Romanov & Murdock
After running a few errands Natasha let herself into Matt’s apartment using the spare key he had given her. He had given in and had one made after the first few times Natasha had broken in—much to his chagrin.
She sighed at the comforting smell of his apartment and set the small bag of fresh groceries on his counter. Natasha had visited the farmer’s market by Ferry Plaza and bought a bottle of wine, some olives and a loaf of fresh bread.
She knew how much he hated processed foods and enjoyed surprising him with something new. Matt always appreciated the indulgence of San Francisco’s fantastic bread and the freshly baked smell was already permeating the room.
Sylvie had called while Natasha was out and given her their hotel room number. She knew Matt would be reticent to meet someone who was aware of his and Natasha’s crime fighting; it would take a little coaxing, but at the end of the day he was a reasonable man.
She opened the wine and poured herself a glass knowing Matt would be home soon following his afternoon deposition.
About ten minutes later she heard the telltale sound of a key in the front door and smiled softly at the entryway from the couch.
“Hey,” she murmured as he came in.
“I could smell that bread from downstairs, you’re a saint,” he said with a grin as set his cane by the door and walked easily over to kiss her.
“Mm, good wine as well…” he said softly.
“Something local, from the Napa Valley I think.”
“Well you know me, couldn’t tell you thing about fancy wines. Though I do appreciate the lack of pesticides on the grapes,” he smiled as he went to cut the bread.
“You give me a good excuse to be picky,” she smirked as she sipped from the glass.
“Do you mind if I open these as well? Didn’t have time to eat before and was stuck in court all morning,” Matt held up the container of olives as he loosened his tie.
“Please, I bought them for you. I know how you forget to eat…”
“You’re too good to me.”
Matt set the olives on the wooden cutting board with the bread before grabbing the bottle of wine and a glass to carry over.
“How was your morning? Spend much time by the pier?”
“What gave me away?”
“Sea salt on your hair, it’s on the bread as well so I assume you went to Ferry Plaza,” he murmured as he took a sip of wine.
“You assume correct. Before that I ran into a friend, after my meeting actually… someone I haven’t seen since I left New York.”
“Oh?” He asked curiously, hearing her heart speed up the slightest bit.
“She’s not from… around here,” Natasha hesitated.
“An old contact from KGB or something?” He asked a little reluctantly.
“No, not at all. We actually met when I was still working with The Avengers. She knows about you—I didn’t tell her, but it seems Bruce Banner has been keeping tabs,” Natasha said nervously.
Matt sighed wearily and removed his glasses, rubbing his hands over his face in frustration.
“I guess they were bound to figure it out… half of New York was getting suspicious. But Nat I moved out here to get away from all that—”
“I know, but she isn’t from New York and I doubt she’ll be going back there anytime soon…”
“Okay… so…?”
Natasha decided to rip the bandaid off, feeling her heart speed up, “So… I’d really like you to meet her.”
“Natasha, you know I—”
“Matthew,” she said boldly, “she is the last person who would ever tell anyone who you are. And she is one of the very few people I feel most myself around—including you. So I would really like for you to meet her…”
Natasha touched his face gently as her heart beat steadily, “you are one of the best things in my life, and she wants to meet the person who has made me so happy… please, Matt.”
Matt’s face softened as his eyes stared off over her shoulder, unfocused yet still holding emotion.
“Tasha…” he said softly, hand lifting to cup hers over his jaw, “I—okay. For you.”
Natasha smiled warmly and leaned in to kiss him sweetly.
“Thank you, Matt, that means a lot to me,” she whispered.
“You mean a lot to me. And I want to make you happy, always... The sound of your smile is something I’ve come to treasure.”
“The sound of my smile?” She asked with a slightly incredulous grin.
“The way your cheek moves, even when it’s just a smirk,” he said softly as he traced a finger over her cheek, “your lips when they stretch into a smile… like little sighs as your muscles contract,” he murmured.
“That sounds pretty annoying for you to hear anytime someone makes a face…” Natasha teased.
“I tune most people out to some degree… But I listen for the sounds which bring me joy,” he smiled.
“You’re a terrible flirt, Matt Murdock,” she said in a breathy murmur.
“Terribly bad or terribly good?” He asked looking smug.
“I think you know the answer to that one,” she teased, “now shut up and kiss me already.”
They kissed and talked while Matt eagerly snacked on the fresh bread and olives. Natasha told him about how she and Sylvie had first bonded over sparring which made him laugh and grin.
Life here with Matt felt so much easier than it had in New York that Natasha almost felt guilty sometimes. The old scars seemed distant, that painful ache dulled by the little everyday victories.
When Matt finished eating he went to take a shower and Natasha called Sylvie back. There was a giddy breathless quality to Sylvie’s voice which made Natasha smirk with amusement. She told Sylvie the time and address to meet them that evening and kindly let her friend get back to whatever she’d been up to.
Deciding to surprise Matt in the shower, Natasha shucked off her top. Grinning as she padded softly to the bathroom, Natasha knew full well that for Matt, it would be very little surprise at all.