on thin ice [karen/frank - marvel]

two: dermatologists hate him!

The next morning Frank woke early. He slept earlier, not even thinking about listening out for Mr. Lumley because now someone was occupying the apartment opposite his, he forgot. He was also thinking about the blonde in 5A.

As he made coffee he found himself pulling the bedsheets across his bed instead of leaving them in a crinkled mess. Usually, he rolled out of bed with just enough time to throw his uniform on and drink a coffee instead of making the bed and eating breakfast.

Whilst drinking his morning coffee and simultaneously eating a slice of toast, he grabbed a pen and paper and jotted a note that read; anything you want to keep private here you may as well not say aloud. the walls are thinner than my hair here. - 5B. He grabbed a bag of a change of clothes and an extra pair of boots.

On his way to work, he posted the note under her door.

He waited a few seconds on the stairwell, listening to her feet shuffling across the floor of the apartment. He could hear Linda's cat below screaming its morning call. He wondered if 5A wanted to claw her eyes out yet. (Pun definitely intended.) The edge of the note disappeared from under the door and Frank just smiled.

Frank pulled into the parking lot outside his precinct; rolling into the spot reserved for him especially. He grabbed his badge from the compartment in the passenger's seat along with his gun. After retreating from his car, he grabbed the bag from the passenger's seat, slinging it over his shoulder as he headed toward the door.

"Oh my god," Joni on the front desk fake gasped as he walked in. Frank shoved his badge on the edge of his belt, pulling his jacket further over his shoulder so it would cover it. "Castle is early!"

Frank laughed, placing his bag on the desk whilst she rooted through the files on her desk. He leaned against the desk, looking around at the clutter next to the computer. A pile noted "DO NOT TOUCH -CASTLE" caught his eye and he grabbed it before she turned back. "It's not every day you'll see me here this early so make the most of it"

She gasped again, clutching the file to her chest quickly as Frank opened his bag and shoved the files inside. He then held his hand out for her to hand him the file. "What spurred this on, Castle? A new girl?"

Frank just shook his head, leaning over the desk and grabbing the file from her grasp quickly. He faked a tight smile, shaking his head. Every time something was different for him, they all asked if it was girl-related. Either they felt bad cause he was lonely or they figured out he was a tad more cold-hearted than they knew. "You wish"

The real reason was that he didn't know why he felt like that. He didn't know why he felt like getting up early and being on time to work and impressing his squad for once. Maybe 5A seemingly having her life together inspired him. Even if she did hit him over the head with a frying pan.

"What happened to you, Castle?"

Frank flinched, grimacing as Scott slapped him in the back of his head that he had to shave and stitch up himself. Scott then pinched his shoulders, jostling him around more forcefully and playfully than Frank liked.

He grabbed Scott's hand, twisting it as he turned around to face him and Scott grunted in pain. Frank yanked his hand down below his head, grabbing his other before Scott could retaliate. "My new neighbour is bat shit crazy. I told you not to touch me, Scott"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Scott asked, yanking his hands away from Frank's grip. "And you don't have to take it out on me, man? I was only messing"

"I tried to help her move in, you know, be the gentleman I am. And she hit me over the head with a frying pan" Frank replied almost sheepishly. He kept a straight face, even though the concept sounded ridiculous when you said it aloud and was most definitely laughable. "So this is my attempt to stop myself from bleeding out"