It Was On Sale
Foggy was learning a lot about Matt. First of all, that Matt was possibly the most graceful person he has ever seen. Second of all, that despite this fact he refuses to acknowledge it. When Foggy thought back to the way Matt moved around a room he found himself wondering whether or not Matt had been taught a certain way to move.
Yes, he moved like a blind man. He always put his hands out to the sides of a door to measure it’s length as he walked through them, he dragged his hand along the bottom of a table to find a cup, he absently groped for chairs, and he used his cane and when it bumped against something he quickly readjusted in a trained instinct. It’s not as if a blind man couldn’t move gracefully, Foggy knew that- but there were little things he also noticed. Things that were so distinctly Matt.
Like that Matt always noticed when someone walked into a room despite them making little to no noise. Or how aware he seemed at all times…Or how specific and determined every one of his movements were- as if he had choreographed it a long time ago and was performing in a well practiced dance. One of Foggy’s particular observations were concerned with the way Matt prepared food.
For instance, at the moment Matt was carefully adding cut vegetables to a pan for them to roast for dinner. His hands worked quickly and efficiently in tight controlled movements. Matt had apparently earned hefty compensation for his work for the coven recently, and they put a lot of their money down to move into better student housing…one with an open floor plan (they still slept in the same room) but a fairly decent kitchen. They were done with their first year and both agreed that they needed a better place to stay for the summer, and thought staying together would be the best possible course of action.
Foggy had originally thought about moving in with Marci, but couldn’t bring himself to mention it to her or Matt. Instead, he decided he would wait until Marci asked him herself- then maybe he’d break the news to Matt. Foggy’s relationship with Marci had been less intense now that he knew she wouldn’t have children. They both silently acknowledged that the official relationship wouldn’t last much longer and neither of them would commit to anything as far as marriage, but at the moment they went well together in spite of everything. The sex was great, at least.
Foggy went back to staring at Matt as he worked- Matt didn’t look down, but he tilted his head ever so slightly and ran his hand on the bottom of their counter to a salt shaker. He gripped it and lifted it up toward Foggy and asked whether he was holding salt. Foggy hummed a positive 'mhm' and Matt nodded. He poured some into his hand and flicked a minimal amount onto the pan with a quick turn of his wrist. Foggy knew Matt hated over seasoned food- and took note to add some more salt and seasonings to his own dish when they ate.
“Hey, Matt,” Foggy said as he finally went back to his work chopping the chicken. It was Foggy who handled the sharp things. Despite the fact that Matt insisted he was perfectly capable, Foggy had a brief nightmare that Matt would cut off his finger or something. He was good at handling knives anyway, his mother did want him to be a butcher. “Have you ever taken dance lessons? Or martial arts or something?”
Foggy noticed when Matt froze awkwardly over the pan and turned his head toward Foggy. “Not exactly,” Matt said slowly. “Why?”
Foggy didn’t know how to take that vague response. Matt was always good at those. “Well,” Foggy started. “You kind of move like a dancer, or a fighter? I don’t know… you’re just graceful? Sorry- that came out weird…You move like my sister does. God that’s even worse.”
“Your… sister?” Matt had that smirk. The one that would probably make everybody else think he was an arrogant prick- but made Foggy melt.
“Oh shut up,” Foggy smiled. “My little sister Candace- she’s taken ballet lessons for years and she has a precise way about her, you know?” Foggy rubbed the back of his neck, “Like how only people who have been taught how to train their body have? You have that precise quality.” He waved his hand in an odd chopping movement as he spoke.
Matt nodded. “Well, my dad taught me a little bit about how to fight when I was younger,” he proceeded carefully. “And there was a lot of therapy after I lost my sight. They taught me how to move around a room, my cane, how to adjust myself in space and make a picture around me,” he got a far off look, furrowed his brow and then shook his head. “So I’m thinking about how I move all the time. What’s happening around me. I have to.”
Foggy hummed and spoke up again. “You sure you don’t dance, Murdock?” Foggy asked with a curious lilt to his voice.
Matt laughed. “Two left feet, Nelson. You don’t want to be apprised of my dancing skills,” He continued jokingly.
Foggy smiled and went back to helping prepare the food.
Things were good. After Matt came back with a black eye last semester Foggy had been a bit wary around him, even though he knew Matt hated being treated like an invalid- he couldn’t help but tip toe around the fact that Matt had apparently been assaulted. Even though based on the bruises Foggy saw around Matt’s knuckles he had dished them out a beating, as well. It just didn’t feel normal. Who gets into a fist fight with a blind man?
Then again, Matt wasn’t really normal. He was a Witch, and a pretty powerful one at that apparently. He found this out after having a brief conversation with Marci after he stayed over one day. It was supposed to be a simply dinner and movie, but Marci insisted on having multiple quickies and took a very long time getting ready. Their night went significantly longer then usual and he decided to stay the night. Foggy didn't mind, he thought it was endearing. Marci also had a habit of using a lot of magic, at first he thought that she was the odd one.
“You’re really casual about your magic, you know?” He said as she did her makeup, made breakfast, and prepared her clothing for the day with magic. It was the early morning, he rubbed his eyes to try and make himself feel less sleepy. He stared at the way her dress floated out of the closet and landed softly on the bed.
“Well I have it,” Marci said looking into the mirror to check her progress. A makeup brush was lightly patting her face with a pretty pink tinge. “Why not use it? You act like you’re so surprised. You have a Witch as a roommate for God’s sake.”
“Matt hardly ever uses his magic,” Foggy explained. “Finally seeing all the things you can do with it- it just-” Foggy laughed. “It’s really, really cool. I didn’t know you could do so much with magic. Or that it was even appropriate to use it in a casual setting. I just kind of assumed it was…I don’t know. Rude or something?”
Marci laughed, the high pitched whistly one she reserved for when somebody said something ridiculous. “Rude?” She said. “Absolutely not. All the Witches I know use their magic for everyday life. I don't even think they could get through one day without it.”
Foggy frowned and nodded. “Do you think it’s because Matt can’t use his magic that often? I’ve seen it drain him before,” Foggy thought back to the times Matt came back from his summonings looking like death. “Maybe he’s not as powerful as you are?” He said the last statement softly.
Foggy had learned quite a long time ago that magical people had varying degrees of power. His Witchcraft Law class had taught him that it was a highly controversial matter. This was in the segregation session of his Witchcraft Law class- the Witching community had split those of lesser power with those of higher power and it was still rare for a comparatively ‘weak’ Witch to rise in governmental power. Years of family lines had split the divide even wider over the last decade.
Marci shook her head. “I highly doubt that Foggy,” she said.
“Why?”
“Well, every Witch can detect general levels of power on first meeting, you know that. Your friend is one of the most powerful Witch’s I’ve ever detected. Last person I met who had that much power was the head of the Pennsylvania coven. I’m surprised he’s in Regular’s law school, because with that amount of potential he could work his way up quickly in the Witchcraft community,” she scoffed. “Wasted talent. That’s actually why I came up to you two that first day in class- I thought he was somebody important. Don’t let him know that, though,” she said while pointing a finger at Foggy. “I don’t want him thinking he’s any better than me. I work extremely hard for what I have.”
Foggy doubted Matt would think himself better than anybody, much less Marci, but he didn’t argue. “Is there any reason why he wouldn’t want to use magic?” His mind wandered to whether or not he just didn’t want to use magic around Foggy.
“That’s a question to ask your friend, Foggy. Not me.”
He had to admit she was right…even though he considered Matt his best friend he couldn’t bring himself to ask the guy a lot of questions about himself. They’d only known each other for a year and Foggy became all that Matt had. Which he was reminded of every holiday when he tried to invite Matt over to family gatherings because Matt had no where else to go. He still wanted to introduce his roommate to the Nelson clan- and he would insist next holiday no matter how much Matt refused.
Learning more about Matt was also a challenge because he’s a master of evasion. Every personal question about his past was avoided with a dodge, or a vague answer, even stupid puns that Matt liked.
When he finally got the courage to ask Matt why he hardly uses his magic for everyday things like Marci, he does get a vague answer about the man who taught him how to work for the coven. A mentor with a weird name like, Twig, or whatever. Something about how ‘magic was sacred’, ’shouldn’t be used for frivolities’ and ‘comfort is a privilege undeserved’.
Foggy thought that sounded like a load of bullshit and the man must’ve been an asshole to talk like that to a little kid who just lost his dad. Matt just shrugged and hummed lightly when he said he shouldn’t listen to somebody who doesn’t want Matt to live happily.
After a series of conversations regarding why Matt always bought the cheapest thing on the menu, never bought new clothes, hardly used magic for himself, and refused to acknowledge he thought his detergent smelt horrible… Foggy essentially came to a realization:
Matt didn’t like himself enough to give into nice things.
It was as simple as that. Whether it was all that pent up Catholic guilt, or his fucked up mentor, or those damned nuns- Foggy couldn’t bring himself to care what made Matt how he was…He just wanted to change it.
Thus Foggy set himself on a mission to make Matt’s life as comfortable as possible.
First off, he replaced all the detergent in their humble abode with unscented organic fancy detergent.
Matt noticed after laundry day when took a deep breath of his t-shirt.
(“Is this new soap?” “It was on sale.”)
Foggy also took note of Matt’s nightmares. The man woke up screaming on more than one occasion throwing the sheets of his body, and he also cringed every time he wrapped himself in them. It took a while for Foggy to figure out how to make the situation better- but after a brief comment from Matt about ‘scratchy’ sheets Foggy went out and bought the silkiest shit possible.
Goddamn those things were heaven.
He replaced the sheets on both their beds.
(“I hope you don’t mind the change Matt, it was on sale.”)
He didn’t really care how much it broke his wallet, because he could tell Matt slept sounder every night because of it- even if the nightmares didn’t go away…just seeing Matt wake up startled and then instead of throwing the sheets, sigh into the bed and wrap himself like a burrito. Well, Foggy would give anything to keep it that way.
It also became his personal journey to slowly replace all the artificial food in their apartment with fresh fruit, vegetables, handcrafted German beer and Trader Joe’s organic shit. Foggy actually recalled enjoying the homemade pastries a hell of a lot, and saw this as a gift to himself, as well.
(“Did you taste this yet, Matt? Holy shit. It was on sale, too.”)
After Foggy showed up one day with new feather pillows, and soft clothes for both him and Matt- it seemed like his roommate couldn’t keep his mouth shut anymore.
“Don’t tell me those were both ‘on sale’ too, Foggy. This is getting ridiculous,” he rubbed his hands over the cashmere sweater Foggy handed him. “These must have cost you a fortune! How did you even know my size?”
“If I took the liberty to rummage in your military grade organized drawers and find your size, well, then you have no right to complain,” Foggy said happily as he placed the pillows on both their beds.
“Foggy. Why-” Matt blinked rapidly and Foggy couldn’t exactly tell under the glasses, but he could detect a hint of moisture in the corners of Matt’s eyes. “First the detergent, then the sheets…and the food. Now this? These are all my- are you doing this for me, Foggy?” Matt’s voice cracked and Foggy went by his side in an instant.
“Buddy. Pal. I’m not just doing this for you, I’m doing this for both of us. We both deserve nice things don’t we? Even if you’re stubborn as hell and don’t like to get nice things for yourself.” Foggy placed a hand gently on Matt’s back.
Matt nodded and took a deep breath to steady himself. “You have to stop buying the detergent, and the food- and…look I’ll do some things okay? Don’t throw away your money because of me.”
“I’m not letting you violently crinkle your nose at me anymore, Murdock. That detergent is staying.”
"You don’t need to buy it, Foggy. I’ll just-” Matt dropped his head, “I’ll just use my magic.”
“Talk about not doing things. Matt, you hate using your magic, I’m not doing that to you.”
Matt frowned. “I don’t hate using my magic, Foggy. You wouldn’t be doing anything to me. I just thought my magic made you nervous.”
Foggy blinked. “Nervous? Matt, I’m always a slut for magic.” Foggy blushed violently when he realized what he just said and Matt laughed out loud. “That’s not what I meant, I just really love magic, okay? It never gets old.”
“My magic is pretty intense, Fog.”
“Yeah, cut the shit. I get it. You’re a crazy powerful Witch…you’re not gonna scare me Matt.”
Matt stopped palming in the cashmere sweater in his hands and tilted his head. “Why would you think I was a powerful?”
“Marci might've mentioned that’s why she came up to you the first day of Witchcraft Law,” Foggy said casually. “Seriously though, Matt. You don’t need to keep anything from me, or deprive yourself of nice things and let yourself suffer for the sake of some weird self-flagellation Catholic church mumbo-jumbo.”
“I don’t let myself suffer,” Matt argued, but the fight just wasn’t present in his voice.
“Says the man who wouldn’t tell me that my new cologne gave him horrible headaches.”
Matt shrugged and went back to palming the sweater, “Thank you, Foggy.”
“It’s just what friends are for, Matt.”
Things became exceedingly interesting after that. Matt just kind of opened up, completely, like some kind of magical blooming flower. His magic was palpable in the air when Foggy came to the apartment, and the dishes were done for them, as were the clothes and everything smelt wonderful- and things were always cozy and amazing.
Not only that, but Foggy’s food always seemed to taste exactly how he liked it and Matt looked healthier. He also knew that Matt started going to the gym, eating more and gaining his weight in muscle- and Foggy would feel self-consciousness if it weren’t for the fact that Matt was suddenly developing abs…and those arms were a gift to mankind.
Though it seemed like as things got better between him and Matt his relationship with Marci went in the opposite direction. They started to fight over the smallest things and begin to see each other less.
Foggy considered breaking up with her, finally, once and for all.
Then Matt meets this…this woman. They were at a fancy party Foggy’s friend managed to let them into because he was faculty. It was just as they began the new semester, and they both decided it would do them some good to have some time for fun before things got intense later in the year. It was a good time, Matt was going to get the alcohol, he was eating fancy caviar-but then Matt just left. He blew Foggy off and Foggy was thrown out of the venue lost and alone.
Later, Matt explained he met somebody named ‘Elektra’ (What kind of name was Elektra?) and left in an expensive car that wasn’t theirs. That wasn’t theirs! Foggy doesn’t hold back when he tells Matt that leaving him on his own was an asshole move.
Matt’s relationship with Elektra was a whirlwind. He was gone all the time, and when Foggy went to their shared apartment it was no longer warm and magical.
Foggy filled his time with Marci, despite the fact that they continued to fight- but because he wanted somebody to spend time with. Matt was never around, and when he was he acted different, riskier- and when he started to show up with bruises and an odd look in his eyes Foggy doesn’t ask anymore questions.