insistingly | | open rp |

[ He laughs at that, giving a pat to Frank's arm and shaking his head. About to ask him how many of the bottles on the table are his but that callused hand his cupping his neck like that and blue eyes meet brown. ]

Sure. What's up?

[His heart is beating in his brain. And the longer he looks into Caleb's face the worse this flood is. That bartender is going to play fast and loose. They're going to suck face. Maybe even suck one another's dicks. Frank's face feels hot.]

...we should go outside first.

[ He breathes out a laugh at that but shrugs in agreement, ]

Okay.

[ Caleb was hoping he'd be able to get laid with the guy he had picked up but Frank was the more pressing concern right now. He moves and steers Frank by the elbow as they head out the front, ]

Are you okay, Frank?

[ He really hopes they aren't coming out here so he can throw up in the parking lot. He's told the man he can't have more than one "boiler maker" dammit. ]

[The night air shakes Frank up a little. It doesn't sap is will. He clutches the other man's shoulder. The asphalt is wet still from the rain that passed. The sky is still cloudy and rumbling.]

I'm fine. I just--I wanna tell you something. I dunno how to start. But I'm gonna. And just know anything I say no matter how fucked up is... I think you're fucking as good as they come.

[ He keeps a hand on Frank's arm, wanting to keep him steady on the wet asphalt. He smiles, nodding, both sympathetic and amused. Frank must be smashed to be wanting to make whatever "confession" he has in mind. ]

Thank you, Frank. I feel the same way about you.

[ Even reaches up to pat the other man's chest affectionantly. ]

[Smashed? Maybe a little. He could be more. But Caleb has that bit of paper on him from the bartender that's a number or something.]

No. Just.

[Frank sighs and they've stopped at a distance from the entrance of the bar. He rubs his face.]

The guys and me... we know about you. And I'd do fucking anything to make sure you stay safe and stay a part of us and this.

[ His brow furrows at that, ]

"Know about me"? What do you mean?

You know. I mean, I hadn't seen it. Not at first. But you--you're--

[Fucking Christ, Castle. It's not a dirty word or some insult or incantation.]

It's not something to be ashamed of. You're a goddamn Marine and you got honors. Loving who and how you do shouldn't have an impact.

[ Caleb breathes out a small laugh at that, hand reaching up to cup the back of Frank's neck now, ]

I know that! I knew you guys knew...

Or I thought you all did. But...it's good to hear you're okay with it. Especially you.

[His laugh, his smile it causes a pinching in his chest that makes it harder to breathe.]

I kinda wondered. I wasn't too sure. Then Robbie ran his mouth.

[As he's known to. Frank's brow furrows and he looks into those blue eyes, brow furrowed as he tries to make sense of himself, of his feelings.]

...Are you gonna go after him?

[ He laughs again at the mention of Robbie, nodding his head 'yeah, he does that'. But then he pauses at the question, taking his hands back to rest on his hips and shrugging as he looks back over at the entrance. ]

The bartender? Yeah. I want to. He seems interested. Gave me his address and everything. Meet him there after he gets off.

[Hands off now and Frank's face falls a little. He really isn't sure what the fuck he's trying to do. Not that he's scared. Not of consequences. That would be a smart thing. He's unsure in a way he's never experienced before because there has been no man that he felt this magnetic pull to like he has Caleb. Blame it on those blue eyes, on that mouth. On the way he just relentlessly fixates and finds a way time and again.]

Is he your type?

[Frank's tone is gruff, Tight. He crosses his arms. The sky rumbles a little louder.]

[ He looks back over at the change in tone, not really sure why he's being asked this. It's apparent in his face, too. ]

I...I don't know. I'm not really looking for a relationship with him. He's cute and I'm wanting to get laid and he doesn't mind helping with that.

[ In his mind, it's not different from any of the other men looking for girls for the night. ]

[It isn't. And it shouldn't be. Hell, Briggs is hooking up with the waitress from the burger joint as they speak.]

Is that how you go about it? I mean. In general. Just say I want to get fucked and it happens?

[Why wouldn't it otherwise. Look at him for Christ's sake. Tall. Strong. Blonde.]

Willing and helpful seems like a type.

[ His expression falls somewhat at that and his jaw clenches. ]

No, Frank. I don't have the luxury of being that blunt. With girls? Yeah, sure. Guys? No. I'm not able to do that at all.

...then.

[He exhales through his nose and his arms unfold. Frank steps up closer, eyes locking with Caleb.]

What do I gotta do?

[All the alcohol he consumed tonight is still on his lips and loosening his thoughts. This is no where near the most drunk they've seen each other. No one is swaying or crying or vomiting.]

[ They've seen each other far more drunk and yet still, Caleb is completely taken off guard. He stares at Frank, bewildered and then taking a step back, shaking his head. ]

That's not funny, Frank. I mean, you tell me you're okay with it and everything and now you're fucking with me? Really?

[ He can take jokes made at his own expense but about this? This was hitting a nerve. ]

I'm not joking. Why in the hell would I do that?

[Because he's on his way to being very, very drunk from pretty drunk. And because he's really taking a step outside of himself here. This is coming out wrong, all wrong.]

I don't know how to try and set this right or say something. But the thought of you and that guy together just for kicks when I know how fucking great you are...

[Yep. Still sounding not like he means.]

[ Caleb takes a step forward again, ]

Is this because I'm trying to get with a guy? Would you be saying all this shit if I was after some pussy?

It's because it's with some stranger. Some nobody. Someone that's not me.

[Well fucking there we go.]

[ And just like that, Caleb feels like he's been blindsided and smacked at the same time. He's back to staring dumbly and not really knowing what to say so he says the only thing he can think of. ]

...what?

I don't know how to else to tell you, Page.

[His hands fall slack to his sides and ball into fists.]

Not sure when it happened or if I'm supposed to just shove it aside or if it means anything. I get so caught up in wondering what it's like to touch you. And it's not fair that people can and will and think nothing special about it.

[ It's easier to keep thinking this is a joke. Another prank or something but Frank's never been good at doing those without breaking "character" and giving way to laughing. He's also never lied to Caleb.

Which is why it's so much easier to think this is a joke because the other option brings this crushing pain and realization with it. He tries to keep it together because, goddammit, he is a marine but it's in his eyes, his voice. Caleb Page has always been the worst in the group at keeping his emotions disguised, anyway. ]

Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why--why wait this long?

[He's no actor, no liar and no wordsmith. Right now at least one of those would be great to muddle through this. Frank sucks in a breath and the brow in his eyes furrows. It's impossible to tell what Caleb is thinking. The pain and shock is plain on his face.]

I dunno. I didn't know how to. And I wasn't sure. I thought it was talk. You know me, Caleb. I'm not---I mean. I've never tried.

[Among his peers, Frank is always certain. Always fearless and straightforward. He's not familiar with uncertainty, with hesitation. More than that, Frank Castle and vulnerability are not friends.]

[ Frank has always been the most steadfast of them all and to see him like this... Caleb feels his heart clench in his chest and he looks around them again before taking hold of Frank's hand and trying to pull him around the corner of the bar, off to the side where fewer people would see them should anyone decide to come out. Quietly, ]

C'mon.

[ Once they are away from any immediate line of sight, Caleb gives Frank's hand a squeeze, ]

How long? How long have you... felt this way?

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