Work Text:
The 28th of June saw the streets of New York flowing with colours of the rainbow in every gradient possible. It was early, yet the sun was high in the sky and beaming down on the concrete jungle as Arizona opened the curtains to their apartment, gazing down at the rainbow river beneath them. Even from 17 floors up, she could hear the music and excited chatter faintly through the ajar window. She caught herself smiling, her gaze wistful. She was meant to be working today.
There was the soft pad of footsteps behind her as Callie entered the living room, standing just behind Arizona, her hands finding Arizona’s waist. Arizona leaned backwards into her, Callie’s height allowing Arizona to comfortably nuzzle into her wife’s neck, breathing in her scent. “Good morning, Calliope.” She murmured. Callie bent her head to give Arizona a kiss on the cheek. “You wanna go to the march?” Callie asked.
“I wish. I’m working. And you’ve got to take Sofia to school.” Arizona said practically.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got it alllll sorted.” Callie said, and Arizona could hear her smile in her voice. They really could read each other like a book.
“Sofia! Work!” Arizona protested, resistant only because she hated not knowing what was happening. Callie knew this, knew that Arizona needed to know every detail of every plan. But she also wanted Arizona to let her do this for her. “Arizona, trust me. I’ve got it sorted.” She said firmly, and Arizona knew better then to try and get it out of her.
“Now, go and put on your jeans and a shirt. I need to make Sof breakfast.” She said, steering Arizona, who was giggling, towards their bedroom.
“Sof! Come here.” She called across the apartment as the door closed behind Arizona. Sofia practically flew into the kitchenette as Callie rifled through the cupboards. “Rice Krispies or Weetabix?” She asked her daughter, who had her hair tied in wonky pigtails. “Krispies!” Sofia chirped, holding out the bowl that Arizona had set out the night before.
Callie poured the Rice Krispies into the bowl. “Do you wanna do the milk?” She asked. Sofia nodded. She liked to hear the crackling sound that they made once moistened. Callie smiled, handing over the milk carton and placing a hand over Sofia’s, guiding them towards the bowl, steadying the carton as the milk splashed into the bowl.
“Cool, eat up quickly! Aunty Nicole’s coming in five.” Callie said.
“You did not get Nicole to walk her to school!” Arizona called from inside the bedroom.
“You’re focusing on getting ready, Zona!” Callie reminded her.
The door swung open and Nicole Herman appeared in the doorway – as per usual, she didn’t bother knocking or giving them any warning. (This had worked out badly for Callie and Arizona one evening after they’d had a few drinks, and although Nicole couldn’t see, she could certainly hear.)
“Torres!” She barked. Callie hurried towards the door, grabbing Sofia’s backpack on the way. “Come on, Sof!” She said.
Nicole rolled her eyes. “I’m only doing this for Robbins.” She said.
Callie scoffed. “Yeah, yeah.” She said. “You love Sofia.”
Once the door had shut behind them and Arizona had emerged from the bedroom, wearing bootcut jeans and a black tanktop reading ‘SEATTLE PRIDE, 2016’ from when she’d gone with a few of her queer colleagues.
Callie’s breath caught. “You’re so beautiful.” She murmured, moving towards Arizona, pulling her in by the waist and kissing her softly. Arizona laughed against Callie’s mouth, melting into her. Arizona tried to move towards the couch. “Hey, we’ve got a parade to get to.” Callie laughed, slowly moving away from Arizona, although it was reluctant.
Callie opened up the closet by the door, pulling out two flags – one striped with the colours of a sunset, tangerine all the way to a deep pink, and the other bold blues, purples and pinks. “Look, they’re coming out of the closet.” Callie joked, and Arizona laughed, even though it was pathetic.
“For you, M’Lady.” Callie said, kneeling down and presenting Arizona with the Lesbian flag, pulling the Bisexual one over her own shoulders. “I love you so fucking much, Calliope.” Arizona said as she took the flag into her hands, wearing it as a cape.
The streets were heaving as they exited the apartment building, allowing themselves to get swept up by the flow of people brandishing flags. They fell into step with two men, both wearing the vibrant blues of the gay pride flag.
They greeted Callie and Arizona enthusiastically, introducing themselves as Kody and Seb. Kody had dark skin and a wiry build with lean muscles, and Seb was shorter, with glasses that perched on the end of his nose and a blonde fringe that fell over his face.
“So, you two are together then?” Callie asked, putting her arm around Arizona. Kody nodded. “We met in Junior high. Played at being ‘best friends’ until we got the hell out of there – red state.” Kody said, squeezing Seb’s hand. Arizona smiled. “What about you guys?” Asked Kody.
Arizona and Callie glanced at eachother, a mutual agreement to tell the shorter story. “We met ten years ago at the hospital we worked at, were together for about two years before Calliope had our daughter, then we ended up divorced a few years later.” Arizona said, grinning at the confused looks that had flashed across both men’s faces. “And then we realised we couldn’t do it without one another and remarried.” Callie added.
“You two are literally adorable. I can’t believe you were ever divorced.” Seb offered.
“Neither can I, to be honest.” Arizona said, linking her arm up with Callie.