Inspired by Episode 6x15, Smells Like Teen Spirit. Castle and Beckett sing karaoke in the Hamptons.
Richard Castle had one goal in mind as he walked into the dim, beachside bar in the Hamptons, it was something he had been trying to arrange, unsuccessfully, for months now—convince Kate Beckett to sing karaoke with him. Whether he would do so by using his charm and the playful, boyish smile he knew she secretly adored or just a lot of alcohol was still up for debate.
He had come close to coercing her onstage one previous evening about a month back. They were at a dive bar a few blocks from the precinct with Ryan, Esposito, and Lanie, tucked into a corner booth, his arm casually wrapped around her shoulder as she nursed her third glass of wine. When the DJ made a last call for singers, Castle jumped out of his seat and headed toward the stage, with Ryan and Esposito enthusiastically hooting from the sidelines. He grabbed the microphone and gestured to her to join him on stage as the intro to Bohemian Rhapsody vibrated through the small crowd. She silently mouthed "no," her hands held up in protest, but a shove from Lanie hoisted her from the booth, and the applause from the onlookers urged her forward. She was about to step onto the stage when her foot got tangled in a wayward wire, sending both her and the stereo equipment hurtling toward the floor. A loud, static, crackling sound cut through the thrumming base, and with a final, high-pitched ping, like the sound of a bell ringing, the room fell silent. Castle jumped off the stage and helped her to her feet, noticing the crimson color flood her cheeks. Beckett laughed nervously, brushed her pants off and sulked back to the booth openly declaring that that was the closest she was ever getting to an open microphone again. "Saved by the bell," she joked, as they road the taxi back to the loft.
When Castle saw the community newsletter hanging from the bulletin board of his favorite Hampton's coffee spot, he was elated to see the page-long advertisement for the annual karaoke contest. He had entered almost every year since he purchased the large, beachside property, often with Alexis or his mother. The event always proved to be one of the highlight of the summer. Without thinking he scribbled their names down under "Duets," figuring he'd have a week to convince her to join him. But the perfect opportunity never presented itself, as perfect opportunities rarely do, and as they strolled toward the bar, hand in hand, enjoying the bright pinks and oranges painted across the sky, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd be making the trip home alone.
When he pushed open the bar's front door, an antique style door that creaked from years of salt water and sea wind, he saw a small chalkboard hanging on the wall opposite the entrance. In keeping with the beach theme, it was rimmed with drift wood, and pink and sea foam green shells mingled among bits of fake seaweed. Reading the sign he felt his pulse quicken, and he swiftly turned around to face Kate, nearly toppling over her as she continued walking forward, her eyes scanning the tables for a familiar face.
"What are you doing, Castle?" She steadied herself on Castle's arms, standing close enough that she could pick up the scent of his cologne mixing with their lavender fabric softener. It was intoxicating.
Castle grabbed her hands and sheepishly inched back until the top of his head was covering the very bottom of the sign. He wondered if he was hiding the two words bound and determined to give away his devious plan, or if his head was just serving to underline them with his brown tresses.
"Is something wrong?" Kate pushed back and put her hand on her hip, a beaded hand bag resting on the curve of her waist. "Did you want to go somewhere else?" Castle was momentarily mesmerized by the intensity in her eyes, the confusion mixed with concern. Please don't let her see the sign he chanted over and over again, squirming awkwardly as he gestured into the center of the room at nothing in particular.
Kate followed his outstretched arm with her eyes and Castle used the momentary distraction to try and pull her toward a cluster of tables toward the back. The second he stepped away from the board though, her eyes darted up, catching the two words his awkward song and dance routine failed to conceal.
"Karaoke contest." Her voice was ripe with indignation. Castle stopped dead in his tracks, like a dear in the crosshairs. Because maybe if he didn't move, maybe if he just stood still enough she would forget what she had read and continue walking with him, no harm done. "Castle." Her voice was firm, parental. He slowly turned toward her, his eyes averted. "Is this your attempt to get me to sing?" She cocked her eyebrow, and he knew he would never be able to get away with lying.
Castle scuffled his shoes across the floor, stepping aside to let more people through the door. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" He deflected in the most obvious way possible.
"Castle." Only Kate could convey so much by just saying his name. He shoved his hands in his pockets, waiting for the rebuke.
"Listen, Kate, we can go somewhere else. Somewhere quieter. More romantic. More…" She pressed her palm to his mouth, a devilish smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Castle." He stopped talking, hearing a hint of excitement in the way she said his name this time. "I was going to say, if you thought by bringing me here you could get me to sing karaoke," she paused, tugging at his wrist to dislodge it from his pocket as she led him toward the bar, "I'd like to see you try." She flashed him a smile and took a seat, her voice playful and not at all angry. Castle felt giddy.
He sat down next to her at the bar, laying his hand across her exposed thigh, and she placed her hand over his. He waved to the bartender who was distractedly drying glasses at the other end of the bar, and then leaned toward her and locked eyes. He dropped his voice an octave and furrowed his eyebrows, the way he often did when he was about to try to seduce her in bed. "Challenge accepted."
Please let me know what you think! More to come!