#after so many hours I finally finished Freddy!

[chaostrainee]

Glamrock Freddy

Original pattern

I finished them!

… after 12h 🥲

[queenofspades6]

Not an investment - Kaz Brekker x Reader

Summary: You try to forget Kaz with a man from the Crow Club. Kaz isn’t pleased at all. He finds a way to get rid of the guy, but you caught him. Kaz finally touches you for the first time.

Warnings: Angst. Fluff. Jealous Kaz.

A/N: I first wrote a draft of this when the first season of Shadow & Bone launched, i finally finished it, and wanted to share! I am so obsessed with Kaz! I might meet Freddy Carter on May, can’t wait but I am so scared at the same time!

———

You and the Crows had just accomplished another successful mission, earning each of you considerable money. The Crows had decided to throw a party to celebrate. Even Kaz had agreed to come. When Jesper asked him to join them, Kaz nodded, and Jesper cheered loudly, earning Kaz a grin.

Kaz Brekker had spent the last hour sitting with his arm on the bar, sipping a drink, and keeping an eye on the improvised dance floor. When the party began, Nina was already dancing, earning curious glances from both women and men. Jesper joined her after getting a few drinks. He tried to convince Inej to go dancing with him and Nina.

”You don’t want to go with them?“ You asked Inej, frowning.

”I do, but don’t tell them. Let them try to convince me.”

You nodded and asked the bartender for a strong drink. ”Make it two,” Inej said.

You watched her before glancing at the bartender.

”Tough night?” Inej asked.

You nodded again.

Inej didn’t bother to pry much; she knew each of you had your past. She knew how it felt to live with it, to live with the memories still there, haunting at night and even during the day... She knew better than to ask you about it.

The bartender arrived with both of your drinks. You thanked him and looked at Kaz, who was sitting at the other end of the bar, staring at people dancing and drinking in the Crow Club.

A man approached you. You didn’t see him coming; you were too caught up in stealing glances at Dirtyhands. The man took the seat next to you, and with a charming smile, he said:

“I didn’t take the infamous Ghost of Ketterdam for a drinker.”

You turned toward him, with a serious and almost warning look.

After all, you were the Ghost. If someone had a job to do, you were here. Looking for someone who disappeared? Easy. Stealing? As if you were a beginner. Taking revenge? Already done. Killing? Done. The Ghost was a shadow in Ketterdam. The kind of story that makes kids stay up all night. Rumors were you had no law, no faith and no humanity left. Oh, how wrong were they. If only they knew...

“What if I am?” You replied to the man.

”Even better.”

You grinned at him and decided to play the game.

“What about I offer you a drink?” He questioned, glancing at your body.

“I already have one, but go on.”

The man asked for another round of drinks, and the bartender complied.

”I didn’t think the Ghost was a beautiful woman like you.” He started, his eyes looking at his next prey.

Before, you would have punched that man hard in the face, but tonight, you didn’t care. You just wanted to have fun, and maybe it could involve him.

“Oh yeah? “

”Yes. Do you know how much people would pay to have you in their bed?”

You laughed and crossed eyes with Kaz. He was staring at you curiously. You thought it was a coincidence, but Kaz had been watching the whole time.

“I know.”

”Quite modest, I see.”

“I can be and do many things, you know?” You flirted, your head already spinning.

A little flirt was harmless, right? It wasn’t like it would change something. You stole another glance at Kaz, still sipping his drink in deadly silence. You knew there had always been something unspoken between the two of you, which you both probably wanted, but that was just impossible. Something that couldn’t be. So why not have fun with this silly man, you thought?

”I can only imagine.“ The man replied, his right hand stroking yours on the counter and his other hand on your knee.

”Let’s dance first.“

The man took your hand and complied, bringing you to the dance floor. The man danced with you, sometimes brushing your body. You didn’t care. Alcohol gave you confidence and relief. You danced closer to the man. And even closer. You both moved simultaneously, feeling the loud music and the alcohol in your veins. You could already feel the man’s arousal. But you didn’t care. You were trying to forget. Forget him and his stupid blue eyes. His silly cane. His silly waistcoats. Him. You just wanted to forget.

What you didn’t know was that Kaz Brekker couldn’t look away. His eyes were glued to your form and this man. This Dreg. Oh, Kaz hated the man at this moment. His hand tightened around his cane.

The man touched you even more intimately, placing his hand on your thigh. Kaz was watching it all; his hand clenched in a fist. He couldn’t bear it anymore. He knew you had a few drinks and hated the idea of the man taking advantage of you. Or worse... Maybe you let him...

Dirtyhands whispered something to the bartender, and then a servant rushed anxiously towards you.

The servant asked for ‘Jake’ something and then told him that someone was waiting outside for him.

He nodded.

“Sweetheart, I need to take care of something, and then I am coming back for you. We’ll finish what we started.”He said, a smirk forming on his lips.

You consented, not understanding what was happening.

The man walked toward the backdoor leading to the streets. You took a deep breath and went back towards your seat. You finished your drink quickly and began to think.

‘What was I doing? Seriously? This man? I am the Ghost, for Saint’s sake, I deserve better.’

Feeling shameful, you wanted some fresh air to think clearly. Or maybe you just needed to flee. You rushed toward the door of the Crow Club and opened it.

There was ‘Jake’, his face bloody and bruised, held by the arms of two men taller than him.

What was going on?

That’s when you saw Kaz punching Jake in the face. The man spit blood, and Dirtyhands held his head in his gloved hand.

”If you dare touch her again, you are dead.”

Kaz was going to hit Jake with his cane, but your screaming interrupted him.

”What’s going on?“

Kaz nodded, and his men let Jake go. He didn’t think twice. Without looking at you once, the man flew in as he had arrived.

The men stared at Dirtyhands, waiting for his approval to leave. Kaz gestured, and they left.

”What’s going on? I won’t ask it again.“

“This stupid... man touched you.” He declared calmly, removing the blood from his sleeve.

”Yes, and?”

“He didn’t ask.”

”Because I let him. Do you genuinely think he would have touched me if I hadn’t allowed it? You know what I do and who I am.” You murmured.

Kaz’s blue eyes were avoiding your gaze, looking at the street and holding tightly onto his cane. He frowned.

”Why?“He questioned.

“Why? You dare ask why? You know damn well, Brekker.“

”Enlighten me with what I am supposed to know ‘damn well’.

He clenched his teeth, and you approached him dangerously. You plunged your eyes into his, almost begging him not to let you speak.

”I needed a distraction.”

“A distraction?” He questioned, wonder in his eyes.

“But we succeeded in the mission. We won thousands of kruge, Y/N.”

”I know.”

”Is it not enough for you? What do you need more? What do you need more than what thousands of Kruge can offer you?”

You repressed your tears. You were the Ghost after all, you couldn’t cry even if you wanted to.

“Thousands of Kruge can’t buy me you.” You whispered, hoping he wouldn’t hear.

“Me?”

“Your name is Kaz Brekker, no? Or should I say Dirtyhands?“

A small smile escaped his lips, quickly replaced by sadness. He was staring at his gloved hands. What was he supposed to do? Tell you he felt the same, and offer you what exactly? He couldn’t even touch you.

“I was trying to forget you with this man, to forget the times you looked at me like I was an investment, when I came back from a mission hurt badly and you just said ‘good job’.

“What do I have that you might want?” He asked, his voice almost trembling.

Memories of Jordie flooded his mind. The times when they were happy, or at least tried to because they were together.

You didn’t reply, just watched him, the man you love.

“I can’t offer you anything, Y/N.” Kaz declared, approaching you with the most sincere look you’ve ever seen him with.

”I can’t offer you a crown, a throne, or even a palace. I can’t provide you the most precious jewels in the world. I can’t make you my queen, Y/N.”

”How romantic.” You finally spoke, crossing your arms.

”At least I have the decency not to lie to you.” He replied.

”I think I would have preferred you to lie.” You declared, trying to repress your tears again.

”What did you want me to say? That I would make you a Queen even though we live in Ketterdam, and would cover you with the most expensive jewels when we loot every day to survive? You would have wanted me to tell you that I cannot live without you, although touching you is unbearable to me? You would have liked me to tell you that I love you, right Y/N?

Eyes misted with tears, Y/N dared to meet his gaze. When Kaz saw that Y/N’s eyes were shining, he realized the magnitude of his words. He had always thought that by being cruel, he could push people away, keep them away, to avoid doing harm and, above all, be hurt. Things had gone wrong the last time he had loved someone, so how could he really trust his heart anymore?

Jordie.

His name echoed in his head when he looked at Y/N. He wanted to apologize, hug her, and kiss her lips, but he couldn’t.

He tried to take a step towards her to try to comfort her, but when his hand approached her bare arm, he resigned himself to it. He was shaking. Touching someone seemed impossible so how could he ask Y/N to stay? What could he offer her? A life of hidden gazes, impossible caresses, abstinence... Y/N deserved better. She could have had better. Nikolai Lantsov had always wanted her. All she had to do was say yes, and she would become the first Grisha Queen. Kaz had to admit Y/N would make an exquisite Queen. She was fair, and she only hurt when necessary. Y/N deserved a better life than a life in danger in Ketterdam. And if Pekka Rollins learned that Dirtyhands cared about her, he would seek to get rid of her by any means possible.

Y/N gazed at Kaz one last time before turning to the door. She was about to grab the handle when she felt pressure on her arm. Kaz was touching her.

“Don’t leave, Y/N.” You rolled your eyes.

“Is it a command, Boss? You asked, annoyed.

“It’s not.”

You observed Kaz’s face. For someone who didn’t know him, Kaz was emotionless. But at that moment, you knew he was vulnerable. His features were different. He seemed fragile. The bastard of the barrel seemed weak! You laughed in your head.

“Stay, please.” He begged you, the silence in his head unbearable.

You made a small move to get out of his grip. His hand fell against his body. And suddenly, he grabbed your hand. You stared at your hand in his gloved ones. Seeing your reluctance, he pulled his hand away and took off his gloves. Trying to calm his trembling, he reached for your delicate hand. His fingers brushed your skin, knuckles, and wrist, sending shivers down your whole body. Kaz was trying to memorize your hand, the veins in your wrists, your knuckles, to make it familiar, so that he wouldn’t be scared anymore.

“Can I?” He asked you.

You nodded, astonished to see Kaz Brekker asking for permission. He wasn’t one to ask. He always took and took. Never saying please. Never asking for permission. And here he was. All vulnerable in front of you.

He took your hand in his with hesitation and still trembling. Dirtyhands was trying his best to hide his fear in front of you. He was the bastard of the barrel. Everybody feared him, and yet he could not take your bare hand in his. He felt pathetic. He stared at your intertwined fingers for some time.

“What more can I offer you than what you already have?”

Your attention, your time, your love, your skin (maybe not), everything, you wanted to scream but you couldn’t. He was Kaz Krekker after all.

“I can’t make you happy, Y/N. You should go with Nikolai, he’ll know what to do. I can’t even kiss you, Y/N. I can’t, it’s pure torture. I can’t.”

One tear was slowly running across your cheek.

“I don’t want wealth or power. I don’t care about Saints.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Your love.“ You spitted.

Your hands were still intertwined, and that’s when Kaz noticed that while you were talking, he forgot about your hand in his, and for once, it had not disturbed him. It was brief, but he had felt your skin against his, the feeling of coldness and an almost delicate hand. He was staring at your hands with intensity, not knowing where his began and yours finished. The contact with your skin burned him, it was like caressing fire, feeling the unbearable heat against his fingers, against his palm, and yet he didn’t want to remove his hand from your painful skin.

“Kaz, look at me.”

You knew he was fighting his own demons, and it was not easy to hold your hand, and much less for a few minutes.

“Focus on my voice.”

He complied, and you dared take his hand and bring it to your face.

“I am here for you. Since the beginning, I have been here. Since the first day we looked at each other in this street, I knew everything would be different.”

While talking, you held his index finger in your tiny fingers compared to his. It was reaching dangerously for your cheek.

“Do you remember, Brekker, the first day we met?”

Kaz was trying his best to focus on your eyes, lips, on everything other than his fear to feel. It was finally this fear of hurting that made every touch burn. And you knew, you understood.

“I was pulling a dagger from my bleeding shoulder, sitting alone on the street, when you came. And do you remember what you said to me?”

You finally put his index finger delicately on your cheek. Step by step. You knew it would take time. Months and years, probably. But you were never a quitter after all.

Kaz chuckled, remembering this particular day when he thought that the Ghost everybody was scared of was just a little girl. Today, he knew he was wrong.

“You first said to me “Work for me, Ghost, and you’ll never have to pull out any dagger of your shoulders.”

Dirtyhands grinned, and with his index finger on your cheek, he explored your skin, still burning him. You removed your hand and laughed.

“You know, the day I met you, I knew you wanted me to work for you because I was taking all your contracts.”

He laughed again, and a second finger was caressing your cheek.

“I couldn’t let you take all the money.” Kaz replied, with this smirk you loved.”And you said ‘yes’ if I recall.”

“That I did. Though I did pull out many other daggers from my shoulder.” You spoke softly.

Another laugh, and he put a third finger on your face, stroking and trying to control his trembling. Still, he never dared remove his gaze from you.

“I know. I was planning a meeting with you for weeks, trying to find something to make you work for me. But you had no weakness, no secret that I knew of. I didn’t know what you were looking for.”

The tips of his three fingers were still on your skin, learning every wrinkle you would have, every scar, everything, even if it burned.

“That’s what made me so good, back then I had nothing to look for and nothing to lose.”

“And now?”

“Now, I have a goal, something to fight for, that’s what makes me fearsome.” You muttered and smiled at your words because you meant them.

Kaz smirked. He knew there were two kinds of people to fear: those who had nothing left to lose, and the ones who had everything to lose.

With sudden confidence, Kaz reached with one finger for your lips, trying to touch, and caress them. His trembling finger found your lip, he felt it, his deep blue eyes on yours. You were watching him with pride.

Maybe too greedy, Kaz wanted to feel your face with his hand, he tried to place all his fingers against your skin, but the burning was too powerful. Suddenly, he removed his hand, shivering.

“I-I am sorry.”He said, his armor falling back in place.

He saw Jordie’s face again. And he felt the skin of other corpses on his. It was warm. Too warm. It was burning him up. He was screaming, and nobody came.

“Kaz. Kaz! Look at me.”

He heard your voice calling in this ocean of corpses.

You didn’t touch him, but called his name.

“Kaz. You are with me. You are not there. Not anymore. Breathe. You are safe.”

He finally saw your eyes and where he was. In the middle of the street with you. He got up, dusted off his coat, and stared at you.

“Sorry, Y/N.”

He put back on his gloves and resumed leaning on his cane.

He was not only Kaz Brekker at this moment, but also Dirtyhands, and the bastard of the barrel. You smiled and glanced at his form as it left the room.

“The answer is this.”

The Bastard of the barrel turned to you and looked at your face, eyes full of silent interrogation.

“This is what I want, Kaz Brekker, and this is what you can offer me.”

You swore you could see a smirk escaping his lips. And this was the moment you knew you were not just an investment for Kaz Brekker.

———

If you loved this story, don’t forget to like, reblog and comment! I’d love to write more Kaz x reader with the OC “The Ghost” if there is enough interest, I’ll write more for Kaz!

[dca-prompts]

(at this point I am the resident sun X moon creator for this place, because so many of my prompts have had celestial boyfriends in mind, so it’s time I finally create a one shot)

It had been a long day, the megamall was packed with more people than last week, setting a new record for the busiest day for fazbear entertainment.

Because of this, parents just casually dumped they’re young children into the hands of the daycare, leaving the solar animatronic to deal with more kids than he was programmed to handle. He cared for each child to the best of his ability, his battery, running thin by nap time.

He was lucky that he & his lunar counterpart, swapped places for nap time, giving him ample time to recharge. Go to recharge, didn’t seem to matter as his battery was pretty low by the end of the day.

Only one child ever remained in the daycare after closing hours, Freddy was usually the one to pick him up, though today Chica had to come for him. Sun was confused, but chica explained Freddy was stuck in parts and service due to damage sustained during one of the meet and greets.

Sun seemed satisfied with the explanation and left the child in Chica’s care, telling her to keep an eye on him ”Oh, I know!” Chica said, waving her hand as she picked the child up, most likely heading off to rockstar road.

‘Finally.. I can take a break..’ the sun animatronic thought, stumbling towards the ball pit. He stopped at its edge, summoning the wire he and his counterpart used to navigate the daycare. He lazily hooked the cable to his back and yanked on it a couple times, signaling it to raise him to the balcony. Once there, he unclasped himself from the cable and swung onto the balcony, just barely making it. “I really need to stop doing that” he said to himself, making his way into the room he and his coworker shared.

The lunar animatronic noticed Sun stumble in, giving him a warm smile as Sun made his way to him. As soon as Sun reached Moon, he slumped on top of the moon themed animatronic, letting out an exhausted sigh.

“Long day sundae?” Moon asked, gently rubbing Sun’s head as he grabbed a cable from the wall, plugging it into the solar animatronics head. “Mmhh” Sun murmured, nuzzling into moon’s neck. “There were soo many kids..” He added, sounding tired.

“Heh, normally you’re more energetic.. did they drain your battery that much?” The lunar animatronic asked, giggling at how clinging Sun was being. “I’m down to 20% if that answers your question.” Sun responded, wrapping his arms around Moon.

The moon themed animatronic let out a soft chuckle, wrapping one arm around Sun as he kept rubbing the solar robot’s head. “I guess I’ll cancel our plans to head over to El Chip’s, huh?” Moon said, already being the process of canceling their reservation. Sun gave a tired nod, tightening his grip on his lunar counterpart.

Sun was too exhausted to do anything at the moment, he just wanted to fall asleep with his moon. As Moon finished canceling their reservation, he looked at Sun & smiling, gently rubbing one of his rays with his thumb. Sun looked at Moon for a moment, his face said everything as he gave his lover a sleepy kiss.

“Night Moonpie” Sun said, nuzzling into the moon’s chest as he began to power down. “Night Sunshine.” Moon replied, holding Sun closer to him.

(& scene. I hope you enjoyed reading this one shot, I wanted to do something fluffy since most of my other prompt/oneshot prompts are more angst filled. A so I give you sleepy sun. I think this could also count as a prompt usage considering I kind of had my clingy sun prompt in mind while making this. However, that’s up to the blog owner to decide.)

[korn-dogz]

You taste like the forth of July

Malt liquor on your breath my my….

Fred durst x Reader

WARNINGS: just fluff with our Freddie D

Summary: Fred drunkly confess his feeling for you

You and Fred had been Fred’s for years now, he’s always been a bit flirty but you didn’t care you thought he was joking, Fred had invited you to party with him one day, he kept on talking about how amazing it would be if you came with him

“Cmon, it’s gonna be even better with you here Y/N” he protested to you on the phone

“Ok fine, I’ll go, but you’re driving me” you finally gave in to Fred, I mean, who could say no to his pretty face?

“Yes! I’ll drive you! Y/N I’ll pick you up in 3 hours byeee~” you bid your goodbyes to him as you hang up the phone, the way his voice sounded at the end was so korny but you giggled at it, you decided to pick out a nice outfit for this party, not too nice just something nice, after all if Fred’s the one inviting you to a party there’s gonna be drinking so you didn’t want a good outfit it get ruined. It was around 6:50 when you heard your doorbell ring, you opened it to find it was Fred “oh hey Freddie! You’re ten minutes early, I’m finishing getting ready right now” you just finished getting on the top you where gonna wear, you still had your sweatpants on “well, even when you’re not ready you still look as beautiful as always” you rolled your eyes at him and smiled widely “shut up Fred” you let him in as he closes the door behind you

“I’m not joking Y/N you look beautiful” Fred is siting on the arm of your couch. All you could do was look over at him and blush like a mad man “ok, I’m ready lets go” you pick up your small bag which had a couple things in it, fred holds out his hand for you to take “let’s go then, pretty” you playful took his hand playing along with his antics. He leads the two of you outside as he opens the passenger seat next to him ”after you” he smirks and holds the door open for you. “Such a gentleman” you hop into his car as he close the door, he gets into the car on the other side and starts the engine “where even is this place?” You put your seatbelt on as you question him “it’s a past the chick fill a that we go to” you are Fred always go to the chick fill a that was down the street, it became sort of, your meeting place.

You and Fred finally arrive at the place the party is being held at “it’s gonna be great I promise, I’ll introduce you to my friends” you get kinda nervous thinking that his Fred’s might not like you, you and Fred get out the car and head for the main door, fred opens the door for you “thanks Freddie” you playfully say, you walk past him and he follows behind you “ok which one do you wanna meet first, Jon or wes?” You didn’t know any of them but you decided to go with Jon

Fred walks you over to where this Jon guy is, you see him with 4 other people “hey! Jon!" Fred shouts over the Puls music, Jon turns around and so do the people around him “oh, hey Fred, whose this?" Jon looks over at you “this is my friend Y/N!“ Fred says excitedly "it’s nice to meet you Y/N, I’m Jonathan and these are my friends munky, David, fieldy, and head” Jonathan points to all of them as he says their names “it’s nice to meet you all, Fred made me come here but it’s cool to see he has friends that isn’t me” Jonathan and his Fred’s laugh a bit at your statement

“Pssshhh whatever let’s go for drinks yeah?” Fred pats your back, he seems drunk but he hasn’t even had a drink yet. All of you guys agree and you head over to the bar, everyone places their order of drinks and waits for it to arrive “you look beautiful tonight” one of Jonathan friends says to you, which you recognized as Jonathan called the guy ‘head’ “oh thank you” you smiled at head and you two continued taking for half the time, you got to know him as a nice guy who plays guitar, but you feel a tap on your shoulder and it was Fred he looked drunk out of his mind, you wouldn’t know since you haven’t been paying attention to how many drinks he had “Y-Y/N c-can I see you in aaaanother r-room” Fred slurred his words as he spoke “oh, okay, head I’ll be right back, I think" you got off your seat and followed Fred to an empty room in a secluded part of the bar “Fred what is this place?” you look around the room he lead you two to, it wasn’t very big but enough to fit a small amount of people, you have your back tuned to Fred as you feel his hands on your shoulders to turn you around. You look at him with a confused face as he pushes you against a wall "ah! Fred what are you doing?!” You got a little nervous as he didn’t respond to your question

“Y/N…. W-When I saw head taking to you and flirting with you I-I’d made me jealous, I know t-that you don’t pick up on flirting like o-other people do” you hadn’t known that head was flirting you but know that you thought of it, he was "o-oh, I didn’t notice that he was flirting with me fred” you hated how you stuttered in the first word “Y/N…… I’m sorry that I-I waited this long to tell you this” he stoped to hiccup and continued on “I-I uh, I actually really really like you, and I not just in a friend way, you always helped me when I was at my lowest and needed someone to help me, you where always so patient and kind to me, and I want to return the favour by” there was a long pauses in his sentence before he continued “being yours…. Your boyfriend” Fred looked at you with worried but with lust in his eyes “Fred…. I actually like you too, I always have, I always liked the way you complimented me almost every day. You’re the guy I wanted to be with, you’re probably drunk tho huh? You don’t know what you’re saying but it’s nice to hear from the guy I love” Fred smiles and kisses you “I may be a bit drunk.. but I mean what I said Y/N” he cups your face and kisses you more passionately 

You smile against his lips “a bit?” You laugh and pull away but you quickly pull him back in for another kiss “god, I love you so much” Fred whisperers through you two making out, you pull away from him, your lips aching to feel his again "do you want to head back to my place?” Fred looked at you with a happy expression "yeah! let me j-just go tell the other guys that I’m leaving” you nodded as Fred walked out the room, fred headed over to the guys in Korn “hey guys, me and Y/N are leaving" he leaned over at head “don’t flirt with her again” Fred left without saying another word

"Hey Fred! You ready?” You waited outside his car and he headed towards you “yup” he opened the drives side “woah! What are you doing? You’ve been drinking a lot Fred, let me drive” Fred whined as you put him in the passenger seat.

You arrived at your house as you had to help Fred up the stairs to your room, you open the door to your room and place Fred down on the bed before he collapses on you “your room is nice…” Fred looks around the room “you’re acting like you’ve never seen it before” you chuckle and hop in bed with him “you ready to sleep?” He lays down beside you and nodes his head sleepily, you smile at him as you get under the blanket and move closer to him and turn over to face him, you feel his arms wrap around your waist and pull you closer to him “good night Fred” you kiss the side of his head as he mumbled nothing into your neck “I love you Y/N” you can feel him smile against your neck as you both fall asleep in each others arms.

[slytherinprincess03]

Under the Mistletoe

I wrote this little story for Christina’s (@nebulablakemurphy) writing challenge. Congratz on 500 followers hon x (considering it’s been awhile since I started writing this, you probably have loads more followers now)

I know this is long overdue, it’s been in my drafts for a very long time. But I finally finished it, (I hoped I would have finished it in time for Christmas, but since it’s the beginning of the year, it’s still acceptable right?) so I just decided to post it.

Anyway hope you’ll enjoy reading this :)

I used prompt 10 from humor, it will be in bold

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Fem!Reader

Words: 1410

Warnings: none, I think. Perhaps semi bad writing?

(Y/N) - your name

(Y/H) - your house

You were sitting at the Y/H table, casually eating your breakfast when suddenly your favorite Weasley's flopped down next to you.

'Well hello there Y/N' George grinned up at you 'Don't you look lovely today' Fred smiled at you cheekily. You raise your eyebrows in surprise 'I'm wearing my school uniform, there's nothing lovely about that.'

'That doesn't matter, love, you still look lovely' he winks at you, which makes you glance at the twins in suspicion. They never complimented you like this and when they do they always want something from you.

'All right what do you want?' You sigh 'what makes you think we want something?' George asks in false hurt, clasping his hand over his heart dramatically. 'We can't even be nice and compliment our friend?' Fred chimes in with his brother's acting.

'I know you two, whenever you compliment me like this, you guys definitely want something from me.' 

'She knows us too well Freddie' George says to his twin 'it appears she does Georgie' Fred sighs dramatically. They give each other a look and George groans 'fine' 'all right, so you want to help us pranking again Y/N?' Fred asks you.

'Depends on who you want to prank' you say, playing with your food while being lost in your thoughts. 'This will be legendary, we were planning on pranking Malfoy' the twins' smirk at you.

'Malfoy? Are you serious? I'm sorry, but you are on your own, I'm not helping' you shake your head and make your way to stand up, but George and Fred force you to sit down again. 'Is it because you like him?' They ask simultaneously while wiggling their eyebrows.

'Are you guys crazy? Of course, I don't like him, what were you thinking?!' you whisper yell indignantly. 'Then prove it, if you really don't like him, help us prank him' Fred smirks  "You are not going to let this go until I agree on doing this, will you?" "nope," the twins grin smugly. "Ugh fine" you sigh in annoyance "but just this once" you continue. "Yes!" Fred and George exclaim excitedly and high-five each other. "What's your plan?"

----

After many eyerolls and sighing, trying to get out of helping the twins, you reluctantly agreed to carry out the plan. The reason you didn't want to help with pranking Malfoy, was because you had a massive crush on him. No one knew about it, although Fred and George might since they were constantly pestering you about it. However, you didn't want to admit to your feelings publicly yet, so you decided to go along with the prank. Seeing as you didn't want Fred and George to know as well, despite having a feeling they were onto you.

Because you desperately wanted to 'proof' you didn't have a crush on Draco, you were setting up the prank in the early morning hours. Fred and George were somewhere on the lookout, they would let you know if someone was coming. The plan was to have Draco be glued to someone who he at the very least disliked.

You were surprised when Fred and George knew he was always roaming the halls of Hogwarts way before anyone woke up. You wondered if he perhaps liked the quietness, you knew for a fact that you did. Fred and George had planned for the prank to play out in the dungeons, specifically near the Slytherin Common Room. That is where you were currently finishing the last touches on the prank.

Just as you were adding the last touches, you heard footsteps approaching. Quickly you went to hide in your hiding spot. You could clearly see the blond Slytherin nearing the prank with every step he took.

However, before you could comprehend what was happening, you felt an invisible force push you towards Draco Malfoy. You stumbled and collided with his chest. You smiled sheepishly at Draco, your cheeks reddening "hi" you mumbled. "Hello Y/N" he grinned down at you with raised eyebrows "fancy meeting you here, do you normally stand this close to a guy or am I an exception?"

"Of course not, do you usually act like a pompous arse?" you ask him innocently, to which he chuckles. "You're cute, did you know that?" You huff in annoyance "I am not cute" Draco smiles to that, but soon his face turns serious. "Well, it was interesting to meet you like this, but I am afraid I must continue. So if you could step aside, that would be lovely."

You take in his facial expression and wonder how he will react to your answer. "I would love to if I could, but if you haven't noticed yet we're kind of stuck to each other." Draco's eyes narrow at that "What do you mean?" You pause, hesitation written on your face. After contemplating for a while you glance at the ceiling. Draco, noticing your glance, follows you with his eyes. His eyes widening in shock when he sees the mistletoe hanging above you.

"So we're stuck to each other until we kiss?" Draco asks horrified "Well yes, that is essentially the purpose of mistletoe" you reply dryly "unless you want to wait for the off chance of someone finding us and knowing how to get rid of it without us kissing." To which he glares at you "very funny Y/N" he replies sarcastically."Yes, I know I'm funny, thank you" you grin "are you serious right now?" he asks with a bewildered look. "No, I'm Y/N" you joke "Salazar, you really have been spending too much time with the Weasley's" he mumbles under his breath. "What was that?" You ask, not having quite heard what he said "nothing" he replies quickly, to which you narrow your eyes in suspicion. Eventually you decide to let it slide, not having the energy to get it out of him.

"Alright, I have an idea" his voice pulls you out of your thoughts. "What if we trick the mistletoe by kissing each other on the cheek?" You look at him to see he is actually serious about his 'idea', baffled by the fact he doesn't know that wouldn't work, you shrug your shoulders. "I know for certain that's not going to work, but you can try if you want" before you know it, Draco plants his lips on your cheek, which causes your cheeks to redden. However, like you said, his action did not work as you are still stuck to each other.

"Well, that did not work" Draco mumbles dryly "yes, just like I told you" you replied. “Obviously, smart arse” he rolls his eyes in slightly annoyed. Before you can reply, a piece of parchment suddenly floads between you and Draco. You look at each other in confusion. "Well go on, what does it say?" Draco eggs you on, you roll your eyes and take the parchment out of the air. "It says: oy stop with the chit chat already and kiss each other for Merlin's sake." Your brows furrow at that, until you've come to the realization this was the twins' plan all along. Get you and Draco in a secluded spot and trying to get you to confess your feelings towards him.

"Bloody hell, someone's watching us? My father will hear about this" Draco is now seething. "Well maybe we should listen to the note" you suggest while shrugging your shoulders. Which results in Draco giving you a bewildered look "are you sure you want that? I don't want you to feel pressured, we could just-" he gets cut off by you grabbing his face and planting a kiss on his lips "I love you even more for caring about my consent" you say with a smile "did you just say you love me?" he asks with a grin. You open your mouth to say something, but he cuts you off "it's a good thing, because I love you too."

You can't hide the smile forming on your face "good" you answer and lean in to kiss Draco again, your hands gripping his blond locks.

  After a much needed air break, you lean your foreheads against each other "where have you been all my life?" Draco murmurs contently "hiding from you" you answer with a grin plastered on your face. "Merlin, you are going to be the death of me" he says while grabbing your face to kiss you again.

Meanwhile Fred and George share a high five "Mischief managed" they whisper to each other simultaneously, grinning from ear to ear.

[sunsetentity]

Checking on Freddy

Hello!!! I haven't wrote any of this in a while, and english is not my first language so sorry for any mistakes! Have a nice day/night!

~~~~~~~

Aside from the low music in the halls, The Mega Pizza Plex was quiet. The lights were shining in all types of colors, illuminating the security robot's face that were roaming around the place you've been quite familiar now. You've been work here almost a month here as a general staff member; your job was to substitute the missing colleague. There wasn't a cashier? You replace them, there wasn't a security guard? You were the security guard, like this night. At first it was a little confusing the change of roles, but the pay was really good, so you just let that slide - you even had a discount for Bonnie Bowl! (But not on the entrance of the mall or renting of the shoes).

You sigh and look at your watch except that at least half an hour as passed, but to your surprise it was only 15 minutes. You massage your temples, "Maybe if I don't look at the hour it'll pass faster" you say to yourself, going to the hall where the animatronic's rooms were displayed. Your colleague Dave, before leaving, told you that he already checked Roxanne, Chica and Monty but didn't make it in time for Freddy. But knowing him, he just didn't like Freddy and was too lazy to do it. Dave should get fired.

You stare on the door, lost in thought for a few seconds and hold up your badge to the scanner, making a little approving noise and letting the door slide. Freddy was looking himself at the mirror, noticing your arrival - "Hello Mx Y/N! It's a pleasure to see you" he says in a happy tone, "Hi Freddy, it's a pleasure for me too" you say smiling, and you really meant that! Freddy was always helpful in the job, never complained of anything (except when you bought foods from other places..) and had always a cheerful way of being. You really liked him.

"So, how was your day? Did you encounter any problems?" You asked, gesturing him to sit on the sofa while you went to the room where he charges and took a red toolbox, "I had issues with my lighter on my finger, it isn't working properly" he says, holding up the finger and trying to light it up. You came back to the room and start inspecting it, while doing some questions. "Did you touch something liquid like water or else? A sauce? Did it stopped working on the first try or after some time?" Etc. He was answering all the questions, but you noticed that the more questions you asked, the more less talkative he was, to the point he didn't answer. He was just looking at you repairing his hand (which didn't have the shell on) and since your question didn't get answered, you looked at him "Freddy? Is everything okay?" You asked, finally getting the attention "Oh! Sorry, I was just lost in thought". You thought to yourself if he actually could think but dismissed it, it was advanced AI after all, or maybe he just have the code to think he could..think? You leave the thought. "What were you thinking about?" You say, too much curious at this point, "Huh, just that.." he took his right hand and he put it in comparison with your left hand, meeting your palm, strangely his hand was warm "We're so different. Yet, we're.. alike in some way." Freddy said in a more serious voice. You, aside from the embarrassment of the gesture, you respond "What do you mean?", Not kinda understanding what he meant. He replied "You're alive, and you're a human. I'm alive but.." he didn't finish that sentence. You know were confused, how could he even have an existential crisis? Is he THAT advanced? You feel sorry for him, so you try to think things to cheer him up, in that state he could go worse or the others would decommission him for this. You inhale slowly and look at Freddy, caressing his cheek, slightly warm - "Freddy, I'm sorry for what you're feeling, I really am. But think! You're alive! Isn't that amazing? You can do so many things! You sing and help so many people you can't even them! And don't let me start on how much the kids love you" you smile, looking away from his gaze "And.. you don't know how much I appreciate you. I really do." You finish, finally meeting his eyes that were bright in surprise, you left him speechless. He was supposed to cheer other people, not the other way around...right?

He smiled and caressed you cheek "I appreciate you, and your work, a lot Y/N." He says, putting his hand on your shoulder. You smile bright, you were really happy at his words (and that he was a little better of course!) "Okay! Let me just re-put this on" you put the shell of the hand back in its place "and ta-da! Back as new" Freddy tried to light up his finger and it worked, even better than before! "Great job superstar! I knew you could do it" you give him a smile, then offered your hand "soo.. I have free time, you are the champion of Fazer blast, wanna teach me how to play? I never played it before". Freddy looked at you and when he heard the offer, his eyes seemed like stars - "Of course Mx Y/N! I will gladly accompany you to the greatest adventure on Earth! Or.. space, for that is." Freddy took you hand, and you two went to the Fazer blast chatting.

This is gonna be a good night.

[linxprime]

A Blood Moon Night

(Ok, first time doing this, also sorry if I butcher many words · w ·`;; ) ⚠Warning!!: foul Spanish and English lenguage (swearing), alien blood, blood and raw meat (don't worry, is not Linx).⚠ Also, this is long . . . Enjoy :"D

We see the Pizzaplex108 furrowing space calmly to a planet. Seen the surface, the entrance to the undergrown cities glowing bright. Our team in the ship's control room. Dj piloting, going near the orbit in a safe point. - Freddy: Drop the anchor, Dj. This is the place.- He order with a calm tone and standing up from his comands chair. - Dj: On my way boss.- He followed and drop the orvit anchors with a comand in dj table like navigation controls. Spining the holographick disk, making the whole Pizzaplex108 rotate ninety degrees looking west. - Freddy: Linx, analysis of orbit life- He asked - Linx: zero orbit life in this planet season. We are safe- Freddy: Good. Chica, Monty, any meteorite activity? - Chica: nothing on the south or north- Monty: Only ice and dust on the east and a few weak meteorite at west, but will not damage anything- Freddy: Roxy, status of the shields- Roxy: at nine hundred percent full powered- Freddy: Allright, Moon, power of artillery and cannons. Sun, day and night cycle of this planet- - Moon: at full power and in wait of comands- Sun: six hours at day, and twenty four hours at night- Linx: Then we came at the two last ours of the day! Did we came too late?- Foxy enters in the room listening the team - Foxy: Not at all lil cub. This planet lives at night and sleep at day. We came in tha perfect time! Now. Every one get ready ladds. This resources and fixing materials buying and intergalactic reunion will take a long while- With that said, everyone moves and go to the living floor. Dj had an off feeling for a second, wondered why but he kept moving with the team.

Meanwhile in the livingroom, we see Gregory puting his space suit/armor on. With some dificulties to put the chest plate on. With a grumpy face and allready desperate to stick the chest plate and it doesn't fall. Freddy's hand holds his solder and with the other hand holds the chastplate in place. Waiting a lil bit and it's finally conected to the armor. Gregory blushed and crosed his arms, in a funny tone he says - Gregory: I had it >:"cX- Freddy chuckles at his son's reaction. Then he turns to the theam and says in a calm tone -Freddy: Ok, Dj and Linx, you will guard the Pizzaplex while we go to the planet. So you two can finally get comfy- Dj and Linx: Ok- said at the same time. Dj with a calm tone while Linx with a cute surprise tone. - Foxy: Take care ya two, we'll be in there the whole night, including the wee lil pup here- Gregory looks at Foxy with a funny and grumpy frown - Gregory: I'm not that small! I'm still growing (ò_ó)- Everyone cackled. After some minutes preparing the Spacecraft. They left the Pizzaplex. Meanwhile Dj and Linx waved them good bye from the doors controls. - Dj: . . . Since this is kinda like waching over the house . . . Do you want to play the story mode of the Curse of Dreadbear 7 we left five months ago?- he asks. Linx looks at him with open eyes and ears tensed up like antenas - Linx: Hell yeah!!! I thought of it when we woke up!- Smiled in excitement and cheered up tone. They both smile and go to the living floor and living room. Prepare some snacks, turn on the HolloPlayStation2, open the game and start playing. The time whent by and the night was near. Dj tensed up waching Linx playing, and Linx determend to finish that level she failed allready six times. The silenced hype was real, both leaning foward the more Linx go foward. The enemys geting more closed to the character Linx played with. - Linx: vamoooos, vamoooooos (come oooon, come oooooon)- She said lowly and focused. When they thought she was going to loose again, the end of the level cutscene appeared. Both of them whent from focus face to surprise wide eyes and a hyped growing smile. Dj fisting and Linx kicking to the air. Dj lives his hand for a high six, wich Linx responds and high six *the tiniest clap you heard when she high six* - Dj: High six sis!! HAHAHAAaa, finally!!- Linx: vamoooooooos!! (let's goooooooo!!), boy that was hard, first time playing it, tho I forgot we were in hardmode- Dj: And we didn't unlock the nightmare mode jet- Linx: theres a nightmare mode!?- Dj: yup, and for the first time we passed that level by the way- Linx: Really!!?- Dj: yep- Linx: so from here going on no one knows how hard it will be?- Dj: yyyuup- They looked at eachother then the hologram screen, then back at eachother - Dj: . . . - Linx: . . . - Dj: are ya reading my mind aren't you- He asks with a wide smile - Linx: *grimlish giggle* yes ... but I'm going to save first cus I don't want to go through that again- She saves inmidiatly with nervious speed. Dj seen this made him laught untill got cut when his head started to hurt sharply. Like if some one was hammering thick nail to your head, and each hammer whent deeper.

He grunted painfully loud, puting his hands on his fordhead. Linx surprise by this, she drop the controler on the coffee table infront of them, and hop in front of Dj. Worried and tryed to heal the headache, puting her hands adove his - Linx: Hermano! you good!?? what happened? do you need me to get a medicen? I can try deem down the pain but it will go back once I live my hands off you- - He grunted again. His eyes wided in horror at the realization - Dj: No. nonononononono- He looked at Linx worried, but fliched becouse a sharper pain and looked down. - Dj: S- *grunt* sorry Linx, I have to go to the bunker right now- Linx: whu- - Dj: I think is a- - The pain whent even harder and harder. To a point he hiperventilates - Linx: Dj!!- Dj: I have to go to the bunker now! Linx, please, close the door and don't open it. Even if I scream of pain. Don't open the door. For your seafty. Understood?- He holds both of Linx solders. Linx looking slightly confuse but nods up and down - Linx: . . Understood- She lookd at him worried and scare. He opens a portal directly in front of the bunker door. Both walk through the portal. They open the bunker door, then he enters running, making a wiff or air move Linx hair and furr. - Dj: Linx, close the door now- Linx: on it, but... will you be allright?- she looks at him with concern - Dj: I- . . . I'll be fine-*painfull grunt* I'll be back in the morning, ok?- He said and ask with a warm smile but you could see the pain in his four eyes. Linx looked at him worried than ever, ears down and a slightly whimp. With a worried soft voice she says- Linx: ... Ok- Then closes the door. Seen him still smiling till the door was close. It hurt our lil medic's heart. Linx satyed there in the outside of the bunker. She jumped when she heard Dj's painfull screams. Made all her furr bristling up and her really short tail like betwin her legs. Ears up like as if she was in danger. Hi's screams were loud, like if he was tortured alive. She could also hear the steam coming out like a incoming steam train. Her heart was beating fast. She looked at the door worried, but she notices something on it. A pice of office tape, she looked arownd and saw a paper on the floor beside the door. She got close and graved the paper. When she grabd it. Dj stoppe screaming, she turned to look at the door, worried. Whent back to see the paper, it was blank till she turn it around. Her eyes wided open in horror to what it was. - ⚠Note: Do not use the bunker! the door whont close! In repairs! ⚠-

Linx face slowly whent terrified expresion. And more now finally realizing what was going on. There's was a red moon tonight. But he thoughts were cut by the sound of the door behind her opening. In companing of a now pure feral Dj's deep growl. She drops the paper and looks at the horizont, not looking behind her - Linx:.... mierda (shit)- When she felt the wind on her back change she sprint foward at full speed. She looked behind her and see Dj. His claws pinned in to the floor. The she looks at his eyes, all his pupils glowing pure red. She knew they could turn red when he was infuriated and angered, but this was diferent. His central pupils didn't have the white shine. His headphones weren't there so he could hear Linx miles away from him. - Dj: GRRRARRULKKKkkkkk *metalick ratlle from inside his mouth*- It was a silence standing off, both looking at eachothers eyes, in waith for the first move. Untill Dj pounced towards Linx at full speed, but Linx avoid it and jump to the side towards the exit of the bunker area. Shadow skating as fast as posible, with her heart in the throad she reached the exit and turn around and saw Dj right behind her. She closed the door the faster she could go. The door was fully close, but didn't knew for how long it would hold him. She walked away with pain in her heart for living him. At first she heard how hard he tryed to break the door, but then there was silence that scared her. She skate far away enought. But she heard a buzzing sound on her right, but inmidiatlly she was pinned up in the wall by him, with one hand, presuring her chest to a point it hurts. He came out of one his portals. - Linx thoughts: O- .. ok I sould had thought of that- - The preasure and weight on his hand was stronger to a point it was hard to breath. - Linx: *grunt* AAA-!! - Tears fell down her cheeks. She looks at his eyes - Linx: b-brother?- with a trembling voice. He gived no awnser, he just whent nearing his open maw to her. His mouth glowing and fangs out. Linx looked in panic, crying but had an idea. But she hated it. She swang her leg to get momentum and kick him in the chin. It made him close his mouth and untight his grim on her chest, and also made one of his thooths fly out. - Dj: GRRUAAAAAAAUGGHhHHHHHHHHHHHkKKkKKkkkk!!!- and by his tone, it hurts. Linx fell on her feet still crying - Linx: lo siento! lo siento! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry!- then she ran again meanwhile Dj covered his mouth in pain. He turned his head in anger at Linx runing away, with blue blood driping out and down his chin. Then he chased her at full speed at the same time turning bersek state. The chase was long even Linx had to go on bersek state to survive everything, even if stron lights are her weakness and it hurt like been burn alive.

After hours of runing and runing. Linx was geting reall tierd, and hungry. She turned her smallest size and hide in one of the cables entraces to take a breath. She was exauted, she was use to run from danger but not for tons of hours! For a moment she could calm down, she felt her heart on her throat. She looked at her hands, shaking like a leaf, with not strength of even close her cluch in to a punch. - Linx thinking: Ok.. ok. . you can do this . . it hurst? hell it does. Is your best friend you consider him as a abrother at this point!! You aren't made to feel adrenaline for long periods of time. . . ok, ok, let's take deep breaths and then we can lure him to his personal frige, he gets some blood from his bags and while he is distracted with that. I can take out meat to calm him more! . . . but there wouldn't be any time to cook it if he is distracted with the blood bags. He will live the bags dead dry in one minute. . Yeah, let's do this- - Her calm and thoughts wereinterupted by Dj's hand entering in the hole. He slamb down, looking with touch were Linx was. She sumeged in the shadow and jump to the wall faecing the hole. He took his hand out and peaked trough it. His eyes looking all he cloud see. He left and try the same in a near cable entrance. Linx took this opportunity and scape from there still in small form. She slide as fast and far but still visible for Dj. - Linx: Hey hermano (brother)!! catch me if you can!!- She shout out to the top of her lungs with a playfull tone. Dj turns her direction and the chase begins again. They both whent the faster they could go! Even if Dj try to trick Linx with portals. They both reached back the living floor. Linx changed to her normals size. Fastly reached the kitchen, open Dj's personal blood fridge and take all the blood bags she could. Dj enters and slow down, but moving and been ready to pounce Linx again. Untill a bag of blood was straight up on his mouth, wich surprises him. - Linx: vamoos (let's goo)! I wish you were aware to had saw what a good throw I just did! finally what you teach me is bloming!- Dj: GRRRrrrrgrrrrrrrrrrrruhhhhkkkk- He looks at Linx still preparing to pounce. In a blink of an eye, he drank the blood from the bag. - Linx: o. . yeah I'm still in danger (°▽° ;). Well, enjoy the drinks!- She throws all the blood bags. Receiving Dj's attention, his eyes glowed even more red. He whet straight up to the bags. Buying Linx some time to take out an amount of meat, meaby enought to calm his hunger. When she returns she is in shock seen he just finished ALL the bags, not even a drop inside or outside. They stare at eachother in silence mainwhile she slowly lives the mountine of meat in the counter. Then she goes to the a small corner were he couldn't reach, like a blurr of fast. After this he looks at the meat. And straight up stats eating. He finishes after a whole hour. Linx sleept in her smallest form after all the chase and that she didn't sleep the whole night. But a loud sound woke her up. Of a big body falling! she looked around and around and sees Dj on the floor in the way to the living room.

Linx gets closer in full silence, she looks at the time and the night is over!! She couldn't belive it's allready over. she look at Dj again, now deeply sleep - Linx: . . .- She aproaches him, still in her smallest form, she climbs his arm and see his face. Still with some blue blood coming from his mouth. Feeling guilty from the kick she gived him. She get's closer to his mouth and heal what she damaged with healing shadows. And thinking now he needs a protetic thooth. She was too tierd to do it now. She stares at him - Linx: . . .- She goes to one side of his cheek and curl up and fell sleep again. Finally both resting from the long night.

After two or three hours. Dj wakes up, with a headache like if he whent drunk really bad. He put his hand on his forehead. His face whent from sleepy trying to open his eyes to horror when he remembered everything. Panic entered like a shot in the back. He raised his head looking for Linx. Waking her up in the process not only the movement but also her head was laying on his cheek. - Dj: Linx!? Linx were are you!?- He shouted out, hurting his ears in the process- Linx: I'm here! I'm here, I'm smoll, down here- She whispered. Dj looked at Linx direction, his eye wided of how small she could be. But a wave of relife came with his breathing but with a sad aura in it. He looks in the horizont for a moment puts his hiding half of his face under his left primary hand, lowering his head again to the floor. Tears forming in his wide open horrofied eyes and Linx notices this. She climbs up to his face and hugs him near the corner of his eye. Dj close his eyes as he burries his face with his hand, over his eyes. - Dj: I- i'm so, so sorry- his voice breaking, trying to hold the tears. Linx moved infront of him, on the knucles of the hand he is hiding his eyes - Linx: is allright- Dj carefully moved his hand, making it a plataform for her. His eyes in shock - Dj: How is it allright!! i almost killed you- - Linx: Becouse you are my brother! you weren't your self and I understand that!! . . . and I'm still here, I managed to survive, but also take care of you- She looks at him with a smile and some tears in her eyes - Linx: also, welcome back- He looks at her, thinks for a moment, looks back at Linx and hugs her gently. Making a cup with his hands holding Linx close to him. Linx rest her forehead on Dj's nose bridge. Linx purred to calm him down, wich he returs an aracnoid purr. A really quiet while passed and Linx fars a lil bit so she could see Dj's eyes -Linx: do you want to sleep after not sleeping a whole night till the team comes back?- They both look at eachother for a sec - Dj: yes, please- Linx chuckled softly. And so they did.

[fcntasmas]

ceecee NO warning at all before putting that creddie gifset on my dash?? 😭 please take some accountability for the way i just spent the last few hours binging the show and realizing that the icarly reboot is FEEDING the creddie crops my adolescent self had planted and had thought were long dead? I can't believe this is the way I am realizing this! I am in shambles! Like. GOD there's just something so personal to me about freddie who has constantly been in relationships with women in his life who have walked all over him and hurt him, now actually really FINALLY being endgame with the one girl he's loved from when they were KIDS, who also happens to be the one girl who has always been kind to him 😭 shambles, ceecee! Im in shambles!!!!

no warning at all we traverse into our preteen years like men

i'm so happy to know you binge watched it though fjsakdlfjklsda i've only just convinced @jamiestartt to watch it after she finishes succession and she was a sam/freddie girlie but she's coming around to my way of thinking bc she loves me <3

but also, listen!! my absolute favorite thing about how they're handling this is how they've shown both of them have grown and are working on having a healthy friendship — they've both acknowledged that their relationship as children was, at best, Imbalanced, but now both of them are like. they have so much life experience under their belts and so many years of actual, genuine close friendship that it just. it MAKES SENSE now and it!! it makes me so happy actually

because, like. ok. icarly on nickelodeon was not meant to be taken seriously, obviously. but the fact that these new writers acknowledge that the people watching this reboot are probably the people who are grown up now as well, and that if they want to write a compelling, more mature show, they're gonna have to acknowledge some of the weird, stupid shit That One Man made canon in the original and, like. CORRECT IT. and they do. they bring it up and fix it without once losing its charm and energy

so like!! now they're written as two adults, best friends, who know each other inside and out and have so much love for each other and have been through so much with each other so of course it makes sense and wow i really just. wrote that many words about the icarly reboot huh lmfao i'm a mess this is so embarrassing

[tatooinebarnes]

Ghost of You - A Roger Taylor Collection

Magdalena Lierens has been assigned to be Queen's tour manager during their first tour of the United States. She didn't ever anticipate that would turn into following a certain blonde with gorgeous eyes across oceans, through over crowded concert halls and into secluded dressing rooms.

complete, 33k words

originally begun in early 2019 here. also on wattpad and ao3

warnings: mentions of drugs, alcohol use, swearing, anxiety, mentions of depression, implied sexual content. basically it’s a 70s rockstar fic so that’s its own warning

disclaimer: tbh i think real person fiction is kinda weird and other than using Queen as inspiration, this isn’t about them as real people. writing this allowed me to develop Lena as a character i love but i will not be writing future fics about real people

+ a little visual i made once for this fic

Part 1 - 16 April 1974 - First USA performance

It was their first performance on U.S. soil. For what she had heard about them, she thought the venue was too small to contain their reputation, let alone their egos. And she kinda felt bad for the headlining band because as of now, it looked like  Queen would go down in history as legendary, where the headliners would only be known for being there when Queen first played the U.S. 

What Lena was doing here, she wasn’t quite sure, she had just been told that for the next months until this tour was over, she would be managing many of the behind-the-scenes Queen affairs. She decided not to question why she would be assigned this sort of task, but it was only ever once in your life you were told that you should manage famous rock stars with zero experience.  Lena had yet to actually meet the band as they were late, as per usual. The headlining band’s singer was pacing the stage, looking out over the empty grounds anxiously.

“What could they possibly be doing. They were supposed to be here to soundcheck hours ago.”

Just then, a car door banged in the distance and followed by a round of unruly laughter. They had finally arrived, Lena thought.

With much flipping of hair and a chorus of “Hello Darlings!” to everyone Freddie saw, the band entered the venue. 

Hours later, the hall was packed full of people, a writhing sweaty mass, drinking in all the rock n’roll thrown at them. At first the crowd had seemed hesitant at the force with which Queen had arrived onto the stage, but it was not long before they fell right into the swing of Freddie’s phantasmagoria. Meeting the band had been about as eventful as Lena had imagined. Freddie had greeted her with a hug and kiss on the cheek, Brian with a warm smile, John with a hesitant half grin and Roger with a wink. She watched them play to the crowd now. They were more incredible to watch than she had envisioned; Brian with his passionate playing, John with his weird little dancing, Roger’s focus and flare, and Freddie’s sheer passion. Lena watched them with intensity, marveling at their stage presence and they way they commanded the still unsure crowd. 

Their set was over as soon as it had begun and the band came prancing off stage as the headlining band went on. 

“What did you think darling?” Freddie asked. 

Before she had a chance to answer, Roger interrupted, “Of course she thought it was wonderful. What other reaction would there be?”

Lena just rolled her eyes, “I was going to say that I was very impressed, especially with your playing songs that were released only a few days ago.”

“Oh so you’re a fan?” Freddie said.

“I just did my research. I figured I should know a bit about you before I spend the next two months making sure you survive.”

“Well then darling, let us all go out together and you can finish your research by having a drink with us.”

“I don’t think-”

“I am sure it is perfectly acceptable. Now let us go.”

To no surprise of Lena, but to the immense surprise of the band, there were no clubs of the sort they were looking for. After living in the States for even a short amount of time it was evident that in the more rural parts, even in a city like Denver, there was a desperate lack of clubs and places which a band like Queen might frequent. They were not perturbed by this state of affairs and still insisted that they go out for drinks.  At Lena’s recommendation they arrived at the most acceptable bar they could find. 

A slow, almost jazzy rendition of of an old rock song was being played on the stage, and although crowded with patrons, the place was fairly docile compared to anything Queen might be accustomed to. The band’s flamboyant dress caught many an eye, but to Lena’s surprise, the four remained quiet and reserved over the course of sipping their drinks.  

“Care to dance darling?” Freddie asked when the grizzled old man on the stage began to sing a swaying melody. 

Accepting his request, Lena let herself be led into the midst of a small collection of other couples dancing. It felt weird to slow dance like this, regardless of the fact that she was dancing with a famous rockstar. The song was shorter than Lena had expected it to be, but at a rustling of the mic and screeching of a stool across the floor, Lena looked up to see Brian situating himself on said stool with the old man’s guitar. Freddie almost giggled as he rolled his eyes. Brian’s accent caught the attention of everyone in the room as he introduced himself, and began to play. It was a song unlike any of the ones they had played in their accompaniment of Mott and the Hopple earlier that night, but an acoustic song that triggered in Lena’s memory, but she couldn’t remember from where. 

“Can I cut in?” Roger’s voice sounded at her shoulder. 

Freddie winked in response, and expertly spun Lena around to land squarely in Roger’s grip. 

Lena was not particularly surprised to find herself here, based on what she had heard about the drummer’s illustrious reputation. And she supposed that one dance couldn’t hurt. 

Roger certainly did not have the same sort of elegance that Lena was used to in dancing partners, but this was not to say he could not dance. His hand on her waist, the other hand in hers felt electric, not something she had foreseen. In spinning circles they danced wordless around the room, Brian’s voice filling up the room, like a warm feeling bubbling over. For some unidentifiable reason, this moment felt more real than any she had experienced in the past decade. 

Brian’s song ended, but he began another, this one too eliciting a tender feeling of belonging in Lena’s chest. She wanted to focus on the song being played, the unusual familiarity it played in her heart, but for some reason she could not keep her attention on that. Instead, she noticed the way the warm light fell on Roger’s hair made it appear more ginger than blonde, and she supposed it did the same to hers. She wondered if it clashed badly with her orange top. 

She found herself shaken at this thought of worrying at her appearance. For one, she was supposed to be their employee. For two, this was not time in her life for allowing her feelings to interrupt her daily discourse. She was shaken out of this string of thought when she felt Roger’s fingers on the thin strip exposed skin between her top and bell bottoms. She guessed he had felt her tense at the contact, for the touch immediately vanished and his conversation and eye contact faltered. 

For the remainder of the song Lena recognized a certain, careful hesitance in a his words. A hesitance for which she was grateful. As the song concluded, Roger detached himself and pulled her from the dance floor grasping her hand in his. 

By the time they reached John and Freddie, Brain had also removed himself from the stage. Roger dropped her hand as they neared the group.

“As wonderful as that was, really Brian, was that all together necessary?” Roger asked.

“About as necessary as your dancing with our new tour manager.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Lena said, noticing a slight blush rise in Roger’s cheeks, “I thought they were both wonderful. Roger,” she said looking at each in turn, “you’re a fine dancer, and Brain your non rock and roll voice is absolutely lovely.”

Later that night when they exited the bar Lena was filled with a joy and anticipation for the coming months. She had decided that she like them all immensely and could not wait to partake in whatever adventures the might encounter. But her eyes kept flickering back to Roger, to his blonde hair and clear blue eyes. How unlike he was to anyone she had before deemed as worthy of her time. WHether he was actually worth her time she did not know, but as of now he had not really lived up to his reputation of being an absolute player, and she wondered if it was all rumors. Those rumors had to come from somewhere though. 

On a what Lena presumed to be the last running bus of the night, that Freddie had insisted on riding, the five of them sat together, accompanied only one other, only mildly sketchy looking man. She wondered what that man thought of their little posse. Brian and Freddie with their dark hair and abstract hairstyles, joking with John, who was looking like a Renaissance painting. And then there was the blonde man, looking almost too pretty to be included with the rest of them, that kept shooting glances at the blonde girl. As much as Roger thought that Lena didn’t see those stolen glances, she saw them, and wasn’t sure if she should return the gaze. As they exited the bus a block from their hotel, she felt Roger’s hand at her back, and at every other excuse he could seem to find to touch her in a casual way, he took.

As Lena rummaged for their room keys from her briefcase, they walked into the hotel, it’s green walls reflecting the light to further establish that it was most definitely the mid nineteen seventies. She led the way to their rooms, giving them each their respective keys. She dropped Roger’s into his hand and felt herself hesitate for a fraction of a second, her hand almost imperceptibly hovering over his.

Then she retracted her hand, flashed him a smile and slipped into her own room, pressing her back against the door. This was ridiculous, she thought, why was her heart thudding in her chest? Why did her palms feel like they were buzzing with energy? Why did she have butterflies in her stomach? 

-

Part 2 - 20 November 1974: Live at the Rainbow

It had been almost eight months since she had met them. Eight months which had brought her immense joy and had been an emotional roller coaster.  She felt more real, as if she were are real member of society, not someone just floating on the edges, despite the fact that she recognized that this group was far from living what one might consider to be the average life. 

Their American tour had been cut short when Brian had fallen sick with hepatitis, but the band had insisted that they loved her too much to let her go so soon. And she really must come back “across the pond” with them. Really she must, Freddie had insisted. And, “what would they do without her” Deaky had asked. So with seeing no good reason not to, she updated her passport, had her company transfer her, and followed four hooligans with big hair and too much sound equipment across an ocean. For the first months there she spent most of her time bouncing between the boy’s houses, random hotels and other crew members couches. Then she found a little flat that overlooked the city, a little place that was just in her price range and fit her minimalist standard. Mostly, it was just very surreal to be here in this century, with the way the way it was so different than home, yet so much the same. 

Not all of her time was spent with the band, as her company elected to keep her quite busy, but frankly, she did not mind. She still had feelings to sort out with regards to the band. And furthermore, too much time spent with them could be exhausting. They loved having her there, taking her out to their favorite clubs, or to play smaller gigs or to just run around the city causing havoc. There were country drives and meeting everyone’s families. Lena was not sure exactly why they all liked her so much, but she gave up asking after Freddie’s mother informed her that she had never seen Roger so happy in all the time she had known him. 

That fact itself was the whole reason she supposed she was still here. There was something between Lena and the blonde drummer. Nothing had happened, there had only been graspings of her hand as they ran down empty streets or catching around the waist before she became enveloped in a crowd of fans, but still there was something there in the way he treated her with uttermost respect and cheerful teasing. 

Now she stood stage side, watching Freddie twirl around the stage for the second night in a row, as he theatrically whirled his outfit. . Brian looking like a great white bird with his long white sleeves that she could not understand how they did not hinder his playing. Deaky danced his little Disco Deaky dance. And Roger was out there being Roger. Despite the fact that the show had barely begun, the lights having just risen to reveal the band to the crowd, Roger looked like he was already sweaty and like he would soon be regretting the outfit he had haphazardly chosen to wear as it slipped off his shoulders. He had been in a particularly awful mood prior to going on, but had still stopped and squeezed her hand before running on stage. 

She watched as she always watched, just barely out of view, a figure in the shadows. Tonight she almost longed to be in the crowd due to the sheer energy in the room. This performance was too iconic to not want to be experiencing every moment of it to its fullest extent. They filtered through the same set they had the night before, everything being played just different enough when live to make it all the more fantastic. Even from her vantage point Roger was becoming increasingly more annoyed as the night went on, although about what she could not determine. But it only fueled his ability to sound wonderful. She still didn’t understand how he could sing normally that one gritty way, but then moments later sing in that high falsetto. His drum solo was spectacular that night, outrageous as he could possibly make it. In fact, everything about that night was spectacular.

That is until at the set’s end he destroyed the drum set, trashing it, sending Deaky scampering away from him and the other two keeping their distance. He swaggered off the stage, obvious annoyance still in his posture. When he reached her though, a grin lit his face and he was laughing almost manically. 

“You okay Rog?”

“Never been better! Now let’s go. Get outta here.”

“Are you sure you’re good?” Brian said slinging his guitar behind him as Freddie and Deaky appeared behind him.

“Just got a little excited is all. Now come on. Let’s get outta here. I need a drink.”

Everyone looked at each other and then back at Roger. 

“Let’s just avoid that again, shall we?” Lena said, “That just makes for some annoying paperwork and other various things in replacing stuff.”

Roger only rolled his eyes and stalked away and the others followed after giving Lena apologetic looks. Lena thought she heard Brian beginning to scold Roger for talking to her that way, saying, “You really ought to be nicer to her man, especially if-”

“I don’t and there’s no ‘if’ statements happening anywhere near her, now will you be quiet!” 

Their arguments faded and became indistinguishable. Lena gave a soft snort. Of course this was about her. Roger had been in mood he thought he hid well ever since he had caught sight of her dancing with some guy at a club last week. Which arguably, she had done for the explicit purpose of seeing how he would react, but she was starting to become annoyed by his behaviour. She pondered this while she waited on them to collect their things. After the usual eternity of waiting they met her by the back doors to the theatre and prepared to exit.

As soon as the doors opened a wave of high screams washed over them. Lena plunged into the crowd after the band, attempting to allow herself to almost blend in as to not draw attention. She had become fairly good at this in the past months, but every once in a while she would allow too much of a distance to fall between her and the band, separating them. Realizing that this was exactly what had occured in the midst of this crowd that had previously inhabited the Rainbow, she felt a small twinge of panic in her stomach. 

But, just as on many previous occasions, she felt someone latch onto her wrist, dragging her through the crowd. It was of course Roger, looking more annoyed than he usually did after any occasion of saving her from groupies. 

“Jesus woman, you have really got to get better at not being lost in the crowd. Why are you so afraid of being seen with us?” he whisper yelled into her ear over the noise of the crowd.

“I would just rather not be photographed and have my face plastered on the covers of newspapers. You know that.”

“But you’re our tour manager, it would be perfectly normal for the press to have a field day in discovering that a woman could possibly figure out how to effectively manage us,” he said sarcastically.

Lena climbed into the car he held open for her, “I would hardly say I’m you tour manager anymore, I just happen to be allowed into all of the places because you guys want me to. And I answer questions of people who have very specific questions about all the band’s specific needs. A job that could be done by anyone. Or frankly not at all.”

“Don’t be ridiculous darling,” Freddie interrupted, “We absolutely adore you and you are a necessary part of our team.”

The rest of the car ride back to the Freddie’s was uncharacteristically quiet. Roger had fallen back into his sulky mood and the others seemed to follow suit. Upon arrival at Freddie’s there was a small party already in full swing, but nothing compared to the normal status of Freddie’s parties, but still, Lena wrinkled her nose; she was not in the mood to deal with these sorts of people. 

“I saw that look Lena. Why do you always turn up your nose at my parties?” Freddie asked.

“Because they are exhausting. And I would currently love to go home.”

“No, do stay, you always leave early. I will personally mix you your favorite drink.”

Lena rolled her eyes but agreed and followed them into the house. Roger was still sulky and tracked too closely on her heels. Everything was in a constant state of motion in Freddie’s house, an abomination of existence for anyone who was already tired or not in the mood for a party. Even Freddie personally mixing her drink did not convince her to commit to the the swing of the party. 

She found herself alone with her drink, a little bitter after she had dumped a couple extra shots in. Lena wandered upstairs and entered Freddie’s marvelous library. She ran her fingers across the rows and rows of books, occasionally pulling one from its place. One of her favorite things about this library was the tall french doors that opened on to a small balcony. Picking her way through the shadowed room she hesitated in surprise when she saw there was already someone on the balcony. 

But the now slightly limp hair gave the figure away as being Roger and she ventured onto the balcony with him. When the doors squealed on their hinges Roger whirled, about to spout profanities at whoever dared to disturb his peace. 

“Oh, it’s you,” he said before leaning his elbows back on the wide railing.

“Why are you up here?”

“Because I don’t feel like being cheerful. I would much rather wallow in my misery by myself.”

“Well that is no fun at all. Let me join you in your misery,” Lena said crossing the balcony and resting her elbows next to his.

Roger was silent in response and Lena decided to let him be until he decided he had something to say. This lasted for a few long moments before Lena realized he was going to be indifferent and ignore her.

“Roger, why are you being like this.”

“Like what. I’m being exactly me.”

“No you’re not. The man I met eight months ago wouldn’t turn down a party. Especially after a show like that. And the man I heard rumors about before that wouldn’t turn down the prospect of all those beautiful A-List actresses down there.”

“Oh wouldn’t he?”

“I don’t know. I seem to have never met that man.”

“And did it ever occur to you why that might be?” he said, looking at her, mild frustration creeping into his voice.

“Well, I could give you reasons. But I think I’d rather you tell me yourself.”

“Oh you’re so exhausting.”

“No I’m not. I’m just waiting for you.”

“To what, tell you that I’m in love with you? And I couldn’t stand the thought of being with anyone but you. From the moment I met you.”

Lena bit her lip, her smile lighting up her eyes, “That was more than I was expecting. But essentially yes,” she breathed.

“I can’t drown it out anymore. I always do try to ignore the way you make me feel. But as dumb as it sounds, I can’t.”

“Rog-“

No listen. You didn’t know me before. You make me better. It’s so much easier to do this touring thing when you’re here. 

“Rog.”

“What?”

“Just kiss me.”

And he did. It was not the sort of kiss she had imagined more times than she cared to admit. He didn’t ask permission or hint at any reservation. Lena knotted her fingers in his hair and sighed in satisfaction that finally after all these months of wondering, she had been correct in her presumptions. Roger gripped her face, more careful she guessed, than he had ever kissed anyone before. It was like a buzzing of electricity that had been exactly meant to arc over these certain pieces that were Roger and Lena. 

The french doors flew open with a slam, rattling the panes in the glass.

“Ah-ha!” I knew it!” a delighted, slightly tipsy Deaky shouted, his girlfriend Veronica in tow behind him. 

Lena jumped backward in response to this intrusion, while Roger barely seemed to notice. 

“Really Deaks, you had to interrupt.”

“This calls for a band meeting I think,” and without pausing, Deaky rushed to the edge of the balcony and called down to the crowd below, “Fred! Bri! You’re needed up here immediately!”

Lena looked down to see many heads turn upwards in response. From that far away she wondered if people could see that her face had turned tomato red. Unlikely. But still. Embarrassing.

To everyone’s surprise Freddie’s voice sounded back. A path cleared for him and he was followed by the large head of hair that was Brian. Lena was trying to configure her way out of the situation and extract herself before anyone else could come persecute her about making out with a pretty rock star, but Roger would have none of that. Now that he had kissed her and gained her permission to openly show his affection, it did not seem to matter to him that this was altogether an uncomfortable situation. 

Deaky was still giggling when they heard Brain’s clogs on the tiled floor outside the library and Freddie’s merry laughter. 

“What is the emergency darlings? Don’t tell me someone has died. We were just getting into the groove of things.”

“No. SO much better than that,” Deaky laughed, brushing his hair out of his face, “You will not guess what I walked in on.”

Brain immediately grinned. “Based on Lena’s flaming red face and Roger’s uncharacteristic silence, I could probably exactly guess.”

-

 Part 3 - Early 1975: Somewhere In London

In only a couple weeks they would be off to a recording studio in the country. Times were changing as the band’s fame escalated and Lena’s relationship with Roger took a more serious turn. At this exact moment she found herself standing on the doorstep of narrow white house, three stories tall, slid in among other almost identical little homes. She had arrived in an unusual moment of sunshine where the rain did not berate her to go inside. She lifted her her hand to rap on the door, wondering why in the world Roger would have so mysteriously invited her here. 

A moment later the door opened to reveal Roger’s beaming face. He almost buzzed with excitement as she entered the house, unable to stop babbling. To Lena’s surprise the house was vacant of all furniture and empty of any proof of anyone residing there. Despite the small outside appearance, the light white of the walls and floor to ceiling windows made it appear open and large. As Roger led her up the stairs she noticed her palms were sweating with stress; there could be approximately one reason why he would have brought her to this empty house; a house in perfect location to be accessible to both of their current places of employment, a place in her favorite part of town, a place that exuded hominess. 

When they reached the top floor and the tour ended in what was likely the master bedroom as it opened out onto a small french doored balcony, Roger stopped his chattering and turned to face her seriously.

“Lena love, I know that this is weird to ask. And I do acknowledge your full right to say no. Because if I were you I would say no too. But I love you and I want to spend as much time as I can with you. And so I think that maybe, the best way to do that, is if you would give me the pleasure of moving in with me?”

She knew that he had been planning to ask her this, or at least some version of this for some time now. And she thanked the Lord that he had not asked the other question.   His hands were on her arms, blue eyes looking at her with a yearning for her to respond positively. With deep desperation she wanted to say yes, but she still felt that fear that it would all shatter violently pulling her to say no. If she said yes, everything would change and there would be no avoiding that she was Roger’s girl, there would be no avoiding the terror that was the paparazzi. But if she said no she would lose the best thing that had happened to her, she would lose this love of her life. 

“Say something Lena,” Roger whispered.

“I-,” her mind was whirling with her mild terror and selfish reasons for not wanting to fully commit to this relationship. “Of, course Rog,” she heard herself saying, “I would love to live with you.”

After a sigh of relief he leaned in to kiss her, grinning as his mouth met hers, and instantly Lena felt reassured. It would be worth it, all the craziness, all the people, it would be worth it. 

He suddenly pulled away from the kiss and almost skipped across the room to where the a pristinely white record player sat, embedded carefully into the wall as to not attract attention from the rest of the room.  She watched him with interest as he pulled a 45 record from the bag she had noticed had been present in the house when she arrived. Before he dropped the needle down he grinned at her. 

The old jazz filled the room, instantly flashing her back to the memories of where she had first heard such music. Roger ventured back to her, “Care to dance Lena?”

She melted into his arms, letting him steer them around the empty room. “This song, how did you find it?”

“Brian. It took him a while, but he was eventually able to scour up a forty five. It’s some song from the fifties. I’ve really never even heard of the artist.”

Lena smiled, closing her eyes. Maybe she had heard this song somewhere before meeting Roger, but now it would be her and Roger’s song, a reminder of their time spent together, whether it be of awkward first meetings or dances in empty houses that would soon be theirs together. Dancing around the room Lena wondered how she could have possibly ended up here, after all the things her life had offered her and thrust upon her, how could she have ended up in the arms of a gorgeous rockstar with a heart of gold and eyes like pools of the clearest water she’d ever seen. Yet here she was, through it all, they were here together. 

-

Part 4 - Mid-1975: Ridge farm

Lena killed the engine of the car far out of sight of the old farmhouse she knew to be Ridgefarm. Only a few windows remained lit, but she focused on the one she knew to be Roger’s. Freddie had explicitly forbade anybody but the band and recording personnel to be present during this last couple weeks of recording because he wanted there to be no distractions in their attempts to finish this album. Lena understood that, but sincerely doubted that the band was accomplishing as much as Freddie insisted they were without distractions. So Lena had elected that the best way to see Roger was to sneak into the Ridgefarm grounds at various times throughout their stay there. Shutting her car door silently Lena reflected that this action was exceptionally unlike her, sneaking into somewhere to see a boy. But much of what she these days was unlike the way she imagined herself to be; it was not all bad, just different. 

When she reached below Roger’s window she hoised herself up the trellis and through the vines growing on the side of the old building and up to the glass. Peering in the room, the appeared to be empty, although the lamp was on. With a careful push she slid the window open with minimal noise and slipped inside. The door to the room was shut, but she caught snippets of the conversation from the rooms below and guessed that it would be a long while before this particular band discussion was over. 

Lena laid down on the bed, wrapped herself in quilt and stared at the ceiling. The quilt smelled distinctly of Roger and Lena felt a wave of relaxation wash over her. Despite how odd her life had become and how she found herself doing the strangest of things to spend time with him or avoid being pursued by paparazzi, it was joy to be doing such things by her own desire rather than spending her every waking moment dedicated to her job as she had for too long spend doing. She lay contemplating this and day dreaming of the summer days left to spend with Roger and the rest of them, before long drifting off to sleep.

“Roger Meddows Taylor! Get your ass up here!” a voice laughed loudly as the bedroom door slammed, causing Lena to sit straight up on the bed and stare at Brian with wide eyes. Roger burst into the room a moment later. 

“What!” he demanded harshly, and then concluded with a soft “Oh” when he saw Lena, a slight grin on his lips. 

“You send me up to get your dumb lyrics and proceed to forget that you illegally, by Freddie’s rules anyway, invited Lena. That’s a whole new level of forgetfulness, even for you Rog,” Brian grinned.

“Really Roger, I did tell you I was coming,” Lena said, pretending to pout. 

“I really am sorry love. It’s just this discussion,” he looked pointedly at Brian, “that we are having over the b-side of our single.”

Before anyone else could respond Freddie’s voice called up the stairs, “What’s going on up there? We have things to do you know.”

“Lena was just-” Brian began to call back before Roger slapped a hand over Brian’s mouth.

“Lena? Lena isn’t supposed to be here?” Freddie’s voice returned, coming closer now. He stepped into the room a moment later frowning at Lena. “Really you couldn’t stay away for just two weeks?”

“Well arguably, it’s been longer than two weeks and the time you all have spend recording this thing have been months beyond that.” 

“Valid. But darling we have still so much to do.”

“Well from the sounds of it you all were doing nothing but arguing over whose songs are most important-”

“Potentially, but now that you’re here, new subject, because I finally procured your birthday present,” Freddie said. 

Before Lena could respond that her birthday was literally months ago, Deaky’s voice sounded from the floor below.

“I’ll just be down here drinking tea whenever you all are ready to come back down.”

Lena snorted slightly and followed the others down to the kitchen.

“Oh hello Lena. How are you?” Deaky said, seemingly without surprise to see her.

“Lovely thank you.”

“Now,” Freddie said pulling a box from a cupboard, “I was looking for just the right thing for your birthday, but then Roger got you that gorgeous red leather jacket, and there was no way I could one up that, so I was just waiting for something perfect to come along. Then the other day I was realizing that you in no way visibly affiliate with the band. Which I know is on purpose, but I thought you should have a little something that is from us, as Queen, to you.”

“So this really is from all of us, although it was Freddie’s idea,” Deaky said.

“Go on, open it now,” Brian said pushing the box toward Lena.

Lena shook her head at them, grinning, and untied the ribbon that held the box closed. From inside she pulled a simple jean jacket with “QUEEN” printed repeatedly vertically on the back in the typical Queen logo font. 

“See darling, now you have a little bit of representation of the band, and because you are a Queen,” Freddie said excitedly.

“Thank you all so much, I absolutely love it.” 

“But not as much as you love me?” Roger said grinning.

“Yes thank you Rog,” Brain said, “We all definitely need you to confirm that she loves you.”

Brian sniggered and ducked his head as both Roger and Lena simultaneously smacked him.

Freddie ignored the exchange; “Go on, put it on!”

So Lena did and paraded the jacket around for all to see, and even Paul, who had unfortunately come in to see what all the noise was about gave his approval. And Lena had to admit that it was the perfect gift from the band; it was a very high quality jacket that was sure to last decades and gave her a fun but none too outrageous association with the band. Well perhaps it was a bit much to have “Queen” stamped repeatedly vertically across your back, but still, she loved the jacket. 

“Really though, now that you have that finally, get out, you’re disrupting the flow of our recording process.” Freddie said.

“You’re not going to at least let her stay the night and not travel back in the dark?” Deaky asked somewhat sarcastically.

“Because Lena staying the night with Roger is something we would all be hearing about anyway-” Brian started.

Lena genuinely hit him with actual force this time, “Will you stop it?”

Brain just sniggered as Freddie began, “Well I suppose if you stayed that would give Roger some motivation to actually cook something delightful for breakfast, because thus far he has only been helpful in making approximately one pot of coffee.

“See Rog is the best cook out of all of us,” Deaky explained to Lena, “But he only really is willing to cook when he has you to impress.”

“Oh sure,” Lena said, rolling her eyes. 

 “It is true, I have left these hooligans to fend for themselves,” Roger said, but with you here I could be convinced to impress you all with a gourmet breakfast.”

Freddie clapped his hands together, “It’s settled then, you may stay!”

“Thanks dad,” Lena said sarcastically. 

That night Lena slept soundly wrapped in Roger’s arms, happy to be here not only with Roger, but with the rest of them, whom she now regarded as her family. 

The next morning Lena found herself alone in the bed but could faintly pick up the smell of coffee wafting up from below. Padding down the stairs of the drafty old house she made her way into the kitchen where Roger was well on his way to a strong display of his cooking skills. 

Lena stole a piece of bacon and went on her way to pouring coffee as Roger hummed some unfamiliar song that she guessed must be a part of their new album.

“How did you sleep love?” Roger asked.

“Quite good actually. You?”

“Wonderful because you were there.”

Lena rolled her eyes and sat on one of the bar stools at the kitchen’s island. 

“What is the plan for today then?”

“Well we are still recording, so I suppose you could sit in on that if Freddie will allow it. He has been very particular about this album. Especially this one song we are working on. I think you’ll like it though.” 

And like it she did. They were still perfecting little pieces of it, but it was for the most part done, the masterpiece that was Bohemian Rhapsody. Standing behind the glass watching Freddie’s one last little retake, or so he said, Lena felt the gravity of the moment, realizing she was witnessing history being made. Roger came up behind her and put his head on her shoulder, wrapping his arms about her waist.

“Quite impressive isn’t it?”

“It amazing,” she breathed. 

They continued to listen, Lena becoming increasingly more impressed with everyone’s contribution to the song, from John’s bass that she just barely heard, Roger’s falsettos, Brian’s overall aesthetic and just Freddie being Freddie. 

“What did you think of that Lena, dear?” Freddie asked when he came back into the sound booth.

“It was absolutely incredible Fred, I’m so excited to hear the whole album.”

“Well I can’t spoil the whole thing for you, but I suppose we could share one more with you. And because its you, I’ll play the whole thing for you live. Come along in with me.”

“If you say so.”

Lena followed Roger and Freddie into the studio, and sat down on an amp as Freddie sat at the piano. Roger sat on the ground next to her in such a way that he let his head rest in the curve of her waist. Lena gasped Roger’s hand as Freddie began the song,  and Lena again wondered what a marvel it was to be able to watch Freddie play. 

“Love of my life, you've hurt me

You've broken my heart and now you leave me

Love of my life, can't you see?

Bring it back, bring it back

Don't take it away from me, because you don't know

What it means to me”

By the end of the song Lena had to hastily wipe a tear from her eye as Freddie looked up from the piano grinning. 

“That was beautiful Fred.”

“Thank you dear. I’m quite fond of it.” He paused as if thinking, “Now I’ll be going now but I’m calling you,” he pointed at Roger, “back in to actually get stuff done with the rest of us at noon. So you,” he pointed at Lena, “will need to be gone by then.”

“That’s perfect, I have somewhere to be tonight anyways,” Lena said, nodding to Freddie’s instructions as he left the room.

“You know you really don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” Roger said looking up at her.

“I know, but I figure that you guys have magic to perform and I have a long list of things to get done this weekend.”

“I would not say its magic, but maybe close,” he said half grinning, “Do you want to do anything while you’re here?”

“No, I just came to spend time with you and the boys. So whatever you have in mind is perfect.”

“Okay then, I’ll give you the full tour of the farm and we’ll see who we run into.”

Lena stood up and offered Roger her hand, but as she stepped back to shift her weight to pull Roger up she caught her foot in a stray crash cymbal stand and her, Roger and it fell with a loud cacophony of noise. 

They landed with Roger’s nose almost touching Lena’s, his body just propped up over hers.

“You know, if I didn’t know better, I might have though you did that on purpose, just to have this fine opportunity to kiss me,” Roger teased.

Lena rolled her eyes, “You wish Taylor. But I will still take the chance that has presented itself”.

Their kiss only lasted for a split second though, as Brian rushed into the studio, “I heard a giant crash and worried if you- Oh. Of course,” he said stopping when he saw Roger nearly on top of Lena on the floor.

“I swear this is significantly more innocent than it looks,” Lena said tilting her head in the direction she knew Brian to be standing, despite not being able to actually see him. 

“Sure it is. But either way, let's keep the making out in the studio to a minimum please,” he said sarcastically as proceeded directly back to wherever he had been before.

Roger pecked Lena on the lips once before rising to his feet and offering her his hand, “No falling this time.”

“Right. Now I would like a tour of this place you all have spent so much time recently.”

“One tour of Ridge Farm, coming right up!” Roger said, and grabbed her hand as he pulled her though the mess of instruments and sound equipment that would produce Lena’s most favorite Queen album.

-

Part 5 - November 1975 - Home

It was an early morning where Lena had woken up and been unable to fall back asleep. Padding through the house that was now her and Roger’s, she put on some coffee and retrieved the muffins that she had made the previous weekend. There was nothing better than these sort of mornings, where she was in her happy place of knowing Roger was just in the next room and she could sit quietly, enjoying her alone time. She sipped her coffee and sat down at the upright piano that Roger had insisted exist within the house if for no other reason than to have it fit the aesthetic of the house. She did know how to play, and unknowest to Roger, quiet well in fact. She had noticed the sheet music that Freddie had left there several months ago when he had come by to show Roger final touches of a piece he had been finishing. 

Lena had forgotten about the music until just now but was elated to find that the music Freddie had left was the sheet music for the beginnings of Bohemian Rhapsody. With the feeling of the keys almost too foreign under her fingertips, she began to play, following Freddie’s gorgeous handwriting and trying to remember what the actual song sounded like, because this version still lacked the magic that it was in its finality. Part way through the song she heard the floor boards creek behind her, and envisioned Roger to be leaning in the doorway behind her. As the song finished he came and sat down beside her on the piano bench.

“I did not know that you played.”

“I don’t. Well I don’t anymore.”

“You should, because for that being such of rough draft of BoRhap,” he said gesturing, to the sheet music, “and you having heard the actual song only half a dozen times, you sure made that your own, yet still Freddie’s melody remained there.”

“Well I would actually argue that I have heard the song way more than half a dozen times,” she said leaning her head on his shoulder, “now that the full album has been released the radio stations will not stop playing it.”

“Still, you are quite talented love,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to his side.

“I’ve had a lot of practice is all.”

“Whatever you say dear.”

For a moment they were still before Lena broke the silence and tilted her face up to Roger’s, “Don’t tell Fred I was playing his song? Because then he will insist I play it for him and, ah, that is just not a good time and is something that I don’t want to encounter.”

Roger smiled down at her, “You need to give yourself more credit, especially if you can play it so well on the very first time looking at it. And there’s no need to impress us all, we already know you’re a wonderful human being.”

Lena rolled her eyes, “I may be a wonderful human being as you say, but I am not a wonderful musician on the level of the four of you, and all the other crazy talented people I’ve met because of you.”

“Darling you really must stop worrying about things like that, we’re all just people who have happened to been put in the spotlight.”

“Yes, in the spotlight of the centuries. People are going to look back at your music and be like wow, those guys were the real rockstars.”

“I like that you think I’m a rockstar,” he said, leaning just a bit closer to her, grinning mischievously.

She knew where this was going but played along, “Well you are a rockstar. And a famous one.”

“Oh just enough to be dangerous. And to attract people like you.”

“I think you would do that regardless of whether you were a famous rockstar or not,” she said, remaining absolutely motionless and just barely failing to give him the ‘okay’ to kiss her.

“Hmm maybe, but I would have never met you if that were the case.”

“This is perhaps true,” Lena said grinning, still not closing the distance between them. She immensely enjoyed that even this far into their relationship he still waited for permission to touch her, to kiss her. 

“But,” she started, now leaning in and slowly blinking, “You never know with these sort of things, the things that are meant to happen, just sort of seem to happen you know.”

“And I am glad they do my dearest Lena,” he said as he kissed her.

It was the slow, untidy morning kiss that Lena had become so accustomed to these past several months. She turned to face him better and wound her fingers in his now almost long hair while he pulled her closer. Pressed up against each other on the piano bench like this was the sort of place she wished she could exist is forever, for all eternity just be here on this bench sharing slow, soft, kisses that spilled away from her mouth and down her neck. 

Lena exhaled sharply as she felt Roger’s teeth barely skim the exposed skin of her collarbone where her nightshirt had begun to slip at Roger’s prompting.

Roger pulled away from her at that, although she really wished that he would cease being so polite and perfect all the time. Lena smiled slowly and rolled her eyes, “You know, I will not break like a china doll.”

“Oh I know, I think you are exactly opposite of breakable, I just don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Roger, we have this conversation literally everytime we do this, nothing about you makes me uncomfortable.”

“Right then,” he said, and leaned in to kiss her again, this time with far more urgency.

“But,” she said pulling away, “You really have to be going this morning. You promised Fred you wouldn’t be late for another press interview.”

“Oh he’ll live,” Roger said, running kisses along her jaw, his hands gripping her waist.

“I’m sure he will. But you really did promise.”

“But I promised to love you forever far before I promised him I wouldn’t be late,” he mumbled into Lena’s neck.

Lena smiled and pushed him back, gripping his face in her hands. “I know. But you really must be going.”

He took hold of her hands in his own, pulling them from his face and holding them tightly, “But I also must really be spending my time where it matters, which is with you.”

“Stop being silly, and just get going. There’s coffee already going and muffins still left from the weekend.”

“You know what also could be continued from the weekend-”

“Rog no,” Lena finally stood up laughing, “You have got to go.”

By the time Roger had put himself together and downed a cup of coffee, Lena had successfully made it through several more iterations of Bohemian Rhapsody and could now play it with her own flair with ease.

“See,” Roger called from the entryway where she could see him buttoning up his coat, “You are absolutely quite a talented musician.”

Lena left the piano, carefully setting down the cover over the keys and padded to the entryway. “Go have fun. Remember you’re supposed to be doing outrageous rockstar things and having all sorts of ridiculous adventures.”

“It’s a press interview, how fun can it really be? Plus you won’t be there.”

Lena rolled her eyes as he pecked her on the lips before turning to go. Before he could get far tho she grabbed the collar of his coat and kissed him again with a little more force than really necessary;

“I think I will be home from work when you are. In any case though, just remind me of where we left off on the piano bench when you get home, won’t you?”

He smirked at her as he reached for the door, “You bet I will.”

-

Part 6 - 5 February 1976 - New York City

         Winter mornings in New York would never be her favorite, but she could not say that she had not missed them in the past couple years she had spent in London. There was just something particular about the way New York busied itself and the way people took in the rare spot of sunshine while simultaneously wrapping themselves tighter in their coats. Lena was no exception to this trend and wished she had not let the sight of the sun deceive her into choosing an outfit that was more aesthetic focused than functionality focused.

With a pleasant feeling of being back at home in her stomach Lena glanced up at the marquee sign that simply read “Queen” and then in smaller lettering “8pm Sold Out” before walking up to the glass doors of the Beacon Theatre in hopes that there was someone in the gorgeous lobby beyond. Perhaps this was not the best way to gain access to the locked theatre, but she was really hoping to not have to go on a hunt for the actual band entrance, besides, it was so much more fun to walk in the front doors like everyone else.

Despite living in New York for some time previously to joining Queen in London, Lena had never actually been inside the Beacon Theatre and had sort of hoped to be able to enter through the front doors and experience it like the rest of the public because she had heard that one must experience it in full in order to get the best effect. With no one in sight in the lobby she had given up knocking on the glass in hopes that some crew member would recognize her from afar due to her red leather jacket. After a solid half an hour of standing there, a time in which she could have most defiantly have found another entrance, a roadie finally passed close enough to the front doors to recognize her and let her in.

“Lena dude, how long have you been standing out here?” the fluffy haired roadie asked.

“Only a half an hour. Thanks.”

“No problem,” he said and continued his way.

Thankful to finally be out of the February cold, Lena paused once inside to unzip her jacket and run her fingers through her hair. Part of the image she was portraying today as the rock n’ roll girlfriend depended heavily on the white, fading Led Zeppelin t-shirt she had tucked into her jeans and there was no reason to conceal it beneath her red jacket. In her momentary pause Lena took in the extravagance of the lobby, imagining how it would be tonight, packed with people eager to enter the auditorium and see the one and only, Queen.

The lobby itself rose to a high vaulted ceiling where an immaculate chandelier hung, throwing warm light all over the room. Walking into the auditorium Lena was immediately thankful that she had been able to come through the main entrance and see the theatre from this vantage point. The high ceilings mirrored that of the lobby, but it was far more beautiful than the lobby. The walls emitted an almost glowing gold, etched in with various spurts of red decorations. The seats were the same vibrant red as the curtains on the stage, perfectly emulating the roaring twenties feel within which it had been built. It was all but silent and completely still in the auditorium and she guessed that the band had concluded their soundcheck early, or more likely, not even started. The entirety of the band’s equipment was on the stage, but there was not a soul in sight and Lena wondered where on earth they had gotten to and how long it would be before they remembered that they were supposed to be meeting her here at nine.

Lena walked around the theatre while she waited and gazed up at the paintings on the walls, studying them, wishing she could see them closer. She studied them with such concentration that she did not even notice Brian enter onto the stage until he began playing his guitar, the chords that so distinctly defined Bohemian Rhapsody echoing beautifully in the otherwise empty auditorium. She whipped around to face the stage at the sound and Brian only smiled in greeting and kept playing.

 She walked up to the far side of the stage and rested her elbows on it and watched Brian play, his big hair drooping down around his face as he focused on his guitar. She considered for the hundredth time that week how incredibly blessed she was to be able to tour with this band and watch them as they made history.

“Hey! No ogling other rock stars Lena!” Roger’s voice said from a stage wing before he emerged.

“See but you don’t play guitar, and there’s just something about guitarists…” Lena teased as Roger emerged from the wings.

“Does that include bassists?” John said joining in as he emerged from the same wing and spun around as if showing off his bass that was slung over him.

“You betcha Deaky,” Lena said flashing him a smile.

Roger frowned in a way that Lena found hysterical and she snorted with laughter in response.

“And what about lead singers darling?” Freddie asked, prancing onto the stage.

“Defiantly goes for lead singers,” Lena said, shooting Roger a smirk.

         “Well then you’ll just have to get a ‘thing’ for drummers too,” Roger huffed as he leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips before turning to fetch his coat.

         Lena grabbed his collar before he could turn away fully and kissed him a little deeper, “I think,” she said pausing the kiss, “that you could say I already have ‘a thing’ for a certain drummer.”

         “You too are getting ridiculous in your weird flirting you know,” Deaky said pretending to look at his nails in boredom.

         “Oh I know, it’s all just to annoy the rest of you,” Roger said, detaching himself from Lena. “But now, if we want Lena to give us a tour of the city we really gotta get going.”

         “Don’t you need to like, soundcheck?” Lena asked.

         “That’s for later darling. Now come on, the gold aura of this place is giving me a headache,” Freddie said gesturing.

         “Who would have thought that gold and glam could ever give Fred a headache?” Brain said rolling his eyes.

         “Come on guys, grab your coats we have so much to do and see,” Lena said.

         They followed her out of the otherwise empty auditorium, their laughter and jokes echoing off the walls. Once on the street they settled into being only mildly obnoxious because they knew that at this point in their careers, anyone, anywhere could, and would recognize them. Lena hoped that this day would consist of little interactions with fans but guessed that it could not be completely avoided.

         Mostly Lena was just wanting to show them her city, another piece of who she was aside from just following them around the world for the past couple years. She had decided to show them only a couple of her favorite sites in Manhattan, for her favorite places were in New York were far more secluded and were away from direct integration with busy streets. But there were still many places to venture to that she knew the boys would enjoy by sheer fact that she was the one giving the tour.

         After a few blocks Roger quit his fooling around with the others and joined her in the lead, taking her hand and walking beside her.

         “Thank you for putting up with us my dear.”

         Lena started to respond but Freddie interrupted her, “If she didn’t put up with us, she couldn’t have you.”

         “Yes, thank you Fred,” Lena said rolling her eyes for what seemed like the millionth time that week alone, “But I do love you all dearly and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

         Lena and Roger talked as they wound through the city streets toward Central Park and upon arrival through the park’s long pathways. They walked a little ahead of the other three hand in hand as Lena explained her favorite things about the city and pointed out little pieces and spouted random facts. Even the February cold was not bothersome to her as they walked; she was back in her own environment but now with her favorite collection of people at her side.

         They stopped occasionally for Lena to tell them a story or to buy steaming cups of hot chocolate from an only mildly sketchy looking stand, but they were soon done with their tour of the park.

         “And now for the New York taxi experience all by your lonesomes. Not all that interesting but still kinda an adventure,” Lena said, as she began her attempts to hail a taxi.

         In the process of getting two taxis they were stopped by a couple fans who had recognized the band. But with a taxi waiting Lena was able to avoid being directly interrogated along with the rest of them.

         “You know I was really thinking that we were blending in quite well,” Roger said once they were in their own cab, the other three taking another.

         “You four have a tendency to not blend in anywhere.”

         Roger folded and unfolded his sunglasses in his lap, “I wish we could sometimes. It would be so much easier to go do stuff.”

         “Yeah,” Lena agreed and paused to reflect on how desperately she wished it could be that way, “but it would also be so much less of an adventure that way.”

         “True,” Roger said still playing with his sunglasses.

         “What’s wrong Rog?”

         “Nothing, I just want this to be a fun day for you without the interruption of fans.”

         “Rog it’s fine really. I have been getting way better at dealing with it.”

         “I know,” he said holding her hand, his thumb rubbing circles on it, “it’s just that even still, after all this time you have evaded being truly and terribly ambushed by paparazzi and having to deal with all the fame and all the bad things that come with it. And that’s good yes, but I just don’t want you to be surprised by it when it happens.”

         “I won’t be,” Lena said, wishing that she could ignore the fact that she did not know what would happen in a situation in being ambushed by fans and how already in the situations she had experienced, it had been a struggle to quell her fear. She wished she had a better hold on herself and could control those moments of panic, of being surrounded, the noise and the people all throwing her into a full on anxiety attack.

         In the momentary silence they had arrived at their destination, right outside the Flatiron Building.

         “Come on,” Lena said, shaking of her thoughts and pulling him out of the cab after beating him to paying the driver, “I want to show you my favorite looking building in the city.”

         Roger shoved his sunglasses back on and followed her out into the street.

         “I told them to meet us right in front of it, so they should be here any minute,” Lena said, looking around for the other three.

         The three of them spilling obnoxiously out of a cab about a block away caught her attention, and she waved to direct them over. Once all together Lena began giving a full rundown explanation of the history of the Flatiron Building, that only Brian seemed to be listening to with genuine interest.

         “But anyway,” Lena said gesturing up to the tall, slender building, “it’s one of my favorite buildings to see. Because it’s so unusual and fun.”

         “We are also unusual and fun, so all you have to do is bring us everywhere,” Freddie said.

         “I already bring you everywhere. Now come on there should be a cute little shop around here where we can grab some lunch.”

         They turned to follow her as she led the way in the direction of the little café she vaguely remembered as being close by.

         Only a few steps down the street, Roger swore under his breath and quickened his pace.

         “There’s a giant group of people looking suspiciously like paparazzi behind us. Don’t look,” Roger whispered.

         They all looked anyway, and sure enough, there was a group of people trailing behind them all carrying cameras non-discreetly pointing at them, and by their sheer nature attracting attention and making the group following the band ever larger.

         “Dammit. And we were having such a pleasant time by ourselves,” Lena said.

         “You know how you were saying you loved fun and unusual things?” Freddie said, “Well your day just got better.”

         Everyone frowned at him questioningly, with John raising an eyebrow.

         “Everybody run!” Freddie half yelled, and he took off down the street.

         Lena looked at Roger, and then at Brian and John.

         “Well I guess we get to run from them then,” Brian laughed, and spirited away.

         The three left hesitated a second longer before John whispered, “Meet you two back at the theatre for soundcheck. Don’t be late Rog,” and then sprinted down the street after the other two.

         “What does that mean?”

         “It means,” Roger said, “That we are going to take this opportunity and go adventure the city on our own without those three hooligans.”

         “Okay?” Lena said shaking her head, “But first we have to get rid of that crew that is now speedily coming at us.”

         Roger looked back to see the group of paparazzi and now quite large collection of fans running toward them in response to the other three taking off down the street.

         “Let’s go!” Lena shouted as she pulled Roger down the street after her, taking the first turn she could off the main street.

         Unfortunately, as she guessed they would, the crowd behind them followed down the street and it was only after a large collection of many turns that it appeared they had evaded them.

Roger pulled her into a small alley and just has often happens in cliché movies, the remainder of the group that had been following them passed by without noticing that Roger and Lena were there.

Lena was pressed up against Roger’s chest and she could feel him breathing hard after their sprinting several blocks.

“I think,” Lena said holding in a giggle, “that the coast is clear.”

“We could leave now,” Roger said without removing his hands from her waist.

Lena could feel his breathing slowing, but his heart remained at a fluttering pace. She could feel hers doing the same and internally rolled her eyes that the both of them still made the other nervous after all this time.

“We could,” Lena said lifting her face up to his, lips just barely touching his without actually kissing him. 

“Or not…” he whispered, still without kissing her, but with his lips speaking beneath hers. 

“Hmm,” Lena hummed into his lips, reaching up and holding his face with both hands.

Roger closed the microscopic distance that had remained between them, kissing her softly. Despite the fact that the alley they were currently inhabiting smelled atrocious and Lena could feel a part of her brain vaguely wondering about the safety of her red jacket against this wall, she found herself yet again in one of those moments in which she wished she could make time stand still and live the moment forever. 

One of Roger’s hands remained on her back, his fingers creeping under her t-shirt, pulling her closer. His other hand gripped her face, cradling it, urging her closer. The longer they stood there the more heated the kiss became, Lena’s hands pulling at Roger’s hair, pulling him closer as they fell into rhythm with each other. 

After several, long eternities that Lena did not want to end, she detached her lips from his, but with noses still touching and smiled widely.

“You know I really think we should get a move on. I really don’t want to see this makeout session plastered on the front of any magazines.”

Roger licked his swollen lips and grinned at her, “It wouldn’t be that bad would it?”

“Yes it would be. I would never hear the end of it from Freddie. Or Brian. Or Deaky for that matter. He would just nonchalantly happen to be reading that particular magazine every single time I saw him.”

“Hmm, maybe you’re right,” he said, kissing her once more and almost indistinctly mumbling into her lips, “but wouldn’t it be almost worth it?”

“It almost might be,” Lena said while simultaneously pushing down a wave of anxiety at even the thought of seeing herself on a magazine cover. She detached herself from him a little more efficiently this time, leaning back against the wall behind her. 

“Let’s go grab lunch at my favorite little cafe in this part of the city. Then we can head back to the Beacon and make sure you’re on time for soundcheck.”

“There’s plenty of time love. Maybe perhaps so much time that we could find an empty dressing room…”

“Really Rog,” she exclaimed and smacked him on the shoulder, as she turned and dragged them out of the alleyway. 

But after a delicious lunch, a delightful cup of coffee and walking back through the cold New York streets to the Beacon, Lena found herself stumbling after Roger into an empty dressing room, desperately clinging to his lanky frame. She closed the door behind them and fumbled for the lock as Roger pushed her up against the wall, his lips traveling down her neck and then back again.

“Rog,” she said between kisses, “Should we really be doing this… now? Here?”

He pulled away and gave her his signature mischievous grin, “Of course darling, you really must learn to live a little.”

“But,” she spluttered, barely able to form a cohesive sentence as Roger’s hands were all over her, pulling at her clothes as his lips reconnected with her skin, “What about the others? Shouldn’t you be soundchecking approximately now?”

“Yes love, but they can wait. Besides,” he said stopping once more and looking at her, “How will you ever properly be a part of the rock and roll scene if you don’t do it in a dressing room, half drunk and prolonging said band member from being wherever they’re supposed to be?”

“Maybe the issue is that I’m not half drunk yet,” Lena grinned.

“Well that can certainly be resolved,” Roger said and seemed to magically produce a bottle of something from the table beside them and managed to take of the top off without ever removing his body from hers.

“You had this planned from the beginning didn’t you?” Lena said taking a swig of the bottle he handed her. She made a face at the taste but proceeded to take another drink before handing the bottle back to him.

He downed a couple mouthfuls before putting the bottle down and replacing his hand onto her back, “Lena love, you seem to still have such an innocent perception of me. I’m Roger Taylor. There’s a reputation to that name.”

She rolled her eyes, “You are so idiotically full of yourself,” she said as she decided she’d had enough of his ridiculous small talk and jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and attaching herself to him. This time when she kissed him a trace of whatever foul liquid they had both consumed lingered in his mouth, but in a much more pleasant manor than actually drinking it.

They were fully entangled in each other on the couch and both dutifully ignoring the yells of the band looking for Roger. The door handle rattled, and Brian’s voice sounded. 

“Of course,” there was a pause, “I swear to God Taylor. I know you’re in there. Because we can’t find Lena anywhere either. We all saw you guys come back earlier.”

They both remained frozen and silent, with Lena looking at Roger with wide eyes.

“I told you this would happen,” Lena whispered.

“Why are you yelling at that door Brian?” Freddie’s voice chirped.

Lena’s frown deepened. 

“Because. Some blonde couple we know happen to be in there and not ready to sound check like they were supposed to be.”

“Oh, is little Miss Lierens fucking Mr. Taylor in a dressing room?”

“Freddie!” Lena couldn’t help but exclaiming, her voice jumping an octave.

“Ah yes, see, there she is,” he said cheerily.

“Just be on stage in five Roger,” Brian said exasperated, his voice fading down the hall along with Freddie’s fit of giggles.

“I guess we should be going then,” Roger said grinning like an idiot and barely containing giggles himself.

“God why does this keep happening, it’s so embarrassing,” Lena said, maneuvering herself from his grasp. 

Lena shrugged on her red jacket and inspected her reflection. 

How wonderful, she thought, I even look like I’ve been fucking in a dressing room.

Roger came up beside her looking equally discheeled to observe their reflections, She tried to readjust her hair in such a way that it didn’t looks so awful.

“I like your outfit by the way. I didn’t even know you listened to Led Zeppelin.”

“I do. Sometimes. Okay, I know like five songs. But I really do like them. And this t-shirt.”

“Whatever you say darling.”

“Fix your hair please,” she said as she began to apply a fresh coat of lipstick, “and please wipe my lipstick off your face.”

Roger did so without any arguments or snide comments and the two proceeded to the stage. 

“You’ve got a little something there on your neck Rog,” Deaky said innocently as he walked passed to his place on the stage.

“Shut it Deacon.”

“Yeah, it looks like maybe, lipstick?” Freddie teased.

“You really do have lipstick on your neck babe,” Lena called across the stage even as her face burned brilliantly.

He sent her a half hearted glare accompanied by a devilish grin and proceeded into their soundcheck. It was always a weird sensation to Lena to hear them play to an empty theatre, vacant of an audience. Yet they still maintained that energy that made them so powerful, so tranciendental to watch. 

Not long later the stage was empty again and the auditorium began to fill with people. An oppressive buzz of people talking and laughing dominated the atmosphere even backstage as the five of them sat together waiting for the band to go on. Lena was on Roger’s lap, Deaky was drinking something that looked infinitely better than all the choices of alcohol Lena had been offered in the past several hours, Brian was absently strumming his guitar, and Freddie was drinking one of the same awful drinks Lena had consumed previously. 

Leaning into Roger’s chest, Lena absently studied her chipping black nails, making a mental note to repaint them when she got back to the hotel. It had been a long lovely day and the night had not even really begun yet. For once Lena felt fully contented to be engaging in the partying and everything she normally tried to keep out of that the band did. Freddie passed her and Roger a bottle of what he was drinking. 

“I’d rather have whatever Deaky’s drinking. This is disgusting,” Lena said making another face after trying it again just to make sure and passing the bottle Roger.

“Whatever darling. It’s time for us to go on anyway.”

Lena frowned at her failing to snag a drink that she would actually enjoy, but removed herself from Roger’s lap, as the band filed out of the room. Deaky passed her his drink on his way out, winking at her. 

With her one arm wrapped around Roger and one hand holding her newfound drink she walked to the edge of the stage, just out of sight of anyone in the audience, as per usual.

“Enjoy the show love,” Roger said as he detached himself from her and gave her a quick peck on the lips before prancing on stage.

“I always do,” she whispered after him.

And she did. Tonight was like every other with its energy. As soon as the band entered the stage the house lights went off, plunging the audience into darkness, temporarily destroying any evidence of the fact that the auditorium beyond was one of the most beautiful Lena had seen. The stage lights flew to illuminate the four figures and the performance took off in a whirlwind of theatrics and drama. Lena just stood grinning, swaying her way through each song, drink in hand, her heart happy. 

-

Part 7 - 8 February 1976 - New York City Continued

Tonight was to be their last night in the Beacon Theatre and their last night in New York. From there it was on to see the rest of the United States and then onto international shows. 

These couple days in the city Lena had previously called home had consisted of her favorite moments on tour so far and she almost wished that they could stay a little longer. The shows themselves had been amazing and the memories had been even better. This last day here though, she was taking a few hours to visit several of her old haunts a little further away from the main bustle of central Manhatton. There were so many places to visit that it was not feasible to take Roger with her to each and every one, nor did she particularly want any of her acquaintances here catching wind of the fact that she was dating THE Roger Taylor and annoyingly overreacting. 

But with Roger’s instance that she spend time with him alone and go out on a real date together for the first time in forever, Lena was walking through the streets of Lower Manhattan trying to figure out where the cafe she had told Roger to meet her at was. It was a quite well known cafe and was large enough to offer privacy when sharing conversation, but small enough to feel pleasantly at home. She supposed that she could just ask someone where it was, but pride and a desire to prove to herself that she still belonged to this city as much as she ever had, left her wandering for just a little longer than necessary

Finally in the distance Lena saw the giant ice cream cones protruding off the side of a building and the large vertical sign, that even from afar could be vertically read as ‘FERRARA’. With a little sigh of relief and a glance at her watch that told her she would hardly even be late she hurried toward the sign.

Only a few steps down the block though, a she caught something out of the corner of her eye that stopped her cold. She stepped toward the magazine stand and reached with trembling fingers toward the silly tabloid. 

On the cover was a snapshot from earlier that week when they had run down the street, both her and Roger’s blonde hair flying out behind them. The photograph fortunately failed to show her face, but nevertheless the headline read “Roger Taylor’s Mystery Girl: What We Know”. 

Lena could barely look at the photo, her red jacket that she prized so much glaring blatantly back at her. After a moment where nothing but an intense desire to melt into the pavement over took her, she flipped open the magazine to the indicated page to find an an unfortunately accurate description of her and Roger’s relationship so far. She stood there in stunned silence reading it, horrified that so much of what she thought had been private about her life was in the view of the world. 

“Ya look like yav see a ghost dearie,” the older man running the stand said as he came up to her.

Lena slapped the magazine closed and hastily placed it back in its place.

 “Nope, just looking,” she said, giving the man what she hoped was a pleasant smile. She ducked her head and walked away stiffy to the exterior of Ferrara’s and hoped Roger was already inside and would not discover her in her panic. She leaned up against the bricked wall and wrung her hands together, the image of her red jacket on the cover of that magazine remaining burned in her vision, glaring like a warning beacon. She held her breath and counted to ten in attempts to steady her breathing. 

Everything is fine, everything is fine. Nothing is wrong. It’s totally fine that the last two years of your life are printed in that magazine, all summed up as being ‘Roger’s girl.’ You knew this was going to happen eventually. There’s nothing to worry about. No one even knows your name. It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s all fine. 

Despite the mantra repeating itself deftly in her head, her hands would not stop shaking and her breathing had begun to come in short gasps. She felt tears stinging her eyes and was suddenly angry. She squeezed her eyes shut. 

Jesus, get it together. What is your problem? Are you going soft? Why are you freaking out over this? This means absolutely nothing. It changes nothing. The world is exactly the same. Just this little detail that the world seems to know who you are. Or at least wants to. It’s totally fine. I’m fine with that. Totally. It’s fine, I’m okay, there’s nothing to worry about. I’m okay, I’m okay. I’m okay. 

“Lena,” Roger’s voice suddenly interrupted through her thoughts, “Are you okay?”

Her eyes flew open to see Roger, looking at her with deep concern, the edges of his lips turned down, his eyes squinted. Lena quickly wiped at her watery eyes, hoping to keep him from noticing her waterworks.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Everything is fine,” she said, her voice cracking on the last word.

“You’re kinda green, very pale, your eyes are bloodshot, and you’re shaking,” he said softly, grabbing at her hands.

“Thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You know that’s not what I meant. Come on let's go inside and sit down.”

He opened the door to the cafe for her and a wave of warm, fresh pastries cascaded over them. He ushered her to a table in the back, and left her momentarily to order coffee. She watched him go, his blonde hair and wearing of sunglasses indoors attracting attention from everyone in the place.  The girl at the counter seemed to recognize him and told him so, to which he responded with a half embarrassed grin. She took his order with awkward laughter that echoed around the cafe and served to bring more attention to the fact that a famous rockstar was present. 

Lena felt her fingers going cold and begin to shake even more. Tears pricked at her eyes again and her mouth felt dry. She dug through her coat and pulled out her big sunglasses that were suddenly not big enough. When Roger sat back down, with pastries in hand he gave her a concerned, questioning look.

“Why are you wearing sunglasses inside?”

“Because,” Lena said fighting to keep her voice level, “I am doing my best to not be recognized.”

He raised an eyebrow and cast a quick glance around the cafe and saw the more than a few people now whispering behind their hands.

“See?”

“Right. But it’s fine. Now, tell me love, what’s wrong?”

Lena sighed.

 Of course he’s okay with all the people staring, whispering and generally making us the center of attention. That’s literally his job. 

“Nothing is wrong. I’m just not used to people staring at me and knowing who I am. And wanting to know personal details, and wanting to take photos of me and I don’t know how to live up to their expectations and-”

“You saw yourself on a magazine cover didn’t you?” Roger said leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, a slight grin ghosting across his face. 

“Don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not.”

“Yes you are. You’re laughing.”

“I’m not laughing, I’m smiling. It’s just that seeing yourself on a magazine cover is supposed to be exciting. Doesn’t everyone dream of seeing themselves on one?”

“No. At least I don’t. Or rather I don’t want everyone to know all the personal details of my life. Literally I do not even understand how they could possibly know exactly when we met. Like that was literally two years ago.”

“Ah there was a nice article too. And what did it say? Was it full of wonderful rumors and juicy gossip and some interviews with groupies giving their opinions on you? The ‘girl who’s dating Roger Taylor?”

“No! Do they do that? That’s disgusting.”

“It’s America love. Really everywhere. But I think the chase down the streets hand in hand earlier this week really made it exciting.”

“And THAT is what was on the cover! I can never wear that red jacket again.”

“Of course you can. It can be your signature look. And that can be the subject of conversation, instead of other details.”

“You’re taking this so lightly,” Lena deadpanned. 

“Because. It’s gotta be treated that way. If you let it get to you, it will get to you and take a hold of you. And you’ll become too invested in it. You just have to not care.”

“How do I not care, and be worried about living up to these random expectations when even in this singular restaurant, everyone in here is staring at us and whispering and I would not be surprised if in half an hour some collection of paparazzi showed up?”

“Do you remember when I first met you?” 

“What does that have to do with this?”

“Do you?” he said ignoring the question.

“Of course Rog.” 

“Do you remember when we first danced?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me what you remember.”

“I remember…. I remember being so excited that I fit in so well with you all. I felt at home for the first time in a really long time.”

“And you had this look in your eyes that was a little hesitant because of all the things you had heard. But by the time the night was almost over you looked like you had almost forgotten that you were with a group of up and coming rock stars, who even then attracted a lot of attention.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that even from the very beginning, even from that first night of meeting you, people wanted to know who you were.”

Lena frowned trying to decipher what this meant.

“That night, unknown to you, and to all of us except for Freddie, someone shot a whole collection of photos. Of us dancing primarily. And there was a little collection of notes on a little notepad along with the roll of film.” 

“What!”

“Yeah. And apparently Freddie saw the person and paid them off for the photos and notes and then the person never said anything about it I guess. Freddie might even still have the film.”

Lena sighed. Of course that had been the case. Her life had been given a great expectation from the very moment she met Queen and she did not know how to live up to that. Even then when she was distinctly under their employment she wouldn’t have known how to deal with the rumors and expectations and gossip that she was shagging one of the band members. And even now, when so many of those rumors about her and Roger were true, and there was no reason to be ashamed, there was another expectation of what she must be for her to fulfil that rock and roll girlfriend position. 

“How is that supposed to make me feel better?” Lena sighed as the waitress brought them their coffee and flashed Roger a smile. Lena frowned and glared at her, but it had less effect than intended because of her sunglasses. Her earlier anxiety has transformed itself into frustration at the world. 

“Look at it this way,” he said leaning up on the table again, “people have always wanted to know who you are. And they don’t really even care what you’re like. They just want to know for the sheer sake of knowing. And that has been going along this whole time. And so nothing should change now.”

“But they have all these expectations of who the infamous Roger Taylor’s girlfriend should be…”

“Sure they do. And they can have them if they want. But that doesn’t mean you have to fulfil that.”

“I know but….” she took a sip of her coffee. It was as good as she remembered.

“Just forget they even exist love. They don’t matter anyway.”

“I know I just-”

He leaned in across the table, prompting her to do the same and grasped her hands, holding them firmly in his.

“Everything will be fine. I promise,” he said as he closed the distance across the table and pecked her on the lips. 

“If you say so.”

“Trust me. If the past couple years have taught me anything about fame, it’s to not let it go to your head.”

-

Part 8 April 1976 - Back Home

A soft, gentle breeze blew into the room from the open balcony doors, refurnishing Roger and Lena’s bedroom of its unlived-in smell and replacing it with fresh night air. Lena watched Roger’s sleeping form, thankful to finally be back home in their own privacy, in London, in a place where gigs were local and the community of people around them more or less stayed the same. She let her breathing fall into the same rhythm of Roger’s as he slept, trying to calm her nerves enough to join him in sleep. 

The last couple months of touring around the world had been a delightful and harrowing adventure but this return to normalcy was much needed. In the year they had lived in the little house nothing was ever perfectly normal, there was never ‘normal’ with Queen, but life had consisted of a predictable chain of outrageous events and occasions. Finally Lena could go back to being woken up by phone calls from band members at all hours of the night with song ideas or with random arrivals of those same lovely people and setting up half the band’s equipment in her living room for a quick demo of that same song. And these nights where the street below was all but silent and the world was careful not to disturb her as she drifted off to sleep next to this love of her life. 

The next morning Lena woke alone in bed, but to the smell of breakfast and coffee. Sweet, delicious coffee. Homemade coffee. In her favorite mug. And Roger’s morning voice. And a little good morning kiss on her forehead. 

But that would mean getting out of bed and the warmth that the blankets brought her. But coffee. And Roger.

Fortunately for her, only moments later the latter arrived in the doorway of their room, the old floorboards creaking to announce his presence. 

“Lena love? Breakfast is ready. And coffee.”

“Hmm,” she hummed, barely pulling back the covers to reveal her face and meet Roger’s eyes. 

Roger crossed the room and crawled onto the bed, hovering over her, his nose almost touching hers.

“You have to get up love. We have things to do today.”

“Do we really though?” Lena mumbled.

“Yes love we really do.”

Lena shifted herself up on the pillows to touch her lips to Roger’s, her mouth moving against his in slow, perfect rhythm. The weight of his body fell against her own as she reached up to knot her fingers in his hair. With slow, languid movements he held her face in his hands, stopping for a moment to look at her.

“You know I love you right?”

“Not as much as I love you,” she whispered back.

After a few more moments of slow kisses that began to cascade away from her mouth and down her neck Roger pulled away reluctantly.

“We really do have places to be going today. We told Fred we’d host his post-tour dinner party. So we have to go shopping. Because the only food we have in the house is that which is waiting for you downstairs.”

“And coffee?” Lena grinned.

“And coffee. Now come on.”

Lena allowed him to pull her out of bed, but not before another long kiss ensued, halting their progression toward breakfast even longer.

Breakfast was exactly reminiscent of the last time they had eaten together in their own kitchen, those may months ago before this tour.  There were lazy kisses on hands and chatting of everything and nothing all at once. There was the drawing out of second cups of coffee in order to stay seated pleasantly doing nothing for just a few minutes longer. 

But duty called and they were soon on their way out the door for a shopping date in preparation for Freddie’s post-tour party. Lena had previously made him swear that it would just be them, the band and spouses, no exceptions. Aside, of course, from John’s son that they had seen so little of recently, Lena thought smiling. 

Shopping of any sort with Roger was always an adventure whether it be perusing for the latest fashions or their almost weekly shopping dates. This time was no exception. Lena had a vision in mind as to what she wanted their first home cooked meal back would be, but Roger’s distraction levels prohibited them from completing their shopping in any timely manner. This Lena had no quarrel with this, in fact she quite enjoyed his outrageousness and somewhat childish behavior. 

But what she did not enjoy was the attention of everyone else. Several times throughout their outing, in various different locations they were stopped by fans. And it was not in the way that it used to be where when stopped, only Roger or the others would receive attention, but now she too had fallen into the spotlight. The entirety of the outing consisted of Lena swallowing her panic and smiling widely at the people who greeted them. All of the people they met were really quite lovely she thought, it was just her inability to stop her hands from shaking and her chest from constricting.

Of course Roger was his delightfully exuberant self who was practically bouncing on his toes as they walked home. Lena knew that it was the effect of the tour that they had just concluded that they encountered so many people whom wanted to meet them, and she was happy for Roger that the he could experience this success, but as hard as she tried she still could not silence the little whispers in the back of her mind that told her that she wasn’t fulfilling expectations, that she should not be sharing this spotlight at all, that people disliked her. The more people they met the more she found that the fans were just as loving and supportive toward her as they were of Roger, but this still did not quell her hands from shaking.

And of course adding to this was the occasion of seeing her face on a magazine cover. She had to admit that it was a good photo of herself, despite the big round sunglasses she had been sporting that day. However, just seeing her photo so blatantly plastered on the cover, as if she was a commodity to be sold gave her an uncomfortable set of shivers. Even at this point she wondered why the world was so blatantly obsessed with her, but could come to no more than the usual conclusion of the fact that it was Roger whom she was dating, the notorious, up until two years ago ago at least, as one magazine had put it, ‘playboy’. 

By the time they arrived back home Lena was thoroughly exhausted compared to Roger’s jazzed and excited mood. She supposed that she was going to have to get used to that, otherwise any outing they ever took together was going to be miserable. Roger offered to start the cooking so she could relax for a while before helping him with the one dish that he had never made before. Lena was again eternally thankful that Roger was actually quite a good cook. 

Lena headed upstairs to change into clothes that Freddie would approve of as being ‘dinner party friendly’. She sat in front of her mirror, adjusting her makeup and repainting one of her fingernails that had chipped. The wet, red polish glistened like blood on her fingernail as she screwed the cap back on. 

While waiting for her finger to dry somewhat, she studied herself in the mirror. There were her eyes and her nose and her lips and her blonde hair that now fell past the bottom of her ribs.  Looking just as they always did. The way her eyes looked did not change and she kept her face steady in the mirror and allowed any anxiety and stress to be completely imperceptible. 

Then she screwed up her face and pretended that her eyes looked sad and let her shoulders drop and let her hands shake. But the mirror still did little to fully reflect the anxiety she felt. 

So she let her face fall slack and everything back to its resting position, and just stared,  unthinking at herself while her brain swirled tremendously. 

Finally she rummaged through a bedside drawer and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and took them with her out onto the balcony. She had forbade Roger from smoking inside, so she figured that she should at least somewhat follow her own rule. 

The wind blew just barely, hinting that there might be rain later that day. Otherwise, everything was moving at its normal frequency, a quiet din of noise.  She clicked her lighter several times before it sparked and she was able to light the cigarette. Her first inhale of smoke left her coughing tremendously. She heard Roger chuckle behind her.

“I thought you didn’t smoke.”

“I don’t anymore,” Lena said, this time expertly taking a drag of the cigarette as Roger joined her on the balcony.

Roger studied her face without saying anything else. She offered him a smoke, which he accepted before returning it to her. 

“Are you okay Lena?” he asked quietly.

“Yeah.”

“Are you sure? Because I feel like you’re not.”

“I’m fine,” she whispered.

“It’s okay if you’re not. You don’t have to be okay with everything the world throws at you.”

Lena looked at him and she could see his eyes filled with concern. She ducked her head and looked away into the distance, exhaling from the cigarette dramatically. 

“It’s just my brain being stupid and not handling the public attention well.”

“It’s not stupid. You never signed up for that-”

She turned to look at him, her cheeks taking on a red flare. 

“But I did Rog! I did! The moment I accepted the job to manage that tour!”

“You didn’t know that-”

“But I did!” her voice broke, “I did! How else would I have ever known that you were supposed to be a guy who slept around? Or who Veronica was? Or when Kashmira was born? Or the names of Brian’s parents? All before I even met you!”

“Lena-”

“No Rog,” she said as she turned her head away to hide tears, “it’s stupid, and-”

“It’s not stupid Lena. Not at all.”

“But it is Rog. It is.”

“No Lena it’s not. What’s stupid is that the world thinks that it should know all of that information. It’s stupid that the fans want to know every single little detail of our lives. It’s stupid that we can’t just enjoy spending time together out of this house without interruptions. Not you.”

“But Rog, that still doesn’t change anything. I’m still having these stupid issues and have a stupid reaction every single time we go out.”

“It will just take some time love.”

“It’s been two years!” Lena gasped, “Two years and I still-”.

“It’s okay. Lena? Look at me.”

She looked at him with bloodshot eyes as she attempted to avoid bawling in front of him.

“You don’t ever have to be okay with all the attention. You are no under no obligation to please anyone, nor do anything they expect you to.”

Lena looked at him, her heart breaking a little. He was looking at her so earnestly, desperately wanting her to believe him. But he could tell her those things over and over again and she could fully believe that those things were true, but she could not stop that little set of whisperings in her head that said otherwise. No matter how much she wanted to believe that it was fine and it genuinely didn’t matter what other people thought, or what other people knew, there was an endless cycle whirring through her brain telling her to that she was not enough and that she must live up to every expectations. And that made her feel even less worthy, because she was failing at doing the one thing that the only person that mattered believed her to be; strong. 

Be strong. Be strong. I can be strong right? Just get it together. You’ve had your cry for today. Now moving on.

She wiped her eyes and sat up straight. Taking a last drag on her cigarette, she went back inside and smashed it into the ashtray a little too aggressively.

“I’ll be fine,” she said with a little smile towards the balcony. 

Roger stepped back in, closing the little french doors behind him. Before she could dash out of the room in a feigned need to go check on the food, he stopped her, his fingers resting lightly on her wrists, just barely preventing her from rushing away.

“Lena, I want you to know that whatever happens, whatever crazy collection of paparazzi and fans we encounter, I will always be here. No matter what.”

“Thank you,” she said her eyes looking into his, knowing he was telling the truth.

“And if we are ever somewhere and you need to just get out, let me know and we will go. Right away. No questions asked.”

She slowly smiled at him, still holding down a shame that that would happen. “Hell” she thought, “that has already happened too many times to count.”

“No matter what Lena. I promise.”

She did not say anything but wrapped her arms around his waist. He followed suit by wrapping his arms around her, enveloping her in a strong hug. He rested chin on her head while she buried his face in his chest. Even with ghastly looming in the recesses of her brain, still causing her to want to break down and cry, she had to admit that this was without a doubt her happy place.

Suddenly the doorbell rang followed by a loud hollering.

“We’ve arrived darlings! The party can begin!” Freddie’s voice called, echoing through the house. 

-

Part 9 - 7 May 1976 - Birthday

Lena observed herself in the mirror.

The dress she had chosen for tonight was simple, her favorite little black dress that fit perfectly and left nothing to imagination. Her hair was pulled up and piled on her head, leaving the big diamond earrings glistening at her ears to be the center of attention. And finally her deep red lipstick which completed the look. 

She bent to pull on her heels, balancing precariously on one while securing the other. 

“Twenty-five looks good on you,” Roger said as he walked into the bedroom.

Lena smiled at him in the mirror, “Thank you. Shouldn't you be dressed by now?”

“Yes. But I wanted to give you something first.”

“Rog-”

“Just wait. Turnaround towards the mirror and close your eyes.”

“If you say so…”

In darkness she heard him come up behind her and the sound of him fumbling in his pocket. A line of cold metal fell on her neck, the pendant of whatever it was resting several inches below the lines of her collar bones. Roger’s fingers brushed at the little hairs hanging down over the back of her neck causing her to shiver as he fixed the clasp of the necklace. 

“Okay, open.”

Lena opened her eyes and looked in the mirror. At first she did not realize what the little gold pendant was. But then, looking down at it and touching it with her fingertips and feeling the almost imperceptible ridges, she realized what it was. It was a piece of a broken cymbal, the once jagged edges filled down as not to stab her. 

“Rog it’s beautiful,” she said, smiling at him widely in the mirror.

“Do you like it?”

She turned to face him, smiling warmly up at him.

“It’s perfect,” she said wrapping her arms around him.

“I wasn’t quite sure what to get you and I found that piece in my pocket after a show one night and I kept it-”

“Rog it’s absolutely perfect,” she said, reaching up to kiss him, “But now I need some coffee before we go to this mystery party, and you need to get dressed.”

“Yes ma’am,” he said twirling her out of his grasp and sending her spinning toward the door. She grabbed her red jacket on the way out and proceeded down the stairs to the kitchen. 

As the coffee brewed she thought about this impending party. It had of course been Freddie’s idea and he had insisted upon it despite her protests. However, he had promised that the party would only consist of people she knew by name. But he had said that with an absolute mischievous glitter in his eye, so she still was not quite sure what to expect. She poured a little whiskey into her coffee and thumbed through a magazine, hoping not to see her name or face. 

“Havin’ a little somethin in your coffee there?” Roger asked.

“Just to start the night off right-” she began but stopped as she turned to see Roger, “You cannot be serious.”

To Lena’s horror Roger was wearing his favorite pink converse, which themselves were not all that bad. Nor were the black leather pants or white button down. Frankly, in that alone he would look quite good, she mused. But it was the bright pink blazer that made Lena’s mouth drop.

“What? This is the perfect outfit for a fancy occasion.”

“Not that coat. Absolutely not that coat.”

“Oh yes. You cannot stop me. I have been planning to debut this coat for a long time and I just needed a good reason. And your birthday is the perfect occasion.”

“Could my birthday present be that you don’t wear that coat?”

“No can do. You already got your present.”

“Roger I swear if you wear that out of the house-”

“Nope I’m wearing it. And I prepared for you to say no,” he said as he grinned mischievously, “Freddie knows that I was planning to wear this jacket. But if I don’t show up wearing said jacket, he’s going to make you play BoRhap with him. At the party.”

“First off you promised that you wouldn’t tell him I could play the piano-”

“Well…. I also made him promise to never ask you about it unless I wasn’t wearing the jacket-”

“And secondly. Blackmailing me to let you wear your dumb jacket? Really?”

“I wouldn’t call it blackmailing so much as casual persuasion…”

“Hmm…” Lena said.

Lena dumped another round of whiskey into her cup of coffee. “You know what fine. I don’t even care. But more than anything you owe me because now I can’t wear my red jacket.”

“Why?” “Because we’ll clash horribly,” she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Oh obviously. We could never ever put pink and red together like that.”

“Exactly. Now Mr. Pink Suit Man. Can we get going to this party?”

“Oh hush. I know you like the rest of my outfit. You always say you love when I wear these pants.”

“Sure I do.”

“Whatever,” he laughed, “Let’s go, limo will be here,” he looked at the clock, “five minutes ago.”

“A limo. Really?” Lena deadpanned, shaking her head.

“Yes really.”

The ride to the party was exceptionally uneventful as she had half expected the rest of the boys to spring out of hidden compartments or something. But she supposed that this was just the calm before the storm. 

Upon arrival to their destination and after disembarking the car, Roger offered her his arm, grinning like an idiot. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because I’m so happy to be here to celebrate your birthday with you. And well, I don’t know, just wait and see.”

“Okay?”

Lena let herself be led up the steps and into Freddie’s home. She should have suspected it would be at his house. All his best parties were at his house because he could perfectly formulate everything to be just how he wanted. And control the guest list she hoped.

No one but the roadie who opened the door for them noticed their presence immediately and Lena had time to properly take in the scale of the occasion.

The party was already in full swing, and at first glance it looked nothing like the classic rock and roll parties she was used to. Everything was arranged in perfect orderly fashion, the food that littered various tables all looked like collections of french delicacies and there was what looked to be bottles of her favorite brand of champagne protruding from ice buckets throughout the room. People were standing and chatting and clinking glasses in an uncharacteristically formal manor and the way the place was lit reminded Lena distinctly of a roaring twenties, Gatsby reminiscent party. 

That was until the chandelier lurched with movement causing a loud tinkle as the thousands of little crystals collided with each other. Lena looked up to see that there was someone in a very long and flowing white dress lying lazily in the chandelier. In looking up she could see that the entirety of the room was actually filled with a hazy smoke and the woman in the chandelier was really quite smart to be up there near the balloons that flitted along the ceiling and above the cloud that engulfed the party goers. The closer she looked, the more familiar the scene became. Champaign fizzed seemingly auditorily and there was the heavy, bitter smell of alcohol wafting around the room. There were the remnants of some white substance on the table and too much girlish laughter. But this was the sort of party that she was used to and could almost like, because there were so many people that it became intimate and if you situated yourself just right there was proper amounts of privacy. And so far Freddie had kept his word; every single face she saw she could put a name to. 

Lena and Roger wandered through the crowd downing a couple glasses of champagne each before finding Freddie who announced the two with tipsy enthusiasm. At his request the entire crowd sang her happy birthday as she blushed the color of Roger’s blazer.

As the off key and slurred song concluded Freddie leaned in to whisper into Lena’s ear conspiratorially.

“If you go over there just now,” he whispered directing her gaze to the corner, “you will see a tall, only mildly high man whom you might find very interesting.”

Lena looked in the direction he had indicated and searched the crowd. The only thing that stood out to her was a shock of dyed red hair on someone facing away from her while the rest of the faces faded into familiarity. 

“I don’t-”

Just then the head of red hair turned and Lena saw that red hair faded into blonde at the front of the man’s head. Lena blinked a couple times at the man before looking back to Freddie with wide eyes.

“Is that David fucking Bowie?”

Freddie smiled delightedly, “And if you want to meet him darling you had better do so now because he has a concert tonight that he should have already left for.”

“How-”

“Don’t ask any questions, it ruins the magic of it.”

“But-”

“Darling, let’s just say that I’m the fairy godmother of rock n’ roll.”

Lena immediately ditched Roger in favor of meeting one of the most iconic people she’d ever heard sing. However, as soon as she plunged into the crowd, she was met with a wall of astoundingly large and curly black hair. Assuming it was Brian, she shouldered past, but upon coming face to face with the man, she discovered immediately it was not. 

“Watch it pretty thing” the mop of black hair stated.

Another mop of black hair appeared next to him, “Nah, you gotta be the one to get outta the way Gene, that’s the lady of the night.”

“Oh, my apologies pretty thing,” Gene responded, grinning.

For the second time that night Lena had to snap her mouth shut. 

“Name’s Paul, and this is Gene,” the other said, sticking out his hand.

Lena shook it hesitantly, and with even more reservation at shaking Gene’s hand, completely bewildered as to why half of Kiss was standing in Freddie’s living room.

“Nice to meet you?”

“Don’t say that as a question pretty thing, you just shook hands with half of the sexiest band in the world,”

Lena laughed, “Yes I know who you are. I just thought you were on tour in the States?”

“We were,” Paul said, “But we just got over and Freddie convinced us to come a little early to London.”

“Yes, and now that we’ve met you it’s most definitely worth it,” Gene grinned almost too mischievously.

 “Thanks. I think?”

Paul rolled his eyes, “Don’t mind him-”

“But pretty thing, you’d mind me quite nicely-”

“Okay that is quite enough of that,” Roger said appearing at her side, “And besides Lena, Bowie is literally leaving and Freddie is really insisting that you meet him before he leaves.”

Gene was about to say something that Lena had no doubt was derogatory toward Roger, but Paul elbowed him in the ribs and he settled for wagging his tongue at her.

“Oh my God don’t do that,” Lena laughed, “It was wonderful to meet you!”

A little more harshly than necessary Roger dragged her off into the crowd to the direction that she had last seen David Bowie.

Briefly they just managed to catch him as he left the house. Perhaps it was Lena’s expectancy of what he would be like, or the fact that she had already consumed a little too much to drink, but the short thirty seconds in his presence were electrifying. He greeted her with a smooth grin and inexplicit energy as he shook her hand, accompanied by a kiss on the cheek. He wished her a ‘wondrous and magical birthday’ and then was whisked out the front door.

Lena looked at Roger starstruck, “We just met David Bowie.”

“Yes we just did.”

“And Kiss almost prevented us from doing so.”

“Yes, they unfortunately did,” Roger said making a disgusted face. His face quickly split into a grin, “And now you’re about to hear Queen play you a set specially put together just for you.”

“Really?”

“Yes of course, it’s your birthday, what else would we do?”

It was actually much later that Roger managed to round up all four of them and play her their short collection of songs that they had selected for her, but in the meantime, Lena enjoyed herself immensely. She drank too much of her favorite champagne, smoked something that was definitely a little more potent than what she had been told it was, and consumed a few too many of the little chocolate desserts that littered the tables. Gene Simmons continued to wag his tongue at her across the room anytime he made eye contact, to which Roger would immediately glare at him. To which Lena would laugh in response. Perhaps it was because she was more than a little drunk, but Lena was immensely enjoying herself. 

She had perched herself on top of Freddie’s largest and most outrageous piece of furniture when she heard feedback screech and Freddie’s voice bound into the room.

“Okay darlings. You all know that today is lovely Lena’s birthday-” there was a loud, half drunken cheer, “And as such here is a little set we’ve concocted for our very special lady.”

Freddie looked at the others and nodded. 

“To begin, we have Lena’s favorite Queen song, at least according to Roger. And I do suspect that it really is your favorite song, because it was not written by him,” Freddie said making eye contact with her.

The audience laughed and Roger rolled his eyes laughing. 

They began the song, and it was immediately recognizable as ‘39 which really was Lena’s favorite song. Lena studied them as they played.

Roger had somewhere over the course of the night discarded his pink blazer, now leaving him looking quite dashing. Freddie was ever the dramatist of the group, sporting only a black, gold fringed military uniform and leather pants. He didn’t even have shoes on. Deaky was dressed in typical Deaky fashion, classy but in such a way that was distinctly not classical. Tonight he had donned an all white suit, even wearing white high heeled shoes to match the look. And Brian was, as per usual, out dressing the rest of them by leaps and bounds on the actual classy level. He wore black pants, a white button down and a black vest, all accompanied by his big head of hair and the Red Special. 

Cohesively they exuded the sort of glam rock vibe that Lena had come to so desperately love about them. ‘39 was played through with it’s typical exuberance and in accoustic fashion. 

Upon its conclusion the crowd clapped with astounding noise, but it soon died down once Roger began to speak into his microphone.

“This next song isn’t one of our-”

“Such a shame really,” Freddie interrupted.”

“But it’s a really excellent one that I know you like Lena and I thought we’d play it for you tonight.”

At the intro to the song Lena couldn’t quite identify what it was, but as soon as Freddie began to sing she grinned, and began to sway along.

Something by the Beatles echoed through the room, resonating  only the way classics such as that do. Hearing this song, one she loved so much, that she had loved for such time, long before even hearing of Queen’s existence, was a surreal experience. Somehow they played it perfectly in their own way, Roger’s high voice filling the spaces next to Freddie’s and Brian’s uniquely, bringing it alive anew. 

As it concluded on the last couple notes the crowd burst into applause again, this time with much more exuberance at hearing such a rendition of Something.

Once the crowd had quieted to a dull roar, Freddie spoke again. “And now, a new song off our forthcoming record, written by Mr. Pretty Boy himself, and frankly only just finished, in fact you’ll all be the first to hear it, just for you: You and I.

It began with a classic Queen piano intro, Freddie’s fingers dancing across the keys. Then Roger’s drums came in and the song picked up slightly, but still remained on a slower tempo than that which one normally thinks of as classic seventies rock. After several lines Lena felt her throat tighten as they played. 

Laughter ringing in the darkness

People drinking for days gone by

Time don't mean a thing

When you're by my side

Please stay awhile

You know I never could foresee the future years

You know I never could see

Where life was leading me

But will we be together forever

What will be my love

Can't you see that I just don't know

The instrumental interlude left Roger slightly more free to place his focus on Lena rather than his playing and he looked for her in the crowd, smiling wide. She met his eyes, tears of emotion almost pricking her own. This song was for her, and only her she knew as he watched her in the crowd, his eyes beaming. Rarely was she actually in the crowd when they played and even with this song just for her there was a fantastic energy, even despite all of the people present having heard Queen play dozens of times. Roger winked and blew her a kiss as they began to sing again. 

No not tonight not tomorrow

Everything's gonna be alright (Sunny and bright)

Wait and see if tomorrow we'll be

As happy as we're feeling tonight

We'll go walking in the moonlight

I can hear the music in the darkness

Floating softly to where we lie

No more questions now

Let's enjoy tonight

Just you and I

Just you and I

Can't you see that we've gotta be together

Be together just you and I just you and I

No more questions just you and I

The song faded leaving her fighting tears. The split second of silence between songs seemed like a little eternity that she did not ever want to end. She smiled happily at Roger, but almost even before he smiled back at her, they jumped immediately into Keep Yourself Alive.

The moment of serenity was gone in a flash as they transitioned into the song that was much more for the crowd of gathered friends and family than for her. Even this song though had been selected for her as it was another one of her favorites.

Experiencing their show from the crowd for the first time, Lena could physically feel the energy in the room skyrocket as if a switch had been flipped. Everything moved with cacophonic rhythm and the watching crowd had erupted in noise to keep up with the band. She found herself having more fun than she ever had at one of their shows and internally berated herself for never before watching from where it was meant to be experienced. 

After the conclusion of their jam session Roger stumbled away from his drums and up to Lena, giving her a crushing hug, despite the fact that he was drenched in sweat.

“How is it possible that after only four songs you are so sweaty,” Lena said, muffled by his chest.

“It’s a bit toasty in here is all. What did you think?”

“Wonderful and amazing as usual Rog. And I don’t know why I’ve never watched a show in the audience before, it was so much more fun that way!”

“I know! I’ve been telling you that all along darling!” Freddie said as he flounced past.

The night continued accompanied by much more alcohol, a drunken Freddie singing half of Bohemian Rhapsody into the sound system and the woman in the chandelier making a very precarious leap onto the sofas below. How she had even gotten up there in the first place Lena was still unsure of. The half of Kiss that had been present bid their goodbyes from across the living room only by Gene waving his tongue at Lena and Paul distinctly rolling his eyes. Eventually the guests in Freddie’s home began to dwindle down and soon it was only the band and significant others left. 

“Did you enjoy the party darling?” Freddie asked as he ushered them all to the door.

“It was absolutely lovely Fred. I could not imagine ever a better night. David Bowie? And Kiss?”

“Like I said, I’m the fairy godmother of rock n’ roll, and they all come when I go calling. And they all happened to be in London tonight.”

Lena gave him a tight hug, “Thank you, it was wonderful. And the rest of you, thank you as well. ” she said hugging them in turn.

She stayed attached to Roger when she hugged him and he wrapped his arm around her in turn as they walked together from Freddie’s doo.

 Once home, they were both still mildly drunk and buzzing with excitement and it was a long time before they actually attempted to sleep. Finally though, they were facing each other, noses just barely touching.

“Can you sing me the song?” Lena whispered.

“Which song?”

“The song. The one you did tonight. The new one.”

He grinned at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling and his eyes sparking. 

Everything's gonna be alright 

Wait and see if tomorrow we'll be

As happy as we're feeling tonight

We'll go walking in the moonlight

I can hear the music in the darkness

Floating softly to where we lie

No more questions now

Let's enjoy tonight

Just you and I

Can't you see that we've gotta be together

No more questions just you and I

-

Part 10 -  July 1976 - Summer 

The mirror in the quaint little washroom at her job did a poor job of reflecting how tired Lena was. 

It had been a long day that had begun poorly; while making an unusual stop for coffee on the way to work she had been mobbed by Queen fans. Granted, they all had been kind and sweet and just wanting to meet her, but the experience had still left her hands shaking. The young women who had stopped her had all really been delightful, and in another situation she probably would have liked to be friends with them, but the fact that there had been so many of them, all demanding to say hello and tell them what it was like to be Roger Taylor’s girlfriend, had put her into a foul mood. Primarily because she had a panic attack at meeting them. Not because they had wanted to meet her, but rather the effect that it had on her.

Now, looking in the mirror she was not surprised to find that she looked tired and sad, her hair a little flatter than she normally liked it. The orange turtleneck that had looked so good with the brown skirt this morning now gave her a sallow glow. She hoped it was just the light of the washroom though. 

Regardless, she turned away from her unfortunate reflection and changed into her favorite pair of bell bottoms, accompanied by a loose white blouse. When she returned to mirror she found that the change in color did wonders for her complexion and hoped that it would be enough to hide from Roger that she was so tired. Pulling her hair up and into a fashion that was less recognizable as belonging to ‘Roger Taylor’s pretty blonde girlfriend,’ she almost wished that they were back on tour where it was acceptable to look tired all the time. And where she could exist in a state of trying to be ready to meet fans and not take it as such a shock when they did come. And being able to be with Roger all the time. That was the part she truly missed. Glancing at her watch she found that Roger should be arriving any moment and she hurried down many flights of stairs and to the street level. 

It was rare they spent any time with each other outside of their house these days. They were just too busy now to plan occasions anymore, and when they did, it almost always ended with Roger gripping Lena’s shaking hands after crossing paths with mobs of fans. Lena considered this and hoped that whatever he had planned would be devoid of any fans, because she was not sure she could handle any more of that today. 

“How are you my love?” Roger asked as Lena stepped into his car. He floored the engine, speeding away from the curb as she answered.

“A little tired. But okay I think.”

“I hope you can be more than okay. I have the perfect little adventure planned for us. No drama, no nothing. Just you and I.”

Lena smiled and hoped that it would be true.

After a much longer drive than she had anticipated, which in itself had put her in much better spirits, they arrived on the outskirts of a park. With the sounds of some old rock ballad that she couldn’t recall the name to echoing in her ears, they departed from the car, Roger grasping an astoundingly large picnic basket and blanket. 

“Where did you find that picnic basket?”

“I borrowed it from Freddie.”

“Of course, everything outrageous always comes from Fred doesn’t it?” Lena laughed

“Most definitely.”

They hiked together though the park, running into no one but several families who paid them no notice. But Lena though that might have had to do with the fact that Roger had his signature blonde hair tucked up underneath a very ugly hat and was wearing dark sunglasses that obscured his face. She supposed the hat was acceptable if they could avoid being talked to by fans. 

Finally they settled upon a hilltop that looked out over the rest of the park and Roger spread the blanket out and began to unload the picnic basket. A warm breeze blew steadily across the hill, ruffling the starched summer grass. 

 Lena finally felt comfortable and nearly forgot to be afraid of potential fans as the hours passed and the sun began to sink low behind a distant hill. She had her head in Roger’s lap and was staring up at him as he stood out against the blue sky. Far off they could hear the screams and laughter of children running and playing, blending in with the even further off sound of London traffic. 

A kid came barreling up the hill toward them in pursuit of a dog that had evaded him. The little dog ran up and licked Lena’s face before taking off, with the child still in pursuit. Laughing, Lena sat up and watched them go, a little girl joining the boy as they chased the dog. The dog looked pleased that it had both the children chasing it.

“I hope that we can have that one day,” Roger said suddenly as the children’s laughter faded.

Lena turned to face him, her heart dropping to the pit of her stomach, “What?” she said in almost a whisper.

“Oh, I just meant I hope that we can have kids one day and-”

“Rog,” Lena said interrupting him. She had been avoiding this conversation for a long time, and immediately felt immensely guilty that she had not brought it up before.

“Yeah?” he said absentmindedly, still watching the kids run off after the dog. 

“Remember, remember a while ago when I told you not to worry about, about, you know, stuff, because I was on birth control?

“Yeah,” he said, still lost in his daydream.

“That wasn’t exactly true,” she said in a whisper.

That caught his attention and he looked at her with a joy, an excitement she rarely saw to be so genuine. 

“Are you-” he breathed, his eyes wide.

Lena pressed her lips together, trying with all her might not to cry. This was way worse than any moment in which she had been surrounded by fans. 

“No Rog.”

“Oh.”

“I, I, fuck- I’m sorry I did not ever tell you this-”

“Lena, are you okay?” he said, watching as the careful walls he knew she had built around herself begin to fall.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Rog. I just didn’t know how to tell you. I-” She hiccuped and swallowed hard. “I can’t have kids. I should have told you this an eternity ago before we became so, I don’t know, real. But I can’t have kids. Something happened when I was a teenager. It was either me or my ability to have kids, and obviously I’m still here ...I'm sorry, so sorry Rog,” she cried, suddenly bawling into his chest, as she watched a little light in his eyes go out. 

He was silent for a second before whispering that it was alright, rocking her in his arms. He told her it would be okay, if they wanted kids they could adopt. And really did they even need kids of their own? They would always have John’s or eventually Brian’s or even Freddie’s to look after?

Lena continuously apologised until her hiccups faded, and then she began apologizing afresh for her overly emotional state. Besides reassuring her that it was not her fault and it was okay, she noticed that Roger was unusually quiet for a long time, so long that the park had all but begun to fade into darkness. Lena lit a cigarette in the dim light and the instant of flame from the little French lighter illuminated his eyes for a brief second. Then it was gone.  

-

Part 11 - 18 September 1976 - Hyde Park

Despite leaving for Hyde Park several hours before the first band was supposed to play, Lena found herself stuck in traffic among thousands hoping to catch a glimpse of Queen perform tonight. It was not even a particularly long taxi ride, but now she was immensely regretting rejecting the limo that had been offered her. But she doubted that even a specially designated limo would be enough to get through the sheer hoards of fans crowding into the streets surrounding the park. 

Eventually she was close enough that she could warrant walking. She checked her reflection in her compact mirror and pulled her hat down a little further on her face. Currently wearing the most boring and stereotypical outfit she could possibly concoct, the bell bottoms, Queen t-shirt and flat brimmed hat, which when angled correctly obscured her face, mostly hid her identity. The only thing that stood out in her appearance was the large bag at her side in which a whole new outfit was neatly folded and ready to be donned on arrival to the venue. 

But for now she still had the problem of even getting there. At this point everyone was fairly calm, it was still early in the day and the energy of the band had not yet been imagined. However, if even a single person were to recognize her as Roger Taylor’s girlfriend, chaos would ensue and she would be all but attacked by the fans. 

Fortunately this did not happen as she picked her way through the masses of people crowding into the park. By the time she came to someone of the appropriate security level who could escort her backstage, a buzz had begun to roll through the crowd as it neared the time the opening band was to play.

“What took you such an eternity to get here darling? We’d begun to think you weren’t coming,” Freddie exclaimed upon first seeing her.

“I should have accepted your limo offer-”

“Of course you should have, why ever else would you need a limo other than to get places on time.”

“Limos have never stopped you from being late before.”

“Valid. But regardless. I hope you brought other clothes because that outfit is boring.”

“Wow, thanks Fred,” Lena said sarcastically holding up her overly stuffed bag, “I’ve got a whole outfit don’t you worry. Where are the dressing rooms?”

Freddie waved vaughly to where the dressing rooms might be and something about the first door on the left. Or the right. He couldn’t remember.

Lena wandered in that direction, wondering what disaster she was going to find in the dressing rooms tonight. 

None of the dressing rooms were occupied to Lena’s surprise, so she chose the least messy one and dumped her overstuffed bag onto the tables. Everything immediately exploded from its neatly folded position. Realistically, it was only the jean jacket had been her birthday present from the band that was taking up space, as both the colorfully striped bell bottoms and black top were made of a thin stretchy material that folded away easily. 

Once changed into her ‘concert outfit’ and having had readjusted her hat, she cracked open the bottle of tequila that had been left on the table and took a swig. As she made a face in response, the door of the room opened to reveal a laughing Roger.

“I heard you’d finally arrived love, but I didn’t know you were already breakin’ into the alcohol.”

“Yes well, I do hope you have some beverages that taste better than this, because straight tequila will not do.”

Roger laughed and enveloped her in a hug. “Fred made sure to hide your favorite champagne from the rest of us.” He rested his chin on top of Lena’s head, saying, “I’ve missed touring with you.”

“I’ve missed seeing you.” 

“I know! But you’re still coming to the next couple shows right?” His eyebrows knitted with worry, “And back to help us touch up anything before we release the record?”

“Yes, but only until the end of the year.”

“Three months is a long time.”

“Hmm, but not long enough,” Lena said now leaning in closer to him, just brushing her lips across his. She didn’t know why she was encouraging this because these dressing room makeout sessions would more often than not turn into something far more than she intended. 

Roger had just lifted Lena’s hat off and his fingers were beginning to trail along her waistline when the door slammed open revealing an equally passionate John and Veronica. 

“Dressing room already occupied,” Roger said in a distinctly customer service voice. 

Before anyone could answer and further add to the situation, somebody yelled down the hall for them to “get your asses up here. I swear if I have to come down there and ya’ll are fucking in the dressing rooms again-”

“Coming Fred!” Lena yelled back and led the way past the rest of them and back up near the stage. 

The rest of the night prior to their going on was a whirl of laughter and joking as the boys prepared and vaguely watched the other bands play. All dressed in white they stood out even against the dimly lit wings of the stage, just as they had hoped. 

“Nice ballet slippers Fred,” Lena said, gesturing at his shoes.

“Why thank you darling, aren’t they just gorgeous?”

“From far away you won’t even be able to tell that they aren’t white,” Roger said.

Freddie glared at him, “They are barely even tinted pink. And I like them. You don’t have to.”

“Fine then.”

Lena laughed, “You two are ridiculous. You’re all ridiculous.”

“Yes we are darling, that’s why you love us,” Freddie said.

Brian came up just then, flapping his arms about, creating a very realistic impression of a great white bird, as the sleeves on his shirt billowed about. 

“And then we have Mr. Birdman, with his large white wings.”

Brian waved his arms again to further the effect, “Thank you, I always intend to look like I could just fly right off the stage.”

“Nah, darling, that’s my job. You just play that guitar and I’ll be the one going to the heavens.”

“Whatever you say Fred,” Brian responded, rolling his eyes with humor. 

Soon their entrance could not be prolonged any longer and the band took their places in preparation to go on stage.

“Do you want to go out and watch?” Freddie whispered as the others prepared to go on. 

“I wouldn’t be able to get out there.”

“You could go into the press pit if you like. You’ve never watched one of our big shows from the audience and this is a big show. Over 150,000 people.”

“Is it safe to do that?”

“Yeah, I’ll just have somebody take you to the press pit and you can go wherever you like, love!”

Lena grinned, “Okay, if you say so.” 

“I’ll prolong the show just a little longer to make sure you get out there in time.”

“Thanks Fred.”

He walked away and whispered to some crew members who came to escort her to the pit. She looked over her shoulder and saw the rest of them grinning at her, Deaky even giving a thumbs up, mouthing “See you out there.”

After being significantly jostled around and earning some glares from photographers until they caught sight of her face, she found herself pressed up against the barricade separating the press from the fans.. 

The light had faded, nearing darkness, just as the band had hoped. The sky was now a fading purple that barely illuminated the crowd behind her. The stage itself was silent and dark for the time being but the anticipation in the audience was anything but quiet.

No sooner had Lena imagined the stage to be soundless, the first half minute of Tie Your Mother Down played through the speakers in what would become the riff to bookend the Day at the Races album, earning a deafening cheer from the audience. The intro built and then the stage faded into silence again for a short moment before falling into the famous piano chords of Bohemian Rhapsody. The overdub of the song played until a spotlight dropped center stage to reveal the white clad Freddie, glowing etherally, when the band came in just as just before Freddie sang;

“So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?

So you think you can love me and leave me to die?

Ohh, baby, can’t do this to me baby.

Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here.” 

And Queen had arrived. The stage was filled with smoke and light, just how they’d intended it to look in the falling darkness, the shards of light bouncing through their hair, giving them heavenly halos. The rock section of Bohemian Rhapsody flowed right into Ogre Battle and the concert was on its way. 

Magic flowed over Lena. They became someone else on stage. Suddenly the people playing before her were strangers, and yet she knew them all better than she ever had before.  She was in love with a completely new person that she barely knew, yet somehow more themselves. This was who they really were, up on stage. There was something about their energy, the power in Freddie’s voice and the electricity in Brian’s guitar. They were legends themselves just as they were inspired by the legends that preceded them. It was loud, even the first few moments of the sound of Brian’s rich, sweet sounding guitar left her ears ringing. 

Her back was up against the last row of the press pit as it seemed like the best place to be as close to feeling the energy of the crowd without actually being in it. Halfway through their second song Lena felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Are you Lena?” the girl behind her yelled over the sound of the music.

“Yeah I am.”

“Nice to meet you! Enjoy the show!” Lena blinked at her in somewhat astonishment. But then she realized that right now and forever it was about the music; it was about nothing else but guitar riffs and heavy drums and bass lines and Freddie’s voice. It was about them and their ability to have that energy on stage, how they could make the music feel fresh every night, how it could make you feel; it was about the music. It was about creating something in the audience that made them feel alive, and as if they were experiencing something on some celestial plane of existence. Live their music is a little more dirty, not so fresh cut as on studio versions. They knew how to work the crowd, to show them it was their music just as much as the band’s.

She felt very alive in the moment. She knew that many of the songs being played were being played to fresh ears and the audience didn’t know them, but the energy in the music was raw and powerful. The space where the crowd was left to sing back were moments of togetherness with people she didn't know, didn’t want to know, friends she could have had, or hated, but for a few moments she was just one of them, someone in the crowd.  

Riding high on adrenaline and screaming the lyrics louder than she ever had before, it was not long before the stage crashed into darkness as Brian brought out his acoustic and introduced ‘39. Roger had brought forward the kick drum and a tambourine as was custom, and the four white birds stood together to perform Lena’s favorite song. 

Perhaps it was because Roger really was looking for her in the pit, but every moment that she locked eyes with one of them, not just Roger, electricity would flow through her body. The band let their eyes roam the crowd, careful not to linger too long on one person, even her. Light shown through Brian’s hair and Freddie’s eyes glittered with excitement. It felt like it was just her and the band, experiencing their music as she never had before, as it was intended to be played, live and to the masses. 

In recordings of the performance that Lena would look back on in years to come, not much can be heard but Freddie’s voice, a deep bassline and the audience screaming, folding into clips of what rock music should really be; alive. Everything was blurred and louder in the recordings, but it still held remnants of what it was like to be there, reminding her of the energy she felt, the electricity that caused people to clap to the  beat, to scream the words to songs they’d only just heard, and fall in love with people they barely knew. 

In moments where there was less movement and the lights were drawn down to fall only on the piano she found herself floating out in space. Just Freddie’s voice and the piano with the audience coming in even when they had yet to hear a studio version. They sang back at him and he kept playing for them, their voices bringing the song alive, the audience taking the music as their own. It meant something different to everyone, down to the kid who had never heard a rock band before in their life, to the girl who has followed the band from their early days, it belonged to them. 

Lena had been told to leave after Keep Yourself Alive in order to safely get backstage before the show ended, but seeing as she did not want to ever leave this moment, she saw no real reason to leave, other than the fact that she would now have to fight a large collection of impatient photographers. 

The last song caused the venue to ripple with fresh energy as the crowd knew it would end soon.

“Thank you and goodnight my darlings!” Freddie shouted as he belted out the last haunting notes of Lap of the Gods before the lights flared once more and the stage descended into darkness. The sound of the gong being dramatically hit rang through the dark and then only the sound of the crowd remained, hoping for an encore. Lena, knowing there was not going to be one, maneuvered through the photographers and backstage where she met the band, sweating and grinning wildly. 

-

Part 12 - November 1976 - In the Fall

She was somewhere, the recollection of the actual location had long since left her, for it didn't matter anyway, she could feel like she was being ripped apart from the inside anywhere.

Wading through the crowd earlier that night she had felt alive and had forgotten her fear of the world around her, all the pain had gone away, faded into the rhythm of the drum, Freddie's voice and sweet guitar riffs. But now that she was obligated to be at this party, everything had come back.

Alone from anyone she knew well at the moment, Lena cradled the bottle of Jack in her fist, listing precariously as she moved through the crowded room. She couldn't decide if it would be better if someone she knew came and stopped her, or if she could just continue to destroy herself and make all the poor choices she had sworn never to make. Eventually a less than sober  John joined her, throwing an arm around her in an effort to steady himself, but only ended up nearly knocking them both to the floor.

"Jesus Lena, usually you're the one we all can lean on. What's gotcha?"

"I couldn't really say, you know?" Lena answered, waving her bottle of whiskey, which she realized was a mistake, for as soon as she took her focus off it, her grip slipped and it smashed to the floor, sending glass and golden liquid across the floor.

The sound was just loud enough to cause a momentary silence and pause in the party but it didn't stay like that for long. John hurriedly helped her clean up the majority of the glass and by that time Roger had found them and took the obligation of the incoherent Lena away from John.

"Lena love, are you okay?" he said trying to direct her attention solely onto him. It wasn't exactly working.

"You know, the chandelier is particularly gorgeous tonight, but very bright."

Roger's eyes flitted upward without turning his head, assessing that the chandelier looked no different than on any other occasion at which they'd seen it.

Before he had a chance to respond a large group came up to them, engaging in a wandering conversation that Lena only mildly was able to follow, something about the latest fashion faux pas Freddie had made and how that had inherently become the new fashion trend. And on and on about the band and listless small talk about nothing. Eventually Lena excused herself from the circle in search of something else to quell the anxiety in her chest.

Nobody paid her much attention until she got to the bar set up on the far side of the room. The unfamiliar bartender blinked at her in recognition before asking what she wanted.

"I'd really like to stop feeling."

"Hmm, I recommend vodka."

When he turned away she snatched the open bottle of vodka just outside of his field of vision. She then accepted whatever he made her, poured it into her stolen bottle and moved back across the room where she settled on one of the overly decorative couches that adorned the too full living room. Drowning anything in alcohol was not a good choice she knew, and was not even a choice she could reprimand herself for; she had never made any rules against drowning sorrows like this because she'd never imagined that she would be in a place where she'd need to.

Someone eventually joined her, but she didn't care to discern who.

The person reached and took the bottle of vodka from her and took a swig themselves. They did not give it back.

"No one drinks a bottle of vodka for kicks I don't think," Roger said softly to her.

It took Lena too long to fully register what he said, or that it was him at all.

"No. I don't think they do."

Uncharacteristically, Lena realized, he was significantly more sober than she and he knew it too and knew it meant something bad. Neither said anything in response to this thought.

"Cigarette?" he offered.

"No", she said, but took it anyways. Her unsteady fingers had a difficult time holding it to his lighter.

"Lena-" Roger started, but she interrupted him, sounding far more coherent than he had anticipated her to be.

"I don't belong here, I am not worthy to be here. I love you, I love it, the lifestyle, the people, the places I get to go, but I don't think I'm cut out for it. I'm just not made to be able to live life like this, so fast and dirty all the time. Everyone continues to tell me that it's going to be alright and I just have to get through the rough patches and adjust to this, adjust to being in the spotlight, but I'm not strong enough for that. Even though people continue to tell me that over and over I continuously feel less worthy the more I fail to handle it and get used to it. This expectation that I feel, imaginary or not is breaking me. You are just out here creating music doing what you love. Enjoying this party, enjoying these people. And I am here with my face plastered on magazines solely because I am with you. My worth is defined by my attachment to you. And I feed into that and let myself find worth in that, as hard as I try not to. Music history will see me as... see right there, me caring what history has to say of me, me caring at all, when it should just be about us and who we are-"

She stopped her rambling and refocused on Roger wanting to see his response. He looked sad, his lips turned down and a little frown forming between his brows. It was cute.

"I wish I could go back to the way it was, the simplicity of us just being us, no one else to tell us what we should or should not be. I miss that. Now there's all these things, these people and they expect so much. And I just can't deal with that. Actually, that's not even true. I could deal with that. But Rog, I just can't do life with my face being plastered on magazine covers. Or the paparazzi. I know that sounds stupid, but like you've seen, it literally gives me anxiety attacks. You are meant to touch the stars, to be in the spotlight; and I am just not. I am meant to be the person who fades into the background, quite literally."

"I think you're the strongest woman I've ever met, and if there's anyone that can handle it, it's going to be you. We can change things, we can not go to these," Roger waved his hands and the commotion in the room, "we can just be us, go back to where we ignore the world a little."

"No we can't. We never even did. I just didn't realize they were watching, and it was once I became aware that they were watching was when it got bad."

"We can do whatever you want, I just want to keep you safe, to keep you from how you are now."

"I don't think you really can. Even in the midst of this, you can look at my destruction all you want, but it's nothing compared to what's in my head."

Some part of her incoherent brain knew she was hurting him, but she also knew sober Lena would never voice her concerns out of this fear of hurting him. Drunk Lena was honest to a fault.

"How can I help you then?"

"I don't know Rog."

The momentary seclusion from the party they had experienced suddenly vanished as some drunken onlooker responded with "How 'bout another drink?" and handed Lena a glass of something revoltingly strong. Before Roger could stop her, she downed it.

He looked at her sadly, not knowing how else to respond.

"Let's get you home."

"Are you sure? Don't you want to stay and enjoy the party?"

"Not with you like this."

"Hm what about like this?" Lena said, leaning his and sloppily kissing him, her hands tangling in his hair.

For a moment he reciprocated but then pulled away, her lipstick leaving his white shirt stained red.

"I think you really need to go home."

Falling all over him as he steered them through the crowded party, Lena lost any real sense of what was going on and let herself be all but carried. She did not recollect whom they said goodbye to or who looked at her with concern or who drove them home. Or even that it was raining, a cold ugly rain that should have mildly brought her out of her stupor. But it didn't. She barely even remembered Roger helping her pull off her concert clothes in exchange for sweatpants and a tshirt once within the confines of their home.

The next morning, or rather afternoon, when Lena awoke her whole body ached and her head was pounding. Her stomached stirred involuntarily and she launched herself from the bed and toward the bathroom, causing the room to start spinning. She barely made it before she spewed her insides into the toilet, the commotion causing Roger to come quickly up the stairs.

Guilt coursed through her, having more of an effect than the ripping pain in her head, and she could barely look at him as she vaughly recollected the words she'd said many hours before.

Later, sitting across from him in their little kitchen clutching her second cup of coffee and a bagel, he still looked at her with heavy concern etched on his face.

Their conversation this morning had been stiff and halting and dancing around the question she knew he wanted to ask. Finally he did.

"Did you mean what you said last night?"

"I don't remember all of it-"

"How much of it do you remember?"

"Enough to know," she paused, feeling her eyes beginning to water, "know that I meant it." 

-

Part 13 - 24 December 1976 - Berkeley Square

In the last few months things had gotten better as both Roger and Lena had taken steps to live a more normal life. There were less public occasions that Lena felt obligated to attend, and when there were, Lena felt heard and as if the rest of the band was acutely aware of her, and tried their best to shield her from the life she did not want. But that did not stop the world from continuing on. 

Life had seemed to fall more into a normal rhythm and level out to a point of being okay. There were no more rambling drunk conversations and no more vocalized existential crises. Lena had begun to feel as if it would work out and not end in some incalculable disaster.

This particular party had purpose and was not intended for the mindless assortment of people that were commonly invited, but family only in celebration of the holiday season. Countless hours of work had gone into decorating Roger and Lena’s home, cleaning up the non-existent mess in order to spruce up it up for the special occasion. The lights were hung, the tree taking up too much of the living room and a fire burned steadily in the fireplace. Lena had crafted the perfect table settings and was only waiting for the turkey to be done as the guests began to arrive. Lena supposed that they barely even counted as guests given that she saw them all nearly everyday, but tonight was different with the decorated house and specially prepared feast. 

“Darling you’ve done such a wonderful job, the house looks glorious,” Freddie said sweeping in the front door.

“Really she did outdo herself,” Roger interjected.

“You helped. Sort of,” Lena replied.

“Well, I helped cook at least.”

“Exactly.”

By the time the turkey was done the house was brimming with Christmas cheer as everyone had arrived. John and Veronica beamed at Freddie holding their now year old son Robert as Brian begged to be the next one to hold him. Kashmira sipped a glass of champagne and kept glancing conspiratorially between Lena and Roger despite fully knowing that they were a couple, teasing them even in their own house. Freddie’s mother beamed happily at her son and congratulated him again for his recent album release and the family he had found because of it. 

A light snow had begun to fall outside as Lena rallied them all to the dining table. A prayer was said over the meal and Roger took it upon himself to overly ceremoniously carve the turkey.

“Would you just hurry up and make less of an event of it,” Brian complained, “I’m absolutely famished.”

Roger shot him an amused glance and proceeded even slower in his serving of the meat. 

Sitting next to Roger mid-way through the meal Lena was quiet; this was her family, more so than she had felt in many years. Roger continually squeezed her hand in happy reminders that he was there, Freddie’s laughter bubbled in the room, Brian continuously joked, and Deaky looked so elated to have been able to bring his son and properly include him into the band family. Everything glowed with golden firelight and joyous laughter. After dinner was cleared away they each exchanged presents, despite having vowed to only purchase small little gifts for one another. The night drew on and the fire burned low and voices fell to a murmur. More champagne was poured, Freddie’s parents went home and Lena rocked little Robert in her arms. 

Brian had been staring at Lena for the last five minutes and finally she interrupted his gaze.

“Bri, what are you staring at?”

“Just you. And Roger. And thinking about how you guys will be one day.”

Lena’s heart twisted, knowing what he meant. 

“What do you mean?” Roger asked, only half paying attention.

“Just that you guys will one day have a little one and it won’t be like this forever. And we will all have our own families to share Christmas with.”

“Oh. Right,” Roger responded, shooting Lena a glance, but not so much that anyone else noticed. Lena bit her lip hard in an effort to maintain a straight face and cast her eyes down. 

“I’ll be right back,” she said, carefully passing Robert to Veronica. 

In the kitchen, Lena poured herself the last of the champagne, an aching pain slowly growing in her heart.

“Lena love, are you alright?” Roger asked, having followed her and quietly entered the kitchen.

A single tear fell and she hastily wiped it away, “No.”

“I’m so sorry love,” Roger said as he came over and enveloped her in his arms.

“No I’m sorry. I’m the one who can’t have kids. And, and-” she sniffled. 

“Lena, we’ve discussed this before. It will all be fine, we can adopt or just not have kids. Whatever you want.”

“I just want you to be happy. And for you to have your own kids.”

“Just you are enough to make me happy.”

“That is the most cliche thing you’ve ever said,” Lena said, now laughing through tears.

Roger grinned, “Thanks, are you ready for more cliche?”

“Uh no?”

“Just you wait.”

Many hours of talk and laughter later everyone had said their goodbyes and shared a chorus of “Merry Christmas” and Lena was still wondering what on earth Roger could possibly be planning. 

“Put on your coat! Let’s go!” Lena’s eyes shot open in exasperation, “Where? It’s nearly midnight!”

“Exactly, we mustn't be late!”

Completely and utterly confused Lena followed Roger out the door and into the car where they drove through empty streets into the heart of London. Finally he stopped the car and demanded that she close her eyes.

“Roger this is absolutely ridiculous.”

“Exactly, and that’s why you love me.”

Lena rolled her eyes before conceding and letting Roger lead her what seemed like several blocks before stopping. There was no wind, but she the snow falling lightly on her skin. Only the occasional sound of a car passed by and she couldn’t place where they would be given the place they had traveled to. The closest place she could fathom was Hyde Park, but that still seemed like too far a walk from where they had parked. 

Finally Roger stopped her. “Don’t open just yet. Wait twenty more seconds ...”

“Rog-” 

“Just wait.”

“Okay and open…. Now.” And she did. And as she did so the sound of music filled the vacant square. 

There was a deep, snow muffled silence in Berkeley Square aside from the song echoing around them. The only movement was their own as Roger had grasped Lena’s hands and began lazily waltzing her through the snow. It was the same song they had danced to the night they met, the one Brian had sang that night, and the same one that Roger had played again when they’d first moved into their house. And now it was echoing through the streets after which it was named.

“Rog, how-”

“Like Freddie always says, don’t ask, it ruins the magic.”

“You know I really don’t think it does.”

“It doesn’t matter anyway.”

“Thank you Rog.”

“Merry Christmas Lena,” he said as they clung to each other, slowly swaying around the empty square to the rhythm of their song. 

The moon that lingered over London town;

Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown

How could he know we two were so in love

The whole darn world seemed upside down

The streets of town were paved with stars

It was such a romantic affair

And as we kissed and said goodnight

A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

-

Part 14 - 31 December 1976 - Last Party

She thought it would get better but it didn’t. She thought that relief of some of the stresses she’d been carrying would allow healing to come and allow her time to battle all the other things that she had for so long let sit. But now those things she had forgotten about, the pain, the anxiety crept upon her in her relaxed state, and again she found herself afraid that those terrible things had only gone away because she had been too busy to notice them, not because she was getting better. 

It was one of those days where she didn’t ever quite wake up and every single human interaction felt forced and she felt guilty that it was so. Even seeing the people she loved most in the world was draining and from the moment she woke up, she felt the inherent need to immediately go back to sleep. 

She didn’t want to have to fight this battle anymore, this betrayal of her mind to itself, this cycle of thinking she was stronger, better, and living life and then discover that she was in fact not. 

Clad in her little black dress and red leather jacket, Lena clung to Roger’s arm as they entered into the New Year’s party being thrown on behalf of the band, for the band, or by the band; she couldn’t really remember and didn’t really care. Everyone that she knew and everyone she didn’t know was there; what felt like half of London was crammed into the space. It was all too dark and too bright simultaneously with glitters and golds illuminating the low lit space. Light reflected off glasses and laughter tinkled just below the music being pumped into the room. Immediately Lena searched for the source of the music and thought it comical that that’s all that mattered to her even after so long; that it was the music she first thought of. 

“Hellooooo loves! Welcome to the last party of the year!” Freddie sung, having spotted them.

“You really outdid yourself on this,” Lena deadpanned.

“I know you don’t like these parties love, but you don’t have to stay all that long if you’d like. It's all up to you. Do try to have some fun?”

“Thanks Fred.”

“Look,” Roger shouted in her ear, as that was the volume needed to be heard over the hoard of people, “There’s Kashmira over there with the rest.”

Lena followed his gaze and sure enough, John, Brian, and Kashmira were somewhat awkwardly occupying the adjacent corner.

“Why do you all look so awkward over here?” Roger joked when they had made their way over. 

“Seriously, you look like you’ve adopted my attitude toward parties,” Lena added.

“I’m not nearly drunk enough for that,” Kashmira said, shooting Lena a wink.

  Lena scowled at her in response, but knew she was right; usually Lena did get very drunk in effort to avoid her problems. Not a great choice.

“Well?” Roger asked again.

“No reason really,” John said, “Neither Veronica, nor Chrissie,” he said nodding at Brian, “wanted to come. And I’m only just dropping in because I have to get back to be with Robert.”

“See Rog, why did we even come?” Lena wined.

“Because you wanted to see meeeee!” Kashmira chimed in, “Everything is much more fun with you here. Everyone else is a boring drunk. You’re a philosophical funny drunk and wonderful to hang with. Sober too of course.”

“And Freddie really wanted us to come. We don’t have to stay long if you don’t want,” Roger said. 

“Alright then,” Lena said, “Somebody get us some champagne! We have 1976 to celebrate. And 1977 can only be better, right?” 

With Kashmira there the party was ever more fun than usual and Lena found this to be a rare occasion in which she was actually enjoying herself. Perhaps it had to do with the band staying secluded together, laughing in the corner or the fact that she was not in the least incoherent from alcohol. Maybe it had been a mistake to have fallen into Roger’s arms drunk after parties for the past year. 

However, as the night grew later and midnight neared the party dissolved and only Kashira remained by Lena’s side. She could see Brian snaking his way toward the door and no sign of John. Roger’s shock of blonde hair stood out even from across the room where he stood talking to a dark haired woman whose name she could never remember. Freddie bobbed between groups as he usually did, making conversation with everyone. Lena’s eyes shifted back to Roger and found him where he was only a moment earlier, however this time she looked harder at him, observing.

He maintained a respectful distance from the gorgeous woman, but she could see how happy he was. Perhaps it had to do with who he was talking to and perhaps not, Lena found she was not even jealous of the way he was looking at her. Instead she realized that he had chosen not to stick by her side, and that anytime she was with him in public, he only looked at her with anxiety, stressing about whether or not she was okay. Public occasions never seemed fun for him anymore. In fact, it seemed that much of his life revolved around Lena’s problems with fame. Suddenly all of the comfort the previous hours had granted faded away and she felt very much out of place. 

“What’s wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost,” Kashmira asked. 

“Something about me is wrong. Not physically, just something isn’t right. I’m not even sure what it is or why. Maybe I need some whiskey. Or some music turned up so loud that I can’t hear myself think. I don’t know.”

“Both of those can be arranged you know,” she said in true Freddie fashion. 

Before Lena had a chance to interject, Kashmira scampered away in the direction of Freddie. Five minutes later she returned, glass of whiskey in hand. 

“I have requested that Queen play us an end of the year song. Very loudly. Very obnoxiously. And here’s you drink.”

“You didn’t have to-”

“Freddie has been on the peruse for someone to ask him to play all night. Just let him.”

“Well he’d better hurry because he needs at least one guitarist I think and Brian has been trying to leave for the last hour.”

“Valid point. I’ll go catch him.”

In another five minutes Kashmira had effectively, much more effectively that Lena had ever seen, rounded up the three remaining members and coerced them into doing a song for everyone. Feedback scratched through the house’s sound system and Brian could be heard complaining that the guitar Freddie had handed him was absurdly out of tune.

“In case you’re just boring enough to have not heard anything off our new album, here is a little sample for all you lovely people as we close off the year. 

They jumped into a screeching, crashing version of Tie Your Mother Down and then spluttered into a fast and heavy version of Somebody To Love, both of which sounded a bit off without John. And it was loud. So loud. Loud enough to block out Lena’s immediate thoughts. 

“Better?” Kashmira yelled in her ear and proceeded to hand her another drink. 

“Much,” Lena said and smiled.

A few minutes to midnight the song concluded, or rather abruptly stopped, and everyone was bustling with new movement to have a drink and someone to kiss in the new year. In a brief moment of despair Lena realized she stood alone.

Even as the countdown began she still remained standing alone, eyes searching the yelling crowd for the shock of blonde hair she knew so well. The despair that had previously been only a small pond overflowed into a sea, causing a heart wrenching twist in her stomach. 

At the last moment framilair hands gripped her waist and spun her around. 

“I nearly couldn’t find you,” Roger’s lips whispered into hers.

Lena gave a small halfhearted smile, “I nearly thought you weren’t coming.”

Roger gave a small chuckle as if to laugh away her foolish idea, kissing her as the crowd cheered and the first seconds of the new year befell them. 

-

Part 15 - 1 January 1977 - Home Again

The first few hours of 1977 vanished quickly into the night and it was not long before Roger and Lena were once again within the confines of their home. Her red leather jacket was draped lazily across the back of a kitchen chair as the couple shared the first meal of the year together. It was simply over-buttered toast and orange marmalade in combination with coffee that was not in the least conducive to sleeping.Her red lipstick stained the little porcelain cup despite having not reapplied a fresh coat for hours.  It was one of the simplest moments that they had shared, nearly platonic where all of the sudden they were just friends again and the conversation flowed with the same ease as it had when they had first met; witty banter and loving teasing without hindrance of fear of what other people thought.  For some reason this reminder of those days past made her heart contract with desire for a simpler time when she was not so caught up in the world.

She ached for a past that had long since vanished, one that when looking back seemed simple but it had not been. She desired the past in which she had blindly lived, unaware of the life yet to befall her. The future and days she had experienced since that nieve days were not wholly bad, but they weighed on her in such a way that she did not want the future to hold anything with nearly the same weight. 

This thought trickled through her mind but soon fell away as the conversation stilled and the space between them began to decline exponentially. Even after all this time, Roger’s fingertips brushing her hair off her face, just skimming her skin was electric and Lena shivered.

“Cold?” Roger grinned mischievously.

“Mmm, not with you here.”

He chuckled, eyes fluttering closed as he kissed her. 

With ease that always surprised her despite her small frame, Roger scooped Lena up bridal style, causing her to giggle as he carried her through their home.

-

 Part 16 - 1 January 1977 Letters Between

I love you. I chose wrong in coming here and that choice is only hurting the ones I love most in the world. It breaks my heart to leave, and it may feel like I’m breaking yours but it’s not fair for you to promise me forever and me to not be able to give you the life that forever should hold. You should be able to grow old and watch kids grow up and live your life without my living scared in the shadow of you. I can’t do that. To you or myself. 

I really wanted it to be you, I swear to God I did. You were the shot of truth I didn’t know I needed, but everything good must end eventually. Thank you for dancing with me. 

Love Always,

Lena 

-

Part 17 - 1 January 1977 Continued: Further Between

She’d shoved a needle through her cartilage to reopen the long closed piercing which she had long since stopped wearing.  Scissors went to her hair and too efficiently, like she had done it before, her long locks fell into the sink before her. She gazed at her reflection in the fingerprinted airport mirror, silently trimming a last few pieces of stray strands to their desired length. 

Her stomach churned and although she’d eaten only hours before, her body told her she was empty, every bit of energy was gone, a piece of her had suddenly gone missing. She’d removed it. And by her own account. She was nauseous, but only from the position she had placed herself in; hungry for some happiness that didn’t exist; tired but with only slight dark circles, anxiety knotting in her stomach, but her thoughts clear.

Lena watched as her reflection’s glittered and hot tears streamed down her face. As she put the scissors down she noticed her hands were shaking. 

“Last call for New York boarding,” a disembodied female voice chimed overhead.

One more glance in the mirror to assure herself that she no longer looked liked Roger Taylor’s long blonde haired girlfriend who currently looked absolutely tragic, she shoved the tissues she’d had out back into her overstuffed bag full of her favorite articles of clothing and her jean jacket that the band had given her. Aside from that there was nothing else, no remainder of Roger. Except of course, she pondered, except for the red leather jacket. That was the one gift with which she could not part. 

She reached into the jacket harshly to pull out her boarding pass, hurried now and afraid she’d chicken out and afraid that she wanted to. In doing so she jammed her hand against a slice of cold metal.

She had recalled stowing it there the night before, the little shard of crash symbol. It cut at her hand and heart as she gripped it and she considered dropping it on the bathroom floor, leaving it to vanish into the middle of the soon to be busy airport. 

But no, she thought, it will be my little reminder of what I’ve done. 

She wanted desperately for the little shard to be poetic as she zipped it safely away in her breast pocket. Perhaps it was. Perhaps it was desperately and tragically romantic that she kept the little piece of metal as a symbol of the man she’d just left and that she was saving him from heartache and not being able to give him the life she wanted him to have. Or maybe it was a symbol to the way she had cut his heart out with the dulled edge. Or how it would be so beautiful to have that little piece of him with her always and hold only a fraction of the memories that they’d shared. But more likely it was less than that. Only a piece of metal on a string that would haunt her for decades to come, never regretting her choice, but only the way in which she had chosen to carry it out. 

-

Part 18 - 4 January 1977 - On A Jet Plane

Four days. 

Only four days.

Roger slumped alone in the rear of their private jet. The last couple days had been the longest he’d endured in years and they had all been done completely sober. Until now. He rationed that leaving the country as they were forced off to begin rehearsals for their forthcoming tour in the States truly marked the end of hoping she’d return. She would no longer know where he was even if she wanted to. Granted, he didn’t know where she was. He didn’t know if she was okay. He didn’t know if he was okay. 

The puffy lipped stewardess too kindly asked him if he needed anything else and he was ripped back to reality, coldly realizing he’d lost her. Lena was gone.

Roger had woken up that morning to an empty bed, cold sheets and a crackling of paper when his arm had reached out to feel for her. He could hear it still, crackling like his heart had as he read the words written there. Unbelief has stunted his walk down to the kitchen where he found her coffee cup, lipstick on the brim. And nothing else. Not her, just a whisper of her, left behind, but untouchable, graceless as it fleeted away. A ghost. 

In the following days packing to leave, and not ever return to this house he even had pondered, he had run through dozens upon dozens of memories that played through at little reminders of her scattered throughout the house. The lipstick stained coffee cup remained on the counter, an old Led Zeppelin shirt pulled out from under the bed, the ashtray on the balcony. All little reminders. Reminders that flittered past like a broken record, over and over again as he fell into a fitful sleep. 

16 April 1974

He remembered when he had first met her. It was back before Queen had even played that first set on a U.S. stage. He remembered the day well, too well. If he disregarded that she had ever been there, the memory could be held with only excitement. But remembering that she had been there made the memory all the more sweet. Bittersweet.

That night during their set he could not stop thinking about her soft hazel eyes as they had judged him, intaking initial impressions and all the things she had probably heard about him. All of those things she had thought were probably true, but he remembered wanting them desperately not to be. Because this girl, this woman, she was someone who would not be willing to fall for someone like that. Like him. 

But later that night she fell into the circle of friendship the four shared, fitting in like the piece of the puzzle he had not known had been missing. Perhaps, he had thought, it was just her uncanny beauty, for she was beautiful in a way that was classic, old fashioned, not of this age. That was for certain a factor when he had danced with her that night. He had wanted so badly to hold her closer, but a seemingly meaningless dance would have to do. He remembered dancing to the sound of his one of his best friend’s voice, spinning around the most gorgeous girl he thought he had ever seen, and had been content. Not just by the gratification of being a rockstar or because she was a pretty girl, but that he had liked the way she grinned with the side of her mouth and the way her smile would fully reach her eyes each every time. Or the way she would constantly allow her fingers to move, as if she was letting them drift through a viscous fluid. Or the way the lights of the bar and the orange of her shirt made her blonde hair appear almost the color of fresh honey. 

20 November 1974: Live at the Rainbow

It had been to Roger's immense surprise that Lena had agreed to come back to London with the band, but he could not have been more relieved. He had been trying to configure up some way of not losing this gorgeous woman whom he so liked. But her agreement to come overseas with them left him with a nervous excitement in his stomach. This could potentially mean something. She was leaving what she knew to be with them. 

Roger regretted that he did not see her every day, but for the most part he would talk to her every day. He would call and hope she picked up. When she didn't he would take the roundabout way to wherever it was he was going just to be able to slip a note through her letterbox or flowers on her steps. Only the notes he signed, but he hoped that she knew the flowers were from him. When their schedules matched up he would take her on adventures in the city, to all his favorite places and to the places he thought she might like. And he still could not quite determine if he was bold enough to ask her out. Because if he did so, he was afraid he would lose her.

With an internal dialogue raging inside his head, one side arguing for her, the other telling him she would never love someone like him, he threw back a couple shots and ran on to the Rainbow's stage, but not before pausing to squeeze her hand in acknowledgement of where she stood stage side. The whole of the performance he could just see her figure in the shadows, only visible to someone who knew she was there. It was a good night, a good show, something that was likely to be a performance fans remembered for many decades, but he could not focus on that. She was just there, so careless of the fact that he was in love with her. And it was by no means her fault. She was not obligated to love him, he had given her no explicit reasoning to. Because he was still afraid of losing her.

This fixation on whether to tell her he was in love with her or not distracted him the rest of the night, leaving him not caring how he destroyed his drums and even blinded him to the fact that he was treating everyone in vicinity with little respect. He stalked away from the band and her as soon as he could, ignoring Brian’s attempts at convincing him that this was ridiculous and absolutely absurd. But despite his general annoyance at the world, he could not help but feel responsible when Lena lost herself in the sea of groupies as they exited the Rainbow. 

Upon arrival at Freddie's party Roger’s mood had not improved and he made a point to disappear from existence as soon as possible in order to further mull his thoughts under the influence of some stronger drink. He stood on the balcony that overlooked Freddie’s immaculate yard and searched for her within the throng of people below. He wasn’t sure what he hoped he would see, perhaps her in the arms of someone else so he could validly convince himself to forget about her? Just hanging at Deaky’s side because she knew few people at this party? In either case, his thoughts were interrupted when a figure stepped out onto the balcony. He whirled violently, but found that it was only her. God, he wanted to kiss her. Even more so when she contentedly ignored the mood that he knew he was displaying. And to his annoyance she weaned out of him the words she had been looking for and he had been so reluctant to say. And then somehow he was kissing her, after so long of hoping such an occurrence might take place. Even the appearance of Deaky and then the rest of the band couldn’t wipe the smile off his face, for she was suddenly his girl.

November 1976

When he found her cleaning up broken glass and shared a glance with John he had known something was seriously wrong. And when he’d found her later that night on the couch with a nearly full bottle of vodka, he felt a twist of fear. He had never seen her like this before, so seemingly broken. He knew it was the alcohol that had caused this state, but what state had she been in to so necessitate drinking so much?

And when she’d drunkenly confessed her fears to him, he found that it wasn’t that he was afraid for himself, he was afraid for her, that she’d lost herself in trying to be all that was expected of her. It was his fault. His fault his fault his fault, pounded through his head as he’d taken her home that night. And he didn’t know what he could do to make it better. He just knew that he didn’t want it to end in losing her. 

-

Roger jolted awake, those words running spirals in his brain.

  Lose her lose her losing her lost her

He had lost her. Through it all, he’d lost her and she was gone. 

-

Part 19 - 13 July 1985 - Wembley Stadium

Three weeks ago Lena had opened her mail to find an envelope containing a singular ticket and a messy scrawl of words in handwriting she hadn’t seen in nearly a decade.

If you’re in London, do stop in at Wembley. Arrive early. And by early I mean give us a ring and we’ll arrange for you to be stage side. Just like the old days. 

You don’t have to see him. But you will want to see Bowie. 

Please come. 

-Fred

And that’s how she found herself calling her boss back to ask if the contract to work the next six months in London was still available. And then contacting Queen and finding herself on the phone with some new assistant who wanted to know how she had gotten this number. Then Freddie’s voice. And it was suddenly all arranged. They had needed an extra couple organizational assistants anyway and her knowledge of show business was a perfect addition. And so she found herself crowded backstage with hundreds of other people hurriedly running this way and that in some hazy chaos. 

She had been quietly doing her job, keeping out of the way and attempting not to make contact with anyone she knew, but it was only a matter of time before one of the boys noticed her or one of the other acts recognized her as Roger Taylor’s estranged girlfriend. She was hoping for the former, but had a dreadful feeling that it would be the latter.

Checking one last item off her list and assuring that everyone was situated, queued in the correct places and trying to remind herself that she should not have a freakout moment because she’d just seen the back of Paul McCartney’s head go by, she was stopped by a light hand on her shoulder.

“Miss-”

“Yes,” Lena said, and turned to find herself face to face with a grinning David Bowie, his shirt half unbuttoned and tie haphazardly shoved in his pants pocket.

“Ah, it is you. I thought you wouldn’t show. Freddie was just wondering if you were here.”

“Oh?” Lena responded, suddenly slightly dazed that David Bowie actually knew who she was.

“I’m David-”

Lena laughed, “Of course I know! We’ve met before, but that was nearly ten years ago at a birthday party at Fred’s house in London.”

“I wish I could say I remember that. I certainly do remember Fred asking me to come, but the night itself I don’t recall.”

“I don’t blame you. It was the seventies afterall.”

“You say that with such blatant nostalgia,” he said, taking her arm and gently leading her in the direction of where she knew Queen resided. 

“Why else would I be here other than such nostalgia for a time when my life revolved around nothing but music.”

“For perhaps some beloved friends?”

“And they are the heart of that music, wouldn’t you say?” she ended as Bowie gave a small tap on the door of the trailer. 

The door swung open to reveal Freddie, looking sharp as ever, but distinctly different from how the seventies had rendered him; cropped hair and mustache now drove his iconic appearance, the exuberant energy still radiating from his features.

“David how nice of you to drop by-” his eyes shifted to Lena, widening in excitement, “Lena darling! I’m so absolutely delighted that you were able to make it!”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she smiled as she was enveloped in a bone crushing hug.

“Lads you won’t believe who it is,” Freddie started, moving away from the door to reveal the rest of the band sitting beyond. 

Lena shot Freddie a look in annoyance that he hadn’t seemed to in the slightest enlightened them that she was to be there. Especially Roger. Whom she had not really wanted to see anyway. But when she locked eyes with him in that moment and her stomach flipped she found herself knowing she had never stopped loving him, not for one second. It was a dull love now, something distant, to be fondly remembered, but it was there nevertheless. This was the first time seeing him face to face since she had gone. There had been three letters and two phone calls between them to cover loose ends, but those had been kept professional, as if on business. Eight years later seeing herself reflected in those blue eyes again her heart fluttered even as her brain told her it was over. 

There was a distinct momentary silence before David excused himself and Brian gave a small cough and they greeted her like old times. After hugs all around, even to Roger, they almost magically fell back into old rhythms of conversation that had long since been silenced. 

When it came time for the band to head toward the stage, the crowd roared and there was a small split second in which Roger and Lena were alone, as the band turned a corner and they were momentarily blocked from the others as someone rolled an amp past. 

“Rog I-”

“Lena, no apologies. Whatever you’re going to say, that was a long time ago. Can we just be friends now and forget anything ever happened between us?”

The question surprised her, causing her to think that maybe Freddie had told him she was going to be there and he’d been putting a lot of thought into them. 

“Of course.”

“I don’t want you to think I forgot us. But I don’t want the future to be defined by all that shattered in the past.”

Lena smiled at him warmly, “Okay Mr. Taylor. I have arrived as Miss Lierens, properly positioned in friendzone but having always loved you.”

“Pinky promise me?” he said reaching out his hand.

Lena laughed, shaking on it, “Pinky promise.”

Those beginning chords of Bohemian Rhapsody, to hear them played live again, to hear the crowd sing with Freddie again, his voice echoing across decades, was unearthly as Lena stood in the wings watching. The waving, flowing mass of people beyond the stage, nearly unimaginable as they dropped into Radio Gaga, complimented them with an even louder cheer. The crowd was clapping along like she had heard a hundred times before but this time to a worldwide audience, one that would likely remember this day for decades to come.

Every moment she had seen before, but today it was on a new level of magical, the things she remembered so fondly; the sheer energy of the moment, caught by camera glares and the boys having the absolute time of their lives. Hammer To Fall’s  intro riff continued the magic,  and the “ready Freddie” in Crazy Little Thing, it was all the joy in life she’d nearly forgotten existed. 

That was only followed by their bounding off stage and Bowie striding on shortly after, sending Lena a wink as he went past.

Never having seen Bowie perform in person, she found he held the stage differently but equally powerfully, powder blue suit glowing, shirt now buttoned up professionally. As soon as it had begun, it was ending, with Lena giggling at the multitude of exuberant tambourine shaking in the midst of a historical moment. Later, looking mildly like he’d recently risen from the grave, yet donned in sparkles, Elton John played Rocket Man at the big white grand piano that took up the stage, and by the end of his set, darkness had begun to fall on the city. 

As the second to last song began, the band joined her in the wings, Brian on her left, arm  stewn over her shoulders, Freddie on her right, his other arm across Roger’s shoulders, and Deaky on the end, all swaying back and forth as music greats sang Let It Be, the stage doused in pink dreamlight. 

-

 Setlist

Ghost of You - 5SOS

All The Young Dudes - Mott The Hoople

The Night We Met - Lord Huron

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square - Vera Lynn

Love Of My Life - Queen

Time Stands Still - The Hooters

‘39 - Queen

Something - The Beatles

You and I - Queen

Pink Motel - The Glorious Sons

Keep Yourself Alive (Live at the Rainbow ‘74) - Queen

Somebody to Love - Queen

Woke Up New - The Mountain Goats

Leaving, On a Jet Plane - John Denver

Let It Be - The Beatles

[blametheeditor]

Are you going to continue ‘Jeremy Messed Up’?

That is a valid question. As well as an excellent reminder that the poor Jeremy was forgotten in the queue.

Please take this chapter, and the rest will be queued up for week to make up for my negligence!

Jeremy Messed Up: Chapter 6

NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

The Sequel To Mike Messed Up

First | Previous | Next

Mike was just a night guard waiting to be killed by the end of the week. Now, he is the proud, and soon to be sole owner, of Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. Business is booming, animatronics are teeming with life, and Foxy is back in the spotlight after so many years. Even so, the dark past of Freddy's is slowly encroaching upon them. One with more ties than they could ever imagine.

Content Warnings: Mentions of death and murder, want to harm someone, cursing (lots of cursing), mentions of tracking someone down. Mentions of teasing about being in a relationship when not.

And the Jeremy is back!

____________________________

"Michael."

Said man freezes with his hands up as if he was caught red-handed. And no, he wasn't doing anything that warranted such a reaction. All he's been doing is closely following behind Jeremy as he's guided through the restaurant by the only animatronic that's allowed so much as a mile radius. Of course that kind of trust means constant glances behind to ensure the person who got him into the mess is no more than a foot away at a time.

Freddy better get his ass over here so Foxy and his newest first mate don't get too far away, or else they're going to have a big problem. And not the one that ends with someone screaming in terror and therefore making all the kids panic so every parent writes an angry letter the next day saying they'll never come back. P.S. the pizza was delicious though.

Picture this. Jeremy on the floor curled up in a ball. Mike pissed his best friend has been traumatized. Freddy, deactivated for a solid week.

"Have you ever realized you're the only one who doesn't call me Mike?" the man huffs as the bear finally lumbers his way over, motioning for him to follow as a certain Cake Snatcher stares at him with the silent statement they're too far away. "Sometimes it sounds like you're not even trying to talk to me. Who is this 'Michael', and why do you love him more than me!"

"I always knew you were the jealous type," Freddy easily fires back.

No. He can't smirk with appreciation. Because it reminds him of the whole Mr. Perfect being chosen over him. Proving he is definitely the jealous type damnit!

"Why are you acting like I've done something wrong anyway?" Mike murmurs. Because from his perspective, he's only been a good friend to someone who looked like they needed it. Still haven't completed his paperwork, but usually he finishes that after the restaurant closes anyway.

Freddy doesn't respond immediately, silently scanning the restaurant, a sight that's beyond ordinary. Just the lead animatronic making sure everything's in order. The kids sprinting around screaming in joy and not fear. No guests popping up in the facial recognition system to state they're not supposed to be anywhere near children's restaurant. The only thing that makes him think something's wrong is when he locks onto something, looking almost curious.

Taking the bait he follows the line of sight to see the bear is focused on...Jeremy. A bristle proves he's still the jealous type shit! "What's wrong with Jer?"

"You're awfully fond of someone who hid in an 'employee's only' section."

Blue eyes harden at the thought of accusing the adorable kid of being anything but innocent. "So?"

A paw gently snags his shoulder to stop him. The protest the ticking time-bomb controlled solely by distance dies as Foxy pauses the tour in order to say hi to a birthday girl. And don't think he didn't catch the nods passing between them.

Fine. They can talk, Mike obediently turning himself to properly face Freddy Fazbear.

Someone who's kept him company in the late hours of the night. Told the other three to keep the bickering to a minimum if he fell asleep to drool on the paperwork properly instead of from pure boredom. Saved his life when someone tried to kill him despite having a past of pain longer than knowing a stupid kid who didn't follow the rules because he wanted to be spiteful.

Someone who's also clearly attached to his original creator. Gets annoyed from time to time and fires a few insults too close to home without paying close attention to how it's taken. Constantly tells the man they adore he's too lonely for it to be healthy, but when someone struts into his life and doesn't mind the way he acts, thinks there's something wrong.

Because everything is wrong when it comes to Mike. The way he gains a restaurant and fixes the animatronics up. The way he makes friends. The way his parents never even wanted-

He sucks in a breath sharply at such a sudden and unpleasant thought, quickly tuning back into the chaotic noise of the restaurant alight with joy, and laughter. Such a stark contrast from when he first became a night guard just over a year ago. Something he did. He made it one of the top places for children entertainment.

Freddy watches him with concern. From the looks of it, he zoned out again. But at least he didn't faint. "Michael, are you okay?"

"I'm fucking tired, Freddy," Mike softly admits as he deflates. He can't help a lazy flinch though at the thought of getting lectured with letting a curse slip while surrounded by innocent ears.

"When was the last time you ate? Or slept?" tells him he gets a pass this time.

The man rubs at his face in the attempt to clear his head enough to think about what he did last night. Hell, this morning before the wonderful surprise named Henry decided to stop by. "Can't remember."

"We haven't been keeping an eye on you," Freddy sighs. The one saying he's disappointed he hasn't been keeping up on his duties as the leader of the Fazbear Gang of which Mike had been made an honorary member the night he got invited to join them in the dining room despite only being a night guard. "You don't even leave the restaurant and yet we don't keep tabs on eating and sleeping habits."

"Honestly I'm fine," Mike promises as he straightens up to show the topic is being put on the back burner.

As much as he'd love to take a rare moment and ask for a relaxing day in which his family would be more than happy to drop everything in order to do for him, he's now the full owner of Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. The creator of the franchise visited an hour ago, and he needs to write a professional report stating why the demands of putting Foxy away and everyone permanently on stage during the day isn't practical. Someone who had hid inside his office and asked for help staying safe from whatever chased them down needs to be interviewed after finally calming down enough.

His food and sleep deprivation can wait. Those who need him now can't.

"So maybe I latched onto Jer a little more than I intended," Mike grins. And he can see disappointment in continuing to push himself like this in the bear's eyes, but there's a promise they'll read him a bedtime story with milk and cookies later. "But how could I not. He's adorable."

There's the eyeroll saying Freddy can't believe he decided this dumbass of a human was someone he should follow straight to hell. "It's good to know your preference toward befriending someone is measured by their 'adorableness'."

"Hey, you say it, but that's why I fell in love with you guys."

"Mikey be thinkin' we're adorable!"

The man in question finds himself yanked by the back of his shirt before he can so much as blink, knowing from multiple experiences there's now a hole thanks to a hook that shouldn't be as sharp as it is, and he's about to be suffocated. Any attempts to yell for help to escape become muffled screams as arms circle around him in a hug.

"Yer adorable too, lad!"

"Can't breathe cap'n!"

"Mr. Smith!"

Mike gasps for air as he's released a lot sooner than usual, coughing out a lung as a paw pats his back-

Hang on a second. The pressure is too light for that to be an animatronic. It doesn't cover his entire back, either.

"Y-You okay?" Jeremy questions. The kid pauses the attempt to help when all he gets is a stare filled with awe, his shoulders hunching up with attitude thinking someone's about to make a joke out of him. "What?"

Mike shakes his head, body jerking with the last of his coughs slowly fading out. "Nothi,i,ing. Thanks."

"Mr. Smith!" reminds him of why he's only gasping for air instead of lying on the floor in an oxygen-less daze. The little boy tugging on his shirt finally getting the attention he deserves as the restaurant owner kneels down.

Yes, kneels down. He's taught every kid who's a regular that if they need to tell him something important, he'll listen. Just because he's taller than most ten year old's doesn't mean he can't hear their side of an argument between two parents. Or, in extremely few cases, make him aware of a shady figure who's managed to stay just below the animatronic's radar.

"What's up?"

"Mr. Smith?" Jeremy hisses.

"His last name's Schmidt, which is a bit too complicated sometimes," Freddy explains.

Mike admits he irresponsibly pauses his listening in order to smirk up at Parts And Nervous currently nodding to say he understood the explanation. It stops when he notices the attention being given toward him instead of the kid who ran up to deliver urgent news. A few seconds of glaring to say he doesn't understand when those grey eyes snap up in order to spot Freddy's own smirk.

"I-I'm still scared of you."

"Sure, Mr. Fitzgerald."

Sure, Jer- what?

"-and then I heard a loud 'BANG' on the door!" the boy exclaims, bouncing up and down with excitement.

Mike's train of thought crashes and burns as he realizes there's apparently a 'BANG'ing sound near a children's restaurant, and Freddy knows Jeremy's last name.

That's not possible because he'd only know that from-

"Which door?" the man quickly asks, shoving aside the earth-shattering idea flooding his mind in favor of focusing on what's more important.

"Back one by Foxy's cove!"

"Foxy!" Mike calls as the animatronic immediately starts moving the group of kids around his stage toward the party tables. Closer to Bonnie and Chica, and far away from a terrifying unknown. The boy is gently pushed toward the others with the promise of getting a whole pizza to take home.

He's so focused on making sure everyone's safe he misses the fact Jeremy's gone pale white. Doesn't realize the kid moved to grab his arm as he quickly moves toward the back door with Freddy right beside him.

"Where is everyone?"

"Dining area and kitchen," the bear quickly replies after mentally looping through the cameras. "No one's in the bathrooms or hallways."

"Mi-i-ike!"

"What do you think it is?"

"If it was a gun, we would've heard it."

"Some teenager hitting it with a bat or something?"

"M-Mike!"

"It's a better possibility."

"MIKE!"

The sudden yell from Jeremy makes him freeze mid-step, whirling around in time to see the shorter desperately lunge to grab his arm. He doesn't have the time to ask what's wrong when he's yanked harshly to the side. Away from the door they can now hear a soft scratching emanating from it.

"Jer, you can't-!"

"It's-s-s-s th-th-them!" the kid sobs.

Mike's fist clenches at the proclamation what made Jeremy hide like he had has followed him all the way to the restaurant. His restaurant.

He turns to the trembling figure, a hand firmly clasped onto his shoulder. "Jeremy. I need you to tell me who it is. And I promise, I won't let them lay a single finger on you."

A sob escapes as the curls still caked in mud and dirt shake vigorously. "I-I-It's him!"

Mike turns to see Jeremy pointing at...Freddy. And before he explodes at the kid, or the bear, or everyone, he takes a deep breath as a paw is placed on his own shoulder.

"Freddy," he breathes, begging for clarity.

"Th-The other one!"

Mike's anger disappears as pure confusion slams into him. Not just confusion, though. Freddy himself forcing both of them toward the West Hallway as a low growl begins.

What the hell is going on? What does 'the other one' mean? Why is the person he trusts most acting like the world is about to end? Why is the bear acting like he did whenever Mr. Seal came too close after that haunting night?

What is he protecting him from?

"Fred-"

"Get in the office," Freddy snarls. "Now."

That, in combination with Jeremy's frantic pulling, makes Mike suddenly dig his heals down in order to face toe-to-toe with the towering animatronic as his friend yelps after tripping and falling when his grasp slipped.

"No."

"Michael, I'm serious-"

"Freddy," the man begins, his voice low. "I'm not going into that damn office unless you come with me, or I see what's behind that fucking door."

The growl grows louder as the blue eyes turn into pure black orbs, a single dot of white light. For the first time ever since it was supposed to be the last thing he saw before being killed by a suit. When it was promised they'd never do it again out of respect so it won't make him scared.

Low blow using that to try and make me run away.

"Do not test me, Michael."

"I'm not a child, Freddy."

They stand there for a few minutes. The silent statement the other is going too far and they should both leave it alone.

"...let me lock the door, and I'll meet you in the office."

"I'm staying right here while you lock it."

Surprisingly, Freddy doesn't try and negotiate it, turning around to secure the back door and immediately walk back over. Mike doesn't move a muscle until the bear moves to guide him down the hallway, ducking away so he walks by himself without being touched.

"I'm sorry."

Yeah, it was a real dick move doing the one thing the man still has nightmares about. The reason he never goes home because there he's alone in the pitch-black darkness, slowly going insane because he doesn't know if he'll go back to the restaurant and find his family waiting for him, or killing machines that never cared about him. Something he's never told the others because he knows it'd break their hearts, and besides, it's just a little bit of night terrors and insomnia.

He doesn't say he forgives. Barely acknowledges Jeremy huddled in the corner with fresh tears still trailing down his face. He only glares fiercely up at Freddy who can't help but glance away.

"How the fuck do you know his last name?"

Prologue  |  Chapter 1  |  Chapter 2  |  Chapter 3  |  Chapter 4  |  Chapter 5  |  Chapter 6  |  Chapter 7  |  Chapter 8  

[writingmochi]

no pressure at all. i look forward to the day in which i can finally indulge in isobel ~

i hope there comes a day, one day soon, where you no longer feel icky about that name. you deserve to be free from the weight of it.

and that is perfectly fine. conversations with depth are always good since they have so much substance. it was very wise on their part to have you understand this kind of conversation early on. light hearted conversation can be good, but also burdensome sometimes. like small talk. i know of no one who truly enjoys this kind of conversation as it is often empty and void of substance…

the premise of this fic seems rather interesting. it can be hard to fit so many events into one fic. may i suggest breaking it up into a few parts? i know that a word count so large can often look daunting to others, similar to a really long movie. i believe many people prefer to binge watch television shows rather than sit down for a really long movie because they have the option to stop whenever they want. even if they do not plan to, having the option changes a lot. perhaps after you have finished the grand story, you could determine where you wish to break it up depending on the events in the story. 10k fic? maybe a three part 3k fic or two part 5k fic might look more appealing to a general audience? just a suggestion of course ~

i think it is nice that you chose an “unconventional” fandom interest. it makes it that much more interesting and unique ~ the genre reminds me of a horror fic i read for enhypen and bts a few years ago. i love the genre, no matter how obscure it can be ~

signed, 🩻

lissie: take your time by the way cause isobel is such a long read!

i mean, i'm okay with people using the shortened nickname of my name. but to me, it's just reserved for people who i know personally and who i know in real life. so it's icky for me if an internet person who i don't really know uses it. as much as i wanna indulge in many banters with people behind a screen like you, i also have to make my boundaries too. especially because parasocial relationships are becoming a common thing with social media and also create real-life problems.

i've uploaded it around the same time as you send me this ask! i divided it into smaller sections cause it is very helpful for the pacing, especially since i divide them based on the hours so people can stop at the end of one of the hours if they want! i think a one-shot with divided sections is the right format for me and i've been using it since the beginning of my writing journey! thanks for the suggestion though :D

oh definitely, especially since the five night's at freddy's movie trailer has been released and #fnaf is currently trending in hellsite! i like the mystery of the story/lore and it's interesting for the general public to know more but warning though: not all of it is canon. even in my finished fic, some information is still fanon and my own interpretation of the current story that is being told...

ooh, do send me the link if you found either or both of them! i would love more stories to read :]

[sdr2lovemail]

Hello! I really love your five nights at Freddy's security breach works! The roommate breach series is just *chef's kiss*

I was wondering if you are still up for continuing it? Cause I got a request... feel free to ignore this if you aren't up for it. I can totally understand 😁

The request was the reaction of all the animatronics to the reader fixing and bringing back glamrock bonnie and foxy. This takes place after the pizzeria burns down and the reader, in an attempt to find parts to fix chica, Roxy and monty, stumbled across another floor underground and they find the bodies of Foxy and Bonnie (dismantled and broken but not burnt) and don't think about repairing them until they fix the others.

And now that the glamrock crew is alright, the reader goes back to the underground floor and brings Bonnie and foxy to their house to fix them (the other glamrocks don't know that the reader did so and the reader didn't tell them because they were scared of getting their hopes up high for nothing).

Thank you!

Wah, hello! Thank you for the wonderful comments! I'm glad you enjoy my little series I got going! I haven't been consuming much FNAF content as of late. TWST and Splatoon have me in a chokehold. Even so, this was still so much fun to write!

I did finish and review this at like five in the morning. If you see any mistakes, no you didn't.

I hope you enjoy it my friend!

Reader needs some better self preservation skills and should know not to jump right into a sinkhole but it turns out to be worth it to see their new robotic family happy.

You adjust the black surgical mask obscuring your face. Most of the security cameras around have been long since deactivated, though you didn’t want to take any chances.

It was well into the night. Finally having put Gregory to bed you decided it would be the perfect time to head out. Pulling a large backpack from your car’s passenger seat, you pull the hood of your jacket up and get out.

In front of you lies the charred remains of the Mega Pizza Plex. It amazed you that it took this long for it to burn down. You click on your flashlight and head for the rubble. Those robots better be grateful that you’re digging through incredibly dangerous areas for them. Not that they knew you were here, but still.

After a few hours of searching, you were able to procure some new casing, extra spare parts, and best of all a new set of eyes for Roxanne. For the time being, you’ve given her a pair of eyes you had laying around. They were many, many years old. Possibly older than you, but they worked just fine…Mostly.

It will be morning soon, you still haven’t found everything on your list. You still needed new boards for Sun and Moon along with wires for Chica. Perhaps you could come back tomorrow, what you were able to find was plenty for now.

“Thirty more minutes…then I’ll go.” You mutter to yourself.

With the Sun on the horizon, you put your flashlight in your bag. You haphazardly push some rubble around. One particular plank of wood gives you some grief. After battling with the plank it finally gives out, along with the debris surrounding it. You were able to step back just in time, almost falling into the sinkhole.

That’s the fourth time you’ve almost lost your life to a Fazbear Entertainment related incident.

You pull your flashlight out and click it on once again. Even with the stream of light, it wasn’t enough to see into the hole. Who knows what could be down there.

Guess you were going to find out.

Taking a moderately sized rock, you toss it down. After a few seconds there’s a sharp sound. It doesn’t seem to be too far of a drop. The worst that could happen is your ankle giving out. If you die, Gregory can have all your stuff.

Metal beams and planks of charred wood are a makeshift step down. Every bone in your body tells you to go back, but you aren’t listening. You’re too tired to be smart.

You maneuver your way through cracks and crevices, occasionally getting stuck. For a while there’s only been debris, rubble, and an ominous statue of the original Freddy. Along with the occasional rundown generator. It would be great if they were able to turn on again. Then you would actually be able to get some more light. Nothing really peaks your interest so far.

With a huff, you turn to leave. “This was a waste of my time.” You tsk. However you stop when a flickering light suddenly turns on behind you.

Looking back, your eyes widen.

There in bright red, blinking letters read ‘Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza Place.’

They built the Pizza Plex on top of the old location?! This violates so many codes and regulations!

A shiver runs down your spine. This definitely felt like a set up.

Wait…Imagine what you could find in there! What if you found some parts to fix the Glamrocks, or even some old relics of the past for your collection.

Taking a deep breath, you open one of the doors. Letting that puff of air out, you speed walk to the next set of doors. There could be anything on the other side. Your heart was pounding in your ears as you opened the door and brace for something to jump at you.

Nothing came.

Looking around, it really was the old establishment. There were tables and chairs strewn about, wires draped here and there. Light fixtures that have fallen over the years. In some corners lay mechanical equipment, like this place has become some makeshift storage unit.

Stepping through the facility, you couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. No matter where you walked it felt like someone was peering directly into you. Like someone, or something, was breathing directly down your neck.

You shine your light around the room. There’s nothing. Perhaps you’re just paranoid.

Most of the doors in the old pizzeria are locked. You make a mental note to come back with a crowbar. What you’re doing is already illegal, why not stack up a few more charges. After testing many, many doors, one finally creaks open. It leads to a dark and dingy room. The air itself feels sticky and wet.

There is little lighting in the room, a dim, flickering emergency light is the only source. Shining your flashlight, you can see the room is covered in cobwebs and a thick layer of dust. Cardboard boxes are piled up high. It feels as if they could collapse at any minute.

You tiptoe through the damp room. Every so often you could hear a wet squelch from underneath your feet. There’s still that looming feeling of being watched, now accompanied by the sharp creaking of metal. Though no matter where you look, there’s nothing. Maybe it was a mistake coming down here.

As you walk deeper into the room, there in the far back is a door. Wiping the thick layer of dust from its sign reveals the words ‘Scrap Storage: Authorized Personnel Only!’ You set your hand on the dirty door knob and take a breath. Twisting your hand, to your surprise, it opens! Shining your light into the room your eyes immediately land on something. “No way…”

There in front of you sit the Glamrock versions of Foxy and Bonnie. Your boss told you they were shipped off to a warehouse. They didn’t tell you the warehouse was right under the Pizza Plex. Their casing has become dull and cracked. In some spots you could see patches of mold. Every part of them has rotted away, unsalvageable.

Walking up to the lifeless body of Foxy you begin to examine him. Hopefully, by some miracle, their A.I chips could still be intact. In his slumped position, it was easy to access his neck. Clicking open the port, out pops the chip. Looking it over it seems to be in one piece. There’s no visible cracks or rusting. Slipping the A.I into your pocket, you do the same to Bonnie. With something this valuable, you should start heading back home now. You spent so much time down here, Gregory’s probably already up. You’ll grab him some breakfast while you’re out.

Too busy thinking about what to get Gregory, you fail to notice the mass of robotic tendrils coming your way. The ever present creaking of metal grows closer and closer. It thinks you’ll make the perfect target. Too wrapped up in your own world to notice your upcoming demise. With you in the doorway, it lunges at you.

Thud!

A loud, crashing slam shakes you from your thoughts. You look back at the recently shut door. Perhaps those boxes finally fell over. Good thing you left just in time. Now to get some food and start blueprinting. Unknowingly to you, that was the fifth instance you almost lost your life to a Fazbear Entertainment related incident.

It wasn’t easy. Building two animatronics from scratch was hard enough. It was amazing that you were even able to do it at all. Keeping it a secret from your seven roommates was even harder.

You put all your blood, sweat, tears, and even more blood into them. You were able to hook up their consciousness into other hardware while you built their bodies. Foxy and Bonnie even seemed to remember you fondly. You offered to bring the others into your workshop for a reunion. Though, you were turned down. They said, no matter how long it takes, they didn’t want their friends to see them like this. It took you a while to get them all repaired, so long that you were able to fix the other Glamrocks. So long that you’ve missed a lot of bonding time with Gregory that you’ll always feel guilty for. All this work was going to be worth it for when you showed the others.

“Alright, you guys can come in now!” You stand in front of a tarp in your workshop. Each of the animatronics and Gregory shuffle in. Once everyone is in attendance you speak up once again. “I know I haven’t been around a lot lately. Which I am very, very sorry for. If what I’m about to show off doesn’t make up for it, I’ll let you guys ask anything of me. Now I-”

“You’re rambling again Techie. Get to the point!”

You sheepishly smile and turn to the tarp. “Right, thank you Roxanne. Without further adieu, I present,” The tarp falls to the ground revealing two very familiar faces. “Tadah! Bonnie and Foxy!”

Silence.

Neither group says anything. Did they not want to see each other? Did you mess up?

“Do you guys not like the surprise? I thought you would..!”

You were abruptly cut off as Chica leapt towards her friends. She brings both of them into a tight embrace. Her voice box produces sobs and static. Following close behind is Freddy grabbing all three into a strong hold. Though not as loud as Chica, a few sniffles could be heard from the bear.

“Aye, enough of the waterworks. Is that anyway to greet an ol’ mate?” Foxy lightheartedly scolds, trying to hide the slight waver in his voice. Though Chica and Freddy can’t do much to stop their cries.

Bonnie, aloof as ever, does not cry. Yet he looks at his friends with eyes of joy and perhaps even adoration. The bunny peers over to Roxy, Monty, and Sun. The three of them all stood to the side. They either felt it wasn’t their place to join or felt they didn’t deserve it. Wordlessly, Bonnie extends his arm out from the hug.

Adjusting his glasses, Monty walks over and slings a single arm into the group. You could almost hear the creaking of his endoskeleton as he’s fully brought in. Bonnie has always been programmed with such incredible strength.

From the corner of your eye, you can see Roxy fiddling with her claws. She has her tail tucked between her legs, both literally and figuratively. You set your hand on her back, feeling her jolt underneath your palm. With a gentle push, you guide her towards the other animatronics. Freeing up one of her arms, Chica eagerly grabs onto her.

Not one to be left out from such displays of affection, Sun quickly jumps in. “Group hug!” Their long limbs were perfect for encasing each and everyone of them.

To the side stood you and Gregory. You pat yourself on the back for such a touching reunion.

“Is this why you missed so many of my soccer games?”

With a bashful chuckle, you set a hand onto Gregory’s head. “Can I buy back your love? We can go to that restaurant you like.”

“Hm, I don’t know you missed a lot of games. I think that’s gonna cost a new video game as well.” This little guilt tripper!

“...Alright, Greg.” You can already hear your wallet weeping.

The joined chatter of the animatronics come to a halt and Foxy breaks away. Using his hook, he lifts up his eyepatch to get a good look at Gregory. “So, my eyes are correct. It be a child! I haven’t seen one since me last voyage. What might your name be, lad?”

The pirate fox begins to entertain Gregory, going on about his adventures and letting him be his new best mate. Sun joins in too, having always wanted to go out on adventures.

You’re pulled away from the adorable moment as the wind is squeezed out of your lungs. Looking behind you, there stands Chica nuzzling her beak into your head. “Oh, I’m so happy! I can’t even begin to thank you enough! You really built them all by yourself? You’re really the one to bring my friends back?”

“It was no problem, really.” That was a lie. Every part of reconstructing them was a problem. “Yes, I did build them from the ground up. While they won’t be as high tech as they used to be, I just wanted to bring them back. It was really hard to keep this a surprise. You would’ve loved seeing me put Bonnie in a wet floor bot.”

A strong, sturdy hand pushed down on your head. “That’s enough, technician.” Bonnie didn’t want anyone knowing of that!

Another set of arms joins Chica in halting your breathing. “Superstar, you did such an amazing job. If there is anything I can do to repay you back for this, I’ll do it. This means so much to us.”

“You can start by letting me breathe…” Freddy and Chica are quick to pull away, apologizing for their rough grip. “I don’t need any thanks you guys. Just seeing you happy is enough for me…but if you really mean it, you guys have been lacking on your chores.”

“If that is what you want, Superstar. I will do them all right now.” Freddy’s large frame begins to walk out of your workshop.

“Freddy, wait! I was just joking!”

Amongst the commotion, Monty comes to a realization. “Wait, wait, wait. Hold it right there, Technician. Did you say Bonnie was in a wet floor bot? Oh, I gotta hear this whole story!” The gator lets out a bellowing laugh as his bunny companion groans.

(Credits to @gal-with-pastels for the wet floor bot Bonnie idea!)

[ririumuwashere]

Sun Shiny Days 4/?

Updates are going to be far slower so I can thoroughly double check them. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

How you met Sundrop and how you reacted to Moondrop

You had just gotten a new job at Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex as Daycare Manager. After parking in the Employee parking lot, you wandered inside and to the shift Manager’s room. To which he gave you a tour of the Pizzaplex before finally leading you to the Daycare. As he pushed open the door it revealed a huge, colorful room with Children Shouting and laughing loudly as they raced all over the room. Before you could blink a Bright Yellow and Orange animatronic skipped over and eagerly stood in front of you. “Oo! Oo! New friend! New friend! We’ll have so much fun!” He exclaimed while starting to count on his fingers how many fun things you could do together. You were absolutely confused. “Is this the daycare Attendant you were talking about earlier, Sir?” you questioned your manager only to be met with a quaint nod. Turning your attention back to the animatronic you said “I’m sure we’ll have lots of fun working together.. Uh..”. “Shame on me!” he exclaimed “I forgot to introduce myself! I’m Sundrop!”. Once your boss finally left after explaining the security desk to you and telling you to be careful around the lights, You quickly settled in to do some paperwork. Although it was very short-lived as Sundrop quickly came back up to you “Cmon~ Come play with me!” He said flopping onto the desk dramatically. “Sundrop, you have a job to do.” You groaned out, “Besides, one of the kids is making a huge mess of the blocks.”. Sundrop frantically turned around “What?! Where?!”. “See? you don’t even know what's happening over there, Now go do your job.” You mumbled out while typing something into the computer. “Fine..” He said, frowning and walking off to play with the small number of kids still remaining. Since it was your first day your manager also wanted you to work the night shift to get used to it. After the day finished and all the kids had been picked up by their parents Sundrop came back over to the security desk. “Are you still working..?” He asked after catching your attention “All the kids have been picked up so I’m free to play with you if that's what you're asking.”. “Yay!” He squeaked out while smiling, “Ooo! We should draw! Follow me!”. You organized the papers before getting up and following Sundrop over to a table with a bunch of art supplies. You both sat down and drew for what you can only assume was half an hour. Then you heard the whir of the generators and The lights suddenly shut off despite the mall still being open. Sundrop looked pale and got up, and backed away from you before groaning in pain and clawing at his sun rays. “S-sundrop? Are you okay?!” you called out to him anxiously. When he settled down and lifted his head his eyes were red and his rays were gone. “Naughty Naughty... It’s past your bedtime.” Moondrop purred while slowly approaching you. “You better stay back! Animatronics aren’t allowed to harm members of S.T.A.F.F.'' you shouted out. He wasn't scary per se more disturbing, and you could feel what you could only describe as bloodlust coming off of him. “A member of Staff...What a shame, hunting you would have been quite fun.” he gave a pained sigh. “Who are you.. Where’s Sundrop??” you questioned with your eyebrows creased. Moondrop’s eyebrows creased in irritation“Tsk..He didn’t even bother to introduce me, I’m Moondrop.”. “ Okay, then I-I’m just gonna go... Tell Sundrop I enjoyed today!” You squeaked out before racing over to the security desk and grabbing your bag and keycard, before finally clocking out and leaving. Moondrop laughed at your speedy departure before going to clean up some remaining messes from earlier that day.

[creators-whim]

~Old Memories from an Old Friend..~

"I do not come up here anymore. I miss him..”

Freddy murmured to himself as he walked around the Bonnie Bowl attraction. As much as he wanted to help Gregory get away from the dangers that wandered through the halls of Pizzaplex, entering the “Bonnie Bowl” attraction even after so long left the robotic bear with feelings of dread he thought he managed to suppress long ago. But yet as he gazed up at the stage where his dear friend Bonnie once used to call home, he couldn’t help but feel that sense of dread and despair hit him like a truck. “Freddy! The hour’s almost up, we have to get moving! Come on!” Gregory called out to him from within his chest compartment, he was currently trying to get his companion moving to a Charging Booth as the final minutes until the next hour ticked down. Snapping out of his funk, Freddy quickly rushed out of the dining hall and began a frantic search for the nearest Charging Station, all the while Moondrop’s raspy voice was getting closer and closer as the minutes ticked on.

Hearing the hatch of the Charging Station close, both Gregory and Freddy were finally able to let out an exhale of relief. Now they just had to wait for the next hour to start and they could plan their next move. “Freddy, what happened back there? You just froze up all of a sudden.” Gregory asked after a few moments of silence. “I apologize Gregory, I don’t usually like to be inside the Bonnie Bowl attraction, it brings back memories I prefer not to remember. It’s been ages since I last walked through those doors, but I had to push those aside to keep you safe.” Freddy explained to Gregory. “Do you wanna talk about it Freddy?” Gregory asked a moment of processing it all.

“Well, Bonnie was like one of us. He was one of the animatronic characters made to entertain kids. Whether it was playing bowling or rocking out on his guitar, he really knew what he was doing. Don’t get me wrong, Monty and Chica know how to play the guitar but Bonnie..Bonnie knew how to “shred it up” as he called it. Every person that went in that bowling alley stayed there till closing, and every person that went in there enjoyed their time. He was one of the best ones here and by Fazbear, he loved his job.” Freddy explained as he reminisced on the happier days. “He even taught all of us how to play bowling, of course it had to be after the pizzaplex closed for the night and of course we usually got in trouble for being out of our charging stations, but the many rounds we spent playing bowling was worth the many scoldings we got.” Chuckling, Freddy couldn’t help but smile as he recalled all the times the technicians would yell up a storm every time they found the group in the bowling alley.

“Well, what happened to him? Where is he now?” Just hearing Gregory ask that question alone made the happy butterflies Freddy was feeling wither away, and his smile slowly faded away as he recalled that tragic day. “Well, it was like any other day here at the pizzaplex. We just got done performing our shows and celebrating the birthdays, like any other day. It was really tiring and I decided to get a quick recharge in before Bonnie would come and drag us all to the bowling alley, but as time went on I realized that..he was taking his sweet time getting ready. At first I assumed he was doing just that and so I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited. Then I started to get nervous and decided to ask around. Roxxane didn’t know, Chica didn’t know, Monty didn’t know. The technicians, they didn’t really care about where Bonnie was, just telling me to check his room. And I did..” Freddy finished his sentence with an understandable moment of hesitation. “He wasn’t there, he wasn’t anywhere..I probably searched every nook and cranny of the pizzaplex that night. Just hoping to find my friend. I didn’t..”

Gregory’s eyes widened as Freddy’s tale reached its somber conclusion, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt probing bad memories out of his friend. “Freddy, I didn’t know it was..that bad. I’m sorry..” Gregory said as he rubbed his arm nervously. “Don’t worry Gregory, I’m sure he’s somewhere safer then here.” Freddy couldn’t help but admit to himself, finally being able to talk about the loss of his best friend did help ease the pain. “I may have lost one friend, but I promise I won’t lose another.” Freddy said before allowing himself to charge for the next hour. Gregory smiled as he rested inside Freddy’s chest cavity, he knew Freddy would try his hardest to keep him safe. He wasn’t like the other animatronics out there. He was different, just like Bonnie was long ago..

[xxreader-writerxx]

Seven Minutes In Heaven

Word Count: 1.8k

Fred Weasley x Fem Reader

Warnings: Somewhat brief smut in the beginning, cursing, use of condom, underage drinking,

A/N: My mind won’t let go of this idea. And I made some inaccurate things. Come at me. But don’t really I’m an adorable, fragile, cute hufflepuff.

Y/N= Your Name L/N= Your Last Name Y/H= Your House, Y/N/N: Your Nickname

I walk into Fred’s dorm as he guides me not separating our heavy kiss. He tries closing the door and lock it but keeps missing the lock chuckling against my lips. He places his forehead against mine. “Damn door...” He mumbles laughing lightly and I bite my lip to hold in my laughter. “You can lock it Freddie.” I tell him and he gives me a quick peck before turning and locking the door. The party muffled by the wooden barrier between us and the raging celebration for Gryffindor winning the latest game. He turns back smiling and resumes our kiss. We walk to the bed, falling on it when my legs hit the edge. He laughs against my lips and I start to pull off his shirt.

“Are you sure darling?” He asks after pulling it off. I nod shyly and he smiles climbing on top of me leaving love bites all over my neck and I stop him quickly. “Do you have a condom?” I ask and he reaches into his pocket. He pops up searching hgis person. “Shit. I don’t. Don’t worry I will get it j-just stay here.” He tells me kissing me longingly before shoving his shirt over his head. “Ok.” I mumble as he sighs quietly. I pull him in for one more kiss as he finally pulls away to run out the door.

***Fred’s POV***

I race through the party looking for the one person I know always has a condom at a party. The man with an actual girlfriend instead of pining after one gorgeous girl non-stop. Well I guess I’m not anymore based on Y/n asking if there could be strings attached, if this could mean we could be together, and I stupidly answered with ‘Consider me pinocchio.’ which she cutely answered with ‘So you want to end up with no strings?’ Which made me fall harder than I already did.

I run over to where George is snogging with Angelina and grab his wallet. He slams his hand on the wallet turning to me. “The fick you think you’re doing mate?” He asks and I tug at the wallet. “I need a condom.” I say and he scoffs. “The bloody hell you need it for? Who would fuck you?” He chuckles and I smack the back of his head. “A hot girl who is laying in my bed right now.” I say finally stealing the wallet, digging through. He gets up trying to take it. I grab the stack and look at him squirting. “Why the hell do you have so many who’s fucking you this much?” I ask and he tries grabbing it. “Babe I have like ten in my drawer in my dorm. Give him at least one.” Angelina says and I point at her. “It’s the dignity of it.” He says.

After minutes of fighting I finally get annoyed. “Fine. Rock paper scissors for it. I win, I get it. I lose, I don’t.” I tell him and he nods. We play and he wins cheering for himself. “Fine shit head.” I say and grab my pocket knife cutting the packages. “Fuck you.” I say running off. I find Lee and he looks at me confused. “Have you seen Y/n? I can’t find her.” He asks and I shrug. “Dunno but do you have a condom?” I ask and he nods, digging through his wallet. “Here.” He says and hands me the one my size. I look at him with an eyebrow raised. “What? I’m the dad of the group. I gotta know these things.” He says and I just shake my head running off.

***Your POV***

I waited playing with my skirt for Fred to come back fearing he was just doing a cruel prank on me. I hear the door burst open and Fred breathing heavily. “Thank Godric.” He breathes out walking over quickly to kiss me. “Why did I hear George banging on the door?” I ask when we separate. “I cut his greedy condoms in half” He mumbles and I laugh as he kisses me hungrily soon melting into the kiss. He tears off his shirt and before pulling mine off looks up at me and I nod at the silent question for consent. He pulls it off and moves from my neck to my chest leaving small purple spots on my breasts.

“God I’ve been wanting to do this forever...” He mumbles and I nod in agreement, running my fingers through his ginger hair.

I’m soon underneath him moaning his name as he thrusts harder and harder into me, kissing my chest messily. “Faster Freddie….” I moan out and he complies, going harder and faster at a bruising pace. He pulls my leg over his shoulder adding a better angle making us both moan louder than before. “Go on darling tell me how good I’m making you feel.” He says slowing a little to kiss my thigh before going faster.

A few more minutes later and we both moan out in our fast brough orgasms. Fred pulls out and soon plops down next to me smiling with sweat beading over his eyebrows. “Godric we should’ve done that long ago.” He breathes out smiling goofily. I just nod just trying to catch my breath. He rubs my thighs lightly, kissing my hips. “Are you alright?” He asks and my smile widens as I nod happily.

***

I wake exhausted and mixed in Fred’s legs. The night was filled with amazing sex and more amazing aftercare from Fred. Now the amazing ginger locked boy is fast asleep. I smile at his calm face that is hidden behind his hair and highlighted by the sun peaking through his window. I kiss his forehead as he hums lightly in his sleep.

I start moving to get up but he tries grabbing me pulling me in. “Stay...” He mumbles and I laugh. “I’m getting food...” I sing into his ear and he ignores me nuzzling into my chest. “Don’t...” He mutters into my chest and I chuckle. “I’ll kiss you if you let me get food.” I offer and he puckers his lips and I place a peck on his lips. I shuffle out of his grasp as he whines lightly. “Baby....” He cries and I laugh. “I’ll be back. Keep being cute.” I tell him and he gives a lazy salute before hugging his pillow.

Me and Fred have been dating since the fateful party three weeks ago. We decided not to tell the group for the pure chaos of it. Agreeing we will tell them at least at two months if they haven’t cracked the case. I get to the great hall grabbing a plastic to-go tupperware from the edge of the table and walk over to the group. I dig through the food, placing a breakfast for me and Fred in the tupperwares. When I finish I kiss the boys heads goodbye and the girl’s cheeks getting a playful smack on the arse from Katie.

I get back to Fred’s dorm to see him still entangled in his sheets. I strip from my shorts and jumper quickly then sit on the bed, rubbing his legs lightly. “Hi baby...” I hum and he looks at me grumpily. “Why did you take so long...” He whines and I hold up the food. “I got you pancakes” I tell him and he sits up smiling. “I love you...” He mutters and I kiss his forehead nodding.

We eat together joking around until we finish and Fred gets bored tackling me into a cuddle. “Love me!” He exclaims while tackling me evilly. He kisses my neck lightly making me giggle

***

Me and Fred enter the common room joking around about a strange debate when George calls us over. “Before we go over. I wanted to ask. Is Saturday still good for Hog’s Head?” He asks and I nod smiling. We plop down in the circle they made. “What are we playing?” Fred asks and George smiles. “Truth or Dare.” He tells him and we nod compliantly.

We moved into George’s dorm after an hour of playing.“Katie truth or dare?” George asks and she picks dare. “I dare you… To take off an article of clothing every time someone picks a dare.” He says earning a slap on the head from me and Angelina.

A few more minutes later and I get picked. “Ummm Dare.” I say and Katie smiles. “Sit on George’s lap.” She says plainly and we all but Fred laughs. “Katie… I thought we both knew I liked Fred.” I whisper in her ear and she smiles. “Yeah, make him jealous...” She whispers and I chuckle, shaking my head. I try to move but feel Fred’s grip on my wrist behind our backs where he was holding my hand. “Don’t” He whispers in my ear and I find my way out of his firm but not tight grip. I move over and George laughs, shaking his head. “Godric, this is weird. You’re like my sister Y/N/N” George laughs and I nod agreeing.

An hour later we’re all giggly but I feel Fred’s stare on me the whole time. “Ok dare.” I say and Katie groans, tearing off her skirt. “You all suck.” She mumbles and I laugh. “Ok… I dare you to spin this bottle whoever it lands on you have to spend seven minutes in heaven with whoever it lands on.” Angelina tells me and I nod, grabbing the bottle in her hand. I spin it and it slowly lands on Katie but suddenly gets bumped to Fred by a flick of Katie’s hidden wand. I look at her and she giggles lightly.

Before I say anything I get dragged to George’s walk in closet and shoved into the door as he hungrily roams my mouth with his tongue that he shoved past my lips quickly. “D-darling…” I mumble as he goes to my neck and he ignores me while leaving dark purple hickeys along my neck. “You are mine, got that?” He finally says when needing to breathe. I nod quickly as he rams his lips back against mine. I feel his hips grind against mine as he tries to relieve some of the tension.

Finally we hear a knock on the door signaling the seven minute mark. We go out and before I can sit on the floor I feel pulled onto Fred’s lap and his hand firmly on my thigh. “Ooh… Got a girlfriend Freddie?” Katie asks and he squeezes my thigh. “Yep. I think she’s my girlfriend based on her going on multiple dates with me for the past month.” He blurts out and I blush furiously, digging my face in his neck. “OH MY GOD YOU BITCH!” Katie yells laughing. “Freddie...” I mumble into his neck and he pulls my chin looking at me smugly. “Are you denying it princess?” He asks and I shake my head shyly. “Thought so.” He says, victorious. He gives me a small peck on the cheek and stands up balancing me on his hips. “I think we’re done playing. I have something to take care of.” He says as George starts ranting about the party where he cut his condoms angrily.

[helnjk]

Stitching Together - G.W.

George Weasley x fem!reader 

Requested: yes !! by my lovely bean marissa @lumos-barnes

please accept my humble request for a george x reader where the reader owns a shop in diagon alley and one day they walk into WWW and george knocks over a whole display, he is a complete SIMP & cannot compose himself. complete buffoonery when the reader is near. they become friends & do all these nice things for each other and the reader is oblivious like "george, i'm so lucky to be your friend" (even though the reader is secretly simping) and he's like "um what, i'm literally in love with you"

Word count: 3.1k

Warnings: mentions of meals and drinks (coffee), but other than that it’s just pure fluff & Dumb Idiots In Love

A/N: somehow i always end up writing george knitting? idk how it happened, but it happened. i hope you like it marissa 🥺💕

–

You took a step back to admire your handiwork. 

After what seemed like neverending hours, the layout of your shop was finally perfect. From where you stood, you had a view of the streets of Diagon Alley, several passersby coming and goings from your sight. The display of charmed knit work by the window was already moving, demonstrating simple stitches that formed into a scarf. 

It had always been your dream to open up your own shop in the most prominent wizarding area of Britain, with your passion for knitting and crafting, but the timing had always been off. Now, about a year or so since the war had ended, your grandmother surprised you with the capital to make your dreams come true. 

The gesture was extra special because she was the one who first taught you how to knit. Many summers were spent in her cottage, sitting side by side and working on personal projects together. 

Outside, your sign read ‘Stitching Together: Grand Opening’. There were a few flyers posted right on the door and on the window advertising the different classes and crafting groups you were offering, as well as the different products that could be found in your store. 

It was as if your heart could burst at the sight of your fully furnished shop and you could wait no longer. With a flick of your wand, the sign on the door flipped to say open and that was that. 

–

“Hey Freddie, have you seen that new shop that’s opened down the street?” George yelled from the bottom of the stairs once the last customer of the day made their leave. 

“Haven’t gone in, but it’s gotten a lot of customers from what I can tell!” the disembodied voice of his twin replied from somewhere above. 

As he began the process of cleaning up and reshelving, products floating in midair or zooming towards their proper shelves, he called out once more, “What type of store is it d’you reckon?” 

“Arts and crafts? Something like that.” 

George’s eyes drifted towards the shop window, where he could just barely see the outline of the new store. Dusk had begun to set in London, so the sky was filled with brilliant hues of purple and orange. His curiosity getting the better of him, he decided that he would go welcome the new shop owner to Diagon Alley. 

With a shout to let his twin know where he was off to, George strode out of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes and into the brisk weather. Luckily for him, Stitching Together was still open. He could see you bustling around inside, fixing displays and swishing your wand to tidy everything up.

It had only been around a month since your shop had opened, but the local wizard folk of London seemed to be very keen on buying the different things you sold. Many came around to purchase the instructional books and the different kinds of wool and yarn, and some of your regulars had even taken an interest in the classes you held weekly. It was a great way for you to get to know the community and to establish friendships. 

You had always taken note of the joke shop a few shops down from you, but with the hustle and bustle of just opening, you hadn’t had a chance to visit or introduce yourself to the owners. It was just your luck that one half of them pushed open the door to your shop, the little bell at the top of it ringing to indicate his presence. 

“Oh, hello!” you smiled, turning to face the redheaded man, “Welcome to Stitching Together, what could I help you with?” 

Unbeknownst to George, your heart began to beat rapidly in your chest. How could a man be so positively handsome you didn’t know, but at the sight of him standing by the door, all you could think about was how gorgeous he was. And he hadn’t even uttered a single word yet! 

The charming smile he sent your way did not help the heat you could feel creeping up your neck. “Just popping by to say hello and welcome to Diagon Alley! My twin and I run Wheezes just down the street,” he said. 

Your smile grew as he stuck his hand out for you to shake, “Oh I was just thinking about how I’ve been wanting to pay your shop a visit! I’m Y/N, by the way.”

“George Weasley at your service,” his hand was firm and warm as he shook yours, eyes sparkling with something you couldn’t quite name. “Nice to meet you!” 

“So tell me about your shop!” 

Somehow, after that evening, George Weasley snuck his way into becoming a part of your daily routine.

Every morning he would show up with two cups of coffee in hand right before your shop was set to open. After realizing that you depended on caffeine to function throughout your day, he made it a point to bring you one everyday. As you sipped on your coffees, the two of you would spend a few minutes chatting about your plans for the day before going to work. 

Whenever you would offer to pay for your own cup or even try to insinuate that you could get your own coffee in the morning, just so that he wouldn’t have to go through the trouble, he would stop you in your tracks.

“But George–”

“Nope!” he would say in a voice louder than yours. “I’m doing this out of the kindness of my heart. I really feel for your customers who have to deal with a Y/N that hasn’t had her coffee fix. Could you imagine the grumpiness? Not on my watch!” 

You would roll your eyes, but secretly it warmed your heart how sweet this boy could be. He was slowly inching his way into your life and becoming a great friend. 

–

“So,” said Fred one day as George had gotten back from delivering your daily coffee, “The bird from the knitting shop, huh?” 

His twin only rolled his eyes in response, used to the teasing that came with being brothers (and twins) with Fred Weasley. Instead of engaging, George went instead to do the routine last check over their store before they officially opened their doors. Still, Fred couldn’t resist the temptation to continue provoking him. 

“Oi! C’mon, you bring her coffee everyday even if you don’t like the stuff. If I don’t remind you that you have a store to run, you would spend the whole day staring out the window just to catch a glimpse of the girl! Tell me you’re not whipped for her,” he teased, following George through the shop.

From their position at the till and on the second floor, both Verity and Lee tried to hide their smirks. This was too good a story to not eavesdrop on. 

“Come off it, Fred.” George rolled his eyes. “I’m just being a good friend, that’s all!” 

“Yeah but you wouldn’t mind being more than friends.” 

The cheeky wink Fred sent George was not appreciated, as the prior soon found out, having to duck away from a stinging hex. Still, Fred’s laugh rang through the semi-empty store as he ran away from his brother. 

Later in the day, as the lunch crowd tapered off, the four of them were left to mull around a bit. Lee and Verity were off taking stock in the back room, Fred was doing some accounting (because his twin couldn’t be trusted with any sort of math), and George was reshelving some Skiving Snackboxes. 

The bell above the door to the shop rang, but he couldn’t quite tell who came in from his position towards the back of the shop. 

“Welcome to Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes!” he yelled, rushing to get all the boxes in order before he could help the new customer, “I’ll be with you in just a second!” 

Just as he admired his handiwork, eyes scanning the display to make sure nothing was out of place, a familiar voice called from behind him, “It’s alright, take your time. I’m not looking for anything in particular.” 

George almost jumped out of his skin as he heard your voice. He was so surprised that as he turned to meet you, his elbow caught on the edge of one of the Snackboxes and the whole thing toppled over. 

You watched as the tower of boxes crumbled around him, and your hand automatically covered your mouth as you tried to contain your laughter. It didn’t work, though, and soon the whole store could hear your guffaws. 

Thankfully, George was a wizard, and what would’ve taken a muggle quite some time to fix, only took a quick flick of his wand. 

“Oops,” you smiled at him bashfully as he finished, “Didn’t mean to startle you, Weasley.”

“Erm, it-it’s alright,” he blushed, “I just didn’t expect you to come ‘round today.” 

In truth, the reason why George was so flustered at your appearance at his shop was because he had just spent most of the afternoon thinking about you. He often did that, getting lost in his thoughts about the many little things that made you, well, you. The deep breath you took before that first sip of coffee in the morning, revelling in the aroma. How your face lit up when you spoke about the different people you met in your classes. Your hands and how skillfully they worked whatever project you were creating at the moment. 

He wouldn’t admit it to Fred, but what his twin had said earlier in the day was accurate. He was absolutely smitten over you. 

“Well you’ve been a regular over at mine for the last couple of weeks, I’m just returning the favor and visiting my favorite redhead at his place of work!” 

“I-I,” he stuttered, his brain refusing to acknowledge the fact that he was your favorite anything. 

Fred, who had heard the commotion and had gone down to check if everything was okay, nearly face palmed as he watched George fumble through his words. The man was whipped for you, no doubt about it, and as a good twin, he decided to save his brother from further humiliation. 

“I think what my lovely twin here is trying to say, is that you just haven’t met enough redheads to make your decision about your favorite one,” he said, smoothly inserting himself into the conversation. “Fred Weasley, at your service!” 

Your smile immediately brightened at the sight of George’s twin holding out his hand for you to shake, “Nice to meet you! I’m Y/N, George’s told me loads about you!” 

“Has he?” Fred raised his eyebrow, turning to look at George who was still a little dumbstruck at the sight of you in his shop. “Well, that just means it’s my turn to spend some time with such a lovely lady. C’mon, I’ll give you a tour of the shop!”

“Oh I’d love that.” 

With a small glance and wave at George, you took the arm that Fred was holding out for you, and so began his (largely amusing) tour of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. 

“What in Merlin’s name was that!” yelled Fred the moment you left the shop. 

George groaned into his hands, embarrassment creeping back into him. He had acted a fool, unable to even mutter a single sentence to you the whole time you were around. 

“Mate, I have never seen you so flustered around a girl,” his twin muttered, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, “Just tell her you’ve got feelings for her! Ask her on a date, do something! From what I could tell, you’re not the only one who’s caught feelings.” 

“It’s not like that between us,” he said, “I doubt she even notices how much I fancy her.” 

–

Somehow, George wound up taking Fred’s advice. Though, in typical-George fashion, he never explicitly mentioned to you anything about the way he felt. 

Instead, he would stay around your shop longer in the mornings, taking slower than usual sips of his coffee (which he still couldn’t say he preferred over a good cup of tea). Other days, he would come around closing time and help put everything back in order and if he was lucky, the two of you would go out to dinner. Of course, he would also never let you pay a sickle for your meal, no matter how much you insisted. 

Weekends were usually spent together as well. 

Saturdays were for brunch and muggle films on the telly. It was one of the rare occasions he would drink a beverage in front of you that wasn’t that (god forsaken) coffee. 

Sundays were more for crafting together. He would floo into your flat after having lunch with his family and the two of you would continue working on his little project. 

“My mum loves to knit,” he mentioned one day, while he observed your quick hands skillfully moving the thread through your needles. “She knits us all sweaters for Christmas. It’s become a tradition of sorts.” 

“That’s lovely,” you smiled up at him.

“Yeah, anyone who’s practically family gets one too. Like Harry and Hermione,” he mused.

“I could teach you how to knit her something, if you wanted,” you offered. “It’d be something pretty simple though, especially if you’ve never knitted anything before.”

The smile he sent you was so dazzling, you had to take a moment. You were practically melting under his tender gaze and you swallowed thickly, trying to gain your composure. 

 “That’d be bloody brilliant, Y/N!” 

You only hoped he didn’t notice how your face got hot and how your hands couldn’t move the needles to do what you wanted, too flustered to be precise with your movements.

Since then, the two of you spent most of Sunday afternoons making sure George had the correct strings of yarn on the correct needle. You would keep a close eye on him and his progress, but most of the time he was alright on his own. Sometimes, he would purposely sit closer to you on your couch and you could practically feel the warmth radiating from him. 

In between knits, your eyes would drift towards his focused face and you would smile. George had a habit of poking the tip of his tongue out when he was knitting. Something about the gesture helped him concentrate, and you found it absolutely adorable.

The more time you spent together, though, the more confused George got. It was getting to a point where in his head, it was impossible to miss what he was trying to say with his actions. You had to have caught on by now. And, since you hadn’t acknowledged what was going on between the two of you, he had assumed that this was your polite way of rejecting him.  

On a chilly morning, he clutched the warm cups of coffee in his hands as he pushed the door to Stitching Together open with his back. 

“Morning, Y/N!” he greeted.

You grinned in his direction as he made his way towards you. The moment he placed the warm drink in your hands and you took your first sip, a small moan of gratefulness escaped your lips.

“Merlin, I don’t deserve you,” you mumbled to your cup. 

“Sorry?” George asked, brows furrowed slightly. 

“Oh nothing!” you quickly said, “I’m just really glad you’re my friend, Georgie.” 

Friend. 

The word seemed to make his heart sink down to his stomach and ignite something in him at the same time. It was time that he told you how he felt, no matter what would happen afterwards. He couldn’t keep going on pretending he wasn’t head over heels in love with you. 

“Erm, about that Y/N,” he began, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his work uniform, “I’ve got to tell you something.” 

It was now or never. 

You smiled up at him encouragingly, almost oblivious to the bundle of nerves that were most definitely visible in his expression. 

“I-I don’t want to be just friends, Y/N,” he said, lips pursed in anticipation.

“What do you want then?” you still didn’t understand what he was trying to say. 

In a burst of confidence, George took your hands in his and gripped them tightly, “I want to be with you. I fancy you loads, I think I might even be in love with you, Y/N. Honestly, I might’ve been in love with you from the moment I first walked into your shop.” 

Your lack of an immediate response left him to back track, “But I understand completely if you don’t feel the same way, I just wanted to get it out there.” 

For a moment, the two of you were silent. George eyed you nervously, wondering what was going on through your head, bracing himself for the rejection that he thought was on the tip of your tongue. 

Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore, “Y/N? Do you want me to go?” 

Instead of answering, you flung your arms around his neck. He was so startled at your sudden gesture that he almost didn’t notice your lips on his. Almost. 

As suddenly as you had kissed him, all of his apprehensions melted away. Almost automatically, his arms found themselves wrapped around your waist and he pulled you closer to him. Your lips melted together seamlessly. It was as if this was where the two of you were meant to be, and you couldn’t help but smile into the kiss. 

Sooner than you had liked, George pulled away from you slightly. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t help but dip his head down to peck your lips again. Once, twice, three times. This left you a giggly mess, your nose scrunching up in a way that was practically begging him to kiss it as well. 

“Does that mean you fancy me too?” he murmured against your lips. 

“Absolutely, head over heels,” you smiled in return. 

The pair of you spent a brief moment with your foreheads pressed together, giddy smiles on your faces. That was until a knock on the door of your shop sounded. Immediately, you sprung apart, a blush coating tip of George’s ears and cheeks. 

A few people stood outside, eyeing you amusedly. 

“Oh shit,” you said, hurrying to flip the sign on the door to say ‘open’ and to unlock the door with a flick of your wand. “I completely forgot I had a class today.” 

As the small group of people began to file inside, they sent knowing glances your way to which you only groaned softly and looked up at George.

“I’ll see you tonight?” you asked hopefully. 

With a kiss to your cheek and a mischievous grin he said, “You can count on it, love.” 

–

General taglist: @expectoevans @george-fabian-weasley @gxthsanrio @slytherinscribbles @harpyloon @nuttytani @mesmerisedangel @amourtentiaa @sarcasticallywitty15 @lumos-barnes

Weasley twins taglist: @whizboingies @pineapplesandpinas @papapapadumb @Mrs-g-weasley @a-castle-of--glass @hey-there-angels @leovaldez37 @pinkypurplemagic @werewolfslut @surprizeshawtyy

crossed out means i couldn’t tag you for some reason, sorry!