Damned If I Do *Matt Murdock* (book one of Damned)

12) I never knew (...daylight could be so violent)

They wanted to walk, but the rain was awfully heavy. Vera didn't really mind – they had an umbrella after all and she would be home in no time, but Matt would have to walk home after. When she told him, he waved it off.

"You sure you don't mind?" she asked him for the third time, after they took about ten steps and their shoes were already soggy.

He embraced her tighter, so they were both properly hidden under his huge umbrella. When he spoke, his voice was filled with smile. "We're good. I don't mind walking in the rain. As long as you don't want me to sing."

She laughed. "And what would I have to do to make you sing in the rain?"

Matt stopped in his tracks and shifted slightly, so he could face her. He let go of her arm in favour to rest it against her cheek. He was indeed smiling and Vera regretted the glasses were covering his eyes – she had a hunch they were full of amused sparks. He leaned in, lips softly touching her cheek before moving to her ear. Her body shivered involuntarily – she felt his lips twitched at her movement.

"Sing with me," he whispered, barely containing laugh. Vera jumped away, not caring she was in the rain.

"You-"

He swept his hand, grabbing hers again and drew her back, arm wrapping around her waist and giving her an apologizing kiss. And hello, he could definitely mock her more often if he would always kiss her like this after.

Car honking and a splash of water. Vera's jaw fell down in disbelief and she gasped, letting out a mixture of laughter and silent gaping. Matt was about the same. And they were both soaking wet.

"You gotta be kidding me."

She couldn't find a righteous rage towards the driver, because she was too happy and high at the moment. In Matt's arms, she didn't care much for her clothes being drenched.

"Guess we tempted fate," he remarked, giving her a small kiss on her nose.

"Yeah. That's one way to put it. Let's go."

Vera was very cold by the time they reached her apartment and she presumed Matt probably wasn't much better. She did the thing she did the best – put her foot in her mouth.

"Wanna go upstairs?" She only realized how it sounded when she said it out loud and his eyebrow shot up unwillingly. "Oh my god. For tea. I have covers and tea."

Matt laughed. "I always thought there was a coffee in that pickup line."

Vera wasn't red-faced. Nope. "There is," she declared, "but I am not trying to seduce you and I don't have one, so..."

"Uh-uh." He made a step in the direction of the door so Vera took it as a yes.

"I don't drink coffee," she assured him and opened the door.

"You don't drink coffee? At all?"

"Nope. And I'm talking about actual coffee drinking. If you laugh at me for working in a café despite it, I won't lend you my only hoodie that you could actually fit in."

He followed her up the hall and stairs, using his cane since she left him behind. "I won't. Also, are you saying that I am chubby?"

She laughed out loud, because he sounded honestly offended. "No, I'm saying your shoulders are like... something. Broad. Whatever."

Matt didn't comment.

They reached the apartment, she unlocked the door, came in and spread her arms. "Welcome to Macháčková's, pretty much. And please, leave your shoes at the door. I'll shove the heating thingies in them as soon as I put the kettle on."