Work Text:
Living in the city had its many complications for Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson. Sometimes it felt like there was no privacy; upstairs neighbors can’t seem to keep their clothes on for one night, and the downstairs neighbors seem to have mini ragers every weekend, where the crappy music manages to bleed into the vent that just so happens to be in Charlie and Nick’s bedroom. Streets are bustling with life every single hour in the day and every single hour in the night. The line to Charlie’s favorite cafe never seems to end on Monday mornings before work, so his usual morning cafe mocha turns into lunch coffee with a cold ham and cheese (carefully prepared with just a touch of butter and mustard by master chef and “amazingly talented” Nick Nelson). The puppy demands walks too often for a family living in the heart of a tight(ish) space. And visits from friends and family are limited.
But living in the city has its perks too.
For one, the horny neighbors make amazing sugar cookies and special dog treats, and it can be entertaining to watch a fight break out in the street from the bedroom window; a little end-of-the-night-entertainment-special only found in the city. Some of Nick’s students live in the same complex and love to slide little notes under the door (or late homework). Charlie’s favorite cafe is open on Sunday mornings, and has become a part of Nick and Charlie’s weekly routine to take the puppy for a walk and sit outside with a muffin and coffee when the weather gets nice. Nick brings his student’s papers to grade and Charlie watches.
Another big perk of the city life are the public events that are right at their fingertips.
Like Pride.
Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson are going to the city’s Pride Parade. With friends, of course. A quick call to Tara and Darcy, Elle and Tao, Aled and Daniel, Sahar too, since she’s not far from the city anyways, and the gang's all here and cooped up in the Spring-Nelson living room.
“I mean, it’s been what–almost a year and a half since the entire Paris Squad was in the same room together?” Darcy concludes her sporadic rant about the group not being in close enough proximity to hang out.
Charlie walks into the living room from the kitchen, carrying a pitcher of ice water, and laughs. “Darcy, it’s been ages since we’ve used the term, “Paris Squad''. Shouldn’t we maybe, possibly, give that name a rest?”
Nick follows behind Charlie with a stack of cups, and he sets them down on the coffee table next to the pitcher. “I think we should personally keep it, it’s like a relic of sorts,” he nods assuringly to himself, and Darcy makes a noise of content.
“Exactly Nicolas! You get it! Some people are born with an appreciation for history, and some aren’t,” Darcy directs the last part to Charlie, who gives her a confusing look with a chuckle.
“Alright Darc, don’t start a fight now,” Tara pipes in, sneaking an arm around her girlfriend’s waist. “We need to drink plenty of water and finish getting ready for the parade that’s in a couple hours. Chop chop gays and allies!” She claps her hands and on cue, Nick is pouring out water for everyone to grab.
Elle fishes out her makeup bag, chock full of eyeshadows and eyeliners and lipsticks, Sahar watching in awe at the amount of colors exploding from the bag. Tao sits lazily on the couch and chats with Daniel, who can’t stop watching Aled sip on his water and play with the puppy.
“Who wanted a flag on their face?” Elle asks.
Most of the group raise their hands. “Ohmygod, can you do like, a swirl effect on my face?!” Darcy asks excitedly, and lets out a squeal when Elle nods. “Then me first! Me first!” She runs over to Elle, who immediately gets to it.
“I swear,” Tara laughs. “Sometimes I think she forgets we’re not teenagers anymore.”
Darcy just waves her hand in a shoo motion, as to tell her girlfriend to lightheartedly, for lack of a better term, shut up. This only makes the entire room laugh.
“I can do someone’s face now if they want,” Sahar says. Charlie gives Nick a little shoulder bump.
“Do the flag on your face Nick,” he whispers. Nick contemplates for a moment, but gives in pretty quickly.
“Yeah I’ll go,” he says, then walking to Sahar and dodging the scattered sleeping bags on the floor. He plops down in front of her, and she begins to open the package of face paint she bought.
“Is the order purple blue pink? I can never remember,” Sahar questions with a light sigh.
“Not quite, it goes pink on top, purple in the middle, and blue at the bottom,” Nick corrects. “The pink and blue are thicker stripes while the purple is thinner, but I don’t really think it’ll matter.”
“I’m sorry Nick,” Sahar apologizes with a smile. “I’m trying with the flags, I am! I know what colors are on most flags but if someone were to quiz me on the order of colors I would fail.”
“Well at least you know one now,” Nick reassures Sahar, who gives him a smile in return before dipping a brush into the pink paint.
Charlie watches from the other end of the living room, waiting for his turn to get painted. He takes small sips from his water, determined to finish it and have at least one more glass after. He observes his surroundings, taking in the fresh air coming in from the open windows, the sunlight hitting the perfect places in the room, Tao beginning to drift off into yet another power nap, the concentration on Elle and Sahar’s faces, the excitement in Nick and Darcy’s faces, and Tara applying sunscreen to her girlfriend’s arms with a lovesick expression that she’s not even bothering to hide. All a definition for the perfect day.
“Charlie?” Nick is asking, suddenly right in front of him.
“Huh, what?” Charlie asks, snapping out of an apparent daydream.
“I asked what you thought of the complete look,” Nick turned to show his freshly painted cheek, and then gestures to the rest of his body, where he’s wearing a white shirt with a hawaiian shirt on top of it, and rolled up jeans with, of course, a pair of Vans.
“You look like the epitome of a bisexual,” Darcy pipes in, to which she recieves a playful smack from Tara.
Charlie laughs at that and nods his head. “She’s right though, you are looking very bisexual, I don’t even think you need the flag, which, lovely job by the way Sahar,” Charlie smiles at Sahar, who smiles back.
Nick rolls his eyes but chuckles. “It’s always the bisexual getting the most shit, huh,” he mocks, fainting a shock and putting a hand to his head like a damsel in distress.
“I’d actually like to argue that straight people get the most shit,” Tao adds with shut eyes and a finger pointed to the ceiling, as if to make a point.
Everyone groans in response except Elle, who laughs. “It’s okay Tao, I’m an ally,” she says with obvious sarcasm. Tao snorts.
“Elle is actually a stand up comedian on the weekends guys,” Tao teases, which makes Elle laugh again.
“It’s true,” she jokes. “And Tao is a random fan who follows me everywhere and is obsessed with me. Kinda scary actually. How did you follow me here?”
“Spidey senses probably,” Nick says, to which Tao grimaces.
“You and Marvel still? Are they even still relevant?” Tao now has his eyes open with a glare to the Marvel fan.
“Yes they’re still relevant, Mr. Pulp-Fiction-is-the-best-movie-in-existence,” Nick replies back.
“Actually, the best movie in existence is Hunt for the Wilderpeople, but I digress,” Tao remarks, then taking a long, loud and obnoxious sip of his water which makes everyone laugh.
“Did that argument really go on for that long that Sahar managed to finish my face?” Charlie asked with a surprised snicker.
“Now that that’s over, EVERYONE LOOK AT HOW AMAZING AND TALENTED ELLE IS AT MAKEUP!!” Darcy does a little twirl and kisses Elle on top of her head. “I’m so ready to be obnoxiously lesbian at this parade the people are not ready!” She parades around the room while Tara sits down to have her face done.
“Yes Darcy, you are the queen of the lesbians,” Tara adds before Elle begins on her face. Darcy beams at the comment.
“Sahar, can you do my face please? If you don’t mind,” Aled asks, and Sahar nods with a grin.
The rest of the hour was spent with smiles, plenty of water and sunscreen, and music provided by Daniel’s iPhone speakers.
It was time to go when a knock was heard on the door, and Charlie opened it to one of the upstairs neighbors. Charlie turned around to call for Nick. “They’re here Nick! Is she ready?”
Nick came right around the corner with the puppy on a leash, where she trotted right up to the neighbors. “She’s all yours guys,” Nick said. “Thank you again.”
“Not a problem! Enjoy yourselves out there,” They replied, taking the leash. “C’mon little one! Goodbye everyone!”
Goodbyes were exchanged, and then they were off. Charlie and Nick watched their puppy follow their neighbor with no problem, and they smiled.
“She’s so well trained,” Charlie commented. Nick just hummed in agreement.
“Well,” Tara clasped her hands together, standing in the middle of the living room. “I think it’s time for us to head out now, if everyone’s ready.”
Scattered and mushed replies were given, and everyone began standing up and gathering the items they were taking with them.
“Tara’s got her handy-dandy mom bag in case anyone needs water or sunscreen,” Elle adds.
“I’ll put some on when we get there,” Daniel says.
“Besties,” Darcy says intensely, her arms out in front of her. “It’s gay time.”
The walk to the parade was very brief, only a couple streets over, and it seemed they were there in no time. They were met with bright colors and loud music. Mini stands were placed all throughout the big street, some food trucks, places to buy overpriced rainbow trinkets, and LGBTQIA+ owned businesses selling their products. There was a smaller sized stage where performances were being held too. It was more of a street fair than a parade, but they knew that there would be one soon.
“Wow,” Nick breathed with a smile on his face. “This is heavenly.”
The comment made Charlie beam, he always got butterflies in his stomach when Nick made any comment about his sexuality. He has grown so much since Truham; his journey of acceptance, and Charlie was there for most, if not all of it. It was beautiful to watch.
“Darcy and I are gonna check out the small shops if anyone wants to come!” Tara said over the noise, before being dragged to the first shop in Darcy’s vision.
“Daniel and I will come!” Aled said, and they followed suit.
Sahar was talking to a group of friends she found at the parade, and from what Charlie overheard, they’re her friends from graduate school.
Tao and Elle were at a food truck, looking at the menu listed on the side of the truck.
“I guess it’s just us right now,” Nick said, turning his head slightly to get a glance at his boyfriend.
“I guess so,” Charlie chuckled, suddenly grabbing Nick’s hand, who complied easily.
“Where to first then?”
“Hmm,” Charlie thought, using his free hand to tap a finger on his lips. “We could just walk around and see what’s here before the parade.”
“I like that plan.”
So Nick and Charlie walked. Their hands swayed obnoxiously as they stopped at a small shop with LGBTQIA+ themed jewelry, another shop with wigs for drag queens, which fascinated Nick, and a final shop where Charlie bought Nick a shirt.
“My god ,” Nick snorted. “This is absolutely atrocious.”
“What,” Charlie questioned, turning his head for emphasis on his mock confusion. “You don’t like it?”
“You know that I love you very much, but I will never wear this in public, let alone in general,” Nick held the shirt out in front of him, where the couple stared back at a bisexual flag with Garfield in the center of it.
Charlie began to laugh loudly, and then mockingly gasped. “How dare you critique this piece of art that I spent all of 15 pounds on?!” He placed a hand to his heart with a faint hurt. “You’re ungrateful Nicolas Nelson, and I’m revoking your gay card for being homophobic toward Garfield the lasagnalovingcat !” Charlie snagged the shirt from his boyfriend, who was now doubled over laughing, and folded up the shirt neatly.
“Taste is subjective I guess,” Charlie concluded once Nick was done laughing.
“Oh shut it Char,” Nick smiled. “Maybe I’ll wear it for our anniversary, or just a random day. Maybe in the bedroom? I gotta keep you on your toes, you know? Alert , if you will,” Nick teased with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
Charlie snorted. “If I walk into the bedroom and you’re laying on a bed of flowers in the Garfield bisexual shirt and nothing else, I think I’d immediately call it quits with you.”
“I mean, you did buy me the shirt…I think that’s a secret fantasy you just realized you had, you freak!” Nick laughed.
Charlie smacked him. “You’re so disgusting, my god ,” he mumbled into his hands. “I cannot take you anywhere.”
“I love youuuu,” Nick sang, and was met with another smack.
“I need a drink,” Charlie mumbled.
After some more walking, Charlie indeed got to snag a wine slushie from a food truck (with a very tasty sandwich to share with Nick, of course), and then (after going back to the truck for another wine slushie for both of them), they finally met back up with the rest of the group just in time for the parade to begin.
The street cleared out quickly, and was filled in just as quickly with a band decorated with flags all across the spectrum. A drummer began the set with a loud clutter of perfectly timed bangs, and then the music began. People began to cheer as they did their performance, and then they moved along down the street. Next were a couple of floats with large rainbow structures and people throwing candy to the streets.
People walked all throughout as well, scattered here and there with clothes of all types, some in gay t-shirts or rainbow leggings, some in white tanktops and tall wigs, some people in heels or walking on stilts decorated in a plethora of stickers, and more. There wasn’t a defined and refined category, and watching the creative freedom and expression with no judgment was a feeling that Charlie couldn’t even describe. It was perfect.
Towards the end of the parade, a group of a few drag queens and kings walked to center and positioned themselves in a pose, ready to perform a number for the crowd. A person with a speaker on a cart pressed play, and Born This Way by Lady Gaga began to play loudly.
Immediately, the group of drag performers began to perform a choreographed number. There were cartwheels and kicks and turns, and of course some voguing, which made the crowd go crazy. It was mesmerizing to watch.
Charlie glanced over to Nick, who didn’t even blink watching them. He was entranced by their performance. Charlie, now a little wine tipsy, smiled wide at his boyfriend.
The song ended and the crowd managed to get even louder, cheering for the drag group as they sauntered away down the street.
“Y’know,” Charlie began, words mushing together a little. Damn those slushies. “I’ve done drag before.”
Nick, who was still watching the performers walk down the street, whipped his head toward his boyfriend. “You WHAT.”
‘Yeah, Elle used to practice her makeup skills on me and we decided one day to put me in drag. It was years ago…I think you were on a holiday with your mom,” Charlie said, smiling at the memory.
“I cannot believe you never told me this!” Nick gasped. “Char love I need to see you in drag.”
Charlie laughed. “I’ll see if Elle can put me in it again when she and Tao visit again,” Charlie smirked. “You’re a little eager, aren’t you?”
“What was your drag name?” Nick asked, ignoring Charlie’s last statement, although his blush was deep red.
“I never gave myself a drag name since I only did it once,” Charlie said. “But I think, if I could pick any drag name…I’d do… Garfield .”
Charlie snorted at his own joke, and Nick laughed too. “Ah yes, the perfect drag name right there people. Garfield.”
“Exactly!” Charlie nodded lazily.
The night concluded when Pride ended at the local park nearby, where people gathered in groups to watch fireworks light the night sky. It felt like a dream; faces were luminated by bright colors and not one person was there without a smile. There was laughter and cheering and music, there were kisses and hugs and hand holding and reassuring smiles that everything would be okay.
Charlie turned to make a comment about the fireworks, when a firework of blue, pink and purple illuminated Nick’s face. His eyes glistened with the colors that represented his true self. That moment became ingrained into Charlie’s brain forever.
“I love you,” Charlie blurted. He blushed.
Nick turned his eyes from the fireworks to Charlie and smiled wide. “I love you too. Always.”
He grabbed Charlie’s cheek with a gentle hand, slowly guiding it close to him. He leaned in slowly as the music and sounds of the happy and proud people began to blend into a muffled noise; Charlie’s only focus now was Nick, and Nick’s only focus now was Charlie.
It was them against the world.
Nick pulled away slowly, eyes fluttering open.
“Charlie,” he began. “I think–I think we’re gonna be alright.”
Charlie responded by pulling him in for another kiss.
They both knew they were going to always be okay, but they didn’t need to say that out loud. A kiss was more than enough reassurance.