[ jessica paid no mind to the body who took a seat next to her. the stools always filled up with various desperate men coming and then going soon after she'd tell them to fuck off, and she assumed this time was no different. it wasn't until she heard that familiar voice that her attention quickly shifted over to him. ]
Jesus, are you always this damn creepy when you meet up with people?
[ he gives her a look like duhhhhh what do you take him for?? his whole business is creepy. ]
Yeah. What's got you so cranky?
[ frank spins around cleanly and orders a beer. yeah, he has no intention of letting her drink him under the table, he prefers his wits firmly about him thanks. ]
Edited (idk don't look at me) 2019-01-21 15:43 (UTC)
I mean, isn't this where we're supposed to air our grievances? This stool is practically a confessional for people like us, right?
[ his halfhearted grin turns shiteating at her observation. he slaps a five on the counter and curls one big hand around his beer without looking away from her. ]
Yeah? You should see the other guy.
[ a joke in super poor taste considering she probably knows what that means and jessica jones isn't generally down with murder. still. he had to shoot his shot. ]
[ he's not wrong, but something tells her they both aren't the type of people to sit down and have a therapy session. ]
And I'm guessing even if I wanted to, I couldn't.
[ also said with no judgement. despite not being in agreement with how he handles his problems, all she's really interested in right now is drinking. ]
Funny how this shit always manages to wind up on our door step. [ she'll drink to that. ]
[ he hums in agreement, tapping the neck of his bottle against her glass before taking the first sweet, crisp sip. he's in a good mood. it's probably obnoxious for someone like her. ]
Come on, Jess, you know I'd tell you anything. Just make sure you want the answer first.
[ frank winks at her dumbly, leaning his elbow back against the bar again so he can keep his eye on her and the crowd. frank snorts at her assessment, as accurate as it is depressing. ]
[ she thinks about his response for a moment, then raises her brows, curls her bottom lip downwards in somewhat of a pout and nods in agreement before taking another drink. ]
You know, for someone who's a wanted man you sure have no problems being vocal about your business.
[ she motions to the bartender for another refill. ]
But that's what you do, isn't it? You know who you are and what you're capable of, and for the most part people steer clear of you. Me, on the other hand, I snap one assholes neck and suddenly I'm a hit man for hire.
[ once her eye catches the bartender strolling their direction she pauses their conversation as they fill her up. when they're gone again, she grabs a hold of her glass. ]
I may not agree with your methods, Frank, but if you're looking for any kind of moralizing from me, you won't get it here.
Hey, heyy. I said I'd tell you, not the whole goddamn bar. Keep it down a little. [ he lowers his hand flat against the air and shakes his head, mostly bemused. ] And on that track, it's Pete now.
[ his eyes bounce around the room again, but he's convinced in this crowd even if anyone did figure him out they'd be more interested in the story. 'i met punisher at the bar it was totally awesome!!!!' rather than 'let's call brett to ruin frank's day' :( etc etc. ]
Look. There's a difference between knowing what I do and hearin' what I do.
[ even with the whole kilgrave thing... he scoots over in his stool so his knee knocks her thigh, holding his beer over his legs and picking at the label. he lowers his own voice so he can be confident this is for her ears only. ]
You put down that shitbag, but I know you feel some type of way about it. [ some idiot might think she's unfeeling, that her powers mean she can take out anyone she wants any time. frank knows different, if only because of her record. she killed kevin thompson, yes, for survival. and not just her own. there was no way to lock him up and she'd exhausted every avenue before ending the guy. ] I don't feel bad, Jess. I'm not made that way.
Pete. [ she repeats, scoffing at him. as if calling himself something different could ever change who he is. she brings the glass up to her lips once more. ]
The sad thing is I almost envy that about you. [ she catches a glimpse of him, looking annoyed at herself for even admitting it and for making it sound like his life is easy because of it. ] Not like that. People are assholes. They assume the worst out of you when you're different, like that somehow makes me better than them. I mean, look at me. Do I look like I'm better than anyone? Does it look like I have my shit together? [ there's not really any heat or passion behind what she's talking about, because she knows her issues aren't really issues. but he's there, and he's probably the only one who won't think she's absolutely bat shit for what she's about to say, or try to sympathize. ]
[ she takes note of her drink, the trashy bar they're at, and her present company--no offense... after a moment, she finishes her original thought. ] My problem is that I care,... [ her head tilts back and forth slightly as she reevaluates what she just said. ] To a certain degree. Some days it just feels like being the monster they already see me as would be easier, is all.
[ he laughs, just a puff of amused air more than anything. yeah, pete doesn't really suit him, does it? it's not like he seems that worried if she wants to call him the fucking punisher right here. he's not and he's not even packing. that's how totally annoying he is.
but when she addresses the room at large, he scowls, eyes narrowing as he crowds a little closer to her. he's being intense af actually, which is kind of his specialty, but it might not be for the reason she expects. he looks upset suddenly, not angry, just upset. his eyes have that tellingly wet look to them and all of his intense focus is right on her face. it doesn't matter who else is in here because he doesn't give a fuck about them. ]
Hey. [ it's gruff, but sharp, he's calling her out. ]Hey. Don't say that, don't you say that. You're not a monster. And it's not easy, war is never easy. But you waged it and you won, so don't you ever feel bad about that. He was the monster and you put him down. You had to do that.
[ calm down, frank... he does, belatedly, forcing himself to breathe as he sets his beer down barely touched and straightens up a little to look over his shoulder then hers. ]
You're right about one thing: people are assholes.
[ jessica watches him because... well, he's talking to her obviously, but,... she really watches him, scanning his face and looking at the intensity and the emotion he's putting into what he's saying. she gets the feeling that this isn't all about just her. ]
Kilgrave was personal. I knew what he was capable of and he deserved to die. I don't feel bad about what I did, but I can't say the same about-- [ she slips up, catches herself about to talk about the one thing she swore she'd never bring up again. ] I can't say the same about everyone else.
[ through out all of it, she never broke her gaze away from his. ] You can do things other people can't, but that doesn't make you a monster, either. [ there's a small break, and she turns back to the bar and her drink because this definitely is more emotionally draining then she wants it to be. ] That's not sympathy, so don't get all worked up about it. It's just the harsh reality of this piece of shit world we unfortunately have to exist in.
[ tapping his drink with her glass, she quickly takes another swig. ] Drink up, Frank. It might make you better company to be around.
[ he nods, accepting her explanation up until she hesitates. she can't say the same about-- what? something like recognition flashes in his eyes, the darkness sliding out to greet hers in a silent show of solidarity. frank ducks his head, trying not to smile. he knows jessica jones doesn't go around reassuring people so it's kind of sweet that she's doing it for him, even if he's... you know, himself. ]
Yeah, yeah, yeah. [ frank straightens up a bit and plucks his beer back up to start drinking it down at a faster pace. he said he wouldn't get wasted, but he's not above getting a little shitty with her anyway. ] Don't hold your breath though, OK?
Believe me, I learned long ago to hold out for no man.
[ a smirk tugs on one side of her mouth as she watches him consume his drink.
it intrigued her... his ability to maintain a conversation when he looked the way he did--battered, bruised, and full of cuts, scrapes, or scratches--but gave no indication that it even phased him. there was a slight look of pity on her face as she wondered how long this had been considered "normal" to Frank Castle. ]
You wanna talk about it? [ once she realizes her expression she quickly changes it back to her usual scowl, nodding her head in his direction. ] Your face, I mean.
[ he smiles too, at that. he thinks that's the right call, it's not like he'd ever include himself in that category anyway, but even if he did. she's stronger than any man, and not just physically. she shouldn't have to put up with bullshit and from what he's seen? she doesn't. if anyone's the damsel between the two of them...
and that pitying look seals it. he chews on his lip, leaning his back against the bar again to give her (and himself) some space. frank drinks, he looks around, finishes his beer before long then gestures for another. slaps another five down, no he doesn't want to start a tab. keeps going. frank castle always keeps going. ]
If you want to find away to avoid talking about your problems, I suggest finding another excuse. Especially when you look like that.
[ a point in his direction before she takes another drink. she won't push it, though, because she gets it. they didn't come here to talk out their feelings or try to help each other out, emotionally. there's no helping these two. ]
[ he snorts which breaks into a tight laugh before he quashes it with a long sip. ]
Fair point. That's fair. [ but he just shrugs - she already knows what happened, doesn't she? she's the best goddamn pi in this corner of the city, or so he's been told. ] Put down a shitbag needed putting down, same as you. And this one was personal.
[ billy is his kilgrave. billy is the man who destroyed him, broke him down to the sum of his parts. and then betrayed him all over again because frank still trusted him - had no goddamn clue. he pushes out a breath and shakes his head. now that it's done? he feels close to nothing. good enough anyway. but then: ]
I came here because you told me to come here. [ ask a stupid question... ]
[ she knows how these things work, and she can tell from the bruising that it must not've been a simple one. either way, she decides it's best to move on. ]
So it's that easy, then. I ask and you oblige, no questions asked? [ she's definitely giving him a look of peaked interest, a confident grin on her lips. give a smart ass answer... ]
[ they're not, not to him. that's why he made such a point of separating them earlier. the people he does in, they don't mean a damn thing to him. they're mud under his boot. billy... billy went down hard. it isn't easy to kill a brother, no matter what he's done to you. the rest, however, gets an easy smile. something that looks jagged and unsettling with the map of black, brown and purple on his face. ]
Within reason. [ he takes a swig, expecting her to counter that with something else just as sly, honestly. ]
[ most people who leave you looking the way he looks, though? usually personal. but she chooses not to say anything because... he's right, in an overall sense. and that was the line in the sand between them. ]
Oh yeah? Doesn't seem like you're the type of guy who operates within reason, Pete.
[ she's openly smirking at him now as she brings her drink up to her lips. fucking with him may have just become one of her new favorite past times. ]
Well, yeah. Everyone has their own reasons for everything.
[ and her eyes narrow briefly as she stares at him. ]
But you see, I'm usually pretty good at pinning down someones motives. Comes with the job, and all. I tossed out an invitation to you fully expecting you to decline, but here you are. I'm leaning towards boredom or curiosity, but I also think there's a part of you that's also not really sure why you came.
[ sorry, she's analyzing, but... you know, comes with the job, like she just said. ]
[ that wasn't what he meant, but he easily drops it. maybe he is bored, definitely curious... and okay, so maybe she's good at what she does. she isn't the only one who can analyze. frank wrinkles his nose. ]
That's rude, you know. Invitin' a guy out only 'cause you think he won't take you up on it.
[ she's right, though. he hadn't been sure he was going to show up himself until he did. ]
I'm not that surprising a guy. Pretty straight-forward, actually.
You think I'd ask someone to come join me just to see if they'd make an appearance? Sounds pretty childish, if you ask me.
[ not that she's above being childish sometimes, but definitely not when it comes to situations like these. ]
Besides, that's not how I operate. I never say anything I don't mean, and I definitely don't ask people to come see if I don't have a reason to see them.
[ she'll just... let that one sit, and see what kind of response it draws out of him, if any. let's see how straight forward you really are, frank. ]
[ wow, attempting to flirt with him was incredibly frustrating. much like everything else he did, there was no emotion--no indication he was for or against what she was saying.
and she does it a lot, but the last thing she wanted to do right now was make an ass of herself, so she just stares at him for a minute, unsure of where to go. she'd never outwardly show or express that, though. ]
Maybe I just wanted some company. [ she takes another drink. ]
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Jesus, are you always this damn creepy when you meet up with people?
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Yeah. What's got you so cranky?
[ frank spins around cleanly and orders a beer. yeah, he has no intention of letting her drink him under the table, he prefers his wits firmly about him thanks. ]
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You sneaking up on me, for one. Do you need more of an answer than that? Because I have a list.
[ when she settles back at the bar, her eyes give him a once over as she takes a drink of her whiskey. ]
You look like shit. [ not judging, just observing. ]
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[ his halfhearted grin turns shiteating at her observation. he slaps a five on the counter and curls one big hand around his beer without looking away from her. ]
Yeah? You should see the other guy.
[ a joke in super poor taste considering she probably knows what that means and jessica jones isn't generally down with murder. still. he had to shoot his shot. ]
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And I'm guessing even if I wanted to, I couldn't.
[ also said with no judgement. despite not being in agreement with how he handles his problems, all she's really interested in right now is drinking. ]
Funny how this shit always manages to wind up on our door step. [ she'll drink to that. ]
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Come on, Jess, you know I'd tell you anything. Just make sure you want the answer first.
[ frank winks at her dumbly, leaning his elbow back against the bar again so he can keep his eye on her and the crowd. frank snorts at her assessment, as accurate as it is depressing. ]
Because we deserve it.
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You know, for someone who's a wanted man you sure have no problems being vocal about your business.
[ she motions to the bartender for another refill. ]
But that's what you do, isn't it? You know who you are and what you're capable of, and for the most part people steer clear of you. Me, on the other hand, I snap one assholes neck and suddenly I'm a hit man for hire.
[ once her eye catches the bartender strolling their direction she pauses their conversation as they fill her up. when they're gone again, she grabs a hold of her glass. ]
I may not agree with your methods, Frank, but if you're looking for any kind of moralizing from me, you won't get it here.
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[ his eyes bounce around the room again, but he's convinced in this crowd even if anyone did figure him out they'd be more interested in the story. 'i met punisher at the bar it was totally awesome!!!!' rather than 'let's call brett to ruin frank's day' :( etc etc. ]
Look. There's a difference between knowing what I do and hearin' what I do.
[ even with the whole kilgrave thing... he scoots over in his stool so his knee knocks her thigh, holding his beer over his legs and picking at the label. he lowers his own voice so he can be confident this is for her ears only. ]
You put down that shitbag, but I know you feel some type of way about it. [ some idiot might think she's unfeeling, that her powers mean she can take out anyone she wants any time. frank knows different, if only because of her record. she killed kevin thompson, yes, for survival. and not just her own. there was no way to lock him up and she'd exhausted every avenue before ending the guy. ] I don't feel bad, Jess. I'm not made that way.
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The sad thing is I almost envy that about you. [ she catches a glimpse of him, looking annoyed at herself for even admitting it and for making it sound like his life is easy because of it. ] Not like that. People are assholes. They assume the worst out of you when you're different, like that somehow makes me better than them. I mean, look at me. Do I look like I'm better than anyone? Does it look like I have my shit together? [ there's not really any heat or passion behind what she's talking about, because she knows her issues aren't really issues. but he's there, and he's probably the only one who won't think she's absolutely bat shit for what she's about to say, or try to sympathize. ]
[ she takes note of her drink, the trashy bar they're at, and her present company--no offense... after a moment, she finishes her original thought. ] My problem is that I care,... [ her head tilts back and forth slightly as she reevaluates what she just said. ] To a certain degree. Some days it just feels like being the monster they already see me as would be easier, is all.
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but when she addresses the room at large, he scowls, eyes narrowing as he crowds a little closer to her. he's being intense af actually, which is kind of his specialty, but it might not be for the reason she expects. he looks upset suddenly, not angry, just upset. his eyes have that tellingly wet look to them and all of his intense focus is right on her face. it doesn't matter who else is in here because he doesn't give a fuck about them. ]
Hey. [ it's gruff, but sharp, he's calling her out. ] Hey. Don't say that, don't you say that. You're not a monster. And it's not easy, war is never easy. But you waged it and you won, so don't you ever feel bad about that. He was the monster and you put him down. You had to do that.
[ calm down, frank... he does, belatedly, forcing himself to breathe as he sets his beer down barely touched and straightens up a little to look over his shoulder then hers. ]
You're right about one thing: people are assholes.
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Kilgrave was personal. I knew what he was capable of and he deserved to die. I don't feel bad about what I did, but I can't say the same about-- [ she slips up, catches herself about to talk about the one thing she swore she'd never bring up again. ] I can't say the same about everyone else.
[ through out all of it, she never broke her gaze away from his. ] You can do things other people can't, but that doesn't make you a monster, either. [ there's a small break, and she turns back to the bar and her drink because this definitely is more emotionally draining then she wants it to be. ] That's not sympathy, so don't get all worked up about it. It's just the harsh reality of this piece of shit world we unfortunately have to exist in.
[ tapping his drink with her glass, she quickly takes another swig. ] Drink up, Frank. It might make you better company to be around.
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Yeah, yeah, yeah. [ frank straightens up a bit and plucks his beer back up to start drinking it down at a faster pace. he said he wouldn't get wasted, but he's not above getting a little shitty with her anyway. ] Don't hold your breath though, OK?
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[ a smirk tugs on one side of her mouth as she watches him consume his drink.
it intrigued her... his ability to maintain a conversation when he looked the way he did--battered, bruised, and full of cuts, scrapes, or scratches--but gave no indication that it even phased him. there was a slight look of pity on her face as she wondered how long this had been considered "normal" to Frank Castle. ]
You wanna talk about it? [ once she realizes her expression she quickly changes it back to her usual scowl, nodding her head in his direction. ] Your face, I mean.
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and that pitying look seals it. he chews on his lip, leaning his back against the bar again to give her (and himself) some space. frank drinks, he looks around, finishes his beer before long then gestures for another. slaps another five down, no he doesn't want to start a tab. keeps going. frank castle always keeps going. ]
Nothin' to talk about, Jess.
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[ a point in his direction before she takes another drink. she won't push it, though, because she gets it. they didn't come here to talk out their feelings or try to help each other out, emotionally. there's no helping these two. ]
Why'd you come here, anyway?
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Fair point. That's fair. [ but he just shrugs - she already knows what happened, doesn't she? she's the best goddamn pi in this corner of the city, or so he's been told. ] Put down a shitbag needed putting down, same as you. And this one was personal.
[ billy is his kilgrave. billy is the man who destroyed him, broke him down to the sum of his parts. and then betrayed him all over again because frank still trusted him - had no goddamn clue. he pushes out a breath and shakes his head. now that it's done? he feels close to nothing. good enough anyway. but then: ]
I came here because you told me to come here. [ ask a stupid question... ]
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[ she knows how these things work, and she can tell from the bruising that it must not've been a simple one. either way, she decides it's best to move on. ]
So it's that easy, then. I ask and you oblige, no questions asked? [ she's definitely giving him a look of peaked interest, a confident grin on her lips. give a smart ass answer... ]
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[ they're not, not to him. that's why he made such a point of separating them earlier. the people he does in, they don't mean a damn thing to him. they're mud under his boot. billy... billy went down hard. it isn't easy to kill a brother, no matter what he's done to you. the rest, however, gets an easy smile. something that looks jagged and unsettling with the map of black, brown and purple on his face. ]
Within reason. [ he takes a swig, expecting her to counter that with something else just as sly, honestly. ]
kisses your booboos away frank
Oh yeah? Doesn't seem like you're the type of guy who operates within reason, Pete.
[ she's openly smirking at him now as she brings her drink up to her lips. fucking with him may have just become one of her new favorite past times. ]
don't encourage him!!!
Maybe my reason's just different than yours.
[ or anybody else's really. he might be (just a bit of) a loose cannon, but he still has rules. ]
jessica doesn't encourage she pushes boundaries so start walking, bud
[ and her eyes narrow briefly as she stares at him. ]
But you see, I'm usually pretty good at pinning down someones motives. Comes with the job, and all. I tossed out an invitation to you fully expecting you to decline, but here you are. I'm leaning towards boredom or curiosity, but I also think there's a part of you that's also not really sure why you came.
[ sorry, she's analyzing, but... you know, comes with the job, like she just said. ]
Who knows? Maybe you'll surprise me.
w o w
That's rude, you know. Invitin' a guy out only 'cause you think he won't take you up on it.
[ she's right, though. he hadn't been sure he was going to show up himself until he did. ]
I'm not that surprising a guy. Pretty straight-forward, actually.
i'm not seeing the problem sry xoxo
[ not that she's above being childish sometimes, but definitely not when it comes to situations like these. ]
Besides, that's not how I operate. I never say anything I don't mean, and I definitely don't ask people to come see if I don't have a reason to see them.
[ she'll just... let that one sit, and see what kind of response it draws out of him, if any. let's see how straight forward you really are, frank. ]
monster
Okay, what's your reason then? Don't tell me you're passing on that hit.
excuse u didn't we just have that convo
and she does it a lot, but the last thing she wanted to do right now was make an ass of herself, so she just stares at him for a minute, unsure of where to go. she'd never outwardly show or express that, though. ]
Maybe I just wanted some company. [ she takes another drink. ]
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thank you for giving me a reason to actually use my smile icon
yes good yw
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2/2
boo 0/10
<3 he's enjoying this sorry jessica messica
that is the absolute cutest name and i am here for it
it's her legal name ok
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