✨ Oneshots ✨

The Last Great Optimist - Brian May and Freddie Mercury (platonic)

This is for Brian's birthday.. So many birthdays close to each other.. 

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1983

"Good morning, Daddy," came a little voice from next to the guitarist.

He woke up with a startle, putting his hand on his chest. "Oh! Jimmy, you scared me." Brian sat upright and calmed his breathing. "Please don't do that." 

"Sorry, Daddy," the boy leaned over and gave him a hug. Brian told him that was okay. He suddenly had a thought and picked up the 5-year-old. 

Jimmy didn't fully understand the action, but accepted the comfort. He didn't question it. "Mummy says that I'm always 'wake too soon. She is too. She's out." 

"Is that so? Well, you're up just right, I think. She's tired, and gets busy. But she loves you. I'll stay with you. Is your sister awake?" 

Jimmy nodded, climbing off of the bed. He ran to the other room and returned struggling to carry the 2-year-old. 

"Oh, you didn't have to get her, but thanks. I've got her," Brian got out of bed and quickly held his daughter. Louisa cooed happily in his arms, smiling. He smiled back at her.

Brian talked to both of his kids, trying to match their eagerness for the day. He walked around the rooms upstairs and listened as well.

 Finally, he walked downstairs after about half an hour. When he entered the kitchen, the baby still in his hold, Brian gasped and nearly jumped at the sight.

-

"Happy birthday, Bri," Freddie said with a mischevious look. He looked amused too.

"Oh, Freddie.. First I wake up to my son right by me, then this! You just break into my house, do you?" He couldn't help but laugh.

Freddie laughed too. "Well, it wouldn't be much a fun surprise if I told you." 

"Roger and John aren't here, are they?" Brian asked, slightly hopefully but hesitantly.

"No, darling, they're busy." The singer replied, very good at acting cool.

"But I'm here!" Elton appeared, rising up from behind a chair.

Brian shouted in surprise. He actually nearly fell this time. "Okay, no more surprises! That's enough, thanks!" Louisa was giggling at all of this. Jimmy looked concerned. 

"Here, give her to me." Freddie offered his arms out, and to a bit of Brian's surprise, the baby reached in return. He handed her to Freddie, feeling unsure about everything now.

"I promise, there are no more surprises, lovey." Freddie assured his friend.

"Is Daddy all right?" The little boy wondered curiously.

 "Yes, he's fine. He just wasn't expecting us." Freddie said gently.

"Oh, ok.." he paused. Then changed subject. "Elton, will you play cars with me? Please?" Jimmy looked up at the man.

 Elton thought for a moment before agreeing. He sat on the floor, trying his best to keep up with the complicated backstory. 

-

Louisa stared at Freddie, and then realised something missing. "The kitty." 

"Oh, yes. My kitties are at my house. They don't like going many places. You can come over and see the some time."

"Play piano?" She pointed at the piano in the next room. She was bored.

"You know just how to make me do what you want, don't you?" Freddie replied playfully.

The little girl nodded seriously, earning a chuckle from Freddie. "All right, I'll play it a little bit." He walked over and sat down, holding her in his lap steadily.

"She's a clever little girl, isn't she?" Elton asked as he looked up from the game. 

"Yes, indeed. I always find her doing something that I don't expect. She's been into talking about animals lately, probably because she knows I'm interested," Brian laughed.

Louisa was watching Freddie hit the keys elegantly, and she listens to the song with a grin. She loved piano, but often heard guitars. Not that she disliked guitars. 

"I know that song! That's a Queen song!" Jimmy suddenly realises the music playing. "One of yours!" 

"That's right! Good listening." Freddie was intrigued. He kept playing.

Brian looked at all of the things going on, drinking a cup of tea. He wasn't sure what to do. 

Elton finally finished playing with the toy cars, and he went to talk to Brian. "So, how've you been?" 

The guitarist leaned down slightly to talk to him.

"I'm all right. Tired a little. But such is life." Brian shrugged, taking a sip. He was distracted by his daughter walking over and bumping his long legs. "Hello, honey." 

"It for you," she held a stuffed animal out to him. It was a tiger. 

"Thank you, Louisa. So nice of you to share." He smiled and took the toy. "Basically everyday she likes to give me one of her animals." He explained.

"That's actually really sweet. What's your favourite animal, Louisa?" Elton asked her as he lifted her up.

"Penguins!" She said loudly. 

"She likes the chocolate biscuits too." Brian said, amused.

"Oh, those are tasty biscuits." Elton agreed.

The door opened and Chrissy entered the room, holding a small box. "Hello! Quite the party you've got in here." She was surprised to see two other men in her house.

"Hi, Mummy!" Jimmy said joyfully as he went over to greet her.

"I know. They broke in." Brian answered, smiling. "Did you know about them coming over?" 

"No, they must have arrived when I was leaving to run errands." Chrissy said in return. "I bought you a cupcake." 

"Oh, thank you. That's nice." He was appreciative. Louisa started to get restless, slipping down from Elton's arms and running back over to Freddie, who was still at the piano but had stopped playing.

"She left me, oh, whatever shall I do?" Elton joked dramatically. Brian laughed.

Freddie gave her a hug, feeling a bit lonely. She then started talking to him about animals. They talked about foxes and other backyard creatures.

"I guess she talks to everyone about them." Brian observed happily.

"I just remembered, we got you presents. Let me get them from the car." Elton said and walked away, then came back a minute later.

Freddie, Elton, Chrissy, Brian and the kids all sat in the living room as Brian opened the gifts. Louisa was next to him, helping him tear the paper.

"Oh, a record! Thank you, Elton. I love this album." He said gratefully. 

"You're welcome. I was worried you had that one already." Elton laughed.

Brian opened the box from his band mate, which had inside it a nice new shirt. He thanked him as well, immediately trying it on. Then everyone got to chat.

Elton and Freddie stayed over for a few hours, before they both had to get back to doing other things. "Well, thanks for the visit." Brian gave them each a hug goodbye.

"No problem, I'm glad we were available." Elton grinned.

"Yes, it was a lovely time. Happy birthday again." Freddie added.

Brian thanked them once more and then went back to his family, listening as Louisa was now talking to him about badgers and birds and cats.

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Word count: 1,115