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[Swallowing only cuts the tightness in his throat just a little. There's no helping the constriction in his chest. Frank lowers his head closer to hers to hear her. The club behind them and the city at night around them, he's really not interested in any of that.]

Karen.

[What to say? What to do? Years of pain just resonating in her voice. He holds her a little tighter.]

I can't... promise that nothing bad will happen. I don't have that power. And to promise anything like that would be a lie.

[Their relationship--whatever it is--has been straightforward. No lies. No true understanding until this heavy moment of clarity. Even so, to mislead her would be grievous.]

If there was away to undo all you've been through, I would. Nothing you've got is too big or too hard to handle. Not to me.

[ The truth, as much as it hurts to hear, is what she needs to hear. She knows, deep down, she would hate to be lied to more. And he's right. He can't promise her nothing bad will happen. Just like she can't force him to change all his plans.

Her arms squeeze around his waist at that because she still doesn't want him to go and she can't see that changing no matter what the morning brings. But he keeps going and... it's another thing she doesn't expect from him.

Slowly, she turns her head the other way and presses her forehead into the side of his neck. She sniffs, ]

Do you mean that?

[ Because she meant what she said. No one should have to deal with her hang-ups and baggage. ]

[Life and all of it's bullshit is enough as it is. Having someone try to color it in any other way, would make the disappointment greater. Standing together out on the street he only wants to give her everything she deserves.]

I do. Sounds like it's heavy for one person. ...I can help if you want me to.

[If only for tonight if not always.]

[ She doesn't answer immediately because she's afraid to. It seems too good an offer to be true. What if he doesn't feel the same way in the morning? What if she wakes up and it was all a dream?

Her fingers grip the back of his shirt a little more and she leans into him more, closing her eyes. ]

I do. But only if you want to.

[ She wants to make it clear that she doesn't want his pity or obligation. She'll try to be braver, take the steps necessary to meet him halfway only if he really wants this with her. ]

[He's not budging. They're not going anywhere literally and figuratively unless she's ready. Frank has said his piece. There's a new sense of calm knowing where she's coming from. Alone in the world and of course she'll guard her heart like a secret.]

I want to.

[Lips press to her hair and he sighs.]

[ Her eyes stay closed and there's an ease that slowly creeps in at the words and kiss. ]

...will you stay with me tonight?

[He pulls back, not far and not relinquishing the embrace so that he can try and take a look at her face.]

I mean it.

[Does she? Would she really?]

[ She opens her eyes to finally look at him. They were wet and bloodshot, the blue color standing out all the more for it. She sniffs again and nods. ]

Me too.

[Those beautiful eyes of hers are sad, brimming with tears and emotion. They're still the most beautiful he's seen.]

We're gonna work it all out.

[Which is the most real thing he can tell her. Frank presses a kiss to her cheek and his head stays bowed close.]

[ She leans in to press her forehead against his, ]

How can you be so sure?

...I'm stubborn as hell.

[Small laugh at himself before sighing.]

I really, really want to work this out. Somehow. Never seeing you again, never talking to you--[His lips press together and he shakes his head a little.]

That makes two of us.

[ As she's sure Frank has been able to tell by now, they were pretty equally matched in the stubbornness department. ]

I still think there are other girls for you out there...

[ But it's a weak protest. Her heart has never been in the idea. ]

Good.

[And he means it. The moment she mentions someone else his head tilts to one side and his eyes squint in the streetlight in disbelief.]

All I'm seeing is you.

[Literally and figuratively.]

[ She gives a soft scoff at that, her head lowering back down to his shoulder. ]

You know what I mean.

[They haven't gone very far to get back to her place or anything. This is still the closest they've been since their date.]

Yeah.

[He cups the back of her head and again holds her in an embrace that says so much in the silence.]

[ She stays like that for a moment before moving her head enough to press her lips softly to his.

He seems determined to stick around. She doesn't have it in her to keep pushing him away -- even if that fear still remains in her heart. She has to try and shove it down now. ]

[A long sigh rolls out from him and ruffles some of her soft hair. It won't all be resolved in a conversation, in a night. Though this can be the start. He pulls back gently.]

Do you...want to go to my place?

[Either way they'll be out of the public eye, private and hopefully comfortable.]

[ She debates it for a moment before nodding, ]

Yeah.

[ She doesn't really care where they go right now. As long as they are together. But privacy would be better overall. ]

[Her hesitance doesn't surprise him in the slightest. He nods and then takes her hand. They've walked through these streets before. The world feels a little more new. And while their hearts are guarded, at least one solid wall between them has fallen.]

We don't have to do anything when we get there.

[Anything liiiiike what they had done the only night they've shared prior.]

...maybe a pizza though.

[Funny how well her soft, slender fingers thread so well with his thicker ones.]

[ The hesitancy has little to do with him and more to do with herself. Not just the guarding over her heart, the uncertainty of their future, but also the guilt that sinks in as they walk. Softly. ]

...you're a very nice person, Frank.

[ Nicer to her than she thinks she deserves after the way she's treated him. But it's also said as if it's just now sinking in for her. She was too busy telling herself other things last time to notice. Too busy reminding herself how this couldn't go beyond the one date. ]

I try to be.

[Doesn't mean that he's an angel or anything. Making their way now. The night is still on the quiet side. He keeps his fingers clasping her's.]

...I'm sorry if it came out like I was ever trying to tell you your own feelings or anything. That's not what I want and not what you deserve. Just. We can take it day by day.

[ She gives a small shrug, ]

Sometimes it feels easier to just walk away because I get so angry with people. I've probably burnt more bridges than I've built since getting here.

[ Or life in general. ]

We all gotta find a way somehow, you know?

[Her hand is still in his. That is important. They're still walking together.]

That must have been hard.

[Lonely even though he hesitates to put the word in the air again. Those feelings that are painful and isolating, they don't belong near her.]

[ She shrugs again, barely a movement in her shoulders, ]

In a lot of ways, it was a relief to get here. To leave Vermont behind. I just... I guess I'm not as good with people as I used to be.

[ She had always been opinionated but she also knows she was happier at one point, too. ]

[He stays near, feet are tempted to keep going but staying in her orbit is what he really wants. Especially after the time spent in silence, just wondering.]

I feel that. You think you know yourself and the world, shit keeps changing.

[Vermont she says.]

...you talk like you've left for good.

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