"Yeah. He's been dead over twenty-five years and I still hear his damn voice in my head," he replies softly. He knows all of the ways that his father sacrificed for him and all the ways that Matt wished that he hadn't, but that feels like another one of those alternate realities. One that haunts him the most.

The answer makes him faintly smile before taking another sip of his coffee. He hears the world outside; the window is open in the kitchen and sound carries but he ignores it for the rhythm of Frank's voice and the steady pull of his heart. "I'm glad you had that," he says simply and leaves it at that. Frank Castle doesn't seek out or want his sympathy and Matt doesn't offer it. He provides only as much understanding as he can muster as someone who never had children but who has lost a hell of a lot in his life. He's buried too many people and that's something they have in common.

"Stick asked me if it was worth it after I buried Elektra. I think he was hoping I'd say no. But it's always worth it."