#lenny falconio

[hb-writes]

My Boss or My...Billy?

Summary: Lenny (OC) takes on a temporary role at Anvil and Billy steps in when he sees her struggling with some of the other employees.

Characters: Lenny Falconio (OC) & Billy Russo.

Request (from 💜 anon): Hello! For June requests how about, “They hate me.” & “I will prove you wrong. Just watch.” For The Punisher pretty please 💜

Content Warnings: Allusion to sexist/ agist behavior. Some language.

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

Please take a moment to tell me what y'all think! Reviews and comments are always appreciated. 😌❤️

Billy leaned in through the open doorway and watched as Lenny shifted her gaze back and forth from her computer screen to a spiral notebook on her desk. Back and forth, back and forth. Her gaze shifted between the two maybe four times without noting his presence.

“How’s it going?” 

Lenny was mumbling something under her breath when he finally said it and she froze, her shoulders quickly and discreetly rolling to release the bit of tension gathered there before she glanced up. Her facial expression shifted as her gaze did and she ran a hand through her hair before forcing a smile.

“Good,” she answered as her eyes slipped back to the infernal computer, her fingers itching to reach for the mouse and minimize the screen while Billy was still on the other side of the room. “Um, but yeah, it’s great,” she added as she turned back to him, subconsciously nodding her head as if she was trying to convince both Billy and herself that yes, that was the truth. Things were going great.

Fantastic. 

Absolutely perfect. 

Lenny reached for the iced coffee that had melted hours ago, sweating a ring of condensation onto a napkin. 

“You need something?” she asked as she took a sip. 

Billy let out a soft snort as he pushed off the door frame, striding across the small office in a few short seconds, not quite sure what he was snorting at—her attempt to pull one over on him or the fact that she was sipping iced coffee in December. 

Billy pulled his eyes from Lenny to look around the room. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been in that room specifically. Paul, his permanent office manager, had always brought things to him. Billy had never had any need to end up in his administrative office. 

Not that he really had a need to be there now. 

He could’ve gone home. He’d finished his work for the day over an hour before, but couldn’t bring himself to leave, not with the light from Lenny’s office still shining in the hall, so he lingered, taking care of little tasks while he found himself wondering how Lenny was faring in the little windowless room down the hall. 

She was only covering the position for him temporarily, helping out while the regular guy was on medical leave. It had been Maria’s idea, and because Lenny hadn’t immediately said no to passing her time between semesters earning a little cash, they had gone ahead with it, but less than a week in, Billy could tell Lenny wasn’t loving it

He didn’t love it either, didn’t like the distance and the weird pretense that was coming into their dynamic now, some sort of power shifting between them that had never been there before. 

“Just wanted to check in,” he offered. 

“How often did you check in on Paul?” she asked, her eyes back to shifting between the notebook and the computer screen as her tone shifted. “And don’t you dare tell me it’s different.” 

Billy smirked, a distinct part of him glad for the sharpness of her tone, all that boss-employee pretense slipping for a moment. He raised both hands in surrender even though he was well-poised to explain how it was different. For a multitude of reasons, not the least of which being that Billy cared about Lenny, not that Billy didn’t care about his employees. She was the sister of his best friends. Family. And sure, she was smart and he knew well-enough that she could hold her own, but she was a college kid on winter break in an office full of male veterans.

Paul was ex-military and had been with the company for years. 

It was different.

“And whatever reason you’re currently thinking makes it different is probably sexist and ageist and—what?” she asked, slamming her pen down.

“Nothing,” Billy said as he eased himself into the seat across the desk from her. “You’re just right is all.” 

Lenny smiled to herself a little, picking up her pen and reengaging in the work. 

“Are any of your other co-workers being ageist…or sexist?” he asked. “Or is it just me violating the HR code?”

Billy would have liked to believe his men weren’t those things, but even he could be flawed in that way, well-intentioned or not. He wasn’t blind to the fact that it was a bit of a boy’s club. He knew some afternoons, the place took on an attitude akin to a college frat house, especially when there was a girl around. 

Lenny didn’t pull her eyes from the notebook as she started writing out something. Billy shifted in his seat, leaning forward. 

“No one’s giving you a hard time?” He knew a few of the men had historically given Paul a hard time about getting timecards in on time, and that had been before they tried to get everyone on board with the new system. 

It wasn’t easy getting the guys to adopt anything new, and Paul hadn’t been walking around in heels and skirts and dresses trying to do it, either. 

Billy had told her it wasn’t necessary. She could dress as casually as she usually did, but she’d only countered by saying that he wore suits and it was a reflection of his company, a reflection of him, so he’d let it go. 

“Are you asking as my boss or my…” she asked, her pen stilling even as she kept her head down. “My boss or just Billy?” 

“They’re not two separate people, Len,” he answered. “Just tell me what’s up.” 

Lenny sighed, leaning back in the chair as she rubbed her hands over her tired face. “I think they hate me,” she groaned, heaving an even larger sigh. “This whole new timesheet thing…they—”

“They don’t hate you,” he answered. 

Lenny scoffed. “Yeah? Did they tell you that? Because I’m now the face of this new system and—”

“Who’s giving you a hard time?” 

Lenny stilled, her complaints shriveling up as her mouth went dry. Billy had asked the question in a calm, steady voice. It almost sounded casual, but she knew it was a dangerous question. 

“Tell me who’s giving you a hard time and I’ll take care of it.” 

Lenny shook her head. “It’s not a big deal, Billy.” 

“It’s affecting you and it’s affecting the payroll, so whatever it is, whoever it is, I’m gonna squash it.” 

Billy held her gaze and something about how settled he seemed, something about that determination made her stomach flip. 

Lenny glanced at the screen again. Billy was probably right. At least half the guys hadn’t submitted on time. She had reminded them all before they left for the day, but that had only earned her a few more time sheets and a handful of comments she’d rather not repeat. 

“What…well…” she started, “How…how would you typically handle something like this? Hypothetically speaking?” she asked.

“Not hypothetically speaking,” Billy said, slipping his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll call for a mandatory staff meeting tomorrow at zero-four hundred and we’ll address it.”

Lenny gulped, every part of her recoiling at the mere thought of the hour. “I don’t think that’s necessary and it’s already too late anyway. You can’t...” 

Lenny’s words fell away as her computer chirped, announcing an incoming email from Anvil’s CEO.

“They’re not following orders, disregarding the chain of command,” he answered. “It’s absolutely necessary. If they can’t follow orders on this one simple thing, how can I trust them in the field?”

Lenny shook her head. She didn’t have an answer for him. Not in regards to that. Or in regards to anything with the business, really, but she couldn’t help but feel dread as her mind cataloged more than a few ways that it might go sideways, creating more trouble than it was worth.

 She’d get the work done, whether his guys were pleasant and cooperative, or not. It might be late, it might be a pain in the ass, but Lenny thought that might be better than sitting through this meeting. 

Billy watched Lenny rub her hand over the back of her neck. “What is it? You don’t trust me?” 

Lenny seemed to contemplate his question, considering her answer carefully as he shifted back in his chair, casually crossing a leg over his knee. 

“I just…I don’t know if it’s the best way to go about this. You’re going to make them hate me even more than they already do.” She set her elbows onto the desk as she said it, leaning her head down to rub at her temples.

Billy shook his head as he sat up straighter. “Listen. Just follow my lead tomorrow. They might hate me when we’re through, but I’ll make sure the rest of your time here is nothing short of pleasant. Just need you to trust me on this, alright? Can you do that?” 

Lenny’s stomach continued to whirl and she continued rubbing her temples, keeping her eyes closed to avoid his gaze. To avoid answering the question.

He let it go for a moment, watching the clock as he gave her thirty seconds or so to consider it before prompting her. “Elena?” 

Lenny opened her eyes at that, glaring at him as she turned her gaze up to him. “What, William?” 

Billy let out a soft laugh, the smirk going so far as to reach his eyes as she continued glaring at him. “Alright, seriously,” he said, schooling his face into something more solemn. “Do you trust me?”

Lenny took a slow breath. “As my Boss or…” she stumbled over it again, the instinctive ‘my’ on the tip of her tongue. “Or as Billy?” 

Billy raised an eyebrow. “I already told you they’re the same guy. C’mon, Len. Quit avoiding the question. Do you trust me or not?” 

Lenny rolled her eyes. “Yes, I trust you, but—”

“Nope,” he said, shaking his head as he stood up from his chair. “No buts. You said you trust me and we’re leaving it at that.” He nodded toward the computer. “Shut all that down for the night. Am I putting you in a car back to Bayside or are you staying with me tonight?” 

Lenny clicked through her screens, saving her work, not even bothering to pull her eyes away. 

“What kind of question is that? My asshole boss just scheduled a mandatory meeting for zero-four hundred that isn’t even going to do anything and…” Lenny glanced up, surprised he’d let her go on for that long uninterrupted, but he was just standing there, leaning against the open doorway with arms crossed over his chest, a soft smirk on his face. 

“Was all that supposed to mean I should call a cab?" He fished his phone out of his pocket. "You don't want to stay in the asshole boss who came up with the greatest solution to our problem’s guest room?” 

Lenny shut down the computer and gathered her things before striding across the room, rolling her eyes and heaving an exasperated sigh. 

“Of course I'm staying over,” she said as she pushed his phone down. "Thank you," she added, truly grateful for the option. Grateful for both. She knew he really would have paid for a car to take her home, too. Billy wouldn’t leave her to take the subway across the boroughs at this time of night, no matter what the cost. But seeing as it would take her over an hour to get home, and another to get back in the morning, the offer of his guest room was far better. “But no, boss, I don’t think this is even close to the greatest solution to my problem,” she said, mocking him a bit.  

“Alright, fine,” he said as he guided her out of the room, walking them both towards his office at the end of the hall so he could grab his things. “But come the end of that meeting—”

“Come the end of that meeting, they’ll be throwing tomatoes at both of us,” she interrupted as Billy stepped into his office, leaving her to stand by the threshold, her bag slung over her shoulder and her arms crossed over her chest  “And don’t even make a joke about Oscar the grouch. I walked right into it, I know, but—just don’t, alright?” 

Billy chuckled, conceding her that even as the jest had been poised on the tip of his tongue. 

“Alright, but only if you admit I’m right about this meeting.” 

Lenny scrunched her brow and constricted her face as if she’d bitten down on something sour…maybe the mere idea of admitting out loud that Billy was right about something was sour enough to do that. 

"No," she decided as he finished gathering his things. “I will do no such thing.”

Billy snorted as they both moved into the hall. A silence settled between them as they took to the stairs, both of them thinking about the meeting just a few hours away. He was locking the front door, Lenny gently hopping from one foot to the other to combat the sudden chill when Billy offered what he thought was a final word on the matter.  

“I know you don’t believe me, Len, but I will prove you wrong on this,” he said. “Just watch. And when I do..." He pointed a finger at her. "Then you’ll be singing this asshole boss’s praises.” 

Lenny scoffed. “You prove me wrong and I’ll sing whatever you want, Billy boy.” 

“Deal.” 

Lenny’s eyes widened at the hand Billy held out to her and she let out a nervous giggle. She had mostly been joking about the singing bit, but Billy’s lingering hand told her that he was taking her at her word. She cautiously slid her hand from her pocket, the chilled air biting for only a moment before she fit her palm against his. 

“Fine,” she huffed, “but when this all goes to shit tomorrow morning, you’ll be singing whatever I want.” 

Billy gave her hand a firm shake before stepping away, whistling a tune it only took her a few moments to recognize. 

She hadn't heard it in years, but she knew it was something from Sesame Street—one of Oscar the Grouch’s songs. 

Lenny pushed her tongue into the side of her mouth as she slowly trailed after him to the car, fighting the urge to comment.

“Asshole,” she muttered when she couldn't hold it in any longer.

It was barely above a whisper, but Billy looked back at her with a self-satisfied smirk plastered on his face as he held the passenger side door open for her. He kept whistling as she slipped into the front seat, Lenny unable to stop herself from singing along in her head.

"If you're happiest whenever you're complaining, then you're a grouch like me."

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

[hb-writes]

Why Do You Care?

Summary: After an argument for the ages, Lenny has decided Billy is an ass and she refuses to talk to him. Billy's willing to fix things and play nice, even if he's pretty sure Lenny's just being stubborn about the whole thing. Maria has had enough of his sister and Billy's bs and decides to intervene, forcing them together to prepare a birthday surprise for Frank.

Characters: Billy Russo & Lenny Falconio (OC)

Request (from 💜 anon): “Where does it hurt?” & “Why would you even care?” For The Punisher pretty please 💜

Content Warnings: A little language.

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

Please take a moment to tell me what y'all think! Reviews and comments are always appreciated. 😌❤️

Calling out was instinctual—a reflex, if anything. That’s what Lenny told herself at least. Just like throwing out her arms to brace her fall, it was an action of the subconscious. It certainly wasn’t a call for help—for Billy's help, especially—but the strangled shout had pierced the silence of the house anyhow.

Lenny hadn’t planned on that, but as she writhed on the floor she got to thinking maybe it wasn’t a bad thing because she hurt like hell—her arm, her hip, her foot, her head. Her whole body, it seemed. Maybe she'd done more damage than she initially thought. 

Billy’s quick footsteps echoed across the floor as he approached, audible even though he was a marine. As a rule, the man was unusually stealthy and light on his feet. It was just how he moved, an instinct of his own that usually created a cautious bit of distance between him and the rest of the world because he was somehow able to fade into the background when he wanted to, if he wanted to. 

Billy didn't care about any of that here though. He let down his guard a bit at Maria and Frank’s, a place that felt more like home than his actual apartment did, the inherent warmth of the Castle-Falconio household instantly thawing something in him every time he stopped by.

Billy appeared in front of her, a roll of blue party streamers still in his hand, almost as if he hadn't had time to even drop the roll before coming to investigate and Lenny’s words came out louder and faster than Billy's as he asked what had happened.

"I'm fine," Lenny groaned. 

The quiet that came after almost made Billy think Lenny hadn't heard his question, but he knew she had—she was just ignoring him. Same as she'd been doing all week, since their argument at Sunday dinner.

And it was fine. Billy didn't really need Lenny to answer the question. The scene before him was clear enough. She was on the floor with one hand wrapped around her ankle, covered completely in white dust, the half-empty bag of flour settled precariously on the counter, threatening to spill more of its contents all over them and the kitchen floor. 

“I’m fine,” she repeated. “You can—”

"You’re not fine." Billy lowered himself to the floor beside her. He’d agreed to keep out of her way, had allowed her to banish him to the backyard with balloons and streamers and a happy birthday banner, but that was before she launched herself off of the kitchen counter. "Where does it hurt?"

Lenny scooted away from Billy's hands, hissing as she tried to use her foot to leverage herself backwards.

"I'm fine," she insisted once again, though her breath was unsteady, her eyes watering as the growing ache in her ankle pulsed and throbbed.

"You're not," Billy repeated, his hands both gentle and firm as they replaced her hold around the already swelling joint, his hands cool against her skin. "You're—"

"Why would you even care?" 

Billy took a breath, part of him ready to laugh while the rest of him was ready to roll his eyes—all of it borne of frustration. Billy had known Lenny Falconio long enough and well enough to know deep in his soul that she was stubborn as hell, that she wouldn't give in so easily, even with tears in her eyes. "Because I do, alright?" he said. "I care…even when you think I've been an asshole and I think you're being a goddamn brat so just let me help."  

Billy saw the instinct to fight him on those points rise within her, but arguing that she wasn't a brat or a kid or whatever else Billy called her almost always only served to corroborate his point, the tone of Lenny's rebuttal and the indignation on her face condemning her as being the exact thing she insisted she wasn't.

"You are an asshole," Lenny offered instead, each of the words pushed out through gritted teeth.

"Maybe I am" Billy confirmed. "And maybe you're stubborn as a mule. Obstinate.” He shook his head, but it was with a bit of fondness, a knowing acceptance of the way she was and always had been for as long as he'd known her. “Climbing up on your sister's counters and nearly breaking your neck when you could've just asked me for help."

Billy was right. Lenny could've just asked him. She had known he was there—banished by her out in the backyard, just through the screen door. She had even thought about it before deciding she could get the flour on her own. She didn't need him or his long-reaching arms. Or at least, Lenny didn't want to need him. She didn’t want to need Billy’s help. 

That was the whole point of this standoff anyway, wasn't it? 

That Lenny was sick of Billy “helping” and butting in when it wasn't warranted?

When it wasn’t requested?

Lenny had told him as much when he sauntered into the kitchen upon his arrival, offering his assistance, assistance Lenny promptly told him wasn't needed or wanted. She hadn't said it, but she wanted him to mind his own business, to stop caring, the very opposite of what was happening now as his hands continued to cradle her ankle, his eyes full of concern as he watched her. 

And Lenny just wanted him to stop, to go back outside and let her ride out the initial wave of pain on her own. 

“Maybe we should call your—”

“No!” Lenny shouted, assuming he’d been about to suggest calling Maria or Frank, but the whole thing was supposed to be a surprise for Frank, for his birthday and interrupting them now would only ruin it. As far as Frank knew, spending the day at the batting cages with Maria and the kids was his gift. Lenny had begged off the outing, claiming she had a paper due, promising to make it up to him later in the week, but it had all been a lie.

There was no paper due—Lenny was staying behind to decorate the backyard and to make the cake. And to warm up the dinner Maria had already made and left waiting in the fridge. Lenny had planned to have everything ready by the time Billy and Curtis were scheduled to arrive and they’d all surprise Frank when he arrived back home with Maria and the kids.

That was how it was supposed to go, but then Billy had shown up early, ruining her mood, distracting her.

His surprise arrival wasn't of his own accord, of course. It was Maria who had invited him to come early, insisting Lenny needed help with set up even though everything had been under control.

The both knew Maria and recognized her meddling for what it was—she was just giving them an opportunity to sort things out, to clear the air before they all sat down to a celebratory dinner. Lenny could've taken the opportunity to fix things—Billy had seemed willing—but she hadn’t. Instead, she had banished him to the backyard to decorate while she stayed in the kitchen preparing the food, her headphones firmly in place as she worked.

"We don't need to call them," Lenny mumbled, pushing at the phone in his hand. "My neck's fine."

"Yeah, and your mouth's fine, too, apparently," Billy answered, a smirk on his face for about a second or so before he coughed around the handful of flour that hit his face.

Lenny's flour-covered hand shielded the uncontrollable giggles spilling from her lips as Billy started to chuckle, a hollow and dangerous sort of sound coming out of him as he tried to wipe some of the white powder from his face. 

"You think you're funny?" he asked, the seriousness of his tone only serving to make Lenny laugh harder and louder, all of it building until a handful of flour collided with her open mouth.

"Billy!" she shouted, spitting around the words.

"You started it," Billy answered around his laughter as he quickly reached for Lenny, not allowing her any time to fight him as he lifted her in his arms.

"Billy, put me—" Lenny started, cut off suddenly when Billy settled her in one of the stools on the other side of the kitchen island, his hands working to prop her swollen ankle up on an adjacent seat.

"Asshole," she muttered to herself as Billy walked away.

“Here." He pulled out a bag of frozen peas and turned to her. "Put this on it.”

Billy tossed the bag across the counter where it slid into Lenny’s lap and she let out a squeal as it made contact with the bare skin of her thighs. “I can’t just put it straight on—”

“Yeah, yeah." Billy moved around the counter again, this time with a tea towel in hand. He took the peas from her, carefully wrapping it before placing it on her ankle. "Here ya go, brat."

"Guess it’s a good thing I was here after all, huh?”

Lenny shrugged. "I would've been alright without—"

"You're unbelievable, you know that?" Billy shot back. "And I guess you're still planning on putting this meal together without my help too? Going to bake a cake with a busted ankle?"

Lenny thought about it, knowing she could struggle through it if she really wanted. It would be a pain in the ass and it would probably do her more harm than good in the end, but she could do it. She could prove her point.

"That's real smart, Len. Real—" Real fucking stubborn was what Billy wanted to say, his frustration flaring once again, a bit of the fondness slipping. Too stubborn for her own good, but she interrupted him before the words could come to his lips.

"You can make the cake," she offered.

"Really?"

"Yeah, you make the cake and decorate and clean up my sister's kitchen, and I'll sit here and supervise."

"Alright, fine." Billy snorted. "One condition though," he said, watching her for some sign of protest, but not quite finding it. "Curtis is coming by early to take a look at that ankle."

Lenny sighed. "Fine," she agreed, the throbbing of her ankle just a bit stronger than her pride. "Go ahead and call him."

"He's already on his way," Billy answered. "I texted him when you were too busy being a brat—" 

"You are such an asshole."

"Yeah," Billy answered. "An asshole who cares about you." 

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

[hb-writes]

“I know you’re afraid but you can’t hide in this closet forever.”

“I know you’re afraid, but you can’t hide in this closet forever.”

Billy’s words were muffled, and Lenny wiped at her wet eyes before pushing the door aside to see her brother-in-law's best friend standing there in his suit and tie, all sleek and out of place in the dainty pink bedroom she’d shared with Maria until her sister had married and moved in with Frank a little over a year ago. 

She felt silly, sitting there with her knees pulled to her chest on the closet floor surrounded by her clothes and the ones Maria had left behind, with boxes of old teddy bears and school papers and knick knacks to her left. If Lenny’s wasn’t hurting so much, she might’ve been embarrassed for Billy to find her there, crying and hiding away like a child when she was supposed to be getting ready for her grandmother’s funeral.

But Billy didn't make her feel stupid or small or childish or even ashamed.

"I don't like funerals," Lenny offered, not confirming or denying that it was fear holding her there in the closet, even though it was—fear, and a whole bunch of other complicated emotions that made her stomach hurt.

“I know," Billy said, glancing at his watch—Maria had asked him to come up and check on her, to move her along so they wouldn't be late, but they had plenty of time before they needed to leave for the church, time enough to hide out in a closet for a bit longer. "They suck. Any room in there for me?”

Billy thought it was perhaps a brave question to ask since Lenny had been a little bit unbearable to be around since her grandmother’s passing, taking her unfiltered emotions out on her sister and her brother-in-law, and even her young niece, but Billy saw through all that, and when Lenny didn’t tell him no—when she didn’t say anything, actually—he squeezed himself down into the small space beside her, his long legs and shiny black shoes hanging out through the open door.

And once he settled, Billy didn't say anything else. They were both quiet for a long time, Billy’s nearness as they sat shoulder to shoulder nothing more than a comforting presence as Lenny worked on controlling her breath and stifling the tears, as if doing the physical work of appearing okay would smother the pain, but it didn't. It only made her feel tired as she released her legs so they stretched out beside Billy’s and she lay her head on his shoulder.

Lenny’s eyes were closed when Maria lowered to the floor in front of them nearly an hour later. She was already dressed in her scarf and peacoat, a fond look on her face even if it was clear she’d been crying, too, her beautiful face a bit blotchy and her eyes rimmed with red. Maria closed a gentle hand around her sister’s ankle and Lenny startled awake, forgetting where she was for a moment, forgetting she was asleep in a closet with Billy.

“Hey,” Maria said, her voice gentle. “It’s almost time, but if you want to stay here, I’m sure—”

“I can stay with her, Maria,” Billy confirmed from his spot beside her as he stretched out a little, releasing the stiffness in his body, “though if I’m being honest, I think we might have to move out of the closet,” he continued, nudging Lenny’s side.

The hint of a smile graced Lenny’s lips before she shook her head, wiping at her eyes again.

"No, no, I'm coming," Lenny said. She could do this—face this funeral—even if she was scared, even if she wanted to stay in the closet and sleep through the whole thing. She had barely slept in days and she hadn't realized it until now, until she got a taste of what she'd been missing.

By the time Lenny finally stopped rubbing her eyes, Maria was on her feet offering a hand down to her which Lenny took, pulling herself up as she accepted her sister’s hug.

Billy waited for Lenny after Maria went downstairs to find Frank, lingering by the door as she gathered her coat and shoes.

“You’ll be here all day, right?” Lenny asked as she slipped into her boots, suddenly made to feel tired once again by what the question implied, that there were hours left to endure before this terrible day was over—the church services and the burial and the repast back here at the house all stood ahead of her. 

“All day,” Billy confirmed as he tugged Lenny to his side. “By dinner time, you’ll be begging your sister and Frank to kick me out,” he continued as he lifted a hand to muss up her hair, a hand which Lenny quickly shoved away.

But come the end of the day, Lenny was asleep against Billy’s shoulder once again. This time they were on the couch in her grandmother’s living room, where she'd fallen asleep once the crowd of mourners began thinning out.

And even though Billy had done nothing special except keep an eye on her as Frank and Maria had requested, he was always close by. His nearness throughout the day was nothing more than a comforting presence to her, but it had meant everything to Lenny. It was a kindness she’d never forget.

[hb-writes]

It's Fine. I'm Fine.

Summary: Lenny has a fight with her boyfriend and ends up at Billy's door, but he's not home and she's without her key. Though Lenny insists she's fine by the time Billy arrives, he knows better.

Characters: Billy Russo & Lenny Falconio (OC)

Request (from 💜 anon): “Stay there. I’m on my way.” & “I could really use a hug right now.” For The Punisher or Twilight, you choose, pretty please 💜

Content Warnings: mentions of an argument with a partner. I feel like I should also note this series will eventually be a Billy x Lenny story and there's a bit of an age gap (~6 years) between Billy and Len in this AU.

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

Please take a moment to tell me what y'all think! Reviews and comments are always appreciated. 😌❤️

Anvil's second in command continued talking as Billy pulled his eyes away from the computer screen they were sharing. He glanced down at the cellphone buzzing beside him, a familiar smiling face taking up the screen. 

It was late—he had come back to the office to debrief the latest job and to do a quick run through on the strategy for tomorrow’s event, but that would have to wait now. He waved Wilkens out of the office as he swiped to accept the call. 

“Hey, Len,” Billy said, shifting the phone to his ear as Wilkens closed the door behind him. “Everything alright?”

“Are you home?”

“Not yet,” he said. “Everything alright?” 

Lenny hadn’t answered his question the first time around, and a silence stretched on in the wake of his second iteration. A subtle tension prickled through Billy’s limbs as he waited on her to answer, but if Lenny noticed, she didn’t pick up on it, too caught up in her own prickling limbs and anxious thoughts. She had no intention of speaking more than she needed to, not quite sure how to put words to all of it as she swallowed the lump settled in her throat and nodded her head. 

“Len?”

“Yeah?” she mumbled, as if she’d been lost and Billy’s voice had brought her back, as if he had tugged on some kind of tether. 

Lenny had already known Billy wasn’t home. She’d already tried the bell before calling his cell, but it was wishful thinking that somehow he was home and simply hadn’t heard her, wishful thinking that there was nothing more than a locked door and a few rooms between them now. 

“C’mon. Talk to me,” Billy said. He wouldn’t tell her she was making him nervous, making him want to pull up the app in his phone that could pinpoint her location in seconds, the app he knew she’d be pissed to learn about. “What’s going on?” 

“I…um…I…don’t have my key,” Lenny sputtered out. “I…my…we—” 

Her voice broke on the truth and she pulled the phone away from her mouth, trying to muffle the sound as she reminded herself that it was Friday night and that Billy was probably out on a date. A date that she was now interrupting.

“Where are you?” he asked. “The apartment?”

Lenny nodded again, barely conscious of the fact that she needed to actually say something. A quiet affirmation came from her mouth, barely audible on the other end of the call. Billy was already on his way out of his office, already halfway to where his car was parked out in the lot.   

“Alright, stay there. I’m on my way. Five minutes.”

Seven minutes. 

That’s how long it usually took Billy to drive home from the office at this time of night, but that was when he abided by the overabundance of red lights and the stop signs, the things he ignored entirely now as he thought of Lenny alone on his doorstep. 

Lenny could handle herself when it came down to it—Billy knew that, but there was something in her voice, something in her not being able to talk to him that had him worried. Lenny wasn’t acting her usual self. 

If she was, maybe he wouldn’t have felt so worried, so keen on propelling himself in her direction as quickly as he could. Maybe. 

But maybe not. 

Whether she was fine or not, whether she was in a relatively safe neighborhood or not, Billy didn’t love the idea of Lenny standing around outside his apartment by herself so late. It wasn’t an altogether unprecedented event, Lenny showing up at his place without her key. He could no longer count on his two hands the amount of times she’d forgotten it since he first gave it to her. 

People like Lenny were the reason people left spare keys lying around, but Billy didn’t believe in the concept of leaving a spare key under the mat. The security professional in him wouldn’t allow for it. 

He idly wondered what she’d done in the time when he was overseas, and then he thought better of dwelling—he didn’t want to know how she’d managed it, though he couldn’t imagine she’d been going all the way back to her sister’s place to pick up the other spare key he’d left with Maria.

As Billy pulled into the parking spot just in front of his apartment, he watched Lenny wipe at her eyes and take a deep breath. 

“Hey,” Billy called up the steps, taking them two at a time until he met her at the top. “Everything alright? What—”

“I’m fine,” Lenny said, her voice stronger now, back to usual. “I’m sorry I called you like that. Sam and I…we had a…disagreement and I left my stuff and—”

“C’mon, we’ll go—” Billy started, taking a step back toward his car, no hesitation given to taking the ride across the city to her boyfriend’s place to pick up anything she needed. 

“No, Bill, wait. It’s fine,” Lenny insisted, reaching out to stop him, stilling Billy there on the top step with her hand around his arm. “I’ll take care of it tomorrow. Let things cool off and I’ll go get my stuff in the morning. Really, it’s fine. I’m fine. You don’t need to do anything.” 

Billy nodded. She seemed fine, suddenly a bit chipper sounding, the only evidence of her panicked call five minutes earlier was the reddened, puffy skin around her glassy eyes. 

“You really expect me to let—”

“Let it go?” she started. “Yeah, I do. It was a…just a misunderstanding. And I started it, so just…forget it, alright? I don’t want you to do anything.” 

“Alright, alright.” Billy held up his hands in a mocking forfeit. “You don’t even want me to…unlock the door?” 

“Well, that—yeah,” Lenny scoffed, “but you don’t need to…you can go back to your...I didn’t mean to interrupt your…Friday evening.”

“Nah, it’s alright.” Billy sighed. “I was at the office, but I’m done for the night,” he said as he fit his key into the lock and reached inside to flick on the lights, allowing her to step inside first.

“You want something to eat?” he asked. “A drink?” 

Billy felt like he could use one after the rush that was the last ten minutes, even if she seemed fine now as she lowered herself into a seat at the counter.  

Lenny shook her head. Her fight with her boyfriend meant she’d missed out on dinner, but she couldn’t imagine she had the stomach for anything just now.  

Billy went to the fridge to pull out a beer for himself. “You sure?” 

Lenny nodded, wrapping her arms tight around herself as Billy withdrew from the fridge.

“And you’re sure there’s nothing I can do?” Billy set a water bottle across from her and popped the cap off his beer, taking a sip. “It’s no problem. I can have one of my guys—”

“No!” she interrupted, shaking her head. “No. I don’t want you or Frank or one of your guys or anyone anywhere near him. It’s fi—it was nothing. Just a stupid fight.”

“I see.” Billy nodded, taking another sip. “You want to talk about it?” 

Lenny gulped, taking a deep breath before shaking her head. “It’s fine. I’m alright,” she offered, “just an idiot who walked out with nothing other than my phone.”

“Well, it’s a good job you had that, at least. Otherwise you’d have had to send up the bat signal or something.” 

Lenny snorted, rolling her eyes at that though she was grateful for him making excuses for her stupidity, her carelessness. It was nothing more than luck on her part that her metro card and credit card and ID were safely tucked in the card case affixed to the back of her phone. 

“I don’t think it was that serious. It’s fine,” she finally said, reaching out for the water bottle and unscrewing the top.

Billy fixed her with his gaze while Lenny focused on reading the label on the water bottle—some fancy brand that probably cost more per bottle than the beer did. Billy took another sip of his drink before setting his bottle down on the counter. 

“Well, I’m glad you’re fine and that you don’t need anything, but I could really use a hug right now,” he said, moving around the corner to stand next to her. “Scared the shit out of me calling like that.” 

Tears pricked at Lenny’s eyes as Billy’s words washed over her.

“Billy, I’m fine,” she said, her words quiet once again, barely making their way out.

“I know, I know,” he mumbled, fitting an arm around her shoulder and pulling her into his side. “This hug’s for me, remember?” 

Billy pressed a kiss into Lenny’s hairline, readying to let her go before she shifted, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his chest.

—

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

[hb-writes]

Ready or Not

Summary: Lenny (OC) overhears her sister and Frank talking after she gets home tipsy from a party during senior year of high school and the conversation reignites some old doubts she’s been holding.

Characters: Maria Castle, Frank Castle & Lenny Falconio (OC) w/ mention of Billy Russo.

Request (from 💜 anon): Hello! For June requests how about,“We were never prepared for this.” & “How long were you standing there?” For The Punisher pretty please 💜

Content Warnings: Underage drinking, mention of parental death, mention of drunk driving.

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

Please take a moment to tell me what y'all think! Reviews and comments are always appreciated. 😌❤️

Lenny held her breath and willed the stubborn sound of her beating heart to quiet enough that she could hear Frank and Maria talking below.

She was still in control of herself. Lenny tried to convince herself of that much.

She had been barely tipsy. Had barely had anything to drink before thinking better of it—before calling to have Billy come pick her up nearly an hour ago.

His disappointment, not entirely unexpected though he was more vocal about it on the car ride back to Bayside than Lenny had anticipated, had primed her for what she would find back at home. Billy’s pseudo lecture had Lenny nearly ready to be contrite by the time he pulled up out front, but then Maria had started right in the second they were through the door, ranting about teenagers drinking. Ranting about the decisions Lenny was making and the nefarious company she was keeping. Ranting about their parents, two people Lenny didn’t really even remember, young as they were when they perished at the hands of a drunk driver.

There was a reason why she’d called Billy first. She’d hoped he’d be cool about it, let her stay over maybe and avoid all this, but Billy had only commended Lenny on calling before things got too out of hand and promptly led her to her doom. He hadn’t been dressed for work, nor a casual evening at home when he showed up, and Lenny couldn’t help but wonder if she’d interrupted something. A date, maybe. Or a night out with the boys. 

The shortness creeping into the edge of Billy’s voice told her she had pulled him away from something, but his twinge of annoyance was nothing compared to Maria’s wrath.

Lenny had only gotten away and gone through the motions of going off to bed when Frank finally convinced Maria that the two of them shouting back and forth across the kitchen was enough…unproductive at this point. She hadn’t fought when Frank sent her up the stairs and she had every intention of getting her ass to bed, as her brother-in-law had suggested. Lenny quickly washed her face and changed out of the dress she’d borrowed from a friend’s closet, passing the stairs on the way back to her bedroom.

“We were never prepared for this, Frank.” 

Lenny swallowed hard, her hand gripping the rail. Maria’s words shouldn’t have hurt as bad as they did, especially considering Lenny had just finished shouting plenty of unsavory things at her older sister and Frank, and considering that she was a proper adult now, newly eighteen. And Lenny knew she wasn’t meant to hear the words in the first place. It was meant to be private, but it was a habit that was hard to put to rest. Spying on her older sister had at one point in time been the intent, but after a certain point, Lenny had come to find it comforting, listening to Maria and Frank talk about nothing and everything, seemingly none the wiser to her presence at the top of the stairs.

The words landed heavy as bricks though, nearly tearful as they came out of Maria’s mouth. Lenny stilled at the top step, straining as she waited to hear something more. The sound of Maria’s tears filled the quiet, sobering any of Lenny’s lingering intoxication on the spot. 

“I know,” Frank said, shushing her. Lenny imagined her brother-in-law holding her sister close, kissing her head and comforting her in the same way she’d been watching him comfort her for years. “It’s alright.”

Maria said something, her words muffled and dissolving in the air before clearly reaching Lenny’s ears. 

“Listen, you’re a great sister. Terrific. And a great mom. Len’s just—”

Again, Maria’s words were muffled, incomprehensible at the top of the stairs. 

“She’s a good kid,” Frank cut in. “She’ll make the right choice.”

“Yeah?” Maria asked, her voice suddenly louder and closer. “Like tonight?” 

Frank’s sigh was loud enough for Lenny to hear it. “She called,” he said. “That’s more than most kids would do.” 

“She called Billy,” Maria answered. “And if he wasn’t available, she would have called you. I’m her sister.”

“Exactly,” Frank answered. “You’re her sister.”

Lenny swallowed the lump in her throat. She knew she had fucked up, even if she had put up a front downstairs, shouting back at her sister. Even if Maria couldn’t see through it, Frank had. Frank knew the girl was testing her limits, pushing her sister away while they were still close enough for Lenny to push, trying to make it easier for herself to decide on a college, trying to take the bond with her family out of the equation though it was an impossible task. 

Maria had already taken up the stance that California was a bad idea. After living through years of Frank on lengthy deployments, the idea of simultaneously having her sister on the other side of the country was too much. And Frankie and Lisa were still so young. Neither of them had expected to be raising a teenager when they found out Lisa was on the way. Maria had always cared for her sister, but she had never expected to be dealing with this while potty training one kid and preparing to send the other off to kindergarten. She was only twenty-four. 

“She’s too young,” Maria said. “She can’t go.” 

“Same age as I was when—”

“It’s different.” 

It was different, but not in the way Maria meant because she was reaching for the fact that, for some reason, her sister wasn’t ready for that. Wasn’t mature enough for it. If Maria had been more grounded in that moment, she would have realized that Frank—at the same age Lenny was now—going off to war was different in a worse way than her sister choosing a college on the opposite side of the country. Far worse. Far more risky.

But Maria wasn’t thinking rationally, her mind and her heart tied up by the complicated dynamics that held Maria and Lenny together. Siblings. Best friends. Something akin to mother and child, somedays

There was a bit of shuffling on the floor below and Lenny strained once again to hear her sister’s words, all of them muffled by the movement. From her spot on the steps, all Lenny heard was, “not ready.” 

Something caught again in Lenny’s throat at the words, her muscles straining at the heavy and stubborn lump making her want to cry. She longed for her bedroom, she longed to have never heard any of it, but the feeling in her throat seeped into the rest of her body, fixing her there at the top of the stairs. 

In the distance, Lenny heard the screen door leading to the back yard open and close, but she didn’t move. She didn’t shift at all, not even as her ears perceived Frank’s movements towards the stairs, her mind barely aware of it until he was staring up at her from the bottom step with a frown. 

“How much of that did you hear?” 

Lenny didn’t answer, but Frank figured she had heard enough. 

“Goodnight,” Lenny mumbled as she finally pushed herself up from the floor and took the quick steps down the hall to her bedroom, closing the door firmly behind her before she allowed herself to let out all that she’d been holding. 

For years, Lenny had cradled the notion deep inside of her that she was a burden to her sister and her brother-in-law, an intrusion in the life they were meant to have, something they shouldn’t have had to deal with.

Lenny didn’t blame them if there was resentment.

Calling Billy first had been an attempted act of self preservation, yes, but on some level, Lenny had also sidestepped her sister to save them the trouble. It was partly why she was considering California—to give them all a bit of space—a taste of the normal family life she’d taken from them for so many years…

Lenny wasn’t sure she was prepared for it…to be so far away from her family and her friends…her home, but Maria and Frank had never been prepared to take on raising her and the more Lenny thought of it, maybe it was only fair that she go and let them have their own life.

Ready or not…

--

Life As We Know It (The Punisher) Masterlist

[hb-writes]

Any Halloween headcanons of your OCs?

Yes, of course. 🙂

Suits (Charlie Specter) - Charlie absolutely loves horror films and haunted houses. The more nightmare-inducing, the better. Harvey cannot understand the appeal. She usually ends up knocking on his door when she can't fall asleep afterwards.

Peaky (Clara Shelby) - Something about the chillier air in autumn makes Clara want to bake so she always pesters the chef at Arrow House to teach her new recipes. She's an absolute scaredy cat. Terrified of ghost stories. And I'm not entirely certain on the nature of Halloween in 1920's UK, but from a brief search, going around to houses in costume and performing for food appears to have possibly been a thing. And I can absolutely picture little Finn and Clara doing just that, developing a little performance and going house to house for some spare sweets.

Twilight (Mia Cullen) - Mia dresses up as a vampire more than once for Halloween. She does it as a child to be more like her family and then again as a teenager just to be a smartass.

The Punisher (Lenny Falconio) - Lenny loves Halloween and doing all of the stereotypical fall things. She's very serious about pumpkin carving, apple picking, and putting together homemade costumes for everyone.

True Blood (Elisabeth Northman) - Elisabeth has never gone trick or treating.

Shades (Emmeline Grey) - Emma has always had the most extravagant Halloween costumes. Like thinking full gowns and tiaras when she wanted to be a Disney princess. Her birthday is shortly after Halloween, so she also usually liked to have Halloween-themed bday parties while growing up.

The Family Stone (Maggie Stone) - Most of Maggie's Halloween costumes growing up were old costumes belonging to her older siblings and almost all of them were difficult to guess what they were supposed to be (Sybil and Kelly are a bit eccentric, after all).

Supernatural (Nora Winchester) - Pretty sure Dean is more into Trick or Treating than Nora because he always makes sure she gets to go even if they're on the road. It's a great way to get boat loads of free candy and to pick up chicks. Nora's fine with it until she gets to be ~13 years old and feels too old to be going door to door, but Dean pushes it anyway.

White Collar (Alice Burke) - Alice loves going to look at the fancy Brownstones on the Upper West Side decorated for Halloween. She gets special permission to have Neal's radius extended temporarily so he can go with her.

Marvel (Maxine Parker) - Max dresses up as a different avenger each year (another girl being a casual smartass 😅).

[hb-writes]

For five line fics

"Why are you all in my bed?"

With The Punisher please ❤️

"Why are you all in my bed?"

Lenny startled awake at the booming voice—her brother-in-law’s voice…Frank’s voice—so unexpected considering he wasn’t due home from his tour for nearly a week yet.

The room erupted into a sudden uproar with Lisa and Frankie both clamoring over blankets and pillows to reach their father’s outstretched arms and Maria tumbling out on the other side, padding across the carpet to kiss and hug her husband.

Lenny stayed in bed, watching the scene with a fond smile on her face, knowing her sister and the kids had been anxiously awaiting this very thing. Since learning Frank’s current tour had been extended, the kids had been having nightmares and spending the night in Maria and Frank’s bed had become a semi-regular routine—some nights it was just Lisa, some nights just Frankie, and sometimes just Maria and Lenny ended up whispering through the night, Maria gaining some relief from her little sister’s presence, her listening ear, but more often than not, they all ended up there by daybreak, a conglomerate of tied up limbs and blankets that comforted them all.

“What are you waiting for?” Frank asked, meeting the girl’s eye over his wife’s shoulder. “Get in here, kid.”

💠 FIVE LINE FRIDAYS 💠

send me an ask with the first sentence of a fanfic and I’ll write the next five-ish.

[hb-writes]

Life As We Know It (The Punisher AU)

Five Line Fanfics for Elena "Lenny" Falconio (Maria's sister):

The wonderful world of high school drama

Why are you all in my bed?

Come on, I’ll take a much-needed nap with you. Then we’ll both feel better

It's impossible to get rid of me

We're too young for this

I lost my phone

Is that blood?

Thank you, that means a lot to me

They were happy that their partner and their sibling got along so well together - but they could live without them constantly teaming up on them.

Communicating with a sister involves a lot of inside jokes and may seem like a secret language to outsiders.

You can call me a mom all you want, but I will get you better soon

I know you’re afraid, but you can’t hide in this closet forever

One shots:

Why Do You Care? (Billy & Lenny)

It’s fine. I’m fine (Billy & Lenny)

Ready or Not (Frank, Maria & Lenny)

My Boss or My...Billy? (Billy & Lenny)

[hb-writes]

Hi! Will you please write “You can call me a mom all you want, but I will get you better soon.” With The Punisher pretty please?

“You can call me a mom all you want, but I will get you better soon,” Maria said, turning towards her younger sister, the person who had caused Billy’s busted lip and now-bruising jaw, her fist somehow doing damage akin to that of a prize-winning fighter when the boys were just supposed to be teaching her a little self-defense. 

“Go get Billy some ice,” Maria chided while she fussed over her husband’s best friend. 

Lenny slowly pushed herself up from her chair, rolling her eyes at Frank as she huffed—Lenny’s immediate response had been glee rather than guilt…Billy had been goading her, teasing her, saying shit like “you call that a punch?”  and maybe glee wasn't the appropriate response, but Frank had seen the whole thing so he knew as well as Lenny that it had been an accident, that Billy had just turned away at the wrong time after inviting a fist to the face.

The way Lenny saw it, they were both at fault…and Billy more than her, maybe, but it was Lenny getting yelled at, moving a bit quicker towards the kitchen as Maria snapped at her again, sending a little glare her way while Billy got doted on.

“Maria, it’s alright, really,” Billy said as Maria poked at his face, searching for broken bones. “It’s not her fault. I was asking for it…and anyway, your husband’s done far worse.”

“Yeah, and you were asking for it then, too, pretty boy,” Frank smirked and he took the ice pack from Lenny, allowing her to hang back in the doorway, keeping a distance between the sisters as he tossed the ice pack to Billy. 

Frank turned back to Lenny and fit an arm around her shoulder. “Come on, you can go round with me while pretty boy’s out of commission.”

💠 FIVE LINE FRIDAYS 💠

[hb-writes]

For five line fics

Communicating with a sister involves a lot of inside jokes and may seem like a secret language to outsiders.

With The Punisher or Twilight please ❤️

Communicating with a sister involves a lot of inside jokes and may seem like a secret language to outsiders. Frank figured there was no maybe about it—the Falconio girls definitely spoke another language.

It didn’t always involve words, sometimes it was just glances shared between Maria and Lenny or quick whispers followed by loud laughter, which was then followed by innocent issuances of, “oh, nothing,” whenever Frank asked what they were laughing about. 

Even Lisa and little Frank seemed to have their own little way of communicating that was a mystery to the rest of them, some sort of understanding passing between the two kids even though the baby was too little to really have any words. Maybe it was just a sibling thing.

“It’s no different than with you and Billy,” Maria said when Frank pointed these things out, the two of them lounging on top of the covers before bed. “You boys have more stories and secrets and inside jokes than any of the rest of us.” 

Frank hummed, considering it as Maria placed a kiss to his cheek and then his lips, coming to the quick conclusion that his wife was right.

💠 FIVE LINE FRIDAYS 💠

[hb-writes]

For five line fics

“Is that blood?”

With The Punisher please ❤️

“Is that blood?”

Billy nodded once, looking down at his knuckles, flexing his fingers and observing the bruised skin while Lenny watched, her arms hugging an old sweatshirt of his around herself as she shivered though the apartment was far from cold.

“Is…is it yours?” she continued, her gaze traveling to the red specks dotting Billy’s shirt collar, her keen eyes raking over the skin of his neck and face as she searched for more. “Are you—?”

“I’m alright, kid,” Billy interrupted, unconsciously shaking his head as he silently berated himself for forgetting it was Thursday, for forgetting that he wouldn’t be arriving home to an empty apartment because Maria’s sister had made it a habit to stay at his place when she worked late at the library or if she had an early class the next day.

Lenny wasn’t a kid anymore—she liked to remind Billy and Frank and Maria and just about anyone who would listen that she hadn’t been one for awhile now, but Billy thought she had a distinctly child-like look about her as she studied him now, like she had just learned something new about the world, something new about him, and he could see the curiosity swimming around her brain, a million questions there in her tired eyes, the words dancing on her lips.

 “I need a shower and some sleep, but I’m fine…nothing for you to worry about, alright? Good night,” Billy said, pressing a kiss against Lenny’s hair as he passed, hoping his words and the gesture were enough to quell her questions, at least for tonight.

💠 FIVE LINE FRIDAYS 💠

send me an ask with the first sentence of a fanfic and I’ll write the next five-ish.

[hb-writes]

For five line fics

"I lost my phone."

With The Punisher please ❤️

"I lost my phone," Lenny said with a shrug as she stood in front of the open refrigerator searching for a snack before Sunday dinner. “It’s no big deal. People used to go without phones all the time.”

“City’s a different place these days,” Billy said, cutting in before Frank could respond. 

“Yeah, there’s a cop and a Starbucks on every corner now,” she snorted, finally turning to Frank and Bill with a pickle spear in hand. 

“If you think that makes you safe, I didn’t teach you well enough—you need to keep the phone on you.” 

Frank glanced at his wife, who was sitting at the table with the kids, making meatballs and staying suspiciously quiet—Maria was a free spirit, both Falconio girls were, and half the time his wife left her phone at home or sitting in the car so Frank knew she’d be no help in this argument.

“And if it’s lost like you said, we can find it. You left location services on?” Billy asked, typing quickly into his phone before holding it out for her. “Here—login to your account.”

Lenny swallowed hard on the large bite of pickle she’d taken, coughing a bit as it all went down, knowing she had no interest in logging in and letting her brother-in-law and his best friend see where she’d left her phone. 

“That’s alright…I uh…I think I actually know right where it is. I probably left it at a friend’s place…Yeah, that’s it. Definitely just left it at…Jamie’s. I’ll email just to be sure and I can just get it when I’m on campus tomorrow.” She offered them both a smile. “Thanks though.”

Frank and Billy watched as she scurried away without another word, pickle still in hand as she went to join her sister, niece, and nephew at the table, glancing back at them once though she diverted her eyes quickly.

“So whaddaya think, Frankie?” Billy asked. “You believe any of that?”

Frank took a sip of his beer, shaking his head at his sister-in-law's attempt to hide whatever it was she was trying to hide from them. “Not a chance.”

💠 FIVE LINE FRIDAYS 💠

send me an ask with the first sentence of a fanfic and I’ll write the next five-ish.

[hb-writes]

For five line fics

"The wonderful world of high school drama."

With The Punisher please ❤️

“…And that’s the wonderful world of high school drama.”

Maria shrugged as she concluded her explanation, meeting Frank’s simultaneous skepticism and dread with a casualness and sense of calm he couldn’t quite grasp. 

Frank remembered his own high school experience—or at least, he remembered a bit from when he actually decided to show up—and his sister-in-law’s behavior seemed to be something more, something that shouldn’t be excused by a couple of mean girls in the lunchroom.

The kid was on a rampage the way he saw it, a terror toward anyone and everyone she encountered—even today when they were out at the park with Lisa. And Frank didn’t understand how his wife was managing to be so patient with her, especially considering Maria was absorbing the brunt of Lenny’s wrath so far.

Maria sighed with a smile as she reached out to take her husband’s hand. Neither of them had asked to be raising a baby and teenager at the same time, but they were doing it, and Maria was grateful every day that her husband loved her little sister like family, like she was his.

“You’ve never been a teenage girl, Frank. It’ll pass,” she said, squeezing his hand. “And then it’ll cycle round again and again and—”

Frank ran his hand down his face. “Three more years of this?” 

“At least,” Maria snorted. “And before we know it, it’ll be Lisa’s turn.” 

Frank glanced to the spot across the lawn where his sister-in-law sat in the sun with a blanket of her own, headphones in place. He then glanced to where the baby was playing quietly beside them on the blanket. He shook his head as he turned back to his wife. “Yeah, well, thankfully, Lise and I already agreed she’s never growing up.”

💠 FIVE LINE FRIDAYS 💠

send me an ask with the first sentence of a fanfic and I’ll write the next five-ish.

[hb-writes]

For five line fics

"we're too young for this,"

With The Punisher please ❤️

“We’re too young for this, daddy. It’s too scary,” Lisa whispered, turning and hiding her face in her father’s side, joining her little brother who’d decided to hide his face against Frank’s other side a few seconds before as the horror movie continued playing in the background.

Frank rubbed Lisa's and Frank Jr.'s backs, meeting his best friend’s eye over the back of the couch as Billy nodded towards where Lenny sat between them, a smirk on his face as he whispered, “bet she’s next.” 

But Lenny was far too engrossed with the movie to notice the smirking and whispering as she absently snacked on her popcorn, staring wide-eyed at the tv and seemingly unaware of anything going on around her.

Frank shook his head and was about to reach out and nudge her to check in and make sure she was alright even though she was a teenager already—nearly an adult—who’d probably say she was fine even if she was scared out of her wits, but before Frank could reach her shoulder, she let out a blood curdling scream, tossing the bowl of popcorn in the air as she turned and hid her face against Billy's shoulder. 

“It’s alright, Lise. Guess it’s too scary for your Zia here, too,” Billy chuckled, his laughter lasting only a moment before a nearby throw pillow walloped his head.

💠 FIVE LINE FRIDAYS 💠

send me an ask with the first sentence of a fanfic and I’ll write the next five-ish.

[hb-writes]

Hey, if you’d be so kind, for Five line fics how about “Come on, I’ll take a much-needed nap with you. Then we’ll both feel better.” With The Punisher? ❤️

“Come on, I’ll take a much-needed nap with you. Then we’ll both feel better.”

The temptation to keep arguing against Maria’s directive that she get some rest was strong even if Lenny knew her older sister was right—she’d caught whatever bug the kids had last week and she was getting sick. Lenny wanted to argue that she was fine…she wasn’t a little kid anymore—not like Lisa and little Frankie—but some of the fight fizzled within her at Frank’s interjecting words and his gentle nudging. 

Frank hated the near-constant bickering that went on between his wife and his younger sister-in-law—it could be excessive and trying, and it always wore on his patience, but especially so when he just came home from a tour and he was adjusting back to life as a civilian.

“C’mon, kiddo,” Frank prompted as he fit an arm over her shoulder and steered her away from Maria, towards the couch and the big screen tv. 

A wave of protest rose in Lenny and she tried to dig in her heels, her socks sliding against the slick hardwood floors. “But Frank, I’m not—”

“Not sick. Not tired. Not a kid anymore,” he offered. “I know, I know. We’ll get comfortable and put on some reruns and your sister’ll be happy whether you sleep or not, alright? Just let her have this one…do it for me, alright?”

Lenny rolled her eyes, sighing as if it was hard work letting her sister win, but she quickly settled on the couch beside Frank, falling asleep by the second commercial break and staying that way until dinner.

💠 FIVE LINE FRIDAYS 💠

send me an ask with the first sentence of a fanfic and I’ll write the next five-ish.

[hb-writes]

Lenny Falconio's

favorite piece or pieces of clothing.

Lenny is almost always in denim or corduroy. Maria is always trying to style her in pretty sundresses, but it's just not Lenny's thing...with the exception of the matching dresses Lisa insisted the three of them wear for her 10th birthday party...Lenny still wears the yellow flowery thing often because she was so touched her niece wanted her to wear a matching dress too. Her other favorites include: her mets cap, Billy's old marine corps sweatshirt, perfectly worn-in denim overalls, cute pajama sets, and a green corduroy jacket that Billy says makes her look even more like the grouch.

🧠 A Headcanon A Day April 🧠