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]

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?"

[streetlevel]

Matt gave an agreeable nod. He took Sam from her arms, setting the cat on his other shoulder. "The angel and the Tasmanian devil on my shoulders now," he joked. He followed Kate into the changing room. It wasn't long before Sam wanted down, and Matt accommodated him. The cat went to play with Lucky, while Ella stayed on Matt's shoulder. "I warned you she's a little voyeur." Ella did like to be with her humans at all times, including when they showered and changed. He waited for Kate to pull on the gown, then he helped zip her up in it. He offered a smile when they were done, giving a kiss to the nape of her neck. "You're beautiful. Like always."

Stepping back out of the changing area, he offered Kate his hand and led them back out onto the Paris streets. He was looking forward to what else the night had in store. Lucky and Sam trotted along at their side. As anticipated, or perhaps following his nose, it wasn't long before they arrived at a lovely, quaint French bakery. Matt could smell the bread even before seeing the beautiful window display. "Let me guess, you're gonna get something chocolate," he teased Kate. "I think I gotta go with the classic croissant."

[hawk_shot]

"She's lucky she's the sweetest kitten ever," Kate pointed out. "It's impossible to be mad at you, Ella." Even if the cat was clearly struggling with the meaning of the word 'no' at times.

As they stepped into the changing room, Kate guided Matt in and, as expected, found a mirror there waiting, one that reached the ceiling. There, she guided him to lean against her as he saw himself for the very first time.

She took her time stripping down, holding his gaze as she bared herself for him for what felt like a completely new experience again, even though Matt knew her naked body well by now. Then, carefully, she stepped into the gown and thanked him as he helped her zip the dress up.

Instead of heels, she was happy to find her beloved Dr. Martens, a choice that clashed with the dress but that indeed made her feel so much more like herself in it. Only then did she follow him out, holding his hand as they walked into the parisian night again.

Once in the bakery, Kate took her time having a look over every pastry, even though deep down she already knew what option she was going to go for first. Exactly what Matt had figured. She responded by sticking her tongue out at him.

"The pain au chocolat for me." She pointed at one batch. "Is that pepper? Are these spicy?" Kate simply loved chocolate with sea salt or pepper in it.

[streetlevel]

Somehow, in all the new sights and wonders he was experiencing, Matt hadn't calculated for this. Once he'd stepped inside of the changing room he noticed there was a mirror. For the first time in his life, he caught sight of what he looked like as an adult. Or at least, what Kate saw him looking like. Truth layered under the shadow of her perception, but wasn't that often the case? He paused and stepped closer to the mirror, studying the figure that reflected back at him.

Tall. Taller than his dad had been? It was impossible to say, back then Jack had seemed like the biggest man Matt knew. A lightweight boxer's build, one that had for years mixed martial arts in with hitting the bags. Matt had always focused more on precision, speed, and flexibility than sheer strength. Neatly trimmed scruff that was suitable for a courtroom. Some bags under his eyes, and laugh lines at the corners of his eyes and mouth. Dark brown eyes and neat brown hair. Lighter than Kate's hair, but still dark. Pale skin that burned rather than tanned. He undid the buttons of his shirt and lifted up his undershirt to reveal a torso crisscrossed in scars. He let his fingers trail over them for a few moments before he buttoned his shirt up again once more. Middle-aged or nearing it, more adult than he ever thought he'd get to live to look like. "I couldn't even imagine what I'd look like," he admitted. Not after he'd forgotten his father's face.

He felt his knuckles with had fighting callouses on them, then stretched his hands out to see them in the mirror. He held them up, clasping his hands into fists, viewing himself in a boxer's stance. Perhaps it looked ridiculous in his suit, but he didn't care. His red glasses were the final touch. How people really saw him for the most part. He smiled a little as he took some swings in the mirror.

Taking the glasses back off, he turned to look at Kate. He was getting a little emotional and overwhelmed again, so he covered it up with a quip. "Well, I can certainly see why you fell for me. I'm a very handsome devil." It was easier than to say how much this meant to him.

The moment wasn't over though as he got to see Kate step out of her clothing and into her new dress. To view her body in such a revealing way made him suck in his breath. He let his fingers trail over some of the exposed flesh, knowing what it felt like but for the first time getting to view it in this manner. His fingers grazed along her sides as he kissed her breasts, her chest, her neck, and her lips before finally, reluctantly, zipping her up.

He was a little quiet afterwards for a bit, still soaking everything in, but the pastry shop made him come out of his shell once more. He smirked as he knew Kate so well, giving a nod. "Looks like there's some salt and chili on it. Me, I want to try the original first." Just a perfectly done plain croissant. "Though I may take the almond one to try later." Not that there was a very much later, but he didn't want to admit it yet.

Of course they got some pastries for the dogs, too. The dogs could eat them in dreams, right?

"So, the Eiffel Tower is where we were heading?"

[hawk_shot]

"Of course we're heading to the Eiffel Tower. You can't dream about having a romantic date in Paris and miss out on kissing by the Eiffel Tower, at the very least." Kate's gown seemed to flow around her asthey walked, almost like fabric under water. "But we still need to see the Triumphal Arch, the Louvre, Sacré-Coeur and Notre Dame," Kate pointed with a perfect accent. "Which, coincidentally, happen to be all down the road when you're walking through your dreams Champs-Élysée."

Leaning against the counter, she pointed at the baguettes and thanked the woman behind the counter. Kate figured it was a woman, even if the details about the people around them were blurry. She held the large baguette to her chest almost protectively and pulled a piece from the tip of the bread, offering it to Matt before trying another piece herself.

"Maybe we can even make it in time to have sex in Versailles." She pointed out casually. "Heard is just around the corner." All the things that would take them days in a real vacation, Kate hoped they could at least see, passing by. She couldn't recall all the paintings and esculptures in the Louvre, but she did remember the crystal pyramid or the uphill path to Sacré-Coure. It would be a totally romantic walk for sure.

Soon, their paper bag of pastries was getting quite crowded. "Oh, don't forget the macarons." She adviced, coming to Matt and wrapping and arm around his waist. Grinning, she looked up at him, her chin resting on his arm. "Handsome devil," she whispered, shamelessly quoting him.

[streetlevel]

"Well, having sex in a castle sounds better than having to defend someone trying to storm it," Matt agreed, carrying the full bag of pastries with them. He smirked a little as she repeated his earlier quip about being a handsome devil, replying back in an equally low voice, "Sometimes the wordplay just comes to you. Can't go through life missing opportunities. Or, well. Through dreams." Which were technically a part of life. A quirk of how a mind processed the day that wasn't unique to humans. He'd always found them a little interesting to consider, even before something as crazy and remarkable as this happened.

With his hands holding the bag and the macaroons, he just had to give Kate an affectionate hip bump as they strolled along the way. Of course since they got a baguette they needed to also get some cheese, at least in Matt's mind. It was just another quick stop to pick that up to pair with the bread, a few different kinds. So far the little bits of food he let himself nibble on along the way did taste like what he'd experienced in the waking world, just at the height of freshness. "I have to say, Paris isn't something I dream about often. I hope I get a few more remembering this night before it fades."

[hawk_shot]

"I'd hate it if you missed out on puns. Specially the ones that do make you justice." She had been able to tell that Matt was still overwhelmed by it all and, seeing himself as an adult for the first time couldn't have been easy. She knew that, just like she did, he used humor to try and deal with these strong emotions at times. Of course she'd play along.

Gravel crunched under their feet as they followed the path in a park that welcomed them to a big avenue, framed by lush trees and the colorful lights you'd normally see from traffic even though Kate barely saw any cars around. It wasn't empty, though, as people walked around by afar, making the city still feel lively.

Kate cut pieces of the bread while Matt put the cheese on it. "Is this how you see things in dreams, though? Like, colors and people?" She asked, aware that it's not like Matt lived in a dark world. She knew that he did see forms, but she never pushed for many details.

As they walked, she noticed a magazine stand on the sidewalk. Coming closer, she noticed that on one cover there was a picture of both Daredevil and Hawkeye. The both of them on full costume. Words were hard to figure out so Kate ignored them, having no idea why some publication would have them as their main article in France.

Inside, going through the pages, she found selfies and pictures of them. Matt and Kate. The selfie they had taken together, completely soaked as they stepped out of the lake at Grammy's and Grampa Nelson's home. "Look!"