Blind Date in Hell’s Kitchen.
Matt Murdock x M!Reader
(All photos and gifs are all not mine, and provided by Pinterest, and all credit goes to those o/p’s)
a/n: okay so… this is such an old account and I literally never wrote another and now I just started Daredevil, in my journey through the MCU, and he’s officially my super boyfriend. I needed to write something to get it out of my system, so… heres that, this is the first short thing i’ve ever actually finished 😭
Oh, also. I only JUST started watching daredevil. only made it to episode 5 of season one this morning so… be kind if I’m just yapping, and maybe more parts to come…
synopsis: Foggy sets Matt up on a blind date to get his mind off a particularly overwhelming case. Reader uses he/him pronouns and is flavored as a journalist friend of Foggy.
cw: Nothing but a fluffy little fic I couldn't get out of my head, and obligatory ‘i didn't proof-read’
words: >2K
“Matt, come on, just one night. If you never want to see them again, you don’t have to—and by see—”
“Yeah, yeah, Foggy, I get it,” Matt interrupted, exasperating, running his fingers through his hair. He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under him. His hand rested on his cheek as if the weight of the conversation—and their current caseload—were dragging him down. The only light in the office came from his desk lamp, casting a warm but lonely glow on the scattered papers.
“Is this seriously the time?” he added, motioning vaguely toward the chaotic stacks of documents that seemed to multiply every time he looked away.
Foggy crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe with confidence that only came from years of friendship. “Exactly the time,” he said firmly. “You’ve been working yourself into the ground, Matt. And don’t think I haven’t noticed the dark circles under your eyes or that you’ve skipped two meals today.”
Matt gave a noncommittal grunt, his jaw tightening. He couldn’t argue with Foggy’s observations—his senses made him painfully aware of his physical state. But that didn’t mean he had time for distractions, not when Nelson & Murdock was drowning in cases, and Hell’s Kitchen was always one step away from erupting into chaos.
“Look,” Foggy continued, softening his tone. “You’ve been running yourself ragged, man. You deserve one night where you’re just… Matt. Not the some big shot lawyer, right?” He teased playfully. “Just a guy meeting another guy for dinner. In the worst-case scenario, it’s awkward, and you never do it again. Best case scenario…” He shrugged. “You meet someone who makes you happy.”
Matt’s lips twitched into a small, reluctant smile. Foggy had always been the optimist between them, who could find a silver lining in the darkest cloud. With a teasing lilt to his voice, Matt raised an eyebrow and asked, “And you’re absolutely certain this guy isn’t just someone you dragged in off the street?” His tone held a mix of playful skepticism.
Foggy laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Of course not. I’ve got standards for you. He’s a friend of a friend. Great guy. Thoughtful, smart, funny. And—bonus—he already knows who you are.”
Matt’s brow furrowed slightly. “Knows who I am?” he repeated cautiously.
”He hasn't had the… pleasure to meet you personally yet, but he’s seen some of your work in the papers,” Foggy clarified quickly. “Just… be Matt Murdock. But… I might’ve hyped you up a little, though. Sorry about that.”
Matt sighed, but there was no malice in it. If he was honest with himself, the idea of a quiet dinner with someone who didn’t expect anything from him—no legal advice or superheroics—was more tempting than he wanted to admit. “Fine,” he said at last, shaking his head. “But if this goes south, I’m blaming you.”
“Deal.” Foggy grinned, already pulling his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll text him that you’re in. You won’t regret this, Matt, I promise.”
—————————————————————————————————————
Later That Evening
Matt adjusted his tie for what felt like the hundredth time, his fingers brushing against the smooth silk. He stood outside the small, cozy restaurant Foggy had chosen for the date, the warm sounds of conversation and clinking silverware drifting out every time the door opened. His heightened senses picked up the faint scent of spices and fresh bread, mingling with the crisp winter air.
“Okay,” he murmured to himself, taking a steadying breath. “Just dinner. No big deal.”
He stepped inside, his cane tapping lightly against the floor as he navigated toward the host stand. Before he could introduce himself, a soft voice spoke from nearby. “Matt?”
He turned toward the sound, his sharp ears picking up the nervous energy behind it. “Yeah,” he said, offering a polite smile. “That’s me.”
“I’m Y/N,” the man said, stepping closer. His voice was warm, tinged with curiosity and a touch of humor. “It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”
Matt chuckled, already feeling some of his tension ease. “That makes two of us, then.”
You hesitated momentarily, then said, “Do you want to sit? Our table’s just over here.”
Matt nodded, allowing you to guide him to the table. As they settled in, Matt found himself relaxing more than he expected. The conversation started easily enough—introductions and small talk—but it quickly delved deeper, flowing with a natural rhythm that surprised him.
Matt forgot about the cases waiting for him back at the office for the first time in what felt like ages. Instead, he focused on the way your voice shifted when he was excited, the steady beat of his heart when he laughed, and how he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know Matt—not the lawyer, not the vigilante, but just Matt.
As the evening wore on, Matt found himself smiling more than he had in weeks. Maybe Foggy was right, he thought. Perhaps this was precisely what he needed.
—————————————————————————————————————
After Dinner
The cold air of Hell’s Kitchen nipped at their faces as Matt and his date stepped out of the restaurant, both of them still chuckling from a joke about the overly elaborate dessert menu. The streetlights cast soft amber halos on the sidewalk, and the hum of the city surrounded them, a symphony of distant traffic, muffled conversations, and the occasional bark of a dog.
“I can’t believe you actually argued with the waiter about the cheesecake,” Matt said, a smile tugging at his lips.
“That wasn’t arguing,” you protested, gripping Matt’s forearm lightly as you strolled. “It was clarifying. It’s not my fault they didn’t list the toppings. That’s basic menu etiquette. And… what if i was allergic or something!”
Matt laughed, his breath clouding in the chilly air. “Well, you made quite the impression.”
“Oh, please,” you said with mock indignation. “He was totally charmed. You could tell by the way he kept refilling my water without me asking.”
“Is that your measure for charm?” Matt teased.
“Absolutely,” he replied, grinning. “Speaking of charm... You’ve been holding out on me, Murdock. This neighborhood is incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever been to this part of the city before.”
Matt tilted his head, his lips curving into a soft smile. “It’s not much to look at,” he said, his voice low and thoughtful, “but it’s home. Let me show you around before you head back. There are a few spots I think you’d like.”
He hesitated only for a moment before nodding, his hand sliding from Matt’s forearm to his elbow in an easy, natural gesture. “Lead the way, tour guide.”
They strolled through the winding streets of Hell’s Kitchen, Matt navigating with a confidence that left the journalist quietly impressed. The city felt quieter here, less overwhelming than the bustling avenues he was used to.
“That diner over there,” Matt said, nodding toward a small building with a faded neon sign, “has the best coffee in the neighborhood. Foggy and I used to come here after late-night study sessions back in law school. Pretty sure half our grades were fueled by their bottomless cup policy.”
He laughed, imagining a younger Matt and Foggy, bleary-eyed but determined. “Do they still do bottomless cups?”
“They do,” Matt confirmed. “But the coffee tastes better when you’re sleep-deprived and broke.”
"Well, lucky for me, I happen to be both of those things more often than not!" The young man quipped, a playful grin spreading across his face, only half-kidding.
As they walked further, Matt gestured toward a tiny bookstore tucked between two larger buildings. Its sign was nearly illegible, the letters worn and faded. “That’s Marleen’s”
Matt chuckled softly, his hand brushing over the top of his cane as they slowed their pace. “It’s not much of a story, really, but…” he said. “Marleen’s been here forever—one of those places you only find if you’re looking for it. She sells rare books, first editions, that sort of thing. And she’s got this Braille copy of To Kill a Mockingbird that she swears she keeps just for me.”
The young journalist tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “Let me guess—you’ve read it a dozen times, and she won’t let you refuse it.”
Matt grinned. “Something like that. Marleen one of the good ones. She has this way of making everyone who walks through her door feel like they belong, even if they’ve never stepped foot in the neighborhood before.”
They lingered a moment longer outside the shop, the young man’s gaze flicking over the dimly lit windows as if trying to see through the mystery Matt had painted. “This place sounds like something out of a novel,” he said, his voice soft with a kind of wonder.
“It kind of is,” Matt replied, his tone fond. “Hell’s Kitchen has its rough edges, but it’s got a heartbeat. Places like Marleens’ keep it alive.”
He looked back at Matt, his grip on his elbow tightening slightly. “You’ve got a real love for this place, don’t you?”
Matt turned his head slightly, as if listening to the city itself. “I do,” he said quietly. “It’s not perfect, but it’s... real. It’s my city.”
They stood there for a beat longer before Matt gently shifted the conversation. “Come on,” he said, his tone lighter now. “There’s one more spot I want to show you before we call it a night.”
The journalist smiled, falling into step beside him again. “Lead the way, Murdock. This is turning into the best after-dinner tour I’ve ever had.”
Matt laughed softly, and together they disappeared down the street, the city buzzing quietly around them.
THANK YOU FOR READING~