For this part, we will be fast-forwarding to September 17, 1982, where Queen is in Inglewood, California.

John was white. Very, very white. And he wanted to stay white, so he slathered on nearly an entire bottle of sunscreen when the band decided to spend the day at the hotel's pool. It was their last day in America, before they went home for a little break before wrapping up their tour in Asia.

John was resting on a pool chair, watching the band and casually observing the other patrons of the hotel. Freddie was up at the bar, chatting it up with a pair of newlyweds who went to the band's last show in Inglewood, and were really big fans. Brian was doing laps, under the not-so-subtle watchful eye of Roger, who was sitting in the hot tub. He had a redhead to his left, and a blonde to his right, and he made casual conversation with them, yet anyone could see through his dark sunglasses that he was watching Brian.

John sighed. He knew the pair were trying hard to keep their little thing (whatever that thing may be) under wraps, but it didn't take him long to figure it all out. There had to be something more beyond casual sex after a show, well, at least for Roger. He saw how the drummer always had his eyes on Brian, always made excuses to bump into the older man, and always shared a room together. They did this often, but by this point in the tour, they'd usually switch things up. But since they left home in April, Brian and Roger had shared a room every single night. They never seemed to get sick of each other.

Of course, what could John do? Saying anything to Brian and Roger indicated he knew something. And besides, what if he was wrong? What if they really were just letting off steam, and no feelings were involved whatsoever? Fat chance, John thought, shaking his head. He just hoped that for the sake of the band, of Brian's marriage, and his own damn sanity, that this would be over soon.

Roger sipped a margarita brought to him by the redhead, the alcohol making his mind slightly fuzzy. This was his third one in the past twenty minutes, and he was just getting started. He was worried about going home. He'd be going back to Dominique and Felix, whereas Brian was going home to Chrissie, Jimmy, and Louisa. Otherwise know as his wife and kids. His wife and kids.

Roger didn't hate Chrissie; on the contrary, she was a very nice woman, and obviously loved Brian very much. But she was the one who got in the way. Brian came home to her, lived with her, and loved her. Hell, she's not getting in the way, you are, Taylor. Think about how Brian must feel. Roger nodded absentmindedly at something one of the girls said, as his mind was a million miles away. His heart ached at the thought of Brian and Chrissie together, especially after the past couple of months. Somehow he thought, deep in his mind, that Brian may not care even the least bit that Chrissie was in the picture. Even if I'm just a friend with benefits I'll take that. But Roger knew better. Brian was a family man; the kind that every woman would love to have. He was constant, steady, and faithful. Well, not so much on the faithful part. But as long as Brian wanted him, Roger would most certainly be there.

Brian sat down at the bar, glancing at the other end where Freddie was. The singer was talking to a young couple about their tour over a few drinks, and the pair seemed quite astonished by him. Well, who wouldn't be?

The waitress brought Brian a glass of water, as he had asked for one, and took a small sip. His hair was still dripping from the pool, yet it was beginning to fluff back up to its usual shape. Running his fingers through the damp curls, Brian sighed. This was pretty much it. Tomorrow morning, the band would be flying back home for a month, and Brian probably wouldn't see Roger much in that time. It had definitely been fun, and he still felt so guilty about cheating on his wife, but he had to admit— he loved each moment he got to spend with Roger, and not just the times they were in bed.

Roger was easy to get along with; he wasn't complicated, you could tell what he wanted just by looking at him, and he was absolutely fine just spending the night cuddling in bed. He was very cuddly.

Brian compared Roger to Chrissie. Chrissie was high-maintenance, wanted and expected a lot, and things always had to go her way. If they didn't, she'd get upset and Brian would probably end up on the couch. It wasn't a big deal for Brian, because he loved his wife very much, and he knew exactly what she was like when she got into one of her moods when he married her. In fact, he'd never really thought about it until now.

Brian turned around on the stool to watch Roger in the hot tub, with the two girls. He pushed his glasses up onto his head to meet Brian's gaze, and have him a little smile. He had a beautiful woman on each arm, yet he acted as if neither of them existed. It's like the rest of the world doesn't exist. Brian patted the stool beside him, inviting Roger to come sit with him. His smile grew into a wide grin as he excused himself and hopped out of the hot tub. He wrapped a beach towel around his waist and walked to the bar, taking the seat beside Brian.

"Fancy meeting you here, Mr. May." Roger chuckled as he ordered a whiskey and soda.

"Oh, I come here often. They have great.. Water.." Brian raised his glass, sighing.

"You're such a prude, y'know that?"

"Oh please, I get told that day in and day out." Brian leaned his elbow on the bar, resting his chin in his hand.

There was a slight silence as the barmaid brought Roger his drink. "So, care to do anything tonight?"

Roger shrugged. "I dunno, I mean why not? It's our last day in California, I don't see why we shouldn't."

"We could go have dinner, catch a movie, stroll through town, I hear there's a–"

"That's not what I meant, Bri.." Roger had leaned in a little closer, his blue eyes slightly darker as a smirk formed on his lips.

"Is that all you ever think about?" Brian laughed, ruffling Roger's hair.

"Name something else I could think of, and I'll think about that!" Roger fixed up his hair some, then took a sip of his drink.

"You could think about.. becoming a vegetarian, world peace, helping the environment—"

"Brian, shut up before I throw you in the pool." Roger rolled his eyes. It's not that he wasn't interested in those things, because he was. He just didn't want Brian to go on for twenty minutes. I can think of a better way to kill twenty minutes.

"Oh, you think you could pick me up and toss me in the pool? You think you're that strong?"

"Just watch me!" Roger stood up and went to scoop up Brian bridle-style, only to find himself being lifted up instead.

"Brian! Put me down! Put me down right now!!" Roger shouted and squealed as Brian began to carry him towards the deep end of the pool.

The shouts attracted John and Freddie's attention; the former had a look of shock on his face, while the latter was quite amused. As soon as Brian reached the edge of the pool, he tossed a flailing, kicking Roger into the water, making a rather large splash. The drummer resurfaced a few seconds later, shaking the water from his face, and turning around to face Brian. He was obviously upset, and the fact that the guitarist was laughing too hard only made it worse.

Brian reached down and offered his hand to Roger, but the drummer simply yanked a little too hard, causing Brian to slip into the cool water as well. As the two began to splash and horse around, John put his magazine down and went to join Freddie. By now, the newlyweds were long gone.

"Don't even say it, darling." Freddie smirked as he watched Brian and Roger.

"Say what?" John couldn't keep his eyes off the pair, either.

"You're going to start on about how they're ruining each other's lives and blah blah blah. Well, honestly, I think they're adorable, and they should be together, if that's what they want. Screw Chrissie, she can take care of herself!"

John's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "How can you say that! They've got two kids, and Roger's got a son, too! It's not right, Fred, it's just not right!"

"Love isn't always right, darling."

————

"I can't help it. You're amazing. You're beautiful. You'll all I could ever want. And I can't stay away from you, I couldn't if I tried."

Roger had fallen asleep while Brian was in the shower; not a deep sleep, but enough for subconscious thoughts to take over and mingle with conscious ones. He felt a sharp pain in his chest. This was their last night together. It was only for a month, but it felt like an eternity. Would Brian even want to continue their little fling once the tour restarted, or would morality and common sense take over the guitar's actions?

Roger had been thinking and thinking about this, ever since they came to California. He hoped to God that Brian wouldn't give up on him, and that there was some chance that he felt as strongly about Roger as Roger did about him. And the drummer knew exactly how he felt. Exactly.

"Care to do anything special tonight?" He heard Brian's soft, sweet voice, to which he opened his eyes.

"I dunno.." Roger glanced at the clock, seeing that it was only 8:30. "Maybe just stay in? We do have to leave pretty early tomorrow."

Brian nodded in agreement. "True, and an eleven hour flight isn't the most restful part of a tour." Laying beside Roger on the bed, Brian scooted closer to him. He thought for a split second, that earlier, Roger seemed as though he were ready to go a few rounds in bed, but now it seemed like he'd fall sleep at any moment.

Roger snuggled up beside the older man, and for a moment, neither said a word. They simply laid there, together, and they each knew what the other was thinking.
"Bri-"

"Sh.. Don't say it." Brian placed his index finger over Roger's lips, his gaze set on the white ceiling. "Let's try not to even think it."

Roger buried his face in Brian's t-shirt, his hand slipping beneath the fabric to run across the guitarist's chest. This couldn't be it. There had to be more than just a couple of months away from home, Roger was sure of it! He had to have felt something during all those nights; when it wasn't just sex. There were many nights filled simply with casual conversation, tiny kisses and caresses, where the only thing Roger could feel was the warmth of Brian's arms around him and all he cared about was waking up with those arms around him. Those nights meant something, right?

Roger was absolutely dreading tomorrow. And every day after that in which he wouldn't see Brian.

——————

By 9:30, the plane had been in the air for over an hour. Roger found himself counting down the hours they had left, and when the hours ran out, he would could the minutes.

The band naturally had a private plane, not just for the group but for the roadies and equipment. Freddie, Brian, John, and Roger had their own seating area, that was quite spacious and even had a bar.

Freddie made it a priority to take advantage of the movie screen, and he and John were bickering over which movie they wanted to watch. When asked, Brian chose Night of The Living Dead, and Roger chose The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Neither of which Freddie wanted to watch, so of course, they wouldn't be watched. In the end, John gave in and they settled in their seats to see Jaws for at least the umpteenth time since the movie came out.

Being a row behind Freddie and John, Brian and Roger put the next two hours in the dark to good use; whether it was tickling, kissing, or cuddling, they kept themselves thoroughly entertained.

All too soon, the movie was over, and Freddie got fed up with his bandmates, so he simply curled up in a seat for a nap. John, feeling a tad bit uncomfortable being alone with Brian and Roger, went to find a roadie to chat with.

Now finding themselves alone in the back of the plane, Roger curled up in Brian's lap, his face buried in the guitarist's shirt. Only seven hours left.

Brian ran his fingers through Roger's soft hair, smiling at how it was getting a bit longer. He hoped that the drummer would grow it out again.. He's just the sweetest thing.. Brian mused as Roger began to nod off. It was amazing how he could curl himself up enough to fit on Brian's lap, and look quite comfortable.

Roger was just so.. Roger, that Brian began to feel incredibly bad. I've never met anyone like him. So young, beautiful, and kind. He treats me as though I'm the only thing he ever sees. I don't even know if I'll be able to stand being home. Without him. Shit, if I didn't lo- Brian stopped himself right there. He wasn't going to complete that thought, not ever. For he feared that if he admitted his true feelings for Roger, it would all be screwed up.

———————

"Don't worry, I'll get it straightened out with everyone once I get settled in. How 'bout I just call you?" John nodded as Freddie spoke, regarding when they would be leaving for Asia. The singer pulled John in for a hug, as he had done with Brian and Roger, and wished him a safe drive home.

The plane had just landed, and they were saying their fare wells, as they knew they wouldn't see much of each other during the course of the next month. John could just imagine Veronica standing in the terminal, with the kids in tow, anxious and excited about his arrival. It was good to be home.

Roger stood next to John, slightly antsy as he glanced towards the door of the airplane. Any minute now, a stewardess would appear, and usher them out onto the runway, and Roger hadn't said anything to Brian yet. He had to talk to him, ask him to call if he got the chance..

Before he knew what he was doing, Roger took a few steps to Brian and tugged at the sleeve of his shirt, giving him the "follow me" look as he headed for the back of the plane. He knew that once Brian saw Chrissie, that it would be over. The past three months would never have happened.

Roger stepped into the bar area where the stewardesses prepared the drinks, which was quite secluded, and once Brian joined him, the blonde practically leapt on him.

Lips hungrily explored Brian's neck and jaw, careful to not leave any marks behind as they moved from spot to spot. Brian's arms wrapped around Roger's waist, pulling him in for a tight hug, as though he never wanted to let go.

All too soon though, after pressing one, final kiss to Brian's lips, Roger pulled back enough to lock his gaze onto the guitarist's eyes. As he stared into the deep pools of hazel, Roger opened his mouth, expecting to hear himself say goodbye. But what he said was very different from "goodbye."

In the few seconds that he spoke it, Roger didn't even know he was saying it; he just knew that his heart spoke what his head was afraid to say. Three, simple words that meant oh so much.

"I love you."