You really thought that it would just be villains and common criminals you had to worry about. But apparently the death of you might actually be this pansy talking your ear off. 

“So Murdock seriously, level with me, is it echolocation? You’re blind, how are you more agile than me?” 

Your frown just deepened as you moved through the building. Lois had a tip about smugglers. Clark was tackling the docks to deal with the shipment while you and Oliver took the warehouse.

Titling your head, your hand pressed to the wall and Oliver froze. Lifting your arm, you threw your stick behind him. He turned, just in time to hear the grunt of another criminal hit the floor unconscious. 

“Nice.” 

You just sigh, walking over to retrieve your weapon. 

“Stop talking.” You growled. 

Not only was he agitating you, but it was hard to hone in when he wouldn’t stop ranting. His heart was also deafening. Once you picked up your stick, you stopped right in front of him. 

“Woah, what’s the deal, we’re on a mission. Are you really trying to get it on in a criminal base?” you could hear the stupid smirk in his voice. 

“Why are you always talking and why the hell is your heart beating so fast? I can’t think.” 

“W-What do you mean it’s beating fast?” 

You really didn’t have time for this. Walking around him, you kept on task. There were at least a half dozen people in the building still. 

Conscious at least. 

You paused when you got to another door. Your intention was to reach for the knob, but your hand stopped. 

“Why are we stopping?” 

“Hush.” 

“Come on, you can tell me, let me in on the plan.” 

“Be quiet.” 

“This whole brooding thing is getting kind of old don’t you think.” 

“Damn it shut up I-” 

You flinched when you heard the click of a gun. You barely had a second to react. Pushing Oliver out of the way, it struck your right in the shoulder. Your body hit the floor with a thud, and Oliver reacted immediately. You heard the whizzing of three arrows, followed by cries of pain. He’d turned back to help you, but you were already on your feet, pissed. Rushing forward, you kicked the door that you initially planned to open in. 

The wooden base broke and you dove inside, taking out the last three men that were struggling to draw their guns. They didn’t have a chance. The first punch took down one of them and the other two, well, let’s just say the bullet in your shoulder was the last straw. You kicked the feet of the man before you right from under him and his friend barely got a hit in. With a harsh blow to his jaw, he was on the ground. 

Oliver stepped inside, looking around, no doubt taking in the arsenal they had. You could smell the gunpowder, as well as the plaster, no doubt for bomb making. 

You were huffing, and Oliver approached. 

“Hey, you’re bleeding pretty bad.” 

“Call the cops Queen.” 

He understood why you might have been annoyed. He just nodded, bounding the criminals as he made the call. 

Clark had tied up on his side pretty quickly, so he raced over, especially after Oliver told him of your predicament. Now you were back at headquarters, refusing treatment. 

“It’s just a bullet wound.” 

“Just and bullet wound should not be in the same sentence.” Emil argued. 

It took a bit of convincing for them to get you on a bed so he could remove the bullet. The entire time Clark stood at the entrance of the door, glancing at Oliver’s guilty expression. 

“It was my fault.” 

“Oliver, it’s nobody’s fault. We knew it would be dangerous.” 

Oliver shook his head. 

“That’s not what I meant. She kept asking me to be quiet and what do I do, talk her ear off.” 

The little groan you released made them look over. 

Emil had just got the bullet, dropping it into the metal bowl. 

“The worst is over.” 

He had a bandage pressed to your shoulder, gloves dirtied with blood. 

“We’re going to stitch you up, good as new.” 

You nod. 

“Thanks Doc.” 

He just smiled. 

“Anytime.” 

With Emil’s skill it didn’t take long for you to be up and moving. Clark had graciously dropped you back to your apartment and instructed that you take some time off. You knew how stubborn he was, so arguing was out of the question. You took the needed time, but instructed Clark to keep you updated on any other missions they would be heading out on. 

Your first week, well you stuck to your actual day job as a lawyer. That evening as you got home, you weren’t surprised at the hero sitting on your couch. 

“Breaking and entering is a crime Oliver.” 

“What! See you need to tell me how you do that?” 

He stood and you moved to your kitchen to make yourself a cup of tea. Leaning your cane on the counter, you searched for a cup as you fired a retort at his question. 

“You reek of expensive cologne. Being rich must be fun.” 

He’s probably wearing a grin. 

“I mean, it does have its perks.” 

“I can almost feel my bullet wound opening up talking to you.” 

It was a jab, you hadn’t been serious, but you caught the way his heartbeat changed and it made you pause. 

“Oliver?” 

“Yeah, sorry, still here.” 

He didn’t sound as peppy as he did a few moments ago. It became apparent that he might have been feeling responsible for your injury.

“Listen, I was just joking. It doesn’t even hurt anymore. I’ve literally been stabbed more than a dozen times and gotten more gunshots that you could probably count. I’ll live.” 

He knew you were right, but everything about the wound was indeed his fault. 

“So, since you’re benched because of me, I feel like the least I can do is help you out. Whatever you need, help showering, I got you.” 

Oliver winked and you rolled your eyes. 

“I was shot, I’m not disabled Oliver.” 

“You do realize how ironic that statement is, right?” 

Suddenly you wished you’d let him take the bullet.

“You were just wishing I got shot instead right?” 

“I’m out of groceries, make yourself useless and get me food.” 

Oliver saluted. 

“Yes ma’am!” 

At the time, you realized he was just trying to apologize in his own way. 

That’s why the weeks that followed he kept dropping by. It was actually kind of nice. Clark refused to let you back until you had at least a month’s worth of rest, so for the time being you were pretty much on bed rest. At least he thought so. You weren’t jumping over buildings, sure, but you weren’t sitting at home on the couch either.

“I’m pretty sure Clark said rest.” 

Oliver strolling into the boxing gym was a bit of a surprise. You lowered your hands, steadying the punching bag. It came to a halt and Oliver leaned on the beam. 

“Couldn’t stay away?” 

You just wiped the sweat from your brow. 

“I’m not exactly known for my knitting.” 

“Hah, good one. I see you’ve been working on your comedic skills. Really, I’m impressed.” 

You finally dropped your hands, reaching for the wraps, slowly rolling them off your knuckles. 

“Something new happened?” 

Oliver shook his head as you moved to the bench to grab your bottle of water. 

“Not really. We’ve busted drug dealers on the south side of town but other than that it’s been quiet. Chloe went to New York to see your friend Castle about the Russian problem. We found a few of their men in Metropolis, she figured they were trying to expand their business.” 

“I’d hardly call her a friend. I hope you guys know Frankie is a shoot first ask question later type of person.”

“Chloe told me the same thing. I guess she’s hoping to get on Frankie’s good side. Hopefully Chloe will bat her eyes and Frankie will stand down, at least for a while.” 

“Good luck with that.” 

Lifting the bottle, you guzzle the liquid. You hadn’t realized how thirsty you really were. You’d been going at it for a while now. Lowering the bottle, you exhale, rolling your shoulder. 

“Everything okay?” 

“Yeah, just stiff. I was sitting around last week. Now I have to work out the kinks” 

You place the bottle, turning to head back, but Oliver is now blocking your way. 

“You should probably take it easy.” 

You raise a brow. 

“You’re starting to sound like Clark. Since when are you mr. careful.” Your intention is to walk around him, but he takes your wrist softly. 

“Please just...I don’t want you to get hurt. Not again.” 

There’s a pain in his voice that is unlike him. Oliver is typically the laid back one. Always running around making stupid jokes, even when he’s in a bind. But now he’s almost pleading. Something about his voice does make you stand down. You swallow. 

“Okay, I’ll call it a day.” 

You take in the relieved sigh he lets out. It’s quiet, but you’re more than a little observant. 

“How about dinner, my treat.”

You’re not one to turn down a meal, especially since it feels like he needs this. An assurance that you will indeed take a rest.

“I like Chinese.” 

He smiles. 

“I can do that.” 

As requested, you both had dinner. He ordered a few of everything. That night, it was nice. You hadn’t really expected it to become a regular thing. But you weren’t complaining.

Those little meetings kept happening, right up till the last week of your little sabbatical. 

Oliver was giving you a briefing as he’s gearing up. The both of you had been coming back from an Italian place when Clark called. More than anything you wanted to be out there with them, but Clark had all but sped over and you could just feel the look he was sending. 

“Fine, I won’t go. But next week I’m back in, whether you like it or not.” 

“I think I can live with that.” Clark responded. You sent him a smile and Oliver glanced over. 

A sting of jealousy hit him at how easy it always felt when you were with Clark. You followed him without fail and you rarely ever went against his advice. 

Kind of like right now. 

“Hate to break this up but we have criminals to catch.” He butted in. Clark nodded, turning back to you. 

“Need a lift back.” 

“Actually that would be nice.” 

You expected him to take you by the shoulder, that’s why you closed up your cane. When Clark stepped over he picked you up. Your hands were on his shoulder in surprise and he just grinned. 

“Hold on.” 

In a blink he was gone and Oliver glared at the wall. 

“Oh, just hold on. I’m all muscular and strong and fast. Want a ride in my dreamy arms.” Oliver grumbled sarcastically. 

It felt petty, but he couldn’t help it. 

The very day you were off the metaphoric bench, he felt obligated to visit you. It was a quiet night, so he knew you would be a bit antsy. When he stepped in, it looked like you were about to start cooking. He saw the grocery bag in one hand, cane in the other. 

“How’s it feel to be back in the game?” 

“I’m not sure, are you going to be a pain in the ass when I get back?” 

He lifted his hands. 

“Nope, scout’s honor.” 

“Mhmmm.” 

You didn’t believe a word. 

Placing the bag down, you were searching for your phone. Your fingers graced the counter and you felt the device a few meters away. Moving to the wall, you place your cane down as you grab your phone on the way back, slipping it into your pocket. 

“Back at that little criminal base when we were casing the place, you asked me a question.” 

You lift your head at Oliver’s words.  

“What question? As I recall I asked you to stop talking.” 

Oliver smiled. He took a step forward. You were still trying to make sense of his statement. The closer he got, the more you seem to internalize his heart rate. It was hammering, and it’s then you seem to remember exactly what he’s referring to. 

“You asked me why my heart was beating so fast.” 

His words were said a bit softly and you were overly conscious of how much closer he was now. You aren’t sure why you feel a sense of nervousness. 

“Oliver I-” 

“It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything. I’m just glad you’re okay.” 

You can hear every movement, so you could have easily moved away when he leaned in, but you couldn’t get your body to do a thing. His lips pressed to your cheek and you swore that your heart nearly jumped. He finally pulled back, and you can almost hear his smile. 

“Good night (Y/N).” 

You’ve known from the start that this guy would be a pain in your side, now it seems that you were right, but for a completely different reason. You just stand there blushing as he leaves. 

Clark, Oliver and Tessa are over on the other side of the room discussing. Chloe is at the computers going through the last few assignments. You and Lois and paying close attention to what she’s saying. Well, you’re trying. 

Since the encounter with Oliver, you haven’t had a chance to think about much else. For a while you thought he was teasing you. But sometimes you can hear it, when he turns in your direction just briefly. Then there are times where he’ll brush against you, or pull you out of danger when you’ve taken a few more hits than normal. 

Your most recent mission he’d hoisted you in his arms to evade a bomb that was about to go off after you’d taken a more painful blow to the gut. It wasn’t anything special. He was helping a teammate.

But something about his touch felt tender and his skin felt so warm and safe. You’ve never cared much for your safety. You were capable, it’s not like you’re worried about getting jumped or mugged. Any sad sap that would try was definitely in for a surprise. 

That’s why it shouldn’t matter. 

But it did and now those little moments are engraved in your mind. 

“I think Oliver might have feelings for me.” 

Lois just lifted her head and Chloe looked surprised at how you’d just blurted it out. 

“Finally, I thought you would never catch on. He’s been sending you heart eyes for months now. Sometimes I swear you're blind.” Lois complains.

Your expression to that comment must have said it all. 

Lois laughed awkwardly. 

“Oh, right. Sorry.” 

You shake your head. 

“I don’t get it.” 

Chloe smiles at your lost expression. 

“Honestly, it’s been obvious to everyone. Why do you think he’s been asking to pair up with you for practically every mission? “ 

“I thought he was just trying to piss me off.” 

“Your radar is seriously off.” Lois inputs. 

You frown. 

“We haven’t exactly been vacationing. It wasn’t very high on my priority list.” 

“Alright, I get it. So what are you going to do about it? Now that you know.” Lois asks. 

That was a good question. 

“I don’t know.” 

You’re honestly not sure how to tackle this situation. Knocking out bad guys was so much easier.

“Let us know when you figure it out.” Chloe teases. 

You expected them to be no help. 

For the time being you try to stay on task. You all complete your partols as usual and missions have been coming as going as normal. It doesn’t feel like much has changed. At least not for you. Oliver for one is still the same. 

For a while you almost forget about it. 

One night when he drops by your place, you let him in with the assumption that he’s about to give an update about something Clark or even Chloe had discovered. When the door closes that’s not exactly what he has in mind. 

“So I get the feeling that you’re not one for hints, so I might have to be completely clear. I’m attracted to you.” 

Your hand skates against the counter at his confession and you straighten quickly. Oliver smiles at the little clumsy slip. It’s not often that you’re out of your element. You look like you’re searching for the words. 

When you finally find them, well it’s all you can truly think of. 

“I thought you only dated supermodels.” 

“Wow, I’m surprised you're so judgy.” 

“Don’t make me kick you out.” 

Oliver smiles. 

“I wield.” 

You took a seat on your couch, and you expect him to do the same, just not so close to you. Your knees brush and you can’t help but turn. Your sun shades are still perched on your nose. When Oliver turns to you, you’re a bit confused. 

“May I?” 

You’re not certain what he’s asking, but you nod. 

You feel his fingers brush your ears as he slides the glasses off your face, placing it on the table beside him. You blink. You get the feeling he’s looking at you. Your vision isn’t like his, but you can make out outlines. Shapes in a sense. It just all seems to be on fire.

Possibly a reflection of your life.

For so long that’s what it felt like. When you lost your dad, when stick left, when Elric tried to use your pain against you. It was all just a mess of flames and destruction. At least that’s what it felt like back then. 

“What’s wrong?” 

You shake your head. 

“Nothing.” 

It’s hard to explain, and even harder to talk about. 

“You really have this whole mysterious persona down pat don’t you.” 

“What mysterious persona?” 

Your expression shows actual confusion and Oliver holds in his laugh. 

“It’s just I can tell you care a lot about what we do. I try to play it off with jokes, I guess that’s how I cope. But you and Clark, it’s a big part of your lives. Before I became a vigilante I was pretty much a useless jerk. But you’ve always been a hero, Clark too. I guess that’s why you both get along so well.” 

His perspective is interesting. You have to admit that you’ve always felt a bit connected to Clark in that sense. Maybe Oliver is right. In a strange way, Clark’s been somewhat of a brother to you. Aside from Kevin and Finley, the closest thing you have to a family is this team. Doing this, it’s always been as natural as breathing. You never thought much about it. You were capable of stopping the pain in the city, so you did. You forget sometimes that you are more than the suit. 

“I guess it’s good to remember I’m Murdock, not just Daredevil.” 

“It is.” Oliver confirms. 

It’s nice to do this, talk with him. Oliver is the last person you expect to have such sound advice. He acts so carefree all the time you forget that he’s an adult. 

“Thank you Oliver.” 

“Of course, anytime. Although you still haven’t given me an answer.” 

“An answer for what?” 

This time he laughs. 

“You really are a piece of work Murdock.” 

“Stop talking in riddles and tell me what you-” 

His lips silence you and you indeed get his point. Your hand settles on his shirt, just as he pulls away. 

“Do you get it now?” 

It’s a bit of a whisper and you nod distractedly. 

That caught you by surprise. Your lips are tingling and it’s the first time that your heart is the loudest beat in the room. Your brows furrow, gripping the edge of his suit jacket.

“Oliver.” 

“Yesss?” 

He’s enjoying this, watching you so flustered. 

“Can we..one more time..” 

“I don’t know. I don’t make a habit of just kissing random people you know. I’d have to be committed to this person. I think it’s only fair, you know. Kissing someone who isn’t my girlfriend feels a bit-” 

You pull him back in before he can continue his rant. He smiles against your lips.