Chapter Text
It was the first weekend in August, the time of year that Causton hosted its annual Pride event. Rainbow flags were everywhere. Many stalls of local businesses and fun activities galore. It was quite the occasion.
In previous years, Ben had always been caught up in something else or just didn’t feel like attending the event. This year was different, Sarah and John had invited him along. Sarah wanted them all to go to show support for the locals and LGBT+ businesses. Barnaby on the other hand, was dragging Jones along just in case there was any trouble as not everyone was as supportive as Sarah or themselves. Sarah got talking to some teachers she knew from school; they were no doubt gossiping to her about who may or not be LGBT. Barnaby and Ben strolled along taking in the colourful surroundings. Ben felt a sadness deep within him as he gazed upon the rainbow décor and various other flags representing all kinds of genders and sexualities. One of which did catch his eye; a flag of pink, purple and blue. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth but he was soon brought out of his thoughts by a commotion over to the left of him.
Barnaby was already striding over to the ruckus. Two men arguing, one of them clearly was under the influence of something and spurting obscenities at the other man who had a stall selling pride pins and badges. Barnaby ordered the drunken man to be on his way, the stench of alcohol reached Ben’s nose as soon as he stood near the guy. The man grunted and mumbled one last slur as he turned and stumbled away. With a huff, the stall owner sat down.
“You should have arrested him” He expressed.
“I gave him a warning but if he comes back and harasses anyone else, he will be arrested” Barnaby calmly explained.
Again, the stall owner huffed but quickly painted a smile on his face as customers were approaching. Barnaby began walking away with his eyes scanning for further altercations that could be happening. Luckily, there were none and the day passed by slowly without any more incidents. Some stalls were shutting up shop now. Ben had managed to slip away from Barnaby for a bit. He walked back over to the stall they were at earlier. Ben scanned the display of merchandise in front of him and smiled as he spotted the one he wanted.
“Anything of interest?” The man queried.
Ben picked up the pin and handed the money to the guy.
The man smiled in a cheeky sort of way and nodded while putting the money safely away. Ben pinned the small pin to his jacket. He patted it and walked back to where he last saw Barnaby. Sarah and Barnaby were near to Barnaby’s car, almost ready to head off. Ben’s heart quickened. He was about to finally come out to his boss and his wife after knowing them for a good year or so. After taking a deep breath, he stood next to Barnaby and waited for their response.
Sarah was the first to notice a small pink, purple and blue pin on Ben’s jacket. It took her a minute for her brain to remember what the flag was. When she did, she smiled warmly at Ben who had gone a bit shy and awkward now. Barnaby turned to Ben to say something but his eyes locked onto the pin as it stood out from his neutral-coloured clothes. He raised an eyebrow at his sergeant, the cogs in his brain working hard to figure out what the flag represented. Barnaby wasn’t all that clued up with LGBT+ flags. Ben noticed his boss was struggling so he decided to give him more of a verbal response.
“It’s the Bisexual flag, sir” Ben said in almost a whisper, a slight tremble in his voice. This was the first time in a long time he had come out to anyone and was slightly fearful of what reaction he was going to get.
“Ah” Barnaby nodded; a bit surprised to begin with. Ben had always talked about women and the women he had gone out with but Barnaby quickly retracted that thought as it didn’t matter to the fact if Ben was Bisexual or not.
Ben shifted his standing position, feeling tense and even more awkward than before. Neither Sarah or Barnaby had really said anything. Ben worried that he has made them feel awkward and now it was just one big awkward mess.
Sarah spoke up “I’m glad you’ve told us, Ben.” She hugged him and Ben felt like some weight had lifted off his shoulders. Sarah pulled away and looked at John intently, wondering what her husband was going to say.
“Thank you for sharing that, Jones. Must have taken a lot of courage.” Barnaby smiled at him and Ben beamed. He felt so relieved that the people closest to him were accepting of his sexuality.
Barnaby patted ben on the back “Well, I’ll see you in work tomorrow, bright and early.”
“Goodnight Ben.” Sarah chimed in.
Ben wished them both a good night and headed off home himself, feeling on top of the world.