I'm with you

c h a p t e r 2

- and if you need a light, I'll be the match to your candle my darling I'm ready, to burst into flames for you -

"Fine! We'll take a quick break then. But I want you to all be back here and ready to play in 20 minutes, we need to get this album recorded and it's not going to do it by itself" Freddie said in an unsympathetic tone after Roger, seeing that John was upset and he himself was feeling on edge, had begged Freddie to let them have a break before anything escalated too far. Brian knew that Freddie could be almost cruel sometimes but it was only because he cared so much about the band doing well, it was his biggest dream and not to mention his only career option, as he didn't really have a plan B to fall back on. Brian just wished Freddie would be softer with the other boys sometimes. He could handle Freddie's outbursts and be more rational about it, but the other two were not as strong against this kind of behaviour. Deaky looked like he was about to cry the last time Freddie told him that he was playing too slowly again, and the fact that he was clearly in love with the older man didn't do anything to help the feeling that he was disappointing Freddie and the rest of the band.

Brian watched as John placed his bass down on the stand and whispered something about going to make a cheese toastie and some tea, and Roger, visibly trembling, picked up his pack of cigarettes and rushed out the door to get some fresh air. After the two had left, Brian turned around to face Freddie and saw the man with his face in his hands, taking a deep breath and letting his tense shoulders drop.
"I'm so sorry darling, to all of you. I've been rather stressed lately and I just want this record to be perfect, but it's no excuse for taking it out on you boys. You're the best bandmates I could ever have hoped to be with"
"It's okay Fred, we all understand how important this is to you and to us too. We just have to stay calm and focus on playing together and doing what we love, otherwise we'll all end up killing each other within the week"
"Yes, you're quite right" Freddie laughed in response. "Now, I must go and apologise to poor John before he starts to think I hate him or something. Oh gosh I just felt so terrible when I saw his face at the end there, I'll be surprised if he forgives me. You should go out and check on Roger, he's been looking a bit pale and shaky all day." Freddie ended with concern. Brian nodded and walked towards the front door, before adding, "trust me, I don't think Deaky hates you. Far from it actually" with a smirk to the confused singer.

Once he made it outside and around to the side of the building where the drummer usually stood when he smoked, Brian almost walked head first into said drummer.
"ah shit" roger exclaimed under his breath, looking up at Brian's face, with glassy eyes and still trembling a little.
"hey, hey, calm down Rog. What's up?"
"I can't find my lighter. Must've dropped some things out of my pocket this morning because my keys aren't in there either" He answered despondently.
"Well look here" Brian whipped out a lighter from his pocket and flicked it on. "Lucky I've got mine with me."
Roger put the cigarette back up to his mouth as Brian leaned in and lit it for him.
"and as for the house keys, I'll help you look for them when we finish later and if we still can't find them you're welcome to stay at my apartment. Unless there's somewhere else you'd prefer to stay I mean, just if you need-
"Thanks, Bri." He interrupted with a smile. "You're seriously the best. You really don't have to do all that for me, but I appreciate it"
"Of course I do, you're my best friend". My best friend, Brian thought. My best friend who I'm in love with. My best friend who I'd do anything for, who I'd set myself on fire for if I had to. Roger smiled up at him with the most genuine look of gratitude on his face and proceeded to envelop Brian in a big hug, squeezing tight around his waist. Brian's stomach filled with butterflies as he stood there in the embrace of the smaller man, and wrapped his own arms around Roger's shoulders, never wanting this moment to end. It was too soon when the drummer loosened his grip and stepped back from Brian to lean against the wall and finish his cigarette, the sweet smile never leaving his face.
"I'll be back inside in a minute, go and see how Deaky is holding up with Fred" Roger said, amused at how Brian still looked flushed from their innocent hug.
"ok, see you back in there" Brian ducked his head and made his way back inside feeling slightly awkward but happy nevertheless, unsuspecting of Roger watching his ass as he walked.

Brian peeked through the door to the little kitchen area to see Freddie and John sat across from each other with their empty tea cups and toast crusts, the former's hand resting over the latter's atop the small table. He decided it would be best not to disturb them and instead headed straight back into the recording room to wait for everyone else who would hopefully soon realise how the time had passed and not leave him waiting forever. Not that he wanted to end what looked like a special moment between the bassist and the singer, he was glad that the two were finally able to get over the latest bump in the road and maybe even more, if Brian's assumptions about their current situation weren't completely wrong.