Marriage with your F/O, who also happens to be your relative.
Something you've planned so far in advance, or maybe just a spontaneous event. A special day you worked so hard to get to. The day is gorgeous, the sun is shining down upon the world, warming every living being, there's not a cloud in the sky. It rained last night, the dew on the tree leaves catching golden gleams off the sun's rays. The world is empty, it should be, given you can't legally marry who you love. It's looked down upon.
You, however, look fantastic. The material of your outfit is comfortable, despite how formal it's meant to be, and you stand out amongst the flora, bathed in the rays of light from above. You look up, and the sight catches you off guard.
Your F/O, your family, standing beneath the shade of a particularly large tree. Whether dress, tuxedo, or anything in between, they catch your eye more than the natural beauty around you.
Making your way to them, to join them, the sun above seems to burn hotter, as if cheering for you. Perhaps it is one of the only supporters you guys have with how taboo your relationship is. You're just in front of them now.
You're not sure if the heat is from the sun or from your beloved.
They talk sweetly to you, a compliment about how you look so good in that outfit, and you can only smile and give the same sentiment right back.. it comes so natural for you.
Leaning in to one another, in a ceremony where the only witnesses are the trees and flowers, you bond yourself to your F/O in a final, decisive kiss.
Here, no one can harm you, or try to break you away from your F/O. Here and now, this place is a special haven for you and your F/O to live life normally without judgement.
Selfshippers with "weird" identities and pronouns, your F/O loves and accepts you.
Lesboys and turigirls, your F/Os accept you.
Cistrans people, your F/Os accept you.
M-spec lesbians and gays, your F/Os accept you.
If you use neopronouns, your F/Os accept you. If you use contradictory labels, your F/Os accept you. If you stand under countless flags, even if it's hundreds of flags, your F/Os accept you.
Pride is for everyone, including the selfshipper here with emoji pronouns and the selfshipper there who's a straight lesbian. Others may not accept you, they may be hateful or cruel, but your F/O will always drown out their hate with a passion, a love only your F/O can exude.
It doesn't matter what anyone thinks. You can bring that piece of merch out and take photos with it.
Yes, even if people think it's "cringe".
Yes, even if people think it's "weird".
Yes, even if people think it's "creepy".
You are not hurting anyone just by existing with a physical token of your F/O, ever. You and your F/O deserve to go to restaurants, cafés, museums, tourist spots, and all the things people take their "normal" partners to. It doesn't matter what others think of you, and it never will, because your F/O doesn't care what they think- only what you think. If you're having fun, that's all that matters.
If you have that acrylic stand, that plushie, that doll, or anything else you've been hesitating to take outside and bring with you? Don't be afraid anymore. Take them.
