Every single one of you is amazing and I'm glad you liked the previous chapter. I hope you enjoy this one too.
Disclaimer: I don't own Castle or the characters.
Beckett hummed at the feel of Castle's lips pressed against her own as he kissed her back, pulling her closer as he did.
Beckett pulled back, but not far, just enough so she could see his reaction and she was relieved to find him grinning at her, even if he did looked slightly dazed.
"What was that for?" he asked, slightly breathless as her body was still pressed close to his, the world around them forgotten.
She was smiling at him but Castle's stomach dropped when she pulled further away, worried she was running or regretted their kiss. But then as her arms unwound from his neck, one of her hands trailed down his arm and she wound her fingers through his.
"Come with me," she said, and it was meant to be a command but it came out sounding more like a question so Castle nodded and followed the tug of her hands as she led him off the dance floor.
They walked hand in hand through the crowd until they were back near the table they'd had dinner where the music was much quieter and they could have some privacy for the conversation that was coming.
Beckett let go of his hand when they'd stopped walking and looked up at him shyly. She wasn't used to making the first move in her relationship with Castle so wasn't exactly sure what to do now.
"Are you okay?" Castle asked, worried that she now seemed hesitant.
"Yeah," Beckett nodded, smiling first before the smile turned into a full blown grin then she was blushing too.
"Good," Castle replied, grinning himself as his hand acted of its own accord, settling against her jaw as his thumb skimmed her red-tinged cheek.
If he'd ever gotten this close to her in the past he would've pulled away instantly, worried that he might push her too far but after she'd just kissed him, he was willing to push her a bit as she didn't seem to regret their kiss.
"Do we need to talk about that kiss?" he asked when she hadn't said anything more and his hand still rested on her cheek.
"Probably," Beckett responded, smiling shyly at him as she moved her own hand to rest over his.
"Are you okay with it?" Beckett asked when Castle had said nothing, seemingly distracted by her hand holding his in place on her cheek.
"Me? I'm fine with it, more than fine actually," Castle said, hurrying to reassure her, wondering now if she was actually worried about his reaction. Did she really not know how deep his feelings ran for her? If she didn't then he was just going to have to show her.
"I'm fine with it too," Beckett said, with more confidence now, the worry that she may have read his signals wrong gone as she continued, now a hint of amusement in her voice, "and I wouldn't complain if it were to happen again."
"You wouldn't?" he asked, a teasing grin on his face as he cupped her other cheek with his free hand and leant in to kiss her.
After Castle pulled away, Beckett couldn't help the happy laugh that escaped her lips, causing her to lean forward to rest her head on Castle's shoulder to hide her embarrassment. Castle could only grin in response as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to his chest.
Eventually Beckett pulled away from him after she realised they hadn't really talked but they needed to and Castle loosened his hold on her so she could step out of his arms and see his face.
"I shouldn't have asked you to come with me as my fake boyfriend," Beckett said and before Castle could even register her words or become worried by what she may be saying despite their previous conversation, Beckett continued, "I should've asked you to come with me as my date."
"Why didn't you?" Castle asked, curious what had changed between now and then that she was opening up to him more, finally ready to start the relationship that had felt inevitable for a long time.
"I was scared before, but being her with you tonight made me realise I didn't want to wait any more, that the reasons I'd had for waiting aren't as important as I thought they were," Beckett said. She was nervous, saying all this to him, opening up, but this was what she wanted and what she needed to do if they were going to get the chance together that she hoped they would.
"It was my dancing that convinced you to give me a chance, right?" Castle asked, stunned by what she'd just admitted. He'd seen her nerves and knew that he was nervous too but also knew that his humour would help them both relax during this potentially life changing discussion.
Beckett laughed, the sound bubbling out of her loud and happy, "No, I still like you in spite of your dancing though."
"Don't deny, you enjoyed it before," Castle replied, trying to keep her laughing as he continued to think about her words and he realised what she'd just said. "Wait, did you just admit that you like me?"
Like him? She didn't just like him, she loved him. "Okay, so maybe I did enjoy before but you still looked completely ridiculous."
"I'm glad, about you enjoying it, I mean," Castle replied, choosing to ignore the ridiculous comment, "but you didn't answer the second part of my question." He was being brave here, pushing her, and he hoped he wasn't going too far but the way she was looking at him, so open and happy, he found it difficult to believe that she didn't have feelings for him in return.
"I'll answer your question with one of my own," Beckett replied, pausing to take a deep breath and gather her courage before she continued, "will you have dinner with me next week?"
Castle's mouth actually dropped open in surprise, "you're asking me out on a date?"
Beckett just nodded, afraid if she spoke again, her nerves would be evident in her voice.
"Isn't that my job?" That wasn't the answer she was expecting and it wasn't the one he meant to say either.
"Why? Because you're the man? That means it's your job to ask me on a date?"
"What? No. Because I'm usually the one who has to push to get things moving forward in our partnership. I pushed my way into your life, followed you around when at the beginning you were less than thrilled for that to be the case. I forced myself into your life and I always thought when the time came, I'd be the one asking you out." All of that was true, he just wasn't exactly happy with the idea that he'd wormed his way into her life like that, like he'd forced himself into it and she hadn't been able to get him out.
"Hey," she said, reaching out her hand this time to rest on his cheek, soothing the skin under his eye, "I'm glad you kept pushing, it got us to where we are now. And if I really didn't want you in my life, I would've found a way to get rid of you a long time ago. I like having you around Castle, I'm sorry I didn't tell you that earlier and I hope to have you around for a lot longer." That was a lot for her to admit, more feelings than a kiss between friends would show and the implications of her wanting him around for a lot longer were not lost on either of them.
"I'd love to have dinner with you," Castle smiled, turning to press a kiss to the hand that was still resting on his cheek.
"It's a date then."
They both stood their smiling at each other, yet again lost in their own world, their surroundings long forgotten as they had eyes only for each other.
They heard a throat clear to Castle's left, reminding them that they aren't alone, and they both turned to see Rob standing beside them, Beckett dropping her hand from Castle's cheek.
"Sorry to interrupt but do you mind if I borrow you for a minute, Kate? Hannah is free for our group photo now if you are?" Every wedding they take a group college photo together since it's the only time that they are usually ever together it's just unfortunate timing right now as Beckett was rather enjoying her time with Castle this evening, especially with the recent turn of events.
"Of course," Beckett said, talking to Rob before she turned back to Castle, "give me a minute?"
He smiled at her and nodded, irrational fear jolting through him at the thought that she was going and wouldn't come back. She clearly wasn't going to leave him, not after the conversation they'd just had, but he was scared that this was all some sort of dream, one he'd wake up from if she vanished from his sight.
Either she somehow sensed his fear, had the same fear herself or had just wanted to kiss again because then she was spinning in her heels and she pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. He didn't have time to react as she'd already turned again and followed Rob but the time Castle had realised what had happened, leaving him to stare after her with a stupidly large grin on his face.
Don't worry, it's not over yet. Thoughts?