RA: Finding out the truth about Freddie; Queen x reader
*Author's note*
Yeah guys I should've also said this, now that the previous chapter has been posted, I can now post up three chapters for you all today that I have done. Okay now guys heads up, form here on out we'll be skipping around the years and here is where it gets sad cause as you may take from the title, here is where we find out the truth about Freddie Mercury health. These next few chapters are gonna get sad BELIEVE ME. I got upset making this one as well as the next one.
Now I may make a headcannon cause there's an additional surprise in this chapter that you all will read. But for now I'll shut up and allow u guys to binge read for today these three chapters I have for you. So get your tissues ready and be prepared to dive into the FEELS
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*December 15th, 1990*
It was like any other day in holiday home of Montreux. I was getting the place ready for the boys to stay while they got some work done. Brian wouldn't tell me much but just the fact that the press were really hounding on Freddie lately. Now I have heard that there had been rumors that Freddie was sick but of what I had no idea.
The boys refused to tell me every time I asked. The last time I had seen Freddie and the guys in the public view was when they won the award for best band of the 1980's.
And I'll definitely say that something did look wrong with him, he was so thin and pale it was like I wasn't even looking at the same person. But a walking corpse. I checked the clock really quick and said to myself.
"Okay Jack should be back with them any minute. Their flight was supposed to have come in a half hour ago. That is if there had been no delay. But there shouldn't have been otherwise he'd call me. Okay bedrooms have been assigned, dinner's just about done, and the twins are upstairs napping. Susan will drop Kelly back home after the playdate with Amy, okay I think that's everything."
Soon I heard two separate barks from upstairs on the balcony. I knew that it was Sammy our 3 year old golden retriever and Bucky our 6 year old German Shepherd, sounding the alarm that company had arrived. I smiled and raced towards the door and opened it to reveal the guys coming out of the cars.
I smiled widely and raced towards them not helping myself to an ecstatic squeal that came out of my mouth.
"Ahh her royal majesties have finally arrived!" As the first person I tackled in a hug was Brian. Seeing me coming at him, he immediately was ready as he picked me up and spun me around making me laugh as I said.
"Oh you guys look at you all!" He set me down as I brought Deacy in for the next hug. He pecked my cheek and embraced me back and as I hugged Roger and Fred at the same time I said, "Oh it's been too long, I've missed my boys soo much. Oi," I separated from them and gathered them together so that I could scold them like the mother I was, "Just because you four are now some hotshot band of the 80's doesn't mean you can forget about the people who most love you four. I worry about you guys I expect a call every now and then."
"You know we check in on you love." Said Roger. I grinned at him and said.
"Yeah I know but still. I don't want you four to forget about little ol me."
"Darling it's impossible to forget about you." Said Freddie.
"Hey you guys hungry? I've made cornbread and chilly." I asked.
"Wait did I just hear cornbread and chilly?" Jack suddenly came into the group circle making us laugh and I said.
"Yes darling, it's in the stove, should be done about now." I took the guys inside the house and as they got a good view of the house from the inside Deacy said.
"Wow (y/n), your home is beautiful."
"Thanks Deacy, the perfect vacation home for three kids. But oh lord the sleepovers that will happen in the future. It'll fit an entire classroom." I teased the last part.
"Speaking of which where are the little ankle biters at?" asked Roger.
"Well the twins are upstairs taking their afternoon nap, and Kelly is at a friend's place. Should be back around 5-10 minutes or so."
"How have they been doing?" asked Brian.
"Well the twins just had their 18month checkup about a month ago. Everything's all healthy, Jack Jr. grew another 3inches. And Georgie gained 3 extra pounds." Deacy whistled and said.
"Seems you've got a weed on your hands with Jack."
"Tell me about it, by the time the boy's in junior high, he'll probably be as tall as an NBA player." They looked at me confused and that's when I stated, "Basketball player." To which they nodded in understandment.
"And how's the little nightingale?" asked Freddie.
"She's been good. Really liking her kindergarten class, her teacher says she's the smartest little girl she's ever seen."
"And we wouldn't expect nothing less, she's like her mother in every sense, shape and form." Roger praised as he gave me a fatherly peck on the temple. I playfully shoved him and said.
"But I know she'll be excited to see you all. She doesn't even know you guys are coming."
"My, my you are a sneaky mother lion aren't yah dear?" teased Freddie.
"I do my best Fred. Okay so let me show you all to your rooms so you can set your stuff down and then we can have dinner." I then led the boys up the stairs.
But as I reached the top I began to notice that Fred seemed to be struggling immensely.
I walked back down towards him and took his luggage and he looked at me and I smiled softly, hoping that I wasn't crossing any boundaries.
"Thank you darling." He said with a nod and I nodded back to him and tried to help him up the stairs but he refused telling me that he got it under control.
"Okay Freddie this room is yours,"
"Thank you darling." He said as he set himself down on the bed and for the first time since arriving I saw him truly become relaxed. I set his stuff down at his bedside and said to him.
"I'll let you know when dinner's finally ready." He thanked me once more and that's when we all heard barking coming down the hall.
Bucky had entered Freddie's room and trotted right up towards him.
"Hi Bucky!" Freddie said trying to sound enthusiastically but that's when Bucky started to bark at him and not in the happy way. He almost sounded alarmed or defensive. I walked up towards him telling him as I ruffled his fur.
"What is wrong with you yah rotter? It's just Freddie."
"Oh I think my outfit just smells like Delilah that's all."
"I am so sorry Freddie he's never acted this way before to anyone." I apologized.
"No apologizes necessary darling." He assured me. I knelt down to Bucky's height and he sniffed under my chin whimpering and grunting as I scowled him.
"What's the matter with you huh? It's like you smelled something bad on him." Bucky let out a couple more barks before a whistle was heard and Bucky went trotting over to Roger who began to pet him. "Again Fred I'm so sorry about this, hopefully Sammy will be nicer for the both of them. You just get yourself situated and I'll come check on you in a bit."
"No need to hover over me like a mama bear darling, I'll be fine." I just grinned at him and left his room and took the rest of band members of Queen to their rooms.
Deacy and Roger had rooms that were next door to each other's while Brian's room was just across from the master bedroom.
Once the guys got settled in, Jack had gotten the table set up and now everyone was gathered around the table ready to eat. I set the food down and I heard Roger say.
"Ahh about time, at least this will be better than airplane food."
"Oh (y/n) this smells absolutely delicious." Complimented Brian.
"Thank you boys, and please help yourselves to as much as you want." We all then dug into our dinner.
"So how far did you say the studio was from here?" asked Freddie.
"It's literally 20 minutes from here. Can't miss it, it's a beautiful building. I'm actually about to do some recording myself there tomorrow for my next album."
"Mind telling us about it?" asked Roger.
"Oh no, no, no, no, no you cheeky devils. You'll have to wait till it hits the shelves. I'm not spilling a single detail."
"Ahh come on love, we tell each other everything in regard to work." Said Brian.
"Nope, not gonna get anything outta me." I said as I took a spoonful of chilly into my mouth. The front door soon opened and shut as we all heard a tiny little girl's voice call out.
"Hi mummy!"
"There she is." Proclaimed Deacy. Soon coming around the corner at 5 years old now with my (h/c) locks that went past her shoulders and (e/c) eyes that shined like little gems was my dear little Kelly.
"Uncle Deacy!" She raced over to Deacy who picked her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek as he said.
"How's my favorite niece doing? Ohh you're getting so big."
"I see how it is Kelly, you go to Deacy but ignore the rest of us." Freddie taunted.
"No Uncle Freddie, I never forget about you!" Kelly whined. Freddie grinned at her and said.
"I know you wouldn't. Now come give your uncle Freddie a kiss my little nightingale." Kelly got out of Deacy's lap and went over to Freddie who picked her up and kissed both her cheeks. I noticed that Freddie was straining to pick her up, he tried to hide it but I could see it in his face as he picked her up.
"And what of my hug and kiss Kelly?" Brian asked. She giggled and Freddie passed her over to Brian. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed Brian's cheek. I picked up Jack Jr. from his booster seat while Jack took Daniel. Brian gave Kelly her Eskimo kiss before kissing her forehead which made her giggle.
"Where's papa Roger?" she asked innocently. I turned to Roger who went to grab another beer can to see his goddaughter being held in Brian's arms. I grinned at him as he said as he set his beer down.
"Why don't you turn around and find out." Kelly immediately turned around and raced towards Roger who got down to her height and picked her up under her arms holding her close to his chest which caused the whole room to erupt with soft laughs.
Just like me, Kelly's always favored Roger out of the guys. Thankfully Roger took the role of godfather to a whole new level. Anytime I needed advice with Kelly, he was always there day or night. He adored Kelly with all his heart and like he did with me, he treated Kelly like his own child and gave her the entire world.
"You happy to see your uncles and your god papa sweetie?" asked Jack.
"I'm very happy." Roger hugged her close to him and repeatedly kissed Kelly's cheek making her giggle and squirm in his arms.
"And get this poppet, your uncles and godfather will be staying here with us for a while whilst they get some work done." I told her. Her eyes lit up and she turned to Roger and asked him.
"Really?"
"That's right love, hope you won't get too sick of us like your mother does." Roger teased.
"No I miss you guys!" She said as she hugged Roger's neck and buried her face into it which made all of us laugh. Roger kissed her head and set back down in his seat while I got a bowl ready for Kelly. Once I set it down, she whined out, "Aww mummy, I don't like chilly though!"
"Sorry darling but you're gonna have to expand your eating habits. Just try a couple of bites." I told her. She huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest pouting.
"Ahh come on now lovey, listen to your mummy and try at least a spoonful." Said Roger as he gave her the puppy dog eyes but Kelly still refused.
"Okay then, I guess that means I'll have to give the extra ice cream sandwiches to one of the guys then." I started off. It was then Kelly perked up and said.
"Wait! Wait! I want an ice cream sandwich!" I smirked knowing that I had her right where I wanted her. I knelt down in front of her and said to her.
"Then you've got to eat your chilly." She whined as she looked between her bowl and me. "It's either that or not dessert monkey." She then finally gave in and reached for her spoon and took a bite of the chilly. "That's my girl." I kissed the top of her head as Roger said.
"You're so bad with her."
"Well I did learn from the best," I pecked his cheek and went to grab the ice cream sandwiches from the freezer.
The rest of the night was spent catching up with the guys and eating our dessert. Kelly was coloring in her coloring book while the boys were playing with their blocks at the center of the living room.
"So how have you two adjusted to dealing with 3 kids now?" asked Brian.
"It's a struggle at times, but we're happy to have our boys." I said.
"Jack Jr. is an angel from heaven, Daniel however is a little devil in disguise. Jack Jr. clears his plate like a gentleman, Georgie on the other hand will just scatter his food down to the floor. Like the other day they were eating cheerios and he goes shoving the cheerios onto the ground, but what he does next is that he just looks at me like this," Jack then made a 'stare-down' face as he said, "Like he's saying, 'I know you're gonna pick that up'." Which got the guys laughing.
"Trust me Jack, I went through the same thing with Robert when he was first born. But eventually he grew out of it, hopefully it'll be the same with Georgie." Said Deacy.
"Let's hope so, I don't think I can raise a mini-Jensen." Jack groaned which made us laugh again.
As the night drew darker, Kelly who was now leaning against her godfather yawned and that's when Roger said.
"Seems like someone had a long day today." I stood up to take her upstairs but he stopped me and said, "It's fine love, I'll take her up. You take care of those boys of yours."
"You sure?" I asked.
"Yeah it'll be fine." Roger then slowly picked Kelly up without trying to wake her up and took her up to her room.
God she looked so cute leaning up against Roger like that, reminds me of me at that age when my real father would take me up to bed after I had fallen asleep doing something.
"It is getting rather late. I think we should all be in bed by now, we want to get as early of a start recording as we can." Stated Freddie.
"Agreed." Brian spoke up. It was then decided that we all turned in for the night. Jack and I put the twins in their nursery jointed right next door to the master bedroom and I said goodnight to the three queens and they bid us a goodnight back. Jack and I unfolded the sheets and got into bed.
"How long do you think you'll be staying in the studio for?"
"I'm hoping to plan just 9 hours, but I can't make any promises. Plus with the guys here, they may need me. Hope that isn't any trouble for you."
"No, no it's fine. It's been awhile since you've got to work with the boys, they might need you back with them."
"Yeah they are lost without me." We kissed each other and then snuggled up for the night.
*3rd Person POV*
While everyone was getting situated into bed, Roger finally arrived at Kelly's room and walked over to her bed. He gently set her down and just before he could cover her up, she moaned and opened her eyes and said.
"Papa Roger?" Roger looked up at her and smiled and said.
"Hey you, I thought you'd gone to dreamland by now."
"I couldn't with you and uncle Deacy, uncle Brian and uncle Freddie here. I'm too excited to sleep now."
"Oh really?" She nodded but then Roger took notice that she had the same sad look that she inherited from her mother. "What is it lovey?" he asked.
"I don't think I can say it." She responded solemnly as she looked down away from Roger. Roger looked at his goddaughter as said.
"Kelly, you know that if something's bothering you, you know you can always tell me anything, right?" She nodded hesitantly and that's when Roger lifted her chin up and said as he sat down at her bedside and extended his arm out, "C'mere darling." Kelly crawled up onto Roger's lap and gripped onto his shirt and fiddled with it.
Roger adjusted her so that she was fully sitting on his lap and wrapped his arms around her back keeping her steady as he allowed her head to rest against his chest over his heart, much like he did with her mother.
"Talking about it will help you feel better, so come on little lioness, what's going on in that pretty head of yours?" Kelly fiddled with Roger's shirt a bit more before finally saying as she looked up at Roger with this (e/c) eyes that she got from her mother.
"Is uncle Freddie okay?"
At this point Roger didn't even know what to tell her. He had hoped that Kelly wouldn't notice the change in Freddie due to his AIDS but he knew he had been fooling himself.
She was after all the daughter of (Y/n) Kline, the cleverest girl he had ever met.
"I—didn't want to say anything to mummy at dinner because I was afraid she'd get sad. I didn't want her to be sad." Roger stroked Kelly's hair and said to her.
"You definitely have your mother's cleverness thank god for that." He first teased which made both him and even Kelly laugh. "Listen darling; your uncle Freddie he's—he's just trying out a new look. He hopes that it will help him look younger to fit in with the new ongoing crowd of fans. That's all."
"Well I don't like it. He looks sick, can't mummy help him feel better? I want the old uncle Freddie back." Roger brushed some strands of her long hair out of her face and said.
"Maybe, if your mum will allow it."
"She always helps me whenever I feel sick." She said softly.
"She is a good nurse isn't she?" Roger asked remembering all the times that she's helped him and the guys whenever they partied too hard and were completely shitfaced by morning when they were forced to record. After teasing them, mainly him of course, she'd then have medicine, water and crackers to help settle their stomachs.
Kelly nodded but still looked sad. If there was one thing Roger knew when it came to his best girls, whether it was the Kline girls or even his own daughter, it was to never let them go to bed sad. With a mischievous gleam appearing in his eyes and a cunning grin coming across his face, Roger proceeded to try and get Kelly to laugh. First he playfully pinched her nose as he said.
"I've got you nose." Which made Kelly giggle as she tried to escape her godfather's embrace. As she now fell back onto her bed, it allowed Roger to grab her ankle and lift her foot in the air as he said, "Got your toes!"
"Papa Roger, stop! I'm too big for nose and toes!" She laughed. This was a playful game that Roger not only played with his own daughter but with Kelly as well to get them to be happy again.
"Uh-oh, you're missing a toe. Alright you little ankle bitter, where's that missing toe?"
"I'm not missing a toe." Kelly cried out.
"Oh yes you are, see. One, two, three, four." He said counting her toes skipping over her middle toe. "Now where you keeping that toe at young lady?"
"I don't have it anywhere."
"Ah-ah better tell the truth, or I'm gonna tickle it out of yah." He then dived down and began tickling Kelly's stomach. The two of them laughing as Roger kept Kelly close to him as he tickled her, not allowing her to escape an inch away from him. Kelly tried as best as she could to roll away from him but Roger always brought her back close to him, she tried to push his hand away but it wouldn't budge.
When she was nothing but pure smiles and no more trace of sadness was in her eyes, Roger ceased his tickle attack and scooted her up so that her head was now resting on her pillow.
"Okay lovey, time for bed." He tucked her in and stroked the top of her head, brushing away the bangs that fell down over her eyes. "Now don't you worry about your uncle Freddie okay? He always bounces back up, and I know he will from this." Roger lied.
He hated to lie to Kelly but he had no choice. She was too young to understand and he didn't want this to affect her badly by telling her that her uncle was going to die soon.
He refused to allow Kelly to be told that right away, especially if it was from him and not from her own parents.
Plus he knew Freddie would never forgive him had his favorite niece been told he was so sick.
"Okay." Kelly said softly.
"That's my girl." Roger kissed her forehead and whispered, "Goodnight my love."
"G'night." Kelly whispered before finally closing her eyes and went back to sleep. Roger stayed by her bedside for a few moments stroking her head gingerly before finally decided to head to his own room and went to sleep himself.
As he lay down on his bed, a single tear fell down his face.
*My POV*
As the next year came around; the boys continued to stay at the house, balancing work and spending time with their niece and nephews. I've really began to notice the signs of Freddie not doing so well.
Some nights he would lose his appetite and not want anything to eat. There was also the signs of him struggling to get out of bed in the mornings and even walk up and down the stairs. One day there was even an accident where he fell and broke his ankle. Also both Sammy and Bucky would just bark at Freddie anytime he would pass them, they even went as much as to avoid him at all times which they had never done before since we had gotten them.
I was really starting to get scared for Freddie's sake because Kelly was starting to ask questions. She told me that she and Rog had a talk about it but he told her not to worry about it. So I would go up to either Brian or Rog since anytime Freddie was brought up, Deacy wouldn't even speak and the two of them would tell me not to worry and that Fred was just trying something out, or he went to the gym after their rehearsals.
I was currently sitting on one of my chairs by the back entrance going over a new song for my upcoming album. Doing some rewrites and trying to make the song work better when I heard Freddie's voice coming down the hallway.
I put my feet up and lowered myself further down the chair hiding myself from view as I heard Freddie say.
"Just tell the press to bugger off and not say a word that I am here with (Y/n) and Jack. I refuse to let the Klines get involve with this Jim darling. If they ask, just tell them I'm in Japan recording.....I know, I miss you too my husband. I'll call you later tonight, bye-bye my love." I then heard Fred sigh heavily and heard him enter the living room as he said to himself. "God this is fucking ridiculous. Now they've got to pull my beloved Rock Angel into this, she doesn't deserve this torture either."
Finally I had had enough, I poked out from behind the chair which caused Freddie to jump backward as I said to him.
"Care to confess your sins there, Mr. Mercury?"
"Bloody hell (Y/n) don't scare me like that." He said as he rubbed his chest. I set my notebook down and stood before him saying.
"Well that's rich coming from you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You Fred. If anyone's scaring anybody here is you that's scaring me. Are you sure there isn't anything you want to talk to me about?" He remained silent and just stared at me with wide eyes. I raised my brow at him and proceeded to say as I circled around him, "Like; why Bucky and Sammy won't come near you without barking up a storm? Or why your appetites changed? Not to mention this weight loss, the fact that you can barely walk some days without help, not to mention the phone conversation I just heard about me getting involved with something you don't want me a part of. Fred I'm really worried about you."
I now stood face to face with him by the end of my rant and that's when Freddie told me.
"(Y/n) I—I'm just going through some personal things that's all my dear." I looked at him suspiciously and said.
"Okay," I sighed heavily as I dragged my hands through my hair as I said, "God if I didn't know any better I'd say it's almost as if you—" I stopped as I looked at him. I then shook my head and said, "No. No way. I'm going straight to the worst case scenario." I turned around and walked away.
"What scenario would that be darling?" Freddie asked me. I turned back around toward him and said to him trying to play it off.
"Nothing, nothing Fred forget I even said anything." As I turned back around to walk away it was then Freddie dropped the bombshell.
"Because only a clever girl like you could decipher....when one has AIDS."
I froze in my spot.
I slowly turned around and looked at Freddie. I have heard about the AIDS crisis that had been breaking out worldwide. It was unlike anything I had ever heard of, and it was strongly affected the gay community. Already Jack had lost some old friends from this disease but never did I—oh my god.
I slowly walked towards Fred finally putting two and two together as I choked out his name. He looked at me with solemn eyes and said the four most gravest and heartbreaking words I will ever hear in my entire life.
"I'm afraid so darling."
My eyes grew wide, my heart sunk and I almost collapsed to the ground in tears. I held my hands to my mouth trying to hide my shocked expression but tears quickly filled my eyes.
"Oi Fred!" Roger's voice called out. He came up from the back entrance and stood beside Freddie and said to him, "Fred, Brian and Deacy managed to figure out the problem for the song, we want to run it by you." It was then Roger turned to look at me. I sniffled and couldn't help as a tear fell down my face. "(Y/n) what's wrong?"
Even in his weak and frail state, Freddie still had that strength in his eyes that told me to not cry and be strong. I snapped out of my state and choked out as I tried to do what Freddie was telling me to do.
"Wha? No, nothing's wrong dad. I'm only just picturing Freddie the way he'd want me to right now. The day I first met him.....Me sitting at the piano and him trying to get me to sing another song....." I couldn't help a sob that came out as I choked out again as I held my arms out, "Can I please hug him?"
I walked up towards Fred and gave him a hug as I wept hysterically. Crying into his shoulder while he rocked me back and forth rubbing my back trying to comfort me as I wept.
"Oh god no! Not you....." I felt him kiss my temple and that's when I felt his embrace and backed away as I choked out. "Okay I'm going to go calm down, then tonight. You and me. Garden. Because we need to have a serious talk about this okay? Okay?" I wiped my tears away before rushing out of the living room and upstairs to my bedroom.
*3rd Person POV*
Roger who was completely baffled by what he just saw turned to Freddie who turned to him solemnly and he confessed.
"I told her." Roger sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.
"How did she find out?"
"She's clever that lion cub of yours. She put two and two together without even having to say it. Plus she was hiding when I was on the phone with Jim. Already the press back home are spilling rumors that our beloved Rock Angel is aware of my AIDS and is keeping me in hiding."
"Those fucking wankers." Roger sneered. He then looked toward the direction where (y/n) had gone and tried to go after her but Freddie stopped him and said.
"Leave her be Rog. Give her time to calm down, and like she said I will talk with her. This has to be between me and her." Roger nodded and the two men went back to work.
As agreed, the sun set and (y/n) was currently out in the gardens sitting on the pergola swing set with a vodka bottle in her hands. It was a full size bottle but the content inside was almost empty.
*My POV*
My mind maybe fuzzy from dousing vodka most of the afternoon, but I was still sober enough to go to the garden and get on the pergola waiting for Freddie to get here.
I can't believe this is happening. It's—it's like a bad dream or something. Please God don't let this be real.
"Knock, knock." I looked up and there stood Freddie. I gestured for him to sit down and he did as I said. I refused to look up at him because I knew I would break down, shitfaced or not. "Never did take you for drinking so early darling." Freddie tried to lighten up the mood.
I spoke not a word. Everything was dead silent except for the crickets chirping.
"How long has everyone known?" my tone was completely broken. I heard him sigh and he confessed.
"I told Miami shortly after I was diagnoses in '86. The boys didn't find out three years after Miami found out." I shut my eyes as tears fell down my face not believing this.
"So this whole time you all knew about this? And you didn't bother to let me in on it?!" I snapped as I finally turned towards him. Tears stinging my eyes and threatening to come down.
"Darling I just wanted to keep this to myself. I wanted to protect the ones I loved most closest to me from being told this illness. Not even my family knows about this yet." I looked at him, seeing the strength in his eyes behind his frail face. "I thought by not telling you, I would be sparing you this heartache. But I should've guessed I couldn't hide anything from you this long. You're just too clever my darling." He gently stroked my cheek with his index finger wiping away the tearstains from my face.
I turned away from him and just looked down at my feet as I muttered brokenly.
"I did this to you."
"What?" I sniffled and said.
"I did this to you Fred." He looked at me confused and said.
"My rock angel that's ridiculous, how could you have done any of this?" Finally setting the vodka down, I wiped my tears away from both my eyes and sniffled as I confessed and looked directly at him.
"Do you remember a few months before my wedding? Shortly after you and the boys shot the 'I want to break free' video?" Freddie looked at me solemnly and said.
"You mean the day I said those horrible, nasty things about you? I wish I could forget that day but it happened."
"I told you that I wished that you were struck down in the worst possible way......and now here you are with the worst thing anyone could ever have!" I sobbed out. Covering my eyes with my hand, shutting them trying to keep any more tears from spilling out. "I did this to you Fred.....I did this....."
"That's bullshit darling!" he exclaimed. I felt him take my hand that was at my side as he said, "(Y/n), my rock angel look at me," I was hesitant but I turned towards him, looking like a sad, pathetic drunken woman but Freddie didn't care.
He stroked some of my hair out of my face tucking it behind my ear as he said.
"Now you listen to me darling; no one is to blame here. You are not to blame for this, the one person responsible for this is me. I was reckless, stupid, and gave too shits about what I was doing. I might've known the risks but I didn't give a fuck about it. My moto was 'I'm doing everything with everyone' and not once considered what the result would be. But never, ever think that this was your fault, because it wasn't. I don't blame you; the boys don't blame you; no one blames you." I looked at Freddie with teary eyes and choked out in a faint voice that it almost appeared like a whisper.
"But why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"As I said I wanted to protect you darling. You were finally booming in your career just as we were. I didn't want anything to drag you down. You didn't deserve to be distracted by an old aging queen like me." That managed to get a laugh out of me. "See, there's my darling rock angel." He wiped the tears away and I fully turned towards him.
He cupped my face into his hands and he looked straight into my eyes as he said in a more serious tone.
"Now I'm going to tell you exactly what you told the lads and I when we first found out about your parents; I don't want you to fuss about it or frown about it, but above all don't bore me with any sympathy. Because that's just seconds wasted, seconds that can be used making music, which is all what I want to do with the time I have left. And you need to do the same, can you promise me that darling?" I sniffled and croaked out.
"I'll try."
"No dear, you either will or you won't. Now give me the right answer." His voice stern which made me flinch a bit but I knew it wasn't out of anger at me directly.
"I promise." I vowed to him. He nodded softly and said.
"That's my Rock Angel, now no more tears darling, okay?" I nodded and that's when he brought me into his embrace and I hugged him back as tightly as I could but kept it gentle so that I wouldn't cause him any pain.
I remained in his arms for the rest of the night.
The next morning, Fred invited me along to the recording studio. Since I had completed my album, he thought it would be best for me to come over and see him record this one song that he had been working on with the guys.
He wouldn't tell me much about it, just to come along and even bring Kelly along so that she could see it too.
Once we had arrived at the studio, I held Kelly's hand in mine and that's when she asked me.
"Do you think you and uncle Freddie could sing the pressure song after they're done?"
"Maybe, but don't count on anything okay Kelly? Your Uncle needs to rest his voice." I entered the studio and was greeted by some of the technicians and office workers who pointed me in the direction of where the boys were.
When we reached the room, I saw Freddie put down a vodka bottle as he proclaimed to Brian who was sitting right beside him.
"I'll fucking do it, darling!"
"Language Freddie, there is a child present in the room." I exclaimed as I covered Kelly's ears. The boys all turned toward me and that's when Freddie said.
"So sorry dear." I just shook my head at him as I grinned and that's when Kelly raced up towards Freddie. He picked her up and set him on his lap and she asked him.
"You going to do a new song uncle Freddie?"
"Indeed I am my little nightingale, care to watch?" She nodded enthusiastically and that's when Brian took a hold of Kelly and set her in is lap while Fred slowly got up from his chair and walked into the recording booth. I took Freddie's seat and Roger came over and stood over me while Deacy was in the back isolated but still kept his eyes on Fred.
"Okay this is 'the Show must go on' take 1." Brian spoke into the mic. "You ready Fred?"
"Yes Brian dear, let's do it." I then heard the track beginning to start. It was a powerful beat that already struck a chord in me and as it decrescendo, Freddie began to sing.
https://youtu.be/t99KH0TR-J4
Even with as frail and ill that he looked, a man that was practically a walking corpse right before my eyes, his voice still held such power. Sure not as much as he once had, but Fred didn't allow his AIDS to stop him from working, he kept at it.
Once the first chorus hit and his voice hit that falsetto I couldn't help but have my breath literally be taken out from my body as I just stared at him. The lyrics were truly about Freddie and his struggles with this illness but he still knew and kept up with his famed phrase 'The Show must go on' no matter what.
And he sure as hell proved that on that day to me.
I could only stare at him in pure awe throughout the whole recording. To nail the notes he needed on just the first take, only someone like Freddie Mercury could do that. And I was damn proud to not only call him my idol, but my family.
At the very last note he hit with such raw power, I felt a shiver run up my spine as my eyes refused to leave him and I may or may not have been aware of it, but a few tears had fallen down my face.
By the end of the song, I heard Kelly say.
"Mummy you're crying." I turned to her and felt my cheek and could feel the wetness of the tears in my face.
"They're happy tears my love." I assured her as I wiped them away and saw Fred looking right at me. I pressed the mic button and said. "Killed it as always Fred."
"Good, because I don't think I can do it again." Which caused me and the guys to choke out a laugh.
The following day at just before dawn, we were all at the airport and the guys were waiting for their private jet to take them back to London after doing a successful recording.
"You sure we can't tempt you all to stay for a few more days?" asked Jack.
"No Jack darling we've taken up too much of your time. It's time we were headed home." Said Freddie. Jack nodded and that's when Deacy spoke up.
"Thank you both for allowing us to stay in your lovely home."
"Anytime Deacy, beats having to stay at a hotel or some rundown home the studio sometimes provides." I said.
"Must you guys really leave?" Kelly asked as she leaned against her father's shoulder looking toward her uncles and godfather sadly.
"Afraid so love, but don't worry. You'll be coming to see us soon." Roger assured her as he lightly bopped her nose.
"How soon?" she asked.
"Faster than you think little one." Brian answered her as he stroked down her hair before leaned down and giving her a kiss goodbye. The rest of the guys soon followed and we all hugged and kissed each other goodbye as their jet soon landed.
The boys grabbed their luggage and they left to get on the plane. They waved bye to us one final time and we waved back before they finally disappeared.
"I hope next time we see Freddie this fall he at least gets better. He looked so frail and ill; do you know what's wrong with him (Y/n)?" I didn't turn to face Jack but I immediately responded.
"I have no idea; they wouldn't tell me anything." I hated to lie but I made a promise to Fred. He made me swear to him that Jack and Kelly didn't need to know about his illness because he didn't want anyone else besides me to know now.
So I vowed to himthat I'd keep his secret, and I did. From mid-February till late November I kept Freddie's secret.
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