that next morning

[wildrover]

Ryan fell asleep quickly after letting Esposito crash in the bed with him, their brief banter wearing him out once again. Like he had admitted to Javier, the day had been long and hard, their current case exacting a toll on Kevin mentally if not quite so much physically. A lot of shifting through useless data and trying to find the useful. At least they'd put this one behind them already, solving it through a fluke of luck and rendering most of Ryan's work obsolete. But it was done and for that Ryan was thankful. Now he just wanted to sleep.

So he did, and heavily too. He didn't shift often in his sleep at least and neither did he snore. And if Esposito did either of those two things then Ryan didn't notice them, not tonight.

Morning came and sun started to peek through the window. One bad thing about having an apartment on the eastern side of the building: the sun always got to the window early in the morning. Ryan shifted slightly but he still wasn't ready to get up just yet. The bed was comfortable, and the body pillow he'd snuggled into was warm and compliant to his needs. He was blissfully content to just stay where he was all morning until the afternoon. Maybe longer.

If only.

Comments

[wildrover]

"If only," Ryan said with a laugh. "You think we could make more than Castle?"

[specialforces]

He took a big bite of a piece of toast. "Hard telling. I mean, he does have the name recognition thing going for him. But I've got the whole being hotter thing going for me."

[wildrover]

Ryan nearly choked on his cinnamon toast. "You do remember he's ruggedly handsome, right? But, hey bro, I'll give it a shot if you want to give it a go."

[specialforces]

"Maybe an entire calendar. I can have different outfits for each month."

[wildrover]

Ryan took a moment to finish off one piece of toast without words interrupting. Then he carefully picked up the second piece as he casually asked, "So. When do we start picking out the outfits for this clever idea of ours?"

[specialforces]

"We should probably brainstorm first. Except I'm only doing eleven months." He takes another bite of his toast. "You get to be March."

[wildrover]

"What? Why--?" He stopped short as the month in particular managed to sink in. "Very funny, Javi. I am not dressing up as a leprechaun so don't even suggest it."

[specialforces]

He grins. "How about one big strategically placed four-leaf clover?"

[wildrover]

Ryan blushed furiously at the idea and quickly ate the remainder of his breakfast in an attempt to retreat out of the kitchen and away from the conversation. He shook his head as he hurriedly cleaned off the condiments from the counter. "I think I'll have to decline and leave the calendar business up to you."

He was out of the kitchen before the refrigerator door even finished closing, making his way back to his room without waiting for another word from Esposito.

[specialforces]

That was unexpected. Esposito blinked and finished up his toast, cleaning up behind himself before cautiously following. He knocked on the doorframe. "You okay?"

[wildrover]

Inside the room, Ryan was gathering his wallet and keys. He glanced over his shoulder at Esposito. "Yeah. I'm good." He moved on to snatch up his badge and gun. "Hey, I'm going to head down to the precinct for a few hours and finish up that paperwork I'm behind on. You good to stay here or do you want the extra key so you can get back in if you leave?"

[specialforces]

"Yeah, let me go ahead and take the extra key. I might have to swing by my place and grab some stuff. Last night, I just grabbed a change of clothes and got the hell out of there." He shrugged. "Gimme a call if anything comes up."

[wildrover]

"Right." Ryan moved to the dresser and dug through a drawer of random junk, pulling out a case with extra keys stuffed inside. He took out the apartment key and placed the case back in the drawer. He turned around with the key out for Esposito to take.

[specialforces]

He took the key and slipped it in his pocket. "Thanks, man. Promise not to throw a crazy house party while you're gone."

[wildrover]

Ryan eyed Esposito warily for a moment but eventually broke out into a small grin. "I'd be offended if you didn't invite me so you better hold off as long as you can."

[specialforces]

He laughed. "So what do you want the punch spiked with?"

[wildrover]

"Bailey's," came the surprisingly unhesitant reply.

[specialforces]

"In punch? That might ferment, bro. Obviously the answer is Bailey's straight up."

[wildrover]

Ryan began to open his mouth but immediately shut it. If honey-milk had gained him amused looks and teasing for a day he loathed to think what cocoa in the summer would earn him. He considered his options for a moment before replying. "Fine. That works, too."

[specialforces]

And Espo grinned rather suddenly. "Wait, no. I have a better idea."

[wildrover]

Kevin eyed Esposito warily. "What idea?"

[specialforces]

"Nope. You'll find out when you get home. You'll like it."

[wildrover]

"I'm not so sure about that..." Ryan sighed knowing full well he would have no luck trying to pry the plan out of Esposito now. He'd have to deal with it when it came to fruition later. "This apartment better still be standing when I get back."

[specialforces]

"Promise."

[wildrover]

Kevin relaxed slightly and smiled briefly. "See you in a couple of hours."