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“Roger!” Brian calls, “Let’s go, we’re getting late!”
“Coming,” Roger yells back, “Got to get my shoes on!”
Brian tuts in exasperation, how many times had he told Roger to keep his shoes ready if they had to go out somewhere? The tell-tale thuds of feet on the stairs tell Brian that Roger has finally, finally, made his way downstairs. “Hey dad!” Roger grins, and Brian can feel all the annoyance disappear because Roger is truly a sweet child. “Let’s go, you don’t want to keep John waiting, do you?”
There’s a familiar glimmer in the nine-year-old’s eyes, “You mean you don’t want to keep Mr. Freddie waiting?”
Honestly, Roger is too quick-minded for his own good. Brian doesn’t bother to dignify his splutter with a response and grabs the keys from the bowl.
The day is lovely, there’s a light breeze and the sun is shining. Roger laughs in delight when he catches sight of John, the two boys run towards each other just barely stopping shy of crashing into one another.
“Hey,” Freddie says and sticks a hand out for Brian to shake.
“How are you, Freddie?” Brian asks and pulls out a chair for Freddie to take a seat.
“Same old, the business is busy.” Freddie owns his own fashion label. “Sit down won’t you, darling?”
Brian flushes slightly and pulls his own chair out. He turns a quick glance at the two children who are running around the playground of the club. “How’s John?” Brian asks knowingly. Freddie had adopted John but had only recently broached the topic to him.
“He took it well, I think he realized earlier,” Freddie says, “Smart boy.”
Brian nods and flags down the waiter for some pizza he knows will be welcome after a while.
“Dad!” Roger has run up to the table, “Can we eat?”
Freddie and Brian exchange grins, “Of course, we can!”
The pizza arrives, steaming hot and the bubbling cheese makes John grin happily and reach for a slice. Freddie stops him, “It’s hot, sweetheart,” he takes the piece himself and places it on John’s plate, “Be careful, okay?” John nods, “Okay da—” He trails off. Brian doesn’t miss the way Freddie’s smile fades.
Roger reaches for his own slice, and grins at his father when Brian opens his mouth to protest, “I know it’s hot.”
There’s silence for a bit as everyone begins to eat, until Roger mumbles over a mouthful of pizza, “Deaky, tell them about the science experiment!”
“Roger!” Brian admonishes, “Don’t talk with food in your mouth!”
“Sorry dad,” Roger says, still not heeding his father’s words.
The pizza finishes and Roger asks if they could have burgers. And so, burgers have arrived at the table.
“Thanks,” Roger says over a mouthful of his cheeseburger when Freddie passes him a napkin.
“Roger, honestly!” Bria explodes, “I’ve never seen such bad behaviour from John!” And he turns to look at John who grins at him over a mouthful of burger, “Hello Mr. May!”
Freddie hides a giggle behind his hand, and schools his features into something that’s meant to be innocent when Brian turns to fix him with a betrayed stare.
Roger smirks over his burger and reaches for the chips.
When John and Roger disappear to play once again, Brian turns to Freddie. “Are you alright?’
Freddie knows what he’s referring to. “Not really, darling. But I’ll be fine. John will hopefully come around. If not then…” He raises his hands in defeat, “I’ll figure it out then.”
Brian places his hand over Freddie’s, “He will.” He says firmly, “I’m here if you want to talk, yeah?”
“I know.” Freddie raises Brian’s hand to press a gentle kiss to the back of his hand, “You’re always there for me.” Brian ducks his head shyly