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[paged]

hit me with your best shot ❢ meme continuations ❢ aus ❢ idek

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[ She gives his hand a squeeze. ]

Selling yourself pretty short there. "Not much of anything"?

[ She shakes her head. She doesn't buy that any more than he had bought the lines she had tried to feed him a few days ago. ]

[endlesswar]

I don't know how to say it.

[So he'll try again. Frank studies the floor of the elevator. The marble finish isn't real.]

These days I feel more like a work in progress as a person. There's so much I could do and be. Right now I'm still loose ends.

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There's nothing wrong with feeling like that.

[ She feels more like a single thread than a loose end. But she remembers what it was like to feel the same way. Or like something was torn at the other end.

She moves forward and closes the distance to use her free arm to wrap around him, pull him into a hug. It's the least she can do after what he did for her earlier. ]

But that doesn't mean there isn't much there. It's just... still forming.

[endlesswar]

[It's hard to admit. That he's come this far in life and still not feeling complete. Karen's moved across the country and has full agency of herself. That's another level too.

Her embrace catches him a little by surprise and he returns the motion with his own free hand as the elevator stops.]

Thank you. Just...frustrating you know?

[paged]

I do. I know how it feels.

[ She gives his shoulders a squeeze before moving away as the doors open. ]

Even when I try to push through it. Doesn't always feel like it's working.

[endlesswar]

[Again he's taken aback with how wonderful it feels to be standing in the light of Karen's attention. Her words are real and honest. Not pacification.]

...Would you believe me if I told you that's one of the reasons why I'm enlisting?

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[ She nods again, her expression almost sad as she looks down. ]

Yeah, I would.

[ Adding, ]

I can't say I understand it. But I've heard other people talk about it the same way. Their reasons for enlisting.

[endlesswar]

[They step into the hallway and he catches that look.]

This is a really touchy subject for us both here. I'm not trying to make things harder or make you upset.

[Frank stops in the midway down the hall and tilts his head to a door. This is their stop.]

For tonight we can just talk and have pizza. Nothing pressing.

[He gives her hand another squeeze as he unlocks the door.]

[paged]

[ She looks at Frank only to lower her eyes and nod. He should know why it's "touchy" for her now.

Even if she has to begrudgingly accept that it's what he is going to be doing. It just figures it's her luck to find a guy like him just for him to be leaving.

But she will follow him in with little prompting. ]

[endlesswar]

[Be that as it may, they're working on appreciating the common ground they stand on. Tomorrow will come. Tonight has to happen first. Frank flicks on the light and stands aside as she steps in. The entry way is narrow and short. From there is a small kitchen and small island separating it from the living room. Once the door is shut, he follows behind her. Another lights witch gets turned on as they enter the larger space. There is a very comfortable looking couch and a decent sized television.]

Please, have a seat.

[It's nice to see her in this space he sees so much.]

Make yourself comfortable.

[Meaning she can discard the jacket and shoes. Frank is removing his own jacket and drapes it over one of the chairs at the tiny kitchen table.]

[paged]

[ She goes through and heads for the couch. She sits down without removing her jacket. After looking at the floor for a moment she starts to push her shows off with her heels.

She still feels a bit out of place here but also doesn't want to leave. She pulls her legs up onto the couch to tuck under herself, leaning her head back against the couch cushion. ]

[endlesswar]

[He gets two glasses of water from the kitchen and sets them on the small coffee table in front of the couch. After he takes a seat and crouches to remove his own shoes. See? Comfy and no pressure or hassle at all.]

Now I feel like we know each other well enough for me to ask.... what kind of toppings do you like on your pizza?

[Some humor to cut the tension that's rising again.]

[paged]

[ Karen thanks him softly for the water but doesn't reach for it yet. When he asks about pizza toppings - and in that way - she breathes out a laugh through her nose, not suppressing a smile completely. ]

Pepperoni and sausage.

[ She's not going to even pretend to be a girl that only likes cheese pizzas or doesn't eat them at all. She gave up trying to do that back in high school. ]

[endlesswar]

[He laughs too.]

I'm gonna get two larges. One for you and one for me.

[No way she can hide her appetite. Here they are again, bonding over Italian.]

...did you need to call any of your girlfriends. Let em know you're okay?

[Frank has the phone in his hands, they are going to order soon. But the important things need to get out of the way. Making sure Karen is comfortable.]

[paged]

[ That actually brings out more of a smile, ducking her head as she grins some. He's seen her eat so she can't deny it even if she wanted to.

Shaking her head, ]

I can call them after you get the order in. They won't be back home yet anyway.

[endlesswar]

[Behold, Karen Page, Frank's secret shame. He has to turn his head to hide his expression as he demonstrates that the place that will send them into this binge is on speed dial. They're themselves here.]

It'll be just a second.

[Someone says hello. He counters the greeting. And in a few moments it's clear the person on the line knows who he is. And what he wants. But wait! There's another order tonight. Yeah. Thanks. Yeah. He hangs up and passes the phone to her.]

[paged]

[ She tries to suppress another laugh but it's little use when she takes the phone from him. ]

Must be good if you have it on speed dial...

[endlesswar]

Good. Fast and they're open late.

[A trifecta if there ever was one. He smiles at her, leaning in to reach for the water.]

Should be about twenty to thirty minutes He answered so quick, might not be a busy night.

[paged]

Maybe he was waiting for your call...

[ She teases as she punches in the number for her phone. It rings and the answering machine picks up, like she knew it would. She leaves a quick message saying she's fine, she's at Frank's place and will see them tomorrow.

Once she hangs up she hands it back over to him. ]

Thanks. Not just for the pizza but... letting me come over.

[endlesswar]

I can't be the only guy in the neighborhood...

[Frank rubs his face and is still laughing a little after. The phone gets placed back on the coffee table and he leans back into the cushion of the couch.]

You're welcome, Karen.

[He reaches over to give her thigh a pat.]

[paged]

[ She reaches down to take his hand, giving it a small squeeze. ]

I mean it. I've been a real asshole to you and I just... really appreciate you not being one back.

[endlesswar]

[It catches him pleasantly off guard and he returns the pressure.]

I'm still getting to know you... and from what I can tell you're not a bad person. Just someone who's been through the wringer.

[paged]

[ She wants to argue that that's no excuse for how she's treated him but instead, she gives into a different impulse and leans in the press a quick kiss to his lips instead. ]

[endlesswar]

[It's been so hard not to react or soften at these little glimmers of hope. The entire time he has been trying to close off the possibilities for tomorrow. Instead he gives her hand a squeeze and gently pulls.]

Come on a little closer.

[Into his lap. Both clothed and being mostly responsible. After all they ordered food and he specifically said they wouldn't have to do a thing.]

[paged]

[ She goes where he pulls her in, shifting to straddle his lap. One arm slings around his neck before she's leaning in to kiss him again.

He's such a good guy. Maybe... maybe something could work... ]