Inspired by the song Touch (unplugged) by Dabin ft Daniela Andrade.
Disclaimer: I own 0% of this except this story line.
They were sitting on the sofa at Castle and Beckett's place, celebrating their friend's anniversary. Having conversations that always seemed to distract from the truth of the relationship, or rather the confusing state of their relationship. They've always been caught in the middle of the what if and almost. Their fingers inches away from each other's but never daring to reach and touch.
"Do you want to dance?" Ryan asked after gathering all of his courage and holding his breath, waiting for her response as a slow song had begun.
"Sure." Lanie answered slightly nervous at the thought of their imminent proximity.
As they got up from the couch, Kevin reached for her hand and led them to the makeshift dance floor. Their hold on each other was tentative at first as if afraid of what could happen if they were to come in close contact.
The detective placed his hand on the small of her back as his other was holding hers onto his chest, thumb stroking the skin. She placed her free hand on the curve of his neck, her fingers almost reaching the exposed skin but not daring to. Ryan's hand slid further down her back, leaving a trail of heat that only brought back memories of moments when desires were almost fulfilled, memories of moments that left a bitter sweet taste.
Lanie settled closer into his chest as Ryan's grip on her back tightened the slightness bit, fingers spreading onto her back and retracting, making the fabric of her dress bunch up under his touch. She nuzzled into his neck before raising her head, their cheeks reaching each other's level. The pair could feel the anticipation building inside their chest, instinctively the both started to turn their heads towards each other, lips barely inches away from each other's when voice shocked them apart.
"Lanie, there you are! I was looking for you, let's take some picture. Sorry Ryan, you'll get your dance partner back soon enough!" Beckett said to her friends as she was pulling her best friend away, completely oblivious to her interruption.
Lanie's fingers slid off from Kevin's, his softly curling towards hers, trying to hold on to the touch. Both still hold the eye contact as the distance between them grew without a single word from either of them. It was another moment passed, another moment that represented the what could've been. They were always caught between the what if and the almost.
