#kastle fluff

[violentdelightsproductions]

KastleWeek

tuesday, sept. 3 | rom com aus | the day of fluff some actual summer fun for these two dramatic, angsty losers. (coffee shop aus, college aus, beach aus, ect.) picture bright and colorful cartoon book covers.

But I can see us lost in the memory August slipped away into a moment in time 'Cause it was never mine And I can see us twisted in bedsheets August sipped away like a bottle of wine 'Cause you were never mine 'Cause you were never mine, never mine Back when we were still changin' for the better Wanting was enough For me, it was enough To live for the hope of it all

@kastlenetwork

[elen-tari2]

Down Bad

For @kastleexchange

***My contribution to the Kastle Exchange: Born Again Week. Prompt 3 "Who We Are" is to think of lines and scenes that define the characters and consider how they may be revisited in the upcoming DDBA. This is what happens when my brain decided to throw in a bunch of Taylor Swift lyrics into my fic, predominantly from the song "Down Bad" but other references abound. But don't be off-put if you're not a Swiftie-- hopefully it is tastefully done!***

Teaser:

Sometimes it made her heart clench with loneliness. Other times, it pissed her off. That he had saved her life so many times and then abandoned her. Supposedly for her own safety. Despite the fact that she had never felt more safe than when she was with him.

Today was one of those days. She was pissed off. Not just at Frank, but at herself because she just couldn’t let it go. Couldn’t give him up. That her body still screamed that she needed to be in his presence. She knew what Foggy and Matt would say. Hell, even Dinah, who was probably the closest to being able to read her heart, would think she was nuts.

Karen Page was down bad in love with Frank Castle. She turned up the volume on her playlist and ran faster on the treadmill.

Please enjoy the rest on AO3:

[leahkenobi]

hardcore bf material.

[hauntlikeaghost0]

dk if anyone’s seen those tiktok’s of that person making coffee for builders just to see them use their dainty little tea cups

but i can’t stop thinking of that with frank castle.

this big scary buff murderer sipping out of readers tiny little pastel tea cups. how he’s capable of such voilence but has to stand there holding it so delicately

frank leaning up against a kitchen counter, so imposing, grasping this fragile pink china in his large hands

ugh i can’t

[aiobhlin]

A short little one-shot that developed out of a much longer work that I've almost finished for these two. It didn't fit in the big story, so I made it its own, smaller story. I hope you enjoy it!

Many thanks to the lovely @garglyswoof for the beta!

[number-1-kuaidul-fanboy]

Ice Cream For The Ice Queen

Surprise! I ship Rio/Trey! Or Michael as I call him in this because that's the easiest name to use in writing. Fanfiction below the read more, AO3 link if you prefer:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50793400

Description: Michael and Rio get ice cream together. Totally just as friends.

“Hey…” Michael’s voice was small as he entered the living room, spotting his two older brothers on the couch. He placed his backpack on the ground before asking, “Chris, Thomas… Can I um… can I have some money?”

“What’s the money for?” Chris asked, not looking up from his phone.

“Ice cream,” Michael answered, stepping closer with pleading eyes.

Chris sighed, digging through his wallet for a few moments before handing a small stack of yen.

Michael counted out the slips. “Oh uh…”  His voice was small and hesitant. “I need a little more than that actually.”

Chris raised an eyebrow. “That’s just enough for one cone, isn’t it?”

“Has the price gone up?” Thomas butted in, leaning forward on the couch. “Or…” He smirked. “Are you getting ice cream for a friend?”

“I…” Michael  let out a sigh. He’d already been caught, no point lying now. “Yeah… I… offered to buy ice cream for Rio and I.”

“Ooooh!” Thomas shot to his feet. “Mikey’s got a girlfriend!” he teased, ruffling his younger brother’s hair.

“Hey!” Michael ducked and shooed his brother away with a grunt. “I do not!”

Even as he said it though, his face flushed at the memories of Rio calling him the sweetest guy she knew when they hung out with their friends or ate lunch together in the cafeteria.

Chris chuckled into his hand. “About time you asked that girl out. You’ve had that crush on her for weeks.”

“I-it’s not a date!!” Michael exclaimed. “I just asked her if she wanted to get ice cream together after school. I never imagined she’d actually say yes but I never said it was a date so it’s just a friendly thing in her eyes- and mine too! She and I are just friends.”

Thomas rolled his eyes. “And you’ll stay that way unless you tell her how you feel.”

“Fine by me. I like being friends with Rio. I don’t need more than friendship. So…” Michael held his hand out expectantly. “Can I have that money for another ice cream, Chris?”

“Sure.” Chris handed Michael another stack of yen, just enough for another ice cream cone. “Have fun on your date.”

“Thanks…” Michael turned away, pocketing the cash. “Still not a date though.”

“Would be if you weren't a coward!” Thomas called after Michael as he pushed himself out the door.

Michael rolled eyes but didn’t retort. He simply closed the door behind him and hustled back to school ground, heading toward the bench outside where he’d agreed to meet up with Rio. Sure enough, the blue-haired girl with impeccable style was on that bench looking through her cards.

“Hey, Rio,” Michael greeted with a wave.

Rio looked up from her cards, a smile instantly forming on her face. “Hi Three!” she greeted, shuffling her cards back into her deck.

“Sorry I took so long. Had to swing by my place to ask my brothers for money. Are you ready to go get ice cream?”

“Yeah.” Rio hopped to her feet.

Michael was about to start walking when Rio grabbed his hand, charging forward. He yelped and quickened his pace. If not for her holding his hand, he would’ve fallen behind almost immediately. Thankfully, she slowed down after a bit. Michael avoided Rio’s gaze, his face reddening as he fully took in the fact that she was holding his hand, and that her hand, despite being really cold, was also quite soft…

“So uh…” Michael tried to fidget with the hand Rio was holding and ended up rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. His breath caught in his throat but he forced himself to continue. “What flavour are you gonna get?” he asked, turning to her.

“Hm?” Rio looked at him, confused.

“Um… I uh…” Michael could barely think as he gazed into her eyes. “I asked what flavour of ice cream you like. I personally like strawberry.”

“Well… I’ll get blue raspberry if they have it. That’s my favourite, but it can be kind of hard to find. So I usually just get vanilla.”

“Blue raspberry, huh?” Michael tilted his head to the side. “I don’t think I’ve heard of that.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s just rare,” Rio shrugged, letting out a sigh. “It’s made from blue raspberries.”

“Those are a thing?”

“Think so,” Rio broke into a chuckle as she added, “Unless I’ve been lied to all my life.”

Michael chuckled into his hand. He couldn’t think of a response as his gaze was suddenly fixed on Rio: her flowing blue hair, her big pink eyes, and that smile, usually so fierce and competitive when they duelled, now soft and contented.

“Hey?” Rio waved her hand in front of Michael’s face. “Earth to Three, you in there?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.” Michael let out a chuckle to hide his nerves. “Sorry. Just… I couldn't think of anything else to say.”

Rio snorted with laughter. Michael and Rio both came to a stop when they finally reached the ice cream truck that had parked off the side of the road.

“Hi.” Michael walked up to the truck, digging through his pocket to retrieve his yen. “Do you have blue raspberry ice cream?”

The man behind the counter nodded. “I do.”

“Yes!” Michael cheered to himself before going on. “One blueberry raspberry for Rio. And I’ll take a strawberry one.” He slid the yen onto the counter, smiling and silently hoping he had enough to afford the two ice creams.

The man counted out the cash. He slid the cash into a drawer and began scooping pink ice cream into a cone. Then blue ice cream into another.

“There you go,” he handed the two of them their cones.

“Thanks sir!” Michael instantly took his cone in both hands, licking up a bit of ice cream.

Rio meanwhile took a bite of hers. “Want to find a place to sit?” she asked through a mouthful of ice cream.

Michael stared at her in horror. Not because she was talking with her mouth full, not because she was the prettiest most talented girl Michael had ever seen, but because she had <i>bitten</i> into <i>ice cream</i>.

“Sure.” Michael’s voice trembled as he answered.

“Great!” Rio slid her fingers into Michael’s hand, prying it free from his ice cream cone as she tugged him again. “That fountain should do!”

Michael simply let Rio tug him along toward the fountain in question. She released his hand, sitting on the stone edge of the fountain and taking another bite of ice cream. Michael sat beside her. Beside them, the water of the fountain produced the most soothing sound as it flowed from the centre into the pool below. Michael watched it with a smile as he licked his ice cream.

“It’s so pretty,” he sighed, “The fountain I mean.”

“Yeah…” Rio turned to the fountain as well. Then a smirk grew on her face and she plunged her free hand into the water.

Michael raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

“Fishing for coins!” Rio answered, flipping around so that her legs were now submerged in water too as her free hand slid around at the bottom of the fountain. She scooped any coins she found onto the fountain beside her.

Michael blinked. “But… isn’t that stealing?”

“Sh.” Rio shushed him, pressing her finger to his lips. “People threw out these coins willingly so clearly they had change to spare.”

Michael bit his lip. “I… I guess…”

He watched Rio fish for coins for a bit before deciding to join her. Keeping his eyes on the ice cream he was licking up bits of, Michael slid his hand around in the water, either flicking coins towards Rio to scoop up or taking them in his fingers and placing them beside him.

Rio scooted closer as she fished, her face suddenly pressing up against Michael’s shoulder. Michael froze up, his eyes wide. Rio’s hair was brushing against his cheek and her head moved up and down against Michael’s shoulder, as though she were intentionally nuzzling it.

Michael let out a squeak. “U-uh… Rio…?”

“Yeah?” Rio sat up, holding a pile of coins in her free hand. She met his gaze with a smile.

“U-um… nothing… nothing…”

Rio shrugged and went back to fishing for coins, her face on Michael’s shoulder again. Michael didn’t bother fishing. He just looked at the fountain and leaned further into Rio. She let out a small chuckle. Right as Michael looked at her, Rio leaned closer and licked Michael’s ice cream.

“Hey!” Michael exclaimed, yanking his ice cream away.

His movement was so sudden that he flopped backwards toward the water. Rio’s hand surged out to grab his shirt just in time. She stared at Michael, whose hair and back were being lapped at by the surface of the water while his one arm stretched out to hold his ice cream cone as far away as possible, before suddenly bursting into laughter. Rio tugged him out of the water, making him squeak.

“Th-thanks!” Michael exclaimed, shifting to sit up properly.

Rio nodded in acknowledgement before taking a bite of ice cream, a smug smile gracing her face as she replied,

“No problem, Three.”

Michael frowned. “But did you really have to steal some of my ice cream?” he asked, licking at his own ice cream.

Rio shrugged. “Aw, come on. I barely licked it.” She suddenly held her blue ice cream in front of his face, making his eyes widen. “But… if you really want, I can let you have some of mine.”

Michael blinked. “W-wouldn't that be like indirect kissing though?”

“O-oh?” Rio’s face reddened. She chuckled, stroking her cheek with her finger. “Did I do that? I… I guess I kinda did, huh?”

“You’re just realising?”

“Uh…” Rio gestured to her own ice cream again. “Wanna indirect kiss me back?”

Michael stared at her, wondering for a solid five seconds or so if he had heard her correctly.

“U-um… would it… would it be weird if I said yes?”

Rio let out a small chuckle. “No, I’m literally offering it.”

“U-um…” Michael leaned a bit closer. He paused for a moment, needing Rio to nod reassuringly before he gave the blue ice cream a small lick.

“O-oh wow!” He pulled away, his lips automatically twisting up into a smile. “That’s… that’s a really unique flavour…”

“Yup.” Rio pulled her ice cream back toward herself and took a bite of it. “That’s why it’s my favourite.”

Michael licked his own ice cream. His heart was beating out of his chest and his feet tapped anxiously against the ground as he tried to act natural. 

“Doesn’t that hurt your teeth?” Michael asked, breaking the silence.

“What? Biting my ice cream? Nah, I bite ice cream and popsicles all the time. I even chew on ice sometimes. It’s no big deal,” Rio remarked as she took yet another bite of the ice cream.

“Heh…” Michael smiled a bit. “I-I guess you.. You really are the uh… the ice queen, huh?”

Rio snorted with laughter, rolling her eyes. “You’re lucky you’re cute, otherwise I’d shove you in the water.”

Michael blinked. “W-what?”

Rio leaned closer, smiling in a friendly yet somehow simultaneously evil way. “I said I’d push you in the water, Three. Do you wanna be pushed in the water?”

“Not while I’m eating ice cream,” Michael insisted, brushing his fingers through his hair.

Rio scooted closer, nudging Michael’s shoulder. “So… implying you’d be fine with me pushing you in the water any other time?”

Michael blinked. “Do you… just want to go swimming or something?”

Rio let out a snort, suddenly giggling into her hand. “God, you’re so cute, Three.”

Michael’s face flushed. “Y-you can… you can call me by my real name…” He looked away the instant he said it, shuddering a bit. Was that… too personal for them? “I-if you want…”

“Oh, sure. So Michael, wanna have our next date at the beach?”

“Our next what?” Michael exclaimed, whipping around to meet her gaze with wide eyes.

Rio stiffened. “Wait what?”

“You…” Michael stared disbelieving at her. “You called it a date.”

“Was… was that wrong?” There was a twinge of hurt in Rio’s voice making Michael flinch.

“No!” He exclaimed instantly before rethinking it, hastily adding, “I-I mean d-did you, did you want it to be a date?”

“I thought THIS was a date!”

Michael flinched so hard he dropped his ice cream face down on the ground. “What?!” he exclaimed a little louder than he would’ve wanted to, considering they were in public. Michael inwardly hoped no one was staring at him.

“Well…” Rio got to her feet, making Michael look up to hold her gaze. “I’m just a little hurt by that, not gonna lie.” Her tone remained light and playful. “I mean, gosh, you really think a girl would offer you an indirect kiss if she weren’t interested?”

Rio suddenly leaned so close that her hair drifted over Michael’s shoulders and he could feel her breath on his lips. Michael shuddered but didn’t break eye contact.

“O-oh…” Was all he could manage to say.

“I mean, come on, how much more obvious do I need to be?” Rio asked, tilting her head to the side.

It was likely just an unconscious expression of her confusion but leaning this close, it wound up placing her lips, still smudged blue from her ice cream, very very close to Michael’s lips.

Michael gulped. “Rio… may I kiss you?”

“Yes, dumbie.”

Rio suddenly grabbed his shoulders, leaning close enough for their lips to brush. The taste of blue raspberry exploded on Michael’s lips. With a deep shaking breath, Michael closed the gap, kissing Rio back, who hummed with satisfaction.

“So…” Rio pulled out of the kiss, grinning ear to ear. “I’ll ask again. Want to have our next date on the beach?”

Michael nodded. “I think… I think blue raspberry just became my new favourite ice cream flavour.”

[kastlenetwork]

hello, kastle fam! i hope that you're doing well 😊 after eight thousand years of me being lazy, i present to you the next #kastleweek! (lol).

this next event will run from monday, september 2nd through friday, september 6th!

every medium of work is welcome. you can write fic. you can make edits, gifs, or art. if you'd like to make playlists of curating the vibes of karen and frank in each prompt, we'll be thrilled to listen! there's absolutely no pressure to create something for every day of the week -- there's a months' time to work, so feel free to pick and choose whatever it is you want to participate in 💕💕

monday, sept. 2 | we meet again | the day of yearning frank and karen reunions. whether that be months, years, or anything below or in-between. tuesday, sept. 3 | rom com aus | the day of fluff some actual summer fun for these two dramatic, angsty losers. (coffee shop aus, college aus, beach aus, ect.) picture bright and colorful cartoon book covers. wednesday, sept. 4 | through new eyes | the day of observations outsider, 3rd party, perspectives of frank and karen's relationship. no matter where it stands. thursday, sept. 5 | forced proximity | the day of honesty frank and karen being brought together in various situations where they can't just walk away, and are forced to confront their feelings. friday, sept. 6 | plot? what plot? | the day of desire frank and karen smut day. we know this fandom. let's be for real lol. (thank you, @goddamnitkastle, bless)

okie dokie, i hope at least one of these inspires something in you! (when we get closer to the date, i'll create a collection on ao3, for anyone who choses to write fic.)

i look forward to seeing what everyone creates!

💕, chey/ @kastlenetwork

[darlingshane]

Summary: Karen has sworn to never date anyone in the workplace ever again, but it's a rule that she might need to break when she starts her new job at Castle Motors as a marketing consultant.

CW: au - romantic comedy, fluff, crack, slow burn, friendship, drinking, workplace relationships, eventual romance, happy ending, frank and maria are divorced but have a good relationship. (and marketing, a lot of marketing.)

Word Count: 12,1k (first 10 chapters only)

A/N: This is based on a drabble I wrote a few years ago of the same title here (it was kind of a mess so don't check it out, just read this one instead). I always wanted to turn it into a longer fic. I'm working on the last couple of chapters, and it'll be done soon. You won't have to wait long to see those posted.

— Links: AO3 // Kastle Masterlist.

Excerpt from my favorite chapter (7):

When Karen had pitched the idea of putting Frank in front of the camera, she knew it was a gamble. Frank was the kind of CEO who preferred to stay behind the scenes, letting his work and the company speak for itself. But Karen was convinced that showcasing Frank as the face of the company would resonate with the public, making Castle Motors not just a brand, but a brand with a story and a leader people could trust.

Frank, however, had been less than enthusiastic. “Karen, my face isn’t exactly camera-friendly,” he had said with a wry smile. “Broken nose, giant head, satellite ears…”

“Stop it, you look like a young De Niro.” Karen chuckled but persisted, knowing that his rough-around-the-edges appearance and straightforward personality were precisely what would make him relatable and authentic. People didn’t need another polished, cookie-cutter CEO—they needed someone real.

Now, as she watched Frank fidget with the collar of his suit, Karen could tell he was out of his element. He’d been through makeup, his hair was slicked back, and the tailored suit, while well-fitted, seemed to restrict him. He looked like a man wearing someone else’s skin.

She approached him, her eyes scanning the nervous energy in his posture. “You okay?” she asked softly.

Frank sighed, glancing around at the crew bustling about. “This just isn’t me, Karen. I don’t feel right in this get-up.”

Karen smiled, understanding his discomfort. “You don’t have to be someone else, Frank. That’s not what this is about. We want people to see you—the real Frank Castle. Not some polished version.”

She reached out, tugging gently at the lapels of his suit jacket. “What if we lose the jacket and tie? Maybe unbutton a couple of buttons, get you back to feeling like yourself?”

Frank hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, that might help.”

He slipped off the jacket, draping it over a nearby chair, and loosened his tie before pulling it off completely. Karen stepped closer, reaching up to unbutton the top two buttons of his dress shirt. As she did, she noticed how his broad chest and strong shoulders seemed to relax with the simple act.

— You can read the rest on AO3.

[watchtowerindistress]

The Punisher | Masterlist

One-shots

Menace 

Imagine ending things with Billy and your paths crossing when you least expect them to

Simple as breathing 🚫

Reader gets an anxiety attack

Bodyguard 💦

Billy Russo is the Head of the security for your father. Well, he was a bodyguard. And he was definitely putting Kevin Costner to shame. Richard Madden was close behind. If Billy wasn’t such an asshole of course.

Can We Pretend? 🌻

It’s time for the Kastle wedding. And a certain someone (*cough* a black-eyed Lothario that rhymes with Silly *cough*) is feeling self-conscious.

Wild Horses 🚫

Inspired by Bishop Briggs’s Wild Horses. Billy and you were explosive — in a good/bad way. One of the many reasons why you broke things off until he says he wants you back in his life.

Series

Let Me Make It up to You 💔💉

Imagine Billy leaving after a huge fight and the title is going down. (3/3)

If You’d Just Wanted Me 💦💉💔🚫

Truths are revealed. Control is being tested. A dark Billy is showing his true colors. (5/5)

I hope it’s a boy 💦🌻

What happens in a friends-with-benefits relationship when the friend gets one more benefit? (3/3)

i’ve never seen this man before 🌻

requested by anon | Reader couldn’t care less who this flirting and arrogant man was who made her drop her precious cup of coffee. Of course, all the Karma in the universe decided to hate her and conspire against her when a certain suit-wearing rich guy seemed eager to ruin her life. (2/2)

One-shots

The Silent Protector

Imagine being taken and Frank coming for you

Series

Friends Will Be Friends 💦💉

Imagine being Billy’s sister and Frank falling for you (4/4)

🚫 = trigger warning

💦 = smut

🌻 = fluff

💔 = angst

💉 = blood

[starkholme]

I don't even how to explain that I saw the 5th gif and had a whole crazy idea about Kastle having a sort of marriage of convenience while being accidental step-parents to Leo because David, Sarah and Zach disappeared after the Snap.

I will find you in any lifetime

[elen-tari2]

Aiding and Abetting

This fic is for Kastle Week 2024 Day 4: Observations/Through New Eyes

Plot Summary: Karen has a medical emergency and ends up hospitalized. Foggy is surprised by who shows up to see her. In character softness and fluff ensues.

Excerpt:

Leaning by the wall, one foot propped against it, was Frank Castle. His former client. Mass murderer.

He didn’t really look like Frank Castle, but Foggy still recognized him beyond any doubt. He had grown a beard and his hair was slightly longer in kind of a floppy, unkempt fashion. But the way he was dressed made for the least Frank Castle-like appearance Foggy could possibly have imagined. He wore green board shorts and a t-shirt with sunglasses tucked into the collar. A small bouquet of some absolutely lovely long-stemmed white roses was tucked under one arm. And he was wearing flip flops.

Foggy somehow didn’t let his brain melt and instead approached the serial killer. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Frank shrugged. “You called me.”

“What?” Foggy stared at him. Comprehension dawned, but it was like a train derailment— all the cars following one another off the security of their tracks, heading straight for an inexorable disaster. The explosion would certainly follow.

“You called me,” Frank said simply. “So I came.”

@kastlenetwork

[leahkenobi]

gamer

frank castle x fem!reader

word count: 500+

summary: just a little hc about frankie being a gamer (also, this may already exist out there. this is just my take on the scenario)

warnings: mentions of a bruise but all fluff

a/n: alrighty while i work on more stuff in this little universe of frank fics, enjoy this blurb/hc. also, this is the first time i’ve written something in this format. kinda enjoyed it, will def do it again. if you want to be added to a frank taglist, lmk! (this pic is from pinterest, credit to owner)

i firmly believe frank is a video games guy

@oliviajdjarin (shameless plug go check out her work!!) and i talked about this his mind just moves too fast for games like chess or checkers

when frank has the time he LOVES to get on his little playstation or xbox

he’s just so intense all the time this is his way to calm down and relax

he would def love games like call of duty

i could also see him enjoying nba 2k or fifa

he’s also like really really good at the games he plays

one day, you come home and it’s apparent that he’s had a long day

when you come through the bedroom door he turns his head from the tv where he is playing a game

he is propped up against the headboard of the bed and his hair is wet from the shower he clearly took and there’s a fresh bruise on his cheek

you smile at him and he gives you a little smile back

“how was your day, sweetheart?” he asks, as he always does

“not bad,” was your response

“come cuddle with me, yeah?” he asks

you nod and tell him you are going to go take a shower first

you take a nice shower, washing away all of the grime from the day

you come out of the bathroom wearing his black henley and a pair of sweats

he is so focused on his game it’s adorable, his thumbs moving against the controller

don’t look at his hands don’t look at his hands

you grab the book on your bedside stand and hop into your bed next to him, crawling under the sheets

you watch him play for a few minutes, grunting every so often out of frustration when he misses or something

you are scooting impossibly closer and closer to him as the hour passes, your book open in your hands

you are basically squirming into his lap he’s so close

he lifts one hand off his controller, letting you climb into his lap and then securing you in his arms with his controller out in front of your body

at this point the day is catching up with you so you put down your book once you are situated against frank’s chest

“tired?” he asks as you nuzzle into his chest

you nod against him

“well i got you now, baby. sleep if you’re tired,” he says, still playing the game

you begin to drift after a bit, feeling sleep start to take a hold

frank presses a gentle kiss to your forehead mumbling a soft “i love you”

you just barely catch it and respond, repeating his sentiments and immediately falling asleep against him

eventually he finishes his game and puts his controller on top of your book

he refuses to wake you from your much needed sleep, so he very very carefully slides down the headboard from his seated position so he’s laying down

you are still very much asleep on his chest after the shift and he could not be happier about it

he eventually falls asleep like that

you asleep on his chest is the only thing he needs to enjoy a night of bliss

taglist:

@oliviajdjarin

[ofsinnersandsaints]

Whiskey and Starlight

Karen sees someone at Foggy and Marci's combined bachelor/bachelorette party and insists Foggy introduce them for @kastlenetwork kastle week: rom-com au/fluff Rating: G Word count: 1859 One shot AO3

Karen wound her way through the party guests to find the man of the hour, and was unsurprised to find Marci and Foggy at the bar together. This was why the normally separate bachelor and bachelorette nights had been combined, neither of them wanted to be apart from the other.

It was adorable.

“Karen!” Marci greeted, completely drowning out Foggy’s own greeting. “I’m so happy to see you!”

She hugged Marci, and looked over at Foggy who shook his head with a smile, “She’s already pretty deep in the sauce. Right now, she loves everyone.”

Marci released the hug ten seconds after she should have and turned to Foggy, “Of course I love Karen! She helped you pick out my ring, and she threw that lovely bridal party when my bitch of a sister-in-law fell through.”

Karen had never been more stressed out, but the look on Marci’s face had more than made up for it. “It was a good time, but I think this party is going to beat it.”

“I know! It’s amazing!”

When another guest came up to say hi, Karen used the distraction to turn to the bartender and order. “When did she start drinking?”

Foggy laughed, “As soon as we got here. It’s the red wine, it gets her drunk quicker than any shot.”

Karen looked at Foggy to see him staring with undiluted adoration at his fiance. “You love her.”

“This whole thing would be a little weird if I didn’t,” he reminded her dryly.

“I know,” Karen smiled. “It’s just so nice to see it.”

After she got her drink she turned around to look at the rest of the guests. There were high-end dresses and off the rack suits, voices layering over the music, empty glasses on tables and -

Her eyes stumbled over a lone figure sitting at one of the booths and she couldn’t loo away.

He was rough hewn, like Michelangelo had realized David was too soft, and he needed to make something better. There were at least two days worth of scruff on his face and the suit looked like it barely contained all the muscle covering his body.

She tapped her friend’s shoulder and nodded towards the man, “What’s the deal with him?”

Foggy looked in the general direction she’d indicated and smiled with a shake of his head. “Leave it you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You always go for the complicated ones.”

She tried to act offended but was also aware Foggy knew her well enough, and long enough, to know she had a type. “What’s his name?”

“Frank Castle.”

The name immediately rung a bell with her as someone who been accused of treason, but thanks to Foggy he’d been protected as a whistle blower. Karen had followed the case because her closest friend was heavily involved, but cameras hadn’t been allowed inside the courtroom and Frank had infamously avoided the camera so she hadn’t recognized him.

He looked uncomfortable, like someone who didn’t know what to do with his hands or the people around him. “Does he know anyone else here?”

“Besides me? No.”

Karen leaned over to the bartender and ordered another drink before turning to Foggy, glasses in hand. “Introduce me.”

[samnotsammy12]

HECK YEAH MORE NINZIED KASTLE

is it time to get back spite-writing some kastle

[aiobhlin]

Witness Chapter 15: The Adversary

I'm running out of pictures, y'all.

Anyway, Enter Wilson Fisk, stage right. It had to happen. But mostly there's some Kastle angsty fluff:

She shivered, and Frank’s arm tightened around her. She closed her eyes and imagined that this was a regular occurrence, that they snuggled all the time, that they shared their bodies with each other. These were things she only allowed herself to imagine at night, after she went to bed alone, thinking about him just a thin wall away from her. But here he was behind her, holding her like a lover, and for a moment she just let herself feel that.

“Hey,” he said into her hair. She jumped slightly, surprised that he was awake and that he knew she was awake. She turned in the bed to face him, under his arm, and he didn’t move it. They lay there, their noses inches apart. It made her heart ache for everything she didn’t have.

“Hey, yourself,” she replied. They were both speaking quietly into the twilight of the room. She looked in his eyes for any sign that he reciprocated what she felt for him. There was a quiet pain there, one that would never go away.

She couldn’t compete with a dead family. She only hoped that some day he’d be able to move on.

[edourado]

Together, ch xii

This take long. My brain no work. 

I sorry. 

Much love. Stay inside if you can. Wear a fucking mask. 

-----

It got to a point where she just didn’t bother with underwear anymore. 

Karen stopped wearing bras on day one. Sometimes she would make an effort with her “lounging around doing nothing” outfits, putting on a cute pair of shorts and a nice T shirt instead of sweatpants, pajamas and over large hoodies, but the bras stayed in the drawer. 

The sports bras were the only exception, she would wear them to work out, be it in the living room or the scarce trips outside - and even then, only sometimes, if her shirt was too thin, or kinda see through.

It would be very nice if she could just copy Frank and simply not wear a shirt on the hotter days, but, alas, it was not possible. When she was absolutely not feeling like it, she would simply wear something more snug to provide some sort of support and choose a low impact exercise routine, but, as a rule, sport bras stayed on rotation. 

And then, she stopped wearing underwear altogether. 

There was, she figured, absolutely no need for them. She was inside all day, everyday, her only companion being Frank, who had seen everything there was to see, and the dogs, and they couldn’t care less. 

And it was very, very nice. 

Her pajamas were all loose, comfortable, and, unlike normal times, they would not stay on only at night. More and more, she would only change out of one pair to immediately put on another one after her shower. 

She had shorts and sweatpants she wore when she changed out of the PJs, comfortable dresses and cute rompers, and they also did not require underwear. 

Karen never said all of this out loud, it was just a decision she made organically, and, if Frank noticed, he didn’t say anything. 

But he got the habit of resting his hand on her butt whenever they sat together on the couch and he put his arm around her, or when they lied in bed, either to sleep or just because, his hand would rest on the curve of her hip, sometimes caressing, sometimes with drumming fingers, when he was restless, sometimes squeezing a bit. 

And she was, absolutely, not complaining.

Her next decision, and mission, was to make all of her comfortable clothes even more comfortable. One particular pair of high waisted sweatpants was the sacrificial item, and Karen sat on the floor one day, scissors in hand, examining the waist of the garment. 

“Shit”, she breathed after a few minutes. 

“What?” asked Frank, not really knowing what she was doing, distracted with his Hunger Games book, a loan from Leilani.

“It’s sewn in”, Karen explained. “Will I ruin this if I just take the stitches out?”

Frank looked away from the book and towards her, sitting on the floor. 

“You gonna wear it if you don’t?”

“No”, she said after some consideration. 

“Then have at it.”

It took a while, and the pants definitely weren’t the same after she was done with them. What was once a high waisted loose pair of gray sweatpants were now like pajamas, without any sort of form fitting feature, or anything that would keep it on in case she forgot to tie it. Trying it on, Karen looked at herself in the mirror. 

“Well. I can’t wear it outside ever again, but this is much much better.”

After that, every short that squeezed her just a little more than she deemed necessary, every pair of sweatpants that had an elastic in its waist, any sports bra that came with a removable padding, it was all altered, to become the most comfortable it could be. She did ruin a pair or two, but mostly, she did a good enough job with the rest.

And then, when there was nothing she could do to her own clothes anymore, Karen started wearing his. 

First, hoodies. Large enough to cover her hands, shoulders that stopped almost at her elbows, she would prance around the house in them, zipped all the way up or simply thrown on over a simple t shirt and shorts.

Then, shirts. Frank would look for something, just to find that Karen had been faster, and fished it out of his drawer first, and was wearing them over her altered sweatpants - even better, over nothing.

His sweatpants, but only once, because they were way too large on the waist, and she had to keep pulling them up. 

“Hold up”, he said one night, when she got up from the couch to get the takeout dinner they had ordered. Karen looked at him, and he pulled the hem of her hoodie to make her come closer, and then zipped her up, because the shirt she was wearing underneath it was flimsy, light colored, and the outside hallway light was way too bright, transparency was a tricky thing, and there was no bra in sight. 

Karen smirked, shaking her head. 

“Men.”

“No, not ‘men’”, Frank argued, without any heat. “Just don’t think you should give the poor guy a nosebleed, is all.”

.:. 

She dressed up to take Pookah to the vet, for his shots. 

Well, not as much “dressed up” but “dressed normal”, with items she would not wear inside, clothes that were meant for going outside of the apartment. 

Including underwear. 

Frank stayed behind, took Lady for her walk and bathed her once they were home again. He had just finished preparing lunch when Karen and Pookah came back.    

“Hey”, he greeted, from the stove, while she walked in. “How was it?”

“All good”, she said, closing the door behind her, shedding her coat. “He’s fine, the doc says he’s very healthy.”

“That’s good”, he said, lowering the heat of the stove. 

“Let’s go, baby”, she said to Pookah, maneuvering him on her arms to avoid putting him on the floor. “Bath time.”

The puppy was getting big enough that he didn’t fit in the sink anymore, where he would take his baths before. Now, he used the bathtub, just like everyone else.

“Ugh!” Frank heard from the kitchen, as Karen shed her clothes in the bathroom, followed by huffs and puffs. 

“You ok in there?”

“Yeah.”

Extinguishing the flames, Frank put the lids on the pots, to keep the food warm, and walked to the bathroom. 

He found Pookah sitting in the empty bathtub, playing with the little rubber duck they had gotten for him, while Karen took her clothes off, her hair already back down from the bun she had put it to go out. 

“Honestly”, she said, standing back up after lowering her jeans down her legs, hands going to her own back, to unhook her bra, sighing in relief when it came off. “I don’t think I can get used to wearing these anymore.”

She stepped off her underwear and balled all the clothes up to throw them in the hamper, stepping into the bathtub with Pookah and turning the shower on. 

Frank stood there watching as she let the water fall on her, soaking her hair, the heat tingeing her skin red, the dog playing around with the toy and the water, waiting for his turn to be bathed. 

They talked while she filled the tub with enough water for the dog’s bath, and, when she was done, took Pookah in a towel, to dry him while she finished her own shower.

He was trying to brush the dog, dodging him while he tried to bite the brush, when Karen emerged from the shower, towel wrapped around her hair, and walked to the wardrobe. 

“Oh, so much better”, she sighed, throwing on one of Frank’s shirts herself, on top of bare skin. “Four months of wearing comfortable clothes only, I don’t think I’ll want anything squeezing me ever again.”

“Except for me”, Frank said, looking at her, releasing Pookah. 

“Except for you.”