Sleepless In London (Maylor)

Really, Freddie?

December 1992

The wind blew gently across his face as he looked up at the night sky. Understanding the consequences of light pollution, he wasn't too disappointed to find that stars were all hidden behind the thick clouds. Though, he did heave a sad little sigh.

Brian was alone. Well, mostly anyway. He had a flatmate who seemed to have enough energy and radiance for the both of them most of the time. 

Freddie. Oh dear, Freddie. Bless his heart, always tried to force Brian out of his shell by setting up dates, giving out his number, and even forcing him out to different clubs each weekend. None of which really worked.

The love of his life was gone. Not dead, but off with some other man in the same city no less. Freddie found it ridiculous that a twenty-four year old deemed his life over because of a heartbreak that happened at age twenty-two.

He deserved so much more than some girl that cheated on him with a co-worker! He had told her that he was bi, and she seemed alright with it. Up until he caught her in bed with Mark from resources. 

"Live and learn!" He'd always say, earning an eye roll from the curly haired man. He meant well, but Brian would rather mope and stew than acknowledge that what she did wasn't his fault.

It's not like he hadn't tried dating. He had! But nothing stuck, so he just gave up. He didn't really see any point in trying if nothing comes from it. No spark. No connection. He decided it was just a waste of time.

Brian let out another sigh, this time closing his eyes. The breeze was nice, it was nearing Christmas time and he felt the cool air begin to nip at his nose. He hadn't realized it began snowing until he felt a warm hand on his shoulder, causing him to open his eyes.

"Brian, darling, you're going to catch your death out here." Freddie frowned, pulling his friend inside from the balcony into their flat.

Immediately the heat warmed up his face, causing his pale cheeks to flush bright red.

"Just looking at the lights." Brian shrugged, rubbing his red nose in attempt to warm it up.

"With your eyes closed?" He laughed, "Something's eating you up in that mind if yours. I have a sense for these things." And with that, the older of the two pulled the taller man down on the couch.

"Fred, I'm fine, really." Brian frowned, though a feeling of warmth still settling over him from being inside.

"Bullshit, I can see you're feeling down. That's alright, dear. We all feel down sometimes, but you need to let someone in." He put his hand on Brian's shoulder again, the genuine look in his brown eyes soothing the feeling of dread in Brian's stomach.

"I'm sorry," Brian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just found out that she's gotten engaged." His breath caught in his throat. He hadn't meant to, but they'd taken up a whole bloody page in the newspaper!

"Her loss, I'm sure they'll be divorced by the third kid." Freddie stated rather bluntly, while stroking Brian's back in a
soothing manner.

Used to his friends bluntness by now, he merely shrugged the comment off. Not like he was wrong, the guy was a right prick and Brian didn't know what she saw in him.

"You were the better choice." All his friends said, which he wasn't so sure. If he was the better choice, then why wasn't he the one who put the ring on her finger.

"Well, darling, this calls for a celebration!" Freddie suddenly said, standing up and grabbing his coat.

"Freddie, I'm not going out tonight."

"I never said we were going out. I'm going out, dear. I'm going to get us some Japanese and a shitload of booze and then we'll throw some pictures of her in the fire." Freddie was beaming, making it hard for Brian to resist a smile back, so he didn't.

"Whatever you said, mate." He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips.

The gentle slam of the door signaled that Brian was alone again.

He stalked to his bedroom and grabbed a picture of him and her. They were at the beach, grinning ear to ear, it had been the night he told her he loved her. The same night she said she loved him too. He wondered if she really ever did, or it that was just another lie too.

He knew Freddie was right, it was time to get over her. With a shaky sigh, he took the picture out of the frame. He hadn't realized exactly how long he'd been staring at the picture until he heard the door open and close, along with his flatmate's loud singing filling the small flat.

"I see you've got the picture." Freddie grinned as he saw Brian coming out of his bedroom. Holding up a lighter and setting down the takeaway bag, he walked over to the small fireplace and started the fire, looking up at Brian with a devilish grin as the flames grew larger.

Freddie the fucking arsonist.

Brian figured he'd humor the exuberant man and threw the picture into the fire, watching as the flames engulfed the once happy and smiling faces he'd once known so well.

"Burn, bitch." Freddie chuckled at his friends unamused glare. "I'm only kidding, darling." He reassured.

Brian only hummed in response as they began eating their takeaway.

"I hope this means you'll really move on now." Freddie said softly, giving another one of his genuine looks.

"Yeah... I hope so too."

After a few hours, it was nearing eleven thirty. That's when shit got real.

"Thank you for calling into Rhye Radio At Night! Can we get a name?" The calm voice of the radio host came over the receiver.
"My name's Freddie, Freddie Mercury." He smirked, glancing into the next room, watching the curly haired man sip a bit of his beer.
"Hi, Freddie." The woman greeted with a smooth chuckle. "Calling to request a song or tell a story?"
"Oh, I've got a hell of a story for you, darling." He grinned, feeling the multiple shots of vodka settling in.

"But I'm calling to find my dear Brian the love of his life."