Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Prompt #1: Coffee - It's a familiar ritual that they've had forever. It's also an adorably obvious sign of affection.

Words: 502

Ever since that first time almost four years ago, he's brought her coffee. Every single morning.

It's his cute way of saying, somewhat subtly, that he cares about her.

He knows what she likes. As a writer, as he's said time and again, he notices the little details. Her order is never too strong, too weak, or too sweet. It's always perfect. After four years, it's no surprise she's come to expect it with his arrival.

Sometimes he switches it up. Holidays mean a small little flavor shot in her morning caffiene. Halloween saw a smidgen of pumpkin flavor; Christmas had cinnamon; Valentine's Day had chocolate flavoring; whenever she had a bad day, there was a shot of caramel. They were little things, but they showed a level of care she wasn't accustomed to seeing.

Once, her coffee was stolen. It was at that point that Beckett realized just how much the gesture meant to her. She'd pulled Castle aside and vented about the principle of the thing. When he didn't seem half as bothered by it as she did, she had to wonder if he thought it was as important as she'd come to think of it.

Sometimes they can't fully show how much they've come to care and rely on each other. The coffee has become their proxy for those confusing and somewhat uncertain emotions. It's safe, not to mention delicious and helpful to jump-start those pesky brain cells when you have to roll out to a crime scene at 2AM.

It doesn't mean any more than what they want it to mean.

It's his way of being helpful without being annoying.

It's her way of accepting his help without making him get a swelled head.

Everyone else sees it as what it should be - a cute exchange between partners in every sense of the word.

"Good morning, detective," Castle said pleasantly, walking into the precinct with his customary two cups of coffee. "How are we on this fine day?"

She reached for the coffee without looking, and he put it in her hand without being told. "We are very tired after looking through the victim's financials," she said. "Where have you been, Castle?"

"I made waffles for breakfast," he replied. "If I knew you'd pull an all-nighter, I would've brought breakfast with your coffee."

"I think I'll survive on the caffiene, thanks."

Two desks over, Ryan and Esposito smirked at each other. They are so flirting, Esposito mouthed to his partner.

Why don't they just get together already? Ryan replied.

They rolled their eyes, then moved on to their work. Actual movement in the partnership of cop and writer would be a long way coming.

But at least their denial was fueled by good coffee.

Let's get the Caskett party started right!

Review please!