1. Their berserk button: Diego’s berserk button hurting or disrespecting someone he loves. He can tolerate insults aimed at himself, but the second someone targets a friend, family member, or someone vulnerable, his calm exterior disappears. He’s the type who says “I’m fine” when he’s the one being mistreated, but will immediately step in when someone else is pushed around.
2. Why their name was chosen: Diego is often associated with the meaning “supplanter” (through its connection to Santiago), but his father interpreted it more as someone who carves out his own place in the world, a trait he hoped his son would have. He also jokes it was because he has an older cousin who was super into the Ice Age movies as a kid. Whenever anyone asked, his parents would grin and say, “We named him after the saber-toothed tiger,” while never mentioning the sentimental reasons.
3. Their favorite 2020s song: “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone. It’s the song he’d never admit gets to him emotionally.
4. Their biggest fear: Being forced to watch the people he loves walk out of his life while feeling powerless to stop it.
5. One turn-on of theirs: Someone who can match his wit and tease him back.
6. Their go-to sleepover activities: Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros. tournaments, late night convenience store runs and bad movie marathons.
7. What candles they'd get at Bath & Bodyworks: Mahogany Coconut, Bergamot Waters or Ocean Driftwood.
8. A moment where they reached their breaking point: It isn’t one huge event, it’s weeks of carrying everyone else’s problems while pretending he’s fine. A close friend has been spiraling, another is constantly fighting with someone in the group, his family expects him to keep everything together at home, and he’s falling behind on responsibilities. Every time someone asks how he’s doing, he shrugs and says, “I’m good.” Then, one night, someone he trusts accuses him of not caring because he forgot to show up for something important. That sentence breaks him. He laughs once in disbelief before saying, quietly, “You think I don’t care? I’ve been killing myself trying to be there for everyone, and the one time I can’t, that’s what you think of me?” For the first time, Diego doesn’t make a joke to soften the moment. His voice shakes with anger and hurt. “Do you know how exhausting it is to be everyone’s backup plan? Everyone comes to me when they’re falling apart, but the second I fall behind, suddenly I’m the bad guy.” He walks away. Not because he wants to win the argument, but because if he stays, he’ll say things he can’t take back. The people around him are stunned. Diego doesn’t yell often. He doesn’t slam doors. The frightening part is how calm he becomes. His usual smile disappears, and he goes completely quiet. Later, when someone checks on him, they find him sitting alone on the beach long after midnight, staring at the water. “I’m just tired,” he admits. “Tired of acting like I can carry everybody.” That moment marks a turning point for Diego. Afterward, he slowly learns that being the dependable one doesn’t mean he has to carry everyone’s weight alone.
9. Whether they're organized or slobby: Diego falls right in the middle. He’s organized in the ways that matter, but messy in the ways that don’t. He’s not a neat freak, but he’s definitely not a slob either.
10. Their favorite feature about themselves: Diego would give a joking answer first; “Obviously my incredible hair.” But if he were being genuinely honest, his favorite feature about himself would be his smile.
tag list (DM to be added): @negative-speedforce-ocs, @cupidlemon, @littlebvtterfly, @moonenthusiastartichoke, @pimento-playing-hopscotch, @sameenshaws, @afdreamer, @destructivisms
