Visiting the Bartons (for @streetlevel )

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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."  

Comments

[streetlevel]

"Yeah, thanks again for helping me pick that out. I set it up and did a little bit of decorating for it. To make it comfortable and engaging for them." Honestly, the only personal touches Matt had given to the apartment were related to the cats, and having a stocked kitchen. He knew Kate had told him to make the place lived-in with his influences, but he was still shy and hesitant to do that. It felt like taking over a space that wasn't really his. He otherwise just had his toothbrush, soap, and shampoo in the bathroom, and his few sets of clothing in the bedroom. It was a nice space and he knew it reminded her of his dad, so it felt wrong to do anything else to it. For the sake of the cats though there were toys and a cat stand, beds and food bowls.

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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Matt could claim all he wanted that all he intended for these cats was to foster them, but after going to the pet store to shop together for everything these kittens might need? Kate could tell he was ready to pamper the too. Would he simply let them go to somebody else's household after that?

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!"

[streetlevel]

Noting Laura's eyebrow raise, Clint's own gaze narrowed a little as he observed Kate and Matt. No, it was just friendly. Right? Murdock wouldn't charm Kate like that. ... like he did practically every single woman he came across. Like he had done with Clint's last partner. Really, the man couldn't be at least a little original? Although Clint felt more protective of Kate than he did Nat in this instance, he couldn't help having some fatherly instincts towards the young woman. Sidling over to his wife, he kept it vague because he knew Matt could overhear them as he muttered, "Should I be worried?"

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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"What was that?" Kate asked, double-taking between looking at a smug Clint who retreated back to his wife's side and a Matt who was clearly good-naturedly biting his tongue. "I mean, I do get the general idea," she admitted, reaching over to scratch under the chin that little devil Matt carried in his arms.

"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.

[streetlevel]

"It was just Clint being stupid," Matt assured Kate regarding the quoting of the old commercial. "You know how he is." His tone was good-natured though to show he wasn't really annoyed by it. "And yeah, my dad always said that if there was any justice in the world then I'd get a miniature me to raise someday." He supposed it was possible that every parent shared that sentiment, because wasn't every kid at least a little impossible to handle at times? Matt liked to think that he'd been a good kid for his dad, but even then, he'd had his moments of making Jack worry because of something reckless he'd done, or annoyed his father because of being stubborn. He knew that even prior to prison Eleanor and Kate had butted heads, so he wasn't surprised that she'd experienced the same growing up.

He laughed a little as Nate nodded, accepting Kate's answer. He leaned down to pet the mother cat, explaining, "We just call her Mama." After a few strokes of her head Nate led them into the office, with Matt closing the door behind them. He barely managed to hold the ginger cat while Nate scooped out the food into the bowls, figuring it'd be easier for the child if the little kitten wasn't all up in his business. Mama patiently waited, purring her approval. Once all the food was in the bowls, Matt gently set the cat down and watched him scamper directly to eat. Standing back up, he gave his lower back a small knead with one hand while holding his other to hi-five Nate. "Good job, buddy."

"Tell Spider-Man I'm a great cat sitter if he ever needs one," Nate said solemnly as he shook Matt's hand, then ran out of the room to get his juice.

"He's a cute kid," Matt said affectionately to Kate. The whole family was adorable, he could understand how they'd so easily wormed their way into her heart. "Shall we let the cats eat while you show me around?"

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For a brief moment Kate caught herself wondering if it would be much of a torture to raise a little boy, blind or not, with a strong sense of social justice and a love for helping people. A kid who'd stay up late to try and look after his dad and cheer on him. A kid with a love for midnight meals and an ambition to be his very best.

Jack Murdock might have teased his son, but Kate was sure that deep in his heart he couldn't be more thankful for the cards he'd been dealt with.

"Hey, Mama." Crouching down, Kate petted the gentle cat, watching her raise her rump as her purring grew louder. She was a sweet lady, no question about it, one that would fit in the Barton household easily. Almost as easy as Matt seemed to be getting along with everyone. Kate couldn't help but smile knowingly, watching her friend high-five the youngest of Clint's kids. Matt was a natural around them, it seemed.

On their own again, Kate patted the imaginary dust off her jeans before she got up on her feet, not thinking it twice before she wrapped her arm around Matt's as she guided him out of the room. Or was he guiding her? It didn't matter, really.

Passing by the kitchen, Laura let both know that they would be eating in an hour, before sharing another conspiratory look with her husband. Kate did not notice that, not when Lila looked like someone had just told her that Santa wasn't real. Assuring everyone they would soon be back, she guided Matt outside.

"So, I'm sure you know where we are heading first." It was easy to guess, considering she had brought up the donkeys about four times during their flight. "But, we're taking the longest route." Practically circling the house, Kate took Matt to the area where, not only did Laura and Clint growed their flowers, but some of their vegetables too.

The vegetables were closer, with colorful flowerbeds a little ahead of them. It was an enclosed area where the animals wouldn't walk in. Kate was sure Matt would enjoy the scents.

"How is it?"