Arson

Chapter Thirty-Seven

AN: Work Song - all credits go to Hozier, and none of it is mine. I'm just using it in the story~

Aaaaaaa I have such a soft spot for this song

Just, any Hozier song in general, but this specific one is what I've chosen to be the couple song for Alexandria and Frank :D

Enjoy ^^

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Alexandria's P.O.V

The engine of the van hummed gently, as we looked at the sight in front of us. Honestly, the motel was...decent looking, from the outside.

He places the van in park, the stick making a satisfying symphony of quick clicks. Frank leans back into the chair, and shuts his eyes.

I can see the pain contort his expression in a slight scrunch every now and then.

The dark rings around Castle's eyes weren't from just exhaustion. They were throbbing and darkly colored bruises, that enclosed those dark ember orbs of his.

"You're hurting."

"Don't worry about it, Darlin'...I'm - alrigh'..." He growled, fixing himself with stiffened and creaking movements.

"..." I look at him with somber and worried eyes.

I cautiously press a touch into the center of his chest. With a strain, his own grasps mine. Frank slipped his fingers through the spaces, tightening it and staying within arm's reach for several eternal moments.

He hesitantly leaves me to exit the car, but comes around to open my side. Suddenly, I'm pulled into his arms, laying helpless within his muscular tense.

Not a complaint comes out of me...what was there to say? I was being saved an inconvent uncomfort from his compassion...but it did effect me, knowing he was hurting himself more to make sure I wasn't.

"You don't need to do this...I can walk..." His firm and broad chest cushioned my head from the very gentle but somewhat jostling motion.

"Not well enough."

Frank Castle. The most dangerous man alive, rivalled by no one - a stone cold killer of criminals, and defier of death...had the biggest and purest heart. His compassion knew no bounds, and kept him caring for the fragile life of innocents.

And I was at the epicenter.

Soon, we stopped at our room. The door was already unlocked...and a note lay still, taped on the metallic door.

He didn't want to let me down, but he needed both of his hands for this...or did he?

I twisted myself, the singe of the bullet hole returning. The note is grabbed, and I return quickly into his arms. His burning ember gaze was full of concern, now seeing what it took to make me feel that same pain.

"I-It's from Matt," I say, keeping a normal tone so I didn't further that worry in his eyes. The letter wasn't going to read itself, so I start thusly after. " 'Just a little goodbye gift to the both of you. Wherever you go, run together. This'll help with keeping you alive until then.

Until we meet again, Phantom and Punisher.

~Red'."

"Huh...can't believe the nickname actually stuck..." Frank chuckles.

The door is opened, and he finally puts me down on level ground.

With a quick motion, he closed the door just seconds after opening, and locked it to full extent.