the great pretender -- @hectorwalsh - Tumblr Blog

location: Pit Stop closed starter: @thethearickards

Hector was here earlier than he’d told Chelsea-- Thea, whatever name she went with now. Since the hurricane, he was forced to stay at a hotel out of town in Williamsburg, but he spent a lot of time in town for whatever reason. He told himself that it was just until he could get the insurance money from the house Hurricane Bailey destroyed, or until he was done helping Thea with her dirtbag ex-whatever. The bar he choose wasn’t his first pick, but Aero and a few other business had been destroyed in the hurricane so this was unfortunately one of the few options he could come up with. It was loud and and his shoes stuck to the floor if he stood for too long in one place, but there was alcohol.

He kept an eye on the door, and when he saw Thea he waved and pulled out the seat next to him at the bar. “I couldn’t remember your drink order. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. How have you been? Are you and your family okay after the hurricane?”

#thea 2

thethearickards:

Thea: Of course I am. Thea: Just let me know when and where.

Hector: That bar down town. Whatever it’s called. @ 10

#thea 1 #i'll make a starter for you c:#changed it

mikael-valentine:

“Fascinating, here I thought I knew all your friends. She? I assume you are not going to disclose her name? Perhaps I know the woman given I am from these parts.” He nodded at the Hector’s explanation, “I asked you for years to come meet my family and see my hometown and it was never the right time, but some woman asks and you are suddenly free?” It was hard not to be jealous and Mikael certainly was not trying to hide the fact he was perturbed by the whole thing.

Yeah, you’re here, just a few years too late. Mikael kept that thought to himself, not wanting to delve into that rabbit hole, he didn’t want to start a fight. “The town is fairly small, I am sure if you are able to navigate the concrete jungles of New York you certainly are capable of finding a suitable restaurant in Asteria. If not, there is Google maps. I hardly doubt you need my guidance. I suggest The Flying Pig, very delicious barbeque.” With Roscoe whining at his feet, he went walked a few feet to the back door to let the puppy out. “Anything else?”

“You really don’t want to know all my friends,” he shrugged with a mean smile, shaking his head. Jealousy wasn’t a good look, but a dark part of him couldn’t help but be silently pleased, even if it was slightly inconvenient to have to explain himself. “I’m not sure she’d want people to know how she knows me. When I met her she gave me a fake name, Chelsea.” Hector had since learned her real name, but discretion and secrets were in his nature. “Are you satisfied?”

His work in New York was unpredictable and while most of the time Hector had back up plans on top of back up plans and lies and tricks up his sleeve for any occasion, sometimes you couldn’t out run bad luck. And jail time. “Its a coincidence that I happen to be free and willing to finally visit your hometown at the same time she asks me for a favor. Don’t assume I dropped everything to come help someone. You know that’s not who I am.” He was very much the self-serving type. Even now he knew he’d find a way to benefit from this. He had thought the benefit would have been seeing Mik, but he seemed fit to fight for whatever reason.

At Mikaels dismissive tone, Hector sighed loudly and set his cup down with a roll of his eyes. “No, I guess not.” He stood up and motioned toward the door? Should I just let myself out?”

#mikael 1

mikael-valentine:

hectorwalsh

Hector held back a smirk and raised his hands, tilting his head with an exaggerated pout at Mik’s less than stellar greeting, but didn’t comment. It was probably best to not push him too much, but … because he couldn’t be anyone but himself his response may have lacked the remorse needed to apologize for years of turning town Mikael’s invitations to come with him to his hometown.

“Well I certainly wasn’t expecting an inquisition. Since when are you so curious?” Hector asked as he stepped around Mik and strolled down the hallway and settled in a chair at the counter. “You personally don’t need to worry about anything. I’m not here on business.” There wasn’t some shady shit head following him to this quaint little town or anything like that. And for once he didn’t have to lie about it. He was however selective with his words with Mik and practically everyone else he knew. “Believe it or not, I do have friends outside of you and criminals and one of my friends asked me for a favor.”

Hector raised his eyebrows, watching Mik expectantly over the rim of his glass. “Everytime- what? You can’t possibly be trying to place all the blame on me.

“And people thought I was the dramatic one out of the two of us. I hardly would consider a few questions an inquisition.” Mikael glossed over the other man’s question as they walked into the kitchen. Shaking his head slightly he scoffed at Hector’s words. I always worry when it comes to you. He thought to himself. “Fairly sure I have heard those words before. If you are not here on business then why are you here? People just do not come down from New York to stay here in Asteria for no reason.” After pouring the glass of tea, he placed it in front of Hector and while holding his own glass as he leaned against the counter. “Oh? That is what I am, a friend?” A quizzical brow sprung as he mentioned a favor for a friend. “What kind of favor?”

Mikael tore his eyes from Hector for a moment as his lips tightened in frustration. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head. “Of course not, I was stupid enough to think you would change.” Although he tried to hide it, the hurt in his voice was present. Despite leaving Hector, his feelings never left the man. “You never did answer my question. Why did you come here to see me?”

“And I hardly think people even know to compare the two of us,” Hector rolled his eyes and privately disagreed. Mikael was clearly the more dramatic one. Hector might use fancy words to distract and stall but of the two of them Mik was the one who was prone to more dramatics.

Hector scowled and rolled his eyes. Of everything he said Mikael focused on one word and ignored the rest. It was no wonder he repeated himself so much. “It’s a coincidence that my friend -- acquaintance really, is also a resident here. She needed my help so I decided to kill two birds with one stone-- help her while she moves on from a bad relationship and visit you, see your hometown like you’d been asking me for years. Besides, New York was getting repetitive.” Hector shrugged and took another sip of his tea, finally registering just how sweet the tea was pulling away and looking down at the drink with a confused look and trying to decide of he liked it or not.

He frowned, expression softening at the hurt in Mik’s voice. “Hey ... I’m here aren’t I?” Clearly capable of change even if it was several years late. “I live, temporarily, a couple blocks down the street. I saw your car and figured I’d ask you if you’d like to get something to eat with me. I don’t have any food in my fridge and obviously don’t know my way around town yet. Won’t you be a good host and show me around?”

#mikael 1 #pre hurricane

mikael-valentine:

“Don’t be cute,” Mikael commented as he leaned against the frame of the door. Last thing Mikael ever expected was for Hector to be outside his front door. For years, he tried getting the man to come down to North Carolina to meet his family. Yet, every time they made plans something would happen. Hector either would get in trouble, the two would be fighting and break things off. The timing was never right to get him here. Now after their breakup here he was just as smug as ever making Mikael weak in the knees.

“Got him when I moved here,” he responded. “Are you serious? You show up out of the blue and you expect me to be excited?” Sighing heavily, he had his ex come inside his home and he headed towards the kitchen. Every part of him wanted to pour himself a tall strong one, but instead he managed a smile to offer tea. “Would you like a glass of sweet tea?” Mikael did not wait for a response as he poured two glasses for them. “Seriously Hector, what have you gotten yourself into? What do I need to worry about?” Although Mikael put on a great front with everyone when it came to his emotions and the way he carried himself, he was a constant ball of anxiety.

Mikael’s eyes flickered over towards Hector; it was a response he could not help. Even now after all the years of a turbulent relationship, he was drawn to the older man. “Before you lie to me like you always do about coming to Asteria,” he stated. “Just tell me the truth about why you showed up at my door. Every time,” he stopped himself there. Mikael knew the last encounter of theirs was his fault. It was he that showed up at Hector’s initiating first contact since their break up.

Hector held back a smirk and raised his hands, tilting his head with an exaggerated pout at Mik’s less than stellar greeting, but didn’t comment. It was probably best to not push him too much, but ... because he couldn’t be anyone but himself his response may have lacked the remorse needed to apologize for years of turning town Mikael’s invitations to come with him to his hometown.

Hector raised his eyebrows, watching Mik expectantly over the rim of his glass. “Everytime- what? You can’t possibly be trying to place all the blame on me.

#mikael 1 #pre-hurricane #my gif won't load i've given up lol

text to Chelsea Thea @thethearickards

Hector: Are you up for drinks later? We can talk about your issue.

#thea 1 #short sweet and to the point

mikael-valentine:

LOCATION: Mikael’s House

WHO: Closed Starter - @hectorwalsh

Mikael was lying on the bed with his arm draped over petting Roscoe when suddenly the pup began to get hyper and bark towards the window. “Calm down Roscoe,” he groaned. Then he heard a car door shut outside. “It is just the neighbor, c’mere he boy.” He reached out his arms and suddenly the Golden Retriever jumped up and began licking him all over the face. “Thanks for that,” he chuckled as he tried to settle him down.

Suddenly he heard the doorbell and Roscoe was running down the stairs and Mikael followed after placing a robe on since he was only in his boxers. “Get back boy,” he said easing the dog away from the door. When he cracked it open his eyes grew as large as saucers seeing Hector on his front porch. It did not take long for his knees to grow weak and he had to use the doorframe to lean against to make sure he didn’t fall right there. For several long awkward seconds all he could do was stare with his jaw partially hung open. The two recently saw each other; Mikael was weak on his trip to New York and made a few visits with his ex. If Hector was near, the Valentine could hardly keep his distance. One reason he placed several hundred miles between them.

Roscoe tried to push through, but Mikael managed to keep him back. “I—I uh,” his fingers ran through his blondish locks. “Wha—Wha—What are you doing here?” Just shut the door Mikael don’t let him suck you in. Of course it was too late for that the man always had been able to draw Mikael back in no matter what he did. From the moment they met, Mikael had been under his spell. A heavy sigh left his lips, “what are you up to?” He inquired knowing the other male had to be up to something. Every fiber of his being was against letting him inside, but he also didn’t want the nosey neighbors to start any gossip about a strange man outside his house. “Come in,” he said tightening the robe around him and stretching the door further open grateful his brother Phillip was out for awhile today. “Don’t worry, he won’t bite.” He assured the man as he closed the door behind them.

Hector could hardly wait to see the look on Mik’s face --oh yeah, that’s the one. Apparently seeing his face was too much for him and he’d have to hold the entire conversation until he came back to his senses. “Hector! What a pleasure to see you, won’t you come in? It really is too fucking humid in the south.” He smirked and tilted his head teasingly while Mikael stood in shock in the doorway.

A dog pushed against the back of Mikael’s legs that drew his attention away from him and to the dog behind him that made Hector smile wider. “I didn’t know you had a dog.” Even years later Mik was still surprising him. “You’ve been trying to get me to visit for years. Is that any way to welcome me to your hometown?” Hector watched the way Mik’s eyes dart around him to check on his neighbors and then finally invite him inside. He rolled his eyes, he was used to people being nervous around him-- to not want to be seen with him, although that was usually due to his reputation back in New York with some unsavory people.

#mikael 1

alessiagravano

Where: Pit Stop Bar Who: Open @asteriastarters

The man whose testicles were currently gripped in Alessia’s hand winced as she tightened her hold on them. “I tried to be nice and use my words, but you did not want to listen. You have no one to blame but yourself,” she said with an angry smirk before using that hold to shove him away from her. “Learn some respect, stronzo.” As the man limped away, Alessia sat back in her seat before turning to the person next to her with a friendly smile, as though that scene hadn’t just occurred. “So, as I was saying, what’s the best drink here?”

hectorwalsh

Hector stared, eyes wide at the show of force, regardless of how necessary it might have been, then when she came to sit back down beside him he shook his head. “I won’t be much help there. I’m new in town and I’ve only tried the beer on tap. It’s a little watered down, I might suggest something stronger.”

#alessia 1

kxpleyrowe

Open Starter - @asteriastarters Location - Juiceup Smoothie Bar

It’d been a day. Kipley had managed to get through a long eight hour shift at work, where multiple emergencies had come in and she’d stayed two hours past her scheduled shift. Now, all she wanted was a strawberry banana smoothie. Her mouth was practically watering as she sat down in a seat, smoothie in hand. Just as she was about to bring the smoothie to her mouth, a little hand from the little girl sitting in Kip’s lap came up and slapped it out of her grasp, smoothie splashing everywhere. Kipley groaned as Ella laughed hysterically, getting a kick out of the mess. “You know, Ells….this is why we can’t have nice things.”

hectorwalsh

Hector just picked up his smoothie and was walking past the tables towards the door when something cold and wet splashed against his neck and shirt. He turned to the left and saw a woman with her child cleaning up the smoothie that had just spilled. “Here.” Hector held out a handful of napkins. “Looks like you have your hands full.”