Feline Friend - Frank Castle Imagine
Synopsis: After moving in together with Frank, it’s a process for your cat to adjust to him… or rather, for Frank to adjust to your cat.
Word Count: 1.6k
Includes: Fluff, domestication, Frank acting tough but being a softie on the inside.
MASTERLIST
Moving in with Frank was a seamless transition, given you were over at his apartment on a near-daily basis. Over dinner one recent night, a conversation ignited regarding the next step for your relationship. You struggled with life changes or transitions, but perhaps, not as much as Frank did; for him, loss was second nature, and in order to lose something, it had to first be yours.
You had hinted a couple of times about the prospect of living together, and attempted to persuade him by listing off the reasons why you would both benefit. Perhaps at the top of the list was that you would both be able to keep a closer eye on each other, solely from a protection standpoint as opposed to distrust.
Frank feared that the close proximity that comes with living with your significant other would negatively impact your relationship. Things were going well; why fix something that ain’t broke?
It turned out that moving in allowed for less stress and more sex, which was a win for all parties. But perhaps, a factor that was not previously considered was living with a third party.
“Your animal is getting fur all over the place” Frank comedically held out the fur ball at arm’s length, dropping her onto the empty spot on the couch next to you. “She just wants to be involved in what her daddy’s doing,” you replied, stifling a laugh whilst smoothing her fur over.
“Yeah, well, ‘less she starts pullin’ her weight ‘round here and helpin’ out, she can be a pain in the ass somewhere else.” Blowing air through his lips and playfully rolling his eyes, he retreated back to your bedroom where he was painting the walls.
Frank pretended to dislike your feline friend, but you saw right through his buff, tough-guy exterior; he loves her, he just won’t admit that he’s softened up to her so quickly (or at all).
Last night, you had gone out with Karen and some of your girlfriends, and so, Frank and your cat were left alone for the first time.
“What do I do with that thing?” He motioned over to the fur baby in your arms with his head, inspecting her with a suspicious glance “Mommy’s going to leave you with Mr. Grumpy pants over here. Be good, okay? He’s really nice once he warms up to ya” You gave her furry head a kiss before handing her over to Frank.
“She’s a cat, Frank. Just gotta cuddle her and give her lots of attention. I know first-hand you’re good at that.” You joked, zipping up your boots.
She began to sniff Frank’s neck, then began to lick him repeatedly. He craned his neck away from her in a playful manner, pretending to be grossed out by her show of affection that he secretly admired.
Arriving home that evening, you expected your apartment to be in complete turmoil. You were pleasantly surprised to see Frank laying down on the couch with your cat splayed across his chest, both of them fast asleep. As his chest rose and fell with the rhythm of his breathing, so would the kitty, too deep in sleep to be affected by the turbulence.
Frank’s large hand rested protectively on top of the fur ball, nearly taking up her entire frame.
In the night time, your cat loved to snuggle between you both, and sometimes, she’d pester Frank, wanting his attention. He’d jokingly shoo her away, or pick her up only to plop her on top of you, when in secret, he loved her attention just as much as she loved his.
You had taken a picture of the way you found them as evidence of his love for her that he was stead-fast on denying.
Interrupting your thoughts was an exclamation that came from the bedroom - “You little shit! Come back here. Your ma’s gon’ lose it!” - followed by thumping footsteps that echoed as Frank ran through your apartment.
Before you could collect your thoughts, the furry little nugget and a blur of emerald green that followed her bolted across your peripheral vision.
It appears that during your brief daydream, she had gotten off of the couch to try interrupting Frank’s painting once again, this time, being successful.
“Frank, what happened?!” Your stomach hurt from laughing at the big, bad punisher chase after a tiny little creature whose fur was dripping with paint.
Even though Frank presented as outwardly irritated with the cat at all times, you knew that his innate paternal instincts and protector energy made him the most worried about her well-being. It was in his nature to care, especially for the innocent beings of the world.
“That lil’ shedevil stepped right into the paint tray when I wasn’t lookin’, now the psycho’s trackin’ paint everywhere, what if she licks it?!” He put his hands on his hips whilst wiping a bead of sweat off of his forehead, concern plastered all over his face.
Grabbing a bag of treats, you shook it to lure her out of hiding. A faint meow could be heard, followed by the delicate pitter and patter of her nails trotting across the hardwood floor.
In front of you stood your once white cat covered in splotches of dark green. Picking her up, you turned to Frank. “Here comes the next step of being a cat dad; giving her a bath.”
Frank hovered over you as you placed her in the tub, turning on the faucet to fill up a pail of water. “I’m gonna need you to hold her near the nape of her neck; not too rough but enough to keep her still.”
Your cat wasn’t completely petrified of baths or water, but she didn’t prefer it. She was shivering with anxiety and at the loud noise of the faucet, shyly meowing in protest.
“What’s wrong with her? Is she okay? You’re okay cat, eh?” Frank studied ‘cat’ (as he liked to call her) diligently, starting to feel bad that his inattentiveness whilst painting is what led to her now discomfort.
Pouring water over her with the pail, and squirting shampoo onto your hand, you began rubbing it in her fur. “She’s okay Frankie, just isn’t used to the bath, is all.” This was most certainly not your first time bathing an animal, so you were used to her protests, which she only exemplified when getting wet.
“The poor thing’s shivering, what if she hates us after this? Hey, missy girl, we’re just trying to clean you up so you don’t go eatin’ paint, wouldn’t want anythin’ bad happenin’ to ya, hey girl?” Frank’s cat parenting voice - the same voice he teased you for speaking to her in - had emerged.
“You’re awfully concerned for someone who is adamant on not liking cats” you called out, slyly looking over at him for a brief moment before returning back to the task at hand.
“Nah nah nah, let me be clear here, I still think she’s a pain in the ass, but look at her. She’s gotta be 2 pounds soakin’ wet, thing’s all fur” he inspected her carefully, cooing and whispering comforting comments every now and then to calm her down.
You basked in this moment with an appreciation; when Frank’s soft side emerged, it reminded you that inside of him is a broken heart that had been shattered when his family was taken away from him, and in response, he built up steel walls to protect himself from any further pain.
Domestic situations, such as the current one you were both in, reminded him of being a dad; of giving his baby boy and girl their first baths, of comforting them when they were sick, of supporting Maria in caring for their little ones.
He had already taken major steps in allowing you into his life over time; not out of the fear that you would betray him, but out of the fear that someone would take you away from him; that he’d lose you too.
It’s always said that pets are like family, and it’s possible that Frank’s hesitance to accept your cat into his life was out of the same fear that contributed to his initial resistance in you both moving in.
You gave her one last rinse, ensuring all of the shampoo and paint was out, before reaching behind you for a towel to dry her off.
“You mind just dryin’ her off with this towel, quick? I gotta go grab her comb.” You wanted to give Frank a moment to be with her, for them to bond.
Frank obliged to your request, draping a towel over her frame and scooping her up in his arms. “All clean, eh, squirt? Look at you, all nice and warm, kitten. Papa’s got you.” He swaddled the cat in his arms as if it were a baby, admiring her small frame with appreciation.
You slowly turned the corner, peering in at the scene in front of you. She slowly closed her eyes and nuzzled into Frank’s chest, just as she had done prior to you leaving the other night. Frank booped her nose, and continued to rock her in his arms.
Seeing you out of the corner of his eye, he turned to face you as he fought a smile that turned one side of his mouth upwards. Walking up to him, you nuzzled against his frame, and joined him in admiring your cat.
“She really likes you, Frankie. She’s a sweet thing, ain’t she?” You looked up at him, appreciating his admiration for the animal in his arms.
“Feels nice to care for a lil’ thing like her. Miss it.” Frank whispered a rare statement of vulnerability, as if saying it in a lower volume protected him from admitting how much he yearned to care for someone - other than you - again. He looked down at you to meet your gaze.
“You’re a good daddy, Frank” you said proudly, enjoying the precious moment with the family you had both created for yourselves.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: I have returned for the millionth time! Feel free to send requests as I've (unfortunately) transitioned away from writing for Kelly Severide and am focusing more on Jon Bernthal characters. (Also, why is there like 0 content of Jon with cats... we're deprived in this regard). Let me know what ya think! Please like, post, and reblog if ya did like!
Find My Masterlist Linked Here!
