[ it's not her he's repulsed by, but she doesn't answer the question anyway and all frank can do is sigh. he scrubs his damaged hand over his damaged face and takes comfort from the pain. it's much more bearable than the turmoil twisting his guts inside out. ]

You know who I am when I'm saving your life. That's cute and it fits on a postcard all neat, but it's not who I am. Frank Castle is just another scumbag the Devil should've put down when he had the chance. [ he's angry and tired and scared and he doesn't care how much of it she can pick out really. his expression softens, but he stays at arm's length, he wouldn't want to go giving her any ideas now. ] I care whether you live or die because you're a real person, Karen. The City needs you. You think after what happened, after what I did, Hell's Kitchen is gonna be a safer place? New York, America? Fuck that. No really, fuck that. They paid me off, same as everyone else. Because everyone has a price.

Everyone... except you. [ karen has a lot of flaws, but her integrity isn't one of them. she'd die bringing the truth to light and that's what scares him so much about her. it's also why he'll always protect her, though. he takes a deep, shuddering breath, and feels himself deflate. that's about all the dramatic flair he has left in him for the moment. ]