Matt Murdock's Apartment
"I'll always be there when you really need me, to patch you up. Beyond that…"
Claire's words trailed off, her hand on the door. She was hesitating, and she wasn't sure why. Was there more to be said? Did she want Matt to call after her? She honestly didn't know.
"Beyond that what Claire? Beyond that we can't have anything? Is that what you're saying to me? Dammit, do you realize how crazy this is? You'll make sure I don't get killed, make sure that I'm able to physically survive, but my heart and my soul can die?"
Matt knew he sounded irrational. Maybe he was. But he cared about Claire. She was one of the only good things in his life, and he wouldn't let her walk away without a fight. If there was one thing Matt Murdock knew how to do, it was fight.
"Don't. Don't you dare try to put this on me. Don't act as though I am somehow responsible for your choices. You gave up on us way before I did." She said, turning to face him.
"Bullshit. You gave me an ultimatum. But what you're really saying is that it's fine that I go out and do what I have to in order to save this city from the monsters that threaten it as long as you don't have to watch me do it."
Claire walked over to him and slapped him hard across the face.
"Damn you. You act so self-righteous, but you're not the one who has to wait and wonder if you'll come back at all, or if you'll die because some dirtbag got lucky and I wasn't there in time! Nothing matters except the job to you, does it?" She asked angrily, and he glared.
"This city matters. The people in it matter. Karen. Foggy. You. Especially you. I do this to keep you all safe, because it has to be done and I am the only one with the skills to do it. And yes, I enjoy stopping criminals. I enjoy knowing that the animal who rapes his daughter while his wife sleeps will spend a year breathing through a straw because that is the only justice he will get. I love the law, I do. But I am not blind to its flaws. The law is not perfect. If it was, scum like Fisk wouldn't get away with their crimes. I wouldn't have to do what I do. I could spend my days in court and my nights in bed with you. At least assuming we met in a world where I wasn't found in a dumpster." He said, and Claire smiled in spite of herself.
"Unfortunately, this is the world we live in. I can't stop what I do. But what I can do is swear to always do my best to come back. Now if you want, you can go. I'll leave you alone, unless I seriously need you to patch me up. But I hope you won't. I want something beyond just you patching me up. I want a chance to get to know you better, for you to get to know me beyond a guy in a black suit named Matt who beats the hell out of criminals. I want-"
His words were cut off as Claire kissed him on the lips, pulling back a moment later. She looked into his sightless eyes that saw so much more than anyone ever knew, and she made a decision.
"Okay. We'll take it one day at a time. Beyond that, I can't promise anything. But there is one rule. You have to let yourself heal, at least for the next day."
"Agreed. Now, would you like to get dinner? I can grab us a pizza from Donny's and-"
"I'll get food. You stay here and rest. I'll be back soon, and if you're up to it, you can tell me more about this lawyer." She said, and he chuckled. Then he kissed her again, letting her go a moment later. He heard his door open and shut, heard her footsteps walking down the hall.
One night at a time. Beyond that, nothing was guaranteed. But at least they had tonight, and he could live with that. Beyond that…Only time would tell.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this one-shot. Please read and review, and let me know what you all think.