[not a] beast

adam dier

“GOD, I FRICKIN’ LOVE FAST FOOD.” was it practically a moan? yes, but it was much deserved! a self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things junk food related, ron was happily digging away into the nachos, tacos, and burritos that he ordered with just about enough time to quickly slurp down some of the, emphasis on diet, coke next to him. shovelling down as much as he could in such a short amount of time (was it a race? probably. who likes cold food?), he looked up with food still in his mouth – “want some?” 

Garrett was actually sitting in the park, listening to the sound of people around him. Even though he liked being a hermit, every once in a while he liked to hear the sounds of the town. As he listened, Aiden made a small sound near him, indicating that someone was staring. “You know,” He started, not looking at the person. “If you stare for too long, he’ll attack.” His voice was monotone as he spoke, knowing full well Aiden wouldn’t hurt anyone. 

closed starter for @ofxbeasts

                    in most cases minnie would think it rude to show up to somebody’s house uninvited. she had been raised much more proper than that, and even with her and adam’s closeness taken into consideration she was certain if her parents knew she was simply showing up at his house they would be disappointed. the uber driver had been more than slightly confused at the sight of her multiple suitcases, and even more stunned when he pulled up to the dier mansion. a quiet you live here ? from him sent her into a fit of soft giggles as she paid him. during her multiple tenures in apple peak she may as well have lived there — it wasn’t like she spent much time at her own place when adam’s was an option. 

                     the familiar face of adam’s butler was taken in warmly, and while she insisted on bringing in her own suitcases he wouldn’t let her. rather than argue she figured she could do something useful and decided to instead begin working on breakfast. what better way to surprise her best friend than with not only her presence but breakfast as well ? she took a peek down at her phone screen, which blinked 9:47 at her. perfect. she flung open the curtains in the living room and the kitchen before getting to work on making food.

adam wasn’t usually in the habit of rising early in the morning.  he was great at staying tucked away inside the manor, and as the days when on he seemed to have fewer reasons to go out at all.  so, he slept until noon, read in his library or lifted weights in his gym to occupy his mind.  then he’d eat his prepared meal, sleep, and start the cycle all over again. anyone who worked for him knew this, so when he smelled crackling bacon and popped an eye open to read the time he was nothing but confused.  he lazily pulled himself out of bed and cautiously made his way through the winding hallways of the manor and down the grand staircase.  he couldn’t help but notice the amount of light that was shining onto the floor, he held his arm up to block the rays from his face as he peaked into the empty living room.

“There’s kind of a human being inside me. Growing.”

“oh,” he smiled, happy with his choice, “then i’ll start reading it soon.” then seeing adam take such an interest in his question, john sat up formally in his chair, clearing his throat. “i had a question about…relationships. most people that i talk to are…very different from my personality. and we both seem like quiet people,” he said carefully. “i wanted to hear your opinion on…all of that.” it occurred to john he didn’t actually know what he wanted to ask.

   she almost couldn’t help the slight scoff that came out of her. “you pushing me away hasn’t been easy.” she felt selfish for saying that, especially with everything that he’s been through within these past six months. it was understandable why he had practically gone off the grid, but on the same hand, a simple text, letter, anything to say that he was okay but needed time would’ve been more than okay with her and she would’ve understood. 

  her brows furrowed at his words. he’s been busy. busy pushing people who care about him away. she almost hated that she had become this person, normally she wouldn’t chase after someone who no longer showed interest, but with adam it was different. it was something that she didn’t quite understand, what there was about him that made her so intrigued.

   “i mean honestly, what is it? you’ve been busy, you stayed around the house, you don’t know? just be honest with me, you’ve been avoiding me.” she didn’t want him to lie to her, now was not the time to make up some sort of excuse. “because it just does. i’ve been worried about you, i felt like you completely vanished.”

he words took him aback.  a stunned look spread across his face as her tone sharpened.  adam had been sure she wouldn’t even realize that he hadn’t been around.  he was surprised to know she took notice, let alone that it affected her in any way.  he swallowed hard, staring at her as she stood there in his foyer.  he gave this girl every chance to run, every chance to escape from his life and here she was.  she’d come back.  he wasn’t sure how to react.

she wouldn’t let him cheat his way out of it.  he quickly realized she wasn’t going to leave here without an answer - without talking this whole thing through - which of course was just about his worst nightmare.  he drew in a quick breath as she questioned him.  “fine, okay?  yes- yes i’ve been avoiding you.  i’ve stopped going to the bookstore and i changed my jogging route in the park and i left that stupid ball as soon as i saw you walk through the door.  is that what you want to hear?” he didn’t mean for so much of it to spew out, he didn’t mean for it to come out so pointed, and angry.  but he was frustrated - frustrated at himself for doing all of it and frustrated at her for making him say it.  

lobo: i don't know if you've heard but i'm hardly a saint

lobo: besides, have you ever seen her make a man cry?

lobo: it's hilarious

adam: yeah i guess i forgot who i'm talking too

adam: im sure it's hilarious

“… I’m having a baby.”

“you’re right. as long as you get the story, it shouldn’t matter,” john nodded. he set aside the crossword for now, twiddling his thumbs together and staring at them. “something easier. but i kind of like the old books so…the little prince. the book is this thin,” he showed a small gap between his thumb and forefinger. “but…adam, can i ask you something?”

lobo: like i said

lobo: she makes everyone else cry

lobo: makes it easier to win when half the group wants to die

adam: i guess

adam: seems like you're working with the devil though

lobo: no

lobo: she just makes the rest of the group cry during poker

adam: i can't believe you hang out with her voluntarily

lobo: you don't have to tell cierra anything

lobo: she has eyes on the back of her head

adam: god shes so

adam: aggravating

adam: does she ever just

adam: dude

adam: did you, tell people i got a lap dance at your place?

adam: i mean...i did but...now my ex knows

   after hearing his question, it was like she froze. sure, she had a lot that she needed to get out and into the open, but it was like her mind had blanked. where she should she even start with all of this? isabelle didn’t want to be so blunt and to the point, mostly because she could already tell how awkward adam was becoming. she couldn’t blame him of course, she showed up at his house uninvited, it was quite rude of her. however she needed to know where they stood.

   were they just friends? or not at all? could there be something there between them and he’s afraid? or was she just that silly hopeless romantic?

   whatever it was, she needed to know for sure. had she not meant anything to him at all? if that’s the case, she sure did need a lot of time preparing herself for those words. maybe that’s why she froze. she’s procrastinating. not yet ready to hear, “isabelle, i don’t care for you like you do me.” even just playing that in her head it stung.

   “i-” her sentence stopped before it could continue, chewing on her bottom lip, a bad habit she had when she got nervous. her heart was pounding against her chest as her eyes landed on him. “how was it so easy for you to just leave me in the dust like that?”

he stared at her, stunned and stuck in place.  her words rang in his ears.  “easy?” he repeated, as if the word was utterly disgusting.  his voice was breathy and weak, he could barely make eye contact with her.  his fists bundled and all he wanted to do was scream that pushing her away was one of the hardest fucking things he’d ever done.  but he didn’t.  he just clenched his jaw and said, “nothing about the past six months have been easy.”

adam didn’t understand why she had come here.  why had she stormed over - to ask him this?  wasn’t she glad that the snarly hairy guy had finally left her alone?  could he have really meant anything to her?  surly no one cared all that much about him.  he’d lasted this long tucked away in the shadows without anyone wondering where he’d been.  and now suddenly this bright beautiful girl comes marching in demanding to know how he could do such a thing - he just didn’t understand it.