Chapter Text
Mimi, Jim, and Mike stayed at the hospital all day, only reluctantly leaving once visiting hours were over.
As Mike and Jim hugged Paul, Mimi squeezed John’s hand before kissing him goodbye.
John was smiling, his spirits lifted upon seeing his auntie again. Paul tried to remain happy, but something was gnawing at his stomach.
“What’s the matter, Macca?”
John asked, noticing Paul’s nervous expression.
“I’ve just been thinking….”
Paul’s reply made John lift a brow.
“Thinking about what? You have to be more specific.”
“I’ve just been thinking…What if this isn't real. It just seems too good to be true. What if I’m just dreaming right now? What if we’re still stuck in the bunker? What if I’m not even talking you right now?”
John sighed. He wanted to tell Paul that he was being ridiculous, but his delusions didn’t seem too unreasonable. To ordinary people, it would, but not to him.
“Yeah, I get it. Reality gets a little muddled up when you’re locked away for 2 years. Hell, I once dreamed about a woman with kaleidoscope eyes and rocking horse people.”
Paul shook his head, smiling.
“Of course, only your head would conjure up such a dream.”
“Hey, at least my mind stayed creative. I think I even wrote a song about that dream in one of those notebooks. I hope we’ll get those notebooks back one day.”
Paul nodded in agreeance.
“Me too. The police will probably take them as evidence, but I’m sure we can convince them to hand em’ over.”
Silence hung in the air as the two watched the full moon rising through the large window. Suddenly, John sighed.
“Hey, Paul?”
“Hm?”
“I’ve been thinking about George and Ritchie. Wonderin’ what happened to them. I mean, we disappeared while we were on top of the world. How do you carry on when half of your band is just…gone?”
Paul continued to watch the night sky as he pondered his answer.
“It's hard to say. I hope that they’re safe and that those monsters kept their promise of not harming them.”
The younger musician said, turning on his side.
“Whatever happened, I want to hear it from them. I haven’t bothered to watch the telly or even read the paper. I’ll catch up on my own”
John said, also turning on his side to face Paul. Although there were two beds in the hospital room, the two men preferred to share one. They didn’t know why exactly, but it was comforting and made them feel safe. Paul reached out to caress John’s auburn locks.
“Your hair is so long now.”
Paul commented, his fingers twirling around the strands.
“I might keep it like this. I quite like the long hair. You should keep the beard. It suits you.”
“You think?”
Paul said, stroking his chin.
“I would have shaved in there more often, but the razors they gave us were quite shit.”
John nodded in agreement.
“Everything they gave us down there was shit. I never thought I would be excited about hospital food.”
He said, pulling Paul to his chest.
“Still think this is a dream, Macca?”
Paul hummed.
“A little, but your hot breath is telling me otherwise.”
“Cunt.”
John remarked, draping an arm around his best friend. Paul closed his eyes, nuzzling deeper into John’s chest and listening to his steady heartbeat. The beat was oddly comforting. It assured Paul that John was real, alive, and well.
It didn’t take long for them to drift off in their comfortable position. Paul was the first to fall asleep, tightly clinging to John as he did.
“Looks like I’m your personal teddy bear, Paulie.”
John teased, although he knew his mate couldn’t hear him. John smiled, tucking a long lock of Paul’s hair behind his ear. He suddenly felt the strong urge to kiss his childhood friend. The desire frightened John. It seemed fitting, almost natural with their closeness, but the other part of his brain told him it would be an abomination.
He closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep so he wouldn't have to think anymore.
___________
John and Paul had several x rays and medical examinations done the following morning. After John’s ankle gave out again, the man was transported around the hospital in a wheelchair. Although he wouldn’t admit it, Paul could see that John wanted to cry.
Besides malnutrition and improperly healed bones, the duo was generally healthy.
After all the tests and examinations, the two were brought back to their room to relax. The room was quiet until the squeak of the opening door penetrated the silence. John let out a small gasp while Paul froze up.
“Oh, I apologize. I didn’t mean to frighten you two. I should have knocked first.”
A man in the white coat apologized upon noticing his patients’ startled expressions.
“No, it's fine….”
Paul assured, combing his dark hair. John was sitting on his bed, reading Alice in Wonderland, although he lost his place upon hearing the door open. He set the book down, putting on a weak smile.
“‘Ello.”
John greeted.
“Good morning, Lennon and McCartney. How did you both sleep?”
“A little better. It's been hard adjusting back to real-time.”
“I understand. I promise, your mind will readjust faster than you think.”
Paul put the brush on the bedside table, sighing.
“I hope so. I was falling asleep around lunchtime yesterday.”
The doctor chuckled before speaking again.
“Anyway, I have some goodies for you both.”
John noticed that the doctor was holding a long, wooden cane. He set the stick on the bed.
“Just to help with your walking, I know it's been difficult.”
“Thank you.”
John said gratefully.
The cane seemed like the best option. He could walk, albeit with much-needed assistance.
“You’re welcome.”
The doctor smiled before reaching into his coat pocket. He retrieved several pill bottles.
“One of my colleagues prescribed some medication.”
He said, handing each of the boys two pill bottles.
“The first one is just some standard painkillers. To help with the pain of your improperly healed fractures. Just until you’re both strong enough for surgery. Take one in the morning and one at night.”
“Ok”
Paul nodded before holding up the second bottle.
“But what’s this for?”
“To help ease your anxieties. Just take it when you need it.”
The doctor answered. Paul’s eyes widened slightly.
“Anxiety?”
“The staff noticed that you two have been rather…jumpy.”
The two looked down. It was true. They had been skittish, flinching every time the door opened, squirming in discomfort during physical examinations, and even crying when asked to strip down for a routine check-up.
“I’m sorry….”
John apologized shamefully.
“No worries, Lennon. It’s not your fault. After everything you two experienced…it’s to be expected.”
Paul gulped. The doctor knew.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they were, of course, asked what had happened. Paul explained simply that they were held captive underground and raped. He refused to give any more details besides the questions attaining to their injuries.
They both knew they would have to tell the whole story eventually, as an investigation was bound to be launched. The musicians weren’t ready to relive the nightmarish events that took place underground but knew it was inevitable.
McCartney’s thoughts were interrupted by a commotion in the hallway. He heard the sound of frantic footsteps and distant yelling. Suddenly, the room door burst open.
Paul could feel his body shaking and tears welling up in his eyes.
In the doorway stood his beloved bandmates, Ringo and George. They both looked tired, disheveled but were also shaking from excitement.
The world stood still for a moment, and before Paul knew it, George was rushing towards him, trapping him in a tight embrace.
He could also hear Ringo running to John, both bursting into tears the moment they hugged.
“It’s you…God it’s really you….”
Paul heard George mutter in almost disbelief. He felt his youngest friend bury his face in his shoulders.
“I thought that I’d have so much to say if I ever saw you again. Seems like I’ve forgotten it all.”
Paul smiled at George’s remark before letting out a long, shuttering sigh.
“It’s ok, George. We’ll have plenty of time to talk. I’m not going anywhere, not again.”
Ringo wiped his nose, sniffling as he pulled away from John.
“I-I’m sorry. I can’t stop.”
The drummer said, referring to his emotional sobs.
“I-I’m just s-so happy!”
Ringo said as he went to embrace Paul, while George moved to John. After another minute of this, Paul sat next to John on his bed, inviting the other for a much-needed group hug. The orchestra of overjoyed sobs filled the room and echoed throughout the hallway.
Against all odds, the Beatles were finally back together.