Pride of the Playboys

Rated: PG

Category: Double drabble. Minor character POV. Gen.

Season: Four.

Spoilers: Cops and Robbers.

Summary: An outsider shares some insight on Richard Castle.

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I've known Richard Castle for many years - as his banker.

And while he's always been polite to me, I've only known him as a man by reputation - which is why I'm confused.

I mean, Castle is a playboy, right? Last I heard (and his spending habits support this), he's a frivolous man known for wild parties and superficial pleasures.

I can't imagine a man like that staring down a hostage-taker without so much as a blink when a gun is pressed to his throat. It just doesn't jive. I'd expect the Richard Castle I see in the press to panic, or at least plead for his life.

This man did neither. His calmness was as eerily comforting as it was complete. Only a slight jump when the gun was taken away betrayed the utter terror he had to be feeling. Before that, he could have been the one with the gun, such was his demeanor.

And as I watch him walk away with his mother, I can't help but wonder if the press is wrong.

Somehow, I think they are.

And if they aren't, well, here's to you, Richard Castle, because surely you must be the pride of the playboys.