( he can feel the slight race in her heartbeat at his touch, though it's less from pain and discomfort than it is surprise. he probably could have just asked without checking, let her answer over checking the binds himself. Matt's not really that kind of guy, though — and of all people, he's not shy with Elektra. he's had his hands all over every inch of her body, touching a bare spot on her back doesn't even seem remarkable with all the familiarity they have between them.
Matt doesn't respond, just finishes winding the bandages around her. the longer he takes, the colder she'll get. he ties it off, pats her side in a mostly unconscious gesture, and then retrieves the robe to put over her shoulders. he's quite clearly starting to feel his exhaustion, just by how slowly he moves, and the look on his face. it's clear Matt is beyond worrying about much else — he held onto exactly enough energy to see Elektra settled and now he's fading, fast.
maybe his exhaustion is a good excuse for what he says next. )
You don't have to go. ( he could make a ton of arguments as to why it's more practical — once she's dressed and starting to warm up, it wouldn't make sense to go back out into the cold. that they're both pushed far past the point of exhaustion, it wouldn't be smart for her to travel back alone. that they've got a better chance of getting warm and staying warm if they share a bed. his head is past the logic of all that, though. he says it because he can already guess that she'll slip away, probably after he's asleep and against better judgment but she'll do it all the same. either because leaving is something she's remarkably good at, or if he's more honest about it, because she thinks it's what he wants.
tonight, it's not what he wants. it hasn't been what he wants for awhile, actually. it's just the first time he's actually vocalized the fact, over keeping his silence and letting her go, when it isn't really what either of them want. )
no subject
Matt doesn't respond, just finishes winding the bandages around her. the longer he takes, the colder she'll get. he ties it off, pats her side in a mostly unconscious gesture, and then retrieves the robe to put over her shoulders. he's quite clearly starting to feel his exhaustion, just by how slowly he moves, and the look on his face. it's clear Matt is beyond worrying about much else — he held onto exactly enough energy to see Elektra settled and now he's fading, fast.
maybe his exhaustion is a good excuse for what he says next. )
You don't have to go. ( he could make a ton of arguments as to why it's more practical — once she's dressed and starting to warm up, it wouldn't make sense to go back out into the cold. that they're both pushed far past the point of exhaustion, it wouldn't be smart for her to travel back alone. that they've got a better chance of getting warm and staying warm if they share a bed. his head is past the logic of all that, though. he says it because he can already guess that she'll slip away, probably after he's asleep and against better judgment but she'll do it all the same. either because leaving is something she's remarkably good at, or if he's more honest about it, because she thinks it's what he wants.
tonight, it's not what he wants. it hasn't been what he wants for awhile, actually. it's just the first time he's actually vocalized the fact, over keeping his silence and letting her go, when it isn't really what either of them want. )