Illegal Love - McLennon and Starrison

I'm Looking Through You

A/N: EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, I GOT INTO THE BEATLES! HERE'S A CHAPTER TO CELEBRATE! ENJOY! even though i cried writing it

"You're so insufferable, John!" Paul cried, yanking at his own hair. "Always thinking about yourself and no one else, I swear!"

"Oh, yeah? Have you fucking forgotten whose band this is, McCartney?!"

"Please don't fight, it really isn't necessary to -"

"Shut up, Ringo!"

Insults flew back and forth, and George sadly watched them fight. It had all been fine minutes before, until they discussed how to label Drive My Car. Lennon with McCartney or McCartney with Lennon.

"I wrote and sang almost all of the damn thing, you know!" Paul shouted.

"Yeah right, you weren't the only lead vocal! George, who's right?"

George's eyes widened. "Well actually, I don't think either of you are right. How about you talk it over like proper adults?"

They were shocked at his unusual annoyance. "Not until John apologizes!"

"Well I'm not apologizing until YOU do!" He paused. "So there!" he added childishly.

"It's just a song, why are they getting so angry?" Ringo whispered. "Does it really matter how it is labeled?"

John's head jerked up. "Care to share with the class, Richard?" he sneered.

"Don't talk to him like that!" George shouted, quickly losing his patience. "I don't care how angry you are, you are NOT taking it out on my boyfriend!"

"It's okay, he's just stressed -"

"No! I won't let him treat you like that!"

"I can take care of myself!" Ringo informed him.

"I never said you couldn't!" Things were getting out of hand as the calm atmosphere faded away.

"Yeah, you should be the one taking care of him! He is the youngest, after all!"

"Eight months, John! Eight months between me and Paul! That's not very much!"

"Still makes you the youngest. I'm surprised he let you in at all," Ringo added.

"I'm not the one who dropped out of school like some delinquent!" George snarled.

"At least me mum loved me!" Paul spat.

Everyone's eyes widened.

"What did you say?" John's voice was small. Ringo also had an expression of hurt.

"Delinquent?"

"Oh, shit. John, I - I didn't..."

He looked him straight in the eye. "W - who are you, and what have you d - done with me Macca?" He ran upstairs, slamming a door. All eyes were on Paul.

"That was a horrible thing to say," George deadpanned. "You went too far." Ringo nodded slightly as his lip quivered.

"I know, how could I say such a thing?! I'm a monster!" He sank to the floor as his knees wobbled. "I didn't mean it, oh god, he hates me!"

"No." George knelt down to his level. "He doesn't. John may be a stubborn bastard, but he loves you. Now go, go to him." Paul sniffed and nodded, running upstairs. "And you. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have called you a delinquent. Or anything, for that matter."

Ringo threw himself at him, burying his face in his chest. "I forgive you. And I'm sorry too, you're an important part of this band. I just hope you know that much."

"I do. You're important, too, even if they say you aren't."

---

"John! Goddammit, John! Open up!" Paul pounded on the door frantically.

"Go the fuck away!" a voice on the other side sobbed.

"No! I'm coming in there one way or another!" Being taught how to pick locks by Lennon had its perks. Click. The door nearly burst off its hinges. "John!"

"I thought I told you to go away." John looked up from his knees to find his beautiful Paulie with tearstains on his cheeks. "You don't look any better than I do." They giggled a little. "I didn't say I wanted you in here."

"Maybe I should've waited a while." Paul sat next to him as an uncomfortable silence settled in the room.

"Just say something already, that's why you followed me."

"Where do I begin? I-I know you probably hate me now, but for what it's worth I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Your mum loved you with all of her heart, she really did. And-"

"Shush. Look outside." He pointed out the window, indicating night had fallen. "It's our star. You remember, right? When I was drunk off my bloody arse?"

"Mary Julia," Paul whispered.

"Don't you know what I told you, Macca? You will look at Mary Julia at any time and know I'm here laughing about how queer you are. I'm going to keep that fucking promise, too. Guess what?" John pulled him closer. "I do forgive you."

The only tears shed for the rest of the night were tears of joy.