I'm not. [ the boss. but it makes him smile as he wanders in to turn on the TV since there's no remote (yes really.) ] But I have bourbon if you wanna switch over.
[ then he's back in the kitchen to wash the dishes and wipe down all the surfaces before it can drive him crazy. he has some... compulsive tendencies, thanks military, though he's nothing like a clean freak or anything so extreme. it's mostly to do with his own self-worth and small things that keep him going. he washes his hands before making his way back out to her and slumping down next to jess on the couch.
suddenly, he feels tired, but that's not so unusual. the wine didn't help, but he figures she'll wake him up if he nods off like the old man he is, so frank leans back and crosses his arms to try and dig into what's happening on screen. they missed the first scene, but it's pretty easy to plunk into whenever - an obvious budding romance between cary grant and katharine hepburn unfolding on the screen. and as promised: there's a leopard. ]
[ she brings a knee up to her chest and stares at the screen and pretends to be interested in it, just like he said. it's not that she's not a movie person, but she's more interested in him, than anything. besides, she can't remember the last time she really sat down and allowed herself to enjoy anything that wasn't alcohol. that's pretty much where all her free time goes. speaking of, she takes another sip, feeling a little awkward. this kind of shit is exactly why she didn't date, but even with that logic, they weren't actually dating, so... why was she even staying? ]
Now that you've actually got me sitting down and watching this movie, can I ask what the next one will be that you'll use as an excuse to invite me over?
[ she's still looking and the screen, holding her leg close and her alcohol closer. ]
[ he challenges gently, shifting one leg onto the sofa too and resting his head on his hand, elbow propped on the back of his seat so he can watch her unsubtly. ]
Between the Hepburns and Molly, we've got a lot of hours to put in.
[ he makes a little hmmm like he's really thinking about it, but all he's actually doing is tracing her features with his gaze. ]
It is, but see, now you have a problem. I'm like a stray cat. Feed me once, and now just I'll keep coming back for more.
[ it's at this point she finally turns her head to look at him, completely oblivious to his staring before hand. there might be a little hidden insinuation there beyond the food, but like most all her cheeky flirting she drops in his lap, he probably won't catch on. ]
Is that the one with the football or the baseball?
[ he can... occasionally... be smooth. ish. or give shit back - whichever thing they're doing right now. her follow-up gets a snort, frank leaning towards her just a fraction of an inch mostly without noticing himself that he's doing it. ]
They have this thing called a puck actually. And no actual rules to speak of. Just blood and lots of it. [ so that's why... it's his favorite... ]
Frank Castle. Did you just wound me? [ she moves a hand to her chest dramatically, secretly really proud of him. ] I guess it's a good thing we've already established what we are--or aren't. But I think you're stuck with me, regardless. At least until someone else comes along and feeds me.
[ she leans in slightly while saying that so matter of fact, catching her glass with her fingertips. sorry, dude. if you come back at her sass with more sass, she goes in harder. ]
I can see why you'd be interested in something like that, then.
[ he deadpans this, enjoying the easy banter between them even as he finds himself staring at her lips again. her words have his eyes widening perceptibly before he remembers - hockey. calm down, frank, they were just talking about sports. ]
How does 'this' usually work for you? [ he asks suddenly, not sure why he's bringing it up again. probably masochism, honestly. ] You sleep with people you don't like so you're not tempted to see 'em again?
[ it's soft, almost devoid of judgment. he's just trying to understand, more than anything else. ]
[ she doesn't even notice or really care if there's a judgment in his question while taking another drink. ]
People care about you, right? [ she gives him a look like, well, yeah. obviously her. but besides that. ] I bet life would be a lot easier for you if they didn't. [ she tilts her head kind of as she says this, leaning in closer again. ]
[ he nods like she's really teaching him something here. he never would have considered doing things that way...? it still doesn't sound appealing to him, actually, but it's interesting anyway. another piece of jessica he didn't know about. her comment makes him laugh though, it's so much like what curtis said to him not so long ago. ]
Yeah, it would. [ he doesn't sound upset about being called out this time around. ] Their lives would be even easier.
[ and yet they insist on sticking by him. it's out of his hands, okay!!! ]
You're right, [ she doesn't even skip a beat at his last sentence. ] It would.
[ she takes a moment to stare at him after that, like she's looking for another reason to leave despite having already laid out all the reasons why she should in front of her. ]
Not so crazy when you think about it like that, is it? [ she takes her final drink, leaning back into her original position but not before giving him another little comment. ] So you can take your judgmental ass tone back now.
[ he just can't function like that, apparently. but her follow-up makes him laugh, casting a passing glance to the screen but unabashed in the way he turns back to watch her instead. he loves this movie, but she's still infinitely more interesting. ]
[ she sets her glass down on the side where the bottle is, and pauses a moment after sitting back up, propping her elbow up on the back of the couch and resting her head in her hand. ]
Even if... [ she ruins things, all the time. even if things can't be anything more. ] I still appreciate it. All of this. Even though I shouldn't.
It's crazy for me. [ he admits, a hand on his chest indicatively. ] But obviously, it's been workin' for you...
[ until now??? god, that's awkward. and he doesn't want to make it sound like he's anything special. lord knows he isn't. he still doesn't get why she even likes him to begin with, so. ]
It's not that bad, is it? [ liking someone, spending time? it makes frank feel like he has some sort of a grip on his life again, honestly. ]
[ her first initial reaction is that uh, yeah. it's fucking terrible. but she stops herself when she catches a glimpse of his face and can't help but laugh slightly. ]
I mean, I don't know. It's never bad at the beginning and mostly during it's... [ she shakes her head softly in her hand. ] In the end, when they're suddenly gone.
[ she brings her other hand up to her mouth and puts the corner of her thumb against her lip while glancing off to the side. ] I just assume if something is going okay in my life there's an inevitable destruction that comes with it.
[ it hits him like a physical blow to his guts, though he has to wonder - what the middle is like? when she trailed off a minute there. his only relationship long enough to have a "during" was his marriage and he'd been overseas for so much of it, he's really not sure he can comment in any authoritative way. ]
Yeah, we both have that goin' for us. [ if they don't wreck things, the world will for them. he turns away from her just a little, enough that one eyeball is on her and one is on katharine hep. he laces his hands across his stomach and heaves out a little sigh. ] But it's important for me... not to have regrets anymore. And if I never saw you again...
[ that comment stops her and she stares at him, heart leaping in her chest while resisting the urge to ask him why. she's not naive, though. if he's anything like her, she knows why. why she thought it would be easy and how she never would have thought it would create some weird kind of bond between them.
but she's learning, and she swallows knowing that tonight only reaffirmed it's not the only reason why. it's a big reason, but she actually enjoys being around him--that part is easy. ]
Does this mean you want to keep seeing me? [ it's such a simple and innocent question, but after earlier she really thought things were as good as done. ]
[ she sounds so uncertain it shatters something behind his breastbone. that gets him to turn fully away from the screen, the leg on the floor lifting to tap her ankle with his. ]
That's exactly what it means. [ he sounds a little vulnerable too, his voice half an octave higher than it ever usually might be. she affects him in ways he can't and doesn't want to analyze, but as long as it's mutual (and so far, it seems to be) he's okay with that. ] I thought making you dinner and practically bullying you to come over would have clued you in.
[ for once, she actually takes a nice comment towards her without immediately popping up with defensive insults or snark. his words "It's not that bad, is it?" ring in her head and she silently agrees with it.
he makes her smile and she lowers her head quickly to hide it. ]
To be fair, I just assume if someone willingly wants to be around me something has to be wrong with them.
Oh, absolutely. [ she agrees, purposely sliding herself up against him while resting her head into his shoulder. ] But that's just another thing we have in common.
[oh. his heart is pounding fast, even as his smile settles into something softer and more sustainable. one big hand comes up to cup the back of her head and he tips forward to rest his chin against her temple. ]
[ she's surprised, because not only can she hear his heart beating she can actually feel it pumping out of his chest. she should be flattered, she's sure the only thing that gets his heart going like this anymore is rage and adrenaline. she should be, but it just leaves her... more confused, than anything? and she's not really sure why.
bringing a single hand up she places it on his chest over his heart and rests it there, unsure of what to say. ]
[ his gaze tips down to watch her hand settle over his heart, leaning the tiniest amount into her touch. there's not much space between them anymore anyway. her question earns a tiny puff of air against her face in bemusement. ]
[ his response earns him his own small laugh back at him, fingers curling against his chest slightly. it was a good enough answer, though, because she doesn't want to move away from him anyway. despite the conversation they just had, and how they probably should. ]
I guess it doesn't really matter. We're already this far into this shit.
[ if it's condescending, it's only because he's joking even as he smacks a kiss against the side of her head. frank shifts one of his legs under hers, his free hand closing around her waist as he holds her against his chest. he thought he would never have this again, would never want it again, but here he is. maybe he really is just lonely, but if they can solve that together is it such a bad thing? ]
Can you do this? [ he swallows, his heart still hammering under her fist. ] With me?
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[ then he's back in the kitchen to wash the dishes and wipe down all the surfaces before it can drive him crazy. he has some... compulsive tendencies, thanks military, though he's nothing like a clean freak or anything so extreme. it's mostly to do with his own self-worth and small things that keep him going. he washes his hands before making his way back out to her and slumping down next to jess on the couch.
suddenly, he feels tired, but that's not so unusual. the wine didn't help, but he figures she'll wake him up if he nods off like the old man he is, so frank leans back and crosses his arms to try and dig into what's happening on screen. they missed the first scene, but it's pretty easy to plunk into whenever - an obvious budding romance between cary grant and katharine hepburn unfolding on the screen. and as promised: there's a leopard. ]
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[ she brings a knee up to her chest and stares at the screen and pretends to be interested in it, just like he said. it's not that she's not a movie person, but she's more interested in him, than anything. besides, she can't remember the last time she really sat down and allowed herself to enjoy anything that wasn't alcohol. that's pretty much where all her free time goes. speaking of, she takes another sip, feeling a little awkward. this kind of shit is exactly why she didn't date, but even with that logic, they weren't actually dating, so... why was she even staying? ]
Now that you've actually got me sitting down and watching this movie, can I ask what the next one will be that you'll use as an excuse to invite me over?
[ she's still looking and the screen, holding her leg close and her alcohol closer. ]
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[ he challenges gently, shifting one leg onto the sofa too and resting his head on his hand, elbow propped on the back of his seat so he can watch her unsubtly. ]
Between the Hepburns and Molly, we've got a lot of hours to put in.
[ he makes a little hmmm like he's really thinking about it, but all he's actually doing is tracing her features with his gaze. ]
Unless you're secretly a hockey fan.
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[ it's at this point she finally turns her head to look at him, completely oblivious to his staring before hand. there might be a little hidden insinuation there beyond the food, but like most all her cheeky flirting she drops in his lap, he probably won't catch on. ]
Is that the one with the football or the baseball?
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[ he can... occasionally... be smooth. ish. or give shit back - whichever thing they're doing right now. her follow-up gets a snort, frank leaning towards her just a fraction of an inch mostly without noticing himself that he's doing it. ]
They have this thing called a puck actually. And no actual rules to speak of. Just blood and lots of it. [ so that's why... it's his favorite... ]
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[ she leans in slightly while saying that so matter of fact, catching her glass with her fingertips. sorry, dude. if you come back at her sass with more sass, she goes in harder. ]
I can see why you'd be interested in something like that, then.
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[ he deadpans this, enjoying the easy banter between them even as he finds himself staring at her lips again. her words have his eyes widening perceptibly before he remembers - hockey. calm down, frank, they were just talking about sports. ]
How does 'this' usually work for you? [ he asks suddenly, not sure why he's bringing it up again. probably masochism, honestly. ] You sleep with people you don't like so you're not tempted to see 'em again?
[ it's soft, almost devoid of judgment. he's just trying to understand, more than anything else. ]
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[ she doesn't even notice or really care if there's a judgment in his question while taking another drink. ]
People care about you, right? [ she gives him a look like, well, yeah. obviously her. but besides that. ] I bet life would be a lot easier for you if they didn't. [ she tilts her head kind of as she says this, leaning in closer again. ]
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Yeah, it would. [ he doesn't sound upset about being called out this time around. ] Their lives would be even easier.
[ and yet they insist on sticking by him. it's out of his hands, okay!!! ]
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[ she takes a moment to stare at him after that, like she's looking for another reason to leave despite having already laid out all the reasons why she should in front of her. ]
Not so crazy when you think about it like that, is it? [ she takes her final drink, leaning back into her original position but not before giving him another little comment. ] So you can take your judgmental ass tone back now.
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[ he just can't function like that, apparently. but her follow-up makes him laugh, casting a passing glance to the screen but unabashed in the way he turns back to watch her instead. he loves this movie, but she's still infinitely more interesting. ]
Point taken.
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[ she sets her glass down on the side where the bottle is, and pauses a moment after sitting back up, propping her elbow up on the back of the couch and resting her head in her hand. ]
Even if... [ she ruins things, all the time. even if things can't be anything more. ] I still appreciate it. All of this. Even though I shouldn't.
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[ until now??? god, that's awkward. and he doesn't want to make it sound like he's anything special. lord knows he isn't. he still doesn't get why she even likes him to begin with, so. ]
It's not that bad, is it? [ liking someone, spending time? it makes frank feel like he has some sort of a grip on his life again, honestly. ]
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I mean, I don't know. It's never bad at the beginning and mostly during it's... [ she shakes her head softly in her hand. ] In the end, when they're suddenly gone.
[ she brings her other hand up to her mouth and puts the corner of her thumb against her lip while glancing off to the side. ] I just assume if something is going okay in my life there's an inevitable destruction that comes with it.
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Yeah, we both have that goin' for us. [ if they don't wreck things, the world will for them. he turns away from her just a little, enough that one eyeball is on her and one is on katharine hep. he laces his hands across his stomach and heaves out a little sigh. ] But it's important for me... not to have regrets anymore. And if I never saw you again...
[ he'd regret the fuck out of that. ]
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but she's learning, and she swallows knowing that tonight only reaffirmed it's not the only reason why. it's a big reason, but she actually enjoys being around him--that part is easy. ]
Does this mean you want to keep seeing me? [ it's such a simple and innocent question, but after earlier she really thought things were as good as done. ]
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That's exactly what it means. [ he sounds a little vulnerable too, his voice half an octave higher than it ever usually might be. she affects him in ways he can't and doesn't want to analyze, but as long as it's mutual (and so far, it seems to be) he's okay with that. ] I thought making you dinner and practically bullying you to come over would have clued you in.
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he makes her smile and she lowers her head quickly to hide it. ]
To be fair, I just assume if someone willingly wants to be around me something has to be wrong with them.
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Oh, there's definitely something wrong with me. [ that was never in dispute. ]
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I guess that's true.
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bringing a single hand up she places it on his chest over his heart and rests it there, unsure of what to say. ]
Should I be this close to you?
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Why not?
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I guess it doesn't really matter. We're already this far into this shit.
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[ if it's condescending, it's only because he's joking even as he smacks a kiss against the side of her head. frank shifts one of his legs under hers, his free hand closing around her waist as he holds her against his chest. he thought he would never have this again, would never want it again, but here he is. maybe he really is just lonely, but if they can solve that together is it such a bad thing? ]
Can you do this? [ he swallows, his heart still hammering under her fist. ] With me?
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