First Born

Matt knew it was going to happen someday.

It’s not like he’s the only Witch who decided to take a Regular job, he knew that. Especially as an attorney, it’s always useful for the New York coven to have strategically placed Witches in law firms. People sued all the time over logistics of witchcraft in the work place, and the rights of magical people. There were even a number if Witchcraft law firms he knew of upstate… It makes sense he would run into another Witch, he told himself. However, even with the full knowledge he knew it would happen- he didn’t want to meet a Witch. He wanted to avoid them.

So when Foggy convinced him to take witchcraft law with him in their second semester this went objectively against his plan to avoid other Witches…but Foggy had begged him to join him, he insisted that they would work well together and that they already signed up for all the same classes. That it would be easier if they had the same schedules.

Maybe Matt just wanted to make Foggy happy. So he signed up for the class, fully aware that there would be magic people.

At the start he counted a total of three Matchless and one Witch. There were also some people he suspected to be Inklings, but that was no surprise- there were always people he suspected to be Inklings. Inklings were fairly common, he knew that, but hard to detect because their magic was so subtle. He had no concerns about them, or the Matchless. From the few Matchless he has met they tend to keep to themselves…and even if they feel him with their own magic they’ll probably avoid him because he’s a Witch. Matchless disliked Witches almost as much as Matt hated being one.

It’s the Witch he’s concerned about. A woman. A few heartbeats picked up around her when she walked into the classroom, so he assumed she was attractive- or had a demanding presence. She wore a strong perfume and Matt could smell the cosmetics on her face. Expensive, tinged with magic- a beauty spell? No, an organization spell. She applied the makeup with magic. He took a quick breath in when she wandered into his space and sat down directly to the left of him.

Foggy must have noticed his sudden tense form. “What’s up, Matt?” He said from the right of him.

Before he could respond the woman spoke up beside him. Her voice was clear, fairly nice and laced with curiosity. “Hello, boys. Are you friends? I see you around campus. Walking with each other.”

Foggy’s heartbeat picked up and his body heat rose. So he found her attractive. A lump formed in Matt’s throat, “Yeah, me and Matt are roommates. I’m Foggy,” Matt leaned back when he felt Foggy put his hand out in front of him. “Sorry, Matt. I’m holding my hand out to the nice lady next to you.”

“Foggy?” The woman shook Foggy’s hand, “What an odd name. I’m Marci. And I’m assuming you’re Matt?” She asked him.

Matt nodded, “Yes.”

“So what is a Witch doing in Columbia law school?”  Matt could hear the heartbeats seated around them all rise at the same time. Marci spoke too loud, how quickly will this take to spread around school? He’s supposed to be keeping a low profile. Maybe he could place a small distraction spell at the end of class. Just to keep them disinterested. That’s not too ethically corrupt.

“I could ask you the same question,” He said curtly.

Foggy gasped. “You’re a-” he lowered his voice. “You’re a Witch, too?”

“Well, I’m not hiding it like your friend is,” She sounded slightly regretful and lowered her voice like Foggy’s. Then she waved her hand spoke under her breath (quiet enough for no one but Matt to hear) and placed a spell on the people around them. So she wasn’t totally disrespectful, and understood the consequences of being outed as a Witch. “Yes, I am. I come from a line of Witches upstate…My family isn’t fond of the fact I decided to attend a Regular’s school- but they don’t make the decisions for me. I do.”

Foggy laughed his voice deepened, “That’s independent. I like it.” Foggy’s flirting now. In front of him. Matt cleared his throat.

Matt is saved from the rest of the conversation when the professor showed up and began class. Professor Johnson. Matt realized within a few minutes that the man was a Matchless. He wrote his name on the board in loopy letters and turned around to face the large lecture room. His voice was loud and he began his lecture with a brief history of witchcraft. He doesn’t mention he’s a Matchless, so Matt assumed that the man didn’t want to let it be known. It made sense. If schools didn’t trust Matt as a Witch in class- why would they trust a teacher?

Professor Johnson then started to call for volunteers. Matt noticed some people who put their hands up, their excitement evident. Professor Johnson ignored them and began to pace the floor. He hummed and spoke to himself silently, silent enough that Matt could hear- but probably nobody else. Something about whether or not he should call on the Witches.

“You!” Matt’s senses let him know Professor Johnson pointed in his general direction. He didn’t want to do this.

That’s when Foggy spoke up, “Me or him?”

“You. Come down here, let’s start with some oral arguments.”

Matt sighed with relief when Foggy happily trotted down to the front of the classroom. He let his anticipation actually began to build for Foggy…Matt wasn’t afraid for him at all, in fact he was sure that Foggy would wipe the floor with whatever oral argument topic he was given. Foggy had been reading up on witchcraft law since last semester, and Matt has already explained to him a few rules. Not only was Foggy adept at the subject, but his argumentative skills were off the charts.

Sure, Matt was smart. His arguments were flowery and he could come up with a nice speech, and a well placed argument easily…but not nearly as well as Foggy. Professor’s loved Matt because his arguments mimicked their’s, Matt’s arguments were lawyers arguments. But Foggy’s arguments were for the people, they appealed to everyone…And Foggy always sounded so damn sure of himself. Always sounded so passionate and believed every word he said, and lacked arrogance. But Matt didn’t, Matt had a hard time keeping his personal feelings out of it.

“Okay, son. Why don’t you stand by the podium. What’s your name?”

“Foggy Nelson.”

“Mr. Nelson- did you read the materials I posted before class?” Professor Johnson rose his voice. “The materials I posted on our class website three days ago, class! It gives you a general idea of witchcraft law and terms. That was your assignment for today! If you can’t keep up and follow directions then you have no place in my class- and frankly, I’d like you to leave!”

“I did read it Professor Johnson,” and Matt knew he did. They read it together in their room. He remembered Foggy explaining that he would ace the class.

(“You’ve already explained all this shit to me, Matt! Look at the syllabus! It’s practically elementary school stuff.” “Foggy, you didn’t know any of this before I explained it to you. It’s pretty much all new to anyone but a Witch.”)

“Well, Mr. Nelson. I want you to construct an argument for why it should be illegal for Regulars to summon Witches. You’ll have ten minutes.”

“Actually, professor. I think I’m prepared for the argument now.”

The professor didn’t argue, but Matt knew he was surprised. Foggy started his argument with a few examples. It wasn’t to overwhelming, just enough for Foggy to pull in the class who didn’t know what a Regular was or the terms Witches had. Then he began to eviscerate the idea of servitude- Foggy’s reasoning was impeccable, it laid out facts under the constitution and even made comparisons to magical law. By the end of the speech the class started to nod along, and Matt could hear several sounds of interest. Matt couldn’t help himself for practically beaming by the time Foggy finished. Foggy would make a remarkable attorney someday.

A warmth bloomed in his chest for how passionately Foggy fought for his rights.

He noticed Marci’s heart had begun to beat faster beside him. When Foggy came back up from the podium and passed by her she grabbed his wrist, “That was one hell of an argument, Foggy-bear,” She whispered. “Do you want to get acquainted with each other sometime?” Matt could hear the distinct sound of arousal in her voice.

“Uh…yeah,” Matt detected the warmth grow in Foggy’s cheeks as he blushed. The blooming in Matt’s chest was quickly replaced with tightness. He was happy for Foggy. He had to be happy for Foggy.

Matt knew he held a deep fondness for him. His voice was nice to listen to. He was always so warm and welcoming. Foggy also smelt nice, his presence was always welcome and Matt felt…Matt felt at home with him. The shampoo he used was a sweet vanilla, it wasn’t overwhelming like so many other products…It was just enough, paired with Foggy’s own unique smell was like heaven. Foggy’s attitude was also typically non-judgmental, he saw the best in everyone, and didn’t treat Matt like he was afraid of him or he had to be tip-toed around…even thought Matt knew he got uncomfortable around magic.

He noticed Foggy’s heart rate picked up anytime he used his spells. Maybe he didn’t trust Matt. His heartbeat was crazy the first time they met- which was expected, Matt was the Witch who claimed his first-born child. That would make anyone terrified. At this point though, Matt accepted that Foggy liked him- as a friend, of course. He would be happy for Foggy if he found a woman to love, because Foggy was a friend. His best friend. His only friend.

Wasn’t he?

He doesn’t even know this Marci and he’s already imagined several scenarios in which her and Foggy live a happy life together. In fact, if Foggy had a child with her…they would be a Witch. The child would be magical. He could keep his first-born. It’s the perfect situation, but Matt couldn’t help the sinking feeling in his stomach.

After that class Marci and Foggy end up going on several dates together. Then more dates. And more. They also have a lot of sex. It’s not like Matt minds. Matt definitely doesn’t mind he repeated to himself several times a day. They’re both consenting adults and it makes Foggy happy and twittery. He just hated coming back to the dorm and smelling it all the damn time.

It was impossible to focus one damned second in that room with all those smells. He could just imagine Foggy moaning under Ma- Marci. He was thinking of Marci.

Matt doesn’t have any other friends at Columbia and he’s begun to regret the fact he hasn’t interacted with any other students. He knew that Foggy made an effort to interact with a lot of other people. Foggy practically knew everyone, in every one of their classes. He made the classes collaborate with their notes and people like Foggy. Matt can’t imagine why people wouldn’t like Foggy…but to everybody Matt was just the awkward blind guy who wrecked the grade curve. It's not as if Matt was rude, in fact, he was rather charming- but he still didn't have the same extroverted qualities that Foggy possessed.

They walked to every class together and lived together so it’s not like they weren’t seeing each other. In fact, Foggy spent more time with Matt than he did anybody else…but Matt still couldn’t help but miss the company during the weekends. Or in between class and at the end of the day.

He needed something to take up his time. Anything at all, and when Foggy would stay at Marci’s for the night he would sit awake and hear all the sirens like he did when he was a kid. There weren’t as many as Hell’s Kitchen, but still a lot. A lot of people crying their bedrooms too. Sometimes he could hear somebody get drunk, and then leave their friends and the moment their doors closed- they broke down. There were also several parties he could hear every night, loud and rowdy. He would occasionally get invited to them by a lone girl, or guy.

Tonight was one of those nights.

Foggy was messing with his hair and his heart was pumping with excitement like it always did when he was about to spend the night with Marci. “So…It’s still a little early in the day,” Foggy twisted his arm in a motion that Matt assumed meant he was reading his watch. “I’m leaving soon…It’s only 5:30. Do you have any plans?”

“I was thinking of going to a party,” Matt said.

Foggy was surprised, “Really?”

“I was invited by Julia,” he had actually been asked by her brother Juan.

Foggy was suddenly still. “I thought you were invited by her brother?” Foggy said carefully.

Matt didn’t know Foggy even knew, “I…”

“If you’re experimenting with guys I don’t mind Matt,” Foggy’s heart was racing. “I’m actually bisexual.”

Matt had always assumed Foggy was bisexual, though he had never told him outright. For the first time they met Matt remembered Foggy had called him ‘really, really good-looking.’ Matt figured it’s not as if Foggy would have ever entertained the idea of being romantically involved with Matt, but he certainly knew that Foggy had an appreciation for the male form if the beads of sweat Foggy got on his palms whenever Matt had his shirt off were any indication.

Matt had also been attracted to men in the past- but he never considered a real relationship with any of them. He like Juan’s accent and the way he moved. He could entertain the idea of having a sexual encounter with him in his mind…but couldn’t see himself actually doing it. He’s gone off with a few men before, quick encounters, but nothing that actually left him knowing their names or any prospects of something further. The teachings of his church were so heavily engrained he still found himself internally shoving down any ‘homosexual tendencies’ as Nun’s so helpfully described it.

“I’m not,” Matt found himself saying. “I’m- I was invited by her brother. But I’m not- I’m not gay.” He wasn’t sure why it bothered him so much. It wasn’t the idea of being with another man really. It couldn't be, because he didn’t mind Foggy’s sexuality why would he mind his own? But it was something.

“I know you’re not Matt, you’ve hooked up with plenty of girls before for me to know that. If you wanna get with guys though… that is absolutely no problem with me.” Foggy’s heart let him know it was a lie.

“I’m just going to the party because I’m done with my midterms and I need a break. It doesn’t matter who invited me, Fog.” His voice came out a little harsher than he would have liked.

Foggy let up. “Okay, Matt. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Foggy checked his watch again and walked towards the door. “I’m heading out now,” He said before he left.

Really, Matt just wanted to drink and get lost in himself a little bit. That’s all. He didn’t bother to change his comfortable clothes and went to the party dressed down significantly compared to the other people there. It was loud, and smelt awful- which would usually annoy Matt to no end…but today was a little different, he needed this.

Juan came up to him only a few seconds after he walked in. “Hey!! Matt, it’s me Juan,” The man grabbed his shoulder. “What’s up, hermano? I didn’t expect you to come, you’re always workin’ so hard in class and all,” he has a strong Puerto Rican accent. Matt noted it was usually subtler, he chocked it up to the alcohol.

“I’m just here to have a few drinks,” it’s honest.

“What do you want, then! I have a friend who made some punch. We also got some vodka, whiskey, beers, tequila- practically a whole bar. I can whip up anything for you, hermoso.” His voice lowered several octaves and he got considerably closer to Matt’s space.

Matt isn’t drunk enough for this, yet.

“Do you think you have enough alcohol to make a few Long Island Iced Teas?”

Juan laughed, “You’re really looking to get drunk, aren’t you? You know I don’t fuck drunk guys, it’s not polite. It’s not a problem man, I figured you weren’t really into me anyway. I’ll go and get you your drink.”

Matt doesn’t bother to argue that if he had a few more drinks in him to the point where he couldn't remember Juan’s name. Just maybe, he would be willing to pull a few strings. “Thanks, Juan.”

After three Long Island Iced Teas he’s a little more than happily buzzed. It’s a few hours into the night and he’s managed to make a total of ten more friends. Well, depending on what the definition of ‘friend’ is. He's managed to make a total of ten people who treat him like a human being and have a good sense of humor. He’s also met plenty of other people, all of whom he avoided once they felt awkward over the fact that a blind man could indeed get drunk on his own. He did not have a handler- and hell no, Foggy was definitely not his handler.

He went to get himself another drink, he was positive if he had two more he’d be plastered enough to even dance…but then he heard it.

A woman crying. Just on the edge of the party, three men surrounded her. She was asking them to leave her alone. They weren’t leaving her alone. In fact, she was very drunk, and could barely hold herself up. Matt was frozen on the spot, he tilted his head to gather more information.They were dragging her up the steps of the house where the party was taking place. They had no intention of stopping.

Matt curled his fist around his cane in a tight grip. He quickly made his way to them, he pushed to through the crowd of people and when he made it to the steps by the time the group of men were already up. The men were speaking vulgar things under their breath as the woman cried for them to not hurt her and Matt just got angrier.

He folded his cane and gripped it in his hand before he made his way up the steps. 

Three men.

He went down the hallway to where he heard them speaking in a room. They hadn’t done anything to the woman yet, she was still crying. One smelt distinctly of Axe body spray, another of Marlboro cigarettes, and the last of Coors Lite. They threw her on a bed. There was slight electrical buzzing from what he gathered to be a lamp.

One woman.

Matt made his way to the room. He eased it slowly open, the three men hadn’t noticed him yet. He gripped his folded cane in his hand and focused on the buzzing of the lamp. The only artificial heat source. What he knew was the only light source. He was still buzzed, but the adrenaline kept him focused. He threw his folded cane in a sharp line to the lamp and heard it shatter. Axe was the first to curse, and Coors and Marlboro followed suit.

No lights.

In a flurry of movement he came into the room. His heart was beating out of his chest. He knocked Coors out with a single punch. The other two men had quickly gotten wind of the fact there was someone in the room, they clumsily tried to attack Matt in the darkness. Matt dodged them and grabbed Axe's arm. He snapped it, and smiled at the satisfying crack.

With only Marlboro left to go he managed to get in a slug at Matt’s face. That would leave a mark in the morning, but Matt didn’t care as he punched Marlboro in the neck and pinned him down. He beat him until he was unconscious, and maybe a bit more than necessary…but he was drunk and hurting and this man had tried to-

The woman was still crying. He stopped punching Marlboro and went to the side of the bed. She was inebriated, Matt knew that she wouldn’t be able to call anybody for help.

“I’ll call for help,” he whispered to her as he went over to where his cane fell and picked it up. It calmed her down enough so that she stopped crying. He knew the men wouldn’t stay down forever… So he whispered a trapping spell, one that would keep them tied until the cops came. “Coerceo vos.” (I restrain you)

He managed to make it downstairs with no problems. None of the party goers must have noticed the noise he made, the music must have been too loud. He walked outside of the house and called from a payphone to let them know some men had tried to assault a woman. They needed to come to the house right away.

He waited until the cops came and made sure they found the unconscious men and the woman before heading back to his dorm.

"Matt, what the hell happened to you?!" Foggy's voice awakened him from sleep in the early morning after.

"What?" He turned over in his bed and gripped his pillow. His head was aching. He drank too much.

Foggy suddenly gripped his shoulders and pulled him up, he touched Matt's face, the same spot where Matt knew he probably had a black eye. "What do you mean 'what', Murdock? Who the hell punched you? Did somebody- oh my God, Matt...Did Juan hurt you? Or somebody at the party?"

Matt shook his head, and regretted it immediately. He gripped his head with a hand and groaned, "No. I got mugged. Cops showed up over some disturbance at the party, and I left as everybody else was." Matt chuckled darkly, "Guess they thought picking on the blind guy in the chaos would work." Matt was guilty at how quickly the lie had come to him.

"Do you know who it was?" Foggy took Matt's hands and turned them over. "You obviously got some punches in." So Matt must have bruised knuckles, as well.

"I accidentally tripped them with my cane and then hit them with my fists, got lucky I guess. They didn't even have a chance to take my wallet before I left. And no, I don't know who it was Foggy. They didn't talk much," Matt took his hands away and rubbed at them. He needed some ice.

"You didn't call the cops?"

"No. It's not like they actually took anything."

"They assaulted you, Matt. They took advantage of a blind man."

More like I took the advantage of being blind, Foggy. You have no idea, Matt thought. "I can take care of myself, Foggy. How was your night with Marci?"

"Fine," Lie. "But who cares about that Matt, we need to put something cold on your eye."

"What happened with Marci?" Matt asked as Foggy got up to get a pack of peas from their mini-fridge.

"Matt, I said my night was fine," Foggy said testily. "You're just distracting from the fact that you got mugged and don't want to make a big deal about it."

"I am," Matt admitted. "But you're avoiding a subject too. Did you and Marci get into a fight?" Foggy came back with the peas and Matt put it on his bruised eye.

Foggy sat next to Matt on the bed and took a deep sigh. "Marci doesn't want any kids," there was movement around Foggy's hands that Matt assumed meant he was twiddling with his fingers.

"You've only been together for a couple of months," Matt comforted. "It makes sense she doesn't want to talk about children and a future."

Foggy shook his head. "No, it's not like that, Marci doesn't plan on having any kids. Ever. And I kind of felt like that too for a while...but then I thought about how I owe my first-born and all. Then I met Marci and she's a Witch, and I know that if I have a child with her I'd get to keep it. The idea seemed nice and I started thinking about it more and more, and when I mentioned it to Marci she just," Foggy took a deep sigh. "She shut me down immediately. Said that her focusing on her career matters to much to her for her to take care of children, especially one she'd need to train."

Foggy had told Marci that he owed his first-born child to the New York coven. Though Foggy made it clear to Matt he hadn't explained that the Witch who sealed the deal was Matt. Marci still didn't know he was Hell's Kitchen's Claimed first-born and Matt wanted to try and keep it that way.

"Well you have plenty of time Foggy, you'll still figure something out."

Foggy nodded and kept twiddling his fingers.

Matt only flexed his hand, and thought back to how satisfying it felt to lose himself.