#enyc.pride2022

[renfarber]

babies on the beach with @blakemadden​

Beach days used to be easier. There was a time Blake and Ren would just put a sundress over a swimsuit and head on out, packing nothing, telling no one, just going where the wind took them. Now, they’d lugged two infants and all the strollers and carriers and diaper bags and sunscreen and toys and changes of clothes required for them, all the way to Coney Island. They’d fussed over sunscreen and fretted over shade and water, but they’d found a perfect spot on a giant blanket, and both babies were giggling (more gurgling, in Mira’s case, but it had the same vibe). Everything was lovely.

Ren took a deep breath, for the first time since leaving the apartment this morning. “Ugh, I love the sun,” she beamed, scooping up some sand to show Max. 

[kennedypratt-follows]

for: @kelseyrobinson​

where: pride, around stonewall

**

"Holy shit," Akio murmured underneath his breath. The party was well underway by now, the remnants of the work week melting off in pure celebration. He felt the way his hands reached out a little more than normal, grasping onto beautiful people, pulling them close to dance or laugh or just flirt and it was glorious.

Seeing Kelsey Robinson there, though? That took that cake. His heart beat a little quicker, his feet moving halfway on their own accord to get closer to her, until he could reach out his hand, fingers well-adorned with rings to greet her own, the quiet little clack of metal meeting metal as they drew close, like the way keys slip into locks perfectly made for them. "My darling," he said, holding her out to get a good look at her. "Jesus, you look hot.” 

It was like it all clicked into place, seeing Kelsey. Their inner messy souls were finally reunited after far, far too many weeks of them working their asses off and appearing like they had their shit together, which is a job in itself. He was ready to fall back on bad habits, the ones they kept at arm’s length. There was a reason that they didn’t hang out together much anymore. But tonight... “Shots? Dancing? Eloping? What’re we doing, Robinson?”

[kennedypratt]

who: @devlishdxx

where: coney island beach

Kennedy smiled with the energy of the beach, all bright colors and strong scents of carnival food all around. This was as close to the party as he could get, all things considered. God forbid he run into Rylan. But he figured Matthieu would be around, and it'd been a while since they'd connected, so Coney Island it was.

He nodded in between booths and moved within the crowds of people until he spotted his friend and lifted a hand to wave to them. "It's been a while," he noted, moving forward into a hug. He was a hugger; that was that. "Have you been able to get out? Enjoy the party?"

[xlalia]

exploring with @ghosthxnter​

While it was completely impossible to sneak anywhere dressed the way she currently was, Lalia was trying her best. Over-the-knee holographic glitter boots were not the best for climbing, but she was determined to see what was on the other side of this fence. If she ripped her little tutu skirt train, so be it. She’d risk a cool breeze on her ass for a bit of fun with Aequorea.

“There’s got to be something good over here,” she said, pulling her skirt over with her as she landed, and holding out her hand in case her friend needed it. “The ghosts of drag queens past, or something, right?”

[nursefei]

hiding from the crowds with @nate-jones​

It wasn’t that Fei didn’t want to be here, it’s just that she didn’t want to be here all day. Noise and crowds were fine in small doses, when she was prepared for them, and she knew she could leave whenever she wanted. But she’d come here with her boyfriend, and now he was gone somewhere, and she couldn’t leave without him, and everything was so loud and colourful and bright, and she just... needed a break. 

So she went behind a building, found what she was sure would be a secluded area, and snuck in, relishing the relative quiet and shade. It was a moment before she noticed she wasn’t the only one there. And another moment before she recognized who she was sharing the shade with. Nate Jones, of all fucking people. She’d loved watching him on Dancing With The Stars... until her best friend had started dating Rylan, of course. Things were complicated. “Oh...” she said stupidly, “I’m sorry, I’ll get out of your space...”

[withbitterness]

starter for: @kelseyrobinson​ setting: evening at pride, stonewall inn

Playing Giant Jenga at Stonewall wasn't exactly how Sherri saw her night ending, but she wasn’t mad at it. At least she wasn’t feeling as.... overstimulated as she was earlier. Instead she felt like she was simmering with a low charge (because feeling non-tense period just wasn’t in the cards for her today apparently (she didn’t have to wonder why)). As one round ended and most of her competitors soon dispersed, Sherri remained, cradling her drink in one hand while putting the final pieces back together for another round with the other. “This game should not be as calming as it is, considering.” 

[valleyrcse]

someplace fancy, i assume with @deviious​

Even intoxicated, and ever-so-slightly removed from her gold-digging days, Valley’s mind would still recite all the information she knew about rich men when she saw them. She had an actual written record of them somewhere (that no one would ever see) but the interesting bits always stuck in her mind. Like now, seeing Klaus Diedrich in the wild, the Important Facts popped up in little bubbles beside his head:

Forbes Billionaire

Collects expensive cars, despite living in Manhattan

Speaks a zillion languages (nine? ten?)

Handsome in an black-and-white -film kind of way

She had no idea anymore, though, whether or not he was currently married. Either way, she found her drunk self making her way over to him. 

“What’s that you’re drinking?” she smiled, “It looks better than whatever I’ve got.”

[valleyrcse]

coney island beach at sunset with @jack-derian​

Valley couldn’t recall now whether she’d left Vihana somewhere or if she’d been the one left behind, but either way, she was alone on the beach, now. She’d call her friend once the numbers on her phone were a little less fuzzy. Perhaps drinking all day in the hot sun hadn’t been the best plan, but it had been a fantastic day, so she couldn’t regret it too much.

She walked along the shore, weaving past kissing couples and rowdy groups of youths, holding her shoes, to feel the sand between her toes. Everything was blurry and beautiful so at first she thought that Jack was a hallucination; a figment of her intoxicated mind. He looked perfect, and she smiled at him, stumbling in the sand a little. 

But when she stumbled, he caught her, and for a moment, she just stared at his hand on her arm. “Oh...” she said, looking drowsily up to his face. “...You’re real.”