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𝐑𝐮𝐟𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐩 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐞.

Sitting beside Roger and the rest of the band, yourself and your husband could only watch with smiles as your son played with Brian's fingers, the curly-haired man cooing in awe of the boy. You glanced up, finding Jim watching the exchange with a warm gaze. "Would you like to meet him?" you asked.

The man's eyes widened, and he shared a look with Freddie, who merely offered him a soft smirk, prompting the man to stand up from his spot, moving over to sit on one of the chairs beside you. Brian greeted him with a pat on his back, as Jim looked at the little boy.

"Rufus, was it?" he queried.

You nodded with a small smile, hoisting Rufus higher in your arms, causing his eyes to move onto the new man with a tilt of his head. "This is Jim. He's a very nice man," you whispered into his ear.

Jim chuckled softly, reaching his hand out, and slowly but surely, Rufus reciprocated the action, wrapping his chubby little fingers around his with a giggle. "Hello, little bugger," he greeted with a laugh.

"He already likes you," you observed. "I've always said Rufus has a sixth sense on these types of things. Can smell a good person from a mile away."

"He must've gotten that from his mother," Jim complimented, causing another smile to grace your lips.

A knock at the door had everyone looking up, and Jim moved away from you and Rufus to open the door, where you found Mary and David. The girl smiled kindly at the man, before Brian greeted from beside the door as he poked his head out. "Hello, Mary."

"Hi, Brian. We just came to wish you good luck," she grinned.

"Hello, my love," Freddie said, bending down to press a kiss to both of her cheeks.

"Hi."

"Mary, David," the singer started, placing a hand on his partner's back. "This is Jim. Jim, Mary and David."

Jim smiled softly, leaning down and shaking the couple's hands. "It's nice to meet you. Hi."

"Hi," David grinned with a nod.

Mary sent Freddie a mischievous smile, as the man shook his head with a silent chuckle. "I'll see you after." She nodded in confirmation, before her and David left for the backstage. Freddie shifted his gaze to Jim. "I don't think you're gonna be able to see anything from here. Join them."

"I think I should head out too," you said, glancing down at Rufus. "We can see Aunty Mary."

The boy giggled, clapping his hands excitedly as you slowly stood up. Roger grasped onto your hand, placing his lips to it with a smirk, before the two of you met in a soft kiss. You whispered a wish of luck to him, and he thanked you gently, before ruffling Rufus' hair with a chuckle and a wave. Jim stepped out of the caravan, before offering you his hand. You thanked him, grasping onto it, and linked your arm with his as the pair of you followed after Mary and David.

Freddie watched you both go with a smile, before shutting the door and taking a seat again inside. He sighed softly, closing his eyes as he questioned, "What do we think of David?"

Brian nodded to himself as he cleared his throat, "Nice chap."

"I think he's gay." Roger chuckled, shaking his head, before the sound of the announcer rang through the air, announcing their soon arrival. "That's almost us."

"We ready?"

"Feel good?"

Knocking sounded, and Freddie immediately stood, clapping his hands against his thighs. He left the van, the boys following him as they made their way through the backstage, running up the platforms before stopping at the entrance.

"Anyway, it gives us enormous pleasure to introduce the next combo who are... her majesty, Queen!"

The thunderous cheers of the crowd were nearly deafening as Freddie walked out onto the stage, the others filtering in behind him as they went to their respective positions on the stage. The singer dashed across the platform as he waved at the crowd, before quickly taking a seat at the piano, his fingers immediately coursing over the keys as he began to play.

He paused for a moment, and the boys looked at one another, taking deep breaths of air to steel their nerves.

Suddenly, Freddie played the intro of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and cheering of the crowd was quick to follow.

Mama

Just killed a man.

Put a gun against his head,

Pulled my trigger,

Now he's dead.

Mama

Life had just begun.

But now I've gone and thrown it all away.

Roger, Brian and Deacy began playing their instruments as the crowd sang along with Freddie, the lyrics echoing throughout the entire stadium.

Mama, oooh.

Didn't mean to make you cry,

If I'm not back again this time tomorrow,

Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters.

Too late, my time has come,

Sends shivers down my spine

Body's aching all the time.

Goodbye, everybody, 

I've got to go.

Gotta leave you all behind

And face the truth

Mama, oooh

 I don't want to die,

I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all.

You let out a breathy chuckle as you watched the performance, Rufus grinning madly in front of you as he watched his father and uncles. Mary stood beside you, a hand on your shoulder as she, David and Jim watched in awe of Brian and Deacy's guitar skills.

Freddie abruptly stood from his chair as the riff Brian was playing coursed into a new rhythm. He threw his fist into the air, before holding his hand out to the side. Immediately, one of the workers raced forward, handing the man a mic and stand. The intro to 'Radio Ga Ga' played, Freddie's footsteps matching the rickety beat as he moved across the stage with the audience clapping along.

I'd sit alone and 

Watch your light.

My only friend 

Through teenage nights.

And everything 

I had to know,

I heard it on my radio.

You gave them all,

Those old-time stars.

Through wars of worlds,

Invaded by Mars.

You made 'em laugh,

You made 'em cry.

You made us feel,

Like we could fly.

So, don't become

Some background noise.

A backdrop for

The girls and boys.

Who just don't know,

Or just don't care.

And just complain

When you're not there.

You had your time,

You had the power.

You've yet to have,

Your finest hour.

Radio.

"Everybody!" Freddie called.

All we hear is

Radio Ga Ga.

Radio Goo Goo.

Radio Ga Ga.

All we hear is

Radio Ga Ga.

Radio Goo Goo.

Radio Ga Ga.

All we hear is

Radio Ga Ga.

Radio Blah Blah.

Radio, what's new?

The crowd would clap, then raise their hands high as Freddie had requested, before repeating.

Radio,

Someone still loves you.

Loves

You!

Roger drummed low as Brian drew out the riff, and with the way Freddie moved his arms, it was if the instruments were following his silent command. He dropped to the ground, holding his legs out as he breathed heavily, holding onto the stand for support whilst his hand rested by his thigh, before he stood up once again and threw his hand up as Roger finished the drumming with a loud bang.

There was raucous cheering from the people, before Freddie vocalized, "Eh-oh!"

"Eh-oh!"

"Eh-oh!" he repeated, with a higher pitch.

"Eh-oh!"

"Eh-eh-eh-oh!"

"Eh-eh-eh-oh!"

"Eh-oh!"

"Eh-oh!"

"Ehh-oh!"

"Ehh-oh!"

Freddie vocalized loudly, his voice ringing out as he tightened his fist, swaying it above his head, receiving screams of joy and appreciation from the audience. He then threw his arm out, and immediately, the crowd repeated the long articulation

Your hand was at your heart, feeling the quick beats of it as you watched in complete shock at the response from the crowd. No one ever has - or ever will - been able to sway an audience the way Freddie Mercury was doing at this point in time. 

"Alright!" he grinned.

"Alright!" the crowd shouted.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey! 'Hammer to Fall'!"

Immediately, Brian began playing the starting riff of the song, as Deacy and Roger joined in on their respective instruments.

Here we stand,

Or here we fall.

History won't care at all.

Make the bed,

Light the light.

Lady mercy won't

Be home tonight.

You don't waste,

No time at all.

Don't hear the bell,

But you answer the call.

It comes to you,

As to us all.

Yeah! And it's time,

For the hammer to fall.

Oh, every night,

And every day.

A little piece of you

Is falling away.

As Freddie sang, he came in close to cameraman, hand going to his shoulder to slowly move him in a circle as he performed to the camera.

But lift your face

The Western way.

As he moved away from the camera, he kicked his legs high behind him with each step, pointing back to the man with a smirk.

Toe your line,

And play their game.

Then its time,

For the hammer to fall.

Rich or poor or famous.

For your truth,

It's all the same.

Oh no!

Lock your door,

The rain is pouring,

Through your windowpane.

For we who grew up,

Tall and proud.

In the shadow of,

The mushroom cloud.

Convinced our voices,

Can't be heard.

Just wanna scream it,

Louder and louder and louder.

What the hell

We fighting for?

And it's time for the

Hammer to hammer to fall.

Brian played his guitar solo, watching as Freddie shimmied to the music before holding the stand behind his neck and shoulders, leaning his head back against the cool metal.

Yeah!

Yeah, yeah!

One more time!

He smiled at the boys, silently praising them for their wondrous playing, before turning back to the crowd.

Waiting for the

Hammer to fall~

The band played an instrumental tag, each of their instruments' complimenting each other's riffs and heavy bets.

Freddie dropped his head low as he faced his butt to the crowd, peaking his head through, before shouting, "Give it to me one more time!"

Roger ended the song with a drumroll, the crowd cheering as Freddie walked back to the piano, slowly sinking down on the small, leather stool. 

I've paid my dues,

Time after time.

I've done my sentence,

But committed no crime.

And bad mistakes,

I've made a few.

I've had my share of sand

Kicked in my face.

But I've come through.

The crowd was passionate in their singing as they followed the sound of Freddie's voice. Arms went around shoulders, and people swayed together as they sang along together to the anthem.

We are the champions

My friends.

And we'll keep on fighting

To the end.

We are the champions.

We are the champions.

No time for losers,

Cause we are the champions,

Of the world!

I've taken my bows.

And my curtain calls.

You brought me fame and fortune.

"And everything that goes with it," Freddie rushed out, glancing to the crowd from the corner of his eyes. "I thank you all."

But it's been

No bed of roses.

No pleasure cruise.

I consider it a challenge,

Before the whole human race.

And I ain't gonna lose!

As Freddie played the last few notes on the piano, he shot up from the stool, hands finding the stand as he gestured to the crowd.

We are the champions

My friends.

And we'll keep on fighting

To the end.

We are the champions.

We are the champions.

No time for losers,

Cause we are the champions.

Freddie moved along the stage, his hands balling into fists every so often, the veins in his neck protruding due to his zealous singing. Small tears trickled down your cheeks as you watched your best friend, and Jim smiled softly, placing a hand on your shoulder. You turned your gaze to him, and offered him a gentle grin, before moving your arm around his waist. He accepted it kindly, the two of you swaying together as you listened to Freddie.

We are the champions

My friends.

And we'll keep on fighting

Till the end, oh.

We are the champions.

We are the champions.

No time for losers,

Cause we are the champions.

He paused a moment, reveling in the sound of his and Queen's fans as they sang, the echo coursing through his ears. You shared a smile with Mary as she wrapped her arm with yours.

Of the world.

Freddie pressed his fingers to his mouth, before throwing the kiss to the audience, their cheers deafening the band. The boys finished the song on their instruments with a flourish, and as Freddie pointed to Roger, the blonde ended the drums with a roll of display, and the singer shot his hand out.

Roger and Brian met in the middle, their arms going to one another's shoulders as they joined Freddie and Deacy at the front of the stage. The four bowed low, before the singer yelled, "So long and goodbye! We love you!"

Freddie felt as if the world moved in slow motion as he and the boys left the stage. He felt a smile grow on his lips as his eyes found yours in the side stage, tears glistening in the light, before his gaze washed over his friends. His family. 

I knew you could do it. Oh, the great things you did, bubs.