Slow Dance

a "Till Death Do Us Part" story

The wedding ceremony had been beautiful.

Both Ryan and his bride looked so happy and in love.

Kate Beckett was overwhelmed with emotion, and thoughts of what it would be like to openly admit to the man she was currently dancing with just how much she loved him.

She was still a little in awe of that fact that they had both, almost miraculously, ended up as each other's plus-one to Ryan's wedding; also of the fact that it had been her who had suggested the coupling up. Linking her arm with Castle's and walking down the chapel aisle to their seats amongst the groom's guests was almost like a experiencing a glimpse into their own future. A future in which they were together.

Sighing, Kate closed her eyes and allowed her head to rest against Castle's shoulder as they swayed to the soft 80s ballad that was currently playing. When they had first taken to the dance floor during the reception, his hands had been so tentative and hesitant, as if he was unsure just were he should put them. Thankfully, his nervousness had faded the longer they stayed out on the dance floor, and now his hands were resting securely on her waist as hers draped comfortably around his neck.

Unlike their professional partnership, out on the dance floor, Kate allowed Castle to lead. It shouldn't have surprised her just how well matched they were. Whether the beat was fast or slow, it was as if they could anticipate each other's moves. They were in perfect sync; like dancing together was just something they did on a regular basis.

Kate couldn't deny the warm feeling that spread through her body as she leaned further into his broad frame. It was nice having an excuse to be so close to him without needing to worry about the action being misinterpreted. She was getting better, closer to a point where she could be ready for more than subtext and innuendo, fleeting glances and flirty looks. But it was enough. It had to be. Being in his arms tonight, as they celebrated their friends' recent nuptials, was going to have to tide her over until she was ready to openly accept both herself and Castle's love for her.

Castle let out a little hum as he turned his head and nuzzled his nose into her hair as they turned slowly with the rhythm of the song. Kate stifled a smile, relishing the intimacy of the moment. She could feel him breathe in her scent, and she dipped her head, breathing in the aroma of his cologne. He smelled like new books. So very him.

His fingers curled tighter around her waist and she couldn't help but cant her body into to his, letting out a soft noise of approval.

Castle sighed, and then, so softly, barely above a whisper, as if he was speaking to himself, said, "Oh, Kate, I want to spend the rest of my life dancing with you."

It took but a moment for his words to register in Kate's mind, and she felt her heart rate skip up at just what such a statement implied. It took yet another moment for Castle to realize he had actually said that out loud.

He pulled back, eyes wide in shock. They stared at each for a long moment, and she watched, almost intently, as his throat bobbed as he swallowed nervously.

"Kate?" he hedged, anxious.

She'd been worried her memory had been hazy, but now she had further proof just of her partner's true feelings. Not that she needed any. The glimmer in his eyes whenever he stared at her when he thought she wasn't looking was testament enough to the depth of his feelings. Licking her lips, Kate decided to throw caution to the wind, and embrace the amorous mood in the air.

"Me too," she declared softly, almost timidly, feeling oddly bashful and shy, which was ludicrous, considering to whom she was speaking. This was Castle, her annoying tagalong, the man who'd pulled her out of a burning building, the man who stood by her side when many others would have fled, and the man who loved her, despite all her flaws and the numerous times she'd pushed him away.

"What?" he gasped in shock, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Feeling encouraged by the romantic atmosphere of Ryan's wedding, Kate licked her lips and looked Castle straight in the eye. "I want to spend the rest of my life dancing with you," she repeated his words. Her heart pounded profoundly beneath her chest, and her breath abandoned her as she waited for Castle's response.

"Are… are you saying what I think you're saying?" he stammered out, looking bewildered, yet hopeful at the same time.

She bobbed her head, almost bashfully, batting her eyelashes, and looking up at him with a coy playing across her lips. "Yes," she replied. "I love you, Castle. And I'm sorry it took me so long—"

But before she could finish her sentence, Castle was silencing her with his mouth. His arms wound around her body and pulled her close as he kissed her deeply, coaxing out the very same little noises and moans from her throat that he had during that undercover kiss so long ago. It was everything she had hoped for, and so much more.

Kate gasped for air when he pulled back, flicking her hooded eyes back and forth between his talented lips and his cobalt eyes.

"I love you, Kate," he murmured, soft and sincere, his eyes glistening with raw adoration and happiness.

And unlike the previous time he'd made such a declaration, her lungs were not aching for each breath and her chest didn't feel like it was on fire. Instead, a pleasant warmth enveloped her whole body, and her heart swelled with a feeling she had once long ago given up on.

Before she could respond, Castle dipped his head down and pressed another kiss to her lips, slow and languid, taking his time to worship her. She hummed in approval, relishing the rightness of it, and opened up to him.

The rest of the world faded away. It was just them, swaying slowly on the dance floor, exchanging kisses and murmured words of love. She couldn't help but beam with joy, mirroring the look of thrilled awe and excitement in her partner's eyes, knowing that this was only the beginning of something extraordinary, something she had honestly wanted for a long time, longer than she would care to admit.

Staring up into his shining eyes, she knew that her life would never be the same. But she didn't mind. With Castle by her side, her life would never be dull. Nope. Instead, it would be a marvelous adventure. And Kate Beckett was unsurprised to find that she was, in point of fact, eagerly looking forward to it.

prompted by sakura-txell on the castlefanficprompts on tumblr: Pre-Caskett (maybe S4). At a precinct party or Ryan's wedding or any other party, Caskett end up slow dancing and Castle whispers unconsciously to Beckett: "I want to spend the rest of my life dancing with you."