Disclaimer: I do not own Castle nor do I own any other references I made.
Prompt: Damedini asked for "dancing the night away, then kissing for hours and hours in the moonlight". Take 2 – Kate and Castle are partners, nothing more, for now.
"Annnd that's a wrap." Kate shut the last file with as much noise and authority she could muster.
"Good riddance." Castle said with disgust and, taking the file from her, put it in the box with the others.
They picked up their coats, keys and other personal belongings and headed out into the cool, fresh night.
Castle walked her to her car but she turned abruptly and spoke haltingly. "I'm going to walk home; I need to get some fresh air after being cooped up in there for so long and after a case like that. Join me?"
" I...sure..."
They headed in the direction of Kate's apartment, shoulders (and at times hands) brushing. They chatted about the weather, the news from the outside world and the construction that had popped up over the past few days.
It was late spring and the restaurants were starting to open their windows and their patios so they could hear the chatter and the music as they walked by. They passed a jazz club where the music was exceptionally loud and brassy.
"I love this song!" Castle exclaimed and he pulled her into his arms.
He started the dance, not seriously at first, but once he had her attention and she relaxed, he toned it down a bit. They danced through several upbeat songs, the bright crescent moon and the streetlights were their spotlights and the sidewalk their stage. People turned to stare as they walked by but Kate and Castle played no attention to them. They were lost in their own world, just the two of them, sharing it only with the music that filled the night air. In time, they slowly relaxed, feeling the tension of the past few days fade away.
The music changed and a slow, wanting song echoed from the buildings which made Castle draw Kate closer.
"Castle?" Kate felt herself pull back like she had when Castle was rubbing her hand. She didn't want to, but at the same time she almost couldn't help herself, it was habit now. But then again, there is no time like the present to break a bad habit, right? "What are we doing?"
He felt her resist and tense up again so he loosened his hold but didn't let go. "We're dancing Kate. That's all it has to be if that's what you want or it can be more." He continued to lead her, turning and swinging around the sidewalk, holding her close, their cheeks almost touching.
She looked over his shoulder at the moon reflected in a puddle in the road as if it held all the answers. She let a couple more beats pass, just staring and reflecting, before she answered. "It's not just a dance to me Castle."
She felt him smile and knew he could feel the same thing. They stayed close until the song ended and kissed for a long time before they were interrupted by the cheers and whistles from the crowd of people that had stopped to watch them dance. Kate giggled and blushed while Castle looked pretty proud of himself and over the moon happy.
They took a little bow and a curtsey and continued on their way at long last. It was getting late but they took their time walking, hand in hand, smiling with the secret they shared.
As luck would have it they passed a street musician playing a well worn and well loved guitar. Without missing a beat, Castle pulled her into his arms again and she laughed, joining him happily.
The musician must have been inspired by the beautiful moon in the clear night sky, where even a few stars could be seen. He played Moondance, Moon River, Walk on the Moon and Walking on the Moon, Light of the Moon, Moon over Bourbon Street and even Moonshine Valley from Annie Get your Gun. Kate and Castle shared kisses freely as they moved to the music and in between songs, but with that last song Kate and Castle dissolved into laughter, clutching at each other to stay standing. They thanked the musician and moved on, still chuckling to themselves.
When they finally reached her apartment, he was reluctant to leave her. They stood there, again on the sidewalk, again with the moon shinning in their hair, again wrapped in each other's arms, not willing for their lips, their bodies or their hearts to be separated just yet.
They hadn't talked about what had happened yet, in part they didn't want to ruin the magic of the moment and of course it just wasn't their style. They both came to this conclusion at the same time and pulled back to stare into each other's eyes. Their eyes said it all; there was no need for talking, for now. For now, they would just be happy, together.
A/N: I had never written a future AU with Kate and Castle as a couple before but I think I actually liked that one better: P. They were both fun to write, so thanks to Damedini for the prompt and to everyone else for reading!