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Visiting the Bartons (for @![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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Honestly, Kate figured that flying with a pony would have been way harder than it turned out to be. But between Matt's first class charm put to full power and everyone at the airport being captivated by Frodo? Despite of how their trip to Ohio had started at an ungodly early hour, it also seemed to be the beginning of one of the most pleasant of adventures.
It was a short flight, one in which Kate shamelessly claimed Matt's shoulder as her own personal pillow. Obviously, they were on first class, but domestic flight seats were definitely not as roomy as international were. But it was comfortable enough for Kate to still feel pretty refreshed once they made it back down to land. In Ohio, a car with a trailer to carry Frodo was already waiting, taking him for a drive that took at least another hours before they made it to Clint's farm.
On their way, Kate described Matt everything that she saw. The crops, so tall they would probably be completely lost in them if they decided to make their way through them byt feet. A land full of greens on all kinds of shades. Horses grazing afar, sheep with their growing lambs. The sun was bright and Kate could tell it would become even warmer as hours passed.
She was so excited to finally see Clint and his family again.
The green land was interrupted by a path of dirth that lead to Clint's house, a three-stories home of that looked like something straight out of the fantasies of anyone who might have ever dreamed about living in the countryside. As they approeached, Kate leaned over Matt to see better through his window, spotting the tractor and Clint's van in the distance. The ducks near the pond.. You could tell this was a family home, as on their way to the house there was toys scattered all around. Bikes, footballs, dolls and a swing made with a tire.
Finally, by the house, Kate spotted Laura. She was filling some buckets of water with a hose, looking in their direction as she held a hand over her eyes, shielded the sun off her face. Squinting now, she held her hand well above her head to wave in their directon as the car and trailer finally reached the house.
With a heavy step that clearly said it all about how she had a start just as early as the one they had, Laura aproached the car as it came to a stop, Kate almost instantly hopping off. Running towards the older woman, they captured each other in a tight hug as they shared words about how glad they were to see each other again.
While the driver got out and quietly greeted Laura, he headed back to take care of the trailer. Still holding Kate by the shoulders, Laura went straight to their other guest. "You must be Matt."
It was a short flight, one in which Kate shamelessly claimed Matt's shoulder as her own personal pillow. Obviously, they were on first class, but domestic flight seats were definitely not as roomy as international were. But it was comfortable enough for Kate to still feel pretty refreshed once they made it back down to land. In Ohio, a car with a trailer to carry Frodo was already waiting, taking him for a drive that took at least another hours before they made it to Clint's farm.
On their way, Kate described Matt everything that she saw. The crops, so tall they would probably be completely lost in them if they decided to make their way through them byt feet. A land full of greens on all kinds of shades. Horses grazing afar, sheep with their growing lambs. The sun was bright and Kate could tell it would become even warmer as hours passed.
She was so excited to finally see Clint and his family again.
The green land was interrupted by a path of dirth that lead to Clint's house, a three-stories home of that looked like something straight out of the fantasies of anyone who might have ever dreamed about living in the countryside. As they approeached, Kate leaned over Matt to see better through his window, spotting the tractor and Clint's van in the distance. The ducks near the pond.. You could tell this was a family home, as on their way to the house there was toys scattered all around. Bikes, footballs, dolls and a swing made with a tire.
Finally, by the house, Kate spotted Laura. She was filling some buckets of water with a hose, looking in their direction as she held a hand over her eyes, shielded the sun off her face. Squinting now, she held her hand well above her head to wave in their directon as the car and trailer finally reached the house.
With a heavy step that clearly said it all about how she had a start just as early as the one they had, Laura aproached the car as it came to a stop, Kate almost instantly hopping off. Running towards the older woman, they captured each other in a tight hug as they shared words about how glad they were to see each other again.
While the driver got out and quietly greeted Laura, he headed back to take care of the trailer. Still holding Kate by the shoulders, Laura went straight to their other guest. "You must be Matt."
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Clint snorted at his wife, pouring himself a soda as well after he handed Kate one. "If you went to the city, Fisk would run into hiding at the first chance of-"
"I'm sorry, did you make your own tea blend?" Matt interrupted, gesturing at the iced tea he'd just sipped. He took another sniff and sip. "I'm tasting locally dried peaches and cornflowers, with some jasmine and rooibos?"
Laura looked shocked, then delighted. "That's... exactly right. That's remarkable. I find the fruit and floral blend goes so well with the rooibos."
"Yeah, rooibos is one of my favorites, too. Have you tried it with dried raspberries?"
Clint sighed and looked at Kate. "We've lost them for at least the next half hour. Drying herbs and plants are her new hobby. Want to see what's changed in the rest of the house? You can also see the cats you're not leaving here without."
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Was that when Kate had fallen for him? Noticing how huge his heart was? Huge enough that he put as much passion in helping a human being as he did on a poor, injured duck?
That's the thing about Matt. He cares passionately.
Kate knew Marshall had grown up to be a friendly duck, Clint had shared plenty of stories. Enough of them for Kate to feel like she knew the bird as much as his new owners did. And yet? She doubted Marshall was as affectionate to anybody else as he was with Matt.
She stared at Matt's lips as he whispered those loving words, letting them sooth her too. Everything would work out.
At home. Between Matt and her and--
And suddenly the conversation was all about tea blends and herbs.
"Huh?" Clint's guess wasn't wrong. Not on Matt's behalf, Kate was sure of that. "Yeah, I'd hate to be a thirdwheel in that conversation anyway." Honestly, she could just be a witness. Snorting, she was happy to move on now, spend a little quality time with Clint and, while they were at it, meet who could possibly be Matt's pets in the future.
As she followed Clint pass the hallway, she bumped his hip with her own. "Happy belated Father's Day, old man." She reminded him. "How's it been? Did the day get even better after that pancake war?"
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Besides, it was also nice to get some private time with Kate.
He led her further inside the farmhouse, giving Kate a lopsided grin as she bumped into him affectionately. "Thanks. Well, for the well wishing. Not so much for the old comment," he teased her in return. "It was a really nice day. We hung out at the pond for a picnic, played some catch, then later that night Coop and Lila helped me teach Nate how to play poker." Had the youngest child understood all the nuances in the game yet? No. It was still a lot of fun, though. Then later that night, Laura and I got sappy looking at old photos and... I'll keep the details of her gift private for your sake." Needless to say it had involved the bedroom in some capacity.
"I missed you, though." He paused outside the office door that they mostly used for storage these days - and apparently, kitten-rearing. Looking at Kate he added, "We were all thinking about you on that day. I hope it wasn't too tough for you." He'd heard from Kate that she was spending the day with Matt. That she'd refused to take the day off and visit because Matt wasn't taking the day off. Clint knew he couldn't expect Matt to give up patrolling just so Kate could visit, but a part of him had almost hoped the man would so she could have. At the very least then Matt could make the day as enjoyable as possible for Kate in return.
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His Father's Day sounded amazing and she was truly so happy to hear about it. Clint has been so amazing, dividing his time lately to make sure Kate didn't spend more than a few days alone in the penthouse, not just to keep her company but to make sure there was always a set of eyes or ears at the ready. Making sure they were not followed, that there would be no nasty surprises. Being there out with the rest of the net they were builing. Being out there with Kate, or Jessica or Luke. Letting the people of New York know that the Avengers and what they meant were still there, fighting for them too.
"I had a great day too," she assured him, not at all surprised to hear Clint had been worried, that so was Laura. He knew what that date meant for Kate. "Matt and Peter were there for me all day and looked after me." Did she felt like a weak little girl for relying on her boys? Nah. She was a friend, shew knew they only saw that. A friend who was feeling vulnerable. She would have done the same thing for Matt or Peter or any of her friends. "They fed me and took me out to this shark exhibition." Her dad would have been proud of the friends she's made. "And then Spider-Man and I went on the not most succesful of missions, but it was cool anyway."
Wait, was that meowing coming out from that room?
"Are they--?" She asked, understanding where Clint was leading her to.
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He had a perfect family. Wife, and kids. Including Kate.
Reaching out, he made a motion with his hands. A sign language gesture to match his words. "Family." His hands went back to their sides. "Glad you have that here and in the city, whether I'm there or not." Oh, there was Eleanor. That wasn't the same thing. Eleanor was complicated. Clint wanted to know she had someone she could trust without any tangles. Someone who would have her back no matter what when he was gone. "You're gonna have to tell me what went wrong with the Web-Head. For now..." He sighed theatrically and opened the door.
Inside was a lovely cat tower, dishes, bedding, litter box, and toys. The kittens wanted for nothing, and they felt more secure in a smaller space right now. The calico was on her back, lazily sunning herself in the afternoon hours by the window with her mother. A perfect princess of pampering and peace. The ginger cat?
"Get off that!" Clint went over, muttering, "How the hell are you even hanging onto..." The cat had somehow gotten upside down on the shelving unit Clint was still building. An angry, indignant mewl was the kitten's response as Clint untangled it, as though the cat was very insulted Clint hadn't let it figure it's way out of that puzzle it had gotten into. "This one is a demon, definitely Matt's."
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The sign, even if Clint had not said it outloud, she would have recognised. Little by little Clint had been teaching her, something they had picked on while they hanged together at her place or during quiet times at stakeouts. "Hey, we're always one phone call away from each other." Because as bad as she felt about not being there physically for Clint, she knew he understood why she couldn't leave New York. Why she wouldn't leave Peter and Matt on their own, specially not in a day when other people in their network also spent the day celebrating with their families.
Clint would never hold it against her.
As her mentor welcomed her into the room, Kate was shocked by the impressive, cat themed renovations around. Honestly, even though some of Kate's friends were cat owners, she knew little to nothing about caring after one. Just as she had certainly improvised when Lucky arrived into her life. Right away, she spotted the mom and daughter duo, taken away by how adorable the pair looked. "Is that...?" It had to be. Clint and Laura mentioned the others had found homes already.
And then, the ginger cemented that fact.
"Look at him! He's already a little Daredevil of his own. Meowdevil?" Certainly Matt's.
Approaching, Kate reached out in a silent 'may I?' before Clint handed over the kitten. Kate held it against her chest, petting the little guy as big blue eyes that had not yet defined their future color stared up at her. She cocked her head, trying to give him a closer look, the kitten leaning in to sniff her face. It wasn't long before she was gifted with some purring.
"You sure you're not keeping these guys?"
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"We talked to the kids about it, and they decided they'd rather keep the mom than one of the babies. They figured the mom would be harder to adopt, and we can only keep one, so once the kittens were ready to be weaned, we started adopting them out." Clint had a touch of pride in his voice. Of course his kids, as loud and stubborn as they could be, had the sweetest hearts and wanted to keep the cat that was least likely to find a forever home. "Plus we know where Matt lives, so the Mama Cat can always get visits of her babies."
He went over and knelt down, stroking both cats lazing in the sun before gently picking up the female kitten. She immediately tucked herself under his chin, purring away. "She's really laid back and sweet. Just wants to be a cuddle puddle. That one makes some people have to earn his time and attention sometimes." He nodded at the kitten Kate was holding. "Although he seems to be doing fine with you so... yeah, that fits with Murdock." Charming the ladies. "I texted Matt that we had some feed and supplies he could use but he insisted he had everything handled."
A beat. "Don't tell me he had supplies just waiting for another duck."
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It added a sweet layer to it all.
"Honestly, Clint," Kate shook her head, even though she knew she shouldn't be shocked in the slightest. "Your kids are the sweetest. Of course they went for the mom." The fur behind the ears of the little ginger kitten was nothing but soft fuzz, her lips finding the top of the head of the kitten as she looked at how comfortable their mom was. She's a lucky cat, having found a home of five who would all pamper her and shower her with love every day. "You and Laura are probably glad to keep the most chill one of them all, huh? And extra perk to having those awesome kids."
As Clint approached her with the tiny calico, Kate reached out to pet her too. With that long fur she was like a tiny, breathing cloud. The ginger, almost as if it was sensing he didn't have Kate's full attention anymore, craned his neck and allowed his little tiny tongue to lick at Kate's mouth.
Indeed, a lady's man.
Kate melted instantly.
"Oh, dude. You're the sweetest," Kate pointed out in the softest of voices. "Clint, I think my ovaries just exploded."
Meanwhile, the calico herself seemed to be trying to get the attention of the man she also considered her dad. A little paw reached over to his cheek, patting it lightly in what seemed to be some petting of her own. How come something so tiny could purr that loud.
"I think someone is working extra-hours to steal your heart."
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A slight chuckle escaped him as the calico in his arms doted her attention on him. He ruffled her fur gently with his fingers. "I think it comes naturally to her. She's a real sweetheart. She'll try and guilt you into carrying her everywhere with you, including the bathroom, so I can't wait to tell Matt about his new codependent best friend. Shall we?" He headed for the office door, holding the kitten with just one arm. Since they had the babies with them Clint felt comfortable leaving the door open so the mom cat could come and go as she pleased. The babies were just a little too young to be given that much free rein.
They headed back to the kitchen, where Matt and Laura were now both wearing aprons and were busy working on the early dinner meal. It was a rustic farmhouse meal of chicken cutlets, roasted potatoes, and a tomato and corn salad. Perfect for the summer. Seeing the chicken on the counter, the little ginger cat tried to vault himself out of Kate's arms and onto the meal prep with a mighty for him meow. The calico in Clint's arms simply gave large eyes and purred to guilt them into a treat. Clint sighed. "There are two kinds of people in the world..."
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"Hey, it might be grounding to Matt. You know, stick to one lady from now on?" Oh, God. She felt bad jumping into the train of 'messing around with Matt's dating reputation', but it was served on a silver plater! "Yeah, sounds good." The ginger, Kate could already tell would be a handful. He was curious, trying to climb onto her shoulder and meowing as Kate attempted to hold him down. A little fighter, no doubt about it.
It shouldn't have been a surprise, the fact that it was the little guy who interrupted the moment. Because walking in to find Matt in an apron and making himself part of the family already? Kate smiled at the warm sensation that spread on her chest.
Before that little devil attempted to do a kamikaze jump to reach the chicken, that is...
"Humm, Matt? I think there's someone you need to meet." Specially if that meant putting some distance between these kittens and that chicken.
Taking the calico from Clint, Kate approached Matt with both kittens. "Hey," she said softly as they both meowed, clearly eager to explore more of the world. Even better, if that meant getting treats in the process.
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Matt sensed a cat attempting to get at the chicken and he instinctively reached a hand out to hover over the pieces before Laura quickly moved them and laid a parchment paper over until they were ready to eat. He excused himself and went over to Kate when she called, and he could detect two little balls of fluff in her arms. One was a bit more squirmy but not out of fear or discomfort, he simply seemed curious to know everything that was going on. The other one was more docile but still focused on him and Kate.
"Hey." He reached out a finger to lightly pet one of the kittens and then the other. "It looks like you've made some new friends. Hope the donkeys don't get jealous."
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The calico, already purring, started licking his fingers while the ginger tested if climbing up onto Matt's wrist was a good plan.
"Do you think you can guess which one is the red boy?"
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"What did I tell you, Kate? Single brain-cells just understand one another," Clint joked as he walked past them, giving Matt's shoulder a pat. "Enjoy your first foray into parenthood, pal. They don't sleep when you should and they're gonna want to follow you everywhere. Everywhere."
"Yeah, but they grow out of that, right? ... right?" Clint didn't answer him, he just moved away chuckling. Matt gave a little sigh, pulling the ginger cat down from his attempt to scale his shoulder and sit on his head. The cat let him hold him for now, but there was a feisty look that said nothing could keep him down for long. Even wonderful cuddles. "You're gonna help me get them settled into the apartment later, right?" he asked Kate hopefully.
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There was something truly sweet about the thought of Matt delving into feline parenthood, as nervous as he seemed to be following Clint's joke. Was Matt feeling the same kind of butterflies in his stomach as Kate did at the thought? She was well aware that this would be nothing like rearinga human child, but...
Maybe. Just maybe, nurturing a little living and demanding thing like a pair of loving kittens would be something like tiny, kitten sized training wheels?
"Huh? Oh, yeah, obviously," Kate agreed without hesitation. She hadn't visited Matt yet at the apartment since he moved in, so it would be sweet to see him moving around, to check how he had settled in, too. And the kittens? It would be adorable. "Did you set up the pen?" They had bought one exactly like the one Kate had brought for Marshall after Matt brought the duck home.
Leaning against his arm, she reached over to pet the ginger boy. "This one's so full of energy, but the little girl is so chill and cuddly. Did you notice how soft she is?"
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He'd even done his research and realized he could actually prepare meals for the kittens in the kitchen. That had delighted him to no end, though he also had some frozen raw meals for them too for nights when he wasn't able to let them feast on the meals he prepared.
He tickled under the calico's chin and smiled as he heard her yawn. She lazily kneaded a little paw against Kate's shirt. "She does seem like an absolute sweetheart. She must have taken after her Mama and Laura." He gave the woman who'd been his defender against Clint and Kate's teasing a grin. "It does feel more like hair than fur. What a little angel you are," he crooned at the kitten. The ginger cuddled near his shoulder, not to be outdone, batted at the side of Matt's face. "And you... are the handful my dad said I deserved someday."
Laura laughed at that. "When you're ready to put them down for a nap, Kate you can show him the rest of the farm before dinner. Introduce him to all the family."
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She knew Matt's beliefs, even his way of life, it was all about sacrifice. But the tenderness in which he spoke to those kittens? How he had clearly looked forward to this moment?
Kate had hope.
With a chuckle, she rested her chin on his bicep as she watched the pair, not even noticing the familiarity in which she acted around Matt. The Bartons were well aware that Kate was never shy about a hug, neither were they. But Laura turned to Clint, her raised eyebrow speaking for itself as they noticed how easily Kate practically cuddled Matt as they petted the kittens.
"Yeah, that's a good point. There's so much I need to show you," Kate agreed.
Nate, how had returned from introducing Frodo to the farm and was eager for a glass of juice, was quick to jump in. "Can I feed the cats? I wanna feed the cats!"
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Matt meanwhile smiled and leaned against Kate, only moving when Nate raced over to them. "Sure buddy, you can help," Matt agreed. "You'll have to show Kate and I what they eat though, and Kate can lead us back to where they stay."
"I can do that!" Nate agreed, racing over to get the cat food. It wasn't the fancy organic raw diet that Matt was going to put them on, but it was a perfectly serviceable wet cat food. "C'mon, this way!" Nate took the cans and a spoon and led them to the office where the cats slept and ate. The little ginger once again tried to leap to follow the food, with Matt having to work quickly to keep him held. "Stop trying to jump to your death!"
Clint snorted, calling after their retreating backs the following old commercial quote, "You, all right? I learned it from watching you!" Anyone who understood that reference was likely his age, but he didn't care.
Matt just barely remembered there were children around, raising his hand and about to raise his middle finger towards Clint but instead quickly rubbing the back of his head instead.
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"So, your dad cursed you with the knowledge that you'll have a little Murdock that will drive you nuts?" She asked before kissing the top of the head of the fuzzball she carried. At least, Matt was blessed with a chill one. "You think that's something every parent does? I mean, so did my mom."
Eleanor had made it very clear that one day, once she is well into adulthood and far from making a young and rash decision, if Kate chooses to give her grandchildren she will remember every crazy thing she's done as a child. Eleanor had teased her, saying she'll get to relax as a grandma, spoil her grandchildren while karma kicks Kate in the ass.
It was a bittersweet thought now. Not that she was in a rush to become a mother, she thought as she adjusted the little bundle in her arms.
Kate glanced at Matt and thought about everything he'd done, how their friends had helped protect Eleanor. Would her mom still be in her life if she ever formed a family of her own.
"What does every parent do?" Asked Nate as momma cat met them halfway towards the office were their empty bowls waited for each feline. The white cat with orange markings meowed loudly as she headbutted Nate on his legs, calm but affectionate, patient with the awareness that soon she would be fed.
"Uh, they love you very much and make sure you have a pony of your own," Kate was quick to point out.