Chapter Text
Moments like these were your favorite. The raindrops sliding down the window, blurring the lights from the busy city. A book was in your hand. The blinds were closed and the only light was from the bedside lamp and the sliver of light coming from the bathroom door.
The book you were reading was only there to keep you awake. This chapter was slow but you wanted to stay up for just a little longer. You could feel your eyes getting heavy. It was almost 2 am. But that’s right around the time Frank Castle came home to you every night. He was in the shower and he had the habit of showering quickly. Some nights you joined him, but some nights you could tell he needed his space to cool off for a bit. His biggest concern was hurting you – he was already cautious about the relationship with you. He didn’t feel good enough, but as long as you’d have him – he would stay. He grinned when you’d told him that you had no intentions of getting rid of him, and that settled it. You were his girl and that’s what mattered. You knew what he did. But as long as he came home to you, you were ok with it. And some nights when he got home, things were rough. He was still in the zone, still at war. So his nightly shower was when he could be alone and let the heat of the water ease his aching muscles and to calm his mind.
Tonight must’ve been a bad one because when he walked in the bedroom he barely said anything to you. He dropped his duffle and shrugged his coat and disappeared into the bathroom before you could get a word out.
You knew not to be hurt by it, and you never were. He wasn’t being rude. He didn’t speak because he didn’t want to say anything to hurt you. And that was fair enough to you.
You heard the water shut off and you reached for your bookmark. You sat up to stretch a little and put the book on the nightstand.
Light poured into the room as Frank opened the bathroom door. A towel was wrapped around his waist and you saw the shine of his dog tags dangling around his neck. But as he stepped closer you saw dark bruises all across his chest and stomach. You’d patched him up before, but these bruises looked worse than you’d seen in a long time.
“Frank?” you started to get up to check on him.
“Just some bruises. ‘M fine.”
You lightly touched a bruise on his stomach. You stood there frozen, look at his purple and red skin. You sniffled a little, you’d never get used to seeing him like this.
“Hey.” He whispered and grabbed your hand. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Really. Just got some bruises. ‘sides you’ve given me your fair share of bruises.” He said with a sly grin, hoping to make you smile.
“Frank!” you sniffed, but laughed, “those are hickeys not MASSIVE bruises all over you!”
He chuckled and shook his head. At least he got you to laugh.
Your laugh quickly turned into a yawn. A big yawn.
“Get in bed, baby.” Frank whispered. He placed a soft kiss to your jaw and backed you up forcing you to sit down on the bed. “I’ll be there in a sec.”
You laid down and switched off the lamp on the nightstand. You could hear Frank walking around the room to get his shorts. He hung up his towel and clicked off the bathroom light. The AC clicked on and you got a slight chill. You hadn’t pulled the covers up because you were waiting on Frank to get in bed with you.
“Cold?” he whispered as he climbed in bed.
“Mhmm.” You mumbled.
He said heavily when he laid down next to you, he pulled the covers up and you snuggled into them. Frank was lying on his stomach, and was going to throw his arm over you to hold you, but when he moved his arm he winced.
You heard him mumble a curse into the pillow. You giggled. “C’mere Frank.” He lifted his head, and watched you roll over onto your back.
He scooted over just a bit so half of his warm body was on top of yours. His head was on your chest and his shoulder was half on your stomach.
“Hate when I can’t hold my girl.”
“But I like when I can hold you.” you responded. Your hand went to his hair and scratched the back of his head. Your other hand rubbed his warm bare shoulders. Frank sighed deeply in content. You felt his breath against your skin as his breathing became steady – he was falling asleep.
You felt tears pricking at your eyes. Happy tears. He was home. Your boy was home safe to you. The love of your life was back home with you again. He was beaten down, and his main concern was not being able to hold you. Didn’t he know that it was just as important that he be held? Of all people he is the one who needs to be held. So right now as you drift off to sleep yourself you’re gonna hold your boy.
Hold your love.
Hold your Frank Castle