Well. I live on the top floor of a brownstone. Roof access. It's a spacious studio. [Matt sighs at the thought and turns in his silk sheets to the other side, shifting his phone.] The view, I'm told, is something to be desired. There's a great big mounted screen billboard in the building across the street. I got a screaming deal.
[He wonders for a moment if this is boring to her.]
It's two blocks from the apartment I grew up in. There's a bodega at the corner, it's run by an Indian gentlemen who always keeps fresh fruit. I go there first before I head to the farmer's market on some Saturdays.
[The lights are already out. He can't help it. He yawns again.]
[ She uses the time as she listens to scoot and lay out on her bed properly, still on top of the covers. She feels just fine like this.
She'll reach over and turn her lamp off before settling back onto the bed. She smiles as she imagines Matt going around getting fruit. ]
Sounds very nice. Except for the sign but if it doesn't bother you...
[ And then, ]
I have safe houses in different cities and a room at the Avengers' base but... I think this is really the first time I've had a single apartment to call "home".
Nothing really flashy. Elegant but also practical. I like colors but nothing garish or gaudy. I'd like to paint the walls here. I think I'm allowed to do that. I don't mind white but it's... kinda boring.
Maybe a string lights along the ceiling. Soft ones. Or little paper lanterns. I've always like those.
You won't know until you try. I'd be happy to go with you. Though I must warn you, I'm told I'm the worst to take a long. Because my process of elimination is thorough for myself. If you let me in on your criteria it might take some time.
[All the textures to consider. Weights, and how they balance under weight. How they'll shift. What noises they'll make.]
audio;
[Oh no. He smiles too. It breaks away to a yawn.]
I'm genuinely concerned though. I mean, you obviously got punched in the head enough to leave a mark.
audio;
The face, not the head. And there wasn't any blood. But I wouldn't mind you coming over if you're really that concerned.
audio;
Tomorrow. What would you like me to bring? I don't think I should come empty handed.
audio;
Just bring yourself. That's all that's needed.
audio;
Not even coffee huh? Mmm.
audio;
Keep pushing and I'll make you get me breakfast.
audio;
Depending on when you wake up...maybe I will.
audio;
[ She warns -- before turning her head and yawning.
Then, after being quiet for a moment, ]
Is this what it's like? Having a normal life? You get up, go to your job, come home and do... whatever?
audio;
[Matt smiles and pulls up the blankets.]
...mostly. I mean, the watered down version. There's more trouble, more noise...
audio;
[ She stretches out her legs, one by one, ]
Well, to be fair, you do live in a place called "Hell's Kitchen"...
audio;
[As a born blue collar and emulating white collar.]
Uh huh. Had you ever been? Before everything I mean...
[Before the battle.]
audio;
Not that I can recall. I've been to a lot of big cities... If I was ever in New York, it was probably just in passing.
audio;
[He wonders for a moment if this is boring to her.]
It's two blocks from the apartment I grew up in. There's a bodega at the corner, it's run by an Indian gentlemen who always keeps fresh fruit. I go there first before I head to the farmer's market on some Saturdays.
[The lights are already out. He can't help it. He yawns again.]
audio;
She'll reach over and turn her lamp off before settling back onto the bed. She smiles as she imagines Matt going around getting fruit. ]
Sounds very nice. Except for the sign but if it doesn't bother you...
[ And then, ]
I have safe houses in different cities and a room at the Avengers' base but... I think this is really the first time I've had a single apartment to call "home".
audio;
[Matt likes to sleep covered. Since he's on his own he's shirtless and in boxers. Minimal things touching his skin. It's just weird.]
How do you like it, Natasha? What are your plans for your place? A window box?
audio;
[ She rolls over onto her side, too, giving a sleepy, muffled laugh at the other question. ]
Not sure. It'll be weird to decorate according to my tastes and not someone I'm pretending to be.
audio;
[Because he can't see them, because he wants to know.]
audio;
Nothing really flashy. Elegant but also practical. I like colors but nothing garish or gaudy. I'd like to paint the walls here. I think I'm allowed to do that. I don't mind white but it's... kinda boring.
Maybe a string lights along the ceiling. Soft ones. Or little paper lanterns. I've always like those.
audio;
[He smiles alone on his end of the line.]
Paper lanterns sound nice. What else?
audio;
[ But she's grinning, amused he'd be so interested. ]
I'll just have to go walk through some stores, see what takes my fancy. I've never really focused much on decorating.
audio;
[All the textures to consider. Weights, and how they balance under weight. How they'll shift. What noises they'll make.]
audio;
It'll take time either way. I would like the company, though. And if I'm going to be spending money on it, it might as well be worth it.
[ Getting paid regularly by the city was nice but still. She didn't want to waste what she got. ]
audio;
[As if it were such a simple, easy thing to turn over. Far easier than combat skills.]
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;
audio;