Denny's Meme

[memezillamods]

 It's late. Like, 3 AM late.
You're hungry. You're bored.
But nothing is open.
Except Denny's.


RULES

1. Post to the meme.
2. Find somebody to eat with. Figure out why you'd do this to yourself.
3. What even is "Moons Over My Hammy?" 

Comments

[howbraveyouare]

[Karen walks into the Denny’s shaking her umbrella from the downpour. She’s mostly in her own world until she looks up and spots Frank Castle sitting in a booth across the restaurant from her. It’s been quite some time since they last exchanged words. The last time she spoke to him she told him that he was dead to her, which was a pretty final end to their... Was it a friendship? At times it seemed like it, but she was never really 100% certain.

She’s not sure what it is, but something makes her walk over to him. Without saying a word, Karen slides into the seat across from him and takes a seat. There’s a small smile on her face, albeit a faint one, that says she’s here to be friendly. For a second she sits in silence, studying his face. Finally, she speaks in a low voice meant only for his ears.]

Hi, Frank. Never imagined you as a Denny’s guy.

[380s]

[What surprises Frank the most when Karen walks into the restaurant isn't that she's there. Once, he knew how often she burned the midnight oil, and he doubted that changed. No, what surprises him-- and not a lot does these days-- is that she doesn't turn around and leave.

She should. When he told her to stay away from him, he meant it. When she said he was dead to her, he thought he could finally just let Frank Castle go. Karen could be free of him. And she really should be, but god damn it all if he doesn't feel a pang of relief somewhere deep in his chest when she doesn't walk out.

It's quickly followed by panic when she sits with him. No one in here threatens him, and there aren't many people to begin with, but when Karen is there, he has to be careful, ten times more alert.]

Ma'am. [He puts down the cup of coffee he hasn't managed to drink from since she entered. He should go. Take the damn caffeine and leave her in peace, but he doesn't move. Her smile probably has something to do with it, and it shouldn't.] Respectfully, don't think anybody's a Denny's guy. But desperate times.

[Meaning it's the only place near his current hideout brewing at this hour, and he doesn't have the luxury of a coffeemaker.]

[howbraveyouare]

[That gruff voice. Their conversations were never exactly pleasant, but somehow she’s found herself missing them. It’s funny how someone can become part of your life in such a short span of time. It seems that’s what happened with the two of them, at least on her end.

Her lips curl into a slightly bigger smile at his comment regarding Denny’s and she nods, eyes temporarily darting to the surface of the table between them. When she looks back up her smile has faded a bit.]

How’ve you been?

[Because she honestly wants to know. It’s a question that’s bothered her sometimes at any time of the day. At work when she’s writing a story about the crime in Hell’s Kitchen. In the car whenever Shining Star plays through the speakers. There are plenty of things that bring him to mind and whenever she thinks of him she can’t help but wonder if he’s okay. If he’s still alive. Tonight, at least, is confirmation that he is, at least, alive. Karen can’t help but think that should be enough, but somehow it’s not.]

[380s]

[Frank would never admit that Karen broke past his defenses after he believed anyone who could even crack them were long since buried. Not because he had any desire to deny it, but so that no one who could hurt her would see it. She'd been dragged through enough because of him.

It doesn't keep his expression from softening the longer she stays across the table. As for her question, Frank glances sidelong out into the night, just as full of sirens and violence as always.]

Busy.

[He doesn't elaborate. For once, he doesn't look beaten to shit, but that could be attributed to his new equipment, not avoiding trouble. From the Bulletins he's been reading, it doesn't look like Karen's had much success with that, either.]

I hear you're a reporter now.

[howbraveyouare]

[The one word answer isn’t enough for Karen. Not by a long shot. After all, she asks questions for a living, now. It’s in her nature to be inquisitive, especially when it comes to a topic she actually cares about.

Of course she knew he was busy. Karen paid attention to police reports. Matt wasn’t the only one out there roaming the streets, keeping Hell’s Kitchen a little safer. It was a sad situation when the cops weren’t doing enough and a city actually needed vigilantes. Karen would have openly admitted that Hell’s Kitchen needed Daredevil. It needed the Punisher just as much.

She wants to ask if he’s staying safe, but decides that it’s a dumb question. The very work he does is the antithesis of safety. It bothers her knowing that he could wind up with another bullet to his head, but nothing she could ever say could get him to change his stripes and act more cautiously. It’s the same way with her. So, she continues with the conversation.]

Yeah, a change in career was necessary and this feels natural.

[She smiles a little bit and there’s a hint of pride in her smile. Karen feels like she’s doing good in her new job. Nothing sticks it to the bad guys like airing their dirty laundry for all of the public to see in the Sunday paper. She knows it works from the threats she’s gotten, but Karen isn’t easily intimidated. Not anymore. Whether it’s courage or foolishness she doesn’t know. All she knows is that it takes a lot to get her to back down anymore.]

I’m actually coming here after a long night at the paper. Work keeps me late sometimes.