#universe 67889 Matt Murdock

[the-tangle-web]

Family Matters (w/ Cream & Sugar) -2-

Anthony felt himself being pulled down and he let out a little yelp. As the other two were talking to each other, Jen pulled Anthony down by his hoodie strings so she could lecture him quietly,

“Look, I know you’re not the most social person but at least try to look a bit more pleasant, no?” She muttered, “You look like you scared that poor girl half to death,”

Anthony groaned, standing straight again and crossing his arms over his chest, “I’m not trying to…” he muttered,

Jen pushed him lightly, “Come on! Live a little! I’m right here,” she said, looking back at Matt, “are you two busy? We were just heading down to a coffee shop if you wanted to tag along?”

(+)

“That sounds great!”

Matt responded instantly, flashing Jen a smile before leaning down to mutter into Athena’s ear.

“We’ll talk later. Relax.”

Athena resisted the urge to shout, taking in a deep breath to ground herself.

“Fine.”

Matt stood back upright, nodding at Jen to lead the way. He kept a hold on Athena’s shoulder, partly so that she wouldn’t run away and partly because he left his cane back in his office. Athena chose to focus on directing the blind man instead of the other spider’s hostile presence as Jen led them towards a small coffee shop on the corner of the block.

The bell on the door chimed to announce the arrival of new patrons.

“Welcome! What can I get started for you today?”

(+)

Jen smiled as she walked up to the counter, the rest of the party following suit. She and Matt were already ordering at the counter, exchanging jokes here and there and giggles were heard on both ends. After a few moments, Jen turned to the two teens,

“You two want anything? Don’t worry, it’s on me-“

Matt interrupted, “Oh no, it’s quite alright, I’ll get it,” he said with a smirk,

“You dumbass!” She giggled and shoved his shoulder lightly. She let out a soft sigh before recovering and shaking her head, “but really, Anthony, you want your usual?”

Anthony let out a high pitched sound from the back of his throat, shrinking into his hoodie, but nodding stiffly as he stared at the ground shyly. Jen looked over to Athena, “And you? Wanna try a drink or some bread or pastries? Trust me, these are the best you can get!”

(+)

“Uh.”

Athena brought a hand up to touch her face mask. She didn’t like eating in public with her whole fang situation. She felt the weight of her empty stomach. Right. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

“You like cinnamon rolls, try some.”

Matt suggested, something about his tone told Athena he was aware of her hunger. She nodded stiffly. Matt pulled out his wallet, turning back toward the cashier to add onto their order.

(+)

Once the four were done ordering, Jen led them over to a few tables. Matt and Jen at one of those high tables with those high chairs by the window across from each other, sharing pastries and drinking their coffee with lovey dovey giggles and flirts.

Anthony and Athena didn’t sit that far away. One of those tables in a dark corner. Anthony sat against the wall, shrinking into his hoodie with his coffee on the table and a few cake pops in a little baggie. Athena had to sit across from him with her cinnamon rolls. Anthony avoided eye contact at all costs, shoving his hands into his hoodie. It used to be tense, but now it was tense and awkward. What was he supposed to do? Say something? He couldn’t fight because Jen is with her deadbeat date!

What else is he gonna do??? Hnnnggggggg-

Collab w/ @ask-spidersisters

[the-tangle-web]

Family Matters (w/ Cream & Sugar) -1-

“Look! I know you seem pretty iffy about this but I promise he’s a nice guy!” Jen insisted as she continued down the sidewalk, Anthony striding next to her.

The teen scoffed and rolled his eyes, shoving his hands in his pockets, “Fine, fine… if you say so… it’s just last time-“ he cut himself off abruptly and shrugged with a scrunched up face, “I’m just worried, I guess,”

Jen’s expression softened and she nudged Anthony’s shoulder with her own, “Don’t worry, I know you got my back and I have yours,” the woman turned her head forward again and her eyes lit up,

“Hey! That’s him!” She beamed.

Anthony whipped his head around and his lips pressed together in a thin line, eyes going slightly wide.

Matt Murdock? Daredevil?! That’s who Jen’s dating?!

And Athena?!

Well… aren’t they gonna have a pleasant time… Anthony suppressed a groan as Jen looked back at him and gestured for him to follow as she headed for the other man,

“Hey Matt! Good to see you!”

(+)

Matt and Athena turned around to look behind them at the same time. Matt’s face shifted into a smile while Athena’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing as she spotted Anthony, the bandage across her nose shifted uncontrollably.

“Jen! Didn’t expect to run into you here.”

The curly haired woman’s pace quickened before coming to a stop in front of the other lawyer, Anthony following slowly, staying behind her.

“Oh, this is my niece, Athena. Athena, Jennifer Walters.”

Jen smiled brightly and extended an arm forward.

“Nice to meet you. I didn’t know you had a niece.”

Athena slowly took a hand out of her pocket to accept the handshake. Why did that name sound familiar?

(+)

Matt wore an awkward smile as he rubbed the back of his neck, feeling as if he were back in high school falling in love all over again. Jen felt like she was floating on cloud nine.

Anthony? Yeah, no. Whatever the opposite of those feelings are is what Anthony is feeling. The two teens sort of just… stared at each other with distaste. Silent fury, if you will. However, Anthony was the first to snap out of this trance when Jen let out a short giggle at something the other lawyer said,

“Ah! Excuse me,” she said, setting a hand on Anthony’s shoulder, “this is Anthony! We’re not related but like- we’re basically family at this point,” she set an elbow on his shoulder and leaned on him, pointing a finger gun at the taller teen as he let out a short grunt, but you could see a faint smile peeking through his angsty exterior at the mention of ‘family.’

(+)

Athena didn’t know what made her more uncomfortable, the literal Tangle Web standing opposite of her, staring her down like he was trying to bore a hold through her head with his mind alone, or the two grown adults blushing and giggling like high school lovers in the hallway. Though the other spider’s death stare was interrupted by Jen introducing Anthony as ‘basically family’.

Ok that’s sweet.

The sweet moment passed as quickly as it came, with Anthony going right back to staring her down. She adjusted her face mask as she bit her lip. She really wasn’t in the mood to fight him again today.

“I gotta go.”

She spoke up, starting to turn around to walk away. Matt grabbed one of her shoulders to stop her.

“No you don’t.”

He tilted his head down, red lensed glasses boring into her skull.

“I told you I’m fine.”

Athena whispered a bit angrily up at the older vigilante. He frowned, his eyebrows furrowing, he could tell something was up that she couldn’t or didn’t want to say out loud.

Collab w/ @ask-spidersisters

[the-tangle-web]

Family Matters (w/ Cream & Sugar) -3-

Athena sat sideways on her chair so her back was to the wall, and also so that her line of eyesight wasn’t looking at Anthony. She stared down at the cinnamon rolls resting on top of the bag on the table. A couple of seconds went by before she finally gave in. Slowly lowering down her mask and covering her mouth with her free hand as she ate. Jen was right, the pastries here were good. She glanced at the two adults sitting by the window deep in joyous conversation. Oh. They were going to be here a while. Fuck. She finished her first roll and picked at the bandage across her nose. What the actual fuck do you say to the guy who always attacks you when you meet? Her chest tightened as she continued to pick at the bandage.

(+)

Anthony let out a low grumble, then he perked up as he heard the little bell from the front door of the shop ring. He turned his head round just to see who was there and-

His face flushed a bright red,

Tara Williams walked into the shop holding a fluffy brown chihuahua. Behind her trailed her brother, Teddy. Tara wore the most smug grin as always as she chatted with her brother, Teddy responding in kind with a short chuckle as the two siblings ordered at the front counter. Anthony immediately hid behind the wall and back into his chair as he sunk into it, pulling his hood up and shrinking into his hoodie, blushing furiously. God damnit, why does his crush always have to appear at the most inconvenient time?!

However, he couldn’t hide for long when he heard a voice call out,

“Athena! Bestie!” Tara strided over to the table, Anthony straightening up again, hands clasped under the table as he avoided eye contact, wishing he could just disappear right now,

Tara set a hand on the table, Furby was set on the floor, the teen holding her leash. The chihuahua sniffed at Athena’s shoes and let out a strangled sound from the back of her throat, tapping on the ground with her front paws as if tap dancing… or really needing to go to the bathroom… or just not okay…

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Athena's face scrunched up as she screamed internally.

“Ugh. Tara, what are you even doing here.”

She grumbled, pulling up her face mask as she tried to control the soft hiss forming in her throat.

“What do you mean? This is the best coffee place is town! Teddy, come say hi!”

(+)

“I’m literally getting our drinks, Tara!” The other teen called from the counter as he waited for their drinks to be done.

Tara scoffed and rolled her eyes, her gaze landing on Anthony from across the table and she smiled,

“Hey! I didn’t know you two hung out, you on like a date or something-“

“NO WE’RE NOT!” Anthony blurted out, setting his arms rather harshly on the table, his face still red as he gesture over to Matt and Jen, “they dragged us here and now we have to wait…” he grumbled,

Tara hummed and giggled, “Good, just making sure I didn’t miss my shot,” she winked at him and stood up properly, tugging at Furby’s leash as the little dog blinked harshly and waddled back over to her feet,

“We’ll leave you to it then, bye Athena!” She turned to Anthony, “Cya, kitten~” and she turned to walk over to Teddy who was holding their drinks by the door. Furby was walking at a million miles an hour just to keep pace with the teen as the two left out the door.

Anthony was a bright red as he pulled his hood down and covered his face with a groan.

Jen perks up from the other table,

“Anthony!” She squeaked with a mischievous grin, “who was thaaaat~”

“Not now, Jen!” His retort was muffled as he sank in his chair.

(+)

“What the fuck.”

Athena muttered, looking between Jen and Anthony as the woman started to berate him with questions.

Collab w/ @ask-spidersisters