Times like these

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

-next day-
Paul was in the recording studio, he'd locked himself in there to let music calm him. John decided to ring up George and Ringo. George picked up, "hello?"

"...hey, George.." John sighed.

"What's up?"

"You um...you need to get over here. Paul uh...there's some news."

There was a pause, Ringo could be heard mumbling about something in the background. "...is he ok?"

"I don't know. Please come as soon as you can."

"Alright..should I bring Ritchie?"

John nodded. "Yeah..yeah bring him too." George said ok and John hung up.
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The doorbell rang and John hopped up to get it. "Hey guys."

They both stepped in and made a face, looking towards the locked door blaring angry guitar out of it. "..um."

"Yeah. I know. Lemme see if I get him hold on." John grabbed the spare key and unlocked the door, stepping in. "Macca-"

Paul looked up but started strumming louder. "Go away."

"George and Ringo are here! Come on.." John looked at him pleadingly.

Paul stopped and sighed. "Fine..." They both walked out into the living room.

"What's wrong?" George and Ringo were holding hands.

Paul looked at John, not being able to form the words. "Well..um..we went to the doctors and...Paul..Paul's got a tumor."

The other two's faces paled, "..where.." Ringo looked intently at Paul with those pretty blue eyes.

John started to answer but Paul chimed in. "Brain. In my fuckin' bloody brain. MY BLOODY BRAIN!" He gasped and fell into John, sobbing into his chest.

George teared up. '...my best friend...' "P-Paul...it's not...it can't be.." Ringo teared up as well, rubbing George's back.

John held onto Paul and wiped his tears and looking in his eyes. Paul let go of him and hugged Ringo, then George, who held onto him tight. "I-I..you're like my brother...this can't happen..."

Ringo patted John's back and the two hugged as well, imagining how difficult this must be for John.
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After all the tears were shed, the four sat in the living room with some tea and sandwiches, catching up. "John, how's Julian?" Ringo looked towards John.

"I haven't seen him in awhile. I'll probably call 'em tomorrow and give 'em the news..maybe let him stay with us for awhile too. I know he misses his uncle.." John let the small smile that Paul gave burn into his memory.

Ringo nodded. George was petting their cat. "Why did you name this cat Earl grey?"

"Cause I like tea." John shrugged.

"But this cat is white." George raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"Yeah I know. It was dark when we named 'em." They all laughed and cherished each other's company.
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After the two had left, Paul started to retreat back too the recording studio. "Where are you going?" John grabbed his hand.

"To the studio." Paul pulled his hand a little, John tightening his grip.

"I know what you're doing. You're trying to run away from me to spare me the pain." He could feel Paul's pulse quicken.

"Isn't that a nice thing to do?"

"No. Macca, I love you. I need you to be with me. You shuttin' yourself in there hurts me! You don't need to dump all of this on yourself." John let go.

Paul paused for a moment and scrubbed his eyes, turning and facing his husband. "You're right..I'm sorry, Johnny.."

"Shh don't be sorry. Let's go out for dinner. How's that sound?" He smiled a little.

"Alright. Can we go to that little place on the corner I like?" Paul smiled when John nodded.

"Then we can do whatever you want to do the rest of the evening." John winked, making Paul blush.
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At the restaurant they both ordered the pasta special of the day and tea. They were holding hands across the table, Paul rubbing John's leg with his foot, under the table. "Hmhm you look beautiful, Paul. As always.." John smiled fondly and squeezed his hand.

"Aww..thank y-..mm.." Paul felt a headache coming on, John noticing and rubbing his hand with his thumb.

"You ok?"

"Y-..n-no.." It suddenly increased, feeling like a brick was banging into the front of his head.

"shhh...focus on breathing. Put your head down." John was talking as calmly as possible.

The restaurant wasn't too loud, but every sound was magnified ten times louder making Paul's head pound harder and harder. He stuck his fingers in his ear and put his head down, focusing on breathing like John said.

Fortunately it passed quickly, and when Paul pulled his head up their food was already there. "You alright, Princess?"

"Mmhm...that..that was the worst one I've ever had.." Paul nibbled on his pasta.

"Do you want to go home? I can get us a take out box."

"No, no lets just enjoy the rest of the night. I'm fine."

They did enjoy the rest of the evening, then headed home and enjoyed each other's company furthermore in the bedroom.

The next chapter will be happy I swear