I'm Here ( Freddie Mercury X OC Fanfiction )

Part Nine: Thunder Bolts and Lightning Very Very Frightening

TRIGGER WARNING
July 14th 1975
* Harper's POV *

Since the beach incident Roger Brian and John had been treating me like any wrong word would break me.  It was one of the worst things in the world because it made me feel even more that there was something wrong with me.  I'd hear Freddie tell them off for it and they lightened up a bit.  I was sitting that night in front of the tv waiting for a show to come on.

I must've looked quite like a child as I usually did sitting cross-legged with a bowl of popcorn in my lap.  "What are you watching?" I heard Brian ask as all the boys came in.  "S-Saturday Night Live...its a new show...I saw an ad uh for a guy...he looked fun." I told them not taking my vision away.  Roger and John sat on the couch with Roger against it and Freddie beside me.  After a few moments the show came on and then they guy I was waiting for came on.  "Andy Kaufman." I mumbled to myself after hearing his name being announced.

He was awkward and started talking in some strange accent which I could tell was fake but I still found awfully funny.  I could tell everyone else got more and more weirded out as the set went on but I loved it.  Seeing someone who was just very different and had that stare was strangely comforting.  To me it was just the most hilarious thing his dancing and then playing the bongos.  "Harper sweetheart that man is high out of his mind I don't know what you find funny about him." Roger said having this confused worried tone making me frown a bit.

"It's okay...everyone's e-en-ent-I can pronounce that word but uh allowed their own opinion." There were just certain words that I wasn't never fully taught to pronounce and I still couldn't.  "Exactly lovey good job." Freddie praised me a bit he was the only one to not show a negative reaction.  "Do you like him? It is just an uhm an act you know...I'm s-sure he isn't really like that." The first part I said with hope in my voice because I felt isolated as always.

"He's fine dear I'm just not a stand up comedy person that's all." He assured with a little leg pat that made me flinch away.  I was still slightly discouraged it was rare that I found something I liked and when I did that was it I loved it.  I stood up giving the popcorn to Freddie instead and I said goodnight before going into my bedroom.  I always hated night times it was too quiet and gave me time to think something that was never good.

Per usual I did anything but sleeping for the next while until Freddie came in my room to see what was wrong.  I just shook my head to me at that time nothing was wrong and this was normal.  "I'm sorry if it's because we didn't like the show darling." He seemed truly worried if he upset me.  "It's just my r-routine...I have another hour." I got off my dresser since that's where I was sitting and pushed it back against the wall which was quite a challenge.  "Then come back out with us for an hour we miss you!" He ended with holding his hand out beckoning me to come.

I decided after a moment of thought that I'd join them and wrapped my blanket around my shoulders.  I was in a fairly good mood that day if you couldn't tell.  For the first time in a while even though I still was scratching I didn't do it hard enough to bleed which was an accomplishment. "Actually love come outside with me for a bit." He changed his mind and I set the blanket back down agreeing to come. We went out and stood against the wall looking up at the sky. "I-I like the stars...they're uhm the light it the darkness." I explained looking over at him.

"I guess you're my little star then huh?" He turned with a smile and my face went red. "How about you give me a hug? I know you don't like getting squeezed dear so you can squeeze me." He offered and I nodded. Freddie made me feel safe and loved so I had no problem in hugging him. I rested my head on his chest hearing his heartbeat as he slowly wrapped his arms around me. It didn't scare me or even make me uncomfortable he was gentle and not squeezing me at all. This is so nice...

I tilted my head up to look at him not in his eyes quite yet but close enough. I got up as high as I could and he leaned down. Then I felt a drop of water on my head and jumped away a bit. In the few seconds it took up to process everything it basically started down pouring and we rushed inside. He quickly got me a towel to dry off since he knew the sensation made me very uncomfortable. He also knew from a conversation that I was terrified of storms...

Everyone else was in their rooms so we were alone and while drying off the power went off. I hugged my arms to my body and was freaked out to say the least. He just told me it was okay as he found a lantern and switched it on.  I took a deep breath being able to see again which calmed me.  "Come in my room with me we've only got one." He said with a hint of something in his voice but I couldn't tell what. 

I followed him into him room and he set it down on his bedside table.  I sat on his bed crossing my legs and looking at my lap waiting for him to say something. "I'll sleep on the floor dear-and don't even protest I want you to sleep on the bed and that's final love." He said in a serious tone but ended with a smile. Obviously I really wanted him to sleep on the bed but listened. He told me that he'd get my stuff and did so in the complete darkness. I heard him fumble and swear a few times making me giggle but he returned with my blankets and stuffed animals. I helped him put some of his pillows and blankets on the ground then he laid down. It was kind of nice being able to look down and see him.

"I-I've never had a sleepover before." I confessed and he gave me a shocked look. "Well darling this can be your first." He sat back up.  Freddie crossed his arms at the edge of the bed and rested his chin on them.  We talked a little bit about nothing in particular since I couldn't hold a topic without getting bored.  I listened to him tell a story of when he was younger.  But I drifted in and out of sleep only catching small parts of what he was saying until I finally fell asleep.