"Shit!" I cursed. Rick immediately jumped off me.
"What? What's wrong?" His eyes were wide with worry.
"I'm late for work. We're late!" I continued, indicating to both of us.
When we entered through the elevator doors to the 12th precinct floor, it was like we'd been gone forever, but nothing had changed. Everyone still sat at their normal desks, answered their phones, filled out paperwork and walking up and down the hall to get to where they needed to go.
The only difference was that Castle was back at my side.
Where he always should be.
I gently squeezed our entwined hands and encouraged him out of the safety of the elevator. I knew he was nervous that people would look at him differently, as no doubt that news of what he had tried to do have spread. The marks on his neck still visible even though I had tried to cover them up for him, but his shirt did little to assist this matter. The marks were red, angry and slightly discoloured, as if like a bruise were to erupt and discolour.
I could tangibly see his unease about the many eyes that were focused on him as we made our way over to my desk to sit down but he swung my arm around and brought me back towards him, leading me in the direction of the break room. I waited for him to turn around before I went to ask him what he was doing but my unspoken question was answered by his facial solemn expression.
"I don't know if I can take everyone giving me these funny looks." He stated simply. My free hand slipped up to his cheek, gently cupping it, feeling him lean into it as I did. I leant in quickly and placed my lips lightly against his; trying to provide the comfort he sought from me. After everything, I have been trying to make an effort to be what he needs me to be for him and to smother him with the affection he sought from me when this all started.
I moved my lips gently against his, feeling him kiss me back slowly. I slowly pulled my mouth away from his, resting my forehead against his.
"We'll take this slowly ok. If it gets too much, let me know and we'll come here for a bit and take a break. Just make sure you tell me, ok?" I smiled softly, tilting my head to try and look at his expression. I felt him nod against my forehead and I quickly took his face in my hands, bringing his lips back to mine. He kissed me back with more force this time, and when I pulled away, I could see the hint of a smile in the corner of his mouth. I grinned at the sight and couldn't help but lean in and kiss it, feeling him smile around my lips.
All of a sudden, there was a loud thump, causing us to spring apart and turn in the direction of the noise.
"Am I interrupting something?" Esposito asked, faking innocence.
Thank god he'd listened to me when I told him to act normal around Castle.
Sure, I warned them to not bring up stuff that might upset him, but apart from that, act normal.
"Yes you did." Castle piped up, wrapping his arms tighter around me, "Now if you just turn around..." He smiled weakly at the attempt at humor, twirling his finger in the air in a gesture for Esposito to turn around. Espo chuckled and smiled.
"Nice to see you're back to your old self." He commented.
The smiles immediately left our faces.
Esposito, realising what he said, opened and closed his mouth like a fish as I sent him a death glare.
"I…" He tried. I glared at him harder and motioned with my eyes for him to get out the door. With his head slightly hung, he left the room, catching Ryan before he entered the room and said something stupid like he just did. I let out a soft sigh and turned to Castle. I gently caressed the side of his face.
"He didn't mean it." I tried to sooth him.
"What if he's right? What if I'm not myself?" He looked down at me with searching eyes.
"Castle, I wasn't me when I was recovering from my surgery. And I wasn't me when we had the Sniper case. These things take time. And in the mean time, you just have to take what people have to say with a grain of salt." I told him gently, stroking his cheek. "You're you and you will react differently to things than everyone else, same as I do. But we'll get through this. Ok?"
"Ok." He replied softly, pulling me in closer and wrapping his arms tightly around me as he rested his head on my shoulder, lightly kissing my neck as he did. "So," He whispered softly past the shell of my ear, pulling back to look me in the eyes, "Coffee?"
"I'd rather a morning kiss." I replied with a grin, leaning in and pecking his lips. "But a coffee would be nice too." I smiled, patting him on the chest.