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Why? D'you want to?

[Again, he's not going to do a thing, still walking to the door. Still oh so happy with holding onto her. After all, it's just pizza. Not like it is involved or anything.]

You really got a hold on me.

[As though she's the one keeping this funny stunt together.]

[ She laughs again, ]

So you keep saying.

[ But she remains where she is, turning her head towards the door to reach out and open it for Frank once they are close enough. She'll even go so far as to hold her hand out for the pizza. ]

Delivery. Hey Frank---Ohh.

[The oh so familiar parlor knows their client and this is unexpected. The younger man with his headphones hanging at his neck smiles almost bashfully as he hands over the pizza.]

You uh--you guys having a nice night?

[Frank laughs a little and shrugs, handing over the money. No strain, the extra help from Koala Karen is just right. The delivery boy nods and smiles a little awkwardly from Karen to Frank and back.]

It's pretty good, you can keep the change, Cory.

[ She gives him her best grin and nods to him, ]

Thanks, Cory.

[ She's not sure how much of this will get eaten but it sure does smell good. ]

Wow, thanks! Uh okay! Yeah--g'night!

[Frank gives him a smile and nods as he starts to shut the door.]

Thanks, pal. Have a good one yourself.

[The door clicks shut and the precious cargo along with the pizza now move to the kitchenette.]

[ Karen barely manages to muffle another laugh as he walks them over to the countertop in the kitchenette, ]

Yeah, I'm definitely thinking Frank Castle likes to show off...

[He pulls a stool out for her and gently helps her to get perched on if she's going to let go.]

Me? Nah. Just... got wrapped up. That's all. Happens to the best of us, doesn't it?

[Or did she mean that in front of the delivery person?]

That's just Cory. We go way back.

[ She keeps hold of the pizza as she's set down and then hands it off once his hands (and arms) are free. ]

How far back? Like kids together?

Like I watched him and his kid sister a few nights out of the week in high school. We were neighbors.

[And he opens the pizza to her as though she needed the help. Is this how modern courtship would work? Pizza and banter? That sounds about right.]

[ It works well enough for her. Better than the parties she crashed and sold drugs at.

Taking a piece up for herself, ]

Invite any girls over?

Not to the house while I was babysitting. I did take em down to the ice cream parlor where there might have been a girl or two there.

[He reaches into the box for a slice after her.]

[ She laughs around her bite before moaning at the taste. Damn, that was pretty good. ]

Very smart.

Mmmhmm!

[If it's possible to smile and be proud of yourself while chewing, Frank is pulling it off. After a swallow he gestures to his slice.]

Pretty sure that they do something to the sauce and cheese. Just perfect.

[He sets the box on the counter and remains standing, eating his slice.]

[ She leans her back against the edge of the counter as she continues to eat her slice, making pretty quick work of it. Guess she was feeling good enough to eat after all.

As she reaches for another one, ]

Did you ever have any luck at those parlors?

With the girls? Enough to get a free scoop sometimes. Sometimes a date. Not always.

[He grins at her before taking a bite.]

Nothin'--nothin' really stuck.

[ She wrinkles her nose at that as she chews, shaking her head. As soon as her mouth was empty, ]

I don't get that. You mean to tell me none of those girls ever wanted to go steady with you?

They did for a bit. Kinda had a bad attitude and a temper. Plus being a teenage kid with dumbo ears didn't really put me in a good space. Needed to come into my own. Maybe for the better, you know?

[See. He can be a shitty person in his own ways. Another bite and his cheek is full. Give it a few moments. ]

Kinda felt, I dunno, forced. Not a natural connection.

[ Her brows go up at that, ]

You had a bad attitude and temper?

[ So far, Karen had seemed the more volatile out of the two of them and she knew it. But she laughs a little, ]

We would've had a knock-down-drag-out fight if we had met back then.

Oh yeah. I thought I was hot shit. Working, taking care of kids, making money. I didn't need to answer to anyone.

[He ruefully shakes his head.]

Probably a bad one. I didn't hit women then and I won't now.

That's better than the guys I knew.

[ She shook her head again, taking another bite. The guys she had sold to could get that way and even her ex had hit her a few times. It hadn't happened when they were sober and she had hit back. He also defended her from other guys. She hadn't considered how toxic the relationship actually was until it was all too late. ]

[His mouth forms a tight line. She could tell him anything and everything or nothing at all. Frank has greasy pizza hands but he spreads his knees to knock against hers.]

No matter what happens, no matter how bad it gets... I'm here for you however you want me. I'd never hurt you.

[Keeping his voice low because he is respecting this knowledge and her story.]

[ She licks her lips slowly, bowing her head down before setting her piece of pizza aside. ]

I want you to stay.

[ She looks back up at him, ]

But I know you won't.

...serving isn't always the death sentence that everyone believes it is.

[Since they're directly addressing that big, ol' elephant in the room.]

I will be out of the country yes. Ain't no way I'm staying out there.

You can't promise me that, Frank

[ It's the same argument they keep coming back to but at least this time her voice and expression are softer, sadder. Because she wishes he could give her such a thing. ]

[No words, just nodding. His head. Chewing helps him not put his foot in his mouth. His knee touches against hers with more insistence.]

I can't promise that, no. But if I got any say or any--any means to help the odds you better believe I'd do it.

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