Prompt (from tumblr): can you do a fic with Caskett and the boys (Ryan and Espo)?
They were huddled in the corner, whispering secretly. Planning… conspiring?
She placed her coffee on her desk, hugged the file she was holding to her chest, and waited. Waited to see how long it would take for them to notice her presence.
Ryan looked up, met her eyes by complete accident. He cleared his throat, nudged Esposito, who spun around to face her in response, Castle followed suit.
"Good morning, beautiful," Castle greeted with a smile, approaching her as Ryan and Esposito made their way to their desks.
"It's afternoon," she pointed out, amused by the sudden scattering of detectives. Castle checked his watch, amazed by how much time had actually passed. "What's going on?" She asked.
"Nothing," he was quick to reply. Too quick.
She looked to Esposito and Ryan, who were sitting at their desks, staring back at them. Waiting, impatiently, for something. She looked back to Castle, curiosity eating away at her.
But she didn't have to ask again. The look was enough. Castle took a deep breath, readying himself.
"You know how you said you couldn't wait to get home, run a bath and just… relax?"
She rolled her eyes, something told her that wouldn't be happening anymore. "Yes…" she answered, hesitantly, urging him to continue.
"Well…" he started, nervously. "I was hoping maybe I could get the boys around tonight. Watch the game on the big TV, have a few beers."
She furrowed her brow, confused. "Are you… asking my permission?"
His eyes darted to the boys, then back to her. "Yes?"
"It's your loft, Castle. Do whatever you want."
"Well… I mean, it's our loft now. Right? I want you to feel like it's your home, too."
She smiled, gently pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. "It does… feel like home. Thank you."
She stepped closer to him, pressed a kiss to his cheek.
He felt like home.
"Is that a yes?" he asked, cautiously.
She smiled and rolled her eyes. "Yes, you can have your little play date." She was posturing, for the boys. She couldn't have them thinking she could be swayed so easily by a sweet sentiment. "Just keep the noise down."
She walked over to the filing cabinet, completing her interrupted journey from before. She shook her head as Ryan and Espo bumped fists, and Castle beamed enthusiastically, like a child at a playground.
She loved her boys.