Sleepless In London (Maylor)

You're Stuck With Us, Darling

"He's not coming." Brian frowns, looking at his watch. It was 7:25, if he was coming, surely he'd be here by now.

"Come on, Bri. Maybe he got caught up in something." John said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Or someone." Freddie snickered, taking another sip of his drink as John nudge him. "What? Did you see him? He's probably got girls lined up at his door every night."

Brian sighed. He probably had better things to do on a Saturday night anyway than to hang out with three guys he didn't know.

Just then, the door to the pub bursted open to reveal a slightly flustered Roger.

"Oh, darling, you made it! We were just talking about you!" Freddie greeted as the blond approached the bar.

His hair was a bit messy and his cheeks and nose were a bit red, likely from the cold December air. Brian couldn't help but notice the snowflakes spread across his eyelashes.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I lost track of time." He grinned sheepishly, taking a seat next to Freddie, much to Brian's disappointment.

"Is that perfume I smell on you?" Freddie smirked, leaning in and sniffing the poor bloke. "Where'd you find a shag so early in the evening?"

Brian felt his stomach twist a bit. Was he really jealous right now? Rogers a grown man that can do what he wants.

"It was an accident, I-" Roger began before being cut off by Freddie's laughter.

"An accident? Darling, you don't have to explain yourself. I'm just teasing."

"I didn't-"

"Roger, really. You don't have to explain yourself." Freddie smirked at the exasperated man.

"I accidentally used my sisters perfume because I was rushing." Roger blushed, speaking fast. He didn't want any of the band to think he was some sort of sleaze.  He had plenty of one night stands, but he'd never blow anyone off for a quickie, let alone be late because of one.

"You live with your sister?" The question came from John, offering him a kind smile. He was beyond grateful for the subject change.

"Yeah, we both left home around the same time. Figured it would save money." He avoided going into detail, they didn't need to be discussing his childhood traumas in some sleazy pub.

"That makes sense." John nodded. "I have a sister too. She still lives with my parents out in the country."

Roger nodded with a smile. John was awkward, but he could tell that he was putting in some effort to help him feel like he belonged.

They spent the night happily chatting and discussing plans for band rehearsals. Roger was happily buzzed, grinning at the three men around him.

"Hey, sweetheart." A drunken slur came from behind him, "How about you let me buy you a drink?"

Roger suddenly felt a hand dangerously low on his back. He tensed up and his cheek flushed as he saw the confused and worried gazes from each band member.

"I suggest you take that hand away before you lose it." He growled, turning around and facing the man. His hands were curled into fists and they were shaking. This happened all too often and he was embarrassed to have his new band mates witness it.

"Aw, shit. Sorry, man. Thought you were a chick." He look his hand away as if he was burned.

"I don't give a shit what you thought. You don't grab women's asses either." Roger glared, eyes burning into the larger man.