spotted in the streets of brooklyn, itโsย ELIJAH WINTER DONOVAN. they have lived in the city forย TWELVE YEARS, working as aย DOCTOR/MEDICAL INTERN. theย 30ย year old will probably be seen aroundย GREEN POINTย a lot, seeing as thatโs where they live.ย people say they can be a bitย ANXIOUSย andย a SELF-CRITICAL, but friends know them to beย VIBRANTย andย COMPASSIONATE. you know for sure youโve found them when youโve come acrossย freshly clean scrubs,ย a stack full of books with highlighted pages,ย a large cup of straight up black coffee. welcome to brooklyn, itโs been waiting for you!
๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ย ย ronen rubinstein ๐๐๐๐ย ย dark brown ๐๐๐๐ย ย blue eyes ๐๐๐๐๐๐ย ย 5โฒ11โณ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ย ย one on his left ear ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ย ย none ๐๐๐๐๐ย ย white shirts, button up, cardigans, suit & tie
for a hopeless romantic, elijah winter donovan always found the beauty in everything. his parents had met when they both medical interns, fell in love, and excelled in their medical fields after they finished. his father working with brains, his mother working with hearts. their love story was one for the books, and it was one that winter loved hearing about because even with their ambition, and their love for their work, they managed to find love within one another, and he was the product of their love.
growing up, winter was one who was very in touch with his emotions. he was a vibrant child, who was very imaginative, but also sensitive. when he came to people, he was a very compassionate and empathic person. all these characteristics were something that made his parents worry, feeling that their son's show of kindness would ultimately be taken advantage of. so they made sure he understood the honor of loyalty and understanding realistic goals for oneself. they wanted their son to be whatever he wanted to be, but the dream truly was to be a doctor just like them.
the thing with winter, he was too much of a daydreamer, and unrealistic paths ended up becoming something he dealt with a lot. becoming an older brother helped with realizing he had to become more realistic, that eventually he became very self-critical with things that he did. was he good enough to be this or that? he wanted to make his parents proud, could he be the good big brother for his two younger siblings, could he get the perfect grades in school so that he could carry on his parents legacy? he had a lot of pressures, and winter wasn't sure how to deal with the anxiety that came with it.
even when he was number one of his school, valedictorian, and getting accepted into yale, the pressures still never left him. he was pre-med, and that meant more work, more time he had to focus on school so that he could be number one of his class. he wanted to be the best, and he wanted to show his parents that he was, because one day he would become an amazing doctor just like them.
but now, winter was in new york, with a loving boyfriend, and they were following their path. winter was in his medical internship, so close to finishing up, and he was figuring out what he wanted to do after. would he chose cardio like his mother, or neuro like his father? or will the pressures of it all make him feel like this was a path he wish he didn't take and instead leave it all behind? or will he pick a field that he wanted to do because he enjoyed it for himself and finally let the pressures of his parents have no say one what he did in life.
"You do what you can and that's more than enough." Robbie patted his knee and gave him a small comprehensive smile, thankful that there's still people like Winter out in the world both fighting the good fight and taking the time to come in here and help where helps needed. "Yes! We're getting more volunteers which is always amazing and a nice way to make new friends." With his work, Robbie found it hard to find the time to make friends but in the shelter, he always found the best people and it was a great opportunity to make new friends, like Winter. "I know how hard it an be to work at a job that is a lot of pressure so if you ever need anything, I'm a text away." Robbie was aware that Winter had his boyfriend but there was no harm in offering an ear or distraction if he ever needed it. At his excitement about him adopting, Robbie laughed a little. "Don't get too excited, it's just a thought. I really wanted to do it with a loving partner but that... seems to be taking a while." he shrugged, trying to wave the feeling of disappointment off. He knew it was ultimately his own fault.
" ๐ข ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ ๐ข๐ญ, thank you. " he was happy knowing that he did his best at least, with the time he had available. and it was nice that more people were joining and volunteering. plus, he constantly used social media to get the word out and let people know that this was an amazing place. he really loved this community. " i'm glad. this place deserves all the love it gets. " he started to walk over to where the rest of the group was starting to hang out. " thank you. i definitely will keep that in mind. i'm glad to have some friends i can lean on, especially now. " he nodded. " well, hey, if you do, that would be amazing. i think it's a beautiful thing, adopting someone. i know if luca and i would adopt when the time comes. " a thought that really was on his mind more and more as the reality of wanting to marry him was also becoming more frequent. he wanted a family with him. he sure was excited about it. " hey, either you have a kid now or later, i know you will give so much love to that kid you adopt. and hey, if you ever need me to wing man, i can help out. i know some great looking guys that would totally be into you. "
โNo! No this is perfect, thank you.โ God forbid she put anyone out in any capacity, but she was being honest with Winter when she said this was exactly what she needed. Maybe a bit of a sweet hit would help her put a bit of pep in her step. โIโm not surprised youโre not getting used to them, if I had to travel as much as you I will beโฆconsistently upside down. Even when Iโm on night shifts I can feel a bit umโฆconfused. No, not confused, but scattered maybe? Not in a professional capacity but just in myself. Do you find it hard to sleep on airplanes?โ Tilly asked with genuine interest, she hadnโt flown a whole lot during her life and sheโd never been out of the country. Sheโd love to though, maybe one day. โWork? Work is fine.โ Sheโd answered that too quickly, she knew that as soon as the words came out her mouth. โItโs obviously very intense as always but thatโs what I signed up for, right? So where are you and Luca going?โ Swiftly trying to steer the conversation away from herself.ย @wntrdnvn
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ as he took as sip of his own coffee. it was a perfect amount of sweet. at least this would keep him up for the rest of the day. that and some nuts he has been craving lately. " yeah. but at least i'm not so far like other people. i at least can take a 3 hour train ride from there and back. although, my apartment in dc is small, i rather the one here in brooklyn. i barely even stay at the apartment over there. it's just a place to stay when i'm too exhausted to take the train ride back home. " all true. but that was a life of a congressman. always busy, always traveling, but at least it was for some good. " no, it's just the airplane ride is so short and i don't want to be constantly using it and adding to the already polluted air. " he stated. " yeah? nothing crazy going on at your work? nothing grey's anatomy crazy? " he teased. " yeah, i guess so. and i don't know. somewhere tropical. i love for us to go somewhere with a beach. get a little tan going. "
"Obviously we love having you here but it's completely understandable that you can't come in as often." Robbie reassured him and moved to sit down on an armchair in one of the communal spaces where there were kids and other people around too but there was a seat empty next to his, so he invited winter to sit down with him. "Oh congratulations, that's amazing. I'm so happy for you! How's that working out?" He asked with a bright smile, briefly wondering if he'd ever have that. Winter was younger than him and was already taking that big step in his relationship while it felt like he was just living for work. Still, his smile remained and he waved him away. "If you need to talk about work I'm all ears. I don't have anything exciting going on in my life anyway other than... well I don't know, I kinda want to adopt a kid?" He shrugged, it was an idea he was toying with but wasn't sure it would actually happen.
there were times that winter wished he could take the time away and focus on more stuff like this. but he was fighting for everyone, using his voice for not only those here, both those of color, immigrants, the lower class. he knew it would only be harder if there weren't people like him who were loud about it in congress. " i know. but i still wish i could do more. " he responded. " i'm glad to see the place is still thriving, and people are getting the help they need. plus the community seems to be growing. " he noticed more people were coming around to help. " it's great. the weekends with him have been so nice. sometimes i wish they could be longer. " a hearty laugh escaped his lips. " well, it's just chaos over there. everything you see on tv, wellโโย it's like ten times worse in person. " he responded. " wait, hold up! you want to adopt, that's amazing. " winter couldn't help the huge grin that appeared. " i mean, as someone who was adopted, i am always so happy to hear people interested. and i know you'd be a great dad. "
Oliver's immediate response was a gentle laugh and he shook his head, leaning forwards to take one of the pastries from the plate. "There's no reasoning for that one, they just are," he answered the other. At his question, Oli's nose wrinkled for a moment. "Always does. I'd be completely lost without it. Without Claud, too." The fact was he didn't really much else in his life, so his work and his pup was all he had. "How about you? Life good?"
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐๐ at the answer. he was right though. these baked goods were so good. very delicious. if he didn't have self control, he would end up eating a dozen more. " well, these are some of the best i've had. other than getting conchas from the mexican bakery in bushwick. " they reminded him of the place that his moms would get for him when he was younger. " i feel that. " he was the same with his own pup. " life is good, busy at the capitol. glad i get some time here whenever i can. obviously, it's chaos, butโโย what can you do? " the country voted for moron, now they all had to live with it. " there is definitely talks about impeachment. "
beau had made it his mission to try as many diners in his local area as possible. sometimes he went with jake, sometimes he went with stella, but often he was on his own. it was the reason he was also going to the gym, to make sure the sheer amount of cheeseburgers and hashbrowns he ate could be counteracted. he wasn't a young man anymore, he had to think about his health... but he couldn't give up the diner lifestyle.
"hm?" beau turned, breaking out of his own inner world. he took a moment to process what the younger man had said, then turned and saw the syrup. "sure." he said, handing the syrup the other man. he didn't need it, he had ordered cherry pie, which he was waited to be warmed.
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง and waited to see if he heard him. he smiled at him as soon as he grabbed the syrup. the young politician started to douse his pancakes with that sweet maple. and then he hummed the moment he took the first bite.
winter loved pancakes. and this diner had the best ones in town. so whenever he got a chance to come here, he'd order his breakfast, with a side of buttermilk pancakes. " man, these are the best. no one can make them like here. " he said to no one in particular. he looked up at the other man and he chuckled. " i recommend, if you haven't tried their pancakes. "
Due to the nature of his work, Robbie was one of the few people at Queer Spot that actually had a private office which was always nice but he did love to walk around the shelter and talk to everyone there and not just the ones who needed medical care. When he heard Winter, his smile grew wide, lighting up his face. "Winter! We've missed you!" He opened his arms for a hug, patting Winter's back for a moment before he pulled away to look at him, still keeping him at arms length. "How have you been!? It's a bit crazy out there, isn't it?" Even though he wasn't very active in politics, Robbie was usually well informed and thought everything was political, every statement you make and even those you don't. Sometimes especially those. He admired Winter for doing the work he did.
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐๐๐, giving robbie a proper hug. it was good to see some familiar faces at the queer spot, and it was always a treat when he saw robbie. " oh, i missed you all. i've been trying hard to at least come here once a week, but it's been a hassle especially with that man as president. " he responded. he wasn't a fan of talking politics, especially since the man he was serving was a tyrant and a moron. that and he knew that it brought a lot of anxieties to people and that was the last thing he wanted. " i've been good though. luca moved in with me, so now we're living together. " he responded. his boyfriend was always someone he was happy to bring up, especially when things were moving the way they were. " but yeah, good apart from work, which we don't need to talk about. " he chuckled. " how are you though? "
She liked Winter, he was smart and it felt like the two of them were on the same level. He was a couple of years older than Matilda but she often forgot that because of how effortless their friendship was which was saying something because she herself was anxious and an over thinker by nature. Always thinking there was an issue even if there wasnโt, but she didnโt as often have that fear with Winter (not to say it never happened - because it did, plenty). โI donโt mind an extra pump of vanilla, thank you. Although youโre so sweet Iโm worried I might get diabetes with you and the extra pump of syrup at the same time.โ She joked tentatively, free hand shoved in her jacket pocket. โYou doing okay?โ ย @wntrdnvn
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐ when it came to keeping up with his relationships. especially with the ones that he made before he got into politics. he cherished his friendships, and he made it a point whenever he could. " well, if you want, i can get you a straight up coffee. i know we both need it with how busy we are, and how much energy our jobs take from us. " he sure felt like he was drinking more coffee to stay weary and energized through the day. " i'm doing alright. these back and forth trips, you'd think i'd get use to them. i definitely haven't. how are things with you though? hopefully work isn't giving you a hard time. i'm already counting down the days for summer. and taking a long vacation with luca. "
CLOSED STARTER FOR @beaumontmonroe
LOCATION: retro bites
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐จ๐. retro bites was always the best place to go to to get some delicious pancakes. the place was fairly full, so his way towards the bar side and ordered his food. once it came out, he started to eat. he was so hungry, but mainly he was just craving those pancakes. once they came out too, he was in a better mood. he looked for the syrup and he saw that it was by the guy a few chairs down. " hey, do you mind passing the syrup? "
CLOSED STARTER FOR @drmatildamason
LOCATION: prospect park
๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ค. winter desperately needed to destress. he picked up two coffees and texted matilda to meet him. besides, everyone needed a break from work, no? eyes shifted over when he spotted her and he handed the cup to her. " got your favorite. hope you don't mind the extra pump of vanilla. you need some extra sweetness today. "
CLOSED STARTER FOR @robbiemason
LOCATION: queer spot
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ซ at the queer spot whenever he got the chance. even though he was always busy, he made sure to take some time to be here and help the queer youth. it was another great day spending it with them. when he spotted robbie he smiled. " hey, it's good to see you here. what's it been like a few weeks now. " probably longer, but that was cause of him, winter was just extremely busy thanks to the new administration.
CLOSED STARTER FOR @oftatteredwings
LOCATION: aroma delights
" ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ are so damn good. " he said. he loved this bakery. he finally sat down again with the rest of his the baked goods that he ordered and he slid the plate over to oliver. " so, how are things? your art keeping you busy? " he wondered. " hopefully it's way more fun than the drama at the capitol. " it was nice though that he was able to spend more time in new york, and hang out with some old friends.
CLOSED STARTER FOR @lavendcrhazed
LOCATION: coney island
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ๐ง'๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ. when he received the text, he was full of confusion. and when he arrived at coney island he chuckled. " where are you? " he questioned as he looked around for his boyfriend. after walking what felt like a hot minute, he started a audio recording. " baby, where are you? cause when i said i liked a scavenger hunt, i would think there'd be more clues. " he sent the recording. at least his birthday was lively.
She had to hold back from laughing out loud. Stretching her limbs to stay warm. "There really is drama in every career, isn't there? Sometimes I think it's heightened in my field but then you tell me something that honestly shocks me more than it should." She took a sip of her water, "Do you really think it's going to come to that? A civil war? I mean look at all the harm that's already happened, and the threat to education and the arts already is craziness."
" ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง is absolutely yes. " he responded. there was drama in every career, but this was one of those careers that all eyes were on. of course, this was more quiet since it didn't deal with the president. " well, that was the juiciest thing to come from my workplace. " he grinned. the thought of a civil was a scary thought, but he had hope that the people of this country would start using their brains and do something about this oligarchy that was happening now, clear as day. " i feel like there will be a point where people will finally open their eyes and see who the real problem in the government is. "
an almost fond smile quirked one side of jo's mouth as winter mentioned his boyfriend. it'd been like this in la, too, but she hadn't been in it. she'd been living a lie, trying to fit into a box her grandmother wanted her to be even from thousands of miles away. the casual way he mentioned his boyfriend made her smile. sue her. she nodded sagely. "oh yeah. never get a pet without consulting your partner. it could turn into a real mess." she stopped petting bagel and he whined at her feet, shifting from one paw to the other while she ignored him in favor of tossing his ball for him to fetch. he tore after it. "especially if you break up. you gonna have split custody or what?" that hit a little bit too close to home. jake was the one going back and forth. he hadn't asked about bagel going to dad's yet, but jo was dreading that day. an empty house sounded fucking horrible to her.
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ค๐ง๐๐ฐ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ would definitely be a thing him and luca would have to discuss. and if they did get another, that meant their family was growing. eyes wandered back to the other and he nodded. " yea, i also don't think he would like that surprise if i all of a sudden brought another dog home. at least that one over there came with me already. " he chuckled. the thought of splitting up with his boyfriend never really occurred to him. he felt like a future with him was really the way things were going. " well, i don't know if splitting up could happen. and if it ever does, that's just a huge devastation. " he said. " it would be too hard to do a split custody. "
austin hummed thoughtfully around a mouthful of nachos and chased it with a sip of his drink before pointing a finger-gun in winter's direction. "okay, but sometimes taco bell hits the spot. like it's the best after a night out, you know?" his eyes narrowed slightly as he sized the guy up. he figured if winter had a boyfriend, he must not be one of those people, but you could never be too sure, really. "which flower shop? i was always buying bouquets for people i owed apologies for for a while." he shrugged. "it's not bad. back to the grind next week, though."
๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ that taco bell could ever be any better than most mexican food. " do i admit they make some of good nacho fries, or a cantina quesadilla? sure. but i rather get the real stuff here. " he smiled. " he works at blushing blooms. he's the brazilian guy with the beautiful curls and a gorgeous smile. " he chuckles. man, winter had it bad for him. " have you been? " he asked, curious now. he took another bite of his chips and salsa when finally his food arrived. winter was prepared to scarf it all down. he was so hungry. " wow, already? didn't think playing professional football was a year round thing. i'd assume there be some down time. like an nfl version of summer break. "
