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Too much belly skin. Just, too much for his brain to process, so Tommy’s hands automatically pull down the fabric as much as he can, only for it to spring back to its place the moment he lets it go. The mirror shows him some hairy spots that lead to the beginning of his happy trail. Tommy sighs, turning to the side to have a better look of himself, not knowing how he’s been convinced to do that. Well, he does know.
After some wet kisses and the best bribe blow job, he was able to do anything Evan asked. Alright, maybe a friendly request would have been enough, but playing hard to catch is pretty profitable, as Evan loves using his charming hidden talents as currency of exchange.
Not that Tommy is complaining.
But he’s willing to share this parade with Evan. It’s not his personal comfort zone, it never was, but just to see his sunshine happy makes it worthy. That, and the perfect closure he has planned for that day, that leaves his heart skipping.
He's still pulling down his croc top when he appears in the living room. Evan and Eddie are there, chatting nonsense, when they turn around to see him. Eddie burst in loud laughter, bending over himself, while Evan is stunned, checking him from his feet to his head.
“Baby, you look...”
“Ridiculous?”
“Amazing.”
“I’m with Tommy.” Eddie whines, wiping a couple of tears. “Oh, man, please tell me you’ll get a year of chores done after this.”
“Don’t be stupid, Eddie.” Evan protests, getting close to Tommy. “He got something way better than that... You look incredible.” He whispers then, leaving a quick peck on Tommy’s lips. Then he turns to Eddie. “So, what do you think? Don’t we look just great?”
Tommy’s croc top is gradient pink, lavender and sky blue, with a wide black legend on the chest that says “I LOVE MY BI BOYFRIEND”, combined with khaki cargo shorts and white tennis, comfortable enough to face the hot June summer day that awaits them. On his side, Evan is wearing a way much shorter gradient green, white and blue top, barely covering the bottom of his chest, with a similar legend as Tommy’s: “I LOVE MY GAY BOYFRIEND”. Bit slutty denim shorts continue the outfit, also with white tennis and his compression stocking. Tommy still doesn't know how he was able to get himself a rainbow stocking, but there it was, bright and colorful, just like Evan.
“Wow...” Eddie nods, not really sure on what to say, staring at the bizarre image of his friends. “Don’t you think this is a little too much?”
“Oh, c’mon, I promise this is fine. You should have seen the other options.” Tommy jokes. “I’m really lucky here.”
“Do I wanna know the other options?” Eddie squints, arms crossed.
“They weren’t that bad.” Evan frowns. “I mean, I saw a combo of “I'M STUPID and I'M FUCKING STUPID”, and...
“Actually, these don’t look that bad at all, to be honest.” Eddie laughs.
“Of course I was gonna be the stupid, you know?” Evan winks at Tommy. “Then I saw one with a rainbow baguette on the chest and listen.” Evan gestures, super excited of sharing the witty plot twist. “Instead of “baguette”, it said “faguette”. Huh? What about that? Genius, right?”
“I’m not-- I won’t say a word.” Tommy murmurs, raising his hands. “I told you this was just fine.”
“Really, Buck?” Eddie laughs. “Where is the one with the bowl of QUEERIOS, then?”
“Well, actually that would be a cool one, Eddie! See, Tommy? He understands what we are doing here. I still don’t know how you’re wearing a plain tee.”
The plain tee Evan refers is black, with a rainbow legend: “TOKEN STRAIGHT FRIEND”, which Eddie accepted to wear to stop hearing Evan whining about how bad friend he was for joining the parade and not wearing something appropriate.
“Someone has to be the rational guy today, buddy. I’m totally not trusting you on that, and Tommy, well... I trusted him until five minutes ago.”
“I feel I don’t trust myself either in this thin piece of fabric. I feel so exposed!” Tommy exclaims, pulling his croc top down once again. A wild hand suddenly slaps his, making him let go.
“Stop doing that, you’ll ruin it.” Evan grumbles him. “So, ready to go?”
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The whole street is a colorful explosion of people, music and different flags, that can be spotted up to the horizon, where the guys’ eyes can reach. Evan is already laughing, skipping his way through the crow, dragging Tommy by the hand. Eddie’s behind them, trying not to lose them from his sight as several people cross his path.
“So, you’re the straight friend?”
A blond slim guy stands in front of Eddie, making him stop, pointing as his tee. He’s full make up on his face, like he has only seen in those shows he finds sometimes on the TV, with glossy pink lips and enormous, long lashes.
“I, uh...” Eddie babbles, perplexed with how his personal space was already invaded, after only being there for a few moments.
“Well, if you ever change your mind...” The guy leaves a pink kiss on his cheek. “You can look for me.”
Eddie stares at him leaving, as Evan approaches.
“Wow, that was so...”
“Yeah...” Evan nods, following his eyes. “I wonder where he got such a cool make up.”
“Nice kiss, by the way.” Tommy exclaims, smiling.
“Ok, Tommy, don’t separate from me. I promised my kid I’ll come home in one piece, tonight.”
“Well, you can join me to get a beer, then.” Tommy offers, before an already nodding Eddie. “Evan, don’t move from here. We’ll be back in a second. Anything you want?”
“Yeah, a tequila shot. To drink from you, honey.” He exclaims, raising his voice because of the louder music coming from a parade truck full of rainbow balloons and dozens of guys dancing on the top of it.
“Alright, a beer then.” Tommy states. “Come on, Diaz. Grab my belt if you don’t wanna get lost.” And Eddie does, automatically, only to lose it a second after.
“Wha-- I’m not-- grabbing your belt.” He murmurs, frowning.
“Don’t worry, these people don’t bite... unless you ask them.” Evan says, and his eyes move then to a ridiculously big bear coming right to him. He even feels small, as he looks at that giant, hairy and round stomach, his wide hairy chest and shoulders, and his black bushy beard, way up to meet his brown eyes. His dazzled eyes can only stare in silence, as this big bear smiles in slow motion, before sucking a rainbow popsicle that looks really tiny between his thick fingers. Evan can’t help then but pin his eyes on that popsicle.
“H-hey...” He murmurs.
“Hey, yourself.” The deep voice chills his bone, even with the loud music. He never saw a bear in real life, and something about the size of that man sends a rush of heat to his core.
“So big...” He can only babbles, and his hand directs himself to touch that round belly. But he stops himself, clearing his throat. “I-I’m sorry, uh, I...”
“It’s ok, you can touch.” He says, and the belly moves as the words come out. “They say it brings good luck.”
“Good luck is what I’ll need if one of these guys ever gets me.” He thinks, amazed.
“Oh, I-I don’t wanna bother.”
“Go ahead. You can’t deny a little of good luck, can you?”
“I guess not...” Evan smiles, and his hand continues its way to that giant belly, brushing his fingers on the thick dark hair. Feels funny. He rubs then a little more confident, snorting happy like a kid when he touches a kitty for the first time.
“You’re not bad yourself, big boy.” The bear says, checking him up. “Nice body you got. I like that pale belly, too.”
“Oh, wow, ok, thanks?” Evan smirks.
“So, where’s that boyfriend of yours?”
“Uh, b-boyfriend? How--” The man points at his croc top with the melting popsicle, with a couple of sweet drops falling on it. “Oh.” He smirks, nervous. “He, uh, h-he went to, uh, he-- tequila shots?”
“Nice. Well, that’s a shame.” The bear raises his hand and places it on Evan’s cheek, rubbing it so firmly that makes Evan shiver inside. He secretly thanks that his tight denim shorts don’t allow his hard on to show. “I would really like you to lick my... popsicle.”
“Who’s gonna lick what?” Tommy asks, interrupting them, and Evan turns his head slowly, still stunned by the image of himself giving that popsicle a taste.
“Oh, here’s the boyfriend.” The bear smiles. “Well, I have enough popsicles for both of you, if he wants to join... Or the three of you.” His smile gets wider, as he looks at Eddie. “Straight guys are my menu for Tuesdays.” Eddie blushes, half hiding behind Tommy.
“We much appreciate your invitation, Sir, but we pass this time.” Tommy smirks, handing Evan one of the beers. “We don’t want our drinks to get warm.”
“Next time, then.” The bear smiles, nicely, and continues his march, following the parade truck.
“Uhm, that man was...” Eddie clears his throat.
“I think I want him.” Evan murmurs, eyes lost, sipping his beer.
“Honey, you’ll want practically everyone you’ll meet today, trust me. And the same goes for you, Diaz. So, just let it flow and don’t feel bad if you imagine yourself banging the first person that exchanges sights with you for the next hours we’re here.”
“Did you see the size of his belly? I could suit myself for a full nap on there, Tommy.”
“Yeah, I saw, baby. What, did you wanna go with him?”
“Wh-what?” Evan frowns. “N-no, I could never-- I mean, I think I’m discovering the true meaning of my dick having its own brain.”
“Ha, ha, ha.” That’s a new one. To be fair, your dick is more reasonable than you, sometimes.” Tommy laughs, leaning for a kiss. Evan moans softly as cold beer lips join his own. “I love how your dick thinks... and acts, and looks, and tast--”
“Can we not talk about Buck’s dick, please?” Eddie protests, covering his ears with the bottle of water still in his hand.
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Next parade truck approaching bounces slightly to the beat of one of the old Lady Gaga hits, and at least twenty or twenty-five versions of her dance and twist on the top. Lady Gaga is one of Evan’s favorites, so they follow that truck for a few blocks, until their beers run out and they cross with a blue-haired girl that catches Eddie’s attention.
“Kinda crazy for what I can remember of your taste in women, Diaz.” Tommy observes, when the girl stops next to them. She has a little bag on her hand, two rainbow flags painted on her cheeks and a big blue butterfly on her forehead, matching the color of her long braided hair. “But I gotta admit, she’s hot.”
“Hey, guys!” She exclaims. “Want a flag?”
“A-a what?” Eddie mutters.
“A flag.” She repeats, taking from the bag a couple of tiny plastic cases with colorful paint. “Do you want a flag painted? It can be your face, or wherever you like. Let me see...” She jumps her eyes between the three of them, then points at Tommy. “So... you’re the gay one, you’re the bi one...” She adds, moving her finger to Evan, and finally to Eddie. “And you’re the cutie-pie-straight one. Wow, such a diverse group you have! I’d love to spy on a Friday game night of yours!”
“You wouldn’t miss much with us but my friend here...” Evan grabs Eddie from the shoulders. “He’s the most fun guy in the whole world!” Eddie frowns, looking aside to him, as she smirks confused, taking place in front of Evan, and shows him two paint cases.
“So, cutie, which one do you want? Your bi one, or your boyfriend’s gay one?”
“Oh, the bi one.” He responds, excited, as she grabs his chin and moves it to one side, sliding the paint case over his skin, forming a perfect bi flag. She does the same with the other side.
“Beautiful.” She giggles, pulling his head down to match her height and leaves a quick peck on his lips. Before a mesmerized Evan, she moves to Tommy, asking the same question. Tommy chooses the gay paint, receiving two flags on his cheeks and a peck on his lips.
“Please, tell me you’ll want a flag, too.” She says then, standing in front of Eddie. “I promise a kiss right after, like your friends.”
“Oh, I... ok?” Eddie babbles.
“Cool. We’ll make it with the rainbow one, is that ok, handsome? Just to match your outfit.”
“Yeah, that’s... ok.” She paints him the rainbow flags and his kiss, instead of the other two, is longer and a bit deeper. Tommy and Evan stare with open eyes as they separate. She winks at Eddie as she disappears in the crowd.
“Oh my God, I love her.” Evan sighs, taking his hand to his lips. He turns to Tommy, who’s looking at him with loving eyes.
“I know, kid.” Tommy smiles, softly. He pulls him close to him and wraps him in his arms.
“Ooh, these are some nice biceps you have.” Evan mutters with muffled voice, as his fingers squeeze Tommy’s hard rock flexed muscles. Tommy burst in a laugh, enjoying the fact that Evan seems to love everything that day. And he adores seeing his boyfriend like that, free and simply happy of the world that surrounds him.
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Evan’s eyes follow a peachy ass covered in silver sequined shorts that cross them a few blocks further. They’re having their second beer, and they still have some more blocks to make it to the center stage, where a drag race is gonna begin in a couple of hours.
The hot muscled guy carrying the peachy ass sounds familiar to Tommy, but he’s not sure where from.
“Wait, that was... Victor? Victor Harris?” Eddie exclaims.
“What? You recognize him from his ass?” Evan jokes, turning to him.
“No, man.” Eddie rolls his eyes. “I’m not only looking at asses, today, unlike you.”
“Diaz is right.” Tommy nods, sipping his beer. “That guy was just a recruit when I was leaving the Army.”
“I shared a couple of years with him... He was married with two kids... Who would have thought...” Eddie murmurs, thoughtful.
“Who would have thought he could fit in those shorts!” Tommy exclaims, laughing.
“I can only dream on the day you wear something that fabulous...” Evan sighs, when the silver shorts disappear from his sight.
“Honey, you’re the glittery side of the team. You better appreciate this slice of bacon you can see over here.” Tommy gestures to the bare skin off his croc top.
“Oh, yes, and I can see your calves, Tommy, don’t you think it’s a little too bold for you?”
“Actually, it is. If it wasn’t for this horrendous hot day, you won’t be seeing anything more than my sexy wrists.”
“Ooh, lucky me.” Evan whines, waving a tiny rainbow flag someone gave him a few minutes ago. He looks around. So many people, so many hot girls in translucid fabrics, so many big bears he definitely wants to know better, so many colors and glitter that catch his attention wherever he looks.
“Oh, my God, look at that!” Eddie exclaims, pointing to a group of five or six guys dressed up like firefighters. Sexy and not at all protocol uniforms that are formed by black helmets, beige cargo mini shorts with thin suspenders holding them from their shoulders. Black heavy boots on their feet complete the outfits. One of them carries a yellow hose across his chest, another has an inflatable giant axe, but is the banner another guy is holding that makes Eddie laugh.
“MEET THE REAL FIREHOSE”
“Somebody’s taking your credit, Buck.” He elbows Evan, who’s jaw drops to the floor. “You should go there and claim your crown.”
“Firehose?” Tommy turns to them.
“You never told him?” Eddie raises his eyebrows.
“Tell me what?”
“The himbo, Tommy, we talked about that...” Evan says, uncomfortable, and drinks up his beer, almost half his glass.
“Himbo?” Eddie asks, confused.
“The Firehose was the himbo predecessor.” Evan explains, for both of them. “From the times I... used to steal firetrucks and... Bobby was not so proud of me.”
“Oh... that time...” Tommy hums, eyes wide open. “Ok, I get the picture. I never thought I could give you a kinky pet name for our sexy moments, but Firehose is a good one.”
“Please, don’t. Don’t wanna go back to those times. Not really proud of them, either.”
“Wait a minute, who calls you himbo?” Eddie frowns.
“It’s a long story, but no one calls him that... nowadays.” Tommy says, after a gulp from his beer. “Specially not me.”
“We should really ask the Captain to renew our summer outfits, Eddie, what do you think?” Evan’s eyes are pinned to those guys, to the colorful glitter stuck on their wet shoulders and chests, to the thick thighs and round asses wanting to break free from the mini shorts. He shakes his head.
“I’d love to see you in that uniform, baby.” Tommy murmurs, pulling Evan close by the waist with his free hand, to place a warm kiss on his mouth. His hand runs down to grab his ass, and sinks his fingers on one of his cheeks, making his dick wake up again.
“That ass would look so yummy.” They join their lips together, deepening the kiss, in part thanks to the couple of beers they already had, and in part because of the free-love-vibe they’re surrounded with, that carries them away. Eddie clears his throat, loud, but they don’t seem to notice him, as Tommy moans when they tongues get into action.
“Ok, guys, not trying to ruin the mood you got, but... Actually, I do wanna ruin it! I feel awkward standing here watching the two of you get horny.”
“Ok, that was the beer.” Tommy murmurs, separating, as he wipes lowkey the corner of his lips. “Sorry about that.”
“I’m not sorry, I want more!” Evan pouts, love drunk, pulling Tommy once again, but he keeps his distance, holding his hands.
“Evan, behave, hold that thought for later.”
“Ok, I’m out of here. I’m going to find the stage.” Eddie states.
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The incredible stage is a three-feet high wooden platform where a pretty decent Orville Peck imitator is playing a country-styled old guitar, while he sings with a similar deep voice. Tommy tilts his head to the singer, once they make it to the front. Not so many people are there yet, so they get first positions. The guy on the stage is wearing a Lone Ranger black mask, a rhinestone cowboy hat and a feather snake around his neck, over his bare chest, along with long Levi’s denim pants and cowboy boots.
“Is that... like, Orville Peck he’s singing?” He asks, squinting.
“You know Orville Peck?” Eddie exclaims, turning to him.
“Do you know Orville Peck, Eddie?” Evan frowns, amazed. “H-how...?”
“Oh, I know him from you, man. You gotta admit he has a very particular style, not so easy to forget.”
“I also know him from you, sweetheart.” Tommy says, nonchalant. “You play it all the time in the truck.”
“I thought you never paid attention!” Evan smiles.
“How can’t I, baby? It’s like the soundtrack of our drives.” Tommy smiles. “Now, if you excuse me, I need to find a restroom...”
“Oh, yeah, I’ll join--”
“No, no, baby, you stay here.” Tommy stops him, grabbing him from the shoulders.
“You said we should not separate, Tommy. What if we get lost? I’m not with my phone, I had no space in these pants to bring it. Besides, you told me we’ll be together and--”
“Diaz stays with you, sweetheart. And he has a cellphone. So, if anything, I’ll call him, alright? Won’t take long, I promise.”
“Give him a break, Buck.” Eddie exclaims, once they’re alone. “He’s an adult, I’m sure he can take care of himself.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” Evan murmurs, staring at Tommy as he goes, until the crowd don’t allow him to see him anymore. He turns to the stage then, trying to focus his attention to the guy who’s still performing. “I like his hat...”
“Yeah, it’s... definitely a choice.”
“It’s a costume, Eddie. The singer uses them. He’s practically cosplaying.” Evan makes a pause, a bit sadder, and sighs. “You know? Sometimes I wish Tommy would be a little bit more... uh....”
“Gayer?”
“No, not gayer.” Evan snorts. “He’s gay enough. I mean, I love him the way he is, but today, for example. I’d really love if he could have dared to maybe wear something fancier, more extravagant. Like, for a parade?”
“Maybe is not his style, period. It’s not a big deal.” Eddie says, shrugging. “If he’s comfortable in a tank top and some cargos, what’s the problem?”
“No, no problem. I just… saw a couple on our way here, they were both in black latex shorts, with a huge rainbow body paint on their chests and matching words on their backs of JUST MARRIED. Even though Tommy and I never spoke about getting married... or, well, I mentioned it a couple of times.” He makes a pause, eyes still on the stage. “Despite that, I’d love if we could assist places like these on matching painted words, you know? Something incredibly fabulous, like the guys I just saw.”
“Wait a moment.” Eddie exclaims, frowning. “You talked about getting married and you’re telling me just now? When did it happen? What did he say?”
“Oh, don’t celebrate.” Evan sighs, a bit disappointed. “I might have slipped it in some random conversations two or three times, but I never got a proper answer from him. I mean, I don’t wanna make a big deal about it, because he didn’t make a big deal about it, so I never mentioned it again.”
“You never asked him-asked him?”
“No, I was like Oh, if we get married sometime, we could have, this thing, for example, or hey, that will look so cool in a wedding party, or else.”
“Evan Buckley!” Eddie exclaims, arms akimbo. “So, you’re telling me that you, the master of romance, the daydreamer, most spontaneous and loving man in this whole world, are afraid of asking Tommy to marry you? I mean... you really want to get married? For real?”
The guy on the stage retires with some vague applause from the small audience, and some background dance music invades the air.
“I’m not afraid.” Evan exclaims and a soft smile appears in his lips. “But yeah... that would be... nice. Getting married.” He remembers an old question Josh once made him. “I can really see a future for us. And speaking of the Devil.” He raises his voice,
looking back to where Tommy left. “Where is Tommy? Shouldn’t he be here already?”
“Excuse me. Excuse me?”
Evan turns his head to a familiar voice on the stage. Tommy's there, behind the mic. But his face is not the first thing that catches his attention. Is his bare chest. His wide muscled chest, splattered in golden glitter, as well as his shoulders. Are the rainbow sequined shorts, sparkling bright with the reflect of the sun on them, gasping for air around his firm hips. Are the military boots that make his wide thighs so sexy. Tommy has his cheeks still painted in green, white and blue, but someone has combed his curls with some glittery golden gel.
Evan jaw drops for the second time that day.
“Is that... Tommy?” Eddie exclaims, stunned. “What the--”
“I'm sorry, I won’t steal much of your time.” Tommy taps the mic a couple of times.
“You can steal anything you want, sweety!” a wild voice yells from the crowd, and a small group of people laugh as Tommy smiles shyly.
“Yeah, well. The reason I'm up here now is... Evan, Evan, baby?”
“Oh, my God...” Evan whispers, hand over his mouth. “What is he wearing? What is he doing? Did you know anything about this?”
“What? No!”
“Evan.” Tommy clears his throat. “I’m wearing my… most elegant outfit, as you can see...” He smirks, not believing how can he be standing there, exposing himself like that. “…for this special occasion, honey.” Evan smiles, with teary eyes. “And I know how much you love romance and... well, public demonstrations, even though they’re really not my style, but... You deserve this. You deserve me pleasing you in every opportunity I have, and you deserve to have that magnificent chocolate fountain at our wedding party you told me the other day, remember?”
The crowd suddenly is in complete silence.
“And... for you to have that, we need two things, right? A chocolate fountain...” He smiles, along with some soft laughs from the crowd, but Evan can’t laugh with them. His heart is about to come out of his chest, pumping so fast it even hurts. He can’t even move his shaky hands from his mouth. “And a wedding, my love... And since we don't have that either, it makes me ask you...”
Evan gasps in silence, as Tommy takes his hand to the back of his shorts, and holds in the air a little black box. The crowd cheers and applause out loud, making Tommy smile again.
“Evan, my love...” He speaks, but he can’t barely be heard, so he raises his tone, opening the box. “Evan, will you marry me?” Everybody goes crazy, clapping and shouting to celebrate. After a few moments, they go back in quiet, waiting for the answer.
Eddie shakes Evan a little, waking up from his trance.
“C’mon, dude!” He smiles.
“Of course I will.” Evan murmurs, with tears in his eyes.
“Baby, I can’t hear you from here.” Tommy mutters, getting closer to the mic.
“Of course I will!” He screams, coping his mouth with the hands to direct his voice, and the crowd goes crazy one more time.
“Go down there and kiss your man, sugar!” another voice yells, and Tommy does, springing down the three feet of the stage in one jump, to meet Evan in a tight hug. Evan wraps his arms round Tommy’s glittered shoulders.
“I’ll marry you.” He whispers, kissing the colors of his flag, and then his lips.
“Wait, wait.” Tommy murmurs, separating. Evan’s croc top and arms are fully covered in glitter as well. “Here, before I lose it.” He takes the ring from the box. “May I?”
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