Work Text:
It's unbearingly hot as the gang pitches a canopy tent. “Dude, why does pride month have to be the hottest time of the year..” Lan groans, shielding the rays from his eyes.
“Because.” Styles starts, kicking the feet of a table out, “It’s giving these fairies a sneak peak of what's coming for them later down the line. This is what hell is like.” He says, looking around in mild disgust.
Lan’s lips press together as he tries to suppress a laugh. The booth next to them, some older couple who are selling badly made crochet coasters for an outrageous amount of money give them a nasty glare.
“Dude, you can't go saying those things around…these people.” Lan murmurs. Styles rolls his eyes, “My bad.” He says exasperatingly. A beat. “Are you gonna be useful or are you just goin’ to ogle at those queers all day.” He asks Lan, who was staring off across the street, where a group of people, presumably in drag, are getting in formation to join the parade.
“It’s hard not to look, bro. They're wearing so many rhinestones and the sun is reflecting off all of them. It’s blinding me.”
“Mhm. Sure, whatever you say. Unpack the boxes from the back, won't you? The quicker we sell out, the quicker we can leave.”
“Alright, Alright! Jesus.” Lan leans into the back of his older beat up car. “We wouldn't have to do this much work if Cameron showed up.”
“True. But he didn't, so what can we do?”
“Dude, he’s totally flaking. He called saying he had a ‘family emergency.’ I mean, he’s used the whole ‘My grandma died’ excuse four times now! Nobody has that many grandmas!”
“You don't know that. He’s from down south and stuff. Like.. Alabama. They got those freaky blue people that marry their cousins and stuff.”
“Yeah, well Cameron's not blue, so.”
“Woah. Didn't plan on seeing you two here.” A voice called, the two turned to see Cas, dressed in a shirt with the word ‘PRIDE MONTH’ written in bold text with the letters ‘D-E-M-O-N’ highlighted. She held a sign with some witty and vulgar homophobic slogan on it.
“Nice shirt.” Lan giggled.
“Can't believe they let you in here. You're behind enemy lines.” Styles said, sitting on the table as he watched Lan begin to unpack.
“No one let me in. I hopped that fence over there by Sixth Street. The Anti-pride rally was real boring.” Cas said, pointing over her shoulder.
“Daaamn. You must be really athletic to hop that fence. Didn't know women could be so strong.” Lan said, leaning on the bar of the tent and stumbling as it shifted under his weight.
“Uh huh.” Cas deadpanned. “Anyways, what are you guys doing out here?”
“Oh, Y’know.” Styles shrugs. “After we made so much money that one night we were a gay bar we decided why not capitalize off homos some more?”
“Paddy’s was what?” Cas asks.
“Frank sent us out here to run a stand. We got like.. Shirts and stuff.” Lan says.
“Dude.. No ones gonna buy these, be for real.” Styles said, perusing the shirts. They were just the normal Paddy’s pub shirts, only brightly rainbowed colored and made out of a horrible scratchy glittery fabric.
“What? No. I– I’d totally wear this if I was gay. Gay people will wear anything.” Lan said, holding the shirt up to him.
Style’s tilted his head, as if considering. He surveyed the people around them, taking in their clothing, then shrugged. “Yeah, you're right.”
“Dude– What the hell? Is that Cameron?” Cas asked, the three turned to see across the street. There sat another stand. The banner above read ‘Philly Pride 365 - Youth Association’.
Lan blinked. “Dude, there's no way.” He squinted at the figure setting up a few pamphlets and trinkets on the table.
“Yeah, Cameron’s supposed to be at a funeral or something.” Styles said, now also squinting.
“No, that's totally Cameron. I only know one person In Philly with a dye job that is that horrific. I mean that's not even blonde– it’s like the color of dry straw.” Cas said, resting a hand on her hip.
Lan looked at the two and then– “Hey cam!”
Cameron, who looked to be enjoying himself, looked up. His hair was pulled in a half up-half down style to keep it out of his face. He wore a cropped shirt that sported the same logo that the banner above him did, as well as some high waisted bell bottom jeans. He peered around, and when he caught sight of who was calling him, he froze.
His smile immediately faded. What the hell were Lan and Styles doing here? What the hell was Cas doing here??
The group noticed Cameron’s gaze. “No, that’s totally him.” Lan says.
“Dude– What the hell is he doing at a Pride Parade?” Styles asks.
“Dunno. Why don't we go ask him.” Cas said, striding across the street.
Cameron swallowed, suddenly looking like he was about to either puke or faint. He tried to avoid eye contact with the three as they approached, but it wasn’t long before Lan was leaning against the booth.
“Dude. You said you were at a funeral.” Styles said, checking Cameron up and down. His brow furrowed slightly.
“I knew it! I told you– no one has four grandmas!” Lan cut in.
“I– I know what I said..” Cameron mumbles, his fingers tangling and interlocking in a nervous manner.
“What the hell are you doing at this rainbow parade?” Cas asked snarkily.
Cameron’s face scrunched in discomfort as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. Eventually, he let out a small sigh. “I’m… Here with the LGBTQ+ Youth Association.”
“Ah dude, did you get community hours again?”
“No. I… volunteer. Willingly.”
“You do this willingly..? You hang around a bunch of fags?..”
Cameron winced slightly at the word. Sure, he’d heard it so many times before, especially from the guys at the bar, but this time sounded much more derogatory.
“..Yes.”
“Dude… why?” Styles asked.
Cameron went to open his mouth and was cut off immediately.
“Dude, what the fuck’s on your shirt?” Cas asked. Sitting on Cameron’s shirt was a pin with some design on it. A flag with blue, pink and white stripes.
There was no point in lying or dodging the question. He might as well come clean.
“..Guy’s I-.. I’m trans.”
“You’re what?” Lan asks.
“Tell me your fucking joking.,” Cas said with a smirk on her face.
“Nope.” Cameron mumbled, his voice small.
“So what– you're turning into a girl now??” Styles asked, disgust in his voice.
Cameron swallowed. “No. I’m uh. I’ve been trans. For a while. Since.. Before I moved here. I used to be a girl.. Long long time ago–”
“YOU USED TO BE A GIRL?” Lan blurts out.
Cas’s face crumbled as she held back a laugh. It wasn't much use, as she doubled forward and began laughing.
Cameron’s face pinched and he seemed to shrink.
“You've been a girl. This whole fucking time?” Style asks with a grin.
“No. I'm not a girl–”
Cas gasped, trying to regain her breath from laughing. “..Oh- Dude! That’s what it is?? This whole time I thought you were gay– You're just one of those sissy’s!”
Cameron winced. Each of Cas’s sharp laughs ricochet in his brain. Feelings of deep, internalized shame and self hatred started to bubble up again for the first time in years.
“This explains so much!” Lan hollered before joining in on Cas’s laughter.
Cameron stood there awkwardly, trying desperately to keep his tears at bay as the three laughed and made snide remarks.
“So– So..” Lan stammered, catching his breath. “I gotta ask dude. Do you still have–”
Cameron’s expression changed from shame to offense. He took a step back from his booth. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He snapped.
“Woah! Just asking!” Lan raised his hands in mock surrender.
“Oh my GOD. This is Hilarious.” Cas said, wiping a tear away. “I always knew there was something up with you. God, I just never thought..”
“So like– What's your real name?” Styles asked with a wicked grin. Cameron bristled.
“..I have to get going.” He said coldly. “I’ll miss my spot in the parade.” He mumbled, grabbing his phone and leaving the booth.
“Yeah, Have fun with that, Tinkerbell!” Lan called as Cameron walked away with his head bowed low. As soon as he was far enough away, the three erupted into a fit of giggles and insults thrown behind Cameron's back.