"Anna? Are you ok?" Matt's voice came through, sounded awake this time. At 4am?
She breathed in and out a few times. "I think I'm in trouble, in a big one this time."
"Are you home?"
She hold back another gagging. "Yes."
"I will be there in 10 minutes, don't move."
"Can you stay on the phone? Please?"
Matt was surprised to hear her this scared, she never sounded this terrified before. "Of course."
"I... I just don't want to be alone now."
"Did you get attacked? Did the Boss asked you to do something bad? Or did he do something to you?" If he touched her he's gonna break every bone in his body for sure.
"No, it.. it wasn't him. The Italian gang... I think... they found me."
"Did they hurt you?"
"No.. they didn't..."
She heard footsteps from the hallway and shivered. "It's me." She heard Matt's voice, but not from her phone this time.
She relived, but wasn't able to move from her position. Felt like if she stopped hugging herself, she's gonna fell apart.
Matt stopped a few feet from her, glass and broken pieces of furniture crunching under his steps. "Were you here when they broke in?"
"No, I came home to this. They were already gone." She hesitated. "Matt... they left a message for me on my bedroom wall, I think it's blood." She finally looked up at his face. He was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, no dark glasses on his face this time. He must've left in a hurry. He was gripping his white cane with both hands. She saw his face in the dim light coming from her bedroom, he looked seriously worried about her. "I don't know who's blood it is... maybe Bobby's, or Duke's, or maybe they killed someone else?" Her eyes started filling up with tears, so she squeezed them. She didn't want to cry, not even in front of a blind man.
"You're staying at my place. Come." He reached his hand out straight, somewhere in her approximate direction. She hesitated for a second, then shifted to move closer and grabbed it, feeling like 'de ja vu'.
"Do you want to bring anything with you? Clothes maybe?" He asked. Of course, she thought, he can't see the pile of ruin clothes on the floor. And she wasn't sure if they did anything nasty to her toothbrush, so decided to leave everything here. "I don't have anything left." She said with a sigh, grabbed her heavy backpack with the documents while they walked by it.
He didn't live far from her, only 3 blocks maybe. She had no idea they were basically neighbors.
Matt turned his doorknob and let her go ahead. "It's dark in here." She whispered, not wanting to wake his neighbors up.
"Oh, sorry, I keep forgetting about it, the switch is on your left."
She turned the lights on to reveal a hallway with a small bench on her left and a coat hanger.
"Please, go ahead and feel yourself home." He locked the door behind them, and Anna felt a little uncomfortable with the situation. The initial shock was wearing off and realized she's about to stay at a man's home who she doesn't really know. And he doesn't know her either.
"I'm sorry for causing problems to you."
"You don't. I feel good if I know you're safe, and you're safe here. I can protect you, Anna." He sounded sincere, and Anna nodded as a thank you without realizing he can't see that.
She looked around as she walked into the living room. His apartment was huge compared to hers. There were high ceilings, a large living room with an open kitchen and dining area. She saw a sliding door probably leading to the bedroom, and another door to the bathroom. There was a staircase going up somewhere, possibly to the roof. She walked up to the tall windows in the living room to notice a large bright billboard right across the street, facing toward her. "Oh, wow!"
"Yeah, it came up several years ago. It can be bothersome for most, but I can't see it, so for me it doesn't matter. Plus I got a good deal on this corner apartment because of it."
Anna smiled.
"Are you hungry?" He asked.
"No, I don't think I can eat. Probably not for a long time." Her stomach turned just thinking of the blood on her wall.
"Come, you will be sleeping in the bedroom."
"Oh, I...no, I will be ok on the couch." Forcing him out from his bedroom was the last thing she wanted.
"What I heard about my living room and that billboard, that might be a little difficult to sleep here for someone with sight." He smiled reassuring. "I insist."
They stepped in his bedroom, which was four times the size of hers with a large bed, two nightstands on the sides, a dresser and a chair in the corner. Anna lowered her backpack by the bed then they walked back to the living room.
"The bathroom is behind that door there." He motioned to the general direction, then walked up to the closet by the staircase. He handed her one of his shirt and a towel. "This should do it for tonight, and I will ask Karen to bring some clothes tomorrow morning."
Anna took them, feeling very grateful. "Thank you, I really appreciate all of this."
"I also have spare toothbrushes in the bathroom drawer, feel free to use one. I'm sure you are exhausted..."
"Yeah, probably try to get some sleep before the morning." Anna nodded and walked to the bathroom. She supported herself with both hands on the sink, then looked in the mirror, just to see herself as a zombie. She was grateful Matt can't see her, she looked terrible. There were black circles around her tired eyes and her skin was pale white, matching the paint on the wall. She took a quick shower, wanted to wash the image of the blood off of her body, even it wasn't really on her skin. "Scentless soap? Interesting choice." She expected something with manly scent, but was happy for his taste.
His shirt was large on her small frame, reaching down mid thigh. She hugged the soft fabric on her, it felt pleasant against her skin. Nobody ever done anything like this for her before.
He was laying on the couch when she stepped out to the living room, so she turned the lights off for him. Suddenly she saw the brightness of the billboard illuminating the whole living area, vibrating as it changed between the advertisements. That's really intense.
"Good night, Anna."
She walked to the bedroom, stopping at the doorway, hesitating. "Matt?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you mind if I leave this door open?" She shivered. "I just don't want to be alone."
"Of course I don't mind. I'm not going anywhere, and they have no idea where you are. You're safe here, Anna."
"Thank you." She felt she's repeating these words way too many times tonight, fearing it's gonna lose its meaning eventually. But she was really grateful.
She slid under the covers, enjoying the soft sheets, hugging the end of the blanket to her face. She thought she won't be able to get any sleep tonight, but when she opened her eyes it was bright light. She looked to her right to see a talking clock on the nightstand, but showing no time, so she searched for her phone in her backpack, almost dropping it when realized it's already 10am. She sat up to see Matt is still sleeping on the couch, turned on his right side toward her. She carefully tiptoed closer. He looked peaceful, his hair was messy, not nicely combed as usual, kinda adorable. He was very handsome without those red glasses, but as she thought about it he was handsome with them on as well. He was half way covered in a blanket, still wearing the same sweatshirt as last night. He snored once or twice, which made her smile. He must be dreaming. Wonder how blind men dream? Do they see images in their dreams?
She decided to move to the kitchen, because started feeling being creepy staring him like that. Quietly opened the fridge to see only a couple of things in there. Eggs, veggies, sliced ham, milk, leftover Chinese food, and several bottles of beer. She carefully pulled the eggs and the ham out, and squat down to search for a skillet in the lower cabinets.
"It's in the one to your right, at the end."
She jumped up, her hands over her heart. "What's up with men giving me the heart attack lately?"
"What other man giving you heart attacks? Do I need to teach him a lesson?" He joked, then she realized it was Daredevil who's making her all jumpy showing up unexpectedly in her window. Probably better if Matt won't lecture the Devil.
"Oh, just someone at work, I mean at the bakery." She lied, blushing red, then started babbling nervously about some made up guy.
Matt raised an eyebrow. She lied, for the first time. But she lied for him. To protect his other identity. He thought she's adorable when blushing like this, wish he could see her face.
She stopped. "Wait, how did you know what I was looking for?"
"It's the morning, so reasonable to think you're hungry and looking for something to eat. I don't have much stuff home for breakfast except eggs, so took a wild guess that you're planning on cooking some. I heard you moving the pots in the cabinet under the sink."
"Ah, makes sense. Do you want some?"
"I'm starving, so yes please."
She felt happy and excited, never made breakfast for a man before, so tried her best not to burn them. At least she can do something for him in return, plus it felt good to redirect her mind from her troubles. While she was cooking he went to the bathroom to get ready for work, and she heard him talking to someone on his phone.
They sat down at the dining table, which actually wasn't bigger than her own was... before those guys broke it in pieces.
"This is very good, thank you. I don't think anyone made me breakfast before." Matt smiled at her.
Anna blushed. "Well, I guess it's first time for both of us then."
He looked at her surprised and filed this information for later.
"Are you feeling better a little?"
"Yes, a little." She sighed. "I usually only need a short time to get over the initial shock of bad experience. I guess I used to them over the years. But I'm much better now, thank you."
"Glad to hear that."
"I promise I will start cleaning up my place as soon as possible and be out of your hair." Anna added quickly, didn't want to overstay his hospitality.
"You shouldn't go back there for a while, not until it's safe. You're welcome to stay here as long as needed." Matt said while placing his hands on the table and looking at her direction.
They barely finished eating when someone knocked on the door. Anna jumped immediately, apparently she's not 100% over it yet.
"This must be Karen. I called her earlier." Matt said quickly to calm her down, and walked to the door. She heard them talking while kept herself busy with the dishes.
"Oh my God, Anna!" Karen rushed in and gave her a hug. "Matt told me what happened, I'm so sorry! How are you holding up?"
"I'm a bit better today, thanks to Matt." She smiled at his direction.
Karen put the bag she brought up on the counter. "Good to hear. Here, I think these should fit you."
Anna peaked in the bag, which was full of all variety of clothes. "Thank you, not sure how to pay you back!"
"Not necessarily, these were small for me anyway, you look just a size smaller than me, so should be perfect on you."
This time Anna gave her a big hug. "Thank you!"
Matt stepped closer. "We have a court date at noon, so have to leave, but here's a set of keys." He placed them on the counter for her. "Please, don't go back to your apartment, they could be watching it."
"Ok, I wasn't planning on it. Have to get to the bakery by noon, but see you afterwards?"
"Can't you take a few days off? Just in case they found out where you work?"
"I can't. Plus it's a busy bakery, do you think they would risk it? Not sure if I'm worth that risk for them."
"Ok, but let me meet you there when you're done, and walk you home. Please?" Matt said worriedly, he didn't like the idea of her being out in danger.
She didn't want to argue with him, not after all he has done for her. "That would make me feel safer, thank you!"
"Oh, that's horrible!" Lucy hugged her after Anna told her about the attack and the vandalized apartment. "So, you're staying with the lawyer? Is that the blond one, or the blind handsome one?" She squeaked.
"It's Matt, the blind one. He's very caring, and being a total gentleman by the way." Anna added before Lucy starts coming up with ideas. Too late.
"Oh, that's sad!"
"Hey, watch it!" Anna went all red again, but actually was happy to change the topic to anything other than guns, violence and drugs. And Lucy knew this way too well, so directed their conversation to men.
"It would be good for you to get laid, you know? And he seems very sweet, as much as I heard from you." She smiled and pushed her black hair behind her ear, making a flirting face to emphasize her sentence.
"I'm a bit busy trying not to die, so don't think this is the best time for anything like THAT."
"There's always the best time for that, especially now because it's a good stress reliever. Unless, you're in love with that PI..."
Anna blushed velvet, why is she doing this so often, her face is gonna stay like this forever. She hid her face in her palms.
"A-hah! You like him!"
"I don't know, Lucy. I mean, yeah, I have feelings for him, but not sure exactly what they mean. And I don't truly know the guy, let's say he's a bit mysterious."
"Awwww.." Lucy propped her head on her elbows. "Maybe do a one night stand with him then, just for fun. I would totally go for it. Next time you meet, just wear something sexy."
Anna saw the image of her ruined clothes on the floor of her apartment, not that any of them were sexy, but still. Lucy saw her face, and give her a back rub. "I'm really sorry, Anna. Let me know if I can do anything. Do you need more clothes? Anything?"
"I'm good with the ones Karen gave me, didn't have too many before either, so..."
"That will change soon, after you're out of this mess."
"I hope." Anna smiled at her.
They said their goodbyes, and Lucy reminded her of course not to forget to seduce that hot lawyer tonight. She waved her off, and ran into Matt when she stepped out to the street.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" How rude of her running into a defenseless blind man? Perfect way to seduce someone, great job, Anna. She cursed herself for her clumsiness.
He just stood there smiling at her. "I wasn't sure this is the right place, but feels like I found it."
"Haha, hard to mistake clumsy Anna."
She was wondering how exactly he's supposed to protect her by walking home, but maybe it's just the presence of another person what would make them reconsider an attack. Who knows, she shrugged and put her hand on his arm. "At least let me try navigating you to your apartment, I need to make up for bumping into you so rude."
"It was actually a very pleasant bump." He smiled, and she blushed again. Is he flirting with her?
She would probably wish for the ground to swallow her right here and now if she knew that Matt heard the very end of their conversation clearly from the street.
She was deeply in her thoughts during their walk, mostly making plans on what to do with her apartment. She needs to clean it eventually, after it's safe to go back home, but the thought of scrubbing that blood off of the wall wanted to make her gag, she still wasn't sure who they killed for that amount of blood. Could be more than one person.
Matt broke the silence after he turned the lock on his door. "Maybe you shouldn't go to work tonight, I'm not sure if that would be safe. They definitely know who you work for."
"I won't go back until next week. Already called the boss, he kinda freaked out about his own safety, that I will bring those guys to his doorstep. He said I need to finish working on those documents in my backpack. He wants me to find some missing money in the books, but I have no clue how that works."
"Karen can probably help you with that tomorrow. She is a good accountant."
"That would be great, also maybe there's something useful in these documents. I couldn't tell, it's just a bunch of numbers and stuff in them."
"Yeah, hopefully." He walked to his fridge for a beer. "Do you want one?"
Anna hasn't had anything alcoholic to drink in years, and wasn't a big fan of the taste of beer, but it just felt like maybe this is what she needs to do to relax a little. One beer wouldn't hurt. "Why not!" She took it and they sat down on the couch, on the two ends. His couch was reasonably bigger than hers, leaving a spot for a third person between them.
"So tomorrow we all can help you go through those documents. We have no court dates and no appointments. You can stay in our office until it's time for the bakery."
"Sounds like a plan!" She drank some from the bottle. This wasn't an IPA, so much better taste for her, and she was happy for the bottle being on the smaller size. She definitely didn't want to get tipsy.
"Oh, wait!" She pulled out a bag with a few croissants from her backpack. "These are the leftovers from the store. We're allowed to take them home sometimes. Still pretty good, but can't sell them tomorrow as fresh."
"They smell good!"
"How long you've been here in Hell's Kitchen?" Anna asked while handing over one of the pastries to him.
"I was born here, and basically haven't really left Hell's Kitchen except for College."
"Wow." She can't imagine how that must feel, her life was all about running away from places. "And where was that?"
"Columbia University in Upper Manhattan."
"So you never left New York... I heard that's a very good school. Have you always wanted to be a lawyer?"
"My dad, he was a boxer." He smiled at the memory. "And he wanted me to use my head instead of my fists so I will have a better life, and he made sure I get good education. I like being a lawyer, helping people, people who can't afford legal help but innocent. Everybody should have the right to it."
She saw his excitement toward his job, he truly liked helping people. Even people like her. He is such an exceptional man, not like some other lawyers who chase the money and don't care about what's truly right. She was staring him again, unintentionally, it was just so easy to be around him. She drank another sip from her bottle and felt her temples heat up a little from the alcohol.
"As I guess, you're not a huge fan of big cities?" He asked her.
"Not really, I prefer quiet and smaller towns, with more nature around them. But there are some positive sides of big cities like New York, so decided to give it a try. Does your Dad live here in New York as well?"
"He died. When I was a kid."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, didn't know. That must've been hard."
"Yeah, it's never easy to lose a parent."
"So you grew up with relatives?"
"I didn't know my Mom, so ended up in an orphanage. Just like you. What about your Mom? What happened to her?" Matt asked, he was happy to find out more about her.
"I've never knew my Mom either. I was told she died when giving me birth."
"Sorry to hear that." They both took another sip from their bottles.
She shifted her weight on the couch and moved her legs up, curled underneath her. Maybe the beer made her a little more relaxed than usual, and without thinking she asked. "So you live in this big apartment all by yourself, without a girlfriend?"
Matt got surprised about her question. "Oh, the girlfriends are waiting outside of the door patiently, in a long line."
"Is that so?" She felt relieved he's single, but had no idea why. It's not that she's gonna take Lucy's advice and jump on him right here and now. That would be stupid, she can't bring someone else into her mess. He's only involved as her lawyer, nothing more, and that's safe for him.
"What about you?"
"Oh, I don't have a girlfriend either." She smirked, and he let out a laugh.
"It's good to see you like this." He said.
Anna was surprised at herself, she was never the funny, relaxed type, neither one who could be bold enough to ask personal questions like these. Well, her people skills sucked to be true. But it was easy to talk with Matt.
"It feels good to forget about the troubles and be free for a little while. Like a normal person." She smiled, though she knew he can't see that.
"You mentioned you lived in several states. Do you have a favorite?"
Anna thought about it for a second. "I think I liked North Carolina the best. I lived in Wilmington, which is a small city by the beach. I like the ocean, and people were very nice there. Here in New York they are different, they don't have time for each other as much."
"That's true, but when you get to know a few, you will find they are quite friendly and care about you."
"Yeah, you are right." She smiled and thought about it, Matt, Karen, Foggy, Lucy. She's lucky to have them. "Do you have a favorite place in town?"
"Depends what mood I'm in. We go to a bar with Foggy and Karen, and I like going to the church, just to think and get answers."
She imagined herself in his shoes, and the church actually sounded quite pleasant. It's not like a blind man would care about nice views or mountains. Hanging out in a bar with friends is something she never done, but envied the ones who have friends to go there with.
"So that means you're religious?"
"Yes. I'm Catholic. What about you?"
She raised an eyebrow, so little she knew about him. "I'm not, really. But that doesn't mean I don't have standards. I'm still trying to do the right things in life, even when I'm failing."
"I know." He said seriously.
She stood up to take the empty bottles to the kitchen, then excused herself and walked to the bathroom for her shower. While there she dialed the number of Daredevil. It rang 5 times then went to voicemail.
"Uhm, hey, this is Anna. I just wanted to tell you that I'm staying with my lawyer for a few nights, uhm, nothing like that what you think, or not sure what you think... he's just helping me staying safe and hidden. So just in case you stop at my place and find it empty. Or more like trashed... Anyways, I'm ok, and I hope you're ok too. Just... just stay safe please, ok? And call me if you need help, or if you're hurt. Really, just call me anytime. Sorry, I'm babbling again, just weird talking to myself. Shi..." and she hung up, cutting the "t" off from her last word, and hitting her forehead with her palm. Stupid, stupid...
Matt's burner phone buzzed in his pocket, and was surprised to find a voicemail on it from Anna. He listened to it while she was in the shower, smiling. She was adorable, and seemed like he's able to bring that nervousness out of her. So he listened to the message again.
She came out from the shower, drying her long wet hair in a towel. "It's all yours." She said, but noticing he was sitting still without moving. Matt sensed her walking out, wearing his shirt again, his smell mixed with hers in a perfect way, including his shampoo on her hair. He noticed she missed to dry up a few drips of water on her skin, now dripping down slowly on her neck. He swallowed deeply. He could just stand up, close the distance and touch her bare skin there. Anna stopped, staring at him, probably waiting for an answer. Did she ask something? He doesn't remember. "Uhm, sorry?" He shook his head.
"Oh, I just said I'm done in there in case you need the bathroom. It's all yours now."
"Ok, I'll be right there." He waited until she walked to the bedroom, not trusting himself to be able to just walk by her. It's getting harder and harder for him to be around her and pretend he doesn't know her well and doesn't have feelings for her.
She left the door open for tonight as well, and Matt listened to her breathing as she fell asleep. He could listen to it all night, but he has to take care of things. Last night he didn't want to leave her alone, but this issue can't wait any longer. He grabbed his outfit from the chest kept in the closet by the stairs, and quietly walked up to the rooftop. He quickly changed there and left his normal clothes hidden close to the door.
He stopped by her apartment to see if he can find any lead where those guys could be. He sniffed the blood on the wall, realizing it is pig's blood actually, not even human. There was a lot of blood though, you can't just easily buy that in a grocery store, maybe in a butcher shop, especially if you own it. His next stop was at 66th Street where the shooting was. The area was rounded with yellow tape, it was still an active crime scene. He checked the car tire tracks left on the pavement to identify the general direction they left, then climbed up to the rooftop of the building to listen to the city. He stood there for a good 15 minutes, tilting his head, trying to filter each conversation out from the rest. Finally a man talking in Italian accent caught his ears with the smell of raw meat. He was arguing with another one about what they should do with the Russians. He jumped to the next building to follow their voice.
He arrived at the backdoor of a butcher shop. The men inside were still having a heated conversation now in foreign language, so he sneaked inside to "look around". There were pigs hanging on large hooks, and he remembered last time he was in a place like this when he found people were hanging there half alive. Thankfully he didn't find any men on the hooks this time, just animals. The smell of drugs lead him to the room next door, to find large packaged heroin piled up on the tables. He's at the correct place.
The two men arguing in the next room were the same from a few nights ago. One had both of his arms in cast, looking almost like a half mummy, moving quite funny. The second was the one who ran away from the alley because he freaked out. The mummy guy left, so Matt grabbed his partner from the back, hugging his right arm around his neck.
"I need information. What is your plan with the girl?" He asked him, crunching his teeth.
"What... what girl?" The guy turned his head a little to realize it's Daredevil holding him. "Oh, that girl! I remember, yes!"
"Talk!" He ordered him.
"Hey man, we want nothing from her. We just played a little game on her, to teach a lesson, but she's nobody."
Matt tighten his grip around his neck.
"Ok, ok..." he was shaking violently. "Don Carlos wants to teach the Boss a lesson. He... he wants Hell's Kitchen for himself and Boss is in the way." He stopped for a second to catch his breath after Daredevil let him go. "Look, man... that girl means nothing to him..."
"If he wants to take over Hell's Kitchen, then it's gonna be a gang war, lots of people will die." The masked man wasn't happy about this information. Anna can get between the two groups as well, ending up in crossfire.
"What is Don Carlos's plan?"
"I have no idea..." he took a step back as he saw Daredevil shifting from one leg to another. "Wo, wo, wo, I really don't know. I would tell you if I were, I promise..."
He listened for a second making sure he's not lying, then turned around to leave the butcher shop.
They need to bring Boss and his men to court as soon as possible, to prevent a gang war, otherwise there will be a lot of dead people in the city, even innocent ones.
He was back at his rooftop in no time, changing back to Matt Murdock's clothes before entering his apartment through the stairs.
He barely reached the bottom step when heard Anna was tossing and turning in the bed, probably having a bad dream.
"No, please... don't... not again... let me go... please, don't... it hurts!" She was talking in her dream, throwing her head left and right, which definitely sounded like a nightmare. "Just let me go home.. please, Dr. Moon..."
He walked in to the room and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. She got startled, grabbed it and twist his wrist painfully while sitting up on the bed. He was so surprised, didn't expect that. She woke up like she was just fighting for her life in her dream and took it all out on him.
After a second Anna realized where she was and what she's doing, so let his wrist go immediately.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I thought you're someone else!" Embarrassment hit her right away, and covered her heart with her hands. "I'm so sorry, Matt, didn't want to do that!"
"Hey, hey..." Matt was trying to calm her down. "It's ok, you're safe, it was just a nightmare." His wrist was throbbing in pain, she got him good.
Her breathing slowed down a bit, and she rubbed her forehead.
"You're ok?" He asked and Anna nodded.
"Yeah... I'm fine. It was just a dream."
"Who is Dr. Moon?" He asked.
"Huh?" Anna was shocked hearing that name, she hasn't heard it in a very long time.
"You were talking in your dream, begging him to let you go."
"Oh... nobody. He's nobody." She went quiet. Matt listened to her heartbeat, which was still erratic, so it was hard to analyze. "I don't want to talk about it." She said finally.
Matt nodded. "Ok... " he dropped it, seemed like a sensitive topic for her. "Try to get some more sleep, it's still too early."
"How is your wrist?" She asked, reaching out for it immediately.
"You're stronger than you look." He laughed quietly.
She felt it with her fingers that it was already swollen. She jumped out of the bed and flipped the bedroom light on. "This isn't good... must hurt a lot. I'm so sorry!" She thought things can't get worse, but now here she was, hurting an innocent man, someone who's actually trying to help her.
"Hey, hey, it's ok... doesn't hurt that much."
"Do you have an ice pack?"
"I'm a blind man, tripping and falling over things all the time, of course I have an ice pack." He smiled.
"Yeah, but this time it was me who hurt you." She yelled it from the kitchen, bringing the ice pack from the freezer. "All you have been doing is helping me, and here I am spraining your wrist as a thank you."
He laughed. "Nobody tried to thank me for my services this way, so this is a nice change."
"Arggg.." she was feeling so embarrassed. "Please sit down." She pulled him carefully a step forward and he lowered himself at the edge of the bed. Anna set down next to him and gently wrapped the icepack around his wrist. The skin wasn't purple or black at least, so she was hoping she didn't do serious damage.
"I will be fine, really. I had worse before."
"Does that supposed to make me feel better?"
"I was hoping."
Anna was looking at his face, his brown eyes were unfocused, looking straight ahead. He didn't look like he's suffering from pain, so either he used to it as he said, or maybe she really didn't hurt him too much. She was hoping for the latter. She grabbed a towel and secured the icepack on his wrist. "Leave it on for 20 minutes. Then we will reapply it in the morning." She said and set a timer on her phone.
He turned his face toward her, his eyes still unfocused. She looked into them, never seen them this close. She loved the kindness she found in them.
"Sounds like you're talking from experience." He said eventually.
"Well, I had my share of injuries as well. I'm just generally clumsy." It wasn't a lie, just skipping the mention of most of her injuries happened in fights.
"What about you? Do you really bump into things often?" She asked to pass the time while waiting on the icepack.
"Oh yes, quite frequently. Foggy actually wanted to get me a dog a few years ago."
"Was it that bad?"
"My biggest enemies are the door jams. They're just too close to the opening."
"Hah, people should design wider doors." She smiled. "So you never thought about moving somewhere else other than Hell's Kitchens? Somewhere quieter, less people and less door jams to bump into, less traffic?"
"Not really. It's not like I would see new things there. Plus I'm very familiar with the streets here, a new town would be all confusing."
"Hmm.. I didn't even think about that." She forced her lips together, imaging walking on the streets with closed eyes. It sounded scary. "How long you've been a lawyer?" She switched to a different topic.
"7 years now, after our internship we decided to open our own law office instead of working for the sharks for big money. To save the world, well, kinda."
"Seems like you really enjoy your job. Must be fun working with your friends."
"Yes, means everything to me." He said, honesty written on his face. She adored him, he was so strong and successful, also caring and handsome. An amazing man. She caught herself staring him again, but this time she didn't look away, she just couldn't. Her eyes wandered to his mouth, checking every inch of it. It looked very similar to the other man she tends to stare the same way, if she wouldn't know better she would think they're the same man, same lips. What's wrong with her anyways? Having these similar feelings toward two men at the same time? This is not what she thought about herself. But it's not like either of them made a move on her, or wanted to date with her, so maybe she can afford some fantasy at least.
She carefully reached out for his wrapped up hand and moved it to her lap, rubbing her thumb on his fingers, trying to ease the pain. "I'm really sorry about your wrist." He froze at her intimate touch and hold his breath. Her fingers were so gentle for his heightened senses, he felt the heat running through his whole body. He wished he could just reach out and pull her even closer to him. He felt her eyes on his face, so he turned toward her to be only inches away.
Her phone's timer went off and startled both of them.
"Oh, it's been already 20 minutes." She unwrapped his wrist to see it indeed looked a little better. He must have strong joints, thankfully.
"How do you feel?" She asked.
Matt rotated it a few times. "I'll live." He smiled at her and stood up to head for the couch. "Good night, Anna. And thank you for the ice."
"Good night, Matt." She whispered, dropping back on the bed. This time she had a different kind of dream.