A/N: When I heard that it was confirmed by Luke Reichle that Beckett's gold bracelet (that we've been seeing so much of) was indeed a gift from Castle, I just had to write something about it.
Disclaimer: My birth certificate does not say "Andrew Marlowe."
He surprises her with the bracelet on a Saturday morning, bringing her breakfast in bed with the sleek black box placed right next to her coffee.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he murmurs, leaning over to brush the whisper of a kiss to her cheek.
She scrapes a hand through her hair, her sleep-muddled brain still trying to make sense of what's going on. "Castle, Valentine's Day was a month ago."
"Yeah, but I still had to make up for the earrings."
Her expression softens at the adoring look he's giving her – so eager to please – and she can't help running the tips of her fingers against the light stubble that has begun to form around the edges of his face.
"You don't have to make up for the earrings," she tells him. "It's not like I didn't get them. I just can't ever wear them to the precinct."
"I know, but I want you to have something that you can wear every day."
Her eyes flick down to the box and then back to him in hesitation. "Castle, that's really sweet but-"
"Kate, it's nothing really." His fingers trail fire up her arms. "Please. Just open it."
She's still tentative, steeling herself because really, the earrings were already a lot and she knows how he gets sometimes with his money and she doesn't have anything for him and-
"You're thinking too much," he whispers, lips pressed to her temple. "I promise, Kate. Nothing too extravagant."
It's the way he so easily reads her mind that eases her apprehension.
He knows her.
She reaches down to pluck the box from its spot on the tray, feeling much heavier in her hand than she thought it would be. Pinching the lid between her thumb and forefinger, she takes a breath and slowly opens it.
"It's beautiful," she breathes when she sees what's inside.
The bracelet is so . . . her. Thick brown string lacing together gold charms that upon further inspection look like . . .
"Castle, are those skulls?"
He barks out a laugh. "Yeah. I thought it fit, you know? With the whole you being a homicide detective thing."
She beams at him. "I love it, Castle."
There's a shift in his eyes, like he's about to say something he'll regret, but can't help letting it out.
"I love you."
She stares at him, mouth agape. His blue eyes are so vulnerable and she can see his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat.
He's terrified.
And to her surprise, seeing just how scared he is has the same three words bubbling up from her chest. But just as she's about to finally, finally let it out…
her phone rings.
Esposito gives her the location of a body drop downtown and once she's hung up, the moment has passed.
"Dead body?" he asks, clearly disappointed but trying to hide it.
"Yeah."
They hold each other's gaze for an instant and she thinks he's going to say something more, but then he drops his head and fiddles with the sheets.
"Better get ready then," he says.
She starts to get out of bed but then turns back to him. Tilting his chin back up, she presses her mouth to his, hoping she can convey everything she wants to say through this one kiss.
"Thank you for the bracelet, Castle," she whispers against his lips.
Then she's moving to the bathroom to start her day, somehow feeling both so light and yet horribly weighed down.
A/N: I have at least one more (probably also small) chapter left for this so stay tuned.