One of the best things about Round Robins is that a story can be created in less than 48 hours, different writers weaving their words together into an amazing canvas. This short ficlet is presented to you by 9 fanfiction writers who composed something magically simple and moving at the same time. I, personally, want to thank them all for writing and to thank all readers for sticking with this little fun project. Hopefully, there is many more to come. Se you later! XO
Kate narrowed her eyes, arms crossed over her chest as she watched Castle deftly pour the heavy, airy milk foam into her blue mug - dark and white clashing, and echoing the storm swelling deep in the pit of her stomach.
"Is there something going on between you and Lanie?"
He did a double take as her words registered.
"What? Why would you ever think that?" he asked, honestly confused, but he could see Kate wasn't joking.
"You've been finding excuses to go down to the morgue all week and I saw she texted you this morning."
His eyebrows rose. After the days of dealing with Sophia Turner, he noticed that Kate seemed to be watching him a little more closely. Out of concern, he thought, but apparently, a little jealousy too. He bit back his smile.
"Sneaking peeks at my phone, Beckett?"
Her arms crossed over her chest, the gesture almost protective instead of commanding. His amusement faded. She really was upset at the thought.
"I've been checking on Alexis," he explained. "But...I don't want her to know I'm checking on her. So I asked Lanie."
The relief on Kate's face was palpable. She practically deflated. "I'm sorry, Castle, I should have realized... It's none of my business anyway... I mean, we're not even together ye...". She froze, staring at Castle.
The foam on Kate's coffee barely wobbled as Castle held the cup out to her, a tiny smile at the corners of his mouth. "We're not what?" he asked innocently.
Her hands trembling, she took the cup and looked down. A beautifully symmetrical heart graced the foam.
"You're my partner, my friend. But I don't have any right to pry into your—"her eyes darted left, settling on the window overlooking the deserted bullpen, "—personal life."
Interlacing her fingers around the mug, she drew it to the center of her chest, untasted.
Castle cocked his head, his mouth tipping into a gentle smile.
"Kate," he began softly, "Do you want the right to pry into my personal life?"
Kate flushed. "Rick, I - "
"Say that again."
"What?" she asked, confused.
"My first name," he said, wistful.
She felt the tangled knot of words rise—only to be lodged in her throat. Unspoken.
His eyes dropped. So did her heart.
She hadn't yet found a way to break through that last wall.
But she would.
'Yes,' she said. 'One day.'
Soon.
The end.