*band argues*
*deaky plays bass riff of another one bites the dust*
“thats quite good actually”
deaky:
Roger Taylor’s message to Queen’s Japanese fans, with an interruption by Freddie Mercury, and John Deacon in the background, 1975.
A/N: I am really going HAM on this series, guys. I love it so much tbh. the amount of traffic I’ve accumulated the last few days on my blog has me SHOOK. I’m so glad I’m bringing entertainment to well-deserved people! Love y’all!
Summary: It’s Friday. You just need to survive one whole work day before the night is all yours and Roger’s.
(Again, BoRhap or real Roger, whatever tickles your peaches)
WARNINGS: Swearing, Vaguely Mature Subject Matter
I’d rate this big boy a T.
It was definitely Friday.
And it was definitely seven o'clock.
A.M.
You watched as the red numbers on your alarm clock changed every infinity.
Twelve hours until dinner.
Two hours until work.
You felt as if you’d been lying awake in your bed for years. You barely had any sleep the night before, taking to the alarm clock as a distraction from your thoughts.
7:02, and your mind still raced with your heart.
It had only been two days since the situation regarding you, a lift, and a certain blond beauty occurred. Despite this, those days dragged on almost as if each day were a lifetime.
You’d had those days off, and you only did what you were doing now; staring at that damned alarm clock.
You didn’t know if you were excited or scared of this dinner with Roger. On one hand, you didn’t know how well the night would go considering your relationship with him had been transparent for a whole two years…
But you couldn’t help but think back to his confession in the lift. One you’d forgotten about until just this morning.
“My Doll, I have been in love with you since the moment I set eyes on you, and I never stopped.”
You shut your eyes and sighed. You remembered his voice being so gentle, and how the pause after his confession hung in the air in a very pleasant way.
You remembered how his bright blue eyes carved effortlessly into your heart and soul, and how his soft listings of the little domestic and romantic things he wanted to do with you had your chest nearly bursting with every butterfly that could have coexisted in your being at once.
You opened your eyes and frowned.
7:04.
You wished you’d responded to what Roger had said.
You could think of a million and one things to tell him if you were back in that situation.
In the lift.
7:05.
And a million and two things to tell him.
"Higher.“
"Fred, if this is gonna be like Bohemian Rhapsody, I may just have to leave–"
"Roger, Darling, you’re doing great here. Your falsetto is fantastic, but it just doesn’t seem to want to match tones.”
Roger sighed, pressing the palm of his right hand against his headphones. With his other hand, he spun his finger in a counter clockwise motion.
"Replay,“ he requested with a yawn. Roger really needed his morning coffee.
Freddie replayed the audio, and Roger waited for his falsetto.
In that moment, you ran through the doors of the console room the band was in, five cups of coffee and tea hot and ready for your coworkers and yourself.
"Sorry, the lineup was long, and they kept screwing up Roger’s order. As always.”
John leaned back in his swivel chair so he could see you past Freddie.
"You… seriously made sure they got his order right? That’s not… usual for you.“
You shrugged, setting the trays of coffee on the side table before removing your raincoat. "Figured I’d be nice today.”
You heard the famous Roger Taylor Falsetto from the studio.
"Still trying to perfect that part?“ You asked, taking Brian’s chair next to Freddie since he moved to retrieve his tea.
"Yeah. He insisted this song needed this one falsetto, but it’s not looking too good.”
You nodded at Brian’s response, and glanced down at the empty case the song’s tape was in. It was labelled “Somebody To Love.”
You pursed your lips, and looked up at Roger through the last window, only to see him looking back at you. You smiled the tiniest bit, and he returned it…
That is… until his attention was brought back to Freddie, who was scolding him for completely missing his time to hit his notes.
A break for Roger was called, and he left the studio. He knelt down next to your seat to talk to you, but he could see John glaring at him in harsh suspicion from over your shoulder.
Neither he, Freddie, nor Brian were aware of what happened the few nights before.
You found the silence the smallest bit awkward, so after clearing your throat, you smiled a little. “So I uh… I got you your coffee. For real this time. One and a half milk, one and a half sugar.”
"… Really?“ Roger got to his feet, and moved to the coffee table to grab his drink.
"Thought I should. You’re all working very hard. You deserve it.”
Roger took a sip of his coffee and hummed gently. “T'is a shame. I was just starting to enjoy the sweetness of two milk and two sugar.”
You just rolled your eyes in response, a smile at your lips. "You’re welcome, Blondie.”
From the other side of the room, Brian watched closely at the unusual encounter. Seeing a dinosaur in the middle of London in this time period would have been more believable to see than you and Roger…
"Are they flirting?“ John asked Brian in a hushed tone. He’d read his mind, but the lanky guitarist only answered with a shrug of his shoulders.
Freddie was more amused by yours and Roger’s engagement, mindfully leaning against the console board with his arms crossed over his chest, and a smirk on his lips.
Despite his desperate want to call you both out for your strange behaviour, he’d much prefer watching John and Brian go mad trying to figure the situation out.
"If I may,” John cleared his throat apprehensively, eyes narrowed.
“But Roger, you haven’t made one snide remark to y/n, and she’s already been here for a whole three minutes."
He paused. "Not that I’m wanting you both to fight.”
Roger just shrugged, and proceeded to hand you your order. This was the first time he didn’t try to purposely spill a hot drink on you in two years, and it was a very relieving feeling.
"Change of heart ‘suppose.“
After the boys’ coffee break, they found themselves back in the recording studio. You sat in the console room, and gave little suggestions to them every once in a while on how to improve the song.
Despite this, you knew that Somebody To Love was already a masterpiece.
"Can we start just before that falsetto, y/n?” Roger asked over the mic. You just nodded, and rewound the tape.
"Got no feel, I got no rhythm,“ you nodded your head along to Freddie’s vocals, and the already recorded instruments blasting through the speakers of both rooms.
You weren’t prepared to hear a wail of a falsetto coming from Roger. You snapped your head up to look at the band in the recording studio, Roger beaming at you in success.
You rose to your feet and cheered for the blond as the song continued on.
You knew for certain this take really counted.
The long repetition of the band members pleading the listeners to "find me somebody to love” eventually arrived in the song.
Whether this was purely a coincidence or not, Roger held eye contact with you the entire time he sang, a smile never able to leave his mouth every time he said that “L” word.
And you just found that fact utterly adorable and innocent.
It was true, then.
He really did forgive you.
And he really did love you.
"Lunch time!“ Brian announced with an excited clap of his hands. "Roger, it’s your turn to choose.”
Roger was sitting at the console board, staring at his reflection in the window separating the room you five were in, and the studio.
"I may have to skip out on lunch today, lads. I really need to practice some other songs for this album.“
While Freddie was obliged to leave, Brian and John found this really doubtful. You were staying behind to pack up the instruments the band weren’t going to use for the rest of the recording that day.
Why would someone insist on staying behind to be near an enemy? None of it was making sense.
Brian knew you. He’d known you since university. He just didn’t understand why you weren’t mouthing Roger off, or making an excuse to leave him behind.
Despite this, Freddie found himself out, and Brian and John followed.
You were lying on the couch behind Roger, reading a book. You weren’t really paying attention to it, though.
Especially not when you heard Roger’s swivel chair squeak. "Hey, Doll,” Roger greeted as he sat on the armrest of the couch by your feet.
You glanced up over the pages of your book, bending your legs so Roger could slip into the now vacant seat. You stretched your legs back out, and Roger rested his hand on one of your kneecaps.
"Hi, Loverboy,“ you acknowledged back, dipping your head back behind the book.
"Whatcha readin’?”
You shook your head. “Nothin’ interesting.”
You closed the book and dropped it on the floor, resting your arms over your stomach. “Whatcha practicin’?” You nodded your head towards the recording studio.
Roger gave you the same answer you did.
"Nothin’ interesting.“
Your lips twitched into a smile, and you closed your eyes.
Roger just watched you, his thumb rubbing circles over your kneecap in a slow, repetitive pattern.
"It’s so weird… being like this with you again.”
"Tell me about it, Doll.“
The only thing that really could be heard was the analog clock on the wall. You opened your eyes and examined the time.
1:34.
Five hours and twenty six minutes until dinner.
Three hours and twenty six minutes until the end of the work day.
"Why don’t I teach you some drumming?”
You moved your gaze from the second hand on the clock to Roger, whose eyes were wide and hopeful.
"What is this, 1974?“
"It just may be. For this lunch. If you want.”
You turned to face the live room’s tempting door handle.
"… only for a few minutes. I still need to pack up for everyone else.“
Roger beamed, and you lifted your legs to set him free. He immediately grabbed your hand, and pulled you into the studio, shutting the door behind you rather quickly.
"Okay okay,” Roger took a seat in his drumming stool, and turned to you, patting his thigh innocently with his hand.
"A special seat for a special lady.“
"In your lap? You call that special?”
"Well, not me, but some women might.“
You smiled, and shook your head. "Gross.”
Despite this, you seated yourself in Roger’s lap, and he spun the both of you around so you were behind the drums.
"Here,“ he gave you his drumsticks from his back pocket, and put them in your hands.
He went to cup his larger hands over yours, and you teasingly mumbled "gee, at least take me to dinner first.”
Roger shifted over so he could look at your face. “You mean to tell me I have to buy you dinner to hold your hand, but lap-sitting is completely fine?”
You shrugged, your uncontrollable grin resulting in a smile from Roger.
You both turned back to the drums, and Roger started naming the different types of drums on the kit.
Of course, you knew everything he told you. He’d told you before. You’d dealt with his drums and put them away for the longest time. Before…
"–And here’s the snare. T’s my favourite because its name is fun to say.“
You just let Roger talk. You missed hearing his voice speak with such passion.
You missed doing things like this with him.
You missed him.
How blind were you in the past not to catch on to how into you Roger was?
How into you he is now.
You opened your mouth to speak, but Roger was still going on about the drum kit.
You didn’t cut him off.
But you let him help you play.
He helped you play both simple and complicated songs, his arms guiding yours to the correct drums and cymbals at the right time.
At one point, Roger let go of your arms, and you kept to the notes he’d taught you moments before.
"You’re doin’ well, Doll.” He watched the drumsticks tap the cymbals over your shoulder, his hands innocently resting at your waist.
You repeated the same notes for a minute or so before you felt Roger’s arms slide around your body into a gentle embrace.
"… Rog?“
"I’m sorry, y/n. About the last few years. How I’ve treated you…”
He rested his head on your shoulder, and you reached up to comb his hair with your fingers.
"Hey, hey now. It’s okay. I’m okay. We’re okay.“
Although Roger found some relief in your words, he tightened his arms around you. You just sighed, and leaned back, turning your head to kiss his temple.
"It was justified, and all is forgiven, Hun. Let’s put these last two years behind us. Start over, yeah?”
Roger turned his head to face you, and after looking at you for a moment or so, he nodded his head.
"Thank you, Doll.“ One of his arms unravelled from around your waist, and he let his own fingers glide through your hair.
You shut your eyes, and basked in the short amount of time Roger gave you this attention.
When you opened your eyes, Roger’s gaze was obviously fixated on your lips. You lifted your head up a little, and his eyes flicked up to meet yours, gently, and kindly smiling.
"Y'know… you have nice lips.”
Your cheeks glowed, and you shyly looked away. Roger laughed– a short exhale out his nostrils.
"Don’t make me kiss you, y/n.“ You turned back to him, and the both of you’d found yourselves moving ever so slightly closer to each other.
Before he got too close, you pressed the tips of your fingers to his mouth, and smiled innocently.
"Whatever you say, Blondie.”
Roger’s mouth fell open in shock after you pulled your hand away.
"I wasn’t being serious!“
"No, Meddows. I’m doing what you asked,” you’d never looked so smug in your life, or sounded so proud.
You believe this was the first time you’d put the Roger Taylor in his place.
You glanced up at the clock, and proceeded to do a double take. “Shit!”
You jumped out of Roger’s lap, and started running around the studio, gathering cords, and wrapping them up frantically.
"What?!“
"We spent that whole hour drumming and talking! The boys will be back any moment!”
Roger wordlessly got to his feet and helped you clean up. You were thankful for that. You just never verbally expressed it.
When Freddie, John, and Brian all returned from lunch, not only was the studio empty of any unnecessary instruments, but your relationship with Roger, if you could even believe it, had been strengthened even further after the confession on the lift.
As much as it bummed you out, you and Roger didn’t kiss in the studio.
Were you close when Roger was apologizing?
Absolutely.
It was something that plagued your mind for the rest of the day.
The clock in the console room struck five, and you took a deep breath.
Two hours until dinner.
Brian entered the console room from the studio, his Red Special in hand. He was spending the last few hours practicing his solos for other songs on the album they were working on, and John was also in there with him at some point.
"That was a great practice, everyone!“ Freddie announced, a painfully wide grin on his face.
"Why don’t we all go for drinks tonight? My treat.”
You looked over at Roger with mild worry, shrugging on your raincoat slowly.
"I can’t tonight, Fred,“ Roger said apologetically. "I’ve plans I can’t cancel.” Freddie nodded in understanding.
"What about you, y/n?“ John asked.
"I have a date, actually.” At that, the room went quiet.
This was new.
Brian raised an eyebrow. “You… you’ve met someone?”
You swallowed. You didn’t think this was going to be such a big deal. You’ve dated around after your breakup with Steven. Why is it different now?
"Old friend,“ you explained. "Our friendship’s been kinda vacant. We wanted to reconnect. See what’d happen, you know?”
You swear on your life that you saw a hint of jealousy in Roger’s eyes, but it soon faded away when he realized the mistake he made.
Fucking dumbass, I was talking about you!
You shook your head a little in mild frustration, but smiled once more.
"Best be going, actually. Date’s at seven. Have a good night everyone!“
You heard a collective "good bye"s from Fred, Brian, and John, but an isolated "have fun tonight, y/n,” from Roger.
You shut the door to the studio, and made your way to the lift. As soon as the doors of the lift closed, you audibly groaned.
"Fucking moron.“
This little shit really just got jealous over himself.
Maybe all those months of faking hatred towards one another was really getting to him.
The lift, since it was broken, was very slow going down the elevator shaft. It gave you time to think.
After this date, you hoped to come clean with Freddie, Brian, and John about the state of your relationship with Roger.
Messages wouldn’t be underlying, nor would your unusual behaviour towards the drummer.
This situation was very complicated the more you thought about it, but you really hoped a fun night out with Roger would be enough to solve everything.
And it would.
A/A/N: This was very long so I apologize for the wait. I also wanna thank y’all for being patient. As always, comments, and feedback are always welcome!
@radiob-l-a-hblah @bohemiansweede @demo-wise @culturefiendtrashqueen @luvborhap
I swear, if they don't get Jim Sturgess to play one of them, I'm starting a fire
scared about the beatles biopics because I just know they're gonna cast men with Instagram face to play my little freaks I can't do this
My beautiful boy
your fic, this boy, is so good!! could you do a part 2 with smut?
I may or may not have been talking to someone LITERALLY 5 seconds ago regarding the prospect of this. That's one hell of a coincidence! I have a few more works on the go that need to be published first, but it is very likely we will get an NSFW part 2 👀
“'When my hand is on your grease gun.’ That’s very subtle, isn’t it?”
“It’s a metaphor, Brian!”
You can find my masterlist here
158 posts