Stafford Terrace

"MMMMMRRROOWWWW!"

Monica bolted upright in bed.

Goliath's slinky black figure sped through the bedroom door in the dark, Tom the heavy tabby chasing after him.

"Hey!" She hissed, switching the Victorian Tiffany bedside lamp on, "No fighting!"

The two tomcats growled at one another under her side of the bed.

"Wonderful, more wasted hours of sleep," she looked at her alarm clock which read half one in the morning, "The last thing that I need to lose right now"

She scrambled onto the carpet on her knees and bent down to them as their standoff continued, "If you're going to do that, go outside!"

Disinterested, they glanced over to her then back at one another.

They didn't stay hunched for long, for they suddenly threw their heads towards the door, their ears back in alarm.

"They must've heard another cat" Monica assumed, getting up to close the bedroom door before WWIII could commence under the bed.

But Tom and Goliath came out from underneath and rushed to the door in the way that they would if they were being fed.

"Somethings gotten their attention" she let the door open to a crack so that they could slip out.

She was about to shut it again when she heard the front door click shut below.

Instinctively, she rushed to the telephone to alert the police about the intruder downstairs, "Oh no, I did remember to lock the front door before bed, didn't I?!"

With shaking fingers, she dialled 999 as quietly as possible, and waited to be put onto emergency services.

"Freddie's going to kill me... oh god, I'm going to lose him forever. I should've known it was all too good to be true"

Her heart beat rapidly as tears of fright spilled, not lifting her eyes from the bedroom doorway as the dial tone played in her ear.

"I can't wait this long, they could've stolen something by now" she quickly put the phone back down and looked for the tallest object in the bedroom.

There was a battered acoustic guitar propped up inside the gap between the large mahogany wardrobe and the wall that looked like it'd make a good weapon. So she tiptoed across the bedroom and grabbed it swiftly before creeping across the moonlit landing.

She heard a man's hushed voice in the hallway where the light was on as she inched down each step, all ears.

"Oh no... there must be more than one! Who is he talking to?!" She panicked, stopping at the halfway level and hiding behind the bannister pillar.

She saw the one of the intruder's shadows slightly spilling across the floor to the wall, Tom calmly sitting on the bottom step with his tail in the air.

"How odd..." she quietly set the guitar down, "Tom hates strangers..."

She snuck around the corner more until the suspect was in her view, only to find that, with a toothy smile on his unshaven face, was cradling a purring Goliath in his arms, donned jet-lagged dark circles under his brown eyes, shaggy feathered black hair, a patent leather jacket and white satin pants. A small suitcase was standing by his feet which donned white platforms.

"Freddie...Freddie!"

She barely heard herself cry out his name in joy, running down the staircase and into the light.

"Monica!" Freddie rushed to her standing on the dark steps as Goliath jumped out of his arms.

They threw themselves at each other, collapsing onto the hallway floor, overcome with bliss once again.

Monica's angst and sorrow was gone within seconds as she started to sob hysterically into his neck, pressing her wet face into the warmth of his olive skin as her nostrils breathed in the consuming aroma that she'd longed for. Her mind was awhirl with such happiness that she couldn't process the words of adoration that his hot breath spoke into her ear.

"I don't want to wake up from this dream. I missed you so much... I missed you..." the girl repeated breathlessly when she gathered the strength to speak.

"Oh baby, you're not dreaming. I'm here. I missed you too..." he cooed, his eyes growing blurry as he pulled her closer.

Freddie's hand ravenously smoothed her soft brown as the other stopped her stupefied body from slipping away as he fell to his knees, her arms and legs wrapped tightly around his torso and keeping him close as he rocked back and forth to calm himself. Tom and Goliath looked at one another, wondering what the scene in front of them was all about, then turned around and rushed up the stairs and into the dark abyss.

She mumbled into his shoulder as she clung on, "I thought that I forgot to lock the front door when I heard you and I got so afraid"

"Let me look at you." he pulled away and caressed her cheek.

He couldn't help think that she looked just like a golden goddess in a Hollywood movie even with no makeup on and her hair unbrushed. When she smiled sweetly, when her blue eyes cried happy tears, and her cheeks reddened the longer he observed her.

"I hoped that you'd still be asleep when I got home," he whispered, his forehead at touching distance, "That way I could surprise you when we woke"

"Well, if you did that then I definitely would've believed that I was dreaming" she giggled, blinking the tears away.

His thumb dried her cheek, their eyes fluttering closed as they shared their first kiss in what felt like an eternity.

"Do you want me to get you something to eat?" She whispered, unwrapping her legs as she broke their embrace.

He shook his head, getting back up onto his feet, "Not unless you want something"

"I'm fine, I don't need anything else" She sniffed, unable to take the elated smile off her face.

Picking his suitcase up off the floor, which now looked like it was ready to burst open compared to one week before, he held his hand out, "Let's go to bed then"

"I can't believe he's back... why did he say he wouldn't be? Was the show cancelled?" Monica pondered as she lead him up the stairs.

But Freddie had more to be confused about, "Why on earth is that battered old thing on the stairs? You didn't find a new hobby while I was away, did you?"

She blushed as he pointed at the guitar, then admitted, "I was going to use it to beat you with"

His eyes widened, his sharp black brows arching for an explanation.

"I thought that there was a robber downstairs," she continued, picking it back up, "it was just for self defence"

"Oh, you silly goose. Who are you, Brian?"

"He wouldn't actually use a guitar as a weapon, would he?" She reached the top step.

"He almost has, towards Roger anyway..." he told her, "One afternoon on tour, Brian threw him into the dressing room whilst I was eating cornflakes... I was barely dressed!"

"Oh, I would've liked to have witnessed that" she pushed the bedroom door open.

"What, Roger and Brian fighting?" He asked, switching the wall light on and setting his suitcase at his feet.

"I meant you barely dressed, but that fight would've been a bonus" she shrugged nonchalantly.

She was snapped into shock as, without adding anything, he grabbed her and lifted her off of her feet.

"Freddie?!" She screeched as he carried her to the bed.

"You are a naughty girl," He teased as he set her down, "a naughty, naughty schoolgirl"

"I'm not a school girl!" She laid back onto the mattress.

"I know, but you certainly are naughty" he purred, taking his patent leather jacket off.

She shuffled back under the covers with a simpering giggle, and watched as he carried his suitcase into the room. The question as to why he was back home when he telephoned to say that he wasn't going to be still irritated her, waiting to be answered.

"Why did you come home after all? Was there a mixup or something?" She sat back up, watching as he unbuckled his suitcase.

"Don't move an inch, stay right there" he muttered, ignoring her question as he dug through his clothes.

"Why?" She moved to the edge of the bed to watch.

"Look away, I got you something!" He pressed.

That only made her more tempted to look, so to distract herself she got up and went to his bedroom record player, "I'll go put something on then"

"Please do" he spoke behind her, and she looked at the small pile of vinyls formed in recent days.

A Day at The Races seemed to jump out at her, and although it she played it the day before she wouldn't mind listening to it again. Most of the songs, apart from the heavier ones such as White Man, were either uplifting, airy, and or beautiful.

"Overall versatile" she thought as she lifted the needle and set it down gently onto the record.

"Oh, it's us!" Freddie chimed as the album's opening crescendo built up.

"I hope you don't mind Queen" she said.

"Not at all, you play what you want" he dismissed her as she climbed back onto the bed.

"Ugh, Freddie's got such amazing fashion...he dresses better than any of the boys back home" she watched as he folded each expensive looking piece of clothing, and turned away as the opening riff of Tie Your Mother Down started to play.

He heard her giggle, and turned around, "what is it?"

"Your voice is so husky in this" she answered, and he humphed as he continued to look, "My god, she's adorable"

Seconds later, he ordered, "You can look now"

Monica turned back to face him as he handed her a flat package loosely wrapped in optical patterned paper.

"Oh, you didn't have to get me anything!" She felt guilty.

"Nonsense, you minded the place and kept my fur babies company" he kissed her cheek as he climbed onto the mattress.

"More like they kept me company" she started unwrapping his present on her lap.

She gasped, for she was staring down at a print of a Japanese lady.

"Tie your mother down, tie your mother down" Roger and Freddie sang the chorus from the record player as she gently lifted out the turquoise thin fabric, "Is this some sort of dress?"

"Not quite" He kicked his platforms off.

She got up onto her feet to hold the gift up to inspect it further, and a matching sash was attached to what appeared to be a t-shaped robe adorned with more oriental illustrations such as white blossoms and swirly clouds.

"Similar style to the one freddie wears around the house..." she looked at his kimono hanging on the bedroom door.

"You got me a..." she trailed off, for she couldn't figure out whether it was a kimono or not.

"A dressing gown, real Thai silk too," he got comfortable on his side of the bed, watching as she slipped it over her pyjamas. "I was going to get you a small, but I thought a medium would be more comfortable."

She tied the sash, nicely clenching her waist and the shape of it flattering her figure. She never felt more elegant as she stared back at herself in the dressing table mirror.

"Oh Freddie, it's gorgeous. Thank you!" She twirled a little.

"Now you're an official Stafford Terrace resident, dearie," he opened his arms for her as she rushed back to the bed, "One day I'll have to buy you a proper kimono"

She settled onto his lap, "Would the authenticity of this dressing robe determine the validity of my residency in Stafford Terrace?"

He put his hands on her waist, "No, but if you actually do want a proper kimono then you're going to have to come with me to Japan next time"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, "And why's that?"

"As you say, to validate your residency here at Stafford Terrace. And also because I missed you too much" he tentatively answered.

"And I missed that five o clock shadow, those dimples, those bedroom eyes and those eyelashes..." she leaned towards his lips.

"But I shaved this morning!" He defended, touching his cheek.

"You shaved this morning... plus eight hours ago when you were in another time zone, Fred!" She crossed her arms.

Defeated, he laid back and looked up at her, "I can tell you missed this back and forth bickering"

"Why, because I always win?" She straddled his slim waist.

He scoffed, and playfully rolled his eyes as he stretched up, "I bring you back a gift that looks divine on you, and this is the thanks that I get?"

"I already thanked you!" She argued.

He simply grumbled under his breath, and she climbed off and curled up against his chest. His slung his arms around her as he affectionately kissed her head, "It's good to be back anyway"

She closed her eyes in bliss, "Mmmhmm, it is"

They silently listened to the rest of the upbeat rock song, savouring each other's warmth, too overwhelmed to close their eyes and stay asleep or try to move and stay awake.

Next cued the much more soft You Take My Breath Away, followed by layers and the harmonies made up entirely of Freddie's voice that sent chills up her spine.

"Are you alright?" He whispered, feeling her squirm slightly in his hold to get more comfortable.

Monica nodded, staring into space as she pressed her cheek against the fabric of his pattered shirt, "This song is just so hauntingly beautiful"

Something about the ballad brought her nostalgia and made her feel so secure, as if she belonged in his arms at that moment. The wistful piano started playing, and she could feel her eyes go heavy as she listened on.

"Look into my eyes and you see, I'm the only one..." his soothing soft voice sounded across the room, yet she heard Freddie's own voice join in her ear at its natural pitch and hold a note, "You've captured my love, stolen my heart, changed my life..."

She lifted her head slightly, and with adoration in his eyes he looked back and continued to sing it to her:

"Every time you make a move,
You destroy my mind,
And the way you touch,
I lose control and shiver, deep inside..."

He reached up and put her hand on his cheek as her heart fluttered, but he neglected to sing the title in the next verse. Instead, he talked, "...I've actually been thinking a lot about this song lately... and in relation to you"

"Hmm?" She settled back down onto his chest.

"...It was originally written this time one year ago with my now ex boyfriend in mind," he explained hesitantly, "The melody was stuck in my head when I thought that what I was feeling was love, just because my questions were finally answered and I was being satisfied in ways I hadn't been before."

That hurt to hear a little. There was no denying Freddie's attraction and preference towards men. Even the magazines she read in recent years, and boys and girls at school used all kinds of names to label him.

"Oh, I see" her tone faltered, disappointed a little.

He saw the pain in her eyes as she laid back down, and the song continued as remorse kicked in.

"I could give up all my life,
for just one kiss,
I would surely die,
if you dismissed me from your love..."

This time he sang, "You take my breath away..."

The look in his eyes was now just as pleading as the sound of his voice on the record, "So please don't go..."

She cautiously asked, "...So, what happened between you and David?"

He looked away, "Soon, David and I became destructive towards one another and... well, I discovered that what I felt wasn't love. It was just the idea of love in my head all along, the fantasy..."

"The idea of love... I can understand that" she listened to his heart below his chest, "I mean, it did come out on the same album as Somebody to Love..."

He chuckled, lifting her hand to his mouth and pressing his lips to her knuckles, "That was more of a homage to Aretha, dearie.... but that's not my point"

"Well, what are you trying to say?" She murmured as he softly kissed her fingers.

The song continued, "I'll get no sleep 'til I find you, to tell you, that you just..."

And then, he said,"...I think that I'm beginning to think that this song is for you"

Monica felt each limb freeze as she slowly drew her hand back onto his body.

She could no longer hear the guitar solo, just her rapid heart drumming in her ear as she could feel his beat below her hand as it rested on his chest.

"Any girl would dream to have a song about them" she thought.

She could see the longing gleam in Freddie's dark, deep set eyes, his soft lips pursed slightly as his appetite grew whetter, looking back desperately for an answer and silently running his hands up and down the curves of her body.

Monica's other hand reached up to switch the bedroom light off at the wall, shrouding the bedroom in darkness as the song played, then slipped to the collar of his shirt under his jacket and below. She heard him let out a content sigh as her fingers felt the feverish hot skin on his hairy, heaving chest, the cold silver of his chain necklace, his nipple...

He pulled her head down and kissed her passionately, his long fingers frantically untying the silk sash and pushing the robe off of her shoulders as she unbuttoned his shirt. He sat up and shook his arms out of his jacket, sliding his tongue into her heart-shaped lips as he ripped her pyjama bottoms down her bottom.

He pushed her down onto the matress, and she wrapped her legs around his waist after he kicked his trousers off, her body hungry for his as he nibbled her neck. She gasped as his veined, hairy arms pinned her wrists down, leaving her vulnerable underneath his dark figure outlined by the moonlight.

"Freddie" she shivered his name, and his lips found her mouth again in an engrossing and seductive kiss as he rubbed his throbbing erection up and down her wet opening.

He moaned as his hard, swollen dick entered her without warning, her arms struggling under the feeling of his girth for she had nothing to grab hold of.

"Monica..." He wheezed her name in her ear as he moved back and forth softly, her body squirming below him as he eased himself in deeper and deeper.

She peppered kisses onto his dampening neck, then felt him pull her on top as he rolled onto his back, allowing her to take control.

Their breaths were in sync, beads of sweat forming on his trembling hairy chest, his eyes wildly rolling to the back of his head as his hips bucked in rhythm with her body. Despite the song ending and switching to the next, the humidity in the room grew as she felt his large hands slip under her pyjama top and grope her breasts as she moved above him, their tongues dancing in each others' mouths. Ripping the shirt apart, he sat up and sucked her nipples, and her head started spinning as she threw her pyjama top off and held his head to her chest.

"I-I missed you..." he looked up at her, grabbing her bottom and pumping her hips up and down on him.

She held onto him, her lips grazing his, "I missed you too... oh god!"

"I'm never leaving you alone again... my flower" he sweetly kissed her jaw as her nails dug into his scalp.

Wanting to gain dominance again he pulled her heavenly body down and pushed her back onto the mattress, slamming into her quicker and harder as she started crying out erratically.

"Fuck... say my name..." he hissed.

She grabbed onto his buttocks to pull him in deeper as she grew closer to orgasm, "I... ahhhh I-"

"Say it! Say my fucking name!" He ordered, speeding up in response.

"Freddie!" She sighed breathlessly as she felt her walls pulsating around him.

He let out a loud prolonged moan as he buried his face into her neck, delivering a few final thrusts as she held onto his broad shoulders.

He collapsed onto her chest as she caressed his face, moving his raven bangs aside and tenderly pressing her lips to his damp forehead.

He caught up with his breath and crouched above her, "Are you alright, darling?"

She reached up and clung onto his dark figure as he sat up, nodding, "Never better"

He hauled her over to the pillows and laid her down, and she exhaled at the feeling of cool cotton against their hot, sticky skin as he tucked the duvet around her.

"I'm going to switch this music off" he muttered and gingerly climbed off the bed, heading over to the record player.

She rolled onto her side and folded  her new dressing robe up and set it on the ground before her gently before watching Freddie's slim, nude silhouette as he bent down and lifted the needle, still in awe that he was back as the lyrics to You Take My Breath Away replayed in her head.

"It really did feel like he was singing it to me... for me..." she watched as he climbed under the duvet and opened his arms invitingly.

She rolled over and settled back down in his hold, and shoehorned the obvious, "Why did you lie about not coming home?"

She heard him gulp and swallow as his body and arms locked still. His heart was no longer beating out of control, enhancing the tense silence to follow.

She gently urged, "Please don't change the subject. How bad can it be?"

He hesitated as he started attentively running his fingertips up and down the skin of her arm, "I wanted to prepare and test you, that's all."

"Test me? What in the world would you want to prepare and test me for?" she drew her hand back to herself anxiously.

"...The disappointment" he reluctantly answered, now playing with a lock of her hair in between her fingertips.

"Disappointment?" she echoed, hushed.

"The disappointment to my loved ones that my job brings," He explained. "Changed plans, the impact publicity has on our private lives... the consequences from all of those things that you'll have to deal with... and as far as I'm concerned, you passed"

She propped herself up onto her elbows and kissed him, then whispered when she broke away, "I could never interfere with the happiness that music brings you... your happiness, it's all I care about"

He held her hand to his cheek, looking back into her blue eyes gleaming in the dark with tears.

"Oh, my baby... what did I ever do to deserve you?" he whispered, kissing her thumb as she ran it across his soft lips, "You're so young and... I don't want to hurt you. I'm sorry I lied, but it was coming from a good place."

"...It was a nice surprise, Freddie. I don't think you need to apologise," she rested her head back onto his chest, and pulled her hand back down, "It was like an inoculation or immunisation I suppose"

"Inoculation? Do explain, dearie" he pulled the duvet back up a little.

"You know, making the body immune to infection. Or, in this case,  you were making me immune to pain" she yawned.

"...I just love the way you explain the world," he uttered dreamily, "There's something so innocent about it"

"Yeah, well, you can thank O Level History for that one" she shut her eyes.

"Oh, you're still a baby compared to me!" He teased.

"Mmmph, I know..." she trailed off tiredly.

He took his eyes off her, resting his head onto his pillow and looking up at the ceiling, thankful that he could feel and hold his love in his hands at last.

"I love you, Monica" he whispered, and closed his eyes.

"...I love you too, Freddie" she let out a final breath.

"Monica's song? I suppose that has just as nice a ring to it as You Take My Breath Away... pity I can't go back in time and change it. Oh, but you're better leaving them guessing, Freddie. You're very good at that..." He thought as he drifted off.