I don't own Castle - ABC Studios and Andrew Marlowe do. I'm just borrowing the characters for a while to play.

I am not making any money from this; it's just to freeshare with my ff friends.

AN: The first of two snapshots requested by CBurns1995 - Ryan tells Esposito about his relationship with Alexis, the day after the dinner at the Castle loft:

"This is both literally, and figuratively, cool."

Richard Castle: Food to Die For

The other partner

September 2016

…

Kevin Ryan walked into the Twelfth Precinct Homicide Department and he felt like he was floating on air. Two days before, his whole life had changed… for the second time. This time around, though, it was most definitely for the better. At last, after three long years in the wilderness, he faced a future filled with hope and joy; but even more importantly, he faced it with a life partner… He was no longer alone.

Arriving at his space, he sat on his chair and spun around to face his desk with a large smile plastered to his face, and looked straight into the eyes of his other partner… His work partner…

Oops…

"Well, you're still alive, and you look happy, so it mustn't have gone so bad! Not that I would know, despite the fact you were gonna come over for a game of Madden and let me know how it went. Seeing as how we had the day off yesterday 'n all. You'd have nothing else to do, you said, because Beckett made you promise not to come into work!"

"Sorry, Bro. I got a little tied up yesterday." He smirked as he remembered one of the more interesting encounters with Alexis on the previous day. Esposito leaned forward in his chair with an expression of disbelief on his face.

"You didn't? Nah… You did! On the first date? Bro! What were you thinkin'? This is Castle's kid after all. He's gonna kill you."

"Nah… It's cool. We went to the loft last night for dinner." Esposito's mouth fell open and his eyes popped.

"We? As in went together? Are you telling me that Alexis was with you from the beginning of your date until you went to Castle's loft LAST NIGHT! Man you've got more balls than I even thought."

"Well I have to admit that I was a little nervous at first, but although when we arrived Castle was a little off, he soon settled and I think his threats were meant as a joke."

"Threats?"

"He reminded me of my story about my prom date. Took advantage of insider knowledge. But the night was really good. Castle's a great cook by the way. Made us all some Italian pasta dish. Absolutely delicious."

Esposito was shaking his head, still in disbelief, but a small smile was starting to play around his mouth.

"As to the first night, it just happened. Neither of us wanted to go home alone. We both wanted more. Hey, anyway, I thought you'd be pleased that your housewarming gift finally got some use?"

"Dude, that gift was meant for use with a random woman, not some… some child we've known forever."

"Espo. She's not a child anymore. She's a twenty-three year old woman, who knows her own mind and makes her own decisions. And the night before last her decision was to stay with me. I didn't force her. Actually, this may sound stupid, but a lot happened that night; and I'm not just talking about sex. I love her, Espo. I'm in love with her. And as amazing as it sounds, she loves me back."

"How can you know that so quickly? Are you sure it's not just a reaction to being alone for so long?"

But now Ryan was shaking his head. "I haven't been looking for anyone. I didn't want anyone… not after Jenny. I thought it'd be impossible to find another person who fit so well. But Lex does. I don't know why or how it happened so fast… It just did. As soon as I was with her I couldn't imagine ever being anywhere else. She's helped me come to terms with what happened to Jen, and see that there can be a future out there for me with a wife and a family."

"Now you are jumping the gun. You can't just up and marry the girl after one whole date."

"No, of course not. We have to take a little time. But I know that that's what I want… eventually."

"You do realize that if you marry the girl, not only will Castle be your father-in-law, but Beckett will also be your mother-in-law… step that is."

Ryan was still smiling "Couldn't think of anyone cooler!" he said with a smirk.

"And your ACTUAL mother-in-law will be the ravishing Meredith."

Ryan's smile slipped a little. "That one… not so cool. But I'll get used to it. And Lex doesn't see her often. Although actually, she's flying out tomorrow to go see her."

Esposito raised his eyebrows and it was his turn to smirk at Ryan. "To tell her about you?"

"No, she's having some kind of surgery and needs her daughter apparently. She already knows about me."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah! She called while we were… ya know."

"Ouch! And she could tell?"

"Apparently she could tell by Lex's tone that she was with someone."

"So Alexis just told her?"

"Nope. That was Castle. And by his tone of voice when he was telling us of the conversation, I think I came out of it as a good guy."

Esposito slowly shook his head again, and gave a wry smile. "He wouldn't trust her with just anyone, you know," he said softly. "Even if she is an adult."

"Yeah, I know." Ryan answered just as softly. "When he cares for someone he does it fiercely and proudly. We're just lucky that we are in that select company."

"You better believe it… Anyway, so my housewarming gift? Any left?"

"There are loads left!" Esposito sat back and grinned at him, and waggled his eyebrows.

"Ran out of steam did you?"

"I bought new ones."

"What! Why?"

"Bro they'd been in that drawer for years… Years man."

"I will have you know that those condoms were absolutely top quality. They would be as good now as the day they were bought. I only go for the best when I'm buying for my partner."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Well alright then. Maybe I'll pull them back out of the trash."

"The TRASH! So that is what you think of me."

"Come on. It was a joke… Espo look at me. Just joking here… Come on man… come on…"

…

A HUGE thank you to Firestar385 for beta reading, Americanizing and generally correcting this work. Any remaining mistakes are mine!

Please let me know what you think. All constructive criticism is welcomed - I haven't written in quite a while and the only way to improve is to take on board other people's comments. I hope you will enjoy the reading journey as much as I am enjoying the writing one.