Dream a Little Dream of Me (for streetlevel )

[hawk_shot]

Have a wonderful dream, Kate. May it be all your mind hopes it can be, and may it help in whatever you face next.


Kate hated goodbyes.

Sniffling, she stared at the ceiling of her apartment. Her old and own apartment, no longer a mixture of past and present in her dreams. That sunset no longer bathed the world with an orange light, her father was once again gone and her mother -- Kate tried not to think too much about Eleanor, even if her presence in her subconcious mind clearly spoke for itself.

Her apartment was dark as the rain tapped her windows, but even then she could tell that morning had come. Whatever it was that Matt was cooking downstairs? The aromas reached her and instantlty made her feel better. It was almost as good as the way that Lucky had come to check on her, hopping onto the bed and sniffing at her face before he licked the tears away.

Kate smiled and pushed his muzzle aside, keeping it away from her mouth before she kissed the top of his furry head in return.


You will receive two amulets. When worn, you will find one another in slumber that night. It will work only once, and both hearts must want it, or else it will not end well.


They were there. As promised by Dream, Kate woke up clutching the hexagon amulets in her hand. Was she surprised by this little magical display? A miracle, Matt might call it. No. By now Kate was used to trust her dreams, despite of anything her mind might argue in the waking hours. Her heart, thought? It had foolishly hoped she was mistaken and that, for once, that dream had been nothing but a meaningless.

She hated goodbyes. 

Putting the amulets inside of her nightstand's drawers, she grabbed one of Matt's t-shirts from the chair by the bed and slipped it on. Dragging her feet downstaits, she knew her silence it was not so uncharacteristic, as sleep often drained her from words early in the morning. Thas time however, she was still sniffling as she came to Matt from behind, her arms wrapping around his waist as he took care of the stove. 

Comments

[hawk_shot]

"It would be pretty shitty, but I bet your dad would have found it even funnier than a wild mini Matty." She remembered well what Matt said about his father warning him that his firstborn would be as much of a hadnful as Matt had been as a kid, it was the same threat Eleanor Bishop had dropped on her daughter.

As her thumb stroked Matt's knuckles, Kate made herself comfortable. She wrapped her arm around the top of Matt's head and encouraged him to rest against her shoulder. She kissed his forehead, listening as he reminded her just how long it had been since he last saw a blue sky or the faces of those he had cared about as a child.

"I'm glad too." Her heartbeat sure testified about how big this was for her too. To be able to watch him, as he saw the world as their unconsciou minds merged into one. "I know that it's like, a super intimate thing. A big deal for you. I feel like, almost priviliged to think I'll be there."

She didn't want to idealize what could happen, Matt himself had told her that even if they simply replayed the way they spent their Saturday, but in a dream? That would be enough.

Having dinner together, walking around the neighborhood, playing with Lucky and the cats.

After a moment, she couldn't help herself.

"Does this mean this is the first time you'll see a woman naked?"

[streetlevel]

Matt rested his head on Kate's shoulder at her encouragement, letting out a soft sigh at the doting kisses. At her question about whether he'd seen a woman naked, he huffed out a little laugh. "You would think to ask that." He said it in an endeared, amused tone. "Yes, if we end up naked tonight, it would be the first time I saw a woman naked." Even if they didn't end up disrobed though it would be special for him. Just seeing her face felt like a gift he couldn't imagine ever getting.

Turning his head, he let his lips leave a small kiss on her shoulder. "I can't think of anyone better to do it with." He and Kate had been through a lot together by now. Matt had other close friends too like Karen, but it felt right that if someone was going to be sharing this moment with him right now, it would be her. He wasn't going to hope that he might see departed loved ones, or figure for certain he'd get croissants in Paris or see her naked. He'd just enjoy knowing that no matter what he'd share a literal once in a lifetime experience with someone who mattered this much to him. Someone he... the word love danced in his mind, a new flavor to tease and taste.

"... okay. I'm getting up to clean this mess. Any minute now." Another minute went by, then he got up for real. He transferred Ella to his shoulder before starting to clean up their dishes and get the pizza in the fridge for tomorrow.

[hawk_shot]

"Well, I'm sorry but it's a very valid question!" Kate defended herself as Matt playfully called her out. She ran her fingers through his hair as he explained his feelings on what might happen that night, Kate's nails gently scratching his scalp as he spoke.

Squeezing him lightly, she held onto him as she also allowed herself to relax for a moment. "Funny, because neither can I." Matt had asked why she didn't pick anything else as a gift from Dream. And honestly? Not even now, not after a whole day of the question sometimes poking her mind, could she think of a better idea. Of anything else she might want.

Watching Matt experience something so unique would be enough of a gift.

Eventually, they both found the strenght to get off their asses, Kate picking their empty glasses and helping Matt take things to the kitchen before she headed upstairs. Of course, even though Lucky had lingered for a moment in the hope some leftovers could turn into a treat, the dog quickly followed her up, jumping on the bed as he waited for Kate to come out of the bathroom.

By the time Matt joined them upstairs he would find her sitting against her headboard, inspecting those amulets closely as she held them on her hands. She pinched the chain, holding them up against the light, watching the sand rock from side to side and up and down, at times seeming to float like flakes inside of a snowglobe. Like fragments of something that was not affected by the physics that ruled the waking world.

"We need -" She liked her lips. "We both need to wear this," she explained as she held one out for Matt to take. "These are Dream's gift."

[streetlevel]

Ella remained on Matt's shoulder as he finished helping clean up, then going into the bathroom after Kate to get ready for the night. Sam sprinted about at their feet, gave pleading sounds at Kate to help lift him onto the bed, and then immediately cuddled up next to Lucky. Their coats were similar enough in coloring that it was hard to discern where the dog's tail ended and the kitten began. Matt gently set Ella onto the bed before he changed into boxer shorts and a t-shirt. Settling on the edge of the bed, he reached out a hand to accept the amulet and chain that Kate offered to him. He let his fingers run over it, noting the general shape and, when tilted, hearing the grains of sand pour from one side to another. "Sand? Really? That's a little on the nose, isn't it?" he teased with a smile, the joking helping to settle some of his nerves.

He slid the amulet around his neck. It felt surprisingly light, given the metalwork. Otherwise, it didn't feel like anything special at all. "I keep expecting it to heat up or burst into flames or something," he admitted as he ran a finger along it. Nothing, though. Perhaps it only activated once they were dreaming? For something so powerful there had to be safeguards in place.

Sliding downward, Matt settled himself back against the pillows. He opened his arms, a silent invitation for Kate to join him. They slept in various positions, often ending up spooning, but right now he welcomed the cuddling. "If I do see myself and I have something weird on my face, I'm gonna blame you for not telling me," he teased softly as he kissed her forehead.

[hawk_shot]

As Matt explored the jewel with his hands, Kate slid the chain around her own lean neck. "That's Dream for you. The guy likes to look after his brand, I'll give him that." Besides, she had to give it to him, it was a pretty amulet.

As Matt settled down and invited her to join him, Kate wasted no time and lean into his embrace, cuddling him and feeling her body relax against his as she exhaled a deep breath. "Are you kidding me?" She smiled to herself as she felt Matt's lips on her forehead. "The only weird thing about your face is that it's stupidly good-looking." Utterly and unmistakingly hot.

Even though the night was warm, Kate kicked down the covers and sheets, always prefering to go to sleep with something, even if it was a thin sheet, covering her. It was no surprise how sometimes, even in the middle of her sleep, she'd strip and toss her t-shirts or shorts away. Or how she'd often kick those very sheets off, too."

"This is so weird," she confessed. "Like, in a way, it doesn't feel like we're getting ready for something real big to happen." Even though this could be the most magical of experiences. "Besides, what if you fall asleep first but then I can't sleep because I'm too excited." It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened to Kate.

[streetlevel]

Ella of course found her way to the top of the pillows, lying where she was within easy reach of Matt and Kate's hair. Any who said it was a sign of dominance that she always wanted to be on their heads, Matt would have responded with claiming she was a queen and deserved it. He smiled a little as Kate complimented his appearance, letting his hand lightly brush against her hair and her cheek. "Foggy would always say I knew how to find the really hot women. I don't need to see you to know he was right." A beat. "But it does feel like a gift that I'll get to, anyway."

She had a point that it was hard to sleep with this much anticipation. "I've gotten good at managing to sleep before a big case. Lots of breathing exercises, playing songs in my head. This is different, though." A beat. "I guess we should have asked for a list of directions, but neither of us are good at following those, anyway." May they never build furniture together. "It probably won't work if only one of us falls asleep, right? We'd just dream normally, until both of us were asleep at the same time?" He could be pulling that out of his ass, but it made some sense to him. He hoped. "We could both drink some wine or take a Benadryl," he joked about getting them sleepy.

[hawk_shot]

Tipping her chin up, Kate smiled as Ella moved to join them. Normally, during the summer Kate was used to pushing her head up and across the pillow, leaving her neck as bare as possible as she slept. A few times now she'd woken up to the kitten nesting on her raven locks, letting herself now as Kate attempted to move but she felt that small weight on her hair.

After making some kissy noises that gathered Ella's attention enough to encourage her purring, Kate felt's Matt hand on her cheek and closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. "See? I knew this was a good idea. A great idea, even." Kate pointed out a little playfully. "This is all about proving that Foggy knew you had a superpower of your own."

Keeping her eyes closed, Kate reached out and caressed Matt's cheek with the back of her fingers. She traced his jaw down, aware that he would already recognise what kind of touch that was. "Nah, I think this is probably a kind of intuitive deal, you know? Like you said, only working once we can actually walk into each other's dreams." But then, that meant they both needed to synchronize their sleep, if you will. "I just hope I don't pass out like, two hours after you do and that I shorten our dream."

Even if time never seemed to work like it did in the real world.

"Fuck it, I'll try anything," she laughed. "I'll just try not to drive in my dreams."

And yet, if she was expecting Matt to actually get up and get them that bottle of wine, she didn't show it. Instead, Kate propped herself up, drapping herself on half of Matt's chest as she cupped his face, leaning down for a deep, encouraging kiss.

[streetlevel]

"Maybe instead of focusing on how one might fall asleep later and shorten the dream, we can just focus on having any time at all to share it? I know it's not a miracle but it feels pretty miraculous to me. Even a minute would be more than anyone could ever expect." Yes, he was something of an optimist sometimes. He'd rather focus on the positives of the moment than already count all the ways in which it might be done better. He reached one hand over his head to give Ella some pets. With his foot he gently gave a loving nudge to Lucky and Sam. Holding onto Kate with his other arm, he blew out a breath. Eventually, sleep took him.

Sometimes in his dreams, Matt thought he saw. Hazy mental images that weren't precise due to how long it had been since he'd last actually seen anything. He heard voices, those tended to be more clear, but normally he either dreamed in a world on fire, or there was just very blurry images that represented what he remembered of objects and people.

This time though, as the amulet glowed, when Matt opened his eyes, he saw himself looking at a vibrant, utterly beautiful, city street in Paris.

[hawk_shot]

Sometimes Kate couldn't help but worry. Because with a sleeping schedule as messed up as hers was, sometimes sleep could be elusive. And while she had the privilege of being able to oversleep plenty of times, being up early sometimes could be tricky. Specially on the nights when the clock ticked and she couldn't help but start counting. Wondering how much time she had left before she finally passed out.

Thankfully, Matt's words did bring her some peace of mind. She did feel Matt's breathing go even as her head rose and fell slightly along with his chest. Sammie woke up at some point and moved, curling between Matt's legs. And eventually, everything went still.

Quiet and dark, until it wasn't dark anymore.

The room was wide, lit up even though she could tell it was night time. Lucky was somewhere curled into a couch, Kate did not need to look out for him to know about it Nor did she recognise the apartment, even if some art pieces sounded familiar, some posters even more so.

Their bedroom in the waking world was quiet and dark. Until both amulets lit up.

Kate, in her dream, remembered. She looked down at herself, she was in her normal clothes. Ripped jeans, a t-shirt. But the amulet on her chest? It felt heavy enough, it pulled her out of that hazy state that dreams encourage.

She remembered.

"Matt?"

Even though Kate looked around, she couldn't find him. She called his name, wondering if Matt had somehow woken up. Maybe they had done something wrong? Perhaps they should both have stated their consent before passing out.

Kate stepped out of the apartment, taking down some stairs that were similar to the ones at her loft. But, the one thing that was certainly not like home? The city. That was nothing like New York, certainly nothing like her neighborhood. The city felt older and warmer. Darker, like it was even later at night than she'd realized. But everything glowed as if they were surrounded by candelight.

And there he was. She spotted him straight away, in the middle of the crowd.

"Matt!" Kate waved, trying to get his attention.

[streetlevel]

The colors were the first thing he noticed.

He'd forgotten what some of them even looked like. The vibrancy of pink flowers, the brilliance of a royal purple overhang. Even if the setting was at night, the sky a familiar black that he did know all too well, it was still overwhelming. There was no way to know whether or not the real world did look like this. Matt knew once he woke up that there would be no comparing. Yet some of it all felt familiar, and it was more than he ever should be able to experience. Slowly he reached up and took off his glasses, placing them in his pocket. How he appeared in dreams was how he appeared in real life. Even if he wore a costume at night, Matt Murdock didn't hide during the day. He was wearing a suit that was ready for court, a lovely blue one with a lighter button down and patterned blue tie.

He was marveling at the flower he was touching when heard his name. The voice was familiar. Dazed, Matt turned around to follow it. It was a little disorienting to have his powers and then have sight on top of it, like his mind was trying to re-prioritize how it made sense of the world. His reaction time was therefore slow right now, and it took him a few moments to find his voice. "Kate?"

His eyes focused on hers.

His throat tightened as he walked towards her. There were enough lights on the streets of Paris that he could make her out, even this late at night. Stopping in front of her, his expression was a mix of being overwhelmed and in awe. She looked both like how he expected, but in much greater detail. Matt didn't have the sensory resources any longer to actually picture faces outside of their shape. To see the color of her skin, her hair, her eyes...

Lightly his fingers went to her face to touch it. "You're beautiful."

[hawk_shot]

Matt had protested lightly, worried that Kate had given a wish away, a magical favor and a once in a lifetime experience. But she had not been wrong. What could possible be more magical that the way their eyes met in the distance. Not by chance, but almost drawn into each other.

The world seemed to stop for a second as awareness hit Kate. Matt was there, seeing her with his eyes for the first time.

Walking towards him, they met in the halfway. Kate beamed, a softness reaching her own blue eyes as Matt touched her face with that familiar tenderness. Kate cocked her face instantly, kissing his thumb as their gaze remained locked.

"Wait until you see yourself." Kate chuckled, overwhelmed with joy. The way she looked up at him was as if Kate had been starved of Matt. Because she didn't miss a detail. She could see the way his eyes traced every inch of her, exploring her in a way that was completely new for him.

How could anyone claim this wasn't a gift for Kate too? It was the most magical thing she'd ever experienced and it didn't matter any less simply because she was being witness and sharing it with him.

"We got it, after all." She suddenly pointed out, her nose scrunching slightly before she dared to look at their surroundings for a second. "Our date in Paris."

[streetlevel]

"We did." His voice still sounded dumbstruck and dazzled. It was difficult to tear his eyes away from her, but he also wanted to soak up the surrounding area. A few tears gathered in the corners of his eyes as he felt his throat closing. In a tight voice he admitted, "I didn't know if trees really looked like that any longer." Thirty-ish years was a long time to go without having visual references. Everything had become hazy and dark. At first Matt had been terrified when those images of what things looked like had started to fade, and then over time he became used to navigating with his new norm. He knew that these memories, too, would fade over time. That he'd go through that whole process of loss once more. Only he was older now, more experienced. There would be sadness, but not the absolute terror he'd felt as a child because he knew he could survive it.

He reached for Kate's hand, lacing his fingers with hers. "Walk with me?" He wanted to stroll, to take in as much as he could of this city that he'd never get to experience like this again. The air smelled sweeter than it probably really did in a city, full of flowers and pastries. The stonework for the buildings was gorgeous and intricate, everything so vibrant and alive. He heard a bird in a nearby tree and actually saw it. "She matches your eyes," he noted softly, at the bluebird. Would birds even be awake at night to sing? They were in this dream. It was a literal idyllic version of a date night in Paris. He would never experience the actual real city with his sight, but he was being given everything he wanted for what it might be. Was this all from his and Kate's mind? Maybe. He'd read a lot about Paris over the years in various stories. Or was this Kate's friend, this Sandman, taking what bits their minds carried and painting the rest for them? It didn't matter, but Matt wondered. "If your friend helped us experience this, then I'm guessing he's a romantic."

[hawk_shot]

"Matt..." It pulled at the strings of her heart, playing one of the most intimate tunes that he could as he admitted something so painful. Kate reached up and carefully stroked his eyes with her thumbs, wiping those tears away, drops that came from his soul. Were her fingers even wet? It didn't matter. It was his heart that was weeping now.

She knew that Matt lived a good life, that he didn't pity himself or hoped for a so called 'cure' to blindness. He saw in different ways and she did her best to try and fill in the gaps. Maybe now, now that he was rediscovering the world through his own eyes, maybe her descriptions would help these images to stick for longer?

Maybe it wouldn't help, maybe it was inevitable. But she would be there for him, every step of the way.

Taking his hand, Kate herself had trouble fully appreciating her surroundings. It was far more enthralling, watching him as he marvelled at the beautiful parisian night they had conjured together. As he mentioned the bluebird, it was almost as if he had broken a spell, shaking her out of it. "What?" In confusion, she held onto his arm and lean into it, following where Matt pointed out. It actually took a moment before Kate spotted the bird. "Your sight is actually better than mine!"

Once spotted, the bird's song seemed to gain more enthusiasm, a proud tune that followed them as they walked over cobblestone that shone as if some drizzled had kissed it before they arrived. There was no cars, no traffic nearby and in her heart Kate knew that the city belonged to them. That they wouldn't be interrupted by anything but a friendly stranger. That they could step into any place, were allowed in any building and house.

"You're probably right," Kate agreed with a snort. "I guess you have to be when your whole life is dedicated to dreamers." Morpheus seemed distant and unreachable, but she knew her friend and his kind heart. She knew how much love he put into his work, on making sure that the Dreaming worked as it should. And that he appreciated the stories that came out of his dreamer's souls. Out of all the options Kate had spent these last few hours day-dreaming about, Dream had set up the most beautiful of scenarios.

"I just feel a little underdressed now," Kate admitted, even if she wasn't exactly feeling self-conscious. She liked that Matt could see her as she felt the most comfortable, as she'd dress on a regular day off. Wearing her favorite t-shirt and something comfortable.

And yet.

"Shit. Look!" Pointing at a nearby store, she guided him to the sidewalk, stepping up on it. One one of the windows of the store, the dress Luke had made for her was on display. The fabric flowed like mist on the mannequin, hundreds of tiny starts covering it, some of them forming whole constellations.

[streetlevel]

"An existence dedicated to dreamers." Matt considered those words. "That's a big responsibility. It resonates a lot with what we do though in the waking world, don't you think?" Or perhaps Matt himself was merely a romantic, too. "Being symbols of hope for people to aspire to reaching. Even outside of the suit, in the courthouse I just wanted to prove that justice can prevail. That people can live their lives feeling safe and supported. That wrongs aren't left to win." That streets could be this clean, this quiet, this content. That people could pursue their goals without life beating them down at every turn. A lofty dream, but one that Matt aspired to achieving every day.

"What? Why?" Matt took a step to the side, still holding Kate's hand, and looked at her outfit. "I think you look perfect." She looked just as he imagined she did on those nights when they ate dinner before going patrolling. Him in his work suits with the tie pulled low, her in more casual gear that fit her personality. He just noticed that she seemed happy and relaxed, what she was wearing that let her feel that way was secondary.

It was hard not to smile at her excitement though at seeing Luke's gown for her. He opened the door to the shop. "Shall we, then? Let's hope we don't have to pay, not sure credit cards work here," he teased. Inside the shop there wasn't the outfit that Luke had created for Matt to match Kate. What was there though, what outfit did speak to Matt, revealing a part of who he was and his inner consciousness?

The black outfit he'd started his vigilante career in, and the very first Daredevil suit he'd worn.

That truly was who Matt was, the two sides of him where he felt the most comfortable. In his lawyer suit, as he wore now, and having his Daredevil attire reflecting back at him. "I don't think you ever saw the black outfit in person." He'd met Kate after he'd already put on the red.

[hawk_shot]

It wa strange how people often found it unsettling when Matt was unable to focus on meeting their eyes as he spoke. Kate had never found it odd, not until now. It almost amused her a little, the fact that she found it a little distracting, her own awareness that as Matt spoke he was actually able to meet her gaze. "And you're surprised that we ended in such a romantic dream?" Kate teased him. "A romantic guy like you gave Dream all the right tools to work with."

Matt had a very good point though. It was one of the many reasons why he made her stomach flutter at times. Why, even apart, she always thought about him and how she'd like to share her day with Matt.

The world they created with their hearts spoke exactly of that. Of the world they dreamed of, what they fought for.

Kate felt a little foolish at her awareness that her face felt a little warmer. Was she really blushing as he complimented her in her casual looks? She wasn't a blushy kinda girl. But then, she wasn't one that got excited over gowns either.

She followed Matt into the shop, joking about how she was confident that the Bishops had good credit even in an imaginary Paris. The shop, somehow as expected, was empty but lit, open. And almost waiting for them, were his suits on display.

"This was the black one?" Kate pointed both at Matt and the mannequin. Then, almost without thinking, she grabbed the mask and tried it on. Only to realize she couldn't see a thing.

Holding up her palms, she dropped them heavily as if realization just hit her. Right. A blind guy's mask. She peeled it off herself. "Guess this one won't work for you as good anymore." She grinned, before her attention came to a more familiar suit. Was she providing all the details to the red one?

She touched it, caressing the red fabric almost lovingly.

"It's the first time you see it," she stated in almost a sigh. Kate's attention then drifted to another corner of the room. There, in display, was her own purple suit.

Taking Matt's hand, she guided him only with her gaze. "And that would be me."

[streetlevel]

[OOC: Kate's last tag reminded me of this.]

Matt had to grin at the sight of Kate trying on his black mask. He reached out to help her take the mask off her head, brushing down her hair afterwards. It struck him that he'd never seen these before. Not the black suit that had earned him one title, nor the red outfit that had been dubbed Daredevil. His fingers ran over the black fabric, before he raised it up to his own eyes. Cast into darkness once more, he didn't see the world with his radar senses. He lowered it, then brought it back up to his eyes again. Nothing. It struck Matt then that, while he had some of his heightened senses, even in dreams he could not have it all.

With his sight, there was no world on fire.

Matt's smile softened, head nodding a little in understanding. In acceptance with the cosmos. "I get what you're saying," he said softly, to maybe nobody, to possibly a being who according to Kate was out of reach, anyway. Still. It felt right to say it. It was part of his story, and he was a man of words.

He put the mask back on the frame and studied the red suit that Melvin had built him. Reaching out he let his fingertips trail over the fabric he knew so well. "This first outfit was pretty uncomfortable," he breathed out in a laugh. "I'll never forget it, though." It meant a lot to him. He looked down at his suit, then back at the Suits. He knew that it was Kate's sight that was guiding him getting to experience these two looks, but was it how he viewed himself that was driving them, too? "For so much of the last few decades I've tried to find that balance. Between the mask and me. Sometimes it's been easier than others."

Yet clearly, they were both intrinsic parts of him.

He took Kate's hand, kissed her knuckles, as he turned to study the outfits in her corner. "This is how you see yourself, huh?" He hip bumped her affectionately and smiled as he approached both the ball gown and the Hawkeye suit. "So tell me about these two sides of you, angel. I want to hear from you." Reaching out on habit, he was so used to using his hands to explore the world, he touched her Hawkeye suit.

[hawk_shot]

She can tell that she's lost him for a moment in a world of his own. But can she blame Matt? She's not completely sure the black suit or the red one are completely accurate, as she's seen both mostly in pictures and heard descriptions, but clearly they feel familiar to Matt's touch. Maybe, between them, they have created something completely new.

And yet, it feels exactly right.

"But these are two sides of the same coin," Kate offered as Matt spoke about Matt Murdock and Daredevil. "That's the balance. You can't live without the other." She'd seen him try recently. How he had given up on a normal life as soon as New York needed him.

Matt was willing to give up his happiness, his life with someone he loved, even his own safety to do the right thing. As they moved onto her own suit, she wondered if she was following the same footsteps. It didn't feel as much of a challenge when the person you care the most about walks the same path as you, though.

As Matt called her by the petname and kissed her hand, she was reminded that this was the absolute charmer that had made so many women weak on the knees, Kate herself included. Hell, even now she could feel it. She licked her lips, very aware that the blush was still there and that Matt wasn't helping.

"That is totally not how I see myself," she corrected as she pointed out at the gown, sounding a little self-conscious herself. "In fact, it might be your own doing, because that looks even prettier than in real life." A little magical. Like the fabric wasn't even real, while the stars actually sparkled.

And yet, beautiful as that was, nothing compared to what her Hawkeye uniform made her feel. Kate's heart swelled as she watched him explore it with his hands as he usually did with her face. Matt had touched her suit before, but she'd never seen him meet it this way. With curiosity, learning the details about it.

Her hand joined his.

"Before I met Clint, I've fantasized what it would be like to have a suit of my own, to go out there and help people. I always thought suits were important, because that's how people recognise heroes. They become a symbol. But, to be honest, I just wanted to look cool." Her hand run down the sleeve, until she took the gloved hand of the mannequin, holding it. "This suit became so much more, you know? It gives me confidence. It reminds me of that first mission with Clint."

After she and her mother broke each other's hearts.

"After it was all done, Clint and I were sitting at the back of an ambulance. He told me he was proud of me." And even though Eleanor had said it before too, those words really lingered after they came from Clint. "He said that every once in a while you meet someone that makes you a better person." Despite of the bad things about that Christmas, Clint had given her the best possible gift, simply by talking to her. That night, at the back of an ambulance.

"I've helped people wearing this thing. I've seen it being recognised by some of them. But I also met you while wearing it." She looked up, her eyes a little glassy as she met Matt's. For once, he was looking back at her. "You walked into my life and helped me become a better person too, Matt."

[streetlevel]

That small moment of clarity with having the world go dark when Matt covered his eyes was a gift in and of itself. That small, private moment let Matt feel peace with knowing this gift would end, but that he was gaining back something that mattered more to him. His blindness was a part of who he was now, his ability to see the world in a way that few else could made him in part the man he was. Tonight was beautiful, a blessing, something he could enjoy and indulge in, then say goodbye to with a heart full of his real purpose. The Devil of Hell's Kitchen walked through a world of fire, and Matt wouldn't have it any other way.

He now, for awhile at least, had some sensory memories that he'd tuck away and hold onto for as long as he could. Perhaps it was the wisdom of knowing he could embrace the moment and let it go when it was done showed what time and experience could do. Younger Matt might have railed against the dying of the light, but this Matt knew there were other ways to guide himself.

One of those ways, one of those rays of light, literal now but always figurative, was at his side.

"I didn't mean anything bad by it," he murmured apologetically, at thinking the gown was also a part of Kate's subconscious. Kate embodying a goddess hunter didn't sound like a terrible dream to Matt, and he genuinely appreciated how Luke had spoken to Kate through his work. That it resonated with her. Still, he was willing to set that aside and focus on her Hawkeye look.

Hearing about her memory with Clint and what it meant to her made him draw her close. He slid an arm around her waist and held her at his side, kissing her head. Their combined hands otherwise felt over her uniform. Matt had a lot more years with his suits, and it was honestly very lovely to witness someone who was still growing into hers. Kate was making a name for herself, and he was proud of her. There simply was a demographic that could see themselves in Kate that Matt loved to witness.

"Back at you. You make me a better person, too. I'm not always great at working with other people. I'm not always a team player." He simply wasn't. Matt was a great cheerleader but when it came to holding himself accountable and answering to someone else? He was someone who acted first and then asked for forgiveness. He was becoming better at it, he had to now with leading an army. Kate though naturally worked collaboratively. She barreled into him to have partners. She'd started out with one so perhaps it felt natural to her? Either way, she helped him be a better teammate, on and off the field.

"I'm glad you're here with me.

... I also really want some French pastries."

Okay, it wouldn't be them without someone teasing.

[hawk_shot]

God, of course Matt worried about saying the wrong thing. She simply caressed his face, letting him know it was all good.

Perhaps she denied it a little. Perhaps she wasn't comfortable assuming the roles Eleanor Bishop had intended for her. As CEO of the company, as a woman in expensive and classy dresses. Maybe, like Matt did with Daredevil, she needed to find a balance of her own.

None of that mattered though, as Matt returned what was more than a compliment. It was a confession of what they meant to each other. That is, until he reminded her of one of the things they both were looking forward when they discussed going to Paris together.

Wrapping her hands behind his neck, Kate took the impulse to jump, knowing Matt would catch her in his arms just as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She kissed him then, chuckling against his lips as she attacked them with a series of playful pecks.

They were interrupted by a series of barks then and, almost as if they were at home instead of some random french boutique, Lucky came out from one of the changing rooms.

[streetlevel]

They were both tactile individuals. Even with his sight, Matt still felt most comfortable through touch in navigating his way. Kate's caress let him know it was fine with what he said, and he grinned as he caught her in his arms. He easily held her, all those years of ninja and boxer training coming in handy. They shared some playful and intimate kisses before they broke apart at the sound of barking. Matt's gaze shifted over to where the dressing rooms were located, his brown eyes brightening at the sight he saw.

Very gently he set Kate back down on her feet, kneeling down to greet the four legged friend. Lucky was the very perfect picture of a golden retriever in Matt's mind. He was missing one eye, but otherwise, the fuzzy mental image of what the dog looked like took vibrant and crisp shape. Matt got a little choked up again as he hugged the furry friend. Lucky was just as excited, dancing in front of him and licking all over his face. "Hey, buddy, hey pal," Matt murmured. "Look at you. What a good boy you are. Can't leave your mom alone for too long, can you? No, you can't." He hugged and kissed the dog, who responded in kind. Lucky's tail wagged and he woofed at Kate to also share in the love fest.

Waddling out on little legs afterwards were of course the kittens. Ella came right to them to be carried and pampered. Sam?

"Sam, don't climb on the..." Matt sighed as his cat scampered up the Daredevil uniform like it was his life's purpose.

[hawk_shot]

Kate's own vision became blurry with tears as she watched this reunion between Matt and Lucky. It was almost as if they had been apart for months, her dog feeling so enthusiastic he seemed ready tu jump right on top of Matt's shoulders like Ella demanded to be carried there.

"Is he like you imagined?" Kate asked as she came to join the pair, scratching the side of Lucky's head and behind his ear, ruffling his fur as the dog kept pawing at Matt. Clearly, in their unconscious minds, Lucky understood the importance of this meeting.

It figured that the kittens would appear next. Ella came to Matt and Lucky followed Kate as she came to get Sammie off the Daredevil suit. There was a faint ripping sound as those needle-like claws dug into the fabric as Kate peeled the ginger kitten off the suit.

Meanwhile, Ella placed a careful paw on Matt's knee, stretching to reach his face and sniff it. She was already purring loudly.

[streetlevel]

"He's better than I imagined." Matt's tone was soft and loving regarding Lucky. He'd always wanted a dog growing up, but time and space had never permitted it when his dad was alive. No pets were allowed at the orphanage, and then life had simply never given him the resources to keep one. A dog required a lot more commitment with the need for walks and attention. Yet Kate sharing Lucky with him had been a gift. He could enjoy all the adoration of a canine, could dote on Lucky when possible, without having to worry about Lucky not having someone there to walk him and entertain him when Matt worked long hours. Kate's schedule seemed to have a lot more flexibility than his did when it came to caring for the dog.

It had been what worried Matt with the cats, but the two kittens seemed more independent so far. With their litter boxes, toys, and dishes full, they seemed okay to entertain themselves and one another while Matt was gone. He'd have found them another home, otherwise. A selfish part of him though was glad that they seemed happy with him. Kneeling down, he felt Ella put a paw on his knee and reach for him. He bent down to kiss her head, scooping her up into his arms. He set her on his shoulder and scratched her. He noticed her colorful pattern, and the bright ginger of Sam's coat. "And there's my little menace," he said affectionately, petting Sam who was now in Kate's arms. "Your everything my dad warned me would happen, aren't you?" Matt said it with loving affection.

"Did you want to wear the gown, or something else? There's changing rooms if you wanted to before we go."

[hawk_shot]

It was one of the things she cherished the most about the memories they built together. She'd watched him loosen up. First, glad to accept Lucky's attention and enthusiasm, glad to be the friend that comes home and enjoys the perks of having a friend with a dog. But Kate had noticed how he longed for an experience of his own with an animal companion. From Marshall, the duck he'd saved after the bird vouched for him. To the kittens he had told himself he'd just foster.

Now, Kate carried one of those kittens. Little Sam, whose eyes were still blue like his sister's and Kate's, the color probably changing into a green or yellow as months passed by.

The little Samwise from their dreams seemed to calm as well as Kate held him close enough for Matt to pet him.

"I should probably wear something more fitting if we're gonna have macarons at the Eiffel Tower," Kate pointed out. She scrunched up her nose, thoughtful as she looked at their surroundings, her attention falling back on the gown. "It's probaly too much." She turned to Matt then. "Is it too much?"

[streetlevel]

"Kate, we're in a dream version of Paris. I can see you with my own two eyes. I don't think 'too much' is really the measuring stick here," Matt teased her as he alternated petting Lucky and Sam. Ella was content to be curled up on his shoulder. "I think you should wear whatever you want to wear right now. What do you want to remember having on, what will make you feel comfortable? I get to see you no matter what, so it's all the same to me." Matt wasn't an extravagant, fancy guy. He liked his smart suits and his Daredevil attire, that was what made him feel comfortable and confident. He wanted that for Kate, too. If she felt at home in this moment in jeans, in Luke's dress, in her Hawkeye gear, or something else entirely? Matt would support that for her. "Either way I get your company and I get a croissant, so I'm going to be happy."

[hawk_shot]

Kate chewed on the inside of her lip, glancing at some of the other dresses and suits on display around them. They had almost blended with the rest of the shop, as if they were part of a background Kate was only now starting to notice.

"I think..."

There had to be a reason why the gown was there. Perhaps, as much as Kate denied it, there was a part of her that enjoyed that too. That was glad that Matt had seen her for the first time wearing that in which she felt the most comfortable, had seen her how she truly is.

Perhaps now she wanted to really accept this fantasy for what it truly was.

"Well, they say go big or go home, right?" And Matt already knew she always went for big.

Stepping towards the gown, Kate pulled it off the display, marvelling by the fact that it was similar to the real life one, but not quite the same.

She headed towards one of the changing rooms but then stopped, turning towards Matt.

"Help me out?"