( That's not quite the reassurance Clint might think it is — not a lot of confidence in try to figure it out. Not when the problem's as big and as cosmic and as incomprehensible as interdimensional kidnapping, but... sure. More power to him, Frank's not about to rain on that parade. Maybe he'll manage something. Frank's not in a hurry, but he does have people to get back to. People he needs to be there for in case something happens, people he needs to be able to protect. He can't do that from here, so... as nice as it is not to have a reputation yet, this can't be permanent.
Then comes that second bit, that could've left me, and Frank's expression changes. It doesn't go hard exactly, it isn't annoyance on his face. It's more a firm, humorless, mildly chafed sort of look.
in a slow, hoarse drawl: )
That's not the kind of asshole I am.
( Phrasing's important. He is an asshole, that's no question, he's not denying it and he'd hate to set a false precedent. But there's a common fundamental misunderstanding among some types about who he is, what he does, why he does it. Contrary to what some media outlets might say, Frank Castle is not a wanton murderer with a flagrant disregard for human life. He's not the type to leave an innocent man to die, callously, coldly, for no reason. He might not be dressing up and playing hero the way Murdock does, but that's not because he's a fucking sociopath. He isn't. The opposite couldn't be more true; he cares immensely.
He lives with his killings because he can, because he can stomach it, because he can bear the weight and keep on walking, and he can do it without flinching, but that doesn't mean it doesn't all sit with him. That he isn't constantly and forever aware of the blood on his hands. He doesn't need to add anybody to that list that doesn't deserve to be there. He's got enough to shoulder as it is. So no, he couldn't have just left him.
Normally, Frank doesn't give a shit about clearing up this fundamental misunderstanding of his character — people are gonna think what they wanna think, and he doesn't care enough to correct that — but... they're sitting here having coffee together. They're two people from the same world on an alien planet full of new rules and unfathomable horrors. Right now, they're the same. It may be worth at least a minimal effort to make things clear. To clarify who he is — or who he isn't. )
no subject
Then comes that second bit, that could've left me, and Frank's expression changes. It doesn't go hard exactly, it isn't annoyance on his face. It's more a firm, humorless, mildly chafed sort of look.
in a slow, hoarse drawl: )
That's not the kind of asshole I am.
( Phrasing's important. He is an asshole, that's no question, he's not denying it and he'd hate to set a false precedent. But there's a common fundamental misunderstanding among some types about who he is, what he does, why he does it. Contrary to what some media outlets might say, Frank Castle is not a wanton murderer with a flagrant disregard for human life. He's not the type to leave an innocent man to die, callously, coldly, for no reason. He might not be dressing up and playing hero the way Murdock does, but that's not because he's a fucking sociopath. He isn't. The opposite couldn't be more true; he cares immensely.
He lives with his killings because he can, because he can stomach it, because he can bear the weight and keep on walking, and he can do it without flinching, but that doesn't mean it doesn't all sit with him. That he isn't constantly and forever aware of the blood on his hands. He doesn't need to add anybody to that list that doesn't deserve to be there. He's got enough to shoulder as it is. So no, he couldn't have just left him.
Normally, Frank doesn't give a shit about clearing up this fundamental misunderstanding of his character — people are gonna think what they wanna think, and he doesn't care enough to correct that — but... they're sitting here having coffee together. They're two people from the same world on an alien planet full of new rules and unfathomable horrors. Right now, they're the same. It may be worth at least a minimal effort to make things clear. To clarify who he is — or who he isn't. )