She’s giving him a shark’s smile, all teeth and meanness. And then tapping out a handful of notes, slow and melodic.

She’s taking it in stride, accepting the accusatory finger, and continuing to play anyway. “We all need sleep, Max.” Her voice is hushed, carrying with the music.

“No, but even someone who’s all energy needs to sleep.” Slowing her playing, she follows an even softer tune to try to coax him to sleep.

/ I LOVE IT HERE

She tunes it when she’s bored!

Briar plays for a moment longer, peering over the piano to see when Max’s breathing has settled into a constant rhythm. And then she slams both of her hands into the keys, loud and discordant.

/ why is this mans drinking energy drinks!!!!!

She taps out the last few notes of the song she’d disrupted, then stands, bows, and turns on her heel to leave the room.

“You love it here!” She calls it back over her shoulder.

She’s making her way out to the lawn to watch whatever stars they can see through the city lights. So glad she doesn’t have spilled energy drink to clean up.

/ whew

She’s placing a dreamt candle in @PHOTOKlNETIC’s room when she’s sure he isn’t around. It smells of lemongrass, the end of a long day at the beach, his mother’s cinnamon rolls, fog that blankets the city every morning, and days in the low winter sun. Scents of their childhood.

Awakens from a multi-week depression nap. What’s happening, kids?

Was not prepared, even though that sprint took forever. She’s not hugging him back. She’s standing stiffly. She will not return the affection. But maybe there’s a hint of a smile turning her lips. “Hi, Maximilian.”

"Maybe you are," she murmurs with a yawn. She's patting his shoulder, that's as much as she'll offer. "All charged up on dreams now, Volt-Man. I could take down an entire team of baddies if I wanted to." She couldn't, she's still tired, but. Dreams.

— Long as I was at war, I never thought about what would happen next. First time as long as I can remember, I don’t have a war to fight. ❞ frank castle. the punisher. written by #ᴄᴏsᴍᴏs ˎˊ˗