Without You (MCLENNON)

Chapter 2

A/N: Hey! I'm sorry if this story sucks, but here's chapter 2!

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As Paul woke up in the morning, he took a moment to adjust to the bright light, and to remember all of the events of last night. His bones ached, and he blamed the pain on all of the unnecessary running he had put himself through yesterday.

John had been awake for a little while, and immediately heard Paul stirring. "Hey Macca. How ya' doin?" 

"I-I'm doing better. Yeah, much better." Paul peeled the blankets and sheets off of his body and stood up.

"Okay good. How bout' some breakfast?" John asked, joining the younger boy in the center of his bedroom.

"Tea would be great. Thank you, Johnny." Paul grinned sincerely.

John chucked at the old nickname, and walked out to the kitchen. Paul soon followed, and leaned up against the kitchen counter.

In a few minutes, John sat a cup of Earl Grey down in front of the doe-eyed bassist. Paul took small sips, and eventually John spoke again. "Macca, can you please tell me what your father did? I know it's hard, bu-" 

John was cut off by Paul's soft voice. "I was out late again, and I-I missed curfew, again. An...And he was drunk, again. He got real upset, and Mike was just upstairs. I'm so worried for Mike! Oh I should've never left him." Paul explained sorrowfully.

"Oh, Paulie. It's okay, and he was drunk! All you did was miss curfew. He will come to his senses, I promise. And we'll take care of Mike." John exclaimed, hurriedly running over to his friends side. "And for now, I guess your moving in!" 

"Oh, John! Thank you so much." Paul nearly shouted, throwing his arms around his best friend. 

"Of course Paulie! And this way we can write more songs!" John added with a wink.

~*~

The remainder of the day went by fast, and most of it was spent trying to get Paul set up with the basic living needs. John took the loveseat out of the living room and put it in his own, next to his actual bed. He of course persuaded Paul to take his bed, and John set the loveseat up to function as sleeping quarters. 

"I'm tired." Paul yawned, and crawled into bed, still wearing the clothes he wore that day.

"Alright, Macca. Get some sleep." John chuckled, and got himself ready for the nights rest.

John awoke at about 1am to the sound of screaming and heavy breathing. He whipped around to see Paul, thrashing about and yelling. The younger boy was sweating and hyperventilating.

"Macca!" John yelled and jumped out of his 'bed' to get to his friends side. He was shaking his shoulders, but Paul would not wake up. "Wake up!" 

"JOHN! NO STOP DON'T!" Paul screamed loudly. "Mum? MUM! NO! MARY! WAIT STOP! DON'T HURT HER!" Paul would not wake up. "No! JOHN! John, please! Please don't leave me! I need you!" 

"Paul! I'm not leaving! Wake up! Please!" John continued to shake Paul's shoulders, and Paul continued to scream.

"J-John? You're...You're okay!" Paul began to sob, and practically jumped into John's arms. John held him, and was extremely puzzled.

"Yes, yes Paulie I'm okay. And I won't leave you. I promise." 

"Okay." Paul replied, picking himself out of John's embrace.

"Go back to sleep Macca." John demanded kindly, and helped Paul return to his bed.

Moments later, John heard Paul's breathing steady, and he knew he had fallen back asleep. John knew better than to pester Paul about what had just happened, and he was also well aware that Paul wouldn't just open up to him in the morning. I hate when he's like this. I feel so useless. All I want to do is help. But there isn't anything I can do. John thought to himself as he got back in bed. He wondered why he cared so much about Paul. He wouldn't care that much about other people, would he? 

Soon John found sleep once again, and drifted off. His thoughts cluttering his dreams.

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