beast

“Well, I’m just saying that alcohol is not a productive way to deal with negative emotions.” They shrugged. “In fact, it’s probably the top two worst ways to deal with it because you aren’t dealing with it at all.”

‘‘You sound just like all three of the therapists that Lou made me go to.’‘ Adam let out a soft chuckle, running a hand through his hair. ‘‘I’m perfectly content not dealing with it, it’s easier like this.’‘ 

Her eyes widen in surprise as she recognized the man before her and shyly laughed, rubbing her neck as she found herself looking at her own feet as well - it wasn’t like she could just dash away in the middle of a conversation, not without being incredibly rude anyways.

“You make a good point there. I swear, I shake everything out and still find a pile of sand in the corner of my purse,” she joked. “If- um, if you don’t mind me asking… if you hate the sand so much, then what brings you to the beach today, Mr. Ashman?” she curiously asked.

‘’Please don’t call me that; I’m just Adam..’’ He let out a long breath. ‘‘See now that’s a great question. Why do I bother if I hate the sand so much?’‘ Adam let out a sigh; thinking back to happier times for a moment. The sound of his sisters laughter as they ran on the wet sand. Their parents watching on over them. ‘‘Someone suggested it might be a good place for me to think. But I don’t think it’s really helping to be honest.’‘ Adam looked out towards the water for a minute before turning back to Stephanie. ‘‘What brings you to the beach?’‘

“I never spent a lot of time at the beach before I moved, but I have to say… I could definitely get used to this. I love all the sunshine, and the feeling of sand between my toes!”

But more importantly, Stephanie didn’t have to wear shoes. That’s what really sold her on how great beaches were.

“Everything will be fine.”

He was lying to himself, Dimitri realized as the music box landed in his hand once more. He’d been tossing it into the air for the last ten minutes, trying to wrap his mind around just how in the hell he was going to get his hands on that damn folder.

The Shadow Man was exactly that — a shadow. If he’d not been completely sober at the time, Dimitri would have thought the man was a hallucination; a demon conjured by too many glasses of cheap whiskey and the weight of his wrongdoings. But he wasn’t. He was real, and he was had dirt on Dimitri. If he didn’t get that folder and skip town soon, he was going to tear his hair out and probably end up on the wrong side of a jail cell. Dimitri wanted to avoid both outcomes—he really did have great hair; and his face was not made for prison. Dimitri swore colorfully under his breath. He felt restless, and the sensation itched under his skin, causing him to jump to his feet and pace the expanse in front of his battered couch.

He stopped abruptly, shoving the box in the pocket of his suit jacket. His head was pounding and Heartstone was still open, so that meant only one thing:

“I need a drink.”

Day drinking was swiftly becoming Adams normal; it was getting closer and closer to his least favourite time of year. The anniversary of the worst day of his life was coming like a freight train. The memories seemed to be surfacing more than they usually did; and the only thing that numbed the pain of it; was the bottom of a whisky bottle. 

Adam looked up from his perch at the bar when Dimitri entered the bar, before sliding the bottle he was nursing over to him; with a spare glass. ‘’Here you go; that’s a fine bottle of whisky, and my liver could use a drinking partner.’’ 

Nala narrowed their eyes at the other person’s words. “Okay, but do you really think that’s the most helpful thing you could do?”

‘‘Probably not, but it’s certainly the thing I want to do the most.’‘ Adam said, motioning to the bag containing the bottle of whisky that he’d just bought.

Phillip: My car battery just died after a 12 hour shift... anyone want to be a true hero and come give me a boost? I'll buy you a coffee and a pasty of your choice!

  "just a question,“ said jack, holding his hands up as if to show he meant no harm. he nodded in agreement, taking a breath,” exactly, i’m still a bit shocked to run into you since i’ve only ever really run into one other person out here at this hour.“

‘‘And a valid one at that.’‘ Adam let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head a little. ‘‘Do you often walk the woods alone in the middle of the night then? Who else do you meet out here?’‘ asked Adam, raising an eyebrow at Jack. ‘‘I don’t normally walk here this late.’‘

  it would probably confuse just about anyone that knew jenny to see her sitting with adam. she hadn’t exactly been paying attention at first. she slowly nodded as she went to sit,“ right.” he seemed gruff but he wasn’t completely biting her head off. that was a bit of a relief. she reached to pull her hair up into a ponytail using an elastic band on her wrist,“ nice to meet you adam,” she told him with a slightly shy smile on her face,“ i didn’t-i didn’t realize you came here, i mean, i’ve never seen you before when i’ve stopped in.”

   he was by far one of the more interesting customers at the snuggly duckling. plus hades might want information on him someday. her eye brows shot up as he explained who belle was,“ your butler employs her and she’s basically a babysitter? i feel like there’s a story there.” one she wasn’t sure he would tell. she shrugged as she rested her arms on top of the bar,“ i would tell you but then i’d have to kill you.” she knew that she could never talk about how hades was her boss,“ oh? not horrible? high praise.”

Adam let out a laugh at hearing his situation out loud, it was such an absurd thing. That he literally couldn’t control people that he payed; he couldn’t fire them and make them all just go away. ‘’Louis thinks that I’m a social recluse and that I should be in society more than I am.’’ Adam rolled his eyes, taking another long drink of his whiksy. ‘’Maybe that’s a risk I’m willing to take...’’ Adam leaned forward on the bar to match her position. ‘’Yeah, you’re alright. Certainly better than those assholes..’’ his eyes flickered towards the bikers for a moment. 

the words hit flynn like a ton of bricks. as the man stepped forward, he stood his ground with a clenched jaw. he had to be smart here, even if the other wasn’t going to be. “you’re going to have to be a little more specific about which girl,” he advised with taunting tone. “i’d be careful how you phrase your next words too. because whatever you think you know, you don’t.” 

It was taking every single fibre in Adams body not to punch this guy, he’d promised Rapunzel that he wouldn’t hurt him, even if he really really wanted to. Especially when he was being such a smarmy prat. ‘’You better watch your mouth, before I punch that cocky grin of your face..’’ Adam warned, squaring his shoulders, his jaw set in a hard line. ‘’Don’t talk to me about what I know, when I’m left picking up the pieces of your mess. How dare you, break that girl after everything she’s been through. Make her think that she’s anything less than what she is. You should be ashamed.’’