Walter Barnes. Thirty-seven. Firefighter.
(tw: death)
Past
Walter was born in Brasov, Romania but moved to Albany, New York when he was 5 and his dad was relocated because of work; they have stayed in Albany since then. Growing up, he has always been the responsible one – even at an early age. Even though his parents were rich, he never let it get to his head and would help anyone who would need it, without second thoughts. That never sat well with his parents, though. They always had the kind of thinking that no one deserves their help, so Walter became sneaky. Helping has always made him happy and useful. As years went by, he realized that he would want to serve the public, in whatever way. It took him a few more years to realize that he wants to be a firefighter.
He finished Fire and Emergency Administration, attended the FDNY Fire Academy, and passed every exam there is to become a firefighter. Once he was ready (along with more or less a hundred other aspiring firefighters), he considered that he’s found his purpose.
After a year of serving, he met his future wife; she asked him to testify for an Arson case, in which she won, representing the People. Fast forward to 3 years of dating, Walter proposed, and Megan said yes. They were content, just the two of them, for the time being, since they both were busy with their professions --- Walter as a firefighter and Megan as a Public Attorney.
It took them 3 years of being married to decide to start a family of their own. However, while Megan was 4 months pregnant, she got trapped in the building of her client’s place, when the room beside her client’s caught fire. The firefighters arrived a bit late and Walter wasn’t on duty that day, so he got to know of the news later than he was supposed to. The fire killed 6 other people in the building plus the client and Megan.
Present
It’s been 5 years since the accident and Walter hasn’t been better. He still sleeps with Megan’s picture with him and for the rest of the day distracts himself through his work. He still has with him the cat Megan adopted --- Demi.
Every year, he celebrates their wedding anniversary by getting drunk; and celebrates her death anniversary at her grave, just talking to her.
He moved to Kensington a year after her death. He’s been in Kensington for 4 years.
Currently, he’s a pretty reserved person when it comes to his emotions and prefers to drink instead of talking things out.
He’s lost all inspiration in his profession, but still goes on because he believes Megan would want him to continue anyway and she was always supportive of him.
Headcanons
When not at work, he dresses up in men’s sweat pants and plain white t-shirt
Jogs every morning before going to work
Lives with Demi the Cat and has never brought anyone home --- not even his friends.