fightlikehell | Hello, hello, hello.

Then lunch.

[Matt smiles and pulls up the blankets.]

...mostly. I mean, the watered down version. There's more trouble, more noise...

I believe that's what we call "brunch", Mr. Murdock.

[ She stretches out her legs, one by one, ]

Well, to be fair, you do live in a place called "Hell's Kitchen"...

Ah. See I have so much to learn.

[As a born blue collar and emulating white collar.]

Uh huh. Had you ever been? Before everything I mean...

[Before the battle.]

[ She only knows about it because she needs to know about those sort of things. Pretending to be high class when she very much isn't. ]

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.

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".

[Sometimes at night it's disorienting to not hear the white buzz of the electricity in the screen but--] It doesn't bother me, no.

[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?

I like it. It's nice in a way I don't normally get to appreciate.

[ 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.

What are your tastes?

[Because he can't see them, because he wants to know.]

[ She's quiet for a long moment, thinking, ]

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.

Edited 2016-05-08 04:31 (UTC)

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. You're the one that has to see them.

[He smiles alone on his end of the line.]

Paper lanterns sound nice. What else?

I don't know.

[ 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.

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.]

[ She gives another small, soft laugh. ]

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. ]

Then my consultation skills are all yours.

[As if it were such a simple, easy thing to turn over. Far easier than combat skills.]

Mmm "consultation". Hope you don't plan on charging me...

Free of charge for putting up with me.

[ That gets another soft laugh. ]

Good thing I also like your voice.

I like yours too.

[ She feels her cheeks start to warm a little at that. ]

Is that why you called? Or is that just easier for you?

Don't go thinking texting is hard on me.

[He laughs a little.]

I like the sound of your voice.

Oh, I'm learning a lot about you, Mr. Murdock.

[ He's managing to debunk many of her assumptions and she couldn't be happier about it. ]

And just wait till you hear my singing voice.

A scarce few can say the same. I'm... simple once you figure it all out.

[Which can be damning and true.]

...wait. You mean to tell me that you sing too? What exactly are you unable to do?

Nah, I don't believe that. I think there's a lot more to you than you let on.

[ She's tired and can't really be bothered to censor herself. But she does laugh again, ]

I was joking, I can't sing.

In our lifetime I believe we're many people. People we need to be, people we choose to be.

[Late night philosophy? There is no better time.]

No? Everyone can sing. Most people not very well.

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;