Scarred Hearts
presents
Making Up Time
Chapter 4: Who
Disclaimer: Is this thing even really necessary? I certainly don't make any money off this…
Slight Warning: Implied adult themes later on. No actual "adult" themes.
The first thing Kate notices as Castle leads her to the table, guiding her with his arm, is Alexis. Alexis' eyes are glued to Rick and her, glued where her father's arm is. They stay glued there for a moment, before an amused grin appears in the youngest Castle's face.
They sit down next to each other, drawing raised eyebrows from red-heads. Of course. They'd sat next to each other by choice. That is new. Kate normally keeps Castle as close as he can get, while still being at arms' length.
Cracks.
"So… why are we all so quiet?" Martha asks, poking the awkward barrier of silence that accommodates playful grins and tentative hand positions.
"I've no idea, Mother. Maybe there isn't enough wine in your system yet," Castle quips. The eldest of the Castle family chuckles and takes another swig of wine from her glass.
It is now that Kate's eyes see the second thing. Only now, as she takes in what is actually on the table. Cherries. The waffle dressing. It's made of cherries. She elbows Rick lightly, drawing his gaze. Nods towards the cherries. Castle grins and winks at her. He actually winks at her.
Oh God, Kate, what are you doing?
"Kate, dear, how's your father?" Martha asks. And just like that, the awkwardness in the room vanishes and is replaced by laughter, conversation, and most importantly, waffles.
Sometime later (Kate isn't sure when), the topic of conversation changes. It has been fun and pleasant so far. Light-hearted topics of humour, mostly coming from Rick and Martha. Alexis has given a few entertaining, and sometimes embarrassing stories as well. She's told it's the tradition. The Castle Waffle Sunday pre-Christmas tradition. But the topic has changed. To far more fragile waters.
"Do you remember Mike and Laura, Richard?" Martha asks. Rick appears blank for a moment, before a comical widening of the eyes reveals the revelation in his eyes.
Why am I watching his eyes?
Why is she even thinking about any of his body parts? That is a better question.
"Mickey!" Castle exclaims. "Those two stopped dancing around each other yet?"
Kate's gaze snaps to Martha. Her nose smells a set-up.
"Mike and Laura are colleagues of mine," Martha explains for Alexis and Kate's benefit. "They've been dancing around each other, saying they're just friends, avoiding any mention of a romantic relationship… you know. For three years."
You know?
Kate's eyes wander back to Rick. Wider. Not quite deer-in-headlights wide, but close. His eyes find hers. His blue stays true to the colour. Relaxing. Calm. There is no panic. Kate thinks she sees some strange form of acceptance, but then, she also thinks she sees the slightest hint of relief.
"Did they get together?" Alexis asks. Simple questions should always have simple answers. Unfortunately, this rule didn't seem to apply to matters of the heart.
"Yes, they did. We were all rehearsing a scene for the first time, and their characters had to kiss. The moment they did we could all tell it wasn't a rehearsal anymore," Martha says.
It doesn't escape anyone's attention that she is looking between Kate and Rick, gaze alternating, with a smirk on her face. No matter what her son said, Martha has life-experience. Love-experience, too.
"I'm afraid I've gotta run, kiddo," Martha declares abruptly, standing. The meal is almost over now. Kate glares weakly at her. Martha hadn't even given her a chance to respond. She knew how to run a set-up. Having accomplished her goal, she absconds to avoid retribution. She is good.
"Say hi to Mickey and Laura for me!" Castle throws in as the door closes behind his mother. He turns to his daughter, who is also leaving the table. "Are you running away too?"
His pout is adorable.
Wait a moment. Had she just thought something of Castle's, other than his daughter, was adorable?
"Paige's mom is going to be here any moment now. Rockefeller, remember?" Alexis asks. Castle nods. Alexis' phone clings, signalling the need for her to bolt as well.
"You're sleeping over at Paige's tonight, right?" he asks. Kate glances at him. He's grinning like a madman.
"Yeah," Alexis replies.
"Okay. Have fun!" Castle says. Kate echoes. If it wasn't so Castle, it would sound like he is trying to get his daughter out of the house.
When the door closes again, leaving them alone together, Kate sighs. She should really be trying to escape as well. that's what her head tells her. Her heart seems to keep winning these arguments, though.
"So… wanna help with the dishes?" Castle asks. She laughs.
"Lead the way."
"Washing dishes with you is actually kind of fun, Rick," Kate admits. He splashes her with some detergen-ated water.
His dishwasher, as he has explained, is currently broken. So they have to do everything by hand. Of course, that leads to the floor being wet. He couldn't help himself. Splashing her is insanely funny. And her little squeaks when the water hits her make it even better.
As she steps to get close enough to elbow him, she slips. Castle catches her, holding her by her waist. His chest is pressed against her back; close. Really close. So close the warmth is tangible. It's… it's amazing.
Relax, Kate. Breath. Just skin to clothes. No skin to skin.
Pause. Her heart is pounding in her chest as Rick kisses her neck. His mouth lingers.
Oh God.
Double thought. Same time, to different minds. She can't take it anymore. She spins so she is facing him, easy with a wet floor, and presses a kiss to his lips. Forces a kiss to his lips. Oh well. That moan definitely isn't one of complaint. It starts softer. Passion is a hard thing to overcome, though.
The kiss ends; their foreheads are touching, locked together by an unwillingness to move. She can feel his heavy breath on her lips. His hand flights to her lower back, rubs a gentle circle. She can feel it. That connection. She can feel what he feels. And she has no worries. Not now. Not here. Maybe not forever, but not now. Not here, with him, doing this.
That moment is brief. Three words echo in Kate's mind. And then the passion returns. It says with them as they stumble towards the bedroom, Castle's arms holding them steady, losing clothes on the way.
It is unnecessary to say that the fire that passion lit lingered to keep them warm through the night.
AN:
So, I'll say this. I really don't know how the rating system works, so if you have any rating recommendations based on this chapter, let me know in a review. (= shameless plug)
It's short, but I wrote and edited this entire chapter in the space of 95 minutes. On paper. And I want to end it there because I want the morning after to be in a new chapter. Beginning of a new day and all. Nice compatible symbolism with my last big Rick/Kate metaphor in this story...
I won't say read and review, because you've already read it, so I'll just ask you to review. Casually.
To love and warmth.
ps:
Review?
