brandon.

brandon eric winter. 34. software engineer. son, brother, uncle, friend, future father.

[brandonwintcr]

19

Have you ever sent a sexually explicit text?

“Not as explicit as some of the ones I’ve seen, the ones that make me want to rinse my eyes.”

[brandonwintcr]

6, 8, 12

On an average day, what can be found in your pockets/bag?

Brandon is a simple man: keys, wallet, phone. If he’s going to be working somewhere, usually a tablet or laptop to go with that.

How do you behave around people you like?

He’s very polite and while not particularly outspoken or chatty, he’ll engage in a conversation with the people he likes. He enjoys spending time with them, and would go out of his way to make that happen.

Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

“I do, but sometimes the reasons are stupid. Beyond our control, but still fucking stupid.”

[brandonwintcr]

[brandonwintcr]

closed starter for @norahweaver location: repercussions

Brandon wasn’t one for stand-up comedy, but when his friend said that he had a gig at Repercussions he couldn’t help but be supportive and attend. Unfortunately, said friend ended up getting ill on the day of the show and had to cancel, conveniently forgetting to inform Brandon – an oversight that resulted in the man sitting at the bar, half-listening to another ramble onstage about some obscure topic he had no knowledge of. “Any idea how long these things usually go for? I came to support a friend who ended up not showing up after all,” he mentioned to the woman next to him, taking a sip of his beer with a sigh.

[brandonwintcr]

closed starter for @len-covello​ location: goldilox & the 3 bagels

An everything bagel with scallion cream cheese and lox; or a pumpernickel bagel served with pastrami, eggs and Swiss cheese. Those were Brandon’s go-to items when it came to bagels, but given the Irish holiday that was being celebrated around them, he couldn’t help but notice that green bagels seemed to be a hit among the customers. In Boston, everyone celebrated St. Patrick’s Day regardless of their heritage or connection to the Irish community, so this was definitely a dialed down version from what he was used to. Regardless, he couldn’t bring himself to really be comfortable with the idea of eating a green bagel.

As the server announced that there was only one of them left, Brandon turned to the woman beside him. “Please, you can have it. I was actually... thinking of being a killjoy and forgetting this holiday exists, in all honesty. So if you wanted a green bagel, don’t let me stop you.”

[brandonwintcr]

larawinter​:

“It’s before sunrise, you’re worse than I am with your phone.” It’s part complaint, mostly teasing, though, as she continues to take a few steps ahead of him. Her phone’s zipped away into her pocket, comfortably so as she knows that the social media sphere of her workplace wouldn’t begin its circus hours from now (and, work emails could wait). The true complaint comes when he suggests going to the gym. Her mouth immediately turns downwards as her brows furrow in decided loathing. “I’m not going to the gym. There’s no way that’s happening.” 

She is thankful, though, that he’d come with her. Especially when she couldn’t drag Mason out of bed during the soccer season when he didn’t have morning practice even if she tried. “You could go, but are you really going to go to Anchor Management? Pass up the chance to hang out with Mason and the dog?” Though her expression had lessened to a raised brow, it’s a snort that escapes her, accompanied by a playful roll of her eyes. “Sunrises and gyms for you, sunrises and hikes for me. How do we get along again?” Lara speaks with that familiar dry tone as she glances at him again. “I’ll bet you a week of carpooling to the city that I can get to the top before you.”

.

“My favorite coworker is at a conference in Europe, we’re trying to make the time differences work for us,” Brandon countered, smirking as he indeed received a text message from Kevin. “See? He’s being a typical tourist and taking pics in front of the Eiffel Tower,” the man quipped, showing his sister the photo as proof that he did indeed have a friend in a different timezone. “But instead of eating a croissant while strolling along The Seine, I’m sleep deprived and climbing to a waterfall named after Quinn’s family,” he complained, knowing that spending time with Lara was the main goal of the day. “The gym isn’t that bad, plus I’d be with you. Although I guess it is getting nicer out for spring, so maybe outdoor exercise would indeed be more your cup of tea...”

“I’ll give Rocky tips, and see if I can coax her into giving me a free refill... or at least a free upgrade to guac from the chips and salsa on their menu,” Brandon countered, not even sure if their sister was on the clock yet or if she would even pander to his requests. “But you drive a hard bargain, and I could never say no to my nephew - even if he’s not in the best mood today for whatever reason.” At Lara’s bet, Brandon raised an eyebrow. Sure, he could’ve taken the train that left Crescent Harbor for the city every morning, or worked from home when needed. But what fun was it without a little sibling rivalry? “I accept,” the man agreed, hastening his footsteps in tandem with his sister’s. “Speaking of work... I’m actually applying for a job closer to home. Software development for one of the Starlings’ research projects, I have an interview next week. It’s only the first round, so I didn’t tell Mom and Dad yet. You’re the first person who knows,” he confided, keeping up the pace as he waited for Lara’s response.

[larawinter]

date: 6 march 2021 location: hawthorne’s folly status: open, (¾) @crescentstarters​

“…Do you need to rest again?” She’d only paused to look over her shoulder after a solid stretch of silence, bundled up against the cold of pre-dawn as they made their way along the trail. Lara may have a job that keeps her indoors, and certainly was not what one would call fitness or sports-savvy, but she thinks she likes the outdoors just fine. That is, when it isn’t snowing. Or raining. Hiking and camping has always been one of her favourites even as s child. And, after convincing (read: bribing) the other to come out with her this morning, they’re only halfway up and have twenty minutes before sunrise. If they hurry up they can make it, but it’s easier said than done when she needs to make sure to keep with her morning’s hiking buddy (read: victim). It’s a teasing grin that curves at her mouth as she looks at them, hands warm in her pockets as she waits. “If we miss sunrise, I’m not making brunch. Come on, we’re almost there.”

[brandonwintcr]

Brandon had a complicated relationship with the great outdoors; while he enjoyed it, he much preferred to be within a heated space during the early spring months. “No, just trying to get some signal in this place. In case I get any messages during this time,” he responded, holding his phone above his head. “Next time, you’re coming to the gym with me. It’s compromise, Lara.” Few things would get him to wake up before dawn, and his younger sister was one of them. “You act like I can’t just go to Anchor Management and get an Eggs Benedict and a Bloody Mary after this,” he shot back as he trudged along, sighing at Lara likely knew that he didn’t feel like spending his money as freely despite having a reasonable amount of disposable income. Plus, homemade brunch did have a certain appeal to it. “Sunsets are prettier than sunrises anyway.”

[brandonwintcr]

phoebe-winter​:

Phoebe loved having her big brother back in town, and relished the ritual of plunking her socked feet on his lap once he sat down. Her socks were predictably mismatched - one patterned with cat butts, the other a solid but violent neon green - but at least they were clean, which was more than she could say usually. Her nose scrunched at his suggestions of apples instead of popcorn, or naked kernels unadorned with butter. “You’ve become so… sensible,” she said, her voice dripping with false reproach… Okay, 80% false… 50, at least… She knew he was right, knew he was saving her one of their mother’s devastating ‘I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed’ looks, but Phoebe lived for danger. 

Brandon’s teasing felt almost like a challenge, and she decided to take it as such. “She’s making Baked Ziti,” she started haughtily in her patented know-it-all voice that always seemed to have the undesirable affect of making her family laugh. “It’s a new recipe. She found it in a cooking magazine Janice gave her, but she’s substituting the sausage with ground turkey…” Not her best detective work, as their mom had willingly offered all that info up as soon as she stepped through the door, but Brandon didn’t need to know that. “And I would have gotten snacks, but I’m very comfortable here and you’re the last seated which means it’s your job now.” 

.

TIME JUMP TO THE CURRENT DAY

“Where do you even get these socks?” Brandon asked, scrunching his nose as he observed his rather plain ones in comparison, merely two-toned striped blue ones. He hated socks in general, only wearing them when absolutely necessary. “Someone has to be sensible in this family, keep everyone in line. Well, at least when Lar’s not here,” he countered with a nonchalant shrug. He knew that he could be considered boring, with his no-nonsense attitude but it was simply who he was. It could also be due to his age gap with Phoebe, where he was a teenager already thinking about leaving home for college when she joined the Winter household and therefore really saw her as a younger sister. 

“Why would she do that?” Brandon asked, grimacing at his mother’s modifications. He had a feeling that it was to make it healthier, but he was of the opinion that indulging once in a while wasn’t a bad thing. “Hopefully she’s putting enough spices so it wouldn’t alter the flavor without the Italian sausage. “Well, I can’t get up to get snacks until someone moves her mismatched socked feet from my lap,” the man countered pointedly, his facial expression turning to a pensive one. “I’m thinking of getting chips for myself, and an apple and some unsalted crackers for you,” he pondered in a serious tone, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Beggars can’t be choosers, Phoebe. So either you get up with me, or you settle for the food I choose.”

[sanemreid]

LOCATION: pear b&b; valentine’s gala

WITH: @brandonwintcr​

Sanem had walked over to the table she spotted Brandon near just minutes before, placing down a tray she — may or may not have borrowed from the servers — currently holding a couple shots and cupcakes. ❝ So, if I’m not mistaken I overheard you were apparently using this event to keep your birthday going a little longer. A sentiment that I’m all for honestly and thus the reason for the little goodies here. Birthday shots ! ❞ Clapping her hands together a bit eagerly, no shock there considering this involved two of her favorite things. ❝ Now I know for a fact cupcake shots are a thing, sadly that specific combination wasn’t readily available, which for Valentine’s I’m slightly upset about. In any case though, figured we could make due with the ingredients. It’d probably get messy to try getting the alcohol into them, so I’m thinking, down shot then immediately take a bite, or maybe vice versa ? ❞

[brandonwintcr]

He’d seen her approaching out of the corner of his eye, Brandon ready for formalities and greeting Sanem Reid when he realized that she was carrying a tray, albeit definitely not belonging to the event wait staff. “Sanem, you definitely didn’t have to...” the man began saying, shaking his head in disbelief at the display. “It is indeed the most celebration I’ve done for my birthday, besides my parents and sister coming over on the day itself for dinner. “And you also like red velvet if I remember correctly? Also known as the best cake flavor,” Brandon nodded, taking the shot and then biting into the cupcake, his face twisting into one of skepticism and followed by an impressed nod. 

“That was innovative thinking, I have to say,” he began, about to ask her about her night and her upcoming marriage when an announcement to shelter in place was made. That was not what Brandon had intended for the night, he was supposed to have headed out early enough. But this was out of his control, what could he really do? “I guess we’re extending a festivities a bit longer, huh? Also, happy anniversary. I saw the posts on Instagram earlier, I can’t wait for the wedding.”

[brandonwintcr]

elijeong​:

Nothing about the last couple of weeks had been an ideal situation, but it was this event, perhaps, that had been, decidedly, the least so. His relationship with Caroline had become strained, their appearance here more for maintaining an image he couldn’t remember caring about in front of a town full of people he didn’t know. Theo circled his thoughts like a drain, unwilling and unable to actually go down. 

She was pregnant. With his baby. There was still so much–

Brandon’s voice cut through his rising inner-panic and he blinked, realizing he’d been picking at the skin around his fingers, and settled into a too-casual smile. “Who would have thought?” Eli parroted, voice sounding strained, though he cleared his throat to try and chase it away. He might have visibly flinched at the sound of Caroline’s name, his guilt returning and clinging to him like a wet shirt, and he tried not to glance around the party lest he actually spot her. “She’s around here somewhere.” He eyed the glass in Brandon’s hand and glanced down at his own empty ones. If this was the conversation they were going to start with, he needed a glass (or four) of his own. “Show me where you got that before you start in on the big stuff. Where’s your party etiquette?” He teased, voice as light as he could stand to make it.

.

“You’re still a nerd, though,” Brandon teased, offering his friend a shrug. “Then again, so am I.” They’d come a long way since then, both men having settled into careers and taking the next steps in their personal lives; marriage for Eli and fatherhood for Brandon. “Right over here,” Brandon stated, leading Eli to the bar area but not opting for a refill on his own drink - not yet, at least. He could sense a bit of discomfort when Caroline’s name was mentioned and decided not to press the doctor on the subject of his fiancée. Brandon didn’t know the story, whether there was an argument between the couple that caused tension and wasn’t going to pry. 

“I actually got notified this morning that I’ve officially been assigned to a foster child. He’ll be joining me next week, it’s... a new territory, but I’m excited. I can’t believe it’s happening so quickly, but I’m ready. I’m gonna be a dad, you’re gonna be married. We’re all grown up, huh?” Of course, there was going to be more to life after this point for them both. “To the journey ahead of us both,” Brandon toasted yet again.

[brandonwintcr]

larawinter​:

She can’t help the grin that decorates her expression, eyes bright with amusement as she nurses a cocktail in one hand where the ice is already half-melted They should’ve had a bigger celebration and Lara had been thinking so since the family get-together, but maybe she could still surprise him— “False, yellow cake and chocolate frosting will always be the best Especially when there’s cookie dough in the center.” The protest comes lightly, paired with a laugh as she still tries to decide what to reach for first. The macarons? A chocolate covered strawberry? Between the liquor-infused bliss and her sweet tooth being tempted by the table in front of her she nearly doesn’t the second half of what he says. “I uh—” She takes a delicate bite out of a raspberry macaron first. “The team’s actually out celebrating tonight, before they head back to Seattle tomorrow. I just traded one party for another. Your party.” Jokingly, she raises her brows, eyes flicking to her brother’s turtleneck and his bright, cherry red suit. Lara immediately reaches for a cupcake and takes a bite. “Mhmm…. Right.” It’s muffled, she’s only teasing. But Brandon taking fashion advice from her son… “You sure you aren’t just copying that one guy?”

.

“Yellow cake and chocolate frosting reminds me of childhood birthday parties,” Brandon commented, scrunching his nose albeit the nostalgic tone in his voice. While there were parts of his childhood that invoked trauma and pain, there were also the blissful parts - such as actually celebrating his birthday with a family who cared about it, baking cakes and inviting his friends over for a day of playing around the Winter home. “You may be onto something about the cookie dough, though. But I’d always lean more towards red velvet, or mocha cupcakes.” As if to prove a point to his sister, Brandon savored the red dessert with a very satisfied facial expression. “I’m honored that you made the time to attend my birthday party, Lar. The entire town loves me so much, they threw this shindig together,” the man quipped, tossing his head back as he laughed. “Well, I’m glad that the team did so well and that I get to celebrate your success with you. I’m really happy and proud of you.” The words were spoken earnestly, the teasing tone of their usual banter being absent until she mentioned his outfit inspiration. “Oh come on, you have to admit that The Weeknd has great style, and that the halftime show was worth watching. I know Mason does.”

[devilthcghts]

a short n sweet event starter for everyone ( @crescentstarters​ )

Despite not giving a single fuck about what she considered a sorry excuse of a holiday, Skylar wore the finest dress she owned in red that gave her ample cleavage and had a professional make-up artist do up her face (who she had undoubtedly frustrated with her rigorous instructions). Every single event she went to, regardless of how much she hated them, she always wanted to be the best looking person in the room. Her lip curled up in disgust at the sights amongst them. “You know what I love about these things?” She inquired toward a nearby patron, tone laced with heavy sarcasm. “How little effort men put into their clothes. Because honest to God, half the room may as well be related. I can not tell the difference.”

[brandonwintcr]

Brandon knew that he wasn’t alone in the realm of wearing red to said event, but among the men he certainly stood out a bit in the sea of traditional shades of black, gray, and blue. Sipping on a glass of red wine as he surveyed the crowd, an unfamiliar voice piped up next to him. It sounded as though the speaker wasn’t too pleased to be present, and Brandon with his introverted nature couldn’t fault her for it. He was about to entertain her when she spoke, making a comment about the effort - or lack thereof - that men seemed to put into their outfits. “Point taken,” he agreed with a shrug, tilting his head pensively. “Though I at least veered away from traditional suit colors for a change.”

[brandonwintcr]

closed starter for @larawinter​ valentine’s day event location: pear b&b

While this was by no means a party in Brandon’s honor – an idea that he’d almost certainly have loathed anyway – he had no problem treating it as such with his closest friends and family. “This is my birthday cake, basically. It’s a selection of different cupcakes, and all of them are ones I love,” he told Lara, gesturing to the small baked goods in front of them. “But you know what, red velvet reigns supreme.” Picking up one of the crimson-colored cakes with cream cheese frosting and pink and red sprinkles adorning it, Brandon unwrapped it and took a bite. “Feeling jetlagged at all? The fact that you came at all is impressive, I would’ve been in bed all now,” he commended his sister, waiting to see if she’d follow suit with the cupcake tasting. “Mason told me to wear the turtleneck, I think your son has a keen eye for style. I’ll go to him for advice more often.”

[brandonwintcr]

closed starter for @elijeong​ valentine’s day event location: pear b&b

Brandon had been occupying a spot by the dessert table, deciding which treat he wanted to try next while he had a moment to himself. He had to admit that it was great getting to see his friends and sample various appetizers on display. But there was one person in particular that he wanted to see, and made his way over to him almost instantly.

“Dr. Jeong,” Brandon greeted, raising his glass of merlot to his friend. “Look at us, moving on from the campus parties to this classy shindig,” he mused, cocking his head to the side. “Haven’t seen Caroline yet for the evening, is she here?” He had yet to really get to know Eli’s fiancée, but was indeed looking forward to getting to know her – if she was going to be in Eli’s life, she was likely going to be in his. “I’m really happy for you two, man. It’s going to be a great life ahead of you.”

[brandonwintcr]

valentine’s day charity gala 2021 

finally getting to wear the red suit he bought last year on impulse, paired with a black turtleneck. brandon took inspiration from the weeknd’s look at the super bowl halftime show this year.

[brandonwintcr]

brandon winter + social media

brandon’s 35th birthday post

(feat. tess winter, @larawinter, @elijeong, and bestie @quinn-hawthorne being the 666th like)

[brandonwintcr]

text  📲 brandon

Eli: Hey, man. Happy birthday! I'm free after 5 every day this week, so let me know when I can take you out for drinks to celebrate.

Brandon: Thanks man, and thanks for not calling me old. I'm also free after 5 every day, how does tomorrow work? Today I'm with the family all day, my mom is making a super big deal about it.

Brandon: We have something else to celebrate, you're talking to the newest licensed foster parent in Washington. I got confirmed yesterday, you're the first to know outside of my family.