Chapter Text
This was it. This was the culminating moment.
Two more awards to go.
Rami's entire body was buzzing with anxiousness as he fiddled with the cuffs of his sleeves. His leg bounced up and down restlessly under the table. Attentive to every sensation, yet oblivious to all around him.
One more award to go.
And so what if he didn't win? Just the experience of honoring Freddie Mercury with this role was reward enough. It was one he was so grateful for and would cherish forever.
Would Freddie be proud of him?
Rami liked to think so, yet he would never be sure. Everyone had appraised his performance, even Brian and Roger had assured him Freddie would've loved him. Still his heart ached at the thought of never getting to know the man he so cherished with all his heart. The man that he had formed an unbreakable bond with, even beyond death, the man who now owned a piece of his soul. He meant the world to Rami. He just wanted to make him proud.
No need to be dramatic, darling, Rami giggled.
"And the nominees are..."
A pale hand met Rami's own as he looked up to see Lucy, beautiful and radiant, giving his hand a small squeeze. He smiled, dazed, the nerves slowly ebbing away. Her smile was comforting, like a warm summer afternoon, grounding Rami back to reality. He was oh so thankful to have met her on the set of this movie that they both worked so hard for. Yet another thing to thank Freddie for. Rami gave her a quick kiss on the cheek to show his love, to which she giggled lightly.
"—Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody—"
Ah, there it was. The table cheered him on, giving Rami a boost of confidence and an overall feeling of warmth and safety. This admittedly chaotic cast had become family to him, his brothers. He couldn't imagine how life would be if they hadn't met. And there was Brian May and Roger Taylor, sitting across from him—the two proud dads of this slightly dysfunctional family. Rami's heart swelled with an overwhelming feeling of love. No matter what happened tonight, he still had them—his family— and he wouldn't have it any other way.
"And the Oscar goes to—" Rami's heart skipped a beat. The world stopped spinning, this was it. All his work, all the struggles that came along with it. Everything he had done, for Queen, for Freddie. And then—
"Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody!"
As the beloved song started to play and applause broke out, Rami found himself in a state of utter disbelief. He knew he was moving, only because he saw the ground moving past him. Floating, almost, is how he would describe it. Somewhere to his right, Joe was hollering his congratulations, like a proud mama, as Brian pulled him into a fierce hug and Roger clapped him on the back.
"He would be so proud of you," Brian said softly into his ear, and Rami felt tears prick at his eyes and a lump in his throat, yet he still managed to flash the older man a grateful smile.
The walk to the stage was a blur, receiving congratulations from nearby tables, shaking hands with his fellow nominees; thanking them all for their sweet words.
On the stage, Rami was in even more disbelief, if possible. He graciously accepted the award and turned to the audience, almost completely lost for words.
“Wow.”
Thank them, tell them about your pizza delivery days, Live Aid was day one, say something, you idiot.
Oh, right.
Rami caught his breath and started talking. He must’ve said something clever, or stupid, judging from the audience’s polite laughter, he didn’t know. Everything was so overwhelming. He thanked everyone involved in the production, his producers, costume designers, makeup, Polly Bennett, everyone. He thanked his cast mates, ("If you thought you got enough tackling at the Golden Globes, brace yourselves") and also gave special thanks to Lucy, not only his cast mate but also his newfound love.
"Thank you Queen, once more for allowing us this opportunity to tell your story, for inspiring generations. Thank you for— for playing to us misfits in the back," Rami was overjoyed, he couldn't stop the smile growing ever wider on his face. "Thank you Brian May, Roger Taylor, and even you John Deacon— if you're sitting at home watching on the TV or wherever you may be— thank you all so much for making Queen possible"
"And of course, thank you Freddie Mercury for blessing me with the opportunity to tell your story. Thank you for letting me honor the luscious, divine creature you are, I love you! This is for you, darling!" Rami couldn’t stop his voice slipping into Freddie’s voice. He blew a kiss, and oh boy, he really couldn't stop himself from becoming Freddie. He felt Freddie's presence in himself more now than ever, from the gold teeth in his pocket to the mannerisms that had become second nature to him. A spike of courage rushed through his heart.
"There's one more thing I'd like to do.” A pause. “But I'm going to need a little help from the audience," he began, laughing nervously. "Now, I'm no Freddie Mercury when it comes to singing, but if you could please bear with me," Rami asked almost shyly.
And with that, his first "Ay-oh" rang out loud and clear.
For a split second Rami was almost worried that he would be left alone on a single "ay-oh," that no one would follow his lead. But when he heard he audience reciprocate with equal enthusiasm, he flushed with pride.
Feeling as if Freddie were right beside him, guiding him, Rami looked around at the smiling faces as he let out the second "ay-oh." Back at his table he could see Ben smiling disbelievingly, Lucy laughing lightly with adoration, Gwilym and Joe hollering back at him, and even Allen joining in.
With more courage flooding his system, he added in Freddie’s movements as he continued the game with the audience, an exact replica of that historic performance at Live Aid, all those years ago.
And as he was holding out the longest “ay-oh”, full on Freddie Mercury mode, Rami saw Roger Taylor, with his hand cupped over his mouth, eyes misty, standing next to Brian May, who looked as if the tears had already left his eyes.
A few tears may have left his own eyes.
With as much gusto as he possibly could, Rami finished the game, overwhelmed with emotion. A few more tears fell as he shut his eyes, a full smile on his face, as he sent a silent thank you to Freddie Mercury once more.
"All right!"