( OPEN ) Frank Castle

[castigador]

prompts, texts, overflow, madness. anything goes!

Comments

[dinobyte]

I think my dinosaur found your coyote. DD would apologize for scaring him away in the middle of that fight, but he's a big dumb dinosaur that doesn't have a brain large enough to process things like sympathy. I know some people say the same thing about you, so you might understand how that goes.

[castigador]

[ who tf has a dinosaur??? god he hates this town. ]

Are you a supervillain? If so I'm busy.

[dinobyte]

There's no way in h-e-double-toothpicks that I've got the time to be a supervillain. My name is Lunella Lafayette, and I'm nine years old. Too young to not have a bedtime, but old enough to know that coyotes don't usually make great pets.

[castigador]

Loot isn't a pet. He's my partner.

[ wait- ]

You have a dinosaur and you're judging me???

[dinobyte]

Devil Dinosaur isn't a pet. He's my partner.

And a big pain in the you know what.

[castigador]

I'm getting real sick of this double standard BS. I expected better from a nine year old.

[ before she's been tainted by the world etc etc. ]

Are you gonna help me look for him or was this a too bad so sad situation?

[dinobyte]

[great. another one of those adults that think they're funny. her favorite.]

If you actually read the first message I sent, you'd know that I found him!

Look, I've already tracked your location through your phone so just do us all a favor and stay put before I have to lecture you on expecting anything from someone you don't even know.

[castigador]

Fine. I'm in for the night anyway.

[dinobyte]

[Texting is hard when you're trying to ride on a dinosaur and keep a coyote balanced on his head. So she opts for not responding. And within a matter of half an hour, he'll feel some rumbling as the dinosaur traipses his way toward wherever Frank is staying. And at the one window in the living area he'll see Lunella dressed as Moon Girl, with Loot sitting right beside her.

Thankfully, Devil Dinosaur's head is perfectly tall enough to be level with his apartment. What magic.

She waves like this is all very normal and she's in no way worried about being caught despite the fact it's like midnight and she's out way past her bedtime.]

[castigador]

[ oh my god this might be the weirdest thing that's ever happened to him. and like, that's saying a lot. the second he sees loot, however, he dumps rational thought out of the same window he opens. ]

I would say come inside... [ but like the dinosaur can't fit??? sorry. it's a shoebox. this is ~the city~ and why did he come back here again? he holds out two massive arms for loot like he's a puppy and the wild fucking animal leans in to lick his face. frank castle, you are not normal. you have no right to judge this girl and her pure love for a dinosaur. ] Thanks.

[ for keeping loot safe. she might want to bankroll that one, he doesn't say it often or to many people these days. ]

[dinobyte]

[He gets a thumbs up for his gratitude. The dinosaur gets a pat to his head and she decides to just...come right on in his shoebox of a home. She hasn't been invited, but she's just saved his dog and needs to get around to why she's actually here.]

Enough with the small talk. [It's the worst.]

I know all about your "secret identity". [Hand air quotes used and everything.]

And I could really use your help with something. You're used to being shot at. I need a human shield.

[castigador]

[ loot hops in after her and frank goes to fill a water bowl. ]

Is he good...? [ he means the dinosaur. he's considering the logistics of where to put a water bowl for a dino rn but of course he doesn't have a bowl that big anyway. he scratches loot idly on the head and laughs. ] You do know it isn't actually a secret.

[ like, at all. but still... a nine year old needs a human shield?? ]

I'm listening.

[dinobyte]

So, there's this big, loud dummy that might be a hero sometimes. His name is Deadpool. We got in a fight and my dinosaur ate him. And even after these people pulled him out in one semi-digested piece, he's being a big baby about it.

[And maybe she's worried he'll show up while she's at school to torment her because her identity isn't secret either. But she's nine and has an imagination despite being the literal smartest person alive. It's a problem. About as much of a problem as her dinosaur who just...slowly wanders off. He's good.]

And the people who pulled him out are really bad guys, and they keep trying to grab me to make me do things for them. They really aren't listening to any of the messages I try sending them. So I really need to start being tough!

for @complexities

[castigador]

[ this is why frank doesn't do ~relationships. he never knows where life will lead him next, though in his defense he certainly didn't see bagalia coming. any apology for disappearing would be empty when he isn't really sorry. he enjoyed beating zemo at his own game and he'd do it again in a heartbeat. that doesn't mean he didn't miss elektra though or wish that he could at least check in with her, but as usual he'd been aimed at the situation like a weapon with no regard for what he might have going on in his personal life. nothing new there. (in nick's defense, he never really had a personal life before he started... whatever it is he has with el.)

he tracks her to one of their safehouses and struggles over what to do once he's on the doorstep. there's a ratty bouquet of orchids clutched in his fist and he stares down at that familiar tattoo as he gives in and knocks a boot against the base of the door. his head is shaved bald, a thick scar running over the top and down behind his ear, it's been an eventful few months since he saw her last. he's fully expecting her to be pissed, especially after the weird propaganda zemo has been pushing about him. not that she'll have fallen for that, she knows him too well no matter how mad she is (or isn't.) all he can do is wait and see. ]

[complexities]

[One thing Elektra has learned in life is that she has no control over fate. Events will happen. All she can do is control herself and destroy anyone who attempts to steal that ability from her. She can't change what is happening with Frank... to Frank. The moment they split up, she knows she no longer has a say in what happens to him. It's the same for her when she goes on her jobs.

They are who they are. She can't interfere with him anymore than he can her. She works to distracts herself from the growing concern she miscalculated. The propaganda is easy to see through, but it does make her wonder how much control he has over the situation. Elektra holds firm on staying out of it. She won't track him down. He will reach out when he is ready to.

Much like the little bird on each of their hands, she is rewarded with him flying back to her. Any other woman would be happy to see him outside the door. They'd probably throw their arms around Frank and beg him to never leave again. Elektra narrows her eyes at him and points out plainly.] You looked better with hair.

[castigador]

[ he snorts at her greeting. it's so her, and by extension: them. frank rubs at his head in a way that might be construed as self-conscious from anyone else but then he hands her the flowers unceremoniously and offers a tiny, lame smile. ]

If I grow it back, can I come in?

[complexities]

[Elektra, ever dramatic, stares at him while she considers his offer. Tellingly she offers a small smile back and accepts the flowers. She isn't sure what she feels right now, but she does love deals.] I expect dinner too.

[Since she already knows his answer, Elektra heads inside to do what she can to salvage these poor flowers.]

[castigador]

[ he catches her scent as he moves inside the door, closing and locking it behind himself. until now, he hadn't allowed himself to truly miss her but it's all catching up in the moment and conspires to take his breath away. ]

You been watchin' the news? [ he's not sure how much has been covered back here in the us, but he's actually kind of interested in what jigsaw and zemo have done to his reputation. not like it was ever all that glowing to begin with. ]

[complexities]

[Her jaw sets at the question which is an answer in itself. Even if the US didn't cover it (poorly) the other countries she went to while working did in excruciating detail. She heads to the kitchen, making a beeline for the knives so she can cut off the stems. From there, she robotically starts the process of caring for the orchid as she speaks.] Only between jobs.

[She knew it'd compromise her performance. That is never acceptable.] You were nearly spared here. Most think you lost whatever is left of your sanity and murdered innocents and a politician before your death. Only a select few are whispering you were working for HYDRA among themselves before they executed you. You will have to be careful outside of the United States. They ran with the story; expected after what happened with Rogers.

[Evil clone? or not, Captain America had been pushing HYDRA agenda and all that entailed for months. He had camps for Inhumans and Mutants alike. Of course the Punisher possibly being a Nazi too got talked about over there. Europeans especially love a sensational story.]

[castigador]

[ frank laughs, though it's mostly hollow, following her into the kitchen but remaining across the room while he watches her care for the plants. it's only after he's been standing there some time that he remembers her ultimatum about him making dinner and he starts going through the pantry. ]

Zemo used a lookalike, I assume that was Jigsaw's idea. He's always been concerned with my image.

[ obsessively so. he worries his lip, wondering if he should show her the scar... maybe he can work up to that. ]

...Slim pickin's, huh? [ he supposes without someone to cook for her she'd have no reason to stock fresh ingredients. still, he's made meals with less. he's not overly concerned, just trying not to let the silence between them hang too long. ]

[complexities]

[She goes through the process of grabbing a vase and submerging the cut flowers in warm water as she listens.] It's only natural. The ones you wound the most are the ones who feel the most possessive over you.

[Elektra ought to know from her experiences with the Hand and Lester. She brings the vase over to the table and begins arranging the flowers. She thinks over his small talk. The only answers she has for it are biting. She is angry with him, isn't she?] I need little.

[She points out truthfully. Elektra stops playing with flowers to address what she thinks is the source of her anger.] I think I overestimated you.

[castigador]

[ yeah he's lived this scarcely before himself so he really didn't mean anything by it. he starts piling up everything worthwhile on the counter as he goes, trying to keep his easy demeanor about him. all of that shatters in an instant at her words. for some reason, it cuts deeper than he could have anticipated. the look he gives her is hurt even if he knows he can't expect anything from her now. it's enough that she let him in, isn't it? ]

What do you mean? [ he asks it even as he goes to turn the stove on and get a few pots going. he's not sure he wants the answer, but there it is anyway. ]

[complexities]

[It wounds her in return to harm him. For a second she considers not answering the question to spare him further heartache. That isn't who she is. Elektra can't diminish herself even for him. More importantly, she knows he wouldn't want her to.] I took your silence to mean you had control over the situation. The scar on your head says differently.

[castigador]

[ a grim smile overtakes his features at her assessment. it isn't necessarily wrong, but. ]

I didn't exactly have a way to contact you. [ which sounds like he's putting it on her, but he isn't. if he had died in that prison he would blame no one but himself - he just hopes she wouldn't blame herself. frank looks down at his tattoo and swallows, leaving the pots to boil before turning to face her. ] But I made a friend inside. Without her, you're right... I probably didn't have it under control.

[complexities]

[The admission does a lot to calm that simmering anger she refuses to acknowledge. Elektra shuts her eyes briefly, crossing her arms over her chest.] I am grateful you met her.

[And likely track her down to offer some kind of gift. Elektra is relieved he met someone else with sense. She knows that can't be relied on to happen every time.] We will need to fix that in the future.

[She opens her eyes to essentially stare a hole into him.] Unless you are unwilling to accept my help now.

[Things have changed since they first started their partnership. Her tattoo is (tellingly) covered, but she is all too aware of it.]