Bound by Law (Matt Murdock x Reader)

31. Grasping the Straws

8:28 in the morning, Matt was already standing outside his apartment building, his phone and wallet resting in the pocket of his jacket, his glasses in the pocket of his coat, and a heavy feeling in his chest; he was crouched on his walking stick and waited for you to come, yet his mind was somewhere else entirely. He was burning inside and wanted to find Fisk's accountant as soon as possible and question the hell out of him, but he still had to locate him, and do it tonight, as the devil. Lost in his thoughts, Matt snapped out of the trance when you slammed your car doors.

"Well, if this isn't Matt Murdock in the flesh." You come around and stand almost in front of Matt, but then decide to lean on the front of your car, crossing your legs.

"After last night's message, I wouldn't dare being somewhere else." Matt tries to joke, but you remain standing with a stone-cold face. "I'm sorry that I didn't answer the phone." He says, sensing your coldness.

"Where were you?" You ask him straight, without boring both of you with pointless questions that may or may not lead to this question.

"I..." Matt begins, trying to think of a believable lie, although now he admits that answering your call might have been a mistake.

"Don't lie. Please." You sigh, still feeling worn out after yesterday's events.

"I was at the gym." Matt steps closer to the car and rests his arms on the roof. 

"You left earlier just to go to the gym? What kind of gym works this late and especially when half of the city is burning?" You scoff slightly.

"The owner lets me in after the work hours."

"And the phone? We called you like a hundred times. Each."

"I left it at home. Sorry."

"Matt, we've been worried about you." You turn to look at him, noticing that he hasn't shaved in 4 days at least, which made him look more worn out than he probably was. "I drove Elena Cardenas to the hospital."

"What?" He finally turns to your direction, eyebrows knitted. "What happened?"

"The explosions... They hit her apartment. And the one next to her... They said that everyone died there." You take a moment to calm yourself again, "I drove her and Foggy...And Karen to the hospital. She's feeling better today, I think they will send her home soon." You drove here from the hospital, where you took your car and ran by reception to ask about Mrs Cardenas's well-being.

"Foggy?"

"He was hurt a bit but he's alright. They were at Elena's apartment when the explosions happened." You light up a cigarette and blow the first cloud of smoke. "Matt, why didn't you answer me yesterday? I was knocking at your door for at least half an hour."

"I wasn't home yet."

"But then I called you and you answered?"

"I returned."

"Matt, I was outside on this street when I called you." You say in disbelief.

Matt feels his cheeks getting hot when you catch him in his lies, yet he quickly has to think of another. "Maybe we passed each other. And actually I was in the bathroom downstairs. You probably called me when I returned to my flat."

"I don't believe you, you know. I just... Want to find the person that Tully is covering for." You stand up and get in your seat, cigarette rolling between your cherry-colored lips. "Are you coming?"

"Yeah, yeah." Matt gets in the car and silently puts a seatbelt on. "You're gonna smoke in the car?"

"Is that a problem?"