The Devil and his Dove

Strawberries and Vanilla

Matt's P.O.V

"I make it a habit not to sue my clients" I quipped back my eyes crinkling with a slight smile on my face hearing Alex giggle, It was still raining, it was a downpour today but, it was helping muffle the sounds of the city and those around us, I could focus completely on her, her blood rushing to her face pooling in her cheeks as she smiled. She took my arm with no hesitation as the cab pulled up to the curb. She opened the door giving me a slight push to hurry me out of the rain. The cab smelt of disinfectant and the faint traces of someone's vomit. As I slide in folding my cane onto my lap I could feel her hesitation as she stood outside the door holding it open but not getting in. "Alex, are you coming?"I questioned my voice soft, the last thing I wanted was to make this girl uncomfortable in any way. Especially after what she's been through. She slid in answering my question as she sat, turning and facing me,

"Sorry just spaced for a moment" I nodded at her, her heart speeding just slightly. Lie

"So where you folks going," the cab driver asked, I gave him mine and Alex's address before she could pipe in. He hummed lightly in response before pulling out onto the road. Alex gave a sharp intake of breath.

"How long have you lived in the building Murdock?"

"Longer than you Miss Angelo" I could feel her tense 

"How do you know how long I've lived there"

"I heard you move in a few months ago"

"Oh," I nudged her with my shoulder.

"Don't worry," I said grinning "I'm sure that you can win a fight against a blind man" That got her giggling and slightly relaxing next to me.

"Thanks for the confidence boost Matthew" she giggled. We fell into a small silence.

"Alex" I started, she hummed letting me know that she was listening "Are you alright" she began to speak but I quickly cut in hearing her heart speed up with the lie "The truth please" She licked her lips slumping onto the seat, letting out a breath

"I'm not a good liar am I Matthew" I didn't respond, and she continued not needing me to "No, I'm not alright" She closed her eyes letting the waves of grief, loss, and unexpectedly, anger roll off her. " I just lost my last rock," She turned to me now her head still on the seat "Did you know Anthony and I were only half-siblings" I shook my head "Ya He lost his dad when he was two years old, He was a Marine, Anthony thought he was a hero and wanted to be just like him, that's why he joined up at eighteen." she paused letting a tear fall down her face, "The only Dad he really knew was his stepdad... My dad. He was around until Anthony was thirteen, that's when he died too. stage four lung cancer, they didn't catch it until it was way too late to do anything. Our mom was only seven months along with me, and she died too, I was fourteen" I took this in, Alex had lost more than I thought, Anthony was the only person she had left, who had raised her. She was alone with a new responsibility all on her own. I could smell the salt of her silent tears streaming down her face. I laid back putting my arms around her pulling her into a hug that was much needed. She felt so small in my arms. I rubbed back soothingly as she cried silent tears into my shoulder. How could someone who was so young lose so much? She pulled back sniffling, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, "Sorry" she sniffed chuckling sadly "I got real emotional there didn't I" I shook my head my eyebrows furrowing

"No, don't apologize" I stated "Youve been through a lot, you needed to let it out" I rubbed her shoulder speaking softly "If you didn't you'd end up angry at everything, and everyone, trust me on that" I could feel her gaze on my face. and I answered her unsaid question "My mother left right after I was born, no it wasn't because I was blind, that happened later" I licked my lips telling her about the accident and how I pushed that old man out of the way and got a bunch of chemicals in my eyes effective making me blind.

"How old were you" was her only question. I swallowed, answering

"Nine... I was nine years old" I paused "My Dad was murdered a year later, Then I was sent to St.Agnes Until I went to college." I could hear her soft intake of breath

"You lost a lot, It sucks doesn't it" was her response. i chuckled leading into a full-blown laugh, which she began to join. We laughed at the absurdness of it all the pain that we've gone through and we weren't even halfway through our lives.

"It really does suck doesn't it" I smiled, Thinking how could the two of us talking about going through the worst things to happen to our led to us laughing so damn hard, you know what they say pain makes the funniest people.

"That's one way to put it Alexandra" We was still chuckling when the driver turned in his seat repeating our address. I pulled my wallet out slipping out enough for the tip before Alex could place it in the driver's hand. "Thanks for the ride" I opened my door stepping out and held out my hand for Alex, I heard her let out a huff before taking my hand.

"I could have at least gotten the tip Matthew" I would have thought she was angry if it was not for the calm beat of her heart. I smiled pulling her closer by her hand as she automatically took my elbow, as we walked into our building.

"So this is my apartment " her key jingled as she put them in the lock twisting the key " Do wanna come in so I can give you your hoodie" I chuckled,

"Wow you get Foggys number then invite me into your apartment, Miss Angelo you move fast" She chuckled before taking my arm again and pulling me into her apartment.

"I wanna make sure both my lawyers are giving their all" she bumped into me with her hip "By any means necessary" I chuckled adjusting my glasses and listening to the sounds around us as we moved from the hallway to the apartment, an infant crying, children running in halls, but it fell almost silent to my ears as Alex pulled me through the door to her apartment. Opening the door I was instantly hit with a smell that was just Alex. Vanilla, and Strawberry. It is so comforting, and homey. I walked in and heard her tiding up and rushing around the room.

"Sorry I know it's a mess, It's just with Mia staying over and everything I haven't had a chance to clean" I chuckled adjusting my glasses to bring attention to them

"It's fine, I wouldn't know If it's messy anyway" I heard the pillows and blankets that she had in her hands drop to the floor her hand going immeidetly to her mouth muffling the sounds of her groan.

"Oh shit I forgot, I'm so sorry Matthew... It just spaced my mind completely" I shook my head

"It alright Alex, it happens" She walked past me into what I assumed was her bedroom, I could hear her stripping off my hoodie and pulling on another top, before walking out again and handing the hoodie to me.

"Here, your hoodie".