This was inspired by a story I heard, and somehow my brain turned it into this.
It was her place. No one else used it besides her. She would come home after a long day or a hard case, and go up to the roof. She would lie down and watch the sky or get lost in the sight of the rushing city, which always amazed her.
She came up here as often as she could, usually taking a book with her to read, sometimes even a glass of wine just to make it even better. She loved the lazy days off when she didn't have to work, and she could spend the entire afternoon on her ground of solace.
And then it changed. She headed up to the roof after the case, just like she always would, but as soon as she opened the door she stopped, shock, disappointment and anger freezing her in place.
Someone brought up flowers. Next to the stairwell there were all kinds of flowers and plants now, their scents invading her senses, floating through the air. She walked by them, feeling betrayed that even this place, her sanctuary had been compromised. But she won't give this place up, she cant. It means too much to her.
As weeks pass by more and more flowers and even small trees appear on the roof, slowly filling up every empty space, except the one where she lays her blanket. She is annoyed, but she hasn't managed to catch the one responsible for this.
One evening, after a particularly exhausting case she feels like she is going to explode from all the pent up anger and tension, and she needs to wind down, so she picks up her favorite book, a bottle of wine, a glass, her cozy blanket, and heads to the roof.
She opens the door and steps outside, the breeze catching into her hair, caressing her face, and the now familiar, sweet scent of the flowers slowly eases her mind and body, the tension seeping out. She walks to her spot, puts down her book and the wine and stretches.
She unfolds the blanket, but just as she is about to sit down the noise of splashing water distracts her, and when she hears the loud yelp from behind her she reaches for her gun by instinct, but thankfully she doesn't have it on her.
She stares at the guy standing there, holding a watering can, his shirt soaked and sticking to his skin. Finally! So he is the one who turned her roof into a garden.
"Hey! What happened?" She's not sure what makes her ask him, but it's out before she even realizes.
He jerks in surprise, obviously unaware of her presence, but as he turns around quickly it's her turn to freeze, because shit it's Richard Castle. Her favorite author, whose books she reads almost every day, in fact she has one with her right now.
What is he doing up here? And since when did he change his profession to gardener?
Her mouth still open she stares at him, unable to believe that this is happening.
"I'm sorry, who's there?"
For a second she feels the anger rise within her, because what kind of stupid joke is he trying to play, but as she looks into his eyes again, her heart stops beating. How did she not notice it before?
His eyes are grey, and glassy. She just stands there, unable to react, to answer. When did he become blind?
"Hey, you still there?" The uncertainty in his voice sends a shiver down her spine, and the sadness that washes over her is overwhelming.
"Yeah, I'm here." Her voice is shaky, and she's not sure what to say. "So, what happened?"
He looks in her direction, and puts down the watering can. A small smile plays on his lips as he answers.
"Well, I've been watering my flowers just like I always do, and then somehow managed to splash myself. And the water is really cold." She smiles at his whining, still recovering from the surprise that he is apparently living here as well, oh and the fact the he is blind.
"So who are you, and what are you doing up here?" the question seems honest, untainted by sarcasm or hostility.
"I live here, and this is my roof. Well, it's used to be." He laughs at that, still waiting for her name. "I'm Kate Beckett."
"Richard Castle. Nice to meet you. And sorry if I ruined your roof with all the plants, but ever since the accident I haven't had a lot to do, my daughter suggested this, and it was pretty easy so…" He looks away shyly, and she is surprised at the urge to make him feel better.
"It's okay, really. I got used to it anyway. Some of these flowers have amazing scents. And somehow you managed to leave out my favorite spot."
He gives her an amused smile, and she really wants to know why he is so happy.
"My daughter might have something to do with that. You know she saw you come up here almost every day, and she has also seen where you usually lie down. So we didn't put anything there."
She smiles at him, and even though he can't see it, she's sure that he can feel something, because his smile widens.
"Thanks. I don't know how we haven't met before."
"Well, when Alexis told me about you, I didn't want to bother, so I only came up here when I was sure you wouldn't be home. And after that it somehow became a game I came up with, where I wanted to make sure you wouldn't see me before I had this place filled with flowers and trees. It was almost a success. I only needed one more day."
She is not sure what to say about the game, so she quickly changes topic, and she can't help the questions that flow through her.
"Why all the flowers? And how do you write since it happened?" The question slips out before she could filter it, and she regrets it immediately as the sadness flashes through his face. It's obviously a delicate topic for him, but his face lights up again, and she lets out a deep breath when a small smile appears.
"So you know me, huh. Ever since the accident I have someone type everything I say. It's much harder, and slower, but it works. And Alexis is a big help too."
She nods subconsciously, then shakes her head as she remembers that he can't see it.
"But to answer your other question…" She could swear that there's a hint of teasing. "I wanted you to talk to me, and figured you would, if you saw me here with all these flowers."
She doesn't even notice the laugh the takes over her, and then she is unable to stop, her body rocking, tears in the corner of her eyes.
After a minute she manages to calm down, and as she looks at him she feels a little bad.
He looks sad, his shoulders slumped down, and she now feels terrible for laughing at him without explanation.
"I'm sorry. It's really sweet actually. I just never thought that the reason would be this."
His face brightens, although he is still a little cautious.
"So you like it?" She almost laughs again at the skeptical face, and he looks like a nervous teenager asking out his first crush.
"Yes, I do. It's beautiful."
"Just like you are." Her eyes widen in surprise, and she doesn't know how to respond. He blushes, and turns his head, old habits probably, everything suggesting that he didn't want to say that out loud.
"Why do you think that?" She is really curious now, and wants to hear his explanation.
"I may have asked Alexis to describe you." And the sheepish smile he gives her makes her laugh again.
"And she told you I was pretty?" She still doesn't believe it.
"No. She told me you were beautiful. Actually she found it a bit awkward after the tenth question. She told me to come up here and finally talk to you myself."
"How did I not notice her? I thought being a detective would mean that I can notice a teenage girl spying on me."
"You're a detective? That's so hot." He looks like a little boy who just got a new toy, and she finds it hard not to laugh.
"Yeah, I am. Want me to cuff you, Castle?" She finds it really easy, almost natural to tease him, and the way his eyebrows are raised, his mouth is open she can't hold it anymore, and the laugh bursts out loud.
"Come on, sit with me. I'll bring you another glass and we can drink wine while you tell me all about yourself." She really wants to hear the story behind his condition.
"Only if you tell me about you." He doesn't give up, does he?
"Deal."
The night finds them still sitting there talking, laughing and sharing stories neither of them knew they even remembered. She hasn't felt this way in a long time, because as he sits next to her she feels free.
He is just about to start another story when Alexis calls for him from the stairs. He is obviously disappointed as they stand up, and she's sure he is about to apologize, but she stops him.
"Just go, your daughter is waiting for you. Meet me here tomorrow?"
His face lights up, a bright smile plastered on his face, and she finds him adorable like that.
"I'd love that."
She kisses him on the cheek, and chuckles at his surprise. "Good night Castle."
She gathers her stuff, and she is almost off the roof, when she hears him answer "Good night Kate."
She is still smiling as she gets ready to bed, and when she falls asleep she dreams about flowers, and gardens, and him.
Please let me know what you think :)