Matt Murdock Shorts

Disneyland Part II

You kept in touch with Matt, Karen, and Foggy once you got back to Hell's Kitchen. Over the last couple years, you and Matt started dating and moved in together.

—0—

You come home from work to see Matt setting food down on the table.

"Wow, dinner's ready right when I get home? Matt, you're spoiling me."

He chuckles and walks over to claim a kiss. When he pulls back, he has his features schooled into a soft, but serious expression. "I should do it more."

You run a hand through his hair and give him another peck before sitting at the table.

"So, how was your day?"

"Fine, I guess. I'm looking forward to my vacation time though."

He nods. "I talked to Foggy, and we decided I can afford to take some time off with you."

"Really? That's great! So, what are we going to do?" You ask as you dig into your pasta.

"Well, actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Uh, here." He passes over an envelope.

"What's this?" You eye him.

"Look inside." He grins.

"Okay." You open the envelope and see two plane tickets and two Disneyland tickets. "Oh my God Matt, are you fucking with me?"

He chuckles. "No. I had a lot of fun last time, and I know you love it, so I thought I'd surprise you."

You get up to smother him in a hug. "Matt, this is amazing!"

He smiles. "I'm glad you like it."

"Matt, I love it, I can't wait!"

"Me either." He presses a sweet kiss to your cheek.

—a couple weeks later—

You're back in Disneyland, dragging Matt around the park as he lets out fond little laughs at your enthusiasm.

"Hey, wanna get in line for Indiana Jones?" You ask him.

"What time is it and how long is the wait?"

"It's 5:40. The wait is 45 minutes."

He nods. "Yeah, sure."

"So what's up, Matt? You've been asking for the time all day. You that eager for closing?"

Matt can hear the light tone in your voice, but he knows you're curious. "No, just wondering." He shrugs before wrapping his arms around your waist from behind and kissing your temple.

You smile and lean back on him. "Okay. What do you want to do after this?"

"I'm getting hungry."

"Well yeah, that's because you kept turning snacks down after lunch. I brought some granola bars, want one?"

He shakes his head. "I can wait for dinner."

"Okay, where do you want to eat? Bangle Barbecue is good, there's a bunch of places in New Orleans, and there are three places on Mainstreet."

"We should go to Blue Bayou."

"We could see if anyone canceled their reservations, but I don't think we'll be able to get in right now."

"That's fine, let's just go check."

"Okay."

—0—

Usually, Matt lets you take the lead, especially around here, but when you get to the restaurant he goes up to the hostess and starts talking. You're surprised, but you take his arm and listen.

"Hi, we have a reservation for two at 6:30."

She smiles. "Okay, what's the name?"

"Uh, Murdock."

"Right this way." She shows you to your table and sets your menus down.

You stare at Matt and he grins. "Yes?"

"If I could reach you without knocking half the table settings over I would smack you and your smug self."

He chuckles. "Do you like it though?"

"Yeah, it's great. When did you make reservations?"

"When I bought the tickets to come out here. I wanted to make sure we'd be able to get in."

"Well, that was sweet."

He hums. "Let's figure out what we want."

"Okay." You start reading your menu as Matt runs his hands along his braille copy. After you decide on something and order, your conversation falls into a comfortable silence.

Matt reaches across the table to hold your hands. "Sweetheart, I love you."

"I love you too, Matt." You smile.

He lets out a nervous chuckle.

"Are you alright? You've been acting nervous all day. Is it too much for you? Do you need to take a break?"

He laughs. "No, no. I'm fine." He pauses. "Remember when we met on that bench two years ago?"

"Of course I do."

"I still can't believe our lives came together and formed that exact moment. Not to mention the fact that we both live in Hell's Kitchen. If we had met any sooner, we probably would've parted ways after that trip, and that's terrifying for me to think about."

"Yeah, I can't imagine not meeting you. I'd still be bar hopping with my coworkers. Or curled up on my laptop at home, I don't know. Now I get to do those things with you, Karen, and Foggy, it's great."

"I'm glad you're happy. I know I am." He runs his thumb along your hand. "Every day I wake up with you next to me, I think: I'm so lucky. Lucky that I met you, that I had the chance to get to know you, that you love me back." He shakes his head and reaches in his pocket. "I don't ever want to have to live without you." He places a little velvet box on the table and listens as your heartbeat speeds up as you open the box. "Will you marry me?"

You get up and throw your arms around him, smiling into his neck as he lets his hands rest on your back. "Yes Matt, yes."

When you pull back, he pulls you in for a kiss before you go back to your chair. "I would've gotten on a knee and all that, but I wanted to propose here and didn't think you'd appreciate a scene."

"Yeah, I think I did a pretty good job of that myself." You duck down, a little self-conscious now.

"Well, that was after you said yes though. Speaking of which, do you actually want to wear the ring?"

You laugh. "That would be ideal, yeah." You give him your hand and he feels for your ring finger before slipping it on. "It fits perfect. Can you somehow sense ring sizes now?"

He laughs. "No. I may have lifted one of your rings so I had a point of reference when I went ring shopping. Do you like it?"

You look down at it, sparkling in the soft, yellow light. "It's perfect. How did you pick it?"

"When I hold your hand, I always feel different, interesting, rings. I got a feel of your taste through that. I brought Karen and Foggy with me to make sure I wasn't picking something you'd hate."

You laugh. "Did they make you put any back?"

He shakes his head. "I was between a few and they helped me choose the final one."

"Well, you did well. I love it."

"Good." He smiles.

—0—

You have time to ride a couple more rides before the fireworks start. When you start looking for seats, you try to find a seat far enough away where it won't be overwhelming for Matt. You end up on the bench where you met. It's not the best seat, but the trees provide some sort of sound barrier, and you can see the fireworks. So it's fine. Sitting here with Matt, your fingers laced together, is all matters.

"You doing okay here?"

He leans in and kisses you. "Perfect."