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[He straightens the strap on his messenger bag with his free hand. Glasses hide his eyes but his face is set in a serene expression. Dare he say savoring. Because that's what he wants to do in moments like this. Drink it in and deeply. All the time before he felt thirsty for this kind of honest and real acceptance.]

You have a gift with words, Karen Page.

[ Once she's close enough, she reaches forward to give his tie a little tug, ]

I could say the same about you.

[ And while the touch on his tie lingers, she lets it go and opens the door to the office, ]

C'mon. Food awaits.

[ And she goes through, passing the door off to him. ]

[Not even really touching him and he is enchanted with her willingness to reach out to him. He smiles and steps out the door, holding it open a moment before finding the keys in his pocket.]

...wanna take a cab? My treat.

[No rain to walk in, just a simple luxury of arriving. And a chance for Matt to be in her presence and welcome distraction.]

[ She goes through and waits for him on the other side, looking back to him, ]

Are you sure?

[ Normally, she would offer to lock the door for him. But now she watches him to it himself and still smiles. She can't be mad about it anymore. Not after the miracles that have happened. Matt was a walking one, in a lot of ways. She knew that now. ]

Yes, yes I'm sure.

[Door shut and locked he come back to her and with still a little hesitance, reaches for her arm. Like they had so many times before.]

Conserves our energy. And leaves the stroll for later.

[Walker he may be he wants to spend the most time with Karen.]

[ Karen smiles more at that, giving a nod as she gives him her arm. He has to keep up appearances, too. ]

Sounds like a plan.

[ Her words come out soft, fond. It's only as they walk and leave the building that it really sinks in how much she's missed this. It's not just Matt basking in the wave of acceptance. He finally knew all her dark secrets and still... he made her feel special.

They hail the cab and the silence between them is comfortable, Karen bumping her knee with Matt as the driver takes off after she gave him the address to the burger place. She wants to take his hand but maybe that's too fast for them right now. ]

[Appearances of blindness yes, he knows what damage he had caused. Trust and care that Foggy have given to him when he was at his lowest, when he lashed out and didn't deserve it. They are still his friends. And it's humbling. Though what else is grace supposed to feel like?

Before he can get lost in his own head at the cab experience her knee bumps his. Matt's lips curl and his head tilts down as he bumps right back.]

Do they actually sell rum at your fabled burger place? I was sold with or without it.

[The promise of her company was the real lure.]

[ She nods, ]

They do. Also got beer on tap but not much else. Their food more than makes up for it, though.

[ Another gentle knee bump -- where her knee stays pressed against his. The contact isn't the same as holding his hand but it's good enough to test the waters. ]

Your tastes on everything but coffee are second to none.

[Their one and only date at the Indian restaurant as one example that comes to mind. Another that delicious stew. And each and every pastry or good that was not payment those struggling days of Nelson and Murdock. That time feels so long ago.

The bump takes him back to the present. Another bump, softer, slower and with purpose because he wants this. He wants Karen the way people want a better life or stability.]

Thanks for reminding me to call it quits. I probably would have made a meal of the Quest bar.

[Which...has been on his desk as a suggestion by Karen to ingest a thing or two every once and awhile.]

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