EVERGLOW | Freddie Mercury (Vol 2) | Freddie Mercury Fanfiction

28. Him

According to Brian, at least Freddie's mood met some sort of consolation with Mary around. After all, his obsessing about Lucy's whereabouts and lack of control over them made him cling to every element of their work that he could control. And Mary's constructive companionship had come as a nice distraction for him, giving the band a chance to get back on track with him and the tour's upcoming timeline.

Roger didn't comment much on Freddie's involvement with his ex, nor her new involvement with the band's finances. Anything that got him to shut up about 'where's Lucy 24/7' and made him focus on their fucking job right about now... was fine by him.

Paul needed the green light to finalize Freddie's costumes to be coordinated with the rest of the band. "You like this?"

But Lucy had drawn some costumes for him...

Yet she'd left him alone to figure out how to keep his life moving, which it desperately needed to do... still trapped in the jittery angry phase of confused loss, there still wasn't a single fucking thing he could do about Lucy.

All he'd heard about her since the night she disappeared was how Daisuke felt about her. All he knew was how much he very well had a whole hell of a lot to say to him about it—Where was he anyway?

"Freddie?" Paul's hand on Freddie's shoulder reminded him that he needed his decision.

He didn't want to think about the fact that this was ALL he could think about...

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"So you sent it?"

Phoenix's smug face hovered over Daisuke, pestering him into girl talk as he threw his backpack over his shoulder, waiting for the helicopter's propellers to slow and quiet to a stop.

He stepped out of the helicopter and made his way toward the front door. "Yes. I sent the letter. Thanks to all your badgering."

Phoenix wasn't sure if Daisuke's answer had come with a glare or an almost playful eye roll. Whatever it was and however brief, she'd take it. "What do you think she'll say?"

Deeper in reflection than he'd like to admit, Daisuke knocked on the door and reminded himself that he knew their bond. "What matters is finding her." He had to.

How unconditionally he loved her... expecting nothing in return. Lucy, the most important person in the world to him. Phoenix's heart couldn't help but hurt for him to experience love too.

Or was she hoping for someone to love her that much?

Wait, when had love become such... a compelling priority?

The open affection Lucy received from Freddie. Her deep captivation, connection, and commitment when she talked about him. Head over heels when she knew he'd be near again.

Maybe she wanted something like that too..

The door swung open to reveal a short woman with hair white as snow, and a firm yet respectable look on her face.

"Thank you for contacting us." Daisuke introduced himself with a bow and then removed his shoes, then Phoenix followed his lead.

Mrs. Wua nodded and stepped aside to let them in. "I'd heard about Lucy joining this dangerous Agency.. But I wasn't sure if the rumors were true..." Distress in her voice waded on the brink of tears as she poured over a framed photo of Lucy and her son. "I suppose she had nowhere else to turn."

Daisuke jotted down a few notes next to a small photo of Lucy's official portrait taken during her service. "Let's start from the beginning, Mrs. Wua. How do you know Lucy?"

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Who knew lightheadedness could pound so hard AND spin so fast at the same time. 

Sakura kept her word and abandoned Lucy to suffocate alone on her own dry, thirsty coughs, locking the sliding door behind her and guarding it, confident that Lucy wouldn't try any more funny business given her very persuasive threat.

She reconvened her mundane chatty laughter that hadn't seemed to miss a beat with her brother Mizu just outside the locked sliding door as they waited...

Their chatter finally dwindled when someone new took over their conversation.

And Lucy's heart leapt when she heard this new voice bark a command in Korean, to which they responded with 'yes sir' and left their post.

It couldn't be him...

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"I don't belong here." 12-year-old Kane crossed his arms behind his head, quite proud of the height of the exclusive blanket fort clubhouse they'd built in his room.

12-year-old Lucy laid down next to him. "But hanging out with me isn't so bad is it?"

Kane couldn't help but smile. Her presence always cheered him up. Christmas lights they'd taken from the downstairs decorating closet hung all around them, illuminating their blanket fort with fairy-like lights that complemented Lucy's welcoming spirit perfectly. He sighed and leaned into it.

"Everyone here looks at us weird. I miss Korea. I miss our family there. Everything's so different now..." Kane tugged at the looser string of light hanging just between his and Lucy's head to play with it. "Change... you know they say if you can't beat it... you gotta join it.."

She propped herself up on her elbow, watching his fingers follow the light's path as they happily wasted away their permitted time for Saturday afternoon cartoons on this. "The good kind or the bad kind?"

"The good kind of change."

"Let's." Lucy nodded in agreement. "Let's make the good kinda change."

The edge of Kane's hand brushed nervously against Lucy's with a shaky smile. "I'm just scared..."

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "Don't be."

"You're not?!"

"Of course I am," Lucy chuckled. "But it's about what you do with the fear you know?."

With 3 soft knocks on his bedroom door, Kane's mother stuck her head in to check on them. "You two having fun?"

Childish giggles ensued just before the willing volunteer Lucy poked her head out of the majestic gates of their blanket fort. "Need any help downstairs Mrs. Wua?"

Mrs. Wua welcomed her thoughtfulness. "I think I could use some help in the kitchen... Would you like to stay for dinner and help me make it?"

"That's lovely Ms. Wua. Thanks for having me." Lucy pat Kane on the shoulder and crawled out from under the blanket fort following Mrs. Wua downstairs to set the table.

"Kane has certainly been staying out of trouble with you around, Lucy. We've seen much improvement in his studies and his priorities." Mrs. Wua's gaze expressed her fondness for Lucy by her side and watched her smile in return. "It is one of the reasons you are such a lovely girl."

Mrs. Wua smiled and pat her head, and when they arrived in the kitchen, Lucy handed her an apron with a polite thankful bow, then pulled a stepping stool up by the sink to wash the vegetables.

She placed her hand on Lucy's shoulder, making sure she had her full attention. "As is the tradition in our family, it is time Mr. Wua and I selected a wife for Kane and begin making his arrangement. And Lucy..." she looked at her. "You would be perfect."