greatexpectations | (open) elektra natchios (black sky)

How romantic. I'll take that lunch whenever you're free.

i think she technically kicked me out last night but i didn't listen
even better right?

early lunch
meet me at my place at 11

You're on a roll.

And I'll be there with my new bff.

shit always rolls downhill

am i making lunch for him too?

I'd say yes, but I'm willing to bet you were going to make his lunch first regardless of how I answered.

it's almost like you know me or something

Know you? That's ridiculous. You're far too tall, dark,
and mysterious to be known by anyone.

i'm literally none of those things
see you at 11

Uh-huh. See you then.

[ frank leaves jessica's place in much brighter spirits than he would have expected given the night they'd had, but elektra had a way of cheering him up. he stops for groceries on the way home, a strange sort of relief settling over him when he makes it in the door. his little house with his family had never felt like his, rather theirs and he was just visiting, stopping before getting shipped out again. however shitty, this place is just his and it's comforting on a day like today.

he bought a bouquet of orchids in anticipation of elektra's arrival, dropping them in his vase before putting away anything perishable and going to wash himself up. the more he tries not to think about jess, the worse things get, so he ends up embracing that too. he wonders if she's working or if she went back to sleep. he doesn't know which would be more merciful at this point.

frank dresses in clean (but predictably still dark) clothes and sets about prepping their meal. he doesn't know whether elektra will be early, late or on time so he takes his precaution in getting started as soon as he can. he puts on a pot of coffee to stave off his own hunger and sets to work. by the time she gets there his little space should smell amazing. ]

[Elektra never knows which it will be either. Some days she's the image of perfect and very late as a result. Others she's simply herself whether it's put together (on time) or incredibly messy (early and a bit out of it.) Today it will be on time.

(Most days are on time since she started to put in the work to make herself whole again rather than relying on denial.)

She dresses simply in a navy blue long-sleeved shirt, light jeans, and fashionable black snow boots to go with her long, dark winter jacket. She gets a driver to avoid forcing her dog to walk in this weather. He's made it clear he'll chew off any boots or sweater she puts on him. (Like all the men in her life, he's incredibly stubborn.) She tips the driver and heads inside like she owns the place as usual. It keeps her from being bothered which is how she likes it.

She's especially grateful for being left alone when she actually approaches his place. It smells amazing. She's honestly surprised no one is clawing at his door like a hungry pet to get inside. Well, she supposes that what her pet is for. He scratches at the door before Elektra can even knock. Elektra's laugh ends up being the greeting instead.]

You better let us in before he claws his way inside.

[ his absent humming pauses when he hears that familiar laugh, wiping his hands on his jeans and going to answer the door. the dog barges in first and frank gives elektra a look -- a bemused look like parents give each other when their kid does something technically bad but also endearing. then he crouches down to get his paw-shake in greeting, patting the dog's head before rising up to greet elektra. do they hug? are they huggers? he ends up closing the door behind her while he's thinking about it instead of taking action either way. ]

I'm making breakfast pizza. [ he sounds kind of excited about it. or as excited as he gets. a tick above monotone, for sure. ]

[Elektra pops a shoulder at the dog's antics. She's ever the permissive parent in all this. It's easy to be when her little one is actually quite good at his job. She strides on in and goes to remove her coat while her dog smells everything. She's always relaxed here so she can't fault him for taking a little break.]

That sounds fantastic! [She doesn't bother to conceal her hype. Food is her true weakness.] You spoil us. Keep at it.

Uh-huh. [ that's easy enough to agree to since he'd do it anyway. frank strides back into the kitchen and calls the dog in, not that he needs to. there's food there so he's easy to persuade. he fills up a dish of water and puts it down for him, smiling softly when he immediately begins to lap it up. ] Does this poor guy still not have a name?

[ frank calls to her while checking all his food on the stove and the preset for the oven for the millionth time. ] You want coffee?

I'm working on it. [Elektra says a little too defensively as she tosses her jacket on the couch. It's actually been a struggle which irks her since she never struggles with anything.] Please.

[It's then that she spots the flowers. She lights up like a little kid and makes a beeline for them.] Orchids! Who told you I loved them? Was it Matthew? He never could keep a secret.

Uh-huh. [ he repeats, with a touch of disbelief this time as he makes her coffee the way she likes it, handing her the mug on the way across to put the milk away.

but her reaction to the flowers has him biting into the inside of his lip, trying not to react outwardly himself. to very little avail. ] Just had a feeling.

Uh-huh. [She mimics before taking the mug. Elektra takes a generous sip, already feeling warmer for it, before taking a seat. Between the food and flowers she's in a better mood than usual around Frank.]

I was thinking of Oretes for him, but I wonder if it's too cliche. Thoughts?

Or just pretentious. [ an immediate hammer back. can we not give the dog hipster names like yours!! not that he technically has any say... but he knows he has sway with her so he's using it for SUPER IMPORTANT THINGS. ] What about Francis? That's a strong name. [ he's just messing with her :> ]

Don't be jealous that my name is clearly superior to yours. [Elektra warns him playfully. She makes a show of thinking about it before quipping sweetly.] I think he's too handsome for that name, Francis.

[ oh wow, walked right into that one. he smiles down into his pan, taking the eggs off the heat and starting to assemble his dish for the oven. omelettes, cheddar, spinach, bacon, tomatoes all go into a pre-baked crust before he throws the whole cast iron into the pre-heat. ] Doesn't take much. [ because he's always willing to throw himself under the bus, she knows this. ]

Dave? [ he's so subtle!!! ]

[She shoots him a look even while salivating at the look of what he's planning. He's taking all the fun out of teasing him by agreeing. She can't say she didn't see it coming so she really played herself on that one. His next suggestion earns a chuckle.] You're going to run down the list of everyone you know, aren't you?

[That actually doesn't bother her. Her last dog name had been selected to match hers along with please Hugo. Why not keep up the theme?] I am open to Leon or Zachary.

[Both have Greek roots and might please Frank. It's a win-win situation.]

Maybe. [ he admits. he almost suggested 'dean' because he knows elektra and madani would hit it off. but... hm. ]

Leon. [ he repeats, turning just in time to see their friend snap his gaze onto frank. he knows he would have done it anyway, but it's a good name. ] I think it fits him. Do you? If you name him Zach he'll be taking everything that isn't nailed down. [ :) ]

[She studies her dog carefully. Elektra actually nailed it with that one. The name truly does suit him.] That will do. I can't have a thief lurking around my place, but I could always use someone to dance with.

[ oh... that was easy. good. frank goes to sit with her while the food cooks, a fresh cup of coffee in one hand while the other scratches leon's face. he's come up to lay it on the marine's leg so the least he could do was oblige. ]

So. What else is going on with you? [ he takes a sip, trying to keep the topic off of himself for as long as possible. ]

[She stares at him. Is he really trying to avoid talking about himself when he's evidently got this romance going on? Elektra shakes her head.] You really want to hear about all the paperwork involved in legally coming back to life and my recent investments? Because that's what I've been up to. Very tedious, but the new money and access to my old funds is always welcome.

[Because you know the dubiously legal money from her overseas accounts wasn't enough for her to live off of already.]

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