Billy thought about it. He thought about the way that word made him feel - vulnerable and helpless and in pain - but he thought of the way Frank made him feel, too. Maybe he could get over it, get past it.

"You can call me pretty, Frankie. And I'll tell you if I can't take it." Because they could do that, right? If he said it was fine now and changed his mind later, Frank Castle wasn't an asshole.

Billy turned toward him, looked at him. He cracked a little grin. "You're not that stupid, Frank Castle. I know that cause Maria wouldn't've fuckin married a total dumbass and I wouldn't be trying to have conversations with you if you were."