The Invisible String: Matt Murdock/ Daredevil

13

He smiled, a flicker of something hopeful lighting his eyes. "Together."

The moment stretched out. She felt it, something growing beneath the surface, a warmth pooling low in her belly. The space between them wasn't empty, it was charged. The brush of his fingers against the table sent an unexpected thrill up her arm.

Matt's voice softened. "I take it you still love that same perfume?"

She bit her lip, surprised by how intimate that felt, how attuned he was, even without sight. "A change was unnecessary. It was your favourite when we were younger."

He laughed quietly, a deep sound that settled in the space between them like a shared secret. Their eyes met, hers clear and sharp, his unseeing but somehow more present than ever.

She reached out slowly, fingertips grazing his hand over the table. He turned his palm upward instinctively, catching her fingers.

He didn't say anything, just held her hand, steady, warm, grounding.

For a long moment, the world outside ceased to exist. No danger, no risks, just the quiet hum of a city that never truly slept and two people rediscovering what had been there all along.

Finally, Matt's voice broke the silence. "Coffee first, then we figure out how to keep Karen from throwing herself into the lion's den."

Annalise smiled, heart still pounding but calmer now. "Sounds like a plan."

The café had emptied out by now. Morning traffic buzzed past the windows, indifferent and loud, but inside, the silence felt heavy — like it was waiting for something.

Matt's head tilted, his body suddenly still.

Annalise felt it before she heard it — that shift in him. Like a wire pulled taut.

"What?" she whispered.

"Two outside," he said, his voice low. "Third across the street. Watching us. Breathing too slow to be nervous."

Annalise set her coffee down, heart rate rising. "You think it's Fisk?"

"I think it's not random."

The bell above the door jingled softly, and two men stepped inside. Not overdressed, not flashy, but they didn't belong. Not here. One stood near the door, the other approached their table with purpose.

He didn't smile. He didn't even pretend to.

"Mr. Murdock," the man said. "Mr. Fisk says it's time you stopped pretending."

Matt didn't rise. "Is that so?"

"He says this ends today. You hand yourself over, no more games."

"Or what?"

The man nodded once, not to Matt, but to the guy near the door, who pulled a phone from his pocket and tapped the screen.

A photo flickered to life. He turned the phone slightly, just enough for Annalise to see.

Karen. Bound. A bruise forming at her jaw.

Annalise gasped sharply. "Karen." She whispered.

Matt clenched his jaw. "What did you do to her?"

"She's alive. For now. But if you're not in Fisk's hands by sundown, she's not."

Annalise stood abruptly, stepping between them. "This doesn't make sense. Fisk doesn't know her."

The man cut her off without looking at her. "He knows everything. He knows who you are. What you are. The empath from the orphanage."

Annalise's blood ran cold. "That's not possible."

Now the man turned his head, eyes meeting hers directly. "Oh we've done research. You don't think word got around about the little girl who came back to life? Fisk doesn't forget ghosts."

Matt stood, voice steel. "You tell him I'll be there. Better round up your body guards, before they somehow stumble into a shallow grave."

"You're in no position to make threats," the man said. "He already has one of yours. He'll take more."

Then, to Annalise: "You're a liability. You always were. He won't let you stay in the game."

And with that, the men turned and left.

The café door shut with a muted click.

Silence dropped like a stone.

Matt's hands were fists at his sides, trembling not with fear, but rage — deep, cold, measured rage.

Annalise sat back down slowly, hand pressed to her chest like she was trying to hold something in.

"He shouldn't know me," she whispered. "I've kept away. I've never stepped into the light."

"He doesn't need light," Matt said, sinking back into his chair. "He needs leverage. That's what this is. He dug. He found you."

Annalise stared blankly at the wall across from her. "He doesn't just want to hurt you. He wants me as well."

Matt nodded. "And he wants me to walk into his cage willingly."

"Will you? Regardless I'm going with you." she confirmed, trying to calm her heartbeat.

He didn't answer at first. Then: "Not a chance in hell."

Her eyes flashed. "Spare your breath Matt, It's me."

He turned toward her, expression unreadable. "He's done hiding. This is war now. He wants our blood."

Annalise leaned forward, voice tight. "Then we don't give him what he wants."

Matt's face was unreadable, but something in his jaw twitched.

Annalise pushed. "We get Karen back. Then we burn his whole goddamn plan to the ground."

His head bowed slightly, and then he let out a breath — not a surrender, but something close to focus.

"Okay, but you need something protective to wear." he said.

"Like your fancy devil suit, I'm all in. What was it he called me, The Empath? Why not just get a suit made of aura?" She asked sarcastically, the shitty  excuse for a label was bitching in her ear. 

Matt sighed, "I was thinking more bullet proof vest, but whatever you're into I guess"

They both stood, not touching this time, but moving as one. The last remnants of coffee sat cold on the table behind them.

"You know what I'm into Murdock." Annalise stated boldly, walking ahead and into the street. 

The wind kicked up around them, rattling signs and trash like bones in a graveyard.

"Oh yeah? Enlighten me." Matt replied, a hint of a smirk on his face as he unfolded his cane.

"Maybe ill demonstrate, after we save my new best friend" She pulled him by his tie into the closet alleyway, ensured no one was visible and grabbed his cane. "Race you home." Taking off in a sprint, she climbed the nearest ladder. 

"I thought I was your best friend?" Matt yelled as he chased after her. 

Annalise reached the top, seeing Matt about to climb up she, out of kindness, pulled the ladder up behind her blocking off his entry. 

"You're more then that Matt. Bye!"

The city didn't slow down. Not for them. Not for anyone.

But Matt Murdock was done reacting.

And Wilson Fisk had made one very specific mistake.

He reached too far.