Seventeenth fic for a Pride Month prompt challenge from tumblr. Prompt: parade.
It's too warm to be pressed this close to complete strangers – Atsushi can feel the sweat rolling down his spine even as the woman beside him fans her face with a rainbow flag. The air she stirs up lightly moves his long bangs and he shifts, changing the placement of his feet. The sun is beating down on all of them; the only shade comes from strings of bunting hung up high between the buildings. Nevertheless, the festive atmosphere is getting to him: everyone is here to celebrate who they are, free from judgement or criticism. That sort of feeling is hard not to embrace, especially when the music is so loud and the faces so happy. The excited bubbles in Atsushi's stomach intensify when he feels a familiar hand tuck into his waist.
"Hey." Dazai's voice in his ear is sweet, relaxed, and Atsushi realises that even despite the fact that Dazai never seems truly stressed about anything he rarely gets to hear this kind of contentment from him. He leans into Dazai's side, a little smile gracing his lips.
"Hi," he says. "Parade should be starting soon."
Dazai chuckles. "Looks like I'm right on time as usual then," he says, kissing the side of Atsushi's neck. His nose nuzzles in behind Atsushi's ear – even without his ability, Dazai's touch soothes, bringing Atsushi comfortably into his own body and the moment. "You okay?"
"Mm-hmm," Atsushi nods as Dazai's arms circle his waist and his chin comes to rest on Atsushi's shoulder. "Kind of hot though."
"Well I can go," grins Dazai. "Help you cool down a little."
Atsushi holds onto Dazai's arms, keeping him where he is. "I'll deal with it."
Dazai chuckles, the sound soft and sweet and perfect in Atsushi's ear, and a cheer goes up in the crowd along with the sound of drumbeats to signal the beginning of the parade.