She's sitting on the kitchen counter. His red t-shirt on. Swinging her legs nervously. She looks pensive. Worried.
Still, adorable.
He walks slowly and sleepily towards her. His eyes crinkle, wincing at the sunlight coming through the big living room windows.
"Hey" she cracks, smiling at him. She relaxes when he walks in. Like always, when he's around.
He grabs her knees when he reaches her. Keeps his hands there. She puts her arms around him. Her hands on his neck.
"Hmm, morning sunshine." He hums against her mouth. She presses her lips to his. Kisses him harder. Desperately even. He kisses her back the same way. His hands leave her knees. He moves them up her inner thighs slowly. Lingers there a little and grips her. He grabs her ass and pulls her tighter to him. They don't stop kissing. She grips his shoulders. Wraps her legs around his torso.
Never let me go almost escapes her mouth. But he hears it anyway.
She stops suddenly. Brushes her lips against his. Like a peck on the cheek.
"I can't do this anymore" she blurts out.
"I know love"
"No, Castle. You don't. I can't stay. I have to take that job."
She drops her head on his shoulder blade. Brushes her forehead against him as she moves to hide in his neck.
"Kate-"
He closes his eyes. Holds her tighter. She shakes her head very slowly and frowns. Not an angry frown.
"You have no idea how much it hurts to say this to you. I need to go. I don't want to end up resenting you for making me stay."
He puts his hands on her face. Cups her cheeks. Smothers a few of her curls between them in the process.
"Look at me" he whispers.
She looks up at him. She's crying. It's subtle though. Her eyes water just a little. Her eyes are sad. There's this faint small smile on her lips. Like she's trying to accept something, but not quite believing it yet.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't. Just listen." He tries to sound reassuring.
"When I asked you, I didn't mean-" he let's out a small puff of air and chuckles.
"I meant I'm with you. If you want to go, I'm coming with you."
She can't move again. She starts breathing funny again.
Shit.
He panics. She doesn't say anything.
"If you want me to, of course. I'm sorry. You can say no, I don't want to be a distraction. I know this job is-" he starts blurting out nervously. Like he always does when he's panicked.
She cuts him off with a smothering kiss. Her hands are on this collar bones. She squeezes his shoulders so hard he lets out a yelp.
When she pulls back she's smiling at him. He hasn't seen this smile on her face in a long time. She looks...happy? Yeah. She looks happy.
"What?" He asks lobotomized. Stupefied. It's a happy smile. There's no fear or sadness in her eyes anymore.
"Would you really do that for me?"
"Kate. Is that even a question? Of course. Nothing would make me happier."
"But what about your life her? Martha? Alexis? Can you really leave this all behind?
"I'm a writer. I can work anywhere I want to. And I can come here every weekend and on holidays. They won't miss me. Much"
"We can come here. Yes."
She laughs. Puts her hands on his cheeks. Presses a gentle, careful kiss on his mouth.
"The ring though-" she's panicked now. There's insecurity in her eyes.
"Its okay. Only when you're ready. But know that this is where I want us to go." He reassures her. Runs his hands along her back.
"Yeah. Me too." There it is again. That smile.
She slides of the counter smoothly. Running her hands through his chest.
"Coffee?" She asks.
"Please."
She pours coffee into two mugs.
She feels relief. All that crushing weight on her lungs is lifted. She can breathe properly again. He's coming with her.
She's not really leaving home now. He's home.
She hands his a mug with hot coffee. He thanks her and smiles. Then she's on tiptoes. She kisses him. He pulls her closer to him. His hand wrapped around her lower back. When they pull back he crushes her nose with his. Rests his forehead on hers.
Home.
Thank you for reading :) I hope it was okay.