[for Ellen]

[manwithoutfear]

I can actually read the label.

It takes a moment or two to find, granted. Initially, I'm too distracted by the fact that there's a large, leather trunk sitting outside my front door to even think there might be a label. But then, sure enough, my fingers brush up against a small piece of heavy parchment, and the braille reads as plain as day.

To Matt Murdock.

I suppose it is that time of year, isn't it?

Curious as to what's inside -- and fairly confident it isn't a guide dog to go with the laser cane I rarely use -- I slide my thumbs along the seam in search of a latch, coming across a cool brass keyhole with a key stuck inside. Slipping the key into my trouser pocket, I push open the trunk right out on the front porch, and stick my hand in.

Is that--?

"Silk."

A tie. No, wait-- A labelled tie. A small metal tab's been sewn into the back.

Blue, white stripes.

Could it be the Island's actually given me something useful?

Comments

[shewaswarned]

Ellen's inside the hut when he makes his way to the front door, slicing fresh fruit into a bowl, the sleeves of her silk blouse neatly rolled up to her elbows so she doesn't end up trying to get the stain of mango juice out of them later. Zeus, on the other hand, is freshly bathed after a day of swimming and conked out in the next room in a patch of sunlight, feet kicking as he dreams. She tries to get him washed before they come to visit, knowing his presence can often be a little offensive to Matt's strong olfactory senses.

When she doesn't hear anything for a while, she pauses, setting knife down and wiping off her hands before following the way he'd gone to the front of the hut.

"What, did the island give you something good this year?" she asks, squinting down at the trunk.

[manwithoutfear]

I hold up the tie for Ellen to take, my other hand scoping out the rest of the merchandise, for lack of a better word. By touch I can identify what feels like a very fine, light wool, probably a suit of some kind.

"The greatest gift of them all," I say, dryly. "Provided this actually fits, I think it's given me a reprieve from the box from hell."

[shewaswarned]

She knows how much Matt detests the box, and would probably have avoided it altogether if he could have sustained on his current wardrobe alone. With the arrival of this trunk, however, it looks like he might be set for a long time.

"I don't think the island would send you ill-fitting clothes, but then again - " She cuts off as her fingertip runs over the tab in the back, turning it over to look.

"Are they all labelled like this? So you know what you're picking out?"

[manwithoutfear]

"I really hope so," I say, perfectly honest. I've come up with a similar system here, but it's one wholly reliant on the kindness of strangers. After nearly two years of being subject to someone being around to make sure I don't blind anyone else, this gives me a degree of autonomy I haven't had in a while.

I pick up a suit jacket and read the label.

"Blue, wool-silk and linen jacket. That sound right?"

[shewaswarned]

"Hmm." She pretends to think about it for a beat or two, reaching out to touch the jacket itself, thumb swiping across the neatly pressed lapel.

"Feels right to me," she finally murmurs, withdrawing her hand with a small smile. "You should model it for me."

[manwithoutfear]

I chuckle low in my throat and set the jacket back down into the trunk with the rest of it.

"There are better ways to see me naked."

[shewaswarned]

"This is not about getting you naked," she protests, slowly rising up to stand with a hand braced on her hip.

"This is about admiring my handsome boyfriend in a well-fitting suit."

[manwithoutfear]

"...but maybe a tiny bit about seeing me naked?" I tease, feeling for the clasp of the trunk to close it up and bring it inside. Maybe Ellen wants a bit of a show, but I'd prefer not to give one to anyone who happens to walk on by.

"Hold the door for me?"

[shewaswarned]

"Sure, I got it."

She moves to hold the door, propping it open with one hand and stepping to stand behind it slightly so he has the full width of the doorway to move through with the trunk. She closes it once he's inside.

"Where do you think, the bedroom?"