Celebrations

"I have an announcement." Freddie had gathered the band together for an urgent, important meeting.

The others exchanged a wary glance, noting his serious expression.

"Everything all right, Fred?" Mallory asked.

He eyed them before continuing. "I've had a call." The others waited expectantly for him to continue. He made sure he had their full attention before he did so. "One of the men from EMI Records saw us recording, and gave our demo to John Reid-" He paused, his lips suddenly breaking out into a giant grin. "-He looks after Elton John."

John gasped, Brian joining in with an, "Oh my God-"

"Elton John?!"

Freddie could hardly contain his excitement now. "Yes. Mr. Reid wants to meet us, and possibly even manage us."

"Shut up!"

"You're joking!"

Mal gave a shriek and Roger gave a shocked curse followed by a cheer.

Unable to contain it any longer, Freddie gave a shout of glee and a victorious jump, promptly enveloping the band in a giant group hug. "Long live Queen!"

"Long live Queen!" the others cheered.

Freddie released them. "This calls for celebration!"

"Drinks!"

"Drinks for everyone!"

The group found their way to the nearest pub, chatting excitedly about their meeting with Reid as they walked. Once they arrived, they found a booth and right away ordered some celebratory drinks that didn't last long.

"Everything's happening so quickly, I can't believe it!" cried Mal. "I mean, just last week we were playing at universities and in pubs, and now we have a potential manager?! It's bloody brilliant!"

"I propose a toast-" Freddie rose to his feet at the head of the table, glass in hand. "-To us, Queen. May we only get bigger and better from here! The future is looking bright, my darlings! To us!"

"To us!" They all lifted their glasses to share in Freddie's toast.

"Another round, anyone?" John asked, noticing everyone's already empty or nearly empty glasses. "I'll go fetch a couple more jugs. Brian, will you come help me choose?"

"Yeah." The two headed back up to the counter.

"Anyone hungry?" Freddie jumped in quickly. "I'll go get some menus." He winked at Mal while Roger, who was sitting next to her, was downing the last of his beer, before dashing off, leaving the two alone together at the table.

Mal rolled her eyes at Freddie's obvious set-up, but also silently thanked him.

It had become clear that she and Rog were now stuck in the middle stage between friends and something more, but neither knew how to address it, so they stayed in the middle. At least it was clear to Mal, she wasn't sure if Roger sensed it too, but he had been more flirty with her lately. But then again, Roger was always flirty with everyone. There was really only one way to find out: bring it up.

"Hey, Rog?"

"Hmm?"

Here goes. "I've been thinking..."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, about what Freddie's mum said. When she thought that, you know, we were together together."

He cracked a grin. "I have too."

She raised her eyebrows. "You have?"

"Yeah. I just about said yes when she asked."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, it felt so natural, you know? I mean, we're basically dating already, yeah? Or have I been reading this wrong?" He suddenly looked unsure, something he didn't show often.

She smiled, though bit her lip to keep herself from full-on beaming. She liked this side of him, not always being the cocky guy so many knew him as. "Dating minus going out on any actual dates."

There, they had confirmed it, together.

His smile met hers. "Well then, we've got to do something about that, don't we?" He smirked and leaned in. "Let's kick the others out."

She chuckled. "Tempting, but this is our night to celebrate as a band." She leaned in too. "However, we can do our own celebrating later, as well." Then she pulled away teasingly. "But, you've got to ask me out first. Officially."

"All right, Miss May. Will you go out on an official date with me?"

"Hmm..." She pretended to be thinking it over before she grinned. "Like Freddie said, no looking back, only forward."

"I'll drink to that," said Roger, holding up his empty glass. "If the others hurry up with the drinks - but I'd rather them take their time."

"What do you want to drink, John," Brian asked as the two poured over a drink menu up at the counter, backs to the table, completely unaware of the fact that Roger and Mal were now snogging in their booth.

"That one sounds good." John pointed to a name on the list. "Have you ever tried this one?" He pointed to another.

"I haven't."

"I have, it's good."

Meanwhile, up at the front, Freddie was scanning the food menu, though not really paying attention. He kept casting glances over at the booth, to see if Mallory and Roger had made any progress. Next time he looked up, he grinned as he found them snogging. Mal had obviously taken his hint. He turned back to the menu, still grinning, happy to give them some more time to themselves. Besides, Brian and John were still trying to decide on drinks by the looks of it.

Mal and Roger broke away from their kiss, out of breath but both smiling.

"You know, my brother's not going to make it easy for us," Mal reminded.

"That's all you have to say after that?" She rolled her eyes and gave him a playful shove. He chuckled and nodded, turning more serious. "We don't have to tell him..."

"Rog!"

"Okay, okay!" He rose his hands in surrender. "Just a thought. I mean, not right away. Not tonight..."

Mal wasn't so keen on this. "He's my brother, Rog. I have to be honest with him." Not only that, but they were close, the siblings having shared lots with each other. She sighed. "But, you know how protective Brian can be. How over-protective. And how he's always there, not wanting to leave us alone for a moment-"

"Drinks!" As if on cue, Brian appeared, a jug of beer in each hand and the biggest smile on his face. Mal gave Roger a look that said, See? He just chuckled in return.

At least this time Brian wasn't embarrassingly telling her not to drink too much beer, like he often did, like with his 'you can have just a sip' when she asked if she could have some of his drink. This was especially embarrassing when around others, namely her crush - now boyfriend.

Boyfriend. She bit her lip again to keep herself from smiling too big and too obviously.

"We got a little more than two," John announced, close behind Brian with two more jugs. "Too many choices! Hope you're thirsty!"

"And hungry - there's loads of options!" Freddie also reappeared and tossed a few menus down onto the table, sliding into the booth so that he sat across from Mal. He poured himself some of the new beer and sipped it, raising his eyebrows over the rim of his glass at her. She raised hers back. Both spluttered their drinks when they started to laugh.

"What are you two laughing at down there?" Brian asked.

"Nothing!" both cried, only making them laugh more.

Mal reached under the table and took Rog's hand. He gave her hand a squeeze in return, gently running his thumb over her knuckles affectionately. They didn't risk sharing a look, but both knew the other was smiling.

"Hey Fred, when did you say we were meeting Reid?" John asked.

"Friday."

"Oh good, so we can go all night!" John took another gulp.

"Yes, let's get shitfaced!" Freddie agreed. "We've earned it!"

Yay, they're together now - officially! ;) Haha, I just picture (if this were a movie) the camera focusing on Brian and John pouring over the menu and in the background over their shoulders you can just see Rog and Mal snogging behind them, but they're completely oblivious! Haha, meanwhile! ;)

Thank you so much for the reviews so far, always much appreciated! :) And thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed! :)