For @applypressure

[doctricis]

How Derek found himself being recruited into HYDRA was simply the matter of how many zeros there were on his paycheck. He didn't believe in their ideology or their mission for the world or their plans leading up to it. If anything, he was the wrong type of agent to even be here and yet here he was about to be assigned to one of HYDRA's 'weapons' as their handler. Derek could have chosen anyone of HYDRA's pet projects but there was something about the Daredevil that had called out to him. Oddly enough, he managed to talk his superiors into being their only handler.

If Derek had to work for the most horrible organization on the planet, he, at least, was going to have his fun, even if he might have to get his hands dirty in the field from time to time or risk getting in trouble.

HYDRA really needed to move away from concrete lairs. Derek was escorted through the lower off-limit levels by a handful of guards, a little unnecessary but he can assume why they're there. Winding through hallway after hallway until they come to a large room with huge metal doors, he was told he could come and go as he pleased since there was a separate room inside for handlers if he wanted to stay overnight.

When the guards opened the doors, they ushered him inside only to leave him alone in the room. Great first impressions on how they value their handlers, just leave them alone in a room with a person who could easily kill them. The room itself was huge, training equipment was scattered across the back side of the room with a glass wall to the left separating what he assumed is where he'd be staying. A medical station was also in that separate room while on the right was a metal chair hooked up to some mean looking machinery, probably what was used to keep their weapons compliant. Then lastly another separate room for the one he'd be looking after starting today.

Derek couldn't spot any surveillance cameras in this room, the last he spotted any were on the opposite side of the door. Great. He took a few slow steps into the room, bringing Daredevil's file closer to his chest, "Hello?"

Comments

[applypressure]

No one has bothered to tell the Devil that he's getting a new handler. But considering that he's the reason they needed to get a new one, it really isn't necessary. He hears the agents approaching long before they reach his basement quarters, and has committed to memory the footsteps he doesn't recognize by the time the man speaks.

He doesn't respond, of course. If the handler wants to have a conversation, he'll inform the asset of that intention. Besides, the door to his personal room is closed, and the agent probably wouldn't be able to hear him through it. So he continues his meditation, eyes closed as he sits cross-legged in the middle of the floor, dressed in dull gray sweatpants and a matching sleeveless t-shirt.

If the door opens, he'll respond. If the handler, or another agent, uses the intercom, he'll also respond, of course.

[doctricis]

When no one answered, Derek decided to investigate the space further, maybe there were cameras in here and he simply missed them. He noticed the door was closed for the room on the right, perhaps that's where the asset was, deciding to let him be until he got his bearings as to where everything was. The first stop was his own personal room and the medical station, he needed to know how well they keep this room stocked compared to the regular medical bay.

Derek quietly shuffled through the drawers and cabinets, taking note of where everything was and the inventory count. Not that HYDRA lacked supplies in the medical bay but it was so much quieter here and if only one person is being treated then he didn't need to constantly be reordering. He places the file in his hands on one of the counters before moving on to his own room. The room itself was bare and felt cold, he couldn't see himself staying in the room for more than overnight shifts unless he had permission to brighten up the space. Maybe add a plant. Something.

He came to the conclusion that there weren't any cameras in here after all once he did another ceiling sweep, already making his way back to the main room and heading towards the scattered pieces of training equipment. Dummies, practice batons, punching bags, the works, took up the matted area of the back of the room. Derek ran his fingers along some of the equipment that he passed as he walked up to one of the punching bags before giving it a quick punch. He wasn't much of a fighter himself but he could hold his own if he had to.

The quietness of the room was starting to become a little unsettling as he turned his attention to the asset's room, would it be rude to disturb him? Do you just walk in on him or not? Derek shook his head as he started to overthink things and slowly walked towards the second room, his hand hesitant over the door as he took a deep breath before knocking to announce his presence before opening the door.

"Sorry to disturb you but I figured I should introduce myself since we'll be working together from now on." He said as he pushed the door wide enough to take a step inside.

[applypressure]

The knock is unexpected enough that the asset startles slightly, not showing much sign outwardly except for the opening of his eyes, but inwardly pulled out of his meditative state. When the door opens, however, he rises to his feet, standing straight if not at actual attention, arms relaxed at his sides.

The apology is even more unusual than the warning knock, and his brow furrows a little. Obviously he understands what it means in the general context of social interaction, but he can't remember the last time anyone at HYDRA offered an apology directly to him. Is it meant to throw him off guard? To test his reaction?

"There was no disturbance, sir. I understand, sir."

It's impossible to judge much about the man just standing in front of him, but it is clear that he's in good health, and that he's unafraid but a little anxious. The Devil wonders if that's because of him or the general circumstances. He knows that the Asset Program area of the facility is considered off-putting by a lot of the agents.

[doctricis]

Once inside, he pushed his back against the door to close it, keeping his hands behind his back as he maintained the small amount of distance between them for a moment more.

"You... don't have to call me sir." He smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. No one's ever called him Sir except children or maybe those waiters at high-end restaurants. While he understands the need to be so formal, it really wasn't necessary, and he wonders if he could break such an ingrained formality.

"I've been assigned as your new handler starting today." Derek pushed off the door to get closer to the other man, as he held out his hand in greeting. He knows Daredevil has some level of sight based on his file so this wouldn't be too weird. "Agent Lockwood but you can just call me Derek. I'm not entirely sure what to refer to you as though. They didn't exactly refer to you by any other name besides Daredevil." He tilted his head in confusion, not wanted to refer to him always as The Asset or likewise.

[applypressure]

Yet another thing no one at the facility ever does. There's a long moment of uncertain silence as the asset processes the conundrum he's presented with. His superiors expect to be treated with respect, and the handlers are his superiors. Yet he's also supposed to follow the orders of the handlers. So what happens when an order directly contradicts all of his training?

He decides that he's never been specifically told not to call an agent by name if they prefer it. "I understand...Derek."

What he doesn't understand is why this agent is treating him like an equal. When he realizes the hand is being outstretched in the expectation of a handshake, he reaches forward, although the greeting is a brief one. Not too brief for him to tell that Derek has nice hands, however.

With a frown, the asset turns away, shaking his head. The question about his name is what finally breaks through his stoic demeanor, because he doesn't know how to answer. "I'm not supposed to- I don't know. There is no other name. Just Daredevil. That's all there is." And yet he knows, deep down, that there is another name. It just hasn't been used in such a long time.

[doctricis]

He can only imagine what kind of whirlwind he's causing but tossing everything formally trained out the window on day one.

"It's okay if you need some time getting used to this." Derek furrowed his brow a little and softened his smile in understanding after the handshake, it felt a little odd having his name being said like that. Just something to work on is all.

If HYDRA had known what he was planning for the Daredevil, he would have been kicked from the program immediately and either banned from ever participating or kicked from the organization completely. Derek had the idea if you treat an asset like anyone else, would their programming and training slowly unravel? Would it be easy to earn their complete trust and turn them against the very institution that created them?

He wanted to try. Even if the risks could cost him his life but if it worked. If it worked, HYDRA could very well lose one of its prized toys.

When the asset turns away, he knows he's played the right card and it warrants a smirk for a moment before he's back to his usual soft smile. "Look, I can continue to call you by the names protocol calls for in the field but in here..." he pauses, testing the waters. " I don't have to. So think about it, will you? "

[applypressure]

"Thank you." It isn't easy to hold back the 'sir', and it isn't any easier to use his handler's given name either. Since he's been offered a temporary reprieve in the form of 'getting used to it', the asset decides to make good use of that offer. He'll just have to spend some time thinking about this agent's name, and connecting it with the handful of sensory clues that are available to identify him with.

As always, the Devil wishes his handlers would allow him to learn their faces. But they never do, and he suspects it goes against some kind of protocol. Isolation, as exhausting as it sometimes gets, seems to important to his training.

The request brings yet another moment of confusion. By all rights it ought to be an order, and if it were then he'd know what to do with it. But it's being left to him to choose, and that's unsettling. It feels like a test, one that has a very clear correct answer, and yet also has the potential for being a trap. "I understand. I'll answer to whatever name you deem appropriate for the situation."

[doctricis]

There's a nod at the thanks that was given, he appreciated the other man's compliance so far, HYDRA really had their work cut out for them in the end. Taking note that he should get the files for that machine in the main room and anything more than what was in the file he was given or was that sort of thing off-limits to him as a handler. Never hurt to ask.

"Good." Derek couldn't help but run through a few names in his head, trying to guess what the asset's real name was besides the handle he was given. John... no... Gabriel... no... Roscoe... no... Matthew... hmm.. maybe? He kinda looks like he might be a Matt. Then he's off again going through names. He'll just wait to see if the asset ever tells him, he's patient enough.

"If you have anything you want to ask, you are more than welcome to." He rocks on his heels a few times, fidgetting with a bracelet on his wrist when he brings his hands behind his back once more. There was a need to sit and talk but he didn't want to continue to invade the Devil's space any more than he had to. Even if he can push his authority to get it. " Otherwise, I'll let you get back to... whatever you were doing before I barged in."

[applypressure]

The constant movement is interesting, although he supposes that most of the agents don't require the kind of stillness that's been drummed into the asset. Some of them do tend toward impatience, he's discovered. Although usually they focus that impatience toward him.

"Are you a medic?" There's a scent of disinfectant on the man, the kind he associates with the medical wing, rather than the type that's used for general cleaning. Other scents too, of course, things like soap and aftershave, but aside from using them as identification they aren't pertinent right now. "You smell like one."

Let him get back to... the Devil is almost starting to become frustrated at how unlike expectations this Derek is. "You aren't going to be testing me?" His last handler made him go through every training exercise, every skill demonstration, until the asset was ready to drop.

[doctricis]

It was a very strange change of pace, it's not that he couldn't stay still but that he was so used to constantly running around in medical tending to people who came and went, to all of the sudden not having to. He'll get used to it in time but for now, he continues to fidget more than he usually would.

"I am." Derek was amazed that the other man was able to pick that up by just his scent, " I was stationed in medical till there was an opening for handlers, no one really signed up for the position this time around. Figured I'd give it a shot." Of course, there was an intense screening process to see if he was even qualified for the position, which he ended up passing with flying colors.

He blinked at the question, "Not today, no." He was briefed on the schedules of past handlers and given recommendation routines to run the asset through on a daily basis. Some of the handler's routines were harsh from what he saw, pushing the Devil to his limits. Derek knows the limits of the body unlike the formers so he's not going to be pushing the asset as hard on the exercises or demonstrations.

Derek sighs as he drops his head and pinches the bridge of his nose before lifting his head again, "I know your abilities are top notch based on your former handlers and the results of that training. You're expecting the same from me based on what they've put you through before and I'm just letting you know it's going to be a completely different routine and handling process."

[applypressure]

The idea that no one wanted the job as Daredevil's handler gives him a perverse sense of pride, and his lips twitch in an almost-smile. Of course, he's not supposed to be thinking that way, but it's evidence of how dangerous he is, and that's one of the rare things the agents offer praise for. So they should be all right with him taking a little pleasure in the accomplishment, shouldn't they?

Of course, if this Derek was friends with the man who previously held the position, then there may be consequences if he notices.

Then the new handler is explaining how he intends to make changes, and the asset finds himself confused once again. What reason would HYDRA have for doing things this way? A medic for a handler, one who isn't interested in testing his skills, who has an approach that's radically different from everything the asset has experienced thus far...

An explanation suddenly occurs to him, and he just manages to stop himself from gasping, although his entire body goes tense. They're going to start the experiments again, the ones intended to enhance his sensory abilities even further. The first time was too long ago for him to have any clear memories, but he feels a visceral reaction to the idea all the same. Unconsciously, he sucks at his lower lip, one hand opening and closing in a tight fist.

"The Enhancement Program."

[doctricis]

Derek can't say that he had friends within HYDRA, not when they believed so strongly in this organization and he didn't. He held acquaintances but nothing further than that. So, he lets the asset have to small moment of pride with the knowledge that handlers were going to be hard to find if he doesn't stay in this position long.

The asset wasn't wrong about HYDRA's plans for the Enhancement Program, they did run it by him as something they'd bring back and soon. It would have started as soon as Derek was assigned to him but with enough convincing, he was able to postpone it a little longer.

"Hmm... Yes and luckily for you right now, no. " Derek walks further into the room, making his way closer to the asset, "They do have plans to continue the program but not until I'm done with you and by that... I mean, I'm to give them my assessment if you are physically ready for it." He moves his hands behind his back, leaning forward a little when he's only a step or two away from him.

Of course, Derek's lying. He was told to give an assessment because he convinced them he would be able to tell if the asset was in peak condition to receive the experiments instead of just giving them to him like they did before. If they wanted better results, they should trust him to deliver. In reality, he doesn't want the asset to go through with the experiments again which means he's going to make up results for his reports.

"I have something else in mind for you. " He hints at before standing up straight once more.

[applypressure]

The asset can't decide whether to feel relieved at the news that the Program at least isn't starting immediately, or concerned that this new handler has some other scheme. Obviously he has no say in the matter either way, but uncertainty has never been a comfortable feeling for him.

In a way, Derek's willingness to get close to him, his apparent lack of fear, is reassuring. However unsure the Devil might be, his handler doesn't seem worried that he might react badly to whatever new protocol is ahead of him. The same can't be said about the majority of the agents he deals with.

It's almost as if the asset is being prodded into expressing his curiosity, into asking questions rather than simply waiting to be told what's expected of him. Maybe that's a test as well, but if it is, then he can't decide which way the correct answer lies. After a long pause, he finally gives in to his need to understand. "What-" He stops, brow furrowed, but begins again after a couple breaths. "Will there be a new training regimen then? To better prepare me?"

[doctricis]

Derek wanted the Devil to give in to his curiosity, to ask questions, to be more than a vessel for following orders without complaint. He's actually surprised in himself that his heart rate wasn't through the roof right about now, giving away the small amount of fear he did hold behind his act.

"Not per se. I will be reviving a few older exercises but nothing physically was going to change from what your last handler ran with you. The only thing that changes from here on out for as long as you decide... is this." Derek reaches out and places a hand on the Devil's cheek, his touch gentle, testing. He knows full well that the man in front of him could seriously injure or more or less, kill him without breaking a sweat if he saw fit. But even so, he's testing the waters on how the assist would react to the smallest level of affection or touch. If he'd respond positively to it or not.

"There is something I want to test and that starts today. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what that might be in detail just yet but know it won't hurt." There's a soft smile as he grabs Matt's hands and placed them on his own face, it was a huge risk in doing so but if he should even the slightest notion that he trusted him with this. Then maybe he'll respond easier to what he has planned.

[applypressure]

It's been drilled into him over and over that he's to have no reaction to anything the handlers do to him unless they permit him. No retaliation for attacks, no response to being handled. He doesn't like it, and curbing the instinct to lash out in self-defense has been one of his greatest struggles. But this touch isn't like any he can remember. Instead of triggering a desire to defend himself, it makes his eyes widen and his body freeze in surprise.

It's gone too quickly, but then his own hands are being guided to the man's face, and there's so much confusion because none of his previous handlers ever cared to let him 'see' them. Immediately he moves his fingers over Derek's features, a perhaps unexpectedly careful touch for someone who uses his body to perpetrate so much violence.

[doctricis]

As Matt's fingers carefully glide over his features, he's still. Trying to stay as calm as he could possibly be but judging by the way the Devil reacted to his own gentle touches, he doesn't expect the asset to actually hurt him in this instance which is a relief of its own.

Derek knows he still shouldn't let his guard down but there really was no proper way to defend himself now if the Devil wanted to escalate things for whatever reason. "Has anyone allowed you to do this before now?" He asks as he lets the asset take his time to familiarize himself with his features.

He can't imagine anyone has, be it because of protocol or for their own personal safety, he understands why though. This spike of a deeply hidden fear that comes with such a need for trust.

The medic is quiet for a moment before he softly chimes in again, "I want you to put your trust in me. If we're to work as a unit, I need more than you to simply follow orders."