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streetlevel

Leave Matt a message below!

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From:

hawk_shot

You know, I always found that kinda crazy.

Matt, you're amazing with kids. But honestly, I liked you from the very first day. You just can be... A little impactful the first time.

.... [It's a little shocking. For a moment she thought he would be clutching his rosary. But nope. Matt is treating her exactly like she wanted to. Like an adult.] Are you actually shaming me over the dicks I've sucked? Fine! Fine, why don't you give me tips then?

From:

streetlevel

That I don't have a guest room? Apartments with them are insanely pricey.

I love kids. They're hilarious. And I liked you too when we met.

Don't date guys who think any part of themselves should be worshipped?

From:

hawk_shot

No, I mean. You not having more friends. Friends that stay over.

Do you want kids of your own? [She wonders if she should have asked if Heather and him discussed it, instead. It feels kinda wrong leaving her out of that conversation.] Really? What did you think?

Okay... But what else? What do you think guys like to hear instead?

From:

streetlevel

I have a lot of friends. They just don't come over. [Matt is excellent at charming people, at having people he knows everywhere he goes to chat with. Yet there's a firm boundary from letting them get too close. Only a handful of close friends have ever been to his apartment - though he's had many one night stands.]

I'd love to have kids. Maybe not a huge stereotypical Irish Catholic family, but one or two sounds nice. You? And when I first met you, I thought you were eager, but that you cared about doing Hawkeye's name proud.

Guys aren't all the same. I'd suggest asking what they want to hear.

From:

hawk_shot

You don't like people getting too close, do you? [She wonders if he would have allowed her in if she wasn't Hawkeye. Probably not and that is fine. They never would have met, never would have become friends if they didn't have that lifestyle in common.]

I'm pretty sure you'd make a great dad. A super devoted one. Spoiling a little girl. [There's warmth in her tone at the mental image. Because she can indeed picture it. Kate on the other hand... She likes to always remind him that she's an adult, but becoming a mom? Hell, half the time she still feels like a teenager.] Maybe. But... I wanna focus on my career first. ... I really did, yeah.

Well, obviously not. But a lot of you like the same things. Like... Do you really like it when we go all 'Oh, you're so big, baby'.

From:

streetlevel

Some boundaries are helpful. [Or perhaps that was Stick's training talking.]

I had a great dad, so. Good role model for it. Hopefully it'll happen someday. Or maybe I should adopt when things haven't gone to hell. Since I can't seem to get the romantic relationship part to stick. After all, it was just my dad and I for a long time.

I mean, not in that tone, no. Complimenting one another though is usually a good tactic in life in general.

From:

hawk_shot

Yeah, guess they are in this line of work. [Even if she has to bite her tongue about this. About how she wishes he wouldn't be so tough on himself.

She listens, picturing him already with a perfect family. A perfect wife and kids. Nobody really deserves it more than Matt, after everything he went through.

Kate is shocked though, as he mentions his romantic relationships don't stick. He... Is ina relationship right now.] Hummm. Have you -- Like, have you and Heather discussed kids?

Well, yeah. But you compliment the other before you get laid. You're not into dirty talking?

From:

streetlevel

Not seriously, no. I know she wants them, but we are very much not there yet. [He leaves it at that, because it feels inappropriate to keep talking about his relationship troubles with someone else.]

I mean it's fine, though it's more something that happens spur of the moment in the bedroom rather than practiced ahead of time. And I think compliments work at any point.

From:

hawk_shot

[She can tell he is being dismissive and so she doesn't push that way.] Well, you're still on the same page. And... I don't know, it's sure gonna happen to you, Matt. And then you're gonna be changing diapers and twice as tired as you are now.

Oh, you know those are a different kinda comment. No guy goes 'oh, your hair is pretty' when you're giving them head.

From:

streetlevel

That's what every parent I know says. That I'll be even more tired. I don't know how that'll be physically possible and I'm slightly terrified each time I get assured I'll learn. ... seems like it'd be worth it, though. I don't know. It's cool to watch tiny little moppets grow into a person. I like to think it'll happen. Somehow.

Now I'm gonna use that line and make it work, just to see if I can.

From:

hawk_shot

Your friends gonna be sick of you talking about the color of whatever it is your kid puked on your shoulder. [And yet, his genuine excitement about it is something she finds adorable.] You're totally going to dress up with your kids. Take them to Disney. Regret your life choices once they pick on your lawyer ways and argue back to you.

If you get the best head of your life you're gonna owe me big time!

From:

streetlevel

That... is a fair point on the arguing, and I'm sure my dad would be saying I deserved it from heaven. [It's a nice dream, even if it feels far away.] For now I just visit kids at the orphanage and at the hospital dressed as Daredevil. You should go sometime as Hawkeye. I can't see them but I'm sure the pictures the kids draw are really cute.

Is that what your dad did with you? Dress up and trips to Disney?

What does that sort of favor cost someone these days? I want to know what I'm in for.

From:

hawk_shot

Wait, that is a thing? I know Cap does, but I didn't know other heroes did too. [She goes quiet.] But... What if I'm not the Hawkeye they expect? [Most kids grew up with Clint's Hawkeye. The same Hawkeye she grew up with! Would she be disappointed if someone else showed up?]

Well, he started taking me rock climbing when I was five and that drove my mom so mad, but I loved it. He had a lot of time to work but always found time for me. I would set up treasure hunts at home for them and they dressed up or let me put makeup on them, yeah. We did go to Disney a few times too. [It's clear that Kate does have a lot of great memories about her childhood.]

Dinner, obviously. I mean... A wonderful, homemade dinner.

From:

streetlevel

Well, I can just speak for myself and Peter, but yeah. We've done it. It's a good time, even if some of the kids are wrong and say Spidey is the best. And even if you're not the Hawkeye they expect, you can be an amazing Hawkeye they get to meet and remember.

That's sweet. Those sound like a lot of good memories. What sort of treasure would they find?

Good thing homemade dinners are exactly in my wheelhouse.

From:

hawk_shot

Guess... I could always play with the kids at shooting paper balls and that sort of thing. I'd -- Yeah, I'd really like to join you guys the next time. Maybe bring some toys too?

Oh, something stupid. I would mostly draw pictures and put them inside of boxes decorated as a pirate chest.

Hey, you might be the one getting laid, but I'm the one who's getting the better deal.

From:

streetlevel

Playing with the kids is one of the best parts of it. And toys are good to bring. Just check the hospital website for the rules on what to bring and what not to bring. I'll let you know when we're next going.

That sounds adorable, not stupid.

I do make very good meals. I find cooking relaxing.

From:

hawk_shot

Will do. I bet it must be really sweet, seeing all those kids looking up to you. Knowing that your message about looking after each other gets them.

I guess so, yeah. Mom still displayed a lot of those old pictures until a few years ago. Like, next to a Pollock. I had to tell her that, as similar as they look, to please take mine down.

And you hate cooking for yourself, I know. You're an incredibly sweet guy, Matt. [it just slips out, without thinking.]

From:

streetlevel

Honestly? Yeah. It is really sweet. It feels good when I break into some criminal shithole, and there are kids there, and I can sense their heartbeats calm down when they see me. They trust I'll get them out of there. It's humbling to go into a hospital where kids are fighting for their lives and have just being there mean something to them. They're doing braver work than I've had to, you know? I tell them that it's a privilege they let me hang out, not the opposite.

Now I'm just disappointed I can't see them. Maybe Eleanor will describe them to me, when I see her again.

You're a worthwhile dinner guest, Kate. I like having you over.

From:

hawk_shot

You say they're doing braver work and, you probably have a point, but you've been there yourself. Haven't you, Matt? I mean, I'm not surprised this means so much to you, helping those kids. You know exactly what it means to them.

You're a real dork, did you know that? But... As shocked as my mom will be to hear that from my lawyer and good friend.... Yeah, I wouldn't be shocked if she did describe them.

And I'm honored I'm one of the few people you have over. [She pauses.] Thank you for letting me stay with you. It really means a lot to me.

From:

streetlevel

... yeah. I guess it does hit a little close to home. [He cleared his throat.] Nobody came to help my dad when he was dying. Nobody came for hours. They didn't want to come to that part of the city. Wasn't worth their time. Every kid should have a Clint Barton to look up to. Even if he didn't get to your dad in time. I'm just glad you weren't entirely alone. And I know you do the same for a lot of kids now.

I've been called worse than a dork. Just think of all the lawyer jokes I've had to endure over the years. I'll definitely ask her, then.

You're welcome. Anytime. I'm sorry if I came across as unwelcoming earlier. Saying I didn't have people over much. I'm really tired. I don't think I'm phrasing things as well as I should.

From:

hawk_shot

... I'm so sorry to hear that, Matt. [Not that it mattered, not that she could do anything for the boy he once was.] I'd love to do that for kids. But so do you. You've changed the lives of a lot of kids in this city. You hear them when nobody else does. That's... You understand how huge that is?

I still like to call you Dorkdevil. I think it balances your two sides perfectly, in the best possible way.

Oh, no! No, don't get me wrong! I didn't feel unwelcomed, not even once! It's the other way around. You were the first person I reached out to and right away you invited me to stay with you. [It had been the best thing Kate could hear at a moment like that one. When she had been shocked, a little scared and unsure of what to do and where to go to.] I was -- I was just thinking about how incredibly friendly you are with pretty much everyone you meet. And yet -- You make friends everywhere but only a few get really close.

From:

streetlevel

It's all right. Well, it's not all right, but it's all right. You know? [He's so very eloquent right now.] I mostly just remember the good things now about him. He was a good man. [A criminal, but a good man.] And... that means a lot to hear, Kate. I try to hear them. [A child's cries were what prompted Matt to put on that black suit for the first time all those years ago. Heather would have a field day with that, wouldn't she?] Just hope you know that you're doing the same.

If loving Star Trek is wrong I don't want to be right.

Okay, good. Good. [He wants her to feel welcome.] ... do you make friends that end up being close often, then? [A not so subtle avoidance, but he is curious.]

From:

hawk_shot

Yeah, I get it. [She breath out a quiet laugh, aware that they were both out of their wits.] I can't stop thinking about what you showed me the other day. Those gloves you showed me. How you dad taught you to keep getting up. [It had been a surreal talk, so sweet of him. It's a moment she'll carry in her heart forever.] It's what we try to do, isn't it? Going out there, making a difference.

Then don't. And I won't stop until I see you with pointy ears.

Well, yeah, it happens. Like, sometimes you meet someone really special and you go like 'oh, my god! Are we best friends already??!'. Because things just click. Like with you and Foggy and Karen. You guys just clicked with me and I knew I'd really care about you guys big time. Now -- You're like one of my best friends in the world.

From:

streetlevel

It is, yeah. That's why we do it. [It means a lot to him that she remembered.] I guess I just wanted you to know that while I don't know exactly what you're going through with your mom, and what your dad did, I understand a little. How parents can make shit choices, but there still being good memories. I'm sure my dad would have liked you. He always liked people who shot straight from the hip.

Good Star Trek just raises a lot of interesting ethical questions, you know? ... this is why I'm friends with Peter, isn't it. I made the mistake of bringing up the ethical dilemma of Sisko bringing the Romulans into the war and he followed me home. Learn from my mistakes Kate or he'll never leave you alone.

Ha. Well, Foggy and I did have some early hiccups with rooming together... he was a slob who snored and ate crap in bed. Imagine that with my habits. The honeymoon left early, I wanted to murder him... then we got past that to the meat of our friendship. You're right, though. I did stick around. And I do find it very easy to talk to you.

From:

hawk_shot

Yeah, the message came across, trust me. [Kate laughs softly.] You even made me cry and got all worried, but I was -- I don't know, it was so touching. So nice of you. [And so important, specially when at times she really secondguesses herself and where she comes from.] I'm pretty sure I would have really liked your dad. He might have made mistakes, but it's clear he loved you with all his heart.

... Pretty sure I'm safe since I didn't get a single thing you just said.

Oh, did you joke about bedbugs with him too, you monster? The snoring on the other hand, that I can get. You don't snore too, do you? [It was so hard to imagine a world in which Matt didn't adore Foggy, though.] I'm glad you find it easy, since lately we do it all the time and, well, I'm crashing with you. I promise to clean any crumbs from your couch.