*****

"We're *not* here."

"We're here."

"No, we're *not*. And you're not wearing that."

Oz looked at the broad leather straps crisscrossing his front briefly, then back into Xander's anxious eyes. "I seem to be wearing it."

"No, I'm dreaming. We're not here. These other people aren't here. I'm going to wake up in our bed back home and...."

"We're here, Xand. It's not a dream. Just lighten up and enjoy yourself. You're making me nervous."

"That's nervous?"

Oz quirked an eyebrow, an expression that Xander knew meant, "Don't even think about making a expressionless joke."

"All right, I just can't believe we're here, at a Gay Pride march. I mean...I'm not..."

"Gay?"

"No."

"Proud?"

"No, I mean, of course I'm proud, it's just do we have to be proud so loudly? Couldn't we just be proud quietly, in our own homes?"

"Xander."

"Xander what? I just don't want to be proud so effusively. Youre not even a leaherboy, I don't why you're wearing it, not that you don't look hot in it or anything, but still..."

"Xander?" Xander paused, looking over at his lover. "Shut up and kiss me." The smaller man grabbed Xander by the nad and yanked him down for a quick kiss as several cameras flashed around them, documenting the occasion.

~end~