avvocato | ic inbox for duplicity

hopefully this isn't too weird, but I sort of knew a Foggy Nelson back home and he happened to be a really great lawyer and I was kind of hoping that might carry over.

I sorta need a lawyer favor, but I can pay for your time.

Flattery will get you everywhere, but if you're the same Bucky Barnes I've heard of and just met, then you don't have to ask.

If you're not, then yeah, this is a little weird. Is this one of those alternate universe things people have told me about?

Yeah, no, that's probably the other one. Similar worlds, but not exact. It's a mess, but you get used to it.

The important thing is that I'm the cuter one. Also a Dom, so I can actually pay you money.

Basically, I just want someone to go over this contract with me and make sure there are as few loopholes for this place to use as possible. And I trust you more than I do their lawyers for obvious reasons.

Sounds like my life back home. [ Everything's a mess, but he got used to it. Figures that would extend here. ] You said the magic words: cute and money.

All right, bad joke. But I'd trust me more than their lawyers, too, and I can help you out there. Contracts are the first thing I looked into when I got here; I wasn't going to sign anything if I didn't know it front and back.

Yeah, mine too. [He actually laughs at that a little, not that Foggy can tell.]

Thanks. We sorta talked about what we want for the most part. But...
Did you hear anything about Fort Harmony?
Because long story short it sucked, but there were some people that got out of parts of it because they had things in their contract about it.

So I just wanna make sure I do what I can to try and protect ourselves.

Yeah, a couple of people have told me about it. I would say it sounds like a wet dream of a civil suit, but laws and precedent are a lot different here.

[ Doesn't mean he's not tempted to try anyway, but they'll have to do a lot more research before they can figure out if it's worthwhile to even think about trying.

Knowing that people were able to get out of some of it because of their contracts is a good place to start, though. Maybe other people had things in their contracts that they weren't able to avoid, and they could go after them for violating the contracts they're so keen to -

No, okay, not the point right now, Nelson. ]

You want to get real specific, cover exactly what you two want and don't want and what you can and can't do. More complicated than going vague and leaving yourself a lot of wiggle room for anything that might come up, but a hell of a lot safer. Smarter, too.

Yeah, we can do that. Full disclosure - it'll be the first contract I've done here, aside from working on my own and drafting up a couple of hypothetical ones so I can get a handle on the differences between contract work here and back home. But I'll let you have a look at them, and we can work on it together to make sure it's what you want.

Yeah.

I mean, I at least wanna get explicit as we can about the worst stuff, like no public humiliation, forcing him to kneel in public, no causing him physical harm, that sort of stuff. And maybe next time things go crazy it doesn't matter, but I'd at least feel better knowing I tried.

That's alright, I'd rather take you guys being new to the city than anyone else here, really.

But yeah, that sounds like a plan. I know a quiet place for coffee, you can bring your drafts and we can talk it over?

I know exactly what you mean. I'm doing the same thing.

[ It's the only reason he's doing this, actually, because he wants to have as much protection in place as he can before Matt goes off and does something stupid and brave.

This is the only way Foggy knows how to protect people. ]

Works for me. Text me the address and I'll meet you there?

Sounds great.

[Bucky texts him the address, and it's a small place in the down. Coffee that's decent, if not what you'd find in the Up, a decided lack of fancy drinks. But it's clean and quiet, with nice sized tables if you're having conversations over a fair amount of paperwork. This late in the day the pastries aren't quite fresh out of the oven, but it's got something almost like charm. Or maybe Bucky just likes things a little basic.

He's got a few papers with him, too. Nothing fancy, just a rough outline for the things he'd talked about with Clint. Some of the things they hadn't exactly talked about but were just common sense; like that Clint could get a job if he wanted to and got to keep all his money. Not that he thought Clint wouldn't contribute if he could, he just didn't want that to be binding.

Bucky's in jeans and a tee-shirt, so the metal arm isn't hard to spot, and his hair is pulled back in a ponytail. He's got a smile and doesn't look as threatening as one might assume, though.]

Hello, Mr. Nelson. If you wouldn't mind, I have a citation here I'd like to contest, and I require some confirmation that's actually possible. Do you have a moment to read it over?

Hello, Father.

[ He's not actually sure if this man is a priest or just being a dick about online handles, but Foggy's going to err on the side of caution here. You can't be best friends with Matt Murdock without knowing to be respectful. ]

You're not the only one we've come across who's received a citation, I'm afraid. I'd be happy to read it over - would you prefer to send it via text or meet in person?

No? Sounds like LIEs went on a spree.

In person would perhaps be better. We could meet in the vicinity of the court house for conveniences sake.

Hey, have you seen the Housing Bill thing that got announced on the network?

I mean, I'm not a lawyer or anything, but I had a legal question.

So one part of the text of the thing basically reads:
"A Volunteer is not a protected Volunteer if the Volunteer can be proven to have engaged in activity contrary to the laws and culture of Duplicity".

But there's no definition of what "proven" or "activity contrary to the laws and culture of Duplicity" means. So is this is as pointless as it sounds like?

Cause it really reads like they can just decide you're not protected by this thing if they feel like it.

[the video opens on a fifteen year old girl with a warm, friendly smile on her face. she's wearing the closest thing she can find to professional dress here with a white clutch held on her lap]

Hi! I saw your ad on the network and I spoke to your partner about interviewing for an assistant/secretary/gofer and thought I should introduce myself to you in advance! I'm Tinya Wazzo, I spent two years as my mother's diplomatic attache, and I know a great deal about interplanetary law. [she smiles disarmingly] Granted, most of my knowledge is specific to the 30th century, but I'm sure we can fill in the gaps.

[ Matt is fresh out of a meeting with a client and sums up the results of the conversation. Once the business talk is wrapped up he stops to ask in a more casual tone ]

By the way, what would you like for your birthday?

[ Oh that - that's not a question that Foggy's actually prepared for, and there's a moment of surprise before he gives a little grin. ]

I've got an immediate response to that, but I feel like I should give you fair warning that it's incredibly sappy.

So typical by our standards? Can't deny it forever.

Name it. I will do my best.

[ Matt says that now, but Foggy hesitates just a little bit anyway. Outside of the bedroom, this is probably the sappiest he's ever been with Matt. ]

You. Not necessarily in a kinky way - though I have to go on the record saying I'm fully on board in the kinky way - just... you. You're always going to be the best thing that's ever happened to me, Matty. It's hard to think of anything I want now that I actually have you.

[ Matt's laugh crackles over the speaker. ]

That really is sappy. You can have that anytime you want. You sure there isn't anything else, something you don't get everyday? We can at least make a date out of it.

You say that, but it doesn't stop me from feeling like I have to pinch myself every time I have that realization.

[ It still feels kind of like a dream, really, having Matt anytime he wants. But hey, he'll take the feeling that it's not quite real as long as it comes with the giddy realization that it is. ]

I like the sound of making a date out of it. How do you feel about really cheesy couple activities? Because I've got a whole list, you might want to back out while you still can.

[ He hums in agreement. ]

Happens to me too. There's a lot of pinching in this relationship and against the social norm none of it is kinky.

Activities like what? And is cheesy that shameful when we're surrounded by a population that does far more scandalous things in public?

[ There's something nice about hearing that it's not just Foggy that's somewhere between disbelief and complete happiness. He laughs at that question - true, it's not really being scandalous that Foggy's worried about. ]

Nothing would surprise me in this city, man. But no, I'd never be ashamed of cheesy - it's just not everyone's kind of thing, you know? Taking a pottery or cooking class together, or building a fort and getting heart shaped pizza, or going wine tasting and having a picnic... stop me before I start talking about mixed tapes or matching tattoos.

[ Matt listens and considers but a snort escapes him at heart shaped pizza. He shrugs his shoulders, grin obvious in his amused tone. ]

I am open to trying new things. I never really got past the cafe or restaurant date stage to picnics and pillow forts. At least not with anyone who liked cheesy. -Which is a shame because I think I might be into cheesy. Or maybe it's just that I like anything as long as I get to do it with you.

[ Speaking of being shameless. ]

[ Despite what Foggy said about never being ashamed of cheesy, there's a slightest bit of a flush when Matt snorts. Still not ashamed, all right, but now he kind of wonders if maybe he'd gotten a little bit carried away.

Until Matt's actual response, and then he's flushing in a very different way as his heart skips a beat, and he narrowly avoids running into someone. ]

Give a guy a warning before you say things like that in public, huh? You're going to make me trip over myself one of these times. [ His tone is unbelievably fond, though, and it's clear he doesn't mind at all. Far from it, considering he can't stop smiling. ] Are we onto the picnics and pillow forts stage?

[ Matt just laughs and takes that as a victory. ]

I think after all we've been through we get to say it's any stage we want. So that's a yes.

[ Oh hey. ]

We already mess up the blankets and pillows anyway.

[ He snickers at his own joke. ]

[ Oh, Foggy's going to remember that for later. Revenge is on its way, just wait. Once he can stop grinning like a dork, anyway.

He gives a little snort at Matt's joke, but it's definitely his amused snort. ]

Among other things. I guess we have already hit a lot of the usual milestones. Matching coffee mugs, going grocery and furniture shopping, living together, joint bank accounts... I'm glad I get to be the one to help you figure out for sure if you into cheesy. [ There's a pause, and then, because he can't help it after Matt's messing up the blankets comment, he adds, ] Also among other things.

So much already checked off and we hadn't even properly held hands. We're that efficient.

[ Or dumb. Bit of both? ]

I'm surprised we haven't checked off pillowforts and picnics already. Sounds like something we would have done in college. Wouldn't have made a huge difference in a number of people's assumptions.

Better get that done. You can help me multitask and find out if I like cheesy and other things once we build that pillowfort.

[ In defense of the flirtation level, they had missed countless opportunities at terrible jokes and passes in previous years. ]

Is efficient the word we're going with now? I'll take it. And just think of how much better those'll be now that we can do them holding hands.

[ Which should be obvious, but - Foggy's never dated his best friend before. Sometimes he's still expecting it to feel a little weird, all the things they've done before that now take on a new light when they do them as a couple, but, well. Maybe he's wanted Matt for so long that all it really feels like is finally . ]

It really, really wouldn't have. You know how many people I had tell me that they never made a move when I was flirting because they thought we were together? It's a good thing most of them couldn't tell my slightly panicked laugh from my real laugh.

[ That's the kind of thing he can admit now, right? Screw it, he's going for it. ]

Sounds like a very happy birthday to me.

More furniture shopping soon. Don't think the people at the store would question the hand holding.

[ Okay they're living together already but he's looking forward to personalizing that apartment over their firm once the property is theirs. ]

I heard enough of what people said to have an idea.

[ And he was too deep in denial to take those third party opinions to heart. Clearly they were all mistaken! ]

Apparently I wasn’t much better at interpreting your laughs. I was just thinking earlier about a time we were in the library and I thought you might be struggling with the chapter because your temperature went up but when I asked you laughed and I assumed you were too embarrassed to tell me what you were stumped on. Based on our previous open conversations, you were having a moment weren’t you?

[ Tease tease. ]

Okay, food plans are a must and gathering the extra pillows and sheets. Did you want anything else? Should I be wearing something special for the occasion?

And who cares if they do? [ There’s a little bit of delight in his voice, there, from the idea of furniture shopping with Matt again, now in the way that he’d let himself daydream about a little most of the times before.

Then he laughs again, this time tinged with just a little bit of residual embarrassment. ]

Oh, I was struggling with the chapter all right, and too embarrassed to tell you what I was stumped on. But that’s because it was you. It seems like both of us were really good at the what, just not always the why.

[ His voice goes soft and fond, a reflection of the smile he’s got on his face. ]

I’m still in the stage where just having you there is enough of a special occasion, Matty. Surprise me?

[ Who cares? Matt agrees immediately and laughs. Oh.

He's actually alright with that. Granted handholding isn't very different from hanging on to Foggy's arm and people have made assumptions seeing them going about their day together since the start. But it's still different, he thinks, it's something that a few months ago he might have been too afraid to let happen. He's not anywhere near ready to confidently tell clients or wrap his arms around Foggy and sway the next time the crowd at Josie's starts dancing. But the thought of a few furniture salespeople selling to them as a pair and seeing a simple touch of hands seems feasible. Attempting it might have different results but at least in his thoughts he's actually comfortable.

Matt smiles fondly as Foggy confirms his suspicions about the study session, sounding equally adoring when he speaks. ]

Right. Good to know the why now. I'll keep quizzing you on suspicious memories, gotta put it all in context.

Surprise it is then. Can't wait.

[ Oh.

See, this is why Foggy was reluctant to name something that he wanted for his birthday aside from just Matt, because this? The idea that they can actually hold hands somewhere in public and Matt'll agree that who cares if anyone sees?

There's a moment where that somehow makes it feel more real than anything else, and Foggy can't help but look forward to it just for that.

When the day comes, Foggy dresses up, just a little. It's an outfit that's similar to one of his date outfits back home - not the nicest looking one, but the one that feels the best, his silkiest button up shirt and his softest pants. He's not exactly sure what their food plans are, but honestly, it doesn't really matter.

Not as long as they're with Matt. ]

Do I get a hint or are we going for the full surprise?

[ Matt goes through his typical date prep routine, dressed a little nicer than casual but skipping the tie, double checking his hair feels tamed, and his glasses are polished clean. The big difference that puts a grin on his face is the part where he gets to reach out and take Foggy's arm when they go to the door instead of saying goodbye or awkwardly walking together knowing full well how they'd look side by side to some strangers when there are two other people waiting for them. ]

Full surprise. Come on.

[ There's a restaurant at their stop that clearly serves something resembling Italian where Foggy might suspect they can order that heart shaped pizza he was joking about. But Matt pulls him past it, telling him they'll get to it shortly, they have a reservation. Instead he leads him to the business next door where signs are hanging in the window boasting discounts on dining room sets and sofas. ]

Might has well start checking out the options for our upcoming property.

[ He looks a little shy as he slides his hand down Foggy's arm and takes his hand. ]

[ God, Foggy is just the biggest sap. He's seen Matt get ready for his dates before so many times he knows the routine as well as his own, knows exactly how good Matt's going to look at the end of it - and yet, somehow, when they're ready to leave and Matt's grinning at him, he finds his breath catching anyway.

He reaches out to tug briefly on Matt's collar like he's adjusting it, even though it's already perfect. ]

Looking good, Murdock.

[ It's a move he's done dozens of times before, but this time there's a low heat to the compliment, less go get 'em and more, well. More something that could almost be proprietary.

He keeps up a running commentary of their surroundings as they travel, convinced they're heading somewhere to get dinner, but it stops when Matt pulls him past the pseudo Italian place and to the store next door.

His fingers automatically thread through Matt's, giving his hand a squeeze, even as his mind stalls for a few moments. Oh. He lifts their hands up to press a kiss to the back of Matt's hand, grinning widely. ]

Do we have time for us to try every couch in there or should I be more ruthless in my elimination?

You too undoubtedly. Always a fashionable one, Foggy Nelson.

[ There was no mistaking the way Foggy's breath caught for a second when he first saw him ready to go and Matt melted a little on the inside. He makes a point of resisting the temptation to kiss him amid the compliments, knowing they could easily get carried away and never make it out the door.

He keeps his cool and gets distracted quickly by Foggy's narration of their journey to the store.

A kiss on the hand and Matt stands a little taller. He can do this. Foggy is as happy as Matt had hoped. ]

We have a good hour to kill. I thought I'd limit the time the salespeople have to put up with us.

[ He gestures towards the door and puts a hand out to locate the handle and pull it open. ]

After you.

[ He chuckles under his breath knowing it's ridiculous when they're holding hands and basically entering at the exact same time.

Inside furniture of all kinds are arranged in sample presentations except along the walls where it's more compact and options are lined up for comparison. Of course since this is Duplicity there are a number of options for certain kinks or lifestyles from swings to tabletops and chair cushions meant for subs to balance on their backs. ]

[ That's - they're doing this, they're still holding hands as Matt ushers them both inside, and Foggy's grinning so wide that he's practically radiating out happiness.

He wants... he wants to be absolutely ridiculous, to slide his arm around Matt's waist and press him in close, to hold Matt's other hand and press absent kisses to his fingertips in between looking at furniture - when he can tear his gaze away from Matt, that is.

But not yet. This is already a big step for them, walking into the store with their fingers laced together, and Foggy wants to savor it. Wants to let Matt know how much he appreciates it, appreciates all of this.

It has to be obvious to the store clerks or anyone else watching them, just by the sheer adoration in the way Foggy's looking at Matt, but that's not good enough. ]

God you're perfect.

[ He can tell Foggy is looking at him and Matt thinks of the metaphor that had crossed his mind in college, that Foggy was like the sun, though right now he's reminded by all the heat radiating from him. Even Matt knows the way Foggy must be looking at him from the very subtle change in scent, the hormones at work, the slightly elevated pulse and of course those words.

Matt laughs and ducks his head but he lowers it toward Foggy's shoulder like he might bury his face there. They both know what Matt's opinion would be on the statement but he doesn't dwell, it's Foggy's feelings that matter more right now. ]

Have you looked in the mirror lately?

[ He nearly cracks up in the middle of the flirt. He can hear one of the clerks walking toward them and catches the soft amused laugh she gives. Across the store a couple other clerks take guesses at what they're dealing with. "Newly weds?" "Spoiled Sub with a Monogamous Dom. Probably contracted for love. Totally newly weds." "How much you want to bet they'll buy the full bed and chain set?" "Please, I could sell them two or three of them at least." ]

Hi, welcome in. What can I help you find today?

[ The clerk walking over greets them. ]

Why would I, when I have everything I want to see right in front of me?

[ Never mind the fact that he'd looked in the mirror right before they came here - though admittedly, not as long as he might usually for a date, when he spent much more time on making sure he was appealing to senses other than sight - he can't resist flirting back. There was a definite increase in pleasure when Matt didn't protest the perfect comment. Not that Foggy thinks he's accepting it, of course not, but letting it pass without saying anything is a step, and Foggy will take it. Without drawing attention to it, either, and he lets his focus be easily pulled away by the way Matt leans towards him.

He's so caught up in Matt that it takes a moment to realize that someone's approached them, and when he looks up it's with a trace of the blinding adoration still in his smile.

Right, salespeople. ]

We're looking at purchasing a private residence, so we're going to need to fill it with pretty much everything. Anything he wants. [ Technically, sure, this is Foggy's birthday outing, and even if it wasn't they'd be choosing the furniture together, but Foggy's paid attention. He knows what to say so the clerks will make even a token effort at looking for Matt's approval, that he sounds indulging enough that no one will think it's strange when he seeks Matt's opinion. ]

[ Matt laughs harder. Foggy is smooth as always. God, how did he manage to flirt with him all these years only for laughs. He knows the answer but he still asks himself because it feels like he can't go more than a few hours without reaching out to him in some gesture or word.

"Yep, Spoiled Sub. This is going to be a big one." The same commentary that sales staff is always having wherever they go. Matt has to agree that he's spoiled just in a different way from what they're thinking. ]

How about couches?

[ Since Foggy had suggested that before. The clerk leads them over to where a number of living room examples are set up, couches of course along with arm chairs, some sectional sets, foot rests and coffee tables with decor. Some include rugs and other rug options hang on the nearest wall. The styles range from modern and minimalistic to victorian and intricate. Matt clarifies for the clerk that he's blind and turns to Foggy for more specific descriptions. He only lets go of Foggy's hand when moving to sit down and test a couch or chair or stand up and it never takes long before they're linked together again. ]

(continued from here)

Foggy laughs again, leaning in to kiss Matt once again just because he can. Then he takes Matt's hand, sliding the ring onto his left ring finger. He doesn't let go, running his thumb over the smooth metal as he describes it.

"It's a claddagh ring. It's, uh, an Irish thing - it's got two hands holding a heart, with a crown on top. Usually the crown extends a little past the band, but it's just a little strip of metal and I didn't want to risk it cutting into your skin if you punched someone, so it's pretty flush against the band. Uh, it's silver, and there's alternating rubies and diamonds set in the band. I thought I'd go red to match."

He's rambling a little bit, and his voice is a lot more heated than it usually is when he's describing how something looks for Matt. It's just - Matt said yes, and he can't stop staring at the ring on his finger. He takes Matt's other hand, threading their fingers together and giving a brief squeeze before he shifts his hand to guide Matt's fingers over the shape of the heart in the ring.

"If you wear it with the heart pointing out, it means you're looking for love. With the heart pointed in, it means someone's captured your heart and your taken. The hands represent friendship, the heart is love, and the crown is loyalty, so, uh. Even without the whole Nelson family tradition, I figured it was perfect for us."

It's difficult to tell with how their hearts are pounding if they're both trembling or if he's simply feeling their pulses drum with adrenaline and emotion. The ring still slips on easily and fits just right, which is what really matters. Matt can hardly form words while Foggy explains his choice. He laughs, head tipping back as he giggles without holding back like he does when he's intoxicated, unable to keep a straight face as Foggy explains how he took punching into consideration and- Oh God, red to- In his half hysterical state he wonders if it was to go with his glasses or because red is a good color on him, or if it's Daredevil, or less seriously- to match any blood due to that punching.

Foggy takes his other hand and Matt squeezes back on instinct. Foggy explains the meaning of the shapes as Matt takes it all in, guides Matt's fingers to help show him the shape of the carved details and the placement of the gems.

"It's perfect. I don't know what to say- I- I remember them mentioning claddagh rings at one of your family dinners. Must have been one of your cousin's engagements." He swallows against the sudden lump in his throat. Back then he didn't dream he'd ever be wearing one. "Finally, our turn." Long overdue as they know now.

Matt hadn't expected to marry other than for a brief moment before the break up with Elektra. He hadn't given the idea of a wedding much thought before recently. One of the only things that crosses his mind was that he'd likely wear his father's ring but now that he has this one maybe...

"It's not as fancy as this and some would say it's bad luck because their marriage didn't work out but if you- if you're interested I- I want to give you my father's ring, Foggy."

There's another laugh, almost giddy - it isn't that funny, really, how many cousins he has and how many of them have probably either announced their engagement or had it be the talk of the family dinner that Matt was at, but it feels funny now. Matt's been a part of his family for so long that it feels silly, thinking of how this is finally going to happen, that they're finally going to officially be family, but, well. He'll just be a little silly, then.

"I bet some money is going to exchange hands, when we tell them about ours."

He's still running his fingers over Matt's hand, feeling the ring against his skin and smiling stupidly, and it takes a moment for what Matt said to sink in.

"You what?"

After everything, he's not sure why that surprises him, why that's what trips Foggy up, but - he knows what Matt's father means to him.

"I want to know who bet we would end up together," Matt laughs at the thought, at how he'd ask them how they knew. Was it that obvious? How long ago did you know? He wonders if it was before or after he knew he had fallen for his best friend.

Matt repeats himself, though he nearly fails to find his voice because he's already overwhelmed. Matt reaches up with his other hand to stroke over Foggy's cheek.

"When we get home I'm giving you my father's ring. Whether you wear it or not!"

He decides it right then. It's a precious keepsake and he wants to give it to Foggy, even simply to have that piece of Murdock, because they are family. He hadn't imagined himself giving it to anyone else but it seems obvious now the same as their feelings.

"We're going to combine our possessions any way."

ic inbox for duplicity

text; un: bbarnes - don't mind me just backdating this a lil oops

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text; un: father anderson

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text; un: bbarnes; secured-

video; un: apparition (sliiiiightly backdated)

Audio [A few days prior the occasion]

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moving to action for the day of!

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yes hello I need to book an appointment, I have cavities

unfortunately all we have available is more sap

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engagement thread continuation

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