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Matt thinks he does a pretty good job of giving Peter some space. He lasts a whole three days before he sends his first check-in text. He lets the kid ignore him for another two before he sends a second one. After his third attempt, Peter finally replies.
DD: Are you doing alright?
SM: hi yes hi, sorry i didnt respond
SM: ive been a little busy
SM: work and stuff
SM: have to make a living you know
Matt's lip twitches into a faint smile. If Matt weren't a vigilante himself, he's sure it would feel strange to hear Spider-Man talking about being busy with work.
DD: I certainly do. What do you do for work?
SM: oh whatever mr. delmar wants me to do basically
SM: i mean i stock shelves and check people out and stuff
SM: mr. delmar owns a bodega near my place you probably dont know that
SM: i work at a bodega thats what i do
Well, it seems the kid is just as awkward over text as he is in person. Matt finds it endearing.
DD: I see. Do you like it there?
SM: oh definitely
SM: delmar's has best sandwich in queens and i get a free one every shift
SM: it doesnt pay much but i make rent on time usually so
Matt furrows his brow. Obviously Matt doesn't know the full extent of Peter's abilities, but he's sure that it takes a lot of energy to power a body as strong and active as Peter's. A knot begins twisting in Matt's stomach.
DD: Do you make enough money for everything else, too? Food? Medical supplies?
SM: well i mean there's a spot on woodhaven that gives me free hot dogs since i saved the cart from shocker one time
SM: and like i said i get free sandwiches from delmar's when i work
SM: and i heal really quick so i dont need to buy new medical supplies very much
SM: im all good
The pit in Matt's stomach deepens. This isn't sounding good.
DD: It's important to take care of yourself. It's not possible to protect other people when you're dead on your feet yourself.
Foggy and Karen would be proud.
SM: yeah well its also important to pay rent so i dont get evicted
SM: i said im okay
There's a brief pause before Peter begins typing again
SM: that was rude thank you for the concern but i am doing fine
SM: i can get another job if i need to
The kid is freakishly polite. Matt would find it sweet if he wasn't so concerned. He feels like he has to do something.
DD: I trust your judgement, SM. I still think you should make sure you're eating enough. It must be difficult to accomplish the feats you do each night if you're hungry. I'm cooking dinner tonight, you should come by before patrol.
Matt wasn't planning to cook dinner, but he wants the kid to eat something substantial. He can make carbonara or something.
Matt waits for a response. The minutes tick by, and all he gets is radio silence from the kid. He needs to work on his subtlety.
DD: I'm cooking either way. You know where I live if you'd like to swing by for dinner around 6. Pasta carbonara.
Matt clicks off his phone and heads for the door. Time to hit the grocery store.
Peter truly wasn't planning on going to dinner at Matt's. He already imposed enough the other day, and he doesn't want Matt to think he needs help.
But Matt was cooking dinner anyway... and he invited Peter... and Peter's stomach was growling all throughout his afternoon patrol...
Before he knows it, he's standing outside Matt's door at 5:55pm gathering the courage to knock. Of course, he doesn't have to knock, because Matt has absurd hearing and probably knew Peter was there before he even reached Matt's block, so the door opens before Peter can even raise a fist.
Matt seems a bit surprised, but pleasantly so, as he says "Peter, you're here! Come in," and shoos him into the apartment.
Matt closes the door behind the both of them and pads into the kitchen. Peter hesitates for a moment before toeing off his shoes and following suit.
And, God, Peter didn't realize exactly how hungry he was until he walked into the kitchen and really smelled what Matt was cooking. His stomach lets out another deeply embarrassing growl which Matt politely ignores.
"Take a seat. The pasta's almost ready." Matt gestures to the tiny circular table by his kitchen island.
Peter hesitates again, wondering if there's anything he can do to help, but Matt seems to have everything covered, so he mutters a soft "Thanks," and obliges
Peter watches from his seat as Matt stirs the pasta and turns off the burner. He bounces his knee rapidly, chewing on his cheek as he thinks of how to make this situation feel less awkward. Is it even awkward for Matt, or is it just Peter? Maybe Peter is making this awkward. Maybe he should just go, honestly.
"I can hear you thinking over there." Matt teases. Or--Peter thinks he's teasing. Matt's senses are still kind of a mystery to Peter. Maybe his hearing is so strong he really can hear Peter think. Peter's brief thought spiral is interrupted by a thunk as Matt places a truly delectable looking bowl of pasta in front of him before taking a seat across from Peter with his own bowl.
Now, it's not like Peter doesn't eat. He just... probably doesn't eat enough. If he were a regular guy, his current diet would probably suffice. However, his enhanced metabolism means he needs several times more calories than the average person, so Peter is pretty much always hungry. Sandwiches from Delmar's and free hot dogs help tide him over, but there's only so much instant ramen and leftover pizza can do to curb the rest of his incessant hunger.
Therefore, when Peter gets an opportunity to eat a real meal, he doesn't take it for granted. After giving a polite "Thank you very much for dinner Matt, this looks amazing," and waiting for Matt to take the first bite, Peter digs in.
Thank God Matt got this kid to come over. He's clearly starving, and Matt isn't even sure if that statement is hyperbole.
Peter slams back three full bowls of pasta, sheepishly asking for more each time. Matt desperately doesn't want Peter to stop asking, so he wordlessly refills his dish while slowly picking away at his own so Peter won't have to eat by himself.
As they eat, they make polite conversation. Peter asks Matt questions about his day job, so Matt does his best to make it not sound boring. It's generally hard to stir up interest in the daily goings-on of a tiny law firm when said firm isn't actively engaged in a high profile case like The People v. Frank Castle, but Peter listens intently and asks questions about how they operate and the types of cases they typically take.
When Matt mentions the firm's tendency to take pro bono cases, Peter smiles widely and begins to rant about his aunt's work with F.E.A.S.T.
As Peter talks, Matt finds himself struck by just how good this kid is. He's talking about how his aunt ran this incredible charity, how he helps out there sometimes too, and he can only hope to make half the impact she did (which Matt doesn't believe for a second), and Matt feels a twinge in his chest. This kid just wants to help people, but the only people who ever helped him out are gone.
Something clicks into place for Matt. He already knew he wanted to be there for Peter, but now he knows he has to. This kid deserves it, and Matt won't let him slip through the cracks like he did when he was younger.
Peter talks, and Matt scoops another serving of carbonara into the kid's bowl.
Peter can't really remember the last time he felt so full. Six full bowls of pasta will do that to a person, he supposes.
After he's done eating, Peter insists on helping with the dishes. Matt tries to decline, but Peter refuses to let Matt cook him an entire meal without Peter contributing at all. They wash in companionable silence and finish quickly.
Once the dishes are done, Peter hesitantly informs Matt that he has to leave. He typically starts his evening patrol at around 8pm, and he wants to get back to his apartment in Queens to drop some things off before he goes out.
Matt doesn't seem inclined to keep him trapped there, but he does send Peter home with a tupperware of leftovers (jeez, how much pasta did this guy make?), not taking no for an answer. Peter swears to wash and return the container, to which Matt gently smirks and says, "I'm counting on it."
Peter walks to the door, Matt trailing steadily behind him, and he once again pauses at the doorframe. "Um, thanks again for inviting me to dinner, Matt. It was really great. I haven't, uh," Peter casts his eyes to some far wall. "I haven't really done anything like this in a while, so, you know, thank you."
Matt smiles, and for a moment he looks just like Ben. Peter's heart clenches. "Of course, Peter. I enjoyed the company. It's nice to eat with a friend. You're welcome any time."
Peter's eyes widen. "We're friends?" Crap, is that rude to ask?
Matt doesn't seem offended. "I'd like to think so. Would you like to be?"
Peter doesn't have to think too long. "Yeah--Yeah I'd like to be."
Once again, Peter finds himself struck by the immediate and inexplicable urge to crush Matthew Murdock in a hug, and once again he gives in.
"Thank you again, Matt." He murmurs over Matt's shoulder.
Matt pats him on the back. Peter pulls away. "Any time, kid. I mean it."
Peter might just believe him.