Hey there! So this is a one-shot/scene post-Always. Kinda super fluffy but... I can't say I'm sorry. So, just before you star reading, english is not my first language so please, be kind about any grammar/ortographic mistakes? I hope you guys like it! Let me know what you think :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle... at least not for now. It's all a part of Mr. Andre Marlowe's property.

XXX

I look at her and she sighs. She's beautiful when she's asleep. Like a fairytale princess, only better. Better because she's real. Better because she's mine. My hand approaches her calm face and caresses the sharp lines of her cheekbone with the tips of my fingers. She's soft. Soft and warm. I like it. I smile to myself like a fool, like a fool in love. Because yes, I'm in love with her. And it's not like I hadn't been in love before but... This time is different, I can feel it in my bones. I didn't feel like this with Meredith nor Gina, that's for sure. Not even in the good days we had. I loved them as much as I knew, but now I realize that's so little in comparison to my feelings for Kate. Ah, Kate! Just the though of her name fills me already with its sweetness, its goodness, its strength... Man! I got it so bad. Maybe I should write a book, but not another Heat's sequel, no. That's not what I want. They're not deep enough, they don't show Kate with precision. I want to show the whole world the real Kate, my Kate. Yes, maybe i should write a book, a book about her. That way I could capture her in her whole perfection... show the world the reason of my fortune. Cause I am the most fortunate man in the planet, and all because of her. Only Kate could make a man this happy.

In her unconscious sleep, she draws her hand to me and places it on my chest. The soft contact of our skins caressing is like a gift from the gods. I love her. Kate... My light, my life, my stars... It's decided, I'm gonna write. Because even when asleep, my beauty muse finds a way to inspire the writer in me. And I know I don't deserve her. I tenderly caress the edge of her hand, which is still spread on my bare chest. I don't know how in hell I could have been so lucky to find her. I smile, openly this time, and kiss her hair. The suddenly movement in the matress awakes her form her sweet lethargy. She frowns a little and blink a couple of times. Her eyes wander until they find mine, and then she smiles. The way she smiles could disarm any man, and of course, it does its purposes on me. It disarms me, leaves me naked, completely vulnerable. And I, weak and exposed, open her my soul's doors, showing her my most intimate thoughts.

"I love you".

X

I open my eyes but the light blinds me and makes me close them once again. I felt his caress but, where is he? I blink a couple of times and find him. He's staring at me with that crooked smile of his. What happens? He seems really happy and that makes me smile. I am happy. We look at each other like fools but... it's what it takes, after all this time. The thought of last night makes my smile grow wider. If he knew how much-

"I love you"

His words interrumpt my thoughts. Mi heart start racing loosely and I feel the blood spreading across my cheeks. My hand flies to my mouth and covers my smile, my blush... All of it. I ache to answer him, but this is not the moment. Not today. And I hate myself for not saying it back, for making him wait, again. But I want the moment to be perfect, because when I say it back at him I want it to mean everything, the promise of an eternity together. I don't want to go halfway and then turn around, I wanna be in this. For good. And it's too soon to be making this kind of promises. Even though I still feel like a b- for not answering him and showing him how much I care. So i draw his face to mine and kiss him. I taste his lips and enjoy their touch. I kiss him with want, with tender, with love... even if he doesn't know that; yet. And besides, the best things in life are worth waiting for. And I smile against his lips and he smirks in return. It's perfect, he is. He knows all my flaws and faults, and he still cherish me; he still finds a way to love me.

And that is the moment when I realize that I'm really here with him, with Richard effing Castle, that no one has the right to take him from me, because he is mine. And the thought makes my ego grow in a way I wouldn't be able to admit. At least, not to him. I kiss him again and he spins in the matress so he's in top of me now, resting his weight on his arms. I put my legs around his waist and stroke his nape with my fingers. I wish I could make the time stop. I wish I could stay like this for the rest of my life, cuddled with him, sorrounded by his strong body, with his warm breath on my parted mouth, inhaling his scent, stroking his skin...

I hug him tighter. Don't ever go away, i just ask for that. Stay with me forever.

Like he could listen to my silent pleas, he spins around again and place me on his chest, tightening his arms around my back. He's looking at me with those big blue eyes that leave me speechless. I feel them seeping through my armor; but I let him. I don't flee away, i don't look away. I stare at his face and let him take control over me, for the very first time. And he must feel it, cause his pupils go smaller and his smile wider. I simply lay on him, resting my head under his throat, feeling kind of dizzy. I put my lips on his Adam's apple and I can't stop the words that abruptly come out of my mouth.

"Stay with me."

He just squeeze me tighter, rocking me, stroking my sking with his fingers. And I can feel it, even with my eyes closed. I don't even have to look at him to know it. I feel safe. For the fist time in so many years... I feel secure, because I know that when I wake up again, he'll still be there. He'll always be there.

XXX