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A Saved Dance

Karedevil One-shot

Premise: AU in which anguished teenage Matt Murdock finds himself in Vermont and unexpectedly bonds with a girl he saves named Karen Page.

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Vermont, it seemed like a good idea at the time. These days Matt Murdock was looking for places to escape. Forget the past. Forget all about the pain entwined with his father’s death and Stick abandoning him. And especially avoid his irritating anomalies thanks to that freak accident when he was ten. Giving him unique heightened senses which only further alienated him from the rest of the world. Matt just didn’t want to deal with it anymore nor stay in New York. Too many memories and harsh realities. And Matt was sick of everyone’s pity over his blindness which never held him back from his academic achievements and his ability to fight like a ninja warrior.

But no matter what he did to fill that void of loneliness, reading, training at his father’s gym, running on rooftops or attending mass at his Catholic church; none of it helped. The only thing Matt could think of at the time was...taking his saved allowance, leaving the orphanage he’d been staying at for six years and hopping the Greyhound out of Hell’s Kitchen. Careful to deflect suspicion that he was a runaway. A skill that came in quite handy during Stick’s teachings. If he could successfully block out nightmares, slept most the way. Never did Matt imagine winding up in Vermont of all places though. It wasn’t even his first choice of destination.

He couldn’t see it the way everyone else did but he did sense its exquisite hi-def details. This place was so much quieter than the noisy filled streets he was used to back in New York. Calmer and more serene despite detecting cows mooing in the distance. Crisp autumn air, maple trees mixed with fresh baked pumpkin pies filled Matt’s lungs whenever he breathed, painting the picture of a humble little farming community. It was peaceful here but Matt had to admit combing the sidewalk with his cane and backpack slung over his shoulder, he missed the darkness he felt back in Hell’s Kitchen. It was easier to be discreet from casual observers whenever he did his rooftop routines. Easier to be alone.

“Hey stop it!” He suddenly heard a girl’s voice cry out in peril. “Give that back!”

Matt had been stalking around town all afternoon until twilight, finding himself parked in front of a chain-linked fence to what he sensed was a school. And judging by the rowdy pop music blasting from building at this late hour, some festivities were taking place. Possibly a themed dance. Not really his scene though he’d never actually been to one and couldn’t help feeling at little curious at the time. That changed the second he heard her voice calling for help, provoking Matt to jump the fence like a super athlete and charging in the direction of the three young assailants.

They were around the corner of the school building,he picked up sounds of fiendish chortles and chatter among the boys. Matt figured this girl’s harassers had stolen something pretty valuable, a hair clip, childishly tossing it back and forth while she attempted to retrieve it. That didn’t go so well. She was pushed down on the ground with a loud THUD! At that moment Matt intervened.

“Hey!” Matt barbed, tightly grasping his cane. “I think you better leave her alone.”

“Oh and who’s gonna make us?” jeered one of the boys. Matt could tell he was taller and a little bit older than him. Built like a football player. In between taunts the bully paused and Matt’s brows furrowed. Practically feeling this kid’s gawking eyeballs on his white cane. “I’m not into hitting cripples Dude, so take a hike.”

Matt firmly stood his ground. These boys didn’t intimidate him. “Not until you return this girl’s property. Then I’ll leave.”

“Last warning chump, get out of here!”

“You heard what he said this has nothing to do with you!” spat another boy.

“Like I said,” Matt taunted with a dark smirk. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He could hear hands closing into lethal fists. These’s boys were looking to mess with him. “Then I guess it’s your funeral.” One of them growled.

Normally Matt hated getting involved in random altercations, it went against his personal morals but for some reason he just couldn’t ignore this. He could’ve easily taken the high road and just verbally persuaded them to do the right thing. Wouldn’t have had to resort to humiliating these punks; effortlessly countering all their assaults, blocking oncoming punches and reversing each attack impressively with his own. Occasionally using his cane as a weapon. Left, right, he repeated the steps in his mind; maneuvering with the agile and speed of a gymnast. Nonetheless Matt’s intentions weren’t to hurt these boys yet he couldn’t deny the satisfaction it was giving him.

“So do you feel like returning this girl’s property now?” Matt snarled breathlessly, gripping the main boy’s elbow into a backwards hold as the other two kids groaned in pain. “Or do I have to snap your arm?”

“F-FINE! Fine I’ll do it!” he whimpered. “Just don’t hurt me anymore man!”

“Good answer.”

Releasing the punk, he stayed true to his word handing the girl’s hair clip to Matt then he and his buddies resumed to limping off their shame. Matt chuckled in his throat wiping off some blood residue from his mouth, listening as their scurrying footprints faded into a deafening silence. He was alone again...isolated as he’d liked it...well except for a delicate yet rapid beating chest not belonging to him.

“Its alright.” He reassured. “You don’t have to be afraid. They’re gone.”

As Matt went to retrieve his cane off the grass, a sweet voice so weightless like a dove’s feather tickled his ear.

“Thank you.” She said. Matt could’ve sworn his heart stopped and was now in the presence of an angel as vanilla soap and apple permeated his nostrils. Her voice was so pure it shone light through the pitch-blackness. And there was something oddly soothing about this girl’s presence while she slowly approached. “I didn’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t...Timmy and those guys are such jerks.”

Exhaling he nearly forgot to breathe in his response. “Are you okay?”

“Better...now.” Matt didn’t have to assume she nodded saying this. From what he could tell she was two years younger than him, at least thirteen or fourteen yet carried herself quite mature for most girls her age. “Haven’t seen you around town before. You just move here with your folks?”

“Uh..no.” He swallowed bowing his head. “I’m just passing through.”

Strangely enough the girl didn’t press him. “Yah I know the feeling.”

“You do?”

“I feel like escaping sometimes myself.” Said the girl. Just as he thought the conversation would end there she asked. “H-how did you do that anyway?”

Matt was taken aback. “Do what?” Throwing his backpack over his shoulder.

“Where did you learn those moves? That was amazing.”

“Secret.” he grinned handing over the hair clip which she took. No way he was ever going to tell her the blind old man who trained him like an assassin. “I think this belongs to you.”

“Yah its...it was my mom’s.” she confessed, voice going somber as he heard her fingers sweep through her long blond locks. “I wanted to wear it for the dance tonight. Didn’t expect Timmy Atkins to just rip it out of my hair and play hot potato with it.”

Matt perked up. “So you are at a dance.” He guessed right after all. “I figured as much. Seemed a little late for school to be in session.”

The girl laughed politely.

“Oh I definitely think its way past that.” Then she held out her hand. “I’m Karen.”

“Matt.” He reciprocated the handshake gesture.Touch of her skin was soft and warm like silk he didn’t want to let go.Then again it was getting late and he needed to find a place to crash for a while. “Well...I guess I better be going.”

“Wait!” Karen called after him as he turned to leave. “You don’t have to leave. Why don’t you stay, we could...go back into the dance?”

“Nah its not really my thing.” Matt faltered. “Besides I don’t even go to your school and you just met me.”

“Oh...right.”

Matt didn’t need sight to detect the whiff of disappointment in her vocal cords and the beating of her heart. Karen let out a melancholy sigh which in turn prompt him to change his mind. Sure this whole thing seemed a little awkward and he preferred his isolation but for some reason he enjoyed her company.

“I...guess I could stick around a little longer.”

Karen’s body temperature rose delightedly. “Really?”

“Sure why not. I’ve got nothing better to do” Matt verified, balancing his weight on the cane. “What do you suggest?”

“We could...walk over to the gazebo in the garden and talk?” Karen proposed.

“Okay.”

Offering to take his hand, Karen led Matt through the grass back onto the gravel path towards the back of the building. Careful not to trip on her pale blue dress. At first neither of them knew what to say then a conversation started forming. Karen told Matt all about her life in Vermont. Informing him of her friends at school and some of her hobbies. Matt on the other hand was a little hesitant sharing parts of himself in the beginning. When she finally asked about his disability, omitting certain details like his heightened senses, he would explain how he saw things from a different perspective.

He noticed the way she would marvel at him curiously, listening to his voice. It was flattering. Matt felt he’d made his first sincere connection with another person. And it was mutual for Karen. Arriving at the gazebo they sat down on the bench together. However Matt’s heart sank wishing he could see this place the way she did. A magnificent pavilion structure, octagonal shaped arches with dozes of flowers spilling around it according to Karen’s description. Sucking up the sweet aroma Matt depicted the scent of stonecrops, yarrow and daises. The smell of Autumn his favorite season.

When the evening got chillier Matt offered his flannel shirt to Karen. If he'd thought of wearing a jacket he would've preferred to give her that.

“So...where are you going?” Karen queried spontaneously.

Matt turned to her with a baffled expression. “What?”

“You’re carrying around that backpack full of stuff.” she noticed him gripping the bag under one arm. “You must be going someplace.”

He froze and Karen realized she’d gotten too evasive.

“Sorry I didn’t meant to pry.”

“No its fine.” he said uncertainly. “I guess I just...needed to get away for awhile.”

“From your family?”

Matt’s lips tightened in a straight line.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” Karen assured him. Then she hugged her knees to her chest. “Sometimes I wanna disappear to a private island. I use to write stories about it all the time.”

Matt’s head poignantly ticked. “You did?”

“Yah, I really want to be a writer someday. What about you?”

“I going to be lawyer.” he replied confidently, it was the one thing he was sure about. “I’ve been reading law books since I was ten. It’s all I’ve wanted to do.”

“That’s great! I’m sure you’d be good at that.”

“How so?” Matt laughed. “We only just met.”

“Its just a feeling I get...when I’m around you.” Karen smiled gently bumping her shoulder into his. Before she had the chance to say something further a slow song interrupted the calm atmosphere, pouring from outdoor speakers of the school. It was doleful in melody, almost depressing yet Matt knew it. Hearing it once on the radio back at the orphanage. Everything by Lifehouse. “I like this song.”

“It’s okay.” Matt half shrugged.

Then he felt Karen’s body brush passed him as she climbed to her feet.

“Want to dance?” she asked holding out her hand.

His tongue tied. “What right now?”

“Yah I’ve got one last dance saved in me. Want to?”

Matt fumbled in his seat debating whether this was a good idea or not. He didn’t want to tell her he had two left feet let alone he’d never been to a school dance. Sure Matt had graceful rhythm and technique when it came to fighting but when it came to dancing? He floundered. About to decline the gesture when Karen took the decision out of his hands and yanked him up.

“I’m not really good at this.” Matt admitted sluggishly. Glancing downward.

“You don’t need to be.” Karen told him gently, placing his hands at her waist and embracing her’s around his neck. He could hear her heart racing almost in-sync with his. And his cheeks flustered. “All you do is...fall into the music and let go.”

He nodded. Holding her in his arms and they began to sway sideways, occasionally turning in a counter-circle. Matt to his surprised stopped thinking. He didn’t even step on her toes. His focus remained with her. A girl he’d just met but felt like he’d known his whole life. She stared at him hypnotically and subtly moved closer into his space. This made him nervous, mouth parting, but he didn’t resist. Chest to chest, Karen leaned her head against his shoulder closing her eyes.The smell of her hair was so fragrantly rich in vanilla. He could lose himself in that scent if he wasn’t careful. Then unexpectedly Matt’s feet stopped and Karen glanced skyward.

“Is everything okay Matt?” she asked him.

“Its perfect.” he said softly.

KAREN! Karen!

Suddenly the mood spoiled when they heard other girl voices coming from behind them. Startled Karen disengaged herself from Matt’s grasp and spun towards the people calling her name. Apparently she recognized them and probably had to go back. It was her life anyway not his. She was too nice to get wrapped up in his crazy, messed up world. As he listened to her shuffle down the steps towards the voices of her friends, Matt seized the opportunity to grab his things and split from the gazebo. He hated leaving her like this, she deserved an explanation. But being so flaky these days he didn’t have it in him to do so.

Instead he hopped the chain-linked fence and looked over his shoulder one final time.

“Goodbye Karen...thanks for the dance.”

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I can't wait for Matt and Kirsten reunion. Matt has a lot of explanations to do. I hope the writers done it well.

Btw I can't prove it but I know Kirsten already knows but she can't prove it yet as well

#daredevil #karedevil #ddba #ddba s2 #daredevilbornagain #mattmurdock #karenpage #mattandkaren #mcu #kirsten mcduffie #Mattduffie #Kareduffie