Work Text:
karen walked down the stairs, the evening had came already the sun setting. She knew better than to walk in Hell’s Kitchen in the dark. But she had to figure out the files she had left on her office table. And she had the keys just like Matt and foggy. So she thought no harm done. Because what could possibly happen in a 10 minute walk? well, it had turned out that a lot could happen.
as she passed many side ally’s on her way to work there was a shot, the sound was loud and unmistakably that of a gun. It was all to familiar and she knew she couldn't do anything if she where hit. But before she could react she got pulled away harshly. Bumping into something solid yet not painful. As she looked up she expected it to be frank. He always had a way of finding her and saving her. Instead it was Spider-Man. She looked at him her eyes wide with surprise.
“What are you doing in Hell’s Kitchen?” She asked concerned. Yes he had super strength, yes he had a remarkable sense of danger and could dodge things easily. Yes, she was more helpless than him. But what concerned her was that he was so young. She wasn't old by any means but he was in his twenties. And she knew who he was. Matt had convinced peter that he could trust in karen.
“Peter, by all means thank you, but what are you doing here, it’s dangerous in hell's kitchen you know this’’ she said softly
to which peter hung his head. he knew beter. “I needed to get away from the city for a bit. A lot has happened’’ he answered staying vague.
“Does Matt know you're here?’’ She asked tentatively.
another shake of the head. “I rather he not at the moment, matt doesn't hold back with asking, i cant handle that right now.’’ Peter said looking at her for the briefest moment. And before she could say anything more he spoke up “we need to get you safe karen, i know someone, i uh, i don't know how you'll feel about him, but you have to know karen, i would never put you in danger’’ his voice wobbled a little at the last word and that alone worried her more than where he'd take her.
''i know'' she said warmly. which had him standing still for a moment the giant bug eyes may have somewhat hidden his eyes but she knew he was staring at her, just not why. before she could ask however he swept her up and once secure swung off with her to safety.
it had been months since he had talked to her. it had been months since she'd seen him standing Infront off her the way he was in the moment. she was supposed to be angry. but her anger burned out like a flame without oxygen.
he's safe
he's alive
for once in her life she didn't care if someone else saw them. for once she just let herself be and crossed the room with two long strides. throwing both her arms around his neck. it took him a second to realise what was happening but the moment he did she could feel his arms around her in a warm embrace.
all the while peter was in the corner having absolutely no idea of what was going on. and had chosen to stay silent something karen was incredibly thankful about. there was a beat and then..
"karen, '' she could hear him take a shaky breath. "are, you- here?, are you really here?''
the question shocked her more than anything. but she stayed calm for the sake of him and pulled back. she took his had and gently settled it on her heart. carefully she reached out and took his face in her hands making him look at her. ''i'm here frank, i am'' she said letting out a little sob that she hadn't been able to hold back.
the tears had build in her eyes but despite it blurring her vision a little. she had not missed the relief in his eyes.
frank pulled her back into his chest, karen let him. they clearly had a lot to talk about. but now was not the moment and they both knew this fact. after all she was not supposed to be in his hide out. peter had brought her there. something the young man had not realized was that she knew frank very wel. it was not exactly something peter and her had ever talked about. and wel, neither had she and matt for that matter really. given his opinions on frank, there was little space to talk about him.
the only one who knew was foggy, and that had also been an incident, really. after all he was at her home when frank had stumbled in bleeding. and she wasn't gonna send frank away. neither was she gonna lie directly into foggy's face. she couldn't. she didn't want to.
they pulled away not much later. there was a reason she was there after all. and they needed to get to the point of why she was here.
it was frank who asked. "why did you bring karen here?" it wasn't angry it wasn't meant in a hurtful way. he genuinely was confused. that much karen could tel.
"shes in danger frank, i need you to protect her please''
this is when the anger did reach frank, tho it was not aimed at either of them.
"spill it kid" he said his voice rough.
the masked eyes got wide as he said this and peter sputtered a little before speaking up "i thought id have to pull up staten island ''
"quit playing kid tell me what the hell happened. will you?'' frank said sounding a little annoyed.
"right, right i'm sorry, karen was walking and there was a shot. i pulled her out of the way, and brought her here'' peter said looking at the two of them awkwardly. ''i don't know whether it was targeted or not, but i figured it was best not to find out, not while karen was outside at least'' peter said already shooting a web to the window. ready to go to investigate.
"kid where do you think you're going?'' frank asked skeptically.
karen was starting to wonder if she was dreaming at that point. they talked going back and forth as if nothing was the mater. as if this was their normal. and somewhere deep down, it warmed her heart. because frank was not alone after all. and peter had more than just karen foggy and matt to rely on.
when she startled out of her toughts peter was gone and frank was looking at her concerned and slightly agitated. "why would you walk at night karen'' came his voice.
and she couldn't help but scoff a little at it all. "i had work to do frank''
he didn't reply to her comment he smiled instead "it's good to see you''
"ït's good to see you too"