Finn laughed. “What’s the hurry?” He didn’t resist, too curious to see where they were going. He couldn’t imagine what was so important and so top-secret.
“Imogen!” a voice rang out. Finn spotted the speaker immediately.
Sawyer stood on the corner, tucked closer to the building than the curb, jumping up and down and waving his arms. He wore a cropped black tee with the text Cisn’t in blue, pink, and white letters, over low-riding jeans that left the rainbow-coloured band of his boxers on show. He’d accessorized with a He/Him pin over his heart, Converse with rainbow laces, and trans-flag earrings.
The kids collided for a hug, and Finn noticed Sawyer’s shadow.
Robbie watched the kids with a fond smile. He was leaning casually against a lamppost like a pinup, arms casually crossed over a pink T-shirt with the sloganI heart queers. His hair was swept up in an artfully messy bun, and he wore heart-shaped rainbow sunglasses. He too had a He/Him badge and rainbow laces on his shoes. Finn couldn’t remember ever panting so hard over such a basic outfit. Somehow Robbie managed to make even the dollar-store sunnies look like a designer choice.
Of course, the attractiveness of the look might have something to do with Robbie’s willingness to play “ally” today despite his closet and risk being publicly outed despite not being ready to take the step, all for the sake of his nephew.
Finn was in so much trouble.
“Love the fit,” Finn quipped, stepping closer to be heard.
Robbie laughed. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” He eyed Finn up and down. “I like the shirt.”
God, was Finn actually blushing? He hoped the heat of the June day had warmed him up enough to hide it.
“What can I say? I know the Pride dress code.” Finding queer men whoweren’ttopless took more effort.
He was not going to think about what Robbie would think when he saw the back of Finn’s shorts.
“I hope that dress code includes sunscreen. Otherwise you’re going to be a lobster.”
“What do you take me for? I’m a prepared older brother—why else do you think I’ve got this?” He held up the small backpack he’d brought to carry sunscreen and water.
“Robbie!” Sawyer’s chirp made Robbie turn to him immediately, attentive mama bird. “Imogen says people are giving away free stuff. Can we go see?”
“Nah, I just brought you all the way here so you could see what you were missing out on when I dragged you back home in five.”
Sawyer rolled his eyes. “Thanks,Papa Bear. We’re going this way.” He gestured with the hand not holding Imogen’s, and then the kids headed off in the direction Finn and Imogen had come from.
“I guess we’re following,” Finn said, bemused.
“Guess so.” Robbie straightened from his lamppost lounge.
“So.” Finn would’ve put his hands in his pockets, but given the material and the fit of the shorts, that would have been borderline indecent even for Pride. “First time partaking?”
Robbie glanced at him sideways and then returned his eyes to the kids. “In the parade, or was that another attempt at subtlety?”
Finn really had a knack for putting his foot in his mouth. “Definitely meant the parade. The rest is not my business.” Even if he wanted it to be.
“Yeah, first time. Why, do I stick out that much?”
“You’d be less conspicuous if you took your shirt off.” But also that much more easily identified asone of us. “But I was just asking. Like, do I need to show you the ropes? All the best Pride traditions? We wouldn’t want Sawyer to miss out.”
Robbie squinted at him from behind his novelty glasses. “Traditions? Why do I feel like you’re making that up.”
“Wellll,” Finn hedged.
Robbie snorted.
“It’s really just the one tradition. But it’s important to teach the kids.” Robbie would get a kick out of it too.
After a while it was time to stop wandering and wait for the fanfare to begin. Robbie’s height and broad shoulders gave them an advantage when moving to the front, since both Sawyer and Imogen were too short to see over the throngs.
“Remember to avert your eyes when I tell you,” Robbie said, nudging Sawyer’s shoulder from behind.
