Save Me [A Maylor Story]

H12 Dining at the Ritz

John POV

We were done recording A Night At The Opera, thank god, and the whole cupboard incident was now two weeks ago. Freddie had convinced our manager to release both Bohemian Rhapsody and You're My Best Friend as singles, which made me quite content. Brian and Roger seemed to be closer than ever before, but something was itching. I didn't know what exacly, yet somehow I knew that something was wrong. Perhaps it had something to do with myself, maybe the other guys, I couldn't exacly put my finger on it. The only weird thing that happened in the last few days was an amazing running gag about Roger having a daddy kink. It's obvious, and Brian admitted it when we were drunk in some bar, but Roger still denies it.
Freddie asked me on the phone yesterday to join him, Brian and Roger for dinner at the Ritz to celebrate the album's and Bohemian Rhapsody's success, which I said yes to. Going out with the guys would take my mind off things for a while; I spent the past weeks wondering wether or not I will ever find love. Brian and Roger are very happy, and they absolutely deserve it more than anyone, but I can't help being jealous. I just think it might be time for me to love someone soon, or at least I hope so. Maybe I'll even find somebody to love when we're going out to dinner tonight, who knows?
It was getting late, so I left in order to still be on time. Freddie was already there, he had picked out a lovely table near the window. On the table was a nice white tablecloth, and a few candles burned to enlight the space around us. Freddie fitted right in, he was wearing a black suit and a bright red bow tie, which made his eyes pop. He looked very handsome, it was almost as if I saw him in another way than 'Freddie Mercury, my best friend and lead singer of our band'. He waved as soon as he saw me and got up to greet me. We sat down facing eachother and ordered some champagne, for Brian and Roger hadn't arrived yet. There was a bit of an akward silence, but Freddie soon found a topic of interest he wanted to discuss.

'So, Deacs, what do you think of Paul? I think he's rather nice, but sometimes I judge people wrong, I've made some major mistakes before.'

'Well... I can't exacly say that I like him but I guess he's alright. He's a bit of a whiner, he constantly wants in on everything we try to do as a band. It's kind of getting on my nerves, really.'

'I think I should trust you, darling, you are always nice to people. If you don't like him, I'm sure he's a nasty person. Maybe we should find someone to replace him, for I honestly think he isn't very good at his job.'

'That I agree on, Freddie. The sooner we get rid of Paul the better.'

With that the conversation ended. We stayed silent for a good ten minutes, which was a bit strange, for usually Freddie and I can talk for hours without running out of topics. I tried to come up with something, but my mind was frozen. All I could think of was Freddie's ridiculous red bow tie.

'So, Freddie, why did you pick this bow tie? Why not a pink glittery one?'

'I don't intend to match with Roger's shoes. Would you want to be associated with someone who wrote a song about his shoes? Or a song about having sex with cars?'

'Heavens, no!'

I laughed, and Freddie did as well. His laugh was a bit over the top, but I guess it suited him.
Finally Roger and Brian arrived. It was 21:30 pm, half an hour later than we had agreed on. I was starving, so I didn't say anything about it, but Freddie had to make a scene again.

'Darlings, how was the shag? I thought we were to meet at nine o'clock, but that might have been my mistake. Should I say 22:00 pm next time so you guys can finish what you started in peace?'

'Oh come on, Freddie, you're always late to rehearsal. Can't we be late for once?'

Freddie, it's okay. Roger does have a point. They're here now, that's all that counts. Let's just order our food now, I think I could eat a horse!'

'But you're not going to, right? We need to protect those majestic animals from being slaughtered! Well, every animal should be protected from being slaughtered, but we're on the topic of horses now.'

'Brian, you know I love you, but you know that's a metaphor, right?'

'I know that. I just wanted to say we should protect- '

'We know, Brian, sweetie, but we're kind of hungry now. Please get off on badgers some other time.'

'I don't- '

He sat quietly until we ordered our food, and Roger could barely contain his laughter when he saw Brian's pouty face.
Freddie was the first to speak after a long pause.

'Darlings, the reason we're here is because there's good news. We're going on a tour! A tour of America!'

'Are you for real? That's great!'

I smiled widely, and Brian and Roger were probably dying to make out. Freddie looked at me, his face happy like he were a child with a lollypop.