#detective kevin ryan

[sammurphy3]

I’m rewatching Castle and Kevin Ryan has the most intense chemistry with the guy with amnesia in 2x11 and this is all I can think about now

Kevin Ryan, you have too much rizz with nearly every person you come into contact with. You gotta stop. They’ll kill you

[grvstnaya-svka]

Post season 8 Castle Headcanons

Castle picking up the kids from school bringing them to the precinct to visit mommy, Captain Kate Beckett-Castle. Sometimes they get to hang out with Aunt Lanie, & Uncles Ryan and Esposito too. Castle often brings dinner for his wife. She sometimes forgets to eat, seeing as she’s not on the streets nearly as much. Not as many opportunities to go out and pick up some food on the case. Though, the boys do offer sometimes.

Castle buys Lanie very nice Spa certificates, jewelry, etc and new equipment for the morgue. And a cappuccino machine.

Kate always bringing Lanie coffee, treats, etc. when she’s called to a crime scene.

Castle surprising Kate with a puppy for their 5th anniversary. At first, she’s convinced it was to entertain their kids but he reminds her of their time taking care of Royal, the dog show judge’s own golden retriever companion. Kate had mentioned that she’d been wanting to get a dog then. In fact, they both did. Now was the perfect time. (s4, e13)

Big “Sissy” Alexis and Gram babysitting/ absolutely spoiling the kiddos during “Caskett” date nights or late nights at the office/precinct.

Kate meets up with victims’ relatives on occasion to comfort them when they need it. Usually from Joanne Delgado, whose mother was stuffed in her safe during a home invasion/robbery. (s1, e7)

Detective Karpowski coming back to the 12th on a case of her own to get a consult. When her case is solved they all take her out for a celebratory beer. They reminisce about her time at the 12th, and of course, the Bet ™. (s2, e2)

Jeremy preswick and Emma Carnes run into castle and Beckett one day at the park while walking their dog, Lucy. They chat for a bit. Both Emma and Jeremy are excited because it seems that Jeremy was starting to gain some of his memories back from before the shooting at the art gallery. They’re still living together. Rebuilding what they once had as much as possible with Jeremy’s memory lapse. But that’s ok with Emma. They both seem very happy to have each other. (s2, e11)

Castle decides to do his PI work from home. Alexis helps man the office with Hayley. Rick plays more of a consultant role at this point, seeing as he has three youngsters to watch. The cases he helps with are rather sparse and small but it keeps him occupied and happy. He never fails to get super excited/giddy when he gets a case that somehow intercepts with an investigation from the 12th. Of course, the Castles now have a deadbolt on the apartment door. Given the wild shit they’ve dealt with before, both of them being in the same dangerous line of work, their children’s safety was a bit more of a concern.

Jenny, Kate, Hayley, Lanie, Alexis, and Martha having a girls’ day every so often. Brunch and spa days, mani/pedis, etc. Kate even convinces the hubby to let them use the vacation house in the Hamptons sometimes for a weekend.

The poker games continue! Both the bestsellers crew, and Rick’s “Gotham City” crew, plus Kate. The Castles’ are no longer shy about kicking each other’s asses. Kate wins a good 55% of the time. Out of all of them. Montgomery’s chair is honored with the same rule as with the best sellers crew. Nobody sits there. Sometimes, former captain Gates joins them. She enjoys watching Kate whooping Castle’s ass. Very much.

Annual New Year’s party at the Castles’ place. Jenny & Ryan, little Sarah Grace and Nicholas Javier, Lanie, Esposito, Hayley, Vicram, Alexis, Martha, Jim (Beckett) and of course the Castles’; Rick, Kate and little Lily, Jake and Reece. Sometimes Gates makes a special appearance. The grownups play some of poker once the kids are asleep.

The boys going to games together. Sometimes clubs. Castle lists Javi on his insurance for the Ferrari. Javi likes to try to pick up chicks if he can with the fancy car.

Castle finding out Kate and Jim’s favorite baseball team(s) and getting them all the tickets he can get his hands on. The best seats. Close enough for a chance to catch a flyaway ball… just for Kate. They usually bring the kids. And sometimes Castle.

The whole 12th gang getting tickets/invites to the next broadway play featuring The Martha Rodgers.

Mia “The Nose” Lazlo (s8, e5) sends Kate special order perfumes that she’s helped test. Mia and Castle exchange emails every now and then. Castle always makes sure to send her tickets to his mother’s shows.

Kate and Jim have a tradition to visit the late Johanna Beckett’s grave on her birthday. Sometimes Castle comes along. Sometimes they bring the kids, if they’re up for it. They always bring flowers. Kate, Jim, and the kids like to give her little updates on the things happening in their lives.

The 12th detectives , Lanie and Castle visit Captain Montgomery’s grave, when they can. They keep in touch with his family. Make sure they’re doing ok.

The team going to each other’s kids dance recitals, science fairs, etc. They have play dates with each other.

Summer cook outs/ memorial weekend/ July 4th at the Hamptons with he whole crew! (Or whoever’s available.)

On particularly difficult cases, castle hosts Blue Nights at The Haunt. Cops get drinks free. Though, the 12th crew always get some sort of friends & family discount. There is also a small shrine to Roy behind the bar. Every time any of them visit, they have a drink in his honor.

Dinner dates at Q3. Being good friends with the owner and the new chef really makes the whole experience that much better. Beckett and Madison get to catch up every now and then. And castle gets to try Chef Wong’s oven roasted pork belly glaze that she’d made on Kitchen Wars. (e2, e22)

[teasgonecoldart]

There is something so weird and wonderful about holding something you’ve created in your hands. I’m deeply embarrassed yet oddly proud of these silly drawings, and you can find them on my ko-fi page if you’re so inclined 🥰☕️

https://ko-fi.com/teasgonecoldart

[nctafraid]

@jennifershepard liked this for a pinterest board starter

"Never underestimate my ability to stare out a window and not speak for hours on a car ride."

[castle-dominion]

GM: Yo esposito!

JE: Gil mazzara! What’s up?

GM: how are you doing?

JE: So you’re still looking at dirty pictures up in Vice?

GM: Yeah, tell your mom to send over some new ones. The ones I have are getting old.

JE: You know my partner, Ryan.

KR: Hey

(shaking hands)

GM: Yeah. Honey-milk. Nice to see you.

KR: ..?? *double take to esposito*

JE: *mouths/whispers to ryan*

[santa-carlas-witch]

A fun little thing I realised that most people haven’t is that We’ll Meet Again has another connection to John via his voice actor Seamus Dever.

Prior to Far Cry 5, Seamus was a main cast member on a show called Castle where he played Detective Kevin Ryan. In season 6, which came out in 2014, the song We’ll Meet Again plays at the end of the 9th episode as a reference to a former foe.

On a side note, it was fun going from Far Cry 5 to Castle and still having moments when certain lines tripped me up because they sounded so much like John Seed. Not just because it was Seamus, but also the way some were written. The word Wrath was used and I had a flashback to being the Deputy again.

About John whistling "We'll Meet Again" in that one scene...I always figured it was a reference to Dr.Strangelove, since the same song plays at the end when all the atom bombs fall. Foreshadowing, maybe?

(I also encountered "Only You" in the wild, in an older movie called Hot Shots. It was an incredibly 90s parody of Top Gun, and featured a truly jarring and hilarious moment with the song.) Anyway, love your blog! <3

I’ve never watched Dr. Strangelove but I’ve seen other people say “We’ll Meet Again” was a reference to the movie, especially when it plays during the credits of the “Resist ending”, and I agree that it can’t be a coincidence!

And according to Wikipedia…

During the Cold War, Lynn's recording was included in the package of music and programmes held in 20 underground radio stations of the BBC's Wartime Broadcasting Service (WTBS), designed to provide public information and morale-boosting broadcasts for 100 days after a nuclear attack.

…so that might also explain why the song is often associated with nuclear holocausts in people’s minds and popular culture.

Now, I’d love to know if John whistling “We’ll Meet Again” during the Confession is just foreshadowing and a message from the devs to the players (as it is when it plays during the credits, since it also teases New Dawn) or a personal message from the Baptist to the Deputy. And if it’s the latter, what is he trying to say? Is he simply alluding to the impending Collapse because he’s seen Dr. Strangelove or is the veiled promise that they’ll “meet again” related to the cat-and-mouse game he’s playing? I can’t decide…

And thank you :D

[junkdrawerfics]

✨Masterlist ✨

Rooster 🐥

Sweet Interruptions

Sweet Tooth (part 2)

Physical Touch

Safe Place

Billiards, Bets, and Teasing

Promise Kept

Jasper Hale 🩸

Simple Moments

Not So Simple Moments (part 2)

Insomnia

Swan Sisters (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Finale)

Unexpected Gifts

What's Imprinting?

Game On

Broken Pieces Put Back Together

Jasper Hale being a good, caring boyfriend

Giddy Surprise

Hot Head

Series of Firsts - First Meeting - First Day - First Suspicions - First Vampire - First Date

Reunion in the Rain

A Major Moment

Dandelions (SongFic)

Gonna ask me to dance, Cowboy?

You're Scaring Me

Undone

Oblivious

I don't know if I'm proud of or horrified by the length of this list.

Kevin Ryan (Castle)

the flustered detective

Requests Open!

[snowballsealmain]

Jealousy

Kevin Ryan X Reader

Summary: After you get injured on a case, Ryan breaks up with you in a misguided effort to protect you. Neither of you handle it well but Ryan is an idiot and stubborn, so Lanie comes up with a simple plan to fix it: make him jealous. And boy does it work.

Loosely inspired by 'Attention Female Perspective' - Andie Case Cover

Word Count: 4098

Warnings: jealousy is it's own warning I suppose? Possessive/protective behavior. Kinda gets a little spicy at the end but mostly just making out :3

Angst with a happy ending.

---

“I’m doing this to protect you.”

“Ryan, this wasn’t your fault,” you sigh, hanging your jacket up.

Every part of you aches. It was supposed to be a simple mission. You’d received intel that your suspect was hiding out in an abandoned warehouse at the harbor. You’d be in and out, that was the plan. 

What wasn’t in the plan, however, was a bomb.

“You wouldn’t have gotten hurt if we weren’t-” Ryan grits his teeth, eyes dropping to his shoes.

It all plays on a loop in his head. Every detail. The way you hesitated at the door. The realization in your eyes. The sound of your voice breaking as you yelled for him to get down. He only had seconds before you were barreling into him, the bomb splintering through the wall as you hit the ground.

None of your injuries were serious. You were fine. The doctor said it, you’ve said it over and over, but none of it eases the guilt burning up his throat. 

Afterall, he walked away untouched and you walked away with a back full of shrapnel and stitches. How is that fine?

“It’s my fault,” he bites out, forcing his eyes back up to you.

“It’s not. I would have done it regardless of our relationship,” you insist softly, “and you know that.”

“Still-”

“Kevin.” The detective flinches when you touch his hand, drawing back, away from you. You blink, hurt and realization flashing across your face, just like before. “You’re serious…”

He wishes he wasn’t. He wishes he could take it all back, because you’re looking at him like an abandoned pup, eyes impossibly wide and sweet and hurt. It makes his chest ache. But then he sees the stitches along your temple again, and he knows he can’t. 

This is the last time you’ll get hurt because of him.

“I’m sorry.”

You want to argue. You want to fight and beg him to stop and just think about it. But you swallow the urge, throat closing up as his eyes meet yours one final time, a familiar gleam burning in their depths, one you know all too well.

He’s made his decision. And there’s nothing you can do to change it. And that makes something in your break.

Ryan takes a tentative step towards you. You have to bite your tongue as he touches your cheek, eyes burning with tears as his lips press tenderly against your forehead. Please don’t go. Please don’t leave. Please.

“I love you,” he murmurs so quietly and it sounds so finite, so genuine, that you almost wish it wasn’t true. How can love feel like this?

You keep your eyes trained on the floor when he pulls away. And when you hear the door open. And when it shuts. Leaving you alone. The only thing left of him being the warmth lingering on your cheek. Until it fades.

And that’s when you break.

The tears spill over your cheeks, fast and hot, trailing down to bead along your chin. You wipe at them angrily, hands shaking so hard that you can hardly even do that. No sound escapes you, not a sob, or a shaky breath. You just sit there, caving around the hollow feeling in your chest.

Every part of you aches. Inside and out, now. If only you could have seen this explosion coming.

---

“He broke up with you?!”

You flinch at Lanie’s sharp pitch, giving her a tired frown.

“I’d rather not everyone know, Lanie,” you sigh, glancing around worriedly. You’re not at the precinct, but there’s still no telling who could be here to overhear your conversation.

Lanie has never been one to do calm, though, “No, no, no. You're going to need to explain, right now, what happened.”

“Go easy on her, Lanie.” You cast Kate a grateful look. She nods, an understanding smile pulling at her lips. “She’s been through a lot the past couple of days.”

“I just don’t understand.” Lanie scowls, gesturing at you with her fork. “That man is so in love with you it’s disgusting. Why on earth would he break up with you?”

You pinch your lips together, discomfort prickling at your skin. It still hurts. You spent hours crying in your room that night, but now you just feel a deep ache in your chest, because you get it. You understand why Kevin did what he did. It doesn’t stop the hurt, but at least you can breathe.

“It was because of what happened on our last strike,” you start, “He thinks I wouldn’t have gotten hurt if we weren’t in a relationship. That I wouldn’t have tried to protect him.”

“That’s stupid.” 

Try telling him that, you think humorlessly.

“He feels guilty,” you explain weakly, but she doesn’t let it fly.

“That’s not a good reason to break your heart.”

Kate pipes in then with one of her own, infamous scowls, “Ryan’s processing things in his own way, I’m sure he’ll realize that soon.”

“Are you defending his sorry ***?”

“No, but he’s a good man,” she replies coolly, unphased by your fiery friend. “While I agree that he’s being stupid, I’m sure (Y/n) doesn’t want us to go at him with fire and brimstone.” 

“That’s true,” you nod in agreement, much to Lanie’s frustration.

“You both make it sound like we should just leave him to it,” she sighs in exasperation and you almost smile.

“He is an adult, Lanie, he can make his own decisions.”

“Not when it’s this decision,” she scoffs, flipping out her phone.

You catch Beckett’s gaze, both of you wary. Lanie had a knack for coming up with some wild plans. Like the time she dragged you both out to the club and you ended up having to fight your way out after a man got a little too handsy with Kate. At work she is one of the most professional people you know, but you’d learned early on that Lanie Parish is not a woman to be reckoned with.

“What are you doing?” You ask, voice coming out just as cautious as you feel.

The look she gives you is all mischief, smile just a touch too wide.

“We’re getting you your man back, sugar.”

---

“This is a bad idea,” you grumble.

“This is a great idea,” Lanie hums, finishing up your makeup.

Kate watches on from the sidelines, already dressed to the T’s and looking gorgeous as ever. You send her a pleading look, but the detective just shrugs apologetically. There’s no stopping Lanie once she’s on to something.

“I really don’t feel like going to the club…” All you want to do is lay in bed and eat ice cream, like you have the past couple nights.

“This will work, trust me.”

“That’s what you said last time,” Kate points out.

“Shush.” Lanie does one last brush over your cheeks before stepping back with a proud smile. “Now tell me, am I good? Or am I good?”

You roll your eyes and turn to look at yourself in the mirror. And the person you see doesn’t quite look like yourself. She does, but not the way you feel. This woman is bold and sultry and powerful. You remember the feeling. It is you, just the version you’d lost in the past few days.

“I forgot that I can be like this,” you whisper, huffing out a little laugh. “Thanks, Lanie.”

“It’s my pleasure. Now let’s get going. The boys should be getting there soon.”

Kate perks a brow, “How did you convince them to show?”

“I told Javi to take Ryan out drinking. Get his mind off things.” She wiggles her eyebrows at you and you shake your head in amusement. “If all goes to plan, this should help him realize how stupid he’s being.”

“Or just show him I’m over him,” you chime, concern seeping into your voice, “which I’m not.”

“Girl, what did I say about trusting me?” Lanie flicks your forehead playfully. You shoot her a glare, pushing up from the chair to smooth out your dress. It’s one of Ryan’s favorites. A short, dark navy piece that falls to mid-thigh, fitted but not tight, with a sweetheart neckline. Lanie gives you another once over, a wicked smile curving her lips. “He’s going to go crazy once he sees you all dressed up. Every guy with a decent set of eyes is going to be watching you tonight, sugar. Be confident, let loose a bit, it’ll be fun.”

You take a deep breath, looking at your reflection one last time. You can do that. Have fun. Just like any other girls night, right?

The moment you step into the club, you can feel the energy wash over you. The music, the smell of alcohol and perfume and cologne, the soft buzz of conversation under it all. It’s a nicer place, one you frequented before you and Ryan got together, with a good menu and even better music.

Lanie drags you to the bar first, buying the three of you drinks. You accept your gratefully, taking a quick sip of the whiskey to ease the nerves buzzing under your skin. It burns your throat, but the taste lingers pleasantly on your tongue, and all you can think about is the man who introduced you to it.

“There they are.” Lanie elbows you softly, nodding her head to the other side of the bar.

You freeze, grip tightening around your glass. As subtly as you can, you try to follow her pointed look. And she’s right. Esposito sits perched at the far end of the bar, with a rather dejected looking Ryan beside him. 

A small frown pulls at your lips. He looks horrible. You’d only caught glimpses of him at work, since he’s been avoiding you like the plague. But even in this light you can tell he looks like a shell of himself. And you hate it.

“What’cha going to do, sugar?”

You glance back at your friends. Lanie raises a brow at you, not pushing anymore. She brought you here, set all this up, but the last bit is your decision. You could leave, you realize. Eyes turning to Kate, you see the exact same acknowledgement. It’s all up to you. Either try to get Ryan back, granted in a very stupid and juvenile way, or run away and let things stay like they are.

It’s not something you have to think about.

Tipping back the rest of your drink, you hand Lanie your glass.

“Now or never, right?” You chirp, forcing confidence into your voice.

“Go get him.”

“We’ll be here if you need us.”

You pause. A genuine smile flickers over your features, the first in days.

“Thanks guys.”

Mind made up, you turn to the dance floor, chin held high as you make your way towards it, heels clicking softly against the floor.

---

“Can we just go home?” Ryan sighs, staring down into his now empty cup.

“Nope,” Javier pops the ‘p’ emphatically, “I brought you here to feel better, and we’re not leaving ‘til then.”

“Javi, I love you man, but I don’t think a night of drinking with you is going to help with this.” Especially when this place reminds him so much of you. And the whiskey. Even the music. Everything makes him think about you.

Javier is about to make a smart remark when he catches sight of a familiar blue dress moving to the dance floor. A smirk pulls at his lips, “Trust me, man, this’ll help.”

“Seriously, man, I just-” Ryan freezes, eyes locking on the same thing.

You’re here. Every thought in his head goes quiet as he watches you, throat going dry as he takes in your figure, the way your dress hugs you ever so gently as you move among the crowd. His favorite dress. He’d always thought you looked beautiful in it, and he loved how it felt under his hands as he pulled you close, as he memorized every curve of your body. The memory makes his hands fist at his side.

“I should go,” he states, standing abruptly. Before he does something stupid.

“Sit your *** back down,” Esposito barks, glare so deadly he can’t help but drop back onto his stool. “You wanted this, bro, so you need to deal with it. Stop being a coward.”

Ryan presses his lips together. That’s true. He made this decision. He just didn’t realize how difficult it would be. It’s hard enough seeing you at the precinct, when you’re dressed for business and somehow still look more beautiful than the day he met you. But this?

He glances back to you, swallowing thickly.

The way you move makes something in his stomach tighten. You sway softly to the heavy beat, body moving so naturally, so captivatingly, it’s hard to believe you’re a cop when the sun’s out. Ryan wants nothing more than to be right there behind you, holding you close, whispering how gorgeous you look into your ear just to watch that adorable blush warm your cheeks. 

But he can’t.

---

You can practically feel Ryan’s eyes burning through you. Oddly enough, it gives you a certain sense of confidence, knowing he’s watching you.

The music pulses through you, and you let your body move on its own. You can almost feel his hands tracing along your waist, the warmth of his breath on your ear as he draws you close. His voice was always so low when you danced like this, quiet enough that only you could hear him in the mass of moving bodies, rough and full of promises he would press into your skin later in the night.

You almost jump when a pair of hands actually touches your waist. On instinct, you flip around, coming face to face with a stranger you’ve never seen before. A man. He’s tall, and attractive, you suppose. 

An idea pops into your head.

Forcing an easy smile onto your lips, you ease into the man’s touch, “Hi, there.”

“Sorry if I scared you,” he laughs, a charismatic smile brightening his face, “I just thought you looked too beautiful to be dancing alone.”

“Well that’s kind of you,” you hum, leaning in closer, “So you’re offering to dance with me, huh?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.” At least he’s nice. You’re sure you’ll feel bad for using him later.

Slowly, you guide his hands back to your hips, tracing yours up his arms to settle on his shoulders, “I don’t mind at all.”

The man grins. You can practically feel the anger sparking at the other end of the room as you let him pull you closer.

Ryan always was secretly a bit possessive.

---

Ryan tightens his grip on his glass, jaw flexing.

He never considered himself a jealous man, not until he met you, and then even the thought of another man putting hands on you made his blood boil. So seeing it, having to watch another man touch you the way he used to, it takes everything in him to stay seated.

“Look at him,” he grits out, voice strained, “touching her without even asking first. I ought to go teach him some manners.”

“I don’t know, man,” Javier taunts knowingly, “She doesn’t look too upset about it if you ask me.”

A frown pulls at Ryan’s lips. He casts his partner a scowl, “What are you saying, huh? That she’s already over me?”

Esposito rolls his eyes, “No man. Jeez, how oblivious can you be?”

“What do you mean?”

“Lanie set this up to make you jealous,” he admits with a shrug, “We all think you’re being stupid.”

Ryan’s brow furrows. Is he being stupid?

His eyes flicker back to you, fingers twitching when he sees the man’s hands wandering a little too low for his liking. And despite what Javier says, Ryan can read your discomfort with ease. Your smile is too tight, your body too stiff. That’s not how you like being touched. He knows how you like being touched.

“Listen man-” His gaze turns back to his partner, sharp and burning with poorly concealed anger. Javier looks at him with complete seriousness, not phased for a second. “-I know you feel guilty about what happened. But she loves you. I couldn’t tell you why, but she does. Are you really going to give that up just ‘cause you’re scared?”

That strips him to his bones. Ryan can feel the tension in his body, like he could break with the slightest push. Because he knew from the start that there was no way he could stay away from you. He hates it. Hates seeing you look so sad, hates the thought of another man thinking he can have you. You’re his girl.

It was stupid of him to think he could let you go.

When he glances back at you again, what’s left of his composure cracks, something molten pouring into his veins. You look upset, leaning away from the man as he holds you too close, and then your eyes meet his, begging for help.

Ryan’s out of his seat before he can stop himself.

Javier glances to Lanie, a smug smirk pulling at his lips as she meets his gaze. The woman sends him a wink back with a wicked smile of her own.

---

You're this close to shoving the man off you when suddenly someone is doing it for you.

“Hey!” He practically barks, anger flashing over his face. “What’s your problem, buddy?”

Your breath hitches when an arm curls around your shoulders protectively, pulling you back into a firm chest. The familiar smell of coffee and whiskey wash over you and you immediately relax into the hold, glancing back at him.

Ryan doesn’t look down at you, eyes locked on the man in a dark glare. His hair is mussed, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing the prominent muscles in his arms. If looks could kill, the man in front of you would be lying on Lanie’s table. He might end up there anyways if the tension in Kevin’s body says anything. Like a snarling dog, ready to lunge.

“My problem, buddy,” he bites out, voice dripping with sarcasm, “is that you have no clue how to treat a woman.”

“She didn’t seem to be complaining,” the man snaps back, eyes narrowing.

“Guess he’s blind too, huh, sweetheart?” You shudder as Ryan pulls you even closer, unconsciously pressing back into him. You’ve missed this, missed him. ���Can’t even read your body. This is what a woman looks like when she wants you to touch her.” His eyes flash back up to the man with a dark glint.  “Not what she looked like with you, now is it?”

The man grits his teeth, and you cast a wary glance to his fists, curled and shaking at his sides.

“She came onto me, man,” he sneers, “now, if you’d back off, we have some business to finish.”

He reaches for you, ready to drag you back, but Ryan is already moving, drawing you behind his body to come face to face with the man. Every muscle in your body goes tense as you watch, but Ryan doesn’t even flinch, staring him down with a cool glare.

“I really wouldn’t if I were you,” Ryan threatens, voice going low as he flashes the badge hanging from his belt, “I’d be more than happy to lock a scumbag like you up for sexually harassing an officer.”

This finally makes the man hesitate. He glances at you, then back to Ryan, before taking a slow step back.

“You’re cops?”

You nod, cautiously curling your fingers into the back of Kevin’s shirt. He doesn’t tear his eyes away from the man, but he eases up enough to let you draw him back a few steps. Just to make sure he doesn’t end up hitting the man anyways.

“You should probably go,” you murmur, offering him a fake apologetic smile, “Sorry for leading you on, but I just wanted a nice dance.”

He purses lips, suddenly looking incredibly awkward. Maybe because Ryan is still glaring daggers at him. With a muffled excuse, he takes off back into the crowd. It’s only when he fully disappears that you turn back to Ryan, a joke on your lips to break the tension, but all that comes out is a squeak as he abruptly starts dragging you to the exit.

“Ryan! Hey, stop.” Your words fall on deaf ears. You can’t even put up a fight against the pace he sets, barely able to keep up with your heels. 

It’s only when he drags you into a nearby alley that he stops and forces you against the wall. The cold bricks press into your back, making you gasp, but then his hands are on you and every thought, every protest, gets lost. 

“Kevin-”

“What were you thinking?” He growls, hands burning against your hips, your waist, your back. You shiver, arching into his touch as his lips trace a rough path down your neck, biting and marking your skin as he goes.

“I just- ah- I wanted to see if you really didn’t want me,” you breathe out, fingers curling into his shirt, desperate for any kind of anchor.

Ryan scoffs, pressing every inch of his body against yours, his lips drawing tauntingly close to yours, “All I’ve thought about the past couple days is how much I want you. I never stopped wanting you, sweetheart.”

“Felt like you did,” you whisper, looking at him from under your lashes.

Something in him shifts, and Ryan cups your face, resting his forehead against yours tenderly. Your eyes flutter shut, a shaky breath passing your lips.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he murmurs, so softly, just like before, but this time he doesn’t draw away, doesn’t leave you standing there alone. “I’m sorry I was an idiot. You didn’t deserve that. And I didn’t want it.”

Your eyes flicker back open, and you look at him, something desperate curling in your chest.

“Prove it,” you demand, chin tilting up. Please.

Surprise flashes across his face. Then a wolfish smirk.

“Yes, ma’am.”

And he finally kisses you.

His lips press against yours, hard and insistent and hungry. You whine softly, knees buckling under you, but his hands slide around your waist, hoisting you against the wall. A gasp escapes you as he presses into you, hands slipping under your thighs to hold you up. He takes the opportunity to slip his tongue past your lips, brushing against yours tenderly. You melt into him, your fingers curling into his hair, delighted at the familiar softness. He groans, low and deep, against your lips.

It’s only when your lungs start to ache, desperate for air, that you tear away, chest stuttering. But Kevin doesn’t stop. His lips move along your jaw, tracing that same path over the already sensitive skin of your neck. Your breath catches when he settles on a particular spot, right above your collar, drawing a dark bruise there for everyone to see. His hands wander under the hem of your dress, fingers digging into the firm muscles of your thighs, warm and calloused and -

“You know, I could have you two arrested for indecency.”

You scream and shove Ryan back a good few inches.

The detective huffs, letting you down gently but not pulling away as he sends Javier a glare.

“Really, man?”

“Sorry, just figured I should stop you before you scar some innocent bystander.” The man smirks at you from the street, and you wish you could just melt into the bricks. 

“Esposito, I will kill you,” you threaten, though the blush on your face takes all the bite out of your words.

“I’d have to report you if you did.” Oh god. Beckett too? You hide your face in Ryan’s chest, feeling him chuckle against you. “I don’t think the captain would be very pleased if one of our own turned into a murderer.”

“I’m going to die here,” you mourn.

“Wanna go home?” Ryan hums, pressing a kiss to your hair.

You nod, “Anything to get away from them.”

“Hey! You have us to thank for this nice, steamy reunion,” Javier barks out, still wearing that smug smile.

“Yah, if it weren’t for us, you’d both still be moping about missing each other,” Lanie chirps up, and your face goes even darker. “I think we deserve a thank you.”

You stick your hand out from between your bodies, flashing them the bird, “Thank you.”

---

disclaimer: none of my fics claim to be realistic or accurate when referring to police work/medical knowledge/work relationships

[oneshotnewbie]

HI IM A NEW ANON AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU!!! so, you do kate beckett x reader right....! may i request if possible

kate beckett x fem!reader angst to fluff?

lmk if u want me to be more specific <33

- ❤️‍🩹anon

⚠️Trigger Warning⚠️ This one-shot includes the topic of torture, blood, physical violence, cutting & stabbing. The plots are presented. If this triggers you too easily or you just can´t handle the subject, I urge you NOT to read this work. I am NOT embellishing this topic under any circumstance. Read at your own risk.

Summary: When the young NYPD detective is captured along with her partner, the culprit takes a liking on you. The aftermath of this mission had certainly been the worst she had ever experienced with you, but she had to admit that there was also a good side to it.

---

Kate and you were brutally tied up and hung with your arms over your head from a steel beam in a basement. Deep cuts adorned your body and the spot on your stomach was spattered with copious amounts of blood that still seemed to ooze slightly from your injury.

Kate had small scrapes and scratches all over; a laceration on her left temple, the contents of which had already spilled down the side of her head and was slowly drying up.

On a mission to capture a serial killer, Kate and you split up teams with Esposito and Ryan to catch him faster. Unfortunately for both of you, after a good half hour in the forest, the enemy cornered you with heavy weapons and his followers before he tortured you and hanged you like cattle for slaughter.

Both side by side.

The detective lifted her head slightly and turned it wearily to check on your well-being. She knew she had to act as soon as possible to get you out of here and have your wounds tended to. Kate had learned so much from you over the last few years, completed a little emergency aid training and knew that she would be able to provide you with emergency support on the way back.

All she had to do was free you both.

"Y/n? I will get us out of here. You just need to hold on for me, please," the brown-haired one whispered, but you were about to lose unconsciousness and her words only came to you in a blur. The loss of your blood was immense.

"Oh, how sweet. I am about to cry. Two detectives in one go, one more valuable than the other," spoke a dark voice from the blackness of the shadows, which watched both with a wide grin. "After so much trouble with you two and the danger I put myself in abducting the two most notable homicide detectives, I deserve a reward. Don´t you think so?"

The grin on his face widened as he got closer to you; he pulled something sharp out of his pocket. You had your eyes slightly open and were struggling not to pass out. "Let´s see.. how about your partner´s life, Kate?"

Panicking, the addressed looked at you with a shocked look before her gaze turned malicious and glared back at him. Kate hoped that Javier and Kevin would find you both as soon as possible, otherwise things looked really bad for you.

"Do not dare to touch her or.." he had the dagger, streaked with your blood, dangerously close to your drooping head, the blade grazing your cheek but not cutting it. "Anything else to say? You are both hanging here, what do you want to do?"

His expression darkened at your partners contradictions.

The brunette knew her team was racing towards her. All she had to do was keep in touch and chatter with him long enough for him not to hurt you. Desperate, she watched what was happening, the perpetrator had completely turned to your weak figure. She knew that she was the only one who could prevent his plan.

Kate could not leave you to your fate, but her hands were tied. If she could not do it with her hands, she had to use her feet. "Leave her alone you fucking asshole!" with a quick swipe, she slipped her left foot between his legs, and when the unsub lost control of his body, she slapped him in the face with her right heel, shattering his nose with a deep crack and leaving a massive laceration at his eye.

Pure anger was reflected in the man´s face. He scrambled to his feet and was level with your partner again. "If I had more time, I would torture you until you beg me to kill you," the pointed instrument meant to take your life, stabbed into her thigh; her eyes widened and she cried out in pain.

A nasty grin and a devilish laugh sounded like an echo through the basement. He was bubbling with lust for revenge, after all, Kate had violated his masculinity. "If you think that is all, you are wrong. Kate, you just unlocked the ticket to death for your little friend."

With all your might, you tried to look up and understand what was happening. Your best friend had wanted to protect you and got herself in trouble in the process. You had heard everything, but in your situation could not do anything about it; you were to weak. You tried to pull yourself together, but only a faint whisper of her name left your lips.

"You my dear, you are having a really shitty day today," he roughly pinched your chin between index finger and thumb and yanked it up with a sharp jerk.

Painful eyes looked at him. With one quick movement, he had hit between your ribs, which burst with a loud crack in your body. An agonizing and loud scream erupted from your mouth, joined by Kate´s as she watched you being tortured.

The offender pulled your hair, some of it fell out of your bun and slammed it heavily against the wall behind you. The pain raging in your body made you lose consciousness. You stopped noticing how Kate kept saying your name and how your team found her and you a few seconds later.

---

Kate slowly opened her eyes and had to take a deep breath. The cold, disinfectant-scented air crept up her nostrils, causing small wrinkles to form over her nose, making her feel like she was suffocating.

Careful and still a bit shaken, she let her eyes pan around the room and did not have to think twice about where was was. The pinching bandages around her wrists indicated that she was in the hospital.

The sunset flooded the room with a bright but glaring pink light and as she sat up, she felt the strong and largest bandage on her thigh and remembered- both of you were held captive and badly injured.

Slightly panicked, she looked next to her and saw you laying in the second hospital bed that stood in the bare and hardly furnished room. So lifeless and only covered up to your belly button. Your upper body was wrapped in large bandages and there were butterfly plasters and stitches on your head and face.

Your hair lay open on the white bed linen of the pillow and almost completely covered it, your chest rose and fell evenly and firmly.

A pang ran through her stomach and it felt like her throat was being constricted. Kate felt guilty- because of her wrong decision to separate the team, you had taken bad injuries.

The detectives cries of your name still echoed through her mind and she remembered the breaking of your tender ribs. Her hand clenched into a fist; if she ever caught that bastard, she do get back at him and get revenge for you.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she caught uncontrolled breathing and a gasp of pain. The brunette looked over her shoulder at you. Your whole body was tense, your fists gripped the sheets and your eyes were squeezed tight. "Y/n?"

Kate pulled the covers off and walked over to you. Her hand gently grabbed your shoulder and made you flinch abruptly. You jumped quickly, opened your eyes and raised your eyebrows sharply. "Kate.. are you alright? Are you okay?"

The addressee hastily shook her head at your question. How could you care for her well-being now when you were in pain yourself, even worse than her? "Yeah, but not you," she leaned down and cupped your face in her hands. "You are not allowed to move much, okay? Your injuries are massive."

The young brunette threw the blankets a little further away from your body, sat down on the spot on your bed and just looked at you. Just like before, she felt angry and guilty again. She gently brushed your hair aside to get a better look at your battered face. Her hands went to your cheek and her fingertips graced the corners of your cracked and dry lips, which were slightly parted.

"You tried to protect me. He could have killed you and there was nothing I could do for you," you coughed and tried to sit up when a sharp pain ignited in your chest and caused you to fall back onto the bed. With your eyes narrowed, you held your hand to your ribs while the other rested on your stomach.

Kate´s eyes turned sad and moved closer to you. She raised her hands again and covered yours with hers. Her heart started beating faster and she tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. "I could not have just let him hurt you."

"Next time I will protect you,"

The detective laughed out loud and got up from her seat. She stood by your bed and gave you a piercing look, her worried eyes boring into yours. A big grin spread across her face and her body started going crazy. It began to flutter inside her; the feeling you triggered in her, dulled all her senses and she had to pull herself together to let something rational come out of her mouth. "Until then, you can close your eyes and rest, how about that? Can you move over just a bit?"

You did as you were asked and gave her a small space to squeeze into. Thrown the blanket jerkily over both of your bodies, she watched as your body seemed like it was about to collapse. You cuddled into her and nuzzled your face into her chest, listening to her rapid heartbeat while her fingertips traced your waist, drawing slow circles over your hipbone.

Kate did not know what was wrong with her, but for several months, a strong warmth spread through her body every time she was near you; enveloping her heart. Year by year with you as her teammate, she grew fonder of you and could not see you suffer like that for a second.

She wanted to protect you and this field duty had made her painfully aware that you meant more to her than she had ever imagined. She wanted to be closer to you than just your partner. Before she, too, went through the infinite tiredness, she gently stretched her head forward to your sleeping figure and planted a precise but gentle kiss on your forehead.

[batmannotes]

‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm' 4K Blu-Ray

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the most universally acclaimed film in the Dark Knight’s legendary cinematic history when the newly-remastered animated movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, comes to 4K Ultra HD for the very first time. From Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, the film will be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD on September 12, 2023.

The release will also include an all-new featurette Kevin Conroy: I Am The Knight, which takes a look at the legacy of Kevin Conroy, who voiced Batman for 30 years in film, television, video games and more.

Rooted in DC’s acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series and released theatrically on Christmas Day 1993, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm has not only been ranked by Time magazine as one of the 10 best Super Hero movies ever, but is also arguably the core fans’ all-time favorite Batman film. The movie has been rated at the top of the Dark Knight film franchise by such popular entertainment media as Empire, Screenrant and Paste. And in the ultimate mainstream salute for its time, Gene Siskel & Robert Ebert didn’t initially review the film during its theatrical release, but later dedicated a portion of their At The Movies weekly TV series to pay compliment to the film – and voice their regret for not giving it the attention it deserved during its original run – when Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was distributed for home entertainment.

The 4K HDR/SDR remaster of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was sourced from the 1993 Original Cut Camera Negative and was scanned at 4K resolution. Digital restoration was applied to the 4K scans to remove dirt, scratches and additional anomalies, but special care was given to not touch the film grain or the animation cel dirt that was part of the original artwork. This is the first time since its theatrical release that it is presented in its 1.85 aspect ratio. The original 2.0 mix and the 5.1 tracks were remastered to remove or improve defects such as pops, ticks, dropouts and distortion.

The animated film features an all-star cast headed by the quintessential voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, alongside Dana Delany (Desperate Housewives, China Beach) as Bruce Wayne’s love interest, Andrea Beaumont, Mark Hamill (Star Wars franchise) as the Joker, Stacy Keach (Nebraska, Prison Break, Mike Hammer) as Phantasm/Carl Beaumont, Abe Vigoda (Barney Miller, The Godfather) as Salvatore Valestra, Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (The F.B.I.) as Alfred, Hart Bochner (Die Hard) as Arthur Reeves, Bob Hastings (McHale’s Navy, The Poseidon Adventure) as Commissioner Gordon, Robert Costanzo (Forget Paris, City Slickers) as Detective Bullock, Dick Miller (Gremlins, The Terminator) as Chuckie Sol, and John P. Ryan (The Right Stuff) as Buzz Bronski. Additional voices included Pat Musick, Marilu Henner, Neil Ross, Ed Gilbert, Jeff Bennett, Jane Downs, Vernee Watson, Charles Howerton, Thom Pinto and Peter Renaday.

The Batman: Mask of the Phantasm filmmaking team is composed of the award-winning core group behind Batman: The Animated Series. Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm directed the film from a screenplay by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko and Michael Reaves, based on a story by Burnett.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm will be available on September 12, 2023 to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. 4K Ultra HD Discs will be available to purchase online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.

SYNOPSIS:

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm opens with the city's most feared gangsters being systematically eliminated, and assumed blame falling on the Caped Crusader. But prowling the Gotham night is a shadowy new villain, the Phantasm, a sinister figure with some link to Batman's past. Can the Dark Knight elude the police, capture the Phantasm and clear his own name? Unmasking the Phantasm is just one of the twists in this dazzling animated feature, which provides new revelations about Batman's past, his archrival the Joker, and Batman's most grueling battle ever - the choice between his love for a beautiful woman and his vow to be the defender of right.

SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE*:

Kevin Conroy: I Am The Knight (New Featurette) – For 30 years, Kevin Conroy defined Batman for multiple generations using only his voice, best exemplified in the landmark film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Conroy passed away in November 2022, but his legacy lives on in 15 films, nearly 400 episodes of animated television series, a dozen video games, and as a live-action Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse’s 2019-2020 “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event. Several of Conroy’s contemporaries – including animation legend Bruce Timm, Batman producer Michael Uslan and revered voice actress Tara Strong – pay tribute to the star who remains the Dark Knight for millions of Batfans.

Bonus episode of Justice League: Unlimited featuring a cameo from Phantasm.

*Special features are not available in 4K Ultra HD.

The Batman legend continues in this story that tells of Batman's most difficult battle, as well as his confrontation with a mysterious killer, who holds the key to Batman's secret past.

MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.52 Ounces

Director ‏ : ‎ Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski

Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 16 minutes

Release date ‏ : ‎ September 12, 2023

Actors ‏ : ‎ Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany

Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English

Studio ‏ : ‎ Studio Distribution Services

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CBQPHLG9

Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA

Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Preorder now.

[foundfamilyappreciation]

Hello and welcome to the second Found Family Face-off! This time it's siblings! As mentioned in the intro post, this is for siblings of different genders, as there will future tournaments for brothers and sisters respectively to give as many found siblings as possible to be included! Anyway, please meet your contestants and round 1 match ups below:

*Please don't clown on this post and argue against why certain characters can't be found siblings (aside from if they're in an explicitly canon romantic relationship that I missed while trying to vet them). Please respect that these are people's headcanons and they might not align with yours (heck, some of these even I don't agree with but again, that's just my opinion) and that this is just for fun etc.

Group A

Ahsoka Tano & Rex VS Ahsoka Tano & Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)

Garrazeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren & Ezra Bridger VS Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso & Bodhi Rook (Star Wars)

Kilindi Matako & Maul VS Cal Kestis & Merrin (Star Wars)

Michael Burnham & Saru (Star Trek: Discovery) VS Mako Mori & Raleigh Beckett (Pacific Rim)

Tegan Jovanka & Vislor Turlough VS 10th Doctor & Donna Noble (Doctor Who)

Luke Smith & Sky Smith VS Luke Smith & Maria Jackson (The Sarah Jane Adventures)

Aidan Waite, Josh Levison & Sally Malik (Being Human U.S.) VS Steve Jinks & Claudia Donovan (Warehouse 13)

Amanda Brotzman & Vogel (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency) VS Wednesday Addams & Eugene Ottinger (Wednesday)

Group B

Parker & Eliot Spencer (Leverage) VS Inej Ghafa & Jesper Fahey (Six of Crows/Shadow and Bone)

Duke Thomas & Cassandra Cain (DC Comics) VS Will Byers & Jane "El" Hopper (Stranger Things)

Angus MacGyver, Wilt Bozer, Riley Davis & Sam Cage (MacGyver 2016) VS Josh Lyman, Toby Ziegler, CJ Cregg, Sam Seaborn & Charlie Young (The West Wing)

Malcolm Bright, J.T. Tarmell & Dani Powell (Prodigal Son) VS Kate Beckett, Javier Esposito & Kevin Ryan (Castle)

Jake Peralta + Rosa Diaz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) VS Meredith Grey + Alex Karev (Grey's Anatomy)

Fig Faeth, Adaine Abernant, Fabian Aramais Seacaster, Gorgug Thistlespring, Riz Gukgak & Kristen Applebees (Dimension 20: Fantasy High) VS Travis Killian & The Doctor (The Game of Rassilon)

Meriadoc Brandybuck & Eowyn (The Lord of the Rings) VS Lester Papadopoulos & Meg McCaffrey (Trials of Apollo)

Alanna of Trebond, Gareth of Naxen & Raoul of Goldenlake (Song of the Lioness) VS Keladry of Mindelan, Neal of Queenscove (Protector of the Small) VS Sandry fa Toren, Tris Chandler, Daja Kisubo & Briar Moss (Circle of Magic)

Group C

Katara & Zuko VS Toph & Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Sokka & Toph VS Aang & Toph (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Korra & the Air kids (The Legend of Korra) VS April O'Neil + the Ninja Turtles (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Sprig Plantar & Anne Boonchuy (Amphibia) VS Hiccup Haddock & Heather (How to Train Your Dragon: Race to the Edge)

Luz Noceda & Hunter VS Luz Noceda & Gus Porter & Willow Park (The Owl House)

Luz Noceda & King Clawthorne (The Owl House) VS Rayla & Ezran (The Dragon Prince)

Lilo Pelekai & Stitch (Lilo and Stitch) VS Luca Paguro, Giulia Marcovaldo & Alberto Scorfano (Luca)

Hisirdoux "Douxie" Casperan & Claire Nuñez VS Hisirdoux "Douxie" Casperan & Nari (Tales of Arcadia)

Group D

Roronoa Zoro & Nami VS Roronoa Zoro & Perona (One Piece)

Kyōka Izumi & Atsushi Nakajima (Bungo Stray Dogs) VS Phoenix Wright & Maya Fey (Ace Attorney)

Miles Edgeworth & Franziska Von Karma VS Miles Edgeworth & Kay Faraday (Ace Attorney)

Sento Kiryu & Misora Isurugi (Kamen Rider Build) VS Mikasa Ackermann and Armin Arlett (Attack on Titan)

Shadow the Hedgehog & Maria Robotnik (Sonic the Hedgehog) VS Lucas, Kumatora & Duster (MOTHER 3)

Junpei Iori & Female protagonist/Kotone Shiomi (Persona 3) VS Ren Amamiya/Akira Kurusu & Futaba Sakura (Persona 5)

Sombra & Cassidy VS Baptist & Sombra (Overwatch)

Beauregard Lionett & Fjord VS Beauregard Lionett & Caleb Widogast (Critical Role)

Also! To help me out and get the brackets done and published sooner, here's a list of contestants that I haven't found picture for and would super appreciate help in tracking them down. Massive shout out to those who sent in pics with their submissions, yall are MVPs.

(Need the ones that aren't highlighted)

Feel free to submit them via ask, submission or by reblogging and adding them to this post. Thanks in advance!

[renegadesstuff]

My fav siblings 🥰🥰

[rose-sophia-isabella-rogers]

Only You

Pairing: Kevin Ryan/Reader

Characters: Reader, Kevin Ryan, Lanie Parish, Javier Esposito, Richard Castle, Kate Beckett, Original Male Character, Janie O'Malley (Only Mentioned), Roy Montgomery

Word Count: 3057

A/N: There are very little fanfictions with Kevin Ryan/Reader pairing. Therefore, I've decided to write my own. This is also my first time writing a one-shot. Happy reading! I don't own anything from the TV show "Castle" nor you. P.S. English isn't my first language, so if you see some mistakes, let me know!

"You never realize how much you love someone until you watch them loving someone else." ~Unknown~

You're putting files on your desk when you see Lanie walking to you. Your face falls. Hers twist in annoyance.

'Girl, why are you still working?' she asks. 'You should be ready to leave!'

'Leave?' Esposito asks, surprised. 'Where are you going?'

'On a date with a friend of mine,' Lanie answers. Esposito and Castle whistles. Beckett rolls her eyes. Ryan, who's walking over to your group, stops suddenly.

'It's not a date!' you protest, blushing. 'I agreed to meet him so you would stop nagging me, but it's not a date.'

'Mhm, wait until you meet him,' Lanie says, not at all intimidated. You send her a glare and start packing your things.

'Where am I supposed to meet him, anyway?' you ask. 'I keep asking you that all day.'

'Oh, he's coming here to get you,' Lanie answers. You freeze. You give her a terrified look.

'He's what now?' you ask. 'Lanie, no. Don't do this to me.'

'How else was I supposed to be sure you're actually going to show up?' Lanie asks, shrugging. Before you can say another word, the door to the elevator opens. You look up and you freeze. Your eyes go wide and your mouth almost hang open.

From the elevator a handsome stranger walks out. He's wearing a navy-blue suit with a tie of the same color. He has a dark short slightly curly hair. His eyes are blue, almost grey. He has a light stubble. And in his hands is a bouquet of flowers. His eyes fall on you and he smiles. The moment he does, you feel your knees going week and you feel you're about to melt. His smile is gorgeous!

'Luke, hi!' Lanie calls with a smile. She glances at you and smirks. The man, Luke, walks over to her.

'Lanie, hi,' he greets her and they hug. Beckett leans to you.

'Wow,' she whispers.

'Double wow,' you whisper back. Luke looks at you and you quickly straighten your posture. But then he smiles and you think you're about to swoon again.

'This is my friend I told you about,' Lanie says and turns to you. 'And this is Luke.'

'Hi,' you manage to say, offering him your hand. He takes it but instead of shaking it, he kisses it. Are you blushing? You feel your cheeks are hot.

'Hi, it's very nice to meet you,' Luke says and offers you the flowers. 'These are for you.'

'Oh. You didn't have to,' you say, embarrassed, as you take the flowers. Luke shakes his head.

'My parents taught me to always give flowers a girl you want to go on a date with,' he says. Right, now you're definitely blushing.

'Who says romance is dead?' Beckett teases and offers Luke her hand. 'Hi, I'm Kate. And these are Rick, Javier and Kevin. We're Lanie's friends.'

'Yeah, Lanie told me about you,' Luke says with a smile. 'It's good to meet you.'

He shakes hands with everyone. Ryan hesitates a moment before his turn, though.

'I promise to bring her home safe and sound,' Luke says.

'You better,' Esposito says. 'We're detectives. If something happens to her… we will know.'

Luke nods, taking the words very seriously. You hurry to gather your things, avoiding looking at your friends.

'Okay, we can go,' you say. 'See you all tomorrow.'

'Have fun,' Beckett says with a smile.

'We'll try not solving the case without you,' Castle promises.

'And remember we'll want details tomorrow,' Esposito says. You glare at him.

'I hate you,' you say. Lanie puts a hand on your back and pushes you and Luke toward the exit.

'Don't mind him, just have lots of fun,' she says.

'Bye! It was great meeting you,' Luke says, shooting a last smile at your friends.

'Bye!' they all say. Luke offers you his arm. You take it, blushing, and step into the elevator with him. A moment later you're gone.

'Damn, Lanie,' Esposito says. 'Where did you take him from?'

'Ah-ah, not telling,' Lanie says, smirking.

'Didn't he seem a bit… I don't know… too nice?' Ryan asks, frowning. Others look at him, puzzled.

'He seemed alright to me,' Esposito says.

'And he is, trust me,' Lanie promises.

'Even so… it won't hurt to check him,' Ryan says. He turns and hurries to his computer. His friends exchange a knowing look.

~*~

Next day Kate comes to work alone. Castle has some family emergency. When she exits the elevator, she sees that from her team only you are already here. You're sitting on your desk, staring at the murder board. There's a small smile on your face.

'Hey,' Beckett says, dropping her things on her desk. 'How was your… meeting?'

'I think we can call it a date,' you admit, smiling shyly. Beckett grins.

'That well, huh?' she asks.

'You have no idea,' you answer, grinning. 'He's a perfect gentleman. So nice, kind and sweet. I can't remember when was the last time I had so much fun talking with someone.'

'That's great,' Kate says. 'And did he walk you home?'

'You can say that,' you answer, looking down with a smile.

'Really?' Kate asks and chuckles. You give her a look.

'Can you blame me?' you ask. 'Kate, you saw his smile. I was melting at his smile. It didn't take much to move to other things.'

'And how was it?' Kate asks. You grin.

'Amazing,' you answer. Kate grins back, happy for you. Just then the elevator dings and the door open. Castle, Ryan and Esposito walk out and head toward you two.

'Ah, hello, ladies!' Castle greets you and looks at you. 'How was your… Can I say "date"?'

'Yes, you may and it was wonderful,' you answer happily and stand up. 'Maybe I'm not cursed after all. Be right back.'

You beam at your friends and head to the social room, a spring in your steps. Esposito chuckles.

'It's good to see her so happy,' he says.

'Yeah,' Ryan murmurs, his face grim. Without another word he walks to his desk. Castle and Esposito exchange a look.

A few minutes later you return with a hot drink in your hand. Esposito and Ryan are talking about something. Castle and Beckett are nowhere to be seen.

'- with Jenny,' you hear Ryan saying when you join your friends. You feel a nasty feeling in your stomach.

'How is Jenny?' you ask, trying to act nonchalant. Ryan shoots you a look.

'She's… good,' he answers and clears his throat. 'Very good. And how is… Luke? Did you have fun with him?'

'Yes, I did,' you answer. You and Ryan stare at each other for a moment. Then you look away awkwardly and go to your desk. Esposito stands alone and looks after you two.

'Those two are hopeless,' he murmurs and goes to his desk.

~*~

For the next weeks, you continue to go on dates with Luke. It's going great and soon you even start calling himself your boyfriend. You seem to be glowing and your friends are happy for you. Well. Except, it seems, for Ryan.

While you grow closer to Luke, you and Ryan drift apart. Every time you are having a conversation with a group, Ryan tries to leave it as soon as possible. Whenever you find yourself alone, he quickly finds an excuse to go. You try to pretend it doesn't bother you, but it hurts you a lot.

Your friends, of course, notice the change in your and Ryan's friendship. They try to mend it, but they seem to be at a loss. They have no idea how to fix it. But on the contrary to you, they know what the problem is. However, they also know they can't do anything to fix it.

One day, Castle and Beckett walk into the morgue, with glum faces. Lanie raises her eyebrows.

'I'd ask who died, but it seems inappropriate in here,' she says. Beckett sighs.

'Sorry, Lanie,' she says. 'Things are a bit… tense in the team.'

'What happened?' Lanie asks, frowning.

'Luke happened,' Castle says and gives Lanie a look. 'Why did you think it's a great idea to hook them up?'

'It was a great idea and you won't tell me she's not happier,' Lanie says, not sorry at all.

'Yeah, but now things between her and Ryan are worse and worse,' Castle says. Lanie crosses her arms, her expression stern.

'Well, it's not my fault they refused to admit their feelings and Ryan can't deal with his jealousy,' she says. 'I just helped to even out the field.'

Castle huffs. Beckett tries to suppress a smile.

'The victim?' she asks. Lanie quickly tells them all the information she has for them. They don't come back to the previous conversation.

~*~

One day you, Beckett, Ryan, Esposito and Castle go to an abandoned factory to confront your suspect. The building turns out to be a labyrinth and you have to split up. You walk for some time on your own, your gun at the ready. Until suddenly there are two possible ways in front of you. But a second later Ryan comes from one of them.

'Let's go,' Ryan says after a moment of awkward silence. You nod and you go the only possible way together. The atmosphere is tense and eerie. You don't hear any sound. You don't like it.

Finally, after yet another turn, you see a set of doors. You check them one by one with Ryan. In one room you find a large box and a board with photos of your victim. All of them crossed with a red pen.

'Seems he's our killer after all,' you say, looking closer at the photos.

'Yeah, looks like it,' Ryan agrees, checking the box. 'I found clothes with blood on it. I'm gonna guess they belong to our guy and the blood belongs to our victim.'

'Poor girl,' you say, staring at one of the photos. 'She could do so much with her life.'

Suddenly, there's a loud noise behind you. Both of you jump and turn. The door is closed. Ryan rushes to it and tries to open it.

'It won't budge,' he groans. 'They're locked. And shooting at the lock won't work. It won't open it.'

'Great,' you murmur and take out your phone. 'And guess what? There's no signal.'

Ryan curses. He starts walking around the room.

'Maybe there's another way out,' he says, checking the walls. 'And if not, we just have to wait until others find us.'

'Unless they're trapped as well,' you suggest. Ryan stops for a moment.

'Let's stay positive,' he says and resumes checking the walls. You sigh and do the same on the other side of the room.

'We can actually use this situation,' you say after a moment.

'For what?' Ryan asks. You're silent for a moment.

'Since there's no way for you to leave, you could tell me what I did wrong,' you finally say.

'What do you mean?' Ryan asks, tensing. You sigh.

'Ryan, you've been avoiding me like a fire lately,' you say and turn to him. 'We used to be so close. What happened, huh? What did I do? If I did something to offend you, I apologize, but please, just talk to me.'

You look at him pleadingly. Ryan stops but doesn't turn to face you. Silence fills the room.

'You didn't do anything,' Ryan finally says quietly. 'I… I'm an idiot, that's all. And a bad friend.'

'Care to elaborate?' you ask, raising your eyebrows. Ryan sighs and finally turns. There's sadness in his eyes.

'I want to be happy for you, I really do, because you seem to be with Luke,' he says. 'But I can't look at it.'

'Why?' you ask, frowning. Ryan chuckles dryly.

'Because it's not me you're happy with,' he answers. You stare at him, stunned.

'What do you mean by that?' you ask but Ryan looks away and is quiet. 'Ryan, what are you trying to say?'

'That I like you!' he exclaims, throwing his hands in the air. 'Okay? I like you. More than a friend. A-And seeing you happy with another guy… it hurts. I'm jealous and I know that it's pathetic. I know that I was awful to you lately because of that and I'm sorry. But I can't change how I feel. Believe me, I tried.'

You're shocked by his words. But then you feel anger filling you.

'You're a moron,' you say, clenching your fists. 'If you truly like me so much, then why have you started dating Jenny? Because you are the one who had a relationship first. And I tried to be supportive, to be glad you're happy. But it hurt. It hurt so much.'

You blink away the unwanted tears. Ryan is looking at you with a stunned expression. You gulp.

'Why do you think I wasn't going on dates before?' you ask. 'Because no one was good enough and I… I couldn't let it go. But I knew I have to. So when Lanie started nagging me about her friend, I thought that maybe it's time I… moved on. And while I enjoy spending time with Luke… I'm not happy. Not really. Because he's not the one I want to be with.'

You and Ryan stare at each other for a moment. Finally, Ryan chuckles and looks down.

'We're hopeless idiots, aren't we?' he asks. 'I'm sorry I hurt you. I thought it's a bad idea to have something with you, since we're working together. And I never thought you'd want to be with me.'

'I thought exactly the same things,' you admit quietly. Ryan looks up at you. Slowly, hesitantly, he walks to you. Soon, he' standing right in front of you.

'You're an amazing woman,' he says softly, causing you to look up at him. 'I adore your laugh and smile. When you're sad, I want to comfort you. I admire your courage and your intelligence. I…'

He chuckles. There are tears in his eyes.

'I love you,' he says. You inhale sharply.

'Kevin…' you say, stunned, and gulp after a moment. 'I hate you.'

'Okay, that hurt,' Kevin says, frowning. You shake your head.

'I don't mean it really,' you say. 'Just… I… With you I feel safe. You are… so kind, funny and you can always make me laugh when I need it. I'm not afraid to be vulnerable around you. I admire you so much. I… I love you, too.'

Kevin starts to grin. But you look at him sadly.

'And that's why I hate you,' you say and Kevin stops smiling. 'Because I can't have you. You and Jenny… you are perfect. She's everything I'm not.'

'She's not you,' Kevin says. You shake your head.

'I don't want you to break her heart,' you say. Kevin looks down.

'I think that if I continue this relationship, knowing how you feel, I'd be unfair to both of you,' he says. 'And to myself.'

You nod sadly. Kevin cups your face. You look up at him. He smiles softly.

'Can I say it again?' he asks and you nod slowly, not sure what he means. 'I love you.'

You smile. You lean slightly toward him.

'I love you, too,' you say quietly. Kevin's eyes shine with happiness. He leans toward you and before you can think whether it's right, you're kissing and it feels wonderful. Sure, kissing Luke was amazing. But this… this was right. You know Kevin is the person you're supposed to kiss. You don't care about the obstacles you have yet to face. Now all that matters is how perfect your lips match his. You forget about the world outside. All that matters is Kevin, the kiss and…

There's a loud noise that causes you and Kevin to jump away from each other with wide eyes. You look at the door and see your friends. They're surprised to find you in such positions. But soon there are smirks on their faces.

'Looks like we've rescued them too soon,' Beckett teases.

'So how long has this been going on between the two of you?' Castle asks. You and Kevin exchange a look.

'Uh… a few minutes?' you ask hesitantly. Your friends give you blank stares. Then they turn to leave.

'Should have locked them up somewhere ages ago,' Esposito says, as they exit the room. You hear Beckett and Castle agreeing with him. You and Kevin look at each other.

'They… knew, didn't they?' you ask.

'Looks like it,' Kevin says. For a moment you stare at each other, then chuckle.

'So… what now?' you ask.

'We will figure something out,' Kevin answers, shrugging, and smiles. 'Because after that kiss… I'm not letting you go. Never again.'

You grin at him and press your forehead to his. You're about to say something sweet, but Esposito's voice ruins it:

'Yo, are you two coming or are we supposed to arrest the murderer without you?!'

~*~

A few days later another case is solved. It was a quick job well done, so Castle decides it needs to be celebrated.

'Let's take it to a bar!' he proposes. 'Drinks are on me!'

'If that's how you put it,' Esposito says with a grin. 'Beckett?'

'Why not?' Beckett asks, smiling. Castle turns to coming Ryan.

'Ryan, we're going drinking,' he informs him.

'Uh, yeah, without me, I'm afraid,' Ryan says. 'Sorry, guys, I have plans.'

'What plans?' Castle asks, but Ryan is already walking away. 'Ryan, what plans?'

Ryan doesn't seem to hear him. Or ignores him. Instead, he walks to your desk, where you are gathering your things.

'Ready?' he asks you. You smile and nod. You turn to your friends and wave.

'See you tomorrow!' you call. Kevin takes your hand in his and you two head toward the elevator. Your friends stare at you, surprised. Captain Montgomery leaves his office and joins them.

'Did they finally admit their feelings?' he asks.

'They even kissed,' Castle answers. 'But… what about Jenny and Luke?'

'I think that since they're obviously going on a date, they've already solved this,' Beckett says.

'Well, then there's only one thing left to say,' Montgomery says. 'About damn time.'

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hoped you liked it. Let me know your thoughts! Reblog, like and comment if you could. Have a lovely day/night! This fic can also be find on Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45635002

[psych---ologically-deranged]

Ok so I'm doing a meme on Under Fire from Castle & idk if I should omit the pregnancy thing or make Joy (gus's sister) pregnant just so it's easier for me to meme it. What do you down here in my tumblr think?

I /would/ do chief vick but I'm making Chief Vick into Captain Gates.

I could, again, just omit the pregnancy entirely & it would be ok probably.

Also while you're here, who do you think I should make into whom? Javier Esposito & Kevin Ryan would be Burton Guster & Shawn Spencer (though idk who would be who; ryan being gus would mean that Joy having the kid would make most sense)

Kate Beckett would likely be Juliet O'Hara because she's the woman, but that leaves Richard Castle as Carlton Lassiter & rick is more like shawn than he is like lassie

Obviously the chief is the captain

There is also some fire detective & that could be the fire department person from whatever episode of psych had henry saying firefighters were bad

fun fact there is a character named burton in the original too.

Thoughts?

[justforbooks]

The path from successful character actor to becoming a star is difficult. It’s even harder when you’re self-destructive. Tom Sizemore, who has died aged 61 after a brain aneurysm, will be best remembered for his roles in Saving Private Ryan, as Tom Hanks’s wise sergeant, and in Heat, as the muscle in Robert De Niro’s bank-robbing crew.

His characters were often informed by their volatility: affable nihilism could explode into violence, which made him a natural player of bent cops and detectives, as believable in straight roles as in over-the-top variations, such as Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers. But his own personality bore many of those same traits. His career was sidelined repeatedly by addictions to heroin and methamphetamines, and his peripatetic drug-fuelled sex life led to repeated cases of domestic violence.

In 1998, after starring as the criminal gangster boss John Gotti in the television film Witness to the Mob, Sizemore received a visit from De Niro and his mother, who forced him into rehab. Steven Spielberg then hired him for Private Ryan, provided Sizemore be drug-tested regularly, and threatening to reshoot all his scenes if he failed a single test.

Five years later, on the verge of television success as the lead in Robbery Homicide Division, he was kicked off the set of a movie, Piggy Banks, accused of molesting an 11-year-old female actor, and convicted of domestic violence against his then girlfriend, “Hollywood madam” Heidi Fleiss. The double scandal contributed to the TV show’s cancellation.

The two sides of Sizemore’s talent could be traced back to childhood. Born in Detroit, he was the son of Thomas Sr, a lawyer and philosophy professor, and Judith (nee Schannault), who worked in the city ombudsman’s office. A self-described “wayward, angry teen”, he was drawn to acting after watching Montgomery Clift, James Dean and Marlon Brando playing such roles, and by De Niro in Taxi Driver.

He was also influenced by his father’s two brothers. His sober father won a scholarship to Harvard; his uncles were exuberant denizens of a world of drugs and crime. Sizemore tried for years to produce a script about them, An Honest Thief, written by his lawyer brother Aaron, which nearly got made in 2014, starring Sizemore and Danny Trejo. It fell through; a much different version, Good Thief, eventually appeared, without Sizemore, in 2021.

He studied theatre at Wayne State University, Detroit, taking a master’s at Temple, in Philadelphia. He began in off-Broadway theatre in New York; his friends included James Gandolfini, John McGinley and Edie Falco, with whom he had a relationship.

His first film role was in Lock Up (1989), and among his other three roles that year was a part in Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July. He did Blue Steel (1990) and Point Break (1991) for Kathryn Bigelow, the Wesley Snipes vehicle Passenger 57 (1992), and the Quentin Tarantino-scripted True Romance (1993), directed by Tony Scott, where he turned down the part originally offered him because he did not want to beat up Patricia Arquette on screen, and suggested Gandolfini, in his first Hollywood movie, for the role.

During the filming of Natural Born Killers (1994) he and Juliette Lewis began an affair; for four months they stayed in her mansion, doing drugs and having sex. “Temptation is impossible for me to resist,” he said. “Come on, this is Hollywood … it’s in the job description.”

From there he played Bat Masterson opposite Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp (1994) and was excellent in Bigelow’s overlooked Strange Days (1995). He had earned a lead role, which came in Peter Hyams’s The Relic (1997), but another small though telling part in Enemy of The State (1998), along with Private Ryan, seemed to lock him into supporting roles.

In his memoir By Some Miracle I Made it Out of There (2013), Sizemore detailed a long affair with the actor Elizabeth Hurley. In 1996 he married Maeve Quinlan, who had also been in Natural Born Killers; they divorced three years later amid accusations of drug use and physical abuse.

He had leads in three TV movies before Robbery Homicide Division, based on the original Michael Mann script that eventually became Heat. When he was not charged with molestation Sizemore returned to Piggy Banks (retitled Born Killers, to capitalise on his notoriety). Fifteen years later, the child actor, now 26, sued him for $3m, but a Utah court dismissed the lawsuit; Sizemore dismissed the allegations as “misconstrued”. His 2003 conviction in the Fleiss case resulted in seven months in jail after he failed drug tests during his probation.

At the same time he began a relationship with Janelle McIntire. In 2005 the couple had twin boys, named Jaden and Jagger. Yet at that point he made a video film called Triple X Tom, with Jersey Jaxin and three other porn actors, in which he claimed to have slept with Paris Hilton. When the celebrity denied it, he said he had made it up to impress the other actors . He did receive an XRCO award nomination as “Best New Stud”. When McIntire divorced him in 2006, he began an affair with Maxine Entwistle, the former wife of the Who bassist John.

Arrests for drug possession and spousal battery followed. He appeared on two Celebrity Rehab shows in 2010 and reunited with Fleiss on Dr Phil (2013). He ping-ponged between scandals and small parts in as many as 16 films in a year, yet still held recurring parts in series such as Hawaii Five-O and Shooter. He was dropped from Shooter when, after accidentally running over a stunt man, he was convicted in 2017 of two charges of domestic abuse against a girlfriend. He was allowed to finish his probation sentence despite a 2019 arrest for heroin possession. His last big film was playing Liam Neeson’s FBI rival William Sullivan in Felt (2017).

Sizemore wrote in his memoir: “There are so many guys who had good lives, great lives, and blew it … I think there are some guys who think they don’t deserve to have good lives.”

He is survived by his sons.

🔔 Tom (Thomas Edward) Sizemore, actor, born 29 November 1961; died 3 March 2023

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

[junkdrawerfics]

the flustered detective

Kevin Ryan X Reader

Listen, I know this isn't Twilight, and I know this is like, a super random character that probably has such a small following, but I love him sooooo much, and had to write for him. So sue me, I'll probably write more for him.

Summary: You make Detective Ryan very nervous and everyone knows it. Even you. So yah, that's it, just a cute little fic about flustered Ryan.

Word Count: 1001

---

“Just go talk to her, man.”

Ryan jumps, jolted from his thoughts as his partner slaps him on the back. He casts Esposito a scowl, straightening his ruffled vest.

“I can’t just…talk to her,” he sighs out, defeat burning behind his tone, “I can barely get a word out when she’s around me!”

“I know,” Esposito snickers, “it’s pretty pathetic, actually.”

The glare leveled at him is deadly. Esposito holds his hands up defensively, inching away with a smirk still glued to his face.

“Sorry. Just saying. You need to man up and grow a-“

“What does Ryan need to do?” 

The sound of high heels clicking along the precinct floor makes both men go stock still. Beckett rounds the corner of her desk, fine brow raised as she lets her gaze drift between the two detectives. Castle pops up behind her, smiling ear to ear, which is never a good thing.

“I believe Espo here was trying to give our friend, Ryan, a little advice on his women troubles,” he hums, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Don’t worry, Ryan, I’m sure we can-“

“No, no no,” Ryan jumps to his feet before Castle can come up with another wild concoction of a plan. “I do not need advice from you-“ He points a finger at Javier and then spins to Castle. “And I definitely don’t need help from you, mister three divorces.” 

“It was two actually…” the writer mutters, looking at his shoes like a kicked puppy. 

Ryan gives him a pointed look, as if what he said sounds any better, “My point exactly. Listen, guys, I’m fine! I am perfectly capable of talking to (Y/n) myself.”

“Talking to me about what?”

The group freezes. Except Kate, who watches over the rim of her coffee cup, eyes dancing with amusement as Ryan goes beet red. You glance between the four, eyes wide with confusion as the men pass each other “looks”. They’re always so secretive, like they’re kids trying to carry out an awful plan. It’s more endearing than it is insulting, though. Esposito makes a show of shoving Ryan’s shoulder, making him face you before he saunters off to the break room.

“What’s going on, Ryan?” You ask as Beckett drags Castle off by the ear, against his dramatic protests.

“Oh, uh, with, with us? Nothing, we just um,” he coughs, blush spreading all the way to the tips of his ears. How cute. You fight back a smile, settling with a look of amusement that only seems to fluster him more. “We were just talking about a case! Yah a case. And I was going to…ask for your help?”

“Really?” You hum, head tilting ever so slightly. Ryan’s jaw clenches and he nods, lips pressed together tightly. You almost want to tease him a little more, see how far the blush goes, but you’re afraid his poor heart might give out. “Okay. I can help with your case! As long as Kate’s onboard.”

“Yah, yah, she, um, she’s totally onboard.” Ryan cringes at the lie. Hopefully Beckett won’t mind. 

“Great!” You smile, sticking out your hand. “I look forward to working with you, Detective Ryan.”

He nods again, rushing to take your outstretched hand. You giggle as he fumbles. Heat creeps up Ryan’s neck, and man, he wishes he could just say something smooth like Javier, or witty like Castle, but all he can do is laugh awkwardly, heart racing a mile a minute. Just because he’s holding your hand.

He’s a grown man, he chastises himself, a detective for the NYPD. He can break down doors and take on criminals, hell, even face torture, but the feeling of your hand in his? That’s what makes him crumble.

The man looks to be seconds from passing out, you realize, chest aching with something fond. You give his hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

“Hey,” you whisper, and those gorgeous blue eyes snap up to yours, wide and uncertain in a way you’ve never seen. It makes your chest ache even worse and your smile turns uncharacteristically soft for just a moment. “Easy tiger. You're doing great.”

That seems to help. Ryan forces his muscles to relax, taking a deep breath and nodding slowly. You give his hand one final squeeze. Your hands are so small compared to his, and not covered in calluses or scars, a thought he tries not to linger on as you slip away back to your desk. Just in time for his team to make a reappearance.

“Sooo?” Javier leans in front of him, eyebrows wagging, “What did you say, mister ‘I can talk to her myself’?”

“I um.” Ryan passes a hand over his neck, trying to get rid of the tingling sensation in his palm. Or maybe trying to lock it in his memory. “I may have…invited her onto the case?”

His partner's face falls. Esposito shakes his head, muttering disappointment under his breath, “Are you serious, man?”

“Yah, are you serious?” Kate presses, faking a frown. It’s impossible to be mad after watching that…ordeal play out. But she’s not one to miss an opportunity to mess with them. Just a little payback.

“It just-“ Ryan slumps back into his desk, shrugging his shoulders in defeat. “-happened. I didn’t know what else to say, okay? I just- I have the words in my head, and then she’s in front of me, and it’s like-“ He purses his lips, blowing out a sigh of frustration.

“It’s like everything gets scrambled and nothing fits together anymore,” Castle murmurs (casting a knowing glance towards Beckett, who returns it with a warning glare).

“Exactly. I just…I like her so much, you know?”

“Nope.”

Ryan just about socks Esposito in the face, glowering up at him, “Very helpful, Javi.”

“I understand, Ryan,” Kate offers.

“You do?” He perks up hopefully.

“Yah. I remember I had a hard time talking to this one guy I really liked…you know, back in middle school.”

Ryan groans, “I have no sanctuary.”

---

When I tell you I would die for this man-