Jack carried on with the ruse, exhausted with Cassia’s naturally lively disposition that was infuriating to maintain. She hadn’t smiled so much in such a short amount of time, she wasn’t even sure if she was executing them correctly. Thus were the cons of masquerading as Cassia; easiest to portray, hardest to suffer through.

Adam let out a sigh that radiated with sadness. "Justin is an old pal. An ex booty buddy, if you will." He didn't like talking about Justin. It was still such a sore topic for him and it still made him sad. Even after all this time away from him. He had sent him numerous letters but, nothing back yet. He tried to remain hopeful that if he got better, Justin would somehow love him again. 

The tender kiss he’d planted on her cheek, a history of love and friendship behind it, made Jack’s stomach almost flip. By God, these two imbeciles were the most pathetic saps she’d ever had the misfortune of knowing. The rush of memories shared between the two ticked about just every cliche available, but she stifled the urge to batter him right then.

Adam felt a rush of energy surge through him as he kissed her cheek with the utmost innocence and a wave of love wrapped into it. He knew they would have to work harder to get back to what they once were but, he didn't mind. He'd do whatever it took to get his Cassia back. This was the last piece of his fucked up puzzle.

The surge of his emotions like a torrential downpour sickened Jack to her core, but she remained in her role, her anger towards him increasing with every moment she was forced to maintain her tableau. How exhausting it was to portray someone as simpering and weak-willed as Cassia, it was a wonder she hadn’t killed herself sooner. The barest hint of a smile ghosted across her face at his words, utterly enjoying the complete ignorance in what was to come for him. Things were the furthest from okay now that he was in her clutches. ‘I’ve missed you too,’ she whispered softly, strange little smile still on her face.

Adam held her close-- not letting his grip falter. He wanted to keep her close to him and hold onto this moment for a lifetime. He flashed a smile at her, his white teeth becoming exposed as he expressed genuine happiness. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly. The way he used to do as a kid. It was his way of showing that he cared about her but, also keeping the intimacy level down. 

'I didn't,' she protested with a sad shake of her head, but then levied the statement with, 'but thanks for understanding.' At this, Jack feigned a sad smile, upturning the corners of her mouth meekly. She allowed her eyes to glimmer with kindled hope when he reiterated that he missed her, keeping the urge to roll them instead at bay. 

Adam felt like his prayers had been answered-- but he hadn't even prayed. This was the Cassia he knew and loved so dearly. "Shh. Everything is going to be okay now Cassia." He whispered softly as her head hit his chest. His eyes fell shut as he squinted back a tear. He hadn't hugged her like this since they were kids. "God, I've missed you..." He whispered again-- holding her close.

Howard shook his head, "I’m not here to evaluate you- they bring in psychologists for that. I’m a psychiatrist. I can prescribe medication as well as doing the standard talk-therapy, but I don’t think evaluation is in my job description- at least, not here.” he explained, "Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee? Tea?" he offered. He was feeling a bit better, his mind a bit clearer, and so he was confident he could hold sommething without shaking too much. "And today, Adam, we’ll start by getting to know each other a little bit."

"My apologies. You are the one who seeks to find the reasons behind the way I am. Correct?" Adam asked, not really wanting to talk about his life experiences and such. It wasn't like talking about it was going to change his situation. He was still gay. His mother still despised him. She still blamed him for running off her various boy-toys with his fagness. "What do you want to know doctor?" He asked-- his voice soft and curious. Maybe he should just give this whole thing a shot. Maybe if he got better, he could see Justin again and maybe Justin would even want to be with him again. It was a glimpse of false hope though.

Jesus fucking christ, he was hopeless. Pitifully hopeless. Jack had seen her fair share of lost causes, had brought their worthless lives to violent screeching halt, but Adam was steadily ascending those ranks to become the most pathetic of them all. He flustered through an approximation of what the adequate response to her might be, though he stumbled over his words as they escaped him. It was like a silent tremor coursing through his body and rendering the conviction in his voice ineffectual. Weak.

"You had every right Cassia." Adam repeated-- his tone soft and hearfelt once more. He couldn't help but, drift off into his memories as he looked into her eyes. Something about her face reminded him of the Cassia he once knew. The kids they once were. The kids he wanted them to be again. "I miss you Cassia.." He said softly as his voice slowly faded out into a whisper. 

"Adam, yes- they, uh, told me you would be coming… please, take a seat," he told the patient, nerves squirming like maggots in his belly. Was this one a demon? Had he just reported in to inflict pain and misery? Or, was he just another unfortunate patient who’d been driven to the “psychotic man’s,” as Dr. Wolfe liked to call him, office.

Being an ex soldier, Adam could always sense when people were uncomfortable and this man radiated with anxiety and nervousness. He took note of it as he entered the room fully and cautiously took a seat. "I'm fairly certain of how this works. Back in the army, I had to go through my fair share of psych evaluations." Adam said. 

"Someone come watch this movie with me!"

"Finding Nemo. Classic. Me and the boys watched our fair share of that clownfish during my stay in Afghanistan."

Socialize, they said. You’ll have a real bitchin’ time, they said.

Adam chuckled as he caught the sarcasm lacing her voice as she spoke. He didn't speak to the girl yet. Partially because he was growing tired of the same old introduction. Hey. I'm Adam. Ex-Soldier. Who are you? So instead, he kept quiet while he waited for something witty to come to mind. 

Family Visit

"Hi." Adam said softly as he eyed the man. "I'm sorry, am I in your way sir?"

Howard sat in his office, his face blank. He’d just gotten used to the fact that only a week previous he’d been a Wendigo- something in which hunger ruled its mind. A hunger that had, in small part, been passed down to his human self. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and was about to “go somewhere else” when there was a knock at his door.

Adam took a deep breath as he approached the door where he was told he would meet his new doctor. He was beyond nervous. He had underwent plenty of psych evaluations during the war. It was mandatory. So this was just another day to him.

If Jack was capable of emoting anything resembling feeling, she might’ve allowed his eagerness to reconnect with his long-lost friend turn her expression into one of intense pity because wow was he pathetic. Admittedly, she’d been surprised by how brutal Cassia had been towards him. If she hadn’t known it was a ruse, she might’ve felt a sliver of pride. Even still, the foul treatment had apparently not been enough because he was making this far too easy for her. He’d have to make it up to her later, this just wouldn’t do.

Adam could feel himself shaking slightly. The ability to speak seemed to leave him in this very moment. Everything he had wanted to say to Cassia seemed to vanish and he was left with rambled thoughts and pointless stammering. "You don't have to apologize Cassia. You had every right to be pissed at me. You were under the impression I had abandoned you." He finally spewed out, speaking coherently. 

It was fair to say that Jack was never fond of Cassia, but at this particular moment, she was more than a bit livid with her. Whether Cassia was doing it purposely or not, Jack was being suppressed much more lately. Juniper was starting to become the secondary and even Clochette had finally made an appearance and that only meant less time for Jack to be in control. This was an offence she didn’t intend to take lightly. How best to exact her revenge, however? Arthur could serve as a prime candidate, but he and Cassia still needed to deepen their relationship before she cruelly severed it in the worst possible way. Charlie might work as well, but their relationship was still in its early stages. Then, like a lightening strike, someone else’s face flashed before her mind’s eye. Adam.

Adam finally glanced up as the familiar voice hit his ears. "Cassia?" He murmured, rising from the bed. "Where have you been? I've...missed you." The ex soldier confessed. As he closed the book and laid it on the bed.