Hey guys, so sorry this took so long to update. I'm afraid this story will be on hiatus for a bit, just until I get another wind of inspiration. Thanks for all the support so far though and hopefullyI'll see you soon!
16 Years Ago
Matt's stomach felt like it was going to burst. He seriously had no idea how TJ was still scarfing down a package of fries. Sure, they were about the same size (In reality, she was currently an inch and a half taller than him, but he pretended it didn't matter) but still. She was a girl. He should've been able to out eat her no problem.
So how the hell did he end up ten dollars down in an eating bet?
It was times like these that Matt seriously questioned the justice of the universe.
"Why don't we go catch a matinee?" Her voice broke into his thoughts. "I beleive they're playing Indiana Jones."
"I'd love to," He said, pausing to let out a burp, "But I have Sunday School, remember?"
He heard her crinkle her nose. "Do you seriously have to go?"
He rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his soda. "Yes, I seriously have to go. Why don't you come with?"
The crinkle in her nose became deeper. "Are you crazy? Me in a dress at one of those? I don't even believe in a god Matty. Won't they whip me or something?"
Matt fully laughed. "Of course not. And you wouldn't even have to wear a dress. Please?"
There was a pregnant pause, as he heard TJ swirl her straw in her drink, deep in thought. For a moment he was sure she was going to reject him again, as she always seemed to do. So he was surprised when she answered with, "As long as you swear I don't have to wear a dress."
"Deal," His whole face lit up with a smile, as he grabbed his walking stick with precision, and bounded up from his seat on at the diner. "Better anyways, we're gonna be late. Come on!"
He didn't even bother waiting for her, knowing that she could catch up easily. He tossed a few dollar bills onto the counter as he passed, only to recieve a shout from Nelly the owner to slow down before he fell down a manhole.
He pushed open the revolving glass doors and stepped foot out onto the pavement. The air was laced with exhaust fumes, as Hell's Kitchen so often was. Cars honked, irritated, and the bustle of people, though dulled due to the Sunday morning, was as constant as ever.
TJ appeared behind him, and naturally linked her arm with his.
"So, where's this church you are ever so devout to?" She asked in a slightly mocking tone. Ever the peace seeker, Matt chose to ignore her sarcasm, and merely began guiding them down the street.
"So you've never been to church?" He found the question tumbling out of his mouth, as he nearly bounded on the balls of his feet. TJ's hair tickled his ears as she shook her head slightly.
"Nah, not with the Pattersons, at least. My mum used to take me when she was alive, but I don't remember much, just that the starched gowns she made me wear were itchy and smelled."
"Are you sure that just wasn't you?" Matt joked, only to get a sharp nudge in he ribs.
"Hilarious," She drolled. "Seriously though. You've been religious as long as I've known you. How'd that happen?"
Matt shrugged. "Dunno really. My dad was far from religious. I just sort of picked it up. Didn't really do anything with it till after the accident though, and even then, I never really believed. That came after my dad died."
"Well we certainly took our parents deaths too very different ways," TJ mused.
"Well, there's still time to change that," Matt smiled. "Here."
He guided her up the familiar steps of the church. A small part of him sombered with each step, as he so often did. He could here the whispers around them as they entered.
Battlin' Jack's old boy.
Matt fought back a sigh. He loved his father, and still missed him with a passion, but at times, such as going to Church, being the son of a heavy weight champion wasn't the greatest.
"Why's everyone staring? Is it cause I'm not in a dress?" TJ tried - and failed - to whisper in his ear.
"Nah, they always do that. They think it's okay because I can't see them, but I can. I think it's because of my dad, you know?"
"Oh" TJ bit her lip. "Sorry."
Another shrug. "Nothing to be sorry about. C'est la vie, right?"
"C'est la vie," He heard her reiterate under her breath. He guided her to the back pew, and they both took a seat.
The sermon was long, a colourful collective of the tale of Adam and Eve. Matt could tell near the end of it that TJ was fidgety, but he was impressed that she didn't get up and leave. As it drew to a close finally, and everone got up to leave, Matt grabbed her hand before she could drag them anywhere.
"Come on," He insisted. "I want you to meet Father Lantom."
The crowd parted for them, as they pushed in the opposite direction. Old man Bart stuck his foot out in a shoddy attempt to trip Mat, but used to such treatement, Matt accidently overstepped that step, and missed his foo by an inch. He could hear the old man grumble about the devil at work, but Matt could care less. Father Lantom was waiting for them when they arrived.
"Matthew," His voice was as calm and soothing as ever. "Who's your friend?"
"This is Terrianalynne," Matt introduced.
"Ah," He could hear amusement in the older man's voice. "So this is the young girl I hear so much about."
Matt felt the heat radiating off of TJ's cheeks increase. He blushed himself.
"That was a very nice sermon," TJ offered.
He felt Lantom smile. "Thank you, dear. May I ask what brings you here this fine morning?"
An awkward shuffle. "Uh, Matt invited me."
"Well, I'm glad you came. Now if you'll excuse me, I have confession to get to. I'll see you next week Matt. And it was nice meeting you, Ms. Jacquelette," He departed quickly. Matt felt TJ stiffen as they were left alone.
"How did he know my name?" She asked. "I never told him!"
"He knows everyone. Did the same thing to me too when I first met him. He probably remembers you from your car accident."
"I guess," She mused, though she didn't sound sure. "Can we leave now?"
Matt rolled his eyes. Though he was wearing his glasses, he knew TJ was close enough to see. "Fine."
"Thank god," She exclaimed, tugging on his arm. "And hail Mary, and all that jazz."
They both couldn't stop laughing all day.
Present Day
Matt was an imbecile. A true, die-hard, french accented imbecile. He seriously needed to start following Foggy's advice, and think for once, before he acted.
That was the first though that ran through Matt's mind the next morning, as his brain picked up on two other breathing signatures in his apartment. The second was that he badly needed a shower.
Body well rested for once after a night free from the devil, Matt showered quickly. He slid into his daily suit, sighing as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He had work to get to. Yeah. Hopefully that sense of purpose could deplete the enormous sense of awkwardness he felt in his living room. Speaking of...
"You know," Matt called as he opened the bathroom door. "I'm slightly offended that you would consider leaving without saying goodbye."
He could pretty much feel TJ cringe, as her grip around his front doorknob tightened. "Didn't want to disturb you?" She offered lamely, although it ended as more of a question rather than as a statement.
"I'm sure," Matt walked without pretence to his kitchen, as he felt TJ pretty much slink back inside like a wounded dog. Eilonwee was sleepily holding her hand as she yawned.
"Is she allergic to anything?" Matt asked as he went for the flour in his cupboard.
"I don't think so, but I've never had her tested," TJ admitted. "You don't have to make anything for us. I can't pay you back."
"I'm not expecting you to," Matt was slightly offended. "And there's no way I'm letting you leave without eating."
He filled the silence with small talk, usually aiming questions towards Eilonwee who insisted on being called Eiley. She as more open than TJ, talking about everything and anything. A small part of Matt achedm knowing that under different circumstances Eiley could have very well been his and TJ's daughter. But a larer part - the part more aimed towards common sense - informed him that iit was idiotic o thin in such a way, and so he didn't.
His stomach was full as he finished off his pancake, and to his satisfaction he noted that Eiley's was content as well. Even TJ who had stared sullenly at her plate for the majority of breakfast no longer held her grumbling abdomen.
By the time they were cleaning up, Matt had made an executive decision.
He bent down in front of Eiley, who already seemed to view Matt much more fondly than TJ was. The little girl smiled up expectantly at Matt, not even considering his blindness a disability after he answered close to a thousand questions pertaining to it that she had.
"Eiley, would like to come see where I work today? We can go get ice cream for lunch afterwards," His sly bribe didn't go unoticed by TJ, who immediately refused.
"No Matt," Her tone was clipped. "It's been nice seeing you but-"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Eiley's voice overtook that of her guardian, as she grabbed Matt's hand. "Are we going to go catch bad guys?"
"Not quite," He smiled. "But we are going to go help the good guys."
"Yay!" She shrilled, as she dropped Matt's hand, and bounded to go put her shoes on. Matt couldn't completely hide his smirk as he stood up.
"Matt, we aren't going with you," TJ whispered angrily so Eiley didn't hear. "That's final."
"Oh come on TJ," Matt insisted. "I just found you again- why the hell do you want to get rid of me so fast? Did I do something thirteen years ago that I don't know about?"
She rolled her eyes. "Of course not you idiot," She scoffed. "Look. It's not you. It's just that we each have our very own, very seperate lives, Daredevil," She all but hissed the last part.
Matt narrowed his eyes knowing that she was close enough to see the gesture behind his glasses. "You know?"
"Of course I know!" She seemed offended. "Yeesh, what other blind idiot do I know who can beat up a gang full of bad guys? As soon as I saw the first article I knew it was you. Plus the Devil thing helped. Always had to be the religious one, didn't you?"
That's when he picked it up. The faintest quiver of her heartbeat. It was duller than usual, suggesting years of practice, but Matt could still sniff out the lie - or in this case, partial truth.
"And...?" He made an unimpressed face. She lasted about three seconds before sighing and producing something from her pocket.
"And I found your burner phone," She mumbled, not so much out of guilt, but humiliation at getting caught.
"Found or was trying to steal?" Matt inquired, as he carefully pocketed the device. TJ crossed her arms.
"And yet this is another reason why we need to part ways Matt. Too much has changed."
"Too much has changed, or you're pretending that too much has changed?" He couldn't keep the scorn from his tone as his emotions got the better of him. "I'm really starting to think it's me."
"It's not you!"
The scream was sudden and unexpected. As it ripped harshly from TJ's throat, silence quickly followed. Matt was aware of Eiley staring up at them nervously. He turned so that he was facing the little girl's direction.
"We're coming Eiley," He assured quietly, before she could start crying. As he picked up his cane, and headed owrads the door, he stopped and whispered into TJ's ear. Her hand was over her mouth, and she was breathing hard, but Matt paid no regard, too overwhelmed in his own feelings.
"Then if it's not me," He all but growled. "I want to know who. Because you aren't my TJ. But I swear I'll get her back."
And then he left without preamble, Eiley in tow, not bothering to see if Terry followed.