[The expression on Matt's face says what he thinks about not having fresh lemons on hand.]

Sounds like we need to go food shopping.

And they didn't hold me too long. Just enough to tisk over how I looked and share some bread history.

[There's a small, tired smile at her words.]

I'm being an entitled food snob right now, aren't I.

[His mind is aghast at a kitchen without some culinary staples when Kate has clearly survived on her own just fine without them. Hell, even he lived without fresh lemons for a large portion of his life. Sometimes it's good to remember that.

He begins to spread the avocado on the toast and then just dot it with the hot sauce on his end. A little spice went a long way for his tastebuds. Kate's half of the bread he offers her the hot sauce to add as she wants.]

They are sweet. And so proud of their heritage and what they've made here for themselves. I like hearing them talk. If I wasn't so stinky I'd probably have asked them more questions.

My friends being healthy is a big deal to me. I used to argue all the time with...

[His voice trails away then. With Foggy. How many times had Matt chastised his friend for eating junk food? How often had he annoyed Foggy by stopping to savor and indulge in local fresh farmer's market goods? Countless.

Matt shares a small piece of avocado with Lucky before taking a bite himself.]

What if I sometimes brought you single servings of healthy meals? Nothing to go bad and no cooking needed on your part. It's hard for me to cook for just one person, anyway. Win-win with sharing the leftovers.

[It's hard to believe sometimes that a year has passed. A year since Foggy died, a year since Karen left. So much has happened since then, some good and some tragic. He's built a new life for himself, yet in moments like this, the two periods of his life feel blurred. He misses his friends. He's grateful for the friend he still has with him on the sofa. Kate is one of the few people who also had a before and after period that he recognizes.]

I'm serious. It's no trouble. The only other person who sometimes eats at my place is Heather. I always end up making more than I can eat, and I like feeding people. And dogs. I didn't forget that you'll share it with him, too.

I figured adding in the dog would sweeten the deal. Some of what I make is probably all right for him to have.

[It's an added warmth and weight when Kate leans against his side, with Lucky curled up on his other. Matt is an equally tactile person and welcomes it. He figures most of those who reach out in such a manner need it, too. He just rests his head against hers for a moment, a silent acknowledgement that it's fine.]

You're welcome. Thank you for letting me stay here.

I know he's used to a pizza diet but in good conscience I have to give him something without a lot of salt and cheese.

[He lightly strokes Lucky's head, aware of Kate's heartbeat but he politely doesn't make any mention of it. He can't help but notice things about people, but he tries not to pry or make a big deal out of it. The last thing he wants is for his friends to pull away from him because of his abilities.]

I knew I could trust you. I hope you know that you can trust me, too.

I'm glad that we didn't burn our bridge. Well. Not beyond repair, at least.

I like to cook a lot of different things. It's fun to experiment, and I love all different types of cuisine. So it's kind of whatever smells good at the farmer's market is what I take home and try. Just know that vegetables will be involved, and no preservatives.

I wasn't sure if you wanted to hear from me. After I told you about Foggy, neither of us reached out. I thought you might have wanted space. I'm sorry if that was wrong.

And to think I was raised by men. One who definitely never watched Hallmark a day in his life.

[The very thought of Stick though putting on that channel amuses Matt.]

It was a screwed up time for all of us. Just glad that it wasn't screwed up permanently. And even though the city is shit right now, I'm also glad that you're still here. It's going to get better again. It has to.

Fisk wasn't always in office, and he won't always be in office. There are some shitty officials but there are also some good ones, too. The city won't ever be perfect, no, but it can be better than it is now. It does matter that each serial killer is put away, because that does make things safer. Even if it doesn't mean all crime will stop forever.

What we do matters. And the city is worth fighting for, always.

The clothes can sit a minute.

[His gaze, as always, doesn't quite meet her eyes. It falls just short, drifting to the side, but his head is inclined in her direction to show she has his focus. That he hears the change in her tone.]

What is it?

Can I get a little more detail to go with that answer? I was never one who appreciated the Hemmingway style of storytelling.

[A light joke that he hopes might create enough ease for her to talk.]

It's been a very rough year.

[He gently rests a hand on Kate's back, lightly rubbing some warmth into it.]

I won't pretend that I'm not tired, too. That some things have gone to shit in a way that can't be fixed.

I'd just hate to think there's nothing good in your life, too. Some hope of a balance with all the rest.

[Lucky, sensing his human's distress, crawls across Matt's lap to where he can rest his large, furry head on Kate's lap. Matt smiles a little at the dog's gesture. Sometimes it was so simple for a pet and so hard for a human. A lesson to take away when he's feeling less tired.

He's quiet for a moment, letting Kate's words carry the weight they deserve. He won't discount what she's saying or feeling. He gets it, as much as he wants to make it easier for her to bear as a burden.]

I know you can take anything. As you friend though, I don't want you to just survive. I want to make something go right for you if I can. And I want you to know you're not alone when things do go wrong.