I am a college student who doesn't own anything… Including Castle. This is just a way to get over the drawn out frustration of asking when they are finally going to stop being so scared.
This fan-fic is a different take on the thumb-wrist circling scene from the most recent episode: 4x13
Her breath hitched in her throat, but she didn't pull away. Instead she angled her hand so that his thumbs would be able to touch more of her skin. He pauses for a second, contemplating this development, but continues with purpose. Just how far will she let me go?
Her eyes met his, and instantly his name escaped her lips. "Castle."
He thinks it's all over and starts to pull away, until…
"Don't stop. Show me… show me more of what our new friend likes."
He doesn't stop drawing circles with his thumb as the pads of his fingers start to caress the underside of her wrists, which she would normally find incredibly ticklish, but in this case it seemed like liquid fire was being pumped into her veins.
"Kate… I… um… hmmm." He smiles. "We are just starting to get to know Royal. I haven't had a chance to learn all that I would like to, and not just about him. In fact, I am finding myself more interested in learning more out this." As he takes his other hand and glides a stray hair behind her ear and follows through with the brushing of his fingers through her hair, across her neck, and on down her other arm… only to take her other hand in his.
He meets her eyes again and she takes the smallest of steps forward. But a step none-the-less. He takes both of her hands together and places them inside his much larger hands, as if for a second he is praying to God that he doesn't mess this up. He leans forward and touches his forehead to hers, while hands are still clasped together.
She takes another breath. "Rick"
"Do you want me to step away?"
"No, I like having you close."
A smile breaks out across his face. "Then I think we should get closer."
"I don't think I have ever been as close to anyone as I am you, Rick."
He knows that they aren't talking about personal bubble space anymore. She is letting her shields down and letting him in. To see her as a woman, not as a kick-ass detective. The phrase handle with care, contents fragile can't help but come to mind. So, instead of moving in for the kiss that he so desperately wants to take, he presses her hands over his fast beating heart, and holds them there with one hand, while using his other hand to memorize her face with his fingers while their foreheads are still pressed together.
"Kate. There are three women in my life that I love. Alexis who I have known since her first gasp of life. My mother who gave me life. And you, who I want to spend the rest of my life with. I don't care if I can only be the best friend and partner who always has your back. Preferably though, it would be as your life partner, as your companion, as your lover – so that I can show you just how incredibly special you are. Whatever you want, I am here for you, always. I know what life without you is like, and it isn't life, it is existence. No matter what, know that you are loved."
A tear escapes her left eye, and his right hand that was once circling her wrist, reaches up to catch it before it falls.
Sliding her hands up his chest to wrap around his next, she leans her body into his at a backward arch so that she can change the arch of his neck to meet hers. Their breath dances in the thin space between their lips, and then she whispers "I love you too Castle, I have for a long time." And with that the space closes between them.
Next to them, Royal looks up, and covers his face with his paw as he lets out a slight whimper – Dog thought "Guess I won't be getting on the couch this evening after all."