'If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it's yours forever, but if it doesn't then it was never meant to be.'

It's a saying that Frank has heard before in all of his years living on this damn planet. Religious figures have told him this, Steadman has told him this, even his late wife has told him this in the midst of their divorce talk. He heard it all his life, barely thought about it once yet now it's all he can think about now as he watches you sleep on your little cot.

If he loves you then he should give you the choice to go instead of keeping you locked in this random hideout that he decided to make permanent since he can't stay on the go while watching you at the same time. He should let you go is what he thinks about, but actually committing to it is another thing, because it seems as if he truly can't.

Second chances aren't meant for men like Frank Castle, so, when it gets handed to him on a silver platter who is he to let go? He already lost one family and while he didn't plan on starting another, he did and he refuses, refuses, to it slip past his clenched fingers.

He doesn't care if you disagree with it, either. He doesn't care if you don't share these sentiments, if you claim that you don't feel the same way for him, because in addition to all of that, he definitely doesn't care that you're some big shot hero that can take care of themselves, he won't take an unnecessary risk.

"Just stay put," Frank mutters softly, trying his best not to rouse you as his fingers combs through the soft strands of your hair, pushing it all out of your face. "Look so peaceful, that's good."

You'll come around eventually. Hell, he'll try to be a little soft around the edges if there is a slight chance that it'll change your mind.