Paul was beyond angry. His first plan had backfired. After going back to the house and going to sleep, the man had woken up ready to take action. His first step? Talk to John before the others woke up.

He planned on getting John all worked up while talking to him as if he were just a good friend trying to keep him happy. He would tell the bassist that it was in his best interest to leave Freddie before Freddie inevitably left him. Paul was sure it would have worked too if it weren't for the fact that John wasn't in his room.

Currently, Paul was stomping up the stairs towards the other rooms, not quite sure what his next plan was. It didn't matter. He was going to confirm his thoughts one way or another. Sure that Freddie was going to be deeply asleep after his oddly early session, Paul wasn't worried about opening the door to the singer's room. He turned the knob as quietly as possible and pushed it open, revealing a scene that only made his blood boil more.

Freddie was wrapped so securely around John that Paul wondered how the bassist was even breathing, their bodies molding together in such a way that there was only one lump under the blankets.

'I should be the one he holds like that,' Paul thought to himself. A pleasant image entered his mind of Freddie squeezing John to death by accident. The singer would be devastated, and walk right into Paul's arms. With that thought in mind, his feet moved on their own, pushing him to step into the room in hopes of seeing the mental scene play out before his very eyes.

The floorboard squeaked under his shoe, and Paul froze. His wide eyes flashed over to the bed to see if he had been caught. Unfortunately, he saw something that made his stomach turn. John started to squirm in his sleep when he heard the noise, a small sound slipping from between his lips that prompted Freddie's eyes to snap open. Freddie didn't notice Paul right away, too focused on the thin body in his grasp.

"Hush, darling," Freddie groggily told the still sleeping John as he pulled the younger man closer. He hoped it wasn't a nightmare. He was still exhausted from his first terrible attempt at sleep, and he didn't think his mind was awake enough to completely comfort John. Luckily for the singer, John relaxed almost immediately. Freddie sighed and tucked himself against John once more.

Paul thought he was going to get off scot free when a pair of sleepy brown eyes met his. Freddie was sitting up in his bed in less than a second, all traces of fatigue gone from his body.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" Freddie asked scathingly.

"I-I came to see if you were awake yet," Paul lied somewhat smoothly. His voice trembled in the beginning because of the sharp stab of fear he felt. Never before had he seen Freddie look so enraged. It was terrifying coming from the usually upbeat singer.

Just as in the studio, they were interrupted by John before either could say anything else. When Freddie sat up, he had released the bassist, pulling John out of his sleep. John blinked tiredly up at Freddie for a moment before turning his head to see what the singer was looking at. When the younger man saw Paul there, so oddly close to the bed, he sat up as well, his nerves fluttering in an unpleasant way. After earlier that morning, John couldn't say he ever wanted Paul that close to him again. "What's going on?"

Freddie looked like he was about to snap and tackle the moustached creep. He wished he could, but John was more important. "He was just leaving, my dear. You need your rest. Go back to sleep."

John frowned at the tone. He didn't want to be kept out of the loop, and he was feeling much better after a few hours of fantastic sleep. Feeling the small rush of confidence that Freddie's presence always gave him, he shook his head and looked between the two. "What's going on?"

"Freddie's right. Go back to sleep, John," Paul told him, his voice even snappier than Freddie's. John had been a little miffed at Freddie's words, but hearing the same from Paul made his eyes narrow dangerously.

Before Freddie could stop him, John was up and out of the bed, walking over to Paul without hesitation. He stared the other brunet down dangerously, and Paul had to wonder where the sensitive creature in Freddie's tight embrace had gone. This wasn't the John he was used to.

"Leave. Now." John pointed towards the door.

"I was only here to-"

"I don't care! Get out!" Somehow John was frightening even with sleep-mused hair.

Paul, pulling at his faux bravado, looked over at Freddie as if to ask him to control the bassist. Freddie only raised a brow and said, "You heard him."

Paul tried his best to glare back at John before he stomped out of the room, purposely slamming the bedroom door behind him. He could be heard stomping back down the stairs.

John felt protective. He didn't want any harm to come to Freddie. The line he had drawn around reality was becoming more blurred by the second, and the feeling only put John on edge. No matter what version of his life was real or not, he wasn't going to let Freddie become hurt again. His brows pinched together as he thought about that. What exactly had hurt Freddie...? Before he could try to remember his dream (which had become oddly foggy), John was pulled back to Earth by a pair of warm arms. He relaxed in the embrace immediately, his body assuring itself that Freddie was safe with him. They were safe with each other.

"Come back to bed, John," Freddie muttered behind him. John blushed at the way it sounded. Their friendship had always been one of close affection, but they had never gone this far. It brought a pleasant feeling to the pit of John's stomach, but it also brought about a few butterflies. He didn't recognize the second feeling; he'd never felt it before. That didn't matter, though, because he wasn't going to deny himself a moment with Freddie.

John nodded and turned around to move back to the bed, but Freddie stood there blocking his path. He lifted his gaze to meet Freddie's, only for a bright blush to light up his cheeks. The way Freddie was looking at him made him want to squirm in place. John didn't know if that was a good thing or not. "Wh-What?"

"You're fascinating, my dear. I believe I've been underestimating you," Freddie said, though he seemed to be speaking to himself more than John.

"What do you mean?"

"You have such a ferocity, yet you avoid confrontation. It's quite enamoring to see you like that." Freddie gave him a smile before turning away to slip under the covers again.

John's blush didn't lessen even a fraction as he walked forward to do the same. The truth was, John didn't like bringing out that side of himself. It frightened people off. It was hard to get him worked up enough to show it, but having Paul speaking down to him had pushed him over the edge. Only his friends were allowed to be so casual with him, and only Freddie was allowed to treat John like a fragile flower. Knowing that Freddie wasn't perturbed with that frightening side of him even after seeing John's more vulnerable, emotional side made him happy. Freddie was the person John was most afraid of pushing away.

"Don't worry, darling. I think you've sufficiently scared him shitless," Freddie joked quietly as they settled in the middle of the mattress again. As soon as John was close enough, the singer wrapped a tight arm around him. John felt himself calming again, his gentler personality returning as Freddie treated him like a treasure.

"You're tired," John pointed out when he noticed the redness in Freddie's eyes. He didn't want to speak of Paul any longer.

"I was woken up from a rather good rest," Freddie reminded with a smile before yawning.

"Were you having a good dream?"

"Oh, yes, a very good dream indeed. One about a certain brunet with long fingers..."

"Should I tell Brian that you've been dreaming about him?" John asked with a cheeky smile. "I don't know if he'll find that flattering."

"Oh, shut it, you!" Freddie playfully pulled at his hair before settling again. There was a pleasant silence after that, and they watched each other as their eyes began to droop again. Neither felt the need to talk about their growing closeness. Just like everything else in their lives, they were content with going with the flow. How could they not when the current felt so lovely?

"You promised me a surprise." Freddie looked up from his plate of breakfast when he heard John's voice. The bassist was pouring himself a cup of tea, his slim back turned towards Freddie as the singer sat at the breakfast bar.

"I recall I did," the singer said with a smile.

"Is it just for me, or should I gather Brian and Roger?" John raised a brow at the older musician as he turned around. He rested easily against the countertop while he looked at Freddie from over his teacup.

"That is entirely up to you, my dear. They'll hear it soon enough, but it is your surprise." Freddie worried he was being too obvious, but quickly shook it off. This was no time to chicken out. As long as he was able to get everything off of his chest, he would be content even with rejection.

Of course, there were a million other things rushing through his head, all of them involving his feelings for John. Freddie had known he was at least bisexual for a while before there time at the farm, but he had confirmed his homosexuality earlier that morning while writing the new song. It had been hard to ignore when he let his mind travel as it had. The things he wanted to do with John...to John. Freddie nearly blushed. No denying it, then.

The thoughts were quite daunting, but one look up at John's open face had Freddie shutting down all of his ridiculous fears right then. No matter what, John was going to be in his life. Even if it was just as friends, they'd stick together. Just like Roger and Brian would stay by his side when they found out about him being gay. Freddie shuddered at the thought of doing anything with them. His mind idly supplied words for both men that Freddie thought described his lack of attraction for them perfectly. 'Brat' for Roger, who would no doubt get on Freddie's nerves. 'Top' for Brian, because there was simply no way that giant was a bottom.

Freddie sipped at his coffee, sparing John a sly glance. He smiled to himself as he watched John bob his head to an invisible beat at the stove as he fixed himself a plate. John was perfect. The lithe bassist would enjoy the comfort and control Freddie desperately needed to supply to his partner. He wanted to shower them with love and affection. Others would find it insulting and overwhelming to be taken care of in such a way, but John had always been one to follow instead of lead. Not that John couldn't take care of himself. Oh no. Freddie never doubted that. It only made him happier to know that John was only a fragile little thing when around him. It gave Freddie a rush.

"Fred? Freddie, are you listening?"

Freddie blinked rapidly as he was pulled out of his thoughts. He realized that John was quite close to his face, the younger man's eyebrows pressed together in concern. How long had he been standing there? "I'm sorry, dear. What were you saying?"

"I said that I'd like to take my surprise by myself, if that's okay?" John tilted his head just enough to be noticeable.

"Of course, darling. I told you it was your surprise. Finish your breakfast, and then we'll head over to the studio."

John nodded and backed away to sit beside the singer. Freddie was nervous about opening himself up to someone, but he couldn't be tense around John. The bassist's presence was too calming even if they didn't share another word for the rest of their meal.

Once finished, John did the dishes without complaint, then moved towards the door of the house, glancing behind himself once to make sure Freddie was following. No sense in wasting time. Freddie, who had gone upstairs to get his lyric sheet while John was busy cleaning, followed after him with a tense smile. It was now or never, and Freddie wasn't going to let a few nerves get in the way.

"Are you ready?" Freddie asked when they were both seated at the piano, more so to himself than to John. The bassist nodded anyways, an encouraging smile on his face. When Freddie saw that smile, he knew he couldn't back away if he tried. He needed the precious being beside him to know how he felt.

John listened to the piano keys silently, absorbing the sound and waiting for the words to start. He kept his eyes away from Freddie's lyric sheet to make it a true surprise, but he couldn't help but feel like he'd already heard this song before. The thought made his forehead wrinkle a bit. The words were on the tip of his tongue. John felt like he should know it already, but how could that be possible?

"Love of my life, you've hurt me." This was it. Freddie was laying himself out to be taken or given as John pleased. There was no turning back.

Midway through the song, John had to bite his lip to keep tears from spilling out of his eyes. Freddie's voice was always so beautiful, but there was something different about it when he sang the new song. He noticed that the singer kept glancing at him out of the corner of his eye as if trying to tell him something. What was it?

The song neared it close, and Freddie's heart was pounding. Every time he looked over, John had the same expression on his face. Did the other man know what the song was about? Was he thinking about how to react? Freddie swallowed thickly in preparation as the last few notes slipped out of the piano and into the air.

They stared at each other for a long time, their eyes locked tightly. Freddie was trying to convey his emotions while John was trying to understand his own. The bassist felt a tingling sensation over his entire body, and his cheeks were pleasantly warm. He remembered thinking that he never wanted Freddie to leave him again, that he never wanted to give anyone the chance to hurt Freddie again. He took a shuddering breath as his emotions crescendo-d.

They kissed.

It was soft and intense- a perfect example of the love they felt for each other. Freddie gently cupped John's face while John held tightly to Freddie's wrists, desperate to not let him get away. Their lips moved together shyly as they both ached to express their feelings without chasing the other off. As if they ever could.

"John, you're crying." Freddie frowned. That wasn't supposed to happen.

John looked up at Freddie as his emotions rushed through him again. He felt the tears roll down his cheeks, and he sniffled. Before Freddie could even think about apologizing, John whispered, "I'm happy." Because he was. He still didn't know quite what he was feeling towards his friend, but whatever it was, he liked it, and he wasn't about to let Freddie think that he didn't.

"So, you understand, then? This song...it's for you, John..." the singer explained delicately.

"I understand...Thank you, Freddie. It's lovely. Truly." John never thought anyone could feel such a way about him. Plain little Deacy was rarely ever the one in the band to catch the eyes of others. Briefly, John thought to himself that he didn't want anyone but Freddie to look at him anyways.

Freddie smiled and leaned forward, his nerves settling. He could hear John hold his breath, and he found it absolutely adorable. Instead of kissing him again, he gently nuzzled the side of John's face, taking in the ticklish laughter his actions envoked like a drug. "Love of my life..."

John wrapped his arms around Freddie's shoulders with a large grin on his face. If anyone else had treated him the way Freddie was, he probably would have faught them. He wasn't a piece of glass, or a tightly-wound string that could break at any moment. But the way Freddie held him, cuddled him, soothed him didn't make John upset. He was happy to receive it all, because he knew Freddie was never like this with anyone else either. They were both completely vulnerable with each other in a way that made neither of them worry. They just were. That's all they had to be.

"I love you too, Freddie." It was different from the feelings of friendship he shared with Roger and Brian. Having never been in love before, it had taken a while for John to recognize what exactly he was feeling. Once he knew, he knew.

An image of a woman and two young boys flashed through John's head for a split second, but he didn't recognize them. Freddie tighening his arms around him made it easy to forget them.

"Every time I sing this, it will be to you," Freddie promised as they slowly pulled out of their hug. Before they could get too far apart, the singer held John's chin in his fingers and ran the pad of his thumb over his thin lips. "Now, what do you say we drag the others in so they can complain about our sappy romance?"

John blushed from his ears to his chest. It was so easy to be like this with Freddie, but he worried about what the others would think. He must have had a look of serious panic on his face, because Freddie pulled him into another embrace and stroked his hair.

"No need to be so frightened, darling. They are our friends- our best friends, in fact. Who knows? Maybe they have their own secret love story they'd like to share with us?"

Freddie's joke and wiggling eyebrows were exactly what John needed to calm himself. The younger brunet laughed and shook his head, playfully shoving Freddie's shoulder. Freddie only grinned at him widely and kept him close.

As more laughter filled the studio (Freddie had taken to tickling the bassist again), the lovebirds neglected to notice a presence just within their line of sight. Paul stood there watching the pair with dangerous eyes. That was supposed to be his song, his love confession. Paul swore to himself to make John regret ever being a part of Freddie's life.