Harry Westergaard

Once his coffee was all gone, Peter was left with a mug to swirl around the table and a danish to try to finish. Thankfully, neither would be hard. “His real name’s Nicholas,” he said with his mouth full before swallowing. “And I grew up in the orphanage here in town. Left when I was sixteen for New York though.”

An orphan. Even better. “New York? Been there a few times, not my favorite city in the world but it has it’s moments. What’d you do in New York?”

Flora: are you talking about Theo?

Flora: if you are, he's my cousin's roommate. he showed me the bill, and he already took care of it.

Harry: It was barely anything, I think it was just like 300 bucks

Flora: I work pro bono, Harry.

Flora: what the hell are you on about right now?

Harry: Some punk ass kid with an attitude got grease all over my best suit and when I told him to give me his name for the bill, he said I could send it to you, his lawyer.

Harry: So

Harry: I thought you were a pretty high level lawyer

Tori took ahold of his arm and walked along with him. “Always. Who even takes the stairs. Like, if I wanted to exercise, I’d go to the gym.” She shook her head slightly with a laugh. She got plenty of exercise dancing as it was.

He lead her into the elevator as it opened, pressing the button for the sixth floor. “Precisely. No use sweating in our good clothes, right? I’ve heard some people’s air conditioning units have gone out. How miserable. Luckily mine are running smooth as ever.”

“Well, math is stupid,” he commented easily, crossing his legs up into the chair as he finished his coffee. “But, when I was younger, I once convinced Nibs that a dime was worth less than a nickel because it was smaller. Then, he took that lesson to heart a little too well…”

“Math is stupid. Luckily I don’t need to do too much. The accountants do most of that work for me. “ he watched as the other man perched himself on the chair “Nibs? That’s an interesting name. You from around here?”

Theo’s eyebrows lifted as he realized the other knew Flora, his arms crossing in curiosity. “She’s my roommate’s cousin, so I know her pretty well. And, judging by your look, I assume you two went to school together?” The male rolled his eyes and reached forward, pushing his apartment door open. “Whatever, dude. Do whatever your little black hole heart desires.”

Harry listened to him speak before watching him go into his apartment, storming into his own and tossing his jacket off and onto a table, reaching for his phone.He had a lawyer to text.

“I mean, you could. But I don’t plan on staying here forever. So why make the investment.” Truth was she just couldn’t afford to make the investment. “Well I am free now if that is what you want to do.”

“Now is as good a time as any, I suppose.” he held his arm out for her to take, moving to the elevator. “I’m on the top floor. I figure this is better than the stairs.”

Despite being tugged roughly by the collar of his undershirt, theo was still smirking. This was the impulsive side to him, when his fear was to a minimum and he couldn’t stop running his mouth. “I said kiss my ass. Sorry if I spoke too softly.” He lifted his hands and shoved the other by the chest, shaking his head in the process. “I’m not paying for your dry cleaning. You clearly have enough money for it, so stop taking advantage of other people because you throw tantrums.” Theo moved towards his apartment, tugging his key out of his pocket. “And if you have an issue, I have a lawyer in my contacts that you can speak to. Flora Deering. Fourth floor.”

Harry moved to speak again but stopped when he heard Flora’s name. “Folly? What are you doing working with-” he stopped himself, shaking his head. “Nevermind. Just prepare for that bill, since I obviously see where you live now.” 

“So you get paid by stupid rich people? I mean, not stupid rich people, but like stupid rich people,” he clarified even if the other man had introduced the term to the table. “Whatever it is, it sounds cool. Not that I’ll ever be rich enough to have someone do that, or be trusted with money like that.”

Harry chuckled “honestly, it could go either way there. And don’t sell yourself short, you’d be amazed how unprotective people with that much money are of their funds. They’ll let just about anyone control them as long as it means they don’t have to do the math. “

Happy to move on from his own bartending, Peter tried to understand what the other was saying. However, in case his confused face and constant return to the coffee didn’t give it away, he had no idea what was being talked about. “That is a lot of big words that I do not hear at the bar, but… It sounds like you’re doing good at least? With helping charities and stuff?”

“It’s the kind of thing only people that are stupid rich would have. But basically I get their charity cut and distribute it to whatever organizations each month. Not a very common profession.”

“My apologies for working a twelve-hour shift after studying for an exam all night before. Judging by your suit, you’ve probably never worked a full day in your life.” Theo felt bold saying this, but he really couldn’t help it. The last thing he needed was some snooty jerk to tell him what to do. “Oh yeah, you can send that bill to Kiss-My-Ass. Room six-six-six. Do you need me to write that down for you?”

The first jab Harry would let pass, but the second just pissed off the already pissed off man more. Not wanting to get himself in too much trouble, but wanting to prove a point, Harry grabbed Theo by the collar of his shirt, shoving him against the wall with only a little pressure, then leaning in close. “What was that, you little punk? I don’t think I heard you properly.”

“You definitely learn to be the life of the party,” he stated. That part was true since his training to even ask Meg for a position included him learning how to make mixed drinks. “I mean, it’s great fun and there’s cool music and there’s cute guys– girls– girls and guys to look at. Not that I try anything because they’re all getting wasted.” Or high. The ones he dealt with were getting high… Or him. “What do you do? Mr. Self Employed? Or was it rich enough not to be employed? I can’t remember.”

“Hey, a job with eye candy is a solid perk. Makes the night go by faster at least.” he chuckled at the next comment, leaning back casually in his chair. “Technically it could be both. But I’m the charity liaison for several CEOs and corporations in the city. But I work freelance, essentially “ At least, that’s what it said for the accountants not to get suspicious. Forty percent went to ‘charity’ and Harry was the one responsible. 

Theo was suddenly being yelled at, and he couldn’t help but blink slowly at the other male. He did, however, notice the spot his uniform had left behind, and his mouth tugged down in a worried expression before he heard the term ‘italian silk’. Theo promptly let out an amused snort, looking to the nicely-dressed other. “Funny enough, that say my nickname in high school. But truly, I am sorry. I’m like a walking zombie right now.”

Harry rolled his eyes at the other’s smart remark before just staring at him, shaking his head. “My god, you really are an idiot.” he looked down at his suit, realizing he wold have to change. There’s no chance he ws going anywhere with a grease stain. “Next time your a walking zombie, get some coffee or learn to pay attention where you’re fucking walking. Imbecile.” he muttered, moving towards his door but then stopping and turning back around “What’s your name and room number? I will be sending you this dry cleaning bill. So I’d start saving your pennies. I’m not the kind of man you want to be in debt to.”

“well I am actually busy right now, and typically I require a schedule appointment. So please do not mistake us living in the same building as an excuse to abuse my time as you wish.” He said deciding to firm up against him. He wasn’t about to back down. “If you think you are smarter than your accountant then by all means, you can take over the job.”

“I didn’t say I was smarter than the accountant, but I did imply that I was more important. And do forgive me, you didn’t look busy.” Harry stood, brushing off the front of his pants “Now that you mention it, I think I will just go take a look at those numbers myself. I may be to stupid to find anything, but better safe than sorry. I’ll let you know if I find your mistake.”

Exhausted and covered in grease, Theo had to practically drag himself through the lobby of the apartment building. He’d been up since five in the morning, and he hadn’t gone to bed until almost two after getting back from Fawn’s place. Needless to say, he was more zombie than person, and he allowed himself to be on auto-pilot as he navigated his way to the elevator, and then onto his floor. Theo was walking with his eyes closed when he suddenly bumped into a large figure, his eyes popping open in shock as he held his hands up. “Woah there…I swear I didn’t mean to slam myself into you…”

@westergaardyourheart

Walking out in his best suit, intending on making a brief appearance at his ‘job’ this evening, the last thing Harry expected was to get bumped into. No less by a man covered in grease. He recoiled, looking at the grease that was now on his shirt. “You idiot! This is Italian silk, I’ll have you know. You should try looking where you’re going.”

Peter absolutely minded the other asking, and he found himself having to think quick on his exhausted feet. This wasn’t good. His brain was running low and the coffee only did so much. Then, he remembered what he had talked to Meg about, “I’m a bartender! Yeah, at that club down the street. New hire.”

He saw the man working to come up with his profession, somewhat confirming his thoughts that Peter worked in some sort of business he didn’t want others knowing about. But then again, so did Harry. “Ah, yes. I know the one, I’ve been a few times. I generally drift more into the city for my outings but sometimes it’s nice to stay close.” he moved to swirl his finger against the rim of his mug “Do you like bartending? Other than the dickhead boss, of course. I’ve heard bartending can be a fun job at the right place”