Senior Pride
Leo woke to the soft snoring of Theo, facing opposite him in their bed.
He hugged him, mindful of his scar in the left arm, kissing him gently on the nape of his neck.
“Leo?” Theo asked, yawning.
“You know what time it is?” Leo asked coyly.
“7 am?”
“Silly, it’s pride month. Just begun.”
“Oh.”
Theodore turned around, facing Leo. They kissed softly, a mere recognition of each other’s love for one another.
“Technically it must have happened some-”
Theodore rose, checking the clock.
“Six hours ago.”
“Yeah, but we’re both awake now so that’s when it matters.”
“I suppose.”
Theo kissed Leo again, crouching down to peck him in his feline nose.
“Let’s get ready then!”
***
“Happy pride month!” Rofi said from the phone. He was wearing a rainbow cape proudly.
“Do you have plans for today?” Leo asked.
“Not really, still have to work, but we can hang out on the parade tomorrow!”
“Sounds like a plan!”
“Well, it’s my shift now. See ya then?”
“Yeah, see ya then.”
Rofi hang out, prompting Leo to put down his phone. Theo, however, was still scrolling through his, and he was pretty pissed.
“Baby?” Leo asked.
“It’s these fucking responses to the Sesame Street post on pride month. All these ‘its veterans month’, ‘pride demon’ and ‘groomers month’ garbage. Elon Musk ruined this website, I swear all of these would have been suspended two years ago.”
“Love, they don’t matter. Trump’s approval rates are the lowest ever.”
Theo sighed.
“Just because he’s down doesn’t mean bigotry isn’t. I’m scared for all the young people who live with conservative parents.”
“Well, we won’t get bogged down. Come with me, let’s celebrate that we’re still here, that we still matter and that no fascists have the last word.”
Theo smiled.
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too. Now, let’s get going!”
***
The next day, both stood proudly in the pride parade. Leo was wearing a rainbow cape while Theo was wearing a bisexual pride cape. Rofi was ahead, chatting with Hunter and Artemis. Occasionally he darted his vision towards Leo and Theo, as if checking up on them, then smiling as the conversation carried on.
“Do you feel better?” Leo asked.
“Uh?”
“About those negative comments yesterday.”
Theo sighed.
“I’m still not over them, but at least they feel like a mile away.”
He grabbed Leo, then swooned over him.
“Shall we celebrate?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
And so the two kissed, for a moment celebrating pride in themselves and all others fighting for their place in this world.
