A/N: This idea came to me as I started to see Beckett constantly drinking from the same blue coffee cup. Enjoy!
Coffee is symbolic for those two characters, no matter who brings the coffee, her or me, it's like this is our Good Morning Kiss - a way of saying without actually using words: 'Good morning, my heart. How are you doing'- Nathan Fillion
"Open it," he murmured softly as he came up behind her, arms snagging her around the waist.
"Castle, we promised each other no gifts," she protested quietly, unconsciously melting into his warm embrace.
"It's not what you think, open it," he pleaded, his nose gently nudging her ear in encouragement.
She shivered as his warm breath washed over her and closed her eyes for a moment, reveling in the safety she felt in his arms. Her fortress. Her Castle. Shit. He was making her sappy.
"There's no time like the present, Kate."
"Thought that one up all by yourself?"
"I try my best to please." She could feel him smiling as he dropped a kiss into her hair.
Her heart flipped. Damn. Just a peck, and her pulse was racing.
It had been four months of exploring and wrapping themselves up in each other. Four months of just being them.
And she still couldn't get enough. She didn't think she'd ever will.
And that's what scared the crap out of her, realizing how much she needed him- wanted him.
But he made it easy. Because loving him was easy.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Just thinking."
"About what's inside the present?" he asked eagerly.
She chuckled lightly. He was such a child sometimes, but that was one of the things that drew her to him-his love of life and vibrant personality.
"No," she whispered in response.
She turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, breathing in his scent.
"About us. About how far we've come."
Castle looked down at her in awe, eyes shining with unadulterated adoration and tenderness.
She was never open with her thoughts, but that's what he did to her. He opened her up in ways no one else could. Because he loved her. All of her.
Castle traced a finger along her cheek, blazing a trail of warmth in its path, eventually tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Thanks," he whispered hoarsely.
"For what?"
"Sharing. Letting me in. Letting me love you."
Oh.
"I-, Rick I-" she fumbled trying to form the words she needed to tell. Needed him to hear.
"Kate, it's ok. I know." He smiled at her, eyes sparkling.
"But-"
He stopped her with his lips, moving them softly against hers, a message in more ways than one. She pulled him closer, opening her mouth to his, showing him what she couldn't say.
Castle pulled away, breathing heavily.
"I think I'll interrupt you more often."
"Your techniques are most effective."
His chest rumbled with laughter as he squeezed her a little tighter.
"I think you're ready," said Castle.
"For what?"
"To open the present. I know you're dying to know what's inside," he murmured in her ear before pulling away from their embrace, and leading her to his counter with a tug of his hand on hers.
"The present that I told you specifically not to get because we don't need to give each other gifts on our four month anniversary?" she retorted.
"Yes, that one." He smiled crookedly at her, making her heart skip a beat.
He was wearing his heart on his sleeve, wanting her to know how much she meant to him. And it scared her how real it all was, but she could give him this; her love and acceptance.
"Ok, fine. I'll open it, but don't expect me to get a gift for you in return."
"You're the only gift I need."
She arched an eyebrow at him.
"You are such a sap."
"It makes you want me, right?"
Maybe.
She didn't answer him and instead busied herself with opening the damn present. It was a brown box topped with a cute, purple bow. It was sweet and simple. Her heart tore a little at the thought. With her broken past and morbid job, not much in her life was sweet and simple, yet with Rick, somehow sweet and simple was possible.
"Ladies and gentlemen, drum roll please," said Castle as he beat his fingers in a staccato rhythm against the counter. She rolled her eyes, but was smiling inside at his adorableness.
She took the lid off the box as Castle mimicked cymbals crashing.
Her breath hitched as she stared at the item nestled in tissue paper.
A blue coffee cup.
"Do you like it?" asked Castle earnestly, "It's ceramic, which will keep your coffee nice and warm, and it's a little larger..."
Her heart was pounding. He got her a coffee cup. "Every morning I bring you a cup of coffee just so I can see a smile on your face." All their looks, caresses, glances, touches, and unspoken promises wrapped into one gift. Her heart swelled and she couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for the beautiful, loving man before her.
"...than regular coffee cups, but that's just because I know you can't get enough of coffee, you being an addict and all. It's also a little classier than those precinct mugs, and you're a classy-"
"I love it," she breathed, interrupting his nervous rambling. I love you.
"You love it?" he asked excitedly, eyes lighting up with joy.
"I really, really love it," she whispered, looking straight at him. I love you.
His eyes softened and he hugged her, burying his face in her hair.
"Glad I could be of service," he murmured, softly stroking her back.
"Thank you," she whispered. For everything. She didn't deserve this sweet, wonderful man.
"I know your favorite color is purple, but the blue reminded me of-"
"Your eyes," she blurted, a blush creeping into her cheeks as she realized what she said.
His eyes softened as he teasingly remarked, "Who's the sap now?"
She smacked him lightly on the chest before leaning in and giving him a chaste kiss.
"Only for you, Writer Man." She smiled at him, gazing into his cobalt eyes.
He smiled crookedly back before capturing her lips again for a swift kiss.
"You know what else the blue reminds me of?" he asked as he tripped his fingers up her arm.
"Hmm?"
"Your sexy police uniform, which you have yet to share," he remarked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"In your dreams, Castle."
"Oh, I assure you, they are," he purred, tracing his lips on the shell of her ear.
Ugh. She tugged his ear, yanking him away.
"Aaaaaaples, aaaples, apples!"
She let go and smoothed her hand across his chest, smiling mischievously at him while he rubbed his ear, a pout adorning his face.
"Don't pout, Ricky, Christmas is around the corner," she teased, pulling away from him.
"You mean?" his voice raised in hope and slightly contained joy.
"I might just have a present for you after all."
A/N: Thoughts?