#and then foggy said “the dream buddy”

[lifeonmvrs]

“MURDOCK AND NELSON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW!!!” “nelson and murdock :] sounds better”

inktober day 1: dreams

[Image Description: digital line art of matt murdock and foggy nelson in their college era. foggy is talking excitedly about the future with upturned arms while matt listens intently with a smile and amused expression. they are both sitting on some stairs. in the background, there is a napkin with a drawing of a sign / plaque reading “nelson and murdock attorneys at law”, though the last part (attorneys at law) is mostly hidden by matt and foggy. /end ID]

[msrhaxoz]

Meeting with Haarlep

I wanted to write a fanfiction, but I couldn't do it. But the other day I got into a conversation with my new buddy who asked me a few words about my character. When I started writing about him I remembered all the things I wanted to write so badly. I almost cried. I can't write, I don't practice it, but I think if I don't try now I'll never try.

Short preface

ㅤBy that time Otto had served in the House of Hope for more than a hundred years. It so happened that apart from Korilla and Raphael he had no contact with anyone and rarely communicated with other residents of the house.

ㅤOtto first met Haarlep quite by chance when he passed by the master of the house's chambers. Otto saw Raphael in bandage clothes and was shocked. Well, we understand who it really was. When Haarlep saw the dark elf through the foggy door, Otto immediately ran away.

ㅤI think Otto had a crisis after this situation sgsjdhjsshl andjerkedoff

ㅤThe second time, Haarlep himself made contact with the elf out of self-interest. Otto was extremely tired that day. When he was making notes somewhere in the House of Hope, he turned around and met the incubus. 

smth like that adklsajdl

ㅤHaarlep led the elf into the boudoir with a short conversation.

ㅤ– You have nothing to worry about since I brought you here. 

ㅤOtto knew it was a lie. Obviously he was not allowed to be here. But how to refuse an incubus? Should he obey? Why does this fiend look so much like a master of the house? 

ㅤOtto followed him anyway despite the inner horror. And when Haarlep stopped by the bed, he began to talk calmly. 

ㅤAnd every word he said was like a knife to the heart.

ㅤ– I noticed you a long time ago, Raphael's most loyal mouse. What a shame that your abilities were never evaluated. I wonder, how many years should it be before you're really noticed? Such a pitiful mouse...

ㅤOtto opened his eyes wide and didn't take his eyes off the incubus's hands. Haarlep runs his fingers gently over his palm and smiles warmly.

ㅤAt that moment the incubus didn't even have to resort to his natural charm. Although he expected that the elf would react either with anger, or be embarrassed, or, unlikely, pounce in hot intercourse, but...

ㅤHeavy tears poured down the cheeks of the young drow. He kept his eyes on his hand. He was so ashamed of his tears. He understood that it was too late to run and it was pointless. He had already humiliated himself in front of the incubus who was silently watching his unstable reaction.

ㅤAfter tears, Otto asked hoarsely: ㅤ– What do you need from me? Have you decided to revel in my tears, my miserable condition? ㅤHaarlep replied calmly, with a soft smile.

ㅤ– Not at all. I can simply give you what you've been dreaming about for years. ㅤAfter a few seconds of silence, Otto began to slowly pull off his clothes, trying not to look at the incubus. Although he felt the excited gaze on him. When the clothes were on the floor Otto stumbled slightly on his underwear. But after taking a deep breath he took off the last piece of clothing and, still not looking up at Haarlep, sat on his lap, timidly placing his hands on the strong shoulders.

ㅤ– Good boy.

ㅤThe sweet whisper sent goosebumps all over Otto's body.

ㅤThe dark elf trembled at every touch. In the hands of the incubus he was like a fragile doll. The elf didn’t resist the foreplay, but didn’t respond in any way, as if he was not letting Haarlep approach him. This turned him on. Haarlep wanted to explore his body, he wanted to find out his weak points. He wanted Otto to reveal his soul on his own.

ㅤKisses from ear to collarbone, sliding hands on the waist, hot breath on the skin. Haarlep hugged the graceful body, inhaled its fragrance, felt its heat.

ㅤIn an instant, Otto was under him. Defenseless and terribly embarrassed. Out of habit he began hugging his shoulders, involuntarily closing himself off from the incubus. And Haarlep's smile didn't calm him down either. ㅤOtto felt terrible fear. His thoughts were filled with the anger of the owner of the House of Hope. As if he was going to come and burn him now. It's as if Raphael is delaying the moment, allowing the young man to have fun and later subjects him to excruciating tortures ㅤHaarlep didn’t like Otto's remoteness. But because of that the thirst to break his will grew. How stubborn this drow was. ㅤ– You like it, don't you? – the incubus interrupted the flow of thoughts of the young elf, running a claw over Otto's stomach, – Do you like being touched?ㅤThe claw slowly reached the pubis. The tremor gripped the elf's body again, all thoughts focused on this moment. Otto squeezed his eyes shut, turned his head away from Haarlep. And at this moment, as if expecting such a reaction, Haarlep gifted the young elf a thousand touches. With a faint touch of his fingers on the drow chest, he made circles on the pale skin. He left light scarlet stripes with his claws. Haarlep warmed his waist and hips with hot palms. Pressed his dry lips to Otto’s neck. He was biting his ears. ㅤIt was treacherously pleasant. The elf's body responded to every touch. He was burning from the inside out, his voice was trembling. Heart ached with pain. But the soul remained in turmoil.  This struggle, which Haarlep felt, argued with a rush of pleasure. Otto didn't resist the incubus, he resisted himself. ㅤHowever, he couldn't fight the urge for long. Otto dared to meet him, he opened his eyes and saw the familiar face of his master.

ㅤHis breathing was choked off and the drow's eyes filled with bitter tears. The smile was so familiar, but at the same time so alien... No, Otto was simply mistaken. But one mistake was enough to make emotions flare up with renewed vigor. He groaned and covered his face with hands, showing the incubus all that pain, that despair, that hopelessness that has haunted him for centuries. ㅤHaarlep stopped. Otto couldn't see his face, but he was sure the incubus was smiling mockingly, he was reveling in his position. But a minute passes, two. Otto did not hear the fiend's voice above him, not even a slight grin. Haarlep gave him a moment to understand his feelings again. ㅤOtto trembled for a long time under the fiend. He looked extremely helpless. And his thoughts were so loud that it seemed like every devil in the hells could hear him. He didn’t know these feelings, he didn’t understand whether he was doing the right thing towards himself and especially towards his master. When Otto finally regained relative consciousness, and the burning of tears became unbearable to endure, he timidly removed his hands from the face, but left one on his mouth. His gaze was full of bitterness. The young elf was afraid of condemnation for his desires and expected anger for the lost moment. ㅤThe drow dared to look into the burning eyes. There was no mockery on Haarlep's face. He was calm, even mildly interested. Otto looked at him expectantly, trying to detect at least a grain of mockery in his gaze, but Haarlep did not smile. ㅤThis involuntarily made the drow sigh and he put his hand on the bed. The incubus slowly reached out to him with his hand, but Otto suddenly intercepted it and squeezed it. ㅤ– Can you hold me?... ㅤHaarlep smiled back, but this time his smile was sincere. It was as if he was momentarily overcome with pride at the young drow's request. ㅤThe incubus slowly hugged the emaciated body. He lowered his wings, put his hand on the top of Otto's head as the other wrapped around his back. The drow held his breath for a few seconds, his body was tense, but on exhaling he finally softened in Haarlep’s arms. ㅤHaarlep stared into the distance without blinking. Oh, how sweet this young drow is. Despite the breakthrough of emotions, he was still overwhelmed with feelings, pleasure, fear and... something indescribable. How can there be so many conflicting emotions in one body? Fascinating. ㅤWhat a pity that all these feelings are dedicated to someone who will never appreciate it. ㅤThe hug lasted a long time. Otto only shuddered and sniffed a little, diluting the silence. When the weight of emotion finally left, he let go of the incubus, burying his forehead in his chest. Otto has nothing to say. ㅤHowever, he heard a sweet whisper in his ear. ㅤ– Shall we continue?

[beezusvreeland]

dear reader - chapter 5

summary: Miguel took the reader’s love and friendship for granted. Something he learns reading her column, when it’s too late…Or is it?

ship: miguel o'hara x f!reader // matt murdock x reader

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Chapter 5

“Look! If it isn’t the newest british member of our group!”, Hobie pointed as you approached your regular table at The Bar. 

You were hesitant to come in the first place. The thought of Miguel showing up at any moment made you anxious, not knowing what to expect — or, more realistically, trying not to expect a damn thing. 

“Hey, mate!”, you put your best scottish accent on as you gave your friend a tight hug. You missed your friends, dearly. Since you used your time abroad to do a digital detox, you had only talked to them here and there, with the exception of Gwen. 

She hugged you as soon as Hobie let go of you. “I missed you so much!”, Gwen said, squeezing you and then taking a step back to look at you. “Looking good, huh? Edinburgh treated you right.”

You smiled at her and Hobie poked your arm, with a smirk on his face. 

“Let’s see if you really learned something at that place. Tell me, love, what is the best thing to come out of Glasgow?”, he raised his eyebrow, certain that you wouldn’t know how to answer it. He was so wrong.

Stepping closer to him, you grabbed the unopened bottle of beer Hobie was holding and, with a smug expression, said: “The train to Edinburgh”. 

“Whoa!!!”, Hobie stood up and gave you another hug, jumping to celebrate you. Both you and Gwen laughed at his excitement. “That’s my girl!”

“You cut your hair.”

“Pav! We were waiting for you”, Gwen said. 

“I did, buddy, what do you think?”, you put your hands through your hair. 

Still looking stunned, he walked slowly towards you, analyzing your cut. “I should be furious you let someone else cut your hair…But you look fantastic!”, he faked out, finishing with a huge smile that showed his perfect white teeth. You hugged each other.

“It was an extraordinary circumstance, I would never do that to you if there wasn’t the need for it”, he nodded as you said it in his ear. 

“I’m so happy you’re back!”, Pav combed a lock of your hair with his fingers. “I have some products to recommend now that you have a new length.”

“I didn’t expect any less of you.”

“Oh, the gang is all here!”, Foggy stopped by the table as he greeted some of the customers. 

“Except for Miguel…have you guys heard from him?”, Pav asked and Gwen and Hobie shook their heads. You tried to ignore the concerned look your best friend gave you, focusing on your beer.

“And you are back!”, Foggy put his hand on your shoulder. “How was Scotland?”

“A dream”, you gave a sincere answer. As you raise your bottle, you realize it’s empty. Foggy did too.

“Come with me to the bar, I should give our favorite writer a drink of her choice…on the house”, he said, wiggling his eyebrows. You laughed and got up, as your friends complained that they should get free drinks too.

“So, what’s gonna be?”, Foggy was already at the other side of the counter, which he cleaned using the rag on his shoulder. 

“Wait. Really? I thought you were just messing with them.”

“Two rabbits, one stone”, he chuckled. “What can I get you?”

“A dry martini would be nice”, you shrugged. 

“Very fancy.”

“Oh, you know, I just got back from Europe”, you put your hand on your forehead dramatically, making him laugh.

Even though The Bar had become a hotspot, with several employees making and serving drinks and food, Foggy never stopped doing groundwork. He had the business side of things to run too, but still helped his staff and made sure to be present for his clientele. You really liked that about him.

“So, word on the street is you are very fancy but also single. Is that right?”, his question surprised you.

“Well…yeah. Which street is that?”

“Pav.”

“Oh, right.”

“The thing is, I have a friend who I think you’d really like”, Foggy said, as he mixed liquids with his gear. 

That surprised you even more. It was nice of him to think of setting you up though. You survived the past few years with only a couple of dates with weird guys you met on Tinder and an intense pining for Miguel O’Hara. You wonder if other opportunities of meeting new people would have come up if you weren’t so focused on him. If you had been just like him — sleeping around with whoever you wanted, without any concern for attachments or people’s feelings whatsoever —, you probably would be at a different point in your life. Maybe even met someone great and lived together, a crib or two for the creatures who were made from both of you. 

“I’ve known him for my entire adult life and he has always been a great friend to me. To Karen too, they worked together for a while before she started working at the paper.”

You remembered a conversation you had with Karen once, where she told you her boss at the law firm had encouraged her to pursue her passion for journalism, that without that, she probably would have never found purpose in her career. 

“If he is so great…How is he still single?”, you take the beautiful glass of martini Foggy offers you. “This looks amazing, thank you!”

“You are welcome”, he nodded. “He has focused a lot of his time and energy into building his firm and helping people. Now he is at a point where he can finally work normal hours and have a personal life.”

“Okay…you can give him my number. I can’t promise anything, but I’m willing to talk to him based on your pitch.”

Foggy clasped his hands and took his phone out of his pocket. “That’s great! It’s going to be great!”

“Are you already texting him?”, you chuckled.

“Already did, now I’m telling Karen, she can’t wait to see Matt finally going on an actual date.”

***

Miguel was running late, but he had a good reason, he thought: he wanted to find the book you wrote about in your column, the one you gifted him on his birthday. He had moved furniture, taken things out of his closet and raided his home office but, so far, nothing. He hadn’t been able to think of anything else since he read about it. It was frustrating because Miguel remembered receiving the box, but you were right, he never opened it. And he had no fucking idea of where it was. 

At first, anger was what moved Miguel in his pursuit. He wanted to find the book and shove it on your face, it was just a stupid little thing, you were being way too dramatic about it. But the anger was soon replaced by sorrow. To think you put it all together, wrote everyone’s stories, including your own and even had it printed, was devastating. It was such a thoughtful thing to do. You had always been so thoughtful, with everyone, but it felt like especially with him. There were several instances of him casually mentioning something he had to buy or a shore he had to do and, months later, you would give him what he needed or showed up to help him. And all he gave you was a box of chocolates. 

He didn’t have it in him to say it out loud, but he was just so embarrassed. Miguel knew he was a good looking guy and, since he was a teenager, he became used to not having to make much effort. People liked beautiful people. People liked doing things for beautiful people. It was ridiculous, he now realized, but it had never dawned on him that he had to give in order to take. He had no idea how to do that. 

Frustrated with himself, he decided it was better to meet the group at the bar empty handed instead of not going at all. Miguel wanted to know if things were okay between the two of you. You never answered his email or the other texts he sent you trying to start conversations — Just watched the new Transformers, thoughts? Hey, what’s the name of that place with the dumplings? Gwen showed me a picture of you in front of a castle, is it the one where Queen Mary lived? You've always talked about it, I hope you had a great time . 

Miguel’s eyes searched for you as soon as he stepped inside the bar. He spotted Gwen’s blonde hair, then Hobie and Pav. His stomach started turning, something that rarely happened to him, at the thought of being too late or you not showing up at all. In his head, he had it all figured out: meeting in person, the two of you would reconnect through inside jokes, all would be good and the uneasiness inside his chest would go away. 

The plan went out the window when Miguel finally spotted you walking from the bar to the table with a martini in hand. You looked different. The same, but different. For starters, he was pretty sure you had done something to your hair. But it wasn’t just that. There was something about your walk, you stood straight and didn’t look down at any point. You almost looked taller that way. A guy nearby took his eyes out of the game on TV to check you out. Miguel didn't like that one bit.

“Hello, your grace, fancy of you meeting us here”, Hobie stood to shake Miguel’s hand, who gave him and Pav quick hugs. 

“Sorry, I lost track of time”, Miguel said.

“Shocker”, Gwen pointed, giving him a side hug.

And then there was you. Did he ever stare at you for longer than a few seconds? Because there was no way he never noticed how big your eyes were. Or how pink your cheeks got when he got closer. The effect he had on you…Miguel was way too aware of it now. He knew a lot of information about your feelings and secrets, even though the writing on your column was never meant for him to read. You were so sure he wouldn’t take interest in you or your work that you were pretty open about your life, even in anonymity. Would he even know how to act around you like he didn’t know so much about you? Miguel had to get out of his own head.

“Hi”, he said, not knowing what to do with himself. “You are back.”

“Yep, at the bar with you losers once again”, you shifted your gaze to the rest of the group. Miguel noticed it. He felt a little weird about it all, you didn’t even give him a hug or a kiss on the cheek, like you always did. 

“First you cut your hair with a stranger, now this”, Pav complained, clearly as a joke. “You offend us, my friend.”

So you cut your hair. That was it, it used to be long. Miguel had always liked it that way, even though he had no idea how or why he even had a preference in the first place. However, you looked great with your new do. He could see more of your face that way. 

“Sorry, Pav, I’m starting to feel all of the exhaustion and crankiness from the jetlag.”

“Apology accepted”, Pav winked at you. 

“I think this is my cue”,  you got your purse and stood up from the table. 

“No! Already?”, Gwen pouted. “I still wanna hear more about your scottish adventures.”

“Give me a couple of days to recover and organize my life back again and we’ll do it. Maybe brunch this weekend?”

“Ugh, Miguel hates brunch”, Pav groaned, looking at him. It was true that Miguel thought brunch was stupid: to him, people should either have breakfast or lunch and that was it. If the meal happened at any point in the morning, it was breakfast, after noon, it was lunch. It made a lot of sense to him.

“Lunch it is, then”, Hobie declared, looking bored. 

Miguel noticed that your eyebrows furrowed just a little bit. His friends actually enjoyed that stupid meal and you loved it. He had always been proud of being a contrarian, being so headstrong that the people around him had no other choice but to accommodate his needs. So much so, the group didn’t even start a discussion, it was easier to do whatever Miguel preferred.

The way Pav complained, your annoyed expression. You barely even looked at Miguel since he arrived and you were already leaving. Moved by the fear of making you even angrier at him, he said:

“I don’t mind brunch”.

The four friends all looked at Miguel at the same time. 

“Are you for real?”, Hobie was suspicious. 

“Yeah, I can eat breakfast things and not think about it”, Miguel shrugged. 

“Okay…”, Gwen was cautious, as if she was dealing with a wild animal. “Brunch on saturday then.”

“Sure, I really have to go now.”

Gwen and Pav gave you hugs and Hobie got up to escort you to the front of the bar, where he would have a smoke. 

“Bye, Miguel”, you finally looked at him. You were serious, but still polite. However, using his name after years of several nicknames was a low blow. It was intentional. His looks and charm wouldn’t be enough this time. He would have no other option but to deal with the consequences of his actions.

***

Dear reader, 

I am back and more inspired than ever. During the past few weeks, I have dedicated myself to make a dream of mine come true. And it did. Suddenly, it was real, not some fantasy I created in my head. That is really powerful, if you ask me.

Life has a funny way of bringing things together. I spent the past years wishing I could go on a nice date, preferably with the guy . That never happened, obviously. There had been a few encounters, mostly guys from dating apps that were looking for a one night stand. By the time I took a break, I had given up. I read way too many romance books growing up and it was all just fantasy, right? Well, things didn’t happen the way I imagined them, but maybe there is a little bit of hope left.

There are a lot of annoying “advices” people in relationships give single folks. There is the classic have you tried the dating apps ? Which is something only someone hasn’t had to use them to find love say. There is the you just need to put yourself out there . And, my personal least favorite, you will find love once you stop looking for it . These have something in common: they are meant to make the single person feel bad, like they are not doing enough. But I doubted these people weren’t looking for love or fully knew who they were when they met their partners.

All this to say that there are many elements that lead two people to meet and, if they are lucky, fall in love. Chance is one of them. Sometimes the circumstances are just right. Like a friend trying to set me up with a friend of his. He was sure we would get along, I allowed him to give his friend my number, fully thinking nothing would ever come of it. 

Then my phone started buzzing. It was him, the friend of my friend — let’s call him Charlie —, calling. Not texting, not DMing on Instagram, actually calling. He was nice, said he wanted to introduce himself and make sure that I wasn’t uncomfortable with our friend wanting us to meet. We talked for a little bit about how we met this friend we have in common and the neighborhoods we live in. Then he asked me out to dinner on saturday night and it was so smooth I said yes before even realizing what was happening. 

He called again a couple days later to confirm our date and ask if I liked italian food, because he knew a place. We haven't even met in person and he has already been more present than all my flings together.

I am trying my best to not put any expectations in it, it is nice to actually have this experience. You know, of being asked out and making plans together. Who knows what will happen, but it feels good to be excited for once. 

Until next week! And remember: never take advice from someone who’s falling apart.

Love, 

The Writer

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<< chapter 4

>> chapter 6

all chapters

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dear reader playlist

[isfjmel-phleg]

I'm not cool! If you do feel like giving music recs, can I have one? (No pressure if you don't!)

On the contrary, you are very cool, and I will give you some recs, thanks for asking!

I don't know what you like, so I threw together an unnecessarily long list of some of my favorites, and you can take or leave whatever you like.

Be Careful! It's My Heart - Bing Crosby

Come Fly with Me - Frank Sinatra

'Deed I Do - Blossom Dearie

Dream - Pied Pipers

A Dreamer's Holiday - Buddy Clark

Far Away Places - Margaret Whiting

A Foggy Day - Fred Astaire

Haven't We Met? - Mel Torme

I Had the Craziest Dream - Harry James and His Orchestra (vocals by Helen Forrest)

It's a Most Unusual Day - June Christy

It's Been a Long, Long Time - Harry James and His Orchestra (vocals by Kitty Kallen)

A Kiss to Build a Dream On - Louis Armstrong

Lullaby of Birdland - Ella Fitzgerald OR the version in French by the Blue Stars which has very different lyrics in translation!

My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time - Les Brown Orchestra (vocals by Doris Day)

Sentimental Journey - Les Brown Orchestra (vocals by Doris Day)

Sunday, Monday or Always - Bing Crosby

That Sunday, That Summer - Nat King Cole

There! I've Said It Again - Vaughn Monroe

These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You) - Nat King Cole

They Can't Take That Away from Me - Frank Sinatra

You Make Me Feel So Young - Frank Sinatra

There Are Such Things - Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (vocals by Frank Sinatra and The Pied Pipers)

Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart - Judy Garland

[cyberpunkonline]

The Best Halloween-Themed Games on the PS2

Alright, horror junkies, it’s time to crack open the dusty attic of gaming history and fire up that trusty PlayStation 2 for the #CyberSamhain event. If you didn’t have a PS2, did you even game in the early 2000s? This bad boy brought us some of the creepiest, most unforgettable horror games that still make us wanna leave the lights on at night. The PlayStation 2 didn’t just push boundaries; it straight-up kicked down the door to the haunted house of next-gen horror. So, grab your DualShock, and let's dive into some spine-chilling PS2 titles that’ll have you sweating harder than a final boss battle.

1. Silent Hill 2 (2001) No Halloween list is complete without the absolute king of psychological horror, Silent Hill 2. Let’s be real: if Pyramid Head doesn’t haunt your dreams after playing this, you’re built different. You play as James Sunderland, a guy who receives a letter from his dead wife telling him to meet her in Silent Hill (sounds legit, right?). The foggy streets, eerie radio static, and grotesque monsters aren’t just creepy—they’re pure nightmare fuel. This game is all about atmosphere, and the storytelling is chef’s kiss—expect to be disturbed long after the credits roll.

Resource: Eurogamer has an excellent retrospective on Silent Hill 2, diving deep into why it’s still considered one of the greatest horror games ever made.

2. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly (2003) If you're too scared to handle ghosts, maybe skip this one. But if you're brave (or stupid), Fatal Frame II is where it's at. Armed with nothing but a camera, you’re trapped in a haunted village filled with vengeful spirits. Yup, just you, your camera, and the darkest corners of Japanese horror. Every photo you take is either a clue or a jump-scare waiting to happen, and trust me—this game delivers the scares. Plus, there’s something about creepy little girls in horror games that just hits differently. Good luck sleeping after this one, buddy.

Resource: IGN’s review of Fatal Frame II explains exactly why this game will make you want to throw your PS2 out the window.

3. Resident Evil 4 (2005) Okay, so we all know Resident Evil is a staple in the horror game world, but Resident Evil 4 was when Capcom said, "Let’s crank up the action, but keep it spooky." And damn, did it work. You play as Leon Kennedy, who’s sent to rescue the U.S. President’s daughter from a cult in rural Spain. What follows is a rollercoaster of creepy villagers, cultists, and giant mutant monsters. The atmosphere is tense, the action is fast, and the boss battles? Absolute fire. Plus, you can kick down doors and suplex zombies—what’s not to love?

Resource: Check out GameSpot’s retrospective on Resident Evil 4 to see how this game changed the survival horror genre forever.

4. Project Zero (Fatal Frame) (2001) The first entry in the Fatal Frame series, Project Zero (yep, name changes for the win), kicks off with the same freaky camera-based ghost hunting. You’re exploring a haunted mansion, and it’s all based on creepy Japanese folklore. The thing that makes Project Zero stand out is that you’re completely defenseless—no guns, no knives, just a camera. Every time you take a photo, you pray it’s not gonna show a ghost right there in your face. It’s chilling, unsettling, and pure Halloween perfection.

Resource: Polygon’s deep dive into Fatal Frame explores how this under-the-radar series still holds up in the scares department.

5. Siren (2004) You know what’s scarier than zombies? Creepy, blood-thirsty townsfolk who are still alive but, like, possessed. That’s the magic of Siren. The game follows ten different characters over three days as they try to escape a village filled with creepy, red-eyed villagers called Shibito. What makes this game extra spooky is its "sight-jacking" mechanic, where you can see through the eyes of your enemies—watching them hunt you down. It’s equal parts terrifying and disorienting. If you like your horror served with a side of panic, this one’s for you.

Resource: Push Square has a fantastic write-up on Siren, showcasing why it’s still one of the most underrated horror games on the PS2.

6. Haunting Ground (2005) Okay, imagine Resident Evil 4 but with way more psychological horror and less shotgun-blasting. In Haunting Ground, you play as Fiona, a girl trapped in a creepy mansion with some very unsavory characters chasing her down. Your only real ally? A dog named Hewie. Yep, your survival depends on this good boy, who helps fend off enemies and find items. But the real horror here comes from the unsettling atmosphere and the relentless stalkers who want to, well, get you. There’s a serious creep factor, and the suspense? Constant.

Resource: Destructoid recently gave Haunting Ground a nod as one of the PS2’s overlooked horror gems—go see why it’s worth revisiting.

7. The Suffering (2004) If psychological horror isn’t enough and you need a little more blood, guts, and monsters, then The Suffering is your ticket. Set in a maximum-security prison (already spooky), you play as Torque, a prisoner who’s been condemned to death for the murder of his family. But here’s the kicker: the prison is crawling with terrifying creatures that represent various forms of execution—guillotines, injections, all that grim stuff. The atmosphere is grim, the action is intense, and the story will keep you hooked till the end. Bonus points for Torque being able to transform into a monster when his rage meter fills up.

Resource: Check out Kotaku’s throwback article on The Suffering for more insight into why this game is still one of the most intense horror action games of its era.

Final Thoughts Whether you’re into creepy ghosts, blood-thirsty cultists, or psychological terror that’ll mess with your mind, the PS2 has you covered this Halloween. These games didn’t just set the standard for horror in the early 2000s—they pushed it to terrifying new levels. For #CyberSamhain, they’re perfect for sitting in a dark room, volume up, and letting the fear wash over you. Just don’t blame me if you’re still seeing Pyramid Head in your nightmares weeks later.

Now, boot up that PS2, load up your favorite horror game, and prepare to scream. Halloween just got a whole lot scarier!

[dakiddowndastreet]

GAAP (Demon 79) x reeder

Warning:blood, panic attack, strong language

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hello there” the voice rang through the peace. It was a low voice with a very thick English accent northern to be exact. “sorry I didn’t mean startle you”.

“Huh” I said in a confused tone. What the fuck is going on right now? I thought to myself, confused. “ yeah so basically you’ve got the whole world in your hands right now. If you don’t like kill three people in like three days, the whole world is going to go to shit”. A black figure appeared in front of me. I had a monstrous like Face that was the score of the deer and a weird black foggy like Buddy that was shaped like some sort of animal, but I can’t put my finger on what type of animal. I fell to the ground I was terrified. They started to roll down my face.

“ what the fuck are you?” I yelled loudly. “Oh yeah, I forgot about humans don’t like this appearance or too much” I was huddled down in the corner of the kitchen I was terrified.

I close my eyes tightly, wishing that this could all just be a dream. Something weird happened now. All of a sudden all the lights turned on again. “ how about this? Does this look better to you? my last human thought it was quite interesting…” I stayed up at the … Man? What was going on? I swear he didn’t look like that a couple of seconds ago he was wearing 70s disco outfit. That was why were they white fluffy coat resembling a sort of polar bear and platform shoes, and I can’t forget about the flares.

“anyway like I said before you need to kill three people and yeah ummmmm that saves the world” he Crouch down to me and grabbed my shoulder. ” what the fuck are you?” I said to the tall black man. “ well I’m gaap spell like GAAP. Most people get the wrong you would be surprised. So I’m like a Demon, and this is like my job is hard to explain” the Demon explained enthusiastically to me.

I folded into myself once more.” why does she always happened to me? Why can’t it up and someone else for once?” I whispered to myself. “Awwwwww be like that, plus you wanna save the world .who doesn’t like a good superhero” he replied trying to be positive.

I got up and just walked away. “ where are you going?” he asked I didn’t listen to him and I just started walking away. I thought to myself if I just walked away everything with Stop. I left my apartment and started to walk through the streets. Everywhere I looked he was there following me, he kept asking me to turn around talk to him and just answer him and do as he asks if not, “the world will go to shit.” he said. “ oh so fucking what it’s not my fucking problem is it” “ well actually is to be honest with you, you’re the only one that can save us well us humans and I guess animals”

“You’re not real” I yelled at him “ oh really am I not well I hate to break it to you I am I’m just gonna have to get used to it. Oh you know don’t under the world yeah that’s gonna be gone.” “ shut up!”

“ are you alright love?” a man walked around the corner, staring at me. “ no I’m not. Can you please tell this man to leave me alone” “ what man love I don’t see anyone else it for you” fear run through my body, as I heard those words.

I looked up at the Demon for the first time. I will speak to myself. “ holy shit, I’m not dreaming” the man in front of us, just stared at me “ show me to call the police, someone following you” I just did the frozen I didn’t know what to say how was I meant to explain to someone and got a Demon from a domino is following me and telling me to kill three people, so I get sent to a loony hospital “N-no it’s fine I’m fine really thank you though”

“ come on love he’s an easy killing in he?” the Demon whispered into my ear. “ how about you use that button next to you on the floor ? just one little here and he’s out”

my body was being taken over . I bent down to grab the bat as the man slowly walked closer to me. He put his arm on my shoulder. “ Are you sure you don’t want to call the police love?” I turned around quickly and hit him with the bat guilt run over me. blood was oozing from his head. “ holy shit what have I done?” I will speak to myself as panic took over me. I started crying furiously. I kept swearing to myself.

“ well done see isn’t that hard. One down 2 to go.” the Demon said trying to make a joke out of it. I fell to the ground with the bat of my hand covered in blood. He knelt down next to me. We just sat there.

Should I do a part two? 

[punchdrunkdoc]

Chapter 15

Summary: After the events of S3, Matt Murdock is trying to once again balance life as a lawyer and a vigilante. But he’s been scarred by loss and betrayal - will a mysterious new neighbour help him heal? Or will her secrets drag him back into the darkness?

Notes: This is a slow burn romance with an original female character, told in 3 parts. There is mystery, intrigue, action and angst - all the good stuff!

Also available on AO3 and Wattpad

Masterlist

--------------

Chapter 15

“Thank you, Counsellor,” the Judge said, after Matt finished speaking. “Prosecution, please call your first witness.”

Matt took his seat and blew out a breath. Foggy gave him a quick pat on the back. “Good job, buddy,” he whispered.

“Thanks,” Matt whispered back. The opening statement was done. His voice had held out, and he’d gotten his message across to the members of the jury. He’d sensed a reaction in some of their heartbeats as he’d described the terror Margaret had felt while in the grips of the drug, so he was hopeful a least a few jurors were open to his argument.

Calina’s angle - playing to their fear, instead of their empathy - had been the right call.

He breathed deeply, sorting past the various smells of the courtroom - the earthiness of the wood panelling, the oil from the bailiff’s gun, the too-strong aftershave of the prosecuting attorney - until he found the fragrance he was looking for.

Strawberries and sea salt.

Calina was here.

He’d picked up the scent the moment he’d walked into the room - she was somewhere at the back of the public gallery - and he hadn’t been able to stop the small smile that had formed at the realisation.  Foggy had noticed straight away. “You’re looking strangely optimistic,” he’d commented.

Matt had shrugged. “Maybe I feel good about this.”

Foggy had scrutinised him closer. “You look good, too. The zombie-ness has worn off a bit. Are you getting more sleep?”

“Yeah. Actually I am.”

Last night’s experiment - Calina reading to him - had worked better than expected. It hadn’t just helped him relax and clear his head for a while…it had put him straight to sleep.

A deep, restorative, dreamless sleep.

He’d woken as dawn had approached, still on the couch, feeling rested and refreshed, despite the slight crick in his neck.

And the unfamiliar weight against his shoulder.

It had been Calina, fast asleep, her head leaning against him. Loathe to disturb her so early, Matt had relaxed back into the couch. He could afford to take a few minutes, to enjoy the novelty of this feeling - unlike most mornings, he wasn’t waking in pain from a fight or a fall. He wasn’t still tired from a restless night of tossing and turning. He wasn’t shaking off the lingering grief from a dream about Elektra.

He felt…good. Content, even.

And it was all down to Calina.

For some reason he could sleep around her. Soundly. For hours at a time.

And she could sleep just as soundly around him, judging from her deep breaths and the slow, steady thrum of her heart. That soothing cadence - and the warmth radiating from her - was almost enough to lull him back to unconsciousness. He felt the urge to tip his head to rest it against hers, to breathe in the scent of her and feel the silkiness of her hair against his cheek…

But he needed to get up. He had to drop by the office to gather some more files, and he wanted to make sure he got to the courthouse early. He didn’t want to give Foggy any reason to doubt him today.

He started carefully shifting out from under Calina’s weight, trying not to wake her, but the movement stirred her anyway. She groaned as she straightened up, and the book she’d been reading from last night clattered to the floor. The sudden noise seemed to startle her fully awake. She glanced around the room in confusion before seeing him next to her. “I fell asleep again, didn’t I?” she moaned, covering her face with her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

She jumped to her feet and straightened her clothes. “Your apartment must have soporific powers, or something,” she joked, her voice shaky.

“I thought that was you,” he replied.

“Hmm?” she asked, collecting her book from the floor.

“I’ve had more sleep in the last few days than the last couple of weeks combined, thanks to you.”

She paused as she gathered her bag. “I don’t know whether to feel pleased about that or insulted.”

“Insulted?”

“If I keep putting you to sleep, I must be really boring company.”

Matt laughed, getting to his feet. “Not at all.” He stretched his arms above his head, the joints of his back cracking loudly in the quiet room.

“Ouch,” she winced. “I’m sorry again. You really needed a night in a proper bed before your big trial-”

He grabbed her hand, wanting to put a stop to her self-recrimination. “I needed rest. And you helped me get it. Please stop apologising. I meant it when I thanked you just now.”

“Okay,” she said softly. “I should thank you too. I seem to sleep better here than in my own apartment.”

They stood there, hands clasped, as the unspoken admission - that they only seemed to get a good night’s sleep in each others’ presence - hung between them. Neither of them wanted to comment on the strangeness of that fact.

Or what it might symbolise.

“I- I’ll let you get ready,” she said, breaking the spell of the moment. She pulled away from him and headed for the exit. “Bye, Matthew.”

“‘Matt’. Call me ‘Matt’,” he replied, in what was becoming a familiar refrain.

This time she definitely heard him. She paused at the door - just a fraction of a second between one footfall and the next - but said nothing as she opened it and walked away.

———

Calina slipped out of the courtroom as recess was called for lunch. Coming here this morning had been a spur of the moment impulse. She’d heard Matthew’s opening statement a dozen times over the last few days as he'd rehearsed and refined it - to the point where she could have given the speech herself.  But she’d wanted to see him in action in court, and to offer some silent moral support.

So she’d battled the rush hour horde of commuters and arrived at the courthouse just as the other members of the public were filing into the gallery. It had been worth the effort.  Matthew was so different here. He held authority in this room, and confidence radiated from him.

It was fascinating to watch.

He held his audience in the palm of his hand. They chuckled when he made a self-deprecating blind joke as he got to his feet, putting them all at ease. Their eyes were fixed on him as he gave his impassioned defence. And she could see more than one person react as he asked them to imagine themselves in his client’s position.

His speech was working.  And she felt more than a hint of pride at the small role she'd played in shaping it.

It had been unexpectedly fun, to help Matthew with his work. And surprisingly easy, to imagine the best way to convince a jury of the truth. But it really shouldn’t have been a surprise. It was just another form of manipulation, after all. It was something she’d been taught all her life - how to find the right words and the right arguments to make someone do what she needed them to.

At least now she was putting those skills to use for a good cause - for a woman who'd been forced into violence against her wishes and without her control. It was another reason why it had been so easy to help craft Matthew’s speech - she didn't need any help empathising with Margaret Posen.

“Calina!”

She turned as a familiar voice called out her name. Matthew strode towards her, a smile on his face. Behind him she could see Foggy and a tall blonde woman. The woman frowned and said something to Foggy, but Calina was too far away to hear it.

“Hi,” Matthew said, reaching her.

“Hi,” she replied. “How did you know I was here?”

“Oh, Foggy saw you as you were leaving, and he let me know.”

Calina wondered if that was the truth. Or if his senses had detected her hiding at the back of the crowded courtroom. Were they that finely tuned?

“I hope you didn’t mind,” Calina said. “Me being here, I mean.”

“Not at all. I’m glad actually. I wanted to thank you again for your what you did over the weekend - looking after me, helping with the case. It meant a lot.”

She ducked her head, uncertain how to react in the face of so much gratitude. Especially when her actions hadn’t been entirely altruistic. She’d wanted to spend time with him. Talk with him, eat with him, sit with him in comfortable silence…

And she’d loved every second of it. Despite her reservations about being close to him. And despite the awkwardness of waking up in his apartment after falling asleep.

Twice!

She couldn’t understand it. She’d been trained to always be alert. To be aware of her surroundings at all times. Falling sound asleep in a relative stranger’s home for hours at a time just wasn’t like her.

She could blame it on exhaustion - maybe after so many restless nights, she’d hit a threshold of lethargy, and was liable to fall asleep anywhere now.  But deep down she suspected there was another explanation.

She trusted Matthew.

She knew him to be a good man, with a good heart.

And she felt safe with him.

Perhaps that was at the root of her insomnia. Beneath the nightmares, and the way her brain played out her sins on a loop…maybe she felt unsafe. It would make sense - she was so far from her sisters and the only life she’d ever known. She was out on her own in the world, with no one watching her back. No one to stand guard while she let herself sink into unconsciousness.

No one…except for him.

Matthew knew how to fight. He was better at it than almost anyone she’d ever known. He was a man that could handle anything and anyone that might come at him. Which on some subconscious level must make her feel safe. Safe enough to close her eyes and rest.

“I just wanted you to know that,” he continued. “In case I don’t see you much this week. The case is going to keep me occupied all hours of the day and night.”

“I understand,” she said.

“But I have some free time now. Do you want to get lunch with us?” he asked, gesturing behind him to his two colleagues. Foggy noticed the action and gave her a small wave. She waved back. The blonde woman just stared at her with cooly assessing eyes.

“Thanks for the offer, but no, I can’t today. I have a class starting in twenty minutes.”

“Dance?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, enjoy. And thank you, again. For everything.”

“You’re welcome, Matthew.”

He tilted his head, a small smile playing at his lips. “Are you ever going to call me ‘Matt’?”

Yes, she wanted to say. If I no longer have to lie to you. If you ever discover who I really am. If you still want to be my friend, after all that…then I’ll have earned the right to call you that.

“Maybe one day,” she replied instead.

———

Calina studied her outfit in the full length mirror.

The sequinned dress was fun, and it flattered her figure. It was a tank-style silhouette - sleeveless, with a racer back - and it draped loosely over her willowy frame. She didn’t suit tight fitting dresses - she’d never had the curves for them to cling to - but she suited mini dresses like this one, the hemline showing off her long, shapely legs. Which appeared even longer, in the four-inch stiletto heels she had on her feet.

But something about the look wasn’t working.

She twisted in front of the mirror, trying to work out what was wrong. The woman in the department store had assured her that the outfit was suitable for going to a nightclub, but it just didn’t feel right.

She felt too…styled. Too prissy.

Too much like a ballerina.

She stared at the tight bun that she’d scraped her hair into. That was definitely giving off ballerina vibes, but the shop assistant had recommended the style, saying it would emphasise her cheekbones and her long neck.

It did…but she didn’t feel like herself.

Calina smiled at the realisation. She was starting to know her own style. Not only what suited her, but what she felt comfortable in. And what impression she wanted to give the rest of the world. She was learning that clothes could be an expression of who you were inside…

And this wasn’t who she was.

Not anymore.

She wasn’t the cold, aloof ballerina with perfect posture. She was a street dancer now.

Calina grinned as she kicked off her heels and shoved on her white converse high tops instead. Then she shook out her hair and pulled it back in a messy ponytail.

The woman in the mirror grinned back at her.

This felt right. This was her.

She looked young, and carefree and ready to have fun - three things she had never felt before. Her smile widened.

She checked the time on her phone - 7:20. It was almost time to go. Her heart started fluttering with anticipation. She was going out. On a Friday night. Clubbing. With a friend!

The invitation had come after dance class on Tuesday. Michelle had started attending the sessions around the same time as Calina. They had been the two novices amongst the more experienced regulars and had gravitated towards each other in the lineup. They shared rueful smiles when they messed up the choreography, and thumbs up when they mastered a difficult step. Occasionally, Michelle would chat with Calina as they cooled down, and twice now they’d walked part of the way home together.

She was a 25-year old grad student, studying anthropology, and she lived with two roommates. Her boyfriend had recently dumped her, and she was online dating and ‘rebounding all over Manhattan’, as she’d put it. She was chatty and outgoing, and didn’t seem to mind when Calina barely shared anything of her own life.

But despite all that, Calina hadn’t really considered they were becoming friends. Until earlier this week when Michelle had cornered her after class. “Are you busy this Friday?”

“No,” Calina has said. “Why?”

“It’s my birthday, and a bunch of us are hitting the town. Do you wanna come?”

Calina must have looked as taken aback as she felt, because Michelle rushed to reassure her. “No pressure! It’ll just be a quick dinner then dancing - it’ll be a chance to show off our newly acquired skills.” She offered her phone, the screen open on a blank contacts page. “Give me your number and I’ll text you the details.”

Calina had, and the text had come through half an hour later with a time and place and an opt-out clause:  ‘If you can make it, great! If not, no worries.’

‘I’ll try to make it’ had been Calina’s reply. She’d wanted the option of backing out, in case she lost her nerve. But as the week crept on, she found herself looking forward to the idea of going out on the town. Especially since her late night stalking of Daredevil seemed to be on hold while Matthew was busy with his trial.

True to his word, she hadn’t seen him much over the past few days. Except for this morning, when they’d shared the elevator down to the lobby. He was on his way to court, she was heading out for her morning run.

“How are you feeling?” she’d asked.

“Much better, thank you.”

He didn’t look it. The congestion in his voice was gone, but he seemed tired and run down. She wanted to ask if he was sleeping, but that seemed like such a personal question.

He had none of the same reservations. “And you? Are you sleeping okay?”

She’d shrugged. “Same as usual. How’s the trial going?”

“Nice change of subject,” he replied with a smile. “It’s going well, actually. Foggy’s giving the closing arguments today, then we’ll probably get a verdict next week.”

“Good luck,” she wished him as they walked down the steps of the apartment building and onto the street. They should have parted ways there and then, but they both...lingered. Calina made the excuse of stretching out her arms, and Matthew slowly opened up his cane, as if he too was stalling for time. He played with the stick for a few moments, twirling it between his fingers, and her eyes were drawn to his hands. His lovely, strong, graceful hands...

"Are you okay," Matthew asked.

Realising her breath had quickened - and that Matthew had picked up on it - Calina stammered out a reply. "I'm fine. I-I'll see you later." Then she took off running.

Literally.

Thinking back on the encounter, Calina blushed in embarrassment again. Then debated if she should bring Matthew lunch tomorrow, just like she had last weekend. Given how hard he’d been working, his fridge was probably woefully understocked again.

She wondered where this urge to take care of him came from. And was it just restricted to him - the vigilante-lawyer who worked all hours of the day and night to help the people of this city, but too often neglected himself?

Or would she feel this caring instinct towards any neighbour in need?

Was she a mother hen, just as Yelena had joked?

She shook her head. Those were thoughts for another time. Tonight she had somewhere to be.

She smiled as she gathered her purse. Then paused, eyeing up the bright red coat in her closet. The one she'd bought on a whim months ago but had never quite had the nerve to wear. It felt too...daring. Too conspicuous for someone trying to live an inconspicuous life. But judging from the cold breeze wafting through her bedroom, the temperature had dropped again tonight. She’d pushed the window wide open earlier to let out the steam from her shower, and now a chill was spreading through the room.

She should wear a coat.

She should wear that coat.

It was time to live the life she wanted, on her terms. And if that meant being visible in a show-stopping red coat, that's what she would do.

Calina slipped the garment of its hanger and slung it over her arm. Then she grabbed the top of the heavy sash frame of the window and started to shove it down...only to cry out in shock at the sudden sharp pain just below her rib cage.

She jerked back and glanced down. A metal tranquilliser dart was embedded in her abdomen.

She quickly yanked it out, but it was too late.

The world went hazy…then dark…

And she collapsed to the floor.

———

Her mind was sinking.

She could feel consciousness rising - the sounds of the street outside getting louder, the feel of the bed beneath her back more tangible - but at the same time, her mind was slipping away from her.

Falling down, down, down…disappearing, like a stone dropped into a dark well.

She knew this feeling. She recognised it.

They were taking her mind away again.

It would recede from her body until she was nothing more than a bystander in her own body.

Controlled by outside forces.

Compelled to do their bidding.

Calina's heart started racing at the thought, and the adrenaline surge burned off the last of the tranquilliser. She was fully awake now. She could feel the sharp edges of the zip tie that bound her right arm to the metal frame of her bed. She could feel the pinch of the cannula in her left elbow where the serum had invaded her body. 

She could hear the steps of the man pacing the floor of her bedroom.

“We’re almost done,” he said, his english heavily accented. “Another five minutes and the neural uplink will be complete.”

She slitted her eyes open. He had his back to her, a tablet in his hands and a bluetooth speaker in his ear. “Yes, that’s right,” he said to the person on the other end of the phone call. ”I’ll be able to monitor her responses, but yours is the only tablet with executive function, as we agreed. You’ll be the only one in control.” He tapped on the screen as he continued the conversation.

She tuned him out. Tried to calm her pounding heart as she worked through her options.

Five minutes.

Just five minutes until she disappeared.

Until she became nothing but a weapon, programmed to hurt.

To kill.

Just five minutes.

She had to make them count.

“Nice doing business with you,” the man bit out, ending the call. “Mudak,” he spat, cursing the other party in Russian. He tossed the tablet onto the bed by her feet and turned towards her.

She took her chance.

She whipped both legs up and hooked her feet around the back of his neck, jerking him closer until he stumbled against the side of the bed. She readjusted her hold, wrapping her thighs around his neck and clamping them tight.

Then she squeezed with every last drop of strength that she had.

He struggled against her grip, trying to pull away. Her back left the mattress, the only thing keeping her in place the hand that was bound to the frame.  She ignored the bite of pain as the plastic tie dug into her wrist. She ignored the ache as he pummelled his fists against her thighs. She ignored the sight of his eyes bulging as he struggled for breath...

And she ignored the nauseating guilt pervading her body as she took his life.

Her world narrowed to the horrible feel of his thick fleshy neck between her legs and the clench of her muscles as she compressed his airway.

After what felt like hours - but was barely two minutes - he went slack, his blood shot eyes now sightless. She released her hold and he collapsed to the floor, his head colliding with the hardwood floor with a sickening thud.

She didn’t spare him a second glance.

She brought her right arm down in a sudden, sharp movement, breaking the tie. She tore the cannula out of her arm, grabbed the man’s tablet, and the phone stashed in her beside drawer and raced for the front door.

———

Matt was feeling good.

He always got a buzz from trying cases in court.  He enjoyed the chess-like strategy of anticipating his opponent’s tactics, and the art of trying to charm a jury. He loved delivering arguments to a hushed room, and the skill of distilling weeks of research and evidence into an eloquent line of questioning that would persuade 12 people of the truth.

And, of course, he loved the thrill - and sheer relief - that came with those two words: Not guilty. He just hoped he’d done enough to get Margaret Posen that verdict.

But it was out of his hands now. The prosecution had rested their case, Foggy had given a killer closing statement, and now it was up to the jury to decide.

Which meant he was free to resume his other duties. His cold symptoms had disappeared, and he didn’t have to work late strategising with Foggy or get up early tomorrow morning for court.

Matt Murdock’s obligations were over…now it was Daredevil’s turn.

The lawyer had tried Margaret's case in court...now the vigilante needed to find the source of the drug that had led to her arrest.

He’d just pulled his tie free of his collar and loosened the first few buttons of his shirt, when a frenzied banging sounded at his front door. Frowning, he moved towards the hallway, stretching his senses out.

He felt panic. Desperation.

Abject terror.

And it was coming from Calina.

“Matthew!” she yelled, continuing to pound with her fists. “Please! Matthew!”

He was at the door in an instant, yanking it open.

“Thank God,” she sobbed, stumbling into his apartment. She slammed the the door closed and rushed passed him into the living room. “You need to help me,” she said, gulping for breath. Her voice was frantic and her heart was hammering in her chest. “You need to stop me.”

He grabbed her arms to steady her. He could smell a faint tang of medicine in her blood, and a strange metallic scent clung to her. “What happened? What’s wrong?”

She dropped something to the floor and grabbed a fistful of his shirt, as if to anchor herself. “I’m not going to be me. And they’ll make me do things.” Her words tripped over each other, the meaning lost. “Horrible things. And I don’t want to. I can’t go through that again.” She started to hyperventilate, and the grip on his shirt tightened.

“Calina,” he called, rubbing her arms, trying to get her to calm down. “Callie! Just breathe!”

She took a couple of deep breaths. "That's it," he murmured. "Now, can you tell me what’s wrong?”

“Th- there's no time.” She thrust something at him, and he grabbed it on instinct. It was an old fashioned flip phone, the kind often used as burner devices. “Call Yelena,” she explained. “Speed dial 1. Tell her to come with the counteragent.”

“Calina, I don’t understand-”

“I know. And I’m so sorry - for all of this. But I need you to stop me. Don’t let me leave this apartment. Please.”

“I won’t-”

“Promise me!”

“I promise.”

“You need to do whatever it takes, Matthew. Do you understand? Whatever it takes, you need to stop me. I need Daredevil to stop me.”

------

CHAPTER 16

Taglist: @hollandorks, @yanna-banana, @stilldreaming666, @tearosearts-blog

If you’d like to be added, let me know!

[madamescarlette]

I'm feeling a tad bit too foggy to write up proper book reviews this month, so instead you're getting a list of Media I Particularly Enjoyed (In February)! for the audience of all two of you where these will all crossover, enjoy <3

Books:

Namesake by Kate Stradling (I also rec. The Heir and the Spare & Brine and Bone by her)

River Inside the River by Gregory Orr (I especially rec. this to anyone who is also a writer/poet, the last sequence was so lovely I had to stare at the wall every time I turned a page)

Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer (still makes me laugh to no end)

The Selected Poems of Edna St. Vincent Millay by, well, her (I love the simplicity and sharpness of her voice, two of the three long-form poems at the very beginning made me SOB and then the rest were just very solidly good and precious to me)

Movies:

Babette's Feast (beautiful luminous never been done before)

Ponyo (rewatched after many years, still brings me unending light)

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (what I consider the better of the two Ghibli docs on HBO, and it may only be dear to me because it covers the development of The Wind Rises, but it left me with a weird sorrowful achey peace in my heart)

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (I saw this with friends and I very much think you should see this with a buddy, I had a great time cackling and gasping with them over it)

Games:

Crystal Project (an as-open-world-as-you-can-make-it spiritual-successor-to-classic-JRPGs game that I was enveloped by for the better part of January and the beginning of this month. It has a great deal of quality of life things that are great for me who just likes to climb cliffs and fly over the sea, and the story was just spare and sweet enough for my taste 4.5/5)

The Last Campfire (a short and sweet puzzle-y game about the process of letting go and learning to say goodbye that is very well suited to the state I'm in currently 3.9/5)

A Space for the Unbound (a little indie that's heavily story-based; I watched a playthrough of this and unfortunately was already miserable enough that it didn't quite devastate me as normally it would have but I truly have been thinking about it constantly ever since 3.75/5)

CrossCode (for full clarity, I'm still in the midst of playing this, but I adore the main character and I think the friendships in it are so so so sweet and the conversations that they have about the game they're in get to me because I'm like hey I'VE said that!!! Issa little ARPG about a fictional MMO and the players in it and the art is GREAT 4/5 so far I'm deeply invested in it)

Songs:

Staring Contest - James Ivy (quite frankly I can't tell you why I'm obsessed with this but the bit about laundry in the closet makes me feel so known idk)

You Let Me Down - Alessia Cara

I'll Call You Mine - girl in red (drums!)

Holding Pattern - Nickel Creek (the circling chord pattern is so sparkly to me personally)

I Know the End - Phoebe Bridgers (you know the drill this song is my companion when I drive around town shout-singing at the top of my lungs)

Trying to Feel Alive - Porter Robinson (my song of this year maybe)

[rippeds0cks]

5/30/2023

This is the first post ever that I'm writing from my computer. Today was fine. Nothing special but nothing necessarily bad. I've felt calm ever since solidifying and coming to terms with my future endeavors. Previously I felt a conviction to always keep going no matter what because I of some unknown obligation to the world around me but I no longer feel it at all. Since I have no one in my life anymore it feels like I'm finally able to just rest whenever I would like to. Obviously, I won't until I get the apartment lease situation settled cause it would fuck over my buddy if I didn't wait. Cause of how long everything takes here it will last till like late July. I had a really nice dream last night but not nice as in made my day start well but nice in the way that I woke up and it sucked it wasn't real. Just the usual of sitting on a boat in the middle of a lake and talking to people in my life. This time it was the ocean on a foggy day which is odd cause it's normally a lake in the dead of night. Ironically once I got up and started my day I kept seeing things that a more schizophrenic person woulda called signs to not go through with my plans like as soon as I got to school my teacher asked what my plans were once I got out of school and when I said "I don't know" she made me choose from a list for some form or something idk. Or some Japanese guys shirt said "one foot in front of the other" which is what I say to my friends whenever they feel suicidal. I also had the offhanded thought that I need to get my cyberpunk tattoo but then remembered it doesn't matter since yknow. anyways my pics looked like shit today

[cryptcreechur]

tw - family death

i had a dream last night that i would like to share with you all because i felt it was very important to me and perhaps the start of something wonderful or informative or fulfilling.

im going to copy-paste what i had typed to my buddies that are too cool for tumblr (they actively dislike it here) because if i try to retype everything my drawing hand will be mad at me and also i will cry (again)

i cant remember how it started out, but i remember the moment i saw him

i almost started crying and i ran up to him to hug him and he stopped me and said "im not sure you want to have the dead smell on you" and we laughed as i hugged him anyway

we spent time walking together somewhere outside, it was foggy and cool and peaceful. we just talked and spent time together. i told him how much i missed him and he nodded and listened. he said he misses me too, he misses all of us. but hes walking again, and able to do things he couldnt do for years. he told me not to cry so much because hes not upset or alone or hurting.

then it was time for him to go, he said, and he brought me to a door. there were stairs leading down to it and we hugged again at the top of the stairs and he turned and went to the door. i tried to follow him but i made it about halfway down before the door opened and i couldnt move anymore. some woman was standing there, kind of turned away from me, but she looked beautiful and had really really long black hair. he proudly introduced me to her but he said "this is my grand..son. right?" and he looked back at me and i nodded and he smiled and repeated "this is my grandson." she spoke to me but i didnt see her mouth move. she told me i couldnt come after my grandpa yet. that as long as i lived, something would keep me from the land of the dead.

grandpa turned around just before he went through the door and he smiled at me and told me i would be okay without him. he said im strong and hes proud to see who ive become so far and he looks forward to hugging me again

and then i woke up

see? i cried sending all that to my boyfriend

but a part of me (the overwhelming majority of me) feels relieved that i had this dream. so much has been going on in my life so far, and i at times feel like i cant make it, or that im weak, that my ancestors or passed relatives are disappointed in me. im glad i got to speak with my grandpa, who practically raised me in my childhood. he was a very important man to me.

ive always felt dreams carry significance - whether it's messages from the subconscious or messages from the divine, theres always something to be had from a dream.

that being said, i believe it was Hel, goddess and caretaker of the dead, who spoke to me.

id never seen her in a dream before, but she had this soothing energy about her. even as she was telling me i couldn't follow my grandpa, it wasn't a statement of malice - she had concern and compassion in her voice. she seemed so kind in that moment, understanding of my grief and my pain, and turning me onto the path i need to take right now - the path with the living.

ive found myself drifting away from my gods in my time of turmoil, and i feel guilty, but i also know they hold no judgement or anger towards me. they understand.

anyway, this post is really long, and if youve made it this far, thank you. maybe leave a few words in the replies ? id like to hear other's thoughts on Hel or lost family members or grief or even just dreams in general

have a nice day, all, and gods bless you

[shiorimakibawrites]

All good points.

Basically, I think what happen is this:

Sunk cost fallacy, thy name is Matt Murdock.

(This got more wordy so more below the cut).

Things like this would happen:

Matt: "Hey Foggy, Can I talk to you about something" *nervous smile* Foggy: "I'm all ears." *turns and gives Matt his full attention* *Matt feels like he is going to vomit. Or run from the room in a panic.* "I don't think I got what Professor Woods was saying about subject-matter jurisdiction? Can you help me?" Foggy: "Sure, buddy. No problemo. Now when Professor Woods said . . ."

Or this:

Foggy: "You heard that?" Matt: "I hear everything." *internally: Come on, Foggy, you're smart . . . take the hint . . .* Foggy *assumes Matt was being metaphorically*

But also this:

Matt: "Foggy, I have something important to tell you." Foggy: "I'm listening." Matt: "I have -" *fire alarm blares through the building.* By the time the nonsense around the fire alarm is settled, Matt has had time to second-guess and talk himself out of telling Foggy. Foggy: "What is that you wanted to tell me?" Matt: "Err . . . . you remember Sarah from our Contracts class?" Foggy: "Yeah" Matt: "She thinks you're hot." Foggy: "She does!"

The longer and longer they are friends without Matt telling him, the harder it gets to say anything . . . he knows Foggy is going be hurt and angry that Matt kept something like this from him for . . . 1 year, 2 years, 3 years . . . etc

Then he starts doing vigilante stuff . . . occasionally at first . . . then on a regular basis. Now telling Foggy means involving him in a felony - something that would destroy Foggy's legal career . . . Now, not only has Matt been keeping his senses secret, he's purposefully doing things that could destroy Nelson & Murdock, destroy their dream . . .

Matt: Maybe all that chickening out and interruptions and Foggy not picking up on my hints were a sign from the Lord. Maybe He doesn't want me to say anything . . . .

Humans are very good at lying to themselves.

Further Thought:

I think part of Foggy's anger during Nelson v Murdock and afterward is directed at himself.

Because he probably went over every interaction and suddenly recognized all the times that Matt either tried to tell him or unintentionally gave himself away. Basically a lot of thing suddenly make a lot more senses.

And now Foggy feels kind of stupid for not picking up on it sooner. Matt wasn't exactly subtle nor is he a particularly good liar . . . and yet, Foggy fell for it anyway.

Maybe Foggy did notice something odd about his BFF and was just waiting for Matt to tell whatever the big secret was . . . and it was more the vigilante thing he was upset about. Focusing on Matt's knowing private things and his uncomfortableness with that was easier than thinking about how close Matt came to dying that night.

The fight had shades of those really ugly fights with siblings or friends where the fight has stopped being about how what triggered it but about making each other feel as badly as you do. And since you are that person's sibling/best friend, you know exactly where the weak spots are.

"To think I felt sorry for you." Knowing how much Matt hates being pitied . . . and maybe a certain amount of his 'your senses are creepy' thing was not just personal discomfort but a way to wound. Matt kept them a secret, he'd obviously be sensitive to other people's reactions to them.

Yes, the bulk of his anger is reserved for Matt (and his seemingly disregard for their dream - why I think Foggy threw the sign away. Matt doesn't care about throwing away our dream. I don't either.)

But at least a little might be directed at himself. And some is just covering up fear. Because Matt scared him . . .

I don't think Foggy really deal with all of this until after The Defenders. When he thought he had lost Matt forever . . . then Matt is back. And despite his rather charming attitude during most of Season 3, it probably felt like miracle. Matt's alive . . . we have a second chance, a real second chance.

Congratulations Bella on having 2.5k followers! 🥳

Let's discuss a headcanon!

I personally headcanon that Matt did attempt o tell Foggy about his senses several times prior to Nelson v Murdock but failed for various reasons (not just chickening out and discussing something else).

Thank you friend!! 💖

Ohhh, now this is an interesting topic! I absolutely agree with you, though. With how much Foggy means to Matt and how much Matt feels guilty for a lot of his actions, I imagine it often ate away at him for feeling like he was lying to his best friend. And I imagine there were times Matt hinted at things subtly in college, whether drunk or sober, because he really wanted to let Foggy in. With the way he really grew close to Stick and Elektra, the two people who really "knew" him in his mind, he definitely always comes across to me as feeling lonely and isolated in some ways for having to hide such a big part of himself from his friends. But I also imagine the attempts Matt might have made often just flew right over Foggy's head every single time. Because why would you ever suspect your friend gained heightened senses from the accident that blinded him as a child? Generally no one would even guess at that, so it wouldn't have even crossed Foggy's mind.

Though I do also suspect Matt had many urges to straight up tell Fog but did chicken out for one reason or another. He was most likely afraid to lose the closest person he'd ever had because maybe Foggy wouldn't accept him, or he was afraid Foggy would feel as if he'd been deceived by Matt. And we all know how terrified Matt is of losing the people he loves most--especially taking into account how he'd recently lost Elektra--so I personally do think fear still played a role in Foggy not finding out before that episode. Plus, if my memory is correct, Matt started going out as the masked man when they began their internship at Landman and Zack. By that point, Matt was probably either afraid to tell Foggy because of being judged, turned in to the authorities, or afraid of putting Foggy's future career at risk if he was in on the secret and it was ever discovered that he was. I imagine Matt just made all sorts of excuses for his fears at that point to deal with his guilt.

But I'm sure you have thoughts on this topic and I'd love to hear them! Especially what beliefs you might have as to why it wasn't just fear that ever stopped Matt from telling Fog the truth, because while I do think that was a big one later on, I don't think that was all of it, either.

(Bella's Follower Celebration Post for those who want to join in the fun!)

[murdockussy]

Beyond These Walls

Matt Murdock x Reader Fic

Summary:

Lawyer by day, masked vigilante by night, Matt Murdock found himself growing familiar with his not-so-normal lifestyle. But nothing prepared him for what would happen once you – his new neighbour – entered his life.

In the works, will be actively updating

Loosely follows the daredevil TV show timeline, has it's own twists to it as well

next chapter

masterlist

Chapter One: The Devil Is Born

words: 1,500+

Minute by minute, as the sky grew darker shades of blue, the devil itched to be released from its cage.

Subconsciously counting the tap, tap, taps of his cane, Matt continued down his usually route home along the sidewalk as he switched the phone in his hand from one ear to the other. “...Plus, it's almost directly above where that pizza place burnt down a few months back”

The sing-song tone of Foggys voice bringing a smirk to his face.

“The ‘best double stuffed crust’ place?”

“Yes! Exactly the one. And maybe we could push for a price adjustment due to construction, or noise pollution”

“Or the haunting of the 'double stuffed crust' ghost” Matt spoke, a laugh escaping through the exhale of his nose.

“I'm being serious Murdock, and let's not mock the deceased, it was a terrible loss for all of us”

Weaving his way through the bustling crowd, he made a left, reaching the home stretch of his journey. “I know I know, sorry. But given its also in the center of Hell’s Kitchen, I doubt construction or noise will affect the pricing. This is still New York"

"Well, I hate to break it to you pal, but were running pretty low on options"

Tilting his head, the devilish feeling inside Matt rose at the faint wailing of sirens in the far distance. Pushing it aside, realigning his focus on the smacks of his cane on the pavement, he sighed into the mobile.

"We'll find somewhere Foggy, that’s within our budget"

Approaching his apartment building, Matt quickly snapped his cane into a fold, tucking it under his arm, using his free hand to push open the building door. Once he made it inside, he began his ascend up the stairwell.

"Easier said than done, buddy. Plus, this is the third viewing you haven't come to, how can we choose the perfect Nelson and Murdock home if half the team is M.I.A. Speaking of, how are you feeling by the way?"

A small wave of guilt washed over Matt as the words left Foggys mouth. If a night of vigilante activities headed more south than anticipated for Matt, he'd often try to avoid any face-to-face interaction with his best friend, an easy cop out from needing to give an explanation about the dark purple bruises that formed on his skin.

Only it was at times like this, where viewing these potential residencies for their dream shared law firm, arose shame deep within Matt, because he wanted to be there equally as much as Foggy wanted him there.

But avoiding the truth was always easiest in Matts mind.

"I can't seem to shake the sore throat just yet, but other than that most of the flu symptoms have gone" Matt spoke, sticking to the excuse he created on the earlier Thursday when he turned down a previous location viewing. "And next listing I'll be there, not that viewing is my specialty but I'll be there to trust your judgement"

The lingering guilt washed away from below Matts skin at the sound of Foggys laughter through the phone.

"And trusting my judgement you shall do, but I want you to promise me"

"You want me to promise you?"

"Don’t mock me, Murdock" Foggy spoke, the jolly tone still present underneath his false sternness.

"Fine, I swear to you I'll avoid any further illness prior to the next viewing”

“Matt!”

“I'll be there, I promise"

They continued their conversation as Matt worked his way up to the sixth floor, cutting the conversation short as he reached walkway leading to his apartment door. "...And don’t forget, next office opening is-"

"Monday at 8am, I know. You have my word Foggy, I'll be there"

After saying their goodbyes, Matt pulled out the set of keys from his pocket and opened the front door. Once inside, he kicked off his white trainers and stripped himself of the damp hoodie, hanging it on an empty hook off his wall, goosebumps raising on his arms as the cool apartment air struck his sweaty skin.

Walking down the small hallway entrance of his home, he removed the round glasses from his face and placed them, as well as his folded cane, next to the envelope that remained untouched, sitting still in the position he left it after having Foggy read out the note left inside, alongside the key almost identical to his own.

After a tedious night of sweeping clear Hell’s Kitchens streets of any threat and harm, Matt returned home in the early hours of the morning to find an onymous envelope slid underneath his front door. Unable to make out the note left attached beside the key, he made sure to bring the parcel with him the following day to an office opening with Foggy.

“It's from Fran across the hall, says she’s having someone stay at her place for the next few months and to keep this spare key at yours until she returns. No sign of a secret camera built in, but I'd keep cautious around it if I were you Murdock, you know how Fran can be”. And with the following days going by with no signs of movement in his neighbour's apartment, Matt disregarded the envelope, keeping it aside and out of his way.

Entering the open floored loungeroom, the closer he approached the broad windows, the more the sound of pedestrians roaming the streets below grew clearer, an indication the sun still was yet to set – the creature inside of him growing even more desperate to claw its way out.

It had been a few months now since Matt took on this double life of his. Attorney at law by day, masked vigilante by night. The more he ventured out into the dark, beating any crime present in the streets of his city, the more he grew accustomed to it. It was becoming a routine, but that routine also held its own flaws.

The more Matt acted on his instincts, the stronger the darker side of him grew. The sound of police sirens driving past, of screams on sidewalks streets away, of glass shattering in a residence's kitchen, day or night, these sounds made the animal inside of him grow hungrier. And the hungrier it grew, the more damage he would do to the people that caused it.

The first time Matt allowed the devil inside him to slip through the cracks, to beat the father who assaulted his daughter every night in the building down the block, he knew something inside him flicked like a switch.

The scent of the man's blood spilled across Matts red stained bandaged hands made him sick to his stomach, they trembled with every sharp inhale he took as he backed away from the unconscious body. Skillfully jumping over rooftops and lurking through the shadows of dark alleys, he returned unseen to the security of his homes four walls, and immediately broke down. He cursed at himself, washing the blood from his clothes as guilt from what his dad would’ve thought - what the big man upstairs would’ve thought - began to suffocate him.

But what made him feel most guilty was that deep down, he didn’t feel guilty at all. He enjoyed the pride and relief he felt, and relished in the adrenaline that pumped through his veins with each contact his fists made with the man's face.

And what gave him the most satisfaction over all was that every night for the month that followed, as the broken man laid in hospital being fed through a straw, Matt and the little girl in her home a block away had never slept better - peacefully and content.

Since that night, Matt couldn’t stop himself from allowing that hidden side of him to chase that feeling over and over. Knowing he truly felt no remorse for the criminals of the night, he continued to stalk, hunt, beat and threaten the people who posed any threat to Hell’s Kitchen knowing it would keep his people, his city, safe.

And tonight would be no different from the rest.

After taking a hot shower, washing away the sweat from his workout at Fogwells Gym, Matt microwaved a leftover Thai dish and slumped on his couch, listening to the slowly softening bustle of the city below. As the following hours passed by, he dropped in on different conversations as if he was channel surfing on a TV. And as the night drew closer, the friendly dinners, late work meetings and evening strolls slowly transformed into drunken slurs, car alarms and arguments between roommates.

Eavesdropping on the drunken shouts of a man stumbling through a carpark three streets away, harassing a man approaching his car, Matt knew it was finally time. Rising from the couch and making his way to the cupboard below the staircase leading to the roof, he unlocked the metal doors and opened the chest resting on the floor. Lifting the false bottom, he removed his outfit from the hidden compartment and swiftly changed into the tight, black long-sleeved tee, pants and boots. Mask in hand, he jogged up the small staircase.

Holding his breath for a small moment, he tilted his head as he searched with his senses for any sign of moment beyond the door. Once the coast was clear, he slipped the mask onto his head, pulling it snuggly over his eyes and nose before walking out into the cool air blowing on the secluded rooftop, slamming the heavy door shut behind him.

[arkhamsrevenge]

I read a one shot where the reader found Jason and helped him detox. I CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME remember who it was.... PLEASE TAG THE USER IF YOU KNOW! Anywhosie, my one shot was inspired by the detox one I read.

The reader was supposedly dead so did Jason see a ghost?

"I'm gonna get you outta here." A sweet voice whispered. Jason knew who it was but why is she here? Did he die again? "Come on buddy you gotta work with me here." Jason felt a tear roll down his cheek. It has to be her. He then felt a cold hand wipe it away. "Don't worry. He won't hurt you again." Jason felt the tightness of the restraints dissappear. A dull ache was left in its place. He felt himself getting hoisted up on his feet, one of his arms were around someone's shoulder. Jason tried to open his eyes and focus on something. He heard a door to a car open and he was helped inside. Jason passed back out to the sound of the cars engine. "Hey. Jason hey." He wanted to see her, make sure it really was her so Jason attempted to opened his eyes slightly. His vision still foggy but he was able to make out the figure standing above him. He'd know her anywhere.

"Y/N?" He whispered falling back asleep.

A little while later Jason woke up feeling a lot better. He felt he was in a haze and his head was still foggy.

"Jason, how are you feeling?" Jason's eyes landed Barbra. His brow furrowed.

"Fine? How's Y/N?" Barbra wheeled over to Jason.

"Did you see her?" Jason nodded.

"That's three..." She whispered.

"Three?"

"Three times...you, Dick and Tim have all seen her." Barbra's fave was twisted in confusion but then Jason understood. It all came flooding back to him like a bad dream. Y/N and himself going after Joker. Y/N getting shot point blank while he was severely beaten and blown up.

"She died quickly so you die slowly." The clown had said laughing his head off. "You tried and she died! HAHAHAHA!"

Jason's chest felt tight.

"How?" He asked though he had his theories. Barbra shrugged.

"I don't know. But Dick saw her when he got shot, he blacked out and woke up in a cabin the next morning all stitched up. Tim saw her when he was shot by Crane. He woke up in the hospital again stitched up. The doctors said whomever did it saved his life or else he would have drowned in this own blood." Jason's brain finally kicked on. "And now you've seen her. She found you and brought you here to detox." As if on cue Dick and Tim walked in.

"Hey." Dick mumbled.

"Hey." Jason whispered back. "I thought she was..." He couldn't bring himself to say it.

"She is...or was. When she brought you here, she left us a piece of glass with her finger prints and blood for DNA testing. A note came with it saying, "I always keep my promises". I contacted Bruce and asked him if he knew anything. Apparently, Bruce made Y/N promise to protect at all costs. He never told me or any of us cause he knew what he was asking of her. We would have never agreed to..." Dick trailed off. His eyes watering.

"We would have never allowed her to do it." Jason said sitting up. He caught a glimpse of himself in a little mirror on the table. He looked terrible. His hair was a mess, curls tossed every which way and his eyes were blood shot.

"The next 24 hours are going to be tough. Would you like one of us to be with you?" Dick asked. Jason felt awkward. Why were they forgiving him so easily?

"No...thank you." He swallowed roughly.

Jason shook violently. He was warm but his body didn't seem to understand that. Jason wanted nothing more than to drop into a cold tub of ice. But he knew his body was just trying to sweat out the toxin. At some point he fell asleep finally.

"Oh Jason." Y/N? Is she here? Jason opened his eyes to see a ghost. It was y/n but different. He knew she'd taken a dip in the pit at some point. Maybe that's why her hands were cold. He runs hotter from his time in the pit and she runs colder. Still her cold hands felt good on his fevered skin. She was brushing the hair out of his face.

"You're here." He croaked weakly reaching for her. Y/N didn't hesitate to grab his hand.

"I always am." She whispered giving him a small smile. "Go back to sleep Jaybird. I'll be here." Jason felt himself smile slightly before letting sleep take him

[murdock-barnes]

Hi! I love ur writing and was hoping I could do a request for me? Matt has a new neighbor who happens to be a pornstar and he hears her working everyday until he finally decides he needs a taste himself. That’s it thank u so much❤️

Ughhh, this is great!!!!😍🥵❤️‍🔥

I didn't feel like writing her as a full-on pornstar so I switched it up a bit. I hope this isn't a disappointment for you. Also, I got carried away and wrote a bit too long I think. Sorry...😬

I hope you like this and thank youuuu for the request❤️

Cherry

Matt Murdock x Pornstar!Fem!Reader

Warnings: smut, protected p in v, fingering (pls let me know if i missed anything)

Word count: 3,2K

18+ MINORS DNI

It was a beautiful, warm Saturday. Everybody was outside enjoying the weather. Well, everybody except for Matt and Foggy. They had an important trial on Tuesday so they needed to go through their files and prepare their speeches. Foggy arrived at Matt's place at 8 am.

"Good morning, amigo! Got you something to wake you up!" He said as he strutted inside with the coffee cups in his hand. Matt closed the door laughing and followed him inside.

"I see you're quite eager to win the case. Can't believe you woke up, got coffee, and came here... all before 8 am? Wow." Matt stated sarcastically.

"Oh, shut up, Murdock, and get to work!" Foggy played along.

------------------------------------------

Their peaceful and productive work environment was disrupted by the sounds coming from the next apartment. Some drill sounds and muffled speaking came to Foggy's ear but Matt could hear what was going on. He heard a woman and two men. They were putting together a cupboard and discussing where to place it. She has a sweet voice, Matt thought. As the rumblings went on, he got back to work.

Foggy left earlier than he wanted because Marci called him to dinner and he couldn't say no. Matt walked him out saying "Don't worry, buddy! We got this, trust me!"

Foggy turned around smiling and gave Matt a tight hug. "Avocados at law!" he shouted as he patted Matt's back. They both laughed and Matt listened to Foggy's parting footsteps. The air in the hallway was thick with a new aura. It had to be you. Matt could smell the vanilla of your perfume and the strawberry scent from your shampoo. He liked this new change. He would very much rather this to the smell of old paint and mold.

--------------------------------------------

Monday night, Matt came into his apartment tired and his head was filled with the thoughts of tomorrow's case. After he changed into a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, he sat on the couch eating the Chinese food he picked up on his way home. He calculated every possible outcome and setback for the trial. He knew he was ready but he kept working on his speech for the rest of the night. Finally, his exhausted body went to bed.

On the other side of the wall, you just started doing your job. It obviously wasn't your dream job but you needed money. You couldn't quite possibly live on a waitress' wage. You started this with a friend's suggestion and now look at you, it pays your rent, bills, and needs.

You provided erotic shows to people and some private video calls. You were so surprised to see how much they were willing to pay just to see your tits. You slowly learned the game and mastered it. Your viewers kept coming for more.

Cherry. That was your porn name. Tonight, Cherry had one private meeting with her favorite regular James. He was your favorite because he was a sweet college senior whose daddy has a shit ton of money. You put on the new lingerie; red lace with a garter. It displayed your body in the most delicious way. You finished your makeup and crowned it with red lipstick. You set the led lights and created the perfect atmosphere. When you saw James on the other side of the screen, you sent him a wide smile.

"Hi, James!" You spoke sensually.

"Hey, Cherry! It's so nice to see you!" He replied with clear excitement in his voice.

" What would like to do tonight?" you asked.

He seemed like thinking about it for a while then he said "I want you to cum with me. I'll pay you well you know that. I want to see you naked though."

You smirked "Oh, you know that's not cheap at all, honey!"

"Yeah, I know. Check your account gorgeous, just sent it."

You reached for your phone and checked it. When you saw 10K, your eyes were gonna pop out of your head. It was too much but he didn't need to know that. He gave it willingly anyway and he'll get his payoff.

You slowly unhooked your bra "Well, James. Let's start then."

---------------------------------------------------------------

Matt was sleeping soundly but he's a light sleeper. It was impossible to have a deep sleep with his heightened senses. When he needed a good night's sleep, he was suddenly awakened by a cry. It was like a scream. He had to wait for a few seconds for his senses to focus so that he could understand what is going on. Was someone in danger? He heard erratic heartbeats and short breaths. Then, he heard a moan. He frowned and listened.

"Fuck, you're so pretty, Cherry." A male voice.

A giggle. "I want you to cum at the same time as me James."

At first, he thought two people were having sex but he distinguished the static behind the male's voice. It had to be a video call. And the female... She was her neighbor. It was inappropriate to spy on your neighbor like this, thus he forcefully displaced his focus and tried to go back to sleep.

---------------------------------------------------------

The next day, Matt was sleepless yet he gave all he has to the trial. It lasted for 3,5 hours and was truly tiresome. In the end, Matt and Foggy left the courtroom victorious, their client free from false accusations. All the hours he spent working, all the sleepless nights were worth this. He grabbed drinks with Foggy at Josie's celebrating their success. He came home a bit late than usual.

Matt had just walked into the house when his door was knocked. He slowly approached and spoke, "Who's that?"

"Hey, this is your neighbor. We haven't met yet." You said and gave him your name. When he opened the door, you took an eyeful of him. Fuck, that was one hell of a man. Your eyes wandered to his handsome features. You were glad that you put on some make-up and wore a cute top. Meanwhile, Matt was surrounded by your strong scent. The source of that vanilla and strawberry fragrance was right in front of him. The scent was almost physical, caressing his skin and even whispering sensual promises into his ears.

"Hi, I'm Matt. Nice to meet you, neighbor." He gave you a smile but there was something strange about his eyes.

"Nice to meet you too, Matt. I am sorry for disturbing you at this late hour but I need an extension cable. Do you happen to have one?" You kindly asked.

Your sweet voice mixed with your sweet scent made him feel dizzy. He answered “Yeah, I think I have. You can come in while I check.”

You followed him inside, and that's when you saw the white cane by the door. He was blind, well so much for getting all dolled up.

As Matt was fetching the cable, he played your voice in your head. He couldn't help but think of your moans. These thoughts mixed with your fragrant smell sent shivers down his spine.

As you waited in the living room, you looked outside from his window and saw the huge billboard whose light filled the whole room. He came back with the cable in his hand and held it out to you. You took it “Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.” You planted a small kiss on his cheek standing on your tiptoes.

“No problem,” he replied quietly with a flush on his cheeks. He walked you out and you went about your job as he went into the night as the devil.

He was exhausted when he returned from his patrol. He slowly peeled off the suit and crawled into the bed only in his boxers. However, the moment he put his head on the pillow, he noticed the noise coming from your side of the wall. You were more of a whiny persona this time. He recognized the male voice to be a different one. "Oh, yes, Daddy. I love your cock so much!" you whimpered spoiled and rotten.

Matt took in a sharp breath. So this was what you do, getting paid for your erotic services. The act, your voice... all of it turned him on. He was hard in his boxers but he felt bad for feeling like this for his nice and sweet neighbor. He turned to his side thinking about horrible, gory things to suppress the lust and sleep.

----------------------------------------------------

The same thing happened the next night and the night after that and the night after that. At that point, Matt was about to lose his mind due to lack of sleep and constant sexual stimulation. It was Sunday and he was just resting at home. He even took a nap taking advantage of the rather silent environment. It was afternoon when his door was knocked. He knew it was you bringing the cookies you just baked. Chocolate chip, he smelled in the air.

When he opened the door, you smiled prettily forgetting for a second that he cannot see. "Hey, Matt. How are you?" He heard the smile in your voice.

"Uh, good, thanks. You?" Why was he feeling awkward talking to this woman? Well, it could be because he heard her most intimate moments for days on end. He tried to shoo the memory of her moans away before they make their way to his crotch.

"I'm great. I wanted to give your cable back and thank you by baking you my favorite cookies."

He laughed and said "You didn't need to really. Come on in."

You walked in putting the cable on the table. He sat on the couch and you joined him. You picked a cookie from the plate you just put on the coffee table, placing it in his hand. He took a bite as you waited for his reaction. He gave you a slight moan of approval. "Wow, this is really good!"

"Did you have a doubt?" you said proudly. He smiled and leaned back. You two spent the next hour together getting to know each other. He really enjoyed your company and vice versa. However, the whole time you couldn't take your eyes off of him. His pretty features, sweet smile, and intelligence left you in awe. You were also quite taken aback by his strong-looking muscles. Without you realized, your mind wandered off to places or safe to say certain positions with this man. His strong arms holding your waist, his hands grabbing your boobs and ass, or wrapped around your throat.

Matt sensed the change in the air. There was a savory dense scent in addition to your vanilla-strawberry. He couldn't quite put his finger on it until he heard you squirm on his side. It was a subtle move but he heard. His control slipped for a second and he heard your clothes rubbing on your skin, you taking in a deeper breath, your heartbeat a little faster. He moved uncomfortably as his erection started to grow.

"I should walk you out." He blurted. "I have to meet with a friend."

You were surprised by his words but didn't think much on it. He walked you out, thanked you for the cookies, and closed the door. Leaning his head on the door, he let out a sigh. He went on a walk to clear his mind and distract his body. Then, he actually met with Foggy and Karen. They talked, drank, and laughed at Josie's until late hours. When Matt came home, he was too tired and tipsy to think about his neighbor and went straight to sleep.

He woke up again in the middle of the night to your moans and cries. He hastily got up and threw his pillow to the other side of the room with a growl. He was furious and had enough. Next thing he knows he was knocking on your door.

You were right in the middle of a stream but the knock sounded urgent and it was really late. Thus, you turned off the stream saying you were sorry. You put on a robe and made your way to the door.

You opened the door to an angry and sleepy Matt Murdock who's wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. You paused seeing his nakedness, your eyes caught in his abs and scars. You were mentally drooling.

"I'm trying to sleep. Why don't you tone it down a bit?" He spitted out.

You frowned and wondered how could he hear you while you don't even make that much noise. However, instead of dwelling on this, you decided to challenge him "Why don't you make me?"

He smirked devilishly and stood still only for a moment. Then, he was pushing you inside to the nearest wall trapping you between him and the wall with nowhere for you to run. "I'm not one of your playthings or subjects, sweetheart. Don't play with me!"

"How do you kn-" you were cut off by his lips on yours. It was a surprising, new, and fulfilling sensation. When he pushed his erection to your stomach, you moaned into his mouth. He parted your legs with his and pushed his knee to your core. When you moved your hips, friction caused you to release another moan. You pulled him even closer, your kiss was all teeth and tongue now.

"Do you really want this?" he said breaking the kiss.

You nodded "Yes, I want it... I want you."

He let you go and closed the door. You hold his hand and led him to your bedroom. He tugged at your robe slowly taking it off. His hands found your waist, then roamed on your body. He felt the lace material of your bra. "So pretty," he murmured.

You smiled and unhooked it letting it fall down. He gently grabbed your boobs, feeling your soft skin. You were so ready but he was taking so slow. You pushed him to the bed and crawled on top of him. You kissed his lips and made your way to his jaw then neck. His hands were caressing your thighs. He lifted his hips as you sucked on his neck. You looked up and saw him all flustered. You smirked "So pretty!"

You were suddenly on your back and Matt was on top of you, between your legs. Now, he was the one kissing your neck. He made his way down to your nipple sucking and biting. You grabbed his hair as you moaned. When he started sucking your other nipple, his hand reached down to your panties. He made you shiver with a stroke of his hand. You moved your hips to feel more. He straightened up and pulled your panties down leaving you completely naked.

Now, all he can smell was you and your wetness. He leaned onto you, kissing you. His hands circled your clit and slipped between your folds. He pushed one finger in. Your back arched, your moans muffled by his kiss. "I heard these moans for days... Drove me fucking insane, sweetie! Now, I am the one making you moan and squirm like this."

You lifted your hips for more and he added one more finger. He kissed your cheeks, jaw, nose, temple, and neck as he slowly brought you closer to your climax. "Matt..." you exhaled.

"I'm gonna.. cum. Please, more, please!" You cried out.

He pushed his fingers in and out faster and his palm rubbed your clit. "Go on, baby! Cum for me. Make a mess!"

You hold on to his arm tightly with both hands. His pace even got faster. You couldn't hold anymore and shattered. Squeaky moans followed by your deep gasp filled the room. Your whole body shook under his hand. He continued his movement until you get down from your high. When you did, he slowly pulled out his fingers. You watched him calmly take them into his mouth and lick your juices. Your breath hitched against this marvelous view. He moaned at your taste "Even better than those damn cookies!"

You giggled delightfully. He leaned in to kiss you and you tasted yourself on his tongue. You reached down cupping him through his boxers. He left out a moan bucking his hips. You tried to push the boxers down. He helped you and took it off.

"Shit... Do you have a condom?" Matt said.

"Yeah, there." You pointed to the bedside table. Matt got up and took a condom. When he slid it on his length, you took a good look at him. Your eyes grew in shock when you see how big he was. There was no way it would fit.

"Matt... I-... I don't think I can take it." you murmured.

He darkly chuckled "You will."

He came onto you and aligned his cock with your entrance. He slowly entered you. Your heartbeat was crazy, and your body was burning. Everything about you drove him crazy. He couldn't hold himself and plunged deep into you. You cried out loud. The stretch and pain felt too much. He leaned in and kissed you deeply. A hand came up to your hair and caressed it. He was waiting for you to adjust his length.

When you did, you lifted your hips encouraging him to move. He started moving slowly. The burn was being replaced by a delicious pleasure.

"I dreamt about doing this every night when I heard you moaning. Your fucking moans, ugh." He said breathily.

He sucked your neck "Feels so good, angel. Look at you taking me so well"

"Matt... harder, please." You whined and he complied pounding harder into you. His body against yours felt perfect. Your hands scratched down his back, he loved the sweet pain of it.

"So perfect! So pretty, Cherry!" Matt murmured into your ear. You gasped and looked at him in shock after hearing that name. He sensed it and laughed.

His hand reached between your legs finding the bundle of nerves there. As he pounded mercilessly, he circled your clit. The movement sent you into a frenzy. His name was falling out of your lips over and over like a prayer. He thought he loved your moans but this state of yours, he loved it even more.

He pushed you closer and closer to the edge with each thrust. He leaned down and bit your nipple. At that moment, you came with a sudden cry. He kept sucking and biting your chest. He held you close as your body trembled with the release.

Your walls clenched around him, milking him. He kept pounding into you, his grunts filled your ears. You knew he was close. "Come for me, Matt. I love your cock so much... I need your cum, please!"

Your words pushed him over the edge. He came grunting and whining. He buried his head to your neck, just catching his breath. You were lost in the feeling of him in the best way possible. You gently played with his hair.

"I think I'm glad I woke you up." You spoke mischievously.

He lifted his head smiling sheepishly. "Yeah, I think I am too."

He got up and got rid of the condom. When he came back to bed, you grabbed him in an embrace. He comfortably lay in your arms.

"I still want to learn how you can hear me and how you know what I do though," you whispered.

He laughed "Tomorrow, sweetheart. Sleep now, and I can finally have a good night's sleep without being woken up by your dirty moans."

[dragonwysper]

Ough I'll bite

Nickname: I have a friend who calls me "Densely Compressed Organic Matter". Does. Does that count.

Zodiac: Gemini

Height: No clue actually. My state ID says 5'6", but they didn't have a scale or a ruler at the DMV when I got that card, so who knows if that's accurate.

Last thing I Googled: watch la moustache full movie free online (a friend said it was a really good movie and I couldn't find it on my typical piracy sites, so I had to resort to this 😭)

Amount of sleep: so the last time I got like a full period of sleep was about 36 hours ago. I woke up at about 5pm on Wednesday. Stayed awake all night and into the day, took a 2 hour nap from noon to 2, then took a ~4 hour nap at around 4pm. And I've been up since then. Surprisingly I'm doing just fine. Starting to feel a little eepy, but I gotta finish this project, so I'll probably go to sleep in a few hours.

Dream job: Anything that won't give me burnout or extreme unmanagable anxiety while working. Probably something art-related.

Movie/book that describes me the most: Gonna go with House of Leaves on this one. It's too versatile 😔

Favorite song: I have. Way too many. Been listening to POST OFFICE BUDDY by Buckethead on close to repeat for the last couple days though.

Favorite instrument: Uhhh. No clue. I listen to a very wide variety of music. I've noticed a lot of my biggest earworms use bass though

Favorite aesthetics: Woods !!! Specifically like thick, foggy, secluded mountain type forests. Those just Do something to me.

Favorite author: Uhhhhh. No clue. I like Mark Z. Danielewski's stuff, but I also enjoy most of the works of Adam Nevill, James Dashner, Junji Ito, and Ursula K. le Guin.

Random fun fact: I may or may not be dropping out of this school 😎

@tonypostt @arsenicghoulart @crickets-must-be-enslaved @johnnystruant hi bestiessss fill it out if you want

hehehe starting another tag gamee

nickname : irl i dont rlly have one?? also dont think i have one here??

zodiac sign : cancer <33

height : 5'6 (168cm maybe??)

last thing I googled: the road toll from where we stayed at the beach to home

amount of sleep: bro like 6 then i was up for a few hours then 2 more

dream job: upper high/uni teacher (specifically english and humanities) but if not idk i just wanna sit in my room with my silly little guys

movie/book that describes me the most: movie would probably be ladybird it makes me so fdahfdhalk

favorite song: atm gibson girl by ethel cain (been listening to her album recently fdhlhfald)

favorite instrument: to listen to, i lovee the sound of orchestral string instruments in pop/modern songs. to play would be drumkit or guitar

favorite aesthetics: omggg so many but i love downtown girl/rockstar girlfriend (even tho i AM the rockstar and the girlfriend ehehe)

favorite author: as of now octavia e. butler

random fun fact: my favourite potato chip flavour is sea salt and balsamic vinegar

npt <3 @zzzzzzzzzee @dandelions-fly-in-summer-skies @literatureisdying @tellme-o-muse @recklessandyoung @holdmyteaplease @strawberryloveyyy @syzygy-yzygy @svnflowermoon @ineedibuprofen @august-taylors-version @a-portal-to-nowhere @qwerty-keysmash @judeisthedude @wastedonthesebutterflies @skeelly @trying-to-be-cool-abt-it @bookscorpion73 @mandythedino @personifiedgoldenretriever @notatypicalhumanatall @isitoversnowtvs @stopurlosingme @evermore-4-life @evazlana @giveuthemo0n and anyone else that wants to join <33

[a-reader-and-a-writer]

When the Devil Calls....

Febuwhump 2022: #1. Head Wound

Fandom: Marvel, Matt Murdock, Daredevil

Word Count: 3090

TW: Head Wound, Concussion, Blood, Loss of Sight

Big thanks to @loverhymeswith for beta reading for me!

@febuwhump

You are right in the middle of a dream where you are fighting Godzilla with a giant hammer when the ringing of your phone startles you awake. Blearily reaching for it in the dark, you manage to catch it right before you knock it off your bedside table. Hitting the answer button, you bring the phone to your ear and mumble, “’ello?”

“…Y/N?”

“Matt?” You glance over at your clock. “It’s four-thirty in the morning! Wh-what’s goin’ on?”

“I need your help. Please.”

You sit up straighter in bed, slightly more alert. “Why, what’s wrong?”

“I can’t…I can’t see.”

Groaning, you let yourself collapse back into your pillows. “Oh, haha, very funny. Did Foggy put you up to this? You really had me going for a sec-”

“No, I mean, I really can’t ….sense anything. It’s all gone… the world is just…dark.” You can hear the quiet note of panic that laced his words. In all of the time you had known Matt, you had never seen him scared or panicked, regardless of which suit he was wearing.

You jump out of bed, now fully awake. “Where are you?”

“Down the block from your place. I-I think. That’s why I called you instead of Foggy. I thought…No, I’m sorry I shouldn’t… have called. I just……” He slowly drifts off into silence.

“Matt? Matt!” There is no response. You begin throwing on the first pair of semi-clean clothes you can find, as you try to get an answer on the other end of the call. “Matt, I’m coming to get you, but you have to tell me where you are. Or at least, give me some idea. I have to know where to look. What was the last thing you remember?”

You can hear a soft shuffling but no words. Softly, you say, “Matty? Please, I need you to help me out here. Just give me something, anything to go off of.”

“Fish. I smell fish.” He says weakly, words slurring slightly. “And I hear a bunch of….cats?”

“Okay, good! There’s a sushi place a few blocks from me. They always have a ton of cats hanging out by their dumpsters. Hold tight and I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

Matt mumbles something but you can’t make it out and then the line goes dead. You just hope you can find him before the same can be said about him.

As you rush down the street towards Matt’s supposed location, you can’t help but wonder how many more times this is going to happen. If anyone would have told you eight months ago when you first stumbled into Matt Murdock’s law office looking for some help with a case against your ex that he was the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, you would have said they were crazy! Besides the obvious fact that he was blind, Matt was the sweetest, most mild-mannered man you had ever met! And yet, one night a few weeks later, your ex had sent some buddies to intimidate you and Daredevil had dropped out of the sky to save you. They were no match for the vigilante, but one of the men did land a pretty nasty blow to his lip, splitting it in two right in the corner. Finding your lawyer with that same exact cut the next day had been all the proof you needed to convince you of the truth.

Of course, he had denied it at first, but when you threatened to go to the papers, he had relented. He told you the whole truth. And since that day, you had become more than a client. You had become a friend, a confidant, and, sometimes, a nurse. But still, you wanted more. As you got to know him, got to fully understand the amazing, selfless person Matt Murdock was, you had fallen for him. Hard. Yet Matt never seemed interested in anything further than friendship, so you had held your tongue. But as your feelings continued to grow, it made nights like these that much harder to stand. Having him stumble into your apartment half dead and needing you to use your non-existent medical skills to patch him up. Now, all you could think was what if you couldn’t get to him in time….

However, finding Matt is honestly a lot easier than you thought. You had been right about the sushi restaurant, and you soon find the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen propped up against one of the trash cans around the back surrounded by a small herd of stray cats. Shooing them away from his prone form, you try to see how bad the damage is.

His mask is still on, but you can see blood dripping slowly out from around the edges and down his neck. His lip is once again split and you can see where his nose had been bleeding at some point in the past. Unfortunately, you have a harder time examining the rest of his body for injuries since it is hidden beneath his protective costume. However, you know the red of the suit is undoubtedly hiding a multitude of other bloody wounds but there isn’t a lot you can do until you get him back to your apartment. Kneeling next to him, you gently shake his shoulder.

“Matt…Matty, I’m here. I’ve come to take you somewhere safe.” He didn’t budge. “Matt, come on. Please wake up. I can’t carry you by myself.”

When there is still no movement, you carefully remove his helmet and gasp when you see the amount of blood pouring from the back of it. His dark hair is matted to his face between the sweat and blood mixed throughout it. You brush your fingers gently across the back of his head and they come away sticky and bright red. The light contact with the wound stirs Matt slightly as he releases a throaty moan. His eyes flicker open but, of course, there is no sign of recognition in them.

You feel a rush of relief wash over you and it takes everything in you not to smash your lips against his. Instead, you take his hand and say, “Hey, Matt, it’s me. I’m going to get you back to my place, but I need some help. Do you think you can walk?”

He nods slightly so you link your arm through his and lift him to his feet. Swaying somewhat, he tries to get a bearing on where he is. You can see the mix of pain and fear etched on his face, and you assume he is still having trouble with his senses. It’s no surprise though. Based on that wound on the back of his head, you’re surprised he’s even conscious at this moment.

“Helmet.” He mumbles, gesturing to his face.

You know he is worried about exposing his secret identity. However, you don’t want to risk jamming the hard, stiff helmet back over his tender wound, so you think for a second before saying, “Wait, I have a better idea. You just need your face covered, right? You don’t care how it looks?”

Matt grunts softly, which you take as a confirmation. Quickly, you strip off your jacket and pull your shirt off over your head. Luckily, you had worn a long-sleeve top so, as you slip it around his head to cover his face, you use the arms to tightly tie a knot around the back. This will hopefully secure it tightly in place while also putting pressure on his wound to reduce the bleeding in the back of his head.

As Matt reaches out to take your arm once again, he misses and his fingers brush up against your bare shoulder. Even in the dim lighting, you can see as his face blanches slightly. He manages to mutter, “What’s on my head?”

“My shirt.”

“So, you’re not…I mean, you’re…” He takes a shaky step back away from you.

You roll your eyes, somehow not surprised that he can still worry about something like that while he’s bleeding out in a back alley. “Calm down, choir boy. I'm still wearing a bra, but I’ll put my jacket back on too. Besides, it’s not like you could see me even on your best day.”

You lean in close so he can hear as you zip your jacket all the way to the top. He seems to relax but only just slightly. You link your arms together once more and start leading him out of the alley and onto the street. Matt seems extra wobbly and hesitant as you slowly lead the way, but you aren’t sure if it is because of his injuries or his diminished senses.

Luckily this late at night, or frankly this early in the morning, there is almost no one out on the streets. And the few stragglers you do pass seem too drunk or high to care about a woman walking arm and arm with a bloody vigilante. One man did cross the street when he saw you coming, but honestly, it was for the best. Matt’s face might be covered but yours wasn’t. And the closer you got to your building, the more likely it was you would be recognized. But you just trudge forward, head down, and pray that no one notices the pair of you.

When you finally make it back to your apartment, you help Matt ease himself onto your couch. You untie your shirt from around his head and immediately toss the dripping, stained mess into the trash. Grabbing your box of medical supplies you keep specifically for him, you hurry back to his side. You carefully clean some of the dried blood from his face before you help him carefully remove the rest of his costume. No matter how many times you have helped him like this, the sight of him sitting there in just his underwear always fills you with awe and sorrow. His perfectly chiseled form is marred by a lifetime of scars. And as you expect, new bruises and cuts from tonight litter his frame. But seeing as none of them compares to the wound on his head, you decide to start there.

When you gently dab at the back of his head with a damp cloth, it earns a hiss from your patient. But, as always, he remains perfectly still, allowing you to continue. You had no medical training or experience before meeting Daredevil, but you had been forced to learn quite a bit over the last few months so you could patch him up every few nights. Thank god for the internet!

After a particularly loud groan, you ask, “So, are you gonna tell me what happened?”

Matt furrows his brow as he tries to think back to earlier that night. “I can’t…can’t really remember. I know I was tracking some of Fisk’s guys but then I went down that alleyway and…… nothing. I woke up in pain, my head pounding, and I couldn’t sense anything around me. Everything was just…. gone. I haven’t felt that lost since I first lost my sight.” He runs his hand over his face as if he could wipe away the darkness and once again reveal the light. But you both know that’s not possible. So with a heavy sigh, he says, “I somehow managed to find my phone and call you.”

You take his hand and give it a soft squeeze, careful of the bruises on his knuckles. “I’m so sorry, Matty. How is it now? Are things…. back to normal?”

“Not yet, but it’s coming back a little. I at least have some sense of my surroundings…of you.” He grimaced sharply. “But my head is still killing me.”

“Well, that’s understandable. It looks like you took a bad blow to the back of your head. Your helmet’s not damaged, but there’s a lot of blood.” You hesitate. “Matt, I think I should take you to the hospital.”

He shakes his head then winces. “No, I’ve told you before. No hospitals. How would I begin to explain this? Especially at this time of night.”

You pull out your phone and start researching his symptoms as you simultaneously begin cleaning some of the other wounds scattered across his muscular torso. “The same way you explain any of your injuries? You’re a ‘clumsy’, blind lawyer who lives in New York City and deals with some really bad people. Is it really so hard to believe that someone could have jumped you? Or a meeting with a client went bad?”

Finding what you were looking for on your phone, you say, “Ah-ha! See! It says here that loss of memory, a headache, confusion, and trouble with perception after a head injury are all signs of a concussion! AND, that any loss of consciousness, ever slightly, should be viewed as very serious and you should immediately seek medical attention.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing I never lost consciousness.”

You sigh in annoyance. “Matt, you were clearly out of it when I found you. It took me poking your head wound to wake you up. That seems pretty unconscious to me.”

He chuckles slightly, “That was nothing. I was just resting my eyes after a hard day of them not doing anything.” You stare blankly at him for a minute before he flashes you a big grin. “Well, I thought it was funny.”

“Which is just more proof you have a concussion! If you seriously thought that was a good joke, there is no doubt you have some sort of brain damage going on.”

You scoop up the medical supplies and carry them back where they belong. Then grabbing a bottle from your medicine cabinet and a bottle of water from the kitchen, you return to the couch.

“Here. The article I found online said you can have some Tylenol, but if the headache still gets worse, it says to immediately go to the hospital,” you say in a very pointed tone as you place the pills into one of his hands and a bottle of water into the other.

“Fine. If I feel worse in the morning, I will let you take me to get checked out.” He throws back his head as he swallows the pills, another grimace of pain shooting across his face. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve had a long night and I’d like to get some rest.”

“Oh no, you don’t! The one thing everyone knows about a concussion is you never let the patient go to sleep for at least a few hours. We are both staying up until at least 10!”

Matt raises an eyebrow. “We? You don’t have to stay up with me. I’m sure you’re pretty tired since I woke you up and all.”

“Yes, I am. But the second I go lay down, what stops you from drifting off? So, no, I am staying up with you to make sure you actually stay awake. Besides, today is my day off and I didn’t have any plans anyway. Now we can spend it together while I make sure you don’t suddenly keel over.”

He smiles, “Sounds like a plan. What did you have in mind?”

By 9:30, you are losing steam. Matt still seems relatively fine and can probably get some sleep now, but you’re still a little paranoid and want to be sure. However, after a few hours of truth or dare, 20 questions, and other such games you could normally not play with the uber-perceptive lawyer, the two of you had decided to just turn on the tv. But, this is when your head starts to droop and your eyes begin to flutter as your exhaustion finally catches up to you. Eventually, Matt nudges you gently in the ribs, causing you to jerk awake.

“Hey,” you mumble softly. “Is everything okay?”

He runs his nimble fingers soothingly across the top of your head, as he softly says, “Why don’t you go get some sleep? I’m fine.”

“No. I’m okay,” you murmur.

“I can feel how tired you are even at half my normal senses. You need to get some rest.”

You start to protest again when a thought suddenly crosses your mind. Normally, you would never ever act on it, but in your current sleepy state, you feel more uninhibited than normal. Sitting up, you slide over closer to Matt. “So, you’re only back to about half power? Do you think we should test it out? Maybe see if that weird voodoo, heart-beat lie detector of yours is still out of commission?”

Matt chuckles. “I’ve told you before, it’s not voodoo, it’s just years of training. And I can already tell I’m still not back to my normal level of perception. I can barely hear your heartbeat from here, let alone use it to gauge how you’re feeling.”

“How about now?” you slide onto him, straddling his lap while you take his hand and gently place it directly over your heart. When he tries to pull it away, flustered, you simply force it harder into your chest. “Could you tell if I’m lying now?”

Matt is quiet for a moment before mumbling, “Yes.”

“Okay, good. So, answer me this Murdock, when I say I love you…am I lying?”

Matt’s sightless eyes frantically search the area they knew you should be, as he whispers, “No.”

You nod even though you know he can’t see you. “And if I tell you I’ve been in love with you for months now….am I lying?”

A small smile begins to pull at the corner of Matt’s lips. “No.”

You nod again. “And if I tell you that a few weeks ago, all that changed when I slept with Foggy and I fell head-over-heels with him instead of you…..am I lying?”

The grin on Matt’s face now spread from ear to ear. “Yes. That one was definitely a lie.”

“You’re right again. I just had to make sure your powers were working properly.” You smile nervously at the man before you. “I need to know what you think about all of this, but before you say anything, you have to remember…. I don’t have those same perception skills you do. So part of me’s a little afraid of whatever you’re about to tell me next….how do I know you mean it?”

Matt reaches up and cups your cheek in his palm, bringing your face within centimeters of his. “How about I just show you?”