bleach.
Alex just laughed.
Finally.
The nightmare was over.
At least, for now.
Next Chapter Tease:Alex checks his system again that night. A new notification:
"Artifact #2 Location Calibrated: Coordinates Incoming…"
Four red dots appear across a digital map.
He sighs.
Here we go again.