older sister (she would be about 31)
romantic: exes, girlfriend, future girlfriend, fwb
platonic: friends, best friend, enemies (he likes people, but maybe someone finds his personality too happy-go-lucky), soccer buddies, roommate
Diego entered the world having to fight for his life. Diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder (arpkd) in the womb, his parents knew that they would have their work cut out for them when he was born. Diego spent much of his infancy in the hospital and even when he was released, he still ended up having to go back quite frequently. It was really the only life Diego knew. He wanted a so-called "normal" childhood, but he was just grateful that he got to wake up every day most of the time.
Due to his health problems, his parents thought it would be best to homeschool him because he would have missed so much school anyway and they thought it was too risky to have him around a bunch of people. So the only kids he really ever spent time with were his cousins and siblings. Diego looked forward to going to his grandparents house whenever he had a chance because it meant he had kids to play with. They were also pretty understanding whenever he couldn't go outside with them. Sometimes bringing fun inside and playing board games with him.
The number one thing that Diego felt like he was missing out on was playing soccer. It was his favorite sport and he watched it whenever he had a chance. But playing it was a whole other story. He would practice on his own or with his relatives when he was feeling well enough, but he couldn't realistically join any teams.
By the time he was ten he was already on dialysis and while his parents knew that a transplant was always inevitable, they had hoped that he wouldn't need one until later in life. His older sister was a match and she always said that she would be willing to donate, but she wasn't eighteen. So Diego waited. Either hoping to find another donor or until his sister turned eighteen and was able to consent. All the while he kept his spirit up high, figuring that it would all work out in the end.
Finally when he was twelve his sister was allowed to donate one of her kidneys to him. Diego felt the difference like it was night to day. For years his normal was to generally feel bad and now he woke up and his body matched how he felt in his mind. Within a year he was going to a public school and actually living a relatively normal childhood. Even going as far as to try out for soccer and other sports.
As much as he talked about soccer, he never wanted to make a career out of it. Instead, he always wanted to be a nurse. Specifically, a pediatric nurse. It often surprises people when he mentions his job as most of them tend to think he's kind of an airhead given his upbeat personality. But he's actually pretty smart. He also feels like he's in the best position to be a nurse. Even if he can't relate to every ailment he comes across, he can still be relatable to the kids he helps and he always remembered the nurses who were nicest to him.
Diego takes his health very seriously. Not only does he think his sister would murder him if he ever did anything to damage her kidney (it's still hers, she had it longer) but the transplant didn't take away all of his health issues. He still has to be mindful of his liver and take medication every day. So he generally stays away from drinking. Though he did have a couple of drinks on his 21st birthday and he's drank socially before, it's just not really something he likes to partake in.
“ do I give the energy that I’m scary or spooky ? “ hutch asked as he frowned a bit at the notion. He knew he had an uncommon job and he was worried that was affecting his personal life. subtract the job and the car because that’s not my choice to drive that. I am worried I’m giving off the vibe I’m a scary person. “
"I don't want you to take this the wrong way or anything because you seem nice and you're like a pretty handsome guy, not gonna lie, but you're also kinda unassuming in a 'dude could have literal skeletons in his closet' kinda way?" @cabinet-resting-place
Robbie goes to smirk, until concern overtakes that urge, then suspicion in the way he narrows his eyes. "The important question here is, was there pee already in the cup? Because then I'd say that's a bigger problem than missing some soccer games."
"Bro! You just hit me with a whole new perspective. Nah, man. It was empty." He laughs, thinking back to the ridiculous altercation, "I kind of overreacted, though."
“ yeah i feel like i can see that “ at least that’s what she’s pieced together. She was penny’s friend so she sort of saw him only in snippets. “ that’s a good way to go about it too. Some people look like a human advertisement sometimes.”
“ I thought so. What kind of scrubs though. I always am curious about the patterns picked. “ mostly because it had a level of whimsy to it that she appreciated
Ruby smiles at his comment because it really was that succinct. “ well yeah like you should know that people are gonna want to read a shirt with writing. “ @letsdiego
Penny was thankful that she did have a support system. The hospital had warned her that she could be a bit sad after the birth. Sad felt like an understatement. She was really thankful that people kept checking up on her. "It's fine. I'm fine." She wasn't fine. Today had been a struggle. Penny wanted togo back to work, but she didn't want to leave the baby either. She melted into a hug. "I needed this." She sniffled. "I'm sorry."
In his experience whenever someone says they're fine, well, they're typically not. Diego's been told that he can be a bit too optimistic at times. It's not his intention to invalidate anyone so he's learned to dial it down a notch. Still holding her close, he can't help but run his hand along her cheek, "no, it's okay, you don't have to apologize." While he can't pretend to know what she's going through, he does have a good inkling as to what's happening. He's not trying to go all doctor on her, but he is worried, "What's wrong?"
“ oh? I mean you always seem to look pretty put together “ Ruby noted with a small smile. She knew Diego’s existence through Penny but he never seemed like he wasn’t put together. His cousin however seemed a bit messy. “ scrubs are also for comfort though. Do you ever do the fun patterns? “
“ oh yeah that one makes sense cause they want the saying read but don’t want you to look at them. “ @letsdiego
Diego looks down at his clothes and tugs on his shirt, a nod of approval as he listens to Ruby compliment his dress. "I guess I just like being put together, but I'm not stressing about what brands are in fashion." Not to say he's not loyal to some more than others. "Oh, yeah, I mean, I'm a pediatric nurse, so like that's kind of necessary."
"Or they just don't think about how someone's going to want to read it? I just can't help it. I see words and I gotta know what they say." @xrubyredx
Maybe it's because he was Spencer's cousin and she actually did want his family to like her, but Amelia found it easy to hang out with Diego that afternoon. On the way to grab some drinks and something to eat, she nodded over to the booth. "Do you believe in that?"
Diego didn't like to harsh anyone's mallow, but he didn't really believe in tarot cards or any kind of fortune telling. "Nah, not really," he says, almost apologetically, "but, like, if they're sending out good vibes and making people hyped about their future then it's chill? What about you? Have you ever gotten your tarot read? I'd be like 'ahh' if I got the death card. Someone told me that it's not as bad as it seems but I don't know." @theameliaxevans
"As long as someone smells clean I'm good? Maybe some body spray if they're feeling it. But clean clothes is good. Freshly out of the shower with washed hair is the best."
Spencer: too old to enjoy cartoons?
Spencer: naw man, there’s plenty of stuff that’s gotta be fun still
Spencer: free Will Turner from the curse of the Flying Dutchman !
Spencer: she said she’s got most of the ingredients. And it would be ready if we head over in a couple hours. I wanna make sure there’s some to bring to Amelia too @letsdiego
Diego: more like what if my brain can't wrap around them because I didn't grow up watching them
Diego: free Willam Belli
Diego: i'll bring rice? Fusion nighttt
Diego: sick maybe Penny wants some
Closed starter: Diego & @robbie-becker
Location: let's go with anywhere
"Dude. I've managed to be scheduled during every game since the World Cup started. The closest thing to soccer I've seen all week is a kid kicking a pee cup at my head."
Status: Open
Location: Hidden Gems
@aurorabaystarter
“ I really hate fast fashion, because these places end up getting pieces from those sellers but no one is gonna buy them" Ruby replied making a face as she put back a dress she knew was bound to fall apart and end up in a landfill. "I would accept ultra low waist jeans coming back as long as we had less waste. Oooh that reminds me. What trend do you wish never comes back?"
"Oh, dang," he frowns, "that sucks." Diego doesn't think his clothes are considered fast fashion, but he can't be too sure. "I don't really know anything about trends," he says, "I wear scrubs at work and I'm pretty much dressing for comfort most of the time."
Snapping his fingers, "wait, okay maybe it's not like a trend but whenever people have sayings on their shirt? I try to read their shirt and then they give me dirty looks."
Spencer: Yeah he’s pretty cool
Spencer: anything on Cartoon Network?
Spencer: Free Willem Dafoe
Spencer:Guisantes?
Spencer: Lemme call her! I bet she’d be down to make a pot of it for us! @letsdiego
"Just one person? That's tough. I legit owe my life to my older sister. But I also love my parents. Spencer is like a brother to me. Penny's such a cool girl. Her baby's pretty high up there too and I've only known her for a couple of months. I just can't pick one."
"I love that. I never really had time to celebrate Halloween back home. I was always more of a stay at home and hand out candy kind of person and then have a scary movie marathon. However, I do enjoy dressing up. Oh? Couple's costumes. If you went solo last year then is there a special someone now that you think you'll take next year?"
"I get that," he says, "maybe for a different reason than you, but when I was a kid I didn't get to go out much. I had health problems, so, like, I always dressed up, but I was usually home." Diego kind of freezes at the question, unsure how to go about it, "kind of, I mean, she's special to me but like, she just had a baby, so we're in a weird place right now."
