Finn spun once, bracelets jingling. “Too much?”
“Not enough,” Maurice said, still smiling. “You look incredible.”
Theo did a little shimmy. “We’re ready for our close-up.”
David shook his head, amused. “I love it. You two look like Pride mascots.”
Finn felt a warm rush of excitement as they left the hotel. Outside, the parade crowd was already gathering, rainbow flags waving in the breeze. The sunlight hit the street just right, making the glitter on his arms sparkle.
Maurice stepped closer, adjusting a crooked bracelet on Finn’s wrist. “Have fun out there. We’ll be right on the sidewalk when you pass.”
Finn nodded, heart thumping with anticipation. “You better cheer loud.”
Maurice smirked. “We will.”
Theo struck a pose beside him. “Louder than the cable cars.”
Maurice pulled Finn into a careful hug with arms wrapped around him but not too tight, chin resting lightly on Finn’s shoulder. “Can’t mess up the makeup,” he murmured, pulling back just enough to look at him.
Then he blew a dramatic kiss to Finn, complete with a little flourish of his hand. “For luck.”
Finn laughed, cheeks warming under the glitter. “You’re ridiculous, and I love you.”
“And you’re adorable,” Maurice said, stepping back with a grin.
David scooped Theo into a hug, lifting him half an inch off the ground. “You look like a cupcake,” he said. “A very cute one.”
Theo beamed. “That’s the goal.”
David set him down and blew him a kiss too, matching Maurice’s dramatic flair. “Go and cause chaos.”
Theo winked. “Always.”
Finn glanced at Maurice one more time. Maurice gave him a small nod—steady, warm, proud—the kind of look that made Finn feel like he was exactly where he was supposed to be. The parade waited. The city waited.
As they moved away from the hotel, they stepped into a morning already filled with colorfully dressed people. The air carried the smell of street food warming on grills, sunscreen, and the salty breeze drifting up from the bay. Various Pride flags hung from balconies, fluttering in the light wind, and the sidewalks overflowed with people in glitter, feathers, and outfits that looked like they’d been assembled by pure joy.
Theo adjusted his pink wig. “Okay, we need to find the start of the parade before I melt.”
Finn laughed. “You’re not even wearing anything heavy.”
“I’m wearing commitment,” Theo said, flicking a strand of pink hair dramatically.
They walked down Market Street, their identical shorts catching the sunlight. People waved at them, complimented their wigs, and asked for photos. Finn felt like he was glowing from the inside out.
A group of drag queens in towering heels strutted past them.
One queen pointed at Finn. “Blue wig! You better work, baby!”
Finn bowed. “I’m doing my best!”
Theo whispered, “We’re never taking these wigs off.”
They reached the staging area where the parade floats lined up—everything from giant inflatable unicorns to a marching band wearing colorful capes. Music thumped from every direction, blending into a chaotic, perfect soundtrack.
“Finn! Theo!” someone shouted.
They turned to see the Pride Express Train group waving them over. Even Mr. Santos was there, wearing a flamboyantfeather boa, sparkly sunglasses, and a T-shirt that said Conductor of Chaos.
