"Next Saturday, got it." He could do Saturday, barring an emergency. They were easier than Sundays, when he sometimes had church activities keeping him busy even aside from mass. It truly meant a lot to Matt to get to know people in general, but especially those who shared his appreciation of Kate. His smile softened as Mrs. Sato kept adding honorifics when speaking about Kate. Her special girl. Clearly there was history there.
He reached out to carry some of the bags in one of his hands, the one that also held Lucky's leash. He listened to the dog excitedly and noisily chewing on the treats that he was given, licking Mrs. Sato's hand afterwards in thanks.
"I do my best, Mrs. Sato," he promised with pretend long suffering at ensuring Kate at well, a teasing smile on his face. "Thank you again. Before we go though, it sounds like there's a story here on how you two met. I'd love to hear it. Today, or next Saturday at that lesson."
"Next Saturday! You two be here by closing time for that lesson and story!" Mrs. Sato waved a finger at the pair as they walked away. Kate looked back over her shoulder as she looped her arm around Matt's again, unaware of how close she was holding onto him as she waved at the shopkeeper. "We'll be here, Mrs. Sato. Have a good day and more mochi ready to shut up Matt once he starts showing off about his cooking."
The older lady called her out playfully on not being disrespectful towards Matt, who Kate could already tell was ready to take under her wing. After all, the woman had been just as loving and protective when she first met Kate.
"Can't say I'm shocked you're making such a good impression on people," Kate pointed out as they made their way through the crowds again. From those who knew Kate to strangers alike, Matt always made an effort to treat people like potential friends. But it wasn't all talk. He had such a genuine interest on getting to know everyone and their stories. On appreciating the little things about every day life. A long marriage. Fresh produce. The story of how Kate and an old japanese shopkeeper had once met.
"Oh, wait!" Stopping him by a souvenir shop, Kate couldn't help herself. "Since you don't have yours..." They were red, too. Heart-shaped glasses she carefully tried on Matt. "There! You should totally consider this new style."
"She just wants to shut me up from sharing more stories about her," Matt protested playfully, although honestly, mochi was an excellent way to get him to be quiet for periods of time. The texture was one of his favorites, and it came in multiple flavors from savory to sweet. He was excited about the assortment that Mrs. Sato had rung up for them. "Goodbye, Mrs. Sato. Until next Saturday."
As they left the store Matt was busy musing on how mochi was one thing he'd yet to try and make. It felt a little intimidating for some reason, but he really should make the effort since he loved it so much. Maybe he could ask Mrs. Sato for tips? Or make a trial batch and bring them so she could tell him what he'd done wrong or how he could improve them? Matt was lost in thought he nearly kept going until Kate's gentle tug on his arm stopped him.
He turned his head curiously in the direction of her voice. Once he realized what shew as doing, and the design of the glasses she'd put on his face, his expression was one of amused exasperation behind the heart shaped glasses. "Really, you think so? Nothing silly looking about this at all?"
"You'll have to define silly," Kate shrugged off as she peeked on the many colorful trinkets displayed at the front of the shop. There was several boxes with pieces of cheap but cute jewelry and all kinds of plastic and rubber toys, soft plush ones. Fans with different motifs painted on them and traditional hats.
"Oh, I kinda love this." Taking Matt's hand, Kate guided him to touch a small plastic bamboo steamer. Lifting the lid, a dumpling squishy stress toy waited inside. "Isn't it cool? I think we need like a million of these." If they were truly able to release stress, anyway.
"Glasses in novelty shapes would be on the silly list," Matt replied in a knowing tone, reaching up to feel them. He could tell they weren't in a normal glasses shape, though it made Kate happy, so he left them on his face. While he wouldn't have gone out of his way to look ridiculous, he didn't care about it every once in awhile. Like dressing up in ridiculous outfits to watch a show. It wasn't something he'd ever think to do, but it made her happy. Like going to listen to intimate jazz shows or to wine tastings made him happy. "I suppose it could be worse. You could have found some that had palm trees on the ends."
He let her move his hand to touch the stress balls inside, giving them a small squeeze. He didn't dare try and feel things on the table without her guidance, because without his powers, he'd easily just end up knocking items over. It was a little humbling to genuinely have to rely on someone else rather than pretending, but he felt that maybe it was good to be humbled every so often. To know this was life for some people every day, and that they had to find their own ways to feel empowered and independent.
"Do they have any dog toys? Or toys that could be used as them?" Matt asked, reaching for his wallet. He wanted to buy Lucky a toy, of course. "I'll buy one for you too if you want," he teased to Kate. "So you and your dog can match. Unless you want the steamer with the stress balls?" He could afford some trinket toys, and Kate had bought the food. He wanted to treat her and Lucky to something, too.
And he guessed that also went for the silly glasses.
"You'll have to define novelty shapes," Kate kept pushing, even though she was well aware that Matt was far from being truly annoyed. He surprised her, however, as he kept the glasses on, once again proving her could be a total sport and play along. "There's flame-shaped ones if you think those go more with your style," she offered. This was better than the horned-hearts, though. Too on the nose to her taste.
As she was ready to say something about the Chinese zodiac figurines on display, Lucky seemed to anticipate Matt's question as he tried to reach one of the soft toys.
"There's some capybara plushies that really - Lucky, no. Hey, don't grab that." With a laugh, Kate placed her hand on her dog's muzzle to push him back before he could drool over the toys. But Matt was already taking his wallet out. "What? You sure? Matt, you don't have to."
And yet, Kate's voice said it all. It shouldn't be so surprising coming from him and how generous her friend was, but it was such a sweet gesture.
Matt patted Lucky's head, stage whispering in the dog's direction just as sassily as Kate was talking, "This is what the United States' educational system produces these days, Lucky. Someone who can't even think critically about what the words novelty and shapes means and how they interact. It's a sad day for our country's future, isn't it?" If she was going to play dumb, he was more than willing to tease her about it. "Still, at least she's got a good heart to make up for it."
He huffed a small laugh as he pointed out, "I don't think any of these are my style, Kate." He was just humoring her at this moment, it wasn't like he'd ever wear any of these glasses again. "These are fine." The ones that he was wearing. They were the impulse ones that Kate had picked, so she probably was the most amused by him wearing them over the flame ones. It wasn't like he could see any of them either way, so it was all the same to him. He was just playing off her enjoyment, like he delighted in buying items that she and Lucky might enjoy themselves.
"Of course I don't have to, but I want to. Let Lucky live, Kate." Of course he was free to indulge the dog, since he didn't have to be the one to stop him from slobbering on everything. "Go ahead and pick out something you both would like. I promise, I can afford it." Their law firm might not be doing great in terms of finances, but he was still plenty comfortable to purchase a trinket or two.
At Matt's antics Kate shamelessly blew a raspberry and bumped him lightly with her shoulder. "Don't listen to him, Lucky. He might blame my generation but then he's not questioning why Columbia had been pretty much lets anyone in." And yet, as the playfully jabbed at each other, Matt still managed to sneak in a compliment.
She could definitely say the same thing. That he had a huge heart. And shameless ammounts of charm he knew how to play up when it came to asian women with inspiring talent in the kitchen. Or with anyone, really. "Good thing he has a great sense of humor," she pretended to whisper herself.
A great sense of humor indeed, Kate was reminded of as Matt settled playfully for the glasses she had put on him, not even suspecting that he was considering keeping the pair. As he insisted on getting her and Lucky a souvenir, she almost shily picked the plastic steamer with the stress ball in it. "I think Lucky likes the capybara," she told him, picking up the plushie for the dog.
It was silly, not something she worried he couldn't afford. But she was touched over the fact that Matt wanted to get her and her dog some gifts.
Lucky might love Matt, but Kate was forever number one in his heart so of course when she started speaking to him his head turned to lick her fingers lovingly. He had no idea what either of them were saying but he'd take all the attention even if, in the end, he'd always play favorites. Matt couldn't help but let a soft laugh as he heard Lucky adore Kate. Lucky paused every so often to turn and lick at Matt to show that he was loved too, which Matt appreciated. "Columbia is still a great school! For the United States. We've always been shit compared to most of the rest of the world. Less academics for way more money, welcome to America. It's a business more than a learning institution." Matt barely stopped himself from launching into one of his socio-economic rants given they were out in public. It was utterly obscene though how students in their early twenties were already in enormous debt, yet grade-school teachers barely made a living. Corrupt, gross, unjust and...
He realized he was still muttering until Lucky placed his paws on Matt's chest to give him a hug. Matt hugged the dog back and smiled apologetically, stopping for real this time.
"I do have a great sense of humor," he agreed, getting back on topic. "You need humor with the world we're living in."
Matt nodded, requesting the two items that Kate said and gesturing to his glasses as the third item. He felt the bills in his wallet - each was folded up a different way so that he knew exactly which bills he'd be using as the man told him how much it all was. Matt was using cash more often these days when he could to keep less of a track on himself lest Fisk be watching his money flow. Not that a silly token stand meant anything, but then again, who knew if it might. "You know what, yeah I can see Lucky being a capybara man. Makes sense." He thanked the vender with a smile, letting him keep the change.
He was starting to feel tired again. Not ill or bad, just worn out as his body was still recovering. He'd be glad to get home and sit for awhile.
Kate listened to Matt's little rant about the educational system and, despite of the touchy subject, couldn't help but smile at how strong his sense of social justice was regardless of which uniform he was wearing. It wasn't the devil suit, not even the lawyer. Even while wearing her dad's clothes, Matt was Matt. The same guy full of passion when it came to face and denounce everything that was wrong with the world. Everything they still had time to demand a change for.
She considered bringing up student debt herself, aware that even some of her close friends would struggle with it for years. But did she have a right to do so? In Kate's economic position, those numbers meant nothing. She wasn't in a position to painfully regret not having graduated from college yet, having wasted time or money.
But it's not like she can go back, be part of that screwed up system just to finish her degree. Forget about the city and her partner. About what was truly important.
"Yeah, a strong one," she quietly agreed.
Matt proved his point, suprising her as he kept the heart-shaped red sunglasses. Her smile grew wider and so much more light-hearted as she thanked him for the gifts. But her attention was focused on him. "I can't believe you kept those," she admitted as her laughter reached her voice.
Kate Bishop was rarely quiet, so when her response was just that, it made Matt notice. Something he'd said had sparked it, but he couldn't discern exactly what it was. He knew she'd gone to college and hadn't finished, but how she felt about it exactly wasn't something they'd talked about. Perhaps it was a topic to broach in the future, now that his curiosity had arisen. Or maybe she was just musing on the same injustice that he was, only her response to it was quiet introspection rather than his rather loud speeches.
Either way he reached out to lightly find her arm and gave it a squeeze, glad to then hear her laugh as the topic went to a lighter one. He didn't forget though, tucking it away for later.
"Why wouldn't I keep them?" he asked in a faux-innocent voice, straightening his new glasses as they started to talk back. "My partner whom I trust in all things told me that I should wear them. She'd never steer me wrong, would she? I must look great."
With Matt reaching for her arm, Kate wasn't shy of leaning against him, even resting her head on his shoulder briefly as they walked together. She appreciated the gesture, felt almost pampered by how the day had turned out to be.
Because, as terrifying as the night was, as much as she feared what would happen with his powers, Matt had made her day an incredible one. Only now did Kate realize she had not had this kind of fun in a long time.
"You do look great!" Kate was quick to agree. "Sure, I mean... Being classy is probably in the eye of the beholder." He probably shouldn't consider taking the joke and his guilt-tripping to the extreme of showing up at work with them, but then Kate figured that wasn't really a concern. "But you make everything look great, so..." Her shoulder bounced in a shrug.
He gave her a slightly bemused smile as she said that he made everything look great. There was nothing to it, surely. Just a nice remark, a compliment. He wouldn't overthink it. "For once I'm not gonna take that as a challenge and wear ridiculous things to see if that holds true," he teased back.
As they walked he was clearly getting a little weary, but he did make them stop so that he could get that Vietnamese iced coffee for Walter. He also got some for himself and for Kate if she wanted. The caffeine and sugar helped perk him up a little on the trek back, and Walter seemed pleased by it which made Matt happy. They chatted for a few minutes with him before heading up the stairs.
"Woah, buddy." Lucky was clearly not tired yet as he was ready to bound down the hall. "I know air conditioning is exciting right now, we'll get there soon, I promise."
"Well, you can always shave like you said and maybe dye your hair? You'd make a nice redhead," she teased him back. Had she said too much with her previous compliment? Kate was still hung up second-guessing herself. But then, she'd been in the same room as Kirsten complimented Matt several times. Or even teased him about his good looks and charms.
It meant nothing.
As they made their way back home - back to her home -, Kate thanked Matt again for spoiling her by getting her a drink, aside from what was promised for Walter. She could tell that the busy night they had was finally catching up with Matt though and, even though she tried to distract him by making new stories abouy the people around them, they soon made their way back to the penthouse.
"Hey, would you like to lie down for a while? We didn't sleep much."
And yet, it was hard to forget how he had insisted on sharing that bean bag. How cold she had been, how Matt had embraced her and rubbed her body, keeping her warm. Kate passed out and woke up feeling so refreshed, so comfortable. It had felt like the best sleep she'd had in months.
"You're welcome to use the bedroom or we can watch something and pass out or whatever. We have a few couches, there's this really comfortable L-shaped one in the TV room."
"Or I might look like a killer clown based on what I've heard they look like," Matt joked back about him making a good redhead. Not that he could actually see to tell, but he liked to think he was getting better at picking up when Kate was trolling him.
Once back in the penthouse he let Lucky off his leash. The dog licked his hand and then went to his water bowl to drink. Matt sipped his coffee and held out the leash for Kate to take and put back where it belonged. He slipped off his shoes and left them by the door.
He was tired, but a part of him didn't want to be alone. Didn't want to be left to his own devices to start thinking on the loss of his powers rather than enjoying the moment with Kate. So when Kate gave him an out, he took it.
"Sofa, maybe? We can put something on. And I did promise you could feel my face. We should probably put away the groceries first, though."
Kate snorted at his suggestion, struggling to believe anyone would ever see him that way. Of course, it took a blind man to make that mistake. "Is that why you said you imagined me as a redhead?" She teased him right back.
Back at the penthouse, Kate toed off her own shoes and simply kicked them in the general area where Matt had left his own. She thanked him, taking Lucky's leash as she gently guided Matt around. "Yeah, the sofa sounds perfect."
Gently touching his elbow, she guided him around, touched by the fact that he remembered something as her request to feel his face in the same way as he had touched hers. "Okay, let's see how many steps it takes to make it to the kitchen. Now I'm super curious about this!"
True to her word, she counted outloud, as they took a turn and walked through the dining room before they made it to the kitchen, where Kate easily took the grocieries, and put away anything that needed to be kept in the fridge or freezer. Lucky followed them, earning a couple more treats from the bag she had left on the counter.
"Do you want something else to drink? Another snack?"
"No, but are you saying I should reconsider?" he joked back easily, because that was better than bringing up how Foggy said Matt tended to surround himself with redheads. Which he didn't. Only some of the time. The statistics were exaggerated in Matt's mind. "How do you feel about white grease paint?"
He let himself be guided with her when back at the penthouse, counting the steps with her to help him memorize the space. He made sure to take steps that he normally would take, or else the count would be off for him. Once inside he let her put away the groceries how she wanted in her fridge and freezer, finishing off his iced coffee. It had helped keep him cool on the walk over, and he did like the sweet edge it had. Not too sweet now on his tongue.
"I think I'm still digesting breakfast, but maybe some waters would be good? I can help carry them." He didn't want to be utterly useless even inside. As she got the water he doted on Lucky who had joined them. "So what are you in the mood to watch? With the caveat don't make it anything you really want me to see. I can't promise I won't pass out during it." He'd try his best but he could feel sleepiness settling in even after his second cup of coffee. Not an immediate need to sleep but the body-tiredness of a long day having been had, or in their case, recovering from many.
Clint would't be around for a couple of days, since a school play had demanded his presence back at home. He had been insistent, asking Kate over and over if she would be okay on her own for the next few days. Right now, as Matt stayed at the penthouse and they both counted their steps outloud and together, she couldn't help but be truly thankful over how she had convinced her mentor than she would be more than fine.
"Sure. There's sparkly or regular water. Either is fine by me." Because as much as she enjoyed her soda, Kate made sure to also keep properly hydrated.
Satisfied as they had their drinks, Kate guided him to the TV room, Lucky leading the way and looking back as if to check if they were following. "Maybe we can watch one of those jazz documentaries you told me about? I'm in the mood for something super chill because I'm probably going to pass out myself."
Matt had opted for regular water with ice, then headed to the living room with Kate and Lucky. As soon as they were there he took a long sip of the water, giving himself some ice to crunch before setting the glass on the coffee table and settling on the sofa. He patted the cushion next to him on one side and Lucky happily obliged, leaping up and settling in a ball next to him with his head resting on Matt's thigh. Giving the dog's head a little scritch Matt nodded and yawned out, "Yeah, that sounds good." He gave Kate the names of a few and let her pick which one she wanted to put on for them.
It wasn't long before jazz began to sing in his ears, a sound he found soothing. He patted the other side of him then for Kate to come join them. "You'll like it," he promised, or at least, he thought she might. Who didn't like jazz?
Taking a cool small bottle of sparkly water for herself, Kate guided Matt to the TV room Clint and Kate used so many nights together. She smiled as Matt made himself comfortable, almost seeming to belong to the spot as he got both Kate and Lucky to join him on the sofa.
Kate, who had been busy with the remote finding the documentaries she'd saved after Matt recommended them, never truly thinking she'd make the time to watch them, was happy to hear the music filling the room. In all honesty? She was far more interested in watching them because Matt had enjoyed them than over what the documetary itself was about.
"It does sound interesting," she offered as she sat by his side, legs tucked under herself as she tried not to lean too closely to him.
The music had filled the room and she managed to stay quiet and pay attention for only a few minutes before she spoke up. "Can I tell you a secret?"
Matt felt the sofa indent on both his sides as Lucky and Kate joined him on the sofa. The dog snuggled right up but Kate kept some friendly space. Still, sandwiched between them Matt felt warm and content, not as frightened as he'd be otherwise just turning over in his head the minutes until his powers returned. He listened to the light thump of Lucky's tail lazily wagging as he petted the dog's head, a soft background beat to the music and commentary that soon filled the room. Matt had seen some of these documentaries many times before but they didn't get old for him. He let his eyes fall closed, it wasn't like he was using them anyway, and merely listened.
When Kate spoke though he reopened his eyes. Head leaning back against the sofa cushions, he tilted it in her direction. His unfocused gaze fell to the left of her face, but he tracked her voice as best he could as he said with assurance, "Yeah, sure. Of course. Wait, does it involve where a body is buried? I don't have a shovel." The last part was said teasingly.
Hugging a cushion to her chest, Kate felt herself losing that stiffness that marked distance between herself and Matt. She was resting her head against the sofa as well, sleep-deprivation making her feel as if her body was melting little by little on the spot.
"Nah, just wondering if you'd take my case as my lawyer or if the buried body is going against me," she played along, smiling lazily as she turned to look at Matt.
It still squeezed her heart a little to see the big bruise the night had left as a souvenir on his face. The spot where he'd received the shot wasn't as swollen as he had been before they passed out together, but it was all looking so much better by now.
Or maybe it was the fact that Matt looked so relaxed? So content.
"Last night was so scary." That cop holding that gun to Matt's face. If Kate had been a few seconds too late...
"But this was the best day I've had in a long time," she confessed quietly. "And I know you're going through a hard time right now, with your powers and all. I feel so bad for having a good time."
Matt sat up a little bit as she talked, though he was careful not to disturb Lucky's head on his lap. Selfishly Matt was enjoying all the dog time he was getting while at Kate's, knowing it'd come to an end when he left until he visited again next time. Kate was generous in letting him play with her dog as much as he was, knowing what a comfort the canine could be.
His stomach dropped a little, face grimacing a touch at the mention of last night. A silent agreement that it had indeed been scary. "I'm sorry I put you in danger." His voice was quiet, and even though he knew that wasn't what Kate had meant, he still felt compelled to say it, to confess. "My abilities were getting harder to control already." He'd been so exhausted his body had already been starting to break. "I thought I had a handle on it, though. Then I just heard this ringing and I didn't recover fast enough, and..." Well. He'd gotten himself shot.
"I shouldn't have put my partner at risk like that. It won't happen again."
He felt along the cushion next to him until he hit her knee, resting his hand upwards to take hers if she wanted. He gave a small smile.
"Today has been a good day. We're alive. I reminded myself how lucky I am most days, to spend today without what I can normally do. Sometimes it does help to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. I got to do that as a blind man, and I got to do that as someone with normal senses to experience what you like. I won't pretend it hasn't been hard, but maybe it's also been a little bit of a blessing."
Almost aware of the shift in the atmosphere, Lucky moved his head on Matt's lap, whimpering as he demanded attention. It was Kate who reached out, stroking the dog soothingly as Matt confessed what he had gone through these last few days. His worries. How that affected him last night. She understood Lucky, as Kate felt like whimpering a little herself.
"You can tell me about those things, Matt," she told him quietly as a soft piano seemed to guide them through their emotions. "I'm not mad or --" Just a little shocked now to hear these news. She had figured that his body was demanding some rest by now, but had no idea that his senses had not been at their best. "Look, this is the whole point of having a partner. I was there for you when you needed me," she offered, hoping to sound a little more hopeful now. A little more positive.
They did get out of that alive, after all.
Without hesitation, Kate founds herself taking Matt's hand, holding tightly onto it as she returned a smile he would never see.
It was his words that did it, though. They brought clarity to a situation in a way she had not anticipated. Because, even though Matt was going through a hard time, at least he had not endured it alone.
That was a big part of having a good partnership too.
"And if we weren't together to share this day, you would have missed out on Frankie, the Punisher French Bulldog," she offered with an almost shy smile, a hint of a laugh. Hopefully the start of something that would be contagious.
Frankie's parents, that lovely couple that had confused them for one of their own. It had been awkward, but incredibly sweet too.
It had been such a good day.
"I like experiencing things the way you do, too. Like... I'm glad you don't find it offensive. The whole, you know, counting steps and stuff. I know I have the privilege of being able to see but..." How could she explain it? "I don't know, I just wanna know what it is like for you."
Matt gave a soft laugh at the mention of Frankie the bulldog. "We should have taken a picture. Sent it to Frank. Maybe that would have gotten him out of hiding." Matt wanted to think that Frank was just in hiding. That he wasn't captured, or worse, dead. He had to keep hope alive, because for all their differences, Frank didn't deserve that. Matt was keeping an ear and eye out, figuratively, but so far he'd heard nothing. They'd just have to keep thinking that no news was good news right now.
He didn't let himself become maudlin, not right now.
With a gentle certainty, he brought Kate's fingers up to his face for her to feel. A silent acknowledgement that, no, he didn't find her wanting to be a part of his world offensive. He knew she'd tread lightly over the parts of his face that were still injured, but he didn't mind her seeing him in this way. The manner in which he could see her.
"I like you seeing the world like I can, as much as it's possible. Just like I want to know how you see the world, too."
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streetlevel) wrote2024-12-23 08:39 pm
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He reached out to carry some of the bags in one of his hands, the one that also held Lucky's leash. He listened to the dog excitedly and noisily chewing on the treats that he was given, licking Mrs. Sato's hand afterwards in thanks.
"I do my best, Mrs. Sato," he promised with pretend long suffering at ensuring Kate at well, a teasing smile on his face. "Thank you again. Before we go though, it sounds like there's a story here on how you two met. I'd love to hear it. Today, or next Saturday at that lesson."
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The older lady called her out playfully on not being disrespectful towards Matt, who Kate could already tell was ready to take under her wing. After all, the woman had been just as loving and protective when she first met Kate.
"Can't say I'm shocked you're making such a good impression on people," Kate pointed out as they made their way through the crowds again. From those who knew Kate to strangers alike, Matt always made an effort to treat people like potential friends. But it wasn't all talk. He had such a genuine interest on getting to know everyone and their stories. On appreciating the little things about every day life. A long marriage. Fresh produce. The story of how Kate and an old japanese shopkeeper had once met.
"Oh, wait!" Stopping him by a souvenir shop, Kate couldn't help herself. "Since you don't have yours..." They were red, too. Heart-shaped glasses she carefully tried on Matt. "There! You should totally consider this new style."
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As they left the store Matt was busy musing on how mochi was one thing he'd yet to try and make. It felt a little intimidating for some reason, but he really should make the effort since he loved it so much. Maybe he could ask Mrs. Sato for tips? Or make a trial batch and bring them so she could tell him what he'd done wrong or how he could improve them? Matt was lost in thought he nearly kept going until Kate's gentle tug on his arm stopped him.
He turned his head curiously in the direction of her voice. Once he realized what shew as doing, and the design of the glasses she'd put on his face, his expression was one of amused exasperation behind the heart shaped glasses. "Really, you think so? Nothing silly looking about this at all?"
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"Oh, I kinda love this." Taking Matt's hand, Kate guided him to touch a small plastic bamboo steamer. Lifting the lid, a dumpling squishy stress toy waited inside. "Isn't it cool? I think we need like a million of these." If they were truly able to release stress, anyway.
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He let her move his hand to touch the stress balls inside, giving them a small squeeze. He didn't dare try and feel things on the table without her guidance, because without his powers, he'd easily just end up knocking items over. It was a little humbling to genuinely have to rely on someone else rather than pretending, but he felt that maybe it was good to be humbled every so often. To know this was life for some people every day, and that they had to find their own ways to feel empowered and independent.
"Do they have any dog toys? Or toys that could be used as them?" Matt asked, reaching for his wallet. He wanted to buy Lucky a toy, of course. "I'll buy one for you too if you want," he teased to Kate. "So you and your dog can match. Unless you want the steamer with the stress balls?" He could afford some trinket toys, and Kate had bought the food. He wanted to treat her and Lucky to something, too.
And he guessed that also went for the silly glasses.
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As she was ready to say something about the Chinese zodiac figurines on display, Lucky seemed to anticipate Matt's question as he tried to reach one of the soft toys.
"There's some capybara plushies that really - Lucky, no. Hey, don't grab that." With a laugh, Kate placed her hand on her dog's muzzle to push him back before he could drool over the toys. But Matt was already taking his wallet out. "What? You sure? Matt, you don't have to."
And yet, Kate's voice said it all. It shouldn't be so surprising coming from him and how generous her friend was, but it was such a sweet gesture.
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He huffed a small laugh as he pointed out, "I don't think any of these are my style, Kate." He was just humoring her at this moment, it wasn't like he'd ever wear any of these glasses again. "These are fine." The ones that he was wearing. They were the impulse ones that Kate had picked, so she probably was the most amused by him wearing them over the flame ones. It wasn't like he could see any of them either way, so it was all the same to him. He was just playing off her enjoyment, like he delighted in buying items that she and Lucky might enjoy themselves.
"Of course I don't have to, but I want to. Let Lucky live, Kate." Of course he was free to indulge the dog, since he didn't have to be the one to stop him from slobbering on everything. "Go ahead and pick out something you both would like. I promise, I can afford it." Their law firm might not be doing great in terms of finances, but he was still plenty comfortable to purchase a trinket or two.
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She could definitely say the same thing. That he had a huge heart. And shameless ammounts of charm he knew how to play up when it came to asian women with inspiring talent in the kitchen. Or with anyone, really. "Good thing he has a great sense of humor," she pretended to whisper herself.
A great sense of humor indeed, Kate was reminded of as Matt settled playfully for the glasses she had put on him, not even suspecting that he was considering keeping the pair. As he insisted on getting her and Lucky a souvenir, she almost shily picked the plastic steamer with the stress ball in it. "I think Lucky likes the capybara," she told him, picking up the plushie for the dog.
It was silly, not something she worried he couldn't afford. But she was touched over the fact that Matt wanted to get her and her dog some gifts.
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He realized he was still muttering until Lucky placed his paws on Matt's chest to give him a hug. Matt hugged the dog back and smiled apologetically, stopping for real this time.
"I do have a great sense of humor," he agreed, getting back on topic. "You need humor with the world we're living in."
Matt nodded, requesting the two items that Kate said and gesturing to his glasses as the third item. He felt the bills in his wallet - each was folded up a different way so that he knew exactly which bills he'd be using as the man told him how much it all was. Matt was using cash more often these days when he could to keep less of a track on himself lest Fisk be watching his money flow. Not that a silly token stand meant anything, but then again, who knew if it might. "You know what, yeah I can see Lucky being a capybara man. Makes sense." He thanked the vender with a smile, letting him keep the change.
He was starting to feel tired again. Not ill or bad, just worn out as his body was still recovering. He'd be glad to get home and sit for awhile.
Get back to Kate's, that is.
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She considered bringing up student debt herself, aware that even some of her close friends would struggle with it for years. But did she have a right to do so? In Kate's economic position, those numbers meant nothing. She wasn't in a position to painfully regret not having graduated from college yet, having wasted time or money.
But it's not like she can go back, be part of that screwed up system just to finish her degree. Forget about the city and her partner. About what was truly important.
"Yeah, a strong one," she quietly agreed.
Matt proved his point, suprising her as he kept the heart-shaped red sunglasses. Her smile grew wider and so much more light-hearted as she thanked him for the gifts. But her attention was focused on him. "I can't believe you kept those," she admitted as her laughter reached her voice.
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Either way he reached out to lightly find her arm and gave it a squeeze, glad to then hear her laugh as the topic went to a lighter one. He didn't forget though, tucking it away for later.
"Why wouldn't I keep them?" he asked in a faux-innocent voice, straightening his new glasses as they started to talk back. "My partner whom I trust in all things told me that I should wear them. She'd never steer me wrong, would she? I must look great."
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Because, as terrifying as the night was, as much as she feared what would happen with his powers, Matt had made her day an incredible one. Only now did Kate realize she had not had this kind of fun in a long time.
"You do look great!" Kate was quick to agree. "Sure, I mean... Being classy is probably in the eye of the beholder." He probably shouldn't consider taking the joke and his guilt-tripping to the extreme of showing up at work with them, but then Kate figured that wasn't really a concern. "But you make everything look great, so..." Her shoulder bounced in a shrug.
God, had that sounded wrong?
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As they walked he was clearly getting a little weary, but he did make them stop so that he could get that Vietnamese iced coffee for Walter. He also got some for himself and for Kate if she wanted. The caffeine and sugar helped perk him up a little on the trek back, and Walter seemed pleased by it which made Matt happy. They chatted for a few minutes with him before heading up the stairs.
"Woah, buddy." Lucky was clearly not tired yet as he was ready to bound down the hall. "I know air conditioning is exciting right now, we'll get there soon, I promise."
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It meant nothing.
As they made their way back home - back to her home -, Kate thanked Matt again for spoiling her by getting her a drink, aside from what was promised for Walter. She could tell that the busy night they had was finally catching up with Matt though and, even though she tried to distract him by making new stories abouy the people around them, they soon made their way back to the penthouse.
"Hey, would you like to lie down for a while? We didn't sleep much."
And yet, it was hard to forget how he had insisted on sharing that bean bag. How cold she had been, how Matt had embraced her and rubbed her body, keeping her warm. Kate passed out and woke up feeling so refreshed, so comfortable. It had felt like the best sleep she'd had in months.
"You're welcome to use the bedroom or we can watch something and pass out or whatever. We have a few couches, there's this really comfortable L-shaped one in the TV room."
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Once back in the penthouse he let Lucky off his leash. The dog licked his hand and then went to his water bowl to drink. Matt sipped his coffee and held out the leash for Kate to take and put back where it belonged. He slipped off his shoes and left them by the door.
He was tired, but a part of him didn't want to be alone. Didn't want to be left to his own devices to start thinking on the loss of his powers rather than enjoying the moment with Kate. So when Kate gave him an out, he took it.
"Sofa, maybe? We can put something on. And I did promise you could feel my face. We should probably put away the groceries first, though."
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Back at the penthouse, Kate toed off her own shoes and simply kicked them in the general area where Matt had left his own. She thanked him, taking Lucky's leash as she gently guided Matt around. "Yeah, the sofa sounds perfect."
Gently touching his elbow, she guided him around, touched by the fact that he remembered something as her request to feel his face in the same way as he had touched hers. "Okay, let's see how many steps it takes to make it to the kitchen. Now I'm super curious about this!"
True to her word, she counted outloud, as they took a turn and walked through the dining room before they made it to the kitchen, where Kate easily took the grocieries, and put away anything that needed to be kept in the fridge or freezer. Lucky followed them, earning a couple more treats from the bag she had left on the counter.
"Do you want something else to drink? Another snack?"
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He let himself be guided with her when back at the penthouse, counting the steps with her to help him memorize the space. He made sure to take steps that he normally would take, or else the count would be off for him. Once inside he let her put away the groceries how she wanted in her fridge and freezer, finishing off his iced coffee. It had helped keep him cool on the walk over, and he did like the sweet edge it had. Not too sweet now on his tongue.
"I think I'm still digesting breakfast, but maybe some waters would be good? I can help carry them." He didn't want to be utterly useless even inside. As she got the water he doted on Lucky who had joined them. "So what are you in the mood to watch? With the caveat don't make it anything you really want me to see. I can't promise I won't pass out during it." He'd try his best but he could feel sleepiness settling in even after his second cup of coffee. Not an immediate need to sleep but the body-tiredness of a long day having been had, or in their case, recovering from many.
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"Sure. There's sparkly or regular water. Either is fine by me." Because as much as she enjoyed her soda, Kate made sure to also keep properly hydrated.
Satisfied as they had their drinks, Kate guided him to the TV room, Lucky leading the way and looking back as if to check if they were following. "Maybe we can watch one of those jazz documentaries you told me about? I'm in the mood for something super chill because I'm probably going to pass out myself."
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It wasn't long before jazz began to sing in his ears, a sound he found soothing. He patted the other side of him then for Kate to come join them. "You'll like it," he promised, or at least, he thought she might. Who didn't like jazz?
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Kate, who had been busy with the remote finding the documentaries she'd saved after Matt recommended them, never truly thinking she'd make the time to watch them, was happy to hear the music filling the room. In all honesty? She was far more interested in watching them because Matt had enjoyed them than over what the documetary itself was about.
"It does sound interesting," she offered as she sat by his side, legs tucked under herself as she tried not to lean too closely to him.
The music had filled the room and she managed to stay quiet and pay attention for only a few minutes before she spoke up. "Can I tell you a secret?"
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When Kate spoke though he reopened his eyes. Head leaning back against the sofa cushions, he tilted it in her direction. His unfocused gaze fell to the left of her face, but he tracked her voice as best he could as he said with assurance, "Yeah, sure. Of course. Wait, does it involve where a body is buried? I don't have a shovel." The last part was said teasingly.
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"Nah, just wondering if you'd take my case as my lawyer or if the buried body is going against me," she played along, smiling lazily as she turned to look at Matt.
It still squeezed her heart a little to see the big bruise the night had left as a souvenir on his face. The spot where he'd received the shot wasn't as swollen as he had been before they passed out together, but it was all looking so much better by now.
Or maybe it was the fact that Matt looked so relaxed? So content.
"Last night was so scary." That cop holding that gun to Matt's face. If Kate had been a few seconds too late...
"But this was the best day I've had in a long time," she confessed quietly. "And I know you're going through a hard time right now, with your powers and all. I feel so bad for having a good time."
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His stomach dropped a little, face grimacing a touch at the mention of last night. A silent agreement that it had indeed been scary. "I'm sorry I put you in danger." His voice was quiet, and even though he knew that wasn't what Kate had meant, he still felt compelled to say it, to confess. "My abilities were getting harder to control already." He'd been so exhausted his body had already been starting to break. "I thought I had a handle on it, though. Then I just heard this ringing and I didn't recover fast enough, and..." Well. He'd gotten himself shot.
"I shouldn't have put my partner at risk like that. It won't happen again."
He felt along the cushion next to him until he hit her knee, resting his hand upwards to take hers if she wanted. He gave a small smile.
"Today has been a good day. We're alive. I reminded myself how lucky I am most days, to spend today without what I can normally do. Sometimes it does help to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. I got to do that as a blind man, and I got to do that as someone with normal senses to experience what you like. I won't pretend it hasn't been hard, but maybe it's also been a little bit of a blessing."
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"You can tell me about those things, Matt," she told him quietly as a soft piano seemed to guide them through their emotions. "I'm not mad or --" Just a little shocked now to hear these news. She had figured that his body was demanding some rest by now, but had no idea that his senses had not been at their best. "Look, this is the whole point of having a partner. I was there for you when you needed me," she offered, hoping to sound a little more hopeful now. A little more positive.
They did get out of that alive, after all.
Without hesitation, Kate founds herself taking Matt's hand, holding tightly onto it as she returned a smile he would never see.
It was his words that did it, though. They brought clarity to a situation in a way she had not anticipated. Because, even though Matt was going through a hard time, at least he had not endured it alone.
That was a big part of having a good partnership too.
"And if we weren't together to share this day, you would have missed out on Frankie, the Punisher French Bulldog," she offered with an almost shy smile, a hint of a laugh. Hopefully the start of something that would be contagious.
Frankie's parents, that lovely couple that had confused them for one of their own. It had been awkward, but incredibly sweet too.
It had been such a good day.
"I like experiencing things the way you do, too. Like... I'm glad you don't find it offensive. The whole, you know, counting steps and stuff. I know I have the privilege of being able to see but..." How could she explain it? "I don't know, I just wanna know what it is like for you."
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He didn't let himself become maudlin, not right now.
With a gentle certainty, he brought Kate's fingers up to his face for her to feel. A silent acknowledgement that, no, he didn't find her wanting to be a part of his world offensive. He knew she'd tread lightly over the parts of his face that were still injured, but he didn't mind her seeing him in this way. The manner in which he could see her.
"I like you seeing the world like I can, as much as it's possible. Just like I want to know how you see the world, too."
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