on thin ice [karen/frank - marvel]

five: semper fi

Frank had been invited out with work on Saturday evening but he was considering giving it a miss. He and 5A had been corresponding through shitty notes posted through doors for the past few days now and he'd had enough. It was stupid that they weren't co-operating like normal people but Frank was admittedly intimidated by her. Stupid, but true. He wondered if she felt the same or if she just didn't give a shit.

His head was somehow worse. The aching was increasing and he thought he could feel the stitches coming undone which was never a good sign. He decided to visit his sister as she can most likely diagnose the damage and fix it up quickly which would stop the pain and on his way out he'd knock at 5A and see what happened. It was also an excuse to see his niece and nephew who he hadn't seen for months.

He held a box of waffles for his sister as he knew they were her favourites as he locked the door to his apartment. They were good waffles which was why he'd eaten most of them already. He knew she preferred homemade ones but Frank was definitely not a master in the kitchen so ones from Walmart would have to do. They tasted just as good in the long run and she always enjoyed them.

As he turned away from his door, he looked toward 5A. He had a weird feeling in his chest; a weird tightness that must be nerves. He hadn't felt nervous since police academy which was so odd. He was actually nervous. Frank always faced things head-on, not bothering to work himself up over small things that never mattered. He always had an answer for things, always assertive and concise but for some reason, all of this expert training was slowly slipping from his mind when he thought about asking 5A out.

Before he could stop himself he was knocking on her door. He could just about force himself to do that much. The pain in his head was increasing by what seemed seconds, almost as if all nerves were stored there and everything he was nervous about was conspiring in the one spot he was injured in. He almost felt dizzy. He tried to think of what Gabriela or Scott would say if they saw him like this; nothing like the front he put on for them.

She unlocked the door before he could run away and he tried to smile as her face appeared. She was frowning, as usual. Well, he'd only seen her a few times and she was frowning every time. It was more of a mocking frown, rather than pure anger.

"It's you," she said, keeping her door more closed than open. She frowned at the box in his hand, "They're not for me, are they? Cause I don't do "welcome from the neighbours" gifts"

Frank found himself looking at the box of waffles, his hands tightening around it after she mentioned it. His heart was undoubtedly pounding but he wasn't focused on that at that moment. It was the odd thing about fear; you work yourself up over things and whilst their happening fear is nowhere to be seen. "They're for my sister, I'm on my way to see her"

She mused, a small snort escaping. "Proper family guy, are you?"

Frank shook his head, "I've eaten over half already"

She just nodded. "I used to have the same problem"

Used to? What kind of past was she referring to? Had something happened to make her like this? Frank didn't know why one interaction was fuelling him into wanting to find everything out about her. She just seemed so mysterious and like she was hiding so much all at once whilst being a calm and collective person at the same time. Frank went through a phase in his life of hiding too many things at once and he was a complete mess.

"So why are you knocking on my door if those cookies aren't for me and you're on your way to see your sister?" She asked, leaning against the door. Relaxation; Frank noted the fact her face did falter slightly and she looked slightly more impressed than before. He took this as a sign that so far, he hadn't messed up.