Work Text:
1971, August 13
It was sunny summer afternoon, the biggest hot, when Roger and Brian decided and headed out to a lake nestled in the woods not far from London. The weather was unusually warm for an English summer, and the idea of cooling off in the water sounded perfect.
They hoped for others in band to join, but the plan was declined by both men. John decided to spend finally more time with his mother and sister instead. As for Freddie, he planned dinner at Mary's parents.
The other two, little disappointed, went anyways. After nice and long ride on bikes, they spotted lake they were looking for. They both got off their bikes, leaned them against a tree, and made their way closer to the lake. Brian and Roger were almost alone there, except for an older man walking on the opposite shore of the lake.
When they reached the lake, Brian didn’t wait. He peeled off his shirt, he took off his clogs, dropped it onto the grass, and stepped into the water. The first touch of the water in lake was sharp and cool. He waded in without hesitation, arms swaying slightly for balance as he stepped deeper in the water.
Only when the water reached his waist and he felt that sudden shift where the lake deepens and the earth falls under his feet he shivered and finally began to swim. After while, he found it weird that he didn't heard splashing of water or Roger's screams.
He turned his gaze back, and saw Roger in the shallows, in low, knee-deep water maybe. lazily walking around, eyes focused on small rocks underwater. His shirt was off, but still crumpled in his hand.
"Rog? You going?"
Blonde's head snapped in Brian's direction. He shook his head.
"Nah, I'm totally fine."
There was no bite to it—no sarcasm, what suprised Brian. Something about the way the blonde said it made him pause. He swam a little closer to Roger until he was standing too.
"Come on, Rog, it's hot. Don't you want to cool down a bit?"
"I said I'm fine. Let me be, Brian." Now, the brunette could tell Roger was feeling more frustrated and snappy. His shoulders slumped a little bit, feeling small pang on of hurt.
"...Sorry. Didn't wanted to be nosy..." He said, and took awkward step back.
Roger rolled his eyes a bit, feeling guilt raise in his chest and his defensivness disappearing slowly.
"Hey Brian I-ugh, come here, you idiot..."
Brian turned in Roger's direction, his eyes sparkling with hope and curiosity. Roger sighed and rubbed his face, embarassed.
"I'll say it quick, okay? I don't know how to swim. That's it. I'm scared of drowning. I said it. Laugh it off."
The guitarist's eyes widened in shock and sympathy. He took carefully few steps closer to the blonde.
"Good lord...Roger I didn't know, I'm sorry."
Roger looked up at Brian, suprised. He expected everything, but not *that* reaction.
"You not not, uhh, disgusted or somethin'...?"
"What? No, no, no, of course no, why would I? I mean, it's normal to be scared of something, that makes us human, for example I am scare-"
"Alright, alright, stop rambling. Geez, I get it." Roger scowled, but couldn't help but feel warm flutter in chest. Brian was always so caring and kind, it cluld be both annoying and adorable. "Just though, you know, a grown ass man, scared of water and can't swim. And I uh, how old I am, twenty-two or what..."
Brian huffed and shook his head. "Oh Roger..." he felt bad for the drummer. "It's totally fine that you're scared. There's nothing to be embarassed of."
Roger felt his cheeks heat up under the understanding gaze of the guitarist. "Uh. Sure. Whatever." he masked his emotions with scoff and looked back down, staring at the rocks under his feet in wate. His long blonde hair falling around his face to his relief. At least Brian won't see, he thought.
But that wasn't an end. Not in Brian's eyes.
"I understand that you're scared of drowning but I think you should learn how to swim." he said, and then, to Roger's shock, he took his wrist, gently but firmly and tried to bring him deeper in the water. "It wouldn't be bad to try to overcome your fear, you know."
Roger's eyes widened at the action. His shirt, which was crumpled in his hand fell down and water soaked it. He tried to wriggle his wrist free but Brian didn't let go. Does the brunette want him to drown? The water was already splashing around his thighs.
"Brian? What the fuck?! Let me-"
Brian, totally ignoring the blonde just said. "Tell me when you will feel that it's hard to stand down."
Roger let out small hiss when the cold water touched his stomach. He didn't liked this. Will the taller man really try to learn him how to swim. Roger almost scoffed at that though but the water already splashed his chest. "Cold..."
Brian looked at him, small smile on his lips.
"Oh, stop it. But I think we can stop here."
Roger grumbled under his breath but didn't say anything. Maybe it's not that bad idea to finally learn how to swim...
"Alright." Brian said, hoping Roger is not feeling too uncomfortable. "It's not that hard, not really. All you need to do is kick with your legs and use your arms. Like this."
He leaned forward, water hitting his chest. Brian stretched his arms in front of him and his palms together. Then, he made wide arc with his arms and with his legs, a frog-like kick. He swam around for while before returning to the drummer.
"That's it. No science behind it. Technically."
Roger stared at the brunette for a while, still not sure. His heart pounded rapidly in his chest.
"Geez, Brian, I'm don't know..."
"You won't sink," Brian said gently. "I'm right here."
"You better be."
Roger said. Then he swalloved back the fear and let go of the bottom.
It happened fast- his legs lifted, his arms floated around. The water splashed in his face and he panicked. He furiously tried to like Brian did sooner, but it felt wrong. His legs and arms were kicking around wildy and he cried in panic.
"I can't!"
"Yes you can. Breathe. Don't panic. Just in and out." Brian called and stepped closer, still touching the ground. He touched Roger's stomach and lifted him up a little. "There. Just float. I got you."
Roger took shaky breath, tried to follow Brian's steady breaths. He continued breathing, in and out. Slowly, he felt himslef relax a little.
"There you go. Now, try to kick your feet and do arc with your arms. I'll let you go now, alright?"
The drummer nodded. When he felt the other man pull away, he kicked his feet again, not that wild this time. His arms curled in front of him, paddling in messy circles. And he stayed up, floating.
"You're swimming!" Brian said, whole time next to him. "You're swimming like a dog, but it counts."
Roger laughed and water get in him mouth. He coughed, trying to get the water from his lungs.
"Whoa, easy there, Rog.That's dangerous." Brian said and rushed closer to the blonde, who was coughing lightly.
"I'm fine." Roger spoke, his coughs dying. He was grinning from ear to ear. "I'm swimming!"
The guitarist let out a chuckle. "Yes you are."
Roger let out a squeak of happiness. He kicked his legs more and paddled messily, but he was moving. The guitarost was right behind him, small smile on his face, swimming close to the blonde. The time passed and they were laughing, talking shit and swimming around.
"Wait, I'll go find my shirt, it's still in water." Roger said and started carefully swimming to the shallows. Brian found himself alone again. For a while, he just swam around, watching the sun slowly move around the sky. But Roger was away far too long. He stoppped swimming and looked around, the blonde nowhere.
"Rog?"
He called out for his friend, feeling slight panic. Oh my god, did he drownned? You should keep an eye on him, it's his first time swimming and now you killed your friend, you killed Roger, he thought, worry, panic, everything taking over him.
He wanted to shout Roger's name again, when suddenly, water splashed on him from behind. Brian yelped, his eyes going closed, feeling water drip from his curly hair he took so long this morning to look perfect. He heard laughing from behind, and the guitarist felt rush of frustration.
"Roger!"
But the drummer just continued laughing, now starting to laugh hysterically.
"Oh my, you should have seen your face!"
"This is not funny, Rog! Do you have any idea what my hair will look like when it dries?!" Brian huffed, his dark curls now wet , damp and sticking to his face.
Roger's hysterical laughter died and now, he was only lighlty chuckling and giggling, that high-pitched raspy voice, that made Brian rethink his life decisions.
The guitarist shook his head, frustration in his voice now mixing with affection. "You're lucky you just started to learn how to swim, or I would drown you for this myself."
"Oh, don't say bullshit, you love me too much for that." Roger shot the taller man cheeky grin splashing water on Brian again.
Brian felt fluttering in his chest at the drummer's words, but was threw off the guard again when Roger started splashing the water at him.
"Oi you bastard, you'll pay for that!" The guitarist said and splashed the water on the blonde back.
Roger let out a squeak and started giggling like a madman again.