Foggy Nelson

Peter wrinkled his nose at the nickname. Instead of wallowing, he decided to reach forward and give Foggy a good tickle as payback. So what if he was a little vain? His good looks were one of the things that were notable about him - other than his skills on the battlefield and awesome piloting skills. “Oh, yeah, that really would upset me. Thanks for not doin’ that.”     

“Space outlaw turned Earth cop… Somethin’ doesn’t sound right about that,” Peter pointed out, humored by the sentiment. He stole the spot opposite Foggy, fork already in hand. “That’s happened a few times already. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.” Used to it as in - planning on staying here long term, used to it? Used to it as in - staying with Foggy until one of them died of old age or injury, used to it? Peter swallowed. “Like your snoring.” Another jest, said with a smile.

-

Foggy squealed and tried to step back but it was no good, he snorted and laughed, “Mercy! Mercy!” he yelled trying to curl up till Peter let up with him. Taking a breath he shook his head before stepping up to Peter, slyly reaching his hands under the other’s t-shirt and brushing them against the other’s hairy chest, “You are still the most handsome Star Lord in all the land,”

“I appreciate you find time in your busy schedule to meet with me, Mister District Attorney,” Matt said with a smile, as the waiter withdrew after having placed their first courses. 

Matt could practically taste the meal already as he inhaled the scent rising from the plate.  He was automatically breaking the scent down into its individual components before forcing himself to stop.  Matt just wanted to enjoy a dinner with his best friend, without it turning into some kind of weird interrogation or suddenly getting attacked by supervillain enemies.      

Thankfully, Matt hadn’t worn Daredevil’s cowl for a considerable length of time - long enough for that name to have dropped from common usage by heroes & villains alike - and now he’d been satisfied to just a defence lawyer… mostly anyway.

“You know, I would’ve been fine with just eating at a diner, Foggy.” 

-

“Well I had to throw a case under the bus and let a cereal killer back onto the streets to make it here but y’know, I figured it was worth it for a nice meal.” All jokes, but it was nice to have this banter back, no one chatted with him like Matty did.

“Nah, I wanted ta treat ma girl nice.” he said, putting on a mobster voice before laughing, “If I’m being super honest bud, this is kinda for me. It’s been a long time since I could afford nice places and the way work is going right now I needed something a little extravagant. Just a blow out.” Back in the old days that had been beers at Josies but now, it was this.

“With the hero ban gone me and the commissioner are working our butts off to make up new laws for the city.” No easy task and there were a lot of eyes on them. “Speaking of,” he cleared his throat, waiting till their appetisers had been set down by a pretty waitress to continue.

“That’s eleven more than I need,” Peter quipped back with a cheesed grin before it faded into something more disagreeable. “I have big ears? Since the hell when, dude?” He asked and his hands immediately went up to his ears, to probe around them in question and objection. “I think you’re just tryin’ to upset me.”  

Peter snorted with lifted brows and a half-smile. “I sure hope I don’t look anythin’ like a four year old girl. I’ve seen a lot of shit but that’s kind of terrifyin’ to think about.” He nodded and did as he was asked, grabbing two sets; they clicked against each other as he grabbed them and set them down on the table. “You get used to it,” Peter returned with a simple shrug. Was he used to it? Or did it always suck monumentally and he just pretended he was okay with it? 

-

Foggy couldn’t help but chuckle, “Oh my God, you are so vain.” He didn’t mind it too much, Peter looked very good and he knew it but he had a habit of getting caught up in any perceived negative on his appearance; even when Foggy was kidding. “Your ears are fine Dumbo.” he smirked, “Noooo. If I was trying to upset you I’d just give your portion of dinner to Astro.”

“There’s worse things in the world than being a bad lawyer.” It wasn’t as if Jim enjoyed putting away people for things that shouldn’t have been criminal offenses in the first place, but it had never been his position to decide what the law was. He could try to bend the right ears and get people to listen, but his job was focusing on how to handle things on the ground, which meant he was right in the middle of the mess caused by the people in charge of making those laws pulling the rug out from under them, even though it had been a horrible rug to begin with. 

“Harvey isn’t going to be on board with a free for all. He’s still got a city to run.” And Jim wasn’t particularly the type to play a lot by ear either. “It’s the law, Nelson. The system has to have hard guidelines. It’s already riddled with people like you trying to poke holes in it. I’m not going to make it easier, whatever we come up with.” And whatever Harvey decided to follow. 

-

“Yea, being a good lawyer for the wrong people.” he said wryly before stretching, “I don’t mean make a knitted blanket with holes in it talented people like myself could exploit to their advantage.” he said with a little smirk, “More a patchwork blanket made out of successful instances that ensured justice was done in the past. Something like this,” he began looking through the mountains of files, “By the way is this blanket metaphor doing anything for ya? I know I’m gonna have to present this to Mayor Dent and a bunch of other city bigwigs,” (One of whom would likely be Jim) “So I’m trying to work something up already.”

“There was no money exchanged,” Thierry explained calmly, his voice barely rising in pitch. It was the fifth or sixth question regarding a famous political figure who’d been rumored to engage in less than reputable business practices. Thierry’s name had been one of several the politician’s assistant had been stupid enough to record in a ledger.  

Now he found himself seated in a lawyer’s office, answering basic questions he was asking on behalf of his client. The politician. Whether or not Thierry was answering honestly was another matter altogether (he wasn’t), but he was no stranger to lying. He could do it with a straight face, unblinking, and give nothing away. “You’ve already asked me that. I told you the truth. Can I go?”

-

Foggy, despite what most might think of him at first glance, was sharp as a tac and could read context plenty. ‘There was no money exchanged’ equated to, ‘I did it but you can’t prove anything and I’m annoyed I’m here.’ Someone had messed up but that wasn’t the main reason for Foggy’s presence here; this one worked in a new club set up in the city, and it never hurt to try and get a glimpse of new players on the board.

“Think I can get it in writing?” Peter asked in retort; he smirked profusely. It was a wonder his face didn’t get stuck like that. The smile that invaded his face turned sour, making way for a grimace instead. “Do I look like a rabbit to you?” He asked rhetorically; of course not. “What a big shot!” He called back teasingly before shutting the bathroom door behind him.

The shower went quickly, but thoroughly. Peter wanted to make sure he got the glitter from behind his ears. He was shot from behind, which would’ve been find except for the fact that he couldn’t see back there, so it was a little harder to clear each spot on his body. After a moment of scrubbing and hot water, Peter stepped out of the bathroom feeling like a new man. His blonde waves lay damp and he wet stained the white t-shirt he’d thrown on, but he was clean. 

Peter leaned into the kitchen. “Please tell me you’re done. Or almost done. Or nearly done.”

-

“Only if you accept within the next twelve hours otherwise by standard practice the deal goes away.”  He took a step back and made a point of looking Peter up and down, “Hmm, cute little nose, big ears and a little hairy,” he slide a finger down the front of Peter’s shirt to poke his chest, “I think a case could be made.” He chuckled to himself as the other hit the shower and rolled his eyes at Astro. “You’d love my performances boy.” he assured the dog, giving him several pets.

“Space Cop…” He couldn’t mean…Quill. A headache almost brewed instantly, but he tried to suppress it. “Quill,” he sighed. “Course I know the man, not many other people from Earth doing all that space stuff. Sorta makes me a space cop too, Richard’s my boyfriend.” he smiled. “I’ve known most of Richard’s friends since I was a kid actually. “Sure thing, just pick your poison and it’s yours. So you’re the famous man who made Quill, settle down. You must be amazing, since he’s a great guy himself.”

-

“Space Cop.” Foggy repeated. That’s what they were and that’s what they’d get called. “Huh, small city.” Foggy grinned, “Partner’s of best friends.” he chuckled. “You must’ve known him for a long time too then?” Which probably meant a lot of romantic pining before they got together, Foggy was a sucker for a good romance. “Chocolate.” he said immediately, “Every time. And I wouldn’t go that far. I don’t think Peter would ever settle down.” Something he privately worried about but wasn’t going to share. “But I am pretty great. Just don’t ask the police for an opinion; they’re biased against me.”   

Jim tossed down the file he’d come in with in favor of picking up one of Foggy’s. “Can’t touch these for awhile,” he said after just a glance over the first couple of pages. Unlawful Use of Superhuman or Genetic Abilities. He sighed and laid it back down again before taking a seat on the other side of the desk. It would’ve been a damn fine thing if they could just feel the relief he imagined a whole lot of others in the city were getting, but there was no time at all for that. “Most of them are going to get thrown out anyway. Probably for the best.”

He watched as Foggy’s assistant left for the coffee and drummed his fingers against the arm of the chair he’d picked. “That’s all I could dig up about the provisions in place before the SRP ever existed,” he gestured toward what he’d laid down in front of Foggy. “It’s not like it was perfect even then. Not here, not in Gotham, not damn anywhere, but it’s better than starting completely from scratch.” 

-

He lifted the corner of Jim’s file slightly, enough to get the gist of the paperwork underneath before looking back at the older man. “Does it make me a bad DA that I’m really happy about a lot of that?” he asked. When it had first been introduced he’d been in favour of The Hero Ban; he’d hoped it would keep people like Matt safe and lessen the collateral damage battles between heroes and villains seemed to whip up. As it stood, crime had gone up and NOVA came along to capitalise on that fear and make just being different a crime in itself.

What a bummer, right? Peter would get over it, of course, as he tended to do. As he learned to do. The way his life was dealt didn’t really allow for that kind of stuff to linger. Not for a Ravager. Of course, Peter always gave a good pair of middle fingers to that and pissed away a lot of his time with Flox anyway, but still. There was no point lingering, not when she wasn’t. Not when she was likely light years away, doing what she did best, while he moped like a kicked puppy.     

Get a grip. Peter returned the smile, the gesture held a little more confidence; especially when he could tell Foggy was trying to soothe things over. It was appreciative, and welcomed. He offered a soft chuckle and nodded at the offers. “I sure do like that deal.”

The edge to his smile softened when Foggy drew near, drew serious and warm. He gave his hand a gentle squeeze before the cheekiness returned to his expression. “I dunno what you’d do without me, either,” came the tease, followed closely by a curt laugh and a swift peck to the cheek as he hurried passed Foggy. “Throw Billy Speares at Astro; I’m sure he’d love to hear all ‘bout it.”

-

Foggy chuckled, “Take it from the DA, it’s the best deal you’re gonna get in this city.” he smirked. Sure the city was practically a hellscape at this point but there could be small moments of happiness; they just had to work hard to make’em.

He scoffed, “What a charmer you are. Get in that shower before I decide to make you a salad instead.” A punishment he’d never wish on any enemy. He let out a small breathy laugh at the hurried kiss and turned to watch Peter head towards the bathroom. “I’ll have you know Astro should be so lucky; I was the voted best actor at my drama camp on summer!” An accolade he’d carry with him to his dying day.

“M’gonna need people to stop calling me kid Nova just cause Richard is the other Nova. I’m like Thirty, at least call me just Nova or Nova Knight.” Sam complained still hounded by the fact that some still viewed him as that bright eyed spunky kid who donned his father’s nova helmet and became a hero. “Anyway, how’s your day going so far, you doing alright? Depending on the answer you give me I might just have to treat you to ice cream and dinner for taking the time to listen to me.”

-

Foggy hadn’t really been listening to the guy, he’d just been taking a moment to enjoy a breather on the park bench; the disbanding of the hero act (while great) was drowning him in paperwork. But a word did catch his attention, “Wait, Nova... Are you talking about Richard Rider?” he asked, “Cause I know him, he’s best friends with my partner. Tall fella, space cop?” he gestured a little, “Does that make you a space cop too?” how many of them did they need? Actually... probably a lot. “Uhh, dinner’s probably out but I’ll take an ice cream.” he added with a smirk.

Peter would have been free of the glitter and confetti had someone not shaken their curtain out the window, two stories up - just as he walked down the sidewalk to shepherd a group to some sort of safety. But he didn’t get so lucky; it was going to be all over the apartment, damn it.

He returned the gesture with implication, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Of course he stopped by the ship on the way home, in case Flox decided to leave any presents before her departure - unfortunately, it wasn’t one he really welcomed willingly. It wasn’t a surprise, her leaving, but it still hurt him.

“Me too,” Peter agreed, exhausted with the day’s events. He likely would be passing out early that night. “That sounds nice…” He commented absently as he removed his boots at the entry, careful not to dislodge any large chunks of plastic garbage from his shoulders or head. 

-

Peter seemed distracted, he could understand why. With everything that’d happened to the city, and the destruction just outside it. Foggy may have stayed through it all but he’d been tucked away in the police station while Peter’d been on the front lines dealing with the public, poor guy.

So he stuffed down a little urge to try and make something about the other’s lacklustre response and nodded, “It will be. I’ll make your favourite.” he smiled, “Then we’ll watch whatever you wanna watch and you can cuddle me or Astro, dealers choice.” he chuckled slightly, trying to remain jovial.

“Peter,” he swallowed, stepping closer, never minding the other’s coated state, “I really am glad you’re home okay.” He took one of Peter’s hands in both of his and rubbed it lightly, “Dunno what I’d do without you.” he smiled softly, a more vulnerable expression, “Go on, before I start reciting Shakespeare or something.”  

Everything is different now and Nathan can’t quite imagine how chaotic everything must be with the undoing of the hero ban. He decided that there was no better time to start getting into law. He has always had an interest in the subject and the idea of trying to get into law school someday in the future makes him feel excited for learning something new. He remembers Foggy giving him the contact information and decided to visit. He journeyed out of District X to visit the SCPD. He wore a long sleeved shirt and a pair of gloves since Nathan isn’t in the mood to have anyone staring at him today when they catch sight of his robotic arm.

Once given the okay to step into Foggy’s office, Nathan makes his way down the hallway. He hopes that this isn’t bad timing.  He doesn’t know how busy the police department is right now but Cable figured that he would have been turned away and told to return another day.

“Hello, Mr. Nelson.” Nathan waves while closing the door behind him. “I survived. I was helping my fellow telekinetics shield the city actually …”

-

“Just Foggy’s fine.” he offered the other a small smile, “Mr. Nelson’s what the scary court people and the companies I pay bills to call me.” Even if he was now in a position where formality was guaranteed, he still preferred to avoid it whenever possible. “Wow. That sounds kinda awesome and terrifying all at once.” he chuckled, “I was here trying to help the police as best I could.” Which wasn’t all that much. But he hadn’t been about to leave Peter and Matt behind, even if the pair of them had tried to order him to leave; really, they should’ve known better at this point.

“It really was awful. But, there’s a little joy in all that misery.” He gestured to a stack of papers over a foot deep sitting on his desk, “The undoing of the hero ban. These are just some of the charges that are being dropped. Most of them were people who tried to do the right thing but went about it the ‘wrong way.’” he shook his head. “It’s good to know they’ll be getting binned.”

“But I’m getting ahead of myself.” he smiled at Nathan, “What’s brought ya all the way to loveable ol’Foggy Nelson?”

The repeal of the SRP and NOVA being abolished were both things that should be celebrated. Theoretically, anyway. On the ground, it left a vacuum. They’d been given little immediate guidance from any level of government. Overnight, an enormous list of things that had been illegal were suddenly no longer offenses. All of that in the wake of death and destruction, including someone who was personally incredibly important to Jim, had him grasping. He would pull it together and keep order in the city, but it was more difficult than he wanted it to be.  

Until higher guidelines were issued, their only path forward was to look to local government - Mayor Dent, specifically - to help keep order in the city. Jim figured the best way to do that was to put something together. Recommendations. Anything at all. He showed up at the District Attorney’s office without an appointment. Nobody had time to deal with secretaries and schedules just then. The longer they waited, the more likely it was that things would get out control right beneath their noses. 

“Nelson,” he said as he stepped into the office, armed with a folder of city and state laws that existed prior to the SRP. “We have work to do.” 

-

While Foggy was actually pretty thrilled the government had repealed The Hero Ban and NOVA were no longer around (course he wasn’t thrilled about the death...) it had of course some with a mountain of paperwork and legislative change. He knew Mayor Dent would have the final say on how the city should proceed but as DA it definitely fell to him to try and put forward some changes while also deciding which legal proceedings to halt until they had a clearer picture of what was and was not still considered a crime. Needless to say, he’d started early and hadn’t stopped.

He was elbow deep in paperwork and legal volumes when his door opened and he looked up to see the Commissioner in his office. He offered the man a slight smile, “Great minds.” he said in lieu of a greeting. “Take a seat Commissioner I reckon we’ll have something workable for the mayor by next week if we go without sleep.” he reached for his intercom and buzzed through to his secretary, “Elizabeth, could you run and grab us a couple of coffees? Get one for yourself as well. Thanks!”    

Foggy had been working like a dog the past few days, the undoing of the hero ban (while something he agreed with) had left all justice avenues of the country scrambling to sort out what was and wasn’t any longer enforceable and prosecutable. For once, Foggy and Jim had put aside any and all snark... or at least he had, Jim didn’t tend to snark much, and focused on just trying to get ducks in a row. And that was before they even considered thinking about opening communication channels with heroes in the city. 

‘Mr. Nelson, a young man’s here to see you, Nr. Nathan Summers.’

Foggy made a face of confusion at his secretary then quickly ran a hand through his hair, oh yea, the young guy from District X with an interest in law. He had said the guy was free to visit him. And besides, he could use a break from this madness. “Thanks Becky, could you send him in please?"

Moments later Nathan was led inside and Foggy smiled at the younger man, “Hey, s’been a while. Did you survive that madness okay?” It had effected so many people. 

Foggy had just got out of the shower and into his pyjamas when Peter walked in. He let out a sigh of relief. Needless to say they’d been texting back and forth as they could in all this madness to check on each other but seeing him, despite him being covered in confetti, made a tightness in Foggy’s chest relax. “Hey,” he said quietly, walking over and placing a chaste kiss on Peter’s lips. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“Go get a shower,” he patted the other’s chest, as Astro tried to butt between them, wanting some fusses of his own “I’ll make dinner. I think it’s a binge watch bad TV night.” Try and forget about the chaos of the world and have it be just the three of them, even if it was only for a few hours.

The softest of chuckles escaped Mattias at the stranger’s words. “No, he really wouldn’t make a good model.” He agreed. “I’m not really drawing anyone in particular. Though, I am pretty good at drawing from memory alone.” He said quietly before looking at his conversation partner. He tilted the sketch pad towards the man to reveal a half-finished sketch of the District gates themselves.   

“I’ve seen him around a lot though.” He was quiet a moment. “He’s usually just mumbling incoherently. I wonder what set him off today…” A gentle breath escaped him as he wondered on the question. “Are you from the District…?” Mattias asked after the pause. His tone never really lifted above a soft conversational one.

-

“Oh yea?” Foggy smiled at the kid, “Get you. I always wanted to draw when I was a kid but never got any further than really bad doodles of myself fighting dragons on my class workbooks.” If only his teachers had known then he’d grow up to fight some very different kinds of monsters... and some straight out of fairytales too.