Matt Murdock Shorts

Christamas Eve

You've been fighting crime as long as Daredevil. Probably longer since you witnessed his rise to fame. You're just better at staying under the radar. Which is a good thing with all the murmurs you're hearing about superhero registration. Not to mention that what you're doing is more than a little illegal. Not so local celebrity or not, he's doing good out there. You've bumped into him a couple times. Once before the media picked up on his activities, and once more recently. He seems nice enough, if a bit elusive. He gets the job done though. You started a secret Santa type thing, leaving him little presents around spots you've seen him. After all, you know better than anyone that this life can be lonely. You'll admit, it's difficult to shop for a vigilante you've only seen twice, so your presents end up being practical. First aid supplies, gloves, energy bars. You throw a couple holiday themed sugar cookies just to be extra cheesy. You have no idea if he's getting these little packages, but you figure the other option is some poor kid finding them, and that's not a bad thing either.

It's around 9 on Christmas eve when you see him again. You both drop from a fire escape across from each other to interrupt a couple muggers. They're fairly easy to scare off, so you turn your attention to the victim.

"Are you alright sir?"

"Yeah." He eyes the two of you before he addresses Daredevil. "So, what? Did you think it would be fun holiday plans to bring your girlfriend crime fighting with you tonight?"

"I have no idea who she is." He states.

"I'm just better at avoiding the press." You add.

The man nods and scurrys off to whatever party he was heading to.

"You make it sound like I'm trying to avoid the press."

"I should've known. Someone doesn't make a suit with devil horns unless they want attention."

He shakes his head. "That's not why I do this. I was already getting attention, I took it as an opportunity to make a statement."

"And what statement is that? You can't possibly be referring to fashion."

That last part earns you a grin, but it's gone almost as soon as it appeared. "To tread in the path of the righteous."

You nod. "Fair enough." You look him over when he doesn't go anywhere. "So no holiday plans for you?"

He shakes his head. "Not until midnight mass."

"Would you like some? We make a good team. Maybe we could beat on a few muggers before then."

He chuckles. "Sure, but why don't we take the rest of the night off? It is Christmas."

"Okay, do you have something in mind?"

"Come to the roof with me?"

You nod and follow him as he jumps up the fire escape with far more finesse than is necessary. You would think he's showing off, but then you remember that this is the guy who has fucking horns on his costume. He probably does that all the time.

He sits on the ledge and leans forward, elbows on his knees, as he waits for you to join him. Once you do, you sit in silence for a minute before he speaks up. "You know, the holidays are crazy. Supermarkets are more crowded, there's at least a 45 minute wait anywhere you go to eat. But this one night almost makes it worth it. I don't have family to spend it with, but my friends do, so I'm usually alone. Hence why I'm out beating on criminals tonight. I'm sure you're aware of the shit storm of crimes that happens around the holidays, but this one night is always so peaceful. Even criminals have family and friends, office parties to attend."

"Makes you wonder what you're doing wrong." You say the unspoken truth between you two.

He nods and stares out at the city lights. Though you're not sure how, since the eye holes don't even look like holes. "At least we're not alone tonight though."