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Disclaimer: Castle and For Lovers Only aren't mine :/

[Children At Heart]

Opening her eyes, Kate squirmed a bit before turning her head to find her pillow asleep, the notebook laying open on his chest. His hair was disheveled and some strands fell over his forehead, so she reached up and swept them to the side every so gently before she sat up and stretched her arms above her head.

She plucked the moleskin notebook out of his grasp and set it down on the bedside, her upper body draped over his as she lengthened out her body in order to reach the table. Just as she was sitting back up, a pair of strong arms were wrapping around her waist and pulling her back, so she was now on her back beneath his body.

"Hi," he smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips.

Kate looped her arms around his neck. "Hi back."

Gazing down at her, he trailed his eyes over her face and noticed a softer and at ease air about her mood. She seemed lighter, like the darkness that once surrounded her was completely gone and replaced with a radiant light. Smiling up at him, she cupped his cheeks and brought him back for another kiss, this one slow and gentle.

When she pulled back, eyes closed for a brief moment, she let out a deep breath. "Thank you."

He kissed her again. "For what?" His words were whispered, mouth hovering above hers.

"For being my rock. For knowing how I work and process things. I know I can be difficult and stubborn, but you've taught me that sometimes strength means allowing yourself to be vulnerable and face the wholeness of love."

Rick gave her a huge smile, a bit of pride bubbling out of his pores. "I taught you that?"

Kate nodded her head, kissing him. But when she pulled back, she seemed hesitant as the next words tumbled out of her mouth. "I've never told you this, but your books saved me."

This confused him. "What do you mean?"

His books saved her? Saved her from what?

By the time it clicked in his head, Kate was already telling him. "Before my mom died, she had been reading your books and she had always been gushing about how amazing they were, in an attempt to get me to read them. But I never did." She took a large gulp, eyes shutting closed. "It wasn't until a few days after her funeral when I'd stumbled upon her books, and before I knew it, I had finished all of them in a manner of days, anxiously wanting to continue on this journey your words had weaved."

Studying her, he listened silently as she continued to share with him this part of her life he had no idea about. He knew she had read his books, but he didn't know the reasons as to why.

The selfish part of him had always thought that she'd started to read his books because she thought he was this young, good-looking author who she had a major crush on. And a part of him liked to think that was some of the reasons as to why she continued to read his books, but he knew differently now.

His words were a safe haven for her, the stories and worlds he created helping her stay out of the rabbit hole she had slowly been falling into. And not only that, but he assumed the books allowed Kate to feel a connection with her mother again.

Rick was taken out of his thoughts by Kate's soft voice. "So, when you began to read to me earlier, I felt safe for the first time since my father died almost three months ago. Even during those three months, I somehow found my way back to your books. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that your books— your words— are my anchor, and without them, I'd be down in that rabbit hole."

"Kate—"

"And even before we'd met all those years ago, you were my solid ground. You still are. I just wanted you to know that."

This woman. This broken, extraordinary woman never failed to surprise him.

Not only was she opening up about her past, but also she was not succumbing to those instincts to hide or run away, even though he had a feeling that's what she desperately wanted to do.

But she surprised him. She did just the opposite, and he couldn't have been more proud of her.

"I love you, Kate," he softly whispered against her mouth, pressing his lips to hers. "And I'm glad to know this about you."

Rick captured her lips in hers once more, his arms resting beside her head as he tangled his fingers in her hair, playing with a few strands while they kissed. His mouth wandered, placing tender kisses anywhere he could reach, her nose, her forehead, and Kate sighed contently beneath him, feeling so at peace for the first time in a long time.

"I love you, too," she murmured. "Thank you." As soon as she said this, she reached between them and began to unbutton his white button-down shirt, hands gliding along his ribs as she managed to secure her mouth with his in a slow kiss.

It was another three hours before Rick and Kate left the confines of the bedroom, only to make up camp in the small living room.

In an attempt to help her forget about the nightmares, Rick had the idea of ordering room service and eating their late dinner in a fort, which they'd created out of pillows and sheets and a few chairs. By the time the masterpiece of a fort had been constructed, there was a knock on the door.

As Rick went to answer the door and get the food, Kate grabbed the comforter from one of the twin beds and used it to make the bottom of their fort, giving them some cushion. She lay sprawled out when he returned with a cart full of food, causing her to sit up in shock.

"Geez, Castle. Did you order everything on the menu?"

He had a sheepish look on his face, shrugging in reply when he looked over the many trays full of food. "I didn't know what you felt like, so I got one of everything."

Touched by his thoughtfulness, she smiled up at him as she sat cross-legged. He was too sweet for his own good. "What are my choices?"

Rubbing his hands together, he began to list off the many different dishes to choose from. There were many that Kate had never even had before, and some she was familiar with, but for the most part, they were new to her.

Rick handed her the dish she'd selected, taking his place right next to her, his own plate on his lap. "Okay," he grinned, "Let's dig in."

By the time their stomachs protested at all the gourmet food now in their bellies, Rick and Kate were stretched out on the floor, completely spent. Kate rested her head on his lap, while Rick laid flat on his back with his limbs protruding out like a starfish.

They'd eaten a good portion of the food, making sure to take a sampling of each dish in order to see if it was worth consuming.

"I don't think I'll ever eat again," he groaned, a whine following.

Turning her head to look over at him, Kate gave a single nod of her head. "I'm right there with you. I feel like I ate a horse."

Rick couldn't help but laugh at that. It was a funny image. With a shake of his head, he lifted it up so he could see her but frowned when he did. "Hey... Why are you all the way down there? Get your pretty little behind over here."

Kate sat up, perching herself on her elbows as she gazed over at him, with her eyebrow raised and a daring look in her eyes. "Is this you telling me what to do?"

"Possibly..."

He smiled when she rolled her eyes but still climbed up to him. When she reached him, she gave him a good swat on his chest before wrapping herself in his arms. Kate let out a sigh of satisfaction, her hand coming to rest on his chest, as she snuggled into his side. Their legs became tangled together.

"See? Isn't this better?" Rick questioned, leaning his cheek on the top of her head. "Nice and cozy."

Cocking her head up, she nipped at his jaw line. "You're something else."

"Your words flatter me. Thank you."

Kate chuckled, shaking her head with a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. Enveloping his arms around her lithe form, Rick held her close, not wanting to let her go. Before either of them knew it, sleep overcame them as the moon lifted into the night sky.

"Castle, where are you taking me?" Kate whispered, not being able to see anything within a foot away from her.

It was pitch black, the only light source being the small light Rick's phone produced from a flashlight app. They walked hand-in-hand down a flight of stairs to a destination that Rick only knew about. Kate was literally and figuratively in the dark about this whole situation.

"We're almost there," he told her over his shoulder. "It's just down here."

Coming up to a door, he pushed it opened and ushered an unsure Kate inside. He then directed her toward the opposite side of the room.

At least that's where Kate assumed he was taking her.

Rick stopped short, causing Kate to bump into his back. "Oops. Sorry," he apologized on a laugh.

"I don't like this..."

"It's okay. Trust me."

Kate hesitantly followed his lead and as she was tugged all around the room, it was then she realized where they were. "You dragged me down to the hotel's kitchen at two in the morning? What the hell, Castle? We ate practically everything they serve here. What more could there possibly be?"

He turned around, his body coming up to hers and pressing against it in all the right ways. She watched as he leaned his head close to hers and grinned. "It's a secret. I saw it on the menu, but didn't order it at the last minute. I want it now."

And with that, he continued to walk around with Kate in tow.

It took him a few minutes before he found what he was looking for. He handed her his phone, giving her the source of light. Back towards her, he grabbed something small in his hands then whipped around with the mystery item hiding out of her view.

"Okay. Close your eyes and open your mouth."

Wait, what? He had to be joking.

She shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest in defiance. "No."

Rick hunched his shoulders forward in disappointment, but that didn't stop him from trying to convince her. "Put it in your mouth and close yours eyes. Come on."

Kate stood resolute. "What is it?"

"Do it."

"No. What do you have?"

"Open your mouth."

"No," she persisted. "What is it? Seriously, what is it?"

He closed the distance she was slowly putting between them and took her free hand in his. "Just trust me, okay? Trust me." Rick emphasized his words with a squeeze of his hand.

Eventually caving in, Kate nodded her head. She shut her eyes and opened her mouth. But, the feel of his hand moving closer made her flinch back at the last second. "No. I can't do it. I can't. What if it's something disgusting?"

Biting his lip, Rick then asked, "Would I put something disgusting in your mouth?" In return, he got an incredulous look from Kate. "Wow, really? Come on. Please."

After a deep breath, she relented. "Fine."

Just to solidify his reasoning, he went on. "I wouldn't put anything in your mouth that I wouldn't put in mine." He got a nod. "Just don't bite down," he added quickly.

Oh no. "Don't bite down? Are you kidding?"

"Don't bite down," he repeated, unable to control the sudden laugh that traveled through his body. It was quite a sight seeing her get all flustered. "I don't want you to choke."

"Okay. Okay."

Rick asked a few seconds later, wanting to make sure she was up to it, "Can you do this?"

Kate prepared herself by jumping up and down in place, and by rolling her shoulders. "Yes, I can. I'm completely committed."

"Okay then. Open your mouth," he instructed one more time, hand rising when he saw her eyes shut and her mouth open.

The mystery item hit her taste buds and she immediately knew what it was. "Oh. It's chocolate!" She shrieked loudly, a look of shock etching across her face.

Rick shushed her, his index finger rising to his lips. "Whoa. Not so loud. Don't want us to—"

He was cut off by the sound of scuffling outside the door.

Oh no. Someone was coming.

"Shit!" Rick hissed, yanking Kate's hand and bolting out of the kitchen. "Go!"

They scampered up the stairs, only stopping when they realized they weren't being followed. The couple leaned against the stair railing and let out deep breaths of relief.

That was close. Too close.

"Oh my God. My heart," he breathed, hand clutching his rapidly beating heart.

Kate had her hands on her knees, back arched, trying to get oxygen into her lungs. She suddenly let out a huge fit of laughter, which Rick found contagious.

"That was way too close," she huffed, still smiling. "But so worth it."

A pout fell on his lips. "No, it wasn't. I didn't get a taste of the chocolate. We had to get the hell out of there before I could have some."

"Let me fix that." Stepping up onto the same step as him, she grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him to her, their mouths colliding. She tasted of rich chocolate, and it was magnificent.

"Mmm," he hummed. "Delicious."

"And there's plenty more where that came from, too," Kate grinned, winking at him before she took the lead and began to scale the stairs back up to their hotel room.

Rick stood in place a few steps down from her. "What do you mean?"

Merely tossing him a sly smile over her shoulder, she raised a tiny bag in the air before tossing it down to him. He caught it and his eyes grew wide when he saw what sat in his hands.

The chocolate. She'd grabbed the entire bag of those delectable chocolate squares.

Yep. She never failed to surprise him.

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