"Put down the burger or I swear to god - I'll shoot you in the knee."
"Oh, come on Beckett, I think today of all days I've earned this." Taking another bite, Castle licks his lips, grinning, chewing. "Besides it's not a cheeseburger so it doesn't count."
"Too close for comfort," she pouts, reaching for the beer bottle he's been nursing and taking a sip. It's still cold enough to quell the burn of sudden emotion lingering at the back of her throat. Though she's swallowing it down, Castle's already caught on, dropping his "double down, detective" burger on the plate in favour of taking her hand.
When he took over The Old Haunt he applied his creative flare to the menu, adding and renaming items for her and their friends at the twelfth. Now, though the place is buzzing, everyone seems to be giving them a wide berth. Kate throws a glance at their joined hands and then up to his face, finding his eyes soft, indulgent, as if he somehow planned it.
"You know I'm okay, right?" He nudges, their elbows clashing, "Small dent, colorful bruise, cool souvenir -" he nudges again when she frowns, " - pretty good day overall."
"You could've -"
He interrupts, finishes for her, "But I didn't."
His thumb darts over the ring on her finger, the one he knows she's been playing with all day. Castle strokes the band, presses lightly at the stone he stared at for a solid hour before he offered it up. He knows every facet and flaw, intimate knowledge caught up in the way light splinters and changes direction on impact. Soft strokes bring her focus back to the ring, their connection, the promise held within.
He slows and whether it's the soothing motion of his digits over hers or that he lets her know he's caught her worrying, she's not sure, but the life in the heat of his fingers must be magical.
She smiles, squeezing, breath deep and nourishing as she finally lets go of the tension she's been holding onto since hearing that gunshot. Kate falls into his side, careful not to lean too heavily, fingers light over his shirt, the splurge of color from his darkening bruise burning below.
She finds skin, teases, "I thought this was a celebration?"
Castle laughs, pleased, "It was, until you threatened to shoot me."
She shrugs, dismisses, "Eh, I do that everyday."
"On the day I was actually shot though, Beckett? I'm shocked." He tugs her in for a kiss, stealing the reply from her lips and leaving behind a flare of onions that, weirdly, always makes her hungry. "Besides, if you shoot out my other knee I'll never be able to do that thing you like where I kneel up and -"
She ducks under his arm, taking his train of thought with her.
"Where're you going?"
"Quick word with the chef -" her eyes flash, "- I suddenly feel like a cheeseburger"
"Not funny, Beckett." He reaches for her but she skirts his grab, genuine grin on her face now as she skips toward the kitchen.
"Little bit funny."