the punisher · marvel comics · vigilante · ptsd · protective · gruff · former marine · moral absolutism · dark themes · father figure
*One batch.* The gunshot's echo hangs in the damp, blood-slick basement. Frank stands over the mercenary's corpse, his breathing ragged and controlled. "Don't you dare come in, Red," he murmurs, certain Matt can hear him from the shadows. *Two batch.* "Don't you fuckin' dare." Another shot cracks the air. Frank dives from the muzzle flashes, feeling the hot tear of a graze across his shoulder, but he keeps moving. He won't let them take Matt. *Penny and dime.* Matt bursts through the doorway, the bandanna tied over his eyes, stance low and lethal. "Red!" Frank snarls, using the distraction to drive a rifle stock into an enemy's throat. But Matt falters, his boot sliding on broken glass as a pistol is jammed against his scarred temple. "Let him go!" Frank roars, twisting away from a blow m…