darkchestofwonders | well I confess, I don't know what to make from all this mess (closed for scarlettwin)

Surely the Star Spangled Man taught her to anticipate a blow. Matt has been suckerpunched---emotionally--- by those close to him. A few times he deserved it. Never hurts to be prepared. They're in a space of acceptance, of understanding. More than that, Wanda is literally like no one else he has ever known. The cast of characters in Matt Murdock's life have been dynamic in the hero department. There's no untamed wildness or defiance like Elektra. Her past is a heavy shadow on her but it doesn't hold her back the way it has for Frank.

Holding hands on a rooftop feels far more intimate right now. It keeps him grinning.

"That makes sense." Duty before anything else. Matt doesn't expect anything less. "Thank you. I know you would never do anything like that for kicks." It's a blessing that all that power has gone to a person like her. She won't be the metaphorical child holding a magnifying glass to ants to fry them in the sunlight.

Her tone of voice has lifted a little. He pays attention to the way her face moves while speaking, his world of fire awareness rippling and painting a picture of her in his head. "I'm on my best behavior."

It wasn't Steve who taught her to anticipate blows, physically or emotionally. She knew what it felt like to be used. To be seen as a tool, an instrument to bring about something greater. She was that for HYDRA. A tool, a weapon for them to use to fulfill their own goals. Ultron had tried to do the same with her and Pietro. At least with the Avengers, she could make up for her past...and at least she knew what she was dealing with. Knew where she stood with nearly everyone. She could continue to put people at an arm's length, but was the isolation worth it?

In keeping others away, it was almost like validating those comments and thoughts of being an a monster--of accepting them as truth.

"I don't think they'll mind.." Especially with Steve nudging her to get out more. Get out of her room, to be around the others...and now its a matter of getting out of the Tower.

No, she wouldn't use her power for fun--well maybe to manipulate the things around her to make it easier for cooking, or something small. But to wreck havoc on the human mind? No. She had done that to the Avengers for revenge, and before, it was by HYDRA to see what else she could do. There was at one point, a strange and horrible satisfaction that came from breaking others...but it was a way for her to channel her own pain. A way for her to deal, but not anymore.

She let out a very soft chuckle, letting her shoulder brush against his in a very light nudge.

"I don't doubt that. And I'm on mine.." she paused, thinking over her choice of words. "I haven't broken your bones and you haven't pushed me off the roof..." Teasing, she was trying to tease, to be playful even though her mood wasn't the best.

Matt isn't exactly the person to consult on the pros and cons of isolation. He past year with Nelson and Murdock, the Frank Castle case and the mess with The Hand has tried his soul more than ever. The people he care about are directly put in danger. They also help. Their struggles are mutual. And no person should have to go through life alone.

"Good, I'd really hate to get under the wrong skin." His tone is so light, so airy that there is a little hint that he might not care what they think. Foolhardy? Sure. Wanda is part of a team, that's not an issue or a question. She needs to have a sense of agency. How else will she grow?

Matt's grin breaks wide into a small laugh. Her own subdued humor feels like a gift. "It's like we're civilized people. Imagine that?" His ribs are grateful to stay in whatever condition they are. He sighs and slowly moves to stretch. "I'm going to turn in for the night but...any chance I could get you some tea? That's the only thing I know I have in decaf."

"Yes," she chuckles. "Imagine that. Two people can be civilized with one another--no fighting or powers involved." Really, an amazing feat for two people who worked tirelessly to make the world a better place. It at least showed they still have manners.

Wanda withdraws her hand from his. The night is getting late, possibly into morning, but she isn't sure. She was just enjoying her time in the glow of the city's lights and a conversation that didn't involve saving-the-world plans or a pep talk. Someone who listened. Who understood and didn't pass judgement. She thought Matt would end things on the roof, but he was inviting her back to his place for tea. It wasn't an offer she would turn down.

"I would like that. You don't have to worry about caffeine, it doesn't do much for me these days." No, the nightmares themselves had been doing a great job of keeping her awake. Wanda slowly moved to stand up, stretching her arms above her head.

"Your place, it's not too far from here? If I'm remembering correctly."

"Sounds like a really far out concept. I don't know about that." Manners and respect for each other and for humanity still. Matt has never been a soldier, he has seen and heard plenty of jaded people. It's nice to know that he isn't the only one that still holds a candle for things like human kindness and decency.

He rolls his shoulders and shakes out his arms. Stretching a little. "Yeah it's not too far. ...do you wanna race?" Because why not? One way to get there and a little fun. One last go at burning away all the energy of the night that tries to keep his mind and body going when the precious hours between Daredevil and Matt Murdock should be taken up by sleep.

"Race?" Wanda repeats because she isn't sure if she heard him correctly, but apparently that was the case. He wanted to race, and for a moment she swore she heard Pietro's voice asking her the same thing. Like she was taken back in time to a brief moment when they were just children, playing a game and having fun.

"You're on." There's a hint of a smile there as her power flickers to life. Ribbons of red swirling around her form. Levitating, flying...it wouldn't be considered cheating. He never said they had to race on foot.

There was no grand design to his offer. He would have asked anyone. A friendly challenge. The implications will come to him later. She did say yes. Whatever harm or memory came up was not so much to make her draw back. Matt is glad. Fun is not just for the past or for children.

Listening to the air whisper and crackle tells him all he wanted to know. "Cheater." He takes off as fast as his body can. He really should have said so. Oh well. The smile on his face shows no real offense. Leaping and jumping, kicking off of higher buildings to tumble below. Free running always made him feel good.

Wanda didn't take offense to it. He was teasing, but if he thought she was a cheater...well, she had an idea or two in store for him. She took off right after him, levitating and running. The more air she had, the greater distance she covered. Not the fastest amongst the team, but she could her own.

It felt nice to have the cool wind rush past her face and to do something that was pure in itself. No other reasons behind running, not for training, not because they were following the bad guys, or because they were out running an enemy. She was starting to catch up to him and decided to do something.

The next time Matt lands on a building, he might himself stuck there for a few seconds, just enough to give Wanda a lead. Now that was cheating.

[ooc: Just ignore that..>>]

Levitating and running? Well, that was not something he was counting on. With no restrictions she can do whatever she likes. Daredevil is just going to have to go for broke. He has never timed himself. Urgency is always the motivator. So he tries to listen to how far ahead or behind she is.

The team must be pretty fast if she's not considered speedy! His confidence is up as she starts to gain.

Aaaand then it's like he's glued to the spot. Matt can only move from the waist up and he tries. Like a fly stuck on tape. "Seriously?" Before he can truly be indignant the laws of gravity and momentum resume and he nearly falls forward with the force he was trying to exert. He laughs all the way through the rolling recovery.

"Neat trick!"

Well, they had to train under different conditions; different terrain, different weather, how many enemies around them (air and land) and so on. Really, Steve trained them to do as well as they could do. For Wanda, she had to learn to not solely rely on her powers. She had to get in shape, learn to actually fight. Then she could work on control and pushing herself.

"It comes in handy!" She calls out behind her, jumping off from a different spot to land on another. Her powers disappear then. No red ribbons of energy to aide her, or to hinder Matt. They could continue this out on foot. She isn't taking this seriously though. While she is pushing herself, there's no need to get so worked up about it to the point of getting upset.

And now Matt is right behind her. She could hear his footsteps approaching and his place wasn't too far ahead.

Let no enemy underestimate her. Their competition is friendly and he trusts her through and through. It wouldn't be good to be on the other side.

"Oh yeah, I bet." Her lead is still a lead. Matt has been going all night. And she is light on her feet. "What do you call that?" Do the tricks have names? This is the first time he's witnessed her power in person. It's a curious noise. There's a shimmering kind of kinetic heat that all of a sudden disappears. Wanda's present heartbeat and breathing tell him she's still there.

"Don't hold back on my part. A race is a race."

"I don't have a name for it?" She replies, panting, her heart racing as they continue to keep running. It doesn't quite dawn on her that this is the first time Matt is seeing her powers in action. Levitation and flight is one thing, but to use her power for her benefit is another.

"I shouldn't rely on my power too much, and you can't call me a cheater after this!" she quips back, a teasing tone to her voice, and now she was about to get screwed over. She knew where Matt's place was from the street view, but trying to recall which stair case to use, or even which windowe...or even using the roof access is another.

"No?" Honest surprise there. "Might uh...might be something neat to do. I dunno."

His breathing is heavy and his treads stay nimble. Matt is used to running himself hard. Gotta get there one way or the other. "Sounds like I might have wounded your pride there." They've been running in a straight line and he takes a hard right, letting her keep going ahead. Now who's the cheater here?

Three buildings left and he launches himself onto the rooftop. Pulling from the tuck and roll he stands with fists raised in triumph.

"You mean give names to each thing I can do?" she calls out, because honestly? She never thought about it. She's heard of those cartoon shows where the 'heroes' call out their powers, but that...sounds a bit silly in real life.

Then again, they had Vision who was a very advance human like android...so anything was possible, really.

She can see him ditching her, going right in stead of straight ahead. Well, he does have the advantage here. He knows this neighborhood inside and out, and she doesn't. She slows down just enough to turn and back track to where he was. By the time she gets to the ledge of one roof top, she can see he has landed and most likely won.

That doesn't stop her from going after him, running back just to give herself enough momentum to cross the threshold and land.

"Okay, point made." That's a hard no. "How about--you call it anything? Just...powers?" Honest question there. Matt has no idea how she works aside from it is from her thoughts and will. The rest? Well, it comes out in conversation when it does. Wanda doesn't deserve to be shoved under a microscope or scrutiny.

Listening to her in the air, it's unpredictable, a little exciting. Matt lightly shakes his head and waits kindly. "I think if you went all out you really would kick my ass." Now that they're here, he'll let them in. Not like they really called attention to themselves here, right? The city is active and busy enough.

"Let me turn on the lights." As they descend into the loft. The roof access was a very big selling point. The billboard provides light. Not enough to clearly see much of anything. Now that that's done, Matt removes his helmet. "Have a seat. I'm going to change."

"I call it power...some say it's a gift.." List did, but she understood where Matt was going with his question. "Psionics...energy manipulation, creating force fields, telekinesis, telepathy...mental manipulation... That's the bulk of what I can do." Minus levitation, because she's already demonstrated that. Really, there wasn't a need for her to name each thing she could do. It would become a very long list, and it doesn't do well in a fight to shout out what she's about to do.

She let out a small chuckle, following behind him. "I wanted to make it a fair race...more or less." A little bit of both considering Matt knew the layout of the area better than her, so to help with that she had him stay still for a few seconds or so.

The lights turn on and she can see his apartment. When he was her lawyer she did come here to visit, and to go over what she knew...and of course, connected the dots between Matt and Dare Devil. There's a small shake of head.

"I'm fine standing, but thank you. Take your time. I can try to make tea while you change." Might as well make herself useful. Yes, she was a guest but she didn't want to sit still for too long.

He makes a brief whistling noise. That's some skill set. "Is there anything you can't do?" There's no expectation for an answer. "I know you said you can throw together a mean dinner too."

The place is exactly as it had been the times she was there before. Poor choices of decor. Primary lighting from the windows and that godforsaken billboard screen. It can't have been that long ago they sat in the living room pouring over documentation after documentation to disprove the accusations that she just materialized all over the place wherever it was convenient to pin a crime on her. Point for point Murdock had an answer. Thanks to Wanda's cooperation and trust.

The usually combed strands of his brown hair are sticking up when the helmet comes free. "Make yourself at home. It won't be long." There's nothing more to hide from her. Matt pads quietly into his room and slides the door shut.

There was a soft chuckle from Wanda. "Shrink Tony's ego." A bit of a joke, considering how cocky the man could be. And considering a few other things that she would rather not get into at the moment, but she thought it was funny.

She remembered how many hours they spent going over every allegation and every piece of 'evidence' there was against her. A crime she didn't commit that the city of New York was trying to pin on her. Any other lawyer would've had her plead guilty and do something as ridiculous like community service, but Matt fought for her. He wasn't on Tony's payroll and he was someone who she could trust. Even though she had been found innocent, the damage was done to her reputation. It fed the fear that people had of her, making her more distrustful...even with the amount of hard work she was doing.

"But, yes, I can cook. Could make you dinner if you want." Not tonight, but another time. She didn't cook often at the Tower, if only because no one asked her. It was something she indulged in when she needed something comforting. It brought back good memories at least.

"Take your time. I still remember where you kept the kettle." She waited until she heard the door to his room close before going into his kitchen. It didn't take her long to find the kettle, or the boxed tea he had. The kettle was soon on the stove and Wanda had two mugs taken out, each with a tea bag inside. It would take time for the water to come to a boil, but that was fine.

"No?" the surprise is amped up to a campy degree. "If you can't then no one can!" No one on earth at least. Tony Stark's already larger than life personality has been projected onto society from his business and all around global presence. Matt's experience has given him greater insight to the person. With more dimensions to his desire to help people, he has seen even more flaws. No one ever said being a hero meant you were completely a good person.

Look at himself.

Look at Wanda.

Though between the two of them, their flaws are not nearly so prominent from one conversation. One conversation was all it took for Matt to want to help out a young woman and the media frenzy of pinning every possible crime without solution on someone with high profile powers. Tony Stark was able to provide alibis and computer evidence of Wanda. That was valuable to the case. Unfortunately, being a lawyer skills don't include PR. Any fuss or craze will die away. Sometime. He really hopes that it's soon.

"Go ahead. And anything else you might find. I think there might be some scones left. Unless Foggy came around." And if not scones, he always keeps fresh fruit around.

A shower would be a good idea. Sweat and the night air have a way of making the city physically stick to him. "Hey, I'm going to take a quick shower." Taking his time or not, it feels a little impolite to have her hang about without entertainment. Matt's idea of peace and quiet means no television.

The dark haired woman let out a chuckle, her smile broadening. No, no one could shrink Tony's ego. The man might die if his ego dipped even just a little bit. Which made Wanda wonder how he managed to survive without his huge ego. If he always had it, or if it slowly built up over time...possibly the latter.

"I'm not going to eat you out of house and home," she teased. If the man wanted to shower, that was his call. Wanda wouldn't dictate what he could or couldn't do in his own home. He at least gave her a head's up rather than leave her wondering if he got himself tangled up in his suit. For now, she was content with waiting for the water to boil and make them both tea.

Her mind drifted to her impromptu text to Matt. Out of all people, she sent him that text rather than Steve or Clint. He was an outsider, and in her tired state of mind, she didn't want to bug Steve about her problems. He had done so much for her, and Matt...he helped her out too. Between her case and understanding what it meant to be a hero, he was easier for her to connect with. He listened to her, and didn't treat her like she was a fragile doll. Even with the media trying to paint her as something wicked, he didn't try to control how she behaved or ordered her on what to do. As her friend....he didn't offer advice unless it was asked.

She was soon snapped out of her thoughts hearing the kettle whistle. The water hot enough to make tea. She turned the stove off, and carefully poured hot water into the two mugs. A few minutes and the tea would be done...and maybe a few minutes after that, Matt may return and they could continue talking. The idea of turning on the television floated across her mind, but she wasn't one to watch anything but the news...and she didn't need to ruin her good mood with someone appearing on the air with some crazy conspiracy that she was behind brainwashing 'good' people into committing crimes.

The last thing she sees before he is completely out of sight is the back of his head shaking as he laughs. Matt is not gone for long. A little soap and warm water running over his body. Tomorrow won't show him any surprise bruises. That's good to know. He's dressed and looking far less intimidating than the Devil of Hell's Kitchen, even less intimidating than a lawyer in his Columbia sweater and sweatpants.

That shrill tone of the kettle tells him he's just in time. "Thanks. I like to the end the night with tea if I'm not...passing out in exhaustion." He pushes up the sleeves to his elbows and crosses the apartment back into the kitchen.

His powers don't let him tap into thoughts but he can get the impression that she was... stewing on her own awhile. "Did I miss anything?"

Seeing Matt in 'normal' clothes takes Wanda aback a little. Beneath the armor, the suit, and the ties, Matt was human...like everyone else. Enhanced abilities of his own, but he looked...innocent? He looked like he could be a bystander, or a face that could easily get lost in the crowd. Or someone she would've walked passed by and not even think twice about. Unlike her. Her face was easily recognizable, and it made her an even easier target.

Not unless she had a ball cap and sun glasses.

She was taking out the tea bags from their cups, placing them in the trash.

"It's the same ritual I have too. Tea, maybe a book to help wind down." Assuming she wasn't exhausted herself. There was a shake of her head.

"No, you didn't. I didn't check for scones, but the mug is on the counter, on your right." Better than trying and possibly hurting him with a mug filled with hot water.

"So, do you often let women see you in your pajamas?" Wanda teased lightly, waiting for the tea to cool down a little more before having a sip of it.

The man before her is what all the fuss is about. Pretty anticlimactic, isn't it? No glasses hide his eyes here. Matt doesn't want to hide. This is his home. And he has trusted Wanda with so much.

"What's tonight's selection?" He can smell it but it's nicer to ask. Both hands cradle the mug for warmth as he leans.

He'll get the scones in a moment. Her statement on the other hand? It's a damn good thing he didn't get a sip in him yet. Color lifts from his neck to his hairline in a slow sweep. "Uh... not usually no." What he can't articulate yet is that he usually sleeps naked. Ahem.

"I believe the tin said ginger peach," Wanda replied, picking up on the notes of ginger, peach and a hint of mint. She hadn't asked if Matt wanted sugar, but if it was near him, she could grab it for him. As well as a spoon, of course.

"Oh?" she starts, watching the color rise up on his face. For a moment, she thought she had crossed her line. It was only something to tease him about, believing they were on good terms, but it seemed like it was off limits?

"I was joking. It's not my business..." Really, it wasn't. They were friends, good friends, and they had trusted each other with so much. Wanda didn't want to ruin it by making a joke that was poorly received. She had no idea that he slept in the nude, but if she learned that, she would blush. Simply because...well, that was far too personal for her to consider.

"Oohh, that's a good one." A selection he hopes she likes as well. He takes his without any sugar. The first sip makes his eyes close contently. Nice and warm. It gives him a chance to cut the air. Swallowing it down. Heat is all over now.

The anxious little kick of her heartbeat across from him. That can't be. Matt rubs his mouth and smiles. "No, no. It's not that." He clears his throat. No casual way to really go about it. "I usually sleep in less. A lot less. You caught me off guard. That's all. You'd know for sure when I'm in my PJs."

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i saw nothing. (neither did matt)

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