Starting something new
Karen woke slowly, the warmth of Frank’s body against hers drawing her from her dreams. The morning light filtered through the living room window, casting soft golden hues across their tangled limbs. She blinked a few times, disoriented, before her eyes landed on Frank. His face was peaceful in sleep, his breathing steady. The way he was positioned so close to her, their bodies practically molded together, felt natural.
The feel of his breath against her skin made her pulse race, even though nothing had happened between them.
She didn’t remember when she’d fallen asleep on the couch, but it didn’t matter. Frank had somehow curled around her in the night, his arm draped over her waist, his face tucked into her neck. She sighed softly, shifting slightly to avoid disturbing him, but Frank stirred at the movement, his hand tightening on her waist instinctively.
"Morning," he mumbled sleepily, his voice low and rough. He didn’t even open his eyes, just nestled deeper into her skin, his lips brushing against her neck in a soft, lingering kiss.
“Morning,” Karen whispered back, feeling her heart rate pick up despite herself. She’d gotten so used to his subtle touches—the way his hand always found hers, how he was always just there—but this closeness, the softness of his touch, still sent a shock through her.
He kissed her neck again, his lips lingering just a bit longer this time. When he finally pulled back, his eyes opened, locking with hers in a sleepy, yet knowing gaze. His hand traced small circles on her back, his thumb moving over the fabric of her shirt in a rhythm that was almost hypnotic.
“You sure you’re ready for work today?” Frank asked, his voice still thick with sleep, but his gaze never leaving hers. He looked genuinely concerned, his eyes soft with affection. “I can drive you. You don't have to worry about anything. Just... let me take care of you today.”
Karen smiled, the warmth from his words spreading through her chest. It was hard to imagine not having him around. He'd been so considerate in the past few weeks, always there with his comforting presence, always finding ways to make her feel like she mattered.
“I can’t let you do everything, Frank,” she said, her voice teasing. “I’m a big girl. I can drive myself to work.”
“I know, but I want to. Besides,” he added, his smile mischievous, “I like the idea of seeing you off in the morning. Gives me an excuse to kiss you goodbye.”
That last part came out almost shyly, as though he were suddenly aware of how close they were, how much of an effect his words had on her.
She was a little shocked. She expected Frank to wake up and push her away, as he had done before. But he hadn't.
She could feel the subtle shift in the air between them, the way his gaze dropped to her lips as if he was considering kissing her right then and there.
But instead, Frank pulled away, breaking the moment. “I’ll make breakfast while you get ready, yeah?”
Karen nodded, watching as he stood up from the couch, stretching his arms over his head with a low groan. His movements were languid, yet graceful, as if everything he did was in tune with some quiet rhythm only he understood. She stayed where she was for a moment, just watching him, caught in the simple beauty of how comfortable they had become with each other.
When he disappeared into the kitchen, Karen shook herself out of her stupor. She needed to get ready for work. It was her first day at the new job, and though she had a good feeling about it, there was a nervous flutter in her stomach. But Frank’s presence had a calming effect on her. The thought alone gave her confidence.
She moved through her morning routine, showering and dressing quickly, trying not to overthink it. As she slipped into her clothes—a smart blouse and slacks—she noticed the way the fabric hugged her body, and the subtle way she had begun to appreciate how Frank would look at her now.
It wasn’t the same casual way he’d looked at her when they’d first met. Now, there was an edge to his gaze. A hunger, just beneath the surface, that she couldn’t ignore.
When she walked back into the living room, Frank was waiting with a plate of pancakes, bacon, and coffee. He smiled up at her as she walked toward him, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. “You look amazing,” he said softly, his voice full of admiration.
Karen felt her cheeks flush, even though she didn’t need the validation. She knew what she was doing. But it still felt good to hear it from him.
“Thank you,” she replied, taking a seat across from him at the small kitchen table.
As she dug into her food, Frank watched her with a gentle, almost affectionate look, his fingers drumming on the edge of his coffee mug.
“Are you sure you’re ready for your first day?” Frank asked again, his gaze intense.
“Yeah,” Karen said, looking up at him. “I’m ready. Just... nervous, I guess.”
“Don’t be,” Frank replied, his voice confident, as though the very thought of her being nervous was absurd. “You’re gonna do great. I’ll make sure you get there on time.”
He was already up, moving to grab his car keys, and the gesture felt so familiar, like they had done this a hundred times before.
Maybe they hadn’t, but it felt like they had, like they were just... slipping into this routine of being together.
The idea made her feel both comforted and, surprisingly, eager.
When they got to her new office, Frank parked outside and kissed her goodbye, a lingering kiss that held a promise of more, the kind of kiss that made her want to stay longer, to forget the world outside. But they both knew she had to go.
"Good luck," Frank said, his lips brushing hers again before he pulled back with a soft smile. "Call me if you need anything. I’m right here."
Karen smiled, stepping out of the car. "I will. I’ll see you tonight."
It was a rare sight, Frank smiling so open. All of his "smiles" were mostly smirks and half-lifted eyebrows. Something shifted for him, and she liked it. It made her nervous, but a good kind.
The first day was a blur—busy, full of introductions, and trying to remember everyone's name. She felt herself slipping into the rhythm of the job, growing comfortable with the tasks at hand. It didn’t take long before Karen met Riley, a young girl who reminded Karen of herself when she was younger—spunky, free-spirited, and unapologetically herself.
“So, you live nearby?” Riley asked, leaning casually against the desk as Karen sat down to go over some of her work.
“Yeah, just a few blocks away,” Karen replied, smiling. "I actually moved here a few weeks ago."
Riley’s eyes lit up. "That’s awesome. Hey, what are you doing this weekend? We should totally hang out—grab drinks, maybe? Get to know each other better."
Karen hesitated for a moment, but the idea of making a new friend in the city was appealing. She hadn't had any friends really, not except Foggy and Matt. Foggy was gone and Matt was never really a friend.
Maybe Frank at one point, but they were past the point of considering each other "friends".
She felt herself nodding. “Yeah, that sounds good. I’m down for that.”
“Great! I’ll text you the details,” Riley said, giving Karen a quick wave before she went back to her desk.
As Karen settled into her new routine, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting—not just with her new job, but with Frank too.
She hadn’t realized how attached to him she’d gotten, how much she looked forward to seeing him, to feeling his touch.
The way he’d looked at her that morning, the way his hands always found their way to her, never in an overbearing way, but always present, always there.
She was starting to feel safe here, calm. California was doing something to her she didn't expect. She felt guilty. She going around kissing fucking Frank Castle and making new friends and Foggy was 6 ft under. But he would never be mad at her for living. He would insist. Maybe not the Frank part, but she had a feeling he'd be more shocked than betrayed.
That night, after she got home from work, Frank was waiting for her, like this was a normal experience. Like they would live like this for the rest of their lives.
She noticed the fresh flowers on her island and the way her desk looked a lot more organized.
"You cleaned?" She said, looking at Frank with the rag in his hand.
He smirked, almost sheepishly before shaking her off, "It was nothing."
She smiled and paused. This felt real. So real that her legs were moving before she could think and she was grabbing her spare key from her cabinet.
"Take this. So you can clean whenever you want."
He grabbed the key from her hand and ignored the comment.
“Hey,” he said quietly, his voice low, like he was holding something back.
“Hey,” she replied, smiling, but feeling the tension building between them.
Frank reached for her, pulling her into his arms as if he couldn’t help himself. His hands roamed her back, pulling her closer, his lips brushing against hers in a kiss that was deep, slow, and lingering.
She felt her bag slip from her hand and her fingers found the curls at the base of his neck.
“I missed you today,” he whispered against her lips.
“I missed you too,” Karen murmured back, her breath hitching as his lips moved to her neck, kissing the sensitive spot just below her ear. She gasped, feeling the heat building between them.
For a moment, the world outside seemed to disappear. There was only Frank, only the way he held her, the way he kissed her like he needed her. And Karen found herself melting into him, feeling every touch, every kiss as if it were the first.
She could get used to this.