The AUs are jumping into Pridecember yet again! The first is the Always AU, with a flirty famous novelist annoying a no-nonsense grumpy Detective.
I love the flirty banter between Castle and Beckett in their show and it translates so well over to Yami and Kaiba. It’s one of the reasons I crossed Castle and Yu-Gi-Oh over. Please give Castle a watch it’s awesome especially the first four seasons.
1. "i know its selfish but i had so much hope that Zayn would start doing little concerts during the lockdown and it would have been controlled too." I don't think it's selfish to hope for that but I do wonder about the logistics of putting on a show even virtually. We're always talking about how him canceling shows in 2016 probably hurt him in terms of venues being willing to book or insure him and RCA no longer financially support him like that but tend to ignore the impact that might have
2. on his ability to do certain things. Like I'm sure he can do what he used to do go and ig and sing a song or two but a show would involve hiring a band, other people etc. even if he was doing it from his farm. Someone more in the know might be able to give a better answer but something makes me think it's not as simple as if he wants to or not.
*****
Yeah there would be expenses, and it’s doubtful rca is going to go all out. Otoh they could and would sell tickets. A live would generate interest even from the gp out of curiosity if nothing else.
We don’t know. He’s made noises about performing for a long time. He could do an acoustic set with a guitarist, and I’d be happy, but how Zayn is negotiating his career is a mystery except that he seems happy enough with how it’s going.
Reading books is boring so I try drawing instead— just a little while, So that my brain isn't explode because of reading to much and... get nothing. Okay, this is new short AU of mine— hope it does short— about... Brothers. Well, as you see in the picture (with those bad English), there are only theee turtles living together.... it's just about memories and their lives without their beloved ...brother. Just like that, and I gotta go back to read books now. See you all later— after this midterm exam guess I can have more time drawing things.
Can’t Stop - an AU “Always” story - by Lord of Kavaka
A/N: Happy Birthday, random-ship! Thank you for all the wonderful and amazing Castle fan art you’ve shared with us. I will forever be in awe of your talent.
Also posted on FFN.
His confession hung between them, heavy and loaded. The silence was almost unbearable. He watched as Beckett heaved in deep breaths, her brow creasing in agitation as she absorbed the acknowledgement that he had been in communication with a man who could very well hold the information she needed to take down, not only her shooter, but also the man who had ordered the hit on her mother. Her shoulders squared as her eyes flicked back up to his, the anger and betrayal reflecting out of their hazel depths.
“You… met with him?” Beckett growled. “How do you know he’s not behind my mom’s murder? Huh? How do you know that he’s not involved?” Her eyes flashed with disappointment and distrust. “And how the hell could you do this?”
Castle’s breath stammered as he looked at her in disbelief. Even now, after all they’ve been through, she was still going to deny not knowing exactly what his motivations were, have always been. He nearly stumbled backwards, as if struck.
“Because I love you,” his voice cracked, his eyes watering as he looked at her beseechingly, almost daring her to deny it. Her eyes dropped, but he still caught sight of the brief flash of guilt and shame. “But you… you already know that, don’t you? You’ve known for about a year.”
Beckett swallowed, and her own eyes widened as her shame filled the room. She shook her head. “Are you kidding me?” she questioned, bordering on incredulous. “You’re actually bringing this up right now? After you told me that you just betrayed me.”
Castle took in a sharp breath, feeling his heart start to shatter in his chest at the accusation. “Kate, listen to me—”
“Listen to you?” she mocked, scoffing and rolling her eyes. “Why should I listen to you? How am I even supposed to trust anything that you say?”
“How are you…?” his voice trailed off as he absorbed her words. Really? His jaw clenched in anger. How dare she! He growled in frustration. “Because of everything we’ve been through together! Four years I’ve been right here! Four years, just waiting for you to open your eyes and see that I’m right here.” His voice choked on the emotion overwhelming him, the heartbreak at being so close, yet so far from the one thing he’s wanted for so very long. “And that I’m more than just a partner.”
Kate blinked, stunned by his outburst.
He sighed, dropping the anger from his voice before he continued. “Every morning I… I bring you a cup of coffee just so that I can see a smile on your face, because I think you are the most remarkable, maddening, challenging, frustrating person I have ever met. And I love you, Kate. And if that means anything to you, if you care about me at all, just don’t do this.”
“If I care about you?” she echoed, the steel edge to her voice returning. God, this woman was so frustratingly stubborn. “Castle, you cut a deal for my life like I’m some kind of child. My life. Mine. You don’t get to decide.”
He shook his head. Surely she understood how this would end. Kate Beckett was no fool. “You keep going like this? They’re going to decide. They’re going to come for you, Kate.”
“Then let them come!” she snapped. “They sent Coonan, and he is dead. They sent Lockwood, and he is dead. And I’m still here, Castle! And I am ready.” She stalked past him, the air electric around them.
“Ready for what?” he asked, terrified about the answer. “To die for your cause? This isn’t a murder investigation anymore, Kate. They’ve turned it into a war.”
“If they want a war, then I will bring them a war, straight to their doorsteps,” Beckett asserted, stabbing the air with a finger.
Castle licked his lips as he took in a calm breath, considering her for a moment. Her posture was stiff and unyielding. There really was nothing he could say. He sighed, reluctantly accepting defeat. He should have known. It was never enough. He was never enough. No matter whom it was, no matter how much he wished; he would never be enough for anyone. He blinked his eyes, furiously trying to stem the tide of tears. He wouldn’t—couldn’t—cry in front of her. Later, when he was all alone, he’d let himself breakdown. But not now. Not in front of her.
“Well,” he sniffed, shifting his feet awkwardly, his throat constricting as he swallowed down the thick emotion of failure and rejection. “I guess there’s nothing I can say, is there?” She didn’t respond; her eyes averted. Damn her. She couldn’t even have the decency to look him in the eye at the end. “Okay, um… Yeah, you’re right, Kate. It’s your life. You can throw it away if you want.” He paused, taking in a deep breath, making a difficult decision. He couldn’t believe he was going to say it, but he had to protect his already beaten heart. If he didn’t do this, then he’d completely break. “But I’m not going to stick around and watch you. So this is over. I’m done.”
Her jaw dropped as she stared at him in disbelief. Part of him wanted to revel in the fact he could surprise her so, but he just couldn’t. The grief of this ending was just too much for him. His shoulders slumped and he turned to leave, knowing that Kate Beckett wouldn’t stop him. She was too proud to admit her mistakes, to apologize. No. She’d let him go, and be glad of it. One less distraction. She could then focus all her attention on running headlong into danger, getting herself killed for a mother long dead. Johanna Beckett’s death was more important to Kate Beckett than her own life, or even his love. He turned to leave, heart heavy, knowing that this was it.
This was the end.
“Castle! Wait!” her voice was halfway between a plea and a sob.
He swallowed, struggling against the conflicting emotions warring inside him. But he acquiesced to her request. He couldn’t help it, not with her. She really had no idea what sort of power she held of him, did she? He turned around to face her, and was surprised to find large watery eyes filled with a desperate panic.
“Don’t go,” she pleaded.
“Kate—” he choked out her name, but she cut him off, stepping up into his personal space, grabbing his face with her trembling hands and ramming her mouth against his in a fierce and all-consuming kiss, the chaotic Alex Gross painting their backdrop. Stunned, his whole body went tensed, but as her fingers curled around his neck, he began to relax. He allowed himself the luxury of indulging for a second or two, before he dropped his hands on her shoulders and gently nudged her back, confused. “I don’t understand.”
Beckett licked her lips, her eyes dark and apologetic as she gazed up at him. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, hypnotic. “I… I can’t stop, Castle,” she said in a hushed voice. “I need to get her justice. I need justice. But… I… I also can’t lose you. I love you, Castle. I really do. And I know it’s unfair and selfish of me, but I can’t let it go.”
She began to work the buttons on his shirt, deftly popping each one as her hand slipped down his chest. He breathed in heavily, eyes drooping down as he matched her gaze. “Kate?”
“I don’t know what the future holds, Castle,” she spoke softly. “Whether light or dark. But I do know one thing.”
“And what’s that?” he asked, his heart pounding wildly.
“I’m tired of having regrets,” Kate asserted. “I’m tired of denying how I feel about you. I’m… I’m just so tired, Castle. Of everything. I… I just want…”
“What? What do you want, Kate?”
“You,” she said, as if it was as simple as that. Her hand slipped inside his shirt and she placed her hand over his heart. “I want you, Castle. I… I just want you.”
“Don’t,” he pleaded. “Don’t lie. Not now. Not after everything else that’s happened. We both know that’s a lie.” She opened her mouth to object, but he continued before she could speak. “I don’t doubt you believe that, but we both know my love isn’t enough.” He sighed, before adding, in a hopeful voice, “At least not right now.”
Kate dropped her head in surrender. “I’m sorry,” she breathed out. “I know I’m not the easiest person in the world. But I do love you. I do. If you believe nothing else I’ve said, believe that.” Moving her hand across his bare chest, she looked back up at him with pleading eyes. “I know I can’t make that many promises, but if you’ll still have me… I can promise you that I’ll never give you reason to doubt my love for you.”
He clenched his jaw, brow furrowing as he mulled it over. “And the case?”
“I…,” she dropped her head, unable to look at him. “Please, Castle. I’ll do anything—anything—but you can’t ask me to give it up. Please.”
He sighed, knowing that was an impossible request. “Alright,” he relented, nudging her chin up with his hand, smoothing his palm up across her cheek as their eyes met. “But we do this together… or not at all,” he brokered firmly, narrowing his eyes in an attempt to gauge her reaction. “Do we have a deal?”
Kate pursed her lips, before nodding, a hesitant smile blossoming across her face. “We do.”
And then she surged up on her toes, sealing it with a kiss.
