Chapter Text
Welcome to Maylor Week 2024!
Day 1 Prompt - Brian's Birthday
--------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note: This takes place in early June 2017 and Brian and Roger are in preparations for a new North American tour. When this tour is over they will be heading into production for the long awaited biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.
The frame of reference for their relationship in this fic is my main series - Maylor: A Love Story. This saga begins with You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, My Bijou and Who Wants To Live Forever. Additional installments may come in the future (These Are The Days of Our Lives, etc..).
Important - this is the first reveal of who Sarina Potgieter is in their lives in my fic. They met her in South Africa when performing there for Nelson Mandela's HIV/AIDS benefit. She is now employed by them as a personal chef/assistant and lifestyle/fitness coach.
-------------------------------------------------
Brian tried not to laugh out as loud as he read the text he was sent from his husband. Roger never failed to make him smile. Especially when a meeting felt like it was going long.
"Is that alright you with Brian?" he heard Jim say. Brian looked up and nodded. Luckily he had caught the question despite being distracted.
"It's fine with me." he answered as Jim smiled and his daughter and protege Matilda typed furiously on her laptop keyboard. Jim leaned over and conferred with his daughter as Brian turned to look at Roger. Seeing he seemed pensive despite his weariness over the long meeting.
"That was the last of the agenda items." Matilda announced as Roger made a sound of relief.
"Thank god!" Roger declared as he pushed his chair back and stood up from the table. A bit slower these days but still fully capable of managing it on his own. Brian stood as well.
"We do appreciate you going over everything." Brian said diplomatically as Jim and Matilda nodded recognition.
"We know it was a lot but that does wind things up for the film pre-production from our side so you can focus on some rest and starting your tour." Jim reminded Brian and Roger as they all collected their things.
"It's hard to believe this movie is finally going to be made." Roger remarked as he placed his phone in his pocket. "I was starting to think I would be dead before it began filming." he joked.
"You and me both." Jim agreed as he came over and put his arm around Roger. Getting an affectionate arm around his own shoulder from the drummer. "Enjoy the next few weeks and I will see you in L.A." Jim told them as they all said their goodbyes.
--------------------------
"I'm feeling restless." Roger announced as he drove them home.
"That usually spells trouble." Brian replied as Roger ignored his comment.
"I think we should do something before we fly to L.A." Roger proposed. 'We've got a few weeks and we won't have any real time to celebrate our birthdays on the tour." he pointed out.
"I have finished my promotion work for Queen in 3-D." Brian said as he picked up his notebook and flipped through the pages for the next few weeks. "I do have some things lined up but I could reschedule them." he surmised.
"Then reschedule them." Roger requested.
"What are you wanting to do?" Brian queried. Curious what idea Roger had. "If this is another trip on the sailboat..." Brian began as Roger interjected.
"It's not a trip on the boat but it is a trip." Roger responded. "A road trip actually." he said as Brian grew intrigued.
"And where are we road tripping?" Brian asked him.
"I want to drive Route 66 in America." Roger answered.
"You're kidding Rog!" Brian responded. "That's a terribly long drive." he argued. His face showing he was doing mental calculations. "That has to be at least 2000 miles." he surmised.
"I think it's more than that." Roger corrected. "It would be nice to do something that doesn't involve a detailed itinerary and our personal assistants for a week or so." he proposed. "A trip for just the two of us." he said as Brian considered the idea.
"You realize a large part of that journey involves traveling through small towns and not having access to 5 star restaurants and hotels." Brian pointed out. Roger smiled.
"We survived our first American tour staying in motels and eating in diners." Roger responded. "It would be nice to relive that simpler experience again before we're too old to appreciate it."
"Is your back up to sleeping on motel beds?" Brian asked him pointedly. Curious if Roger had considered that. Not entirely sure his would hold up to it either.
"I've already ordered a portable mattress topper and it's being delivered today." Roger replied with a smug expression.
"I guess I'm game but I would need to figure out how to manage my diet with limited dining options." Brian remarked. Always aware not every restaurant offered a vegetarian entree.
"I'm sure you'll find some vegetarians along the way who can offer some advice." Roger told him. He enjoyed listening to Brian begin to ramble to himself as he flipped through his planner and then opened a blank page and began making some notes. Trying to figure out how to prepare for their spontaneous holiday.
"So is that a yes?" Roger asked Brian after several minutes of mindless muttering.
"Yes." Brian replied. "I hope I'm not making a mistake in saying that." he expressed with concern.
"The only mistake is not saying yes to a new adventure." Roger told him as he focused on the road and imagined the one that lay ahead of them.
--------------------------------------
"I've got this added to your phone apps and of course you can text or call if you need anything." Sarina told Brian as they prepared to get off the private plane parked at O'Hare Airport. She tried to be supportive as she quietly worried about this being a good idea. "Are you sure you don't want me to come along?" she asked them both again.
"Absolutely not!" Roger replied as he stepped out of the plane and down the steps. Smiling at the sight of the hired car for the their trip. One he would drive himself.
"You're a phone call away." Brian assured Sarina as he followed his husband down the steps and saw the choice of car Roger had rented. A silver Range Rover. He observed the back of the vehicle being loaded with their luggage. "Nice wheels Rog." Brian remarked as Roger went around to the driver's side door to get in. Appearing pleased so far with the vehicle.
"We've got you equipped with a cooler in the back seat that is powered by the car and it's already stocked per your specifications." a woman explained as she opened the back door of the car and showed Brian the cooler and some other things stored their for convenience. He spotted another man going over the navigation system in the car with Roger in the front.
"Thank you." Brian told the woman as Sarina came up behind them and placed a bag on the floorboard.
"I've got some of your favorite snacks in here and Roger's things as well." she advised as the car door was closed and the front door opened for Brian. Sarina leaned in close to Brian and whispered. "I've got Roger's medicine in that bag as well." she told Brian as he nodded understanding.
"Sounds like we're all set." Brian replied as he climbed into the front seat and closed the door. "Thanks for everything." he told Sarina as she smiled at the men.
"You're welcome. Have a good time and we will see you in L.A." Sarina stated as Roger started the engine.
"Thanks. See you there." Roger told her as he pulled on his sunglasses and put the car in gear. Brian buckled his seatbelt and waved to Sarina.
"See you there." Brian added as Roger turned the car around and headed for the airfield exit.
"What is our first stop?" Brian questioned as Roger navigated his way onto highway 83 south.
"We're skipping Chicago as we've been here at least a dozen times over the years." Roger replied. "I thought you could look up what there is to see between here and Springfield." he suggested. "I believe that was the next big city." he recollected. Brian opened the travel book Roger had ordered and used the state tab to get to the pages for Illinois. Going past the information for Chicago and glancing over the next few pages.
"There is a town called Gardner with a notable attraction of having a two cell jail house." Brian advised. Amused as he read over the information. "Apparently it has been left unchanged from when it was first built in 1906." he explained. He glanced over at Roger. "Interested in getting a current mugshot if we stop there?" he asked his husband. A teasing tone in his voice.
"I've not been on the wrong side of a police cell since that time in Monaco." Roger recalled. A smirk forming on his face and then going a little flat. "I went with Crystal and Rick." he said as Brian knew what Roger was thinking about. The fact that Rick Parfitt had passed away a few years before. He had been a long time friend of Rogers. He had also struggled with a lot of substance abuse and health problems. Dying at the age of 68.
"Have you spoke with Crystal lately?" Brian asked him. Avoiding the topic of Rick for obvious reasons.
"I got an email from him a few weeks back." Roger answered. His expression lifted a little. "He's still in Australia and busy with his garden." he told Brian as he smiled at the idea of a man who was so into the rock and roll lifestyle tending a garden in his retirement.
"I know you still miss him." Brian remarked.
"I miss both of them." Roger clarified as reference was made to Rick's passing and Crystal's choice to quit working for Roger decades before.
The men were silent as they both crept into that all too familiar sphere of grief. The reminder of people they had loved and lost. And saddened as the list grew larger with the passage of time.
------------------------
Roger and Brian waited until the family gathered at the jail cell left the small building and headed for their car. Brian had acutely spotted one of the children wearing a Queen t-shirt and it was decided they would prefer seeing this curiosity without being distracted by fans. They both got out and headed over. Brian already taking some photos with his phone.
"They weren't kidding when they said it had been left unchanged." Brian commented as they both stepped in and looked at the interior of the two cell jailhouse. The black iron structures with the canvas covered wooden cots for beds. Threadbare blankets covering them and nothing else occupying the cells save for the rusted bucket in the corner they both knew was the prisoner toilet.
"Let's just hope they emptied that bucket." Roger remarked as he and Brian chuckled. Stepping into one of the cells to check the bucket contents. They shared a look of amusement at the empty vessel and Roger walked over and stood by the cell bars. Grasping them with his hands as Brian came out of the cell and stepped back far enough to get a photo of his husband in the cell.
"Can I post this on my Instagram?" Brian asked as he snapped a few pictures.
"I think we both know the answer to that question." Roger replied dryly as he left the cell and they both had another cursory look around. The men left the jailhouse and walked back to the car.
"Want something to drink?" Brian questioned as he opened the back door and lifted the lid on the cooler.
"Sure." Roger answered as he got in the driver's seat. Brian took his seat and handed Roger a bottle of water. The drummer picked up the guidebook and glanced at the next few pages. Brian sipping his water as Roger's face lit up with delight. "There's an antique car museum!" he declared as Brian tried to feign excitement.
"I suppose that's our next stop." Brian remarked as Roger punched in the address on the navigation system.
"You suppose right." Roger replied as he pulled out and followed the directions offered by the virtual displayed on the car dashboard. They were enjoying the scenery of the rural pastures and cornfields when Brian's phone pinged and he began reading and responding to notifications.
"I hope you don't think you're going to spend this trip on your phone?" Roger commented without removing his eyes from the road.
"What if it's a text from one of the kids or grandkids?" Brian questioned as he typed a response to someone.
"You can check your phone once an hour but you're not replying to every single thing you were sent!" Roger informed him. "We both know if it's something urgent they will call us." he pointed out.
"True." Brian agreed. Still typing. Roger glanced over at him.
"And anything else can wait." Roger insisted. Brian sighed and pressed send on his phone and shoved it in his pocket.
"I can look my messages over tonight." Brian remarked as Roger knew his husband meant he would be up half the night on his phone while Roger slept.
Brian's phone continued to make it's pinging sound and Roger formed an annoyed expression.
"Can you turn off your notifications until we at least get to a place for the night?" Roger requested. "I'd prefer to have some peace instead of that constant ping in my bloody ear all week!" he declared. Brian retrieved his phone and went to his settings. Changing it as Roger felt a sense of triumph and leaned over to switch on the radio.
"Do they have satellite radio?" Brian inquired as he glanced at the radio console.
"Yes." Roger confirmed. "Find us something good." he requested. Brian pressed the guide option and reviewed the available channels. Grinning as he pressed a selection.
"I found something." Brian advised as the channel changed and the car filled with the sounds of The Everly Brothers singing 'Wake Up Little Susie.' Both men instantly joined in.
'Well, what are we gonna tell your mama?
What are we gonna tell your pa?
What are we gonna tell our friends
When they say, "Ooh la la!"Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Well, I told your mama that you'd be in by ten
Well, Susie, baby looks like we goofed again'
"How old were you when that song came out?" Roger asked Brian as the song finished.
"I think about 10 or 11." Brian replied. Smiling at the long ago memory of the duo being on the radio and occupying a place in his collection of 7 inch singles. "I still have the record." he stated as Roger smiled at the news.
"Of course you do." Roger remarked in a sentimental manner. Both of them sharing a warm expression at recalling their tender years.
"I learned so much about singing harmonies from them." Brian commented.
"We all did." Roger agreed. "Well, them and The Beatles." he added as Brian nodded. A new song came on and the men began singing along. Losing themselves in the music and the memories and finding the songs from that era quite apt for their journey.
---------------------------
Brian followed Roger around the museum. Admiring the craftsmanship of the vintage cars and the effort put into maintaining the collection. The American cars were certainly more flamboyant and varied than the British cars he recalled from his youth. Everything American from the 50's and early 60's seemed flashier. It only reminded him why most boys his age had wanted to be American or at least come here. He felt grateful he had been given the repeat visits he had enjoyed over the decades. Appreciating the nicer things about the country and trying to ignore some of the lesser qualities.
After Roger had his fill of peering under the hood and enjoying the splendor of the antique cars, they left the museum. Walking to the car and considering some food.
"We should get a meal and then decide where we might stay tonight." Roger surmised as he checked his watch. They returned to the car and Brian looked over the guidebook as Roger checked on his phone for the nearest restaurants. Settling on an Italian place that was in Bloomington and planning to stay in a hotel in Springfield.
Roger started the car and returned to the highway. Brian observed him checking the gauges on the car. Most of them digital nowadays.
"Are we good?" Brian questioned.
"Yes." Roger answered. "We should get some petrol in the morning before we leave Springfield." he suggested.
"Considering the miles we are traveling, you should have got an electric vehicle." Brian remarked. "It's a better carbon footprint." he reminded his husband.
"I feel that a petrol fueled voyage feels more authentic." Roger countered. "And I imagine that charging stations are few and far between on this road." he surmised. "I don't see a lot of these smaller towns offering them yet."
"Possibly. But things are changing." Brian pointed out. "Someday soon there will be one at every fuel station." he said as Roger huffed.
"It takes 10 minutes to get some petrol." Roger reminded him. "I'm not interested in sitting at a station in the middle of nowhere for a few hours so the car will keep running." he told Brian.
"I hadn't considered that." Brian admitted.
"Well I have." Roger assured him as he guided the Rover down the highway.
----------------------------------
They had opted to stay in a boutique hotel. Securing the third floor of a historic house that slept 6 but provided ample space for the men to relax. Also providing a semblance of privacy and anonymity. After enjoying the Italian meal they brought their cases upstairs and settled in.
Brian finished a text to Emily and one to his administrator at London Stereo and got up from the oversized chair in the bedroom. Stopping at the bathroom to peer in on Roger. Lounging in the jacuzzi tub.
"You look relaxed." Brian remarked as he noted the serene expression on Roger's face. His body submerged in the deep tub and the water pulsing and bubbling around him.
"I will sleep like a baby tonight." Roger responded as Brian continued on to the living area. Settling in the corner of the plush sofa and grabbing the television remote. He found a film he had seen before but rather liked. A classic Hollywood picture with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey.
Brian got up and went to the kitchen pouring himself a glass of wine from the bottle Roger had opened earlier. He carried the glass to the sofa and then reached for his guitar case. Pulling out the instrument and perching on the edge of the sofa while he tuned the guitar and watched the film. Laughing occasionally at the antics in the comedy.
Roger wrapped himself in a thick cotton robe and went into the bedroom. Changing into his pajamas and then joining Brian in the living room. Finding his husband strumming away on his acoustic guitar. Half focused on the film and half on his instrument.
"Is there any wine left?" Roger questioned as Brian absentmindedly played.
"About a glass I think." Brian answered as Roger strolled to the kitchen.
Roger tucked himself in on the other end of the sofa from Brian and sipped his wine. His lap covered with a large thick throw. He had grown used to blocking out Brian's practicing. It was old habit by now. He reached for the remote and turned up the film a little. Drowning out some of the heavier riffs as Brian worked to prepare his fingers for their upcoming tour.
Brian finished his routine and then stood up. Placing the guitar inside the case and closing the lid. Resuming his spot on the sofa but sitting further back as he examined his fingers. Praying he could endure another tour without issue and realizing he needed to trim his nails again.
The sound of snoring caught his attention as he looked over and found Roger had dozed off. Brian looked at his face. Always enjoying how soft it looked as he slept peacefully. Warm under the throw and wine in his system. The lines not as severe on his face and his mouth slightly slack with slumber.
He leaned over and grabbed his phone. Taking the opportunity to check his notifications and respond. Making sure nothing urgent needed his attention. Brian finished and then got up from the sofa. Switching off the television and then gently pulling at the throw covering his husband.
"Rog..." Brian said softly as he tried to stir the sleeping man awake. "Rog..."
The drummer slowly opened his eyes and made a slightly startled sound.
"What?" Roger said as he woke up.
"You fell asleep. You need to come to bed." Brian beckoned. Roger nodded and shifted a little on the sofa. Finally getting up with Brian's help. The men walked to the bedroom. Roger half awake and Brian spotting him as they reached the bed.
Brian pulled back the bedclothes and Roger climbed in. Quickly on his side and closing his eyes as Brian covered him up. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Roger's cheek before pulling the phone from his pocket and stepping outside onto the veranda.
It was a cloudless night and Brian took a seat on the private balcony. Glancing upwards and forgetting his phone as he peered into the sky and sought out any glimpse of the stars. A few caught his eye and he smiled gratefully. Appreciating the quiet of the night and the eternal wonder of the sky and happy he had agreed to Roger's little adventure.