Law Beyond Shadows

Coffee and Jealousy

I absolutely hate representing assholes who clearly done a bunch of shit, they are, obviously, going to get convicted simply because they are too dumb to help me plead their case. Aaron Jennings, 19 years old, had like 2.000 pictures of his ex in a freaking google drive, the one he was giving access to a bunch of guys in his school for 20 dollars. The account linked to the drive is literally 'AaronJenningsPics', how can someone be so stupid? Better question: why on earth am I taking this case? Simple, because he's my boss' kid, yeah.

I spent 7 years of my life studying to become a lawyer, representing the most famous entrepreneurs in the US, got famous for a hell of an opening speech on Castle's case, and here I am, representing a horny 19-year-old. But as they say, everything happens for a reason, and indeed it does.

It was almost 11 pm when I gave up on the witness list for the Jennings case and decided to head to a cafe next to the office. It had been almost two weeks since the Matt incident, he had sent me a lot of texts, called me quite some times, but all he heard was "It was amazing, but I don't really think I have, or ever will develop, feelings for you, sorry", but he simply doesn't give up. I felt bad for what I was doing, but I'm sure that's the best thing I could do, I really value Matty's friendship. I cannot get Frank out of my head.

Two weeks since he was at my place, since I stitched him up, since I touched his abbs. God, that man is so hot. I learnt not to feel guilty about being attracted to him, it's not like I can control my brain, and to be completely honest, any woman alive would feel attracted by him (I mean, if he was not a convicted criminal...) Anyway, he is my type, I can't deny that - the nose, the voice, the body, the muscles. God the voice. And I love a brunette, for God's sake. I can guarantee that people only tend to disagree with me because he might have killed a bunch of people. Criminals anyway.

F: "Hey, doc." I was lost in thought when I heard a familiar voice and I knew exactly to whom it belonged. His voice sliced through my reverie, bringing me back to the present. I: "Castle. Hi. By the cuts on your face, I can tell you had a bunch of reasons to call me and you didn't."F: "I don't want to bother, ma'am."I: "Wow, back to maám, are we? Thought we had established a first-name basis. Though tell me, how are you? Kicking asses?"F: "Could say so. Ye."I: "Alright, Castle. Let's cut the formalities. What's on your mind?"Frank took a deep breath as if preparing himself to unload a heavy truth. His gaze met mine, and for a moment, the intensity in his eyes spoke volumes. F: "Things are getting messier out there. More criminals, more chaos. I didn't come here to discuss that, though."

As we sipped our coffee, I found myself observing him discreetly, noting the faint scars on his knuckles and the intensity in his eyes. Frank exuded a quiet strength that drew people in, even if they were aware of his brutal methods. I wondered how someone with such a commanding presence could be entangled in the complexities of vigilantism.I: "You know, Frank, you're not alone in this. There are people who want to help, who believe in what you're doing. You might not see it, but you've got allies."F: "Allies, huh? Not many people are willing to stand by the Punisher." I could sense the isolation he felt, the burden of his persona, and the walls he had built around himself. While the city might view him as a symbol of retribution, Frank Castle remained a man navigating a complex labyrinth of moral ambiguity.I: "Not everyone sees the world in absolutes, Frank. There are shades of gray, and sometimes, desperate times call for unconventional measures. You're a force to be reckoned with, but that doesn't mean you have to carry everything on your own."Frank's gaze shifted, a mixture of gratitude and mistrust lingering in his eyes. It was evident that trust came at a premium in his line of work.F: "I appreciate the sentiment, Isa, but I've learned to tread cautiously. Not everyone who claims to be an ally has your best interests at heart."I couldn't blame him for his scepticism. In a city tainted by corruption, alliances could easily turn into liabilities. I decided to shift the conversation, aiming for a lighter note.I: "So, besides saving Hell's Kitchen, do you have any other hobbies, Frank? Maybe something to take the edge off?" A faint smirk appeared on Frank's face, a rare moment of levity breaking through the stern exterior.F: "Hobbies? Well, killing criminals and avoiding the law keeps me pretty occupied. But I suppose you're asking if I have a favorite book or something."I chuckled at his response, appreciating the hint of humor. I: "Yes, I'm curious. What does the Punisher do during downtime?"F: "Downtime? That's a luxury I can't afford. But, well, I used to enjoy reading. Before... everything." His voice trailed off, and I could sense a longing for the simplicity of a life he once knew. I decided to lighten the mood further.I: "Hey, I was thinking of an answer more along the lines of 'Pride and Prejudice' or 'To Kill a Mockingbird' you know?"Frank chuckled, a sound that felt oddly comforting amidst the chaos that surrounded us.F: "Never pegged you for a literature enthusiast, but I guess everyone's got their surprises."

In the days that followed, my encounters with Frank became more frequent. It wasn't intentional, merely the result of our overlapping spheres – meeting him in a random coffee shop, seeing him crossing the streets, nothing important though. One evening, our paths converged at a local diner. Frank saw me and nodded in acknowledgement as I entered. He gestured toward an empty seat, and we settled into a routine of shared silence. The bustling noise of the diner served as a backdrop to our unspoken understanding.

I: "You know, Frank, you're an enigma. Vigilante by night, coffee companion by day."F: "Gotta keep the balance, Doc. Too much darkness ain't good for anyone."I chuckled, appreciating the unexpected wisdom in his words. Frank Castle, the Punisher, seemed to possess a depth that extended beyond his vigilantism. Our conversations meandered through various topics, and with each interaction, I uncovered new layers of the man behind the brutality of The Punisher. As we sipped our coffee, I couldn't resist sharing some details of my personal life.I: "Had an interesting night the other day. Went out with Matthew." Frank's reaction was subtle, his jaw clenching ever so slightly, eyes flickered with a muted intensity, a hint of something unreadable.F: "Yeah? How was it?"I: "Surprisingly good. We went to this charming little Italian place, and the conversation just flowed. He's persistent, you know? Despite my clear stance on things." A shadow crossed Frank's face, and he responded with a curt nod.F: "Persistent's one way to put it."I sensed a subtle shift in the air, as if the mention of Matthew had stirred something in Frank. I decided to change the subject, steering it toward the professional realm.I: "On a less personal note, there's this case I've been working on—the Aaron Jennings case. Boss' kid, caught up in some stupid mess. 2,000 pictures of his ex, selling them to his schoolmates for 20 bucks. Real genius.Any advice on how to defend someone who's clearly not the brightest bulb?" Frank leaned back, his gaze fixed on a distant point.F: "People make dumb choices. Doesn't mean they deserve the worst. Find the angle that shows the kid's not irredeemable. Make the jury see him as a person, not just a dumb kid." I nodded, appreciating the simplicity yet profound truth in his words.I: "Thanks, Frank. Sometimes we forget the human side of things. You know how that is."F: "Law's about people, Doc. Don't forget that."