Chapter Text
Rain was crashing down hard in Scarsdale, New York.
Illuminated store fronts looked onto the slicked streets with their boutique mannequins and elaborate restaurants. The sidewalks bustled with a sense of life that never really left; women dashing to cover with purses over their freshly done hair and puddle splashing heels, suited men talking endlessly about work on their phones under rain beaded umbrellas.
As the yellow taxi dropped you and Matt off at the luxury hotel, you couldn’t help but gape at the sight, almost forgetting to grab your duffel bag of belongings from the trunk.
Marble pillars, glass grand doors, and light fixtures that glowed a familiar warm light welcoming you into a dry rain-less paradise. The things clients money could buy, you idly mused yourself.
The inside felt no different with a large reception lounge with complimentary drinks and oversized cushioned couches that likely costed more than a years worth of rent, crystal tear drop chandeliers threatening to drop on you for starring too long.
“I can’t believe Hell’s Kitchen is just a long drive from here — feels like I’m an entirely different world.” You say in awe, looking over at Matt.
He barely looks phased, offering a small smile in response as the two of you approach the large span of the stone reception desk.
“Our client is one of taste,” he explains with an entertained curiosity, “Which I hope extends to their taste in legal firms.”
“Are you sure they didn’t mean to hire a different Nelson and Murdock?” You tease, hand toying with the strap of your bag which suddenly felt like a shame to been seen with in such a place.
Matt grimaces, folding his cane up with soft clicking before pulling his wallet from the inside breast pocket of his suit jacket, sliding his ID towards the stunningly beautiful receptionist.
“Evening, me and my associate are checking in for our room.” He says with that same friendly firm tone you had heard countless times in the court room.
She takes it, scanning it briefly before clicking away at her keyboard with polished nails, dark lashes squinting as she reads her computer.
You felt a wave of accomplishment, knowing you had worked your way up to such a place with the help of Matt and Foggy. It was a shock just to get the assistant job in the first place, let alone to actually get your hands dirty like you were able to because of it.
It also was perk being able to be at the side of Matt, who was undoubtedly an office tease, although you made sure not to make it evident to him it had an affect on you — despite knowing you likely failed miserably at hiding it.
“Ah, I see you here now. It looks like there is the one room with the queen sized bed book for one night, correct?” She confirms, looking between the two of you.
Her words pulled you out from your haze immediately, eyes wide as you glanced over at Matt. He looked just as taken off guard, mouth opening and closing as he stammered.
“Surely there must be a mistake,” you cut in, leaning forward sheepishly to glance at her computer screen. “We’re here on behalf of our client, the reservation should be under Matt Murdock and Franklin Nelson?”
“Yes, that’s the room that was booked under the name given.” She confirms once more.
You suck in nervously, teeth biting the inside of your cheek. You lean in to Matt, lowering your tone only for him to hear. “It’s okay, we can just find somewhere else to—“
“We’ll take it, sorry for the confusion,” he cuts in. “If that’s okay with you, of course…” he adds towards you for reassurance.
Heart now hammering in your chest, you swallow hard. Your mind began to reel with the idea of sharing a bed with him for the night. Realistically it was fine, the two of you were adults, co-workers at that. Yet, you knew it wasn’t that simple.
“Uhm, yes, that’s totally fine. Thank you so much.” You agree with a reluctance, pocketing the room card after the receptionist hands it to you.
With a small hesitance, the two of you began to make way towards the elevator, silence thick and deafening. You were unsure of what to say, not wanting to make the situation anymore awkward than it had already become.
“How are you feeling about tomorrow?” You offer in conversation, attempting to add a sense of normalcy to the situation as the two of you waited for the elevator.
“Confident. Foggy and I know the material well…shouldn’t be too much work.” Matt replies indifferently, like his mind was elsewhere.
With a sharp ding the doors open and as you step in with him, the air became suffocating the more the doors closed. You suddenly became hyper aware of how small the space was and how intensely you felt.
“Listen, I don’t mind taking the couch-“ you begin, unable to not address the elephant in the elevator.
“It’s okay, really. We’re adults, and I’m sure the bed is big enough for the both of us.” He assures you with a small smile.
His words shower some ease on to you as you felt the elevator surge underneath your heels, bringing you closer and closer to hotel room.
Somehow, you tried to convince yourself of his words, but knew it would be otherwise.
Having spent most of the evening taking advantage of the hotel amenities under the guise of wanting to give Matt space to study before court tomorrow, you knew the time for bed was coming and there was no avoiding it now.
Each impending moment in the elevator up to the room and dragging your feet down the hallway was a cruel reminder of how you were going to have to lay beside Matt all night, feel the warmth of his body and despair of the feelings you’ve had for him you had worked so hard to bury.
Sliding the key card into the reader, it clicked, and you pushed forward into the room.
You slid your heels off quietly by the front door, the lights off and curtains pulled as you realized he had already gone to bed, which sent a small sigh of relief from your chest.
Pushing around the corner, you hesitated as your eyes worked out the large span of his back underneath the blankets, rising and falling in a gentle sleep. Your eyes lingered for longer than you wanted them to, forcing yourself to retreat to the bathroom with your duffel bag to change.
The bed was daunting as you approached it now, dressed in your shorts and an old t-shirt stolen from an ex boyfriend. Fingers peeling at the blanket like it was poisonous, there was a cautious agility to your movements as you joined him.
Heart hammering wildly, you couldn’t help but study his back facing you, how his shirt clung to it so tightly, and how you could make out the dips and delves of his muscles. The scent of soap lingered on him, which brought your mind to the thought of him showering.
It was slightly less intimidating knowing he was asleep, unaware of your unsettling starring and studying. Yet, it brought a panic, knowing he’d wake at any moment and catch you.
Forcing yourself to turn away from him you felt torn between wanting to relish in the fact you got to sleep in the same bed as him and also die of embarrassment. Pulling the heavy blanket up towards your chin, you forced your eyes shut.
Sleep eventually came, dragging you into the dark depths of a place where you could escape this hotel nightmare.
It was the middle of the night when you woke suddenly from a bad dream, easing with a steady breath after gathering your senses. It was no stranger having restless nights, and tonight was just like any other.
Except, in your half-asleep state, you hadn’t realized that you had wrapped yourself around the large span of warmth beside you in attempt of self soothing.
Eyes fluttered shut and cheek pressed into the curve of Matt’s back, your hand unknowingly grasped at his dark cotton shirt to bring him closer. Muttered ramblings of sleep taking over once more fell from your lips.
Matt had woken before you even had, having sensed by the pounding of your heart and restlessness of your body that you were deep within a night terror. It had tore through his own sleep, an instinct of his mind to pick up the smallest of things around him.
It wasn’t the feeling of your small frame wrapped around him like he’d slip away at any moment that put him off guard, but rather the comfort it brought him, the feeling of a bed that wasn’t empty for once.
There didn’t need to be any depth or meaning to it, but he knew there was. The way your heart would flutter when he walked into the room at work, or the way your thighs would squeeze with need when everyone was cramped in a booth at Josie’s as the drinks began flowing and eyes started wandering.
He could smell it on you, the sudden panic and embarrassment in your voice when you had found out the two of you were going to be sharing a bed.
The sickest part was, it meant something to him too, and the fact he was relishing in your body around his a little too much proved that. He was enjoying this a little more than he should.
In the dark of the night though, he knew it wasn’t the place or time to confront those feelings, not when he had such a big court date tomorrow early in the morning.
So tonight, and only for this night, he’d allow himself to be held and comforted, because he couldn’t promise it would continue.
When the sun began to pour through the cracks of the dark curtains, you started to stir from your sleep feeling oddly refreshed.
Eye adjusting, you became suddenly aware of how empty the bed was beside you, arm stretching out on the bare sheets desperate for warmth. A small broken whine fell from your dry lips, a long exhale pushing through your nostrils.
The soft blaring of the tv playing the news channel and hissing of the bathroom shower pressed on the back of your head to wake up, that there was important work to be done, but the sheets begged for five more minutes.
Tucking your nose into the blanket, you blink your eyes open once more, suddenly frozen at the sound of the bathroom door clicking open, revealing Matt with only a towel held at his waist.
Your eyes couldn’t tear away as he crossed the room with nearly silent steps to rummage through his bag for clothing. His body was far more chiseled than you had imagined, his dark hair dripping droplets of water down his forehead and neck.
The strangest sight though was his face without the usual red shades he wore. It was like he was stripped down to his purest form, his wandering blue eyes far more innocent than you had grown to know.
Your breath shucked in as he became still, chin tilting up towards your direction ever so slightly, as if he sensed you were awake.
“I didn’t mean to wake you.” He apologized with a soft and ragged tone.
You made a small noise at the back of your throat, turning over in the bed to avoid looking at him from embarrassment.
“Is it time to get up?” You whined into the soft pillow.
“No, it’s only five in the morning,” he explained, “Go back to bed.”
Not needing orders from him, the dark overcame you once more, lashes fluttering shut.
When you woke again only a few hours later, you found yourself with your head resting on his chest, the patter of his heart echoing in your ears with a calm stillness.
Cheeks red with embarrassment you quickly peeled your head off of him, arm retreating back to your side. Looking up at him ever so slowly, you found him sleeping, hair half drying and stuck to his face.
It dawned on you then, how beautiful he looked with his dark lashes and round lips poured in sleep. Stubble had began to show, brows creased as if he was in a dream.
Eyes trailing down you swallowed hard, becoming all to aware of the tent in the blanket, conveniently located in his groin area.
It all felt like too much. Sleeping with him, finding him standing in only a towel, and now this — you were positive you were going to quit your job by the end of the day.
Practically throwing yourself out of bed and into the shower, you attempted to scrub the shame from your face and body, but it was unrelenting. By the time you dressed and entered the room once more, he had woken, getting dressed himself.
“Morning.” He welcomed, clearing his throat with his back turned to you, hands working up at the buttons of his shirt.
“Uhm, good morning Matt.” You attempted in response in the best fake voice you could. “Sleep well?”
He bit back a laugh now. “Surprisingly, yes.”
You bit your lip, pretending to debate between two different pairs of heels you had packed in your duffel bag. There was no hiding what happened.
“Listen, I didn’t mean to…sleep on you like that. It was totally unprofessional—“ you began in apology.
He turned to face you, face warm with a smile you couldn’t help but admire. His glassy eyes searched aimlessly, once again without the shield of his red frames. It eased you, like you were talking to Matt, not Matt Murdock.
“Please, it’s okay. No need to apologize.” He comforts you, hands attempting to work at the tie around his throat.
Without thought, you stepped across the room, hands reaching out to help him. He accepted, hands resting on his hips and chin titled up as you began to tie it for him.
You hadn’t even realized how close you really were, eyes flickering up to find his, unable to tear them away. He had you in some sort of trance, and it was torture.
“You’re cute when you sleep.” You suddenly blurted out, eyes squeezing shut and forcing you to step away as you burned up.
An unexpected laugh falls from his chest, raising a hand to adjust the tightness of the tie. “Hopefully I wasn’t snoring.”
“No, I think you were drooling a little though.” You a teased, resting the seemingly warm waters now.
“I was not.” He protested with an evil grin.
“Mmm, yeah you were.” You persisted.
“Okay, well if you insist — I was probably so comfortable having someone to cuddle that I couldn’t help myself.” He states with bold confidence, knowing it would embarrass you.
“Matt.” You hiss, striding over to the nearby desk to collect your brief case, which was stuffed full with material for the court case.
You felt him come up behind you, standing at a safe distance that felt all too close and yet so far. Hesitating, your felt your body begin to burn up, hairs on the back of your neck standing up on edge.
“You can’t deny it.” He states, voice lower now.
“Deny what?” You choke out, eyes burning holes into the wall in front of you. Any slight movement and the floor would swallow you whole.
“That you liked it.”
Slowly turning on your heel, you come face to face with him, and somehow he was closer than you had assumed. Looking up at Matt, you swallowed hard, searching for something within in his expression.
You hoped maybe it was a sick joke, that he would pull the rug out from under you any moment and laugh at you. Yet, time passed and silence remained. By the expression on his face, he meant every word.
Maybe he did feel the same as you, after all.
“What would it matter to you?” You asked cautiously, brushing around the fact that truthfully, you liked it all too much.
Hands resting on his hips, he points his chin down, wetting his lips with his tongue as if he was searching for the right words.
“It matters to me because,” he paused, “Maybe I liked it too.”
The room spun for a moment and before you could register what you were about to do, you felt yourself pressing your mouth to his, hand grappling at his tie to bring him in closer.
He hesitated underneath you for only mere seconds before kissing you back with just as much passion, if not more. The feeling of his large calloused hands on yours drove you wild.
Pulling away all too soon, he attempted to catch his breath between open lips, cheeks pink and hair slightly disheveled.
“As much as I’d like to continue this,” he sighs, “We’re going to be late.”
Glancing at the clock beside the bed over his broad shoulder you sigh in agreement, resting your forehead against his hammering chest to soak up the moment as much as you could.
Playfully tugging at his red tie, you can’t help but grin at him.
“Fine, but this isn’t over Murdock.”