21. Drunk hugs -Requested by Morgan (MsMorg) (my awesome beta and partner in crime for this series) and also by Dianna (Dmarx) (who is amazing and lovely)

As Montgomery slid out of the booth, Kate moved to follow, ignoring the howls of protest from the boys.

"You can't leave yet, Beckett. Party's just getting started!" There was a definite slur in Espo's speech.

"Yeah- we were going to whip you two at pool," Ryan's eyes were a brighter blue than usual, but in spite of the amount of alcohol he had consumed, his words were completely articulate. Irish heritage, after all.

"Sorry, boys, I need to get going," she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Josh was due to get off shift soon, and, much as she wanted to stay, she needed to make the other night up to him.

Ditching him for Castle and the Old Haunt twice in one week, case related or not, was not conducive to a healthy relationship.

Montgomery was still chatting to Castle even as he donned his coat, and it wasn't until he turned to bid the boys farewell that Castle noticed she was leaving, too. He slid out of the booth, wobbling unsteadily, almost tripping over in his eagerness to reach her.

"You really have to go?" he asked, no doubt attempting puppy dog eyes, but due to his level of inebriation, the over exaggerated pout he produced made her choke back a giggle.

She wasn't drunk either.

Not much, anyway.

Just... social.

"Yeah, I do." There was no way she was bringing Josh's name into the conversation. She hated the way her boyfriend's name caused the light in her partner's eyes to dim.

He offered her a goofy smile instead, relieving her of her coat and holding it open for her. She turned so she could guide her arms in.

Somehow, he stumbled as he slid the coat down her arms, colliding with her back and gripping onto her for dear life while he found his balance.

Only he stayed.

He settled his arms more securely around her so that he was embracing her from behind, sighing as he buried his nose in her curls.

She couldn't help but lean back into him, just for a few seconds.

Then she caught the boys snickering at them out of the corner of her eye.

Dammit.

She straightened up.

"Castle!" she hissed. He mumbled an apology and released her, watching as she stalked towards the exit.

When she glanced over her shoulder, he was moving back to the booth to rejoin the boys.

His movements were completely steady.

Thoughts?