Looking Forward To This Film And Each Tidbit I See Just Adds To The Anticipation...

Looking forward to this film and each tidbit I see just adds to the anticipation...

POOR THINGS (2023) + Letterboxd Reviews

Positivity Night Shout Out

This is for @withahappyrefrain 's Positivity Night. What a great idea! I hope I did this correctly Abby.

I follow a number of creators and some of them even follow me back! It's been a great experience and so here is some appreciation and good vibes...thanks Abby for doing this!

In no particular order and some with a lil blurb lagniappe as I've gotten to know them. This is long but ya know, I'm not at the Oscars on a time limit so read it or keep scrolling past. Your choice.

@blooming-violets aka @eatbrainsfordinner gave me some great advice when I first joined on how not to get blocked due to blog appearance and has an amazing library of fics that sent me down a rabbit hole. Plus in possession of a side-holding you will fall out of your chair sense of humor. Laughter can give us hope and I know that some of her comment/replies just put me in a better frame of mind.

@liz-allyn whose mob!peter fic Sugar and Vice (all of her work really) just blows me away. If you haven't got Honey, life just isn't sweet at all at all. All her content just radiates emotion. Depth. It's all there.

@webslingingslasher such a talent and so very very kind to everyone. Am enthralled with nerd!peter/frat!peter. I have no clue where the late night sleepover energy comes from though. I am in awe.

@sincericida no one tops her blog for Andrew Garfield content. No one. I check it more frequently than I do the daily news. Could get lost for days with the top tier content. A real sweetheart, too. Always answers asks.

@luvablehand a winsome writer with great imagination. Absolutely love that there is an updated list of WIPs on the blog so I know what is coming.

@periprose Nice blogger and her Peter Parker is adorable. Completed chapter fic Florence is great.

@theradioactivespidergwen aka @she-likesorchids great writer across multiple fandoms and great wit. We share a love of various sandwiches, know that dressing is superior to stuffing, and think sweater weather is amazing. It's glorious.

@reidslovely haunting haunting writing that stays with me. Love our interactions when I have questions about a story/plot/character. Has been writing more mob!peter and I am a member of the mob!peter fan club for life.

@loveroftoomanyfandoms I came for the Peter Parker fics and somehow acquired a Matt Murdock on the hot guy keyfob. Personality shines through on her blog and is such a joy. ((HUGS)) Always love interacting and living vicariously through the 'where is Charlie this week' adventures. (Couple more months and he's going to be eating some mighty fine food in NOLA) Our food chats have been awesome and when food found it's way as the theme in a story, well I cannot say enough about how enjoyable that's been.

@p3mybeloved another great Spider-man fandom creator. Read on here and AO3.

@ficthots writes for the fandom that is number one in my heart (TASM) and LIghtning Bugs makes me cry but it's that good kind of tears.

@delicate-dorothea sweet sweet writing that is addictive to read. Really looking forward to continuing to read and follow.

@backtothefanfiction someone I just started following but wow, am currently enthralled with a multi chapter mob!peter fic (The Angel In The Garden Of Evil) that has blown me away. Been a lot of fun to follow the character arcs and the twists and turns. Love writing essays for this creator when I reblog because the back and forth has been wonderful and enriching. I know the longer series can be so hard to write and maintain but they are a feast when you can find them. I've had a front row seat and am looking forward to more works in the future.

@helloheyhihowdyheya Love her works. Reading Rose Thorn Blues right now, and if asked to pick a fave out of the masterlist of Spider-man fics I'm not sure I could because they're all my babies.

@thursdaygxrls so much imagination in her writing, love it and love all the fics. Am currently following two: Thin Ice and Infrunami.

@withahappyrefrain Abby, whose Peter Parker won me over from the get go and then wrote TGM fics that added more hot male characters to the keyfob. Perfect sense of humor, never afraid to call out haters, and you just glow with sunshine and flowers right when I need it most. Big hugs and a shout out.

Other bloggers reblogging content is how I ran across many of you listed above so readers and content creators: reblog whatever you enjoy because it's really what keeps Tumblr active and engaging. When I'm not writing, I'm enjoying what others create and the inspiration and encouragement and words you share is wonderful and thank you for the effort you put into what you do!

Thank you for the additional intel. One of the best things about Tumblr fanfic is the ability to go back and forth between writers and readers; it adds an extra element of understanding the story they've written and also for the writers to see the different ways in which readers interpret that story.

The Angel In The Garden of Evil | Chapter Sixteen: From Friends to Enemies

Summary: The Vulture crashes Felicia's wake.

Warnings: 18+ Only, genre typical content, wake/funeral, grief, angst, knife, threat, betrayal, complicated marriage

Word Count: 1.7k

A/N: We may be coming to the end of this story but there's room for one more grenade... or should I say pumpkin bomb... This is a slightly shorter chapter but still packs quite the punch with its ending. I hope you enjoy!

SIXTEEN

The moment Peter walked into the Huntsman the energy was palpable. He wondered for a moment if the sudden silence was brought on by his arrival, but as he turned the corner past the central bar to their usual private booth and seating area, it became very clear what was causing the tension. Harry.

He was clearly drunk, his eyes bloodshot, his body swaying back and forth slightly as he squared up to the much taller Hobie. “I’m his right hand man, not you!” Harry spat. “You didn’t even know Felicia.”

“Come on Harry, calm down. Let’s go outside and get some air.” Eddie said, coming up beside the younger man. 

“No!” Harry said as he shrugged him off when Eddie tried to usher him backwards and away from Hobie, who was trying to keep his composure.

“You’re drunk, Osborn. Go take a break before you do something you can’t take back.” Hobie said calmly through a face like thunder.

“Don’t talk to me like you know me, man.” Harry said. “You have no idea what I’ve done. What I’m capable of.”

“Oh really, Osborn.” Ben said, stepping up to stand at Hobie’s side.

“I could take you any day, Reilly.” Harry threatened pushing forward, Eddie quickly reaching a hand out to hold Harry back.

“What the fuck is going on here?!” Peter said commandingly, making everyone stop and stare at him.

“Ahh Parker. It seems Osborn here’s had a bit too much to drink and is getting a little too big for his boots.” Hobie replied.

“If anyone’s stepping in things they shouldn’t and getting too big for their boots it's you!” Harry spat at Hobie.

“HARRY!” Peter said commandingly. “Take a walk and cool off man. We’re all friends here.” He said, placing a hand on his number two’s shoulder. Harry begrudgingly rolled his shoulder out from Peter’s touch but began to back down.

“You’re not my boss.” Harry threw out to Hobie as he began to walk away, his fingers reaching into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes.

“I’ll go make sure he’s okay.” Eddie said to Peter as he followed after Harry.

The moment Harry left the tension dissipated enough for the other patrons and wake attendees to once again begin their chattering. Peter ran an exasperated hand through his hair as he looked to the bar and then back to Hobie. He needed to deal with this but having a drink and checking out was looking more and more appealing by the second. 

“Angel get home okay?” Hobie asked, trying to diffuse the tension and move on.

“Yeah, it's just-” Peter sighed instead of finishing his sentence, his hand with his absentee wedding ring rubbing over his face. Although he’d had a couple pints, Hobie was still vigilant and recognised the sudden absence of the ring, but before he could push Peter about it he was changing the subject. “What the fuck was that all about?” The slightly younger gentleman asked as he used his body language to encourage Hobie to follow him towards the bar. “Whisky.” Peter ordered with the bar man, holding two fingers up as he leaned against the top, before turning back to Hobie.

“I don’t know, Peter man. Dude’s been simmering away in the corner for the last hour and then apparently I said something about Felicia he didn’t like and he snapped.”

“What did you say?” 

“I made a small speech about how important she was to the team and that she’d be missed and he just flipped his lid. There’s something not right about him. Did they have a thing or something?”

“No?” Peter frowned. He was pretty sure nothing had gone on between Harry and Felicia, but knowing how both of them were he wouldn’t have been surprised if they had had a couple hook ups; but there never seemed like there was anything serious between them. 

“I don’t know man. Something’s really got him rattled.” Hobie said as he took his own glass of whisky off the bar top. Peter sighed as he looked down to his own drink, hanging his head in mild defeat. “Anyway man, what’s going on with you? You don’t seem like you’re faring much better? Is it Angel?” Hobie asked.

Peter took a long hit of his drink before he could even look to Hobie to talk about this. “I don’t even know anymore. Miguel says we are better together but…” he sighed once more rubbing a hand across the side of his face, “It never used to be this hard you know.”

“She’s a tough nut.” Hobie said starting to relax, hoping his vibe would rub off on his partner. “Kinda has to be considering everything that's happened to her over the years.”

“Yeah, but she’s just… different now. She’s shooting guns and getting in on interrogations and she’s…” Peter’s words trailed off as he struggled to find the words.

“She’s better than you at it.” Hobie jokes. Peter flashes Hobie a look out of the corner of his eye that wipes the smile on Hobie’s face clean off before it has fully formed.

“Uuuuhhhgg.” Peter groans as he dips his head to try and compose himself again, his hands leaning wide against the bar top. He looks up to the ceiling, willing his control to return but it’s getting harder and harder for him. He’s stuck in a gang war he never wanted, his marriage is completely falling apart, he’s just lost one of his closest friends and now Harry was acting extra rebellious. He threw back the last of his drink, his head turning towards the picture of Felicia placed on top of the bar.  ‘You’d know what to do right now.’ Peter thought to himself as he looked at her.

“It’s gonna be alright man. We’ll get through this, you’ll see.” Hobie tried to reassure him, but before Peter could find hope in Hobie’s words the door to the Huntsman flew open, the shadow of a figure pausing in the doorway for extra effect.

“Sorry man, this is a closed event.” Carl said loudly over to the guy. Instead of heeding the warning, the man stepped further into the bar, the door slamming closed behind him.

Peter and Hobie slowly stepped around the side of the bar to investigate as the bar grew silent in recognition.

“You’ve got some real nerve coming in here.” Hobie threatened as he came face to face with The Vulture.

“Easy does it Luther,” Tommes said, likening Hobie to the gritty fictional British detective, “I just came to pay my respects.”

“I don’t think you can pay respects when you’re the one who butchered her.” Hobie said, stepping up to him, whipping out a pocket knife as he got in Tommes’ face. “Tell me why I shouldn’t carve you up like you did her.” He said, raising the knife to Adrian’s face.

Toomes laughed. “Now if you do that, you won’t hear what I have to say about his lovely wife.”

Peter’s face fell as he stepped forward, a hand outstretched to lower Hobie’s arm away from the Vulture’s face. “You know, she’s quite the little firecracker that one. I see why you married her.” Toomes continues to taunt, not looking away from Hobie until he begins to back away and give him some space again. “Thank you.” He says as he brushes down his clothes as if he’s wiping off Hobie’s energy from him.

“Where is my wife?” Peter says threateningly, that unconscious need to protect her despite everything going on kicking in. “What have you done-”

“Oh I haven’t done anything. She came to me actually. Did you know we’ve been texting?” Adrian taunts as he holds up his phone and gives it a little shake in Peter’s face, causing Peter to bristle. “As for where she is now?... Well the last time I checked I think she was packing up her bags and making a call about a jet. Just thought I’d let you know.”

Hobie’s hands reached out to grab Adrian’s jacket, squaring up to his face, but Peter wasn’t paying attention; he was already moving for the door. He couldn’t let her leave. He couldn’t even begin to start unpacking everything Toomes had said. 

“Miguel, keys!” He commanded when he saw him stood with Eddie having a cigarette. Miguel was taken aback for a moment. “KEYS. NOW!” Peter shouted. Miguel quickly reached into his inside pocket and tossed the keys to him.

“Pete? What’s going on?” Eddie tried to ask. “Pete?!”

Peter ignored them climbing into the drivers seat of the car, starting the engine. He almost caused an accident as he hastily pulled into traffic, tires screeching and horns blaring but he didn’t care, he had to get to her. Had to stop her.

--

Peter didn’t even shut the engine off as he skidded to a stop and immediately got out of the car, the driver's door left wide open as he raced to get into the apartment building. He took the stairs two at a time, not wanting to waste time waiting for the elevator. 

“ANGEL!” He shouted as he burst into the penthouse apartment. “ANGEL!!!” He shouted even louder as he began to race upstairs to the bedroom.

The doors to the bedroom were left wide open. He stopped, spinning in place as he quickly surveyed the room. He noticed certain items were missing and quickly raced to the wardrobe. He froze, his stomach churning as he was met with the sight of the now half empty wardrobe, certain items of clothing still strewn across the floor indicating she had packed hastily. SHIT! He couldn’t just let her leave, not again.

He began to race back out of the room and down the stairs to the open plan living space, his hand racing for his phone as he began to search through his contacts. That’s when he noticed it, her ring next to his on the kitchen counter. He slowly began to walk towards it, his fingers reaching for it when-

“I’m sorry Pete.” Harry’s voice came from behind him before there was a blow to his head and everything went black.

-----------------------------------------

New chapters go live on Wednesdays and Fridays! If you want to be added to the tag list make sure you put it in writing for me. Also if you are enjoying the story don’t forget to tip me like you would your waiter by reblogging and leaving feedback and letting me know what you think!

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Reader, Reader, Reader. Why? This is me after she ran away....

Back to the story...

Chef Matt is finding out all this info about Reader and then when Foggy interrupts HE JUST SAYS, "Here, I'll let you out..." ????????

Matt, you ignorant slut. Step outside with her for a minute. "Thanks again..." What happened to Mr. Mutual Agreement, I'll make time for you, and other charming flirty thoughts to put in her doubting questioning brain so that she...you know... knows that you LIKE her???

Despite Foggy's impeccable unfortunate timing, he does have a valid point or two regarding Matt and love. Glad to know culinary school isn't so different from law school when it comes to cross examination.

Reader just all flustered and full of hope and yet trying so hard to manifest a broken heart. She says she trusts Matt; does she not trust herself? Gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette there girly girl.

Enjoyed flirty!Matt working the charm. Given the conclusion, (darn cliffhanger! I see you author, giggling over your keyboard) maybe he should've started with the mimosas (many of them) and creme brulee instead of the risotto.

Thanks for the update!

Cooking Up Love, Chapter 9

Pairing: Chef!Matt Murdock x F!Journalist!Reader

Rating: T

Story Summary: Here 

Warnings/Tags: Hallmark levels of fluffy, cheesy goodness (and speed that their relationship develops, lol), no use of Y/N, Matt is not a vigilante, idiots in love

Word Count: ~3100

A/N: I'm so excited to share this chapter!!! This was the first scene that popped in my head when I first got the idea for this fic, so I hope y'all enjoy!

As always, thanks to @theradioactivespidergwen for the header!

Tag List: @yarrystyleeza @hailey-murdock @mattkinsella @bellaxgiornata @danzer8705 @chezagnes @shouldbestudying41 @thepunisherfrankcastle @mattmurdocks6thscaleapartment

“Hi,” Matt greeted you with a smile as you stepped inside Daredevil later that evening. “Thanks for coming.”

You smiled back at him. “Thanks for the invite.”

Matt led you to a table near the kitchen. “Here, have a seat.” 

You furrowed your brow in confusion. “I thought I was watching you cook again?”

Matt shook his head as he pulled a chair out for you. “I actually kind of had a different idea for tonight.” 

You sat. “Oh, okay.”

Matt pushed your chair in. “Be right back.”

You waited as Matt left then returned with a pitcher of water and some crackers.

He poured some water into your glass and set the pitcher and crackers down on the table, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a blindfold. 

He fiddled with it, looking somewhat nervous. “Since you said you wanted to get to know me and how I developed my culinary skills I thought we could do a blind tasting… if you’re okay with that.”

Your mind drifted back to the skillful way Matt had handled himself in the kitchen on Saturday and Sunday. You had been impressed at the ease and precision with which he had chopped and diced and flipped and sauteed and had been looking forward to watching him cook again (admittedly not only because his cooking skills were so impressive but so you could check him out without being too obvious about it). Oh well.

You nodded. “Yeah, yeah that’s okay.”

Matt huffed out a breath. "Good. I wasn't sure how you'd feel about being blindfolded."

You shook your head. "I meant it when I said that I trust you, Matt."

A soft smile spread across Matt's face. "I'm glad. And by the way, I promise there's nothing too unusual on the menu tonight."

He handed you the blindfold. "Here, put this on and I'll be right back."

You slipped the blindfold over your eyes as Matt left to go to the kitchen, engulfing yourself in darkness. 

About a minute later, you could hear the door to the kitchen open. “Okay,” Matt said. “Here’s the first course.”

He set a dish down in front of you. "I want you to use your non-visual senses to tell me what this is.”

You fumbled around for a utensil. "Oh, um…"

Matt placed his hand on top of yours then guided you to it. "Sorry, here, let me help you."

Your heart skipped a beat at his warm touch. "Thanks."

"It's no problem."

You grinned. "Apologies in advance if I accidentally make a mess. You might have to wind up feeding me like I'm a small child."

Matt huffed out a laugh. "Would you like me to?"

Your face heated as you pictured Matt sitting right next to you, his thumb caressing your cheek as he guided your utensils to your mouth with his other hand…

You shook your head. "It might wind up coming to that, but I'm going to at least try to feed myself first."

Matt laughed again. "Okay, fair enough."

You carefully reached your free hand in front of you, realizing that there was a small bowl set on top of a plate. You dipped your utensil into the bowl, coming into contact with a porridge-like substance.

You scooped some of it up then raised it to your nose to give it a sniff. 

You nodded approvingly. "Hmm."

"Well?" Matt said. "Describe what you smell."

You thought for a moment. "Well, it smells delicious, for one."

Matt chuckled. "That's good, but be more specific."

You smelled it again. "It smells… salty? Well no, not salty , but like something familiar that's salty, and it's also sort of earthy? Like grassy, but not."

You winced. "I'm sorry, I'm describing this so badly."

"No, no, you're doing great," Matt assured you. "Now give it a taste."

You took a bite, your eyebrows raising in delight at the taste of rice, cheese, and… something . "Is this sweet potato risotto?"

Matt hummed. "No, actually it's butternut squash and saffron, but I get how you'd think it was sweet potato."

You took another bite, now recognizing the salty with which you had described the scent. "With pancetta?"

"Yeah. I've been trying to perfect it but felt like it had been missing something, so tonight I used the leftover pancetta I had on hand to add some extra flavor and texture to the dish."

You nodded. "I really like it."

"So do you think it's menu-worthy?"

You took another bite. "Mmm. Mmhmm, yeah, absolutely."

"Okay, great." Matt took your hand and placed a cracker into it. "Okay, so between courses I want you to eat a cracker and drink some water."

"Okay." You furrowed your brow as you tasted the cracker. "Huh, I guess I was expecting it to taste like a saltine."

Matt chuckled. "Yeah, table crackers actually kind of remind me of Communion wafers. They're pretty flavorless but cleanse the palette so you don't get any flavors confused."

You heard him stand. "I'll be right back with the next dish."

You nodded as he picked up the plate. "Okay."

While Matt was gone, you carefully reached for your glass of water then took a sip. You couldn't even imagine the trauma he had gone through as a child, having to learn to navigate the world without his eyesight.

You felt around the table before setting your glass down, terrified that you would wind up setting it too close to the edge and spilling it -- or worse, dropping it and breaking the glass.

You turned towards the kitchen as the door swung open.

Matt set another dish down in front of you. "Okay, next one."

He handed you a piece of pita bread. "This one's a dip, so go ahead and try it."

You felt for the bowl and dunked the pita bread in, then took a bite.

You made a face then grabbed for your water, taking a big gulp to get rid of the taste. "I'm sorry, but what the hell is that?"

Matt chuckled. "It's beet hummus."

You heard him dip a piece of pita bread and take a bite. "Oh, yeah, no, that's definitely a failed experiment."

You shook your head. "Yeah, sorry, zero out of ten for that one."

Matt handed you another cracker before taking one for himself. "Let me go get rid of this and grab the next one."

He continued bringing out a variety of different dishes for you to try, including an arugula salad with heirloom tomatoes and goat cheese, a parsnip puree that he was considering as a side to the restaurant's steak options, and (your personal favorite) pesto-parmesan linguine.

"Oh my gosh, this is so good," you said as you ate the entire sample. "Eleven out of ten, definitely needs to go on the menu."

Matt chuckled. "Noted."

He stood. "Okay, time for dessert. Let me go finish getting it ready." 

You nodded. "Okay."

A few minutes later Matt returned and set what sounded like a small bowl in front of you before handing you a spoon.

You reached out and picked up what you realized was a ramekin, then inhaled the sweet aroma of caramelized sugar. "Mmm. It smells sweet."

You poked your spoon into it, the metal breaking through a solid crust into a custard-like concoction.

You took a bite, the flavors that were marrying on your tongue unlike anything else you had ever tasted. "Is this cremé bruleé?"

Matt hummed in the affirmative. "My own take on it, yes. Can you tell me what you taste?"

You nodded. "I can taste the caramelized sugar, of course, and a vanilla custard, but there's something else…" You took another bite. "It's definitely something citrusy… orange?"

"Yes, blood orange, to be exact." Matt guided your hand to a champagne flute. "I'm thinking about pairing it with a blood orange mimosa."

You took a sip of the mimosa. "Oh, wow."

"Good, huh?"

"Mmhmm." You took another bite of the cremé bruleé. "This is wonderful, Matt. It might even replace your tiramisu as my favorite dessert."

Matt huffed out a laugh. "Well damn, just when I thought I had someone to do a final taste-test of my tiramisu before I put it on the menu."

You shook your head. "Oh I'm definitely still willing to do that, this is just amazing too."

"Good, because I added a new ingredient and I want to see if it made a difference in the taste."

You smiled. "You know, you're spoiling me with all this gourmet food. Too bad I'd never be able to afford to hire you as my own private chef."

Matt huffed out a laugh. "Oh, I think we'd be able to come to some sort of… mutual agreement."

Your face heated. It was getting harder and harder to not misconstrue Matt's jokes as flirting, especially after Skyler had planted that seed of hope within you… and Kelsie a seed of doubt.

Matt stood. "You can go ahead and take the blindfold off, by the way. I'll be right back."

"Okay." You took the blindfold off, then blinked to clear your vision before looking over at Matt.

"Would you like something else to drink?" he asked. "Maybe some more champagne? No sense in letting the bottle go flat."

You nodded. "Sure."

You took a deep breath as he left to go to the kitchen. There was something about Matt that drew you to him (besides the fact that he was exactly your type), so you really hoped that he wouldn't wind up breaking your heart. 

Just a few more days, you thought to yourself. Just a few more days until my article is published, then I can see if this is real.

…Please let this be real.

Matt took a deep breath as he entered the kitchen. He felt an undeniable connection with you, one even stronger than the connection he'd had with -- 

He shook his head. He wasn't going to let her get into his head, not again.

He opened the refrigerator and took the tiramisu out. He was fairly certain that it was ready to be added to the menu based on his own taste-test as he was making it, but he really did want your opinion before making his final decision.

He plated a small piece for you then placed the rest back into the refrigerator before grabbing the bottle of champagne and another glass. Okay, here we go.

He headed back out to the dining area and set the plate of tiramisu on the table before pouring you each a glass of champagne. 

He sat and waited as you took a bite.

"Oh wow," you said, sounding surprised. "I don't know exactly what you added to this, but this is even better than the one you made the other day."

Matt grinned. "I added a splash of Frangelico to the espresso."

"It's delicious."

"So you think it's ready to be added to the menu?"

"Definitely, and please let me know when you do, because I'll be here right when you open so I can order both that and the pesto-parmesean linguine."

Matt chuckled. "I'll have it ready for you when you arrive."

You hummed. "Will you bring it out to me yourself so I can say hi?"

Matt nodded. "If you'd like."

"Yeah, I'd really like that -- if you'd have time and weren't busy, of course."

Matt shook his head. "I'd definitely make time for you."

He paused as your heartbeat picked up slightly. "Hey, um, can I ask you a question?"

You took a sip of champagne. "Sure," you replied.

Matt bit his lip. "I was wondering, um… what do you look like?"

"Oh," you said in slight surprise. "Oh, um…"

Matt quickly shook his head. "It's just… I have this blank picture of you in my head, so I've been curious, you know?"

You made a thoughtful sound. "That must be odd, not knowing what anyone looks like. Especially friends and loved ones."

Matt shrugged. "It can be, but I can at least imagine what people look like based on physical descriptions. And I can more accurately picture someone if I've touched them -- you know, if I've hugged them I can determine their body type or if I've felt their facial features I can put together an idea of their face shape."

You let out a light laugh. "I bet that makes dating interesting. 'Hi, yes, nice to meet you. Do you mind if I touch your face to make sure you're not hideous'?"

Matt chuckled. "I know it sounds cliché, but personality obviously really is the most important trait in a woman for me. The face touching usually comes later, although it's admittedly been a while since I've gotten to that stage. Kind of hard to meet someone I'm interested in when I'm always working." 

He paused and took a sip of his own glass of champagne. "What about you? Are you seeing anyone?"

"No, not at the moment," you replied. "Although the last woman I did a feature on kept trying to hook me up with her grandson."

Matt chuckled, relieved that he had been right in his assumption that you were currently single. "But you weren't interested?"

"Nah, he wasn't my type."

"Oh? And what is your type?" Hopefully dark-haired chefs. 

You hummed. "Honestly, just someone I can connect with, someone who understands me and is willing to put in the work to make a relationship equal. Someone I can build a life with, who I can trust and who will trust me in return."

Matt nodded. "Yeah, I get that."

You cleared your throat. "So about what I look like -- well…"

Matt listened intently, putting together a mental picture of you based on your description and the few hugs you had shared.

"So," you concluded, "did I describe myself well enough for you to picture me? Because I, um, I wouldn't mind if you wanted to feel my face too. You know, for accuracy."

Matt's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's fine."

Matt nodded. "Okay then. Um, I'll have to get really close to you so I can reach you."

He heard you get up and move your chair over. "Like this?"

Matt brushed his hand along your shoulder, judging the distance. "Yeah, that's good."

He swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous. "Ready?"

"Mmhmm."

Matt reached out once again, his hand bumping into your nose. "Shit, I'm so sorry, I --"

"Oh, no, no, it's okay," you replied. "I'm fine, I promise."

Matt shook his head. "Do you mind if I…" 

He waved vaguely up at his glasses. "If I can at least see your silhouette I can better judge exactly how far you are from me."

"Oh, no, go ahead."

Matt took his glasses off and set them onto the table. 

"You, um, you have very pretty eyes, by the way," you said somewhat shyly.

Matt couldn't help but smile. "Thanks. I bet yours are very pretty too." Just like the rest of you.

He reached out once again. "May I?"

You made a sound of affirmation. "Yeah, go ahead."

Matt tentatively traced his fingertips across your hairline, raising his other hand as well once he was sure he wasn't going to accidentally knock you in the face again.

He began to build a mental picture of you as he traced along your forehead, down your temples and across your eyes, down the bridge of your nose and across your cheeks down to your chin.

I was right, he thought as he brushed his thumb across your lips. "You're beautiful. "

You sucked in a quiet gasp of breath.

Matt's eyes flicked down towards your mouth. It would be so easy to kiss you, to taste the champagne on your lips.

He leaned in to close the gap, your name a whisper in the air.

"Hey, Matt, I saw the lights were on and --"

Suddenly you jumped back as Foggy entered the dining area from the kitchen.

Foggy froze. "I'm -- I am so sorry, I'm clearly interrupting something, I'll just go --"

"No!" you exclaimed. "Um, no, I was -- I was just leaving."

You grabbed your phone and bag. "Um, thanks for dinner, Matt. I'll let you know if I have any other questions for my article."

Matt sighed as you hurried towards the seating area. Shit. "Here, I'll let you out."

He put his glasses back on and followed you to the door, unlocking then opening it for you. "Thanks again for coming tonight."

"Sure. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

Matt nodded. "Okay."

He locked the door behind you and turned back towards Foggy, who was fidgeting nervously.

"Shit, I am so sorry, Matt," Foggy said. "I figured you were working on perfecting those new recipes for the menu, I had no idea you were on a --"

Matt shook his head. "No, no it's -- it's fine. That was -- that was nothing."

Foggy let out an awkward chuckle. "That didn't look like 'nothing' to me, that looked like you were about to get your mack on."

"No, we were just --" Matt let out a frustrated growl. "Just drop it, okay? It's not like it would've worked out anyway." 

"And why not?"

"Because she's -- because it just wouldn't, okay?"

Foggy let out a groan. "You know, you're a damn good chef but you're absolutely terrible when it comes to love."

Matt snorted. "Says the man who's been single since Marci dumped you back in culinary school."

"Uh-huh. This is not about me, Matt, this is about you . I know Elektra screwed you over but that doesn't mean that every woman who also happens to be a journalist will." Foggy's demeanor softened. "Come on, Matty, admit it. You've got feelings for her, don't you?"

Matt sighed. He could hear your nervous heartbeat fading away the further you got from the restaurant. "Yeah, I do. I really, really like her, Fog." 

Foggy let out a delighted gasp. "I knew it!"

Matt shook his head. "I thought she felt the same way about me, but obviously I was wrong. I mean, you saw how fast she ran out of here after I tried to kiss her."

Foggy hissed in a breath. "Again, I'm really sorry about interrupting that, dude."

Matt shook his head. "It's okay, you didn't know she was even here."

He moved your chair back to its rightful place, his stomach twisting at the memory of how quickly you had lunged away from him. 

He sighed. "Come on, since you're here you can at least taste everything then help me clean up."

So happy to hear that!!!!!!!!!

As you can tell, I've enjoyed the extra attention you've written into the characters--what they're thinking, feeling, and that they have flaws and make mistakes and yet it flows well with the plot. You've kept the essence of Peter Parker and made it unique to your style. I look forward to reading whatever you've got planned. Plus, for the above story, I am intrigued--it's a fascinating era.

This Friday Fic Rec is one for those of you who like to....linger...over a story kinda like the lingering looks those big brown doe eyes above are giving you. A multi chapter story featuring mob!peter parker and an OC with a twist. Love and loss and learning how to communicate are not easy things, but with a longer story, there's time for everyone to figure it out...and the best part is the story still continues. Read @backtothefanfiction 's The Angel In The Garden Of Evil as it joins some of the other fantastic mob!peter fics currently in the fanfic library.

The Angel In The Garden Of Evil (fic contains mature content)

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