Burned Once, Never Again (Niamh and Castiel)

Burned Once, Never Again

Webfic

1/2

"Let's get a divorce," Niamh Weaver muttered as she curled up weakly on the bed. Sweat dampened her delicate face, and her hair stuck to her skin. Her eyes looked empty and sorrowful. She had loved this man for ten years, but now there was nothing left to hold onto.

Castiel Jamison's dark gaze turned cold. "Divorce?"

"Yes," Niamh said with a firm voice.

She rose from the bed and felt her way through the darkness toward the bathroom. Castiel glared at her, but finally couldn't help but step forward and reach out to steady her by the waist. "Let me help you," he said as he extended his hand.

Smack!

Niamh slapped his hand away with all her strength. When she got out of bed, her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto her knees with a thud.

"Get away from me. I don't want your help. You disgust me."

Just being under the same roof as him made her feel sick.

Castiel's expression darkened, and his outstretched hand froze mid-air.

She found him... disgusting?

Niamh braced herself on the floor and struggled to her feet before feeling her way into the bathroom. She turned on the hot water and scrubbed her hand over and over, desperate to wash away any trace of him. Oh, how she wanted to peel the very skin off her hands!

When Niamh emerged, she made her way slowly toward the closet. She hadn't been blind for long, and she was still adjusting to the darkness. She gradually felt her way forward while relying on vague memories. Then, she pulled on some clothes, grabbed her marriage certificate, and gripped it tightly. "Let's go. Now. To the courthouse."

Castiel's knuckles cracked loudly as he clenched his fists. He abruptly stood up and stormed over to Niamh, grabbing her collar.

"Niamh! How much longer are you going to keep this up? Look at you now. If we divorce, how are you going to survive?"

She had nothing. As a blind woman alone in this city, she wouldn't be able to make it.

Niamh pushed his hands away, her eyes vacant as she shook her head. With resolve, she answered, "Anything would be better than staying with you."

2/2

She suddenly let out a soft chuckle and murmured, "Ten years..."

""What?"

"I've known you for ten years. Seven years dating, three years married, and you took my corneas to save another woman. Was that price not enough for me to finally see your true colors?"

Her marriage was twisted beyond belief. She had endured enough of Castiel's cold-heartedness. Death felt like a better option than staying with him. She only wanted to escape this prison of despair. Castiel's irritation spiked once again, and he growled, "You call that a price? If you didn't want to, why did you sign the surgical consent form?"

"You think my signature makes it right?" Niamh laughed bitterly, feeling too weary to even ask if he ever saw her as his wife.

"This conversation is over. I'll pretend you never said anything."

Niamh's taugh grew louder at that.

He sounded as if he were bestowing a favor. How ridiculous.

"No. I'm going through with the divorce."

"Niamh!" Castiel bellowed through clenched teeth. You have no right to demand a divorce!"

In the end, Castiel stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him. The sound of his hurried footsteps was akin to someone fleeing for their life.

Niamh's legs gave out beneath her, and she crumpled to the floor, feeling as though every last bit of her strength drained out. At that moment, her façade was torn apart.