Work Text:
Robert Park - formerly Robert Robertson the Third - was bisexual.
It was a fact, like how the grass was naturally green or how Beef was adorable.
Granted, he didn't figure that out until his twenties. When he'd been a kid and teen, between all the pressure to become Mecha Man and his father's constant reminders about "Legacy," Robert shoved anything not heteronormative into a little box in his brain or simply wrote it off. He couldn't be gay because he liked girls, even if some guys at his school made his heart race a little. It was just hormones, and he had to focus on the Job.
Then he snapped, ran, and those first few years had been so consumed by just surviving and staying where his father couldn't see him that he didn't have the emotional bandwidth to consider Relations, capital R for Romance.
And then he'd started googling everything, self-teaching as he tried to come to terms with it all. He tried different titles, different ways of thinking, and eventually broke down to a not-cousin about his fears and feelings.
Simon was fantastic. 12/10 best not-cousin ever.
While Robert was aware that no one in his current sphere was outwardly homophobic, and that several of Dae and Jian's nieces and nephews fell somewhere in the Alphabet Mafia, he also had a small Robbie over his shoulder, hissing in his ear that, while Gay was "fine," it "wasn't for them." That Robertson men had to be tough, that they needed to hold a "Legacy," which, to Robbie, included biological children.
Gay was Fine as long as it wasn't Robert.
Simon didn't out Robert to anyone. Held his secret close, but also held Robert's hand as he slowly came to terms with it and came out to the rest of the Song extended family.
He thought about this now because it was June, and that meant it was Pride Month.
Robert remembered his first Pride. He'd attended in a neighboring town, just walking around and keeping his head down, looking at stalls and feeling so scared that someone would recognize him, rat him out to his new family or the old ones. Years had gone on, though, and, as Robert truly became, well, himself, Pride became another holiday that he looked forward to.
This year was especially a good one. For the first time, his dating life had lined up with Torrance Pride, and he was going with a significant other as opposed to by himself or with a group of friends and family. He knew that others were going to be there - the "Cousin's" group chat was already scattered with pictures from the bunch - but Robert had turned down the usual group invites to go with Chad.
He may be regretting that, though.
"What the hell are you wearing???"
Robert stood in the entryway to his balcony - because Chad couldn't be normal and use the actual door - lifting an eyebrow at his boyfriend as the man looked over Robert, horrified. Chad was already doused with glitter, make-up at a 12 out of 10 for the colors and expert skill - rainbow eyeshadow, plump red lips, and a carefully drawn Gay Men Pride flag on one cheek, a more general Gay Flag on the other. He wore a mesh cropped top, a harness across his chest underneath, short jean shorts, and black sneakers with a fire pattern on them, glistening with the fire-resistant coating that Royd had helped formulate to prevent normal wear from burning under Chad's normal fire use (a more advanced version of the serum had been later used to fire-proof Chad's work gear). He had a glittery orange and black miniature backpack on his back to finish the look.
Robert was focused on Chad's hair, though. Robert was very used to Chad being in various stages of undress, but loose hair? Robert's weak spot. Chad's hair had some parts pulled back into a half-ponytail, wrapped in a rainbow scrunchy, while the rest fell in waves down his back.
"Huh?"
Robert blinked.
Chad sighed.
"You look like you're going to the office! What, what is this? Bitch, you know we can do better!"
Robert looked down at himself and rolled his eyes. Ah, yes, Chad and his fashionista ways.
"I'm fine, Mr. V-neck." Robert threw back, stepping fully back into his apartment. "Coffee is brewed. I gotta finish my skincare before we go."
"Not in that! That's an atrocity to Pride!"
Robert rolled his eyes again as he entered his bathroom. He hadn't been lying, needing to finish with sunblock application before they went. Robert checked his hair in the mirror, looking over his outfit at the same time. He was choosing a slightly more practical outfit, with black cargo shorts, a button-up white blouse covered in little various pride flags printed all over. He'd found it in a consignment store between his first and second Pride, and now he wore it at least once every year. He had some comfortable sneakers waiting for him in the entryway, laces carefully replaced with bi-colored ones.
Robert snorted as he remembered his first Pride again. Chad would lose it if he knew I wore khakis back then. Robert thought.
Chad was in his doorway, looking Robert up and down. "Bitch, you gotta look fierce! You gotta look fine! What, what is this... ally dad shit?"
"It's my favorite shirt."
"Buh- No fucking way! Come on!"
Robert rolled his eyes as he applied more sunblock to his arms. "It's my annual Pride Shirt. First fest of the season, I wear it. It's tradition."
It wasn't a lie. It was the first piece of wearable Pride he'd bought, and it was a Tradition that he'd made for himself.
...no matter how "dad" it gave off as opposed to Chad's demands for a "daddy" vibe.
Chad groaned, setting his forehead against the doorway. "Alice was right. I have shit taste."
Robert used his hand towel as a projectile, chucking it at the man for that one.
It was a good thing that they ended up driving, because Chad got turned around at the gate.
"What? It's totally within the bag limits!" Chad complained, loudly, as he dumped his bag in the front seat.
Robert looked over the contents of the bag. "You can put this in your po..." Robert paused, looking over Chad again. "No pockets, huh?"
"Shut up, bitch!"
"You know, they had those little clear bags for a reason." Robert deadpanned.
"Fuck that!"
"I can hold it?"
Chad huffed. "No, I refuse. I can solve this."
Robert crossed his arms. While Chad had his famous polarized glasses on, Robert had a simpler pair of black shades on. He'd forgone all of his jewelry otherwise except for the fidget ring.
Yes, that meant his most famous scar was out. Robert was trying to get used to it not being hidden, though he had stuffed a spare cuff in his pocket.
He could hear Harleen in his brain throwing a little party over it. He shooed the mental therapist away.
Chad didn't have much in the main compartment of his car, having been very good about cleaning it constantly. Still, he popped his trunk, looking at whatever he had back there.
He shifted the emergency supplies over and the spare bag of clothes (fire mistakes and superhero things sometimes required a change of clothes after) when he made a noise of glee. He whipped something out, standing with success all over his face.
"Got it! I knew I still had it!"
Robert blinked as he processed what Chad was holding.
And then he burst out into laughter.
Chad pouted. "What, what??? It's perfect, bitch! It's the peak fashion!"
"For a kid, sure. Is that Moska's?"
Chad pouted, but he did strap the item to his chest.
The ever-so-tiny fanny pack across his chest, bright pink with Barbie Girl emblazoned across it. He had to extend the band to the farthest it could go to make it across, and, even then, it was tight.
Because it was clearly a kid's fanny pack.
"It fits my phone, bitch, and my wallet. You can carry the rest."
Robert smiled. He stepped forward to fuss with it, his smaller fingers dexterous enough to sneak another few inches on the strap. "It definitely fits your outfit, Bae. I'm a little jealous."
"Well, not all of us can be so fashionable."
"I'm not carrying your skin routine, though, in my pockets. Sunblock only."
Chad and Robert bickered a few more minutes before agreements were made, and they were headed back to the fair grounds where the festival was being held.
Chad groaned, looking at the line.
It had doubled to get through security since they'd run back to the car.
It had been ten minutes.
"Fuuuuuccckk." Chad groaned. "Can't I just fly us in?"
Robert sighed. "No. We're civilians. We follow the rules."
"The rules suck."
"Yeah, well, we'll deal with it." Robert grabbed Chad's hand and got them in line before it got too much longer.
Robert subsequently got out of line, and Chad eventually followed, when they spotted a young person stumble, falling to the ground by the exit. Between the sun, security being dumb about not letting them have their bag, and becoming separated from their group, they'd started having a panic attack. Robert sat with them, sending Chad to see if anyone from the ticket booth could get help, but it wound up falling to the superhero and everyday hero to help.
Robert helped them calm down, Chad acting as a big sunshade until the young woman - as Robert spotted a "she/her" pin - felt calm enough to move. Once she was in the shade, she was able to call for her brother to come back out so that they could figure out how to proceed. She eventually reassured Robert and Chad that she was ok, but Robert kept eyes on her from the line until a young man joined her.
After that, Chad didn't complain as much about the line.
Chad did complain when they had to get his bag ag checked again.
"FINALLY!" Chad cheered when they got into the fair grounds.
Robert rolled his eyes.
"Ok, first the shops."
"Nope."
Chad looked at Robert. "What? We gotta go to the shops first! Don't you want to support your local gays?"
"Don't you wanna drink?" Robert pointed in the opposite direction of where Chad was looking to a stand with Age Verification on a sign across the tents. "Looks like they're giving out wristbands to buy. Or maybe get into the spicier sections. Don't know until we check."
Chad paused.
"...ok wristbands, beers, and THEN shops!"
"I'll start with soda, but sure."
"Bitch."
"Some of us are not immune to passing out because of heat stroke, idiot."
Robert looked at the stand with stars in his eyes.
"Chad, I need it."
Chad couldn't help but shake his head, a rueful smile on his face.
"It's your money."
"Talk me out of it."
"You have twenty, like, BAJILLION things for Beef. So many fucking scarves and shit."
Chad said it because Robert asked, but he absolutely knew that Robert was still Robert.
When he wanted something, he went for it.
"Fuck you, he deserves it!" Robert insisted before he walked into the stall.
The stall was filled to the brim with pet toys, clothes, and the works (distinct from the BDSM and furry stalls with the same gear but more leather-y for the BDSM and human-sized; they'd spotted those earlier in another section of the market). Robert was immediately zeroing in on a dog scarf that was purple, blue, and pink with I love my Bi Dad on it in white lined in black.
Chad was at least glad that they'd also gotten some free drawstring bags at the door for something-something sexual health as he used that to shove Robert's various purchases into.
"Chad, Chad! Look at this!" Robert showed a little shirt to Chad. It was black with the words Cute but Full of Farts in rainbow print on it.
Chad agreed that that one was absolutely for Beef.
Chad spent twenty dollars on a giant fan. The thing was easily fourteen inches long, if not longer, and snapped out into a gorgeous rainbow tie-dye style print.
Did he need it? Not for what it was intended.
But when the lady behind the counter started swishing hers around with an astounding snap, something primal made Chad do it. He snapped back. She snapped back. It was like two Alpha Gays squaring off. Or two Queens acknowledging one another.
Robert subsequently stole it to use it to actually fan himself once they'd walked away. He was hot, and Chad didn't need it.
"How many pins is too many pins?"
"Bitch, there is no such thing as too many pins."
They took a break as they approached one of the few fully indoor areas, a medium-sized building that could be used for a variety of events within the grounds. It had air conditioning and shade, which was what Robert needed.
It was also set up as a museum. A History of the LGBT+ Community, with most of the stall dedicated to local history around all that was gay. A celebration of how far they'd come, and a reminder of what they fought for when assholes came knocking, looking to take them back.
Robert was reading over one of the boards. "Holy cow, the Sardine used to be a secret speak easy? Huh. Hey, Chad, did you know... Chad?" Robert looked around the room, and he didn't see the tall man.
The hall wasn't huge. It was basically in the shape of a T, with the main entrance where the three sections met. Robert back-tracked to the main entrance and looked down another hall.
He found the children's area, and Chad was at one of the tables covered in crayons and paper. He was intently coloring a picture. As he approached, he overheard a few of the nearby adults telling another of who Chad was - the hero Flambae - and that he'd helped them during the siege on Torrance.
Chad had also been recognized by one of the kids, and, well, kids loved superheroes.
A little girl in a bright rainbow tutu showed Chad her work. "Look at the wings on my bird! I did the rainbow to match my dress!"
Chad observed it intently before nodding. "Very pretty. Your daddies will love it."
"Do you think they'll put it on the fridge?"
"Of course!"
Robert covered his mouth. He wanted to laugh and cry at how cute the scene was.
He approached and leaned over. "Sorry, kids, I'm here to pick up my boyfriend."
"Awe!" "But Mr. Flambae was telling stories!" "NOOOOOO!!!!"
Robert gave them five more minutes. All the kids started raving about how cool Flambae was, multiple apparently also having seen him in the last few months during Dispatches, too. I guess Flambae found his fan club. Robert thought. He also decided to draw while he waited.
Robert colored a rainbow very carefully, and Chad had a chick coming out of an egg... on fire. He'd also added teeth in the beak and thick eyebrows to make the chick look like they were absolutely thriving in the fire. The cause of it, perhaps.
Robert shoved both into his bag. He was going to put them on his fridge, if nothing else. Maybe the SDN break room fridge, especially because Chad signed his.
There were a lot of sexual health stands. Chad was genuinely kinda impressed at how many condoms they'd started to accumulate.
But they also stopped in at the stands about mental health, physical health, and various community groups that supported Queer Folk.
There was even an SDN table, which the two ran away from.
They did not want to get pulled into some work bullshit, though Robert did take some cards for community groups, wondering how he could help in the future.
"Chad, step away from the flags. You have a big one already!"
"They have the Bi flag! And you don't have a big Bi Flag yet!"
The person behind the counter grinned as they looked over the two.
"Love your make-up, by the way. If you want, we have these little strings of flags. You can hang them up anywhere. We have basic Rainbow, All Pride with all the Pride variations throughout the years, Gay Men and Rainbow, Bi and Gay...
Chad's eyes widened as he pulled out his wallet. "I need to see those now."
Chad did not buy another giant Pride Flag, but he did buy the All Pride and Gay Men Pride strands. Robert also got talked into a medium sized Bi flag to add to his apartment.
Nearly three hours later, Robert needed a break from it all.
He loved the festival, he really did, but he wanted to just sit down and relax for a few minutes away from all the noise.
There was a dedicated quiet area building, but the duo got their second wristband of the day - the first for being "+21" - as they exited the grounds. Chad offered to carry Robert, somewhat genuinely, but Robert waved him off.
"Ok, just follow me then." Chad said as he offered a hand.
Robert smiled as he accepted that much, his calloused hand sliding into the larger one.
They walked down the street, hands waving between them. They passed a few others in Pride gear heading towards the festival, but Robert was just glad that there didn't seem to be anti-gay protesters this year. They briefly popped by where they'd parked the Firebird to drop off their purchases before Chad led them down to a small cafe. The street was a small shopping area, people about but in no way as chaotic as the fair grounds had been.
Tons of rainbow flags, though, which was always a plus in Robert's mind.
They got to the counter, ordering some cold drinks and sandwiches, before finding themselves in the back. The air was cool, and Robert sunk into the cushy couch that they'd found, using the nearby coffee table as Chad sat down next to him.
"Fireworks are at nine, and that singer - what's her name? Something with a B? The one Alice recommended. She's on at ten. I think Alice is gonna try to meet us." Chad began as he pulled out his phone.
"Hm."
"Oh, hey, look at the chat. Vis and Blazer are coming, too."
"Hm."
"Are you ignoring me, bitch?" Chad looked over, but Robert's eyes were closed as he settled back into the couch.
"Hmmmm no. Listening." Robert mumbled.
Chad looked over the man before shaking his head. He used one arm to loop around Robert, scooting closer to tuck him close.
"Break time, bitch."
"Wha?"
"Nap. I'm going to drink this stuff and scroll through Insta."
"Hmmmm k. Let me know if anyone needs us to move."
Robert took a little nap as Chad, indeed, scrolled through his phone.
Robert felt gross when he finally stumbled into his apartment late that night. He was glad that Chase was watching Beef because he would have felt horrible leaving the dog alone all day.
"Mrr... Let me go to sleep."
"Not with all that glitter on you." Robert returned.
"Bob Bob... shower so hard..."
Robert chuckled.
He was exhausted, too, but at least Chad had let him nap.
Robert managed to get Chad to the bathroom, the taller man putty in Robert's hands. Robert had driven them back to his place, Chad crashing from his Pride High and probably a little drunk. Robert knew that there would be no other time that Chad would let him drive.
Thankfully, due to the already limited manner that was Chad's clothing, Robert wiggled the taller man out of his stuff and into the tub. Robert tried to go for towels, but Chad's arm reached out.
"Noooo come with me."
Robert's face was hurting from how much he was smiling. Chad being cute really did him in.
"Let me get towels, you big baby."
Chad looked Robert up and down before letting him go.
Robert got out of his clothes, grabbing towels, and then came back. Chad was already halfway back to sleep in the tub.
Robert fiddled with the water before detaching the wand head of his shower and sitting on the edge of the tub. It was small already, especially with Chad inside, and there wasn't a way to wash each other if Robert climbed in without sacrificing the younger man's knees or risking becoming squished behind Chad.
Once the water was warmed to Robert's requirements, the room gaining a steamy feel, he reached forward. "Hey, lean towards me. I'm going to rinse you down and wash your hair."
"Hmmm." Chad leaned into Robert's chest. Or, well, the side of Robert's chest. "You smell stinky."
Robert snorted.
"Same to you, bitch."
Robert had Chad's preferred shampoo and conditioner, working those in as he made short work of washing off the glitter that he could see. After Chad was cleaned, he helped the man out, wrapping him in almost all the towels that he'd brought, and sat him on the toilet. Robert finished his own wash and came out.
Robert brushed his teeth and made Chad do the same, followed by a quick face wash and moisturizer, knowing that the pyro would murder Robert if he let him go to bed without any care.
And that was how Chad wound up in Robert's bed in a pair of boxers and a tank top from some video game thing that Robert had gone to, the size far too big for Robert and even still a little large for Chad. Robert was in his underwear and sweats, finger-combing Chad's hair into a braid to keep the man from waking up with tangles everywhere.
Once the hair was contained, Robert looked at his phone. His various chats were filled with messages from family and friends who all attended Torrance Pride, many of whom Robert and Chad had seen. Shared pictures all around, with Robert and Chad adding their own throughout the day.
Robert plugged the phone in before he looked back at his boyfriend, who was well and truly out like a light. He had turned towards Robert, lightly snoring already.
Robert smiled as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to Chad's forehead.
"Happy Pride, babe. Best fest yet."
With that, Robert got lying down. As he got comfortable, a heavy arm was thrown over him, attempting to pull him closer.
Robert fell asleep dreaming of rainbows and fiery chicks.