( OPEN ) Frank Castle

[oorah]

𝓽𝓮𝔁𝓽𝓼, 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓵𝓸𝔀, 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽𝓼, 𝓮𝓽𝓬.

Comments

[shittier]

Don't-- [ she sounds so inconvenienced by his admittance. ] Don't do that. Don't tell me that.

[ she's so frustrated getting her clothes on is proving to be difficult, so she just kind of stops for the time being. ] I said I shouldn't want this, and you agreed. Said that I shouldn't expect anything from you. And then you keep asking and saying shit that makes me feel otherwise. The most frustrating thing about it all is that it shouldn't matter and I shouldn't care, but... [ she trails of, unsure of what exactly is going on right now. logically, she doesn't want this--shouldn't. maybe that's why she came here, to prove she could still do this, despite it all. but emotionally she's already invested and somehow the idea of being exclusive with him doesn't sound terrible to her, and that brings out an irrational fear in her. so yeah, she shouldn't want it. but for some reason she does, without even knowing how it could. she turns her head briefly, before looking back at him. ] This isn't gonna work, is it?

[oorah]

[ it's only as she goes on that he realizes how severe the communication breakdown really was. he sits up, trying to implore her not to leave with his gaze alone, but when she stops dressing he takes his opportunity to try and keep her there. ]

Why? 'Cause we care? [ frank shakes his head, unwilling to accept that. ] Even if you decide to walk out that door right now, that's not gonna change, Jess.

[ he gets that now- took him long enough. ]

Look, I think you misunderstood me and I just wanna clear the air 'cause... I'm not used to talking about this stuff. I'm bad at it. I was married to the same woman for fourteen years and now she's gone and- I said don't expect anything from me because I don't know what I'm capable of, like this. [ he gestures between the two of them. he hadn't gotten past one night with beth before he got her shot, so. this is seriously new territory for him. ] And I'm... I'm the fuckin' Punisher, alright? I can't make you any promises, not because I don't want to, just 'cause...

[ he might not live through the week? he might get her hurt? all of the above and more. but he's not done talking. ]

You told me not to let you go, though, and I can do that much. [ so please stay. ]

[shittier]

[ she rolls her tongue on the inside of her cheek, annoyed at the accuracy of his first statement. still, regardless of how true it may be, that's what she does. she swallows it all and pretends like it doesn't exist and moves on with her life. because she has to, because it's what best for everyone else.

it isn't until he continues speaking, though, for her to realize how selfish she's being. his words are a slap in her face--a good one, it's a wake up call. even if it's not entirely her fault for not fully understanding him, she feels like she should have known. now she's the one who feels like the biggest asshole. pushing her hair behind her ears she looks down as he talks, taking it all in, really listening to everything he has to say. she owes him that much. ]

I'm... [ she clears her throat, trying to push the words out. ] Clearly not good at this. I'm an asshole and... [ god, what does she even say to all that? her gaze bounces back up to meet his. ] You're fine--it's fine. I understand. [ and maybe that last part is a big of an exaggeration, but she gets it better, at least. understands where all this is coming from. ]

[oorah]

[ he reaches out to try and catch her wrist and drag her back down onto the sofa, a gentle look in his eyes. it doesn't seem "fine" to him, but he's glad he got the chance to say his piece. she hasn't understood him from the beginning and he knows that's his fault, he leaves things out he thinks are obvious or just hard to vocalize. ] What if we just agree to be assholes that are bad at this - together? [ an almost bright suggestion, some amusement creeping back into his voice. ]

[shittier]

[ she doesn't resist his pull and allows herself to be seated beside him, still not too sure what she's doing. his response earns him a slight smirk from her as she looks over at him. ]

Yeah? You still want to be around my crazy, messy ass?

[oorah]

Hold on, let me think about it. [ he pushes in for a kiss, brief but full of emotion, before pulling back to tip his forehead against hers, tongue darting out to chase her taste across his lips. ] Getting warmer. [ before she can respond, frank's stomach growls loudly. it might be time to finish his dinner now that he's worked back up an appetite. ]

[shittier]

[ she kisses him back briefly before he pulls away, wishing it were longer. just a bit. he gets another smile from her, before shooting him a dramatic scowl. ] Big mistake.

[ when his stomach growls she glances down to where the noise emitted from. ] That's not surprising, considering you barely touched your food. Go finish it. [ she nods towards the kitchen, grabbing her tank top as she pulls it over her head. it's the only other article of clothing she's wearing other than her panties. yeah, her underwear was the only thing she managed to put on in a rage. ] Bathroom?

[oorah]

[ he watches her pull her shirt on before leaning in for another kiss. this one lingers just a bit. he points to the right, the only door in the place besides the front. ]

You're sticking around a while? [ just confirming before he gets up to obey her. he really is hungry, but it's not worth missing her slipping out the door. he doesn't think she would after the understanding they came to, but he still has to doublecheck before losing sight of her. ]

[shittier]

[ standing up she begins walking in the direction he points, calling out to him over her shoulder. ] I don't know, do I need to go pick up condoms? [ it's said in jest, but... if that's still something she's worried about she's more than willing to go. ]

[oorah]

[ frank laughs as he pads off to the kitchen, a self-deprecating edge to it even as he starts loading up a pan for the toaster oven. no big shock mr. old fashioned over here doesn't own a microwave. he doesn't take it as a serious question, so he doesn't answer her, and by the time she meets him in the kitchen he's still in just his boxer briefs eating pasta out of a bowl while leant up against the counter. ]

You want some? [ he offers magnanimously with his mouth full. ]

[shittier]

[ after cleaning up, she steps back out to see him in all his glory while going to town on that bowl of pasta. it's actually... super attractive. ]

I don't know. I wasn't really hungry, but you're really selling it with your half naked in the kitchen look. [ but she leans forward towards him anyway, waiting patiently for a bite. ]

[oorah]

[ he rolls his eyes, assuming she's making fun of him even as he loads up his fork and holds it out close to her lips so she can eat off it too. ]

Arguments make me hungry. [ to say nothing of the calories they burned before. ]

[shittier]

Please. [ she rolls her eyes back at him, mouth full of the bite he had just given her. ] That was a heated discussion, at best.

[ she looks towards the living room thinking about what it was that actually worked up his appetite, taking note of the movie that's still going in the background. she nods towards it after swallowing. ] Good luck trying to watch this movie again without thinking of me. [ she sounds a little too smug about it all. ]

[oorah]

[ he tips his head to the side to concede the point. though it was a 'heated discussion' that could have lost her for another two weeks. frank watches her eat with a dumb smile before ducking his head to look back down into his food. ] Or I can just put it on when I miss you. [ maybe this was his evil plan all along!!!! ]

[shittier]

[ gross. she turns back to him and gives him a look like she doesn't understand why he would ever do that. don't say sweet things to her!!! ] You don't have to miss me, you can just text me. [ she's so literal in her response because she doesn't know how to answer otherwise. ] Unless you're already thinking about a future without me in it.

[ she leans back forward to his bowl. ]

[oorah]

[ his grin only gets goofier at that. ] Okay, I will. [ text her, and he likes the idea of just being able to reach out for her instead of waiting in radio silence for her to come back again. frank takes another bite before offering her another. ]

I'd rather think about you bein' here right now.

[shittier]

[ she shakes her head with a smile, looking away as her hands reach behind her to rest on the counter. this has to be entertaining for him, trying to get down this wall she has. ] Yeah? And what kind of thoughts are you having about me in the here and now? [ she goes back in for that other bite. ]

[oorah]

[ he's not trying to do anything really, this is just his goofy ass self. but he does find her ridiculously endearing anyway. frank's throat goes a little dry as he focuses on her lips wrapping around the fork in his hand. he didn't realize how intimate this would be beforehand but now he's finding himself enjoying even this silly exercise together. ]

I'm thinkin'... I like it when you smile. [ like, a lot. his own turns soft as he admits: ] And I'm thinkin' about how I'm gonna convince you to stay the night.

[shittier]

[ of course when he says that she smiles, like a big idiot with her mouth full. she didn't know what she was expecting, but she should have known better. this time she waits until she swallows to respond, licking her lips afterwards. ] Let's see... You fed me, you fucked me. What else could you possibly do that would make me want stay anymore than I do now?

[oorah]

[ she's so adorable and he can't help staring, putting down his food for a second to palm her hip. he really shouldn't get distracted again... he should finish his meal on the second attempt now, but her words have him laughing, color rising in his cheeks, not that it's wholly visible beyond all the bruising still healing on his face. ] I dunno, I... pretty much pulled out all the stops here. I was hoping I could just coast for the rest of the night, honestly.

[shittier]

[ she tries not to pay attention to his actions, like his hand on her hip means nothing to her as she leans in a little bit. it's all completely broken though when he responds, his unsure words causing her to laugh once more. ]

Wow. What, were you just gonna give up if it didn't take? [ it's said, somewhat aggressively. but still playful. ] You're lucky it doesn't take much to impress me.

[oorah]

[ he smiles, though there's a wan note to it even as he leans back against her in turn. ]

I think you know, I don't really do... giving up. [ his hand smooths over her waist and he bumps his nose against hers as they get closer. ] Especially not when I'm fixated on something.

[shittier]

This second unfinished plate of noodles says otherwise. [ she doesn't break her gaze from his, hands coming to rest on his chest as she grins up at him, though she's clearly trying to hide it in an attempt to look stern, unsuccessfully. ] Unless you're into thirds. [ she says, trying to be coy. ]

[oorah]

Yeah, I... [ keep getting distracted. by her. he swallows, tightening his grip just a little as his other hand lifts to push some of her hair out of her face. ] I dunno, I could be.

[shittier]

Could be. [ her lips come up to his own where she brushes against him softly before fully pressing against him. wrapping her arms around his neck, she further pulls herself into him and their kiss, tilting her head just a tad. it hadn't even been that long since they had finished, and already she's in anticipation for more.

she hadn't been this crazy about someone in quite some time.

pulling away as the kiss breaks she can't help but rest her forehead against him for a minute. ] Go finish your food, idiot.