Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.
Prompt #15: Apples - That word got a lot of use with them.
Words: 505
It's a strange word, but it's innocuous enough.
It's also gotten more use more in the last four years than he'd ever thought it would.
Who would have known that a sassy NYPD detective had what it took to make him beg for mercy not once, not twice, but at least ten times times in four years (he was guesstimating on that number).
Really amazing.
She couldn't believe that four years ago, "apples" had simply meant red fruit. Now it held the power to make her stop tormenting a certain writer.
The Pavlovian response had been completely unconscious on her part. Hearing him shriek the word when she inflicted pain made her stop. Soon it was a conditioned response, and she never had to think about it anymore.
Who could have guessed that a bestselling crime novelist had what it took to train her to respond to a safeword in such a short amount of time?
Truly impressive.
"Ah, Beckett! Apples!"
Miranda cocked her head to the side, hearing a very odd response to seeing Beckett grab Castle's ear like a schoolteacher with a naughty child. "Apples?" repeated the younger woman, glancing at the other two detectives.
Esposito chuckled. "That's his safeword," he responded.
"And you know this how?"
"Because he's said it once or twice," Ryan mentioned, nose buried in a file. "Besides, it's the only way he gets Beckett to let go of his ear."
Miranda watched with fresh interest as Beckett released Castle's ear after another few cries of "Apples! Apples!" Leaning back in her chair, she shot a glance at Beckett that spoke volumes in the silence. Care to elaborate?
"Detective Reynolds," said Beckett, "care to have a cup on me?"
"Sure, Beckett," Miranda replied, rising to follow the brunette into the break room.
After making two cups, Beckett rounded on Miranda and said softly, "Look, I don't get it either, okay? It just happens now. It's better not to question it."
Miranda held up her hands with a smile. "Hey, no judgment here. Just found it amusing."
"Yeah, well, it's...it's complicated."
"A lot seems to be with you two." Watching Beckett grab for a pen, Miranda had a crazy but funny idea. As Beckett's fingers clenched on the cylindrical writing instrument, the arson detective quickly said, "Apples!"
The pen was instantly released and dropped to the floor with a clatter. Miranda fought not to laugh as a look of pure shock blanketed Beckett's face. "Interesting," said Miranda in a slightly strangled voice. "Guess it's not just restricted to Castle, then. Good to know."
"Tell anyone," Beckett choked out, looking simultaneously horrified and steaming mad, "and I'll make sure your death looks like an accident gone horribly wrong."
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