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depressedbagpipe · 1 year ago

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"Blackbird to Robin, do you copy?" (Billy Russo x ofc)

Chapter six

Words: 5151 Warnings: mentions of the previous attack (check the last chapter for reference), mentions of PTSD, death, guns, explosions (and the aftermath i guess). poor grammar choices. change of pov, foul language, dana wants some soup. A/N: yeah, it's been a long time coming. i accidentally fell into a burning ring of fire depressive episode ft a massive writer's block but thank you for your patience and love. had to add some billy into it, too. hope you guys like it (mind you i haven't written anything in like two months so sorry for the poor grammar choices) Taglist: @badasseddy, @noortsshift, @britishbassett

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Chapter six

I felt the thick thud of my skull before I could even register I was in pain. My skin felt warm and sticky, and although my entire head was throbbing, it especially felt like a needle was constantly poking my temple. Even with closed eyes, the ache seemed to grow every second. My entire body hurt, too, and I heavily debated whether I wanted to open my eyes, too afraid of what would wait for me on the other side.

Muffled voices and footsteps screamed from the other side of the door, the sound too distant and distorted to fully comprehend what they said, and for an instant, I panicked.

And then, like a slap across the face, a flash of black flooded my vision, and Billy’s eyes were suddenly all I could see. The throbbing in my head grew stronger and unforgiving, and dizziness overcame me. Memory was coming back in flames, and each was more painful than the last.

Billy. The attack. Billy’s apartment. The café. Billy’s car. My apartment. Billy’s black suits. The MET. Owen. Billy.

Billy.

The name tasted weird on my tongue. There was bitterness in it, and fear, but also comfort and power. The mix was strangely addictive, and it weirded me out even more after realizing he was the first thing on my mind after having just woken up.

I groaned, and although the sound was distant in my ears, mixed with the slight ringing that filled the silence around me, it was apparently loud enough for the door to burst open wide. I winced at the sudden noise, but the surprise was quickly replaced by relief when the man himself crouched next to me, unannounced. My eyes were still closed, but his scent was unmistakable. The warmth that followed, although unmistakable as well, was surprising.

‘Good night, Dana,’ he whispered. His voice was uncommonly soft, and the usual sharp edge he wore like a suit was gone. I wondered if, for a second, I had imagined it, because it seemed so foreign to him. But I couldn’t deny that I liked it.

I believed he would have shouted, screamed, yelled at me and my irresponsibility. I thought he would just give me an earful, repeating the same speech like a mantra about safety and trusting strangers. How mad he would have looked, with his eyes sending daggers into my heart and venomous words into my brain. He would’ve repeated over and over how he had been right, and how I had been wrong, and how stupid and reckless I had been and almost had gotten myself killed because of it.

But when I opened my eyes, I found none of that. Gone was his anger and fury. Instead, I was met with a rather compassionate face, with deep lines of worry around his eyes, and his usually-tamed hair falling flat on his head, with strands gracelessly tousled and unkempt.

My fingers twitched slightly as if wanting to reach and fix it for him on their own. But either it hurt too much to move or I was too much a coward to do anything. So, instead, I just lay there, with eyes half-closed, a killing headache, and a nervous heart.

‘Hi.’ My throat was hoarse and it hurt to speak. My voice sounded weak, and I fought the urge to grimace at that. I knew I was weak, and yet, I hated that. Especially in front of him.

‘You gave me –us, quite a scare the other day,’ he coughed lowly, his eyes moving across my face. His pupils seemed to mix with the irises entirely, and the darkness around us created two pools of somber black that were now analyzing every single aspect of my face. I had never felt so naked, yet so alive.

His little slip-up didn’t go unnoticed, but I was too tired to even press him on it. All I could do at the time was frown, and even the movement sent another hard thud to my head. To my dismay, Billy noticed that, and brought his warm palm against my forehead and softly rested it on the skin, careful and caring. Two things I never thought Billy Russo could be.

‘The other day?’ I asked finally after registering his words.

‘At the park.’

I sat there, looking at him. For a second I thought this illusion of Billy would fade, and the anger would come back, but it didn’t. I waited, staring at him, trying not to dwell too much on the way his hand felt on me, and kept waiting, but he didn’t move. It was only then that I spoke for him.

‘The attack.’

He nodded gravely, and I could have sworn a small sigh escaped his lips. ‘Yeah. The attack.’

I frowned again. ‘The other day?’

He took his hand off, and the sudden coolness of the air made me miss his contact, even though it felt refreshing. His existence was a complete contradiction in my head.

‘Yeah,’ yet he didn’t look me in the eye this time. His hands suddenly occupied themselves by pouring water into an empty glass on the bedside table. Recognizing the round shape of the object, I finally realized I was in my bed, back at my apartment, safe and sound.

He carefully brought it to my lips and tilted my head forward, helping me. His hand cradled the back of my head, and with one touch I was hooked. If he felt any affected by it, he didn’t show it. I almost wished he did.

The cold water soothed my aching throat, if only a little, and even though I was still tired, I couldn’t help but ask.

‘How long have I been out?’

‘Three days.’

‘What?’ the shock moved my body upwards involuntarily, but pain flashed in my eyes and my back collided with the mattress rather harshly.

Billy helped me down again, adjusting my bed covers over me as he rechecked my head.

‘You’re fine, Dana. Just… go to sleep, alright? We’ll talk when you recover,’ he said, standing up again.

‘I thought you said I was fine,’ I couldn’t help myself. He didn’t answer, but instead rolled his eyes. He started walking away toward the door, and suddenly, the prospect of staying alone became unbearable.

‘Wait,’ I called him.

Billy was already walking out when he stopped.

‘What do you need?’

It was so casual, the way he said it. So domestic. So natural. It was scary to think that, behind all that hair gel and money, there was a man. A person. A person I now needed beside me, if only to sleep. I knew that as soon as I closed my eyes, nightmares would plague my dreams. They had been haunting me ever since I closed my eyes three days ago, but my brain refused to wake up. Now I knew they were memories. And I was desperate to make them stop.

‘Could you… stay with me? At least, until I fall asleep?’

He seemed shocked at the question, and before he could refuse, I spoke again.

‘I don’t want to be alone right now, please.’

I winced again, both at the pain and at my own embarrassment. My voice felt as weak as the rest of my body, but I hated being powerless even more in front of Billy. I didn’t know what opinion he had of me, and I didn’t know if I’d ever know, but for some reason, I didn’t want him to think of me as weak. I hadn’t known him for long, but at that moment, in that state, I just wanted, needed, a break. I needed Billy to look at me and not see the desperate and frightened girl I felt at the moment. For once, I wanted to be strong, and I had just blown that away by asking him to stay with me.

But, thank God, Billy sighed and closed the door, leaving the two of us in the dark. His movements were measured and precise as he walked toward me and to the side of my bed, taking off his shoes and placing them by the foot of the table. He didn’t look at me and I didn’t look at him as I scooted over to make room for him. Even though the space wasn’t that big, once he lay down, we both managed to fit next to one another without touching. I almost wish we did.

The silence was deafening. I tried to control my breathing and not move too much, knowing the second I did I’d brush Billy’s arm. My blinds had been rolled down and very little light was coming from the outside, and the thought of not being able to see Billy, despite feeling his warmth next to me, was somewhat bizarre. A battle was raging on my insides, and unfortunately, the pain in my head was the deus ex machina saving the day. Everything still hurt too much: my head, my back, my pride. And yet, Billy made no noise beside me. I wondered whether he had fallen asleep, for it sure felt like hours.

‘Billy?’

Silence.

‘Yeah?’ he finally answered.

His voice was smooth, and I instantly knew he hadn’t been asleep either. This was as awkward for him as it was for me, but he still made the effort. I appreciated that.

‘Why didn’t you take me to the hospital?’

It was probably the stupidest thing to ask, but I felt the urge to keep him talking. At least his voice was something familiar. At least his voice was anchoring me to reality, instead of letting my mind wander and losing itself again.

‘It would’ve been dangerous.’

‘What if I had died?’

‘You’re not dying on me, Dana Jones.’

‘How can you be so sure of it, Billy Russo?’

‘Because they’d have to get through me first. I’m not planning on dying any time soon.’

His words weren’t romantic by any means. They were harsh around the edges, full of implications, just like him. But I liked the way he said them. And I could always blame the raging headache for such nonsense in the morning.

I scooted an inch closer, still without making contact. I rolled on my side, facing him, even though I couldn’t see him. I even heard his faint breaths, a bit rushed and erratic. What was he nervous about?

‘Thank you.’

He took a few seconds to answer again.

‘Don’t mention it.’

‘And thank you for saving my life.’

‘Go to sleep, Dana, you need it.’

‘Alright.’

Silence. It really was awkward, to say the least. Both of us were awake, sharing a bed, and yet, no one talked. It felt like hours, although they definitely were a few minutes. My breathing slowed, and my eyes kept drooping despite my intent of having them open. I couldn’t tell whether Billy was awake or not. And just when I thought he had fallen asleep, he spoke.

‘Goodnight, Dana.’

My lips twitched slightly, and I answered.

‘Goodnight, Billy.’

…

Waking up with a killer headache wasn’t anything new to me. Many times before I had woken up with the remainder of a hungover, with mismatched pajamas and sweaty sheets. Other times, it was a flu, or a migraine, or a simple cold. I wasn’t a sleepwalker by any means, but every night brought an adventure with it. I never knew when, where, or how I’d wake up.

That day I woke up hot, cold, and alone. Again, not my first rodeo. But after realizing the events of the previous night, I couldn’t help the wave of disappointment that flooded my senses. The other side of the bed felt oddly empty, and Billy’s scent still lingered on the pillow. It was the only clue I had that whatever had happened was real. My head still hurt, and my stomach was grumbling like crazy, and despite not having enough strength to leave my bed, I did so with a groan.

The floor was cold under my feet, even though I was wearing pink fluffy socks that definitely did not belong to me at all. I looked around my room with a frown, but everything seemed in place. Taking a quick look at the mirror next to the door, I noticed I was wearing a new set of pink pajamas, matching the socks, as well as a clean bandage across my head and arms. It was quite a spectacle, really, but my hunger got the best of me and with a final sigh, I opened the door and walked out, knowing with every single step that life was about to get a thousand times more dangerous.

Surprisingly, I found Karen sitting by the kitchen, with a mug in her hand and bags under her eyes. Her face lit up as soon as she saw me walk in.

‘Oh, Dana, thank God you’re awake!’ she almost dropped the mug on the counter and stood in front of me.

With tentative arms, she hugged me, and the warmth that came with it had me closing my eyes in enjoyment. It had been too long since somebody had even embraced me like that.

‘Hi,’ I said rather shy.

We were the only ones in my apartment, and I felt grateful for that. I didn’t know what I would have said had Billy been there.

‘How are you feeling?’ her voice was low and soft, a total contrast to Billy’s. She showed genuine care, and maybe it was the concern in her eyes or the worry in her words, but all of a sudden, tears filled my eyes and fell on their own accord.

Karen quickly hugged me even harder, rubbing my back comfortingly as I sobbed into her shoulder.

I didn’t even know what I was crying about. The attack, the shock, the way my life had crumbled in a matter of seconds since Billy showed up at the stairs of my school. The tension, the pain, the fear, all of it was now going down the drain as I let it catch up to me. I lost complete track of time; I just allowed myself to stand there and break down, and Karen’s soothing presence only encouraged me further. God knew how long had it been since I had a good cry, and now it felt like the dam had broken and all the pent-up emotion was exploding in every direction, leaving me more and more empty the longer it went.

But it felt good. I rarely allowed myself to be vulnerable, much less in front of other people. And part of me knew that the downfall was inevitable, so I was glad I was home at least. I certainly wished the situation was different, but my sanity appreciated it nonetheless.

Only after my eyes ran out of tears I dared look up. Karen’s eyes were equally reddish but cupped my face into her hands and looked me in the eye.

‘Are you feeling better?’ she asked.

‘Yeah.’

She smiled. ‘Great.’ She led me to the couch and sat me down, checking my bandages. ‘How’s your head? Does it hurt?’

I shook my head, even though it hurt after crying so much. ‘I’ll be fine. I could use a shower, though. And food.’

She smiled. ‘That’s good. Go take a shower and I’ll make you some soup. Can you stand on your own?’

I nodded. ‘I’m just tired.’

‘Understandable. Go, I’ll be here when you get out. And, Dana,’ she stopped me as soon as I turned around to leave. ‘I’m glad you’re okay.’

I smiled, genuinely. ‘Thank you. For everything.’

She smirked and nodded at me, and I left.

I didn’t want to make the situation any more awkward, and that’s why as soon as Karen resumed to her own devices, I sprinted to the bathroom, quickly hiding there and locking the door behind me. Against better judgment, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and couldn’t help but to grimace at the view. Not only was my hair sticking up in weird shapes and places, but I still had heavy dark circles under my eyes, my lips were chapped and dry, and the skin looked like it needed some more melanin to be deemed healthy. Shaking my head I got in the shower and didn’t leave until my fingers were pruney and begging to be dry once more.

I rinsed my skin once, twice, until it burned. Every time I closed my eyes, memories haunted me. Flashes of red and orange danced before my eyes, followed by deafening noise and terrified yells. New York attacks were nothing new, and I had seen my fair share of violence and injustice before. But this time, I had been caught in the crossfire. It had been entirely my fault, for ignoring Billy’s orders despite promising otherwise. I knew I had always had a target on my back, but, for the first time, it felt real. As selfish as it sounds, I had been directly affected by the chaos that usually ran rampant but silent in the city. And that only angered me. Because today I had been the victim, and I had survived, but deep in my gut I knew innocent people hadn’t. And that it hadn’t been the first time, and it definitely wouldn’t be the last.

At some point during my little stream of consciousness, I heard the front door open. I didn’t need to listen further to know it was Billy. I could recognize his footsteps from a mile away.

With a deep breath I finally got out of the shower and dressed, and, with tentative steps, I exited the bathroom. The warm water had slightly relaxed my tense muscles, and I truly felt better after laying in bed for so long, but mentally I wasn’t ready to face Billy. I wasn’t scared of him, but I didn’t want to have a reason to.

What I wasn’t expecting was to find Billy, Frank, and Karen talking in hushed voices, with Karen close to Billy’s face and an angry frown on her face.

‘Don’t stop on my account,’ I said, reading the room. The tension could be cut with a knife, but I was still too tired and hungry to care.

Their heads twisted in my direction, and their sudden attention had me almost trembling in my place.

Frank stood there with virtually no expression on his face, as he usually did. Karen looked relieved, although something close to resentment emanated from her eyes. And then there was Billy.

It was the first time I had truly seen him since before the attack, and, to my surprise, didn’t look any better than I did. His hair, although freshly washed, wasn’t combed in the meticulous way he usually wore it. His clothes, too, were clean, yet he hadn’t bothered to properly tuck his shirt into his pants, and the laces of his shoes were undone. His expensive blazer lay forgotten by the entrance. And his eyes… they were tired. The creases around them were more prominent, and for the first time, he looked older. I knew he was older than me, but with his cocky attitude and his perfectly-kept appearance, I always forgot. Now, he looked his age, somewhere in his thirties, and it felt like a ton of bricks just hit me in the face at the realization.

When our eyes met, I shied away. I still felt embarrassed about the night before, and I doubted he’d go easy on me after I could stand on my own. I really didn’t want him to be right about Owen, and I didn’t want him to remember me laying frail and cold in my bed. I had the strong urge to disappear, but it was time for me to face the consequences, wherever those led.

‘Hey.’

‘Hi,’ Billy answered. His voice left a tingling sensation in the back of my neck.

‘Are you okay, kid?’ Frank suddenly spoke. His voice, too, was smooth, contrasting greatly with his appearance. He was dressed in his usual dark attire, yet his bulletproof vest and the grip of a gun on his waist were new additions.

I nodded carefully, not even assessing his question. I was in no way okay, but I still had my guard up around them. I wanted to be okay. I was tired of not being fine.

‘Alright, you need to eat,’ Karen interrupted the moment bringing her hands together and led me to the kitchen, where a steaming bowl of soup was waiting for me at the small table. She slid two pills together with a glass of water as I sat down. ‘For the pain. Eat, and we’ll talk later.’

She gently patted my forehead, probably searching for a fever, but her hands were soft and I appreciated it nonetheless. It had been so long since anybody had taken care of me, that I didn’t mind it was a woman I had only seen a couple of times. I still didn’t face Billy, although I could feel his burning gaze on me, but thankfully Karen caught his attention and resumed their previous conversation, as I did my best to swallow and ignore the details they spilled on the other side of the room.

My eyes closed for a few seconds as I took a big breath, hoping to find enough strength to face whatever was to come as soon as I was done eating. I looked at the clock on the wall by the entrance, and it surprised me to see it was noon. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to find, but I welcomed the time. I still had at least half a day to get my shit together, instead of wasting another one drowning in my own misery. But that’d come later. I just wanted to eat the damn soup.

…

I wished the soup would have been endless, because now I was sitting on the couch, with the other three adults looking down at me with varying expressions and hidden emotions. It was silent for a while until Billy spoke.

‘Tell us all you remember,’ he said. Gone was the softness, and his tone reminded me of the same one he had used when we first met, back in the interrogation room at Anvil’s headquarters.

‘Well… I was with Owen…’ I stopped and cringed. I wasn’t looking at him, but Billy suddenly stood straighter when I mentioned his name. ‘And he insisted on getting an ice cream after the museum. So we were at Central Park, and… that’s when everything went to shit, I guess.’

Frank’s face was unreadable, and Karen softly nodded. ‘Alright, no brain damage. That’s good,’ she sounded quite relieved.

‘What did you last see before…’ Billy paused for a second as if it physically pained him to talk. I found it hard to believe that he actually cared about me, but I had seen weirder. ‘Before everything went to shit?’

I took a few seconds as well. ‘I mean… Everything’s kinda blurry. Not like there’s anything wrong with me, it’s just… I mean I was terrified. And things were happening so fast and… I don’t know,’ I tripped over my words.

To my surprise, Frank nodded. ‘We get it. We’ve dealt with these situations way too many times to count,’ he looked at Billy, who shared the same expression. ‘Listen, kid, things are not going to get easier from now on. PTSD is no joke, and if you ever need to talk, we know some good people that can help. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about,’ he even cracked a smile.

It was reassuring to say the least, that these hunks of men struggled just as much, if not more, as I did. But those flashes were all I could see at the time, and it terrified me to think they’d stick with me forever.

‘I really don’t wanna talk about it right now,’ I said, hoping to just stop their conversation. ‘I mean, I appreciate it, don’t get me wrong. But… I just want to deal with all this when I’m ready. I’m still not sure about why things are the way they are so yeah, I guess I just need time.’

The three of them nodded at me. I could tell there were still a thousand things they wanted to say.

‘I do, however, have questions. I don’t wanna deal with my feelings until I know who’s making me feel like this,’ I said, with a lot more confidence than I had. ‘So what actually happened? How did you find me?’

Billy’s POV – Three days earlier

‘Shit.’

That was the last thing I heard from the earpiece before the explosion went off. People were running and screaming all around me, making their way out of the park, as far away as they could. My legs moved involuntarily to the source of the noise, despite better judgment. Dana was there, and that’s all I cared about.

‘Robin?’ I asked, but the static on the other side answered for me.

I picked up my pace, running as fast as I could. From the periphery of my eye, I caught many police cars, as well as my own company’s vans, trespassing into the park, followed by ambulances and paramedics. It didn’t take me long to reach the Great Lawn, my breath stuck in my throat at the sight. It had been almost destroyed, the entire green field. Burnt corpses lay around, their bodies completely unrecognizable. FBI agents were already running after the surviving men, getting lost in the immensity of the park and the echoes of their gunshots.

I looked around in a panic, trying to find Dana. Many trees were burning around me, some of them on the ground after the blast.

‘Dana!’ I yelled, raising my voice over the many sirens that blared around.

I ran along the nearest path, simply guessing Dana and Owen’s possible route from the museum. Maybe fate was on my side, after all, because only a few feet away I found Dana’s body, laying on the ground, dangerously close to a fallen and scorched tree.

I immediately kneeled beside her, pulling her up into my lap, looking over her only to find not a single scratch on her clothes. Only the side of her head was bleeding slightly and seemed to be unconscious because of it, but her heart was still beating strong and steady. Some branches had fallen on her arms as well, but nothing else seemed to be out of place.

I didn’t even have time to sigh in relief. I held her close, feeling the dread of losing her wash over me as I lifted her in my arms.

‘Blackbird, it’s Raven,’ Frank suddenly spoke in my other ear. ‘You there?’

‘Yeah,’ I struggled a bit with Dana’s weight, taking her up in my arms and running across the park, avoiding both people and debris as I followed the direction of Anvil’s medical aid.

‘Is she okay?’ Frank asked as I approached one of the medics by the small ambulance, dropping her carefully on the stretcher. He quickly looked over her, assessing the damage to her side, and quickly cleaning it and putting some bandage over it.

‘I hope so,’ I noticed my hands were trembling, but I couldn’t dwell too much on it.

I only cared that Dana was alright.

Time seemed to go too slowly. Distant gunshots and explosions still resounded behind my back, but I didn’t care anymore. The cops could handle that one. My only concern was the unconscious girl in front of me.

‘She’ll be okay,’ the medic finalized. ‘Just a hit to the head, nothing too serious. She’ll probably be out for a day or so, the shock could have gotten to her. If she doesn’t wake up by the third day, take her to the hospital, they’ll know what to do. She’ll struggle with headaches and sensory overload, most probably, and make sure she has two of these once a day, preferably with a full stomach. Sorry, Mr. Russo, I gotta help the others,’ the young medic said quickly, and after dropping the bottle of pills in my hand, he ran to the next victim.

I could only sigh in relief, quickly taking Dana back in my arms and walking towards my car, making my best to avert the inquiring press and curious bystanders who had reached the park. Dana’s head lolled to the side and into my chest, revealing the earpiece, still connected. I tried my best to ignore the weight of her head in my chest, and the warmth that came with it and spread through me as I finally spotted my car. There wasn’t anybody around, thankfully, and with some difficulty, I placed her in the backseat and drove to her apartment before the police closed the surrounding streets.

Dissociating was my best chance, for I quickly reached her apartment complex, and after a quick scan of the area, I grabbed Dana and took her upstairs. It was my bad luck that had me coming face to face with Dana’s neighbor.

‘Mrs. Bardot! What a pleasure!’ I greeted her with a whisper.

She naturally seemed alarmed at the sight. An unconscious girl being carried by a man.

‘What have you done to her?’ she took big strides to where I stood.

I shook my head reassuringly. ‘Fret no, Mrs. Bardot, she’s asleep. We accidentally had too much to drink earlier on and she’s a bit of a lightweight,’ I lied.

Mrs. Bardot looked unconvinced, and I knew what I had to do. ‘My little sleeping beauty,’ I added, pressing a kiss on her temple. It came out with a lot more emotion than I originally intended, but the weirdest part was that I didn’t feel like I was lying. Not this time.

Dana didn’t stir, and although that preoccupied me, I didn’t let Mrs. Bardot see that. She quickly smiled at the gesture and offered to help me open the door.

‘You two make such a lovely couple. Take care of her, Billy, she deserves it,’ she said as I walked into the apartment. She glared at me for a second before bidding me a good night, and closed the door, effectively leaving Dana and me back in the silence of her apartment.

With a final sigh, I walked to Dana’s room and placed her on the bed. I even took a second to look at her, finding myself wishing the circumstances were different. I fought the strong impulse of tucking her hair behind her ear but reached her nevertheless to take the earpiece off.

My fingers still trembled slightly when I reached for my phone, quickly pressing the ‘call’ button.

‘Karen? I need your help.’

Next chapter

General Taglist: @angiewhoohooo, @azaleaniath, @mishaandthebrits, @celestialcharles, @idohknow

#billy russo x reader #billy russo #billy russo fanfic #billy russo x female reader #billy russo x y/n #billy russo x oc #the punisher #billy russo imagine #marvel #the punisher au #frank castle

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russobaby · 2 years ago

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besitos

Billy Russo x Female OC

Warnings: Sexual implications (?), SFW, 201 Words

A/N: Cutesie lil piece of Billy shenanigans.

“Sweetheart I would really love to make it to the party before the New Year.” She shouts up the staircase.

The stomping of footsteps is heard as Billy bounds down the stairs adjusting the buttons on his suit jacket. He stops one step above her impatient figure smirking down at the unimpressed look she wears. He brings a hand up to her face.

“Whose lipstick stain was it that forced me to go change shirts?” He raises a brow and uses his thumb to wipe the red smudge on the corner of her lip.

A rosy blush blooms on her cheeks and her eyes look down quickly before she’s lifting her chin at Billy.

“Yeah well how hard is it to change a shirt,” She rolls her eyes. “I’ve had to forgo much more important articles of clothing because of you.”

His smirk spreads to a wicked grin as he tugs her closer, his hand inching dangerously low.

“I’ve told you before the solution to that problem is easy,” He begins tugging up the hemline of her dress. “Just stop wearing 'em altogether.”

She scoffs, shoving his chest lightly and heads for the door adjusting her dress while leaving him to follow behind laughing to himself.

#billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo smut #billy russo fanfic #billy russo fic #billy russo fluff #billy russo x female reader #billy russo x oc #the punisher #billy russo x you

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billyrussohaven · 2 years ago

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Red, White n’ Blue Masterlist

Red, White n’ Blue

Billy Russo x FemaleOC

Cowritten with @the-cult-of-russo

Intro - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 -Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13 - Part 14 - Part 15 - Part 16 - Part 17 - Part 18 - Part 19 - Part 20 - Part 21 - Part 22 - Part 23 - Part 24 - Part 25 - Part 26 - Part 27 - Part 28 - Part 29 - Part 30 - Part 31 - Part 32 - Part 33 - Part 34 - Part 35 - Part 36 - Part 37 - Epilogue

#billy russo #billy russo x oc #billy russo fanfic #billy russo fanfiction #billy russo masterlist #ben barnes

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petertingle-yipyip · 2 months ago

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WORLD CLASS SINNER - FRANK CASTLE

seven - bad idea, right?

six // finale // masterlist

Pairing: frank x exodus

Word Count: 6,754

Summary: Beaten but unbroken, Y/N manages to uncover a truth that keeps Frank from falling off a precipice. But as a result, she ends up caught.

You were screaming. Armed officers had escorted you and Frank out of the room and they kept yanking on your arm, pulling you away from Frank. You jerked in their holds, kicking and screaming and throwing every curse word in every language you had. You didn’t care that it made your wound leak blood. You didn’t care how it hurt.

“He didn’t do this! He didn’t hurt me! Let me go! Let me go!” You kept screaming, kept thrashing, until finally one of their grips faltered. The officer made an exclamation about the blood on your arm but you didn’t care.

You hurried to the gurney they were putting Frank on. The adrenaline must’ve crashed and all of his injuries were catching up to him. Yours were threatening to take you down as well, but you pushed through, using all your strength to keep your eyes open. Hands were on your arms again and you yanked hard. Your elbow smacked the railing while an exasperated sigh sounded from behind you. You refused to look, refused to budge, refused to speak. Instead, you took Frank’s hand in yours and willed him to live.

Paramedics talked around you while they loaded Frank. You tried to go with him but a stern hand on your shoulder stopped you. Your head snapped, rage now simmering in your tear-filled eyes, but you knew there was nothing intimidating about a woman crying her eyes out. Brett sighed deeply and gave you a once over. He motioned one of the medics over, said something that you couldn’t focus on, and stepped aside to let you up. You nodded gratefully and sat at Frank’s side.

The paramedic he had talked to came to your side and asked you a question. It didn’t register so when you didn’t answer, she pointed to the various injuries. You simply nodded, allowing her to reposition your body to whatever would be easiest for her to work with.

“Он не может умереть. Пожалуйста, не позволяйте ему умереть. Не он, не сейчас.” You mumbled, but you weren’t exactly sure how quiet you were. (He can’t die. Please, don’t let him die. Not him, not now.)

Was that what Frank felt when you were dying in his arms at the carousel? When you were bleeding out, staining him with the little you had left? When he begged and cursed and demanded you lived? You felt gutted. You had felt guilty enough in the coming days that you had nearly added another name to the death roll of that cursed attraction, but to now know what it felt like, it was almost enough to make you physically sick.

It was all such a bad idea. Going after Billy. Confronting the man from Ohio on your own. Coming back to New York before you had fully settled your head. You never should’ve gone to see Billy, maybe then he would’ve forgotten about everything between you two.

Everything since had happened aggressively fast.

You arrived at the hospital and were taken to two different rooms. An entire team of E.R. staff flocked to Frank, while you had two nurses. It wasn’t important how many caregivers you had, so long as Frank lived. Quick stitches in various places and replacing the gauze you had already bled through were done while your focus was in the next room.

Please, God, don’t take him.

You were mildly surprised you let the thought come as a prayer. You truly were desperate, to turn to an entity that had turned His back on you and, despite having several chances to take Frank, didn’t seem to want him.

Hopefully you don’t want him this time either.

You were so lost in your prayers that you didn’t realize Brett was standing in front of you. Your nurses were long gone, but a prescription for antibiotics was in your hands.

“What?” Your brows furrowed as the hospital around you came back into focus.

“I just need a quick statement.” He repeated but there was something hesitant in his expression, like he knew you weren’t all there.

Clearly.

“Statement?” It was your turn to parrot. “No. No, there is no statement to give.”

“C’mon, Y/N.”

“I need Matt or Foggy before I do that.” You shook your head. You folded the paper and tucked it into the waistband of your skirt. “Call my lawyers.”

“You're not under arrest.”

“I didn’t think I was.”

“Just tell me what you two were doing there.” Brett tried instead. “He was pointing a gun at you, Y/N, but you still want me to believe he’s not the bad guy?”

That seemed to reel you back to reality. The sting of your wounds started to nag at you at the same time.

“He wasn’t going to shoot me.”

“Like he shot those other women?”

“No, something wasn’t right about that.” You confessed. “They shouldn’t have… Frank was looking for Russo.”

“And you?”

“Also looking for Russo.” You nodded.

Brett scoffed slightly but you noticed he didn’t have anything to take down your statement. That conversation wasn’t supposed to be happening, not like that at least.

“Good way to get yourself killed.” He nagged and you refrained from rolling your eyes. “Seems a habit with you.”

“Yeah, well, God doesn’t want me and neither does the Devil.” You shrugged. “Hopefully they don’t want him either.”

“You can’t save this guy, alright? Whatever you think you owe him, you don’t.”

“You weren’t there.” You said flatly but your voice sounded miles away, lost in the memory. “At the carousel. You didn’t see the way Billy looked at me, like I was just something to get rid off. To throw away and not worry about again… But Frank, he wouldn’t leave my side. You may not think I owe him anything but I owe him my life, Brett. How do I repay that?”

“Maybe you don’t.” He shrugged. “Man’s got a rap sheet that can cover the globe. That’s not the kinda guy you need to run around with.”

“You’d be surprised the company I keep.” You pushed off the bed and groaned as your leg buckled slightly, fresh pain throbbing in your stitched wounds.

They’d be healed by morning, whether your body’s doing or yours.

“You shouldn’t go till the doctor discharges you.” Brett tried.

“I’m not gonna sit around and wait for some guy in a coat to tell me I can leave.” You countered. “The nurses did their jobs. They’ll bill my insurance. Everyone still gets paid.”

“Y/N-“

“No.” You said firmly. “You say I don’t owe Frank anything. You don’t owe me anything so stop trying to protect me. I was FBI SWAT and before that, something worse. I’m fine.”

“Okay, clearly you need a concussion eval because there’s something going on.” He complained. “Stay put. I’m finding a nurse for you.”

You blew out a sigh and watched him go. Once he disappeared down a hallway, you left. You wandered the emergency area, peeking into rooms until you found Frank. You couldn’t and it made a hole in your gut. You cursed yourself and then found a small collection of nurses, muttering about having treated the Punisher and how they were glad he had moved to another unit.

You found your way to the hospital gift shop and were able to get a clean shirt and shorts. The lady at the register, after her eyes flicked to every stitched wound and shadowed bruise she could see, said she would add it to your existing bill. She reached over to scan the bracelet and sent you on your way. You changed in the closest bathroom and decided to take the long walk to your apartment.

When you got there, you took a warm shower. You felt the remaining blood washing away, soaked your hair and scrubbed it firmly. You wanted to stay in the water, to pretend there was no war against Billy outside your apartment. Pretend the man from Ohio wasn’t hunting you as well. Pretend there wasn’t a terrified teenage girl counting on you. But you knew that your apartment wouldn’t be safe forever.

So you got out, finished getting ready, brought yourself to tears forcing the slashes to heal, slipped the stitches that were still wet with blood, and left. You wore a short sleeve compression shirt with your vest over it. You hid it all under a loose fitting button up and blazer. You clipped the badge to your waistband on one side and slipped your gun into the back of your belt. You slipped a small switchblade into your pocket and grabbed your purse before returning to the hospital, almost as a whole new woman.

“Sorry, ma’am.” The posted officer said easily, stepping in front to block your path. “Hospital staff and police only.”

“I’m with Nelson and Murdock, Castle’s legal team.” You countered and went to pass. He stepped in front again and your head cocked in annoyance. “What do you want, my Bar license? I have a right to see my client.”

“Sorry.” He shrugged. “Strict orders.”

“Hmm.” You nodded, tongue pushed against your cheek. Your eyes flicked to the name pinned to his chest. “How about now, Officer Smith?” You shifted your blazer to show your FBI badge.

“I could also pull out the Sixth Amendment from the Bill of Rights. Neither my bureau nor your precinct can deny a person legal representation. Due process and all, but hey, this is great grounds for a mistrial.” You continued, a shrug of your own. “Or I could just have your badge now. Your choice.”

“Alright, just go.” He groaned and waved you on. As you passed, he muttered something about the second ‘know-it-all bitch’ to come for Castle.

Karen beat you to it then.

When you stepped inside, Karen was sitting silently in the closest chair.

“Y/N…” She gasped and sat a little straighter.

You were suddenly thankful you had taken care of yourself before you came.

“It’s good to finally see you.” She continued.

“Right, well, things have been busy.” You nodded and went to Frank’s other side. You slid off your blazer and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m just glad he’s alive.”

“Well what about you? Are you okay?”

“Fine.”

“Does um- Does Matt or Foggy know you’re back?”

“They saw the news about the ReadyQuick check place.”

“I know they’d love to-“

“I didn’t come back for a reunion, Karen.” You sighed.

It wasn’t fair to be mean to Karen. You knew that and you knew you should apologize. There was too much going on that she didn’t know that had your focus. Amy. Billy. Frank. The man from Ohio. The bounty on you all. There were pieces that you weren’t even sure how or if they fit anymore. Dinah. Dr. Dumont. Curtis. Your mind was too busy, too locked in on your mission, to worry about pleasantries.

“I came back because he needed me.” You looked at Frank. “Because he and…”

You knew Karen was trustworthy. She had kept your secrets until she physically couldn’t anymore. She kept Matt’s secret, even in his alleged death. She kept Frank’s in his. But telling her about Amy felt more vulnerable than anything. Instead, you trained your eyes on the cuffs around Frank’s wrist. You wondered if the pins in your hair would be enough to trigger the pins and release them.

“Y/N, what the hell happened?” She asked and the fear in her voice didn’t go unnoticed. “I saw the news.”

“Billy.”

“Did he… Did he see you two coming?”

“Don’t.” You sighed.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t get involved this time. Look at what it did to him, and you don’t even know what it did to me.”

“She’s right.” Frank murmured and you felt the relief roll through you. He wouldn’t look at her, barely even looked at you. “Walk away, Karen.”

“What? You two think you can scare me off that easy?”

“It’s not about scaring you.” You sighed. “It’s about keeping you alive.”

“I don’t think you want me to go.” She shook her head and stood.

You sighed and got to your feet. You angled your body so you could face them both and you kept a hand on the side rail.

“It’s a tough situation.” She continued and you raised a brow. “But nothing we haven’t dealt with before. We just have to figure out what to do about it.”

“What to…” Your brows furrowed and you took a few tentative steps forward. Karen shifted but didn’t move. “Karen, we don’t do anything. You think there’s a firm in this country that can do anything? We’re fucked on that front.”

“I did it.” Frank said quietly.

“Shut up.” You said sharply.

“I killed three women.”

“Shut up!”

“Why?” He scoffed and you turned quickly. “You’re not gonna fix this. Neither of you are. What you’re both gonna do is turn around and walk out that damned door, alright? You’re gonna get as far away from this and from me as you can.”

“Look me in the eyes and tell me to go.” You threatened. “I dare you. I’m not leaving until you actually have the audacity to pull the trigger on me.”

Karen went back to her seat and took a gentler approach. “It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

“It should.” He said quietly.

“It doesn’t.”

Was that what you and Matt looked like, when you were practically begging for him to hate you for what you’d done? You could remember the way his expression shifted everytime you brought up the blood on your hands. He had cringed, not at what you had done but at what you thought you were. He never thought you the villain and you would never understand what you had done to deserve that. Something in a past life, maybe, but when you stood and watched Frank bully himself for something you weren’t convinced happened, you knew he deserved that same treatment.

You didn’t see bad in Frank. He had done admittedly bad things, illegal things, but you were no better. Call it whatever name, you and Frank were still soldiers, trained to fight whatever war found you. This wasn’t one you’d let him fight alone.

You all sat in silence for a little while. You played the scene of that night over and over, trying to picture the wounds on the women, but so much had happened so fast. You hadn’t gotten a good enough look. You couldn’t say for absolute where the bullets came from but you were willing to bet it had nothing to do with Frank. It was something Billy did. You were sure of it. But how the hell were you going to prove it?

After a long while of silence while Frank tried to sleep off his injuries some more, Karen spoke.

“What about you?” She asked carefully.

“What about me?” You replied tightly.

“If this is what happened to him, I can only guess how you were hurt.”

“Few slashes, bullet graze, more bruises than anything.” You shrugged and thought of the deep purples and blues that covered your body from your fight against the Ohio man. You wondered how much was still there. “I wasn’t wearing anything so he made sure to take the brunt of it. Most of it just hurts from before.”

She nodded and you could see she wasn’t sure how to segway into what she wanted to talk about.

“There’s a reason I haven’t seen anyone.” You said plainly. “This fight with Billy and-“ You shook your head. “It’s too much to risk to see them.”

“Would they make that choice?”

“I know Matt would, and he’d also agree that Foggy doesn’t need to be dragged into this either. You’re the only one insisting.”

After that, you went to get a coffee from the cafeteria. You had to argue your way back into the room when a new officer was posted, but the flash of your badge and your ID let you through. When you got back to the room, you stayed out of sight for a moment while you listened.

Frank was awake, telling the full story of the carousel. He mentioned the way his kids looked at him and you could hear the pain in his voice, feel it crawling under your skin and freezing your veins. You shivered and the warm drink in your hand felt as if you had pulled it from the fridge.

The blue fog in the room was growing thicker with every word, making it harder for you to breathe. Tears you hadn’t realized were building fell down your cheeks and you had to take a few shaky, labored breaths before you managed to find control of yourself and your powers. You knew you were growing more tired and in turn, your abilities were more sensitive, but you’d expected to break down over your inability to be done with Billy, not the Castle family’s tragedy.

You came fully into the room and wiped at your eyes with your sleeve. You set the coffee on the far table and sniffled slightly. Karen looked at you with her own tears forming and Frank’s eyes were glassy as well. You knew there was nothing to say about his family so you didn’t. While you were thinking of something, anything, to try to explain your theory, the door opened and a nurse’s cart was pushed in.

Your head snapped and your hand went for the switchblade. As your fingers found the metal, the “nurse” turned out to be Amy. Frank grumbled in annoyance and you laughed in relief.

“Thank God.” She sighed with a smile and you smiled back, but then her suspicious eyes latched onto Karen. It almost made you laugh. “Who are you?”

“Easy, killer.” You teased.

“I’m Karen Page and I’m guessing you’re not a nurse. Who are you?” Karen answered, taking a defensive stance in front of Frank.

“Nobody. She’s nobody.” Frank answered.

“Hey.” You snapped and glared at Frank, who purposefully looked away from everyone.

“Yeah, I’m the nobody that came to get you out.” Amy answered and went to the cuffs opposite of Karen. You shook your head with a small, amused smile before following behind her and staying at her side.

She fiddled with the locks before Frank tried to snatch his arm away. You grabbed his wrist purposefully and sent a flare of anger towards your palm, enough that he groaned and offered you a glare of his own. Amy explained to Karen the bounty on all of you when Dinah Madani walked in.

“Fucking hell.” You muttered, turning to the woman and crossing your arms.

“Gang’s all here.” She said in greeting.

“What do you want, Dinah?” You asked sharply while Frank insisted on Amy being taken away and protected.

Karen and Dinah went back and forth about the situation and Amy. You didn’t intend on stepping in, given both women had a right to be annoyed with so much that they didn’t know, but a snide comment about Amy’s sticky fingers made you.

“Okay, you know what.” You commented loudly. “She may be a little klepto, but if you’ve got a problem with anyone in this room, you can take it up with me. You don’t get to sit on a high horse anymore, got it?”

“You really wanna do this now, Y/L/N?”

“You say that like I need backup to knock you on your ass.”

“Not like you fair well without it.”

“Look at that.” You smirked. “All it takes is you getting shot in the head and a skeleton out the closet for you to grow a backbone. Tell me, again. Who was the one that actually drew blood from Russo?”

“Enough.” Karen tried but that didn’t stop the hand that was already on its way to your pocket. “Why are hitmen after you?”

“It’s a long story.” You snapped, not looking away from Dinah.

“And she’ll tell you when you get her and the kid outta here.” Frank continued and you scoffed. “You know I’m right, Y/N. It’s not safe for any of you to be here.”

“I don’t need safe.” You argued over your shoulder. “What I need is for y-“

“Can’t you just-“ Amy tried loudly. She came around you and stood in between your standoff with Dinah. Hesitantly, you withdrew your hand and took a step back. “Can’t you wave your stupid badge around and get him out?”

“No.” She said firmly.

Amy turned to you, desperation hiding behind her eyes. “Can you?”

“My badge doesn’t mean shit anymore, kiddo.” You answered sadly. “Otherwise I would’ve had everything cleared by now.”

She let out a loud sigh of frustration and went back to fighting with the handcuffs. “Then someone’s gonna need to help me get him out. Otherwise he dies either way, in here or in jail.”

Karen and Amy began muttering a plan when Dinah stepped aside for a call. You watched her for a moment and the tension in her body gave it away. You snapped your fingers to get the conversation behind you to stop and you snatched Dinah’s phone from her hand. You put it on speaker and Billy’s voice came from the other side.

“…no matter how many cops you surround him with. Are you gonna visit him every day?” The broken man taunted. “Like you visited me?”

You opened your mouth to speak but Dinah beat you to it.

“So why don’t you come here, Billy? Join the party?” She asked.

“Can he hear me?”

“Yes.”

“How’s it feel, Frankie? To be locked up in a cage like an animal? To be confined to a room with nothing but your miserable thoughts to comfort you? Nothing temporary about that pain. It’s like a waking death, like you’re burning in hell… Yeah, yeah, you’re your own devil now, Frankie Boy. And you are no better than me.”

Your head cocked in interest. You're no better than me. Why did that matter to Billy, if Frank was or wasn’t, or even if Frank believed he was or wasn’t?

“You done, Bill?” Frank finally spoke. His voice was cold, distant. Miserable, almost.

“No, you. You’re done!” Billy screamed. “And every day you’ll remember that I’m the one that put you there.”

“But you didn’t.” You spoke up, brows knitting as you remembered that night. “The guys you ran with did more damage than you did…”

“There she is.” He sounded almost proud. You hated that he felt he knew you still. “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’re still at his side. Not like you have anyone else, right? No place in the world. Isn’t that what you said?”

You could feel three pairs of eyes on you. Karen, Dinah, Amy. Frank was still looking at the phone.

“Right.” You agreed tightly. “But you realize that doesn’t bode well for you.”

“Enlighten me.”

“Nothing’s stopping me from burying a knife so deep in your chest it’ll come out the other side.” You threatened. “I can put so many bullets in you that no one would recognize what’s being buried. I’m sure you’d want a closed casket anyway, given those nasty scars.”

He laughed dryly and your empty hand clenched into a fist. “When are you gonna give it up, hmm? I win, Y/N. I win.”

“Not yet. Not until I’m dead.”

The call ended after that. You handed Dinah her phone without looking at her. Instead, you waited for Frank to meet your eyes. He wouldn’t and all it did was deepen the divide you could feel growing between you two.

Frank was punishing himself for those women, but in your bones, you knew it was wrong. That certainty was seering through you, sharper than you had felt anything before. You tried picturing the scene but everything seemed to be missing pieces. Where were the blood

splatters? Where were the entry wounds? Were the women lying in puddles of blood when you found them?

Your chest began to rise and fall quickly and the certainty shifted to something else, something wild. Trying to piece together the missing facts played into the unpredictability that came with Billy’s return and it tightened around your throat. It constricted your chest until you felt you couldn’t breathe.

You slipped out of the room and away from everyone until you made it outside. You took a deep breath and tried to focus, to see through the blurring scenery around you, but you couldn’t. You felt trapped. You dropped to the nearest bench and bent over, putting your head between your knees.

Your eyes closed and behind your lids, gray wisps danced and teased you by creating the outlines of the dead women. If you were alone, you would’ve screamed. Instead, you forced all of it down to your palms. It stuck to the circular scar on your wrist instead. Your other hand grabbed it as you righted yourself and leaned against the building.

Your scar seemed to pulse with the intense emotions but you didn’t know what to do with them. You could turn it to anger but what would you burn? Sadness but what would you cool? Fear but what would the bitter taste change? You let go of your wrist and looked down at it in defeat. Beneath your skin, you saw the rolling waves of gray moving like water. It made you shiver.

“Everything okay?” Karen asked. Your head snapped up and your friend was looking at you with concern in your eyes and Dinah in tow. “You snuck out.”

“Just needed to think.” You shrugged as each woman took a seat on either side of you. “Something’s not right about this.”

“Yeah..”

“Why would it matter to be better than Frank?”

“It’s a game, Y/L/N.” Dinah said firmly. “You know Billy just wants to get back at you and Frank so he’s messing with your head.”

“I can’t stop thinking that it was all planned.” You continued. “The women at Valhalla get escorted out the main room. Why were they in that office? And why did Billy lead Frank there? If he didn’t have the women leave, he would’ve known they were there.”

“There’s a lot about the crime scene that doesn’t add up…” Dinah agreed.

“And Billy calling like that. It means something, right?” Karen looked to you.

“I think so.” You nodded. “If I had just looked closer at their bodies…”

“It’s Mahoney’s case.” Dinah added. “He’s not gonna let either of us in close enough. I know I wouldn’t if it were the other way around.”

“If there is even the slightest chance that Frank didn’t do this, we have to check it out.” Karen urged. “C’mon, Y/N/N, you owe him that much.”

There it was again. Someone saying you owed Frank something. You weren’t really sure if you did or didn’t when it came down to it. Sure, he could’ve killed you when you first met, but it was in his best interest not to. He could’ve let you die at the carousel, but he fought tooth and nail for you to live because it was his vendetta too. He could’ve left you at Valhalla, but he took the beating so you didn’t have to because it was his unfinished business. Yet every time, the first priority seemed to be your wellbeing. Your survival.

“Dinah, you talked to his psych.” You turned to her. “What did you talk about?”

“Just that to understand one you had to understand the other.” She shrugged. “We talked about their differences and how Frank was better than Billy because-“

“You’re no better than me. That’s what Billy said on the phone.” You pointed out firmly. “She knows where he stays and she still talks to him. You gave her exactly what Billy needed.”

“What are you saying?” Karen asked.

“It’s the center of gravity approach. You don’t attack someone directly but you go after what’s most important to them. For Frank, his code. For me…” You rubbed the tattoo at the back of your neck. “It’s the same tactic Fisk used against me. It’s something I used for years. It works, clearly.”

“Frank seemed pretty sure back there.” Dinah countered.

“But it doesn’t feel right.”

“Besides, you know you can’t accuse Krista of aiding and abetting or collusion without proof.”

“You’re on a first name basis now?” You accused and she sighed slightly.

“What if I can get us in the morgue?” Karen offered. “To take a look at the bodies.”

Your brows furrowed for a second before you nodded quietly. She returned the gesture and you both looked to Dinah. Her eyes went between you two in confusion before she sighed and agreed with her own nod. After a moment, you all followed Karen.

She took you to the morgue and introduced you - as FBI Special Agent Y/L/N - to the man at the desk, Ed. You smiled politely and shook his hand, but you were distracted by the man’s lack of shoes. Karen began to convince the man but he was still hesitant.

Before you could work magic of your own, Karen agreed to some unspoken request. You quirked a brow at the man’s giddy response but opted to stay quiet, if only to ensure you didn’t ruin anything. She turned and offered you a tight, uncomfortable smile, and you found some relief in knowing that what she had agreed to was a last ditch effort. You nodded and Ed guided you three to the bodies.

He gave a quick rundown but you tuned his words out. Everything inside the small room seemed to buzz, filling your head with an expectancy that manifested as pressure. No taste, no tingle, no colored mist. Just suffocating, engulfing pressure that felt like it would break through your ribs if you breathed too deeply.

Karen’s voice cut through the buzzing but the words didn’t make it to your ears. You dared to lean in closer, gently prodding near the bullet wounds. Ed reached out to stop you but you batted his hands away. As you palpated the dead woman’s stomach, you felt a twist of nausea. This was still a person, after all. You shook your head slightly and willed yourself to focus, to see past the lost life and find the evidence you needed.

“Gun powder.” You muttered.

“Yes!” Ed’s voice came to you like the ringing of a church bell and you almost winced at the sudden clarity. “The grains of it on her skin means she was hit at close range. Any of these would’ve been fatal.”

“But Castle wasn’t…” You trailed off, gently pining your arms back to your side. “What about the trajectory?”

“Exit wound was straight out, parallel to the ground. Someone stood right in front of this girl and unloaded right into her.”

“And that’s the same with all three?” Dinah asked. Another voice too loud. This time your head cocked and you winced mildly.

“Yeah.”

You pressed your lips together into a tight line to keep the relieved laugh down. You nodded in thanks to Ed before gesturing for Dinah and Karen to cross the room with you.

“Those women were executed.” You said quietly. “Frank didn’t do this.”

“Well, is this enough to convince him?” Karen asked.

“It’d hold up in court.” You nodded. “It has to.”

You and your friends tried to leave but Ed blocked the doorway. He kept his eyes downward, at your feet. You rolled your eyes slightly and had to refrain from kicking him in the shin. He just might like it. He was rambling about some no-so-nice nickname but you simply shoved past him with a quiet apology. You assumed Dinah was quickly behind you but you didn’t look back to see if Karen was with you or holding up whatever bargain she struck with Ed.

You nodded to the few workers on the floor, but you passed the officer that had been posted at the door. He told you about the shift change and to show your Bar ID to the new guy. You didn’t show it, but that feeling of something out of place settled in your stomach. You moved a little faster but the shouts from Frank’s room drove you to a full-on sprint.

You brandished your switchblade as you came up to the door. You threw your shoulder against the man that had Amy pinned to the ground and you two tumbled a few feet before knocking into the wall. You heard Amy’s coughs as she scrambled to her feet, Dinah and Karen talking over each other, Frank shouting for the man to go back to him. You were stuck under the faux officer’s weight and he kept a firm grip of the wrist for the hand holding the switch. You winced as his finger dug into the scar but your free hand scratched at his throat.

Deep red lines followed the path of your nails and he cried out, jerking his head to get away from your reach. His other hand pushed down on your throat and for a second, you were hit with the memory of a fight that felt like a lifetime again. Pinned under a fake officer, hands at your throat, all for someone that was the game changer you needed. Only there was no Man in the Mask coming to your rescue.

You blinked away the memory and turned your head to find your small knife. You wiggled it around in your fingers until you were able to change the angle of your blade. You watched the tip press against his wrist and you jerked your hand, shoving the sharp metal through his skin and bone. The very tip poked out the other side and the man cried out wildly. You slammed a knee upward and connected with either his stomach or his groin but his position faltered and you were able to throw him off. You righted yourself quickly and grabbed his head, slamming him to the floor until he fell unconscious.

“Yeah, thanks for the help.” You wheezed, glaring at Dinah.

Amy kicked the unconscious man with a made up not-quite curse word and you laughed breathlessly. After that, she fell against you and you wrapped one arm around her shoulders while the other hand rubbed your throat.

“What was that, huh?” Amy stepped away and yelled. Your brows raised at the outburst but you said nothing. “You were just gonna let him kill you?”

“What the hell, Frank?” You added, a rasp still in your voice.

“Frank, you didn’t do it.” Karen explained quickly.

“What are you talking about?” He asked tightly, but you didn’t miss that underlying hope.

“They were dead before you got there.” Dinah added.

Frank turned to you for confirmation.

“Exit wounds were straight through. Gunpowder still on their skin.” You nodded.

“But I- We were…”

“I know.” You urged. “It was a setup. I can’t prove this but I know Billy killed them. I thought those ladies were being escorted out before I met with you but they were walked to their executions.”

“You sure about that?” Frank finally met your eyes and the suffocating grip deep in your chest loosened enough for a full breath.

“He wanted to break you. He wanted to take away what mattered most to you and he damn near did.”

“You’re not the monster, Frank.” Karen added gently. “You never were.”

“This is great and all but what is that gonna for us right now?” Amy asked tensely. “That was a cop that just tried to kill him! What’s next, a nurse?”

At that point, everyone began talking over each other. Frank wanted out of the cuffs to kill the cop. Dinah was calling him an idiot. Karen wanted a plan. Amy was looking between everyone like a deer in headlights.

“Just shut up!” You shouted. You saw the white wave roll out of your chest and hit everyone in the room and you immediately regretted the lapse of control. Your power took hold of all four people and settled them to an eerie level of calmness. “Sorry.” You muttered when the glassy look left their eyes and they were in control of themselves again.

“What the hell?” Amy mumbled.

“Give us the room.” You told Amy and Dinah. “Just a minute, okay?”

Hesitantly, they left so you and Karen were the only ones in the room.

“Does that Matt Murdock know you’re here?” Frank asked Karen.

She looked to you and you gave a small shake of your head. Of course Matt didn’t know where you were, just the vague idea that you were in town and stuck in the middle of a dangerous war.

“What does that have to do with this?” She answered. “Come on, Karen.” He sighed. “He’s good. Don’t throw that away for me, either of you.”

“Matt trusts me to make my own choices as to what fight I’m in.” You said sharply as Karen undid the cuffs. “I expected you to do the same.”

“And it killed you last time, didn’t it?” He spat back before focusing back on Karen. “Walk away, Karen.”

She said nothing.

“Look, I know you both.” He began and you rolled your eyes. “You’re brave. You’re strong. But you’re both so goddamned stubborn that you will throw everything away for me and I cannot let that happen.”

You took a step forward but Karen reached for your arm.

“So they can risk everything but not me?” She said then gestured to you. “Not her?”

“Don’t do that, okay? That kid needs me to stay alive. Madani, she’s as batshit and lost as I am. And Y/N?” He locked eyes with you. “Billy beat her so bad her heart stopped. He gets the chance again, no one’s gonna be able to restart it.”

“Да пошла ты.” You spat. (Fuck you.)

Karen continued trying to reason with him but you put your hands up in defeat, letting them fall back against your legs. You began pacing while they talked, registering their voices but not their words. You looked down and noticed she was barefoot, Was that what she agreed upon with Ed? Her shoes.

No wonder they called him Creepy Ed.

“I gotta walk outta here and you can’t do it with me.” Frank said quietly and when you looked back, he was standing a few inches from Karen.

You wanted to give both of them the push they needed, to admit that unspoken thing between them and finally break the tension, but it also felt wrong to do it to friends. You had no problem in college playing up on a new couple’s emotions. Back then it was like your special version of people watching, but it just felt like crossing a line to do it to them. Luckily, the door opened before your power could start reaching.

Karen left first, offering you one questioning look. All you could do was nod. You retrieved your switchblade and wiped it on the officer’s uniform before you tucked it back into your pocket, replacing your blazer to hide your gun. You helped Dinah get Frank to the stairwell while Amy played her role as a nurse to blend into the crowd. Dinah split from you at the base of the stairs and you kept with Frank.

He leaned heavily on you and you were just outside the hospital when Brett cut you off. You cursed quietly while he yelled instructions to drop your weapons. You released Frank so he could drop the cop’s belt and you put your hands up in surrender, slipping your fingers to pull two pins from your hair. The small pieces of metal dropped down either sleeve just before Brett snatched one of your wrists. As he pulled your arms down and behind your back, the pins slid out and landed in your palms. You slipped the thin metal into the latch for the cuffs so they didn’t quite lock while he was muttering about obstruction and how it was only a matter of time before he had to cuff you.

He locked Frank’s other cuff around one of the handrails in the back before he shoved you inside. Frank met your eyes with an apologetic expression but you smiled.

You hadn’t lost quite yet.

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kayhi808 · 2 years ago

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Billy Mine - Act 2.8

The New York sky was dark and grey as we left the Precinct this morning. I had agreed to let Bill stay the night so he was there to drive me in. I was expecting morgue pics but they were mug shots. They already had my statement on file along with witnesses. They didn't detain me. Bill was right. He had everything taken care of for me. Upon leaving the station, I felt sick and relieved all at the same time, but with Billy's strong hand wrapped around mine, I at least felt safe.

The day hadn't cleared up, as I sat in my office, staring at the wet streets below. Bill dropped me off at work & made me promise to stay put until my security came to get me. A knock on my door frame jolts me out of my daydreaming, "Billy," my heartbeat immediately kicks up a notch.

"I thought I'd come & get you myself," walking over to my desk. "You ready?"

"Um...sure." I hurry to gather my things. "Sorry, I didn't expect it to be you."

He leans a hip against my desk, "Disappointed?"

I stopped and looked at him. Is he serious? "Absolutely not." I'm rewarded with one of his smiles. "I'm ready."

Bill quickly escorts me down to the car. His driver waiting to whisk us away. "I spoke to your dad today."

I whip my head towards him, "My dad?"

"He's still my client, Bunny." My heart warms with his endearment. "I had to update him after I took you to work."

"I talked to my mom, too. I told her you came to the station with me & everything was fine. Um, they're returning to the city for a fundraiser this weekend. I'm attending." Billy nods & I hold my breath, "Will you go with me?" Billy doesn't answer right away & I let out my breath, "It's ok. I just..."

"Hey, you know there's nothing more I'd want to do..."

"No, it's fine."

Billy shakes his head, "Bun, if you want me there, I'm there."

"No, tell me what's wrong."

Smiles, "I think we've established that you are more than just a job to me. But, I'm still technically employed by your father & he's a sitting US Senator."

"And your Billy Fucking Russo!" Bill laughs & this time I take his hand to kiss. "I get it. I understand."

"We spoke about that already, too. Since you were going to be with your family, Secret Service will take over your security for the evening. You'll be safe." I rest my head on his shoulder & I feel him drop a kiss on it.

*****

Rain starts to come down as soon as Billy dropped me off at home. I lean my forehead against the cold glass, my breath fogging up the window as I look out onto the Village. I wanted to ask him to stay, but I didn't. If he's concerned about my Dad, there's only one person who'd be able to sway him.

"Darling, twice in one day. Is everything ok?"

"I need help, Mom."

Gone is the light-hearted tone, "Jules? What's wrong?"

"No, I'm sorry! I'm fine. It's not that serious." I take a deep breath & jump in. "I want Bill to come to dad's fundraiser with me this weekend...as my date."

"Juliet."

"I know what you're going to say, but I can't help it. I thought it wouldn't be a problem. It's been 20yrs, but I still feel connected to him."

"He's a cute boy, who grew into a handsome man."

"It's more than that. If all I wanted was a handsome man, they are a dime a dozen. I could easily get one. This is Billy. My Billy." I get up to pace my living room, "Billy was my family before you & dad adopted me. There's a reason we've been brought back into each other's lives again. Mom, I've loved him since I was 3yrs old. I still do. I can't explain it, but I don't want Dad to be mad & hold it against him."

"Did he put you up to this?"

"No! He would NEVER. Which is why I'm talking to you. You remember how I was at Ray of Hope. You remember how much Bill meant to me."

"It was a child's crush." She doesn't understand. I wipe away tears that were falling down my cheeks. "What has Bill said about this?"

"He's ever the professional. I want to ask him to be my date this weekend. And he'll tell me no, unless I can convince him otherwise. He has a successful business & reputation..."

"I'm aware of his reputation. Are you?"

"Him & I have the same reputation. You're always asking about any boyfriends. None kept my interest. You wonder why none of my relationships lasted very long? None of them were Billy. Billy is still the only one I want." There's silence on the phone, from both ends. "Mom, Dad & the Secret Service vetted ANVIL when they were looking for private security detail for me. Dad chose him. Billy is the best. That foster kid who had nothing & no one turned into a good man. Hardworking. Dedicated. Successful.

Sighing, "I'll talk to your father."

"Thanks, Mom."

@idaofinfinity @imagine-a-fictional-boyfriend @e-dubbc11 @snowkestrel @bustlingcrowdsxorxsilentsleepers @russosafehaven @terry2227 @jvanilly @celestialams

#billy russo #billy russo fanfic #billy mine x bunny girl #billy mine #billy russo x oc

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asirensrage · 1 year ago

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Mise en Place - A "choose your own adventure" style fic - Part 3

Fandom: Punisher AU Rating: Mature Pairing: Billy Russo x OC Warnings: Dark!Fic, threats, murder, obsession, swearing, violence, blood, and likely more to be added... Summary: Nadine thought her biggest problem was helping to keep the restaurant she worked at afloat as the neighbourhood starts being bought out from under them. A chance meeting in an elevator with an old fling proves differently…

Notes: There's a lot of violence in this chapter. Heed the warnings. The last vote was a tie so I made the final call. Nadine...uses her knives to defend herself.

Part 1 / Part 2 /

Previously: “What are you doing in my house?” “Waiting for you, Nadine.” He grins and steps forward….

She doesn’t have a lot of options. The door is locked behind her and if she wants to open it, she would need to turn her back on him. She already knows that’s a bad idea.

“Me? Do we know each other?”

“We will,” he says. Her hand moves to her side, drawing out the wrapped cloth bundle from her tote. She grabs the handle that sticks out first. It’s her boning knife. It sits in her hand like an extension of herself. She drops the bundle back in the tote and puts it on the ground before kicking it out of the way.

The man looks at it and laughs. With its long thin blade, it doesn’t look like much but she’s used it a thousand times taking apart different animals in her work. It’s familiar in a way that he isn’t.

“Do you even know what to do with that, girl?”

She shifts it in her hand, trying not to let the comment rankle. It shouldn’t surprise her. Many don’t know what it takes to reach her skill. She ignores the desire to snap back. He’s large and threatening and she reminds herself that he’s just another animal. She’s broken down many, dozens of times before. She’s not going to make this easy for him. Whatever he succeeds in taking from her will cost him.

“You’re a chef,” he says, trying to antagonize her. “What are you going to do? Mince me?”

She shifts her weight, setting one foot slightly behind her. It seems to amuse him further. Nadine’s not stupid. She’s a single woman in the city and has always been seen as an easier target due to her size. She’s taken self-defence classes throughout her years at school. He knows her name. She wonders what else he knows about her.

He lunges forward.

She pivots on her heel, knife sliding against flesh as she moves out of his way. Blood splatters against the floor as he swears, his hand pressing against the sudden wound.

“Bitch!”

She simply turns to face him. She can hear her instructor’s voice in her head: make good cuts, let the knife do the work. She’s not using a saw and should avoid the joints but there are other places to cut, ones that will maximize the damage she can do in the time she has to ensure he cannot attack. Tendons and large muscle groups, kidneys and liver.

He strikes again. He’s not trying to get ahold of her, or do any serious damage. It’s like he’s playing with her to draw this out. Fucker.

She doesn’t manage to avoid him this time, getting the breath knocked out of her sharply as she’s shoved back into the side table by her couch. She nearly goes toppling over it. She forces herself to breathe through the pain. Focus, she can practically hear her instructor say. Think about the step you’re on, not what comes next. The memory is burned into her from the repetition.

She darts forward, ducking under his swing and swipes her knife up. It slides into the soft flesh of his armpit and she can feel it scrape across bone before she pulls it out. The man screams.

It doesn’t stop him though and he uses the moment she needs to retrieve her knife to grab her hair. He yanks it back, taking her with it. She swings the knife down and away from her, catching him on the leg. It slips across and down his inner thigh. He lets go of her hair as he tries to put pressure on the wound. She scrambles back, kicking out and catching him hard in the knee. He falls as she gets to her feet, struggling to catch her breath as she watches the man curse, trying to pull himself away from her.

How long until he bleeds out? She hit an artery based on the amount of blood that’s spreading around him. She’s never going to get her security deposit back now. She laughs a little, wondering if she might be in shock. Her head is swimming. She’s definitely bruised from where she hit that table.

He’s still moaning. She’s never actually had to watch something die before. The animals she worked with were always dead first. Maybe she should call an ambulance…It would be easy, she thinks, to even disassemble the body herself but transporting it would be a pain and she still has no clue why he was here or if he was working alone.

Either way, she needs help.

Where is her phone?

mise en place tag: @muchadoaboutcj @koiwrites @chrissymunson @nageill

general tag: @raith-way @arrthurpendragon @veetlegeuse @chickensarentcheap @residentdormouse @endless-oc-creations @stanshollaand @wordspin-shares @chrissymunson

Billy Russo tag: @wheresthesunshinesblog

#fic: mise en place #ridea's choose your own adventure #choose your own adventure fic #make a choice fic #billy russo x oc #mafia!billy russo #dark!billy russo

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versatileginger · 1 year ago

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HIDDEN | CHAPTER 6

Billy Russo x OC (Ava)

Warnings: Not canon, violence, weapons, stalking (not MMC), murder, everything you'd find in The Punisher universe, no betrayal.

Summary: Billy meets someone that piques his interest. Did he mention she carries a knife?

A/N: Hello lovelies! I hope you enjoy this chapter. As of now I'm looking for a beta reader!

As the sun paints the sky with hues of dawn, Ava stirs from her slumber, greeted by the soft glow filtering through her curtains. She gently rubs away the remnants of sleep from her eyes, the warmth of the morning seeping into her room. With a sense of anticipation, she reaches for her phone, finding a message waiting for her from Billy.

"I’m looking forward to our date tonight." it reads. Ava can't help but smile as she types a playful response, teasing him about his chopstick prowess. While she waits for his reply, she heads to the bathroom, the cool tiles under her feet contrasting with the warmth of the morning. The subtle scent of her vanilla soap mingles with the freshness of the morning air.

Engaged in the morning routine, the rhythmic brushing of teeth becomes a familiar melody, accompanied by the distant sounds of birds beginning their day outside her window. A notification buzzes on her phone, and there it is—a quick-witted reply from Billy: "You think I would have proposed sushi if they weren’t?"

Ava slips into her comfortable fitness attire, a seamless blend of style and functionality. Eager for some fresh air and exercise, she steps out, her brisk walk unfolding under the open sky. The rhythmic beat of her sneakers against the pavement creates a harmonious cadence as she immerses herself in the invigorating energy of the outdoors. Along the way, she decides to treat herself, concluding her walk with the simple pleasure of a delicious sandwich, a well-deserved reward for both body and soul.

Seated on a weathered bench in the lively park, Ava unwraps her sandwich, taking in the savory scent and the bustling scene around her. A cute mother duck waddles by with her ducklings, prompting a genuine smile from Ava. As she continues to enjoy her sandwich, her thoughts turn to Billy, appreciating the warm feeling of being wanted and the joy of his companionship.

Her thoughts linger on the playful banter, the teasing glances, and the shared laughter. Her heart flutters at the memory of how, when Billy playfully flirted, she couldn't help but blush, and when she returned the favor, she could see the same rosy hue coloring his cheeks. It was a delightful dance they had mastered, each move leaving them both grinning like conspirators in a shared secret.

Finishing the last bite, Ava stands up, discarding the wrapper. The park, now bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun, becomes a picturesque backdrop for her leisurely walk home. The echoes of laughter and the rustling leaves accompany her, a gentle soundtrack to the simple yet beautiful moments that have colored her morning.

As Ava steps through the threshold of her home, putting them in the shoe rack. She turns on the tv to have some background noise, a low hum of information blending into the cadence of her domestic tasks

‘’Breaking news just in; In a daring feat, The Phantom Cartel intercepted a truck loaded with weapons, seamlessly vanishing into the shadows with their illicit bounty. Authorities find themselves floundering in the wake of this operation, grappling with the challenge posed by an enemy shrouded in mystery—dressed entirely in black, faces concealed, leaving no trace for investigation. This is Tracy Morgan and stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding saga.’’

Ava sighs as she surveys the kitchen counter. It's a mess, with clean dishes piled high and crumbs scattered everywhere. She grabs a sponge and some cleaning spray and gets to work.

She wipes down the counter, one swipe at a time. She doesn't mind the mindless repetition. It's a chance to clear her head and focus on something simple.

She moves on to the dishes, scrubbing them clean and stacking them neatly in the dishwasher. She takes her time, enjoying the feeling of accomplishment as she completes each task.

Finally, she wipes down the cupboards and sweeps the floor. The kitchen is now clean and tidy, and Ava feels a sense of satisfaction. She's not sure why she enjoys cleaning so much, but she does. It's a way to make her space feel more organized and in control.

Feeling accomplished she heads to the quietude of her bathroom, Ava engages in a cherished moment of self-care. The shower, a haven of warmth, becomes a retreat from the external clamor. Choosing her vanilla-scented body wash, transforming the act of cleansing into a sensory delight. The rich lather, coupled with the comforting aroma of vanilla, creates a cocoon of tranquility within the shower's embrace.

Turning her attention to her hair, Ava reaches for a conditioner with a gentle, invigorating scent. As she applies it with deliberate strokes, the routine transcends into a mindful ritual. Fingers weaving through her locks, she becomes attuned to the soothing cadence of the water. The shower, now an interplay of warmth and fragrance, affords her a brief respite—a moment to recalibrate amidst the demands of the day.

Ava steps out of the shower and wraps herself in a towel. She dries off her hair and then uses a blow dryer to style it. She curls her hair to add some volume and bounce.

Once her hair is dry, she applies some light makeup to accentuate her features. She puts on some foundation, concealer, and mascara. She also applies a light blush and lipstick.

Completing her makeup ritual with a satisfied flourish, Ava gracefully glides towards the living room, reveling in the pleasing orderliness of her space. The clock's hands inch towards eight as she adds a delicate touch of perfume, the final embellishment to her evening ensemble. Just as the fragrance delicately settles, a timely doorbell chime resonates through the room, punctuating the tranquil ambiance.

With a knowing smile, Ava deduces that her awaited guest, Billy, has arrived punctually.

Opening the door she is met with a dark figure. Before she can even acknowledge the presence she is pushed inside. suddenly she feels weird and everything goes black.

A gentle warmth graces Ava's face, the initial sensation seeping through the fog of unconsciousness. Attempting to pry her eyes open proves futile; the radiance that greets her is almost blinding, exacerbating the already pounding ache in her head.

"Ava? Ava? Fuck..."

The urgency in the voice pulls her into a heightened state of awareness. Suddenly, she's in motion, cradled by firm, reassuring hands beneath her knee and against her back. Despite the pain that continues to grip her mind, a realization pierces through — she's being carried.

"I could just close my eyes a bit longer, right?" she muses inwardly.

And in that moment, she surrenders to the lull of darkness once more.

A cool, damp touch on her lips prompts Ava to sip, an unexpected rush of thirst compelling her to indulge.

"Easy, easy," a familiar voice cautions. "Don't drink too fast, or you'll get nauseous." She recognizes that voice. B-Billy? "Thank god," she hears him murmur. "Can you open your eyes for me, sweetheart?"

Slowly, she complies, eyelids parting in response to his gentle encouragement. "That's it," he whispers.

Fully awakening, she surveys her surroundings. This is unmistakably not her apartment. Everything appears meticulously arranged, a stark contrast to the disorder she anticipated. Not a single item seems out of place, except, perhaps, for herself.

"What happened?" she inquires, seeking Billy's gaze. His eyes are already fixed on her, unwavering.

As her eyes meet his, questions hang in the air, waiting to be unraveled.

"When I arrived at your door, it was already slightly ajar. Opening it, I discovered this dark figure standing over you. He heard me approaching and hastily fled through the window. God, Ava, I was so worried," Billy recounted, his concern etched across his face.

"Observing that you had no head trauma, I surmised you might have been drugged. That's when I decided to bring you with me to my apartment. I had my friend Curtis check you over. He assured me you're in the clear, probably just out of it. Curtis advised me to let you sleep it off," Billy explained, his voice a mix of relief and lingering worry.

A thousand thoughts race through Ava's mind, each one trying to catch up with the chaotic events that unfolded. As she gazes at Billy, she notices the disheveled state of his hair, evidence of the evident distress he must have felt.

"How are you feeling?" Billy inquires, his hand holding hers for reassurance.

"Like I've been run over by a truck," she replies with a light laugh, only to wince as the throbbing in her head makes itself known once more.

"Any idea who it was?" she presses Billy for answers.

"No," he admits, his gaze momentarily distant. "They left the moment they heard me. All I could make out was a figure clad in black." Unwilling to disclose the unsettling details, Billy decides it's best to keep from Ava the connection between the mysterious figure and the group he and Frank had been tailing.

MAIN MASTERLIST HIDDEN MASTERLIST CHAPTER 7

#billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo fanfic #billy russo imagine #frank castle #billy russo x oc #billy russo x female oc #billy russo masterlist #versatilegingers masterlist #versatileginger writes #the punisher #ben barnes #ben barnes masterlist

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maralisa124 · 1 year ago

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Hi people there was this Billy Russo story that I am searching for it was one that the girl was Rawlins daughter and she was disowned by him after her mothers death. She was also a marine and after deployment she became addicted to heroine. She was also Karen’s friend. If you tell me I would’ve been so grateful because I am going crazy…

#billy russo x you #billy russo #frank castle #frank castle x karen page #the punisher #billy russo x reader #punisher #ben barnes x reader #frank castle x reader #karen page #ben barnes #billy russo x oc #billy russo x rawlins!daughter #rawlins daughter #billy russo x female reader #addiction

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hb-writes · 1 year ago

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Why Do You Care?

Summary: After an argument for the ages, Lenny has decided Billy is an ass and she refuses to talk to him. Billy's willing to fix things and play nice, even if he's pretty sure Lenny's just being stubborn about the whole thing. Maria has had enough of his sister and Billy's bs and decides to intervene, forcing them together to prepare a birthday surprise for Frank.

Characters: Billy Russo & Lenny Falconio (OC)

Request (from 💜 anon): “Where does it hurt?” & “Why would you even care?” For The Punisher pretty please 💜

Content Warnings: A little language.

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

Please take a moment to tell me what y'all think! Reviews and comments are always appreciated. 😌❤️

Calling out was instinctual—a reflex, if anything. That’s what Lenny told herself at least. Just like throwing out her arms to brace her fall, it was an action of the subconscious. It certainly wasn’t a call for help—for Billy's help, especially—but the strangled shout had pierced the silence of the house anyhow.

Lenny hadn’t planned on that, but as she writhed on the floor she got to thinking maybe it wasn’t a bad thing because it hurt like hell—her arm, her hip, her foot, her head. Her whole body, it seemed. Maybe she'd done more damage than she initially thought.

Billy’s quick footsteps echoed across the floor as he approached, audible even though he was a marine. As a rule, the man was unusually stealthy and light on his feet. It was just how he moved, an instinct of his own that usually created a cautious bit of distance between him and the rest of the world because he was somehow able to fade into the background when he wanted to, if he wanted to.

Billy didn't care about any of that here though. He let down his guard a bit at Maria and Frank’s, a place that felt more like home than his actual apartment did, the inherent warmth of the Castle-Falconio household instantly thawing something in him every time he stopped by.

Billy appeared in front of her, a roll of blue party streamers still in his hand, almost as if he hadn't had time to even drop the roll before coming to investigate. Lenny’s words came out louder and faster than Billy's as he asked what had happened.

"I'm fine," Lenny groaned.

The quiet that came after almost made Billy think Lenny hadn't heard his question, but he knew she had—she was just ignoring him. Same as she'd been doing all week, since their argument at Sunday dinner.

And it was fine. Billy didn't really need Lenny to answer the question. The scene before him was clear enough. She was on the floor with one hand wrapped around her ankle, covered completely in white dust, the half-empty bag of flour settled precariously on the counter, threatening to spill more of its contents all over them and the kitchen floor.

“I’m fine,” she repeated. “You can—”

"You’re not fine." Billy lowered himself to the floor beside her. He’d agreed to keep out of her way, had allowed her to banish him to the backyard with balloons and streamers and a happy birthday banner, but that was before she launched herself off of the kitchen counter. "Where does it hurt?"

Lenny scooted away from Billy's hands, hissing as she tried to use her foot to leverage herself backwards.

"I'm fine," she insisted once again, though her breath was unsteady, her eyes watering as the growing ache in her ankle pulsed and throbbed.

"You're not," Billy repeated, his hands both gentle and firm as they replaced her hold around the already swelling joint, his hands cool against her skin. "You're—"

"Why would you even care?"

Billy took a breath, part of him ready to laugh while the rest of him was ready to roll his eyes—all of it borne of frustration. Billy had known Lenny Falconio long enough and well enough to know deep in his soul that she was stubborn as hell, that she wouldn't give in so easily, even with tears in her eyes. "Because I do, alright?" he said. "I care…even when you think I've been an asshole and I think you're being a goddamn brat so just let me help."

Billy saw the instinct to fight him on those points rise within her, but arguing that she wasn't a brat or a kid or whatever else Billy called her almost always only served to corroborate his point, the tone of Lenny's rebuttal and the indignation on her face condemning her as being the exact thing she insisted she wasn't.

"You are an asshole," Lenny offered instead, each of the words pushed out through gritted teeth.

"Maybe I am," Billy confirmed. "And maybe you're stubborn as a mule. Obstinate.” He shook his head, but it was with a bit of fondness, a knowing acceptance of the way she was and always had been for as long as he'd known her. “Climbing up on your sister's counters and nearly breaking your neck when you could've just asked me for help."

Billy was right. Lenny could've just asked him. She had known he was there—banished by her out in the backyard, just through the screen door. She had even thought about it before deciding she could get the flour on her own. She didn't need him or his long-reaching arms. Or at least, Lenny didn't want to need him. She didn’t want to need Billy’s help.

That was the whole point of this standoff anyway, wasn't it?

That Lenny was sick of Billy “helping” and butting in when it wasn't warranted?

When it wasn’t requested?

Lenny had told him as much when he sauntered into the kitchen upon his arrival, offering his assistance, assistance Lenny promptly told him wasn't needed or wanted. She hadn't said it, but she wanted him to mind his own business, to stop caring, the very opposite of what was happening now as his hands continued to cradle her ankle, his eyes full of concern as he watched her.

And Lenny just wanted him to stop, to go back outside and let her ride out the initial wave of pain on her own.

“Maybe we should call your—”

“No!” Lenny shouted, assuming he’d been about to suggest calling Maria or Frank, but the whole thing was supposed to be a surprise for Frank, for his birthday and interrupting them now would only ruin it. As far as Frank knew, spending the day at the batting cages with Maria and the kids was his gift. Lenny had begged off the outing, claiming she had a paper due, promising to make it up to him later in the week, but it had all been a lie.

There was no paper due—Lenny was staying behind to decorate the backyard and to make the cake. And to warm up the dinner Maria had already made and left waiting in the fridge. Lenny had planned to have everything ready by the time Billy and Curtis were scheduled to arrive and they’d all surprise Frank when he arrived back home with Maria and the kids.

That was how it was supposed to go, but then Billy had shown up early, ruining her mood, distracting her.

His surprise arrival wasn't of his own accord, of course. It was Maria who had invited him to come early, insisting Lenny needed help with set up even though everything had been under control.

They both knew Maria and recognized her meddling for what it was—she was just giving them an opportunity to sort things out, to clear the air before they all sat down to a celebratory dinner. Lenny could've taken the opportunity to fix things—Billy had seemed willing—but she hadn’t. Instead, she had banished him to the backyard to decorate while she stayed in the kitchen preparing the food, her headphones firmly in place as she worked.

"We don't need to call them," Lenny mumbled, pushing at the phone in his hand. "My neck's fine."

"Yeah, and your mouth's fine, too, apparently," Billy answered, a smirk on his face for about a second or so before he coughed around the handful of flour that hit his face.

Lenny's flour-covered hand shielded the uncontrollable giggles spilling from her lips as Billy started to chuckle, a hollow and dangerous sort of sound coming out of him as he tried to wipe some of the white powder from his face.

"You think you're funny?" he asked, the seriousness of his tone only serving to make Lenny laugh harder and louder, all of it building until a handful of flour collided with her open mouth.

"Billy!" she shouted, spitting around the word.

"You started it," Billy answered around his laughter as he quickly reached for Lenny, not allowing her any time to fight him as he lifted her in his arms.

"Billy, put me—" Lenny started, cut off suddenly when Billy settled her in one of the stools on the other side of the kitchen island, his hands working to prop her swollen ankle up on an adjacent seat.

"Asshole," she muttered to herself as Billy walked away.

“Here." He pulled out a bag of frozen peas from the freezer and turned to her. "Put this on it.”

Billy tossed the bag across the counter where it slid into Lenny’s lap and she let out a squeal as it made contact with the bare skin of her thighs. “I can’t just put it straight on—”

“Yeah, yeah." Billy moved around the counter again, this time with a tea towel in hand. He took the peas from her, carefully wrapping it before placing it on her ankle. "Here ya go, brat."

"Guess it’s a good thing I was here after all, huh?”

Lenny shrugged. "I would've been alright without—"

"You're unbelievable, you know that?" Billy shot back. "And I guess you're still planning on putting this meal together without my help too? Going to bake a cake with a busted ankle?"

Lenny thought about it, knowing she could struggle through it if she really wanted. It would be a pain in the ass and it would probably do her more harm than good in the end, but she could do it. She could prove her point.

"That's real smart, Len. Real—" Real fucking stubborn was what Billy wanted to say, his frustration flaring once again, a bit of the fondness slipping. Too stubborn for her own good, but she interrupted him before the words could come to his lips.

"You can make the cake," she offered.

"Really?"

"Yeah, you make the cake and decorate and clean up my sister's kitchen, and I'll sit here and supervise."

"Alright, fine." Billy snorted. "One condition though," he said, watching her for some sign of protest, but not quite finding it. "Curtis is coming by early to take a look at that ankle."

Lenny sighed. "Fine," she agreed, the throbbing of her ankle just a bit stronger than her pride. "Go ahead and call him."

"He's already on his way," Billy answered. "I texted him when you were too busy being a brat—"

"You are such an asshole."

"Yeah," Billy answered. "An asshole who cares about you."

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

#the punisher #billy russo fanfic #billy russo x oc #billy russo #lenny falconio #so much for keeping these under 1000 words #june prompts

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