"Well, regardless of rather or not I'd have said it before, I'm saying it now."

Matt could hear the confidence in Frank's voice, and that was literally the only thing that reminded him that Frank was still Frank in every way. He believed in what he was saying one hundred percent. He had conviction and strength, even when he was absolutely supposed to be uncertain.

"I guess that's fair..."

Focusing in on Frank's heartbeat, Matt could hear that it was thumping at a million miles per minute. He was so afraid, so excited, and so determined. He inhaled, exhaled and then Matt's senses all blurred for a moment.

Then Frank's lips were on his. Matt felt everything go black inside and out for a moment.

Matt had no idea what he was supposed to do, but he knew exactly what he wasn't supposed to be doing. He wasn't supposed to be kissing Frank back, enjoying the brush of his soft, gentle lips. Why were his lips so gentle and sweet? It felt perfect, tender and warm and...

"Wait, stop!" he yelled. "Stop, please!"

Frank pulled back, looking at him, literally staring him down.

"Why? Don't you want..."

"That is the problem," Matt said harshly. He then winced, because his own words were so vicious, so cold. He realized, however, that he did want Frank. He had been dealing with his attraction to The Punisher for months now, but now that Frank wasn't that man anymore - it was even harder to just push those lingering thoughts away. "I want, Frank. I really am attracted to you, but I can't."

"Why not? Is there someone?"

"No, no..." Matt murmured. "I want, but I know that when you come back, when you're you, that it's just going to hurt us both. Sorry. I'm so sorry..."

"I don't understand!" Frank was visibly frustrated. "Tell me how we met."

"We have to go back a bit further than that..." Matt whispered, afraid of what was going to happen.