Burned Once, Never Again (Niamh and Castiel)

"Are you worried I'll end up in prison because of this?" Niamh asked.

Castiel hadn't handed over the evidence to the police, which was something she had anticipated. His threats were one thing, but after ten years together, Castiel wouldn't go that far to send Niamh to prison no matter how pissed he was.

Despite Macy not explicitly saying it, her attitude made it clear enough that she had every intention to put Niamh behind bars.

Niamh's words caused Castiel's tone to waver as a flicker of unease appeared on his face. "Don't worry. That won't happen." "As long as I apologize to her first?"

He was backing down, but Niamh pressed on relentlessly. His grip on her arms tightened slightly." Yes."

"Tell her this for me-she can do whatever the hell she wants!" With that, Niamh struggled and released herself from Castiel's hold.

The patient tone he had used moments before as he whispered reassurances in her ear felt like an illusion to her. His gaze was so icy that he could freeze her over in that instant.

Niamh knew how disappointed he was in her. However, he had no right to feel that way.

She turned and started walking toward the street. After taking a few steps, she stopped. Then, she turned back to look at Castiel like she was staring at a fool.

The mocking smile on her lips grew even more pronounced as she asked, "Seth helped you secure that evidence, didn't he? Did you ever ask him how he got it? And how did Macy know about it?" The last two questions stunned Castiel as he came to a shocking realization.

When Niamh arrived at Billie's apartment, she was still in her pajamas, and her hair was a bit disheveled. Before Niamh could say anything, Billie gave her a big hug.

"As soon as I got your call, I got up to make breakfast. I didn't even have time to wash my face." Niamh had a warm, fuzzy feeling in her heart. Billie was her only true friend in Greenburg. When she first woke up after being reborn, she had thought about moving in with Billie. Staying at Maplewood, where everything felt suffocating and tainted, made her feel sick. It was as if even the air there was polluted.

However, she decided against it ultimately. She knew how bad the harassment would be, and she would drag Billie into her mess by moving in with her. Niamh was about to say she had already eaten. But when she looked at Billie's messy hair, she swallowed those words and said, "I'm starving. Let's eat." "Alright, time for breakfast!" Billie gently ruffled Niamh's hair.

The height difference between them made Billle seem like an older sister when they stood together.

Niamh ate the pasta on her plate silently. The familjar taste brought back old memories. Ever since she had been with Castiel, she hadn't eaten anything like this.

People often said that when a man loved a woman, he would accompany and walk through her past with her to better understand her world.

Castiel had never done that.

Instead, he had pulled her, little by little, into his world. She ate expensive food that lacked real flavor and drank wines she didn't like but symbolized status. Immersing herself in his life had nearly made her forget her own roots. "Hey. What are you thinking about?"

"Huh? Were you talking to me?" Niamh turned to look at Billie, who was now watching her with

concern.

""Are you alright?" Billie asked.

"I'm fine. Really. Let's go to the police station after breakfast," Niamh replied.

"Why?"

"It's been three months." Before Niamh left, she had reported the online abusers to the authorities. Now, it was time to see the results of their investigation.

Billie nodded and wolfed down her food.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

"There's no rush," Niamh said, worried that she might choke.

"You may not be in a rush, but I've got work this afternoon. Hurry up!" Billie said, finishing her pasta in a few quick bites.

Niamh followed suit, finishing her food just as fast

After Billie finished cleaning up, the two of them headed to the Riverton police station.

The officer's response came as a surprise to both of them. "We found the suspects, alright. Mr. Jamison bailed them out, though."

Niamh and Billie were stunned into silence as they exchanged shocked glances. Their eyes were filled with disbelief and confusion.