𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 - the overcompensating

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𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 the stained-glass windows illuminating the usually cold, dark, and musty room. The colors of the glass danced across the floor as the light hit them and that is exactly what woke Olivia from the deep sleep she had actually managed to get.

With a slight groan of protest at the light that attacked her closed eyes, she clicked her neck and pushed herself to sit up; the book that had been abandoned on her chest fell into her lap with a light thud.

The wolf yawned and rubbed her eyes as they adjusted to the light, picking up the book, she dog-eared the page and placed it lightly on the bedside table that stood between her and Matt's beds.

She pulled the covers off and hung her legs over the bed, her sockless feet jolting as they made contact with the cold floor. The man in the bed in front of her was still asleep and somehow, even with the cuts that marred his skin, he looked peaceful.

Olivia huffed at the sight in envy; wishing she too could still be trapped under the warm covers, but alas, she was awake and she knew that she wouldn't be able to get in any extra minutes.

She stood and stretched her arms above her head and let out a content sigh as each bone clicked. She took her time changing, after all, she didn't have to worry about Matt seeing anything, and even if he could see, she honestly didn't really care. As she pulled the new shirt over her head, Matt shuffled in his bed as he slowly began to wake.

He opened his eyes with a groan as he stretched and Olivia couldn't help but laugh at him. "Morning to you too, sunshine."

He smacked his lips together and blinked a few times before finally responding, in a deep and tired voice, "Morning."

The wolf glanced over her shoulder at the man, catching sight of the goosebumps on his skin as he removed the covers, and knowing that the man was too stubborn to even ask for a jumper, she walked over to her rucksack and pulled out her brother's old jumper; one of many that she had stolen from him.

She zipped up the bag and slowly made her way towards the sink on the other side of the room and as she passed Matt's bed, she threw the jumper at him, it landing in his lap.

He took a moment to fumble with the fabric before slowly pulling it over his head. "Thank you."

Without response, Olivia peered at herself in the smudged mirror that hung above the sink and blinked at the sight of her hair; a bird's nest would have been the most accurate description. But rather than acting like a normal person and grabbing her brush, she simply pulled it back as tightly as she could and secured it with a hairband.

Another yawn escaped her, reminding her of just how tired she was and so she turned on the tap and washed her face with the freezing cold water, exhaling as a shiver was sent down her spine. She grabbed the small towel that hung by the side of the sink and dried her face, though, as she pulled it away an object caught her eye.

On the shelf just below the mirror laid neti-pot, something she had seen her poor uncle Peter use numerous times after either an enemy or someone who was just pissed off with him had thrown a punch towards his nose. Her eyes flickered over to Matt; the man had said that his sense of smell was gone, it couldn't hurt to try?

"Hey, Matt?"

"Yeah?" His hoarse voice called back as his head perked up.

"Come here for a second."

She watched as the man stood, moving his head side to side to rid it of the kinks that had formed in his sleep. Once he was within reach, she stretched out her hand and grasped his wrist, pulling him forward.

With her empty hand, she picked up the small pot and turned the water back on with the back of her hand before proceeding to fill it whilst Matt stayed silent, raising a brow at her.

Once the pot was halfway full, she shut off the water and placed the object in his hand. "You said you can't smell anything; it might help clear your nose?"

Matthew ran his fingers over the object and realized what it was. He let out a breath as his lip twitched, realizing that the wolf may have just found a way to bring at least one of his senses back to him.

Olivia took a step back as she watched the vigilante bring the item up to his nose. He tilted his head and tipped the water into his nostril. After a moment his head flew forward, blood flying out of his nose and mouth and spraying over the once white sink.

The wolf frowned as she watched him choke and splutter, more crimson liquid flowing down his face. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Matt let out another hearty cough before inhaling sharply. Well, it certainly did something. After a few deep and metallic breaths, he leaned forward to turn on the tap, though after less than a second of running his hands under the water he turned it off again and kept his fingers in place.

Olivia narrowed her eyes as Matt kept his fingers on the sink, having absolutely no idea what he was doing. Slowly he brought his hand to the mirror; his fingertips just lightly resting on the glass. As his head tilted to the side the wolf's eyes widened; he could feel something.

"Matt?" She whispered.

"I can feel it." He muttered beneath his breath as he moved his finger to touch an empty glass that rested on the shelf below the mirror. As his finger made contact, he could feel the rumbling of a train in the distance. A small, barely audible gasp left his lips and he slowly crouched down and splayed his hand on the ground, feeling the same rumble that disappeared as his hand lifted. "I can feel the train."

Olivia felt a grin appear on her lips as the man's eyes lit up. "What can I say? I'm a genius."

Matt let out a genuine laugh that was all teeth as he stood to his full height. "I guess I can give it to you this time."

⋆⋆⋆

Just minutes later, Olivia had perched herself on one of the stairs that led to the higher level of the room and watched as Matt ran around the room, barefooted. She was beyond glad that the man's senses were slowly coming back to him but every damn time he got close to one of the statues she was waiting for him to smack into one and fall to the ground, thankfully he didn't.

"What are you doing?" She asked the vigilante as he took a seat next to her and placed a pair of combat boots on a lower step as he slipped into some socks.

"Seeing if I can still feel it through those boots."

"Not one to take anything slow, are you?"

The corner of Matt's lip twitched as he faced her, a smirk on full display as he spoke, "Never."

Olivia blinked and a surprised chuckled left her lips as pushed the man's shoulder. "Matthew!"

The man licked his lips to suppress the smile that grew, enjoying the small moment of banter they were having. He had to admit that he had missed it. He tied the lace of his boot and spoke with false innocence. "What?"

She scoffed in amusement as he hopped up; his mood had brightened immensely and all she could hope for was that it would continue to do so. That his other senses would return and the man could have something to hold on to.

Another thirty or so minutes passed by of the man running back and forth, dodging and weaving around each angel statue with ease. Eventually, he slowed his pace and walked back to the steps, taking a seat as he waited for his breath to return.

"Okay." He started, drawing the wolf's head towards him. "I admit, you are a genius."

She hummed with a nod. "You better not forget that."

"As if you'd let me."

"Well look at that, you know me so well. I'm flattered Matty, really."

"Shut up." He chuckled as he rose to his feet once again, holding out a hand to the wolf who rose a brow. "Like I said, I don't take things slow. It's time to get back in shape.

The woman scoffed as she grabbed his hand and allowed him to pull her up. "Back in shape? Matthew, you're ripped."

"I take it you've been looking."

"I'm gonna punch you."

"You'd punch a blind man?" He spoke with a false gasp, his hand dropping hers and flying towards his heart as a stupid grin pull his lips up.

Olivia paused and blinked at him, watching the smile grow as she shook her head in amusement. "If it's you? One hundred percent."

His laugh rang out, echoing around the bleak room as he gathered some things he could use to work out and build his strength.

⋆⋆⋆

Over an hour later and Olivia was sat cross-legged on the cold tiles of the ground watching as Matt as he continued with his handstand push-ups. He had been working out for almost an hour and not once did Olivia get up and join.

As if feeling her eyes on him, Matt's face lit up with a sly grin. "You're staring."

"What?" Olivia drawled out in a light tone as she trailed her eyes upwards to where his shirt revealed his stomach, "Am I not allowed to appreciate?"

"Oh, so you're appreciating, are you?"

She hummed in response; the corner of her mouth twitching as he chuckled.

He did one more push up before finally lowering himself to the floor with a heavy huff. He panted out a laugh as he gestured to her, "Are you not gonna join?"

"Matthew, I have super strength."

The man rolled his eyes, causing her to narrow her own; well she did. "Right... But the way you fight, those are punches a boxer would throw, I should know."

The woman uncrossed her legs and stretched them out, placing her hands on the cool tiles behind her as she leaned her weight on them. "My brother taught me how to box. Super strength and well-timed punches? Game over."

"Yeah, I remember the punch you threw at Danny."

"Ah." She sighed with a smile as she reminisced. "He was black and blue after that."

He chuckled as he rolled his shoulders and stood, holding out a hand and gesturing for her to take it. "Well, if you know how to box, then we'll box."

And that was exactly how Olivia found herself stuffing a fabric sack with old sheets, pillowcases and whatever else Matt threw to her to make a makeshift punching bag and after ten minutes of filling them, the pair each had their own bags.

"I can't believe you're making me work out, Jessica never made me."

"Well," Matt dragged out as he slung the bag in his grasp over his shoulder and began walking to where he would suspend them. "Jessica's an alcoholic."

The wolf held up a finger as she gaped, trying to think of a plausible argument before letting her hand fall back to her side as she dragged the bag in her other hand along the floor with a light groan. "I don't have an argument for that one."

"I didn't think you would."

"I'm an alcoholic too?"

"You can't get drunk -doesn't count."

She released a heavy sigh -even though she was actually quite looking forward to boxing again- as he took the bag from her hold with a smug grin. "Any cockier Matty and I'll think you're overcompensating."

Once again, Matt was surprised with himself when another loud chuckle escaped him. He had been in such a dark pit when he had first awoken, but just knowing that someone had stayed by his side made it a little brighter. Not everything was solved, his other senses had yet to return and he still had little to show for his efforts of being the Devil of Hell's Kitchen.

The vigilante cleared his throat, breaking himself out of anything thoughts he had as he secured the makeshift equipment. "Ready?"

Olivia scoffed as she steadied her bag. "Oh, please."

"Any cockier Olivia and I'll think you're overcompensating," Matt smirked as he threw his first punch at his bag,

"Well, now I know who to picture when I throw my punches."

⋆⋆⋆

In the midst of their little work out session, Sister Maggie had stormed in, scolding Matt as he threw another punch, but the man didn't listen. Instead, he delved into showing off his regained sense, explaining to the woman about how he could feel each of the subway lines beneath them, how six trains were always vibrating the ground, how he could smell the food in her hand and a bunch of other things that made his eyes spark with determination as he continued to throw his punches.

The Sister had risen a brow and directed her stare to the grinning wolf who actually provided some insight and explained what she and the man had done earlier to uncover his sense's somewhat and not even the nun could hide her proud smile as she listened to Matt's fist continue to punch at the makeshift punching bag

Apparently, Sister Maggie could see his progress and Olivia overheard the nun speaking with Father Lantom about bringing in a professional boxer and when the man had suggested for Olivia to take the stand, the Sister scoffed and steadily reminded the man that the woman was a supernatural being and could punch a hole into a brick wall. That idea was scrapped and the Father eventually gave into the idea of a professional coming in.

Apparently, the Father had friends in many places as the professional they had found, came strolling in not even two hours later.

Olivia made her way over to Matt and helped the man wrap his hands for the upcoming fight. "You think you're ready?"

The vigilante let her do the work and held his hands out for her with a shrug, "Only way to find out, seeing as you suddenly changed your mind about want to punch me."

"Yeah, well, I don't want to break your pretty face."

"Who's breaking who's face?" The Sister spoke up as she walked over to the pair.

Olivia tuned out of their conversation and focused on wrapping his hands the way Derek had once taught her, giving his bicep a small tap once she was finished; gaining a nod of thanks. She held out a hand as Matt pulled his shirt over his head and placed it in her waiting palm.

She then moved to stand next to Sister Maggie as the woman tried to convince the vigilante to wear a helmet, only for him to refuse, that it would 'Throw him off'. The Sister directed her eyes towards the wolf in question and Olivia hesitated for a moment before seeing the look on Matt's face; he truly believed he needed this and who was she to stop him whilst he was ahead.

Olivia gave the Sister a nod and with a defeated sigh, the woman relented. They were joined by Father Lantom and the three watched on as each side began to throw punches. Olivia could tell that Matt allowed the first punches to make contact, allowing for him to get used to the man's strength and agility and within a second, he had thrown his own punch. The man opposite Matt groaned at the contact, not quite expecting the force Matt had put behind the punch.

The two continued on like a well-versed dance, punches thrown and received like a melody before Matt gained the upper hand, threw a few well-timed and forceful punches and Father Lantom called time and split the two.

Whilst the Father attended to their guest, Sister Maggie took a moment to patch Matt up, "It's really something, to see it with my own eyes."

Whilst Matt had won the first round, Olivia could see trouble written on his face and stepped forward. "What's wrong?"

He continued to pant, and shook his head. "Something feels off. It feels like I'm underwater."

Sister Maggie frowned. "Maybe you should stop."

Matt shook his head; how could he stop now? He needed to make sure he could do this. "No, no, no." He muttered before looking in the direction of his opponent, "Ding-Ding! Let's go again!"

⋆⋆⋆

It was safe to say that Olivia had nearly had a heart attack when Matthew's opponent had managed to swing a forceful punch that smacked the side of the vigilante's face. Matt looked disoriented as he fumbled around and Olivia knew that the smack had affected his newly healed hearing.

The next punch that had been delivered to his face sent him to the ground unconscious.

Olivia had been the one to move him to bed and left the room with Sister Maggie to give the man some space once he woke.

So now, there Matthew sat on his bed, legs crossed and his chin resting on his fists as his ears once again buzzed. His head ticked to the side as he noticed the presence of the women.

"You should see the other guy." The Sister joked as she watched Olivia make her way over to her own bed, catching the look the wolf had sent Matthews way; one filled with care and worry. For a werewolf, she certainly hadn't acted monstrous, the Sister had caught herself thinking each time the two vigilantes interacted.

Olivia sat on the edge of her bed as she faced Matt, watching as the man fiddled with his fingers. She carefully reached up to her neck where a piece of string hung and pulled it over her neck, it was the cross Sister Maggie had left.

She clutched the item in her hand, ignoring the stare from the Sister and moved to sit in front of Matt; his head perked up and her light brown eyes locked onto his deep chocolate ones. Her hand slowly rose and she hooked the string around his neck, pausing as his hand grasped her wrist. "Olivia..."

The wolf let a soft smile fall to her lips. "Wear it for us?"

She waited for a moment to see if he would object, but he didn't. In fact, he gave her a small nod and she continued to pull it over his face; tucking the cross that had been warmed by her skin beneath his shirt.

Her eyes rose back to his and she gave his shoulder a light squeeze before directing her attention to the nun that perched where Olivia had previously sat on her own bed.

Matt's head turned towards the Sister as he swallowed, clenching and unclenching his fists. "You've been very kind to me."

"I have, haven't I? And patient. Very, very patient." She spoke as the man let out a small chuckle, one that both women smiled at. "Don't tell anyone. They'll think I've gone soft."

"I don't think there's any danger of that."

The Sister reached out her hand, tilting Matt's head to the side to get a better view of the bloody gash on his forehead.

"I used to sew up my dad." Matthew muttered, solemnly "And your stitches are perfect."

Sister Maggie hummed, telling him that she had had more practice than either of them could imagine. After a moment she lifted herself up and gave the wolf a nod, one Olivia returned with a soft smile, before walking towards the exit.

Olivia watched as the nun slowed, hesitating almost, and turned around with a hopeful look cast towards Matt. "I don't suppose there's any hope you'd come to Mass with me?"

Matt exhaled with a small shake of the head. "Maybe next time."

"I'll hold you to that." Sister Maggie spoke before taking her leave, her footsteps echoing around the mostly empty space as she did.

The two who remained sat in silence before Olivia turned her head away from the direction the nun had left and back towards Matt; her eyes trailing up to the stitched wound on his head along with the bruises littered across the rest of his face. "Does it hurt?"

"It's not great."

Olivia frowned as the man brought a finger to one of his bruises, wincing at the slightest touch. She reached out her hand and clasped it around the one he had held up, bringing it back to his lap. A small breath left her as her veins became black.

"Liv, you don't have to keep doing this, you should heal yourself.", but despite his words, he couldn't deny the relief she gave him whenever the pain faded for a moment or so.

"It's okay. Let me do this."

"What's with you and saving me?"

Olivia grinned, taking advantage of the solemn moment to try and lighten the man's mood. "Can't let a pretty face go to waste, can I."

Matt, despite the black hole of self-deprecation and disappointment he had fallen into let out a small, soft laugh at the women's words. And he honestly couldn't help but wonder if being able to get him to laugh was another supernatural perk, or just her.

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14-08-2020