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Ringo had just hopped through the magical door and he finds himself in the most WHIMSICAL of places called 'Holland'!
He adjusts the costume before hopping over to George's uh...house? Temple? Whatever it is, it's really not important, but what IS important is what happens later.
A few hours go by and Ringo's kangaroo ears twitch as if they were his own, he's just been resting with George smoking a blunt and talking about music, sex and whatever their minds think up in this slurred haze.
BUT, something doesn't seem right. Usually Paul would be interrupting conversations or just wandering about, not today though it seems. He wouldn't give much thought to that annoying little prat, but something in his gut tells him something is wrong. So with much reluctance he gets up, groaning and apologising to George saying he "just need to take a piss" before hopping outside.
Ringo sighs, inhaling the cool, crisp air making his drunkened mind clear up slightly. It's definitely a lot better than being cramped in a misty, drug scented, sweaty room that's for sure. And with that, he starts looking around for Paul's house (which is quite easy because it appears to be the only house for miles).
When he approaches the door of the house he knocks on it, no answer...strange? He does it again, and then again. Okay now THIS is getting concerning, surely there would be a response after several knocks, but no. With a grunt, Ringo grabs the door handle and RAMS his body into the door only to stumble forwards with a yelp. WELL THAT WAS STUPID, IT WAS ALREADY UNLOCKED!!
" 'Ello, Paul? Yer in 'ere, you little pest?!" Ringo calls out only to be met with silence. Well he was met with silence until a flash of red comes flying down the stairs and latches onto his leg making Ringo freeze up. "Paul?" He mutters in his average deep and rough scouse accent, sounding a mix between shock, confusion and pure annoyance. "Aye get off me!" He grumbles, shaking his leg as Paul yelps and falls onto his bottom with a thud.
Ringo feeling a headache coming on rubs between his eyes, pinching his nose before muttering under his breath "What on EARTH is going on, la? 'aven't seen ya all fuckin' day!" Paul hiccups as he rubs his bottom while staggering up to his feel and stuttering "Well uh, Ringo, u-uh...me...me dad y'know? He's the mayor you know he's uh very busy Ringo and um can't well he left because uh he's busy y'know? I can't leave the house without his permission and uh I haven't had breakfast yet so I'm hungry y'know?"
Ringo stands there silently and without saying a word picks Paul up instantly shocking the young boy "Uh Uh Ringo, what are you doing? Uh y'know why did you pick me up?" Ringo only clicks his tongue as he carries Paul over his shoulder and into the kitchen. With a grunt he places Paul on the counter before checking the fridge and cupboards only to grumble under his breath struggling to find any food for Paul to eat; Ringo turns to Paul before asking in a very annoyed tone "Where's all the fucking food, prat?"
Ringo just stares at Paul who gives him a shrug, not much of a response. Ringo squints before walking over to paul and crouching to his level and placing a paw on his shoulder despite feeling Paul recoil he keeps his hand there. "Look, kid." He starts, his voice audibly softening although still with a hint of roughness, "Do yer have a mother to take care of you when yer ol' pops is away? You need someone to be there for you, you're just a wee lad, la." Paul slowly raises his head as he fiddles with his fingers, not looking at Ringo but rather focusing on his floppy kangaroo ears not wanting to look him in the eyes.
Ringo stays there silently as Paul starts to speak quietly, he's never heard young Paul here speak so quietly and emotionally before it almost scares him. "Me mum..um...she died I don't uh y'know, just me and dad y'know? He's tired uh struggles to do everything y'know? ...He just kind of y'know forgets about me every now and again, it's not his fault though uh he's just very stressed and tired y'know?" Ringo stays crouched in front of him unconsciously rubbing his shoulder while Ringo's kangaroo ears bend back slightly, drooping in sadness.
Ringo suddenly goes stiff, his hand tightening on Paul's shoulder as he watches Paul start to cry. A hiccup turns into sniffles as tears start to fall "A-And I- ...I- *sniff* I-" Ringo quickly wraps his arms around Paul and pulls him into his chest; rubbing the back of his head while shushing him "Shh shh sh...easy lad, easy take a breather shh... you're okay it's okay." He whispers into Paul's hair as Pauls small hands start grabbing and tugging on Ringo's costume while sobbing loudly.
Ringo feels his heart drop as he gently kisses Paul's forehead before looking down at the little fella. He knows this feeling all too well, feeling unwanted by a man who's meant to be there for you, to look after you. He never really got a chance to meet or know his father, despite having a loving stepfather he sometimes stayed up at night wondering what happened and Where'd his ACTUAL father went. Was HE the problem?
...As he looks at Paul, a boy he calls "an annoying little pest" or "a prat" ...here he stands holding him feeling sorry for him, understanding him. A feeling he knows all too well shared between the two. Ringo lowers his head again and rubs his forehead against Paul's "Shhh..." He cooes again as Paul's sobs start to die down, he watches as Paul rubs his eyes and look up at him with damp and saddened eyes. Cheeks flushed and sticky with tears as his nose runs.
Ringo let's out a huff before picking Paul up and rubbing the back of his head as he feels the little "pest" lower his head onto his shoulder. "How about we get some food, la?" He whispers only for Paul to let out a quiet noise in response which Ringo takes as an agreement.
So there they go, leaving Paul's house with Ringo having a tight but gentle grip on the sad little boy. Ringo knows EXACTLY where he's going to go, George...
George lies on the floor on his place ABSOLUTELY STONED whilst smoking a joint, but as soon as he hears a bang on the door he grumbles and staggers up to his feet; walking over to the door and opening it only for his eyes to widen and mouth agape looking at the scene in front of him.
Ringo turns to look at him with a sorry expression and downcast eyes, he opens his mouth to speak but George gets there first "RINGO, WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?? ...Why are ye holding that annoying little git?!" George yells in confusion but Ringo holds a finger up to his mouth signalling him to quieten down a little as Paul turns to look at George.
"Quieten down George, let us in and I'll explain everything, hm?" George only sighs at Ringo's words before reluctantly letting them both in, shutting the door behind them.
As soon as they all find a place to sit on the floor George instantly brings up the elephant in the room "Right, Ringo...what the fuck are you doing with that little git looking so sorry for himself on your lap?!" Ringo only sighs as he strokes Paul's head as he shrugs "I don't really know, 'e just...'is pops just...left him alone? NOT ABANDONED but more like, neglected? Forgotten? 'e just looked so lost no food so I was wondering if ye had any food?"
George just sits there taking in Ringo's words before sighing and standing up "Right, stay here then." He grumbles before walking off to presumably the kitchen.
Ringo looks down at Paul who's staring quite blankly at the floor, but Ringo places a finger under his chin and lifts his head up to look at Paul. Paul stares at him and Ringo stares back before giving him a faint smile, which Paul tries to give back. Ringo's smile softens before he leans in and kisses Paul's forehead again.
After a few minutes of sitting in silence, George returns holding a plate of fish and chips with PEAS™. "Here ya go you little git, don't eat too fast." He mumbles in annoyance placing the plate down in front of Paul; Paul starts salivating at the sight before picking up a chip and chows down on it
So there they are just sitting on the floor, Paul eating his food while sitting on Ringo's lap as Ringo and George talk about what just happened, George despite Being very irritated softens up slightly at what he's being told. Every now and again glancing down at Paul who's absolutely chowing down on his fish and chips.
And now this is where the story ends a week after this all happened, when Paul's father isn't home Ringo comes and takes his place. Playing with Paul and his bouncy ball or running around having fun.
If you told Ringo he'd be getting close to Paul a few weeks ago he would've scoffed and laughed in your face. But look at him now.