A Tragic Creation 3: At Pepperland's End

Chapter 35: Comforting

Everyone was silent as Randel began to sob, keeping his face buried in Ringo's chest as his grip on the Beatle tightened.

John, Paul, and George all looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

Jeremy and Max stepped forward, both staring at the pair with sad looks.

The Chief clasped his hands together, also staring at the pair as Old Fred and Lord Mayor watched on beside him.

Randel didn't want to be seen like this, but right now, all that mattered to him was that Ringo was alright.

Eventually, Randel's sobbing died down into soft whimpering, and he looked up at Ringo, who stared down at him.

Without a word, Randel closed his eyes and pressed his lips up against Ringo's, joining the both of them in a kiss.

Ringo's eyes widened in surprise, but slowly, he closed them, melting into the light kiss.

Around them, some small gasps were heard, but none were in disapproval.

Randel pulled away after a moment, keeping his eyes closed as he once again buried his face in Ringo's chest, still whimpering.

Ringo, a light blush appearing on his face, kept his arms around Randel as he opened his eyes looked around, starting to feel embarrassed at what just happened.

John, Paul, and George all waked up beside them, staring down at the pair with sympathy.

"Um..." Paul started.

"Randel... you okay?"

Randel did not respond immediately, instead opening his eyes just a bit and turning his head to stare at the bassist.

"I... I'm..."

Ringo patted his head.

"I don't think he wants to talk now..." He stated.

Slowly, Ringo's alter ego approached them, keeping his winged hat in his hands.

"Well... I think I speak for all of us when I say... Thank you."

Randel turned his head to face him, but he stayed silent as tears continued to stream down his face.

Jeremy and Max both nodded in agreement.

"I... was terrified, but our appreciation for you is beyond ratified," Jeremy spoke.

"Yeah... I thought we were done for..." Max added, looking down for a moment.

Old Fred stepped forward.

"I never thought that you'd pull though, Randel. No offense, but... I just couldn't see how anyone would be able to stop it."

Randel kept his face buried in Ringo's chest, whimpers dying down completely.

"I... I d-don't... k-know what to say..." He said shakily.

Suddenly, the four-headed bulldog walked up to the pair, making both Ringo and Randel turn their heads to face it.

All heads staring at Randel, it sat down, whining.

Slowly, Randel reached a hand out to pet it.

"I uh... t-thank you all... b-but..."

He pulled his hand back.

"I t-think I j-just need to be w-with Ringo for a while..."

He sniffled.

"S-sorry... i-it's just that... I... I w-was so scared a-and... and..."

He looked up at Ringo.

"A-after... after you were... t-taken... I... I d-didn't know w-what to d-do..."

"Shh. Everything's okay now."

Ringo slowly helped Randel off of the ground, and Randel stood on shaky legs, still keeping his hands around Ringo as his head stayed buried in his chest.

"I... we're just going to... go somewhere quiet, if you will."

He looked around, and everyone nodded.

Ringo turned back to face the clear path, Randel moving his head to his shoulder in the process.

"I l-love you... s-so much..." Randel whispered, tears still sliding down his cheeks.

"I know," Ringo replied as they began to walk, placing a hand in Randel's hair.

Once the pair had walked away, John, Paul, and George looked at those closest to them, seeing that Lord Mayor and the Chief were staring off in the direction they had went.

"So... should we just... stay here?" George asked.

Lord Mayor sighed.

"I think that yer blueness and I want to talk with them later..."

Jeremy and Max both looked up at them.

"Can we come too? It's what we'd like to do," Jeremy asked.

The Chief smiled and nodded.

"You can. And..."

He looked at the three Beatles.

"Would you three like to see them later as well?"

"I think so..." John paused.

"And... Jeremy?"

Jeremy looked up at him.

"I... I'm sorry for what I did to you. I wasn't-"

"It's fine, John. I know that you didn't really want me gone."

George and Paul looked at each other, confused.

"Uh, John?" Paul asked, "What is he talking about?"

John scratched the back of his head.

"I'll... tell you later..."

The three Beatles all stared at the sunrise, watching as the horizon turned into a colorful display as the sun continued to rise above it.

"For now..." John started.

"I think we should just enjoy ourselves."