[She steps out of her skirt that's pooled at her feet and turns so she's facing him. So much between them can go unspoken because they seem to communicate so often through look and small gestures alone. But there's some things that people should talk about, and this was one of those things. He's clearly uncomfortable, and she wants to know how to proceed with her attraction to him without crossing a line.]
[ an uncategorized emotion ripples through his chest and he's reaching for her wrist because he needs the lifeline. he likes looking up at her this way and he places her hand on his cheek so he won't feel strange for doing so. for the reverence and admiration that shines in his eyes when he does, tipping his head back to take her in completely. he doesn't want to talk about this, it's something he's never really talked about before in his life, but it was never all that complicated then. now it's nearly impossible to navigate even with karen guiding him through the dark. ]
[Sometimes it feels like they go in a series of predictable circles with their conversations. She knows that it's not because they're slow or because they like bringing the same things up. It's because they're both broken in ways that mean they need the reassurance. They need to know that they're doing the right thing as far as the other is concerned.]
Frank.
[Her fingertips press a little more firmly against his cheek, and she almost wishes that this is a conversation they could have with touch and looks alone.]
If you don't want to have sex after what happened, it's not going to disappoint me. And I'm not trying to get you to now. You know that, right?
[ he holds tighter to her wrist instead of letting her go, leaning his face fully into her hand and blinking tears out of his eyes he didn't even know were there. ]
I know. I didn't- [ he just panicked, in retrospect it was silly. ] It's not just because of what happened.
[ he has her hand in a vice now, legs descending so their knees press. ]
I haven't... [ yeah he still can't say the word 'sex.' it's a hardship just to talk about this in vague terms okay!! ] Not since Maria. I don't know if I can.
[ not without falling apart, anyway. maybe it's for the best the station stopped their moment, if he only would have brought it crashing down around them anyway. ]
[This conversation is treading into dangerous waters. His grip on her wrist is tight enough that it would hurt someone more fragile than she is, and his words cut through her and make her want to cry along with him. Not because he's hurt or upset her, but because she hurts for him. She knows she can never be Maria to him. She doesn't want to replace his wife, and she doesn't ever expect him to feel the same way toward her that he did Maria.
They had children together. A family.
Karen can't ever hope to give him something that valuable.
But he isn't trying to compare her to Maria. He's trying to tell her that he isn't sure if he'll ever be ready to be with another woman in the same way he was with his dead wife. A lump forms in her throat and she swallows it down.]
We don't have to.
[Her words are soft and she isn't sure that she's really said them out loud.]
If - [She pauses, licking at her lips. Her eyes meet his, and she hates how they both have tears.] When I'm ready again, if I try and you're not, we don't have to.
[Her connection to him isn't purely physical, at least not on a sexual level.]
[ for him it was never about comparisons, though his body isn't always so kind about that. karen can't sleep on "maria's side" of the bed, he can't talk about or do even certain mundane things with her he did with maria. but it's not because she'll never mean as much to him, they're just two very different relationships. this one is so much more honest in so many ways. even this conversation now is a testament to that. ]
So you're gonna try again?
[ he quests, lips tugging up though the smile never quite lands on his face. his hand loosens a little as he scoots even a little closer, putting her legs between his. his neck is starting to ache, but he doesn't want to stop looking up. she's so beautiful this way, and he's afraid if he looks away he really will see brown hair and dark eyes, beckoning him towards the light. ]
You're relentless, Page.
[ definitely not a criticism, said in that same light tone as he unconsciously mimicks her, licking his own lips. he wants to keep pressing the issue, but this has to be her choice. frank simply isn't capable of making it, or he'd still be trying to avoid her. ]
[Is Frank Castle actually managing to make her blush? She can't believe it, but he's just done a great job making her cheeks flush. Her head ducks as she smiles, laughing a little at how easy he's making this conversation feel.]
Yeah, well, I don't see you complaining about that.
[As a matter of fact, she recalls him (probably) saying something about admiring the fact she's relentless.
With her head ducked the way it is, she's easier able to look him in the eye. She sees that lick to his lips and her breath catches, shakily releasing. Her legs bump against his as she shifts to move even closer to him, wedging herself more firmly between his legs. When she leans down and in to kiss him this time, it's without hesitation or an attempt to shield him from discomfort. The press of her lips starts soft but quickly becomes insistent and unyielding. She shows just how much she wants him in a single action, hand against his cheek pressing firm to keep him in place. She won't press to escalate things, but she doesn't see anything wrong with kissing.]
[ he opens his mouth to retort, always that push and pull between them. he does admire her tenacity, of course, it's what first drew them together and what keeps them together now. but he doesn't get anything out before she's kissing him, a soft noise in surprise suppressed by her mouth just as quickly. the first press of her lips prickles, and he anticipates the pain; almost welcomes it. it does hurt at first, his brain confusing the message and drawing on muscle memory, but then his other hand is lifting to palm at her bare waist, mouth falling slack as he submits, as ever, to her will.
his eyes slip shut next, another tear loosed by the action and forgotten by him until he tastes saline in the kiss. she's already calling his bluff and that's something to admire too, even if he knows his limitations aren't too much more than this already. not wanting to move the goalpost on her, or lead her on anymore than he has already, frank spins the contact into something soft and driven by emotion, rather than arousal. desire still sparks behind his beltline, but he's focused, each sweep of lips and the tentative introduction of questing tongue thorough, but restrained. it's love in kiss form even if neither of them can say those words. he pulls away heaving for breath anyway, chasing one last brief press of her mouth before allowing that to break too, temple pressed tightly to hers as he trusts her, as ever, to hold him up, and not just physically. ]
[Her heart feels like it's going to beat out of her chest, causing her breath to come heavy as she stays in place against him. Lips remain parted, tongue dancing out across them. That was the single most intense kiss she's ever had, and her head is reeling from the impact of the emotion and feelings behind it. She doesn't have any doubt about how he feels, not after that.
It's going to take some time for her to be able to ignore the desire she's feeling, and his being pressed this close is both a blessing and a curse. Goosebumps rise up over her skin as a chill slithers up and down her spine, and she releases a soft exhale. She really should pull away and go get that shower, but she doesn't want to move. But eventually, after taking some time to run her fingers through his hair, she manages to lift her head.]
[ he feels the shiver rack her, hand running up her spine as if to soothe as he sits and tries to catch his breath. it isn't like he doesn't want - her, but he doesn't feel the urge to take things further as she does. if only because he knows doing so would open her up to a whole new area in which he's well and truly broken. she doesn't need to see that while they're already fighting for their lives here. ]
Yeah.
[ a bland agreement that she should - whatever she was about to do. use his shower, go to the bridge. keep working on getting everyone out of here. as much as he admires her efforts, he can't help feeling flattered that he can distract her that much. and though he agrees, he doesn't actually let go to make it easier for her to walk away. ]
I'll get Matt squared away while you're working.
[ because apparently that's his responsibility now?? at least, according to him. ]
[Shower, right. And back to work. She can do that. Except he doesn't let her go and she has to use every ounce of willpower that she has to be the one that pulls away first.]
We fought when I went to see him.
[The thought of Frank being the one to take care of Matt is a little funny to her, if only because Matt's a technical ex and she's unsure of where she and Matt stand now that he's here.]
He basically accused me of being jealous of Elektra.
Jealous...? [ frank actually laughs, his hands dropping to the bedspread when she pulls back though all he really wants is to reach for her again. ] Oh.
[That makes her laugh, and she nods in agreement.]
I walked in on them together in his room when Matt and I were supposedly dating. She was in his bed.
[So maybe at the time, she had been jealous. But now, she just is angry at Matt for not being able to move on past Daredevil and her feelings on the matter.]
[ wow. that's a story he hasn't heard before... it's his turn to flush, throat and ears tingeing pink. but the 'supposedly' wins it in the end and he gives another snort. ]
I want to punch him right in the face, but I think we'll be alright.
[She might take her own advice and let go of the past the same as she just told Matt to do. Her head tips a little as she takes note of his pink ears, eyes narrowing as she tries to figure out why.]
But if he's a pain in the ass when you go to see him, go ahead and get in a shot for me.
[ he calls as she shuts the door. wait - is she kicking him out of his own room? he doesn't actually have anywhere to go for once so he takes his jumpsuit the rest of the way off, laying back on the bed while he listens to the water. he didn't realize how tired he was until that moment, falling asleep just like that in his bloodstained undergarments and socks on top of the bedspread, one big hand spayed over his stomach. ]
[She doesn't really take that long in the shower, and by the time she comes back out he's asleep. It's tempting to press a kiss to his forehead, but she doesn't want to wake him so she gives Max a kiss to the top of his furry little head instead. She makes her way up to the bridge to keep working, doubling her efforts after taking so much time away.
As per usual, she loses herself in her work and doesn't really know what time it is or how long she's been there. It doesn't even dawn on her how late it is until Frank and Max show up. It's the sound of the dog's magboots that get her to stop and glance over at them, smiling as she sits up straight in her seat.]
Hey. [It's tempting to just hop right out of the chair and go over to him, but she plays it cool and waits for him to get in closer to her.] I'm just finishing up.
[ frank wakes up from his shortlived nap shortly after karen leaves and then it's time to have the most emotional conversation of his life with kamala. she watches max for him so he can look after their new favorite ward and before frank knows it it's nearing 10 pm. he's a tiny bit early, even after picking max up from wherever he's been for the last several hours and heads to the bridge. he feels a strange nervousness in his tummy that makes his steps a little lighter, maybe, or maybe that's in his head. all of it's forgotten anyway when he sees a familiar mess of blonde hair, he can always tell when karen's been working, pushing her fingers through it over and over until it's static from the attention. as ever max approaches first, trotting over while frank takes the slow way down, doing a gentle little jog though it's not anywhere near necessary to close the short distance. ]
Don't let us bug ya. We'll wait. [ he perches on the desktop of the console next to the one she's working at, making a little face at her. it doesn't mean anything, it's just kind of silly tbh. ]
[Her hand reaches up to push fingers through her hair, making it more static and messy. It's obvious that whatever she's been working on today has her more frustrated than usual, since her hair is all over the place from her touching at it so often. But she's unaware that anyone else notices that she does it.]
My back is killing me so I think that's a good cue to head out.
[She gathers up her notebook and the instruction manual pages she's been working with before prying herself out of the chair to stand. A couple of attempts to turn and pop her back later, she's making her way over to him. Standing between his legs at his knees, she just takes a moment to appreciate the fact that this is her life now. Her hand drops to briefly touch at his knee, right as Max butts against her leg like he's annoyed at being left out.]
[ it's not easy for him to reconcile with either, trying not to think about what happens when they get home. if they do, right? karen doesn't seem so sure. they can't have this same kind of relationship there, can they? with their history... but here it's become normal, even after he avoided her all week, guilt pinching between his eyes even as he draws in a breath when she comes that close. it's damn near pressing the boundaries of what he might usually be (or have been) comfortable with pda-wise, but then he remembers their kiss in the corridor earlier and maybe it doesn't matter. maybe nothing really does anymore. his hand comes up to rub over her back soothingly, his other hand reaching for max to let him wedge in between them. there's a noticeable speck of blood near the cap of one sleeve on the faded fabric of his jumpsuit matt's, obviously. ]
Don't make me carry you too. [ he complains like it would be a hardship ]
[That earns a sound of amusement, something between a scoff and a laugh. She isn't really big on pda either, especially with their relationship being as new and developing as it is. So when she leans in she just presses a kiss to his cheek, hoping he isn't offended by either too much or too little affection.
It's Max's turn next, and she crouches down to pet and scratch him. ]
How's Matt doing?
[She caught sight of that blood, because she's freakishly observant when she wants to be. Her head tips just enough to glance up at him before she stands upright, her back snapping and cracking on the way. She visibly winces even as she makes a nodding motion toward the doors. It's time to get out of here.]
[ his eyes flutter closed at the kiss, definitely not offended one way or the other. ]
He's... himself. Not dying anymore though, if that's what you're asking.
[ frank hops down in a smooth arc, hand touching at the small of her back on the way by before max immediately falls back into step next to him, the clang of six mag-boots stirring up a cacophony of sorts as they stride down the hall. no wonder matt hated them when they first approached. ]
You really should wear your boots when you're down here alone. [ he knows she likes wearing her own clothes, makes her feel normal. he hasn't lectured her overly, or he's tried not to. but it's worth nudging her over anyway, if only for safety's sake. ]
[That's exactly what she was wanting to know about Matt, so she gives a pleased nod of her head as she walks at Frank's side. She's just about to comment on the fact that she probably should visit their friend again now that she's calmed down when Frank makes a remark about her shoes. That gets her to glance up at him with curiosity.
He must be pretty concerned to actually mention it out loud.]
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You what? Talk to me.
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I just don't wanna disappoint you, is all.
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Frank.
[Her fingertips press a little more firmly against his cheek, and she almost wishes that this is a conversation they could have with touch and looks alone.]
If you don't want to have sex after what happened, it's not going to disappoint me. And I'm not trying to get you to now. You know that, right?
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I know. I didn't- [ he just panicked, in retrospect it was silly. ] It's not just because of what happened.
[ he has her hand in a vice now, legs descending so their knees press. ]
I haven't... [ yeah he still can't say the word 'sex.' it's a hardship just to talk about this in vague terms okay!! ] Not since Maria. I don't know if I can.
[ not without falling apart, anyway. maybe it's for the best the station stopped their moment, if he only would have brought it crashing down around them anyway. ]
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They had children together. A family.
Karen can't ever hope to give him something that valuable.
But he isn't trying to compare her to Maria. He's trying to tell her that he isn't sure if he'll ever be ready to be with another woman in the same way he was with his dead wife. A lump forms in her throat and she swallows it down.]
We don't have to.
[Her words are soft and she isn't sure that she's really said them out loud.]
If - [She pauses, licking at her lips. Her eyes meet his, and she hates how they both have tears.] When I'm ready again, if I try and you're not, we don't have to.
[Her connection to him isn't purely physical, at least not on a sexual level.]
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So you're gonna try again?
[ he quests, lips tugging up though the smile never quite lands on his face. his hand loosens a little as he scoots even a little closer, putting her legs between his. his neck is starting to ache, but he doesn't want to stop looking up. she's so beautiful this way, and he's afraid if he looks away he really will see brown hair and dark eyes, beckoning him towards the light. ]
You're relentless, Page.
[ definitely not a criticism, said in that same light tone as he unconsciously mimicks her, licking his own lips. he wants to keep pressing the issue, but this has to be her choice. frank simply isn't capable of making it, or he'd still be trying to avoid her. ]
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Yeah, well, I don't see you complaining about that.
[As a matter of fact, she recalls him (probably) saying something about admiring the fact she's relentless.
With her head ducked the way it is, she's easier able to look him in the eye. She sees that lick to his lips and her breath catches, shakily releasing. Her legs bump against his as she shifts to move even closer to him, wedging herself more firmly between his legs. When she leans down and in to kiss him this time, it's without hesitation or an attempt to shield him from discomfort. The press of her lips starts soft but quickly becomes insistent and unyielding. She shows just how much she wants him in a single action, hand against his cheek pressing firm to keep him in place. She won't press to escalate things, but she doesn't see anything wrong with kissing.]
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his eyes slip shut next, another tear loosed by the action and forgotten by him until he tastes saline in the kiss. she's already calling his bluff and that's something to admire too, even if he knows his limitations aren't too much more than this already. not wanting to move the goalpost on her, or lead her on anymore than he has already, frank spins the contact into something soft and driven by emotion, rather than arousal. desire still sparks behind his beltline, but he's focused, each sweep of lips and the tentative introduction of questing tongue thorough, but restrained. it's love in kiss form even if neither of them can say those words. he pulls away heaving for breath anyway, chasing one last brief press of her mouth before allowing that to break too, temple pressed tightly to hers as he trusts her, as ever, to hold him up, and not just physically. ]
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It's going to take some time for her to be able to ignore the desire she's feeling, and his being pressed this close is both a blessing and a curse. Goosebumps rise up over her skin as a chill slithers up and down her spine, and she releases a soft exhale. She really should pull away and go get that shower, but she doesn't want to move. But eventually, after taking some time to run her fingers through his hair, she manages to lift her head.]
I should -
[Wait, what was she doing again?]
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Yeah.
[ a bland agreement that she should - whatever she was about to do. use his shower, go to the bridge. keep working on getting everyone out of here. as much as he admires her efforts, he can't help feeling flattered that he can distract her that much. and though he agrees, he doesn't actually let go to make it easier for her to walk away. ]
I'll get Matt squared away while you're working.
[ because apparently that's his responsibility now?? at least, according to him. ]
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We fought when I went to see him.
[The thought of Frank being the one to take care of Matt is a little funny to her, if only because Matt's a technical ex and she's unsure of where she and Matt stand now that he's here.]
He basically accused me of being jealous of Elektra.
[So needless to say, she went off on him.]
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What a dick.
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I walked in on them together in his room when Matt and I were supposedly dating. She was in his bed.
[So maybe at the time, she had been jealous. But now, she just is angry at Matt for not being able to move on past Daredevil and her feelings on the matter.]
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You guys gonna be okay? Here, I mean.
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[She might take her own advice and let go of the past the same as she just told Matt to do. Her head tips a little as she takes note of his pink ears, eyes narrowing as she tries to figure out why.]
But if he's a pain in the ass when you go to see him, go ahead and get in a shot for me.
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I'll wait til he's not almost dead. It's more fun that way.
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Make sure you have an appetite when you come by to get me. We can grab a late dinner.
[It's said over her shoulder and she makes a little gesture to show that he doesn't have to wait around for her. She can show herself out.]
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[ he calls as she shuts the door. wait - is she kicking him out of his own room? he doesn't actually have anywhere to go for once so he takes his jumpsuit the rest of the way off, laying back on the bed while he listens to the water. he didn't realize how tired he was until that moment, falling asleep just like that in his bloodstained undergarments and socks on top of the bedspread, one big hand spayed over his stomach. ]
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As per usual, she loses herself in her work and doesn't really know what time it is or how long she's been there. It doesn't even dawn on her how late it is until Frank and Max show up. It's the sound of the dog's magboots that get her to stop and glance over at them, smiling as she sits up straight in her seat.]
Hey. [It's tempting to just hop right out of the chair and go over to him, but she plays it cool and waits for him to get in closer to her.] I'm just finishing up.
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Don't let us bug ya. We'll wait. [ he perches on the desktop of the console next to the one she's working at, making a little face at her. it doesn't mean anything, it's just kind of silly tbh. ]
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[Her hand reaches up to push fingers through her hair, making it more static and messy. It's obvious that whatever she's been working on today has her more frustrated than usual, since her hair is all over the place from her touching at it so often. But she's unaware that anyone else notices that she does it.]
My back is killing me so I think that's a good cue to head out.
[She gathers up her notebook and the instruction manual pages she's been working with before prying herself out of the chair to stand. A couple of attempts to turn and pop her back later, she's making her way over to him. Standing between his legs at his knees, she just takes a moment to appreciate the fact that this is her life now. Her hand drops to briefly touch at his knee, right as Max butts against her leg like he's annoyed at being left out.]
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Don't make me carry you too. [ he complains like it would be a hardship ]
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It's Max's turn next, and she crouches down to pet and scratch him. ]
How's Matt doing?
[She caught sight of that blood, because she's freakishly observant when she wants to be. Her head tips just enough to glance up at him before she stands upright, her back snapping and cracking on the way. She visibly winces even as she makes a nodding motion toward the doors. It's time to get out of here.]
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He's... himself. Not dying anymore though, if that's what you're asking.
[ frank hops down in a smooth arc, hand touching at the small of her back on the way by before max immediately falls back into step next to him, the clang of six mag-boots stirring up a cacophony of sorts as they stride down the hall. no wonder matt hated them when they first approached. ]
You really should wear your boots when you're down here alone. [ he knows she likes wearing her own clothes, makes her feel normal. he hasn't lectured her overly, or he's tried not to. but it's worth nudging her over anyway, if only for safety's sake. ]
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He must be pretty concerned to actually mention it out loud.]
Do you think the gravity will go out again?
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