Chapter Text
Claire is a special woman – he knows that ever since she bought him home after finding him in the trash. S
he has a nice voice, a warm laugh and her touch makes him go soft, but.
But.
Kissing her feels good, feels like falling asleep after a long day. It calms his nerves and makes him relax – something which is rare these days and he truly is grateful to have her in his life, but.
But.
She’s like a spark, matching to his world on fire. The two of them are equals and they understand each other deeply, but something is missing and he can’t find the answer that’s not left burning in the flames. He has Claire to patch him up – she’s the only person who is there for him after a rough fight, she’s the only one to whom Matt doesn’t have to give explanations. She’s a beautiful human being, so pure yet so strong it amazes him.
She knows something is up the moment he considers opening his mouth to speak. “Who is she?”
Her voice is calm, patient – it’s like she doesn’t mind at all. Claire is not her girlfriend, she wants no apology.
Matt furrows his bows, unable to form words. What should he tell her? What does he know? Lately everything around him has been pretty messy and a time when being Daredevil is easier than understanding his feeling has come. He swallows the question he wants to ask, making Claire groan softly.
She doesn’t sound mad. She probably isn’t.
“You may be blind,” she whispers barely audible, “but I’m not. I’m not sure what’s going on but I guess it has something to do with that woman.”
“What woman?”
Claire chuckles. “The blonde one, your secretary.”
“Karen?”
She nods then catches herself and says, “I nodded.”
Matt furrows his bows and even though he smiles it doesn’t reach his eyes. These days it never does, she notes.
Claire thinks he’s fallen into the bullshit of his own mind that he barely recognizes what is in front of him – not technically, because, err, he is blind. She wants to help him, to make him realize that what she said doesn’t necessarily have to come true – she thinks she knows how hard it must be to him, he seems like one of those people who have gone through hard shit and tend to isolate himself away from his loved ones. It’s like he has no idea how different he is when he talks about her.
“Karen is just a friend,” he replies minutes later. He says so but his tone gets deeper every time he says her name. It’s like he’s praying. She wonders if Karen knows.
“Yeah,” she agrees doubtfully. “You two spent so much time together when I was away.”
“I’m worried about her, she’s keeping secrets.”
“So are you.” Claire raises an eyebrow, giving him a skeptical look. Men are confusing, especially this one. She likes to think that she’s his friend, despite of what happened between them.
“Fair enough.”
“You like being with her.”
Matt licks his lip, “I do. But every minute we spend together she… gets deeper into this situation. I don’t want her to get hurt, like—“
“Like I did,” the nurse finishes the sentence. “But don’t think she has a say in this? That being with you is her choice to make?”
“I’m not even sure she likes me. Her heart speeds up every time we meet but—”
Claire grins. “So you do like her.”
“She’s different.”
“Good different or bad different?”
“I guess both,” he replies frowning. “I don’t know if I can trust her but when I’m with her, it is like—summer nights, the ones me and father used to spend together. Everything around me is peaceful and if I have problems they doesn’t matter but her.”
"What do you want from her?"
"Her being happy is all I want."
"Then make her—"
Matt cleared his throat. "It's not that easy."
"Don't tell me you're afraid of asking her out. Man without fear, acting like a six years old around the woman he likes. Don't tell anyone beside me, it might ruin your rep."
"Okay but— she shouldn't be part of this world."
"Let her decide." Claire sighs dramatically, grabbing his hand in hers. “You're falling for her. It took you a while to realize. Don't ruin your chance with her just because you're afraid to try.”
Matt nods. She bits her lip.
“Go, talk to her. Ask her on a date, use the Murdock charm, whatever — be happy, fearless. You deserve that more than anyone else.”
He smirks. “Thank you, Claire.”
“I like to think I’m one of your best friends.”
“You are.”
“Hurry, lover boy.”
Matt does as she says, leaving her satisfied and grinning on the couch.
The city seems like a better place that night — he offers her his jacket and she accepts it, making Matt glad that it will smell like her for weeks. As they say their goodbyes Matt cups her cheeks, stroking the soft skin under his thumb until she sighs and kisses the corner of his lips.
He's in love with her.