Family Pride
Sydney and TJ take their family to a pride parade. My offspring ocs are back with a vengeance!
"Everyone ready?" Sydney said.
"Yeah!" Jin said, extending his arms so TJ picked him up.
"Aren't you adorable with your cape" TJ nuzzled against his chevrotain son, making him giggle.
"Let's go already!" Jane said, a pan pin on her jacket.
"Will Shams be there?" RJ asked nervously.
"Yeah, the others are gonna be here in an hour" Sydney said.
***
Payton Pride was once more a brilliant display of colors. It was even more vibrant and loud than Sydney and TJ's last visit, so they stuck to the periphery. Jin motioned at the floats, so TJ stopped by a stand to buy him some baloons. RJ looked around, the olinguito picking at his bi cape nervously.
"Hold your horses son, they'll be here any moment now!" Sydney said, patting his son on the back.
"I know, but he's not answerring my phone!"
"The parents aren't answerring the phone either" TJ looked at Sydney with concern.
"Everyone, just relax" Sydney said, "Knowing them they're probably still fighting over the parking lot."
"Or they have just been murdered by your serial killer bear friend" Jane said.
"Jane..." TJ said, raubbing his temples, "Don't joke about that. That lunatic could still be out there."
"If he shows up your pirate dad will gut him like a fish!" Sydney said, making a hook with his paw.
Jane rolled her eyes.
***
Half an hour passed, and the group sat down for some candy. Finally, at long last, RJ spotted Shams in the crowd, wearing a rainbow pride cape.
"Shams, over here!" RJ shouted.
"See, what did I tell you?" Sydney said.
TJ looked in their direction and saw Leo, Chase and Kudzu. To his disappointment they weren't as decorated as his family was, but he was relieved to see them the same. He called and waved at them, and soon the two families were reunited.
"Sorry for the pierde de tempo" Leo said, fist-bumping Sydney, "We were having parking issues."
Sydney locked eyes with TJ smugly, making the lynx put out his tongue at him.
"I know we're very predictable, but I swear it's because we didn't know where to park!" Chase interjected.
"Like a mile from the main event, duh!" Sydney said, pulling him into a hug.
"I'll remember that next time" Kudzu said, "We could use a hike."
"Well in that case, dad, me and RJ are going to take a hike" Shams pulled his tongue playfully, before taking the olinguito's hand in his own.
"Oh no you don't" Sydney said, blocking them with his tail, "Stay close or you'll get lost!"
"But dad!" RJ pouted.
"Okay, fine" TJ said, "But we'll text you every ten minutes, okay?"
"Fiiiine" both boys said.
They both quickly changed tunes, playfully chasing after each other.
"Ah, lovebirds" Chase said, "What wouldn't I give to have... all this."
He opened his arms, encompassing the floats, the people finding validation in each other, the fireworks and the sense of love and community.
"Each day gets better" TJ said.
The Echo veterans sighed, calmly seeing the wonders of progress making the future of their children brighter, until Jin dropped his ice cream.