#borhap fandom

[inthegardensofourminds]

I didn't manage to get close enough to take a video until the song was almost over, but there was a player piano at one of the stores I went to today and it was playing Love of My Life!

[queenandborhapevents]

Announcing the sign ups for the 3 years of BoRhap event!

The collection is active and sign ups are open until August 15th! Sign ups may be extended based on response.

What is the event?

This event is celebrating three years since the release of the Bohemian Rhapsody film, which brought so many new people into our fandom! This event will be an exchange, where you will be given a prompt to create a fic or an art piece for by the US release date of November 2nd.

What will be required of me?

Writers are asked to create a fic of 1.5k or more, and artists are asked to put in a similar level of effort (such as a finished art piece, preferably 2 moodboards or manips, etc. If you have any questions about what can be submitted, please send us an ask or message on of the mods)

For the sign ups, you will be asked to send in your prompt. Give your gifter enough details so that they will be able to create something that fits your idea. Also, please include any squicks/triggers, as well as if you are over 18 and if you are okay with explicit material. For your offer, we also ask for squicks/triggers and age, as well as what you will and will not write/create for so that you are not matched with a prompt you cannot use.

How specific/how many prompts do I need?

We ask that you are specific enough to give the creator enough details to create something for you! This could look like a few sentences or a list of thoughts. For the amount, we recommend including up to 3 (though you do not have to, it definitely helps your gifter.

About pinch hitting and dropping out

Please include in your sign up offer if you would be able to pinch hit in case someone needs to drop out. Dropping out of the event is always an option, though we will be sad to see you go! If you absolutely must, let a mod know as soon as possible so we can find someone to fulfill your prompt.

-

We hope to see plenty of sign ups, and we can't wait to get started! Feel free to send in asks with any questions, or send a message to one of the mods at @anironsidh or @maz-zello

Find the discord here! (reminder that we are looking for a discord mod to set up role bots and a sprint bot in the server)

[galileostyles]

i want to play scrabble with queen

imagine roger getting so angry and brian because he comes up with words that he's sure don't exist ( and almost tips the board over)

fred coming up with the most outrageous words

playing footsie under the table

deaky sitting quietly and then getting a triple word score and word with like 70 points

making forts around your letters so the boys can't peek at them

[thosequeenboys]

Get Down, Give Joy Queen-BoRhap Gift Exchange: Info & Registration

We (@thosequeenboys - Stef and @warriorteam1924​​ - Kate) are excited to end 2020 positively by sponsoring a Queen-Borhap Gift Exchange, which we’ve named “Get Down, Give Joy.”  We think Freddie would like the title-and the spirit it represents.  

This event is for EVERYONE:  those who have never created and those who create regularly; blogs with 5 followers and blogs with thousands; fans who post often and those who seldom or never post; folks who’ve been fans for decades and those who just joined the fandom.  The event focuses on creativity, inclusivity, community-building, friendship and fun!  Thanks for reblogging this message-even if you don’t plan to join!

To participate, please complete THIS SURVEY by Sunday, October 11th to provide information about gifts you’d like to give and receive. 

Please read the information below the cut if you plan to participate.

We aim to send your match to you by the end of October/early November. Creators will post gifts December 20th - 23rd.  Contact us any time with questions/concerns.

We hope the creative and gift gifting processes provide well-deserved happiness to all fandom members who participate-and all who enjoy their creations.  Thanks for your efforts to help the event be successful!

Love & Hugs, Stef and Kate

Thank for participating in the Get Down, Give Joy Queen-Borhap Gift Exchange.  We put together these tips to help you enjoy the event - and help the event be successful.  Reach out to us any time with questions/concerns.

Complete the survey thoroughly:  Please indicate your preferences about what you’d like to create and receive. We ask if you are 18 or over so we can ensure that any 18+ content requests are assigned appropriately.  Providing details in the survey will help the matching and creative processes.

Stay updated: Feel free to follow us (@thosequeenboys @warriorteam1924). We will use the hashtag #getdowngivejoy when posting about the event.   

Communicate with your partner:   We strongly suggest you turn on your ANON ASK so creators can use it (with a dedicated emoji if they wish) to find out about their recipient’s interests, preferences, etc. to help create a special gift.  Gift Recipients:  Please check your inbox often and respond to your giver’s asks as soon as you can to help their creative process. 

Use Read More:  Please insert a Read More early in written work to encourage reblogging.  If your gift contains (requested) 18+ content, please give that warning -- and put that content below the Read More cut.

Post your gift on your blog between Dec. 20th - Dec. 23rd: If you’re not able to meet this time frame, please let us know as soon as possible so we can communicate with your recipient to avoid disappointment.  

Tag!! Be sure to tag your receiver (@blog name in the post intro). You may also send an ask telling the receiver their gift is posted. Use the hashtag #getdowngivejoy - and any other hashtags you wish.  Feel free to tag us (@our blog names); we’d be delighted to see your creations!! 

Ask for Help:  If you want to bounce around ideas, we are happy to chat with you.  If you aren’t able to finish the event, please let us know as soon as possible so we can ask a pinch hitter to assist-and let your receiver (and creator) know.  Also, if you would like someone to beta read your work, please let us know!  Folks are available to help!

Volunteer to Help (if you can): Please note in your survey If you’d like to serve as a pinch hitter and/or beta reader-or message us.  We’ll contact you if we receive a request.  Thank you!!

Remember Time Zones:  We are from all over the world and have different schedules and commitments. Your receiver may not see your asks and gift right away.  Be patient, but do contact us with concerns.

Have fun!  

[darlingyourebeingabore]

Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses [Get Down, Give Joy]

Joe Mazzello x Reader

Authors Note: Merry Christmas @johndeaconshands - I am your secret santa! 🎄

I really hope you like your gift and it brings a smile to your face.

Thank you to @thosequeenboys and @warriorteam1924 for organising such a lovely event and I hope you all have an amazing Christmas 🎄 ❤

Synopsis: The Mistletoe Ball comes around every Christmas Eve. It's the one night of the year where friends and couples alike celebrate an evening of festive fun. This year will be unlike any other.

Song Inspiration: All I Want For Christmas Is You - Lady A

Pairings: Joe Mazzello x Reader

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

You were all set for the holidays. The Christmas presents were sitting under the tree, wrapped in pretty red bows that shimmered under the twinkling fairy lights. The stockings were hung up upon the fireplace, ready to be filled and there were plenty of festive treats piled up on the table ready to be devoured. All that was left now was to get ready for the one night you had been excitedly anticipating for weeks; The Mistletoe Ball.

It was the one night a year that everybody in your local town had a chance to dress up and enjoy before the big day. Up until this year, you'd never had the pleasure of attending the ball with anybody other than your best friends but that was all about to change.

You took a look at your watch as you anxiously awaited for the doorbell to ring. Finally after months of tip-toeing around, you had plucked up the courage to ask the guy from work to take you to the ball and to your surprise he had accepted. You were beyond nervous but extremely excited at the same time, pulling out all the stops to make sure the evening was perfect. After picking out the perfect outfit and spending hours getting ready in front of the mirror, the time had finally come.

And it just kept on coming. Checking your watch again, you frowned in worry. He said he'd be here at 7pm and it was now nearing half past. Had you given him the wrong address? Maybe he was caught up in traffic? You decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and continued to wait, in hopes that soon enough the doorbell would ring and you would be on your way to the party of the year.

After 45 minutes, the call on the door finally sounded, making you bound to it as fast you could. Expecting to see the dashing face of your date, you were sorely disappointed to see your best friend instead.

"Joe?" You groaned, your lips pouting in disappointment.

"Merry Christmas to you too," he tutted as he allowed himself in, "I was worried about you, the party started half an hour ago,"

You sighed, rolling your eyes as you kicked off your heels and padded into the living room.

"I was waiting for my date if you must know," you huffed.

Joe stifled a small laugh, closing the door behind him and following you into the living room.

"What date?" He asked amused as he sat beside you on the sofa.

You sent him an unamused glare.

"Kyle from work," you huff.

"Wait, isn't he that backstreet boy clone you've been going on non stop about all year?"

"He's not a backstreet boy clone, Joe, he's in accounts,"

Joe cleared his throat.

"I just hoped that maybe I'd get a phone call or something if he couldn't make it last minute," you sighed, scrolling through your phone.

Joe found it highly amusing. You'd been friends for a few years now and he had had to endure all of your heartbreaks and date disasters so this was nothing new. However when he noticed a small tear trickle down your cheek, his smile disappeared.

"Y/N? I'm sorry, I was only -,"

"Oh no, it's fine, ignore me, I'm being silly," you sniffed, wiping your eyes delicately. Just because you were upset didn't mean you were about to ruin the make up you had spent all afternoon applying.

Joe couldn't ignore your sniffles; he was angry. Angry that that arse had stood you up. Secretly, Joe had had a crush on you for at least two years now but had never plucked up the courage to tell you. If he thought letting you know how he felt would make you feel better then he would but he feared it would just make things complicated.

"I feel like such an idiot, Joe," you groaned, your head falling on his shoulder.

He wrapped a comforting around you, leaving a small kiss upon your head.

"Listen - you're dressed up already, why waste a good night?"

You lifted your head up to face him and smiled lightly.

"But I don't have anyone to go with, it will just be another year of standing on the sidelines while everyone who's lucky to be in love dances around me," you sighed.

Joe shrugged.

"You will have someone to dance with,"

You knotted your brows and let out a small chuckle.

"Who?"

"You're looking at him,"

Your eyes widened in shock and butterflies began to flutter in your stomach.

"You don't dance," you giggled.

"I'll do it for you," he winked, "C'mon, the night's not getting any younger,"

You pondered for a moment, biting your lip in anticipation. Secretly, you'd always liked Joe - a lot - but you didn't want to ruin your already tight friendship.

"Okay," you sighed happily, "But you need to ask me properly,"

Now it was Joe's turn to be shocked. He gulped and his cheeks used a bright red as you stood and popped your heels back on. He followed suit and let out his hand for you.

"Y/N?," he asked softly, pulling you a little closer to him, "Can I take you to the dance?"

You gave him a small smile and nodded shyly as you picked up your clutch bag and you both left the house.

The party was incredible. It was like a real life winter wonderland and now you were spinning around in the middle of the floor with the rest of your friends but most importantly, Joe. Your arms were wrapped loosely around his neck, his hands rested securely upon your waist, making you feel safe.

"Hey, come with me," Joe whispered in your ear.

You felt goosebumps trickle across your skin as the words left his mouth and before you knew it, Joe was gently leading you out of the huge marquee and into the snowy garden outside. The trees, bushes and hedges are littered in twinkling lights and a fresh layer of snow has just settled on the ground. In the middle of the garden was a small gazebo, wrapped in winter greens and even more sparkling lights and a few couples occupied it.

"It's even more beautiful than last year," you smiled, beaming up at the brightly lit structure in front of you.

Joe smiled, unbeknownst to you and helped you up the small steps. The other couples dispersed back to the party and you and Joe we left alone. You let out a small sigh and looked up at him.

You shook your head and without really planning it, stepped up onto your tip toes and planted a soft kiss upon Joe's flushed cheek. Your eyes widened immediately and you mentally slapped yourself when all he did was stare down at you. He was obviously only seeing this as a friend helping out a friend thing and nothing more.

"I'm sorry," you blushed, cringing as you tried to look anywhere other than at him.

"Yeah, that was terrible," he chuckled.

Wait a minute? Was he serious? You were only expecting him to say it was okay, not make you feel worse by making a joke out of the situation.

"You missed completely, come here,"

Joe hooked his finger under your chin and gently brought his lips down to yours in a sweet and well overdue kiss. It was at that moment that you realised that Joe was all you had ever wanted for Christmas and for every Christmas afterwards. When he pulled away, you took the chance to look up into his eyes which were filled with nothing less than all the love in the world for you.

"Can I tell you something?"

You nodded as you bit your bottom lip. Joe leant down to your level, his lips coming close to your ear as he whispered three words that you'd been longing to hear ever since the day you'd met him.

"I love you,"

Your heart skipped a beat as your eyes fluttered closed for a second. Joe faced you once more, his hand cupping your cheek, his thumb gently wiping away a happy tear that fell from your eye.

"I love you too," you smiled, "Merry Christmas,"

The End

Merry Christmas 🎄❄

[theveryhairyfairy]

I still haven’t forgotten all the horrible shit some of you said about Lucy Boynton when she and Rami Malek started dating. Fuck the BoRhap fandom thank god it died out

[queen-stan-queen-fan]

Why...

WHY WILL WE NEVER GET THE SCENE

[wannawritefast]

Whiplash: Ch. 4- Pretending

A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for all the love on the last part! I totally didnt realize there was no title or link to the previous part. I distinctly remember doing that... maybe Tumblr had a goof... Just a heads up that a fixed it and all that jazz. 

Pt. 3

Pairing: Gwilym Lee! Brian Lee x Reader

Donna left the end of that weekend grateful to have spent time with her sister. And you felt equally as grateful to have gotten some bonding time before the holidays rolled around.

You and Brian continued your charade until before long it was time to leave for your family’s house. There was a plethora of Christmases where you didn’t want to go back home for the holidays or even want to celebrate the ‘happiest time of the year’ at all. But this Christmas… this one took the fruitcake.

The night before you left you didn’t get a wink of sleep. You often chalked it up to the fact that your cat was not present (having been put in a kennel earlier that day) and the subsequent lack of him in your bed. But you knew deep down that it was because, this time, you would be coming home with a boyfriend. A fake one.

That seemed to scare you more than you thought it should. If they didn’t believe you or if they found out, you would NEVER be able to live it down. And then there was Brian.

He was too kind and sweet and caring and goofy to you. He treated you better than you deserved. Sometimes you didn’t think it was real. Brian was your best friend and you knew that you could always depend on him. If anything ever happened to jeopardize that, you didn’t know what you’d do.

The two of you left in the mid-morning on the 21st, Brian picking you up and getting breakfast along the way. It took a few hours but you got to your parents’ house by mid-afternoon. Even though you jammed to cassettes the whole way there, your nerves still wracked your body.

7 days at your parents’ house in the English country and 7 days at his. Two weeks. You could do two weeks.

Finally the two of you arrived at your family’s big country house, pulling up in front of the large property. Brian put the car in park and turned off the engine. He reached to unbuckle his seatbelt in the now silent car but you grabbed his wrist to stop him.

“Brian, we don’t have to do this,” you looked him right in the eye.

He coughed out a chuckle. “What?”

“We can turn around right now. I can just say I got sick,” you reached to turn the ignition but he shooed your hands away.

“We’ve come this far and you want to turn around?” Brian questioned. You nodded emphatically. “Oh, come on now. I’m ready and you’re ready.”

“No, Brian,” you let out a panicked breath. This was such a bad idea. You should have just been honest with them from the beginning. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“We’re basically at the front door,” he turned in his seat. “We can’t go back now.”

“Watch me,” you reached for the ignition again.

“Hey, hey, hey.” Brian grabbed your hand and held it. “We’re here. It’s going to be alright.”

You looked out the windows nervously for any sign that your parents or siblings had seen you arrive. “How can you be so sure?”

“I’m not.” Brian fiddled with your fingers and kissed the back of your hand, stirring up butterflies again. “But there’s only one way to find out.”

And with that, he unbuckled his seatbelt, opened his car door and went straight to the trunk, making sure that his keys were in his pocket. You jumped out after him. He was smart. Leaving the vehicle before you could object further… 

He opened the latch and was beginning to take out the luggage. “Brian, I mean it. We can still leave. No one’s seen-”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” His green-eyed gaze was fixed on the front door.

“Y/N’S HOME!!”

“Y/N’S HOME!!” Donna exclaimed, throwing the door open. Her voice echoed down the driveway. She was clad in a Christmas jumper that your mum had made for you, your brother, and your sister a few years back. Mum always insisted that you wear it for at least one day when you visited. As per her request, it was folded neatly at the bottom of your luggage.

“It’s too late,” you whispered to yourself. “If we regret this, it’s not my fault.”

“We’ll be okay,” Brian put an arm around you and you leaned lazily into the hug.

“Y/n! My baby!” That was mum. Although your mum was loud at times, you loved her a lot. Your mother hustled from the front door clad in a loudly patterned apron, which itself was covered in flour and sugar. 

“This doesn’t seem too bad,” he mused to you.

You looked at him from the side of your eyes. “Oh, just you wait.”

You took Brian’s hand and moved to meet them in the middle. Your sister practically jumped on you and knocked you over when she gave you a hug; the two of you tumbled as you hit the ground in a burst of laughter. Brian and your mother both rushed to help the two of you up.

“Hey, Brian,” Donna gave him a friendly hug. “So did she drive you crazy on the way here?”

“Absolutely bonkers.” He teased. You scoffed and bumped him with your shoulder.

“Hi, mum.” You moved to embrace your mother and she pulled you into a bone crushing hug. She held you at arms length. 

“I missed you so much.” She gushed. Her fingers moved to hold your face. You couldn’t help your smile. 

“It’s only been like a month and a half.” You laughed at her emotions.

“That doesn’t mean I can’t miss my daughter!” Your mother exclaimed. “Of course your father misses you too! I tried to get him to take work off today to come greet you two but you know him!” Unfortunately, you did. She rubbed your arms soothingly, turning her attention to Brian. “Now... introduce me to this strapping young man!”

You rolled your eyes but, deep down, it was your stomach that was really rolling. “Mum, this is Brian, my boyfriend.” That word still felt weird.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Brian,” she said as he extended his hand for her to shake. Your mother brushed his hand aside and pulled him into a tight sweet hug. Brian took it with a chuckle. “You don’t need to be formal with me. If you’re good enough for Y/n, you’re more than good enough for me.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Y/l/n,” he replied politely. Brian put an arm around your shoulders for emphasis. You wrapped your arms around his waist.

“Please, call me ‘Y/m/n.’” She froze all of a sudden. “Wait a second… is this the Brian from university?!” Your mum turned to you.

“Yes,” you smiled at your mom, “that’s where we met.”

“Oh my heavens! I remember you talking about Brian!” Your mother excitedly recalled. Uh-oh… 

You laughed nervously and feigned forgetfulness. “What? I don’t think I remember-”

“I do!” She insisted. “You were her best friend.”

“I’d like to think I still am,” Brian replied. “I’m honestly surprised she didn’t run for the hills the moment I opened my mouth.”

Your mother chuckled, “Nonsense! I can see why she said you were so charming. And I remember one time she called me and said that she thought she fancied-”

“OKAY MUM!” Donna cut her off. Brian gave you and her a confused look. Thank God for Donna… “Don’t we have something in the oven?”

“Oh, good heavens! You’re right! Donna will show you to your room.” She turned and ran back inside. “JAMES!” She screeched. “HELP YOUR SISTERS AND BRIAN WITH THE LUGGAGE!”

There was grumbling from inside the house and you steeled yourself for the arrival of your brother. You turned to face Brian quickly as the two of you went back to the car to grab your bags. “I apologize in advance for anything that he says.”

“I can handle it.” He assured you. “I’ve already heard snippets of his typical vocabulary. I’ll be okay.”

As if on cue your brother materialized in the doorway looking classy as ever in an old pair of denim trousers and a stained t-shirt. He tiredly hobbled over, giving Brian a strange look as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“You must be Brian,” James grumbled out. He looked him up and down suspiciously. “I see my sisters weren’t lying about you.”

“I am very much real. Were you expecting a bloke that looked like me? Perhaps less poodle-ish,” Brian called out, trying to lighten the mood up a little bit as he pulled another suitcase from the trunk.

Your brother hummed, unsatisfied, and finally looked at you. “You brought him.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t lying,” you said, cocking your head up proudly.

James hummed again, eyeing your, unbeknownst to him, fake boyfriend. Brian leaned against the car, having unloaded the last of the luggage, nodding a greeting at your brother.

“We’re definitely dating,” you urged. You stood next to Brian and he kissed the side of your head, while you stared down James.

James hummed a third time, oddly quiet. He glanced between you and Brian as if trying to see through the ruse. You were getting nervous.

“Yeah,” your brother stared right through you, “we’ll see about that.”

You, Brian, and Donna fidgeted nervously, not quite sure how to respond to what he said.

You cleared your throat and attempted to diffuse the tension. “Is this any way to greet your sister?”

He gave you a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes and a half-assed hug. Ah, yes, the depth of your brother’s affection… 

Brian and James went to work grabbing the luggage wordlessly. You grabbed one of your bags and walked arm-in-arm with Donna. The two of you shared a look as you went inside and up the stairs.

“Here you go, lovebirds.” James half-tossed the luggage into his old room. 

So this was where your mum had placed the two of you… It was the quietest and most isolated room in the house. Sitting above the garage, in the corner of the second floor, it was hard to disturb anyone with noise especially since the other two rooms on the floor were a decent distance away.

You wouldn’t have minded the space so much if the bed wasn’t a full-size and Bri wasn’t such a tall man.

“Are…” you started, “we sharing?” You hadn’t prepared for this. You couldn't even look at Brian. 

You hadn’t counted on this being a part of the deal. And, of course, neither had Brian. God… you should have asked! At the very least to prepare yourself… To prepare Brian. You felt a pit forming in your belly. 

“Yep,” he responded. “Mum figured the two of you would want to stay in the same area during your stay.”

“She and dad were okay with that?”

James leaned against the doorway. Donna stood behind him sheepishly. She had left that part out conveniently during the phone calls. “Mum was insistent. Dad put up more of a fight. They agreed though eventually.”

You looked at him with your mouth ajar, much like a fish. “Oh.”

“Is that going to be an issue?” James looked you and your fake boyfriend in the eye, a challenge.

Brian jumped to action. “Not at all. Thank you, James.”

He gave a tight-lipped smile and walked away with his arms crossed. You waited to hear his footsteps go down the creaky stairs before tearing into Donna.

She lowered her voice with her arms outstretched in front of her. “Before you yell at me, I didn’t know how to tell you. There are ears everywhere.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose. “You couldn't have mentioned that? Like at all?”

“I’m sorry!” She whisper-yelled. “What would you have wanted me to do? Say that the two of you shouldn’t share a room? It’ll be easier to communicate with the both of you in the same space. Could you imagine being separate for a week while you try to pull this off?”

You supposed she was right. “No, no. You’re right.” You took a deep breath and changed your tone of voice so the rest of the house could hear you. “Thank you, Donna. I think we’re going to nap.”

She matched your tone. “Of course! I’ll let the two of you get settled in!” You mouthed a ‘thank you’ at her before she closed the door behind her and skipped away.

And then there were two.

“You’ve been awfully quiet, Br- What are you doing?”

Brian was setting up his luggage next to the loveseat in the room and had found the spare blankets from the closet. He was making a bed on the couch. If he thought he was taking the couch, you’d be damned.

“What does it look like I’m doing?”

“It looks like you’re making my bed, how kind of you! But really I’m the host so I must insist that you leave your accommodations to me, Mr. May.” You grabbed the spare pillow out of his hand and kicked his bag toward the bed. You began lugging your bag close to the couch. Brian stuck his foot out and stopped the bag.

“‘Your’ bed? I’m taking the couch.” He gently grabbed your bag and chucked it onto the bed. Your jaw dropped.

“No, Brian. I’m taking the couch. You’re too tall for it.” It was true. You could fit the couch much more comfortably than he could.

“Ah, but you see, as your boyfriend,” you rolled your eyes goodnaturedly, “I must be chivalrous and relinquish the bed to my beloved.”

“You’re being an ungrateful guest,” you countered.

He winced. “Low blow.”

“I’m not above it.” Brian snatched the pillow back and began rubbing his hair on it. “What on earth are you doing?”

“Staking my claim,” he answered, matter-of-factly. His hair was a static-y mess. As if to prove his point he tossed his body haphazardly onto the couch and sprawled out, limbs and all. “This is mine.”

“You act like you laying on top of something is going to deter me in any way.” You laughed at his logic. “Being on the couch does not mean it is suddenly uninhabitable.”

“It does.” He pointedly stretched his limbs out more. “Watch me.”

“This argument is going nowhere.”

“I agree. Which is why you should just let me take the couch.”

“What if we-”

A knock on the door sounded. Brian shot up and the two of you tossed the blankets and pillow haphazardly on the bed. You answered the door with Brian hovered closely behind you.

James. He had a smirk on his face. How much of the conversation had he heard?

“Yes?” you asked through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know if I mentioned it or not but I thought I’d be thorough and tell you that this room gets rather cold in the winters. The garage isn’t insulated and neither are the walls that this room shares with it.”

“Oh, really?”

“I mean, you’re already sharing a bed so that’ll help but you might want to grab some extra blankets on top of that. Perhaps a second bed’s worth.” He peeked in to see the mound of blankets on the bed. “But it looks like the two of you have already figured that out.”

You chuckled dryly. “Yep. Thanks for the pointer.”

James hummed a laugh. “Anytime.” And like the asshole he was he sauntered away humming a Bob Dylan song. You pushed the door closed and rested your forehead on it.

“We could switch nights?” You offered. Brian knew you better than that; of all the sensations that you hated (fatigue, hunger, headache, etc.) being cold was what you loathed the most.

“Or we could just share the bed like they suspect us to…” He suggested. You looked at him. He didn’t seem to be pulling your leg.

“You wouldn’t be uncomfortable with that?” Your fingers picked at the ends of your hair.

Brian had his hands on his hips. “Not at all. Unless you would be.”

You looked him in the eye and then to the floor, your arms crossed. “I’m fine with it.”

“I guess we’ll share it then,” he affirmed.

“Yep.” You popped the ‘p.’

The two of you looked at the surrounding room and its four walls. The couch. The bed. The windows. Anywhere but each other. This was real. All the time you had pretended to be dating before you got to your parents house suddenly felt like dress rehearsals. This. This was real. And things were different.

This was showtime.

“Well, then,” Brian filled the silence. “Now that it’s settled why don’t we set up the room? We did tell them we were taking a nap. We can get settled a little bit.” 

You nodded.

“I’ll do the bed if you do the closet?”

You nodded wordlessly again and took a deep breath before kicking off your shoes and opening the closet. You heard Brian take off his coat and toss it onto the couch. You set yours on top of his and reminded yourself to put in the coat closet downstairs by the front door.

As promised you began hanging some of your items and with Brian’s permission began helping him with his. The bathroom that was conjoined to the room soon had your various shampoo, tooth brushes, and regular hair brushes strewn across the counter top and among the shelves in the shower.

Amongst the thoughts of how absolutely spoiled rotten James had been up here while you and your sister had to share a smaller room was another more alarming notion. As you put yours and Brian’s shoes down on the floor of the closet and split the drawers between the two of you your mind drifted to the small part of it that realized how naturally it looked, how naturally it felt to have the items in the same space. To have Brian’s giant shoes next to yours. To have his various hair brushes that resembled Medieval torture devices right next to your own weapons of choice. To dance and bustle about a small space in a rhythm so natural that an onlooker would swear it was rehearsed.

“You’ve been awfully pensive,” Brian snapped you out of your stupor as you pulled a dress of yours onto a hangar and set it on your side of the closet trying to move in such a way that maybe you’d forget your hands were shaking and maybe Brian wouldn’t notice your hands shaking. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“I…” you took a breath. You didn’t really know what to say. Instead you just turned and let yourself fall onto the couch back first and stared up at the blank ceiling. “This is really happening.”

“Hey.” Brian appeared into view as we walked to you and looked down. “Are you alright?”

You finally made eye contact with Brian and shook your head. Trying to will your tears back into your ducts with the help of good old-fashioned gravity you stared back up at the ceiling again.

Brian rushed to crouch at your side. “Woah, woah, woah. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

You turned to face him and sat up so that he could sit next to you on the couch. “No, it wasn’t you. I’m just overwhelmed. I still can’t believe I’m in this mess. That my family sees so much of my value in my relationships and not me. That it went this far. That I actually care so much about what they think even though I shouldn’t. That I dragged you into this.”

Brian hummed in understanding and pulled you into a hug. “Well, first of all, you didn’t drag me into this. I body slammed myself into this. You didn’t even really need to ask me to help you; if anything I dragged you into this. Remember our little moment on the driveway?”

Yes… How infuriatingly encouraging he had been. How embarrassingly frantic you had behaved. He was right. Brian was unfailingly loyal to you. If he hadn’t backed down then, when you had offered him a way out.

“You know you’re earning your ‘poodle’ title more and more,” you commented.

Brian cocked his head. “How so?”

“Lanky, tall, high-maintenance-”

“Feeling the love. Thank you.”

“But still an excellent companion and unbelievably sweet.”

Brian gave you a soft smile and rubbed his arm up and down your back. “If I was a humbler person I might tell you to stop.”

“Oh I’m stopping,” you said, sniffling back your tears and exhaling the panic. “If your head gets any more full of hot air, your hair is going to start defying the laws of physics without any assistance.”

“Yeah, you’re feeling better,” Brian quipped, feigning offense.

“I’m sorry… which one of us brought more brushes and styling products?”

“I want to make a good first impression! I may be a fake boyfriend but I still want your family to like me.” He defended.

“You’ll be great! Aside from James, you’d have to do something really out of character to get them to not like you.”

“Not this ‘be yourself’ stuff again,” Brian complained and threw his head back to rest on the back of the couch.

“It’s true. They’ll love you!” You encouraged him.

Brian’s face took on that infamous cheeky expression. Uh-oh… “Is it because I’m… so charming?”

Your face flushed in remembrance of what your mother had almost let slip. You leaned forward and covered your face with your hand. “Why did I know you were going to bring that up?”

“Because you know me better than anyone else.” He replied, matter-of-factly. 

“I think your mum might contend with me on that, Bri,” you offered.

“And I knew you were going to say that.” Brian shrugged in consideration. “Fine. You and my mum know me better than anyone else.”

“Well,” you set your hand on his knee. A once platonic gesture, it felt different this time. You continued, hurrying your way through what you were going to say so that it wouldn’t be as awkward when you stopped touching, “since we know each other so well, I’d say we stock up on rest while we can.”

“You talk like we’re going to be running a marathon for the next week.”

“Trust me, Bri,” you responded, standing up and laying down comfortably on the bed. “You’re gonna need it.”

Brian looked at you in disbelief. “Oh please. I’ve dealt with concerts for years. How bad can it be?!”

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