#Freddie Mercury Weekend 2021 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

obsessivelollipoplalala · 1 year

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So, I saw this in a group that someone shared an article that was made in 2021, from Daily Express (not surprising), but it was speaking about Barbra Valentin.

Which this is what the person wrote about (sorry if it's long but reading it infuriates me):

Freddie Mercury's other woman after Mary 'They were in love, she was even wilder than him'

FREDDIE MERCURY loved Mary Austin his whole life. Even though he was a gay man, he also had one more passionate and intense relationship with outrageous actress Barbara in the mid-1980s, just before he met Jim Hutton. They even shared a bed and Freddie immortalised her in Queen's It's A Hard Life video.

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin's break up discussed by friends

It's A Hard Life remains most famous for its outrageously OTT video, but Freddie's bandmate Brian May believes it is also one of his friend's most beautiful compositions. There is a moment when the Queen frontman sings the iconic and heartfelt line, "Two lovers together, to love and live forever in each other’s hearts." In the video, he is looking at the voluptuous and glamorous woman leaning over the balcony above him. This was Barbara Valentin, who shared two extraordinary years with Freddie in Munich. She remained close to him until the very end and was one of the few invited to his last ever birthday party.

This weekend marks the release of “It's A Hard Life” in 1984. At the time, Freddie was already living in Munich. He had discovered the German city in 1979 when the band recorded the album The Game at the famous Musicland studios.

Freddie's fame meant he increasingly struggled to find privacy in the UK at the same time as he had begun to explore his sexuality. Munich's thriving gay scene offered him freedom and opportunity.

From 1983-1985 the star made Munich his home and even bought a flat with devoted new friend Barbara.

Busty blonde bombshell Barbara was notorious in Germany as the provocative star of saucy films. Freddie loved her outrageous character and his friends believed he had met his match.

His PA and close friend Peter Freestone said: “They had the most intense, loving relationship. I know one hundred percent they shared a bed on numerous occasions."

Another friend, West End star Peter Straker, said: "I was told he just met this woman who was larger than life. Barbara was very outrageous. She was the queen of nudity.”

Royal Ballet star Wayne Sleep added: "Freddie was with a woman. So I thought.’There you go. He’s not predictable at all, is he, this boy?.’"

Another friend said: “It was almost like he enjoyed being with someone who had a wilder reputation than him.

Many years later, Barbara’s daughter Minki Reichardt said: “I know they were in love. I know that my mother was in love with him because she said so.

"I think their relationship was very close and very intense. They really liked the conflict. They were talking, shouting, arguing, and then they were in their arms again, it was always very lively. I think Freddie was the love of her life."

Barbara's German friend Elisabeth Volkmann went even further: “Freddie loved Barbara. Barbara loved him. And it was a big love between both. If he wouldn’t be homosexual, maybe they married “.

Except, of course, Freddie was homosexual. While Wayne Sleep believed Freddie had slept with Barbara. He certainly spent nights with her at her apartment on Stollberg Strasse. Peter Freestone remains a little more coy on the subject.

He added: "I wasn’t sitting in the room. I can’t tell you yes or no if sex happened. If it had, Freddie could not have been quiet about it."

In fact, for most of those two years in Munich, Freddie was also in a relationship with local restauranteur Winnie Kirschberger, despite the fact that neither spoke the other’s language.

Whatever her feelings for Freddie, Barbara was under no illusion about his sexuality. Like Mary before her, Barbara loved and supported the star and, in this case, provided even more vital and personal help to the men’s relationship.

Freestone said: "it was sometimes comical to watch the arguments happening... Both Freddie and Winnie would be screaming at Barbara who had to do her best to try to sort out the jumbled emotions."

It was an intense period in Freddie's life but the star was beginning to feel homesick and Mary had finally completed all the renovations to his new London house, One Garden Lodge, in Kensington.

The tumultuous relationship with Winnie was fizzling out and a new man from London, Jim Hutton, was on the scene. Freddie never actually moved into the flat he bought with Barbara and returned to the UK. Although he split up with Winnie, Freddie remained close to Barbara for the rest of his life and she flew over to see him one last time in 1990.

In September 1990, Freddie threw his last ever birthday bash, a very smart formal dinner. The following year he would be far too ill.

His close friend Dave Clarke, who was the man by his side when he died, recalled a very intimate night, filled with those Freddie loved most, including Barbara, who sat either side of him with Mary.

Clarke said: "On his last birthday, he just invited 30 of his closest friends and there were 30 different courses, done by his personal chef, Joe Fanelli, and 30 different types of wine to go with each course."

Freddie died the following November. Barbara herself passed away from a stroke on February 22, 2002.

By STEFAN KYRIAZIS.

*****

Just like Mary, this is making Barbra look like a saint when she wasn't either. She was weirdly possessive of Freddie. She wanted to rekindle the spotlight she had that was dimming out and she used Freddie.

Wayne Sleep, believing that both Freddie and Barbra slept together, reinforces that Freddie didn’t care about the consequences of his illness because he cared more about sex than people’s welfare, and was happy to risk spreading AIDS onto someone for the sake of a quick fix. Which we all know that's is not true. Freddie cared about others, especially the ones that betrayed and hurt him. While Freddie and Barbra were close they were not intimate with each other or screwed around.

Barbra was NOT a friend towards Freddie she made lies after lies about Freddie. Leaking stories to the German press that she and Freddie we're lovers and secretly engaged, claimed that Freddie was "abusive and pushed her head in a sink making her manager trying to get Freddie off of her", said he was pretending to be gay for clout and intentionally spreading AIDS to whoever he slept with.

Which Freddie learned about what she did and cut off the friendship with her. It's reasons why Brian absolutely despised her.

I'm surprised here it didn't talk about Freddie's funeral, by saying Barbra attended the funeral, while she wasn't. She was completely banned from attending by Jim and Mary after what she did to Freddie.

I mean, it’s the same bullshit we’ve seen for the past 30 years. “Oh yeah he was gay BUT he was in love with a woman” is not how it works, everyone knows that’s not how it works, but homophobes are somewhat more comfortable with Freddie fucking men if they think it was only ever sex with them and that his heart always belonged to women. Of course, the article intentionally leaves out quotes where Freddie’s friends, including Phoebe, confirmed that they never had sex. As you said, it also excludes that Barbara lied about Freddie and their relationship while he was alive, prompting him to distance himself from her, and she only doubled down once he was dead because she was a freak who used his name for clout and couldn’t cope with the fact that he’d never return her feelings.

She definitely wasn’t a real friend to him. Real friends don’t tell awful lies to the press like that, and they aren’t possessive, either. It seems like she was both possessive and pretty manipulative of Freddie, but people are fine with all of that as long as they could pretend Freddie felt romance for women to satisfy their homophobic butthurt feelings. Brian hates her and Roger said she was a bad influence on Freddie—there is no reason to defend this woman and repeat her lies.

And of course the article mentions Mary, too. There’s quite the overlap between Mary stans and Barbara defenders, because both wish Freddie wasn’t as gay as he was. It’s pathetic that articles like this are still published in the 2020s.

#replies #Anonymous

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carrrothead-vol2 · 1 year

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I posted 1,461 times in 2022

That's 1,088 more posts than 2021!

26 posts created (2%)

1,435 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@jung-koook

@plainxte

@sarah-yyy

@roger-s-maracas

@funnydressesweirdhairanddance

I tagged 1,460 of my posts in 2022

#queen - 975 posts

#brian may - 362 posts

#freddie mercury - 293 posts

#fanart - 225 posts

#roger taylor - 204 posts

#john deacon - 161 posts

#so tragic etc - 74 posts

#fashion - 71 posts

#queen in japan - 50 posts

#taehyung - 45 posts

Longest Tag: 126 characters

#i love how they basically say you don't need the college degree to enjoy queen but it would greatly benefit your undrestanding

My Top Posts in 2022:

Freddie, Brian, and a cat. Japan, 1976

You can read the drabble here 🤍❤💗

52 notes - Posted November 13, 2022

My little contribution for the Fem!Queen Week 2022 😊 Day 1 promt: nuns (with the side of a haunted house😅)

Nuns are Sister Frederica (vocals, pipe organ), Sister Brianne (violin), Sister Joan (cello), and Sister Rogerina (waterphone, howling).

Thanks @femqueenweek for organizing!💕

52 notes - Posted June 17, 2022

“My name is John Richard Deacon, I was born on August 19th 1951″

63 notes - Posted August 18, 2022

May Queen Brianna May 💐🌼🌺

For @femqueenweek Day 3: hair (continuing with vague horror themes😅).

Thanks for organizing, it’s been great picking up drawing again💕!

67 notes - Posted June 19, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

My contribution for Freddie Mercury Weekend 2022 @a-froger-epic! I hope it fits with the theme of weekend😊

Day 1 promt: petals🌸🌸🌸. Enjoy some fanart I made to accompany my little drabble~

Read at https://archiveofourown.org/works/39262122/chapters/98244318

69 notes - Posted June 3, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#year in review #oh wow the number of posts compared to the 2021 #love that tag too #(lol 2%vs 98%)#yes im good at reblogging #so tragic etc

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petervc88 · 1 year

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Cappelle Calling - 1 mei 2023 - 90FM

De LP van de Week was een album van een grote Amerikaanse band, maar merkwaardig genoeg was dit bewuste album alleen in Nederland succesvol: 'Desperado' van Eagles uit 1973. Verder stonden zowel de DisCovered als de Filmplaat in teken van twee zangeressen die beiden vandaag jarig waren, en aan het einde van de uitzending blikte ik nog even terug op een geweldig concert van Son Mieux waar ik afgelopen weekend bij aanwezig was.

Terugluisteren kan hier.

Dit was de playlist:

Uur 1:

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor (2006) Inhaler - If You’re Gonna Break My Heart (2023) Freddie Mercury - The Great Pretender (1987) Eagles - Twenty-One (1973) (LP van de Week) Bruce Springsteen - Working On A Dream (2008) The Last Dinner Party - Nothing Matters (2023) Suede - Beautiful Ones (1996) Judy Collins - Both Sides Now (1967) (DisCovered) Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (1973) Rita Coolidge - All Time High (1983) (Filmplaat - uit 'Octopussy') Willie Nelson - On The Road Again (1980) The National feat. Taylor Swift - The Alcott (2023) Eagles - Tequila Sunrise (1973) (LP van de Week) Bachman Turner Overdrive - Lookin' Out For Number 1 (1976)

Uur 2:

Metallica - Whiskey In The Jar (1998) The Gaslight Anthem - Positive Charge (2023) Eagles - Desperado (1973) (LP van de Week) Ben Howard - Couldn’t Make It Up (2023) Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now (1969) (DisCovered) Jessie Ware - Freak Me Now (2023) Rick Springfield - Bruce (1984) (Muzikale Ketting) Rick James - Super Freak (1981) (Muzikale Ketting) The Temptations - My Girl (1964) Thijs Boontjes - Vanavond (2023) Eagles - Doolin Dalton [Instrumental] (1973) (LP van de Week) Eagles - Outlaw Man (1973) (LP van de Week) Paul McCartney & Wings - My Love (1973) Son Mieux - 1992 (2021)

Cappelle Calling is iedere maandagavond van 20:00 t/m 22:00 te horen op Radio 90FM. Iedere woensdagmiddag wordt de uitzending herhaald van 18:00 tot 20:00. Suggesties voor DisCovered of De Filmplaat zijn welkom via de Facebookpagina van het programma of via [email protected].

#Cappelle Calling #playlist #LP van de Week #DisCovered #filmplaat #Muzikale ketting #regio90 #90fm #radio 90fm

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a-froger-epic · 3 years

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Get out your glitter leotards and pour some champagne in your cat mugs! 🥂 🍾 It’s time to celebrate Freddie! 🎉😸

🎊 Freddie Mercury Weekend 2021 🎊

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜

ABOUT THE EVENT

This weekend is a content creation event in honour of the man himself, the legend we all love, Freddie Mercury! Once more, everyone who is inspired by Freddie is invited to share their creativity with the fandom. You can write, draw, edit, record, even cross-stitch 😉 content for absolutely anything related to Freddie, any ship, any genre, any way you like. This is an indiscriminately inclusive, positive event. Everyone is welcome, there is no wrong way to be a fan of Freddie! (Except convincing yourself you're dating his ghost maybe. That's pretty wrong. And weird. Don't do that.)

WHEN? On the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of May.

HOW? On the above dates (or after!), post your contributions to the AO3 collection or alternatively on Tumblr, tagged ‘#fmw2021’ or/and ‘#freddie mercury weekend 2021’. If you post on Tumblr, please also tag @a-froger-epic to make sure you get a reblog from me!

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜

THE PROMPTS

You can be as free with the prompts as you like. They are here to inspire, there is no wrong way to write them! Change them around, mix them up, make them fem!Freddie, A/B/O, add your favourite ship. Anything goes! 😊

21st of May - 500-1000 word challenge!

We’re kicking off the event with ficlets and drabbles. First time writer just testing the waters? No need for an epic, just write a scene! No time to write but you want to participate? Surely you’ll find time for 500 words! 😉 Interpret these mini-prompts however you like (every one is a separate prompt, but you can combine them!):

Make-Up 💄 | Pain/Pleasure 👀

Strip 👕 | Ring 💍

Forbidden 🤫 | Delilah 🐈

Piano 🎹 | Dormitory 🛏

Outrageous 🎉 | Contentment 😌

Come Together 🎇 | Ballet 🩰

Piece of Art 🎨 | Leather 🧥

Cockring 🐔 | Kimono 👘

Petals 🌸 | Leotard 🕺🏻

Mustache 🧔 | Last Time 😔

22nd of May - Is This The Real Life?

A list of real event/canon timeline prompts from Freddie’s life. How real you want to keep them, however, is entirely up to you!

Down in flames

Freddie is 16 years old when he leaves boarding school. Does it have something to do with the school gardener, Sanjay? Did he flunk his exams or did he not even sit them? Is one thing connected to the other? Does he really find a boyfriend when he goes to stay with his aunt in Mumbai (then Bombay)? Either way, there’s the small matter of his parents finding out about all of it... (Sources: x x )

When Freddie met Kenny

Freddie is a guest on Kenny Everett's radio show in spring 1974. Freddie is living with Mary, Kenny is married. Two gay men, deep in the closet. To no one's surprise, they hit it off immediately. (Source: x )

But when did he?

At some point during his relationship with Mary, prior to his relationship with David, Freddie had already begun sleeping with men. But how and when did that first happen? Cottaging in London? On tour somewhere in the world? Your guess is as good as ours…

Flying High

Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll. Like all rock bands of their time, Queen doesn’t escape the copious amounts of cocaine in the entertainment industry for long. Somewhere on tour in America, perhaps, Freddie is first introduced to it. Where? How?

Hide your tears

Jim said that he tried to be strong for Freddie and only cried in private, so as not to burden Freddie with his feelings. But this time, he is found.

One-liners:

In 1969, Freddie doesn’t know how to cook an egg and neither does Roger (Source: x )

In 1977, Freddie meets Joe while on tour in Boston and starts dating him behind David's back

In 1990, Brian and Freddie work on 'The Show Must Go On' (Source: x )

In a year of your choice, Jim reminisces about his fondest moment(s) with Freddie

In 1976, Freddie and Mary end their relationship

In 1984, Winnie gives Freddie a wedding ring (middle of the post: x )

In the late 60s, Freddie agrees to model for an Ealing Art School fashion show, but panics and flees the runway (Source: x )

In 1974, Freddie is strip-searched upon arrival in Australia (Source: x )

In 1982, Freddie and Roger go shopping in Amsterdam (Source: x )

In 1978, Freddie swings from a chandelier - naked (Source: x )

23rd of May - Is It Just Fantasy?

A list of AU prompts to spark your imagination. Take them and run with them or change them up, just have fun!

Make your dreams come true

Freddie hasn't been very fortunate in his life, until he finds a very special oil lamp, and rubs it just the right way.

Beautiful stranger

Freddie meets an alluring stranger at a masquerade ball, who has more secrets than he can hide behind a mask. But Freddie has some of his own.

Thicker than water

Freddie agrees to a dreadful fate in order to save his little sister from the very same. Fortunately, he has friends who are more than willing to help him, but can they? Or are they, too, in danger?

Diamonds are a boy's best friend

Freddie is the prized jewel of the court, a skilled belly-dancer and entertainer, but he may also be plotting murder and getting away with it.

Almost Real

In a distant future, humans have all but done away with face to face interaction. Humanity largely lives online. Children grow up isolated and live with only their families well into young adulthood. Cybersex is the new normal, although some families take a puritanical approach for fear of addiction. One day, impossibly, a real life young man falls through the containment field in Freddie’s back garden.

One-liners:

This plane is going to crash (Freddie knew there was a reason he hated flying)

Shipwrecked on an island (Freddie could never bear to be alone, but luckily/unfortunately for him…)

Hunger Games AU (Freddie is so dead)

A terrible road accident (Everyone is so dead, or are they?)

Blind Date AU (Freddie's best friend is so dead for setting him up with this person… or are they…)

Bank robbery (but who are the robbers and who are the hostages?)

Magic AU ("Yer a wizard, Freddie!")

Film Noir AU (Secrets and cigarette holders)

Interior Design AU (Does the carpet match the drapes?)

The Bodyguard AU (“And I will always love yooouuuu…”)

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜

RULES & FAQ

⛔ Strictly No Hate ⛔

This is the NUMBER ONE RULE of the event, to ensure that everybody feels safe. No rudeness, provocations or hate aimed at creators or other commenters will be permitted, not on AO3 nor Tumblr.

Follow these steps if you receive a comment or ask that distresses you:

Do not engage. (You can take a screenshot as proof.)

Delete it. No ifs, no buts. Just delete it. (Don’t hesitate to block anon hate on Tumblr.)

Alert me ( @a-froger-epic ) or @aboutnothingness, who is lending me a hand to make sure all needs are attended, all questions are answered and everything runs smoothly. We are here to actively support you. We’ve got your back, and we will gladly talk to you and help you feel better.

If you choose to ignore this rule, your work may be removed from the event. We would hate to resort to that.

But what if one of the works has upset me?

Can the thing that upset you be tagged, but it wasn’t? Then please inform @a-froger-epic or @aboutnothingness, and we will bring it to the creator’s attention. (Remember to use the appropriate tags, everybody!)

Was the thing that upset you already tagged? Or is it perhaps simply the characterisation you find disagreeable? Then we suggest you click on the ‘back’ button, take a deep breath and remind yourself it's just fanfic.

Who can participate?

Anyone who is inspired by Freddie Mercury in any way shape or form. This event is open to all.

Can I combine prompts from different days?

By all means! We look forward to your futuristic Freddie-gets-kicked-out-of-boarding-school Maycury Film Noir AU. With leotards. Go crazy.

I'm not sure where my creation fits in, what day do I post it?

The days, like the prompts, are only suggestions. We don't mind when you post it, as long as you post it! Even if it's two weeks late!

Help, I've never posted fic before!

Don't worry, we've got you! (And more importantly, we've got AO3 invites!) @aboutnothingness is more than happy to walk you through the process of setting up an account and is also offering her services as a beta.

I’m still too nervous to participate!

You can post anonymously to the collection. You can disable anon comments on your work. You can disable comments entirely and just collect the kudos. You can close anon asks on Tumblr temporarily. But most importantly, we are here for you and we want you here!

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜

“I love the fact that I make people happy, in any form. Even if it’s just half an hour of their lives, in any way that I can make them feel lucky or make them feel good, or bring a smile to a sour face, that to me is worthwhile.”

- Freddie Mercury

#Freddie Mercury Weekend 2021 #FMW2021 #freddiemercuryweekend2021 #fandom event #Queen fandom #Freddie Mercury #it's here!#REBLOG REBLOG REBLO-

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eileen-crys · 3 years

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Wipe the tears off your face

"Jim said that he tried to be strong for Freddie and only cried in private, so as not to burden Freddie with his feelings. But this time, he is found." Settled in a fantasy Alternative Universe and in a different situation, but their love is still there, strong and everlasting.

Pairing: Jim Hutton/Freddie Mercury

Words: 2.322

Warnings: some cursing, emotional hurt/comfort, mention of blood.

This fic is settled in my fantasy AU "Down in the Dungeons", in an undefined moment before the story narrated in the main fic, while Freddie is looking for the magic map that led him to the Prophet.

You can read this fic without reading DitD so don't worry!

All you need to know is that Jim is a Half-Orc Druid and Freddie is a Tiefling (half demon) Warlock. They travel together and are lovers, facing the difficulties of being a couple of "monstrous" races. Jim himself is a very unconventional Half-Orc, being sweet and caring instead of battle-oriented, and sometimes he needs to let out his emotions.

Here’s my entry for the Freddie Mercury Weekend 2021 hosted by the lovely @a-froger-epic! Also my first Jimercury solo fic hahah I must admit I’m really nervous, I’m not used to write them and so I preferred to stay a bit in my comfort zone, setting the fic in my Fantasy AU... I truly hope you’ll like it! Please leave a comment if you liked it and feel free to ask me anything about it or the AU!

Tags: @bambirexwrites @i-lay-my-life-before-queen @idontknowhowthisworked @warriorteam1924

My Masterlist | FMW2021 event | FMW2021 on AO3 | Read Down in the Dungeons! | Dividers by @/firefly-graphics

#rachelb's writing #rachelb's art #fmw2021 #freddie mercury weekend 2021 #jimercury #jimercury fic #freddie mercury x jim hutton #jim hutton x freddie mercury #down in the dungeons #ditd #fantasy au

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ineffableidiots99 · 3 years

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on her majesty's personal service

No area of the house is off limits for Delilah. She can enter any room, sit at any spot, whenever she wants. It feels good to wield such power. Whenever she walks into a room, humans naturally gravitate towards her, and are compelled to stroke her fur. And if she deems them worthy, she allows them to pick her up and cuddle with her.

On one fine morning, Queen Delilah of House Garden Lodge demands cuddles. And she will not stop until she is successful in her mission.

-------

My first entry for the FMW weekend organised by the lovely @a-froger-epic on the prompt, 'Delilah'!💙

Thanks to my ever amazing beta @aboutnothingness for being the best as always💕

#freddie mercury #freddie mercury weekend #fmw2021 #jim hutton #delilah #roger taylor #brian may #john deacon #fanfiction #rpf #Freddie Mercury Weekend 2021

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warriorteam1924 · 3 years

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My sweeter half instead

Freddie Mercury x Jim Hutton

Author’s note : Hi my beauties. This piece is very special because it is for a special event. This is for Freddie Mercury weekend 21, hosted by @a-froger-epic . I chose the prompt ‘Delilah’, but I guess it can also fit the prompt ‘Magic AU (“Yer a wizard, Freddie!”)’, and I hope my writing fits the prompts. A massive thanks to my incredible beta reader, the amazing and fantastic @thosequeenboys, who more than just helping me getting rid of the many mistakes I write, is also a major inspiration because of her talent. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks in advance for the feedback (but please don’t put a like if you didn’t even read the piece, that’s very rude to my pov….) Also, I remind you English is not my mother tongue, sorry for the mistakes….

Warnings : This is some kind of magical world…. but nothing too bad I guess.

Summary : A series of events for Freddie, Jim and Delilah after a challenge….

Words count : 3,950 words

Permanent tag list : @reavenedges-lies @thosequeenboys @born-to-lose @orionis8689 @queenlover05

This is the kind of story that usually started with ‘once upon a time’ and that also usually ended up with ‘they lived happily ever after’, given the magical, mystic atmosphere that went with it….

This story began in a village like many others on this planet, the kind of place where everything seems quiet and routine , where the people live their lives very normally. Ah, but things are not always like they seem….

In this village lived a very special person. He was a man like no other and everyone knew who he was. His hair was jet black, and shiny. He had hazel eyes and he outlined them with a bit of dark makeup to highlight his rare and exotic look. Some would describe his jaw under his moustache as prominent but in fact, it gave his features a never seen before feeling, increasing the mystery around the beauty of this man. Everyone in the surrounding towns knew his name. He was Freddie Mercury.

There was something else very special about this man. A secret only he knew. In this normal world, he was one of a kind. He was not sure where it was coming from. Was it in his blood? Had he been chosen by some sort of almighty power to be gifted? Was it a blessing or a curse? Freddie was not sure, but he discovered at a very young age he had unique skills. He was not able to tell if it was wizardry or sorcery or both, but he was able to use magic. He did not consider himself as a great enchanter, he merely learned to live with it, trying his best for the rest of the community not to notice it.

Freddie’s life was far from being ordinary even if he wished he could be as normal as anyone else. Yet, living an ordinary life didn’t seem to be what destiny had planned for him. The village he had decided to settle in was not the biggest of all, and that was one of the reasons why Freddie had picked it. Nonetheless, and to his greatest regret, Freddie soon became the most desired man of the surroundings. Freddie was really surprised by this since he’d always try to be quiet and not attract attention too much. How was it possible everyone wanted a date with him?

Soon, he started to receive love letters and proposals of all sorts, from people he had only met once or nodded at as crossed in the street. Shortly, it seemed the situation became out of control, with Freddie’s mailbox filled every day, the nonstop glances in the streets, the serenades at night before his windows. Something had to be done.

The man eventually came up with an idea. It surely would appear silly and strange, but he thought this plan could work. He wasn’t looking for a partner but who knew, maybe it could bring love in his life? He prepared everything needed for the little contest he had come up with.

The news of the challenge spread like wildfire and soon everyone knew about it. The rules were simple, but who would be smart enough to succeed?

Freddie informed his suitors that he had attached a key to the necklace of his cat Delilah. The first one to catch his beloved pet, without hurting the kitten of course, could take the pendant from the locket and bring it back to the owner. Freddie would then allow this person to try to conquer his heart. To avoid confusion, Freddie attached a picture of the cat and wrote its name on the note.

The challenge soon began, but the cat was way too fast and too clever to get caught by anyone. Sometimes, it seemed the kitten was taunting the suitors who were trying their luck, almost laughing at them when they turned back home empty-handed, mumbling and furiously slamming the door behind.

Freddie’s plan seemed to be working. It appeared many had given up, some after ending up in the mud or after attracting all the cats of the neighborhood with food. Freddie hoped at some point this ‘most-wanted’ affair would end and he’d be able to resume his normal life. The man had a total faith in Delilah and knew the cat wouldn’t surrender so easily.

One evening, a suitor tried to catch the kitten again, but the pet escaped quickly enough, but only just barely. The cat landed in a garden, but got injured. Nothing too serious, surely just a sprained paw, but Delilah was in pain.

Looking around, the cat noticed it wasn’t a safe place and tried to hide quickly as someone was coming outside. Delilah tried to blend into the background and hoped the man would not notice the cat’s presence.

The man’s name was Jim Hutton and he was a barber. He was not particularly handsome, but there was some kind of bonhomie coming from him. His hair was short and brown and he, too, had a moustache he liked to trim himself.

Gently closing the door behind him, Jim sighed. He took a garden chair and put it in the middle of his lawn. The night was quite cold but clear. He shivered but sat down and lit a cigarette. He took the first puff and stared at the stars above his head.

Since he was alone, the man didn’t say a word, but Delilah could clearly see he was lost in his thoughts. He was silently smoking, admiring the beauty the sky was offering. Once he had smoked his cigarette, he sighed again, stood up and stepped towards the house.

The cat felt relieved. It was about time: with an injured paw, the way back home was surely going to be tricky. The kitten left the makeshift hiding place, but it was too soon. The man was coming back towards the chair to put it back at its place. The cat froze, wishing the human wouldn’t notice anything.

As he had planned, Jim took the chair and walked nonchalantly back towards his house. Delilah almost sighed in relief and carried on walking. The pain was still present and the kitten couldn’t help but let out a cry of pain.

Jim heard it and came closer to see what was happening. As he approached, Delilah hissed at him,warning him on what would occur if he tried anything. The man kindly kneeled next to the pet and tried to be reassuring.

“Don’t you worry sweetheart, I’m not gonna hurt you….”, Jim said as he sat on the lawn and shivered because of the cold. Delilah’s fur bristled, trying to threaten the man. Jim smiled at the cat but didn’t move.

“Seems like you’re hurt…. Let me know if you want me to have a look….”, he quietly said.

Delilah didn’t move, puzzled that the man did not try to catch the necklace and the key. Jim put his hand in his pocket, took his pack of cigarettes and lit one.

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”, he asked, almost in a whisper, gazing at the sky.

Delilah looked at him, a bit confused. Was he trying to communicate? Or was it some kind of trap? Jim gave the cat a quick glance and then focused again on the sky above them.

“The stars.”, he pointed out. “Seems like no one takes time to look at them nowadays. Such a shame. The sight is just incredible.”, he carried on speaking, even if he knew there wouldn’t be an answer.

Delilah knew the pain would prevent a quick escape but tried anyway, since the man wasn’t looking. This new attempt was useless, the cat was unable to walk. Again, the kitten was surprised the man didn’t endeavor to catch the key. Was he even aware of the challenge? The man simply leaned on the fence, smoking his cigarette. Eventually, he spoke again.

“You know, you shouldn’t be trying to walk. You can stay a bit if you want. Or if your address is written on your necklace, I can take you back home.”

Delilah stared at him, not really knowing how to react. The man didn’t try to violently catch the pet.The cat considered the options and let out a quiet meow. Jim turned his head to find the kitten showing the injured paw.

“Shall I?”, the man gently asked, offering his hands but not touching the pet yet.

Delilah tried to get closer, making the man understand he was allowed to have a look. Jim gently took the cat in his arms, stood up and walked back towards his house, the cat starting to make him feel warmer. He closed the door behind him and softly sat on the sofa. He kindly touched the injured paw, making the kitten let out a little cry of pain.

“Oh, I see…. I think it isn’t too bad.”, Jim replied to this whine. “I think it’s just sprained…. I guess there won’t be any rat chasing for you for a couple of days.”, he very gently advised, petting the cat’s head.

Delilah came even closer to him. Even if the lights were slightly softened, Jim noticed the necklace with the cat’s name was written on it.

“So, you are the famous Delilah…. Surely as famous as your owner now….”, he smiled. “I know where you live. Maybe you’d like to get back home to rest?”, he suggested.

Delilah looked at him, deeply astonished the man still hadn’t tried anything to take the key from the necklace. Their eyes met for the first time and the cat understood there was nothing to fear from this man. His eyes only inspired confidence and trust and there was a mix of sweetness, of kindness and of caring coming from his features. As a result, the kitten meowed again, trying to nod to make the man understand it was time to get back home.

Jim very gently smiled, took the cat properly in his arms and the two of them left the house, once again surrounded by the fresh and quiet night. The barber softly hummed, almost rocking the pet as he was walking. Delilah couldn’t deny it was very pleasant to be carried around this way.

They soon arrived in front of Freddie Mercury’s house. Jim cautiously opened the little entrance gate and stepped towards the front door. He let the cat down, wondering if it was wise to knock. Delilah sat in front of the door and scratched it.

“Is there any cat door for you to enter?”, Jim asked in a whisper.

Delilah looked at him then turned again to the door, staring at the handle. Jim sighed and got closer. He glanced around to make sure they were alone and tried to turn the knob to open the door. But it was locked.

“Of course, it’s locked.”, he rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to wake everybody….”, he carried on, rubbing his chin as he was thinking.

He looked at Delilah, who was now turned to him. The moon was shining on the necklace, drawing the man’s attention on the key.

“Could this be the key to the house?”, he asked out loud, but still in a whisper.

The cat was still sitting in front of him and stood still. Jim slowly kneeled and hesitated.

“May I?”, he asked, pointing at the key.

Again, the cat stood still so the man very kindly took the key from the necklace. As soon as he had the key in his hands, the kitten turned again to the door, letting him know it was time to open the door.

Jim slowly put the key in the lock, hoping he wasn’t too noisy and that it was the right key. After two turns on the left, the door opened and Delilah slowly walked in, on three paws. The man, on the other hand, remained at the doorstep, not knowing what to do.

Thoughts were rushing in his head. He, too, knew about the challenge even if he had had no intention to take part. But he could not deny he was highly intrigued by the mysterious Freddie Mercury. His heartbeat quickened at the thought of meeting the beautiful owner and possibly inviting him on an actual date.

Getting back to reality, Jim sarcastically laughed. This was Freddie Mercury he was thinking about. Jim knew he wouldn’t stand a chance with him. Their moustache was surely the only thing they had in common. Freddie seemed much more sophisticated. What could he find interesting in a mere barber….? Jim deeply sighed.

He raised his head again, allowing himself to have a glance inside the house. Jim didn’t come inside, but his eyes landed on a shiny black grand piano. Jim felt flutters in his stomach. So, Freddie Mercury was a musician as well. He wondered what melodies he played with his long fingers….

As he lowered his glance, Jim saw Delilah still standing close to the door. The man took the key from the door and gently put it back on the cat’s necklace. He put his hand on the knob and before closing the door, he said softly:

“Good night Delilah. Don’t forget to rest and take care of this lil paw, will ya?”.

The cat stood there as the door was closed behind her, as she sat, safe inside Freddie’s house. Jim dreamily hummed again as he walked back home.

The following days, Jim took up with his old habits again, simply working during the day and enjoying the night view the sky offered him in the garden during the night. The star gazing would usually allow him to free his mind, but since he had met Delilah, his thoughts were for Freddie Mercury and only him. Jim tried his best to fight those romantic ideas, knowing it wouldn’t lead anywhere. Yet, he just couldn’t help it.

Jim and Freddie had never really interacted. The barber was surely just like all the other men, simply falling for the mysterious man’s beauty and the mystic aura the black haired man was inspiring. Just like anyone else in the village, Jim and Freddie’s paths crossed once or twice, but there was nothing more but a few polite glance exchanges. When thinking about it, Jim merely couldn’t explain why he was so attracted to Freddie, almost mesmerized by someone he had never talked to.

One night, Jim was sitting on his garden chair, smoking his cigarette, just like he would routinely do. The nights were always quiet but this one was slightly different. The barber was sure he wasn’t alone, but tried to convince himself it was nothing but his imagination.

Suddenly out of nowhere, Delilah suddenly jumped on his knees, making him startle. The moon wasn’t full and there wasn’t much light to distinguish images, but Jim recognized Delilah at once.

“Delilah?”, the man asked, very astounded. “What are you doing here? Are you okay?”, he asked.

The cat gave him a reassuring look and jumped on the lawn. The kitten walked around him, then came back on his knees.

“Looks like you feel better, lil hairball….”, he smiled as he started to affectionately pet the cat.

Delilah got comfortable and Jim noticed the key was still on the necklace. The two of them remained at ease with each other, the man petting the kitten, and the cat quietly purring. After a while, Delilah parted for her home.

This little game between the man and the cat soon became daily. Delilah knew when Jim would be outside and the man soon started to wait for the pet to come. When it was rainy, the two of them would go inside. And promptly, Jim started to talk and confess his thoughts. He considered it was safe to speak in front of the cat since there was no risk for his words to be repeated.

Jim mainly talked about love and the romantic feelings he now had for Freddie. He shared his thoughts about a hypothetical life together, how he imagined the two of them madly in love, how this feeling would not change as time would go by.

Every time Jim was talking, Delilah would merely stand by his side, listening. The man wasn’t sure if the cat was able to understand, but he somehow felt a relief. Expressing his feelings and hopes this way took a burden from his shoulders. And since he knew he couldn’t have Freddie as a partner, he felt closer to him anyway since he was able to pet his kitten.

Delilah and Jim now had their routine together, spending time with each other, and their nights were more or less the same, until an unusual event.

One night, after Jim had shared his thoughts with the kitten, he was surprised to see Delilah part from him a little sooner than usual, and more abruptly than typical. Jim frowned, wondering the reason for the sudden departure.

Delilah looked at him in the eyes and then started to move in an awkward way. Eventually, after several attempts, the cat succeeded and removed the necklace with the key. The collar was surely loosened because the pet simply guided it above the pointy ears. The kitten took it and placed it next to Jim, who was still highly flabbergasted.

“What are you doing?”, Jim asked, almost in a whisper. “This is your necklace, you have to put it back….”, he stated .

Jim took the necklace and tried to put back around the cat’s neck but Delilah was too quick. The man shook his head after what he considered to be a wink from the kitten. Delilah then walked to the door, turned one last time to Jim and then vanished in the night, leaving the man, still holding the necklace in his hands.

The following night, Jim waited for the cat for hours, but Delilah never came back. Jim hoped the kitten was fine. He was missing his furry friend, but also the connection this relationship with the cat allowed him to have with Freddie Mercury.

It took Jim several days to consider his options and decide what he was going to do with the necklace. This time of reflection was also necessary for him to gather his courage.

Since he didn’t owe any fancy clothes, Jim casually dressed, made sure his moustache was properly trimmed and walked to Freddie Mercury’s house, firmly holding the necklace in his hands. He took a deep breath once before the door and frankly knocked.

His heartbeat quickened as he heard steps approaching and the door opening before him. A few seconds later, Freddie Mercury, as beautiful as ever and widely smiling, was standing before the barber.

“Hi….”, Jim hesitated. “I’m Jim. I…. I found this, I think it belongs to you….”, he carried on.

“Oh, this is Delilah’s necklace….”, Freddie recognized it at once.

“I didn’t mean to take it from your cat, I swear….”, Jim apologized.

“Please, don’t you worry. Do you want to come in?”, Freddie proposed.

“Well, I don’t want to annoy you. I mean, I just came to give you the necklace back. I have no other intentions.”, the barber stated.

“Please?”, Freddie said. “Come in.”, he carried on, stepping aside to let him in.

Jim loudly swallowed but nodded and came inside. Freddie gently led him to the living room, where the two men sat on the sofa. Jim recognized the piano he had seen on his first encounter with Delilah.

“I really didn’t mean to take the necklace from your cat.”, the barber repeated. “I really didn’t want to take part in this challenge of yours, Mister Mercury….”, he said in a whisper, almost embarrassed.

“Please, call me Freddie.”, the other replied, with a kind smile.

Jim smiled as well, nodding.

“I know you didn’t steal the necklace and the key. You’re here because of a series of events. No one planned this, except destiny maybe….”, Freddie vaguely said.

The barber looked at his host, not really knowing what to answer.

“You are someone very special, Jim, do you know that?”Freddie asked .

“Am I?”, Jim replied, feeling his cheeks flush.

“Oh, yes, you are. Many would have been much less kind and caring with Delilah. Taking the necklace from an injured pet is very easy….”, Freddie said.

“Well, Delilah ended up in my garden and seemed scared…. I just made sure your pet was alright.”, the guest shrugged.

“You did more than this.”, Freddie nodded. “You took Delilah back home.”

“Well….”, Jim hesitated, blushing again.

He randomly looked around him to avoid Freddie’s eyes and his glance fell upon the piano. The host smiled at him again.

“It’s not the first time you see this piano, is it?”, he asked.

Jim turned his head to face him again, his heartbeat speeding and his mouth suddenly drying. Very elegantly, Freddie stood up and sat in front of the piano and played a melody Jim had never heard before. It was so beautiful, so melodious. The barber could have stood there for hours, simply listening and appreciating this precious moment.

Eventually, Freddie stopped and sat next to his guest.

“This…. This was really beautiful. You’re very talented.”, Jim dared to say.

“Thank you….”, Freddie smiled. “But it’s not the only talent I have.”, he let him know.

Jim frowned, not understanding.

“I think I know you now, Jim Hutton. Maybe it’s time for you to know me?”, Freddie suggested.

Jim opened his mouth to reply, but not a word came out. He simply stared at Freddie who stood up. The barber’s eyes widened before what was happening. It took only a few seconds, but between what seemed to be flashes and smoke, Freddie disappeared and Delilah was now standing where he was.

Jim froze unable to move and unable to say a word. Again, there were flashes and smoke and Freddie was back before him. The host stared at his guest and sat next to him on the sofa.

“Please, don’t be scared.”, Freddie asked.

Jim was about to reply but stopped. He looked at Freddie in the eyes. And suddenly, the barber understood.

He knew Freddie because he was Delilah. The cat’s eyes were no different from the man’s. They had the same hazel color and the same exotic look. Even the makeup Freddie was currently wearing seemed to be identical on the human’s eyes and the kitten’s eyes.

Jim’s mind processed quickly and he recalled almost every time he had been looking at Delilah in the eyes and felt good. This hazel look only inspired trust, kindness and love. If Delilah and Freddie were the same being. If Jim had trusted Delilah and Delilah had trusted him in return, there was no reason to be suspicious of Freddie.

“I’m not scared.”, Jim eventually said, daring to take Freddie’s hand.

The host sighed in relief, allowing himself a little giggle.

“You confessed so many things with Delilah, I thought it was time for me to confess my secret as well.”, Freddie said, intertwining his fingers with Jim’s.

The barber flushed again, grimacing as he realized he had been very talkative with the kitten.

“You didn’t capture my cat, Jim, but you did capture my heart.”, Freddie said in a whisper, caressing Jim’s cheek.

The two men slowly got closer and exchanged a first and very chaste kiss. The first of a very long series.

When coming up with the idea of this challenge, Freddie only wanted to live a more peaceful life. He didn’t really believe in the ‘happily ever after’ endings. Yet, he was glad he had found in Jim his sweeter half instead....

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