Title: Not All Heroes Wear Capes

Summary: Devlin's sixth birthday teaches Ryan lessons in sacrifice and humility and shows him that he has more people watching his back than he realized. Takes place after Alexis has officially moved in with Ryan.

Genre: Friendship

Characters: Ryan, Castle

Ryan stood in the break room stirring his coffee and staring at the wall, his brow scrunched lightly in thought while his partner and Castle stared at him through the glass and open blinds.

Esposito glanced at Castle, "Dev turns six in a couple weeks."

The writer smiled, "Kid parties are the best. What's Ryan going to do for him?"

Javier let out a small sigh, "There in lies the problem. Ry's got no money for Dev's birthday. Meeting his deductable for his insurance and pretty much supporting Alexis is taking every cent. He's been thinking of selling his comic collection but I'm trying to talk him out of it, those are like his second child."

Castle felt his heart break at the situation Ryan was in and tried to think of anyway he could to help him. He had disposable income but he knew just on pride alone Ryan would never accept help, especially for something as important as his own son's birthday. "How can we help?"

The detective shook his head, "Can't, he won't even let me. He'd kill me if he even knew I told you. He's got money stashed for emergencies but he feels like its tempting fate to take any of it for something like this." With a small smile he rolled his eyes, "He's big on karma and is convinced that this is his punishment for screwing you over with the whole Alexis and him thing."

"Really?" Castle asked in surprise. "That's over and done with, I'm not holding any grudges against him. When it was over it was over."

The dark skinned man shook his head, "It's not you he's worried about, it's the universe. Ry's like Chicken Little waiting for the sky to fall and as of right now it's definitely started to crumble."

Deep sighs left both of them as they tried to think of anyway possible to make everything happen without upsetting Ryan in the process. Esposito wanted to lend him the money but he knew it would only serve to offend him so he refrained, Castle on the other hand knew he could give Devlin the present to end all presents but he knew from personal experience that it would hurt Ryan that someone else got his child a better gift than he could.

"There's got to be something," Castle said softly. "You're his best friend, he seriously won't take the money from you?"

His leg began to bounce, "When Ry and I got partnered up he borrowed five grand from me to get himself back on his feet after…" he trailed off. He had no idea if Castle knew Ryan had been a drug addict and he wasn't going to be the one to share if Ryan didn't want to. "After some issues he had but it took him forever to pay me back. When he paid me off he said he'd never borrow money again, he doesn't like to be in debt to people." After leaning back in the chair he glanced at Castle, "If we help him it needs to be as indirect as possible."

Ryan began to chew on his coffee stirrer as he tried to think of anyway to make quick money. He wasn't going to borrow from anywhere because interest alone would break him but he might be able to sell something to a pawnshop. His comics were worth quite a bit and he also had a nice watch that was only a few years old. Maybe if he did the cleanse Jenny made him do before they got married he could use his food money for a gift, but then what about a party?

He glanced through the glass and saw Esposito and Castle talking, he'd think about this later.

The following week Ryan sat down at his desk and turned to face his partner, "Got it all figured out for Dev. I bought his present last night and now I just have to figure out something he'll enjoy."

Esposito frowned heavily, "How'd you figure it out?" At Ryan's expression he groaned. "Tell me you didn't."

"They're just comics Javi, just paper. I'm too old for them anyway," he said with a small unsure smile. "Making Dev happy is my first priority plus kids growing like a weed, his pants look like he's waiting for a flood." Esposito wondered if he was trying to convince him or himself because based off his slightly nauseas appearance he wasn't feeling too sure about his decision.

"So what's Dev into right now? Or are you letting Alexis plan the party this year?"

He shook his head, "I'll do it, I always do. He's really into superheroes right now. I caught him dressed in black trying to jump off the bed a few days ago."

"Batman," he grinned. "Those were the days huh? Dress up with your underwear on the outside and save any universe you could make up."

Ryan laughed, "Yeah." He suddenly groaned and dropped his head into his hands, "It feels like it was yesterday, now I'm watching Dev do it. When did I get so old Javi?"

"Don't talk to me about old bro, you haven't aged since I met you. Every time you get carded when we go out I want to punch you in the face."

He swallowed down the rest of his coffee with a small smile and stood. "You want a refill?" At his partner's nod he grabbed his mug and walked into the break room.

Castle subtlety made his way over and dropped into the chair next to the older detective's desk, "Have we figured out a way to help him?"

He glanced at the break room before leaning forward and lowering his voice. "He sold his comic collection, bro looks like he's going to be sick. Ry's been collecting them since his dad gave him his first one when he was six, he was going to give one to Dev this year but he sold them all to afford clothes and his birthday."

The writer's respect for Ryan rose exponentially at his personal sacrifice for his son, yes it was just comic books but one man who collected things to another he knew just how attached you got to things over the years. "Was he a serious collector or just casual?"

Esposito made sure Ryan was still making himself coffee. "Both, he's got some that were worth quite a bit that he never touched but he likes to read most of them. Comics are for people to enjoy, not to sit in plastic is what he told me."

Both men sat back in their chairs as Ryan exited the break room and smiled, "Morning Castle."

"Hi," he said distractedly. "I have to go, tell Beckett I… left. Yeah. Bye." Without any explanation he walked to the elevator and slipped inside.

"What was that about?" Ryan asked his partner as he handed him his hot drink. "He sure left in a hurry."

"No idea bro, no idea."

Wednesday afternoon Ryan and Esposito stepped off the elevator and made their way over to Beckett's desk. She looked up expectantly and listened to Esposito go over all the information they had discovered, all the while fighting a smile when Ryan nodded and pointed excitedly in all the right places. They were definitely two sides of the same coin.

Once finished she jumped up and began to write everything down on the murder board, Castle also rising and walking over to the boys. He approached Ryan and Esposito and wrapped an arm over their shoulders, "I got my invitation for Dev's party. Dress up is required?"

Ryan laughed, "Yeah, Dev said if you're not a superhero or villain you can't have cake. It's the ultimate threat considering Lex is making a chocolate one."

"She makes the best cakes," Castle said seriously. "Well have no fear because I know exactly what you two could go as."

Esposito arched an eyebrow already anticipating the most likely off the wall suggestion. "And who would that be?"

Castle smiled widely, "The Ambiguously Gay Duo!"

Both detectives met each other's eyes before shrugging out of Castle's grip, Esposito pursing his lips and shaking his head as Ryan just walked away.

"Oh come on, it's perfect for you two!"

Six days later Alexis scooted closer to her boyfriend on the couch and sighed contently after relaxing into his side. Her arm wrapped around his waist and she listened to his steady heartbeat for a few minutes.

"I can't believe Dev's going to be six tomorrow," Ryan whispered. "Time's going by so fast. He was born then suddenly he was walking and talking then going to school and losing teeth. What happened to my baby boy?"

She smiled and lifted her head to kiss his jaw, "He's still your baby boy. You still read him bedtime stories and he still runs to you when something's wrong. You're the one that keeps the monsters out from under the bed and the one that makes him smile the biggest. No matter what he'll always be your baby boy."

He smiled softly thinking about everything she said. "Thanks. Do you need help with the cake or anything in the morning?"

"Nope. You and Dev just enjoy each other and I'll take care of everything. Who's coming?"

He hissed when she stuck her cold hands under his shirt and flashed her a soft glare. "Some warning next time would be nice. All of us from the twelfth, Bobby and Jake from school, that little foreign kid that has the name I can't pronounce, the girl he likes and Paige and Taylor might swing by."

She grinned, "Becca. He's so cute with his crush, he gave her his cookie last week."

"True love," Ryan agreed. "Nothing like a cookie to seal the deal. Too bad as they get older their taste gets more expensive."

She pinched him and stuck her tongue out, "Sorry but a cookie in a velvet box just isn't the same as a one carat diamond."

"It's nice to dream."

The next day everyone gathered for Devlin's sixth birthday party and Ryan couldn't help but laugh at the sight of everyone. Not only were there tiny superheroes and villains running around but also some full size ones. Alexis had dressed up as Rogue, Esposito as Zorro, Beckett as Silk Spectre II, Lanie as Cat Woman, Castle as Captain America, and himself as Clark Kent/Superman.

"Hey Clark," Alexis said with a grin from the kitchen doorway. "Come here." He rose and walked to the kitchen where Alexis grabbed him and kissed him soundly. "What was that for?"

"Because I love you. So have you noticed how my dad can't keep his eyes off Kate?" she asked quietly.

He nodded, "Kind of hard not to notice. He almost ran into the wall earlier." Both laughed softly until a tiny Optimus Prime entered the kitchen.

"Mr. Ryan, may I have something to drink?"

"Sure thing... buddy," he answered and handed him a glass of water. As soon as he left the kitchen he turned to face his girlfriend, "How the hell do you pronounce his name? Acki… Ekin…"

"Akinnuoye," she answered trying to fight a laugh.

"You are not funny and how do you even know that? I kept trying to ask his name when I met him and now he thinks I'm just old and can't remember. Better than looking like an idiot I guess."

"Or you could just look like both," she said before bursting out laughing at his shocked expression. She squealed when he grabbed her and began to tickle her mercilessly. When Devlin wandered in and saw what was happening he ran over and began to tickle his dad.

"Stop!" he gasped when Alexis and Devlin ganged up on him. "Traitor!" They finally stopped and Ryan picked up his son and squeezed him tightly. "You ready for presents Batman?" His son gave him a look and he grinned, "I know, stupid question. Come on."

Everyone watched Devlin open his gifts one at a time; his small hands carefully ripping the paper from different shaped boxes. Ryan felt pride at the fact his son would walk over and personally thank whomever gave him the present before opening another. Action figures, Lego's, Hot Wheels, books, and games were soon scattered across the room along with his new Nintendo DSi from his dad.

After everyone sang Happy Birthday and Alexis began to cut the cake Ryan sat down on a chair off to the side and stared down at his feet. Today had been nice, Devlin had gotten what he wanted and that was all that mattered yet it felt like there was a small storm cloud following him around. Seeing everyone dressed as comic book heroes and villains was a terrible reminder of what he had to sell to make today possible. He had been collecting them for almost twenty-five years. They had been with him longer than anything else, seen him through his best and worst days and now they were just gone. He had no idea if some collector had gotten them and just stuffed them in a box to never see the light of day or if a child had gotten one only to destroy it the first time he read it. The thoughts made him nauseas.

He lifted his gaze from the floor and watched his son play with Beckett with a small smile and observed Castle walking over with a gift that hadn't been with the others. A small crease appeared between his eyebrows as he watched Devlin take the offered present and carefully open it only to run away from the person that gave it to him. Devlin climbed up onto his dad's lap and hugged him tightly. "Thank you daddy, it's my favorite. Now I can be just like you!"

Ryan glanced at what was in his hand and felt his heart speed up at the sight of a familiar vintage Batman comic clutched in his small hand. His eyes snapped to Castle's when he approached. "You almost forgot to give Dev his present."

"Yeah," he said slowly as he kissed Dev's head and allowed him to slide off his lap and walk away. "Castle…"

The writer cut him off, "I was out the other day and stumbled upon a comic book store a few blocks from here. They had some pretty cool stuff so I went ahead and bought this entire collection. Come to realize I don't really know what to do with them. Could you do me a big favor and take them off my hands for me?"

Ryan glanced at his son and back at the taller man, "Castle, you…"

The writer dropped a hand on Ryan's shoulder and smiled patiently, "Ryan you've literally saved my life more than once and you're completely supporting my daughter. Please let me do this. You put up with me on an almost daily basis and have never complained, which in itself is amazing. All I ask in return is that you never try to sell them again because you and your son deserve to enjoy these for years to come. I know what it's like to sacrifice for a child but you can't lose who you are in the process. You have to make sure to hold on to what makes you you; the three piece suits, the comics, all of it because that's who Dev loves."

"I don't know how to thank you," he said quietly.

Castle shook his head, "Don't get all mushy on me Mr. Eat, Pray, Love. Come on let's get cake before Esposito eats it all."