Jim cuddling Freddie after having a panic attack at his 39th birthday party.
This sketch is for my lovely @freddiefiction . 🥰
I know it took me a while but I hope you like it❤️
_
Also, I couldn't make anything for the @queenhurtcomfort weekend but I figured this sketch is pretty fitting, so I'm tagging you guys as well even if I'm a week late 😢(I hope you don't mind)
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
I thank the Lord above, my life has been saved.
Last but not least, here's final contribution to @queenhurtcomfort weekend - Day 3: Wreckage (kind of?), cut off, Hypothermia VS Carrying bridal style, Hot Bath, Aftercare
Nothing hurts more than your beloved one spitting venomous words out of frustration, even when they don't really mean them. But a surprise blizzard can hurt as much
WARNINGS for this fic: Angst (with happy ending)
Eek, I hate writing them fight, but what's hurt/comfort if not dragging your characters into pain and heartbreak just to give them lots of care and cuddles afterwards? This fic has been hard to write and I must admit I got emotional a couple of times, but I hope you'll still like it 🥰
Also this is my 50th fic! You'll see 47 on AO3, but a couple of them have multiple fics listed as chapters so the total would be 50! Congrats to me, I've never expected any of this tbh haha 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💕💕💕
hello all!!! it's a bit late and i apologize for that, but here's my contribution to @queenhurtcomfort weekend day 2. i think the hurt and comfort parts are a bit mixed up, but i believe it's okay nonetheless. if you like it, please consider leaving me feedback❣️
word count: 3,1k
warnings: pregnancy, pain, nudity, innuendos
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December 1977
When John Deacon came home from the rehearsal for the next tour, the house was a lot more quiet than he had expected. In fact, it was silent. The times he'd come home in the late afternoon to a deadly silent house had never meant anything good. He tried to soothe himself, telling himself that his wife had probably just put their toddler down for another quick nap before dinner. Thinking back on yesterday evening, he thought it was actually likely; she'd mentioned wanting to go out in the park with their child, and his initial worries that something might've been very wrong seemed a bit silly now. Though that wasn't something new to him: Since having a child, he worrying even more than usual, and his concern for his boy was regularly material for jokes within the band.
He made sure to stay as quiet as possible when putting his bass down, not wanting to wake the moody toddler (nor the quite sensitive wife), before putting his thick winter jacket away. Making his way through the hall, he took a turn into the sitting room, intending to relax a little before his child would wake up and he'd make dinner for his family.
Yet, to his surprise, his wife laid on the sofa on her back, eyes closed and the two year old cuddled between her and the backrest. She was wearing the thick muted orange sweater with stripes that his mum had gifted her, and her favourite baggy sweatpants. One hand of hers was on her big belly, almost protective, while on the other, the head of the child was placed. A warm knitted blanket layed around her waist, just wide enough to cover their son, so he'd be kept warm and comfortable at his mum's side.
John leaned on the doorframe for a moment, he couldn't help the smile on his face at the domestic sight, despite the visible exhaustion on Veronica's face. Maybe she hadn't made it upstairs to the bed with Robert before she fell asleep, he thought with an internal giggle. As active as their little one was, he could grow tired in a minute, and then his parents usually had to carry him upstairs because he refused to move himself. It often made them laugh, but sometimes, having a child could be quite tiring, the couple had found out. But John loved his son more than anything else in the world - Veronica was his close second, though.
Walking over to his two favourite people, he kneeled down on the carpet in front of the sofa, his face at the height of his wife. He rubbed his hands together to warm them up after being out in the cold earlier, before gently placing his right on her cheek, he didn't want to make her jump in shock, after all.
"Ronnie, love?"
Her eyes fluttered open, immediately catching his ones. John adored the warm colour of them.
"Hello there, baby. Did you tire Rober out, yeah?", he asked with an amused sparkle in his eyes.
She nodded, a little groggy from the nap, even if it was barely an hour ago she'd laid down.
"Oh, yes, been out all morning", she confirmed lazily. "He had very much fun in the puddles. Always jumping on the thin ice…"
John chuckled at the thought of his son breaking the thin layer of ice excitedly, probably holding his mother's hand tightly while giggling. He bet Veronica had put the little frog hat on him which she loved so much.
"Sounds like you had a good time", John murmured, leaning closer to press a soft kiss on her lips as welcome. It made her smile.
"Robert definitely… Me not so much."
The bassist nodded, humming softly. "You want me to cook dinner then, yeah? How about mash and some vegetables?"
"Yeah, that's good", she agreed lazily. "Just don't make any mushrooms, last time Rob didn't eat his ones."
"All right. - How are you feeling, love?", he asked with worry in his eyes, placing his hand on top of her belly, bulging with his second child. Veronica glanced down to the boy at her side, but he was still sleeping, so she turned back to her husband.
"Not very well…", she admitted whiny, and he went back to caressing her cheek, wanting to be with her, and not let her go through this alone this time. "Been having some cramps, and my stupid back is killing me."
"I'll make you a hot-water bottle for now", he suggested, like many nights before.
"It's fine", she said, shaking her head. "I think I'll just take a bath later, that'll do me."
"I'll run you one after dinner, then", John promised before giving her forehead a little kiss, before he pulled back, biting his lips softly. "...Or do you want to cook and I'll wake Rob, yes?"
Veronica raised her brows; neither of them particularly fancied cooking, but especially now, it was mostly her husband's job. Her pregnancy and his work made him feel guilty enough to even try some more new and extravagant meals.
"No, you cook", she replied with a hint of smugness, causing him to giggle as he gave in with a surrendering nod, having expected this, anyway.
"Fine, I cook. I can take Robert too, so you can be alone for a while. I know you're exhausted, Ronnie, I wish I could be of more help…"
She smiled sadly. "You're helping as much as you can, John. It's fine. I'm fine."
"You're not fine, you just said you're not", John protested with a little pout.
"Sorry, I just don't want you to worry even more. Hard enough caring for Rob, I don't want you to worry 'bout our little one, too."
"Too late", he chuckled. "Of course I worry, and with you having so much trouble with being pregnant now… I hate to see you in pain. Just want you to be happy, alright?"
"You make me happy."
"Cheesy", he complained with a smirk, and Veronica wrinkled her nose, leaning in and silently begging for a kiss. He gladly gave her a quick one on the lips, before standing up with a tiny groan. Smiling down at his wife, he saw she was already focusing on their son again, and she looked adorable and very motherly like this, he thought.
For a moment, there was a pain in his heart, thinking about how often she laid there with his son, but he was on the other side of the world. Still, he hoped she was happy like this. Despite the added pains of her pregnancy. John did whatever he could in the time he actually was home, tried to help her relax - amongst others, with the baths she began to love in the recent months. It almost seemed to him that her favourite part of their new house was the bathtub. He was glad that tonight, he was home on time, and able to take care of his wife.
-
Veronica gave her husband a thankful smile when she entered the bathroom, where he stood next to the bathtub, having just put her favourite scented oil in there, a little treat she'd given herself some time ago, and grinned at her, showing his cute teeth. She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him wordlessly and asking for a hug, which he was very happy to grant her. He held her close to his body, burying his nose in her hair.
"You know I love you, right?", he asked quietly, and received a nod and a little, positive whine back. "Do you want me to wash your hair?"
"I can do it myself, too", she mumbled in his shirt.
"I was asking whether you want me to. You put our frog to sleep, right?"
"Mh-mh, I did", she confirmed, though John almost didn't understand her as her voice got swallowed by the fabric.
"So we have time. I want to take care of you, Ronnie, I know being pregnant isn't too easy for you, you know…"
"You don't know", she giggled. "'s probably what you imagine but about…two or three times worse. Have I told you that my back is killing me?"
"You did", John chuckled and kissed her hair. "You told me several times already. - You know, the bath might help. You can lean back on me, I'll take care of you, love."
"That does sound nice", she sighed. When she parted from him, her eyes were heavy already, both of them were usually up quite early because of their child. John pecked her nose playfully.
"I'll go say goodnight to our frog, and then I'll join you in the bath, how's that sound?"
"Very good", she nodded. She dipped her hand in the nicely smelling water, a little foam on it, as she watched her husband leave. He always said good night to his son, no matter what time it was when he came home, he never once had missed this (except for the times he was in a different country). It was his little ritual, checking in on the toddler before he went to bed himself. And he was usually quiet enough to not wake him. Today he surely would be, she doubted he'd take any risks, he seemed quite eager to join her in the bath.
Veronica undressed herself, simply discarding her clothes in the laundry bag in the corner. Carefully she stepped into the tub and sunk down until the water level was at her bulging belly and she placed her hands on top of it, leaning back with a sigh. God, this feels so good.
A few moments later, the door opened again, but she didn't open her eyes just yet, it was way too comfortable and relaxing to lay like this. She could almost ignore the pain throughout her body, it was that comfortable.
She heard him undress quietly yet quickly, before she felt a warm hand stroking through her hair, making her attentive. Looking up, she gave him a little, strained smile.
"Want to move up?", the man asked softly. "Then I can get behind you."
Veronica nodded, doing as he suggested to give him enough space. Slowly her husband stepped into the tub, his hands on her shoulder as he got himself comfortable behind her, leaning back onto the wall and then pulling her to lean back on his chest. His legs were at her sides, hands settled on her belly, embracing her tenderly.
"I've got you", he whispered. "You and our baby. - How are you feeling now, mh?"
"Little bit better", she replied quietly, closing her eyes again with her head leaned on his chest. He placed a little kiss on her hair.
"You're beautiful, you know? You… You're amazing. I mean, there's another child in you right now, you're growing it in your belly, how-"
"Shut up", Veronica grumbled. She wasn't mad at him, just didn't want to talk nor listen right now. It was comforting to her that she knew he wouldn't get upset at her sometimes harsh words. As much as she adored her second child already, sometimes she just wanted to be his wife, and not only a mother. Sometimes, she felt it was almost as if the two of them had their own language, that no one else knew other than them, their little secret. Just John and Veronica, in their own little bubble of love.
John took a deep breath, wanting to do everything that could make her feel just a little bit better. So instead of talking more, he only nudged her a bit further away from him to sit up straight. Then, he cupped a bit of water in his large hands, bringing it up to run over her head, wetting her hair, and she sighed deeply.
"Thanks", Veronica murmured, making her husband giggle happily as he continued to catch water in his hands and getting her hair wet. It was a slow process, which both of them enjoyed each time again. Every now and then, he'd run his hands through her hair, gently loosening up any knots he could find. For sure it'd been Robert that got the honey-coloured hair this tangled up.
After a while of pouring water over her already soaked hair, he reached back to grab the shampoo under her curious yet tired glance. He smiled in return, leaning forward again to give her a silly kiss on the cheek. Finally, he saw her radiant smirk again.
"Pray I don't get any shampoo in your eyes", he joked, though he was quite experienced with it already, he loved washing her hair because it always soothed her.
"Better not", she agreed with a lazy chuckle.
Pumping some shampoo in his hand, he laid his hands back on her head and began to massage it into her hair. He had to admit, the strength in his fingers from playing bass for so many years every single day came in handy here.
Veronica moaned softly at the pleasurable pressure of his fingers, consequently leaning back against his hands, causing him to smile even more. If her hair wasn't full of foam he would've liked to kiss it again. Anything to make her smile, and as he knew she enjoyed his hands, he simply continued massaging her scalp.
"I hate it when you're gone so long", she mumbled under her breath. "Miss your hands."
The second she said those words, she started smiling, already anticipating her husband's cheeky reply.
"Oh, I bet you miss my hands, baby", he chuckled deeply in her ear, the innuendo definitely not lost on her. She sighed in return at his predictable silliness, and he apologized with a little kiss on her cheek, careful not to inhale the foam.
"I'm just mad at your back for always making trouble", he grumbled. "It wasn't as bad when you had Robert, don't know why this baby is making you feel so bad."
"It's fine, I can deal with it", she defended herself weakly, despite knowing she didn't have to hide her pain in front of her husband. He knew her feelings anyway, every night when they laid in bed together, he held her to his chest to keep her back warm and ease the uncomfortable pressure in her body.
John only took a deep breath at her reply, not wanting to argue with her again, so he continued running his hands through her long hair for a while, until deciding it was time to wash it out, he didn't want her to end up freezing in water that'd run cold. As usual, he took his time, slowly washing out the foam with his hands. Every now and then his wife sighed or moaned, thoroughly enjoying the tender massage that came along with it. She truly missed his hands when he was away around the world or spending all his days at the studio; she was sure he gave the best massages in the world, knowing without a word what she liked. It was a nice breather between the two grabby hands of their toddler, having someone to talk to who understood her like this. And who cared so much about her that even though he was tired (and she knew he was, even if he didn't say it), he was determined to help her relax and possibly make her pain free.
As Veronica got lost in thoughts, she only realized that all the foam was washed out when her husband's hands came to settle on top of her big belly.
"Are you feeling any better, love?", he asked quietly, worried. Just a few weeks and he'd be a father again, for the second time. John was incredibly excited and loved the baby so much his heart seemed to burst sometimes, but he genuinely could barely bear how much hurt this pregnancy brought her… A few more weeks until the birth, and he hoped she'd feel better afterwards. And he hoped he'd be home to be with his family, and not somewhere far away.
The woman took her time to reply to his inquiry, before finally answering: "I'm feeling more… relaxed, yes. The back pain just won't fade, and since a few days the cramps are getting worse too…"
John leaned his chin on her shoulder, fully embracing her now. "I'm sorry, Vee."
The sadness and hint of anger in his voice alarmed her slightly, as much as she hated her own hurt, she could take anything if it meant at least her family was good. And her husband wasn't good right now. In fact, he seemed close to crying, he hated when he couldn't help her feel better. He hated feeling so useless.
"I'm just glad you're here now. It's better when you're home, at least for the evenings", she tried to soothe him. Placing her hands above his on the belly, she almost hoped the baby would kick now, as it always made him euphoric to feel this. But when their baby didn't move after a few moments, she continued: "I rarely take a bath when you're not here, you know? It seems too much effort. And I really do miss your touch."
"I'd run you a bath ten times a day if it makes you feel any better, you know?"
"I know, Deaks", she sighed and leaned her head back to rest on his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she attempted to ignore the exhaustion in her joints. It was the best she could feel at this time, with the still warm bath and her husband's body adding more warmth to her backside and belly. He made her feel safe, as if she could defeat anything as long as she was in his arms. She could go through this pregnancy easily, for him, for herself and their family. His pride to be a dad seemed to radiate through his whole body and it had infected her a long time ago, too. He was as excited for this baby as she was, and no pain in the world could take this away.
"Want to get dried up?", he spoke up softly a while later, his worry for her not getting enough sleep laced through his voice, but she shook her head.
"This is perfect", Veronica mumbled with closed eyes, and that it was. Time and time again, he managed to take her thoughts away from the pain, through baths and all the other stuff he did just to make her feel a tiny bit better, his efforts relentless and adorable. And right now, despite all the little negative things in her life, she felt fully at ease; her husband loved her, cared for her, and they had a second baby on the way; they were a family.
At this moment, nothing else was of any importance to either of them. It was just the two of them, laying together in the bathtub, John's body embracing her pregnant one, and they waited in content silence for the water to run cold.
My unexpectedly artistic (lovingly, if nothing else lol digitally coloured) contribution to @queenhurtcomfort weekend! I was tired of Freddie suffering after Freddie weekend, if I’m honest XD so this time Roger suffers.
Big thanks to @emmaandorlando and @bisexualroger for hosting the event! <3
It started life as this sketch a couple of days ago:
Queen Hurt/Comfort Weekend - Day 3: Scars/Affection
TW: S3lf H4rm
Here's my entry for Day 3 of @queenhurtcomfort!
Full pic under the cut.
I wrote a fic for Day 2, which you can read here (it's a lot lighter than this, I promise!!)
I originally wanted to write a full-blown story for this, but I don't believe I could have handled such a topic properly. So I opted to make art and write a short thing to give the art some context. I'm reeeally steeping out of my comfort zone with this one :S
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Freddie had always known Brian struggled with depression, but he never pressed him to talk about it. One night after a show, while Freddie, John, and Roger are getting changed back into their normal clothes, Brian finds a separate area away from everyone else to change instead. This was strange to the other three bandmates, as it was a sudden last minute decision.
Freddie walks down the hall on the way to the limo to the airport, but he hangs back a bit to wait for Brian. Brian opens the door to his changing room and sees the hallway is empty, except for Freddie. Brian quietly calls Freddie over, and the singer makes his way over to him.
Freddie isn't sure what to expect. Brian takes a deep breath and explains to Freddie what's been going on, and rolls up one of his shirt sleeves, wincing as he does so.
There are at least a dozen scars on Brian's arm, and Freddie is at a loss for words. He's shocked and saddened, but he knows Brian is hurting right now and needs someone to listen.
Without a word, Freddie embraces Brian tightly, protectively. A tear rolls down his cheek, and he hears Brian sniffling as well as he returns the embrace.
"You'll be okay, Bri," Freddie whispers, "I'll help you get through this."
They stay like this for what seems like an eternity, and the physical touch alone had already patched one of the many holes in Brian's heart. "Thank you, Fred. I know I can trust you."
Even though Freddie couldn't completely understand Brian's feelings, he still vowed to offer his support and trust, and be there for him always.
