The Invisible String: Matt Murdock/ Daredevil

10

Yeah, actually, I don't feel it. Unless Foggy just throws a weak punch, Matt shrugged.

Karen and Foggy remained on the floor, laughing and chatting quietly. Annalise helped Matt to a stool and sat him down. Blood seeped through his shirt where stitches had been torn open. She found her med kit, carefully pulling out the old stitches before pausing.

I want to try something, she said hesitantly. Matt tilted his head, curious.

Close your eyes though, please.

He shrugged and obeyed. Obviously, it wasn't necessary, but it helped her concentration. She knew how silly it was—asking a blind man to close his eyes so he wouldn't see her—but too bad.

She focused, noticing subtle vibrations around his body, small red pulses coming into view. It took her a few minutes to find the pain—around his ribs, arm, leg. Carefully, she guided the pain to move elsewhere, silently praying she wasn't making a fool of herself.

You can open your eyes now, she said.

She laughed nervously.

What did you do? Matt asked softly.

That embarrassed her, but she answered,
Um, well, I thought I was—never mind. Always room for improvement.

Matt smiled gently as she lowered herself to start re-stitching. But then his hand caught her arm.

I don't know what you did, but whatever it was, nothing hurts anymore.

He took a deep breath, relief washing over his face. She hadn't seen him without some pain since she arrived—only two days—but judging by his expression, it must have been this way for a long time.

Talk about a power couple, Foggy whispered to Karen, both sitting side by side watching silently.

You know we can both hear you, right? Matt said, glaring over Annalise's shoulder at the two.

They bit their tongues simultaneously, surprise flickering across their faces.

Okay, but can you blame me? You're like a bat—blind with echolocation—and she's basically Jasper from Twilight.
Foggy pointed at them both.

Matt sighed deeply. Annalise laughed him off, lifting his shirt to continue stitching.

Foggy, we've been over this—bats aren't blind.

That's the part you're hung up on? Annalise asked, turning to Foggy.

What's Twilight?

Foggy's face twisted in horror as he looked to Karen for emotional support.

Isn't Twilight the time before the sky goes completely dark, like dawn? Matt offered, both nodding curtly in agreement as Annalise tied off the thread.

Foggy looked around her apartment, shaking his head.
Not even a couch or television to educate you.

I knew I should've taken his couch, she claimed, pointing at Matt as she pressed gauze over his wound, her hand lingering a moment longer. A glimmer of a smirk passed between them.

Foggy yawned, stretching his arms wide in an almost cartoonish way. His eyes scanned the room, clearly searching for something.
So, I'm assuming you don't have a guest room?

Annalise scoffed, laughing at his sarcasm. The three rose to face the couple on the other side of the room.

And you do? Matt responded, judging by what she'd seen, none of them were wealthy. Matt had told her Foggy now had a larger income, though.

Dibs, Foggy as my pillow! Karen screeched triumphantly, even amid their precarious situation humor thrived.

She was in awe of how Matt had found such great friends. Annalise laughed, nodding toward her bedroom.
You guys can have the bed.

Matt gave her a raised eyebrow, as if contemplating something.
Don't even think about it.

Rolling her eyes at him, she glanced back at Foggy and Karen, now standing. Foggy had one eyebrow raised expectantly.

No, not like that. We were arguing over who was taking the bed and he threw me on it—

They stared at her. Karen copied Foggy's pose, waiting expectantly.

No, not like— you know what, shut up.
Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she covered it with her hand.

Mmkay.
Karen replied hesitantly as she and Foggy moved toward the bedroom door, lingering a foot away from the lounge.

Matt finished laughing and cleared his throat.
I'm going up to see if there's any way of pulling my mattress down here.

Annalise shook her head firmly.
Hey, no. Just because you don't feel it doesn't mean you don't have wounds. I refuse to do any more stitching tonight.

He rolled his eyes but still moved toward the window, climbing out onto the fire escape.

She turned to Foggy and Karen, still standing nearby.
Does he ever listen?

Not unless he actually feels like he's half dead.

Annalise was already regretting taking away his pain and mentally scheming ways to put some of it back without feeling guilty. She sighed and rushed after him.