Chapter 31 Captain Clarke

The last day of the cruise came sooner than Westly could have imagined. A thrill of anticipation crackled through him as he adjusted his rainbow captain’s hat in the mirror. Luka had transformed them both. Today wasn’t just any cruise day; it was the day of the ship’s Pride Parade! Across the cabin, Luka was a flurry of vibrant energy, his hair covered with rainbow highlights. Luka moved beside him with a mischievous grin. Last night, he had streaked Westly’s hair with rainbow colors too, so they matched. Westly had never once colored his hair or added highlights. He had to admit it was fun. Luka brought out his playful side.

“Ready, Captain Rainbow?” Luka winked.

Westly laughed. “Just need to grab a rainbow flag for the masthead, my Rainbow Surfer!”

Together, they stepped out of their cabin, ready to join the festivities. The hallways were buzzing with activity. Passengers, crew, and officers were decked out in their most flamboyant attire.

They descended upon the main deck, a kaleidoscope of costumes and laughter. Music thrummed through the air, a joyous mix of pop anthems and classic disco.

As Westly hoisted the giant rainbow flag, the wind filled it like a celebratory sail. A cheer erupted as he secured the flag, vibrant colors snapping against the azure sky. With a wave, he and Luka joined the crowd, falling into step behind a group of crewmembers pushing a giant, inflatable lobster adorned with a pink bow.

Brock and Charlie, dressed in vibrant colors and makeup, found them and marched beside them.

“I almost didn’t recognize you, Luka,” Charlie shouted over the crowd.

Luka pointed to Westly, then himself, and gave them a thumbs up. Mostly likely Brock had told Charlie they were together, and Luka was staying aboard the ship.

As they paraded through the decks, Westly exchanged smiles and high fives with passengers, the usual formality of the ship replaced by a joyous camaraderie. He spotted a group of crewmembers with their faces painted in rainbows, and winked, feeling an increased warmth toward his crew.

“I’m having so much fun,” Luka shouted over the music, his voice barely audible.

“Me too.” Westly grinned. “Look at everyone, so happy and free!”

Luka blew a kiss to Westly, who returned one to him.

Their march ended on the pool deck, transformed into a dance floor under a glittering disco ball. A DJ spun tunes, and the crowd wasted no time erupting into wild dancing.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Westly leaned into Luka. “Best. Pride. Ever.”

Luka’s grin rivaled the setting sun. “Agreed, Captain. Now, how about we show those dance moves you’ve been hiding?”

Westly threw his head back and laughed, the sound swallowed by the joyous noise around them. Tonight, under a sky ablaze with color, they weren’t just captain and crewmember. They were two lovers, celebrating love and acceptance, adrift on a sea of joy.

The disco ball twinkled overhead, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the dancing bodies. The pulsing bass vibrated through the deck, mingling with the cheers and laughter of the costumed crowd. Westly spun Luka around on the dance floor, his surfer boy’s laughter echoing in the open night air. Luka, with his sunshine smile and rainbow beads draped around his neck and both wrists, twirled back, his eyes sparkling with joy.

Westly reached for Luka’s hand, their fingers intertwining seamlessly. Luka, all loose limbs and contagious joy, mirrored Westly’s movements, their bodies moving in perfect sync. In between, Westly would lean in, stealing a kiss.

“This is amazing,” Luka shouted over the music, his voice laced with exhilaration. “The energy, the people…I can’t believe we’re experiencing a Pride Parade at sea!”

Westly grinned. “Right? I told you it would be unforgettable.” He grabbed two colorful drinks from a passing server, shoving one into Luka’s hand.

“Here’s to unforgettable.” Westly clinked his glass against Luka’s, the sweet sting of the rum punch warming his chest. They took large gulps, the coolness momentarily breaking the dance-induced heat.

Westly pulled Luka close, their chests bumping playfully. “You know,” he began, his voice dropping to a murmur, “I never thought I’d be this happy.”

Luka traced a finger along Westly’s jawline, his touch sending shivers down Westly’s spine. “Me neither,” he replied softly. “But here we are, dancing under the stars, celebrating love with thousands of others. Pretty damn perfect.”

Westly nodded, wrapping his arms around Luka as tight as he could, never wanting to let him go. In that moment, surrounded by love and acceptance on the ship, Westly knew Luka was right.

The End