Take Two (Queen/Borhap Fanfic)

Chapter 24: Freddie

Brian's plan for Thanksgiving dinner was a brilliant idea, and I was praying it would work. For the last month, I'd been feeling terrible about what I said to Lilly. I tried to apologize to her several times, but she refused to accept it. I know we had not been friends for that long before this fight, but honestly, that one day that we were close was the best day I've had in a long time. I needed her friendship more than I originally realized.

Our Thanksgiving feast was a potluck, so everyone brought something. I couldn't cook, but I managed to find a bottle of red wine. We had our little dinner in the kitchen of our building. The resident advisors let us rent it out if we wanted to be able to have the space to ourselves. I was the last one to get there. Roger left before me with Lilly.

"Hello everyone," I said. Everyone greeted me quietly as I set down the wine bottle. Lilly was by the oven, taking out a pumpkin pie. I walked over to her and inhaled. "Smells delicious, darling," I said.

"Don't call me that, Fred," she snapped. I backed off and went to sit at the table. Flattery was clearly getting me nowhere. Once everyone sat down, we all started eating. It was silent for a while before Brian started talking.

"So," Brian said. "Why don't we all go around the table and say what we're thankful for."

"Brian that's so cheesy and stupid," Rory said. She's been a bitter woman ever since her breakup with Joe, which according to Lilly was my fault.

"I think it sounds nice," Lucy chimed in. She was always trying to be the positive one, and in this group, we needed someone positive. "I'll start," she continued. "I am thankful for my wonderful love, Rami, and all of you."

"That's very nice Lucy," Brian said with a smile. "Anyone else?"

"I'm thankful for Ben," Winter said while snuggling her head into Ben's shoulder. She's really been clinging to him lately.

"I am too," Joe said.

"I'll bet you are," Rory said. Oh no. This is about to go downhill very quickly.

"I am," Joe said, staring at Rory. "He's a good friend."

"Right," Rory said sarcastically. "Friend."

"I'm thankful for you too, mate," Ben said to Joe. Oh, dear Ben. Always trying to break the tension. It never worked.

"You want to know what else I'm thankful for Rory?" Joe snapped. "I'm thankful I'm no longer dating a woman who acts like a raging bitch anytime the wind blows the wrong way." Rory slammed her fork and knife down and glared at Joe.

"Well I'm thankful I'm dating a guy who doesn't understand what he wants," Rory said. "And I'm thankful I have Lilly on my side."

"You can't be thankful for that!" Joe snapped. "She's on my side, she's known me longer."

"You know what?" Lilly chimed in, rather aggressively. "I'm real thankful I still have some friends who don't force me to choose sides! You know, my real friends?"

"Surprised you have any of those left," John mumbled. Everyone went silent and looked at Brian.

"What did you just say?" Lilly asked.

"I think you heard me," John said. "With the way you've been acting, I'm surprised Rory and Joe are fighting over you. I'd be arguing over who had to be stuck with you."

"Wow," Lilly said. "That's real mature Deacon."

"Oh, he's immature?" I snapped. "You've been angry with me for a month because I called you a name, and John's the one who's immature?"

"That's not why we're fighting and you know it!" Lilly said. "You won't apologize for the breakup!"

"I didn't cause the breakup!" I added.

"Yes, you did!" Lilly yelled.

"She's right," Rory said. "If we had just gone to bed, Joe and I could have talked in private and figured this out!"

"You blame Freddie for this?" Joe snapped. "Real convenient Rory. Blame Freddie's silly drinking game instead of your nasty behavior towards me the entire week before it happened!"

"So what you're blaming me?" Rory snapped back at Joe.

"Well let's see," Joe said. "I could blame Freddie, the guy who just wanted to play a fun drinking game with his friends, myself, the man who was constantly trying to help his girlfriend, or you, the girl who was a bitch to me every time I tried to help her. I think I'm going with you!"

"You only tried to help me all the time because you were guilt-ridden," Rory said.

"Why would he be guilt-ridden?" Ben asked.

"It doesn't matter," Rory said. "The point is, it's Freddie's fault!"

"Well, I think I know what side I'm on now!" Lilly said. Everyone suddenly started really over each other. Nobody understood what anyone was saying. It was complete chaos. Finally, Brian had enough of it. He stood up and yelled,

"Oh bloody hell, enough!" Everyone stopped yelling at once and looked at Brian.

"Uh oh," Lilly said. "Daddy Bri is back."

"Shut the fuck up, Lilly!" Brian yelled.

"Hey, don't talk to her like that!" Roger snapped.

"You shut up too!" Brian snapped. "In fact, all of you little arseholes shut up and listen. Not you Lucy, you're wonderful and I'm thrilled you're here." Lucy smiled and chuckled nervously. "I wanted this dinner to be nice. Everyone's been so on edge lately and I thought maybe we could all sit down, have a nice meal and settle things, but apparently, that's impossible! I don't know why I even try with you people! Look, if you can't settle your problems now, then I give up. This dinner is over! I'm going to bed."

"Brian it's 7 pm," Gwilym said.

"Well I'm still leaving," he said. "You all can clean up and deal with your issues. Or don't. I don't care anymore!" Brian left the room and everyone sat in silence. We finished eating without saying another word. Brian was right. We were immature.