I'm storing it at Cherry's. He doesn't live too far away from Heather's.
You think I'm sensible all the time?
It was really good. It's silly, but it was nice to know better how you and other people I care about taste. I'd forgotten what it was like.
I will not, but if the city isn't on fire I might visit a hotel with you. You just asked if I wanted you to feel special, I never said I'd do absolutely anything to make it happen. And before we start the whole 'I am ruining your life, you'll be alone' spiel again, yup. Shit friend. You should find a better one to go with.
[Kate had a habit of driving topics into the ground, so he tried to move them along to a new one. Just as he tried to when Heather pointed out him doing it.]
That's a good save at least. I'd tell you that you can also leave anything you need at my place, but I know it's not as close.
You're kinda babygirl, Matt.
... Not gonna lie. I read that and for a second I imagined you going around and licking people. 😂😂😂😂
[... Well, scratch that.]
... You know, even if you don't fall for my low attempt at guilt-tripping you, fine. I can take that. My ego can take that, Matthew. But if you call yourself a shit friend one more time? You're gonna make me punch a blind man. And you know what? That'll make you a shitty person. And we're gonna be trapped in a loop. I don't appreciate that.
Well... Whatever you do, you have people who love you backing you up. And things will work out, Matt.
You don't know about babygirl men? You know, guys that have charm and can be manly, but at the same time strike you as soft or that like, they can be vulnerable too. In touch with their emotions and cool with it. Like Pedro Pascal.
... I'm SO sorry, but I needed to share it!
My threat still stands. But yeah, anyway. Go call Cherry and to the church and do your Sunday Matt routines. I'll see you tonight?
They will. Everything will be fine. ... thank you, though. For the backing.
I didn't know that's what it meant, but that sounds like a good thing to be in my book. Especially if I'm now connected to the Mandalorian.
No, it was a fair callout. I just replayed what I wrote and it sounded off. I'm just putting it out there that, unlike Lucky apparently, I don't use any opportunity to taste people.
... unless you want to come to mass with me? Or wait, no. You were just going to bed, weren't you?
Likewise. Always. ... and I know I have to tell her, Kate. I'm just figuring out the right time for it.
He'd make a great Grogu. Pedro Pascal was also in a great police show. Narcs? I think that was the name. Clearly not as defining a role as Mando, but worth watching.
Dirty jokes or Hannibal, either way, probably best to drop it.
Really? You sure? I'd love for you to see a service if you wouldn't be bored or are too tired. The people are really wonderful. You could meet our priest. There's coffee and donuts after, too.
... I'm sorry if I'm not helping by reminding you.
I didn't know you were a Pedro Pascal fan like the rest of us female population, Matt!
Good with me. But I'm glad you could experience food with me. It was a real sweet thing during a really shitty time.💜
Yeah, don't worry, I promise I'm good! [Oh, please, don't let her yawn in front of the priest. She's making herself another coffee for the way.] I'd love to meet them all, Matt. I promise I'll try not to burst in flames once I get there.
No, you're fine, honest. It's fair to ask. Me living with someone who's actively supporting Fisk puts us all in danger. I don't take that lightly. Your safety means everything to me.
I don't go out of my way to see shows just because he's in them, but I like his work on the shows I watch that he happens to be in, so yeah, I'd say I'm a fan. He just needs to get on Star Trek now. I don't care about zombies so I didn't see that one.
It was. You were really great at that time. The last time I went through it was... not great. I promise, usually it's less dramatic when it happens. Just normal flus.
You'll be fine, if you were demonic I think that would have come up a lot sooner. I'll meet you outside the church, then? Oh and most people don't these days but it's nice to dress up a little. Not formal attire but not jeans.
[It's probably not what she thinks it means. Matt is talking about everyone's safety, about his friends. Not just... Kate knows her safety means a lot to him, but not everything.]
Well, pretty sure I'm allowed to speak for everyone when I say that your happiness means a lot to us too.
We'll start a change.org petititon for Pedro to star on Star Trek, Matt. Even if his Star Wars buddies take it personally.
Guess that from now on, during the times when that happens, we'll have to make it pleasant for you like last time. If you'll lucky it might happen during a parade or something.
You would't discriminate me if I was possessed, would you? You don't strike me as the kind. Anyway, dressing up a little. Gotcha.
[And she takes it to heart. Sure, Matt probably won't notice it. Not until someone mentions to him that they had never seen that girl before. The one with a coffe in hand, wearing a three pieces black suit with floral patterns and a tie at church.]
Back at you. Speaking of happiness, how is it feeling to be back living at the penthouse, now that a little time has passed? Good? A little strange?
Star Wars and Star Trek should be in harmony rather than at war, I say. Both are hero journeys about good saving the day.
That would be good timing. I don't think I'll want to eat then, though.
I wouldn't discriminate but I'd call my priest. Exorcisms are beyond my paygrade.
[Matt can't tell the color or style, but he can detect fabrics based on the sound the fabric makes as she moves against her skin, and also if she's wearing long pants and a shirt based on heat signatures. He can tell from that some of what she's wearing, how she's taken to heart his commitment to dress up a little for church even if that's old fashioned. Matt hears her heartbeat approach and smiles as he speaks pleasantly with a few church ladies outside the old church entrance. He's attentive, sweet, and gentle, listening to them talk like it's fascinating because to Matt? It is. He genuinely cares about how their golf tournament went and the atrocities of their garbage disposal being broke.
It's clear the old ladies have adopted Matt as a stray that needs their utmost attention and gossip. Even if he won't date any of their granddaughters or grand nieces, well he's just so nice and charming about it, so demure and a good Catholic boy. Heather hasn't come to church so this mystery woman he's dating is not known to them, and when Kate approaches they give her wide, Cheshire smiles.]
Oh, my goodness, are you Heather? I saw the way Matthew smiled when you got close enough for him to smell that perfume. Those nose of his is gonna give him away every time. We are SO pleased to meet you!
Really weird. I don't know. It suddenly feels so much bigger and emptier. And my room doesn't feel like my room at all.
[Has she been using the guest room she'd asigned for Matt when he stayed over? Maybe...
But not in a weird way! It felt wrong to change things in her childhood bedroom and, also, less like she's actually moved back in.]
Hey, tell that to the fans!
You wouldn't want to eat during a parade?
That's bold coming from a guy that dresses as the Devil himself.
[As she approached the old church, there was one thing that truly concerned Kate: would she find a recycling bin to get rid of the coffee cup she got on the way here? She was looking around, snooping before she worked on finding Matt through the crowd.
That is, until a little army of adorable old ladies pretty much surrounded her.]
Wha--?
[Matt smiled because he recognised her=
Oh, God. God, if you're really are there, this is Katherine. She doesn't speak much to you, she's aware. Not sure if she really believes. But since she's coming to visit, can you spare her from the blush she can feel rising on her cheeks? At least, with her hair down as it is today, her now warm ears can hide.]
Oh, no, no, no! I'm - I'm Kate. I'm -- Nope, I'm just his friend. [Her attention flew from each one of the old ladies to the other.] Oh, you must be Linda! It's the crochet that gave it away. Matt always says you make the most incredible things. That you take your time showing him. And I take it you're Susan? It's so lovely to meet you, ladies.
You didn't live there for some time, so it's not surprising that it's an adjustment to move back. That it doesn't feel the same. ... you know, if you wanted to go somewhere else, Clint would go with you. I doubt he's gotten so pampered by Walter that he'd stay there even without you.
I am a fan, I tell it to me.
I don't want to eat when I have the flu. Lucky's fart would be the least of our worries.
[Matt realizes he's been abandoned. The Church ladies shifted to the right to surround Kate with a predatory, if well-meaning, glee. Matt kicks himself for it, who knew that Susan and her brigade would be so astute to realize that his heart and smile lifted when Kate arrived? Matt is so used to reading those around him that he forgets sometimes that he should cover his own betrayals even in seemingly innocuous spaces...
Not that there's anything to betray.
It's normal to smile and have a heart quicken when a friend approaches, one he's excited to introduce around. It's normal. Perfectly acceptable.
His own face held a blush as he moved forward. Susan, noticing Matt moving, reached out to take his elbow. She gently, tenderly, like she was used to guiding him, moved him along to... stand beside Kate.
She patted Kate's hand, to take her place.
She's helping.]
Oh, aren't you a darling! I'm so flattered that Matthew has mentioned my crochet. He's such a dear, listening to us old ladies prattle. You know that he settled a dispute I had with with my car insurance? didn't take a dime, but of course I made him some pot holders for it...
And Kate. So you're Kate.
[A small titter ran through the women. Intrigue and approval. They'd heard of her, too. That friend. So the friend had shown up. Did that mean Heather wouldn't? Or had Matt not invited her?
They'd discuss it later.]
Matthew said that you've been such an angel in helping keep order in the city with Bishop Securities. And that you adopted a dog! Since my husband passed I'd be lost without my baby that I adopted. You must tell me about yours.
Yeah, I know that. But this is probably the safest place we can be right now. As much as I'd like to go back to my apartment, I don't want to put my neighbors and the people at Herman's in danger. I don't think Fisk would take the same risks at Park Avenue.
Guess we'll have to dress Lucky in a Star Trek uniform and give him a lightsaber.
Omg, it can't be THAT bad! 😂😂😂
[She's a horrible person.
If she had followed her mom's footsteps, she would have spent the weekend confessing. Would have probably offered to cover the costs of a therapist to that poor priest. Because honestly, all those jokes she's made about Matt seducing these adorable old ladies and getting their geriatric panties wet? They're all coming back to bite her in the ass.
Never again, Kate.]
Oh, yeah, of course he's mentioned-- [And just like that, Susan places Matt right by her side and Kate's forced to face him again, her face burning as she wonders what's appropiate and what is not when Heather's presence was named merely moments ago?] Hey. Hi. [After a little hesitation, Kate takes his arm as Susan instructed and gets on her tiptoes, trying to reach his cheek for a kiss but awkwarly almost reaching his lips as he tried to do the same thing.] Hi.
[Focusing her attention on the ladies is so much easier, even as she keeps on holding onto Matt.]
He talked about me? Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm an angel. But everyone has got to try and help, right? And oh, yeah, my boy. Lucky is my first dog, I found him on the street. I'm so in love...
A fake ID in a low-security area though could get you a new apartment if you wanted. I admit I know jack about shit in this area, but Jessica does. So if you wanted out of your penthouse but not to go back to your place, that could be arranged. Just saying.
Lucky could certainly tie more people together than we could.
If you've never had a stomach flu go wrong Kate, be glad. I'll leave it at that.
Hi.
[Matt gathered his wits, but the talk turned to Lucky. The dog was always the save haven, Matt admired that.]
Oh, how darling! I found my Rex online, the breeder said he was the runt but I didn't pay any mind to that. They gave him to me half price, can you imagine? Tossing away a king, well it's just Biblical in that ignorance at seeing what was right in front of me. My Henry had just passed, and my daughter said I needed a companion. And wouldn't you know, this litter happened. I went with her to pick out a pup for my granddaughter and there Rex was, all standoffish and proud. The smallest of them all. Like Henry.
Sometimes we don't see what's in front of us, do we? But I did. And Rex will be two this year and he's my protector and best friend. I bet your Lucky is the same.
We should have them play sometime, don't you think? At the dog park. Matthew can come, he gets along so well with Rex. And it'd be nice to have help in the hot sun... come on dear, let me show you where to sit. Don't mind Matt, Sharon always takes him in. She won't hear of it otherwise.
[Sharon protested behind as she took Matt in, seating them in a pew. Matt said as he slid into sit next to Kate.]
Yeah, but what if Fisk is checking my accounts? Won't they figure where I live even if I get a fake ID?
[Maybe she's overthinking. Maybe she's watched too many movies.]
By now he deserves his own superhero name.
Yeah, I'm happy to avoid the details.
[As Kate was explained every little detail of the adventure that it had been to adopt sweet, little Rex, she had to admit that maybe coffee had not even truly be needed after all. She nodded and offered small but genuine comments.]
Matt already took Rex out for walks? I'm not surprised, he and Lucky get so along. BUt yeah,. I'm all for a doggie date. Rex sounds like he is a very friendly pup and I promise you, Lucky is the sweetest of boys. He can definitely do with more friends. [Kate glanced at Matt, feeling a little as if they had fallen into a river and the rapids were guiding them while they made their way into the church.] You know, after this you're gonna have to tell me all about Henry.
[Thankfully, that was a long tale they didn't have time for yet. And so Kate found herself sitting next to Matt, genuinelly delighted by how chaotic and yet charming the experience turned out to be so far.
Kate didn't remember church being this fun.]
Why are you sorry? They're such a sweet group. [She elbowed him playfully.] No wonder you hang with them all the time.
If it's not drawing from your accounts, then he can't trace it to you, can he? Between Danny and Jessica, let them bounce finances so much there isn't a trace, or just pay Danny under the table while one of his offshore accounts covers your fees. Jessica can take care of any fake IDs you need. It's just if you want, but there are ways. I'd hate for you to be uncomfortable.
Hawkdog?
Linda gave a little sigh at Kate asking about Henry. Such a sweet girl. Catholic? There wasn't any cross in sight but that didn't mean anything these days. That she didn't anoint herself with holy water when entering did tell Linda that she wasn't practicing, but well...
She was here. They could work with that. The church was welcoming to new or lapsed members, she wouldn't judge. Matthew had smiled so happily earlier, and they all wanted Matthew to settle down with a nice girl and give them babies to coo over. Such a nice lawyer and man. Such a nice lady. Well, it wasn't like Matthew was married or cheating, to bring a friend to church. They were all fine to pick and nudge.
"Henry was the kindness man you'd ever meet, once you got beneath the surface," she told Kate as she sat a pew ahead of them. She turned around to keep talking until the priest arrived. "He was a bit prickly, you know. At first. But he had a good heart. Matthew here brought him soup the last few months he was alive." She cleared her throat. "We take care of each other, you know? That's what a church does. But enough about us! Tell me about you, dear. Beyond your lovely dog, who I want to meet. Let's plan on next Tuesday." Who dared argue? Susan was already sending an e-vite on Linda's behalf to Matthew to forward to Kate. "Tell us all about yourself."
Cheshire smiles. Demure and placid, a wave of well-made but working class heads turned to Kate, taking Linda's lead. Susan was their data manager, but Linda with her crochet and endless parking tickets?
She was the leader who was spinning her web.
Matt cleared his throat, throwing a lifeline even if Kate had said this was sweet. They were, but...
"Maybe this should wait for the donuts."
Edited 2025-05-17 21:18 (UTC)
I'm so in love with these ladies, they're cracking me up XD
... you guys really have this all figured out, don't you?
Well, screw it. That's official. If he doesn't unite this city with his little jedi and star trek outfits, nobody will.
"Yeah, that sounds like a Matt thing to do," Kate had to point out after Linda mentioned her friend had brought soup to her late husband on his last months around. It might seem like a simple gesture, but not everyone took their time from their everyday and busy lives to help others like Matt did.
Honestly, she was trying to pick those good habits from him. But taking a shot was so much easier when you knew where you're aiming at. These days, she feels like he is helping guide her resources in the right direction.
"Me?" All of a sudden, that little crowd of lovely old ladies seemed to have eyes twice as big as Kate had noticed before, all aimed right at her. They seemed almost... Hungry?
Come on, Kate. It's not like this bunch of adorable catholic ladies could actually judge you all of a sudden if they realized that nope, you don't share their faith and you're kind of a fake being right here. Heather will be sitting in this very spot soon and she will fit nicely. Because she's elegant and smart and has a super respectable job.
And she's also Matt's girlfriend.
"Huh, well, Matt's already told you about the company. I've been working hard to get used to be part of the board. Business management seems to much easier at college, but the real thing? It's keeping me awake with late hours." You know, that and the superhero gig. "But Matt has been helping me with a project," she suddenly pointed out, sounding far more excited and sure of sharing this part. "Next month we're having a charity event to raise donations for different all these different organizations that help people with different disabilities. It's gonna be great and hopefully it'll raise awareness too. I'm pretty excited."
LISTEN, as someone raised Catholic, there is nothing more hardcore than a church lady.
It started to be conceived when I lost my place, but could work for you. Again, it's up to you. If you're not comfortable, you can leave. If you want to stay, you can. You know I'll support you no matter what, and so will Clint.
My thoughts exactly.
Matt waved off his aid during Henry's final months, murmuring, "It was the least I could do." Honestly, he'd known the man was ill before the announcement was made. He could tell the man was dying. A gift and curse Stick left him. To say anything would have been invasive and wrong. He'd let them come to terms with it, announce it - and be ready to offer what help they'd accept. Sometimes, death couldn't be fought. It terrified Matt. He knew that was true all too well.
Matt knew what the church society meant. The women were fiercely loving and loyal, but also terrifying and ferocious. They sought to pick and paw at every offering, to play with it to their satisfaction. Even as well meaning as they were, Matt didn't underestimate them. Women who had grown up in Hell's Kitchen, who had raised families there. Women who stood tall and proud against so much that said they were wrong and lesser, who fought tooth and nail to keep their place in a society that wanted to erase them for a higher price point. Women who put on their Sunday best and coiffed their hair but rinsed it out for the next week and went to work that night.
There were richer archdiocese. Wealthier, prettier, more endowed and resourced.
They had nothing on the Hell's Kitchen churches. They fought tooth and nail to stay alive, to stay afloat. Gossip was fun, little asides tittering, but at the end of the day?
Hell's Kitchen looked after their own.
Matthew Murdock was theirs.
Kate had every reason to feel judged, and Matt was quick to swoop in to ease the landing, because while Kate had a great start he wanted her to feel at home here with people that mattered to him.
There was a hum, and Matt interjected with, "She's working alongside organizations aligned with the community, to make sure that the fundraising actually meets what the need are."
Linda studied them, head tilted. "You'll have to tell us about this event, dear. If we're invited, we'd of course love to attend." Where some little near-broke church in the Kitchen welcome? It was a test. "After all, we've known Matthew and the local nonprofits for years. Written letters, made calls. Those whisper phones now in the parochial schools, that was our doing. So please, do tell us of any events. We want to support them." She reached over and gave Kate's hand a little squeeze, then turned around as the mass was about to start.
Yeah, that makes sense. I know we didn't discuss it much back when it happened because, well, a lot was going on. But I'm sorry about what happened with your place, Matt. For now I'm okay, I'm good at the penthouse. Guess I just gotta get used to it? And it's not like I'm alone.
In all honesty, even though the request had taken Kate aback and normally she wasn't big on including religion when it came to business... Was there a real good reason to exclude the ladies of the church from their event?
Kate herself was used to be the outsider, happy to stick out like a sore thumb ever since she reached her rebellious teens. It drove her mother up the wall how she sometimes refused to follow the expected etiquette and rules. Wearing what she was not supposed to wear. Saying the wrong but honest thing in front of the wrong people. She had openly questioned their privileges and of those around them a million times. Kate had questioned their true reasons to throw a lavish event with the excuse of raising donations. It felt like an oximoron. Most of the companies that dropped big sums of money normally wanted to evade taxes instead of erasing hunger from the world.
"You'll have to crochet yourself something real fancy, Linda." Kate assured them. "We'll love to have you guys there." Kate glanced at Matthew briefly, at his calm but reassuring presenced behind those red tinted lenses of his. She'd bring up local non-profit organizations later. The board would hate her, as she had already heard complains about how much bigger the event was growing, how many associations were being involved and would take their fat shares of the money.
Kate couldn't care less. They were aiming to spend as little on the event itself, keeping it, all things considered, humble. Giving a stage to disabled artists to perform instead of bringing in a big name to gather the attention of the media. Letting disabled chefs take care of the menu. No renowed chefs. Every cent was going to the organizations.
They were doing something that, hopefully, truly mattered.
It was sudden. Kate noticed that everyone seemed expectant and ready. She sat a little more upright, turning slightly towards Matt. "I feel like I just went through some kind of test," she confessed in the quietest of whispers, well aware that Matt would hear without a problem.
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streetlevel) wrote2024-12-23 08:39 pm
no subject
You think I'm sensible all the time?
It was really good. It's silly, but it was nice to know better how you and other people I care about taste. I'd forgotten what it was like.
I will not, but if the city isn't on fire I might visit a hotel with you. You just asked if I wanted you to feel special, I never said I'd do absolutely anything to make it happen. And before we start the whole 'I am ruining your life, you'll be alone' spiel again, yup. Shit friend. You should find a better one to go with.
[Kate had a habit of driving topics into the ground, so he tried to move them along to a new one. Just as he tried to when Heather pointed out him doing it.]
Speaking of Cherry, I should give him a call.
no subject
You're kinda babygirl, Matt.
... Not gonna lie. I read that and for a second I imagined you going around and licking people. 😂😂😂😂
[... Well, scratch that.]
... You know, even if you don't fall for my low attempt at guilt-tripping you, fine. I can take that. My ego can take that, Matthew. But if you call yourself a shit friend one more time? You're gonna make me punch a blind man. And you know what? That'll make you a shitty person. And we're gonna be trapped in a loop. I don't appreciate that.
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I honestly don't know what that means.
... listen, it's been a long day. Coherency is asking for a lot.
All right, all right. I'll save saying it for the moments where it's more deserved.
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Whatever you do, you have people who love you backing you up.
And things will work out, Matt.
You don't know about babygirl men? You know, guys that have charm and can be manly, but at the same time strike you as soft or that like, they can be vulnerable too. In touch with their emotions and cool with it. Like Pedro Pascal.
... I'm SO sorry, but I needed to share it!
My threat still stands. But yeah, anyway. Go call Cherry and to the church and do your Sunday Matt routines. I'll see you tonight?
no subject
I didn't know that's what it meant, but that sounds like a good thing to be in my book. Especially if I'm now connected to the Mandalorian.
No, it was a fair callout. I just replayed what I wrote and it sounded off. I'm just putting it out there that, unlike Lucky apparently, I don't use any opportunity to taste people.
... unless you want to come to mass with me? Or wait, no. You were just going to bed, weren't you?
no subject
[God, that's such a babygirl thing to say, just accepting the compliment.]
I can't believe I'm saying this, but we clearly need to dress Lucky as Baby Yoda now.
I'd call bullshit on that, but then I promised I'd keep our talks free of dirty jokes.
Even if I'm right.
.... I can come. I can totally come! I mean, I just did have a cup of coffee and I'm like, not tired at all!
no subject
He'd make a great Grogu. Pedro Pascal was also in a great police show. Narcs? I think that was the name. Clearly not as defining a role as Mando, but worth watching.
Dirty jokes or Hannibal, either way, probably best to drop it.
Really? You sure? I'd love for you to see a service if you wouldn't be bored or are too tired. The people are really wonderful. You could meet our priest. There's coffee and donuts after, too.
no subject
I didn't know you were a Pedro Pascal fan like the rest of us female population, Matt!
Good with me.
But I'm glad you could experience food with me. It was a real sweet thing during a really shitty time.💜
Yeah, don't worry, I promise I'm good! [Oh, please, don't let her yawn in front of the priest. She's making herself another coffee for the way.] I'd love to meet them all, Matt. I promise I'll try not to burst in flames once I get there.
no subject
I don't go out of my way to see shows just because he's in them, but I like his work on the shows I watch that he happens to be in, so yeah, I'd say I'm a fan. He just needs to get on Star Trek now. I don't care about zombies so I didn't see that one.
It was. You were really great at that time. The last time I went through it was... not great. I promise, usually it's less dramatic when it happens. Just normal flus.
You'll be fine, if you were demonic I think that would have come up a lot sooner. I'll meet you outside the church, then? Oh and most people don't these days but it's nice to dress up a little. Not formal attire but not jeans.
no subject
Well, pretty sure I'm allowed to speak for everyone when I say that your happiness means a lot to us too.
We'll start a change.org petititon for Pedro to star on Star Trek, Matt. Even if his Star Wars buddies take it personally.
Guess that from now on, during the times when that happens, we'll have to make it pleasant for you like last time.
If you'll lucky it might happen during a parade or something.
You would't discriminate me if I was possessed, would you? You don't strike me as the kind. Anyway, dressing up a little. Gotcha.
[And she takes it to heart. Sure, Matt probably won't notice it. Not until someone mentions to him that they had never seen that girl before. The one with a coffe in hand, wearing a three pieces black suit with floral patterns and a tie at church.]
no subject
Star Wars and Star Trek should be in harmony rather than at war, I say. Both are hero journeys about good saving the day.
That would be good timing. I don't think I'll want to eat then, though.
I wouldn't discriminate but I'd call my priest. Exorcisms are beyond my paygrade.
[Matt can't tell the color or style, but he can detect fabrics based on the sound the fabric makes as she moves against her skin, and also if she's wearing long pants and a shirt based on heat signatures. He can tell from that some of what she's wearing, how she's taken to heart his commitment to dress up a little for church even if that's old fashioned. Matt hears her heartbeat approach and smiles as he speaks pleasantly with a few church ladies outside the old church entrance. He's attentive, sweet, and gentle, listening to them talk like it's fascinating because to Matt? It is. He genuinely cares about how their golf tournament went and the atrocities of their garbage disposal being broke.
It's clear the old ladies have adopted Matt as a stray that needs their utmost attention and gossip. Even if he won't date any of their granddaughters or grand nieces, well he's just so nice and charming about it, so demure and a good Catholic boy. Heather hasn't come to church so this mystery woman he's dating is not known to them, and when Kate approaches they give her wide, Cheshire smiles.]
Oh, my goodness, are you Heather? I saw the way Matthew smiled when you got close enough for him to smell that perfume. Those nose of his is gonna give him away every time. We are SO pleased to meet you!
no subject
I don't know. It suddenly feels so much bigger and emptier. And my room doesn't feel like my room at all.
[Has she been using the guest room she'd asigned for Matt when he stayed over? Maybe...
But not in a weird way! It felt wrong to change things in her childhood bedroom and, also, less like she's actually moved back in.]
Hey, tell that to the fans!
You wouldn't want to eat during a parade?
That's bold coming from a guy that dresses as the Devil himself.
[As she approached the old church, there was one thing that truly concerned Kate: would she find a recycling bin to get rid of the coffee cup she got on the way here? She was looking around, snooping before she worked on finding Matt through the crowd.
That is, until a little army of adorable old ladies pretty much surrounded her.]
Wha--?
[Matt smiled because he recognised her=
Oh, God. God, if you're really are there, this is Katherine. She doesn't speak much to you, she's aware. Not sure if she really believes. But since she's coming to visit, can you spare her from the blush she can feel rising on her cheeks? At least, with her hair down as it is today, her now warm ears can hide.]
Oh, no, no, no! I'm - I'm Kate. I'm -- Nope, I'm just his friend. [Her attention flew from each one of the old ladies to the other.] Oh, you must be Linda! It's the crochet that gave it away. Matt always says you make the most incredible things. That you take your time showing him. And I take it you're Susan? It's so lovely to meet you, ladies.
no subject
I am a fan, I tell it to me.
I don't want to eat when I have the flu. Lucky's fart would be the least of our worries.
[Matt realizes he's been abandoned. The Church ladies shifted to the right to surround Kate with a predatory, if well-meaning, glee. Matt kicks himself for it, who knew that Susan and her brigade would be so astute to realize that his heart and smile lifted when Kate arrived? Matt is so used to reading those around him that he forgets sometimes that he should cover his own betrayals even in seemingly innocuous spaces...
Not that there's anything to betray.
It's normal to smile and have a heart quicken when a friend approaches, one he's excited to introduce around. It's normal. Perfectly acceptable.
His own face held a blush as he moved forward. Susan, noticing Matt moving, reached out to take his elbow. She gently, tenderly, like she was used to guiding him, moved him along to... stand beside Kate.
She patted Kate's hand, to take her place.
She's helping.]
Oh, aren't you a darling! I'm so flattered that Matthew has mentioned my crochet. He's such a dear, listening to us old ladies prattle. You know that he settled a dispute I had with with my car insurance? didn't take a dime, but of course I made him some pot holders for it...
And Kate. So you're Kate.
[A small titter ran through the women. Intrigue and approval. They'd heard of her, too. That friend. So the friend had shown up. Did that mean Heather wouldn't? Or had Matt not invited her?
They'd discuss it later.]
Matthew said that you've been such an angel in helping keep order in the city with Bishop Securities. And that you adopted a dog! Since my husband passed I'd be lost without my baby that I adopted. You must tell me about yours.
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But this is probably the safest place we can be right now.
As much as I'd like to go back to my apartment, I don't want to put my neighbors and the people at Herman's in danger.
I don't think Fisk would take the same risks at Park Avenue.
Guess we'll have to dress Lucky in a Star Trek uniform and give him a lightsaber.
Omg, it can't be THAT bad! 😂😂😂
[She's a horrible person.
If she had followed her mom's footsteps, she would have spent the weekend confessing. Would have probably offered to cover the costs of a therapist to that poor priest. Because honestly, all those jokes she's made about Matt seducing these adorable old ladies and getting their geriatric panties wet? They're all coming back to bite her in the ass.
Never again, Kate.]
Oh, yeah, of course he's mentioned-- [And just like that, Susan places Matt right by her side and Kate's forced to face him again, her face burning as she wonders what's appropiate and what is not when Heather's presence was named merely moments ago?] Hey. Hi. [After a little hesitation, Kate takes his arm as Susan instructed and gets on her tiptoes, trying to reach his cheek for a kiss but awkwarly almost reaching his lips as he tried to do the same thing.] Hi.
[Focusing her attention on the ladies is so much easier, even as she keeps on holding onto Matt.]
He talked about me? Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm an angel. But everyone has got to try and help, right? And oh, yeah, my boy. Lucky is my first dog, I found him on the street. I'm so in love...
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Lucky could certainly tie more people together than we could.
If you've never had a stomach flu go wrong Kate, be glad. I'll leave it at that.
Hi.
[Matt gathered his wits, but the talk turned to Lucky. The dog was always the save haven, Matt admired that.]
Oh, how darling! I found my Rex online, the breeder said he was the runt but I didn't pay any mind to that. They gave him to me half price, can you imagine? Tossing away a king, well it's just Biblical in that ignorance at seeing what was right in front of me. My Henry had just passed, and my daughter said I needed a companion. And wouldn't you know, this litter happened. I went with her to pick out a pup for my granddaughter and there Rex was, all standoffish and proud. The smallest of them all. Like Henry.
Sometimes we don't see what's in front of us, do we? But I did. And Rex will be two this year and he's my protector and best friend. I bet your Lucky is the same.
We should have them play sometime, don't you think? At the dog park. Matthew can come, he gets along so well with Rex. And it'd be nice to have help in the hot sun... come on dear, let me show you where to sit. Don't mind Matt, Sharon always takes him in. She won't hear of it otherwise.
[Sharon protested behind as she took Matt in, seating them in a pew. Matt said as he slid into sit next to Kate.]
I'm so sorry.
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[Maybe she's overthinking. Maybe she's watched too many movies.]
By now he deserves his own superhero name.
Yeah, I'm happy to avoid the details.
[As Kate was explained every little detail of the adventure that it had been to adopt sweet, little Rex, she had to admit that maybe coffee had not even truly be needed after all. She nodded and offered small but genuine comments.]
Matt already took Rex out for walks? I'm not surprised, he and Lucky get so along. BUt yeah,. I'm all for a doggie date. Rex sounds like he is a very friendly pup and I promise you, Lucky is the sweetest of boys. He can definitely do with more friends. [Kate glanced at Matt, feeling a little as if they had fallen into a river and the rapids were guiding them while they made their way into the church.] You know, after this you're gonna have to tell me all about Henry.
[Thankfully, that was a long tale they didn't have time for yet. And so Kate found herself sitting next to Matt, genuinelly delighted by how chaotic and yet charming the experience turned out to be so far.
Kate didn't remember church being this fun.]
Why are you sorry? They're such a sweet group. [She elbowed him playfully.] No wonder you hang with them all the time.
Switching to prose to handle multiple NPCs, LOL
Hawkdog?
Linda gave a little sigh at Kate asking about Henry. Such a sweet girl. Catholic? There wasn't any cross in sight but that didn't mean anything these days. That she didn't anoint herself with holy water when entering did tell Linda that she wasn't practicing, but well...
She was here. They could work with that. The church was welcoming to new or lapsed members, she wouldn't judge. Matthew had smiled so happily earlier, and they all wanted Matthew to settle down with a nice girl and give them babies to coo over. Such a nice lawyer and man. Such a nice lady. Well, it wasn't like Matthew was married or cheating, to bring a friend to church. They were all fine to pick and nudge.
"Henry was the kindness man you'd ever meet, once you got beneath the surface," she told Kate as she sat a pew ahead of them. She turned around to keep talking until the priest arrived. "He was a bit prickly, you know. At first. But he had a good heart. Matthew here brought him soup the last few months he was alive." She cleared her throat. "We take care of each other, you know? That's what a church does. But enough about us! Tell me about you, dear. Beyond your lovely dog, who I want to meet. Let's plan on next Tuesday." Who dared argue? Susan was already sending an e-vite on Linda's behalf to Matthew to forward to Kate. "Tell us all about yourself."
Cheshire smiles. Demure and placid, a wave of well-made but working class heads turned to Kate, taking Linda's lead. Susan was their data manager, but Linda with her crochet and endless parking tickets?
She was the leader who was spinning her web.
Matt cleared his throat, throwing a lifeline even if Kate had said this was sweet. They were, but...
"Maybe this should wait for the donuts."
I'm so in love with these ladies, they're cracking me up XD
Well, screw it. That's official. If he doesn't unite this city with his little jedi and star trek outfits, nobody will.
"Yeah, that sounds like a Matt thing to do," Kate had to point out after Linda mentioned her friend had brought soup to her late husband on his last months around. It might seem like a simple gesture, but not everyone took their time from their everyday and busy lives to help others like Matt did.
Honestly, she was trying to pick those good habits from him. But taking a shot was so much easier when you knew where you're aiming at. These days, she feels like he is helping guide her resources in the right direction.
"Me?" All of a sudden, that little crowd of lovely old ladies seemed to have eyes twice as big as Kate had noticed before, all aimed right at her. They seemed almost... Hungry?
Come on, Kate. It's not like this bunch of adorable catholic ladies could actually judge you all of a sudden if they realized that nope, you don't share their faith and you're kind of a fake being right here. Heather will be sitting in this very spot soon and she will fit nicely. Because she's elegant and smart and has a super respectable job.
And she's also Matt's girlfriend.
"Huh, well, Matt's already told you about the company. I've been working hard to get used to be part of the board. Business management seems to much easier at college, but the real thing? It's keeping me awake with late hours." You know, that and the superhero gig. "But Matt has been helping me with a project," she suddenly pointed out, sounding far more excited and sure of sharing this part. "Next month we're having a charity event to raise donations for different all these different organizations that help people with different disabilities. It's gonna be great and hopefully it'll raise awareness too. I'm pretty excited."
LISTEN, as someone raised Catholic, there is nothing more hardcore than a church lady.
My thoughts exactly.
Matt waved off his aid during Henry's final months, murmuring, "It was the least I could do." Honestly, he'd known the man was ill before the announcement was made. He could tell the man was dying. A gift and curse Stick left him. To say anything would have been invasive and wrong. He'd let them come to terms with it, announce it - and be ready to offer what help they'd accept. Sometimes, death couldn't be fought. It terrified Matt. He knew that was true all too well.
Matt knew what the church society meant. The women were fiercely loving and loyal, but also terrifying and ferocious. They sought to pick and paw at every offering, to play with it to their satisfaction. Even as well meaning as they were, Matt didn't underestimate them. Women who had grown up in Hell's Kitchen, who had raised families there. Women who stood tall and proud against so much that said they were wrong and lesser, who fought tooth and nail to keep their place in a society that wanted to erase them for a higher price point. Women who put on their Sunday best and coiffed their hair but rinsed it out for the next week and went to work that night.
There were richer archdiocese. Wealthier, prettier, more endowed and resourced.
They had nothing on the Hell's Kitchen churches. They fought tooth and nail to stay alive, to stay afloat. Gossip was fun, little asides tittering, but at the end of the day?
Hell's Kitchen looked after their own.
Matthew Murdock was theirs.
Kate had every reason to feel judged, and Matt was quick to swoop in to ease the landing, because while Kate had a great start he wanted her to feel at home here with people that mattered to him.
There was a hum, and Matt interjected with, "She's working alongside organizations aligned with the community, to make sure that the fundraising actually meets what the need are."
Linda studied them, head tilted. "You'll have to tell us about this event, dear. If we're invited, we'd of course love to attend." Where some little near-broke church in the Kitchen welcome? It was a test. "After all, we've known Matthew and the local nonprofits for years. Written letters, made calls. Those whisper phones now in the parochial schools, that was our doing. So please, do tell us of any events. We want to support them." She reached over and gave Kate's hand a little squeeze, then turned around as the mass was about to start.
Oh, yes, I'm familiar and wholeheartedly agree XD
But I'm sorry about what happened with your place, Matt.
For now I'm okay, I'm good at the penthouse. Guess I just gotta get used to it? And it's not like I'm alone.
In all honesty, even though the request had taken Kate aback and normally she wasn't big on including religion when it came to business... Was there a real good reason to exclude the ladies of the church from their event?
Kate herself was used to be the outsider, happy to stick out like a sore thumb ever since she reached her rebellious teens. It drove her mother up the wall how she sometimes refused to follow the expected etiquette and rules. Wearing what she was not supposed to wear. Saying the wrong but honest thing in front of the wrong people. She had openly questioned their privileges and of those around them a million times. Kate had questioned their true reasons to throw a lavish event with the excuse of raising donations. It felt like an oximoron. Most of the companies that dropped big sums of money normally wanted to evade taxes instead of erasing hunger from the world.
"You'll have to crochet yourself something real fancy, Linda." Kate assured them. "We'll love to have you guys there." Kate glanced at Matthew briefly, at his calm but reassuring presenced behind those red tinted lenses of his. She'd bring up local non-profit organizations later. The board would hate her, as she had already heard complains about how much bigger the event was growing, how many associations were being involved and would take their fat shares of the money.
Kate couldn't care less. They were aiming to spend as little on the event itself, keeping it, all things considered, humble. Giving a stage to disabled artists to perform instead of bringing in a big name to gather the attention of the media. Letting disabled chefs take care of the menu. No renowed chefs. Every cent was going to the organizations.
They were doing something that, hopefully, truly mattered.
It was sudden. Kate noticed that everyone seemed expectant and ready. She sat a little more upright, turning slightly towards Matt. "I feel like I just went through some kind of test," she confessed in the quietest of whispers, well aware that Matt would hear without a problem.