Cas sat Nix in his lap and pulled his bowl towards himself, shoving a forkful of salad into his mouth. He didn't remember having salad before, but he wasn't particularly picky.
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Halm couldn't help but grin as he ate, occasionally glancing down at Cas and Nix. They were quite adorable together.
Nix just patiently sat in Cas's lap with his eyes closed, purring softly. Cas kept one arm around the cat as he ate, definitely not willing to let him go.
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Halm finished quickly, setting his bowl to the side as he waited for Cas. As soon as they were finished here, he was going to head out.
Cas finished soon after Halm did and Nix rubbed against his chin, sensing that he was growing anxious. Cas knew that finishing meant that Halm was going to leave him here.
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Halm sighed a little, standing and setting Cas down.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" He asked, looking at him with worry again.
"Hopefully… where can I find you in the case that I need you?" Cas asked, holding Nix closer as he looked up at Halm.
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"I'm going to be straight down the path just past the pond. If you really need me, though, just call for me and I'll come to you. Sound good?" Halm had his hand on Cas's shoulder, looking down at him.
Cas nodded, still seeming a little nervous, but determined to get through it anyhow. He hesitated before hugging Halm, needing to be held once more before he was left alone.
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(Don't worry Cas, you won't be alone for long >:) mwahaha)
Halm hugged Cas back, wondering if this was such a good idea after all.
"I'll be back as soon as I can, alright?" He assured, not pulling away yet. He'd wait until Cas was ready.
(oof)
"Mhmm…" Cas lingered for a minute or two before he finally pulled away. "I'm sorry, I… I'll be fine. You go ahead."
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"Okay then," Halm said, hand on Cas's shoulder. Finally, he pulled it away, stepping out of the kitchen after putting their bowls in the sink. He made his way out of the house, glancing back once just to be safe.
Cas sighed shakily in defeat once Halm left, starting to tremble. He moved himself over to the couch since he knew this was going to be long and painful. He curled up into a little ball with Nix in his arms, whimpering quietly and trying to keep himself calm.
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Cas was alone for some time, Halm still gone. Eventually, the sounds of footsteps could be heard plainly from outside, heading towards the house. Halm must be back.
Cas looked up hopefully at the door, but Nix was kneading the couch, seeming uneasy. "Halm?" Cas called out softly.
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The door opened, and someone stepped in.
"Try again~" the person said. It was Derlik. "So, pet, is your master out?"
Cas froze and Nix hissed, trying to protect Cas. "Halm?! Halm!! Halm!!" He cried out desperately, trying his best to move away from Derlik. "No, no, no, leave me alone! H-How did you get in here?!"
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"It's not exactly a secret where Halm lives," Derlik said, acting like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He took another step forward, relaxed.
Halm heard Casscreaming his name, head shooting up. He stood, running back towards the house.
Cas whimpered quietly, starting to panic and hyperventilate. He hugged Nix tightly, and Nix kept glaring and hissing at Derlik. "P-Please… just… just go away…"
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Derlik sat down on the edge of the couch, not really caring how he was affecting Cas.
"I need to talk to your owner first." Halm's footfalls could be heard coming towards the house, but he wasn't quite there yet.
Cas shuffled over to the far end of the couch, his knees drawn up to his chest. "He… h-he's not my 'owner'. He's my friend…"
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"Hm? Doll, he might be your friend, but that doesn't change the fact he owns you. For now and forever. Nobody cares what he does to you, either. He can use you any way he wants. Mother knows I do with mine." He chuckled, glancing over.
Cas whimpered again, cowering on the couch and hoping like hell that Halm had heard him. "He wouldn't hurt me… I… I know he wouldn't…"
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"Do you, though? How long have you known him, a few days? How do you know the stories about him aren't true? How do you know he isn't just lying to you, getting you to trust him?" Derlik smiled, trying to plant a seed of doubt in Cas. Halm could see the house now, and he picked up the pace. He was right there, footsteps loud.
"Why would he have saved me from you if he didn't really care?" Cas turned his chest away from Derlik, still hugging Nix. He heard Halm's footsteps and had to stop himself from breathing an audible sigh of relief.
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"Wouldn't you feel sympathetic to a dying creature? Halm's a wimp who hates to watch anything die." The door slammed open, Halm coming into the room. He went over to Cas, glaring at Derlik.
"Why are you here?" he asked, voice hard like before.
"Halm…" Cas whispered shakily, looking up at Halm when he came over. His eyes were shining with tears, and he was clearly very uncomfortable with Derlik being there.
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Halm, when he saw how distraught Cas was, scooped him up, keeping himself between Cas and Derlik the entire time.
"I came to get my Ambrosia. I need her for something." Derlik shrugged, smirking a bit.
"Derlik, you know the rules. I can't give her to you until her time here is up."
Cas buried his face in Halm's shoulder, noticeably shaking. Nix stayed curled up in his arms to comfort him. "Make him go away…" Cas whispered weakly, his voice breaking.
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"But I have a really, really go reason this time!" Derlik protested. Halm scowled.
"I don't give to fucks. Leave, now." Derlik pouted, getting up.
"No fun," he said, but he walked to the door anyway. "Letting your pet mortal push you around."