Bound by Law (Matt Murdock x Reader)

35. Man-Eater

The whole night was restless and tiring, both mentally and physically. You were used to having nightmares from time to time, some of them were realistic, some - only shapes and blurriness that you couldn't make out. But tonight was probably the worst night that you've had since you began working with Matt and Foggy.

Shapes and shadows gradually turned into bodies and faces that you would recognize everywhere, twisting into a parody of a bad horror movie. You saw Matt, sitting in his office, so furious at you for accepting Fisk's offer that he was fuming in his seat. You tried to apologize, tried to explain how there was no other way for this to end but were quickly shut up when Matt's strong hands grabbed your throat and started squeezing the life out of you - the same always bruised big hands that just hours ago felt so soft on your skin were cutting your vocal cords like a big butcher knife. You tried to speak, but words struggled to leave your mouth, jaw tightly locked in hopes to save the precious air. Matt's face changes into someone else's. His. You're back on the bed, he's pushing you into the mattress, full body weight on your throat probably enough to crash your trachea into tiny pieces, but you're desperately fighting for your life, face almost purple, but you're gnawing your nails at his face, his white as a paper sheet face with the claw-like nail scratches. Everything turns red, as if blood vessels in your eyes popped and blinded you.

You rise up from your bed, gasping loudly and touching your neck, feeling the pulse beating in your throat loudly, proof that you're still alive. Sheets tangled between your legs feel like a trap, and you kick them off the bed immediately. "Shit." You say out loud, reaching for your phone on the bedside. Only midnight. "Fuck." You mutter again, and fall back on your pillow, trying to stop yourself from reaching for another cigarette. Maybe Foggy was right. Maybe you've had too much nicotine today. But only your body knew what a shitty day you had. The sudden involvement of Wesley and the Kingpin guy messed up the whole perspective of the case for you and you were not sure what you should do. The threat was serious enough for anyone smarter than a child to back off, but you couldn't break your promise to Elena.

You also couldn't risk involving your father into these shady schemes and endanger his life. Not after the last time.

***
"Wow, you look like crap."

"Thanks, Foggy." You grumble, hanging your coat next to Matt's. "You look...fresh."

Foggy smiles widely, disappearing in his office with a bunch of documents, and you step into your office, to find Matt already sitting in his chair comfortably. He looked better than you, that's for sure, yet still somewhat tired. "Morning." You squeeze out, dropping your briefcase on one of the armchairs.

"Morning." Matt smiles warmly, and in an instant, you feel like you're home. But you weren't. The nightmare was never over.

You suddenly lack words, especially after yesterday. When his body was so close to yours, when he was pressing his lips to yours with such hunger that if Karen didn't show up, you probably would've torn each other apart right here in the office kitchen. Opening a can of Red Bull, you take a big gulp, probably emptying about half of the drink. Matt smells the sweet flavour in the air, scrunching his nose. He also stays silent, not knowing what to say after what happened last night. A lot of things went downhill for him as well, yet both of you would rather die than tell each other about what happened after you left the office.

"Oh, rough night?" Foggy says behind your back, eyeing the energy drink.

"Not the kind you think." You sigh, trying to keep your head up.

"Tough." Foggy replies, suddenly feeling tension rising up.

"Anything new?" Matt asks, somehow compassionate, about your situation. He was certain that you only slept bad, and he was half right.