"Firefighter was definitely on the career roster when I was a kid. Also boxer, which my dad hated, and a chef, a lawyer, a marine biologist, an astronaut... a lot of the usual ones, I imagine. Pretty early on though I settled on law." Matt's father had been supportive of any career that didn't involve Matt fighting. He'd always wanted Matt to use his brain rather than his fists. "What about you? I know professional athlete was one of yours, but were there others?"
The kiss to his cheek surprised him but made him smile. It was sweet to share in the excitement of sharing her favorite burger. He could hear it in her tone even without his powers. It reminded him that the little gestures were so important. To make people feel seen and heard, and not just to keep them safe. He tried to always keep that in mind, but he sometimes fell short. Now was a good reminder and he tapped the table in anticipation. "I'm ready. I have water, let's do this."
His fingers felt along the table in front of him until he found the plate and then the burger on it. He lifted it up, feeling the heft of it in his hands. He took a small smell of it, noting the beefy, eggy, spicy scent emanating from it. "Cheers," he said with a smile, raising the burger in her direction before he took a bite. The flavor exploded in his mouth, but not in an overwhelming way. The egg did run, the burger was a bit messy, but he'd worry about his beard and fingers later. "That's... really good, actually." He took another bite, then a sip of water. Spicy as all hell, but it worked with the fattiness of the egg. It'd take him some getting used to tolerating this spice level regularly, but this morning it was a pleasant if a touch painful treat. "My first breakfast burger, you get the honors of saying you made it happen," he teased her. "I never would have thought to put an egg and chips on it."
"Oh, I so wanted to be a marine biologist too!!" Didn't all kids go through that phase. "A vet too, obviously, and zoo keeper. Probably because I wasn't allowed to have pets." It was the one thing Kate had not been able to get away with, no matter how almost every Christmas she asked for a puppy. She still remembered hearing the ton of arguments that started between her parents, with her dad wanting to dote on her but her mother reminding him that she wa the one who would have looked after the animle while he was away on his work trips. "Hmm, for a while I wanted to be a cop too, hoping to work with the Avengers. Then I wanted a coffee shop, an elevator lady, a pilot. And an athlete, yes."
Putting a couple of capsules on the coffee maker, Kate filled herself a glass with tap water. She grabbed a roll of paper towels to use as napkins as she returned to Matt's side, pulling back a chair to take a seat by his side. She couldn't take her eyes off him, almost spell-bound over what his reaction would be like.
Her smile was so wide it promised to make her cheeks hurt.
"Really? You like it? I know I'm not even a fraction as good as you are, but I love my burgers and--" And she was so happy to be able to share them with him. Something she knew he enjoyed so much, cooking for other people. For once, she could treat him. "You're kidding! You never had a runny egg in your burger?!"
"All the animal careers, huh?" Matt smiled, picturing that perfectly with Kate. "You know, you can volunteer at shelters. I know you have your own pet now, but if you want even more animal time and can find free time, they let you play with the animals and take them for walks and stuff. Or you could foster." None of which Matt did, but he'd heard about it. Matt had advocated for it furiously when he'd been young, but his father hadn't let him have any pets, either. In their case, it was because pets weren't allowed at their apartment. "The fostering is more responsibility though, obviously." He loved that people who wanted company could go to shelters and provide attention to animals that desperately needed it. "You'd have to be careful though to resist adopting everything while you were there."
When his hand brushed the paper towels Matt ripped off one, offered it to Kate, then took another for himself. He wiped at his face, getting most but not all of the mess off his beard, and cleaned his fingers. He set the napkin aside then to dive back into the burger, well aware that he'd need to use the napkin again before the meal was through. It was all right. He didn't mind getting down and dirty with his meals sometimes.
"Hey, don't put yourself down," he chided when she said she wasn't as good as him. "You should love your burgers. They're really good. I've had eggs before on a burger, but never with crushed hot chips and siracha. Foggy had a burger once that had mayo, peanut butter, and an egg on it. That one I did not try, but it's haunted me ever since." He said it jokingly, but honestly, the worst part about it had been the processed peanut butter. Maybe if it had been fresh he'd have taken a bite. It struck Matt then that he wouldn't like Kate's burger as much when his powers returned, because of the processed chemicals in the chips. Unless they somehow found a clean ingredient version of them.
"But that's the thing," Kate started, shocking herself as she actually didn't just jump into the possibility of helping around some defenseless animals in need of love and attention. "That's the thing. If I set foot in a shelter or fostered some animals I know I'd end up with 7 kittens, some senior cats and dogs, maybe a parrot and probably a hedgehog or something crazy." Is it a sign of maturity to actually worry about that? Maybe just the fact that she lives by herself...
Thanking Matt as he handed her a paper towel too, Kate dug in, all the rich flavors she expected suddenly bursting in her mouth as she could taste exactly what her friend did. She ate enthusiastically, proud of all the compliments Matt happily offered.
Swallowing, she sucked her fingers clean before she let out a groan of distaste. "Peanut butter and mayo? Really? Okay, that's too much even for me." Shaking her head, she drank a little before he took another bite of that cheesy, spicy wonder.
Lucky circled them both and then sat obediently by Murdock's side, at times even placing a paw on Matt's lap as he clearly begged to have a share of those burgers.
"No, that's fair," Matt agreed. "Know yourself and know your limits. Besides," he added with a smile as he gave Lucky a piece of meat after wiping off what hot sauce he could from it, "You did rescue and save this guy." Of course Matt had caved and given into the begging, even if he tried to give Lucky a piece that wouldn't make him sick. He patted the dog's head then took another sip of water. "And yeah, that burger was certainly a choice. One of the rare times that one could call Foggy adventurous." That was something that had endeared Matt to Foggy, though. While Foggy had some partying stories, for the most part, he wasn't wild and crazy. He'd been a solid figure instead, a calm harbor.
Once the burgers had been demolished, Matt rose to his feet with a small groan. "I am going to help with the dishes," he informed Kate. "Just show me where the sink is. I don't mind drying if you want to wash." He couldn't spot check to ensure all the food was off as good as she could right now. "I'm feeling a little less sleepy now that I've eaten. If we take the coffee to go, we could go to the store. Maybe take Lucky for a walk with us." The prospect of being out in the city without his powers frightened Matt a little... which made him think he should do it all the more.
Maybe this was both a good test of his other skills, and a good reminder of the ways that other people lived.
"I heard about shelters and considered it before, you know? But its like one of those things when you feel like you don't really have the time to do it. And then you never make the time to do it." To be fair, lately she really didn't have much time off to do anything. But at least, yeah, Matt did have a point. She did have Lucky now. And making time for him to walk and look after the dog was her priority. She hated to leave him couped up at home just because she was busy!
"You know, he always seemed more adventurous than he really was. Like, the guy was the soul of the party." But then he always kept this tidy look and you could tell he was the kind of lawyer you could trust your life too. It was such a weird balanced thing,
"That sounds like a plan." After wiping her face and licking her fingers clean one last time, Kate grabbed her empty plate and took Matt by the elbow, guiding him around her kitchen. "You wanna keep it chill here around the neighborhood or do you wanna have a taste at China Town and busy areas? Since crowds are not so bad now..."
"No, I get you. There are so many good causes worth supporting but it's impossible to support them all. I always want to do more for the visually impaired community but finding the time has been a challenge. You do a lot though, Kate. You helped Lucky, you helped Marshall. You help a lot of people." He understood intimately the guilt of not supporting a cause that mattered to you like animal rescue did to her. So it mattered to him to reassure her about it.
Matt laughed softly a little. "Yeah. He talked a lot but he would be the first person to point out fatality statistics if you mentioned bungee jumping. He said he liked his life too much to risk it on something stupid." Matt's smiled turned a little soft and sad. "He was always getting on me for being too reckless, even before Daredevil. 'Who am I going to retire to a beach bachelor pad with, Matt?'" He did a really good mimicry of Foggy, even if his timbre of voice was different. "'You can't go off being an idiot because I won't be able to afford to live by myself when I'm old with all the cases you won't let us take.'" A playful argument they had so often. His voice returned to normal. "There was then talk about us hiring nurses to take care of us but that gets inappropriate so I'll stop there. But yeah. He took risks when he thought it was worthwhile. Minus the ones that left him with a hangover."
When at the sink Matt held the dishtowel, obediently waiting for Kate to hand him dishes to dry as she washed. "... I do love Chinatown. Okay. Go big or go home." If given a choice between comfort and a challenge, Matt Murdock always chose the challenge. "We need to get the noodles, anyway. If you're going to make me eat instant ramen I want a good one."
"That's it!" She kept delaying it. They always made plans and discussed things. Kate had even brought it up at a board meeting, interrupting everyone as they seemed ready to go home by pointing out that they needed to make a big donation to some of the organizations Matt had listed by her request. Kate was done postponing things. "Bishop Security is going to organize a charity event and I'm talking to the American Foundation for the Blind, the National Association for the Deaf and-- And the other organizations. I want them to invite people. To recommend a place. To make it accessible for everyone."
Maybe even Clint could come and speak at it. He would hate it at first, but Kate is sure he'd understand it would be for a good cause. "Next month. I need a deadline to get my shit together." And she sounded dead-firm about this.
As Matt opened up more about what Foggy was like, Kate simply listened. She did the dishes, passing them over as she chuckled softly, tuoched by the relationship Matt and his best friend shared once. "Oh, no, I get the nurse idea loud and clear, you pair of pervs!" And yet, the way she shoved him with her hips spoke for itself. It was all jokes and games.
It broke her heart a little though, knowing what a rough spot Foggy had been in. Because Kate could see herself in those shoes sometimes. Matt was an unstopabble force. He didn't listen, he would put it all at risk if that meant saving one person. Anyone but himself. Kate, at least, had the ability of following him, of trying to keep up. It would have driven her insane if all she could do was wait for him patiently at home while watching the news and begging for confirmation that Matt did not kill himself out there.
"I'd say we should get the Korean spicy ones, but I think we need to calm our tits with that. So, Tonkotsu insant noodles should do the trick."
It was strange. So domestic. So perfect.
They had slept together and Kate had been looking after him. She had cooked for Matt and now they planned to go out for a walk together.
Matt cast a bemused smile at Kate's explosion, her implementing a deadline upon herself. He'd just been lamenting his own inability to find time specifically for the blind community because he was so busy with his pro bono cases at work and Daredevil duties. "I swear I was just talking about my own putting things off. I get wrapped up in cases at the office, and then before I know it, it's time to put on the other suit and then it's time to get back to the police station to argue that no, a poor person stealing chips doesn't deserve jail they need assistance... anyway, I appreciate your help and I'll attend any benefit, but it wasn't aimed at you. I swear." It was just hard to focus in on a community that Matt felt he owed more to when he was already pulled at so many angles. He should do better at it, not foist it off on Kate. Even if her heart was so big she took it on herself.
"I'd suggest either reaching out or letting your donations committee reach out to organizations that are already involved in those areas? They could coordinate together to put on an event. That list I gave you, partnering with them would both decrease Bishop Securities' workload and also show good faith that you're aligning with an organization dedicated to that cause." He bumped her shoulder back. "I can't let my partner do it by herself, after all."
"I've only made ramen from scratch or ordered it at restaurants, so I'll leave the instant choices up to you." He set the glasses and plates on a towel to finish drying after he wiped them off, folding the towel once he was done. He set Lucky's bag of treats on the counter too and reminded Kate, "Better put away the Takis too or else You Know Who will get them." He adored Lucky but the dog would somehow reach the counter to eat the snacks. "If you can get me back to the living room I'll get the change of clothes and we can then be off. It'll just take me a few more times to remember the steps to all the rooms. I promise." He hated feeling like a burden, even if Kate never made him feel that way. It was just a part of his personality, of social implications, that not even Matt was above.
"No, no, I get it. I know it wasn't aimed at me or anything. But it was such a great reminder, Matt. And I'm done waiting for things to... Happen." Had she the faintest idea of how to put something like this together. Nope. But Matt had said it himself, he was her partner for a reason and could hook her to the right people. And plenty of those who had organized her mom's events could do their magic again. All she needed to do was pay them.
... Even if she did want to be genuinelly involved while organizing it. "I want to follow every suggestion they make. The last thing I want is to like, come up with some event that offends the people we're supposed to celebrate." She couldn't help herself, leaning into Matt a little closer. "Besides, I don't want that relationship to end after that one night. I wanna hire people with those disabilities, to keep working with the organizations. The whole deal."
They can't just make a change in the streets.
Following Matt' adice, Kate put away both the Takis and finished cleaning up the counter. The retrived was both as smart as he was shameless. "Matt, honestly, there's no hurry for you to learn. Besides, it's a big place." Quite big indeed. Soon, she was looping her arm around Matt's and guiding him through the penthouse, describing what surrounded them in the hopes he'll eventurally remember. It was only now that Kate was growing aware of truly how many rooms and places there was in her old penthouse, how challeging that could be for someone who couldn't rely on his sight.
"Huh, would you like to brush your teeth before we go out?" She asked as she finally guided his hands to the piles of clothes. There, he had so many options to pick from that he could go from a formal outfit to a far more casual look. "I'm - I'm pretty sure I have some spare toothbrushes." Kate couldn't help it, sounding almost coy at the offer as she remembered quite vividly how she had teased Matt over his own collection of spare toothbrushes and what that implied.
"It goes beyond an event, yeah. Not that there's anything wrong with companies that focus on events, and fundraising. If an organization has the capacity to work past those measures and not only fundraise by distribute those resources and build a work capacity, that would be amazing." It meant a lot that Kate cared to explore other avenues of advocacy, due to her capacity being larger. "I appreciate you wanting to include those who are impacted at every level of the events, and I'd like to know how they feel the funds would be best spent - and who they want to nix from the guest list."
It depended on the advocacy group. Some where more political and willing to work with a group that others found distasteful. Others would refuse 'Judas money' as they saw it, regardless of religion. So it was smart to see ahead of time who to trim from that guest list.
"I'm a smart guy," was his muttered response to her saying it was a big place in which she lived. He'd always hold himself to higher standards than he did anyone else. He counted as carefully as he could the steps they made and took, from the kitchen to the living room to get his clothing, to the bedroom to change. He chanted the numbers in his head like a mantra. He picked up the large pile of clothing, tucked to his chin, and waited for her to take his arm to guide him to his room. He hadn't thought about his teeth in all the mayhem, but... "... dental hygiene should probably happen. I'm assuming that the 1% of Manhattan just has these laying around for their many rich guests," he said dryly.
Once on the room he did clean up a bit, then changed into a business casual attire that she offered. He waited outside the room patiently... or at least he'd wait a few minutes patiently before trying to explore on his own.
For now, it was all wishful thinking, as the deeper they delved into these plans the more complicated Kate reminded herself that these things could be. "I know that as a lawyer this is not the kinda thing you do, but maybe I could hire you somehow to take care of thse things? Like, as a representative." Would she be making up a role? "You know, maybe Kirsten would cut you some slack then." After all, Matt would have helped for free.
After guiding Matt to his room and awkwardly handing that extra toothbrush (which she awkwardly clarified that was just laying around after getting a pack of 3 for Clint and herself), Kate disappeared into her childhood bedroom and her ensuite bathroom to brush her teeth and finally change into some clothes of her own. After all, she was still wearing Betsy's borrowed outfit.
Her wardrobe mostly consisted on clothes she'd worn on her late teens. But her mother often liked to surprise Kate during her visits, leaving designer numbers for her to wear at one event or another. Sometimes more casual pieces that had caught her attention and she knew Kate would appreciate. Some regular joggers or t-shirts with the company's logo.
The latter she normally wears at home or as pajamas.
With her hair up on a ponytail and wearing a dash of perfume, Kate headed to Matt's bedroom to find that... Matt was nowhere to be seen.
"Matt?" How come she's lost a blind guy?? "Lucky?"
"I'll help how I can without you hiring me, but I think the people who would know best what to do are those who already put on fundraisers at your company," he reminded her. "I'd let them handle it in conjunction with whatever group it's decided to team up with for the night. Normally the group is going to be the nonprofit chosen to receive the money at the end." After all, event planning was an actual job, full-time in many cases. If Bishop Securities already had a history of putting on those events, then surely they had a donations and fundraising department.
Matt discarded the robe once he was back in the guest bedroom, changing into jeans and a soft shirt. He had no idea what the color was, but it couldn't clash much with the jeans, could it? Hopefully the socks matched well enough too, Matt had had everything labeled at his apartment for that reason. To know what went with what. He brushed his teeth and then found his new guide dog, Lucky, waiting for him outside the door. "Ready to go for a walk?" he said to the dog, who barked and immediately led Matt to where his leash was located. Hearing Kate's voice Matt called out, "Here. I let Lucky guide me, I think to his leash." The dog nudged the leash against Matt's hand and he chuckled. "Yeah, we're at the leashes."
Matt's words kept resonating with Kate as she changed her clothes. It was a good plan. He had already helped out letting her know where to reach out and he had reminded her of what a great team of people she has and can trust with this.
It would be great. It would be another goal aside from taking Fisk down. One she can work on while she's not in her suit.
As Matt finally called out to let her know where he was, Kate rushed down to meet the pair. Lucky looked pretty pleased with himself as he played a little tug-o-war with Matt over the leash, while steering him in direction of the door and elevator.
It was a mildly surreal moment, watching someone wearing clothes she remembered vaguely, but that she was well aware of who they belonged to. "They actually fit you pretty good," Kate pointed out in awe. The jeans and a dark red t-shirt that seemed made for Matt.
"They're really nice quality," Matt commented on the clothing. Not that he was surprised, he imagined Kate's family was used to paying a lot of money for premium fabrics. The cashmere and soft denim felt lovely against his skin. "I guess your dad had a boxer's build, then," he joked lightly about the fitting. They did fit Matt rather well, and he knew he was in good shape. Even if his was technically more of a ninja than a boxer, he still deferred to his father's profession in talking. Boxing was still an integral part of his training, a workout routine that Matt found to be Zen when it was just him and a punching bag.
"Hey, buddy, let's put this one properly..." Matt had to say this a few times as Lucky tugged him along in a delighted game to the elevator. It was only once they were on it that Matt was able to take the leash out of Lucky's mouth and clip it to his collar. He ruffled the dog's head and smiled though at this silliness.
Once at the door Matt of course paused to talk to Walter, asking when the man's next day off was because he clearly worked too hard. Walter in turn clucked over the bruises on Matt's face. Matt asked if he liked Vietnamese coffee since they were going to Chinatown and promised to bring Walter back a nice cold cup of it. He turned to Kate then and after some consideration folded up his walking stick. He pocketed it and took Kate's elbow, holding Lucky's leash in the other hand. As sweet as the dog was he wasn't actually a guide dog, so he'd have to rely on Kate to really get around. "It's strange," he admitted. "Not hearing... everything."
It was another form of a blessing, the fact that Matt's nose wasn't as tuned as it normally was. Because even though her father's old clothes were stored with care, they did have the particular smell of something that was kept in boxes and away the majority of the time. "My dad did a little kickboxing too," it was what encouraged Kate to pursue the sport herself. "But mostly with a persona trainer, not as a real hobby." Derek Bishop loved all kinds of sport and never took down the oportunity to do something crazy and exciting.
He probably would have loved Daredevil for the name alone.
"Look at you. Already a dog dad pro," Kate teased him as she watched the pair interact on the elevator. Matt truly doted on Lucky so much and the love was mutual. Hell, it was Matt's natural talent, really. He blended so well in Kate's life, almost as if it was a regular morning for them going out for a walk.
Kate could tell that Walter was surprised to see them stepping out together first thing in the morning. But the old man saw plenty of thigs during the decades and always respected people's secrecy.
Not that this was a secret...
After promising to bring him some coffe, Kate quickly offered her arm for Matt to grab onto. "Strange in a good way?" She instantly regretted the question. "I mean... All things considered. Like a silver lining."
There was a pause before Matt admitted, "No. Not in a good way." He was quick to clarify, lest he seem ungrateful for the morning, for her, for what they shared in the apartment. "I don't regret getting to experience the world more like you do. More like most people do, especially those that are blind. It's good to know what it's all like. It's just..." He tried to find the right words to explain, floundering for a few moments. "I'm used to sensing so much more. To knowing more about the people and world around me. Once Stick introduced me to what I could connect with, the world opened up beyond anything I could have ever imagined. So when it shrinks like this, in some ways, it all feels... not lonely, but isolating?"
He squeezed her arm a little as he held it. "Which isn't to say it's all bad. Like I said, I'm grateful to you, and I won't forget what we shared. I just wouldn't want to live like this forever." He did want his powers to come back, to get to know the world as he'd come to know it for three decades now. There was a pause before he added in a lighter tone, "So why don't you be my eyes for me for right now? Tell me what you see. What you're sensing."
For a moment Kate tried to imagine what that meant. Matt once said that he did see some things, blurry shapes around. What if a rainbow colored and flashy world suddenly lost its nuances. For a moment she imagined Time Square, all so busy and flashy that at times it seems unbearable. What if there was a sudden blackout, one that had nothing to do with Fisk. One that made the city quieter. Maybe they would enjoy the stars, for a change. Quietness. It would be nice for an evening, but she would be glad to have her internet back the next day.
"No, I totally get it," Kate was quick to clarify, squeezing Matt's arm as she gently guided him to steer a little towards her side, warning him about a guy on bycicle coming their way. "You experienced a super rich world for decades and suddenly it all going quiet must be weird." Not to mention that it made him rely on others too. Even if he fakes being more vulnerable than others most of the time, Matt would still losing his independance.
"Hmmm? Okay..." Kate didn't even realize how her free hand came to his arm as she leaned towards Matt. "Well, the sky is bright blue this morning and there's only a few fluffy clowds." Does he even remember what that looks like? "There's someone moving to the building next door. They're taking things out of this van and the woman has a baby. So newlyweds? I'm gonna call her Brianna."
[OOC: I'm still doing my DD rewatch and I finally made it through the Stick ep. Oh my heart, I love Stick so much. The bracelet!]
He listened to Kate's voice, letting her cadence and tone wash over him. Letting her words guide him on what was going on around them. Some things he could picture easier than others, and some things he pictured in his way, mental images of shapes and forms rather than people with specific defining features. He smiled a little as Kate woven in her own story about the couple moving into the building next door, not at all surprised she'd craft a narrative based on her deductions. "That sounds plausible. Moving into a new place with a baby, sounds like they could use some coffee, too. Though now I have to know, what does a Brianna look like?" He figured she had a reason for going for that name.
He paused when she told him to, and moved to the side as the bicycle was ridden past them. The joys of living in a crowded state with a lot of foot and bike traffic. He could hear conversation, though not really the specifics. He could smell the streets, the vendors, but not individual scents. It was like having a blanket put over him, muffling him as he moved. He did have to rely on Kate and Lucky, a humbling experience. Though he wouldn't whine about it. He was fortunate to have someone to guide him. To be alive. To trust that his powers would return soon.
"I remember the first time I really used my senses," he mused to her in a quiet voice, keeping it vague. "That I realized the world could be larger than I imagined. Believe it or not, ice cream was involved."
[ooc: Oooh that's such a good arc! When Matt finds the bracelet, omg. ;___;]
"Yeah, exactly. They're obviously together after years of dancing arounnd each other," Kate continued, delving deeper into this story that seemed to be rolling naturally off her tongue. "He had this huge crush on her back when they were in high school. But you know what it's like when the timing is simply wrong? It's been wrong for them for ages!"
At the question, Kate looked back over her shoulder to take a last look at this Brianna. "Well, she's wearing his football jersey. He obviously was part of the school team and now they go to the games together." In all honesty, she just reminded Kate of Brianna Chickenfry. Best made-up name in the history of made-up names. "She's a brunette, short hair. Amazing boobs that probably were already amazing before the baby. I'm not sure if I'm jealous on her behalf or his."
Taking a turn, they were soon walking into a busier street. Families around them, some people carrying shopping bags. But certainly not the loudness Matt was used to.
"Did someone put something illegal in your ice cream?" Kate joked, surprised by what he was sharing.
[OOC: So many complicated father-figure feels. I'm such a sucker for family dynamics.]
Kate's way of spinning a story based on a few visual clues was different than how Matt normally interpreted what was around him. Not that Kate was trying to play genuine detective now, she was just indulging him in amusing musings. Still, Matt noted the lighthearted whimsy with which she spoke, whereas he clinically read people's bodily signatures to arrive at clear, though compassionate, answers. It was body heat and heartbeats that betrayed love, a nuanced difference from what betrayed rage or illness. It had taken time to differentiate between them all with practiced ease, because humans so often had their emotions and well-being overlapping with other feelings. "I do know what it's like for timing to be a bitch. Glad to hear those crazy kids made it work out in the end. Or I guess really, this is just the start of a new story for them."
He gave a small snort at her question, because really, in a way? The seeds of plenty of illegal activity had been sewn into that first ice cream cone.
"No. The ice cream wasn't laced. Thankfully, since I was twelve. It was just the first time I was pushed to taste something beyond vanilla. Sometimes you don't know what you can do until someone gives you a nudge, you know?" As they neared Chinatown he paused. The ringing in his ears intensified, then a painfully loud crash of sounds filled his senses making him wince. It only lasted a moment before it passed and the world was muffled again. "Ah - ow. Sorry. I think it was a good pain, though. Think I could hear normally for a second." Hopefully it meant that his powers were on the mend?
[ooc: Same. We definitely need to explore more of those on RP. They're not the kinda muse that usually gets made and theyre such JUICY storylines!]
As Brianna and her family were left behind, Kate was already scanning their surroundings to come up with the next amazing and ordinary little story she and Matt would discover around them. But then, at the mention of his own love life, she could't help but be pulled by her own curiosity. "Really? Was it a 'the one who got away' kind of situation?"
She'd liked plenty of girls and guys that simply didn't notice her, plenty that did and a couple who were a casual thing. But, aside from bad breakups, this was the first time Kate experienced true longing for someone she could't have. Yeah, timing was a bitch for her too. Being born at least 20 years later was a real shitty thing.
For a moment, he tried to imagine him thirty years younger, now her reasons completely different ones. A boy who'd lost not just his dad, but most of his whole world. Someone, she guesses his old teacher, letting him explore a whole different view of what surrounded him simply by explaining what was past the apparent simple taste of vanilla. "Was that Stick? Is that how you--"
Someone, walking next to them, dropped a plastic bag with recent purchases. Suddely, Matt quieted down and was wincing. Kate turned to face him, asking over and over if he was okay as she held his cheeks. Finally, his face relaed again.
"Are you sure?" There was suddenly a note of hope in her voice. "We can go back home if this is too much."
[OOC: We do! Kate needs to properly meet Maggie and they need to have Angela on their hands to complete the family circle, LOL.]
"Mmm, yeah, I guess you could call it that. Though it wasn't just poor timing that led to it not working out. I guess I don't have one that was based just on timing." Matt's mind had gone to Karen and how they just could never figure out how to make things work between them. He'd made peace with it, and he truly, genuinely hoped they somehow found Frank alive so they could be together. "How about you? Have you ever had timing be the problem?" It was just natural for Matt to extend the conversation beyond himself. He tried to never just talk about himself but to inquire and engage the person he was with in return. He knew Kate hadn't had the greatest romantic relationships in the past though, so he was quick to add softly, "Unless you don't want to talk about it. I get it. We can go back to discussing strangers." He squeezed her arm in friendly support, because he didn't want to talk about something that might be painful. He genuinely didn't know how bad her dating past was or wasn't.
He smiled a little against her hands when they were pressed on the sides of his face once the pain passed. Reaching up he lightly put his hands over hers as he promised, "No, I'm okay. I swear. It was just a moment. This happens sometimes. Little moments of sensing things before things actually come back to normal. I think it's a good sign but I don't think I'm about to be overwhelmed anytime soon." It wasn't a quick recovery like turning on a light, and once he did have his powers back, he could control them, anyway. It had just surprised him in the moment to have that quick rush. It meant though that his powers were still there, which lifted his heart. His smile widened boyishly, letting him enjoy this moment with Kate even more now that he knew he was likely truly on the mend. "I think we'll still be fine to enjoy our noodles and pizza rolls."
Returning to the previous topic as they started walking again he said, "Yeah, it was Stick. He took me out for ice cream when we met. Told me to stop feeling sorry for myself. Showed me what he could do, what I could do if I trained with him. The funny thing is Kate, that he did broaden my world, but he also taught me something I don't think he intended. Because after him, I've met so many people who did the same thing. Not in the same way, but if you think about it, the people who matter to us? Or even sometimes just strangers we meet in passing? They show us a way of thinking and living we didn't know about before. Like a guy I recently defended, who reminded me that even a short jail sentence was wrong when society was rigged against him. Or like you right now. Showing me how you experience the world."
[ooc: Yesss, gimme the future mom-in-law and all the found family goodness!]
Kate knew very well what Matt was talking to, after all, the guy that sometimes kept her awake late at night - sometimes thinking, sometimes fighting by her side -, was right there, literally within her grasp. With her arm looped around his, a wave of guilt took over her. "Ah, no, no. It's fine! You can ask me about anything, Matt. I swear." The last thing she wanted was to endanger this sense of trust that had built up between them. But was it okay to talk about this with him of all people?
"He... It's more than just bad timing too." She couldn't bring up the age difference. She couldn't be so obvious. "I think he just doesn't see me that way and probably never will. He cares about me and is super sweet about it, but he has someone else anyway."
And she had to accept that even if Heather wasn't in the picture, Matt was a very good friend. Older, who liked women his age. Elegant, responsible. Maybe more feminine? He doesn't strike her as the kind who'd judge a girl over her hobbies, of course not. But the heart wants what it wants and it's not like taste on people can be chosen.
Kate certainly didn't choose this. She didn't choose the way her legs feel weak and her heart swells at the sight of that sweet smile. He leans into her palm as her hands frame that handsome face. Because he is so much more than this. He is the most gentle guy she's met. Thoughtful, alwats putting others before himself. Smart and fun, a little mischievous. Even bruised and scruffy, he is perfect in her eyes.
"Okay. Only if you're sure." Sounding much more sure of herself, she doesn't even notice the way her thumb strokes his face as she doesn't quite let go of him yet. She's happy to hear that he is finally going to feel back like himself. Even if what started as one of the most terrifying nights of her life ended being one of the best ones, leading to the most relaxing and enjoyable day she's had in what feels like ages.
Finally settling by Matt's side again and after giving his arm a rub, she waits for him to hold onto her. Lucky has taken advantage of the stop to leave his scent on a wall, but seems also ready to pick up their walk. "Like, different perspectives, right?" She had to admit, it was pretty great to be able to share her world with him. But not just the tastes, like this morning. She liked sharing what her home was like, the music she listened to. Ever since they became closer, Kate realized she enjoyed sharing her life with Matt and learning more about his.
"Sometimes... Sometimes when I close my eyes I try to notice things too." She suddenly chuckled, feeling self-conscious. "Never like you, of course. But... What it is like to count steps. The sounds the city makes. That sort of stuff."
The first time Matt used his powers, it was to tell that someone was in love. At that time, as a child, he'd wondered if it was a sort of sickness. Stick had assured him it was worse, but as Matt came into adulthood, he knew that was a lie. Love was the most wonderful, most incredible sensation a person could experience. Even with all the heartbreak that was involved, it truly was better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. Perhaps it made Matt a shit soldier in a larger war, but it made him human. He'd take a bleeding heart over one that didn't beat any day.
Go figure that it was now that his senses were dulled, that he couldn't hear Kate's heartbeat, couldn't thread her feelings through her words, couldn't sense her temperature nor smell her scent, that Matt's own heart betrayed him to himself.
The little fan of warmth he felt from the gentle way her fingers caressed his face, the way his heart quickened and his mouth turned dry. The way that this was the first time in so very long he felt any sense of peace and home, out on the streets of New York utterly blind, with Kate and her dog at his side. The words that Sister Maggie had said when he'd visited her in the hospital.
'She means something to you, doesn't she?'
Kate meant so very much to him.
He licked his lips and cleared his throat, his feelings betraying him in a way that confused him and made him feel guilty. He took her arm again, trying to make sense of the swirling of emotions inside of him. His voice was low and a little husky. "Yeah. Like different perspectives." Did Heather ever count the steps to live like him? To experience the world as he did? Or was that too silly and romantic a task for one more practical?
"It's a good sound, isn't it?" He said it quietly, head tilted at her. "The city, that is. There's music to it, when you listen to it right."
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streetlevel) wrote2024-12-23 08:39 pm
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The kiss to his cheek surprised him but made him smile. It was sweet to share in the excitement of sharing her favorite burger. He could hear it in her tone even without his powers. It reminded him that the little gestures were so important. To make people feel seen and heard, and not just to keep them safe. He tried to always keep that in mind, but he sometimes fell short. Now was a good reminder and he tapped the table in anticipation. "I'm ready. I have water, let's do this."
His fingers felt along the table in front of him until he found the plate and then the burger on it. He lifted it up, feeling the heft of it in his hands. He took a small smell of it, noting the beefy, eggy, spicy scent emanating from it. "Cheers," he said with a smile, raising the burger in her direction before he took a bite. The flavor exploded in his mouth, but not in an overwhelming way. The egg did run, the burger was a bit messy, but he'd worry about his beard and fingers later. "That's... really good, actually." He took another bite, then a sip of water. Spicy as all hell, but it worked with the fattiness of the egg. It'd take him some getting used to tolerating this spice level regularly, but this morning it was a pleasant if a touch painful treat. "My first breakfast burger, you get the honors of saying you made it happen," he teased her. "I never would have thought to put an egg and chips on it."
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Putting a couple of capsules on the coffee maker, Kate filled herself a glass with tap water. She grabbed a roll of paper towels to use as napkins as she returned to Matt's side, pulling back a chair to take a seat by his side. She couldn't take her eyes off him, almost spell-bound over what his reaction would be like.
Her smile was so wide it promised to make her cheeks hurt.
"Really? You like it? I know I'm not even a fraction as good as you are, but I love my burgers and--" And she was so happy to be able to share them with him. Something she knew he enjoyed so much, cooking for other people. For once, she could treat him. "You're kidding! You never had a runny egg in your burger?!"
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When his hand brushed the paper towels Matt ripped off one, offered it to Kate, then took another for himself. He wiped at his face, getting most but not all of the mess off his beard, and cleaned his fingers. He set the napkin aside then to dive back into the burger, well aware that he'd need to use the napkin again before the meal was through. It was all right. He didn't mind getting down and dirty with his meals sometimes.
"Hey, don't put yourself down," he chided when she said she wasn't as good as him. "You should love your burgers. They're really good. I've had eggs before on a burger, but never with crushed hot chips and siracha. Foggy had a burger once that had mayo, peanut butter, and an egg on it. That one I did not try, but it's haunted me ever since." He said it jokingly, but honestly, the worst part about it had been the processed peanut butter. Maybe if it had been fresh he'd have taken a bite. It struck Matt then that he wouldn't like Kate's burger as much when his powers returned, because of the processed chemicals in the chips. Unless they somehow found a clean ingredient version of them.
He'd enjoy it now and not let himself forget it.
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Thanking Matt as he handed her a paper towel too, Kate dug in, all the rich flavors she expected suddenly bursting in her mouth as she could taste exactly what her friend did. She ate enthusiastically, proud of all the compliments Matt happily offered.
Swallowing, she sucked her fingers clean before she let out a groan of distaste. "Peanut butter and mayo? Really? Okay, that's too much even for me." Shaking her head, she drank a little before he took another bite of that cheesy, spicy wonder.
Lucky circled them both and then sat obediently by Murdock's side, at times even placing a paw on Matt's lap as he clearly begged to have a share of those burgers.
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Once the burgers had been demolished, Matt rose to his feet with a small groan. "I am going to help with the dishes," he informed Kate. "Just show me where the sink is. I don't mind drying if you want to wash." He couldn't spot check to ensure all the food was off as good as she could right now. "I'm feeling a little less sleepy now that I've eaten. If we take the coffee to go, we could go to the store. Maybe take Lucky for a walk with us." The prospect of being out in the city without his powers frightened Matt a little... which made him think he should do it all the more.
Maybe this was both a good test of his other skills, and a good reminder of the ways that other people lived.
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"You know, he always seemed more adventurous than he really was. Like, the guy was the soul of the party." But then he always kept this tidy look and you could tell he was the kind of lawyer you could trust your life too. It was such a weird balanced thing,
"That sounds like a plan." After wiping her face and licking her fingers clean one last time, Kate grabbed her empty plate and took Matt by the elbow, guiding him around her kitchen. "You wanna keep it chill here around the neighborhood or do you wanna have a taste at China Town and busy areas? Since crowds are not so bad now..."
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Matt laughed softly a little. "Yeah. He talked a lot but he would be the first person to point out fatality statistics if you mentioned bungee jumping. He said he liked his life too much to risk it on something stupid." Matt's smiled turned a little soft and sad. "He was always getting on me for being too reckless, even before Daredevil. 'Who am I going to retire to a beach bachelor pad with, Matt?'" He did a really good mimicry of Foggy, even if his timbre of voice was different. "'You can't go off being an idiot because I won't be able to afford to live by myself when I'm old with all the cases you won't let us take.'" A playful argument they had so often. His voice returned to normal. "There was then talk about us hiring nurses to take care of us but that gets inappropriate so I'll stop there. But yeah. He took risks when he thought it was worthwhile. Minus the ones that left him with a hangover."
When at the sink Matt held the dishtowel, obediently waiting for Kate to hand him dishes to dry as she washed. "... I do love Chinatown. Okay. Go big or go home." If given a choice between comfort and a challenge, Matt Murdock always chose the challenge. "We need to get the noodles, anyway. If you're going to make me eat instant ramen I want a good one."
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Maybe even Clint could come and speak at it. He would hate it at first, but Kate is sure he'd understand it would be for a good cause. "Next month. I need a deadline to get my shit together." And she sounded dead-firm about this.
As Matt opened up more about what Foggy was like, Kate simply listened. She did the dishes, passing them over as she chuckled softly, tuoched by the relationship Matt and his best friend shared once. "Oh, no, I get the nurse idea loud and clear, you pair of pervs!" And yet, the way she shoved him with her hips spoke for itself. It was all jokes and games.
It broke her heart a little though, knowing what a rough spot Foggy had been in. Because Kate could see herself in those shoes sometimes. Matt was an unstopabble force. He didn't listen, he would put it all at risk if that meant saving one person. Anyone but himself. Kate, at least, had the ability of following him, of trying to keep up. It would have driven her insane if all she could do was wait for him patiently at home while watching the news and begging for confirmation that Matt did not kill himself out there.
"I'd say we should get the Korean spicy ones, but I think we need to calm our tits with that. So, Tonkotsu insant noodles should do the trick."
It was strange. So domestic. So perfect.
They had slept together and Kate had been looking after him. She had cooked for Matt and now they planned to go out for a walk together.
It should feel wrong.
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"I'd suggest either reaching out or letting your donations committee reach out to organizations that are already involved in those areas? They could coordinate together to put on an event. That list I gave you, partnering with them would both decrease Bishop Securities' workload and also show good faith that you're aligning with an organization dedicated to that cause." He bumped her shoulder back. "I can't let my partner do it by herself, after all."
"I've only made ramen from scratch or ordered it at restaurants, so I'll leave the instant choices up to you." He set the glasses and plates on a towel to finish drying after he wiped them off, folding the towel once he was done. He set Lucky's bag of treats on the counter too and reminded Kate, "Better put away the Takis too or else You Know Who will get them." He adored Lucky but the dog would somehow reach the counter to eat the snacks. "If you can get me back to the living room I'll get the change of clothes and we can then be off. It'll just take me a few more times to remember the steps to all the rooms. I promise." He hated feeling like a burden, even if Kate never made him feel that way. It was just a part of his personality, of social implications, that not even Matt was above.
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... Even if she did want to be genuinelly involved while organizing it. "I want to follow every suggestion they make. The last thing I want is to like, come up with some event that offends the people we're supposed to celebrate." She couldn't help herself, leaning into Matt a little closer. "Besides, I don't want that relationship to end after that one night. I wanna hire people with those disabilities, to keep working with the organizations. The whole deal."
They can't just make a change in the streets.
Following Matt' adice, Kate put away both the Takis and finished cleaning up the counter. The retrived was both as smart as he was shameless. "Matt, honestly, there's no hurry for you to learn. Besides, it's a big place." Quite big indeed. Soon, she was looping her arm around Matt's and guiding him through the penthouse, describing what surrounded them in the hopes he'll eventurally remember. It was only now that Kate was growing aware of truly how many rooms and places there was in her old penthouse, how challeging that could be for someone who couldn't rely on his sight.
"Huh, would you like to brush your teeth before we go out?" She asked as she finally guided his hands to the piles of clothes. There, he had so many options to pick from that he could go from a formal outfit to a far more casual look. "I'm - I'm pretty sure I have some spare toothbrushes." Kate couldn't help it, sounding almost coy at the offer as she remembered quite vividly how she had teased Matt over his own collection of spare toothbrushes and what that implied.
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It depended on the advocacy group. Some where more political and willing to work with a group that others found distasteful. Others would refuse 'Judas money' as they saw it, regardless of religion. So it was smart to see ahead of time who to trim from that guest list.
"I'm a smart guy," was his muttered response to her saying it was a big place in which she lived. He'd always hold himself to higher standards than he did anyone else. He counted as carefully as he could the steps they made and took, from the kitchen to the living room to get his clothing, to the bedroom to change. He chanted the numbers in his head like a mantra. He picked up the large pile of clothing, tucked to his chin, and waited for her to take his arm to guide him to his room. He hadn't thought about his teeth in all the mayhem, but... "... dental hygiene should probably happen. I'm assuming that the 1% of Manhattan just has these laying around for their many rich guests," he said dryly.
Once on the room he did clean up a bit, then changed into a business casual attire that she offered. He waited outside the room patiently... or at least he'd wait a few minutes patiently before trying to explore on his own.
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After guiding Matt to his room and awkwardly handing that extra toothbrush (which she awkwardly clarified that was just laying around after getting a pack of 3 for Clint and herself), Kate disappeared into her childhood bedroom and her ensuite bathroom to brush her teeth and finally change into some clothes of her own. After all, she was still wearing Betsy's borrowed outfit.
Her wardrobe mostly consisted on clothes she'd worn on her late teens. But her mother often liked to surprise Kate during her visits, leaving designer numbers for her to wear at one event or another. Sometimes more casual pieces that had caught her attention and she knew Kate would appreciate. Some regular joggers or t-shirts with the company's logo.
The latter she normally wears at home or as pajamas.
With her hair up on a ponytail and wearing a dash of perfume, Kate headed to Matt's bedroom to find that... Matt was nowhere to be seen.
"Matt?" How come she's lost a blind guy?? "Lucky?"
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Matt discarded the robe once he was back in the guest bedroom, changing into jeans and a soft shirt. He had no idea what the color was, but it couldn't clash much with the jeans, could it? Hopefully the socks matched well enough too, Matt had had everything labeled at his apartment for that reason. To know what went with what. He brushed his teeth and then found his new guide dog, Lucky, waiting for him outside the door. "Ready to go for a walk?" he said to the dog, who barked and immediately led Matt to where his leash was located. Hearing Kate's voice Matt called out, "Here. I let Lucky guide me, I think to his leash." The dog nudged the leash against Matt's hand and he chuckled. "Yeah, we're at the leashes."
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It would be great. It would be another goal aside from taking Fisk down. One she can work on while she's not in her suit.
As Matt finally called out to let her know where he was, Kate rushed down to meet the pair. Lucky looked pretty pleased with himself as he played a little tug-o-war with Matt over the leash, while steering him in direction of the door and elevator.
It was a mildly surreal moment, watching someone wearing clothes she remembered vaguely, but that she was well aware of who they belonged to. "They actually fit you pretty good," Kate pointed out in awe. The jeans and a dark red t-shirt that seemed made for Matt.
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"Hey, buddy, let's put this one properly..." Matt had to say this a few times as Lucky tugged him along in a delighted game to the elevator. It was only once they were on it that Matt was able to take the leash out of Lucky's mouth and clip it to his collar. He ruffled the dog's head and smiled though at this silliness.
Once at the door Matt of course paused to talk to Walter, asking when the man's next day off was because he clearly worked too hard. Walter in turn clucked over the bruises on Matt's face. Matt asked if he liked Vietnamese coffee since they were going to Chinatown and promised to bring Walter back a nice cold cup of it. He turned to Kate then and after some consideration folded up his walking stick. He pocketed it and took Kate's elbow, holding Lucky's leash in the other hand. As sweet as the dog was he wasn't actually a guide dog, so he'd have to rely on Kate to really get around. "It's strange," he admitted. "Not hearing... everything."
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He probably would have loved Daredevil for the name alone.
"Look at you. Already a dog dad pro," Kate teased him as she watched the pair interact on the elevator. Matt truly doted on Lucky so much and the love was mutual. Hell, it was Matt's natural talent, really. He blended so well in Kate's life, almost as if it was a regular morning for them going out for a walk.
Kate could tell that Walter was surprised to see them stepping out together first thing in the morning. But the old man saw plenty of thigs during the decades and always respected people's secrecy.
Not that this was a secret...
After promising to bring him some coffe, Kate quickly offered her arm for Matt to grab onto. "Strange in a good way?" She instantly regretted the question. "I mean... All things considered. Like a silver lining."
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He squeezed her arm a little as he held it. "Which isn't to say it's all bad. Like I said, I'm grateful to you, and I won't forget what we shared. I just wouldn't want to live like this forever." He did want his powers to come back, to get to know the world as he'd come to know it for three decades now. There was a pause before he added in a lighter tone, "So why don't you be my eyes for me for right now? Tell me what you see. What you're sensing."
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"No, I totally get it," Kate was quick to clarify, squeezing Matt's arm as she gently guided him to steer a little towards her side, warning him about a guy on bycicle coming their way. "You experienced a super rich world for decades and suddenly it all going quiet must be weird." Not to mention that it made him rely on others too. Even if he fakes being more vulnerable than others most of the time, Matt would still losing his independance.
"Hmmm? Okay..." Kate didn't even realize how her free hand came to his arm as she leaned towards Matt. "Well, the sky is bright blue this morning and there's only a few fluffy clowds." Does he even remember what that looks like? "There's someone moving to the building next door. They're taking things out of this van and the woman has a baby. So newlyweds? I'm gonna call her Brianna."
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He listened to Kate's voice, letting her cadence and tone wash over him. Letting her words guide him on what was going on around them. Some things he could picture easier than others, and some things he pictured in his way, mental images of shapes and forms rather than people with specific defining features. He smiled a little as Kate woven in her own story about the couple moving into the building next door, not at all surprised she'd craft a narrative based on her deductions. "That sounds plausible. Moving into a new place with a baby, sounds like they could use some coffee, too. Though now I have to know, what does a Brianna look like?" He figured she had a reason for going for that name.
He paused when she told him to, and moved to the side as the bicycle was ridden past them. The joys of living in a crowded state with a lot of foot and bike traffic. He could hear conversation, though not really the specifics. He could smell the streets, the vendors, but not individual scents. It was like having a blanket put over him, muffling him as he moved. He did have to rely on Kate and Lucky, a humbling experience. Though he wouldn't whine about it. He was fortunate to have someone to guide him. To be alive. To trust that his powers would return soon.
"I remember the first time I really used my senses," he mused to her in a quiet voice, keeping it vague. "That I realized the world could be larger than I imagined. Believe it or not, ice cream was involved."
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"Yeah, exactly. They're obviously together after years of dancing arounnd each other," Kate continued, delving deeper into this story that seemed to be rolling naturally off her tongue. "He had this huge crush on her back when they were in high school. But you know what it's like when the timing is simply wrong? It's been wrong for them for ages!"
At the question, Kate looked back over her shoulder to take a last look at this Brianna. "Well, she's wearing his football jersey. He obviously was part of the school team and now they go to the games together." In all honesty, she just reminded Kate of Brianna Chickenfry. Best made-up name in the history of made-up names. "She's a brunette, short hair. Amazing boobs that probably were already amazing before the baby. I'm not sure if I'm jealous on her behalf or his."
Taking a turn, they were soon walking into a busier street. Families around them, some people carrying shopping bags. But certainly not the loudness Matt was used to.
"Did someone put something illegal in your ice cream?" Kate joked, surprised by what he was sharing.
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Kate's way of spinning a story based on a few visual clues was different than how Matt normally interpreted what was around him. Not that Kate was trying to play genuine detective now, she was just indulging him in amusing musings. Still, Matt noted the lighthearted whimsy with which she spoke, whereas he clinically read people's bodily signatures to arrive at clear, though compassionate, answers. It was body heat and heartbeats that betrayed love, a nuanced difference from what betrayed rage or illness. It had taken time to differentiate between them all with practiced ease, because humans so often had their emotions and well-being overlapping with other feelings. "I do know what it's like for timing to be a bitch. Glad to hear those crazy kids made it work out in the end. Or I guess really, this is just the start of a new story for them."
He gave a small snort at her question, because really, in a way? The seeds of plenty of illegal activity had been sewn into that first ice cream cone.
"No. The ice cream wasn't laced. Thankfully, since I was twelve. It was just the first time I was pushed to taste something beyond vanilla. Sometimes you don't know what you can do until someone gives you a nudge, you know?" As they neared Chinatown he paused. The ringing in his ears intensified, then a painfully loud crash of sounds filled his senses making him wince. It only lasted a moment before it passed and the world was muffled again. "Ah - ow. Sorry. I think it was a good pain, though. Think I could hear normally for a second." Hopefully it meant that his powers were on the mend?
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As Brianna and her family were left behind, Kate was already scanning their surroundings to come up with the next amazing and ordinary little story she and Matt would discover around them. But then, at the mention of his own love life, she could't help but be pulled by her own curiosity. "Really? Was it a 'the one who got away' kind of situation?"
She'd liked plenty of girls and guys that simply didn't notice her, plenty that did and a couple who were a casual thing. But, aside from bad breakups, this was the first time Kate experienced true longing for someone she could't have. Yeah, timing was a bitch for her too. Being born at least 20 years later was a real shitty thing.
For a moment, he tried to imagine him thirty years younger, now her reasons completely different ones. A boy who'd lost not just his dad, but most of his whole world. Someone, she guesses his old teacher, letting him explore a whole different view of what surrounded him simply by explaining what was past the apparent simple taste of vanilla. "Was that Stick? Is that how you--"
Someone, walking next to them, dropped a plastic bag with recent purchases. Suddely, Matt quieted down and was wincing. Kate turned to face him, asking over and over if he was okay as she held his cheeks. Finally, his face relaed again.
"Are you sure?" There was suddenly a note of hope in her voice. "We can go back home if this is too much."
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"Mmm, yeah, I guess you could call it that. Though it wasn't just poor timing that led to it not working out. I guess I don't have one that was based just on timing." Matt's mind had gone to Karen and how they just could never figure out how to make things work between them. He'd made peace with it, and he truly, genuinely hoped they somehow found Frank alive so they could be together. "How about you? Have you ever had timing be the problem?" It was just natural for Matt to extend the conversation beyond himself. He tried to never just talk about himself but to inquire and engage the person he was with in return. He knew Kate hadn't had the greatest romantic relationships in the past though, so he was quick to add softly, "Unless you don't want to talk about it. I get it. We can go back to discussing strangers." He squeezed her arm in friendly support, because he didn't want to talk about something that might be painful. He genuinely didn't know how bad her dating past was or wasn't.
He smiled a little against her hands when they were pressed on the sides of his face once the pain passed. Reaching up he lightly put his hands over hers as he promised, "No, I'm okay. I swear. It was just a moment. This happens sometimes. Little moments of sensing things before things actually come back to normal. I think it's a good sign but I don't think I'm about to be overwhelmed anytime soon." It wasn't a quick recovery like turning on a light, and once he did have his powers back, he could control them, anyway. It had just surprised him in the moment to have that quick rush. It meant though that his powers were still there, which lifted his heart. His smile widened boyishly, letting him enjoy this moment with Kate even more now that he knew he was likely truly on the mend. "I think we'll still be fine to enjoy our noodles and pizza rolls."
Returning to the previous topic as they started walking again he said, "Yeah, it was Stick. He took me out for ice cream when we met. Told me to stop feeling sorry for myself. Showed me what he could do, what I could do if I trained with him. The funny thing is Kate, that he did broaden my world, but he also taught me something I don't think he intended. Because after him, I've met so many people who did the same thing. Not in the same way, but if you think about it, the people who matter to us? Or even sometimes just strangers we meet in passing? They show us a way of thinking and living we didn't know about before. Like a guy I recently defended, who reminded me that even a short jail sentence was wrong when society was rigged against him. Or like you right now. Showing me how you experience the world."
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Kate knew very well what Matt was talking to, after all, the guy that sometimes kept her awake late at night - sometimes thinking, sometimes fighting by her side -, was right there, literally within her grasp. With her arm looped around his, a wave of guilt took over her. "Ah, no, no. It's fine! You can ask me about anything, Matt. I swear." The last thing she wanted was to endanger this sense of trust that had built up between them. But was it okay to talk about this with him of all people?
"He... It's more than just bad timing too." She couldn't bring up the age difference. She couldn't be so obvious. "I think he just doesn't see me that way and probably never will. He cares about me and is super sweet about it, but he has someone else anyway."
And she had to accept that even if Heather wasn't in the picture, Matt was a very good friend. Older, who liked women his age. Elegant, responsible. Maybe more feminine? He doesn't strike her as the kind who'd judge a girl over her hobbies, of course not. But the heart wants what it wants and it's not like taste on people can be chosen.
Kate certainly didn't choose this. She didn't choose the way her legs feel weak and her heart swells at the sight of that sweet smile. He leans into her palm as her hands frame that handsome face. Because he is so much more than this. He is the most gentle guy she's met. Thoughtful, alwats putting others before himself. Smart and fun, a little mischievous. Even bruised and scruffy, he is perfect in her eyes.
"Okay. Only if you're sure." Sounding much more sure of herself, she doesn't even notice the way her thumb strokes his face as she doesn't quite let go of him yet. She's happy to hear that he is finally going to feel back like himself. Even if what started as one of the most terrifying nights of her life ended being one of the best ones, leading to the most relaxing and enjoyable day she's had in what feels like ages.
Finally settling by Matt's side again and after giving his arm a rub, she waits for him to hold onto her. Lucky has taken advantage of the stop to leave his scent on a wall, but seems also ready to pick up their walk. "Like, different perspectives, right?" She had to admit, it was pretty great to be able to share her world with him. But not just the tastes, like this morning. She liked sharing what her home was like, the music she listened to. Ever since they became closer, Kate realized she enjoyed sharing her life with Matt and learning more about his.
"Sometimes... Sometimes when I close my eyes I try to notice things too." She suddenly chuckled, feeling self-conscious. "Never like you, of course. But... What it is like to count steps. The sounds the city makes. That sort of stuff."
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Go figure that it was now that his senses were dulled, that he couldn't hear Kate's heartbeat, couldn't thread her feelings through her words, couldn't sense her temperature nor smell her scent, that Matt's own heart betrayed him to himself.
The little fan of warmth he felt from the gentle way her fingers caressed his face, the way his heart quickened and his mouth turned dry. The way that this was the first time in so very long he felt any sense of peace and home, out on the streets of New York utterly blind, with Kate and her dog at his side. The words that Sister Maggie had said when he'd visited her in the hospital.
'She means something to you, doesn't she?'
Kate meant so very much to him.
He licked his lips and cleared his throat, his feelings betraying him in a way that confused him and made him feel guilty. He took her arm again, trying to make sense of the swirling of emotions inside of him. His voice was low and a little husky. "Yeah. Like different perspectives." Did Heather ever count the steps to live like him? To experience the world as he did? Or was that too silly and romantic a task for one more practical?
"It's a good sound, isn't it?" He said it quietly, head tilted at her. "The city, that is. There's music to it, when you listen to it right."
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ETA Snazzy New Icon
Aaaaaw, I love this one so much! The whole new batch is so pretty! <333
It really is! New icons make me happy.
💜💜💜
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