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"ACTION!"

This thing, called love, I just, can't handle it-

It's electric on the set of QUEEN's new music video. Jen, Freya and Reggie are practising their lines whilst Bill records his acting sequence.

"You...You Love me?"

Penelope, who had recently convinced Bill to accept his soulmates, blanches in front of the camera.

None of them- not even Freya- are particularly good at acting. The only position any of them had ever wanted to hold is soundtrack writer/supervisor or Director.

"That's what I said...Aren't you going to say it back?"

"I-"

Bill runs off his mark, out of view of the camera.

"CUT. SCENE. NEXT."

Reg helps Lorissa sit on the set's couch before running out of frame.

"ACTION."

"Hiya, love. How are you? Reg Jr not bothering you too much?"

Lorissa kisses Reginald's cheek after he lays a soft kiss on her forehead.

"No- they're a right menace as of right now, but luckily asleep."

"Wanna go and get some sleep then, sweetie? While you still can."

Freya smiles as she watches behind scene, knowing that this is exactly what the two are like in real life- with perhaps a bit less sugar and more spice.

Lorissa nods.

"Are you coming with me?"

"I'm just going to finish up my songwriting for the night and then I'll be right up."

Lori and Reg look each other in the eye, the sentiment showing and their next words genuine.

"I love you, Reginald."

"As I love you, Lori London."

"CUT! SCENE! NEXT!"

"Morning, Sexy."

"Morning, Love. Are you going back to his house now?"

Jen raises an eyebrow.

"Of course, I am. We've been over this: We muck about having fun, and then we go back to our husbands. You know we can't be found out."

Perrie's face, highlighted by the light of a flickering candle crumples into a deep frown.

"We've fulfilled our duties- between the two of us and our seven years of marriage to straight men, we have had six girls and two boys. Henri and Olek are with their mistresses, anyways."

"So are we, Pez. We are seeing each other not for love, but because we are attracted to each other. And that is a problem- it is forbidden, Jennifer. I don't love you because I cannot afford to."

"CUT. SCENE. NEXT."

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"One in four people are diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. I guess, well, I just thought I'd defy the odds."

Freya shakes her head.

"You cannot be serious! They've got it wrong. Ask them to run the test again-"

"Lindy, they haven't gotten anything wrong. We've been doing tests for weeks..."

"No. That's not right- you're fit as a fiddle. I left for the U.S six months ago and you were fine!"

Annie places a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"He was- but a few months ago we went to an annual check-up and they found a lump in his throat."

"A few months ago? But-"

"We didn't want to tell you yet. You were finishing up the tour and finally learning what it is to be truly accepted..."

"We didn't mean to hurt you, poppet," Micheal tries to console his heartbroken daughter.

"I-"

The three are interrupted by the lead singer's phone ringing.

"Do you need to take that, love?"

"I...It's Penelope? She never calls..."

"We'll meet you at home then. Take some time to process."

"Alright."

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"Pen?"

"Freya! Are you in London Central?"

"Erm- Lorissa? I am, yes."

"Are you heading to the hospital?"

"I'm already there."

"Oh good, how are they? Is it bad? They didn't tell me on the phone."

"How do you know?"

"What do you mean, how do I know?"

"He hadn't even told me! I thought my dad would have at least-"

"Your dad?"

"Yeah...Why do you sound so confused?"

"I'm talking about Reginald and Bill!"

"What about them?"

"Freya, there was an accident of some description on set- Just after you left. They're taking them both to London Central Hospital. Pen's with me because we're on a plane."

"Oh goodness, no. Which unit would they be in?"

"A & E."

"Right, I'll call you back as soon as I have information. When will you be here?"

"Half a day? We're on a flight to Heathrow."

"Alright. See you then."

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Edited: June 2023