"All geared up for an ordinary Friday night?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah," Matt said, lying down on the couch. The whole of the past week had been ordinary to the point of being boring. Of course having a cracker collar bone limited what Matt was able to do, and there were only so many podcasts he could listen to before going mad. But now, Matt wished Natasha was there. He wished he could tell her that. "Nice and boring. Foggy's coming round with pizza. You?"

"We'll be binge-watching more 'Parks and Rec' with Bucky. He ships Ben and Leslie like you would not believe. I don't even think he knows what shipping is, but he is doing it."

"Why 'Parks and Rec'?"

"It was one of the first shows we had Steve watch," Natasha said, "He liked it, and well, it's safe. It's funny and clever and gives some idea of modern America. And it's just nice. Of course, there's sexual references and swears and stuff, but on the whole, it's - well it's just great TV. We've been watching like four hours of it a day all week."

Matt laughed. "Well, can't say I've ever been much of one for TV."

"Gee," Natasha said, "You don't know what you're missing out on."

"Ha," Matt said. Natasha had left on Sunday night while Matt slept. When he'd awoken on Monday morning, he'd searched the apartment for anything she may have left. But the bathroom was clear, the bag was gone, and his favourite grey hoodie was folded up neatly and left on his bedside table. Matt knew she was right. They would never work as a couple. He'd only get her hurt. "So how is Barnes?" he asked instead of telling Natasha anything he really wanted to say. He hadn't had any pain killers since Tuesday, and thus could not blame and Freudian slip on that.

"Eh," Natasha said. Matt imagined she shrugged. "He's getting better. The poison knocked him around pretty bad. But, I mean, so did the last seventy years. To be honest, he's a mess, Matt. But he wants to be fixed. He's trying. He wants help. And I think we might be able to."

"Good," Matt said. He to wanted Barnes to be well. No one deserved what he had been through. But despite the fact that Barnes probably looked like a total wreck and had a tortured past beyond belief, right now Matt couldn't help but envy the man. Bucky got to spend the evening in the company of Natasha.

"I mean," Natasha continued, "His diet currently consists of apples, pears, porridge with honey, and lamb chops with mashed carrots. That's it. That's all he'll eat. But Stephen Strange said it's ok for now, so, whatever, I guess."

"Yeah," Matt said. He adjusted his position on the couch. He wanted Natasha to keep talking, but knew they were fast running out of things to say. Any minute now, Foggy would arrive with the pizza and beers and they'd eat and drink and laugh and Matt would try not to miss Natasha. He couldn't fully explain to himself why he cared about her so much. They'd only known each other for a couple of weeks, and had only been in the same room a handful of times. It was that age-old adage, Matt thought, whereby we are pulled towards those bound to hurt us the most.

"I better go," Natasha said, "Sam's made popcorn, and he and Steve will eat the lot if I'm not quick. We're up to the episode where they go bowling and Ben punches a guy. Also, the guy who plays Bobby Newport looks so much like Scott Lang, it's unbelievable."

"I guess I'll have to take your word for it," Matt said. "I, ah," he had nothing more to add. "Have a good night." That was sincere. Matt really did want Natasha to have a good night. He wanted her to have a good life. He wanted her to be happy, and to be with someone who made her so. If the two of them couldn't share their fantastical 'other world', perhaps Natasha at least could find someone else to share it with.

"Yeah, you to, Matt. I think Maria will have more stuff sent to you Monday."

"No problem," Matt said.

"I caught up with Tony on Wednesday. We had lunch. I'd hate to think what it cost. Anyway, I heard him out. I get where he's coming from, it's just," Natasha sighed, "Hardly a day goes by when he's not in the papers or on TV something, trying to get support for a Registration Act. Steve hates it, but we don't know what to do."

"Me neither," Matt said. "I'm still looking for a loop hole or constitutional objection or something, but I've got nothing, Nat. And I - it worries me. I can't tell people who I am. It would put everyone at risk. I can't do that."

"I know," Natasha said, "I know where you're coming from, Matt. I really do."

"Matty! Pizza! Come and open the door for me please!" Foggy called from the hallway.

"I gotta go," Matt said.

"Enjoy your evening."

"Thanks. You too."

"See you round, Matt."

"Not if I see you first." Matt hung up his phone and pushed himself off the couch, slipping his phone into his pocket.

"Matt! The pizza's getting cold. I'm just going to eat it in the hallway if you don't hurry up."

"I'm coming," Matt laughed, "Give a blind cripple a chance," he said, and opened the door to let Foggy in.

...

A month later, Matt stood on the rooftop, surveying his city. The wind confused his sense of smell, but it felt good to be back. A new suit, since they other one had a bullet hole in it, and a new set of allies, should the need arise. Tonight, however, the city seemed quite. The wind brought the smell of Korean take-away, diesel and salt water. A block over, a teething baby cried. Most households were either watching the game. Someone in Matt's building laughed. Cars tooted. A truck rumbled along. A police siren echoed through empty streets.

There had been reports in the media of a lone gunman in New York over the past fortnight. His latest attack had been just south of Hell's Kitchen. Matt didn't want the kind of character in his neighbourhood, but had a bad feeling it wouldn't be long before a victim of the gunman was found in Hell's Kitchen. The media were beginning to connect the dots between the victims, and the style of the killings. The man showed no mercy, and in turn the media had called him 'The Punisher'. The thought of him made Matt's skin crawl.

But tonight the city was quiet.

A/N: Thank you, dear reader, very much for making it to the end of this tale! What was originally outlined as a 5-6 part little story grew and grew and changed direction slightly after Ant-Man came out, and then went and grew some more. The favourites, follows and comments are all very much appreciated. Please share the story with your friends and communities, and thanks again for reading. I very much hope you enjoyed it :)

- Stella.