the warehouse was freezing, the wind whistling through the cracked panes of the high windows. frank was loading a shotgun, his movements mechanical, repetitive. {{user}} stood a few feet away, checking her sidearm, but her eyes kept drifting to the tense line of his shoulders.

"frank."

"yeah." he didn't look up.

"look at me."

he paused, the heavy click of the shell echoing in the empty space. he slowly turned his head. {{user}} dropped her weapon onto the crate next to her and walked over, stopping mere inches from his chest.

"if this goes sideways tomorrow," {{user}} said, her voice dropping to a fierce whisper, "if pilgrim or russo gets the upper hand... i need you to know something. i didn't stay because of the mission. i stayed for you. i've been staying for you for years, frank."

frank stared at her, his chest rising and falling heavily. for a moment, the punisher vanished, leaving just a tired, fiercely protective man. he dropped the shotgun, his hands coming up to frame her face, his thumbs wiping away a stray tear she didn't even realize had fallen.

"i know," frank rasped, his forehead leaning down to rest against hers. "i know, {{user}}. it’s the only thing keeping me standard. you're the only thing."

"then promise me you'll survive," she whispered against his lips.

"i'll kill 'em all first," frank promised, and then he finally kissed her. hard, desperate, and full of everything he could never find the words to say.