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The three of them were alone, that's what they had in common. Jean lost her sister and her mother left her because of her mutation. Peter had lost Aunt May and everyone. People who forgot who he was. Forgot Peter. Atleast, now he was starting to get Ned and MJ back. But, Frank had lost the most. Watching his entire family get gunned down in front of him, losing his pride and joy. His daughter and son. His wife. Seeing them get murdered because of…what? Just because the CIA thought Frank leaked some shit? Everything he loved was gone. But, you know what? Spider-Man had Frank and Frank had him. Despite losing his kids, he was still a father. He still took care of kids like Peter, like Jean. So, obviously. When Jean needed someone, Frank was there. Mainly because of Peter calling him, he knew he owed Peter. Especially because of that shot. God, if that shot had killed that poor kid, he would never be the same.
Jean had just been introduced to Frank. Well, not just. But, this is the first time they spoke after what happened. It was awkward. Jean had tried to kill him, he had tried to kill her. But, she still had a place here. She had quite a lot of animosity towards the man. Jean did not want to trust him. But, she was eased. Eased by Peter telling her that it would be alright, that she could trust him. That was the only thing that kept her there. She trusted Peter. Peter was like her. Someone who had these powers and lost someone because of it. Someone different. All Jean saw the punisher as some asshole criminal who shoots.
Frank also didn't trust Jean too much immediately, why would he? But, he had his faith in Peter. After all that shit? Yeah. He'd trust Peter fully. He tried to take care of Jean. His little fallout shelter wasn't the biggest, that's for sure. But, he would try. Give her space, but still structure and support. Like, what he did with his own kids. That's all he had to base it off. Sure, Jean was a lot older than his kids. But, honestly? It was very similar to that. He wouldn't force her to talk to him. But, he'd make food. Figure out what she liked and didn't. Never forced, but he was there. That spoke more than any words could.
Peter also started swinging more, sometimes she'd spend a night at Peter's place. Most nights she was at Frank's place though. She loved being with Peter. He was also so nice and gentle with her, not saying Frank wasn't. But, Peter had this different kind of gentleness. Gentleness that was passed from Aunt May, he was just like her. The more he grew, the more he understood her. He also understood that Jean needed someone like her. So, that'd be him.
Peter took Jean out a lot, he didn't want her to be isolated. He understands what that could do to a person. So, when he could, he brought her to coffee shops, cafes, just out of the house. Sometimes he'd take her to MJ and Ned's place. After they'd got closer, obviously. Which, they didn't mind. Ned was very interested in her powers, she answered all his questions. He loved it. Peter was just happy she was meeting people and seemingly having fun.
One day though, it was a night she spent at Frank's bunker. It was getting too much. Everything. It was just all too much at once. Just, she thought too much one night. Thinking about everything, her sister, her mom, how she died in that room, alone. Just, everything. It all came back. Tears will filling her eyes, but. She stayed quiet. Quietly sobbing, she didn't really want to be seen by Frank, seen crying. That would be embarrassing. So, she stayed quiet. Just drowning in her sea of tears. Missing everyone.
Frank was obviously just minding his own business, ya know? Just doing his own thing. But, he noticed that it was nearing evening, though. That means it was almost dinner time, so he thought it would probably be a good idea to start on supper. Frank, being considerate, wanted to ask Jean what she wanted to eat that night, to get more of a scope on what she liked too. Plus, he could definitely use this as a way to check up on her. He had noticed she hadn't left her room or anything in a little while.
Knock.
Knock.
“Hey, kid.”
He grabbed the door handle and twisted it open, cracking it just enough for him to lean his head in.
Jean quickly turned away, wiping her tears too. She had to lock in.
“I'm about to get started on dinner, anything you want?” He asked, trying to be more gentle.
Gulp.
“No, uh.” She sniffled and made that noise you make when you are crying, a hiccup but not quite. “No requests.”
“...you alright?” He immediately softened even more, this is the first time she had heard the big bad Punisher this soft.
“Uh, yeah. Yeah! Uh, I'm fine.” She said, clearly lying.
“yeah, you ain't fooling anyone with that horseshit.” Frank said, opening the door even more. Letting himself in, sitting down next to Jean on her bed. “You don't gotta tell me anything. Just letting you know, I'm here. I get that this is rough, you're in one tough goddamn situation, I know. But, it ain't gonna get any better with you holding all that in. I'm here, Peter's here. If you need anything, we are here. You just gotta let us know, kid. You're strong. Don't hold it all in.” He stared at her, he noticed her tears were flowing even more, just letting it rip. She was sobbing.
Jean, then, unexpectedly, leaned on him. He tensed up, he never really got used to anyone leaning on him like that. Especially because it'd been so long. So long since something like this happened, the last time this happened was one of his own kids leaning on him. But, he loosened up. Frank swung his arm over her and held her, rubbing circles on the side of her shoulder.
“Let it all out, kid. I'm here… Don't worry.” He sat, he sat with her as long as it took for her to be feeling better, no matter how long. Frank was here. Here for Jean. Here for his kid.
He sat for an hour, in the beginning it was silence. Silence that was only filled by some sobs, sobs that Frank comforted. He just listened to her vent when she was ready to talk. Talking about how she saw Sarah get taken, how the director strapped her in that chair, her mom kicking her out, everything. He listened well, didn't give any advice or anything. Just listened and helped with his presence, which was all she honestly needed right now. She didn't need some big inspirational speech, just needed someone to listen. To care. To hold her. To see her. Just needed support, and that's what Frank gave her. Someone to lean on.
“You'll be alright, kid. I promise.” Frank said, hugging Jean. “If you ain't alright, me and webs will be there and make sure you'll be.” Frank didn't get stop the hug though, no. He would let her choose when the hug stopped. It took a few extra minutes, but she was ready.
“Thank you, Frank….Thank you so much.”
“Anytime. Anytime you need it.”
After that, Frank got up and got Jean a glass of water.
“Now, it's getting late. What do you wanna eat? I could order something too, just whatever you want.”
Jean told him her favorite food, which, Frank spent some time cooking. This time, Jean helped Frank in the kitchen. She never really did that before, she was helping taste testing, adding spices, pre heating things, washing things, mainly the non dangerous tasks. Frank was the one cutting things up and touching hot pans, bowls and whatever else that could end up hurting someone even a bit. Plus, he had more experience with cooking anyways.
While the two of them cooked, they talked more. Getting to know each other more, making a bond. Which was good, they needed each other more than they thought.
They also talked while they ate too, it was very open. And if it was silent? It was comfortable. Not like how it used to be. No awkwardness, well, not as much anyways, but. It was fine. This really opened Jean’s eyes to who Frank was. Who he was under all the years of pain, he wasn't just the Punisher. He was also Frank Castle.