#diego torres

The few seconds Justin had tickled his feet were- nice?

Gay.

He can hear his father saying it in the back of his head. Well, it’s nicer than what his dad is saying and yet, it was? He doesn’t remember being tickled as a kid. If anyone did it, it would have been Abuelo who died when he was four. Sure, he knew it was something that happened. He even knew a lot about it. Justin was incurably ticklish, he knew that before tickling him senseless. He also knows Bryce is ticklish and that the topic is strictly off limits, and he only knows it from a few drunk girlfriends who tickled Bryce and then talked about it. Jeff is ticklish and has engaged in tickle fights in front of them with Leila.

There’s also some weird rumor going around about Clay Jensen and tickling and he doesn’t know and doesn’t want to know what that is all about.

So yea, Monty knows about tickling. Probably knows more about how ticklish the guys are than most people know about their friends just cause he listens but he’s never thought of himself engaging in it or being ticklish. Justin was… gentle. It tickled and was annoying and if Justin ever said something, Monty would deny it and make good on his threat, but…

“If you think any harder, you’ll burn a hole in the floor.”

He looks up and Diego takes a seat next to him, freshly showered and dressed, probably waiting on him for a ride.

“Yea,” he replies, slipping his feet in a pair of slides and hauling his bag up. He can’t help noticing Diego’s feet dressed similarly and sneaking peeks at them.

Apparently he isn’t very subtle though cause when they get in the car and drive out of the lot Diego says, “So feet?”

His brain short circuits and he babbles for a moment before Diego says, “I kind of saw you checking mine out. It’s cool. Just surprised me.”

Collecting himself, he scoffs and says, “I’m not. And that’s gay.”

They stop at a red light and Diego, son a bitch that he is, actually puts his feet up on the dashboard and Monty tries not to look, but he can’t help it.

The idiot moves them when the light changes and prompts, “Nothing wrong with gay. So, when did you find out?”

Monty grunts but Diego is persistent if nothing else and at the next red light they are back up on the dash.

“Week ago. Bryce’s party.”

“Cool. So when we get back to my place, what do you want to do? Is this a worship thing? Or do you just want to look at them? You tell me.”

“Wha-”

Diego offers a smile, the same one that has girls swoon for him and says, “You didn’t think I’d make you figure this all out on your own did you?”

He did. Not necessarily because of Diego but cause he usually assumes he’ll have to figure anything out on his own. Still, Diego’s offer is… nice? Monty wouldn’t trust anyone else but Diego? Diego he can trust.

“Tickling?”

He’s mortified to actually say it. Hearing it spoken out loud instead of in his head is somehow utterly humiliating and immediately his jaw snaps shut, almost biting his tongue literally.

Diego’s feet rub together awkwardly and Monty can’t help but think how cute they are doing that, dark brown tops sliding past a lighter mocha colored bottoms - fuck-

“Shit. Well I guess I did volunteer. Just don’t be mad if I kick you.”

“I-” his voice cracks and he flushes again and then mutters.

“I didn’t catch that.” Diego says.

Monty almost snaps at him for making him repeat it but he didn’t say it very loud… for a good reason… he tries again.

“I want you to tickle me.”

“Oh…” There’s a moment of awkwardness before Diego recovers the situation and says with a cheeky smirk, “Well, I will be mad at you if you kick me.”

Monty chuckles, it’s nervous, but his heart is pounding. They arrive at Diego’s and go in. Shoes off at the door has always been a rule in the Torres house. It always did… something to Monty, but he never really understood the rush of butterflies. Now he guesses he has his answer. Fucking Justin.

They have the house to themselves for at least an hour before Diego’s mom gets back and Diego wastes no time bringing Monty to his bedroom in the back of the little house.

It’s familiar enough territory except that when they get in, Diego pushes him back on a bed and Monty can’t help quipping, “I hope you don’t treat the ladies like this when you bring them around.”

Diego, now at his feet, gives him another smirk and says, “Usually they get to tickle me, it’s nice to be on the giving end.”

Monty’s brain can’t exactly figure out what to do with that information, he can see Diego’s feet, beautiful-

An iron grip tightens around an ankle as Diego says, “Eyes over here, Romeo.”

Monty’s eyes slide up to his best friend’s face. Diego looks confident as he says, “I’m going to tickle the crap out of you, and I’m not going to stop unless you give me a safe word, better figure out what that is now.”

“I don’t need a safe word.” He fires back. It’s fucking tickling. It’s-

Dull nails scrap across his sole and he howls with immediate laughter. The feeling is indescribable. When Justin did it, it was light, easy, fun.

This is ruthless and Monty’s body moves on its own trying to escape the tickling. Diego keeps it up for a minute, but to Monty it feels like an eternity before he stops and says, “So want to reevaluate that comment?”

Monty grumbles and says, “Football.”

Diego gives a crooked grin and says, “Alright. So I’m going to start up again and I won’t stop till you say ‘football’.”

Monty nods, his toes curling in anticipation but Diego doesn’t give him much time cause the other teen puts his ankles in a head lock and lays into them.

Starting at the heels, the Dominican scrapes his dull nails at the skin, and fuck is it effective! Monty’s feet squirm all over in vain attempts to get out but there’s no escape to be had. Diego’s grip is too solid and the other boy says, “Is this what the tough guy wanted? Someone to take control of his big feet and tickle him like a little boy?”

And fuck, that is somehow the hottest thing Monty has ever heard.

After several more minutes, Diego pauses for a moment and says, “Is this okay?”

He nods, toes curled but says, “Can you uh, do the dirty talk again?”

Diego pauses for a moment, obviously surprised and then says, “Is there anything you want me to say?”

Monty feels his face heating up even more and replies, “I just- I dunno I-.” It’s hot but he isn’t exactly sure what it is hot.

Diego gives him a bemused look and Monty looks away and says, “Forget it. It was gay as fuck anyway.”

“Hey.” Diego scolds. His voice is firm, commanding which prompts Monty to look back at him, “That’s your dad talking. Ignore him. Do what you want. And if it’s a little gay, I don’t mind.”

Monty is stunned and Diego continues.

“So if you want your dirty talk, you’ll get it.”

The stunned silence continues but this time, it’s a warm feeling along with it. Monty- no one has ever given him the choice to do what he wants.

Diego doesn’t let him dwell on it too long though because before long, his ankles are back in the headlock and the tickling resumes. This time, Diego walks his fingers around Monty’s soles in random patterns. The ticking is little more than pokes here and there and Monty is mostly giggling. He’s confused until Diego says in a low, sultry voice, “You wanted to go pro? On these feet? These feet only serve the purpose of getting tickled while you laugh your pretty head off.”

Fuck. It’s goofy and over the top and said in the sexiest fucking thing he’s ever heard.

Diego is on a roll now with the dirty talk and says, “I think these big feet have always known they deserved this.”

Monty’s head is tossed back and tears have started to prick the corners of his eyes but Diego doesn’t stop. In fact, the other teen is ruthless, his dull nails destroy Monty and Monty… loves every second of it.

He lets Diego keep going as the other boy changes to different tactics, each one new and exciting but Monty is running out of breath and has to call out “football” between laughs.

Diego stops and lets him rest, after several moments, the other teen says, “So, is there anything else you want to do?”

Monty frowns trying to think when he again catches sight of Diego’s own handsome pair. “Think I can have a try at yours?”

Diego’s eyes widen and Monty pushes, “You are supposed to be helping me experiment.”

With a wry smile Diego replies, “You sure know how to get what you want. Switch with me.”

Monty ends up crouched on the floor with Diego’s feet within easy reach. Tentatively, he reaches forward and lays a hand on each ankle. His fingers trace along the tops, surprised by how warm and smooth they are. A glance up at Diego shows the other teen has a grin on his face, nervous for the first time, instead of cocky. Monty thinks he likes it and decides to really fuck with his friend.

“You told me Dominicans don’t play football. Maybe because their feet are too ticklish?”

There’s the obvious truth that Monty’s feet are super ticklish as well and it has nothing to do but the nervous laugh Diego gives makes him even cuter and Monty can’t resist digging into the meaty soles.

As much as he liked being tickled, he finds he enjoys doing it at least as much. Diego’s feet squirming under his fingers and there’s a power trip to it. He felt it with Justin, but it’s even stronger here and he can’t resist teasing, “Yep, ticklish Dominican feet definitely keep them from playing football.”

“FuAHahCKOAHahFF!”

The response has him laughing as he goes in deeper before pausing and asking, “Do you mind if I uhh amp it up?”

Diego pants, “Amp up the tickling? It can get worse?”

“Probably.”

Diego waves a hand motioning for Monty to go and bringing the brown foot up to his face, he laps at the arch. Diego squeals and Monty is satisfied with continuing. The warm skin under his fingers felt amazing, it’s even better under his tongue. After giving both feet a good tongue bath, he nibbles at the sides, provoking Diego to break free and Monty narrowly avoids a kick to the jaw.

Smirking, he says, “Your feet are stupid ticklish.”

Diego, seizing the freedom of his feet, pulls them back and says, “You might be stupid for tickling them.” There’s a levity to his voice so Monty takes no offense and smirks harder when Diego gripes, “I need another shower,” Reaching into his bag, he pulls out a towel and starts wiping his feet off and Monty can’t help but think the sight is hot as well. Diego’s feet glistening with his saliva, being toweled dry, Diego’s soft giggles indicating a level of phantom tickles remaining. Actually… he can’t help thinking Diego is pretty good looking.

He tries to drown that thought out by concentrating on the warm, carmel soles but that really doesn’t help.

“So, how was it?”

“Huh?”

“The experiment. How was it? Mission accomplished?”

It’s on the tip of his tongue to say yes, but just as he opens his mouth to say so, he clamps it shut. If he says yes, does he lose Diego’s feet? He’s not sure he’s ready to give them up. He’s only tickled them once- and if he says yes, will Diego ever tickle him again? He would hate for this to be a one and done thing.

“I dunno. I’ll probably want to- experiment with a few other things.”

Diego raises an eyebrow and gets down on the floor, closer to Monty than friends usually sit.

“You know this doesn’t have to be a one and done thing right? Even if you did accomplish everything, we could do this again sometime.”

Monty’s mouth is dry as he asks, “Promise?”

Diego nods and says cheekily, “I need payback after all, that was some bullshit.”

For a second, Monty thinks he feels something but the door opens and Mrs. Torres announces, “I’m home!”

They pull apart and Diego clears his throat, Monty looks away, accidentally at Diego’s feet, toes curled cutely.

“In here. Can Monty stay for dinner?”

“Monty’s here? Of course he can!”

Sighing you sat taking it in for a moment before you shut the car off, along with the sound of thudding hitting your driver’s side which caused you to flinch.

“What’s happening, y/n?!” The voice that caught you off guard belonged to another friend, “Pags'” Pagnetti who was also full of grins and wide arms as they shook your car.

Holding your chest you yelled, “you piece of shit, pags! Whad are ya tryna do give me a heart attack here?!”

Unblocking your seatbelt you huffed as you pushed the door open, not caring that it bumped your loud-mouth obnoxious friend in the stomach. The wind whipped your short hair back as you stood in the night as you reached out to continue your assault on your friend, shoving at his arms while he laughed; finally yanking you into a hug.

You rubbed at his back as you commonly did when you gave hugs, Pags was just this big teddy bear who had big dreams just like the rest of you. Usually he got the short end of the stick out of the seven of you but he never gave up—now managing multiple underground artists along with his sister and Jimmy’s sister’s band. The man seemed to be slowly but surely doing just fine for himself and didn’t have to lie about it to you over long detailed phone calls.

You wanted all of your friends to win and you hoped to see it. For now you were all just grasping what your dreams were made of and damn it felt nice.

“Ah, Happy you’re here, y/n.” Pags sighed, squeezing your forearms before he turned to his curly big haired significant other who watched the whole exchange with a small smile on her lips, “you remember Juliana?”

“Of course, how could I forget! Bring it in.” You stepped toward to embrace the girl who briefly leaned into you, returning the hug.

Juliana was fairly new to the group and fit in quite well, she balanced out Pags when needed and joined in on the conversations over the phone from time to time. She was more so Jill’s friend but you personally didn’t have a issue with getting to know her or her relationship with one of your very good friends.

“y/n! Is that you?!” Jill squealed from somewhere behind you, you saw her sitting on top of the bench as she cupped her mouth making sure you heard her.

It was impossible not to with anyone out of your group of friends, well…maybe except for Tammy who was more on the quiet and reserved side but each of you hardly had a problem being vocal with each other. There was too much history here for you all not to be comfortable with each other by now.

“The one and only, baby!” You called back, squeezing Juliana’s wrist before turning to make your way over to Jill now, noticing Jimmy also sitting by her—even after all this time, of course he’d be by her side.

The brunette hopped off the bench and tossed her arms over your shoulder to bring you into her thin frame. The both of you squeezed each other for a moment before she gripped your face to place a kiss on your cheek.

“My girl! Glad to have you back, how long are you in town for?” She asked, resting a arm across your waist as she began leading you back to Jimmy who was getting to his feet.

Sheepishly you answered, “not long. I go back on the sixth, the nursing field is no joke and never done.”

“I believe you. How’s that goin’?”

“It’s goin’.”

Jimmy cut in lifting you off your feet and squeezing your back, you were sure you didn’t need a chiropractor after that. He swung you around in the air like a rag doll before setting you back on your feet, “y/n! It’s so good to see you!”

“Likewise Jimmy boy! How was Alaska?”

You noticed him glancing at Jill who’s body language showed all you needed to know.

“Life changing. It might be permanent, might not be. It’s all up to me—enough of this serious shit we’re here to celebrate the end of the year, no?” He clapped his hands together as headlights flashed over you, just as Tammy was finally getting out of her car.

Your exchange was sweet just as the Latina was when Mikey and Stacey decided to make their presence known. The last you knew Mikey was spending more time with Tammy rather than Stacey lately so it was a shock to see him pull up with the blonde instead.

Tammy could feel your eyes side-eyeing her as she whispered, “we didn’t work out. It’s totally fine, don’t make it a big deal.”

You raised your hands as the two made their way over from Stacey’s red convertible with the top up, as to be expected. Mikey didn’t wait for Stacey, which was all the sign that you needed as he made his way over first. The man probably still didn’t own his own car so there was no need to jump to conclusions yet.

He went down the line of greeting everyone, the hug was a little awkward with Tammy but nonetheless she tried to make it not seem that way…although it was pretty evident that she was a little unsure.

“Y/N. My, my, what a sight.” Mikey held up your hand as you did a twirl in your winter attire, letting out a small laugh.

Mikey was always flirtatious, it was in his nature. You each had a story with each other: you were the first to find out Tammy’s crush on Mikey back in high school while he was too busy sleeping around with Stacey, and you were the first girl out the group that he became friends with before those two became friends with benefits. You were all there through it all, the constant high school drama and you were the main one putting Mikey in his place when be couldn’t get his head out of his own ass or Stacey’s for that matter.

So no it didn’t shock you that Mikey wasn’t in love with Stacey, that was something you been knew. And sure you knew that hurt Stacey’s ego but you and Stacey were always at each other’s throats: she felt like you thought you were better than her and you didn’t care for the way she didn’t take accountability for her actions.

You were last on each other’s list of friends, that’s for sure.

“I don’t think we’re looking at the same thing, Mikey.” The blonde said from behind his shoulder as she sized you up.

You let out a laugh, “it’s a good thing I love what I see in the mirror.” You brushed her off as you didn’t bother to make eye contact with her.

Mikey was all smirks as he peered down at you as you locked your hands around his waist, he cupped your head placing a kiss at the top of your head before bringing an arm around the back of your neck and brushing his fingertips against your shoulder to pull you into his embrace.

He was always warm and smelled like berries, cedar wood, and lavender. That man was full of light and potential. You hoped his art career took off for him as well, it was harder to get in touch with Mikey since he tended to disappear to collect himself. It was what he did when he went away to college and would pop back up with smiles that would melt your heart.

“Come see me later, yeah?” He whispered into your ear before he moved on to greet Pags and Juliana.

You were positive that meant just to catch up right? However with the way this man was looking at you tonight, all the friends knew something was shifting in the air but you brushed that off.

That was just Mikey for you.

The night seemed to pass quickly with all of you huddling together and separately downing beers and smoking joints. It always felt like old times full of laughter and shit talking.

“I just want you to know that I’m perfectly okay with what happens tonight. I won’t be mad. I think I’m finally starting to move on and acknowledge that things don’t last forever.” Tammy quietly said to you before Mikey pulled you away to walk along the water.

Why did it seem like everyone else knew something that you didn’t?

You could say the same…

You hugged yourself as you walked along the water as you and Mikey fell into easy conversation. He told you that he decided against accounting, thank goodness! and went after art thanks to Tammy’s encouragement, honestly—although a certain blonde would argue against that…

“That girl is very observant, I constantly thank her.”

“She just wants what’s best for everyone. That ones got a good heart ya know?”

Mikey glanced back at their group of friends to see Tammy laughing at something Jill said. He nodded his head agreeing, “which I feel bad for not being what’s best for her in return.”

“Right, what’s up with that?”

He shrugged, “just didn’t work out the way we both wanted it to. I found that my head was always elsewhere and then she started her business, on top of working at the diner and we were both trying to build something separately while soon not having as much time for each other, so to save our friendship, we both decided that we’re better off as friends. Wrong timing, I think.”

“Hm,” you listened, “so what’s next in the relationship department? I can never get in touch with you or hear anything about your life.”

“Right, Sorry about that im so dedicated to sketching and sculpting lately I have to remember to make time for the ones I care about.” He glanced at you while you kept your eyes ahead.

You bumped his shoulder, “that’s riiight, can’t forget about the people that knew you before you get famous, Joan Miró.”

He flashed his pretty teeth at you, “you think I’m as good as him?”

“It’s not about what I believe, it’s ultimately your own state of mind.” You gently tapped his temple in which he gripped before slipping his hand down to rest in yours.

You let him hold your cold hand, curling your finger around his much larger palm. The both of you fell into silence after that until you reached the end of the land that surrounded the lake. So now you faced each other, your eyes on the glittering black water while Mikey burned his hazel eyes into your skin.

“Question for you, y/n.” He carefully brought a finger to rest underneath your chin.

Your eyes flicked to his in question.

“Want to kiss at midnight?” He grinned at you, while you rolled your eyes and proceeded to shove him away as he laughed.

“Fuck off, are you stupid?”

“I dunno my GPA tells me different, Cariño.” He winked at you while you shook your head at the taller curly haired male.

He continued, “last I heard, you were no longer engaged to that moron and whew! that was the semester before you graduated right?”

“So you can keep tabs on me but I get radio silence from you, what is this, Mike?” You had your eyes in slits wondering where this was coming from and this whole exchange felt like it was falling on the serious side.

Nonetheless, he shrugged with a smug smile on his plump lips, “just how I like it. Got to keep the mystery going.”

“Oh bullshit, there’s no mystery to you. You’re just making your way around the circle.” You fanned your hands.

He quirked up a brow, “if you think I’m gonna go after Jill and Juliana next then you’re outta your fucken mind and might need a CT yourself, Cariño.”

You mocked the Dominican man who let out a laugh at your antics before you pinched the space in between your brows. The clock was ticking and none of you knew who would be here for a long time, nothing ever lasted forever. This you knew and Mikey was your first guy best friend followed by Pags and Jimmy, it was always you and Mikey in the beginning. Jimmy and Pags were tight since elementary and then there was Jill and Stacey who were always together. Tammy shortly came along afterwards and sure she gave you the blessing you didn’t know you wanted? which means Mikey was asking around about you and you weren’t sure how to feel about it.

Normally you didn’t think too much, you just went with your gut. You weren’t really a over-thinker.

“You really want to kiss me, Mikey?” You cooed up at the man who pressed his forehead down against yours.

It was his turn to breathe you in, “only with your permission.”

“Do your worst.” You replied and he didn’t hesitate.

He delicately pulled your hips against his although he was much taller than you, you fit into his comfort like old friends did, and he kept you warm against the biting air. He kissed you like he longed for this exact moment, curious as he took his time moving his incredibly soft lips against yours while you tried to soak up the taste of him for as long as you could.

You kissed almost everyone in your group of friends before, never anything serious mostly a peck and kept it moving but this felt strange.

Like you were falling down a rabbit hole that you knew you would have to claw your way out of. You were not meant to stay in Long Island and your lips attached wasn’t forever like your friendship. Sure Stacey and Tammy could look past it with underlying emotion in the mix but you always had a challenging type of wall up.

Mikey ended the kiss with multiple pecks to every curve of your face to lock in his artistic memory and you had to pry your own eyes open after that. There was no doubt this man knew what to do what his lips and now you could see what made the girls go crazy growing up.

That wouldn’t be you though.

“Happy new year, babe.” He said to you staring in your eyes like you were infinite.

You smiled nonetheless but you knew this would not be forever. Time was ending in more ways than one unbeknownst to your friends but you held on a little tighter and placed another lingering kiss to Mikey’s lips, which he grinned at happy that he got what he wanted.

And then the both of you headed back to your friends who were whooping and hollering into the night, as pops and lights ripped into the air; signaling that the 90s was here.

You all held onto each other, you tighter than than the rest, as your eyes filled with glow and the rest with wonder.

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