Thank you for all your support! ;3; I always love getting to draw our idiots for you ;3;
"Babe c'mon, even you can take a photo."
Jack's voice could barely be heard above the crowds chatter, and the loud music that seemed to come from every direction. Yet, Clay still did his best to keep the camera straight, and his fingers out of the lens. He watched on the phone screen as Jack beamed a grin, their crimson eyes sparkling, as he held up the flag he'd been wearing as a cape most of the afternoon.
Finally, Clay hit the circle on the screen with his thumb, a photo taken. A little blurred in the background, causing an array of colours to mesh into a large rainbow. For once, his inability to take a clear picture worked in his favour.
Handing Jack back his phone, Clay immediately shrunk back behind them. He'd never been to a pride event before, and though he had wanted to go, he couldn't help but feel out of his element. There was so much noise, so many faces, so many colours... he belonged, yet didn't all the same.
Least, that's what Clay had convinced himself of. A childhood tainted by his fathers disgust had caused the love he held in his heart to internalise to hatred. Not towards the people around him, he envied their joy, but to himself.
He didn't belong in one the place he was always meant to be...
Fingers clicked in front of Clay's face, making him blink. Blue eyes flickered down to Jack, who gave a concerned look in return,
Clay stared at his boyfriend, the first word on his tongue being 'yes'. But they both knew it was a lie; Clay knew Jack wouldn't believe him.
"I feel more outta place than a cat at a dog show..."
Jack blinked, black glossed lips quirking to the side. He had been with Clay long enough to know their Clay-isms - but it still took him a second to translate it.
"...Why?" Jack soon asked, "You belong here as much as anyone else."
Jack's boot heels tapped on the concrete sidewalk as he stepped forward. He lifted a hand, delicate fingers gently cupping Clay's cheek - the cowboy naturally leaned into their touch.
"You have your own colours babe, and they deserve to shine as bright as every other colour," Jack reassured, "You belong here, with me."
Even with heeled boots on, Jack still had to push himself onto his tiptoes, so he could press a kiss to Clay's cheek. Lips lingered for a moment; when Jack pulled away, a soft, black, glossy mark was left on Clay's cheek. It brought a blush to his face, a permanent stain that made Clay's blue eyes seem to close.
"And besides, we need to get a picture together."
Clay breathed out a laugh, "Y'all know I aint the best on camera."
"Yeah but it's your first pride, so we gotta get a picture."
Clay knew there was no point in arguing; when Jack wanted something, he found a way to get it. Even if Clay did want to argue, Jack was already pestering someone to take their picture; he could only hope he asked as nicely as they can.
The proud smile on Jack's face told Clay everything he needed to know. Clay shifted in closer to Jack, a shaky smile on his face. He saw from the corner of his eyes as Jack lifted a hand, their fingers curled in to make half a heart shape. Clay lifted his own hand to finish the shape.
The stranger called out to them to smile, and they did. But Clay didn't look at the camera, knowing he would start to shake in his boots. Instead, his eyes drifted to Jack, the apple of his eye, the one that made his heart beat a little bit faster whenever he was with them.
The one that made sure his colours always shone as brightly as the stars.
The photo was taken, and phone returned to Jack. Their face scrunched up,
"Why didn't you look at the camera?!" Jack accused.
Clay was still blushing, gaze softening a little,
"'Cause...I wanted to stare at my World, not some phone."
Jack blinked, his own face warming up at the comment. He tried to pout, remain mad, but it was hard to,
"You're too gay for your own good babe," He teasingly commented, "And too cute."
Jack still huffed though,
"We're still redoing the photo," Jack told him, "And this time, you're looking at the camera - not me~"
Clay shook his head softly, but his smile never faded,
"If y'all say so darlin'."
