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[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ 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. ]

Edited 2018-08-16 09:29 (UTC)

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ 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.

[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.]

[ 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...

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.

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.

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.]

[ 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.

[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.

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ 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... ]

[Another kiss, another chance. Frank's eyes lightly shut and he returns the press of his mouth too. Slow and melting. One arm wrapped around her and the other resting against her thigh. A way out of she wants it.

Surely, she'd want to right? They're at a stable, common ground that this might not be anything or it could develop to something. Why push it? Why over think it? His tongue lightly brushes the inside of her lips and he sighs.]

[ A few weeks ago, yeah. She would've wanted a way out, tried to take it. But now... it feels like he's shaken something in her and she can't stop thinking about him even when she wants to.

This is going to end in tears.

Was how the saying went. But the idea of walking away from him now put her in more pain than fear. What if he could care about her, look beyond her past and actually...

She returns the kiss slowly, a hand finding his chest, the other going back into his hair. There was no denying the fire between them. He was right about that. It's going to burn them both at this rate. ]

[A bit ago she wanted nothing to do with him. Can one night change all of that? Really? Nothing about how she touches him indicates that this is meaningless. Frank's hand smooths up from her hip to her back and into her hair. Blonde strands are so soft to the touch. The kiss ends after a lingering and exploring run from start to finish. Frank pulls back and looks into her face, lightly tucking her hair back from her ear.]

I can't get over you, Karen.

[Spoken softly and plainly.]

[ She doesn't think one night will change all the differences between them. If it will be enough when he leaves -- because he's going to leave. But, her blue eyes meet brown and she knows: ]

I can't get over you, either.

[ Both hands are rubbing slowly at his chest through his shirt. ]

I thought I could. Thought that's what I wanted. But every time I see you I...

[ She breathes out and presses her forehead to his, closing her eyes, her voice just above a whisper. Like she was afraid to admit it aloud. She never realized just how much she was keeping inside until she struggled to pull it out where he could see and hear it. ]

I feel like my heart is breaking. I haven't ever felt this way before about anyone.

[See him? With his dumbo ears, big nose and the smile of a boy. There's something more she sees in him. Just a boy looking at a girl. And a whole bunch of shit together with it.]

...I feel the same. But I don't want it to stop.

[It hurt so much more being apart.]

Crazy.

[Though his tone is so fond.]

[ She already loves his Dumbo ears and big nose and the smile just makes her smile. She can't remember the last time that happened and it felt natural. ]

You are crazy to say that.

[ But she's smiling as she says it, her own tone just as fond as she leans in to kiss him again. ]

[His head tilts but he stays close to her, forehead to forehead.]

I don't care. Just means we got something special.

[And if the way they kiss and the electricity they feel was any indication. Frank's fingers curl into Karen's hair and his mouth slots with her own.]

[ It is special. She knows it is purely because she's never felt this attracted to someone. Already this attached. A part of her brain keeps telling her something terrible is going to happen. She just seems to attract that kind of luck.

But she kisses him deeper this time, her hands still rubbing his chest, feeling his heartbeat under her hands. His warmth. Her arms move to wrap around his waist as her tongue licks into his mouth, realizing in that moment: she doesn't want to be alone. She doesn't want it anymore.

(Even if she feels deep down it would be safer for Frank to stay away from her.) ]

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