Li Ming and Heart (Moonlight Chicken) go to their first pride parade together and have a sweet, wholesome day.
Although it was only their first year together abroad, Li Ming felt that he and Heart had learned a lot. Perhaps not entirely academically, but personally and socially.
Thailand was perpetually hot and it was something the two were accustomed to. But the change from hot and humid, to cool and humid, to freezing, to whatever bizarre weather one would call spring, was a new one. (Heart refused to let Li Ming forget his first head cold and thus Li Ming found every one of his winter coats had a warm hat stuffed in a pocket.)
The next thing Li Ming was pleased to learn about was how large an event Pride was. Prior to their departure, Li Ming had insisted on going to and supporting a Pride parade in their small town and Heart had obliged after a few conversations. It hadn't been anything large and Jim had insisted Wen keep an eye on them for safety's sake. Li Ming had chafed at the implications until Wen paid for all their snacks and trinkets indulgently.
But here, the crowd was loud and active. Thankfully no one batted an eyelash to the way Heart kept a firm grip on Li Ming's hand while his eyes darted from the naked cowboy playing a guitar to the person handing out garlands of rainbow flowers. In fact, one person had stopped to say something and Heart was glad to see Li Ming smiling in reply instead of putting on his defensive posture. They handed something to Li Ming and Li Ming gestured in thanks.
"What did they give you," Heart asked when they found an empty spot to watch the parade.
Li Ming held up two mini rainbow flags and a box of sparklers. Heart reached for the sparklers but Li Ming pulled away.
"We don't have a lighter," Li Ming warned. Heart pouted.
"Someone here has to, the air smells of smoke and weed," Heart texted.
Li Ming laughed after checking his phone and Heart wished he could feel the vibrations of that over whatever club music was causing the uncomfortable vibrating in his chest. Still, Heart accepted the mini flag instead and waved it about as the first floats and people walking began to pass by their spot. Some thew confetti, others threw flowers or bead necklaces, one float passed by throwing something and Li Ming caught it only to begin glancing around. Heart took it from him after to find it was a baggie of condoms.
After the parade had passed, Li Ming pulled Heart along to look at stalls and shops. While many things caught their eye, Heart shook his head when Li Ming pointed at something comprised entirely of leather straps. And while he did scoff, Heart permitted Li Ming to buy genitalia shaped gummies.
"You're so excited for a candy penis but you won't-" Li Ming slapped Heart's hands before he could finish signing.
"Don't you start that. You were the one who told me not to bother you while you were studying," Li Ming mouthed.
Heart made a face and Li Ming consoled him by offering him a rainbow bracelet made of intricate knots. Heart accepted but pinched Li Ming's waist anyway.
As the late afternoon sun began to transition to early evening, Li Ming pulled Heart towards the subway. "I don't want you complaining that I kept you out all day and you didn't finish your homework," Li Ming said as he swiped his card at the entry terminal, but Heart could see the exhaustion in Li Ming's shoulders. Once on the train, Heart pulled on Li Ming's shirt hem and patted his own shoulder. Li Ming slumped over to rest and closed his eyes. Heart glanced around the train, but not a soul bothered them. Only one woman sitting opposite did anything, and it was only to give them a smile and thumbs up before returning to her tiktok scrolling.
"Happy Pride," Heart whispered and smiled when Li Ming squeezed his hand.
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