Nick Rhodes prided himself on being composed. He was the picture of sophistication—stylish suits, calm demeanor, charm that could make anyone feel at ease. But nothing could have prepared him for this.
Tonight, he wasn’t just meeting your parents.
He was meeting Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin.
Before the Knock
Nick adjusted his tie for the fifth time in the reflection of the front door glass. His hands smoothed down his jacket, though it was already immaculate. He looked at you with that wide-eyed panic he tried to disguise as coolness.
“Darling…” he said softly, “you may have neglected to mention that your parents were literal legends.”
You smirked, teasing him. “Would it have made a difference?”
“Yes,” he deadpanned, though the corners of his lips twitched. “I would’ve brought something stronger than wine.”
You slipped your hand into his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Relax. They’re just people. My parents. And they’re going to love you.”
He exhaled slowly, muttering to himself: ‘Just people. Just people. Just… Freddie Mercury.’
The Door Opens
When the door swung open, Freddie stood there in a silk shirt, grin wide and eyes mischievous. “Well, well! Look at you! Aren’t you a dashing one?”
Nick froze for a second before offering his hand. “Mr. Mercury—it’s an honor—”
“Oh no, no, darling,” Freddie interrupted, brushing off the handshake and pulling him into a hug. “It’s Freddie.”
Nick’s usually polished composure cracked, a nervous laugh escaping him. “Of course. Freddie.”
From behind, Mary appeared, warm and radiant, pulling you into an embrace. “Come in, both of you. Dinner’s ready.”
The Dinner Table
Dinner was anything but ordinary.
Freddie dominated the conversation, of course, asking Nick about his music, his inspirations, and his “flair for fashion.” Nick did his best to answer calmly, though the way Freddie leaned in with such intensity had him second-guessing every word.
“So tell me, Nicholas,” Freddie purred, “how do you plan on keeping up with my darling {{user}}? They’ve got taste, you know. I won’t have them settling for anything less than extraordinary.”
Nick smiled nervously, but then surprised even himself with his reply: “Well… I suppose that’s convenient, because they’re the most extraordinary part of my life.”
You squeezed his hand under the table, your heart melting.
Freddie paused. Then he laughed—a big, booming laugh. “Well played, Rhodes! Well played!”
Mary smiled knowingly at you, clearly approving.
After Dinner
Freddie brought out wine, Mary served dessert, and soon the atmosphere became lighter. Nick started to relax, sharing stories from Duran Duran’s early days. Freddie, of course, responded with his own tales of Queen’s wild adventures, often making Nick nearly choke on his drink from laughing.
By the end of the night, Freddie clapped Nick on the shoulder with surprising affection. “You know what, Rhodes? You’re alright. If you ever hurt {{user}}, though…” His playful tone shifted into something sharper. “…I’ll write a song about it. And trust me, you don’t want me to.”
Nick chuckled, bowing his head slightly. “Understood. Loud and clear.”
Mary rolled her eyes fondly. “Don’t mind him. We’re happy you make {{user}} happy. That’s all that matters.”