unsent texts

[santanachamp]

ｕｎｓｅｎｔ ｔｅｘｔｓ

① comment with your character. ② repliers queue up a text (or two or three to choose from) that they typed up, but never sent. ③ only they fat-fingered and set them flying out of the outbox into infamy. ④ it's two in the morning jfc why are you asking me if i'd love you if you were a worm? no, i don't think my little pony is a metaphor for communism. go to sleep. check out theunsentproject if you'd like more serious ideas.

Comments

[hawk_shot]

Bet you would have got more than just getting them to tip twice.

I already did. But I will again and let him know it was because you asked.

I can't imagine what it must be like actually having that conversation. You know, like looking ahead.
I only did that once out of a scare.

[streetlevel]

I am pretty good at what I do.

Good. I can't let him forget me.

When you get to be a certain age and it's looking like it might get serious, it's pretty common. Get the baseline questions out of the way so if you're not on the same page you can move along faster since there's less time to waste.

[hawk_shot]

The humble Catholic boy.

As if anyone could actually forget you.

So, you have like a pre-made list of things you get out of the way? XD
You make it sound like an actual market.

[streetlevel]

Can't be so humble that it hinders. Right?

I hope I'm memorable for more than my embarrassing moments.

It's not entirely unlike that at times. It's practical though if you're getting serious to know if there are any real dealbreakers on the table. If Heather hadn't wanted kids ever, why would we have wasted one another's time?

[hawk_shot]

Oh definitely. You just gotta pretend like most people do.

Matt, I can't think of a single embarrassing --
Ok, scratch that, I can.
Still, there's other memorable things about you if that helps?

No, yeah, I get the concept. It makes sense.
It's just kinda crazy that we plan all these things ahead and try to find logic and then we fall in love with people that are not worth it or make things super complicated.
Like, to me it actually means something when it feels easy.

[streetlevel]

Do most people pretend competence or incompetence?

See?!

It helps a little. Depending on the memories on either end.

That's the thing, Kate. Sometimes it is easy... until it isn't.

[hawk_shot]

Depends if they already have a job. Or a partner.

You sure didn't when you grabbed my ass.

Right. As if you didn't know you're a super likeable guy.
Or pretty scary late at night.

... how are you holding up? Anything I can do to help?

[Funny how sometimes you meet a person that makes everything feel so simply, how he changes your world and makes it all better. And at the same time things feel impossible with him and so, so very complicated.]

[streetlevel]

I hope they become more competent, because learned incompetence at work or at home sounds annoying.

I'm sorry about that. I would never, ever touch you inappropriately. God, I'm so sorry.

It's the gelato, it makes me a lot of friends.

You're you. That's always enough. I'm all right, I promise.

[hawk_shot]

I heard a lot of guys start acting like idiots to make their girlfriends and wives think they can do a better job at home. It's so messed up.

Omg Matt, chill. I was joking! I know you'd never. Not with me or anyone.
Even you have to admit that it was pretty fucking funny.
You could say I laughed my ASS off.

Don't underestimate the homemade meals.

Ok.
Promise you'll tell me if anything comes to mind?
For now, I'm at our Thai place waiting for lunch.

[streetlevel]

I've heard that, too. It is bullshit. My dad did everything, because you step up as an adult and parent. Split it 50/50 if you're with someone, but the idea that anyone should pull all the weight at home is ridiculous. Even if someone is a stay at home parent, they shouldn't have to do it all, because the other job isn't 24/7 either, is it?

Okay, okay. I'll let it go. I just didn't want you uncomfortable. It was funny then, if you found it that.

Not everyone gets the homemade meals.

I promise. Can you add an extra order of mango sticky rice and potstickers? I'll Zelle you. My work wife requires sustenance and she's threatening me with a ridiculous legal countersuit if I deny her.

[hawk_shot]

I remember a video of a guy who demanded his wife to make dinner after she just gave birth. It's insane. Like, do some people think that marriage is like getting a new parent or a slave or both?

I promise I wasn't uncomfortable, not for a second. Shocked? Sure. But I would never, ever think you'd do that on purpose.
Cmon, we both had a good laugh, I remember it.

... Is it an exclusive club then?

Tell her that I've got you guys.Is Cherry there? Does he want anything?

[streetlevel]

That hurts my heart. I think sometimes people get trapped in situations. Or tricked. Or realize too late they made a mistake. An error in judgement shouldn't cost anyone their whole life. Or at least, not an error like that. Education and opportunity are just two avenues to help people have more agency and choice. So when someone expects them to be a slave they can kindly tell them to fuck off.

We did, yeah. Fine, I'll stop being me about it.

Kate, I cook for you all the time. You're on the list. Right behind Lucky.

He wants the Drunken Noodles and he says to blame me for the desire, so. I'm sending that order under protest.

[hawk_shot]

I guess its the kinda thing that can happen to anyone, so I always try and keep an eye open with friends.
I can't imagine what it must be like, being in that situation, thinking you can't get out or that you shouldn't because you share a kid with someone.

It honestly makes me laugh whenever I think of that.
Like, it was a crazy start of a day, like the mood had shifted totally from what we went through that night.

I knew I was the dog's plus 1!!!

And I' gladly taking it. I've got you guys covered.

[streetlevel]

Staying for the kids only seems to work in theory rather than practice. At least all the times I've heard of it being done.

Well then, I'm glad I could make you laugh. Even if it was a little embarrassing.

Hey, at least you're always Lucky's choice of date.

I appreciate you.

[hawk_shot]

Yeah, that's a good point. I hated hearing my parents argue, it's probably not great for kids.

It was stupid and funny and your face was amazing.
And I mean it with love!
But honestly, you're like the safest guy for a girl to feel safe around.
Matt, you're basically a heterosexual gay friend.

... Yeah, okay, I'll take thirdwheeling around you guys.

And I appreciate you, partner. 😘

[streetlevel]

No, I can't imagine it would be, I don't think most parents hide it as well as they think they do.

I'm going to take that as a compliment. I want people to feel safe with me. Unless I'm trying to intimidate them.

He and I won't get obnoxious and ignore you.

[hawk_shot]

I remember I listened through the air vent...
I got caught a million times.
Or mom and dad could tell if they found me crying.

Good, because it is.
Seriously, Matt. In your regular clothes you're basically the safest, comfiest guy I've ever hung with.
You and Foggy. I knew it straight away.

You better not have your own code and leave me out.

[streetlevel]

I never had that, obviously. Just had thin walls so I heard our neighbors arguing sometimes. Among other things.

Glad to hear it. I try and avoid scratchy clothing. Helps with the comfort.

Lucky couldn't keep a secret from you.

[hawk_shot]

But you had an amazing dad that always reminded you that he loved you and who'd take you out for midnight meals.
Your dad really sounded like an amazing dude. Hard working, really strong at making things work.

For other people's comfort or you own sensitive skin? XD

Are you saying that you would???? 👀👀👀

Anyway, I've got lunch! I gotta make a quick stop and then I'm heading over. If I stop texting its because my hands are full.

[streetlevel]

He wasn't perfect, but he was a good man. Just like your dad sounds.

Both?

Who can say?

All right, get here safe.

[hawk_shot]

It's about twenty minutes later by the time Kate makes her way to Murdock & McDuffie. This time Kate is on her own, carrying a couple of plastic backs with Matt's, Kirsten's and Cherry's lunch along with her own.

Of course, never forgetting about the rest of the staff, she's brought along a couple of boxes of donuts for everyone to have a snack.

"Let me give you a hand."

Cherry, who had claimed a chair around some empty cublicle and was waiting for Matt to finish a meeting, was the first to come to greet her. He was quick to help Kate with the bags. "How are you doing, sweetheart? You really didn't have to, I'll Venmo you in a minute."

Kate, dressing sharply in a suit of her own and a 'David Meowie' shirt undernearth, waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't sweat it. How's it going? Is your leg better?"

[streetlevel]

Inside Matt's office, he was discussing the case of a twitchy young man who did some special bookkeeping for one of the large accounting firms in the city, whose boss had mysteriously disappeared the night of the blackout. Since then he was getting jittery about the activity, but feared going to the police. His brother-in-law was a police officer, he said, and there had been something off about him too since that night.

It was only a sliver of a backbone largely drawn out by self-preservation. Matt wasn't impressed with this man, nor did he particularly like him, but turning over a new leaf had to start somewhere, didn't it? Matt assured him that he'd be in touch, and that Cherry would ensure he had a safe place to stay until then.

He escorted the man to the door, seeing him out before turning around and rubbing his forehead a little. A large cup of coffee was in his hand despite it being mid-day and he drained it in one go as he made his way to the conference room where he heard Kate, Cherry, and Kirsten setting up.

"Look who decided to join us," Kirsten said with a smile. "I was about to eat yours if you didn't come by soon. Leave it to Kate to unbury you from work." Looking over at the younger woman she added, "This was really thoughtful, thank you. And I love your shirt." Back at Matt she added, "You had a visitor earlier. Young girl. Hector's niece, I think? She decided not to wait. I told her I'd tell you that she stopped by."

"Angela." Matt pulled out a chair and sat in it slowly. "I'll check in with her later." To Kate he added, "It does smell good. Thank you." Head tilted back at Kirsten he added, "Did you get the-"

"Yeah, I'm having Jasmine draft up the letter. We'll want that included in the discovery. Do you think-"

"Yeah, they'll try and appeal but that'll buy us time, too."

Cherry gave Kate a rueful look as he dug into his meal. "Welcome to my world."

[hawk_shot]

With her jacket drapped over the back of her chair, Kate took the spot next to Cherry and started pulling food containers out of the bags, pulling on lids to peek at their contents and figure what dish belonged to whom.

Kate was well aware of how ruthless Kirsten could be, she often bragged about how she had completely owned the court or how she'd cracked some case, figuring exactly which route they ought to go with to protect their clients.

But she was also so incredible sweet and always so welcoming. Inadvertently, she was thrown Kate two big compliments. First by bringing up her t-shirt and then, her abilities to get Matt out of the office for a breather.

"Bet you dream in lawyer talk now," Kate chuckled as she elbowed Cherry.

It was hard to ignore the name Kirsten dropped, though. Héctor Ayala's niece, the niece of White Tiger. As Matt had asked since that night when he saved her from Muse, Kate had been keeping an eye on social media for any stories of vigilantes wearing white outfits. Any new stories on White Tiger. There was none.

Clearly, they were worrying over nothing.

"Busy morning, I take it?" God, had Matt got any sleep? They'd both made it pretty late after patrol. Was he still sleeping in his office? She didn't want to push, put more pressure on how she had offered him to use her apartment. She knew Matt had taken the offer seriously.

The last thing he needs is more pressure.

Before Kate could ask about Angela and if she'd been visiting lately (she doubted it, Matt would habe probably mentioned it before), a tall and lanky guy with mousy brown hair knocked on the door. He couldn't be much older than Kate and he looked a little flustered about having stepped in.

"Sorry for interrupting your lunch. Huh, Matt, I've found the files you've asked for." Holding them high as if it was some holy grail in paper, he placed them at the corner of the table.

Only then did he dare to look in Kate's direction.

"Hum, Katie, right?" He waved awkwardly. Kate didn't correct him. "I just wanted to say --" He gestured in the direction of where Kate had left the boxes of donuts. "Thank -- I'm going to grab a donut in a minute. I wanted to thank you."

"No problem, dude. My pleasure."

He bowed his head a couple of times in apology before leaving the room.

[streetlevel]

The food was immediately forgotten when Gabriel entered with the file. Matt was out of his seat, fingers sliding along the table until he found the paperwork. Raising his voice, Matt called to the retreating man's back, "You're a gentleman and a scholar, Gabriel! Also one hell of an intern."

Thank you, sir," Gabriel called back as he went to get a donut. He tried to work as hard as his bosses, but they made it difficult as they were literally insane with their work hours. Still, if they were finally eating, he felt safe to eat, too.

"I told you, call me Matt."

"Yes, sir."

"I told you that NYU made the best lawyers," Kirsten smirked, as Gabriel was in his last year of law school there. It was her alma mater. She looked down at the file, which hadn't yet been uploaded into their system clearly and good luck getting documents converted to Braille in a timely manner. "Need some help with that?"

He didn't really, as his fingertips could feel the ink on the paper, but he slid the file over to Kirsten with a nod. "Yeah, would you mind?" For one thing it kept up appearances, and for another, reading like that required a lot of concentration and energy on his part. It was easier to let his partner do it. Thinking back to all the tears and long hours it had taken Matt to learn Braille, it made him smile a little at how it was now easier for him to read that way even though his fingertips could pick up printed ink if he focused enough.

"Not at all." Kirsten smiled at them, going back to her seat and reading the document as she ate. "I'll just bill you for my hours."

"Cute," Matt grunted, moving back to his seat. He finally took a bite of his meal. It then dawned on him that he'd missed out on Cherry and Kate conversing and waved his fork between then. "Wait, were you two making fun of us?"

[hawk_shot]

With the poorest attempt at looking innocent, Kate pointed her spork inwards, before remembering that Matt wasn't supposed to notice the gesture. "Us?" She exchanged a quick look with Cherry, who simply shrugged as he took another mouthful of those drunken noodles, silently slurping up their ends. "I would never make fun of a blind man, Matt. In fact, Cherry and I are a little hurt."

Pushing her curry a little before gathering another sporkful, she couldn't help herself as she spoke up. "Kirsten, you think we've got a shot here if we went for defamation?" Hey, she was awful at following all their layer talk, but some terms do stick.

Enough for Kate to have her little 'AHA!' moments while watching a legal drama.