AN: So here it is, the fourth chapter which means... *drumroll*... DATE NIGHT! This is probably my favourite chapter thus far, it's stupidly fluffy and I am quite fond of it. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Still not mine. I sure do love borrowing them though.
IBYL
xo
At 5.45pm, Kate sat on her couch trying her very best not to shake with anticipation. A date, a real date with Richard Castle. She had to stop her chuckle at how fantastically backwards they were, kissing before they dated, and without the influence of alcohol – but when were they ever normal anyway? Her 'comfortable' outfit consisted of her favourite skinny jeans, high black heels, a light blue slinky, backless top and a silky black jacket. She'd decided that she was comfortable no matter what she wore in his presence, so she went for a little wow factor. She stopped pondering her outfit when she heard a gentle knock at the door. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and walked over, opening the door.
"Hey, Rick." She said softly, smiling.
"Hey. You look amazing." He said reverently, looking her up and down. "Oh, these are for you." He said sheepishly, handing her some pretty pink roses. She smiled and ushered him inside so that she could put them in some water.
"So do I get any hints as to where we're going?" She asked, and he laughed.
"I wanted to surprise you." He said gently, and she couldn't help but smile.
"I usually hate surprises but just this once, I'll allow it." She said, and he grinned.
"Awesome! Okay, shall we?" He said, gesturing to the door. She nodded and picked up her purse, following him outside. As soon as she'd finished locking her door, he took her hand in his. She smiled at him and intertwined their fingers together securely, leaning into his shoulder and making him smile.
"We walking or driving?" She asked, and he smiled.
"Walking tonight – I figured it was a nice night so probably worth the effort. But if your feet start hurting in those killer heels of yours, let me know." He said cheekily, and she laughed.
"What would you do about it?" She asked.
"Carry you." He said easily, squeezing her hand softly before leading her down the street.
They chatted easily and aimlessly on the way to their destination, and before long they'd arrived at Central Park. Raising an eyebrow but saying nothing, they continued walking for another few minutes before they arrived at their destination.
"So, here we are. I tried really hard not to go too over the top." He said, and she couldn't help but smile.
"This is a brilliant idea, Rick. I've never been to an outdoor cinema."
"I'm glad you approve. So, what's showing?"
"Well…we have options. But, since I picked the options, they're a little eclectic. We can choose between Princess Bride and Up." He asked nervously.
"Don't make it hard or anything, jeez! Is Up that kid's movie?" He nodded, and she beamed. "I saw the ads and wanted to go, but never got around to it… let's watch that." She said, and he grinned.
"Done. As much as I love Princess Bride, I can't stay away from Pixar movies."
"I don't know anyone who can." She said softly, and smiled as he kissed her cheek softly and sat down with her on a fluffy blanket. Kate kicked her heels off gracefully and tucked her feet under herself before cuddling into Rick. He smiled and put his arm around her, stroking her side softly as the opening credits began.
XXX
Kate and Rick laughed their way through the charming movie, Kate even shedding a few sneaky tears in places. She was sure Rick noticed, but was pleased that he didn't say anything. They got up from their blanket and stretched out, Kate putting her heels back on before taking Rick's hand again.
"That was adorable. It'd be high on my list of the best Pixar films." She said, and he smiled, pleased he'd picked the outdoor cinema.
"What else makes the cut in Kate Beckett's world?" He asked, genuinely curious.
"Any of the Toy Story movies and Monsters, Inc. You?"
"I'm a sucker for The Incredibles, because I love super powers. But I think my favourite is Finding Nemo." He said, and Kate smiled.
"Oh, I'd forgotten about Nemo! I adore that movie, Dory is the coolest." She said, and he grinned.
"You're just perfect, aren't you?" He said in response, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, and she blushed cutely, making him smile more.
"Thanks, Rick. You're not so bad yourself." She said, and he grinned.
"So, you hungry?" He asked casually, and she nodded.
"I could eat." She replied.
"There's a great Chinese restaurant about 5 blocks away – how are your feet going?"
"They're fine after the rest. We can walk it." She said, and they wandered in the general direction of the Chinese place that was apparently Alexis's favourite. Kate smiled at the look of pride that graced his face at the mere mention of his daughter – it made her heart melt. It also made her remind herself to call her own father, and soon. Maybe she could even take Rick to meet him. She smiled at the thought, knowing that her dad would instantly approve of him, and Rick caught her.
"What's got you smiling?" He asked, and she decided to be honest.
"Was just thinking about how much my dad's going to like you." She said, and he beamed.
"You're going to let me meet your dad?"
"Yeah, Rick." She said simply and he stopped walking, spun her around and kissed her soundly. When they broke apart for air, she smiled. "Man, I should tell you you're going to meet my dad more often." She said cheekily, and he grinned, before pulling his arm around her shoulders. Kate decided to go with the flow, and wrapped her arm around his waist for the rest of their walk to the restaurant.
XXX
They arrived at the restaurant and were seated immediately. They'd decided on their walk that they couldn't think of one specific dish they wanted, so agreed to order several small portions and share. Kate smiled at how easy this was, the chatting, the laughter – but she always knew it would be. As they dug into their food, they both remarked on how delicious it was, easily sharing the best of the restaurant's offerings. After they finished dinner and Rick settled the cheque, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders once again, an action she returned, wrapping her arm around his waist tightly as they wandered slowly in the direction of her apartment.
They reached her building all too soon, and Kate couldn't help but pause.
"You're coming up, right?" She asked, and he laughed.
"Sure, if you'll have me."
"Duh." She said cutely, before heading inside to her elevator, him trailing her eagerly.
When they arrived at her door, Rick rested his hands on Kate's hips as she opened her door. She felt the contact and smiled at how gentle, how careful he was being. It comforted her to know that he was probably just as nervous about this as she was, despite his confident exterior. When she finally got the door open she turned quickly in his grasp, putting one hand behind her back to open the door as the other wrapped behind his neck, pulling him closer. She kissed him softly and opened the door, leading them into her living room. She pulled away to catch her breath and smiled at him dreamily, an action which made his heart melt.
"Drink?" She asked, and he nodded.
"That would be great." He said, following her to the kitchen as she poured them both a glass of wine. She passed him one of the glasses and he held it up as they got comfortable on the couch together.
"Would it be totally cheesy to cheers to us right now?" He asked, and she laughed.
"Yes, but I'll allow it." She said, and he grinned.
"To us." He said, and she repeated the sentiment softly before clinking her glass with his and taking a sip. When he mimicked her actions, she smiled to herself, not really sure what to do next. Luckily, Rick solved that issue for her, sliding closer and pulling his arm around her shoulder, kissing her temple softly and making her giggle.
"You like kissing my head." She said, when he gave her an inquisitive look.
"That's where your beautiful mind is." He said easily, and she grinned.
"Oh god, my boyfriend is a total sap. Help me now." She mocked dramatically, but he just grinned wider than she'd ever seen. "What?"
"I'm your boyfriend." He said proudly, and she blushed, not realising she'd even said it because it felt so natural, so normal.
"It would appear so." She said, aiming for nonchalance but missing the mark entirely.
"You're my girlfriend." He said, as if confirming it. And despite her best judgement, she nodded her agreement. He kissed her, hard, before pulling away laughing. "God you have no idea how insanely happy that makes me." He said, laughter bubbling in his chest. He beamed more and Kate couldn't help but grin in response.
"Well I know how happy it makes me." She said softly, and he just kissed her more.
"I am so very lucky to have you, Katherine Beckett. I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
"Maybe I'm the lucky girl." She said softly. "Oh jeez, now we're getting ridiculous. We have to stop the mushiness, Rick. We have to work tomorrow – can you IMAGINE what Ryan and Esposito would do to us if we're this mushy constantly?" She asked, and he grimaced.
"Yeah, okay, bad idea. I'll tone it down. But when I get you alone, Kate – all mushiness is fair game."
"Deal." She said, poking her tongue out playfully, and he grinned.
"So we're going to tell them?"
"Well, boyfriend" she said, enunciating slowly to make sure he understood "that tends to come with the territory. But we tell Martha and Alexis first… and Lanie, because if she's the last to know, I will be strangled." She said simply, and Rick laughed.
"Come back to the loft with me now? No funny business, I swear. You can have the guest room and everything. I just… I don't want tonight to be over." He said, pouting, and she laughed.
"Let me go pack a bag." She said, kissing him softly before standing up from the couch and running to her bedroom. Quickly changing out of her date night dress into sweats, Kate put a work-suitable outfit in a bag before grabbing some basic toiletries and heading back into the lounge, where she found Rick snooping through her bookshelves.
"That was quick. You pack light." He said, genuinely surprised.
"Not exactly a typical girl. Find anything you like?" She asked, laughing.
"Thank god you're not a typical girl. And yes, I did find some good stuff. Aside from my own work, of course – you appear to be fond of the classics." He said with a smile.
"Who isn't fond of the classics, Rick?" She asked, and he nodded his head.
"Touché, Kate." He said, picking up her bag despite her protests. "Shall we?" He held out his arm for her and she curled her arm into it.
"Lead on, Mr Castle." She said regally, and he smiled as they left her apartment for the loft.
What did you think? Let me know how you think the story is going so far :)