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three ━━━━━━━━━━ 2016 & 2024
Matthew Murdock could hear as his baby sister padded through his apartment for the third night in a row. Her footsteps echoed in his ears, keeping him awake. He didn't blame her of course, he himself had been kept up at nights by things he's experienced. He knew she would feel bad if he left his room to check on her, muttering her apologies before urging the lawyer back to his bed. But, Matthew didn't like the idea of his sister awake and alone. Matthew swung his legs over the side of his bed, walking through the dark without his cane. He knew the layout of his own home better than he knew anything else. He could navigate it pretty well. "Annalise." Matt said, startling her as she sat on the couch, looking out the window.
"Jesus, Matt." Annalise says breathlessly, a hand over her heart. Matt chuckled as he fell into the armchair across from her. "Sorry. Did I wake you up?" Annalise questions, looking at her brother. His outfit was different from the usual grey suit he wore day to day. She smiles softly as she looks at his sweatpants. "You still tucking your pants into your socks, Matty?"
Matt Murdock smiles, though it didn't reach his eyes. The moonlight illuminated his face. Even though he was face towards his sister, his eyes never met her own. "It's comfy. And no, you didn't. I can't sleep tonight, cars keep honking." Annalise knew it was excuse, of course, but she didn't comment on it. Unlike her brother, she couldn't tell when people were lying. It flew right over her head most of the time. "Are you okay?" Matthew asks. Her heart rate picked up a little, he frowned. He had only asked her a few times of what had happened in Germany, he had also suggested a therapist not too far from here. Doctor Riveria was her name, but Anna declined.
"I will be." It wasn't entirely a lie, he picked up on that much. But his question still went mostly unanswered. "Annalise, you know I can tell when you're not okay even when I'm blind. Your heart rate increases, like a little mouse. That's how I know you're lying, you know that. So, please tell me what happened in Germany." Matthew persists. He felt bad for being so...persistent. But Annalise hadn't talked to one person about it since she got back. Not even to her squad—or more so the one's who made it through the recovery process. The doctors ran thousands of tests on her, found bruises here and there, and then ultimately found out about the serum.
It was silent—and for a while, Matt didn't think she would ever respond. The Murdock siblings sat for ten minutes before Matt spoke up again. "I'm sorry." He says sincerely. "You can't bottle it up. It's been over a month."
"It's...fine, Matthew."
Annalise can remember how her heart raced the first time she saw her brother again. The hospital had handcuffed her to a bed in fear of her being mentally unstable, a bruise had stuck for a long time. She could hear the taps of his cane, one's that were so familiar but at the same time, hadn't graced her in forever. At that moment, Annalise had wanted to tell her brother everything, but her mouth couldn't form the words of pained sinking memories. Matthew understood then.
