With the Black Umbrella {Deacury}

Duet

A couple of months have passed and things were going smoothly for the Mercury family. Axel and Lexa were starting school soon and Freddie's band was gaining popularity.

But Freddie didn't pay much attention to the band, he focused more on John. John had been visiting frequently over the last month, and a special bond has been growing between the two men. John claimed to only visit for the children, but Freddie saw through his lies. He came to see him. And he loved it. He'd be lying if he said he didn't have feelings for John. He certainly did, and they were strong feelings.

Freddie was currently seated at his piano, composing a new song to express his newly found feelings. His children were in their room, packing their toys to bring to their mother's house, they were visiting her for a week.

Freddie heard a few steps approach his house door, and a few knocks followed. He walked towards the door, knowing exactly who it was.

"Who is it?" Freddie sang playfully. He heard John groan from the other side. Freddie opened the door and smiled brightly at John.

"What a lovely smile you have." John cooed. Freddie hid his smile with his mouth and glared. He knew his smile wasn't the most pleasant.

"Are you teasing me?" Freddie glared at John.

"No! I genuinely think you have the most lovely smile in the world. Don't you believe me?" John pouted. Freddie chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

"Why are you here now? The kids are about to leave."

"Who said I wanted to see the kids?" John whispered as he leaned closer to Freddie. He wiggled his eyebrows playfully, causing Freddie to laugh. Freddie placed his hands on John's shoulders as they leaned in closer. Just a few centimeters away, they could just—

"Daddy!" Lexa cried from her room. A few more wails from her filled the house and she finally came running to her father. She had her bookbag stuffed with toys on her back. John quickly pulled away from Freddie.

"What's wrong princess?" Freddie asked in panic. Axel came down running, having his usual blank expression plastered on his face, but Freddie knew something was off about him.

"I don't want to leave, I want to stay w-with you a-and John." Lexa stuttered on her sobs. She rubbed her runny nose on Freddie's shirt, making him cringe a bit.

"I don't like Mom's new boyfriend, he's such a slob." Axel commented. Freddie sighed and sat on the couch. Each child sat on his lap and cried. John sat on the piano bench, facing away from the piano.

"She isn't that bad, you won't be staying there long. Only for a week and you'll return to me." Freddie smiled, trying to look on the bright side.

"Nooo!" Lexa screamed. She flailed her legs around and threw a tantrum.

"Yes, and if you guys truly want to leave, call me. You guys know my number." Freddie finished.

"Then you'll be expecting a lengthy phone call from me mister." Lexa grumbled. Freddie laughed and gave his children a hug.

A knock was heard at the door. The twins hopped off his lap and skipped towards John. Freddie got up and walked towards the door to open it.

"Bye John, take care of Dad. He gets lonely." Axel whispered not so quietly. Freddie scoffed in the background.

"Bye-Bye John!" Lexa squawked. John patted them each on the head and bid them farewell.

A woman, with long blond hair walked into the living room. She was heavily coated with makeup and reeked of cheap perfume. She was smacking obnoxiously on a piece of gum and stared at John while doing so.

"Who are you?" The woman asked rudely. John frowned at her, he didn't bother to answer her.

Freddie walked back to the scene and awkwardly smiled. His children coward around John and stared at their mother.

"This stranger better not hurt my children Freddie, or else I'll be coming for the both of you." She growled.

"Now why would he hurt us? You've caused enough destruction to our family." Freddie retorted. John smirked and dangled his legs off the stool innocently.

"Whatever, come on kids." She commanded. The twins reluctantly followed her with their bags of toys. The door was soon shut and Freddie sighed out in relief.

"God, just looking at her embarrasses me. What was I thinking." Freddie muttered to himself. He stood in front of John and stared. John tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"I'm sorry, I just never let anyone sit near my piano." Freddie whispered. John gasped and stood up.

"Sorry, I didn't know." John apologized.

"I strangely don't mind you sitting there."

Freddie sat on one end of the bench and pulled John down beside him. They both faced the piano.

"Do you know how to play?" Freddie asked. John shrugged his shoulders.

"Just a bit."

Freddie grinned and placed his fingers on the keys. He played a simple song, Heart and Soul, on the piano. He left out the bass part, hoping for John to join in, and he did. The two began playing the snazzy fun tune on the piano, grinning like dorks. They ended the song and chuckled.

"That was fun." Freddie whispered. John nodded his head in agreement.

"I already miss them, I wish they didn't have to go." Freddie sighed, talking about the twins.

"I think it's great that they're visiting there mother." John spoke.

"And why's that?"

John bit the inside of his cheek nervously. He didn't want to say too much.

"I know how it's like living with one parent, it's not the best life." He began to say slowly. "I think it's sweet that they have an opportunity to have a bond with their mother rather than not remembering her at all. It's something that I still crave today with my Father."

Freddie glanced over at John and noticed him nervously tapping a piano key softly with the pad of his finger.

"I relate to them in a way, I guess that's why I enjoy talking to them so much."

Freddie mustered up the courage to reach his hand out to hold John's. John hands slightly twitched in his, but he didn't pull away. In fact, he squeezed it lightly. John let out a breathy laugh and hung his head down in attempt to hide his reddened face.

"I think you're going to be a wonderful parent one day." Freddie whispered.

"Hopefully I'll get the chance to be one."

Freddie was suddenly saddened. He liked John, a lot. He wanted to advance his relationship with him even further. He wanted to be with him, but that seemed impossible. John wanted a baby, something Freddie couldn't provide due to them both being males.

"I have to get to class. I'll see you later." John spoke. He hesitantly removed his hand from Freddie's, instantly missing his warm touch. Freddie waved good-bye, and John left.

Freddie, who was now left alone, began to think.

John was perfect for him. He was painfully attractive and sweet. His children loved him. He loved him, not in the same way obviously. Freddie wanted him badly.

Does John even like men? Does Freddie himself like men?

Freddie knew he wasn't the straightest guy around, but he never acted upon his feelings for men. But he still liked women obviously. He simply settled with the fact that he liked whoever caught his eye.

But what about John? Yes, Freddie held his hand. And yes, John did not pull away. But that was possibly done to avoid any awkwardness. And Freddie could tell that John liked him a bit, he flirted with him with every possible chance of them being alone. There was still a thin piece of hope for Freddie that John possibly liked men, or even himself.